Information and Advice for the Lancaster District’s Third Sector – 14 September 2023
We are working with the local voluntary and community sector and Lancashire and District-wide partners to support VCFSE organisations and people living in our communities. We encourage you to share this page with others.
An archive of previous editions can be found here.
Click headings below to expand each section.
Pots of Possibility ‘Your Pots’ Fund
We’re delighted to announce that the first round of the Pots of Possibility ‘Your Pots’ fund opened to applications on Monday 4 September.
Grants can be used to take forward new ideas or to scale up and expand regenerative projects and enterprises that will help our community and environment to flourish. The fund is offered as part of the FoodFutures Closing Loops project, co-led by LESS and LDCVS.
The Your Pots process will include a Participative Budgeting method, where local people will be invited to a decision day to hear from applicants and vote on which projects they recommend for funding.
Find out more, including information about drop-in advice sessions, in the Funding section.
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LDCVS Training – Keep Up To Date
Take a look at our current training programme, covering a wide range of subjects and skills.
Our first courses are already up on our revamped training page at www.lancastercvs.org.uk/training, where you can find full course descriptions and booking links.
We’ve also launched our monthly digest this week of our new and upcoming courses, providing an at-a-glance update of what’s on offer, alongside continuing to list opportunities here in the Bulletin.
See this week’s Events & Training section for more information about Mental Health First Aid, Suicide Prevention, and First Aid at Work courses.
Energy Saving Trust Foundation’s Youth Climate Action Fund Open for UK Application
The Energy Saving Trust Foundation is offering funding through its Youth Climate Action Fund for not-for-profit organizations in the UK for those that work with young people up to the age of 25 experiencing inequality. Grants of up to £20,000 per year for up to two years (total of £40,000) are available for organisations with an income of less than £1 million. The fund aims to support projects that engage with young people to understand their perspectives on the climate emergency and address their concerns. The application deadline is October 27, 2023, with an initial expression of interest stage.
The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is 16 October 2023.
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European Commission and UK Reach Political Agreement on Participation in Horizon Europe and Copernicus
The UK will fully associate itself with the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programs starting from January 1, 2024. This decision follows a call between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen. Under this bespoke new agreement, researchers and organisations in the UK will be able to participate in Horizon Europe on an equal footing with EU Member States, gaining access to funding. Association with Copernicus allows the UK to contribute to a vital Earth monitoring space program. Additionally, the UK will access services from the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking. The UK’s annual contribution for participation in both programs is estimated at nearly €2.6 billion.
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Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust Opens for Final 2023 Funding Round
The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust is offering funding to support children and young people in care and care leavers in the UK. They aim to provide grants to those facing significant challenges and limited opportunities. Currently, they are specifically focusing on projects related to children and young people in care and care leavers. Registered and exempt charities with a minimum operating income of £1 million can apply for grants of £5,000, with a limit of one grant per calendar year. In 2024, the Trust’s focus will shift to disability-related projects. It’s important to note that the Trust does not provide grants to Community Interest Companies (CICs), Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), or non-profit organisations.
The deadline to apply for this round is 30 September 2023.
Read more about this funding option
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Deadline Approaches for 2024 FIFA Foundation Community Football Programme
The FIFA Foundation is offering £23,800 grants for global projects using football for social change. Funding and a programme of support are available to local projects around the world that use the power of football to effect positive social change and to address the most pressing global challenges facing underprivileged children and young people.The Foundation Community Programme is provided and administered by FIFA, the international governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal.
The programme is intended to assist established non-profit organisations in using football as a means to address various social issues affecting young people, including education, health, peacebuilding, refugees, leadership, and gender equality. Applications will be accepted from non-governmental organisations worldwide operating football-related projects. Programme participants are able to apply for funding of up to £23,800 to help support football-related initiatives within the communities in which they run.
The deadline for 2024 programme applications is 15 September 2023.
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Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Annual Teacher Development Fund Opens for UK Applications
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is accepting applications for its 2024 Teacher Development Fund, which aims to build partnerships between primary schools and arts/cultural organizations in the UK. Grants of £165,000 are awarded to partnerships comprising arts/cultural organizations and six to ten schools. These partnerships collaborate for two academic years, participating in activities that promote peer networking and learning. Eligible applicants include charities, community organisations, schools, and others involved in the arts. Projects should focus on supporting students facing inequities, integrating arts-based learning into the curriculum, exploring blended professional development models, and building strong partnerships.
The deadline to apply is 13 November 2023 at 12 noon.
Learn more about this funding opportunity
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Rewilding Challenge Fund Reopens for Applications 2023
Collaborations of landowners, sea users, organisations, communities, and businesses can apply for funding to deliver a single large-scale rewilding project that brings lasting social, economic and ecological benefits for local communities. Rewilding Britain is offering an annual award of £100,000 for one large-scale rewilding project, at least 1,000ha/10 km² in size, based in England, Scotland, or Wales, that will bring social, economic, and ecological benefits for local communities. Priority will be given to projects that restore and reinstate natural processes, habitats, and missing species to the maximum extent across land, sea, or both. There is particular interest in community-led/co-designed approaches to rewilding which bring lasting social, economic, and ecological benefits for local communities.
The deadline to submit an expression of interest is 12 October 2023.
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ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Invites Applications for Final Round of 2023
Funding is available provided by ABF The Soldier’s Charity for charities and organisations that support the Army community, which includes veterans, serving soldiers, their families and immediate dependants. The funding aims to assist projects and activities directly benefiting this community in areas such as independent living, elderly care, education, employability, mental fitness, families, and housing. The Grants Committee decides the funding amount, with no specified minimum or maximum, although new relationships may receive less than £15,000. Eligible applicants include charities, not-for-profit organisations, CICs, community groups, and housing associations supporting the Army community. There are typically three funding rounds per year.
