Government Heeds Warning From Children’s Charity

  • Campaigners celebrate millions of pounds of support for Care Experienced people in Programme for Government
  • Charity warned that without immediate change, Scotland risked a forgotten generation
  • Pressure remains on Government for radical change to improve the lives of people in care

The charity Who Cares? Scotland has welcomed new policies announced today by the Scottish Government. If realised in full, the charity says that the policies will make a real difference to Care Experienced people. Continue reading Government Heeds Warning From Children’s Charity

Local housing causes to benefit from £500,000 as Nationwide opens grant application process

  • Local charitable organisations have new opportunity to benefit from grants of up to £50,000
  • Grants available to tackle housing issues in local communities
  • Application process now open

Local community housing projects and charities are being urged to put their case forward as Nationwide, the world’s largest building society, makes £500,000 available to help make a difference to communities across the region. Continue reading Local housing causes to benefit from £500,000 as Nationwide opens grant application process

Letters: Thank You from Cats Protection

Dear Editor,

This Volunteers Week (1-7 June), I would like to take the opportunity to thank our fantastic volunteers who give so much of their time, skill and dedication for the benefit of cats in our care.

At Cats Protection we were grateful to involve over 11,200 volunteers during 2018. Volunteers are truly the foundation and life-blood of the charity. Whether volunteering in our shops or populating our social media channels; researching advocacy campaigns or fostering kittens, they ensure that every day we move closer to our vision of a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Without them, we would not have been able to help rehome or reunite 44,000 cats and neuter around 143,000. Nor would we have delivered 1,693 education talks to 52,343 peopleThey are vital to every aspect of everything we achieve.

I would also like to thank players of People’s Postcode Lottery who are supporting volunteering across England, Scotland and Wales. Their support for our Volunteer Team Leaders means that we can share best practice through our adoption centres and out to our network of volunteer branches and shops.

We will be sharing a new animation for Volunteers’ Week on our social media channels about the many volunteering roles available with us and would love to hear from cat lovers who would like to help cats locally. They can visit www.cats.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering to find out more.

Yours sincerely,

Julie Meredith

Head of Volunteering Development

Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT

Edinburgh Compact calls on charities to make their voices heard

IN EQUAL RESPECT?

The Edinburgh Compact Voice Survey 2019 is now open for responses. The survey gathers data from organisations in the third sector in Edinburgh providing a collective picture of the state of the city’s charity and voluntary organisations. Continue reading Edinburgh Compact calls on charities to make their voices heard

As we see it: the two different sides of Universal Credit

Did you know that the DWP has created a website dedicated specifically to Universal Credit? The site is designed to help claimants and supporters negotiate their way through the often complex and confusing benefit labyrinth. Continue reading As we see it: the two different sides of Universal Credit

People in poverty must not pay the price for Brexit, say charities

poverty family JRF

A coalition of charities have urged the Government to take urgent steps to protect people and places in poverty from the financial consequences of Brexit, including no-deal. Continue reading People in poverty must not pay the price for Brexit, say charities

Channel 5 launches ‘Help the Animals at Christmas’

Help the Animals at Christmas.For the first time in British TV history viewers have the chance to ‘Help the Animals at Christmas’. Join Channel 5 for three hours of festive entertainment, fun and fundraising

Channel 5 has officially announced Help the Animals at Christmas, a new live show on 21st December. Channel 5 will be promoting the Help The Animals Appeal, raising funds for UK animal welfare charitable organisations and showcasing the work of five incredible UK animal charities, RSPCA, Scottish SPCA, Blue Cross, The Donkey Sanctuary and Wildlife Aid Foundation.

Broadcast live on Channel 5 from Salford’s Media City, the presenters confirmed for the live show are Susan Calman, Gethin Jones, Gaby Roslin, John Thomson and Michael Underwood. Jeremy Vine’s Storm Huntley will also be on hand to manage the live social media hub.

Across the night there will be special episodes of Channel 5 favourites, all of which have teamed up with one of the five charities to present the amazing work they do every day; Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild, The Yorkshire Vet, The Dog Rescuers with the cast of Neighbours and Jo Brand’s Kitten Rescue.

Many animals are suffering in silence this Christmas, with many abandoned, neglected and abused. It is heart-breaking to see so many animals without a home to call their own at this time of year. Animal cruelty doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas. Help the Animals at Christmas aims to raise awareness of the issues and threats facing animals and tell the stories of some of those who need rescuing, rehoming, or need some extra care this Christmas. Viewers will be given the chance to get involved and join the fight to prevent cruelty, provide rehabilitation and alleviate suffering to animals.

Help the Animals at Christmas.For the first time in British TV history viewers have the chance to ‘Help the Animals at Christmas’. Join Channel 5 for three hours of festive entertainment, fun and fundraising

Ben Frow, Director of Programming at Channel 5 said: “Christmas should be a happy time for all, including those who don’t have a voice – animals. So this year, along with a host of famous faces, we are going to shine a light on animal welfare, raising awareness and money for five animal charities who work tirelessly to bring comfort and joy to animals all over the UK.” 

The RSPCA, specialise in animal rescue and improving the welfare of all animals, whether they are pets, farm animals, lab animals or wildlife. Over the Christmas season the RSPCA is braced for around 1,800 calls a day as it continues its vital work caring for abused, neglected and sick animals across England and Wales Just this festive season the charity expects to take in around 19,000 animals – with many, many more already in its care patiently waiting to find their fur-ever homes.

The Scottish SPCA, Scotland’s animal welfare charity, rescues, rehabilitates, rehomes and releases abused, abandoned and injured animals across Scotland. As the only animal charity in the UK recognised as a reporting agency to the Crown Office, their inspectors enforce the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Throughout the festive period their dedicated animal rescue officers, inspectors, vets and animal care teams will be on hand to save animals that are not so lucky.

Blue Cross is a national pet charity who have been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1897. For them, helping animals who are in need at Christmas is vital, as not all animals are lucky enough to be safe and warm over the holidays and have a true friend to look out for them. Help the Animals at Christmas will allow viewers to be a friend to pets in need and help change their lives as they change ours.

The largest equine welfare charity in the world, The Donkey Sanctuary, has rescued thousands of donkeys and mules from a life of neglect, abuse and abandonment since its establishment in 1969. The winter months are The Donkey Sanctuary’s busiest time of the year for welfare calls and visits, with the cold, wet conditions making life even harder for mistreated or abandoned donkeys.

Finally, the Wildlife Aid Foundation are dedicated to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. Christmas time for this charity is very key with wildlife struggling during the winter as temperatures drop and food sources become increasingly scarce.

BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 2018

Help The Animals at Christmas is delighted to partner with the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash 2018 as the official fundraising event. Participants are invited to support the charity campaign by taking part in the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run on Sunday 2 December and raise cash while they dash. Up to 10,000 Santas dashing round Liverpool city centre is a spectacular sight, and features a finish line at Liverpool Town Hall with ‘real snow’ and festive characters. Youngsters also have their very own 1K Mini Dash. There is a virtual run option for anyone who would like to get involved but cannot be there in person on the day.

More information on Help the Animals at Christmas and how you can get involved to raise money here

Help the Animals at Christmas.For the first time in British TV history viewers have the chance to ‘Help the Animals at Christmas’. Join Channel 5 for three hours of festive entertainment, fun and fundraising

Charities join forces to support Britain’s wounded veterans

TV star Ross Kemp has backed a major fundraising drive to help Britain’s wounded veterans who are at risk, some battling the evils of unemployment, isolation and struggling with their mental health. Continue reading Charities join forces to support Britain’s wounded veterans