At this challenging time for fundraising, particularly for smaller and local charities, 3SG and Bath Fundraiser's Group is launching a pilot campaign to encourage local giving this winter. Each year, research indicates that more people tend to give at Christmas (e.g. www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/over-40-percent-of-people-more-likely-to-donate-at-christmas-survey-finds.html ) but with strong marketing campaigns from larger and national charities, it can be hard for our local charities to cut through. With the continuing decline in the number of givers across the UK, this is also an opportunity to inspire more charitable giving and promote the extraordinary impact this has in our local communities. As part of our festive #GiveLocally campaign, a Festive Giving Directory will be made available on the 3SG website and promoted to encourage local people to give to local organisations. We are inviting local charities to submit their Christmas Campaigns to the Directory here. More details can be found at the bottom of this article. You can also use #GiveLocally and the logo to take part. Reasons why giving locally makes even more of an impact at this challenging time for so many: Strengthening our communities Local charities and groups are at the heart of our communities so by supporting reliable and trusted local organisations, you are investing directly in our local communities with insight, understanding and knowledge on how best to help people and places in need. Local organisations are accountable to their communities. Visible impact By giving locally, you can directly see the impact first hand in our local communities and the tangible difference that the support kindly provided by you, and many others, achieves. Being able to see the change and where the money is going locally not only reinforces the impact of your giving but also encourages others to support locally too. Sense of belonging By supporting local organisations, you are part of a local community that cares for each another and strengthens our neighbourhoods and resilience. Empathy with local communities means you can offer meaningful support and get involved in issues that are personally relevant to you. Giving locally builds your connections and interactions with your local communities - your neighbours will benefit. Flexibility and adaptability Local organisations have an in-depth understanding of the challenges that our communities face and with local support, can be flexible and responsive to adapt their approach to build on strengths and opportunities to meet local needs at the right time. You can support and get involved in ‘problem solving’ that feels tangible. Efficiency Local organisations are often coping on tighter budgets and are highly skilled at ensuring they can be more effective, impactful, and run with lower overhead costs compared to larger, national organisations. A small gift can have a big impact, and make much more of a difference to a smaller organisation, and often you will feel valued and recognised more. Volunteering Local organisations achieve so much more through the involvement of volunteers, and can involve young people and provide learning opportunities to help the next generation understand compassion and the impact of volunteering and giving. You can give your time, energy, skills and knowledge as a volunteer, and/or support local organisations to empower more volunteers to support our local communities and achieve positive change, raise awareness and advocate for change. Boosting our local economy Local giving also helps to stimulate the financial health of our communities and build a sustainable local economy. The organisations you support employ local people, buy and use local resources, own or rent spaces in local communities, and support local people at times of crisis or when they need support with their health, wellbeing, skills and development, confidence, to find shelter, safety and/or recover from trauma, and to tackle food, fuel and other forms of poverty and disadvantage. If we've missed anything, please post in our LinkedIn Group here  or email  isobel@nspimpact.org.uk . Festive Giving Directory Please submit information about your organisation's festive appeals, activities, wish lists, volunteering opportunities etc. to include in the  Festive Giving Directory here . You will then be sent a draft of the page for your organisation including those links to check and edit. The directory will go live on the 3SG website later in November. Festive Fundraising Events Please add any festive events taking place across Bath and North East Somerset to the 3SG online calendar  by filling in the form . You can also subscribe so that the information will feed into your own calendar and keep you updated.

3SG are delighted to be supporting the delivery of the #ChristmasCompassion  card project for the fourth year in a row, in partnership with Connect Bath (formerly Bath Open Christmas). More than 30 schools across B&NES supported the #ChristmasCompassion   Christmas Card project over the last four years, creating some 7,000 individual cards which were sent to care homes, hospitals, individuals and charities, such as Bath Mind and the RUH, in order to bring some festive cheer to those in need. Originally created to help tackle loneliness during the ‘Covid Christmas’, the project is continuing to send smiles to the faces of those who may find the Christmas period particularly challenging. Receiving a thoughtful, hand-designed card from a local school child is a small gesture of kindness, compassion and inclusion, which can really make a difference to those who may otherwise feel isolated at Christmas. Several participating organisations shared their joy and gratitude on behalf of the cards beneficiaries last year: “The cards were such a delight- they really did lift people's spirits reading the heartwarming, kind and sometimes hilarious messages each child had written. We were all saying, when planning who to deliver them to how much we wish they were written to us!" “My clients loved their cards and read out each one to each other. Fantastic project. Thank You.” “The Christmas cards were ALL very well received. The cards brought lots of smiles and the patients particularly loved the jokes. There were a lot of comments about the effort, love and care that had gone into making  the cards and it was really appreciated. A few patients welled-up that children would be thinking of them in hospital. I loved taking the cards round and spreading joy around the hospital. Thank you for organising a really kind gesture for lots of our patients!” Connect Bath and 3SG are eternally grateful for the school children's participation, and the winning 8 designs from the last 3 years are all available to view, and even send via e-card, on the Connect Bath website here. This years' blank cards are already with many local schools, who are busy working their magic on them ahead of collections by Thursday 5th December. We will then be delivering the cards on the week commencing Monday 9th December, with the invaluable help of volunteers, to all those who have requested them in B&NES. To get involved - whether by requesting cards for your organisation , or for an individual , friend or neighbour - please click here  to fill out the relevant form. Alternatively, if you'd be keen to help deliver the cards to their recipients, we'd appreciate your support any time that suits you between Monday 9th and Friday 13th December. Please let us know by emailing contact@3sg.org.uk.

