Information and advice for the third sector across Lancaster District – 09 Mar 22

Lublin Refugee Appeal
The Lancaster district has close ties with the Polish city of Lublin, having been twinned since 1994. Lublin is situated just 70 miles from the Ukraine border and is the first city refugees travel to once arriving in Poland. As a result, Lublin has seen an enormous influx of refugees, and the Mayor of Lublin has reached out to the city’s friends for help as it struggles to support so many vulnerable people.

Last week, Lancaster City Council held a community meeting to discuss practical things that our communities might do to support those in need, and as a result of that meeting, a fundraising page has been set up by Lancaster District CVS, which will see all donations sent to Lublin to help our twin town and the refugees that they are supporting.

To find out how to donate, visit our dedicated fundraising page.

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.

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.

Tesco Community Grants
Tesco Community Grants focus on local good causes aimed at supporting children, families and groups that address food insecurity. This is a rolling programme, where community groups or charities can apply for funding all year round.

Grants will be awarded to voluntary or community organisations (including registered charities/companies), schools, health bodies (E.g., Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NHS Hospital Trust, Foundation Trust), Parish/Town Councils, local authorities and social housing providers.

Grants of up to £1,500 are available.

Find out about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

For further information, email [email protected]

The Leathersellers Company – small grants supporting vulnerable people
The Leathersellers Company is seeking applications from small charities that are providing vital services for vulnerable people in deprived communities across the UK.

The Small Grants Programme will award grants of up to £3,000 to organisations with an annual income of less than £200,000. Partnerships are encouraged. The number of applications will be capped and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis e.g. the first 50 applications after each round opens will be able to be submitted.

The Committee will meet regularly to ensure charities receive a decision within a month of submitting their application.

Applications are now open for the 7th March 2022 committee meeting.

Find out more here

Grants for Community and Environmental Projects
The Veolia Environmental Trust is due to re-open for applications on the 27th January 2022.

The Trust makes the following grants:

• Community Grants: These grants are available to constituted not-for-profit organisations and local authorities. Grants of between £10,000 and £75,000 are available to create or improve buildings or outside spaces for the benefit of the community.
• Habitat and Biodiversity: Grants of between £10,000 and £75,000 are available for projects that conserve, restore, or enhance threatened habitats and/ or protect and increase biodiversity
• Environmental Improvement Grants: over £75,000 are available to enable landscape scale improvement projects such as habitat creation/management, and/or species protection.

The closing date for applications will be 12 midday on the 24th March 2022.

Find out more here

The KFC Foundation Community Grants Programme
The Programme supports grassroots organisations to empower young people in the UK by providing safe social spaces, mentoring or work, and opportunities to improve their social skills.

The KFC Foundation welcomes funding applications from organisations that:

• Benefit young people aged 11-25 years old.
• Supports those in a position of social disadvantage (i.e. care leavers, those experiencing homelessness, young carers, young parents, young people at risk or with experience of the criminal justice system).
• Empower young people to fulfil their potential and build a positive future by providing spaces that allow young people to feel safe and secure, helping them to unlock talent, build life skills, provide mentoring and improve their chances to gain meaningful employment.
• Are local to a KFC restaurant
• Demonstrate positive results from their project within 12 months of funding.

This grant programme is for registered charities, registered community interest companies, unincorporated clubs or associations and unregistered charities with a turnover of less than £300,000. Grants of up to £2,000 per application are available.

Application deadline: 13th March 2022

Visit here for more information and to start your application.

Rewilding Innovation Fund
The Rewilding Innovation Fund aims to help remove barriers to rewilding projects within Britain, whether they’re at the early planning stages or want to move a project forward. Funds are awarded to projects with the potential for the highest impact on people and nature. Individual projects can apply for funding of up to £15,000.

In this round of funding, the grant is focusing on community engagement in rewilding and, as such, are giving priority to projects which are:

• following community ownership models
• implementing community co-design
• developing the health benefits of rewilding, such as social prescribing.

Application deadline: 31st March 2022

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

Thomas Wall Trust
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities to support projects that equip people (18 or older in order) from disadvantaged groups with critical life skills necessary for employment.

Priority will be given to projects that target people experiencing multiple deprivation or other groups facing major hurdles to employment, especially; women, people with physical, mental, or learning disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers. Eligible organisations must have an annual turnover of less than £500,000.

Application deadline for the first stage: 2nd May 2022 (applicants successful at this stage will be invited to submit a stage 2 application).

Visit here for more information.

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]

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.

