VAC Membership Welcome Pack

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Voting Rights at the VAC AGM

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

Assigned VAC Go-To Contact

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team. They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members. Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector. The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

Full Members Area and Content on VAC Website

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website. The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news. The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

Quarterly Members Newsletter

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Bimonthly Member Network

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members! A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

VAC Products & Services

40% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk. 25% Discount on Virtual Office – Perfect for start ups or smaller organisations, our Virtual Office service offers a postal address, pigeonhole and reception facilities. 25% Discount on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Member exclusive Training and Events

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes. All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven. As a VAC + Member, you will receive a considerable discount on all VAC Training and Events.

VAC Membership Welcome Pack

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Voting Rights at the VAC AGM

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

Assigned VAC Go-To Contact

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team. They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members. Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector. The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

Member Area and Content on VAC Website

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website. The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news. The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

Quarterly Member Newsletter

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Bimonthly Member Network

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members! A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

VAC Products & Services

20% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk. Competitive rate on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Member exclusive Training and Events

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes. All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.

St Augustine’s Centre Spreads Holiday Cheer with Extravagant Christmas Celebration.

Written By Community Journalist

Jordan Baker

19 December 2023

St Augustine’s Centre in Halifax rang in Christmas early with an extravagant party for all on Thursday 14th December.

Based on Hanson Lane, the centre supports those seeking asylum throughout Halifax and the wider Calderdale area.

The Christmas party was a joyous occasion and a special event for all attendees, staff and volunteers to decompress, come together and celebrate what St Augustine’s is all about.

Laughter echoed throughout the centre and smiles were seen on every face.

Families could enjoy time together in the cinema room, dance and sing to live music, capture precious memories in the photo booth and enjoy delicious home-cooked food from around the globe, as well as receiving luxurious hand massages provided by students and staff from Calderdale College, making it the ultimate relaxing experience.

And of course, everyone received a special gift from Santa when visiting the spectacularly decorated St Augustine’s Grotto.

This year, around 500 presents were generously donated to the charity and wrapped by the amazing volunteers at St Augustine’s.

Todmorden Food Bank, Wadsworth Women’s Institute, St Augustine’s CE School, Copley Primary School, Old Town Primary School, North Halifax Grammar School, and The Community Foundation for Calderdale were amongst some of the donors, as well as many more local organisations, businesses and people.

Gifts this year included rucksacks, toys, colouring books, winter wear such as hats, scarves and gloves, as well as toiletry gift sets and thermal mugs.

Each gift is an act of compassion during the season of giving, with the party ensuring that no one feels isolated during the festive period.

Seeking asylum and refuge is often a scary and daunting process with a great feeling of uncertainty, however, St Augustine’s is on a mission to show that Calderdale is a safe and welcoming place, offering people the practical support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity.

The charity offers a range of support and activities throughout the week and is here to help those in need.

The centre runs advice drop-ins on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 9.30 am – 12.30 pm at St. Augustine’s Centre, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG

If you’d like to learn about how you can support St Augustine’s you can visit their website here: https://www.staugustinescentrehalifax.org.uk/i-can-help

Alternatively, if you are an asylum seeker in Calderdale and need support, you can contact St Augustine’s by visiting: https://www.staugustinescentrehalifax.org.uk/i-need-help or by calling 01422 352492.

Contact the Community Journalist