<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss version="2.0" xml:base="https://www.voscur.org" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"> <channel> <title>Voscur - Marketing and communications</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/core-categories/marketing-and-communications</link> <description></description> <language>en</language> <item> <title>What is the Month of Community? How to get involved</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/month-community-get-involved</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>What is the Month of Community? How to get involved</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Colourful%20Doors%20Credit%20Dil%20via%20Unsplash.png?itok=3kjLy6MS" width="510" height="352" alt="Colourful doors in apartment block to suggest community and diversity" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Dil via Unsplash</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">19 May, 2021</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>The Month of Community is a new way of combining the many causes and awareness weeks in June, to make one month-long campaign that celebrates many people in our society who might otherwise be overlooked – for example, carers, refugees, and people facing loneliness.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>You’ll recognise many of the awareness weeks and events taking place during the month, including Volunteers’ Week, Carers Week, Small Charity Week and Refugee Week, and this is a chance to amplify them all. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Whether you’re involved in marketing and communications, fundraising or community work, you can get involved in the <a href="https://www.smallcharityweek.com/month-of-community" target="_blank">Month of Community</a> and give your own cause a boost. Use the hashtag #MonthOfCommunity (capitalise each word for accessibility) in your social media posts, and get ready to create some amazing content promoting your volunteers, staff, service users and neighbourhood.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>1-7 June: Volunteers’ Week</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>You should know all about this one already, but if you’re new to the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, Volunteers’ Week will soon become a permanent fixture in your calendar. It’s an unmissable opportunity to shout about the difference volunteers make to your cause and to your service users, and it’s a chance to attract potential new volunteers as well.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>We’re planning some exciting local activities with Bristol City Council, Can Do Bristol and Black South West Network, and we’ll reveal details soon. In the meantime, please download the <a href="https://volunteersweek.org/get-involved/resources/" target="_blank">logos and resources</a> from the official Volunteers’ Week website to get you started. Don’t forget that we also cover volunteer management as part of our training and learning programme, and we can provide bespoke training just for your organisation. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>5 June: The Big Lunch Weekend</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This is a collaboration between Eden Project Charities and The National Lottery. The Big Lunch is about getting together with your neighbours, your volunteers and unpaid carers, or anyone else you want to spend time with locally, all whilst raising money for local causes.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>You might host a socially distanced street party, an afternoon tea, a brunch morning, or something a bit different. Although the focus is on a weekend this year, you can hold your event at any time during the month – it still counts. <a href="https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/get-your-big-lunch-pack-0" target="_blank">Order your free Big Lunch pack here</a>. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>5-11 June: Neighbourhood Watch Week</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The pandemic has made us all more community-minded, and neighbourhoods have come together like never before. Neighbourhood Watch Week wants to continue this behaviour, to make sure our streets stay safe, and we are vigilant – not just about crime, but about our neighbours’ wellbeing, and issues like litter, accessibility and road safety. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The website has a huge amount of <a href="https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/nwweek" target="_blank">resources</a>, including a podcast, downloadable guides, and a crime prevention webinar. There’s even advice on setting up a Calling Tree, to spread information to people who don’t use social media. Any face-to-face activities you organise must be COVID-safe. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>7-13 June: Carers Week </b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Unpaid carers are invaluable but often overlooked in society. They spend hours every day looking after loved ones, often with little respite or thanks, and whilst juggling their own day-to-day responsibilities, such as work, parenting or education. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This year’s theme is ‘Make Caring Visible and Valued’. There are plenty of <a href="https://www.carersweek.org/?cmp=activity" target="_blank">activity suggestions and ways to pledge your support</a> as an organisation or an individual. Many Voscur members are involved in caring, such as Bristol Black Carers, and Carers Support Centre Bristol and South Gloucestershire. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>14-18 June: Loneliness Awareness Week</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Bristol’s own Marmalade Trust is behind this national awareness campaign. Loneliness can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, and it has an impact on health outcomes as well as mood. The week-long campaign is a chance to start a conversation about loneliness, and to consider those in your community who may feel physically or emotionally isolated. