Information and Advice for the Lancaster District’s Third Sector – 1 December 2022

We are working with the local voluntary and community sector and Lancashire and District-wide partners to support VCFSE organisations and people living in our communities. We encourage you to share this page with others.

An archive of previous editions can be found here.

Click headings below to expand each section.

Lancaster District Directory
Serving Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and surrounding areas

Our digital directory and social prescribing project has been an important and challenging piece of work in our 50th anniversary year. Over the last several months we have been working to collect information on services, specify and develop the public directory website, and ensure that we have the systems and processes in place to take electronic patient referrals from staff in GP surgeries.

We’re getting ready to share the results of these efforts and will shortly be launching the directory and accepting the first GP referrals. To begin, we’ve created a video which explains the purpose and benefits of the project, to help people out there in our communities understand how it can help. Please do take a look, circulate the link your colleagues, and use it to introduce the directory to your followers on social media.

If you’re one of the few voluntary and community sector organisations which hasn’t yet claimed your listing, it’s not too late. Take a look at lancastercvs.org.uk/directory to find out more, and contact Jenny by email at [email protected]

Lancaster District Community Wellbeing Fund – Round 3 Extended
Community groups now have until January 13th to submit applications for the Lancaster District Community Wellbeing Fund third round. Grants of £500 to £2,000 are available to expand activities and reach more people, or to support new projects.

The fund aims to support projects that have a direct impact on physical and mental well-being, for example knit and natter sessions, walking for health groups, or art/crafts-based activities. This upcoming round focusses on those working with the over 55s and the disabled. 

For more information and to apply

Bay (Integrated Care Community & Primary Care Network) local investment fund (2022-23)    
The Bay ICC & PCN are delighted to be able to offer a small investment fund to organisations in the locality to help improve population health.   Applications are encouraged from local organisations, charities and groups who provide support to the community within the Bay ICC & PCN footprint which covers Morecambe, Heysham and Poulton. The total fund is in the region of £15,000.  There is no restriction on the amount that can be applied for. 

Applications must be submitted by Friday 2nd December, 1pm.

For further information and application download.

Lancashire Warm Spaces Grant Scheme
A new grant scheme aimed at helping organisations in the community to run warm spaces this winter has been launched by Lancashire County Council. All libraries in Lancashire have been designated as warm and welcome spaces where people can find a warm drink, a space to sit, free computers and Wi-Fi, charging points for digital equipment, events and activities and help from staff to find further information about what support is available.

To complement this offer, the county council has developed a new small grants scheme that will allow organisations in the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, as well as for parish and town councils, to create or improve their warm space offer in their local community. Grants of up to £500 will be available through a simple application process.

The grant scheme is an open bidding round with no initial closing date. However, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before funding is fully allocated. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and decisions made within a 10-day period, until the funding has been fully allocated.

For information on the LCC Cost of Living Support

Go direct to Lancashire Warm Spaces and grant scheme information

Funding for Community Garden Projects
Charities, community groups, and community interest companies can apply for funding for community gardening projects in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Grants of up to £5,000 are available (although most grant awards are for under £2,000) for the creation of a community garden or a community park or allotment with a horticultural focus for the benefit of the local community.

Eligible costs could include site preparation (including hire of small mechanical tools such as rotavators), hand tools, plants, trees, shrubs, containers and seating. Projects encouraging biodiversity and wildlife are encouraged.

The funding is made available through the National Garden Scheme Community Gardens Grants programme which closes to applications at 12pm on the 31st January 2023.

Full details are available here

£10m Fund Launched to Support UK Foodbanks
Julia and Hans Rausing Trust has announced a new grants programme to further the efforts of foodbanks across the UK in tackling the growing food poverty crisis.

To be eligible to apply, organisations must:

  • Be not-for-profit.
  • Run a foodbank that has been running for six months or more which regularly gives out emergency food parcels at least once each week.
  • Have an annual income of between £25,000 and £1,000,000.
  • Not have reserves above one year’s running costs.

Applications must be submitted by 6 December 2022 (4pm).

For full information

The Fore’s Spring 2023 Funding Round
The Fore’s Spring 2023 Funding Round offers unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 across 1 to 3 years to small charities and social enterprises. The Fore’s grants are intended to create a step change for your organisation – we call this ‘transformational impact’. For example, the grant may help your organisation grow, increase your staff capacity, serve a new beneficiary group, become more sustainable or make your systems more efficient. We just want you to be able to be better at what you do.

Grantees of The Fore Receive:

  • Unrestricted funding up to £30,000, which can be spread across 1 to 3 years.
  • Access to free, highly skilled support via The Fore’s pro bono network of skilled volunteers from our corporate partners.
  • Access to The Fore’s skills training workshops, covering topics such as: Fundraising, communications, finance, strategy, and more.
  • A fully funded place on an Impact Management course.

All UK-registered charities, CICs, CIOs and CBSs with an annual income under £500,000 in the last completed financial year are welcome to apply.

