SAVS Quarterly Newsletter Apr-Jun 19

Welcome to new SAVS
members.
It’s always nice to welcome
new groups and charities to
the Southend community and
learn about how they are
helping local people.
MEET THE FUNDER DAY 2019
On the 5 February SAVS held a
‘Meet the Funder’ session, five
funders attended with three
giving 20 minute presentations
to attendees. Members were
invited to attend presentations
and/or book short one to one
slots with each of the funders.
Over 40 people attended
representing more than 25
different organisations from
Southend. 100% of those who
attended and completed a
feedback survey said they would
be making an application to one
of the funders present on the
day, and that the one to one
sessions were useful, with 89%
planning to request £1,000 -
£10,000.
Positive feedback was received
from the funders attending
with Sally Page, from Heritage
Lottery feeding back; ‘I thought
the event went well and I
talked to a really good range of
organisations.’ Alix Mason, from
Fowler, Smith and Jones Trust
commented, ‘that I’ve met with
15 groups today and there’s
some really interesting projects
there; SAVS are brilliant at
inspiring and enabling new ideas
that are very much needed to
our attention.’ An attendee
commented; ‘SAVS staff were
very accommodating and the
funders were very helpful.’
The event was once again held
in Crowstone Church; a venue
really positively regarded by
attendees and funders. At the
event those taking part in the
Supported Volunteering project
provided refreshments to
attendees and supported the
running of the day.
We will hold another event
in 2020, and consider inviting
additional funders and perhaps
workshops around how to
complete grant applications etc.
Whilst the meet the funder day
cannot guarantee funding for
those attending, it builds the
confidence of those attending
to do so and supports them
in realising the opportunities
available. Many of the groups
attending had the chance to
meet with other groups they
have not connected with
before, as a chance to stimulate
potential joint working and
peer to peer support in their
activities. It is also a great way
for SAVS to profile the work
is does to support groups. In
the coming months we will ask
those who attended to inform
us if they are successful in the
funding applications, and have
been working with many to
review their applications to the
funders they met there.
New SAVS Members recently
included; PROST8, HOPE for
Chronic Illness and Disease,
Eastwoodbury Lane Centre
– The Lew Forge Centre,
Southend Tinnitus Support
Group, International Drama
Academy Ltd, St Georges
Catholic Church, Love on
the street, A Better Spac,
Highlands Methodist Church,
Royal Voluntary Service and
Southend Tamil Association
Goodbye to a colleague
and friend.
In March, SAVS sadly said
goodbye to our Community
Engagement Officer, Nicky Evans.
In the time Nicky was here at
SAVS, she achieved remarkable
goals across the various projects
she worked on and helped
so many local parents and
individuals, especially through
the volunteering programmes
she ran. Nicky was a wonderful
colleague to work with and a
truly valued team member.
Nicky will be greatly missed by
all here at SAVS and we wish here
all the best for the future.
www.savs-southend.org | info@savs-southend.co.uk | 01702 356 000
SAVS Newsletter 19/20 Q2 | PAGE 3