The 2024/2025 Warm Spaces Directory for Bath & North East Somerset is now live on the Live Well B&NES website. This is the initiative’s third year and there are participating venues across B&NES, offering a range of facilities, including refreshments, free WiFi, books, magazines and newspapers, baby changing facilities, information and advice, activities, dog-friendly (facilities vary, depending on the venue)   There is a handy map of Warm Spaces to help everyone find their nearest.   It’s free, quick and easy for a venue to register as a new warm space in B&NES   If you have any questions about the Directory, please contact the Live Well B&NES team: Livewell@bathnes.gov.uk

Previous Job Next Job The mission of the American Museum & Gardens (AM&G) is to educate, stimulate, and inspire its visitors to further the understanding of American history and culture. The Museum carries out this mission through the presentation of its historic rooms, its decorative art and folk-art collections, and its special exhibitions, learning programmes, and gardens. Our organisation is the only one of its kind outside the boundaries of the United States. We welcomed over 70,000 visitors last year, most of them British. It is an exciting time to join AM&G as we are going through a significant period of growth – with increased visitor numbers, revenue, and deeper engagement with our audiences. We are looking to continue to grow in the coming years and this role will play an important part in helping to achieve our goals. About the role The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees of The American Museum & Gardens. The Chair will hold the Board and the Director to account for AM&G’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring each Trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of AM&G. The Chair will ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations and to make sure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document. The Chair's role is also to monitor and, where appropriate, challenge the leadership of AM&G, ensuring that the Board functions as a unit and works closely to achieve agreed objectives. The person appointed will work in partnership with the Trustees, Director and Leadership Team to support AM&G’s employees and volunteers, optimising the relationship between the Board of Trustees and the team. The new Chair will be responsible for leading the recruitment of a new Director to ensure a smooth succession when the incumbent (as Executive Chair, and always envisaged as a relatively short-term appointment) steps down at the end of 2025. The key elements of the role are: Strategic Leadership · Provide leadership to AM&G and its Board, ensuring that AM&G has maximum impact for its beneficiaries. · Ensure that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of AM&G. · Ensure that the Board operates within its objectives and provides a clear strategic direction for AM&G. · Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate the risks. · Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability. Governance · Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for AM&G. · Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees. · Encourage positive change where appropriate, address and resolve any conflicts within the Board. · Lead a 360-degree appraisal of the performance of the Trustees and the Board on an annual basis. · Ensure that succession plans for Chair and the wider Board of Trustees are in place; that the Board is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skills, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead AM&G effectively; and also reflects the wider population. · Work within any agreed policies adopted by AM&G. External Relations · Act as an ambassador for AM&G. · Maintain close relationships with key stakeholders in both the UK and US. · Furthering the relationship and connection with the Halcyon Board to mutual benefit. · Act as a spokesperson for AM&G when appropriate. Efficiency and effectiveness · Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process. · Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of AM&G and that the Board takes collective ownership. · Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees. · Work closely with the Director and Leadership Team to give direction to Board policymaking and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of Trustees. · Monitor decisions taken at meetings and ensure implementation. Relationship with the Director and the wider Leadership Team · Ensure regular contact with the Director and Leadership Team to develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges. · Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the Director, ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives. · Support the Director and Leadership Team, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the roles. · Conduct an annual appraisal and performance review for the Director in consultation with other Trustees. · Ensure that the Director and Leadership Team have the opportunity for professional development and have appropriate external professional support. Time Commitment · The Board of Trustees meets four times a year in Bath. · The next phase of organisational development will be one of considerable organisational change, and it is important that the Chair is available to the Director and AM&G’s stakeholders on a regular basis. · The Chair will visit AM&G alongside other Trustees and will attend a range of events and activities. · A time input of approximately 20 days per annum is envisaged. · The initial length of