Registration for this will take place on 12 December, 10am

Deadline for Registered organisations will be 16 January, 5pm

You can find more information about The Fore and their upcoming Spring 2023 Funding Round on their website

William Wates Memorial Trust Reopens to Applications
Charitable groups in London and the South-East will soon be able to apply for multi-year grants for projects which support vulnerable young people between 5 and 19 years old. Most grants are for around £30,000 over three years. However, at any one time the Trust will also have two or three grants for £30,000 to £50,000 per annum over three years. The fund is open to registered charities and other non-profit organisations and Trustees will consider applications for the following type of projects:

  • To help the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence, and to fulfil their potential.
  • To support projects that engage young people through the mediums of sport, art and education.

Projects which will be favoured are those with the potential for sustainable and lasting impact.

The fund opens on 24 November 2022 and closes on 23 December 2022.

Find out more about this fund and how to apply

Vision Fund Accepting Applications for 2023 Round
Following the launch of its report, ‘The Unseen – Blind and Partially Sighted People’s Experiences of Domestic Abuse’, the Vision Foundation has announced its latest grant programme which will address the Report’s findings. The programme offers a total funding pot of £200,000 and consists of two funding streams:

  • Micro Grants for Community Response – £500 to £5,000.
  • Grants for Coordinated Sector Response – up to £50,000.

Although the Vision Fund is usually only open to organisations carrying out activities in London, it recognises that effective response to domestic violence and abuse (DVA) may require strategic and national efforts. As a result of this, under the Coordinated Sector Response stream, applications from organisations that can clearly demonstrate an impact at the national level are accepted.

The deadline to apply is 23.59 on 6 January 2023.

Look into this source of funding further

Deadline Reminder for Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years
There are about two weeks left to apply for the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s programme which seeks to enhance childcare provision offers for Armed Forces Families across the UK. The Fund is open to private, public and non-profit sector nursery providers as long as they are located within five miles of an Armed Forces base and serving a large proportion of children aged 0 to 5 from Armed Forces families.

The deadline to apply is midday on 5 December 2022.

Learn more about this fund and how to apply

Schools in England Invited to Join National Breakfast Programme
The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered by Family Action to support schools in England to provide children with a healthy breakfast at the start of the school day. Building on the success of the former NSBP, Family Action can offer 2500 schools a place on the new Programme. The programme will provide schools with up to three years of support to run a successful and affordable school breakfast provision.

The NSBP will provide:

  • A 75% subsidy for breakfast club provision until the end of the current programme in July 2024
  • Good practice sharing opportunities, resources and the opportunity to learn from a national network of schools
  • The opportunity to enhance parental engagement on healthy eating and the importance of having a nutritious breakfast each morning
  • A knowledgeable school support team, will be on hand to provide remote advice and support.

To learn more about this programme and to show an expression of interest

NPC Launches Funds for Charities Tackling Financial Hardship
New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) is providing two separate funds in the financial hardship sector, aiming to relieve and reduce financial hardship in the UK. One off grants are available for small charities and other not-for-profit organisations that are supporting local communities in the UK who are facing financial hardship over the next six months.

The deadline for all applications is 16 December 2022 (5pm).

For further information on this funding and application

New Unrestricted Grants from Co-op Foundation
As part of its ‘Building Communities of the Future Together’ Strategy 2022-27, Co-op Foundation is preparing to launch the Future Communities Fund to support charitable organisations building communities that:

  • Are diverse, equitable and inclusive.
  • Prioritise youth activism, shared power and transparent governance.

Unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to five years will be available to groups helping to build strong and inclusive communities and engage meaningfully with young people across the UK.

This application window will close at midday on 23 December 2022

Learn more about this fund

Access to Digital Inclusion Funding with Primary Care Programme
Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System commissioned a pilot programme to support digital inclusion in primary care 2021 to 2022.  They are now looking to extend the project to work with more Voluntary, Community Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations across the region to become digitally enabled.

The deadline for expressions of interest in this programme is the 16th December 2022.

For the expression of interest form click here

£5m Fund from Ministry of Justice for Youth Sports Projects
The Ministry of Justice has identified new funding to invest in sports programmes across England and Wales that effectively deliver against criminal justice outcomes in the financial year to the end of March 2023. Grants of £20,000 are on offer though smaller amounts may also be available depending on the project.

Projects should involve sports-based activities to engage vulnerable young people at risk of offending across England and Wales.

For further details on the programme and application details

CLA Charitable Trust Announces Application Deadlines for 2023
The CLA Charitable Trust provides one-off grants, typically under £5,500, to small to medium UK registered charities and not for profit organisation with a clear social purpose that access the benefits of the countryside to pursue the health and wellbeing of people and to provide opportunities for education about the countryside in England and Wales.

Priority areas include: Children and young people, disadvantaged financially, physically, mentally, or from areas of deprivation. Applications for running costs, project works and capital works are eligible. Evidence of need should be demonstrated.

The first 2023 deadline for application is 6 February,to be followed by deadlines on 26 April and 31 August.