The deadline for applications is 4 October for consideration in November 2023.
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Castle Studies Trust Reopens for Applications 2023
Individuals and organisations across the UK can apply for funding to help advance the understanding of Castle Studies. The Castle Studies Trust is offering grants of up to £10,000 to support the production of new and discrete pieces of research that enhance the understanding and knowledge of castles. Grants will initially focus on new work on castles, such as architectural and geophysical surveys, radio-carbon dating, or projects that enhance the general public’s understanding of castles. The fund will cover costs specific to carrying out research and site work, such as travel to and from a castle site, equipment costs, or services provided by a third party. Funding can be used to co-fund large-scale projects.
The deadline for applications is 1 December 2023.
Learn more about this funding and apply
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Commonweal’s Call for New Ideas 2023 Focuses on Criminal Justice System in the UK
Funding has become available for frontline organisations to conduct a feasibility study to explore their proposed housing model seeking to address issues with the criminal justice system. Commonweal Housing, an independent social justice charity working to investigate, pilot and champion housing-based solutions to social injustice, is offering grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 to carry out a short-term feasibility study to evaluate a housing and support model tackling issues facing vulnerable individuals who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.Not-for-profit organisations in the UK may apply. They do not need to be experts in housing or have experience in delivering housing projects. There is particular interest in project ideas from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME)-led and BAME-focused organisations.
The deadline to apply is 29 September 2023 (5pm).
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Defibrillator Grant Funding
London Hearts, the leading heart charity dealing with the funding, procurement and supply of life-saving defibrillators throughout the entire of the UK are offering grant funding towards heart defibrillators. Recent publicised events have highlighted the fact that Cardiac Arrest does not discriminate and can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time!
The statistics are alarming – Cardiac Arrest kills over 60,000 people, of all ages, in the UK each year. If a heart defibrillator is used within 3-5 mins of a cardiac arrest, the chances of survival increases from 6% to a huge 74%. London Hearts are able to offer Grant Funding towards the cost of each Defibrillator they supply.
With every Defibrillator, they also provide free online CPR/Defibrillator awareness training.
If you have any queries please feel free to contact me either by telephone on 02070432493 or by email reply at: [email protected]
Further information on the Defibrillators supplied
If you have more enquiries please feel free to contact Cerys at London Hearts by telephone on 02070432493 or by email [email protected]
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Pots of Possibility ‘Your Pots’ Grant Fund Open to Applications
The Your Pots fund, offered as part of the Closing Loops project co-led by LESS and LDCVS, is offering grants of between £5000 and £10,000 to social enterprises, charities and other not-for-profit organisations.
The grants can be used to take forward new ideas or to scale up and expand regenerative projects and enterprises that will help our community and environment to flourish.
These include ideas in any of the following themes:
- Reusing, repurposing and repairing materials currently going to waste (e.g. textiles, electronics, packaging, surplus food, etc)
- Sharing resources (e.g. tools, materials, skills, etc) or repurposing unused space for community benefit
- Inspiring people to use and buy things more sustainably and to produce less waste
- Growing, cooking and eating food that’s local, seasonal and sustainably produced.
Applications will open from 9am on Monday 4 September. Find out more and download the fund guidance here.
Together with LESS, we are offering drop-in support sessions for anyone interested in applying. There’s no need to book, just turn up to either of the events below:
- Wednesday 13 September (10.00am – 12.00 noon) Morecambe Hobby Hub, Yorkshire Street West, Morecambe LA3 1QE
- Wednesday 20 September (2.00pm – 4.00pm) Lancaster Sustainability Hub, Unit 6 Marketgate, Lancaster LA1 1JF
Deadline for applications: 6 October 2023 at 11:59pm.
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Suicide Prevention Grant Fund 2023-2025
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has made available a £10 million fund to support suicide prevention activities delivered in England by non-profit organisations.
The objectives of this fund are to support non-profit organisations in configuring their suicide prevention services to better meet the demand seen in recent years and to support a range of diverse and innovative activity to prevent suicides at both a national and community level.
The fund closes to applications on 1 October, 11:59pm.
Carnforth Charity Shop Award £22k in grants in First Year
The Carnforth Charity Shop 3R are celebrating their first year since the 3R Foundation was started, and 7 months of trading in the Charity Shop, where they have already managed to raise and award nearly £22k of grants to local clubs, groups and charities. The 3R Foundation is an independent Carnforth based registered charity, set up to provide grants to local community groups, clubs and small charities in North Lancashire and South Cumbria, through funds raised in their dedicated charity shop on Lancaster Road/Haws Hill, Carnforth.
Operations Manager Paul Calland says “It is unbelievable to think that it’s only been a year since we started the 3R Foundation and the 3R Charity shop in Carnforth only opened on 1st February. We had hoped to be able to give a few small grants out to the North Lancashire and South Cumbria community in our first year… Well we have properly smashed that and awarded nearly £22,000 already with loads more in the pipeline!”
“It has been asked of us more than a few times why no one else has ever done something like this to directly help local groups and clubs. To be honest it is not an easy thing to setup, but we have a wonderful group of experienced staff and volunteers who have really worked hard together to do what they do best, and setup from scratch and run a lovely, bright clean shop. This has been incredibly well received and we are delighted that all the profits raised will be awarded as grants back into the local community, to buy vital equipment and services, so the small groups and clubs can do what they do best.”
