Information and advice for the third sector across Lancaster District – 25 Feb 22

There is still time to be a Respiratory Infections Community Champion (RICC)
There is still time for you to be a RICC! As a Community Champion, you will help provide information to families and your community around bronchiolitis and other respiratory infections. Around 1 in 3 children will develop bronchiolitis before their first birthday and as a Community Champion, you will help us to reach more people including parents with children with the latest facts about respiratory infections.

If you are a paid member of staff, a volunteer, working in a community group, school, or community centre, or a student studying health and social care and you are passionate about your community, then you can sign up to be a RICC. A couple of hours of week will make a difference but you can do as much or as little as you want. Full training and support including materials will be provided. All we need is an hour of your time and we will take you through the next steps.

If you would like an informal chat first, please do contact us on 01524 555900 or email [email protected]

You can also visit our volunteer website to find out more and sign up. We look forward to hearing from you.

Contact us for Payroll Services
We understand how time-consuming managing payroll can be. With 50 years experience of working with charities, our local knowledge & expertise enables us to offer payroll services which help you to:

• Pay your staff, accurately and on time. 
• Keep your organisation HRMC compliant. 
• File your payroll online with HMRC .
• Calculate pension contributions and support auto-enrolment.
• Provide reports for net pay and deductions.
• Create monthly or quarterly Pay As You Earn (PAYE)/National Insurance (NI) liabilities  statements.
• Complete P45 documents for exiting employees.
• Support year-end processes.

Our payroll fees are reasonable and are billed annually from as little as £100 (minimum fee). Our best practice approach is guided by frameworks from the Charity Commission code of good governance and fundraising.

Email us at [email protected] or telephone 01524 555900 to find out how we can help your organisation.

2022 STEM Fund
The 2022 STEM Fund is now open to applications for projects which are located within the Walney Extension Community Fund area (coastal locations in Lancashire and Cumbria)

The funding is available through an open application process to experienced organisations that can develop and deliver STEM-related training and/or education courses, a one-off event, or a programme of targeted events. This year, there is £90,000 available, which may be awarded to one organisation, or split between a number of groups that apply. The minimum grant organisations can apply for is £10,000.

Application deadline: 27th April 2022.

Click here for more information and to start your application.

Essential financial support for social enterprises recovering from COVID-19
The Social Enterprise Support Fund provides grants to help social enterprises rebuild from COVID-19. It is established in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund and five social enterprise support agencies.

The funding can be used to get social enterprises back on track and/or to work with communities that are recovering. Organisations can apply for grants from £10,000 to £100,000.

The Fund reopens for applications from Monday 28 February until Thursday 24 March.

Click here for more information.

Windrush Day Grant Scheme
The Windrush Day Grant Scheme is part of the Government’s work to create more resilient communities, where different religions, cultures and opinions are celebrated, underpinned by a shared set of values that champion tolerance, freedom and equality of opportunity.

The funding is for local authorities, charities and community groups to run a community-led project seeking to celebrate, commemorate and educate people about the Windrush Generation and their contribution to British economic, social and cultural life. This includes those who arrived on the ship, their contemporaries and their descendants.

The following grants are available:
Tier 1: smaller projects between £5,000 and £25,000.
Tier 2: larger projects between £25,000 and £50,000.

Application deadline: 18th March 2022

Visit here for more information about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund
Consortium and its Community Collaborators, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, are delighted to announce the launch of the LGBT+ Futures: Equity Fund.

The grant is available to LGBT+ groups and organisations who are community-led and whose primary focus is one of the 5 priority targeted areas: Trans and Non-Binary people; Those facing racial injustice; D/deaf and/or Disabled people; Older people; and Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans+ Women.

Grants will be available for organisational running costs, projects and organisational / leadership development and can range from £100 – £25,000.
The application will be considered on a rolling basis and will close to new applications on 30th October 2022.

Click here for more information.

If you would like support in making your application, please contact the Grants Team at [email protected]

The National Garden Scheme Community Gardens Award
Applications are open for the 2022 National Garden Scheme Community Gardens Award. The award provides funding to amateur gardeners from community groups in England and Wales to create a garden or similar project (such as an allotment) with horticultural focus for the benefit of their local community.

These projects should aim to bring a community together by being a space people can share, by the acquisition and sharing of gardening knowledge and skills and by inspiring a love of gardening. Applications for projects that foster diversity and/or support people with physical or mental disability are welcome.

The award is only available to projects run by amateur gardeners within community groups. The award scheme is not open to schools.

Application deadline: 28th February 2022.

Click here to start your application.

If you have any queries, please contact the award scheme’s supervisor, Doug Copeland: [email protected] or 01799 550553.

National Emergencies Trust Local Action Match Fund
Crowdfunder and the National Emergencies Trust have teamed up to make more than £1.2m match funding available to help local charities, voluntary and community groups in the UK overcome the effects of the pandemic.

