| VCSA Special Bulletin - Funding Opportunity |
| 13-10-2026 |
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 Special Funding Bulletin |
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New funding available to help Shropshire communities tackle loneliness and isolation Deadline for applications 19th October 2026
 Community groups across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin can apply for up to £5000 from a new fund to help reduce loneliness and isolation.The Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire is calling for applications to its Staying Connected Fund, which aims to support projects that bring people together and help them stay connected to their communities. The fund is particularly keen to support projects in rural areas, where isolation can be a significant challenge. Funds could help community organisations run activities including drop-in centres, befriending services, support groups, lunch clubs, respite activities for carers and community or transport links. Up to £5000 per project is available, with most applications expected to be around £1500 to £2500. Leanne Macpherson, Head of Programmes at the Community Foundation, said: “We’re pleased to be launching the new Staying Connected Fund to support organisations that are helping people feel less isolated and more connected to their communities. “We know that loneliness can affect people of all ages, but it can be particularly challenging for older people and those living in rural communities, where there may be fewer opportunities to meet others or access support. Organisations working at a grassroots level are often best placed to understand those challenges and find practical ways to bring people together. “We hope this new fund will help community organisations develop or strengthen activities that make a real difference to people’s lives, whether that’s a regular lunch club, a befriending service, social activities or helping people overcome some of the practical barriers that can prevent them from getting involved. “We’d encourage eligible organisations to take a look at the fund and apply soon if they have a project that could help people stay connected.” The fund is open to constituted voluntary and community groups, registered charities and social enterprises that have been established for more than 12 months. Applications must be submitted by 19th October 2026. Successful organisations – which must be based in or working in Shropshire or Telford & Wrekin – will have up to 12 months to deliver their project. For more information visit: https://shropshire.foundation/grants/communitygroups/shropshire-telford-staying-connected-fund/ |
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| Your Experience Matters Survey – Prize Draw Reminder |
| 14-10-2026 |
We recently shared our Your Experience Matters survey and wanted to send a quick reminder.
At the end of the survey, you now have the option to leave your email address if you would like to be entered into our prize draw. If you've already completed the survey and didn't leave your email address, you're welcome to complete it again and provide your contact details for the draw.
We want to hear from as many care-experienced young people and care leavers as possible. Your feedback will help us understand what's working well, what could be improved, and how we can better support young people to achieve their goals.
My Experience Matters – Fill in form
If you'd like to help shape services, influence policy, and get involved in improving support for care-experienced young people, you can also complete our Get Involved form:
Get involved – Fill in form
The feedback received will be shared with the Corporate Parenting Board during Care Leavers Month in November.
Win a £20 Amazon Voucher
Five people who complete the survey and leave their email address will be selected at random to receive a £20 Amazon voucher.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. Your voice matters.
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| Shropshire Family Information Service Newsletter |
| 16-10-2026 |
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Welcome to the October edition of the Family Info Service newsletter. It's jam packed with spooky fun and ideas to keep the kids busy this half-term! Remember, we cover everything and anything to do with family life, so if you have a question, chances are we'll be able to help, or if we can't, we'll point you in the direction of someone who can. Find us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Call 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk |
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We have been scouring social media and noticeboards across the county to put together a list of activities and events for you to enjoy this half-term. From free library events to spooky Halloween discos, there is so much going on! Take a look and discover what's on near you.
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 It's that spooky time of year and pumpkins across the county are now ready to pick! We have put together a list of local pick your own pumpkin patches. We didn't realise there were so many! From pumpkins and alpacas, spooky mazes, witches villages and other kids activities, pumpkin patches make a great family day out.
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Remember, remember the 5th November, gun powder, treason and plot. Also, fireworks that make you go 'ooooh', toffee apples that stick to your teeth and the smell of bonfire smoke that sticks to your coat for days.
There are some fantastic organised firework displays happening this year, including some low noise displays. Take a look at our directory to see what's happening by you
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If you are looking for holiday clubs or childcare for October half-term, check out our list of local providers in our Family Information Directory. From arts and crafts, to animals, to football, there is something for everyone!
