News Round-up, September 2021

MVA brings a selection of recent local and national news announcements of interest to the Voluntary Sector.

Governance App launched by DSC
The Directory of Social Change (DSC) has recently released a free-to-use App which they say is an easy way for a charity’s Board of trustees to review and improve their governance.

The Governance App combines the Charity Governance Code with DSC’s successful face-to-face model for improving governance, and created an online tool that any Board can use to review their governance – and turn it into collective action and improvement.

For more information or use the App, visit the dedicated website.

MIND - The Impact of Coronavirus on Mental Health
National charity MIND has released findings of research looking into the experiences of people with mental health problems during the pandemic.

Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or worsening existing ones, with many potentially facing increased levels of alcohol or substance use, insomnia, and anxiety.

Whilst it’s been reported the pandemic could lead to neurological and mental complications like delirium, agitation, and stroke, there is also evidence that those with pre-existing mental, neurological or substance use disorders are also more vulnerable to COVID-19, and may stand a higher risk of severe outcomes and even death.

In April 2021, Mind launched a survey to find out how people with mental health problems are feeling and coping now. To read their findings, visit the MIND website.

Business Rates – CFG advise what charities should be considering
Charity Finance Group (CFG) has put together a helpful guide on what charities should be concerned with regarding business rates, specifically around Material Change in Circumstance appeals and a consultation on more frequent revaluations Fundamental Review of Business Rates.

More details can be found here.

New toolkit created to help prevent homelessness
A new toolkit has been developed to help a wide range of organisations prevent and relieve homelessness.

The Commitment to Collaborate (C2C) to Prevent and Relieve Homelessness Toolkit has been developed by the Homelessness Taskforce of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in partnership with Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) to support organisations and networks across the region to think about what actions they can take to prevent and relieve homelessness.

The toolkit has been designed to provide practical help to not only specialist organisations and their partners but also those with no direct link to tackling homelessness.

More details about the toolkit are available at the WMCA website.

Charity Digital - How Smart Phone apps are Supporting Wellbeing
Online newscaster Charity Digital explores the use of smart phone apps to offer additional mental health support.

With so many of smart phone users these days using apps in everyday life for anything from shopping to entertainment to travel, could this platform be considered for use to look after your wellbeing and mental health?

Charity Digital looks to explore this. With the vast majority of people having a smart phone to hand, they talk about how apps can offer additional mental health support, whenever and wherever it’s most needed.

To read their article, visit the Charity Digital website.

MVA continues its efforts to provide coverage of local and national news and events from the Voluntary and Charity Sector. By subscribing to the MVA Newsletter, you can stay updated and discover the latest during these challenging times for us all. Click here to subscribe for FREE.