Learn more about the CLA Charitable Trust and it’s funding

‘Weston Charity Awards’ Open for Northern Charities Seeking Specialist Support
Applications for the Weston Charity Awards 2023 are officially open thanks to a collaboration between The Garfield Weston Foundation and charity partner, Pilotlight.

Now in its ninth year, the Awards offer a unique package of support worth over £22,000 to small charities in the North of England, the Midlands, and Wales. The Awards nurture leadership talent while amplifying a charity’s potential impact.

The application deadline is 6 January 2023

Discover more about the awards and the funding support on offer

ENWL Storm Arwen Community Resilience Fund
Grants are available to groups that are supporting local communities impacted by Storm Arwen in 2021 in the counties of Cumbria, Derbyshire, Lancashire and surrounding areas, to be better prepared for and more resilient to future emergency and/or extreme weather events.

Who can apply?

  • Local volunteer-led organisations
  • Not-for-profit community organisations
  • Local registered charities
  • Parish councils

Applicants must be based in or provide a service to eligible communities, which are defined as those which were off electricity supply for 72 hours or more during Storm Arwen in November 2021 within the postcodes listed here.

More information here

Go direct to application

Lloyd’s of London Foundation Seeking Charity Partnerships
Registered charities in the UK can now apply to the latest grants programme from Lloyd’s of London Foundation, an independent charity founded and funded by Lloyd’s. The scheme offers grants of £25,000 to £50,000 to organisations which can meet some or all of the application criteria.

Grant applications are now open with application deadline on 11 Dec 2022, 23:59pm

Find out more about the fund and application

Social Action Fund for Schools Opens 1 November
Grants are now available to schools in England to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities. The Ormiston Trust is a grant-giving trust that primarily supports schools and organisations that provide direct assistance to children, young people, and families across England.

Application deadline 16 December 2022

More information here

BBC Children in Need Core Costs funding stream launch
BBC Children in need have launched a Core Costs funding stream to support not-for-profit organisations working with children and young people aged 18 or under. Core Costs support essential organisational and administrative spending. These are the key expenses required to keep your organisation running. There is no deadline for funding applications.

Further details can be found here

Growing Our Food Futures
FoodFutures are running an open call for micro grant proposals delivering work related to unlocking the 2030 vision identified in the Our Food Futures strategy document.

Projects and organizations that have applied before can apply again, and proposals do not need to be for a new project. This fund seeks to enable and can support ongoing work.

Grants of up to £3,000 are available. Deadline 3 December.

Find out more and apply

The Elephant Trust
Grants are offered to artists, small arts organisations and galleries across the UK, with the aim of making it possible for artists to undertake and complete projects, leading to new, distinct and imaginative work.

Next deadline 23 January 2023

Find out more and apply

AB Charitable Trust
The Trust aims to defend human rights and promote respect to others, through grants to charities who focus on work around migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, penal reform and human rights.

Grants average between £10,000 and £20,000 to organisations with turnover between £150,000 and £1.5 million.

The next application deadline is 23 January 2023.

Find out more and apply

Sustainable Energy Funding
Crowdfunder and M&S Energy have joined forces to launch the M&S Community Energy Fund.

Up to £5,000 in match funding is available for community projects committed to being environmentally conscious through crowdfunding for ideas such as installing renewable technology or introducing energy efficiency measures in their endeavour to increase energy independence.

Find out more and apply

State of the Social Sector Survey – Cost of Living
NAVCA have been working with Pro Bono Economics and Nottingham Trent University on a State of the Social Sector survey aiming to collect data to be shared with the government, demonstrating the support that voluntary and community sector organisations need to support people through the cost of living crisis. The survey focuses on the cost of living crisis and its impact on the VCSE sector. It aims to gather data to inform Government decisions on extending support for the sector on energy bills and further funding to deliver the additional support you are currently providing…

Follow this link to contribute to the survey

For more information about the survey

Launch of Lancashire & South Cumbria’s VCFSE Assembly
Since January ‘22, information and opinion have been gathered about what is needed in the district, and what works in other areas of England, to embed VCFSE into the governance and decision making of our integrated care system in Lancashire & South Cumbria.

Many have been involved in this journey, unofficially known as “Cohort 3”.  Building on the two workshops earlier this year, which co-produced their vision and values, they are now ready to launch the first part of what will become the Lancashire & South Cumbria ICS – VCFSE Programme.

The first of two sessions will be a virtual session, open to all VCFSE organisations across Lancashire & South Cumbria.  The event will take place on Wed, 30 November 2022, 2-4pm.

For more information and to register for this event

Cyber Security for Charities
Cyber attacks can be devastating financially and reputationally, but many charities don’t realise how vulnerable they are to the threat. A recent Third Sector and NCSC survey with over 120 charities revealed only half are fully aware of the potential consequences of a cyber attack, leaving the other half open to emerging threats. Alarmingly, one in 10 said it’s not even on the boardroom agenda, and one in five said not a single employee was trained to identify a cyber attack.

Third Sector provide a guide that gives you an inside look into the current cyber threats that charities face, how to spot a cyber attack and how to get buy-in from the board to invest in cyber security.