Organisations that are eligible for the Local Action Fund include registered charities, community interest companies, constituted organisations and non-registered charities, churches and other religious organisations, and other voluntary community organisations.

Eligible groups simply have to set up a fundraising campaign on Crowdfunder UK, and the National Emergencies Trust will match donations (up to £10,000) they receive, from its Coronavirus Appeal.

Click here for the eligibility criteria and to start crowdfunding.

Lloyds Bank Foundation
Lloyds Bank Foundation funding is still open for applications for a two-year, unrestricted grant of £50,000. Lloyds Bank Foundation provides funding for small and local charities across England and Wales with an annual income of £25,000 to £1 million. The funding is unrestricted and applications are open all year round.

If you are a small and local charity in England and Wales, visit Lloyds Bank’s website to check your eligibility and apply. If the majority of your Board self-identifies as belonging to a Black, Asian or minority ethnic community, you also can apply under the Racial Equity strand.

Check your eligibility and start your application here.

Local Member Grants from Lancashire County Council
The local member grants scheme helps county councillors to support the work of local charities and volunteer groups. Grants can be used to fund projects that will directly benefit the community, from gardening workshops to football activities to help young people stay active. Groups can apply to their local county councillor, who will decide which applications are accepted and award grants from their own budget.

Grants of £500 will be awarded between January and March 2022.

From April 2022, the annual Local Member Grant budget for each county councillor will be £2,000 for each financial year. The minimum amount that can be awarded is £100. The maximum grant will be determined by each county councillor but will not exceed the amount they have available from their annual local member grant budget for the year.

Click here for more information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Recovery Loan Fund for UK charities and social enterprises
The Recovery Loan Fund provides loans to UK charities and social enterprises who have been impacted by COVID-19 and need funds to help them to survive, recover and grow. It has been established by Social Investment Business (SIB) to make an existing Government guarantee scheme, the Recovery Loan Scheme more easily accessible to charities and social enterprises.

The Fund will lend to UK based organisations that are improving people’s lives, or the environment they live in. All funding purposes will be considered including refinancing of existing debt onto more patient terms.

Organisations must be UK based and have a minimum turnover of £400,000 in its last financial year (or £200k if the organisation is BAME-led). Eligible organisations can apply for loans of £100,000 to £1.5 million (BAME-led organisations will be able to apply for loans upwards of £50,000).

Application deadline: 20th May 2022

Click here for more information on the eligibility criteria, loan terms and how to apply.

Let’s Create – Queen’s Jubilee Fund
The Let’s Create Jubilee Fund will support charity and volunteer groups to develop creative and cultural activities as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. The fund has been created by Arts Council England (ACE) with funds from the National Lottery. Applicants can apply for grants from £750 to £10,000.

Application deadline: 28th February 2022.
Click here to read the guidelines and to apply.

The Screwfix Foundation
The Screwfix Foundation charity raises funds throughout the year to support causes that will change people’s lives. The Foundation works with both national and local charities, donating funds to help a variety of projects, from repairing buildings and improving facilities in deprived areas, to decorating the homes of people living with sickness and disabilities.

The Screwfix Foundation currently offers local registered charities and not for profit organisations funding of up to £5,000. All applications are reviewed individually quarterly, the review dates are in March, June, September and December.

Find out how to apply for funding here.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund – Sports England
Sports England recently launched a new £5 million fund (from the National Lottery) to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee that aims to use sport and physical activity to bring communities together and tackle inequalities.

The fund will make awards of between £300 and £10,000 to community organisations in support of new projects providing opportunities to become more physically active including, facility hire and coaching costs, or small capital improvements.

The grant aims to support projects working with people located in areas of high deprivation (specifically people living in areas defined by Indices of Multiple Deprivation 1-3).

Find out more about the fund and apply here

Household Support Fund from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
The DWP has given local councils funding to support people who are experiencing financial hardship this winter. The household support fund aims to help with short-term living costs such as food, help with gas and electricity, and water bills as well as help with other essential items and household appliances.

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and awards are at the discretion of the council.

To be eligible to apply for help from the scheme, applicants must be aged 16 years and over, live in the Lancaster district and be able to demonstrate that they are struggling to afford such necessities or to pay their bills this winter.

For more information and to apply online, click here

Lancaster District Street Aid – helping people stay off the streets
The Lancaster Street Aid initiative helps people who are, or have been, on the streets to apply for a grant to help them get off, and stay off, the streets.

Types of support that can be applied for via the scheme include access to housing, furniture and other home essentials, education/training courses, clothing for job interviews, transport to interview/place of work, and help with searching for a job.

Any VCFSE organisation or public body can apply on behalf of a homeless or vulnerably housed person they work with. Maximum application value of £750. Applications are reviewed as submitted. If you would like to apply, click here for more information.