Why not take a look in their shop, or get your local club, group or small charity to apply for a grant.
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Flooding in Libya and Earthquake in Morocco
Storm Daniel caused widespread flooding in Libya which led to the breach of two dams near Derna, releasing a torrent of water through the city. Authorities say that more than 5,000 people have died and many more are missing.
In Morocco, an earthquake has caused more than 2,500 people are reported to have lost their lives, many in rural mountain areas. Many others are injured and have lost their homes.
While the Disasters Emergency Committee have not yet launched national appeals, they are monitoring the situations in both countries and have published lists of their members who are raising money to help in both places.
For further information and a list of DEC members who have launched their own appeals, see https://www.dec.org.uk/monitoring
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CAP Lancaster & Morecambe Debt Centre – Monday Drop-ins
Christians Against Poverty are holding a free drop-in debt clinic every Monday morning in Morecambe.
Anyone who needs help and advice with debt can visit the Sanctuary Cafe, 13 Queen Street, Morecambe between 9am and 11am each week.
Download the poster to find out more.
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Retrofitting Community Buildings – Action Plan
Retrofitting community buildings involves adding new features or systems to make it more efficient to run.
In collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Energy, Local Trust have produced an action plan to help community organisations:
- work out how to make their building more energy efficient
- reduce energy wastage (and costs)
- better understand how their building works
- work with tradespeople
Download the plan and read a short case-study here
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Community Responses to the Climate & Cost of Living Crises
How have communities been taking action against the crises caused by climate change and the increasing cost of living?
The Centre for Sustainable Energy have reported on initiatives from several Big Local funded areas, highlighting their ambitions and activities.
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Five years of Empowering Places Report
The Empowering Places program, a five-year initiative aimed at strengthening community anchors and developing sustainable clusters of local businesses, has concluded. This provided an opportunity to share the program’s insights and findings. Cooperatives UK, in collaboration with New Economics Foundation and CLES – Centre for Local Economic Strategies, led the program, offering funding and capacity-building support to catalyst organisations in six socioeconomically deprived areas. The final program report by Renaisi provides a comprehensive overview of Empowering Places, examining the diverse approaches taken by catalysts in utilising investment and delivering outcomes. The report delves into the program’s impact on both individuals and the localities involved, offering valuable insights and lessons for community development.
Volunteer Centre News Update
For the latest from the Volunteer Centre you can read our Volunteering News Update here
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Lancaster Guardian Column
Read all about aspects of volunteering and other third sector items in the Lancaster District with our regular Lancaster Guardian article. This week’s article is titled – The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
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Volunteer Opportunity Promotion and Recruitment
Have you registered on our website to promote your volunteer roles? By adding your opportunities to our website you will be making them available to the hundreds of people per month who check our site looking for something to do. You will also enable our team to easily and quickly signpost people to your roles, to give them the information that they need to decide whether they would like to apply.
Registering is quick and easy and you can do it here.
Once registered you will be able to add your roles. If you need any help, or have any questions, you can contact Mark by email at [email protected].
In addition to the website, the Volunteer Centre can promote your roles via our bulletins and newsletters; through attendance at in-person events such as volunteer fairs; in 121 meetings with potential volunteers; through visits to various support organisations; drop-in events at local Job Centres; by posting to our social media platforms; and through our bi-weekly column in the Lancaster Guardian.
If you would like to discuss any of this, including having space in our Lancaster Guardian column, please contact Mark.
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Volunteering Opportunity Help Guide
We have produced a guide to help you when adding an opportunity to our website – It is quite detailed and covers every possible question. You don’t need to follow it but please do look at it if you get stuck or if it isn’t clear which option to choose when going through the form to add new opportunities.
You can now also add more users to your account. Once registered, log in, hover on Account at the top of the dashboard and click ‘Users’, where you can add more users. This will be useful if you would like someone else to check applicant info and contact potential volunteers.
You can also now choose which category to add your opportunity under, to help people when searching for roles. If you can’t find an appropriate category just use the ‘default’ category and let us know what categories you would like to see added.
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DBS Checks
We offer a DBS check service, working in partnership with Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale CVS. If you need DBS certificates for your staff or volunteers, please visit our website here.
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Volunteering Opportunities
West End Players Multiple Roles
Morecambe Poetry Festival Volunteers
Morecambe Poetry Festival is coming to town on 22nd, 23rd and 24th of September 2023 and it needs you! In return for two 4-hour shifts, you will be given a free weekend pass to the festival. This word fiesta will feature some of the most amazing and talented poets!
Find out more about this opportunity
The Bay International Film Festival Volunteers
The Bay International Film Festival is coming from the 6th to the 29th of October and it needs you! The International short film competition had more than 400 entries from over 45 countries!
Find out more about this volunteer opportunity
Cast and Crew for Alien the Musical
The West End Players CIC, who brought you fun and laughter with Aladdin Morecambe in February 2023 are now back with a new show and are looking for cast and crew for Alien The Musical on Thursday 22nd February (press night), Friday 23rd February and Saturday 24th February 2024 (performance).
Find out more about this opportunity
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Befriender with Let’s Befriends
Let’s Befriends are looking for volunteers as befrienders, to work with people who are homeless, recently rehoused or under threat of eviction.
Find out more about this opportunity
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Van Driver for the Well Communities
Well Communitities are looking for a van driver volunteer/s who can help assisting their community members to access the gym, take members to the Saturday hub in Lancaster and do our food collection from FareShare in Preston on Friday mornings.
