Information and Advice for the Lancaster District’s Third Sector – 13 October 2023

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

An archive of previous editions can be found here.

Click headings below to expand each section.

Lancaster District CVS Funding Fair 2023 – Bookings Now Open!
Join us at the LDCVS Funding Fair 2023! Connect directly with over 15 grant and trust funders, explore various funding focuses, and gain insights into the application process. Take the opportunity to pitch your ideas directly to representatives of grant and trust fund organisations, ask questions about their funding priorities and find out their thoughts on what would strengthen an application from you to them.  Morning appointments are limited, so book early. In the afternoon, network freely at an open marketplace.

Plus, access funding search tools and educational resources. Funders range from community projects, art and creativity, crime prevention, environmental sustainability, young people and crowd funding and more.  We will also have colleagues from Lancaster and Morecambe College available to talk to you about various projects and courses they have available to support and upskill your organisation and communities.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

If you have any questions relating to this event contact [email protected] 

View our Funding Guide here

Break the Mould is LIVE!
A new funding scheme for Lancaster and Cumbria developed by young people is available NOW for Not-for-Profit organisations working with and supporting young people aged 16-24. Our Young People of the Lancaster District and Cumbria are embarking on this trailblazing grant scheme intending to ‘Break the Mould!’ In it’s 60th anniversary year, the incredible grant maker and social investor Francis Scott Trust, supported by Lancaster District CVS and Cumbria Youth Alliance are handing over £60,000 to a team of young people to distribute across the Trust’s beneficiary area. The grant programme will be managed by young people for young people. The young funders formed in May and followed up with an inspiring collaboration during their weekend residential in June with Think Forward C.I.C. The BtM program is not just about handing out money; it’s about empowering young voices and shaping their future for the better!

The talented young team have also designed their own logo and marketing materials so keep an eye out and follow the progress of the grant programme on the Break the Mould social media pages on Facebook and X.

To apply for a Break the Mould grant, you need to visit morecambebay.grantplatform.com and create an account if you don’t already have one.

Guidance documentation can be downloaded here

Watch their residential highlights video below…

LDCVS Training – Keep Up To Date
Take a look at our current training programme, covering a wide range of subjects and skills.

Our first courses are already up on our revamped training page at www.lancastercvs.org.uk/training, where you can find full course descriptions and booking links.

We’ve also launched our monthly digest of our new and upcoming courses, providing an at-a-glance update of what’s on offer, alongside continuing to list opportunities here in the Bulletin.

See this week’s Events & Training section for more information about Mental Health First Aid, Suicide Prevention, and First Aid at Work courses.

LDCVS Funding Fair 2023 – ONE WEEK TO GO REMINDER!
Have you got your tickets for our Funding Fair 2023 next Friday? You can book your spot at the LDCVS Funding Fair 2023. Morning sessions offer pre-bookable appointments, with just 6 slots per funder available, so act quickly! In the afternoon, we’re hosting an open marketplace drop-in session. No need to rush, simply browse the stalls, and have meaningful conversations with available funders.

We have a whole host of funders attending such as The National Lottery, The Duchy of Lancaster, Arts Council, Lancashire Environmental Fund, Key Fund, Francis Scott Trust, Walney Extension Fund and more!

You’re welcome to attend both morning and afternoon sessions. There’s a buffet lunch for networking too. Before booking, check the detailed brochure for all grant and trust funds. This event is back by popular demand, and appointments fill up fast, especially with national and regional funders, so be swift. Prior research will help you target the right funders. Join us for an insightful and productive day!

Date & time: Friday 20 October 2023, 10am-3pm

Venue: Vale of Lune Rugby Club

Book your tickets here for our morning appointments

Book your tickets for our open marketplace in the afternoon

More information on our funders and schedule for the day

If you have any questions relating to this event contact [email protected]

Launch of Public Consultation for Community Wealth Fund
A public consultation has been launched by The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. This is following a commitment made by the Government in response to the consultation on the English portion of dormant assets funding. This being that community wealth funds would be the fourth cause to receive dormant assets funding in England. There have been more than 3, 300 responses to the consultation from individuals and local communities to civil society organisations and industry participants.

Read the Governments response to the consultation here

Anyone with any views on this subject can submit their responses by the 19th of October 2023 here

Make it Big With Pathway Fund
There is a new funding programme that’s set to make a significant impact. ‘Make it Big With Pathway Fund’ is a collaboration between Pathway Fund and social enterprise, Do it Now Now, aimed at empowering Black and Global Majority-led charities and social enterprises in the UK. With a strong focus on climate and racial equity, as well as poverty alleviation and racial equity, this initiative will provide 12 deserving organisations with a £30,000 grant and tailored support.

Applications for the fund are now open.

The expression of interest form will close on 16 November 2023.

Find out more here

Government Launches Children and Young People’s Resettlement Fund for England
The Children and Young People’s Resettlement Fund in England offers competitive grants to VCSEs and Local Authorities. It supports projects addressing the unique needs of children and young people from Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan, aiming to positively impact their lives in the short and long term. Funding can be utilised for mental health support, education, and community integration. Up to £2.5 million is available over the period 2023-2025. For application details and further information, refer to the provided prospectus and registration for an explanatory online event on October 6, 2023.