Lancaster District Volunteer Centre – What are your volunteer needs?
From helping you to recruit new volunteers, to facilitating training for your volunteer teams, the Volunteer Centre offers a range of support. Our new online volunteer management system is proving increasingly popular, so do register if you haven’t yet given it a go.

We talk to potential volunteers daily and we would love to let them know about your opportunities through our social media, this bulletin, and our bi-weekly column in the Lancaster Guardian.

If you would like to find new volunteers, contact Mark, our Volunteer Centre manager, to discuss your requirements. Get in touch with Mark by email at [email protected] or telephone 01524 555900.

Latest volunteer opportunities

Morecambe Football Club: Match Day Mascot and Match Day Experience Volunteer Roles
Do you have a passion for Morecambe Football Club? Would you like to help out on match days and see the game free of charge? You can volunteer to assist spectators or be a mascot!

Visit the LDCVS volunteering website to find out more about these roles

Chair at Lancaster Boys & Girls Club
Lancaster Boys & Girls Club is looking for a Chair to support its committee club, staff and programme of activity. The team is looking for someone with local knowledge and who has an interest in and is committed to supporting young people’s personal social development, especially through engagement in their local youth club. Specific skills in a field such as work with young people, social care, education, finance, charitable work or health & safety would be an advantage.

Click here for more information.

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Steven Naylor (Club Leader), [email protected] or call, 01524 32020.

Respiratory Infections Community Champions (RICC)
An exciting volunteering opportunity is available at Lancaster District CVS (in collaboration with Spring North and NHS England) to support communities over winter with information and advice on respiratory illness, particularly in children.

As a trained Community Champion, you will act individually and as part of a team to ensure that up-to-date and appropriate information about bronchiolitis is available as widely as possible, speaking directly to those most at-risk families with young children.

This is an opportunity that would suit students studying health and social care, or other wellbeing courses, and will be an excellent chance to put into practice some of the key skills that you will need in the future, such as communicating with a variety of people in different settings and circumstances.

Please visit the LDCVS volunteering website to find out more about the role and how to apply.

Nominations are open: High Sheriff Awards
The Community Foundation for Lancashire is delighted to be supporting the High Sheriff for Lancashire, Edwin Booth, with this year’s High Sheriff awards. Through the awards, the High Sheriff will recognise people and community organisations who devote their time and energy to improving the communities in which they live and work, helping to make Lancashire a better and safer place.

The awards will be presented at an evening ceremony at The Exchange, County Hall, Preston, on 31st March 2022. Nominees should please note the date for the awards ceremony, which will take place in person.

Nominations are open for the following categories:

• Person of the Year Award – 0-16 years old
• Person of the Year Award – 17-25 years old
• Person of the Year Award – 26+ years old
• Community Group of the Year Award

Nomination deadline: 25th February 2022.

Nomination forms and supporting documents should be submitted online only and sent to Community Foundation for Lancashire, [email protected]

Click here for more information and to download the nomination form.

Lancaster University is seeking placement partners for Social Work students
Lancaster University is seeking new partners to provide placements to Social Work students on their BA programme.

This would involve students spending 70 or 100 days with the organisation, carrying out social work-related tasks. There will be a payment to the organisation and the university will provide support and training to staff facilitating the placement.

Interested? Email Clare [email protected]

Sow and Grow course (for families with children) – Lancashire Adult Learning
Do you fancy giving ‘grow your own’ a go but are not too sure how to get started? It doesn’t matter if you are a planting pro, or have a balcony or window box to get your seeds shooting!

This FREE online course organised by Lancashire Adult Learning is perfect for those with primary school-aged children. The session will include seed planting and sowing, as well as arts and crafts activities using natural materials you can find in your garden or while out on a walk.

Date: 5th March 2022
Time: 1pm – 2.30pm

Interested? Enrol here

National Youth Guarantee
DCMS has announced that by 2025 every young person in England will have access to regular out of school activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer. The Guarantee will be delivered through a variety of means including reform of the National Citizen Service scheme, extending the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and providing £368 million of funding through the Youth Investment Fund in 45 local authorities and 600 wards in the most deprived parts of England.

Read the summary of the Youth Review and the Government’s reponse here.

‘What’s On’ guide for Children and Family Wellbeing Services – Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council wellbeing services provide targeted services for children and young people aged 0-19yrs+ living in Lancashire. The county council work with key partners to bring these services to local areas.

The ‘What’s On’ guide aims to keep families up to date about support services and groups that are available at the nearest centre in the local community.

Click here to view the summary activities and here to read the complete activity and service guide.

Arrangements for in-person events may change – check with the organiser before attending

National Lottery Community Fund – North West Women And Girls Learning Event
If you work in policy, housing, children’s services, the VCSE sector, commissioning, funding or providing services – this event is for you.

Participants will explore strategies and solutions to the challenges posed by domestic abuse, sexual harassment, Covid-19 and strained finances. The event also offers the opportunity to:

• Explore solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the sector, from partnership working to inclusivity.
• Better understand the challenges faced by foundations, commissioners, policymakers and service providers.
• Spark ideas for new collaborative working and systems change, and more.