Follow this link for more info
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Canteen Assistant at The Friendship Centre
The Friendship Centre are in need of a canteen assistant on a Monday, Wednesday’ or Friday. The charity are a social club for isolated over 55’s and offer classes and activities from 9.30 to 1pm. They have a modern kitchen with a 4 star food hygiene rating. The group have nearly 100 very friendly members and between 20 and 30 members attend each session. Training will be given if required.
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Marketing Officer with Beyond Radio
As a not for profit, volunteer organisation, the role of Marketing Officer with Beyond Radio is an important one and we are particularly keen to hear from volunteers with experience that can help us with a variation of marketing tasks from merchandising to social media.
Find out more about this opportunity
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Coordinator with The City of Sanctuary’s Bike Project
The City of Sanctuary Bike Project require a volunteer to coordinate a multitude of tasks such as getting bike donations, handling bike issues and requests along with bike repair appointment setting.
Find out more about this opportunity
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Bay Volunteers Opportunities
Bay Volunteers are offering various roles including the new role for a community group buddy!
Do you have time during the week to support individual residents with things like shopping, Eggcup and prescription collections, telephone or in-person befriending, digital support, attending a community group with someone on a short-term basis, and more?
Bay Volunteers needs volunteers to take up either regular or one-off missions that you can pick and choose, carrying them out when and as often as it suits and fits in with you in a given week to support vulnerable members of our communities. Missions are made available to volunteers on a mobile app and website which is very easy to use, so you can choose which ones you can do.
Email: [email protected]
Visit their website here for more information
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Volunteer Van Driver- Morecambe
The Well Communities are looking for a volunteer/s who can help assisting their community members to access the gym, take members to the Saturday hub in Lancaster and do their food collection from FareShare in Preston on Friday mornings.
If you like variety and want to meet new people, this could be the role for you! Their community relies on their volunteers to keep them running successfully.
Duties include:
Weekly Friday collection of food from Fareshare, Preston – Helping load and unload items for delivery (including bulky items) in line with their health and safety guidelines. This enables them to run their weekly food club for the community. 2-3 times a week (1.5hrs) – Transporting residents to local Salt Aye Gym, returning to the hub. Saturday – Transporting residents to their hub in Lancaster and collection, returning to the hub in Morecambe.
An opportunity to be part of The Well Communities CIC and the knowledge that you are making a positive difference to people’s lives.
Requirements:
A clean driving license and able to drive a 15-seater minibus.
Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
For an informal discussion please contact: Richard Hancock on 07444 907135 or Jo O’Brien on 07581 027413
For an application form, please contact Sarah Lunan – [email protected]
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Lancaster Men’s Hub
Lancaster Men’s Hub support men of all ages in the Lancaster area with their physical and mental health through a wide variety of activities. They are looking for two volunteers to help in the kitchen during their Friday meals.
Kitchen Coordinator
This role will plan the weekly menu, buy food, and arrange a rota for cooking
Kitchen Assistant
This role will serve food and drinks, keep the cafe and kitchen area tidy, and conduct other kitchen duties.
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The Cornerstone
The Cornerstone is part of Lancaster Methodist Church and is a community of people working together to create a safe place in the city. They are currently looking for volunteers in the roles of Kitchen Assistant, Promotions & Social Media, and Administration Support/Fundraising.
Kitchen Assistant
Required between 10am and 3pm on Tuesdays for general kitchen duties.
Promotions & Social Media Lead
Design eye-catching leaflets and posters, and engage the community through social media.
Administration Support – Fundraising
Help with general office duties and complete funding applications.
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Home-Start Volunteers
Home-Start, who offer home-visiting support to local families are looking for more volunteers such as parents, carers or grandparents who feel they could spare 2 to3 hours a week to support a family. They provide training and also other training opportunities and are hoping to run their net course in September. If anyone is interested in this position, please contact Debra Dawkins, the Senior Coordinator of Home-Start to further discuss this role.
Tel: 01524 414871
Mob: 07939404194
Email: [email protected]
Understanding Liver Cancer: Risk, Surveillance and Diagnosis Webinar
Liver Cancer UK are holding an upcoming health webinar on “Understanding Liver Cancer: Risk, Surveillance, and Diagnosis”. This informative webinar will explore the risk factors associated with liver cancer and emphasise the vital role of cirrhosis surveillance in early detection. Join the discussion with two experts and a patient to gain valuable insights into liver cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care. Register now to attend and stay informed about this critical topic.
Date & time: Friday, October 13th, at 12 pm
Find out more and register to attend
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Bay Wellness Suicide Awareness Kit
The Bay Wellness Partnership, formed in collaboration with partners from the Bay area, is dedicated to improving colleague health and wellbeing across Morecambe Bay. They emphasise the importance of physical and mental fitness, especially during challenging times, and aim to empower colleagues to take ownership of their health and wellbeing.
The partnership’s recent focus has been on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day recently. They have created a Suicide Awareness Toolkit to raise awareness and encourage support for those impacted by suicide, emphasising suicide prevention. The partnership is also promoting initiatives like the Zero Suicide Alliance and the Orange Button Scheme to reduce suicides across the Bay. Together, they aim to create “Suicide Safer Communities” and spread hope through action.
Access the toolkit and further info here
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World Suicide Prevention Day #WSPD
Sunday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day. The day is hosted on this date each year by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and provides the opportunity for people, across the globe, to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention.
If you would like to find out how you can help people who might be struggling and learn the skills to be able to start a conversation about suicide, please take a look at the training by Zero Suicide Alliance. This training only takes 20 minutes and could help save a life.