term is three years renewable for a further two three-year terms (nine years in total). Remuneration This position is not remunerated but reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred fulfilling the duties of the role are reimbursed. Person specification Personal qualities · Commitment to the American Museum & Gardens vision and mission. · Strategic vision and independent judgement. · Strong facilitation and communication skills with stakeholders at all levels. · A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Chair and Trustee. · A willingness to serve for two x three-year terms. Essential knowledge and experience · Experience of leading organisational change. · Understanding and experience of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee. · Experience of negotiating with a wide range of stakeholder interests. · Experience and understanding of EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) in the workplace. Desirable knowledge and experience · Experience of chairing a charitable organisation. · Knowledge of and contact with networks in Bath/the Southwest. · Understanding of the cultural sector. · Business/entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. · Knowledge of the UK heritage industry. · Understanding of the creative industries and their wider networks. Other information The American Museum & Gardens is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff members to share this commitment. This role may be subject to a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The American Museum & Gardens is an equal opportunities employer. To apply To apply please send a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet requirements of the role, together with a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (accessed via americanmuseum.org/join-support/current-vacancies/) to joy.hutchinson@americanmuseum.org or by post to The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD. Please email as above if you require any further information. Closing date for applications: Tuesday 31st December 2024 at 5pm. < All Jobs Chair of the Board of the American Museum & Gardens Salary: Unpaid position Hours: Approx. 20 days per annum Contract Type: ​ Location: Bath / Southwest Close Date: Tuesday, 31 December 2024 Email Contact: joy.hutchinson@americanmuseum.org < All Jobs Previous Job Next Job Apply for Job

Bath Skate Collective Brief Description of Organisation Our aim is to provide a safe, inclusive indoor space where young people can develop their skills in skateboarding under the guidance of fully certified professional instructors, in partnership with Skate GB. Visit Website Full Description of Organisation Our aim is to provide a safe, inclusive indoor space where young people can develop their skills in skateboarding under the guidance of fully certified professional instructors, in partnership with Skate GB. This secure environment encourages not only physical development but also fosters confidence, resilience, and cognitive abilities such as focus and problem-solving—skills that benefit both individuals and the community at large. In addition to skateboarding, we will offer a range of creative workshops and collaborate with other organizations to promote arts, music, and various outlets for self-expression. These activities will provide young people with a space to socialize, learn, and connect, contributing to their mental and physical wellbeing while strengthening community ties. By nurturing personal growth and encouraging positive social interactions, our facility will have a lasting impact on the overall health and well-being of the community. Bath Skate Collective Brief Description of Organisation Our aim is to provide a safe, inclusive indoor space where young people can develop their skills in skateboarding under the guidance of fully certified professional instructors, in partnership with Skate GB. Visit WebSite

Holiday Hunger BaNES Holiday Hunger Appeal 2020 The Coronavirus pandemic has put the UK’s wealth gap in the spotlight with child food poverty being an area that has received much publicity. Schools remained closed for the final four months of the academic year, which meant fewer children were guaranteed a substantial meal during this period. This was further exacerbated as term time ended and we moved into the holidays. ​ Knowing that support with food was needed to reach people over the October half-term, 3SG collaborated with Bath MP Wera Hobhouse and ran a LocalGiving campaign to raise funds in support of getting food to families and young people in need during the school holidays. In one week, the campaign raised £55,000 and together with St. John’s Foundation, 3SG was able to identify and direct those funds to community-led food projects and charities tackling holiday hunger in BaNES. ​ With a mind to the future, and the knowledge that food poverty remains an issue outside of school holidays, the Holiday Hunger Appeal directed these funds to projects that are committed to having a long term impact on food poverty. ​ FareShare South West, Mercy In Action, Oasis Hub, Weston Welcome Cafe and Food Club, Southside Family Project and FOOD Clubs are some of the organisations that benefited from increased funding to support their work providing more affordable food to families and young people in BaNES. Below is some of the feedback from the projects and individuals that benefited from the Holiday Hunger Appeal: Action Pantry Southside Family Project Oasis Pantry & Plate Up (formerly known as Make Lunch) Make Lunch in Bath received a generous donation from the Localgiving