Date: March 22nd 2022
Time: 10am
Duration: About 2 hours
Location: Online

Register here to attend.

Let’s Talk About Food Poverty (Part 2)
Following on from the first webinar, attendees will have the opportunity to hear about examples of work taking place across the North West and discuss the impact these workstreams are having on reducing the harm caused by Food Poverty. The session aims to:

• Provide a national and regional overview of what is happening in relation to food poverty and share best practice examples over two webinar sessions.
• Present an opportunity to listen and take key information back to your organisation and to connect with others to progress shared agendas or practice.

Date: March 1st 2022
Time: 10am to 12noon
Location: Online

Register here to attend.

Social Group – Coffee Time
The Coffee Time group runs weekly during term time at Hope Church, Queen Street, Lancaster. This term’s activities include craft groups, a book club, a monthly trip out, and Cook-along sessions.

Date: Every Tuesday (Weekly)
Time: 10am
In-person.

Email [email protected] or call 07449373979 to sign up.

Social Group – Coffee Time

The Coffee Time group runs weekly during term time at Hope Church, Queen Street, Lancaster. This term’s activities include craft groups, a book club, a monthly trip out, and Cook-along sessions.

Date: Every Tuesday (Weekly)

Time: 10am

In-person.

Email [email protected] or call 07449373979 to sign up.

Morecambe Bay Poverty Truth Commission – Join the conversation
Have you had enough of not being heard? Morecambe Bay Poverty Truth Commission is inviting people who have experienced poverty to join this conversation.

These sessions will involve meeting local people in positions of power to tell your stories, challenge the stigma, change the understanding of poverty, make practical changes for the better, and help to find solutions.

Breakfast in Morecambe: every other Wednesday 9 am to 11 am.

Lunch in Lancaster: once a month 10 am to 12 pm.
Chippy tea in Lancaster: once a month, 6 pm to 8 pm.

Zoom sessions are also held once a month.

Call 07766933884 or email [email protected] for more information.

Arrangements for in-person events may change – check with the organiser before attending.

FREE Sow and Grow course (for adults) – Lancashire Adult Learning
Would you like to grow your own plants but not too sure how to get started? It doesn’t matter if you are a planting pro, or have a balcony or window box to get your seeds shooting!

This online event organised by Lancashire Adult Learning will give attendees top tips to make the most of their space. Resource packs are provided with compost pellets, seeds, and more!

Adults only; to take part with children, attend the family ‘Sow and Grow’ event (included in the Children and Young People section in this bulletin)

Date: 5th March 2022
Time: (10am – 11.20am)

Interested? Enrol here

Health and Social Care ‘Work Ready’ Programme by Lancashire Adult Learning
Would you like to work in Social Care? This course will provide you with knowledge and skills to ensure you are work-ready! No experience is necessary.

At the end of the course, you will gain:

• Qualifications in Safeguarding, Health and Social Care and Employability.
• Introduction to employers who have job vacancies.
• Opportunity to attend a working interview.

Start date: 28th February (for 4 weeks)
Location: Online, or at the innovative Hub in Northlight, Brierfield.

Click here for more information or enquire at [email protected]

If you have any service users or partners that would benefit from this programme, please share with them.

Fully funded Social Value training (online and in-person)
The programme is for anyone who is dealing with social value strategy development,
commissioning or being asked to respond to social value in a sensitive situation. To date,
commissioners, CSR professionals and contracts managers have attended and benefitted
from this programme.

Social Value is a new methodology used by the government to maximise the social impact of
its spending power. This digital programme helps any organisation working with the public
sector supply chain to understand this process and respond appropriately.

Course Content
Session 1: Introduction to Social Value. Legislative context and procurement policy drivers. Socio-economic Mapping and Theory of Change.

Session 2: Introduction to the Social Value Model, Indicators and Compliance

Session 3: Policy and Procedures. Structuring an In-tender Social Value Response.

Fully funded courses are available for any Lancashire based business, supported by Boost,
Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub.

Available courses (online and in-person)
A two day in-person course in Preston on 21st and 22nd March 2022 – click here to book.
A three morning online course on 29 to 31st March 2022 – click here to book.

Contact [email protected] to talk about training for organisations in other locations or for
more information.

LGBT+ Mental Health Hour – LGBTQ+ people with disabilities
Lancashire LGBT will host its sixth LGBT+ Mental Health Hour, to celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2022. This time, Community Support Worker Beth Meadows (she/her/hers) will speak with Daniele Lul from Parapride to discuss tackling the lack of inclusion for disabled people within the LGBTQ+ community, a need for more accessible LGBTQ+ spaces and more.

Date: 24th February 2022
Time: 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
Location: Zoom

Click here to find out more about the session and how to participate.

