Information and Advice for the Lancaster District’s Third Sector – 12 May 22
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.
Community Health Champions Fund
In partnership with Lancaster City Council, grants of between £500 and £10,000 are now available for projects which help create education opportunities within our community, to promote healthy behaviours.
See the funding section for more information.
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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 one of the first places refugees travel to on arrival 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.
A result of calls from our community for a practical method of collective help to be organised, a fundraising page has been set up by Lancaster District CVS, which will see all donations sent to Lublin to help our twin city and the refugees that they are supporting.
To find out how to donate, visit our dedicated fundraising page.
Community Ownership Fund
The £150m Community Ownership Fund helps communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets at risk of closure, ensuring that important parts of the social fabric can continue to play a central role in our towns and villages.
The fund will relaunch in the week beginning 26 May, and the first bidding window will open on 6 June.
Find out more (after 26 May), or register your interest in a seminar.
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Rookhow Retreat Away Funding for mental health groups
Rookhow, a 300 year old Quaker Meeting House with 16 bed bunkbarn, has been awarded funding to support residentials and therapeutic work with people with mental health problems.
They are welcoming applications from smaller local community groups supporting people in improving their mental health, especially from West Cumbria and Lancaster.
Funding pays for part (or all) of your accommodation costs (2 night minimum, mid-week or weekend) or day use of the meeting space and woodland. Staffing, transport, food and activities must be organised and paid for by the applicant.
To find out more, contact Sue Nicholls via email at [email protected]
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Power to Change Crowdfunding Match
Community Business Crowdmatch provides pound for pound matching for crowdfunding campaigns run by community businesses (including social enterprises, CICs and CIOs registered as companies).
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Trusthouse Charitable Foundation Small Grants
The Foundation awards single year grants of between £2,000 to £10,000 to small, well-established charitable organisations with an annual income under £250,000. Organisations must be based in an urban area in the bottom 15% most deprived, or a rural area in the bottom 50% most deprived, measured by Indices of Multiple Deprivation.
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Community Health Champions Fund
Earlier this year, Lancaster City Council were successful in getting funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to address inequalities in health in the district.
As a result, Lancaster District CVS is working with Lancaster City Council to distribute grant funding to support our communities in talking about our health and wellbeing.
The fund aims to help create education opportunities to promote healthy behaviours, including COVID-19 vaccines, to reduce health inequalities.
Organisations can apply for grants between £500 and £10,000 to run projects and events supporting this aim.
Applications, which will be considered at monthly panel meetings, will be accepted until 5pm on 31 August.
Harmony with Nature Charitable Trust
The Trust is seeking volunteers to work alongside a professional builder to construct an eight bedroom house for refugees in Lancaster. Full induction, training, tools and PPE will be provided.
Find out more on the LDCVS volunteering website.
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Trustees – Gregson Centre
The Gregson Community Association are seeking to appoint a number of new trustees including to the roles of Chair and Secretary.
Find legally-qualified trustees with Bar in the Community
Part of the Bar Pro Bono Unit, Bar in the Community matches barristers and other legal professions who wish to serve their communities with voluntary organisations who can tap into their skills.
In particular, a trustee finding service is offered for organisations that need to support legally qualified board members.
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Council Housing Anti-Social Behaviour Service Review
Lancaster City Council are currently reviewing their Housing ASB services , and have commissioned RESOLVE as an independent ASB specialist membership organisation to support this work.
The Council’s Housing ASB service is keen to hear the views of their tenants and residents about the ASB services that are currently being delivered. Your views will help shape and influence changes and improvements to the service.
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Growing the Grassroots report from the Civic Power Fund
New research by the Civic Power Fund has highlighted the need for a step-change in funding for charities focused on social justice, particularly grassroots organisations.
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Managing Fire Safety in Community Premises
Organisations which manage community buildings should be aware of the Fire Safety Order 2005 and the obligation it creates on their board or committee to appoint ‘competent persons’ who will undertake a fire risk assessment and carry out any preventative measures identified.
Any organisation which hasn’t yet carried out these activities can find help in this government booklet, which provides advice on the process of risk assessment and guidance around fire precautions.