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

Playgroup helper at The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is looking for an enthusiastic additional playgroup helper for its established playgroup based at the salvation army in Morecambe. The helper would be part of a team of 4 under the group leader, engaging with the parents and children, assisting with needs, including toast and fruit time.

Interested? Find out more about this exciting role on the LDCVS volunteering website.

Volunteers needed at Bay Volunteers
Do you have time to help individuals in need of support in the Lancaster District? Sign-up here to support the Bay Volunteer Support Line. It is easy and quick.

Volunteering Opportunity: 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.

Morecambe Inter-Agency Group (MIG)
MIG is an informal gathering of representatives (paid and unpaid) from voluntary and statutory organisations who deliver services to the community. It provides an informal network open to all organisations and agencies working in the community sector, and it is a great forum for information sharing and offers an opportunity to develop joint initiatives.

MIG sessions are normally held every two months at different locations in Morecambe but for the time being, this is being held online.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 24th March, 1.30 – 3.00 pm.

Please email [email protected] for more information or to be added to the mailing list.

Energy vouchers available to support households in Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire
Youth Action has been awarded energy vouchers to support families in Blackburn with Darwen or Lancashire through this difficult period. This fund is in response to the hike in energy prices. Beneficiaries do not have to be in receipt of benefits and any households who have accessed other schemes previously can access the scheme. Energy voucher of up to £84 is available for individuals and £147 for families. To be eligible, you need:

• A pre-payment meter for gas and/or electricity including pre-payment smart meters.
• A valid and accessible email address individual to the applicant.
• A permanent address in Blackburn with Darwen or Lancashire.

Click here for more information and to complete an energy voucher request form.

For further information, call Kim Tattersall or Nimbra Khalid on 01254 695847 or email [email protected]

International Women’s Day toolkit – Tackling bias at work
According to a report by Lean In, almost 60% of women experience bias at work. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it harder for women to get hired and promoted – and negatively impacts their day-to-day work experiences. Knowing that bias exists is not enough and everyone needs to take action to #BreakTheBias — on International Women’s Day (IWD) and beyond.

The collaborative International Women’s Day / Lean In free toolkits include resources to help empower colleagues to speak up and drive change. Click here to read more about IWD and to download the toolkit.

Mergers of small charities on the rise
An increase in the number of mergers involving small charities could be an indication of financial stress in the sector, new data suggests.

The consultancy Eastside Primetimers’ latest annual Good Merger Index, shows that 77 mergers involving 166 organisations took place between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021.

The consultancy said that while this represented only 0.1 per cent of the approximately 170,000 charities registered with the Charity Commission, it was the highest number of organisations involved in mergers across all eight editions of the index.

The report says this is due to the increasing number of mergers between smaller organisations with annual incomes of less than £1m, a trend it calls “symptomatic of ongoing financial pressures”.

Click here to read more.

Nominations are Open: Sunshine Awards
The Morecambe Visitor is delighted to announce the 13th annual Sunshine Awards, sponsored by Wright & Lord Solicitors. The event aims to honour the inspirational people, businesses and community groups of the Bay area.

This is your chance to celebrate the individuals and organisations who deserve to be recognised. Send in your nominations through the online portal.

Nominations closing date: 8th April 2022

Visit here to find out about the awards

Free intensive support with easyfundraising
Get Grants have partnered with easyfundraising to help charities, community groups, sports clubs, and schools gain access to fundraising expertise and insights.

Start fundraising in three easy steps:

• Register your voluntary organisation, non-profit, charity, or CIC – it’s completely free and only takes a couple of minutes.
• Encourage your supporters to use easyfundraising when they are shopping online.
• Book a free 1-2-1 call with the easyfundraising team for advice and support on getting your fundraising off to a flying start.

Interested? Click here to register.

Free buildings management advice
How confident are you that you’re looking after your buildings effectively? Get some pro bono advice, support and training from a range of charities supported by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). You can get a range of support such as:

• Free property advice.
• Apprenticeship scheme for young people that counts towards the Chartered Surveyors Trust membership route.
• Funding for confidential advice, information and other support for organisations in need.
• Pro bono service for free support and guidance on property matters.

Visit here for more information.

Get free essential goods for your beneficiaries at Giving World
Following the challenges of the past few years and the increase in the cost of living, the need in our communities will continue to grow. Giving World can help you to meet that need by providing business surplus stock free of charge, such as clothing, food items, toiletries, cleaning and household products as well as other useful items.

Goods can be collected directly from Giving World, or through an arranged delivery at a cost (transport only cost).