Level 2 course in LGBT inclusion in the workplace
The Learning Curve Group is offering a FREE 8 weeks online course in LGBT Inclusion in the Workplace. The course is designed to increase the understanding of stereotypes and assumptions relating to LGBT people, and how organisations can support LGBT people with an inclusive workplace.

Course content:

• Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) history and culture
• Language, stereotyping and assumptions relating to LGBT people
• Organisational policies and legislation affecting LGBT people in the workplace
• Contribute to maintaining a supportive workplace environment for LGBT people

Register here to book a space

Fully funded course – Better Understanding of Autism
If you work with autistic people or if someone you know is autistic, this course by the Learning Curve Group is a great way to increase your knowledge.

You will learn:
• the characteristics that may be present in autistic individuals
• common misconceptions surrounding autism
• how legislation and guidance underpin support for autistic people.

You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications. This course might be of interest to practitioners in the field of autism, healthcare workers, autistic people, and parents or carers.

This course can be studied online and you can learn at a place and time that suits you. You’ll be assigned a specialist tutor, who will support you via phone, text or email

Register here to book a space.

Free training for Lancashire’s Rural Tourism/Food & Drink businesses
There are 15 training spots for independent rural tourism/food & drink businesses.

Participants will learn how to increase profitability, use and promote effectively on social media and improve online visibility.

Date: February (4th, 11th, 18th, 25th) & March (4th) 2022.
Time: 10am
Location: Online (Zoom)
To register: email [email protected]

Mental Health First Aid & Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace (Level 2)
Around 450 million people currently experience mental health problems. Recent reports suggest that over 12 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in just one year. It’s important that employers are transparent and open about mental health issues. Increasing the understanding of mental health among staff at all levels builds a culture of care and support.

Participants on this course will learn about mental health issues, understand how to support individuals with mental ill-health and what a mentally healthy environment looks like.

Duration: 7 weeks
Course delivery: online

Learners may be eligible for funding (subject to eligibility). There is a £125 cancellation fee if a learner enrols and fails to complete or withdraws early from the course.

Click here for more information and to enrol, or phone 01388 741 336. This course is organised by the Learning Curve Group.

Greater access to employment support in Lancashire
The Building Better Opportunities (BBO) programme provides one-to-one support to help people gain confidence and overcome barriers to employment, education and training. Invest in Youth keyworkers assist young people age 15-24; Age of Opportunity keyworkers assist people age 50+.

These projects are delivered by the Places Impact Team at Places for People. The BBO programme is offered free of charge and does not affect benefits. It is funded through the National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund.

For further information, or if you know of anyone in Lancashire who could benefit from this programme, please contact [email protected]

Engaging with diverse communities workshop series
Campaign for Learning’s new workshop series focuses on community groups you may not be familiar working with or that may not be accessing your services.

This workshop series will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to open your learning offer to a wider community including bilingual and refugee families, fathers and male carers, Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Dates: 8th and 10th February and 10th March 2022.
Time: Varies per session.

Visit here to book a space (Earlybird rates available until 14 January 2022).

Morecambe Bay Health Coaching Sessions for 2022
New dates for the 2022 Morecambe Bay Health Coaching course are now available. The course aims to equip staff to have better conversations and support people to reach their self-identified goals.

The course is highly interactive and participatory and therefore it is important that all participants have access to a camera and microphone for the duration of each session.

Date: Monthly (from January to August 2022)
Time: Varies per session

Please note that this course is made up of two sessions (3.5hours per session) and requires full attendance on both of the identified days.

Location: Online (Microsoft Teams)

For more information, the booking form and full 2022 schedule, email [email protected]

Young Persons Worker at We Are With You
We Are With You is seeking candidates who are passionate about supporting children and young people, as well as developing themselves professionally. Alongside working directly with young people on their substance-related issues, Young Persons Workers also work closely with partner organisations to ensure the needs of young people are met.

Salary: £21,240 – £25,390 per annum (pro-rata if part-time)
Location: Lancashire
Hours: 37.5
Term of contract: Full time
Closing date: 20th March 2022

Find out how to apply here.

Volunteer Coordinator – St John’s Hospice
St John’s Hospice is looking to recruit a Volunteer Coordinator who will grow, nurture and support the amazing volunteers who donate their time to St John’s Hospice. The successful applicant will have excellent interpersonal skills; an understanding of risk management and health & safety.

Salary: £13,595* – £14,016 per annum (*NHS Pension Scheme for eligible applicants)
Hours: 22.5 per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: St John’s Hospice
Closing Date: 27th February 2022

Download the Job Description and Person Specification here.

For more information, please contact Lorraine Swanson, Head of HR on 01524 382538.

Ludus Dance – Kickstart Scheme opportunity
Ludus Dance is looking for a young person to work alongside the dance development and admin teams to support the ongoing work of Ludus Dance. The successful candidate will have an interest in the creative arts as an industry or be open to learning about the various roles involved with running a dance charity.

