Sunderland Voluntary Sector Alliance

06/09/2026

🤝 Take time for you. Connect. Grow. Thrive.

Pathways to Wellbeing is a welcoming group where you can meet new people, build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy a range of wellbeing activities in a relaxed setting.

📅 Every Friday ⏰ 10am to 12pm 📍 The Old Rectory, The Broadway, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 4BB

💡 No need to book, simply come along and join us.

Everyone deserves a place to belong. Why not give it a try this Friday? 💚

05/09/2026

Come along to Sunderland Voluntary Sector's Financial Forecasting Workshop for practical guidance on understanding your organisation's finances and plan with confidence.

This session will be particularly useful for social enterprises and VCSE organisations with trading income or commercial activities, but the learning can be adapted to support a wide range of voluntary and community organisations.

Date: Wednesday 9 September
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Venue: Bede Tower

We'll cover:
✔ Understanding management accounts
✔ Income and expenditure reports
✔ Restricted and unrestricted funds
✔ Variance analysis (budget vs actual)
✔ Financial risks and controls
Whether you're a trustee, manager, treasurer, finance lead, or anyone involved in overseeing your organisation's finances, you'll come away with practical knowledge and greater confidence in financial planning and decision making.

📌Please note that the deadline to apply for this workshop is Monday 7th September.

📌 Please note: this workshop focuses on financial forecasting and management and will not cover Charity Commission guidance or regulatory compliance.

To book a place, please email: [email protected]
Please share with colleagues and organisations that may benefit.

04/09/2026

Check out this Spotlight ............
Yoga & Yoga Nidra Wellbeing Workshop
Join us at The Old Rectory, Houghton for a relaxing and restorative session with Karen Hemming, exploring movement, yoga postures and the theme of transitions as we move from summer into autumn.
The session will gently lead into Yoga Nidra – a deeply relaxing guided practice. Activities can be adapted for those who prefer to remain seated, so no previous yoga experience is needed. Open to all and FREE!
There’s no obligation to attend all three workshops, but booking is essential.

04/09/2026

📍 NNHIP Community Spotlight
It was great to visit Rob and the team at the BME Community as part of our ongoing work through NNHIP.
The visit was both interesting and informative, providing valuable insight into the fantastic work being delivered to support local communities. We had the opportunity to learn more about the challenges people face, the strengths within the community, and the important role the organisation plays in bringing people together and creating opportunities.
A huge thank you to Rob and the team for taking the time to share their experiences, knowledge, and passion for supporting others. Their dedication is making a real difference, and it was inspiring to hear about their achievements and future plans.
We look forward to continuing to build relationships and work together to strengthen communities across the area.

If you would like to share your experiences reach out to [email protected]

03/09/2026

🌟 PEOPLE BEHIND THE PURPOSE 🌟
We're proud to spotlight the incredible people who power the voluntary sector. Behind every project, partnership, and community initiative are individuals driven by passion, purpose, and a commitment to making a difference. 💙
Today, we're introducing Ger Fowler, Founder & CEO of Veterans in Crisis Sunderland (VICS).
Ger founded Veterans in Crisis Sunderland CIC in January 2018 after spending a year supporting veterans and building the foundations of the organisation.
His journey began in September 1986 when he joined the Army as a Junior Leader in the Light Infantry. Following training in Wi******er, he served in Omagh, Northern Ireland, before moving to Berlin in 1989. He left the Army in April 1991.
💙 Like many veterans, Ger faced significant challenges when returning to civilian life, including PTSD, mental health struggles, substance misuse, and issues with violence.
After working hard to rebuild his own life, he dedicated himself to helping others, first through volunteering and later working in Sunderland's homelessness sector.
A life-changing moment came after the loss of his father. Ger wanted to dedicate his life to helping people, feeling he had been unable to save his dad despite attempting CPR.

✨ For Ger, the greatest reward is seeing someone get their life back on track and then watching them go on to help others.
Quick-fire facts about Ger: ☕ Favourite drink: Tea
🌅 Early Bird or Night Owl? Early Bird
🚶 Favourite way to relax: Walking on the beach
🎵 Theme song: Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes
💬 Ger's advice: "Do something you love. Don't trust everyone, no matter how long you've known them, as not everyone wants to see you succeed. And always make sure everyone has a DBS check... you might be surprised!"

02/09/2026

🌟 Calling all charities! 🌟
Don’t miss the Ballinger Charitable Trust Information Session!
🗓 Date: Thursday 24th September 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM
💻 Where: Online via Teams
✅ Booking essential email [email protected]
Find out how your organisation could benefit from funding opportunities and get your questions answered directly by the Trust.

01/09/2026

Check this out ..................

🌈 Join us for our next SEND Parent Carer Coffee Morning with Sunderland Parent Carer Forum.

With the summer holidays nearly over, come along for some well-deserved time out, with a cuppa, cake, and a chance to chat with other parent carers☕️🍰

📅 Monday 7th September
⏰ 10:00am-12:00pm
📍 Sunderland Carers Centre, Thompson Park, Thompson Road, Sunderland, SR5 1SF

All parent carers are welcome… we’d love to see you there! 🤗



💚 Need advice, support or a listening ear?
📞 Call us: 0191 549 3768
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: www.sunderlandcarers.co.uk
📍 Sunderland Carers Centre, Thompson Park, Thompson Road, Sunderland, SR5 1SF

01/09/2026

New Funding Opportunity 🚨

The Screwfix Foundation are offering grants of £5,000 to charities and not for profit companies registered at Companies House for the installation of energy efficient lighting & heating.
The next round is now open with a deadline of 10 November with decisions by the end of December.

Deadline: 10 November
Decisions by the end of December

More details available at:

A link to our Charity page for the Screwfix Foundation. Find out what we do, who we support and how to apply for funding.

31/08/2026

🌿 Making mindfulness accessible across Sunderland
Thanks to support from the Sunderland Voluntary Sector Alliance Health and Growth Community Grant, The Little Company of Calm has already:
✅ Delivered 7 weekly mindfulness sessions
✅ Provided 15 one-to-one mindfulness coaching sessions
✅ Supported 10 people experiencing mental health challenges
✅ Reached individuals who are unemployed, off sick, or facing barriers to work
Participants tell us they feel calmer, more relaxed, less isolated, and more confident about their future.
We're also working with local employers to promote workplace wellbeing, with new partnerships and mindfulness sessions planned across Sunderland this autumn.

30/08/2026

NECA offers free, confidential support for people experiencing gambling related harm and those affected by someone else's gambling.
They also provide fully funded Gambling Harm Awareness Training for staff, volunteers and community professionals.

If you need more information please contact NECA directly.