One of the main challenges in enabling the delivery of more rural affordable housing in Gloucestershire is helping communities find suitable and available pieces of land.

Now we can do this more effectively, thanks to a specialist Geographical Information System that we've purchased.  The system puts the mapping, ownership boundaries, planning constraints, planning applications, energy infrastructure, and other relevant information all together in one place.

This will speed up the process of creating much-needed affordable housing in the many rural communities where there is a shortage of housing that local people can afford.   

If you would like to offer a piece of land, or are working on a community-led housing project and would like help to find land, or want to assess the level of housing need in your community, contact  our Rural Affordable Housing team, Frances, Sarah, and Tim, on 01452 528491, or email info@grcc.org.uk

For the last two years, Guy Dobson, our VCSE Advice Officer, has been working with Gloucester-based organisations which support carers from diverse backgrounds, thanks to funding from Gloucestershire County Council and NHS Gloucestershire through their Integrated Adults Commissioning Hub.

One such group that Guy is supporting is Ebony Carers, who operate out of the All Nations Community Centre in the Barton and Tredworth area of the city. 

"Most of my work with Ebony Carers has been focussed on issues around organisational development, ensuring the group is as effective and sustainable as possible, by signposting fundraising opportunities, giving policy support, providing marketing tips, and running training on Roles & Responsibilities of Committee Members," said Guy.

"A big piece of work currently in progress is helping the group change from being an unincorporated organisation to becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which will allow to the group to attract significant further funding, recruit paid staff, and also protect the Trustees from liabilities."

For more information about how we can help VCSE organisations, email guyd@grcc.org.uk or use the button below to visit our website.

Our CASA (Community Autism Support and Advice) team runs the support service for autistic adults across Gloucestershire, funded by Gloucestershire County Council. 

The team provides support to autistic adults through regular drop-ins (at Cheltenham, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Cinderford, and online) plus one-to-one support, and by publishing resources such as their Autism Employment Passport.  

Wherever possible, the CASA team like to provide learning and growth opportunities for autistic adults too, and they are delighted to have been successful in an application to the Ironmongers Company for grant funding to run a series of blacksmithing workshops for autistic young people in Gloucestershire.  Led by Arian Leljak (pictured left) at his teaching forge at Cranham, the workshops will focus on building skills through hands-on forging, thereby nurturing creative thinking, confidence, and problem solving.

"This initiative is more than a learning opportunity - it’s a space where young people can actively engage with materials, ideas, and one another, developing not only practical skills but also motivation and self-belief," said Pippa Baker-Walsh, our Autism Bridge Builder.  "Special thanks go to the Ironmongers’ Company for their critical support in making this project a reality."

Public and professionals can now ring our Digital Triage Service from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, for signposting to all kinds of digital support and resources in Gloucestershire.  GRCC's Emma Eccleston, pictured left, will take your call and find suitable support options for you.

The service can help you find

• local digital support and training
• local free Wi-Fi locations
• free and affordable refurbished devices
• social tariffs and other cost savings
• info on digital safety and best practice
• and much more

So if you're looking for digital support for yourself, a client, or an organisation, give GRCC's DAISI Project a call on 07469 583395 or email digital@grcc.org.uk

Our Mental Health Navigator Richard Burdon has been working on a five-month pilot project to help link up VCS organisations and faith services in Gloucester, to help adults with severe mental illness access the most appropriate support.

The project was set up jointly by GRCC and Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.  Working alongside NHS colleagues, Richard, who was previously one of GRCC's Social Prescribers, has been helping clients to access support in the community, provided by the NHS, VCS organisations, and faith services.  Examples include

• accompanying a client with serious mental illness to a GP appointment
• accompanying a client to an art group to help them reduce their loneliness and make new friends
• helping a client to successfully fill in forms to access VCS counselling services
• visiting Gloucester Cathedral's twice-weekly Breakfast Club for vulnerable and marginalised people

Funding for Richard's role has now been extended by another year as it has rapidly proved to be a very successful approach to helping people with severe mental illness build their resilience by accessing community-based support.  For more information, contact richardb@grcc.org.uk or call 01452 528491 

GRCC has recently become a member of NAVCA, the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action.  This is the national membership body for local infrastructure organisations, in other words it's the support network for organisations which support other VCSE organisations! 

"Through joining NAVCA, we're joining a national network that can help us keep up to date with the issues and trends that affect the voluntary and community sector," said Angela Gilbert, GRCC's Community Development Team Manager. 

Our membership of NAVCA is in addition to our main affiliation to our umbrella organisation ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) and our membership of NCVO, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.   

To contact our Community Development Team, email cdt@grcc.org.uk, or call us on 01452 528491.

Our monthly Moreton Community Hub, which we run as part of our North Cotswolds Connecting Communities Project, will be happening again on Monday 12th May. 

Our Social Prescribing Link Workers and a range of staff and volunteers from support organisations will be there to chat to people and offer advice and help, plus there will be the usual time for socialising and free refreshments.

Come along to Jameson Court, GL56 0EW at 10.15am for a short wellbeing stroll, or 10.30am for the drop-in, refreshments and services.  For further information, please contact info@grcc.org.uk or call us on 01452 528491.

People with SMIs are reported as being at greater risk of poor physical health and die on average 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population.

We are looking for a 'people person', someone with the patience and understanding to work with this vulnerable group and help them overcome the barriers to accessing free health checks. 

You will liaise with GP surgeries to build strong relationships, work with patients, and attend health check appointments if needed.

21 hours per week, £25,200 pro rata, deadline 5pm Monday 12th May. 

Click the button below to see full details and download the Job Description and Application Form. 

Dying Matters Awareness Week is run annually by the HospiceUK with the aim of breaking down the stigma and taboos around talking about death and dying.

Longfield Community Hospice in Minchinhampton will be holding an open afternoon on May 7th, 2pm-4pm, to talk about 

• Wills and legal affairs
• Funeral planning
• Palliative and end of life care
• Wellbeing and future planning

Use this link for full details and to book free tickets for the event.

Also on May 7th, 10am-2pm, Louise Wilson from Longfield will be available to give information and advice, on the NHS bus in the car park next to Hadwen Medical Practice in Abbeydale, Gloucester, GL4 4BL. 

At Longfield Wellbeing Centre, Minchinhampton, 10-11.30am Thursdays from May 8th to May 29th.  

Longfield's Calm Connections course offers a chance to practise meditation and mindfulness to help deal with grief and encourage long-term healing.

To book or for more information, call 01453 733706, email bereavement.services@longfield.org.uk, or use the button below.  

If you've had contact with us, or support from us, or just visited our website to try to find information, we'd really love to know how we're doing!  Were we brilliant, just OK, or not very good?  All feedback, good and bad, helps us to shape our services to better fit your needs.