Learn more about how to protect your charity from Cyber crime

Cranfield Trust FREE Telephone Support
Cranfield Trust is offering free telephone support in addition to their usual consultancy and mentoring, to provide one-off and immediate management support to charity leaders as they face the challenges at this time.

Telephone calls of approx. 30-45 minutes are pre-booked to capture information about the charity and the nature of the issue, and Cranfield Trust will then match a volunteer with the relevant skill set to the charity to provide the clarity and confidence they need to take the issue forward.

The service is free of charge for eligible social welfare charities and can be accessed through the Trust’s website.

Stuart Andrew MP – New Minister for Civil Society
Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP is the new minister for Civil Society (including Loneliness) and Youth. This sits alongside responsibility for Sport and Tourism, as well as a pan-government Equalities brief.

 More details here

Lancaster BID Christmas Toy Appeal
Teaming up with Joe’s Clothes, Helping Heart for Ukraine, the Children’s Ward at RLI and Unique Kidz and Co, Lancaster BID is appealing to the public and business community to donate new or nearly new toys to those children that really need them this Christmas.

Find out more about the appeal

Regenerative resilience and the role of communities
With the launch of a new report for Local Trust, Towards Regenerative Resilience, James Goodman, the Trust’s director of partnerships and learning, explores why building well-prepared, resilient communities is essential in an age of permanent crisis.

How to make recruitment disability inclusive
You want to attract brilliant candidates to your charity. Yet common recruitment practices put up barriers that stop all kinds of talented people from learning about, considering, or applying to join your team

Discover great inclusivity strategies in this Charity Digital article.

Call for activities and resources in libraries this winter
Lancashire County Council has plans to make use of its 64 Libraries, promoting them as warm and welcoming spaces this winter. As part of the first stage of this offer, one Library per Lancashire District (in our case Morecambe) will be offering a programme of engaging and inclusive daytime events, activities and self-care packs.

The Council are keen to hear from appropriate organisations who can help them deliver across some/all of the twelve Libraries, aimed at supporting residents with key issues relating to the cost-of-living such as food (e.g. cooking healthy food on a budget), fuel (e.g. energy efficiency measures) and debt/money management (e.g. budgeting).

Other libraries involved are Accrington, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Fleetwood, Ingol, Leyland, Nelson, Rawtenstall, Skelmersdale and St Anne’s.

If you feel that you would able to deliver an activity/event or provide self-care resources, please email [email protected]

Giving Talents Global Volunteering Hour
A global network of charities, NGO’s and Not for Profit groups are developing a global volunteering hour that is due to take place on Tuesday 29th November between 1pm and 2pm.

This is the first year and they’re aiming to get 500,000 people across the globe signed up to the project to commit 1 hour of their time on the 29th November between 1pm and 2pm, to be generous and spread some kindness across their community.

It could be sharing some time with a neighbour, making a cup of tea and taking an hour out with someone you never really get the chance to catch up with, donating an hour to a local charity or good cause . . . it really could be anything that demonstrates generosity of spirit, time, skills etc, the choice is entirely up to you!

The CVS team will be signing up, and it would be fantastic to see Lancaster district represented on a global level, showing the world just what a kind and considerate city we are.

Find out more here

Health & Wellbeing Support Coaching – VCFSE Bursary Available
The Morecambe Bay Population Health Team are working with voluntary sector organisations in the Lancaster District to widen access to accredited health coaching skills training, which aims to upskill individuals to have better conversations and support people to reach their self-identified goals.

The course is for staff and volunteers who perform roles where they have the opportunity to support people to make behavioural changes that will encourage improved health and well-being. It will provide a range of tools and techniques that will help structure conversations to help individuals set and work towards goals that are important to them, whether this is about lifestyle changes that will promote better health and wellbeing, or being better able to manage long term conditions.

VCFSE organisations which would like help to enable their staff or volunteers to access this training can apply to Lancaster District CVS for an attendance bursary. This is to help cover the costs of time taken to attend the course. The bursary totals £87 (£12.50 per hour) which will be paid to the organisation’s bank account once the course has been completed.

Please complete this form to choose course dates and request a bursary place.

Lancaster District CVS will then get in touch with you to confirm the bursary and explain how to make your booking for the course.

Places are limited and subject to a first come first served basis

If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact: [email protected]

The course is currently running as an online workshop delivered over two sessions lasting 3.5 hours each. Course dates are below.

Day 1: Wednesday 7 December [13:00 – 16:30]
Day 2: Wednesday 14 December [13:00 – 16:45]

Day 1:Monday 9 January [2023] [9:30 – 13:00]
Day 2:Monday 23 January [2023] [9:30 – 13:15]

Day1: Thursday 9 February [2023] [9:30 – 13:00
Day 2: Thursday 23 February [2023] [9:30 – 13:15]

Operation Spectre Local Knife Disposal
Following the week long national initiative to tackle knife crime – Operation Sceptre, 594 knives have been recovered across the West Division which covers the areas of Blackpool , Fylde, Wyre, Lancaster and Morecambe.  Proactive engagement involved community meetings, school talks (at both primary and high schools) and leaflet drops. Sergeant Dan Whitaker from Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network said: “This is a huge result for West Division and the public have really engaged with this operation. It is so important to us to reach as many people as possible through operations like this. Op Sceptre holds an important message and we will continue the work to make West Division a safe place to be.”