To apply for this job, you must be claiming Universal Credit and be 16 to 24 years old.

Salary: National Minimum Wage
Hours: Tuesdays 11.15 am – 7.15 pm (15 min break and 1-hour dinner break) Sundays (Once Monthly) Other times to be agreed with candidate (Monday – Thursdays).
Term of contract: Part-time, temporary.
Location: Lancaster, LA1 1TH
Closing date: 1st March 2022

Find out more here

Building Better Opportunities Keyworkers at Places for People
Places for People is currently looking for Keyworkers to assist in building the confidence and skills of individuals within the Lancashire area with the overall aim to gain employment or enter training.

Successful candidates will work closely with people aged 50+ and/or 16-24 year old NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) to provide support in moving individuals closer to employment by addressing barriers to training and volunteering. The journey will promote social inclusion whilst combatting poverty for the individuals.

Salary: £26,000 + benefits
Location: Agile/ Home-based – North West
Hours: 36.25
Term of contract: Fixed term
Closing date: 28th February 2022

Click here to find out more about this role and to start your application.

Lead Creative Art Practitioner at Wise Up Workshops
Wise Up Workshops is looking for a positive, creative, and confident individual who understands the importance of safeguarding young people to join the neurodiverse team.

The right candidate will have a drive to work using a person-centred approach, be inclusive in their approach with the flexibility to adapt to meet the needs of the attendees. The role requires a commitment in understanding young people for ‘who they are’ and to build on strengths, to see the person before their skills which is vital to the success of the wise up recipe.

Salary: £13,000 per year
Hours: 20
Term of contract: Part-time and temporary/ 22 months
Closing date: 10th March 2022

Download Job Description and Person Specification here.

If you require more information, please call 07506 295782.

Occupation Therapist at a Local Cumbrian charity
A local Cumbrian charitable organisation is looking for an Occupational Therapist, with considerable skills in art and/or craft, to lead some art groups with elderly dementia patients, staff and possibly families.

The successful candidate must be on the DBS update service (or willing to undergo a fresh DBS check) and must have professional insurance (or willing to take out insurance for the project). There will be a total of 12 sessions run across the Furness/ South Lakes area – exact locations to be confirmed and each session will last between 4 to 5 hours.

Dates: To be confirmed (likely between April – August 2022)
Remuneration total: £2,400 (includes planning, travel and delivery of sessions). This is a self-employed role.

If you are interested and need more information, please email [email protected] or ring 07790 323635.

Paid Employment Placement – 2027 Programme
Are you passionate about forming a career that helps communities through grant-giving? Do you have lived experience of being “working-class” and working in the community? Are you looking to develop a career with more influence on enacting change?

2027 Programme aims to hire, develop and support anybody passionate about forging a career that helps them serve communities through grant-giving, and has some lived experience of being “working-class” and working in the community.

If you’re looking to develop a career with more influence on enacting change, this could be the opportunity for you.

Salary: £23,000 (UK-wide) or £25,000 (London)
Employer: One of 2027 host organisations, a leading Foundation or Trust
Location: Opportunities throughout England and Scotland
Hours: Typically 9 am-5 pm with some flexibility
Term of contract: Fixed-term, 12-months starting October 2022
Closing date: 30th March 2022 at 1 pm.

If you would like to find out more, please visit the 2027 website.

Questions? Email [email protected] or attend the 2027 team live session on Thursday, 9th February at 6 pm via Zoom.

Communications & Partnerships Assistant – Kickstart position at Lancaster District CVS
We are looking for an enthusiastic person to work alongside Lancaster District CVS staff to create and publish digital content, including photographs and video, promoting our services and supporting our members.

To apply for this job, you must be claiming Universal Credit and be 16 to 24 years old.

Salary: £9.50 per hour
Hours: 25 hours per week, flexible days and times
Term: Six months from start date

Find out more here

Business Development Officer at Lancashire LGBT
Lancashire LGBT is looking for a Business Development Officer to drive the Quality Mark ‘kite mark’ scheme to the next level. The Quality Mark Scheme supports organisations to be more LGBT+ inclusive. It helps service providers demonstrate to service users and staff that the organisation has taken steps to improve their offer for LGBT+ people, internally and externally.

Salary: £16,225 (PA) – FTE £38,025)
Hours of work: 16 hours per week
Closing date: 27th February 2022

Download the application pack here.

Senior Navigator, Navigator, and Peer Mentor roles at Changing Futures
Senior Navigator
The Senior Navigator will supervise and assist with the development and training of Navigators and Peer Navigators and provide intensive and direct service navigation. The successful candidate will work closely with other members of the service team to ensure that clients access all relevant available services and build effective relationships with the beneficiaries of the Changing Futures Programme.

Salary range: £26,000 – £28,000
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week
Type of contract: Fixed term until March 2024
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe

For more information, download the Job Description and the Person Specification.