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Respond, Recover, Reset: Two Years On
Nottingham Trent University have concluded a two-year project investigating how the charity sector has changed over the course of the pandemic.
Read the project’s final report here.
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Free digital advice for charities from Digital Candle
Digital Candle is a free service for charities who want a one hour call with a digital expert. Charities can get advice on any aspect of digital or digital marketing, from digital strategy to Google Ads and from remote service delivery to social media.
Rookhow Retreat are offering a funding opportunity for groups working on mental health projects. See the Funding section for full details.
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Tara Centre Relaxation Meditation
Are you looking for a safe and welcoming space to be present with yourself and others? Are you feeling the call to find peace and sacredness in your everyday life? Are you stressed, anxious or in need of some company and support?
Please come along to Tara Centre’s Relaxation Meditation – a gentle guided meditation with singing bowls.
Marsh Community Centre Lancaster Tuesdays 1.30pm-2.30pm
Stanley’s Community Centre Morecambe Wednesdays 11am-12pm
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Mental Health Awareness Week
9 – 15 May is Mental Health Awareness Week. This year, the Mental Health Foundation are raising awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental health and the practical steps we can take to address it.
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Mental Health Swims in Morecambe Bay
Every second Friday of the month, an organised Mental Health Swim (or dip) takes place in Morecambe Bay. Find out more about taking part here.
On Friday 13 May at 9.15am, staff from Bay and Lancaster ICC/PCN will be taking part in the Swim to raise awareness of the event and raise money for the Morecambe Bay Foodbank.
Monetary donations can be made via Justgiving, or items can be dropped off in reception areas at any Bay Medical Group Surgery. The Foodbank’s current list of requested items can be found here.
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With Faith in Mind Mental Health Workshop
A free one day workshop including tea, coffee and a picnic lunch for churches in Lancashire interested in the importance of improving mental health and wellbeing in the community and the opportunities for local churches and faith groups to work with partners in health and voluntary sectors.
26 May, Whalley Abbey BB7 9TN
Children & Family Wellbeing Service Open Days
Find out more about what the service offers and who they work with.
16 May 11am – 1pm or 3pm – 5pm at Poulton Children Centre
18 May 11am – 1pm or 3pm – 5pm at Lune Park Children Centre.
For more information, email [email protected]
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Music Camp at Lancaster Library
Young people aged 13-17 interested in the music industry are invited to attend a free music camp at Lancaster Library. Camps take place on 30 May/1 June and 11/12 June from 10am – 4pm daily.
Find out more and book a place.
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YMCA Lancaster Activities in May, and opportunities to collaborate
Monday Night Club (4.30pm – 6.30pm) – games, gym, and sports, including boxing.
Wednesday Dodgeball Club (4.30pm – 4.30pm) – dodgeball followed by BMS meditation
Friday Art Club (4pm – 5pm) – work with artists and arts organisations in unique art sessions and themed weeks.
All sessions are free of charge, and are designed for 8-15 year olds.
To find out more, or collaborate with YMCA Lancaster on delivery of youth activities, email [email protected]
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Foster Care Fortnight
9 – 22 May 2022 is Foster Care Fortnight. This year, The Fostering Network’s chosen theme is #FosteringCommunities, focusing on the strength and resilience of fostering communities and the work they do to ensure children are cared for and supported.
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My Place at St Tees in partnership with Home for Good
My Place, a theatrical production by Riding Lights, highlights the experiences of children and young people in care and young refugees in need of a home.
The performance, taking place on 19 May at 7.30pm is suitable for young people aged eleven and older. 25% of ticket sales will go towards the work of the Family Life Centre at St Tees.
Download flyer to find out more or book online at ridinglights.org/my-place
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Hope Streets Young Producers
This initiative puts young people at the heart of decision making and creative thinking in heritage sites across Lancashire.
A free arts session, including a tour of Lancaster Castle, will be held at the Judges’ Lodgings on 21 May, 11am – 5pm.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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New Prince’s Trust TEAM starts Lancaster Fire Station 23rd May
Team is FREE for 16 – 25 year olds who are not currently in education or training. Young people who take part can gain new skills, qualifications and experiences to help them get that job or place at college that they’ve been dreaming about.
