New Horizons is seeking to work with trusted community organisations in supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing needs.

In addition to our Recovery College courses we have more recently been trialling Virtual Reality courses working with Arts Factory  - see the ITV news item: 

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/virtual-reality-headset-project-offers-a-new-way-to-support-mental-health/hvnjlbj?brid=xMiSn_6rlVgvfpYkJf1H-w

We are looking to expand this and other work in communities so we're now asking people to complete a 5-minute survey online survey telling us their views on demand/needs and support they know about and what they might like to see offered:

https://forms.office.com/e/XSNx7PV6ju

Closing date is Friday December 19^th 

Practice Solutions has been commissioned by the Welsh Government's National Office for Care and Support to undertake research into the impact of social care prevention and early intervention services.

As part of this research, there is the opportunity for the 3rd Sector and people who have used prevention services to complete the surveys below. This will help us to understand the role of commissioned preventative services, how they have been funded over the last ten years, and the impact they have had.

This research comes from the Implementation Plan (2023), which specifies that research into Local Authority budgets and annual spend on prevention and early intervention services spanning the last ten years should be undertaken; following which consideration should be made to the funding required as part of wider social care funding discussions. As part of the research, we will be working with Local Authorities and their partner organisations to clarify the services that are provided as part of their early intervention and prevention spend to ensure that equitable comparisons are made.

THIRD SECTOR ORGANISATIONS

Social Care Prevention and Early Intervention Research – Third Sector

PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF SERVICES

Social Care Prevention and Early Intervention Research – Lived experience of services 

The deadline for both surveys is SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER 11am.

Some upcoming workshops that may be of interest to you or your organisation. These sessions are designed to provide practical guidance on DBS processes, eligibility, and best practices for safeguarding.

• Information Gathering (Referrals) Workshop – Tuesday 25th November 2025 13:00 – 14:30 – Open
• Disclosure (Eligibility) Workshop – Wednesday 10th December 2025 12:00 – 13:30 – Voluntary
• Barring Referral Service (Referrals) Workshop – Friday 12th December 2025 10:00 – 11:00 – Open
• Update Service (Eligibility) Workshop – Wednesday 17th December 2025 12:00 – 13:30 – Open
• Disclosure (Eligibility) Workshop – Monday 22nd December 2025 11:00 – 12:30 – Safeguarding
• Dual (Eligibility and Referrals) Workshop – Wednesday 7th January 2026 10:00 – 12:00 – Open
• Disclosure (Eligibility) Workshop – Tuesday 13th January 2026 10:00 – 11:30 – Open
• Q & A Drop In – Tuesday 13th January 2026 13:00 – 14:00 – Open
• Barring (Referrals) Workshop – Tuesday 20th January 2026 12:00 – 13:30 – Voluntary
• Barring (Referrals) Workshop – Friday 30th January 2026 10:00 – 11:30 – Sport

Owain Rowlands, Regional Outreach Advisor (Wales)

Owain.Rowlands@dbs.gov.uk

PRESS RELEASE

Welsh charities could win £22,000 in support and funding with Weston Charity Awards

Ambitious charities across Wales, the North of England, and the Midlands are invited to apply for the 2026 Weston Charity Awards, which offer transformational support packages worth over £22,000 each.

Up to 22 charities working in community, environment, welfare, or youth sectors will be selected for this substantial programme of support, designed to help organisations strengthen their leadership, plan for sustainable growth, and build long-term resilience.


Delivered through a partnership between the Garfield Weston Foundation and charity partner Pilotlight, each winner receives £6,500 in unrestricted funding, plus access to Pilotlight 360 – a year-long programme of strategic mentoring and leadership development valued at around £16,000.

Each front-line charity is matched with a team of senior business professionals, known as Pilotlighters, who provide tailored coaching on topics such as income diversification, business planning, long-term strategy, volunteer recruitment, and operational efficiency. This expert guidance helps small charities gain the skills and capacity to thrive in an increasingly challenging environment.

The Weston Charity Awards application deadline is 5pm on Friday 9 January 2026.  

Who can apply?

• Registered charities (charity number required)
• Income under £5m per year
• At least two years of service delivery
• At least one full-time paid leader
• Based in the North of England, the Midlands or Wales
• Working in Community, Welfare, Youth or Environmental action

To find out more and apply, visit: www.pilotlight.org.uk/weston-charity-awards

Charities can also attend a free Zoom session where they can find out more about the benefits and get top tips on crafting a standout application. 

All sessions take place online

via Zoom from 1-2pm:

4 December

16 December  

Tickets are available through Eventbrite.