The application deadline is November 1, 2023.

Find out more about this fund and apply

McCarthy Stone Foundation Offers Christmas Connections Grants
The Christmas Connections Grant Programme is now accepting applications to support local groups in organizing events and activities for isolated or lonely older people during the festive season. Eligible organisations with an income less than £250,000 p.a. can apply for grants of up to £1,000. The program prioritizes volunteer-led initiatives and activities taking place between December 1st and January 2nd. Registered charities, community groups, and Community Interest Companies (CIC) limited by guarantee are welcome to apply, with a focus on free or low-cost activities for inclusivity and equity. Approximately £30,000 in total funds will be awarded.

Learn more about this funding opportunity

Defra Launches Natural Flood Management Programme for England
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a £25 million Natural Flood Management Programme for England, managed by the Environment Agency. This initiative supports projects that utilise natural processes like tree planting and wetland creation to mitigate flooding risks. The program aims to accelerate NFM opportunities, enhance evidence, and provide broader environmental and societal benefits. Eligible lead applicants include risk management authorities, farmers, environmental NGOs, businesses, and more. Around 100 projects will be funded, with individual projects receiving approximately £200,000 and project packages up to £2.5 million.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is November 10, 2023.

For more details and to apply

eBay’s Circular Fashion Innovators Fund Opens for 2023
eBay UK, in partnership with the British Fashion Council, is offering funding and support for UK-based small businesses specialising in pre-loved fashion solutions. The Circular Fashion Innovators Fund, now in its second year, aims to drive innovation in the fashion industry by promoting new technology and services that encourage sustainable shopping practices.

Successful applicants stand to receive up to £25,000 in funding, personalised mentoring from industry experts, and valuable networking opportunities. This opportunity is open to small businesses operating in the UK’s circular fashion sector, with certain eligibility criteria to be met. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this exciting initiative!

Applications are accepted between 25 September 2023 and 20 October 2023.

Learn more about this fund

Electrical Safety Fund Accepting Applications for 2023
Community safety groups and other not-for-profit organisations across the UK can apply for funding to help those most at vulnerable to electrical risk and injury. Electrical Safety First is offering grants for fire and rescue services, community safety groups, trading standards authorities, and other not-for-profit organisations across the UK to deliver projects tackling risks associated with electrical products, increasing the public’s awareness of electrical safety, and promoting changes in behaviour.

Through the Electrical Safety Fund, a total of £250,000 is available for projects and activities that are aimed at addressing the problems of misuse and/or lack of maintenance of electrical products. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for groups and organisations. However, grants of up to £10,000 may be considered for joint applications or larger projects.

The deadline for applications is 22 October 2023.

Find out more about this fund and apply

Funding for Community Groups in the UK to Run Events During British Science Week 2024
Funding opportunities are available for community groups and organizations to host events during British Science Week 2024, happening from March 8 to 17. Coordinated by the British Science Association and supported by UK Research and Innovation, this program seeks to engage traditionally underrepresented audiences in science-related activities. Eligible groups include those working with ethnic minority communities, economically disadvantaged individuals, people with disabilities, those in remote areas, and girls and women.

Grants of £500 or £1,000 are available to fund events and associated activities that promote science engagement. These events can encompass a wide range of activities, from sports science sessions to community exhibitions and research projects. Funding can be used for various event-related expenses, making it an excellent opportunity to spark scientific curiosity in underserved communities.

The deadline for applications is 6 November 2023 (23:59)

Full details on this fund

Historic England’s Everyday Heritage Grants Open Again for Applications to Celebrate Working Class Histories
Historic England has launched its second round of Everyday Heritage Grants, offering funding for creative projects that emphasize heritage, particularly in overlooked or underrepresented areas. The grants aim to enhance collective historical understanding and encourage community-led projects from non-heritage organisations. Projects should connect people to historic places like buildings, parks, streets, and more, fostering co-creation, storytelling, and community engagement.

The grants support projects with costs up to £25,000, with a preference for smaller projects up to £10,000. The funding period is from December 2023 to May 2025, inviting a broad range of projects to celebrate working-class histories and overlooked historic places in England.

The deadline for proposals is 7 November 2023 (23:59).

Read more about this fund and how to apply

Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund to Give Extra £500 to Kick-Start New Crowdfunding Projects
The Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund, in collaboration with Aviva, RSPB, and WWF, offers funding to not-for-profit organisations in the UK for nature protection and restoration projects initiated through crowdfunding campaigns. New applicant groups accepted now will receive a £500 kick-start grant and up to £15,000 in match funding per project.

The fund supports projects in three key areas: nature restoration, nature connectedness, and pro-environmental behaviours, and community cohesion and connection. Eligible organisations include charities, CIOs, CICs, CLGs, CASCs, and community groups. The first step is to create a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder, and an introductory session is available for those interested in learning more about the funding opportunity.