Call 07900 268708 or email [email protected] for more information or to make a referral.
NeuroDropIn Jubilee Garden Party
Celebrate the Jubilee, enjoy vintage afternoon tea and compete for the best fancy dress on Friday 3 June, 11am – 4pm at Torrisholme Methodist Church.
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Who decides what we eat?
UCLan has temaed up with FoodFutures to explore people’s understanding of ‘who decides what we eat?’. The research project aims to understand where power and trust lies within food systems, through discussing people’s experiences of deciding what to eat.
The project team are looking for local residents to take part in one of three community conversations, to be held online in May.
Find out more, fill in a survey, and take part.
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Lancaster University Exchange 2022
The University’s Exchange for 2022 is a Big Conversation on working together to create inclusive growth in a flourishing place. Responding to participants at previous events, this year’s Exchange will build on these themes with a focus on employment, skills, and regeneration.
24 May, 5pm – 8pm, at The Platform, Morecambe
Find out more and book free tickets.
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Craft Fair – Centre @ Halton
A craft fair and plant sale will be held at the Centre @ Halton on Saturday 21 May from 2pm until 5pm, raising funds for a new accessible toilet block.
Tables for sellers at the indoor craft fair are £15.
Entry to the craft fair is £1 for adults, children free. Entry to the plant sale is free to all.
For more information, call 01524 811316
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Restitch – The Social Fabric Summit
This event brings together leading politicians, community and faith leaders, leading thinkers, and ordinary citizens to generate ideas, momentum and conversations to renew society.
Session topics include creating strong towns, remote working, community businesses, building social fabric, accessibility and transport, and sustainable communities.
27 May, Halifax Piece Hall
Level 2 Youth Work Principles Course
This free course will run from 17 May for ten weeks at Stanley Youth & Community Centre and Lancaster & Morecambe College. Students will need to attend both daytime and evening sessions.
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Carbon Monoxide Awareness Workshops
The Gas Safe Charity provides free hour long Zoom training course to raise awareness of carbon monoxide risks, aimed at front line staff who provide support to vulnerable people in their own homes.
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Measuring and reporting the impact of wellbeing
The Social Audit Network’s annual conference will this year focus on sharing learning and good practice around measuring, describing and reporting the wellbeing impact of social enterprise activity.
20 May, at The Women’s Organisation, Liverpool
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Free Training for Paid Staff
The Upskilling the Health and Social Care Workforce in Lancashire project is a fully-funded EU project offering paid staff the chance to gain an award in something that will benefit them in either their work, their general professional development, or both.
Upon registering your organisation will be supported by a dedicated training team to help your paid employees take part in training and gain an award. Awards can be accredited or non-accredited and the delivery is bespoke, tailored to your needs, from topic to timing and location.
To fin out more please contact Mark at [email protected]
Coordinator at Morecambe Homeless Action
MHA are seeking a Coordinator for their meals service. The Coordinator will ideally have experience of catering and knowledge of the needs of homeless people. Use of their own car will be essential.
Salary: £12.50 per hour
Contract: 8 hours per week fixed term for 12 months
Location: Morecambe (home-based and on site)
Closing date: 31 May 2022
For more information, email [email protected]
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Asylum & Refugee Coordinator at Multicultural Cumbria
Multicultural Cumbria is looking for a committed and organised professional with experience in the inclusion of marginalised people, service development and community organising. The postholder will support people seeking asylum who are living in contingency hotels in Carlisle to live a healthy and active life.
Salary: £25,000 (pro-rata)
Contract: Full-time, 1 June 2022 until 31 December 2022
Location: Carlisle
Closing date: 26 May 2022, 5pm
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Assistant Project Manager at The Olive Branch
The Assistant Project Manager will work alongside the Project Manager to run The Olive Branch, making sure the charity’s mission is achieved, taking responsibility for day-to-day activity on specified occasions.
Salary: £11,526 (pro rata from £23,052)
Contract: 20 hours per week fixed term for 6 months, with possibility of extension.
Location: Lancaster
Closing date: 16 May 2022
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]
Membership queries: [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]