appeal. This was used directly to supporting our holiday hunger programme, which we’ve been running in Bath for the last 5 years. We used some of these funds to expand our provision at Christmas, and to provide additional support in February half term and at Easter. We made 200 deliveries across these three holidays to 58 different families, encompassing nearly 200 children and another 100 adults. Alongside store cupboard foods and treats we delivered fruit and vegetable bags, which had proven earlier in the year to be really popular, and so we really wanted to provide again. This crowdfunder made that possible, and we know how much that’s appreciated by our families. We also delivered bags of activities as we couldn't meet together, for children of all ages to do both independently and with their families. This included decorations to make, baking kits and a booklet of even more Christmas crafts and activities alongside seasonal recipes. At Easter we sent out a pack of new activities alongside "make your own playdough" kits and Easter hat kits. We will continue to use these funds over the months ahead to provide both food and further activities over May and summer, and are very excited to be currently planning our "Summer adventures" pack. This will comprise of a jam-packed booklet full of different ideas for activities, crafts, games, local walks and simple picnic recipes, and will be delivered alongside some practical equipment and tools to support a summer filled with family adventures, and a great range of tasty food. Holiday hunger, and poverty, are about so much more than food, and so that’s why alongside providing tasty and nutritious food we’re also using these funds to provide experiences, to increase skills and confidence in cooking, and to provide support and encouragement for families to explore new experiences together. We’re really grateful to everyone who supported the Crowdfunder so generously, and so is directly supporting families who need that extra help at the moment. Every single penny has made a difference. During 2020 Action Pantry was inundated with requests to provide weekly food for an increasing number of families for whom the pandemic had caused additional hardship. Our numbers grew from 40+ families in February 2020 to 125 in June. ​ By the autumn numbers had dipped and risen again to 140 with more referrals on a weekly basis. Food was more available than earlier in the year but deliveries to 50 households a week was labour intensive and becoming difficult to sustain. The award from 3SG enabled us to extend the employment of a part time member of staff for a further 3 months and to give 8 hours a week to another person. Between them and with volunteer and trustee support it enabled us to guarantee deliveries and a pick up system for everyone on our Pantry books. ​ Money was spent buying additional food during December to make sure every family had something to celebrate and buying in Halal meat ( something we rarely have donated) for our Muslim families made them feel accepted and celebrated at a time they can feel marginalised. ​ The extra racking was vital as it gave us space to prepare our food boxes each week. Since our shops have reopened we have been able to retain both temporary members of staff and have offered yet more hours to one of them. She was previously a Pantry member who had volunteered to help. She’s now training to be the manager! ​ I hope you’ll feel the award to Mercy in Action was well used and gave value for money. I know our service would have not been the success it has been without this donation at such a vital time. Thank you for enabling us to serve hundreds of families at such a critical time. We intend to build on this over the coming months. ​ The last word from one of our members... ​ “Thank you so much, I really wouldn’t have gotten through these last months without all your help. I was going without meals so that the kids could eat, and it was so sad when they were hungry, and we did not even have basic snacks for them. Now we can get those things and not have to worry when money is tight or worry about what our family was going to eat each day. It has really been a godsend.”( From H. Mum of 4 who is unable to leave her home due to anxiety) Weston Welcome Cafe The grant of £5,000 from 3SG is being used to support a second Community Café in Weston Village, helping to fight food poverty in the area. The first Café was opened in July 2020 as a response to the pandemic, and provides a free lunch and a food pantry for local residents every Monday, helping to reduce food poverty in the Weston area, and building supportive friendships for those who come. This takes place on Mondays in a community hall in the village. The second Café will open in another community hall, on Fridays. It is in a popular area, and will provide support mainly for young families and for older people. Food for both Cafés will come from both FareShare and Bath Foodbank. The new Café will open after the end of lockdown. Both Cafés are managed by the churches in Weston Village. Said Peter Heywood “We are all most grateful to 3SG for helping to tackle hunger in the Weston Village area. Our intention is to continue to run both Cafés for the foreseeable future, and additional services, including cookery classes, will be added as we go forwards.” The grant will be used to support the employment of a part-time manager for the new Café, who will be supported by a team of volunteers. “We were so inspired to see the generosity of local people across Bath and North East Somerset in responding to 3SG’s Holiday Hunger Appeal launched by