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Looking for things to do with the kids this half term? Why not try one of our free scavenger hunts?
We have three to choose from - one to do in your neighbourhood, one on a nature walk and one indoors.
Don't have a printer? Grab a piece of paper and get the kids to create their own, using ours for inspiration.
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In the lead up to Bonfire Night 2026, the Children's Burns Trust have released data showing a 63% rise in firework related injuries to children between 2024 and 2025. This increase is seen in the serious burns to children that need admission to a Specialist Burns Unit and doesn’t even include the thousands seen and discharged from A&E each year.
It is also predicted that this year 500 children and their families will join the growing number of people who will remember bonfire night for the wrong reasons. They will have been injured as a result of an accident with fireworks.
- The vast majority of injuries are to the eyes, head or hands – so children will have visible scars for life;
- Most injuries happen at private or family displays;
- Rocket, air bomb and sparkler incidents are the most common;
- Many more boys than girls are injured by fireworks – especially boys aged 12 to 15 years.
Sparklers are often seen as a relatively harmless way of allowing very young children to participate in the thrill of fireworks night – THIS IS NOT TRUE – a sparkler can reach temperatures of 20 times the boiling point of water.
Never give sparklers to children under the age of five. Make sure that older children wear gloves, hold the sparkler at arm’s length and ALWAYS have a bucket of water nearby to put the used sparklers in – hot end down.
The best way to enjoy fireworks is at an organised display. The fireworks will be bigger, you’re not responsible for safety and you’ll be part of the crowd.
 The British Red Cross First Aid training apps equip you with simple first aid skills to use during emergencies. Their first aid apps are available for free to download on Android and Apple mobile devices. They provide life-saving advice on first aid scenarios, such as choking, heart attack, seizures, and burns. They have a general first aid app as well as a first aid app specifically for baby and child first aid.
 Did you know you know you can get free health advice for your child via text?
If your child is 0-5 years old text Shropshire Health Visiting on 07520 635212, or if you live in the Telford area text 07520 619053
If your child is 5-19 years old (or 25 if they have special educational needs or disabilities SEND). Text Shropshire School Nursing Service on 07507 330346, or if you live in the Telford area text 07520 619051
 Peep Learning Together for 0-2 year olds is a fantastic new free baby group starting soon at The Lantern in Harlescott, Shrewsbury. Fun, expert-led sessions will help your child develop communication, social and learning skills. The sessions are also a great chance to meet other parents and children, get tips on supporting your child's learning and take away fun activities to try at home. The group starts on Tuesday 10 November, 10am-11.30am and runs until Tuesday 8 December.
You can get free information, advice and support on all aspects of family life, at our Family Drop-Ins. Come along for a coffee and a chat, and find out how we can help you with things like:
- Family life
- Parenting support
- Domestic abuse support
- Money worries
- Housing support, and much more
Our sessions in Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Oswestry and Bridgnorth also include a free Stay and Play for your children.
Is it too early to mention the C word? We know Christmas can be a really expensive time of year so here are our top tips for keeping the costs down.
- Are you receiving everything you are entitled to? Turn2Us is a charity who believes everyone in the UK should have financial security so they can thrive. They offer a free benefits calculator and grants search on their website. It only takes a few minutes to check if you are missing out on something you could be entitled to. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
- Credit unions are not-for-profit organisations that provide savings, loans and a range of services to their members. In Shropshire we have Just Credit Union who offer Christmas savings accounts and affordable loans.
- You can get support with housing, energy and food costs through Shropshire Council's Cost of Living website. You can be referred to the foodbank by a professional who knows you, such as your housing association, GP, support worker or school. They can also refer you for a Christmas Food and Gift Hamper and schemes such as Santa's Little Stars who provide wrapped age-appropriate Christmas presents to children all over the county
- Our Family Information Directory will have lots of free or low cost activities and events to make Christmas fun. We are beginning to add events now and normally have over 100 listings by December.
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| Oswestry Library news and events! |
| 16-10-2026 |
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