Follow this link for the training
Lancaster CVS Suicide Prevention Training
Lancaster CVS are also running a suicide prevention training session. This half-day workshop provides learners with the confidence and tools to understand the impact of suicide and take someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide from a place of danger and isolation to a place of safety and support, using a three-step ‘first aid’ approach.
Learn more and reserve your place
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Survey For Adults and Their Unpaid Carers
Lancashire County Council have released a survey for adults with care and support needs who have unpaid carers as part of their Lancashire County Council’s Adult Social Care improvement work. They would like people to help them better understand how they are performing and where to focus their efforts with the goal of working more effectively with those concerned.
Responses are anonymous and people can feel free to answer any question or skip it. The survey should take only about 10 minutes and must be completed by the 17th of September 2023. Feedback will be published on their website.
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Birchall Referral
Birchall are there to support people who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse by offering a wide range of services to help heal people and to help them move forward. These include adult counselling, play therapy for children and training and education programmes and more. Information on how to get referred or to refer someone else is provided on the poster which includes a QR code besides other alternative contact details.
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NIHR Improving Engagement Research Report
The NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) and BVSC have produced a report “Improving Engagement” which highlights the crucial role played by the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in delivering social care services in the UK, currently worth £3.8 billion.
The findings highlight the importance of involving the sector in health and social care research. The report summarises outcomes from listening events organised by the NIHR Research Design Service and BVSC in 2022. It identifies barriers to engagement for VCFSE organisations, such as lack of time and confidence, as well as challenges faced by researchers, including capacity issues. Key recommendations for improving engagement include early involvement of VCFSE organizations in research, co-designing research outputs, better cost estimation, dedicated relationship-building time, and meaningful co-production based on equal partnership.
You can read the full recommendations and learning from the events in the Full Report and Summary Report.
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Free Event for World Menopause Day
On the 18th of October is World Menopause Day. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. Lancashire Adult Learning are pleased to be hosting a free online event on the day:
The event will highlight some of the issues surrounding menopause and give you different tips and strategies to make it more manageable for you. The important people in your life can also come along, to help them better understand the changes you might be going through.
Managing the Menopause in Life & Work
Free online session
Wednesday 18th October
6pm – 8pm
Book your place and find out more
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Social Prescribing Research – University of Chester
The University of Chester is collecting views and experiences of social prescribing from VCFSE participants and providers. The project’s purpose is to unpick the processes and common features in successful social prescribing schemes, particularly from a Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise perspective.
VCFSE providers are asked to complete a survey focusing on these questions:
- What do successful social prescribing schemes look like to the VCFSE?
- How can resources, impact and VCFSE support be maximised?
- How can collaboration between PCNs and the VCFSE be encouraged to benefit all partners?
- What do hosting organisations need?
Find out more about the research, or go directly to the survey.
Phase two of the project will involve focus groups and interviews, however taking part in the survey phase does not mean you have to take part in further research.
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Student Meningitis Vaccine Reminder
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and leading meningitis charities are urging students to make sure they have been vaccinated against meningitis as the latest data shows that around 1 in 8 new students are unprotected from this disease.
New students going to college or university are remaining unprotected against these serious illnesses which consist of 4 strains of meningococcal bacteria. Each of these can cause long term disability, serious health complications and can be life threatening.
The latest data shows that the vaccination rate has fallen to 79.6% which means that around 1 in 5 pupils will remain unprotected when the begin college or university if they don’t catch up.
Find out more about the risks, and how to get a vaccine.
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PDVS Freedom Program
Did you know the Preston Domestic Violence Services provide a free confidential freedom program? This support group is open to women who have or are, experiencing abuse and want to learn more about the different forms of abuse, coping strategies and warning signs. The program runs for 12 weeks and is delivered virtually via zoom. If you would like to access this program, call our helpline on 01772 201601 or email us at [email protected] to receive a referral form.
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Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Learn, Share, Support
September is Blood Cancer Awareness month. Every September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month raises awareness and understanding of blood cancers, the signs and symptoms and its impact, which will help to improve early diagnosis, encourage policymakers to prioritise the disease, as well as help everyone with blood cancer feel connected and heard. Find out about the initiative to spread awareness and knowledge about blood cancers.
Watch the following video on ‘Why Spot Leukaemia?’…
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The Bay Health Festivals 2023 Impact
The Bay Health Festivals have crunched the numbers and created this infographic highlighting the key achievements of last month’s Bay Health Festivals events.
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Join the Cycle September Challenge!
Ride a bike this September and you could win a £4,000 holiday, plus lots of other prizes. Join Love to Ride Lancashire’s Cycle September Challenge for a chance to win while pedalling your way to better health!
Escape2Make Heritage Market Festival – Early Bird Places
The National Lottery funded young peoples arts charity Escape2Make are about to launch over 200 spaces for young people to get involved with their Heritage Market Festival workshops, with an opportunity to gain early access. Escape2Make’s Heritage Market Festival workshops offer a diverse range of creative learning opportunities for individuals looking to explore their interests and develop new skills. Participants can choose from a variety of workshops, including pottery making, graphic design, virtual reality art, photography, podcasting, and more.
This collection of workshops are provided for those aged 11s-18s in the Lancaster District to get involved with FOR FREE over November and December. The workshops are a part of Escape2Make’s Autumn/Winter season of events and are designed to encourage self-expression and creativity. Participants are encouraged to attend each session within their chosen program, culminating in a celebration at the Heritage Market Festival on Sunday, December 17th, where they can showcase their newfound skills to the community.
Additionally, the workshops offer free snacks during each session and the promise of free pizza at the final session of all programs, making it a fun and engaging learning experience.