Navigator
The Navigator will regulate comprehensive assessment of services users, deliver intensive and direct service navigation.

Salary range: £23,000
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week
Type of contract: Fixed term until March 2024
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe

For more information, download the Job Description and the Person Specification.

Peer Mentor
As a Peer Mentor, you will provide 1:1 peer mentoring support to people experiencing multiple disadvantages (homelessness, substance misuse, offending, mental illness and domestic abuse) across Lancaster & Morecambe.

The post holder will work as part of a multi-agency team whilst ensuring the needs and wishes of people with lived experience of multiple disadvantages are placed at the centre of all decision making.

Grade/Payscale: Permitted Earnings Post
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe
Contract: Fixed term until March 2024

For more information, download the Job Description and the Person Specification.

Trainer and Assessor at Community CVS
Community CVS in Blackburn are recruiting for an accredited Trainer and Assessor to help the team to deliver a new and exciting project to upskill individuals and future-proof organisations across Lancashire.

Applicants should hold an assessor qualification (A1 D32/33 or similar) and have experience delivering accredited training, with an understanding of coaching and mentoring techniques. The project runs until December 2023.

Salary range: £33,782 per annum
Type of contract: Full time, fixed-term
Flexible working hours

Click here to find out more and apply

Social Workers at Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council is recruiting new and experienced Social Workers within its Child Services department.

Starting salary range: £31,346 (with 2 years post-qualifying experience)

Click here to find out more about the vacancies or book a space to attend a virtual open day.

Check your blood pressure at Bay Pressure Points
Bay Medical Group has partnered with some local organisations like Stanleys Community Centre, Bay Buddies, More Music and Roots to Life to offer blood pressure checks.

High blood pressure is very common – about a third of adults in the UK have it, but many aren’t aware of it. As it doesn’t usually have any symptoms the only way to know you have it is to take a blood pressure check.

Over time, high blood pressure can lead to a number of health problems including stroke, heart disease and heart attacks, so knowing yours can help you understand your risks.

Dates: Between 28th February to 20th March 2022.
Time: Varies per location

Click here to view the schedule and for more information. No need to book appointments.

Grief Café by St John’s Hospice
St John’s Hospice is running a new free monthly drop-in session for anyone experiencing grief. These sessions give attendees the chance to reflect and share experiences with others in a relaxed environment.

Do you know anyone who could benefit from these sessions? Please share the details with them.

Download e-flyer here.

Date: Starts 8th March 2022 (every 2nd Tuesday of each month)
Time: 3.30pm to 5pm
Location: The Courtyard Café, Slyne Road, Lancaster LA2 6ST.

Vaccination Update – Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council has an important role in supporting the vaccination effort across the county. There are still a significant number of people across Lancashire who are yet to come forward for their first vaccination jab, as well as a number of people who have had one dose of vaccine but have yet to come forward for their second, for various reasons.

Vaccinations can be booked online through the national booking service or by ringing 119.

Alternatively, find your nearest COVID-19 walk-in vaccination site here.

It is also now possible to get a COVID-19 vaccine from the comfort of your own home. Call 0300 7906856 or visit www.healthierlsc.co.uk/vacathome to use this service.

Lift Someone Out of Loneliness Campaign
The next phase of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports’ loneliness campaign launches on Monday 31 January, as part of the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign.

The phase is aimed at 18-24 year olds, as this demographic is at higher risk of feeling lonely, but less likely to seek advice and support.

We’re all being encouraged to ‘Lift Someone Out of Loneliness,’ through small acts of kindness to help others feel more connected.

DCMS is keen to work with partners to ensure support and guidance gets to those who need it. Please get in touch at [email protected] if you’d like to find out more, or to receive their campaign video and other assets.

Mental Health Support Groups
Do you struggle with depression, anxiety or poor mental health? Are you feeling lonely or isolated? Or do you struggle with low self-esteem?

Adullam is providing a range of mental health support courses. Get in touch and book your place.

Dates:
28th January to 25th March 2022
6th May to 1st July 2022
Time:10.00 am

Get in touch to register – email [email protected] or call 07449 373979

Home Working guidance by Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
The HSE have some useful guidance about home working as many people are moving to a more hybrid working pattern. Click here to find out about health and safety responsibilities as an employer and employee.

Wellbeing Toolkit for Charities
This toolkit aims to help leaders break down the wellbeing challenges facing themselves and their teams and quickly find high-quality resources to inspire and assist them. The resources can be used individually or put together to form the basis of a full or half-day team wellbeing session.

Click here to download the toolkit.

Mental health crisis lines – here for you and your loved ones
If you or a loved one is struggling to cope with mental health, you can contact the mental health crisis lines for help. The helpline is staffed by trained mental health professionals who are able to provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services – ring it if you need to access services or for advice about someone who needs treatment/support.

Click here to find your nearest line.

Mental Health Resources at Work
Mental Health at Work has created a toolkit for small organisations. The toolkit empowers employees to look after themselves and gives leaders the tools to support them too.