To access these goods, simply register your organisation here.

If you would like more information, please call 0116 251 6205 or email [email protected]

Hope for Justice support and training services
Hope for Justice is a global and national charity with a mission to bring an end to modern slavery by preventing exploitation, reaching victims, restoring lives, and reforming society. The team is available to provide support and advice to any situation where there may be victims of human trafficking and/or modern slavery.

Visit here for more information about available support and training services.

For support, advice or to chat, email [email protected] or call 0300 008 8000

Tackling food poverty, diet-related ill-health and access to affordable healthy food
Sustainable Food Places (previously Sustainable Food Cities) brings together pioneering food partnerships from towns, cities, boroughs, districts and counties across the UK that are driving innovation and best practice on all aspects of healthy and sustainable food.

Sustainable Food Places aim to achieve its objectives by:

• ensuring all those in danger of going hungry or suffering malnutrition can access nutritious food while working to address the underlying causes of food poverty;
• raising awareness of what constitutes a healthy diet and giving people the skills, resources and support needed to feed themselves well;
• and changing people’s food environment – from institutional settings to high streets – to ensure affordable healthy food is available and accessible to all.

Are you passionate about tackling food poverty? Visit here to download guides, toolkits, case studies and more.

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.

MHFA for self-harming behaviours and suicidal thoughts
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is organising Mental health First Aid (MHFA) workshops, covering;

• how to approach difficult conversations with children and young people around self-harm and suicidal ideation;
• how to build confidence in having these conversations;
• and how to make a safety plan.

Date and Time
25th March 2020 (9:30 am to11:30am)
20th April 2022 (1 pm to 3 pm)
13th May 2022 (9:30 am to 11:30 am)

There are 8 places per date available. Organisations should have a maximum of two places per course.
Interested? Contact Sam Harding to register at [email protected]

Reducing health inequalities: Core20PLUS Connectors Programme
Lancashire and South Cumbria have been selected as one of 11 areas to launch a new programme aimed at reducing health inequalities.

The first wave of the Core20PLUS Connector programme will commence in March after Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership’s successful application from a field of 26 integrated care partnerships across England.

Core20PLUS5 is NHS England and NHS Improvement’s strategy to tackle health inequalities and how people access, experience and receive care from the NHS.

The Connectors programme will develop and support community-based roles to impact the goals of Core20PLUS5, recognising the importance of connecting people with lived experience with decision-makers.

Read about the Core20PLUS5 programme here.

NHS launches online platform to empower patients as they wait for care
Millions of patients on the waiting list for NHS care will be able to access support and check wait times at their fingertips thanks to a new online platform.

Built in conjunction with patient groups, My Planned Care is one of the latest measures by the NHS to tackle the COVID-19 backlog.

The platform will allow patients and their carers to access information ahead of their planned appointment, operation or treatment.

Read more here about the new platform.

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.

Youth MHFA – FREE 2-day course
This course covers the Mental health First Aid (MHFA) model and the prevalence of mental health in young people and 6 specific topics – anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide, psychosis and eating disorders. Only 16 places are available and both full days must be attended.

Date: 9th and 10th June 2022
Time: 9am to 5pm
Location: Lancaster University

Interested? Contact Sam Harding to register at [email protected]

Do you have a spare room? Barnados is looking for Supported Lodgings Householders
Barnados are in urgent need of householders in the Wyre, Fylde, Preston, Lancaster and Morecambe districts of Lancashire who have a spare bedroom and would consider offering accommodation to young people in need. They may need support with:

• finishing education or training,
• finding a job,
• managing money,
• developing life skills such as cooking, housework or laundry,
• building confidence in their ability to live independently.

As a supported lodgings householder, you don’t have the same responsibility as a parent or foster parent, and the young person will have a project worker. You will, however, make a huge difference to their life – just by welcoming them into your home, taking an interest in their wellbeing and encouraging them as they gain the skills to live independently. During this time, you’ll receive a weekly payment and ongoing support from Barnardo’s.

Click here to read the information leaflet.

If you need more information, contact [email protected] or call 07919 520977.

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.

NAVCA member workshop on the Levelling Up White Paper
NACVA is encouraging its members to attend the upcoming workshop. In this workshop, NAVCA will share an analysis of the White Paper and areas of particular interest to local infrastructure organisations (LOIs); they’ll update on the timeframe, process and opportunities for engagement. The workshop will encourage discussions and gather inputs on aspects that NAVCA wants to influence concerning the Levelling Up agenda. This is an exclusive event for NAVCA members.