You can find your local knife bin in the following locations:

Lancaster – Under Carlisle Bridge, Morecambe Road, Lancaster, LA1 2RX

Morecambe – Near youth centre, Central Drive, Morecambe, LA4 4DE

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022
The estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide regularly face barriers to inclusion in many key aspects of society. As a result, people with disabilities do not enjoy access to society on an equal basis with others. This includes challenges in employment, travel and education as well as social and political participation. International Day of Persons with Disabilities falls on the 3rd of December each year, with the aim of promoting empowerment, and helping to create real opportunities for people with disabilities.

Read more on this important day

Lift up your everyday with OT Life Hacks
Lift up your everyday with OT Life Hacks, a public health campaign from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists is designed to help people take small, positive steps to improve their health and wellbeing. The advice is being given by occupational therapists in the form of life hacks: easy-to-follow ideas to help people make changes in their life which can help them do the things they love and need to do. 

Occupational therapists from around the country will share their ideas for ways we can all improve our mental and physical health in videos or posts on social media, which can be found using #OThacks.

Find out more about OT Life Hacks

Lung Cancer Specialists Give Advice – National Awareness Month
The Lung Cancer team at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) is shining the spotlight on the causes of lung cancer as part of a national awareness month.  Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. Nationally, around 47,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year.  Smoking cigarettes is the single biggest risk factor for lung cancer and it is responsible for more than 70% of cases. Melissa Doherty, Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist at UHMBT, says that quitting smoking is the best way of reducing your risk of getting lung cancer. 

Melissa says “There is a lot of support out there for people to help them to quit smoking, including Quit Squad in Lancashire and in Cumbria selected pharmacies offer one-to-one Stop Smoking Services and people can also access support through their GPs.”

You can find out more about lung cancer at the NHS website here

For cessation clinics in Lancashire click here

The Great Winter Get Together – Jo Cox Foundation

Each January the Great Winter Get Together brings together communities to alleviate loneliness, inspired by the late Jo Cox MP and her advocacy on this issue. Starting on so-called ‘Blue Monday’ – 16 January 2023 – the Jo Cox Foundation is encouraging people to create and advertise local places for events where those who may be feeling lonely can go to form meaningful connections with others. Loneliness is a hidden epidemic across the UK. 5% of adults feel chronically (always or often) lonely and 45% of people sometimes feel lonely. Despite common assumptions, young people are actually the worst affected, with 15% of 10 – 25 year olds being chronically lonely. The cost of living crisis may exacerbate this by making it difficult for many of us to go along to our usual social activities.

This year, more than ever, the Great Winter Get Together will be vital. The Jo Cox Foundation want to both raise the issues of loneliness and ensure that there is a place for connection available in every community in the UK. This could be anything; a existing, regular event or one which is being specifically held for the Great Winter Get Together; a walk, a zoom call or a coffee morning… anywhere people can connect! They’ll be advertising the events on their website and directing people to them throughout the campaign. They would love your community to be involved!

You can register your event, access our resources and find out more here

Warm Hubs in the Lancaster District
Lancaster City Council have published information about places opening their doors to provide warmth, information and advice over the coming months.

This resource will be updated as more locations announce their plans.

View a list of locations, hours and provision here, or see a map of locations here.

New vaccine marketing campaign
A new country-wide marketing campaign urging millions of eligible people to get their flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines to top up their immunity has launched.

Targeted communications for individuals with long term health conditions, pregnant women and ethnic minority communities, with a particular focus on those with low vaccine confidence, will also appear, and will include examples of where vaccine uptake rates have been low in the past.

Download the UK Health Security Agency’s communications support and stakeholder pack here

Health and Care Reform Timeline
Local government and the NHS are engaged in an extensive agenda of health and care reforms.

The Local Government Association has commissioned a digital version of the timeline of policy reforms, split by theme, that sets out the major pillars of reform with key deliverables. The Department of Health and Social Care, Care Quality Commission and Health Education England, amongst others, have helped produce this timeline.

The LGA would like to invite your feedback on this tool; how useful it is in local forward planning; how helpfully it is laid out; and whether the level of detail is right.

Please send feedback to [email protected]

LDCVS Children and Young People Multi Agency Forum
Just a quick reminder that the next CYPMAF event will be taking place on Wednesday 7th December at 9.30am-11am at Suite 2, The Employer Hub, Lancaster and Morecambe College.  This will be our first face to face meeting for a while, so we welcome you to bring along a drink and any festive snacks to share. There will be the usual opportunity for partner updates, so please do come ready to share any news you may have. If you have any questions or wish to share anything in advance of the meeting, please do get in touch.  The venue has limited capacity, so we encourage confirming your attendance in advance. An online link will be available for those that aren’t able to attend in person.