This toolkit contains:

• a handbook filled with advice and tips for small business owners and the self-employed
• a free and confidential mobile app for employees
• two practical tools to help you to start implementing change straight away.

Click here to access the toolkit.

Can you help? Physical Activity Provider Survey (Social Prescribing)
This survey and learning tool has been developed by the North-West Active Partnership Social Prescribing Forum.

This survey aims to better understand the knowledge and experiences of physical activity providers in relation to social prescribing, while also providing some degree of learning about social prescribing. You can take part in the survey, whether your organisation is or is not currently involved in social prescribing.

Start the survey here, deadline for completion: 2nd March 2022

Levelling Up
White Paper
The Government has published its white paper on Levelling Up, which “aims to galvanise action across sectors to improve jobs, incomes, health, skills, transport, pride in place, safety and well-being across the UK”. In particular, DCMS is tasked with developing a new Strategy for Community Spaces and Relationships “including reducing barriers to volunteering, improving community infrastructure and getting funding to the places it’s needed most.”

Read the full white paper here.

Kruger Report
The Government has also published it’s response to Danny Kruger MP’s report ‘Levelling Up Our Communities: Proposals for a New Social Covenant’ which announces several commitments to the voluntary sector including funding to faith groups, community organising, volunteering, community ownership, and local democracy.

Read the full report here, and the Government’s response here.

National Youth Sector Census: First Report
Findings from the national census of youth provision in England, reveal the large disparity in the amount and type of provision available to young people depending on where they live. The data suggests that there is twice as much youth provision in the most affluent areas as opposed to the most deprived areas, alongside 50% more buildings purpose-built for, or dedicated towards young people in affluent areas.

The Census was carried out May to July 2021, as part of a two-year programme of research and data analysis, on priority areas for young people and youth work. This is the first report written based on findings from the Census data, focusing on the methodology behind the National Youth Sector Census alongside a summary of early findings.

Download report here.

Government Grant Management Function – grant applicant survey
The Government Grant Management Function (GGMT) is working to provide the best service to everyone who applies for and receives central government grants.

The GGMT need your feedback to provide a better service to grant applicants in the future. The survey takes 10 minutes to complete and your views will help shape central government grant application processes.

Complete the survey online.

Putting Communities First – National Lottery Community Fund Impact Report
Putting Communities First examines the impact of the £3.4 billion that the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has awarded over the last five years.

This report demonstrates the essential role that local community activity has in ‘generating local social capital and building critical social infrastructure’. It covers six main areas, including:

• supporting thriving communities
• giving opportunity to young people
• promoting employment and employability
• helping those most in need in our society
• the climate and net zero challenge
• NLCF’s dedicated crisis funding during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This follows a commitment by NLCF to use data and evidence to shape their future strategy.

Coronavirus Community Support Fund Learning Hub Reports
In May 2020, the government pledged a £750 million emergency COVID-19 funding package for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, of which £200 million was pledged to The Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF), distributed to over 8,000 organisations by The National Community Lottery Fund (NLCF).

Between October 2020 and August 2021, over 3,000 organisations came together through the Learning Hub to share the lessons they had discovered during the pandemic.

The Learning Hub reports highlight areas for development and advice for the sector as a whole: focusing on building connections and strengthening organisations for the future, as well as volunteer culture and staff wellbeing.

Read the reports produced from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund evaluation.

Are you struggling to pay your bills? Support and resources from Healthier Lancashire
More than 14 million people have seen their income fall at some point in the past two years, while more than 6 million people have experienced money problems such as struggling to pay the bills. Nearly three million people have used high-cost credit cards to make ends meet – and this is all due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit here to find available support and advice.

Bay Health and Care Partners ask for your views on digital services
The Bay Health and Care Partners (BHCP) have developed a Digital Strategy that aims to continue to merge and support services across Morecambe Bay for the next three years.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, digital services including ‘video conferencing’ for outpatient appointments and the mixed reality HoloLens 2 headset at Kendal Care Home were adopted and continue to be used where appropriate to reduce the risk of infection and keep the public and staff safe.

BHCP is inviting patients, carers, service users and the public to share their experiences of using digital services.

Sign in here to access the ‘Let’s Talk Digital’ feedback page by the 25th March 2022.

Safeguarding for charities and trustees
The Charity Commission has recently updated its guidance on safeguarding in voluntary sector organisations. Find out about your responsibilities to keep everyone who comes into contact with your charity safe from harm: this includes volunteers, staff and beneficiaries. 

Click here to read more.

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:

Partnerships, networks and strategic development, contact [email protected]

Funding and governance support, contact [email protected]

Volunteering and upskilling your workforce, contact [email protected]

Payroll, bookkeeping and independent examinations, contact [email protected]

Alternatively, call us on 01524 555900

To promote your events, training, jobs, and sector news, email [email protected]