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Use the hashtag #LetsTalkLoneliness to get people talking online; you can also download <a href="https://www.marmaladetrust.org/lawresources" target="_blank">a range of resources from the Marmalade Trust website</a>, including graphics, email signatures and posters. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>14-19 June: Small Charity Week</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Many Voscur members are small charities, or established groups and CICs thinking about becoming charities. This is a chance to celebrate the unsung heroes of the charity world, rather than the usual household names up and down the country. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Each day of <a href="https://www.smallcharityweek.com/" target="_blank">Small Charity Week</a> has a different theme, including policy (led by NCVO) and fundraising. There will be competitions, online events, and webinars to take part in. Look out for the hashtag #ILoveSmallCharities on Monday 14 June, and #SmallCharityWeek throughout the programme.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>14-20 June: Refugee Week</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This year’s theme for Refugee Week is ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’ – very poignant after a turbulent year for everyone, but particularly for those who are fleeing war or persecution in their own countries, and who want to make a new start in the UK. There are <a href="https://refugeeweek.org.uk/simple-acts/" target="_blank">eight ‘Simple Acts’</a> you can do to mark Refugee Week, using the hashtags #SimpleActs and #RefugeeWeek2021, or you can hold an event. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Here in Bristol, we have a network of organisations supporting refugees and asylum seekers, helped by Voscur – it’s called Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership (BRASP). These organisations are doing important work all year round, but they make an even bigger impact together. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>18-20 June: The Great Get Together</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This annual event was set up after the murder of MP Jo Cox, as a way of remembering her community spirit and inspiring others to follow her message of unity: “We have far more in common than that which divides us”. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Spread the #MoreInCommon message by <a href="https://www.greatgettogether.org/2021" target="_blank">holding a face-to-face or virtual event</a>, organising a school assembly, or joining an existing event in your area. On 20 June, you are encouraged to do the Great Walk Together and also show solidarity with Refugee Week. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>4 July: Thank You Day</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This new national event is a chance to thank everyone for their support during the COVID-19 pandemic – the NHS and other key workers, but also volunteers, friends and neighbours who have kept us going in a stressful and frightening time. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Use the hashtag #ThankYouDay on social media to celebrate your heroes of the pandemic. Download <a href="https://thankyouday.org.uk/resources/" target="_blank">official graphics</a>, and maybe send out a newsletter to raise awareness. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>If you take part in any of these awareness days or weeks, let us know – we’d love to see your photos and social media posts. Find us on <a href="https://twitter.com/voscur" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/voscur" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://linkedin.com/company/Voscur" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>. </span></span></span></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/community-energy">Community energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/marketing-and-communications">Marketing and communications</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/neighbourhoods-and-communities">Neighbourhoods and communities</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/social-value">Social value</a></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Wed, 19 May 2021 10:12:46 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>pollya</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">99372 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> </item> <item> <title>Voscur member news: Christmas and seasonal campaigns in Bristol</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/christmas-seasonal-campaigns-bristol</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Voscur member news: Christmas and seasonal campaigns in Bristol</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Colourful%20Lights%20Credit%20Adonyi%20G%C3%A1bor%20via%20Pexels.jpg?itok=FIBXRLmA" width="510" height="348" alt="Coloured circular string lights on floor with black background" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Adonyi Gábor via Pexels </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">10 December, 2020</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p><span><span><span><span><strong>Updated 16/12/2020</strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p> We asked Voscur members and local organisations to send us details of their Christmas or seasonal campaigns. These ranged from products on sale to fundraising appeals and, of course, ongoing support running throughout the holidays into 2021. </p> <p><span><span><span><span>At the end of a very challenging year for the city and the VCSE sector, we hope you will take the time to donate to these campaigns, or help promote them, to raise awareness.</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b><span>Shopping that gives back to local people</span></b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Aid Box Community’s <a href="https://www.aidboxcommunity.co.uk/refutrees" target="_blank">Refutrees</a> is back, which means Christmas trees are now on sale to help refugees – you can buy in person from the pop-up shop in Montpelier, or click and collect (home delivery ended on 15 December).