For further information please contact Catherine Westwell at [email protected]

Mindset & Mindfulness for 16-25 Year Olds
The Prince’s Trust have an amazing opportunity to develop a mindset with an understanding of the psychology, science and mindfulness techniques.  The programme is for 16-25 year olds and provides the chance to:

  • Develop your confidence and goal setting
  • Learn daily actionable steps for a positive momentum
  • Identify and begin to dissolve self-limiting beliefs
  • Create and refine a growth mindset
  • Body language, rapport building skills and more

Learn Mindfulness and meditation techniques

  • To help deal with anxiety and stress
  • Develop a calmer mind and greater mental clarity

View the event e-flyer here

To apply contact [email protected] or call 07931 614736.

Walk with Us Toolkit – A Resource for those Bereaved by Suicide
CHILYPEP (Children and Young People’s Empowerment Project) and NHS South Yorkshire have recently released a wonderfully engaging resource for children, young people and families bereaved by suicide.

You can download a copy here

Young Citizen Awards 2023
Do you know a young person, aged 19 or under, who has made a difference in their local community? Want to see them receive special recognition for doing something exceptional? 

The High Sheriff of Lancashire is looking for your help to find the county’s most deserving youngsters for the 2023 Lancashire Young Citizen of the Year award .

The winner will receive £500 along with a specially commissioned trophy and certificate from the High Sheriff and Chief Constable Chris Rowley. Two runners up will also receive £100 and a certificate.

Nominate someone you know today!

Santa’s Crafthouse
Lancashire Adult Learning are offering family learning opportunities focused on craft skills to make fun and exciting decorations for Christmas or winter celebrations.

To discuss hosting sessions in your community, contact Tamima at [email protected] or telephone 07467 487360.

 
The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery Nature & Wellbeing Sessions 
The Bay are offering a 6-week after-school programme of Nature & Wellbeing sessions for 11-18 year olds. The weekly sessions, held on a Thursday 4-6pm at Lancaster Maritime Museum, will help young people to improve their wellbeing while getting creative, learning about and taking action to protect the fantastic wildlife of Morecambe Bay. 
 
To book a space please complete the online referral form or for more information contact Alex[email protected] / 07884 605256
 

Stanley’s Christmas Craft Fair
Stanleys Community Centre are hosting a Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday 4th December from 11am-3pm. Stalls includes wax melts, jewellery, craft decorations, sand workshop, wood burning, tombola and more.  There will also be the opportunity to meet Santa and his Elves with free gifts for the kids and plenty of food and drinks on offer.

View their event e-leaflet for more info

One Stop Shop Drop in Service for Survivors of Domestic Abuse – Tara Centre
The Tara Centre, Lancaster are holding a drop in service for survivors of domestic violence, where you’ll be able to access multiple agencies in one space. The idea is for this to be a welcoming space where hand therapists will be available to offer hand massages and trained first aid mental health therapists available should this be required.

A further aim of this drop-in service, which will be held monthly, is for agencies to get together aand discuss and difficulties, overlap or pressing concerns in their provision of services for DA survivors. 

The drop-in will take place on Friday 2nd December, 1-3pm

For more about what’s on at the Tara Centre visit this link

The Sunday Social at More Music – Warm Hub
With the challenging winter ahead More Music are joining the Warm Spaces Scheme and opening their doors on Sundays from 2-5pm. Their Sunday Social is free of charge and offer a warm and welcome space where you are invited for lunch while avoiding the cold, plus there’s great music to enjoy. Running every Sunday until March 2023.

Find out more here

Christchurch Hall Function Hire
Are you looking for a venue to host an event such as a wedding or christening?  Christchurch Hall are welcoming bookings for all types of functions such as social events, classes, meetings and more on either a one off or regular basis. The Church Hall is modern and spacious with a well-equipped kitchen. The hall is also fully accessible, with disabled lavatory facilities and includes plenty of chairs and tables. 

For more information on the venue view their e-leaflet here

Lancaster District Against Gender-Based Violence
This year’s 16 Days of Activism are sharing a series of events in the Lancaster District to bring awareness to gender-based violence. The events will take place throughout November and December in a variety of venues including The Dukes Theatre, Plinth, Market Square, Lancaster Uni, Dalton Square and The Gregson Centre.

Click here for the events calendar

Find out more about 16 Days of Activism here

‘ON THE GO’ CPD Accredited Training Modules for ‘Suicide Bereavement’
Suicide Bereavement UK have launched a series of online modules for bespoke programmes tailored to your organisational and professional requirements. The organisations ‘On the Go‘ training modules in suicide bereavement are offered at both Level 1 and Level 2.

Learn more and how to sign up

Festive Fun Run
Lancaster & Morecambe AC is organising its popular Christmas 4k Festive Fun Run from the clubhouse on the athletics track at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, near Lancaster (LA1 5JS) again this year, on Wednesday December 28th at 11am. It is aimed at families and fun runners as well as more regular competitors.  There will be a great atmosphere and a super festive medal for all finishers. All runners are very welcome to run in fancy dress.