Date: 11th April 2022
Time: 2 pm to 3.30 pm
Location: Online

Register here.

Bay Volunteers is relaunching
Bay Volunteers, formerly known as the Lancaster District Support Line is relaunching this March.

At the relaunch, the team at Bay Volunteer will share their journey and vision for the future. Partners and attendees will have the chance to voice out ideas on how Bay Volunteers can better support people in the Lancaster District. Refreshments will be provided at the beginning and the end. This event will take place in-person and online.

Date: 26th March 2022
Time: 12noon to 3 pm
Location: Hope Church Lancaster, Queen Street, Lancaster. LA1 1RX.

Register to attend here.

Download event flyer here.

WorkFit National Conference by Down’s Syndrome Association
WorkFit is hosting an annual conference for WorkFit candidates, employers, families and supporters to hear about their experiences over the past two years and to celebrate their achievements. Everyone is welcome.
This year’s conference covers:

• Opening speech from Chloe Smith, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work.
• An update on available support from the Government Access to Work team.
• Hearing directly from candidates on their experiences and success stories.
• Sharing employer experiences and celebrating their support.
• Plus a fun music activity for everyone.

Date: 17th March 2022
Time: 2pm to 4pm

Interested? Register here to attend.

For more information, email [email protected]

NAVCA Regional Forum (North West)
NAVCA is pleased to announce the return of the regional Members’ forums. Chaired by CEO Maddy Desforges and new Membership Manager Helen Carter, the forums offer an opportunity to meet other local NAVCA members, discuss any pressing issues or positive stories and keep up to date with any policy changes. This is an exclusive event for NAVCA members.

Date: 10th March 2022
Time: 10am to 11.30am
Location: Online

Register here to attend.

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.

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.

Make it in Morecambe
Good Things Collective has organised workshops and sessions supporting skill development and networking for creative freelancers, artists, businesses and enterprises in the district. Visit here for more information and here to download the activity schedule.

Next dates: 15th & 22nd March 2022
Time: Varies per session

For more information, contact [email protected]

Community Enterprise Coaching Kit
This is an opportunity to gain a Level 3 coaching qualification with Lancaster & Morecambe College or a certificate from Lancaster University. There are 8 modules to the Community Enterprise Coaching Kit:

• Becoming a Confident Community Enterprise Coach
• Live Project Identification, Recruitment and Management
• Providing Support, Advice and Guidance to People with Additional Needs or Vulnerable to Social Exclusion
• Developing and Maintaining Networks for Enterprise
• Working with External Stakeholders
• Identification of Additional Services for Enterprise Support
• Moral and Ethical Issues in Working With Groups Vulnerable to Social Exclusion
• Building Peer Support Networks for Enterprise Coaches

Interested? Visit here for more information or to submit your interest.

Creating a culture of inclusion: The next steps by NAVCA
This session is hosted by NAVCA and will be delivered with Gamiel Yafai, Director of Diversity Marketplace to explore how to implement practical steps to creating a culture of inclusion and becoming a diversity champion or an EDI ally within your organisation.

All staff, volunteers and trustees and their networks are encouraged to attend this highly engaging and thought-provoking interactive event.

Date: 16th March 2022
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Location: Online

Click here to register.

Free seminar: using Trybooking events platform for social enterprises
ESTA has arranged a free demonstration and Q&A session of the Trybooking platform (based in Kendal) for social enterprises, community organisations and local ethical businesses.

Trybooking is a local alternative to using Eventbrite for event bookings for both online or face-to-face events, workshops or training sessions. Trybooking is a feature-rich local platform that is committed to supporting the wellbeing of the area and providing personalised support to local groups and organisations concerning any event-related matters.

Date: 11th March 2022
Time: 10.30am to 11.30am
Location: Zoom

Click here to book

Questions? Email Michael Hallam at [email protected]

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.

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

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]

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]

Coffee Shop Staff at The Centre @ Halton
Centre @ Halton is looking for friendly Coffee Shop staff to join their team. Duties will include serving customers drinks and snacks, responsibility for keys/takings, supporting volunteers, stock management and overall cleanliness of the Coffee Shop kitchen, upper foyer and outside seating areas during the hours the Coffee Shop is open. Applicants must be 18 or over and willing to work variable weekend and school holiday hours. Hourly pay to be discussed at the interview.

Interested? Email [email protected] or call 01524 811316

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.

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.

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.

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 upskilling your workforce, contact [email protected]

Payroll, bookkeeping and independent examinations, contact [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]