These workshops can be found and signed up to NOW, right here:
https://escape2make.org/earlyaccess/
For more information and to check workshop availability, you can visit their website and explore the various programs and dates offered.
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Blue Influencers Scheme – Expression of Interest Open to New Applications
The Ernest Cook Trust are inviting registered charities to apply for the new Blue Influencers Scheme. An Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the Host Organisation Grant is now open for new applications. This new Influencers Scheme is match funded with #iwill and will fund 22 Blue Mentor posts based in Host Organisations (registered charities) based in England to work with 4,000 young people (target age 10-14) across three years.
The Scheme will support youth-led environmental social action projects in coastal, river and estuary communities and will focus on ‘blue’ environmental issues. The Host Organisation Grant is £20,000 per year for three years (which includes £3,000 per year for overhead and management costs. Further information and a link to the EOI Application Form can be found from the Trust website. Webpage Link Here: Blue Influencers Scheme
The application window will close at 3pm on Monday 25 September 2023.
If you have any further questions do email us at [email protected]
Find out more about this scheme
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Children and Family Wellbeing Service – What’s on Guide Sept-Oct
The Children and Family Wellbeing Service for the Lancaster District have a selection of support sessions for families and young people over the next couple of months. The service aims to provide early help on a whole range of issues affecting you or your family. Targeted services are available for children and young people across the age range 0-19 yrs+. Sessions are varied from baby development to youth groups and parental guidance.
Take a look at their event schedule
View What’s On at their Centres
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Lancaster Family Hub Launch
Lancashire County Council are running a Family Hub in Lune Park, Lancaster. This family friendly event provides activities for all the family to enjoy with drinks and snacks provided. Drop in anytime between 10am-6pm on Wednesday 27th September.
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Tackling Fussy Eating Workshop
Fussy eating in children can cause a lot of stress at mealtimes and worries about whether a child is getting the right amount of nutrition. Join Claire Potter, a best-selling author of Getting the Little Blighters to Eat and Which Food Will You Choose? on a one-day workshop presenting practical, effective and research-based approaches that parents can apply at home.
The workshop will look at how fussy eating begins, practical techniques to use at mealtimes, techniques for introducing new foods, behavioural issues around food and how to encourage a child’s curiosity and adventurousness around food.
Date and Time: Saturday the 23rd of September
Location: Friend’s Meeting House, Lancaster
Price: £35 (subsidised by Food Futures)
Email [email protected] to book tickets and find out more
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Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Careers
The NHS’s Work Experience Programme is now open for applications. This application window closes at 4pm on Friday 29th September. There are non-clinical opportunities for 14 to 16 year olds, and work experience placements for 16+.
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Brook Safeguarding Conference 2023
Brook, the charity supporting people with their sexual health and wellbeing, are holding their first virtual safeguarding conference on 14 September.
The conference has four online events, three of which are available free of charge:
- Spotting the signs of CSE (£10)
- Safeguarding in a mental health crisis (free)
- Safeguarding in the age of AI (free)
- How RSHE safeguards our children (free)
Find out more about the conference and book session tickets here.
Essential Life Saving Skills
This free three-day course will give you the knowledge and lifesaving skills to effectively assess and treat someone who is not breathing. The skills will include how to conduct the primary survey and deliver cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on an adult, child or baby and how to access and use a defibrillator. It will also provide you with skills to safely administer emergency first aid in variety of situations. It includes topics such as choking, bleeding, shock, minor injuries, burns, seizures, secondary survey and recovery position.
This non-certificated course is offered FREE of charge!
3 days: 21 & 28 September, and 5 October, 9.45am – 4.45pm
The Commodore Club, 131 Heysham Road, Morecambe
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Developing a Funding Strategy with LDCVS
Next week we will be hosting a free ‘Developing Funding Strategy’ session for those in the Voluntary Sector in the Lancaster District. The session can be attended from the comfort of your own home in the form of an online webinar. The workshop will provide you with all the information required to formulate a strong funding strategy whether for your organisational core costs, a specific project you want to deliver or for raising funds for equipment or buildings. There will also be opportunity to come away from it with handy tools to help document your strategy and monitoring your progress towards achieving your goals. There will also be chance to ask any questions in a Q&A section.
The course is ideal for those with minimal experience in fundraising looking to get their funding ducks in line.
Date & time: Tuesday 19 September, 12 Noon or 7pm
Location: Online (an access link will be provided
Book your ticket here on this session
For more on our training schedule
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Introduction to Community Music with More Music
More Music has been at the forefront of community music practice for 30 years, delivering inspiring and inclusive music projects across Lancashire and with partners nationally. This training day is an opportunity to learn more about community music and inclusive music-making from experienced music leaders, the wide-ranging holistic impacts it can have for participants and gain new skills to apply in your own practice.
Date & time: Saturday 30 September, 10am – 3pm
Location: The Hothouse, Morecambe
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Gift Aid Awareness Day Webinar
As part of Gift Aid Awareness Day CFG is hosting a free Gift Aid webinar special, where you will be joined by experts from HMRC to answer any questions you might have on this vital tax relief. This event will provide an understanding of how Gift Aid can boost your charity’s income. Learn the latest insights and best practices from industry experts, ensuring you make the most of this valuable source of funding.
Date& time: Thursday 5 October, 12-1pm
Location: Online
Register now for Gift Aid Awareness Day
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Share the Harvest
Share the Harvest invites you to join in and help prevent fruit waste from local trees in a month-long festival of gleans, events and workshops happening all over Lancaster District.