Wera Hobhouse MP. The Covid-19 crisis has been so difficult for children, young people and families struggling with food poverty and the additional pressures of isolation, home learning and financial pressures with the loss of work or income. This kind support has helped Southside to provide essential food supplies through our Food Pantries and deliveries of hundreds of nutritious meals to isolated families, connecting with them to ensure that they can also access other help and support they need at this difficult time. Many thanks to 3SG, Wera Hobhouse MP and all the individual donors for your generous support.” - Penny McKissock (CEO, Southside Family Project) ​ The support from the Holiday Hunger Appeal helped Southside to provide targeted support for local families particularly impacted by the Covid-19 crisis through: ​ Weekly Food Pantries in Twerton and Peasedown St John, in partnership with FareShare SW Family Food Hub Groups with a professional chef preparing nutritious family meals, delivered to homes Meals donated by Wessex Water in January and February, distributed to families in need through local schools The Southside Family Food Hub Groups were set up in August 2020 to support families with children facing holiday hunger and continued through the generosity of donors. ​ Each family receives around 3-5 meals in their weekly delivery, one for each member of the family: ​ November 2020 102 deliveries, supporting 53 families (over 400 meals) December 2020 150 deliveries, supporting 61 families (over 600 meals) January 2021 107 deliveries, supporting 51 families (over 420 meals) February 2021 130 deliveries, supporting 54 families (over 520 meals) March 2021 215 deliveries, supporting 59 families (over 850 meals) Feedback from families: ​ "It is a lifesaver; I do not know what I would do without it." "It has helped me try new foods that I couldn’t risk or afford to buy in case my children didn’t like them and experiment with different ingredients." "Thank you so much, it’s such a treat knowing on a Thursday the meals are coming and I don’t have to worry about what to cook tonight. They are delicious and the children love them". "This funding will help increase our capacity and open our existing clubs a second day a week – therefore supporting an additional 50 families from each club." ​ Family Action operates three FOOD clubs in the B&NES area. These are located in: ​ St Martins Children Centre, Odd Down, Bath Keynsham Children’s Centre, Keynsham Radstock Library, Radstock, Somerset ​ FOOD clubs were set up to provide families with good-quality food at a low cost, while also reducing food waste. ​ FOOD clubs are a membership scheme. It costs just £1 a year for a family to become a member. To become a member a family must live or work within 15 minutes of a FOOD club. Families accessing the club over a year pay a weekly charge of £3.50 (£182 for the year). In return, each family receives a mixture of fresh meat, fresh vegetables, dairy, bakery and store-cupboard essentials worth up to £15 per week (in excess of £780 per year). Each household therefore saves approx. £600 per year. ​ As well as the impact on family finances, FOOD clubs also: ​ Improve access to healthy food, and provide education around how to cook new foods Encourage families to access local support services and be signposted to other agencies Reduces the amount of food being sent to landfill in the UK by utilising surplus food The funding from the Holiday Hunger Appeal contributed to staffing hours required to operate the FOOD clubs, food costs from Fareshare, Health and Safety costs (including PPE and cleaning equipment), volunteer expenses and training costs. ​ Up to the end of May 2021, in total, the FOOD club scheme in B&NES has provided local families with savings of over £37,000 in the 42 weeks since opening. These savings have freed up budgets for members to be able to purchase and pay for other essentials (e.g. energy costs, clothing, school equipment). ​ Alongside the financial savings on food, the club has provided many other services and benefits: ​ Children Centre Support – due to the close partnership with the Bright Start Children Centres in all three settings, members of the food club can also access other support services. This has been a crucial lifeline for families during lockdowns. Access to FamilyLine – members of the FOOD club have access to Family Action’s Family Line service, which is to help adult family members with ongoing support with parenting and other issues. Upskilling of members – volunteering opportunities at the FOOD clubs for members and locals. Each of our volunteers has access to a wide range of training, such as Food Hygiene Level 3. One of B&NES volunteers, Rakeesh, has written a blog about their experience of volunteering at the FOOD club in Bath. Environmental Impact – Each food club receives 200kg of food a week from Fareshare South West. This food would otherwise have been wasted as it is an industry surplus. In the 42 weeks since opening, the 3 FOOD clubs in B&NES have redistributed 25 tonnes of food (saving it from landfill) and saved 10 tonnes of CO2. A selection of quotes from the B&NES FOOD club members: ​ “Got to say this has been a life saver since losing my job during first lockdown. Everyone is so happy and helpful. Thank you so much x” “Love it! This is fab, so much choice for little money! Thank you!” “Brilliant, different meals each week. Such a bargain price too. Love it :) “ “I think this is a really good idea and has helped me a lot. The people who are running the club are all lovely and helpful “ Family Action Food Clubs