Any queries contact Steve Perry via email: [email protected]

For further event information click here

The Bay – A Blueprint for Recovery After School Sessions at the Maritime
The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery are running a FREE 6 week programme of Nature & Wellbeing sessions for 11-18 year olds starting this week at the Lancaster Maritime Museum! Spaces are limited so time is of the essence. 

Contact Alex: [email protected] or fill out a referral form to sign up: https://thebay.org.uk/referral-forms

View their programme e-leafet

Lancaster Steiner School Winter Fair
Lancaster Steiner School is hosting its Winter Fair on Sunday, 4th December from 11am-4pm. Come along for delicious home-made foods, children’s crafts, face painting, story-telling, music, a variety of local craft stalls and, most importantly, our magical and enchanting Winter Fairy Grotto. Free entry, and a warm welcome guaranteed!

Find out more here

Headway Festive Lunch with Masterchef Winner Tom Rhodes
The charity organisation Headway, a voluntary organisation supporting brain injury survivors, have organised a festive lunch this Christmas with the Masterchef winner of 2021, Tom Rhodes. The funds from the event go to support this important charity. Why not treat your team this Christmas and join them at Lancaster House Hotel on Monday 5th December for a taste of Christmas.

More information here

Digital skills training from Reason Digital
Four free e-learning courses are currently on offer for third sector organisations via Reason Digital:

  • Mobilising supporters: Through the power of storytelling, personalisation, data, and more, you can deliver a truly empowering journey for your supporters. In turn, your engaged supporters can deliver massive value to your organisation.
  • Digital strategy for charities: how to approach and get the most out of your charity digital strategy.
  • Digital fundraising: how to make the most out of online donations, including practical tips and strategies.
  • Creating engaging content: how to create inspiring, impactful, and engaging content for your charity.

Find out more and access courses here

Tackling Homelessness Digital Conference
Westminster Insight’s conference will share guidance and evidence-based strategies that services can implement to improve outcomes for people sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness.

Sessions include a focus on multi-agency partnerships, alternative housing solutions, young people and care leavers, and building resilient staff networks.

25 January, 9am – 1:30pm

Find out more and book tickets

FarmStart 2023 Training Programme
LESS, The Plot and FoodFutures are opening applications for the 2023 FarmStart training programme. This hands-on 40-week programme is aimed at people who would like to play an active role in setting up new food growing enterprises around North Lancashire.

FarmStart is a year-long programme where you spend two days a week working with an experienced grower across two sites. In addition, a dedicated training and mentoring programme covers both the horticultural skills and business skills needed to set up and run a small-scale market garden to hopefully tool you up for your own local project in the future.

Find out how to book a taster session, complete a FarmStart application, and learn more about why local food is important at the FoodFutures website.

Maths, English and ESOL Courses at the Cornerstone
Lancashire Adult Learning are offering maths, English, and English to Speakers of Other Languages courses at the Cornerstone, Lancaster.

To find out more about ESOL, contact Dora on 07387 103250

To find out more about maths and English classes, contact Sarah on 07786 197172

Christians Against Poverty Budgeting Course
The FREE CAP Money Course is for anyone who would like to have more control over your finances.

Friendly, informal sessions include pointers for setting a budget sticking to it, and provides a useful free online tool to help track what you spend your money on, helping to save money and stay out of debt for a secure financial future.

The course takes place in Morecambe or Carnforth.

Find out more and register interest by emailing [email protected]

Prince’s Trust Team Leader – Lancaster & Morecambe
An opportunity has arisen for a Prince’s Trust Team Leader to join an inclusive and value driven public sector organisation with an outstanding organisational culture. The role will include free car parking, a generous pension and generous annual leave. This is a challenging but immensely rewarding role, delivering the Prince’s Trust Team Programme to young people in the 16-25 age group in Lancashire. The Prince’s Trust Programme is a personal development programme that enables young people to develop their confidence, motivation and skills through teamwork in the community. It brings together people of different abilities, circumstances and backgrounds – both employed and unemployed.

Salary: Scale 6, SCP 20-27 £28,371-£33,820
Contract: 36.25 hpw a flexitime scheme is in operation
Location: Lancaster Fire Station & Morecambe Fire Station
Closing Date: 16 December 2022, 12pm

Find out more and apply here

Events Fundraiser with CancerCare
CancerCare are looking to recruit a dynamic, innovative and energetic Events Fundraiser to join their dynamic organisation. You’ll have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and be able to connect with and engage a wide range of people. This role will suit someone confident at working on multiple projects at once, planning ahead and has a proactive approach to work.

Salary: £21,107
Contract: 30 hours (flexible working hours and arrangements in line with job description)
Location: Lancaster with occasional travel to other venues
Closing Date: 16 December 2022

For more on this role and to apply

Rota Co-ordinator with Creative Support
Are you a motivated and resourceful person? Do you have strong organisational and communication skills? If so Creative Support are looking to recruit a Rota Coordinator for their Blackpool services. The right candidate will have excellent IT skills, plus proficiency with Word and Excel. They must also have excellent time management, strong written and verbal communication skills, and an attention to detail.