Lancaster’s Harvest Market – Friday 15 Sept, 10am-5pm
Community Apple Pressing with Claver Hill – Tuesday 19th Sept
The Storey Gardens – 9-16th Sept
Home Juicing with the Claver Hill Community Press – Various dates
Apple Day at Fairfield Community Orchard – 23 Sept, 2-4.30pm
See their full events programme here
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Childcare and Education Courses with Lancashire Adult Learning
Lancashire Adult Learning are pleased to launch a new Working with Children and Young People – Is it for me? course. LAL are offering a taster session aimed at people who have an interest in working with children but are unsure of which pathway to take to reach their goal. During the session, learners will explore different opportunities to work with children and the skills and qualities needed for those roles. Learners will also have the opportunity to find out about further accredited courses to develop their knowledge and skills to work with children.
Upon successful completion you will progress to the Get Into Working in Schools and Colleges or the Get Into Working in an Early Years Setting.
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Energy Saving Workshops
Struggling to save money with your energy bills? Lancaster City Council are running energy saving workshops to provide some support. There will be specialist guidance on energy efficient ways to reduce your bills and save money. The workshops are a great opporunity to be proactive before the colder months start creeping back in. There will also be opportunity to take away some handy (and FREE) energy saving gadgets. FREE parking and lunch available!
Carnforth Energy Saving Workshop e-poster
Morecambe Energy Saving Workshop e-poster
Reserve your place at lancaster.gov.uk/workshop or call 01524 582000
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Suicide Prevention – Funded Workshop
LDCVS has secured an additional Suicide Prevention workshop, as the first date offered is now full.
This half-day workshop provides learners with the confidence and tools to understand the impact of suicide and take someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide from a place of danger and isolation to a place of safety and support, using a three-step ‘first aid’ approach.
This approach enables the suicide ‘first aider’ to identify the signs that someone may be experiencing thoughts of suicide, recognize the needs of that person, ask about suicide clearly and directly and use safety planning to empower the individual to find appropriate help.
The workshop is City and Guilds registered, delivered by a trainer registered with the National Centre for Suicide Prevention.
This is a funded course, with just a registration fee (£5 LDCVS members / £10 non-members, plus ticket and payment processing fees) to cover venue and refreshments costs.
5 December 2023, 9:15am – 12:30pm, St Thomas Church
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Mental Health First Aid – Funded Course
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised two-day training course which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis.
MHFA England training will teach you the best way to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis. Learning takes place through a mix of group activities, presentations and discussions.
LDCVS is promoting this course which normally costs up to £300. In this case, it has been fully funded by Lancashire County Council Public Health and is free of charge. A £50 deposit (plus £2.65 covering ticketing and payment fees charged by our suppliers) is required at the time of booking to guard against non-attendance. £50 will be repaid on completion of both full days.
16 & 17 October, 9am – 5pm, The Cornerstone
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Free Healthy Eating Workshops with Headway Lancaster & Morecambe Bay
Headway are offering eight healthy eating workshops at their allotment on Dorrington Road, funded through the Community Health Champions Fund.
This is a great way to participate in creating a meal, learn about healthy food choices, and best of all to eat an appetising meal!
Workshops take place on 27 September, 4, 11 & 18 October, and on 8, 15, 22 & 29 November.
Download the poster to find out more, and book your slot by emailing Maria at [email protected]
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Free Core Skills Health Coaching Courses
This two-day face to face programme, offered free of charge through Active Lancashire, is designed to support practitioners from all health, care, community and voluntary sectors to learn how to use health coaching effectively in their current roles when speaking to patients/clients.
Health Coaching will give you the opportunity to build on the many skills you already possess and learn how a health coaching approach can very usefully support your work.
19 September (Morecambe)
21 September (Preston)
19 & 26 September (Kendal)
Find out more about the course content.
To apply for a place, fill out this form and return it to [email protected]
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Cranfield Trust Essentials to Excellence Webinars
Charities, Understand Marketing and its Importance
If the fundamental purpose of marketing is to increase profit for a company, what is the fundamental purpose of marketing in a not-for-profit charity? Aimed at CEO’s, marketing managers, fundraisers, and trustees, this one-hour webinar will discuss the importance of marketing and what it is within a charity context. We will look at how, through developing a simple one page marketing plan, you can help grow a charity’s online community, raise awareness and increase donations.
The second of their marketing-focussed webinars will take place on Thursday, 28 September 2023 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.
Charities – Why Bother with Process Improvement?
Cranfield Trust are also offering a new webinar on Process Improvement. 100% of your charity’s performance is a result of how well your people design, operate and continuously improve your processes. So if you know you need to make a step-change in performance, you will only be able to do that by changing your processes and this webinar can help.
Date & time: Thursday 12 October 2023 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Floating Support Officer – Gateway Lancaster Floating Support
The Gateway team have an exciting opportunity to join them in expanding their offer of homelessness services working alongside their existing floating support team. Support workers are to assist service users to meet their support needs whilst working with them and assist them to settle into their new accommodation to maximise their success in sustaining that tenancy.
Salary: £23,947 per year
Contract: 37 hours per week, occasional unsociable hours, fixed term, extension opportunity
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe
Closing Date: 25 September 2023
Interview date: WC 25 September
More about this role and apply
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Fundraising Co-ordinator (Individual Giving)
The Bendrigg Trust is seeking a Fundraising Co-ordinator (Individual Giving) to join their passionate fundraising team. Bendrigg Trust is known for challenging perceptions of disability and enabling individuals with disabilities to experience adventure and develop independence. In this role, you’ll focus on growing their individual giving program, managing fundraising administration, and engaging donors through compelling communications. While prior fundraising experience is beneficial, applications from those with transferable skills or limited fundraising experience are also encouraged.