</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://lovewelluk.com/" target="_blank">Lovewell</a> helps Bristol women leave enforced sex work and learn to make candles, bath salts and bath oil. Having lost income due to Christmas fairs and markets being cancelled this year, every sale they make is even more important right now. </span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Unique Voice CIC, which supports vulnerable children in the city through creative projects, PSHE programmes, and out of school provision, has a <a href="https://uniquevoice.org/christmasraffle/" target="_blank">Christmas raffle</a> being drawn on Friday 18 December via social media. Prizes include local artwork and Christmas hampers. The money raised will support local children over the holidays.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span><b><span>Fundraising appeals</span></b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>One25 raised over £40,000 in one week in its Big Give Christmas Challenge, to fund the <a href="https://one25.org.uk/about-us/how-one25-help-women/peony/" target="_blank">Peony service</a>. One25 supports women sex workers and other vulnerable women to move towards independence and recover from crisis and trauma; the Peony service is for women who are further along in their journey, who can build up their self-esteem and skills with workshops and wellbeing activities.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Changes Bristol’s Big Give Christmas Challenge needed funding to help run <a href="https://changesbristol.org.uk/" target="_blank">mental health support groups</a>. The campaign raised over £6,800 in one week. The organisation’s support groups are free, currently online, and held in the daytime and evenings. Some sessions are open access, and others are closed groups for either women, men or the LGBTQ+ community.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>The <a href="https://www.lordmayorofbristolappeal.com/" target="_blank">Lord Mayor of Bristol's Children Appeal</a> will help disadvantaged children in the city, thanks to the Lord Mayor, Councillor Jos Clark. Throughout the year, volunteers have worked hard to raise £66,000, which will go towards food vouchers and clothing or gift vouchers for our most vulnerable children and young people. Donations are still welcome.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>A new crowdfunding campaign will launch soon to provide emergency support for people in Bristol living in fuel poverty, or struggling to keep their homes warm. The campaign has been created by <a href="https://bristolenergynetwork.org/projects/emergency-covid-winter-fund/" target="_blank">Bristol Energy Network</a> and a range of local partners, including ACORN, Ambition Lawrence Weston, Baggator, CHAS Bristol, Disability Equality Forum, Eastside Community Trust, Heart of BS13, Lockleaze Hub, and Re:Work.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span><span><b><span>Support during the season</span></b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Caring in Bristol’s <a href="https://caringinbristol.co.uk/project/caring-at-christmas/" target="_blank">Caring at Christmas</a> helps Bristol's homeless with food, shelter and companionship. The charity is asking for donations of £21 to cover regular hot meals, shelter, medical and emotional support or help with housing services. </span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Marmalade Trust’s <a href="https://www.marmaladetrust.org/christmas" target="_blank">Christmas Cheer</a> is an annual project to support people (mainly aged 50+) facing loneliness in Bristol. Referrals are still being accepted, but volunteer roles are full.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Bristol Credit Union’s <a href="https://bristolcreditunion.org/news/bristol-credit-union-celebrate-city-s-lockdown-heroes" target="_blank">My Bristol Christmas Hero</a> campaign celebrates the city’s lockdown community heroes – not just key workers in the pandemic, but also family members, friends and neighbours helping local people during the two lockdowns. Nominations are closed, and the heroes will be announced soon.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span><span><span><span><span>Something festive and creative</span></span></span></span></span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Bristol Old Vic's <a href="https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/angels-in-bristol" target="_blank">Angels in Bristol</a> sees Tom Morris, Julia Head and Vanessa Kisuule (Bristol City Poet 2018-20) team up with schools and communities across Bristol to create a piece of drama about the nine miracles of Christmas. It will be split into nine episodes that you can watch from home from 20-28 December. Donations, which are optional, will be split 50/50 between Bristol Old Vic and homeless charity St Mungo's. </span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span><span><span>Barton Hill-based Travelling Light theatre company is crowdfunding to publish an <a href="https://www.travellinglighttheatre.org.uk/support-us/campaigns/give-a-magical-seasonal-story-this-christmas/" target="_blank">illustrated Christmas storybook for children and families</a>, which will be distributed for free through local children's centres, food banks and nurseries. The book, called Igloo, is based on the company's theatre show.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><font color="#000000" face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Thank you to all of these organisations for their hard work supporting the community at the end of a difficult year. </span></font></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/community-energy">Community energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/early-intervention">Early intervention</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/funding">Funding</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/marketing-and-communications">Marketing and communications</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/neighbourhoods-and-communities">Neighbourhoods and communities</a></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Thu, 10 Dec 2020 16:48:37 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>pollya</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">98473 