Salary: £24,102 based on experience
Contract: 37.5 hours pw, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Location: Blackpool
Closing Date: 12 December 2022

For more on this role and to apply

Programme Manager – Membership Recruitment and Retention with RSPB
Saving nature is going to take leadership, innovation, and the ability to unite people to a common cause. RSPB are looking for an experienced programme manager who lives and breathes these attributes to improve the RSPB’s approach to membership recruitment and retention. As a skilled communicator, negotiator and influencer, you will be proactive in seeking out opportunities to develop yourself and your colleagues.

Salary: £ £33,600.00 – £37,275.00 Per Annum
Contract: Full time, 12 months
Location: Lancaster, Lancashire – Flexible in the UK
Closing Date: 11 December 2022, 23:59

Find out more about this role and apply

Social Prescribing Link Worker/Health & Wellbeing Coach – Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dual role Social Prescriber / Health & Wellbeing Coach to join the developing multidisciplinary team in the Carnforth & Milnthorpe Primary Care Network. This role provides a great opportunity to join a team who are committed in providing additional care and services across our patient population.

Salary: Dependent on experience
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Carnforth
Closing Date: 09 December 2022

For more information on this role and to apply

Trustees Roles for the Skelton Charity
For over 90 years the Skelton Trust has distributed funds to volunteer led charities to enable them to help more people. Their trustees are now looking to strengthen their membership by recruiting two additional members. They are welcoming applications from anyone who is able to serve as a charity trustee. The charity are interested in applicants who have digital communication skills, and those who can help build more inclusive communities.

For more information please see the role information pack. 

Council of Governors – Information for Prospective Governors
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust have provided a document to help members decide if they would like to stand for election to the Council of Governors, including the commitment and involvement required.

Click here to view the document

For more information follow this link

Supported Housing Officer – Calico Group
Calico Group are seeking a Supported Housing Officer to become an integral part of their award-winning team.  This exciting opportunity will involve delivering a range of interventions  to those experiencing substance misuse, offending behavious, mental and physical health and difficulties living independently.

Salary: £22,807
Contract: 37.5 hours pw, Full-time
Location: Lancaster
Closing Date: Unconfirmed

For further information on the role please contact Kathryn Mullen [email protected]

View the job description here

Community Fundraising and Digital Communications Officer – Money for Madagascar
Money for Madagascar are recruiting for a Digital Communications Officer, a part-time role responsible for the relationship management of new and existing donors and supporters through community fundraising, increasing income and raising awareness in line with the MfM fundraising strategy. You will also deliver and grow MfM’s digital communications activity and impact, producing text and visuals for all platforms.

Salary: £21,000 – £25,000 Pro Rata, dependent on experience
Contract: Part time (Equivalent of 3 days pw)
Location: Flexible hybrid working, office location – Lancaster
Closing Date: 30th November 2022

Applications to [email protected] by 30th November

For more information on this role

Fundraising and Executive Assistant to Director – Money for Madagascar
The MfM Director requires high-level support across fundraising, partnerships, advocacy and organisational management in the UK and Madagascar. This full-time role will combine that support with a specific focus on donor stewardship and volunteer management.

Salary: £23,000 – £27,000, dependent on experience
Contract: Full time
Location: Hybrid working, 2 days per week in the Lancaster office
Closing Date: 30th November 2022

Applications to [email protected] by 30th November

For more information on this role click here

Volunteer Coordinator – Let’s BeFriends
Let’s BeFriends are seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to assist the Project Coordinator with a focus on supervising and supporting their team of volunteers. Being passionate that everyone deserves a safe, adequate and affordable home is a foundational principle. Awareness of the complexity of needs of their beneficiaries is essential, as is being driven to find holistic solutions.

Salary: £16 hours per week @ 12.60 per hour
Contract: Self-employed role with an initial 12-month contract / Flexible hours
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe
Closing Date: Tuesday 13th December 2022, 11:59pm

Find out more here

Trustee Posts with More Music in Morecambe
More Music in Morecambe are seeking three new Trustees to join their board of directors to develop the organisation and to strengthen and diversify the team. 

As a board member you will be part of a team providing creative opportunities for thousands of participants, artists and musicians engaging with More Music’s innovative programme of workshops and events. 

Salary:
Contract:
Location: Morecambe
Closing Date: 16th December 2022

Find out more and apply

Network Coordinator – Let’s BeFriends
Let’s BeFriends are also looking to recruit a Network Coordinator as part of their team expansion plans.  The post holder will be required to lead on planning and organising recruitment campaigns and implement initiatives to attract new volunteers. The post holder will be expected to network, build and maintain relationships with various organisations to aid the sustainability of recruitment.

Salary: £16 hours per week @ 12.60 per hour
Contract: Self-employed role with an initial 12-month contract / Flexible hours
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe
Closing Date: Tuesday 13th December 2022, 11:59pm

Find out more here

Find out more and apply

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]

Health and social prescribing, contact [email protected]

Children and young people, contact [email protected]

Membership queries to: [email protected]

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

Alternatively, call us on 01524 555900

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