Salary: £23,100 – £28,350 per year
Contract: Permanent, Part-time, 21.75 – 36.25 hours per week, flexible, Full-time
Location: Kendal, Cumbria (Hybrid)
Closing Date: 4 October 2023, 12:00
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Advice Services Manager – South Lakes Citizens Advice
This role involves managing advice services, ensuring integration across channels, and developing the service to align with business objectives. Experience in the Citizens’ Advice service or the advice sector, volunteer management, and service quality assurance is valued.
Comprehensive training and support will be provided, making this an excellent opportunity for those interested in problem-solving and working in a dynamic team. Join a Zoom Meeting on September 22, 2023, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm to learn about the opportunity to expand the management team at South Lakes Citizens Advice.
Salary: £29,600 – £32,800 per year
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Kendal, Cumbria
Closing Date: 28 September 2023, 12:00
Find out more about this role and apply
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Kentown Family Support Worker – Rainbow Trust
Rainbow Trust is looking to appoint a Kentown Family Support Worker to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of the pilot Kentown Children’s Palliative Care Programme, in collaboration with Kentown Wizard and Together for Short Lives.
Reporting to the Kentown Project Lead out of our North West team base and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness
Salary: £21,000 pa + benefits (company car, 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Preston, Lancashire (Hybrid)
Closing Date: 13 October 2023, 23:59
Full details of this role here
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Project Assistant Vacancy at The Olive Branch
The Olive Branch have an exciting opportunity for someone to join their small team as Project Assistant (Communications and Administration). You will be working alongside their Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager. If you are experienced at carrying out administrative tasks, can produce promotional materials and can use social media confidently and would also like to work in a busy, community-centred charity then The Olive Branch would really like to hear from you!
Salary: £9, 777 per annum
Contract: 17 hours per week split between Communications and Administrative duties
Location: Lancaster
Closing Date: 6pm on Tuesday the 19th of September
See full job description and apply here
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Let’s BeFriends Network Coordinator
Let’s BeFriends is a charity set up by the lived in experience members of the Lancaster District Homeless Advisory Group. They are looking for someone to take on the very varied role of a Network Coordinator. For this role you will be expected to network, build and maintain relationships with various organisations to aid the sustainability of recruitment. Other aspects of the role amongst many will include promoting volunteer opportunities, coordinate a recruitment plan to attract new volunteers and spread marketing materials to a wide range of audiences. Another aspect will be supporting new volunteers through an Induction Journey.
Salary: £12.98 per hour
Contract: Self-employed with initial 12-month contract
Location: Based in the community with ability for some home working
Closing Date: 11:59pm on Wednesday 27th of September 2023
Interview: Week commencing 2nd of October
Please email cv and covering letter to [email protected] or call Dusty Thomas for an informal chat on 07875025009
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Advocate – Guild Lodge
The Advocate role, based at Guild Lodge, is a part-time position within VoiceAbility, an independent charity specializing in advocacy and involvement services. Advocates are responsible for supporting individuals with various support needs, including those with communication issues, mental health challenges, and physical health concerns, to ensure their wishes, feelings, beliefs, and values are respected.
Salary: £22,500 – £29,000 per year, pro-rata
Contract: Permanent, Part Time – 28 hours per week
Location: Guild Lodge, Preston
Closing Date: 18 September 2023, 5pm
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Nine vacancies at the Birchall Trust
Community Engagement Officer
Morecambe
Volunteer Coordinator
Flexible location
Adult Counsellor Community & HMP Prision
Roles in Cumbria and Lancashire
Adult Counsellor
Barrow-in-Furness or Kendal
CYP Therapist
East Lancashire
Wellbeing Practitioners
Roles in East Lancashire and Fylde Coast
All roles offered part-time, 22.5 hours per week
Use the links in the summary document to find out more and apply
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Chief Executive Officer at Multicultural Cumbria
Multicultural Cumbria requires a dynamic and seasoned leader who will spearhead the organisation’s goals and objectives.
Accountable to the board of trustees and the broader organisation, the CEO will oversee the day-to-day management and execution of MCC’s objectives. To succeed in this role, the CEO must possess previous management experience and a proven track record of building and nurturing successful community-based organisations.
Salary: £32,100 – £41,925 per annum
Contract: Full-time
Location: Carlisle, home-based, and at locations across Cumbria
Find out more and apply (link in pdf)
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Business Development Officer – Lancashire LGBT
Lancashire LGBT are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic person to develop their LGBTQ+ inclusion Scheme for local organisations. You will be responsible for income generation through new memberships as well as building and maintaining relationships with members, providing guidance and advice on best practice in LGBTQ+ inclusion, and ensuring their member’s satisfaction and engagement with the organisation.
Salary: FTE £38,025 / £16,225 (p.a.)
Contract: 16 hours pw
Location: Preston, Lancashire
Closing Date: 24th September 2023, Midnight
Interview date: October 5th 2023
If your organisation needs support whether it be working with volunteers, completing accounts and payroll, finding funding, solving governance issues, or just want a listening ear, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team:
Funding and governance support, contact [email protected]
Volunteering and DBS,
contact [email protected]
Payroll, bookkeeping and independent examinations, contact [email protected]
Health and social prescribing, contact [email protected]
Children and young people, contact [email protected]
Membership queries to: [email protected]
Partnerships, networks and strategic development, contact [email protected]
Alternatively, call us on 01524 555900
To promote your events, training, jobs, and sector news, email [email protected]