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> </item> <item> <title>Ways to inspire the public on Giving Tuesday</title> <link>https://www.voscur.org/insight/news/ways-inspire-public-giving-tuesday</link> <description><div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><h2>Ways to inspire the public on Giving Tuesday</h2></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="https://www.voscur.org/sites/default/files/styles/node_image/public/Giving%20Tuesday%202020.png?itok=tyURUfAQ" width="510" height="350" alt="Give Back 2020 logo for Giving Tuesday 2020" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-image-credit field-type-text field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Image Credit:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Logo via givingtuesday.org.uk</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date-provision-is-due-to-b field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">19 November, 2020</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p> <p><span><span><span>Giving Tuesday takes place this year on 1 December 2020, and all UK charities, voluntary organisations and community groups should get involved. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>It’s a global event, held annually, to balance out people’s shopping sprees on Black Friday (which always takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving) and Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving). </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Giving Tuesday isn’t just about donating money to good causes – it can also mean donating time, energy and resources, or even just sharing something on social media. Here’s how we can inspire people to take up Giving Tuesday in the South West.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>Promote your ties to Giving Tuesday in the days ahead</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>There are now 12 days to go until Giving Tuesday, so now is a good time to talk about it in all your communications – on your website, in social media content (use the hashtags <strong>#GivingTuesday</strong> and <strong>#GiveBack2020</strong>), and in newsletters. You can download free assets from the <a href="https://www.givingtuesday.org.uk/giveback2020/" target="_blank">Giving Tuesday website</a>.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>You need to decide what your overall call to action is: what do you want people to do? Is money your main focus, or do you want more volunteers, social media followers, or maybe even trustees? Be clear on your aims, and agree them with senior staff, to make sure everyone is on the same page.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>Give plenty of notice if you want people to do a task</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Do you want people to do something creative or personal, like holding up a printed paper sign or gathering items to donate? If so, they will need fair warning. Let them know a few days in advance, and really push your task or challenge the day before, so everyone is ready on Giving Tuesday. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>It will be difficult to drum up support for any task on the day that involves posting a picture of yourself (let’s face it, some people are working from home in their pyjamas now!) or printing something out (without access to office printers or public libraries, you’re relying on people having a printer at home). Try to keep it simple and accessible. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>Take inspiration from Giving Tuesday UK</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>The UK Giving Tuesday Twitter account (<a href="https://twitter.com/givingtuesdayuk" target="_blank">@givingtuesdayuk</a>) has already shared some great campaign ideas for <strong>#GiveBack2020</strong>, like suggesting that people who are currently working from home could donate the normal cost of their daily, weekly or monthly commute to a good cause. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>We know that in-person fundraising events aren’t an option right now, but it’s important to make the most of spending changes in these strange times – if people are spending less money on leisure, commuting, socialising and holidays, they may want to pass some of those savings on. Share what certain amounts of money could be put towards. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><b>Thank those who donated throughout the year</b></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>This particular Giving Tuesday comes at the end of a very difficult year, when fundraising has been hard and many fundraisers were furloughed. Now is a good time to thank the people and organisations who donated to you since January, whether that means thanking monthly donors or a school or business that held a charity event for your cause. This gives them a huge boost.</span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>You can reuse old content, like images and quotes (as long as you have permission to use them in publicity materials), and statistics from reports. Shout loud about how supportive people have been. If you don’t have good images to share, try websites like pexels.com and unsplash.com for high-quality stock images that are free to use and will make an impact. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Don’t forget to join Voscur on social media on the day, and tell us what you’re up to – find us on <a href="https://twitter.com/voscur" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/voscur/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</span></span></span></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-core-category field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Core Category:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/core-categories/funding">Funding</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/core-categories/marketing-and-communications">Marketing and communications</a></div></div></div></description> <pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:03:07 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>pollya</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">98373 at https://www.voscur.org</guid> </item> </channel> </rss>