Applications for the crowdfunding scheme can be made at any time until all the funding is allocated.

Learn more about this funding opportunity

£22m Million Hours Fund Applications Reopen Next Week
Does your project support young people and provide positive experiences to help them thrive? The National Lottery Community Fund has partnered with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to invest in vital youth projects that improve the lives of young people across England. This joint funding programme will create extra hours of youth work and additional activities to give young people more places to go and interesting things to do. Their funding page will go live on 26th September when they reopen for applications.

In the meantime you can read guidance notes on the Government website.

Hospice UK’s Dying Matters Community Grants Programme Opens for UK Applications
Hospice UK’s Dying Matters Community Grants Programme, supported by Dignity Funerals, is offering funding to UK hospices for creative projects and activities aimed at initiating conversations about death and grief within traditionally underserved communities. The grants support hospices in forming partnerships, particularly with arts and cultural organizations, to engage diverse audiences. Proposed projects should approach the topic of death in innovative and culturally relevant ways through arts and culture. The total budget is £40,000, with project grants ranging from £5,000 to £8,000. The lead applicant must be a UK-based hospice and a member of Hospice UK.

The deadline for applications is 24 November 2023 (17:00)

Find out more about this funding option

Freelands Foundation Invites Applications to Autumn 2023 Round
The Freelands Foundation is offering funding opportunities for visual art organisations in the UK to undertake ambitious projects in collaboration with schools and teachers, with a focus on supporting and empowering educators. In the Autumn 2023 funding round, grants ranging from £50,000 to £150,000 per year for up to three years are available, aimed at projects commencing between September 1 and September 31, 2024. The funding supports projects within a broad definition of visual arts, including heritage and multi-arts organisations. An online information session is scheduled for September 20, 2023, and the application process involves two stages.

More details here

Ockenden International Prize 2024 – Open for Entries
The Ockenden International Prize for 2024 is now accepting entries, offering cash rewards to registered charities with projects dedicated to enhancing self-reliance among refugees and displaced individuals worldwide. Ockenden International, a charity with a long history of aiding refugees, established this prize in 2012. The competition seeks initiatives that empower refugees and migrants, emphasizing their agency, dignity, and autonomy. It prioritizes supporting locally-based and refugee-led organizations working directly with displaced populations. Four winners will evenly share the £100,000 prize, receiving £25,000 each.

Read more about the Ockenden International Prize

The Royal Countryside Fund Opens for Autumn 2023 Round
The Royal Countryside Fund, formerly known as the Prince’s Countryside Fund, has opened its Autumn 2023 funding round. This fund supports not-for-profit community-led projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life in rural communities across the UK. The program is backed by the People’s Postcode Lottery and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and is a registered charity established by HM King Charles III in 2010. Eligible organisations with an income of less than £500,000 can apply for grants of up to £25,000 over two years, with project completion by January 2026. The fund is particularly interested in supporting emerging ideas and projects. However, certain restrictions apply, such as funding exclusions for food purchase, working capital, and projects better suited to other funders.

The deadline for applications is midday on 20 October 2023.

Find out more about The Royal Countryside Fund

Reminder – Magic Little Grants Fund Still Open for Applications
The Magic Little Grants scheme, administered by Localgiving and funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery, is offering small, one-off grants of £500 to not-for-profit groups and organisations in their first year of operation or with an annual income under £250,000 in Great Britain. Registered charities, including schools, are eligible to apply. The grants support projects falling under various themes, including mental health improvement, physical activity promotion, arts participation, poverty prevention, support for marginalised groups, biodiversity enhancement, climate response, and green space improvement. Each group may apply once in 2023, with results expected within six weeks of application submission.

The deadline for applications is October 31.

Read more about this grant scheme

Energy Saving Trust Foundation’s Youth Climate Action Fund Open for UK Application
The Energy Saving Trust Foundation is offering funding through its Youth Climate Action Fund for not-for-profit organizations in the UK for those that work with young people up to the age of 25 experiencing inequality. Grants of up to £20,000 per year for up to two years (total of £40,000) are available for organisations with an income of less than £1 million. The fund aims to support projects that engage with young people to understand their perspectives on the climate emergency and address their concerns. The application deadline is October 27, 2023, with an initial expression of interest stage.

The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is 16 October 2023.

Find out more and apply

European Commission and UK Reach Political Agreement on Participation in Horizon Europe and Copernicus
The UK will fully associate itself with the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programs starting from January 1, 2024. This decision follows a call between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen. Under this bespoke new agreement, researchers and organisations in the UK will be able to participate in Horizon Europe on an equal footing with EU Member States, gaining access to funding. Association with Copernicus allows the UK to contribute to a vital Earth monitoring space program. Additionally, the UK will access services from the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking. The UK’s annual contribution for participation in both programs is estimated at nearly €2.6 billion.

Learn more about this

Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Annual Teacher Development Fund Opens for UK Applications
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation is accepting applications for its 2024 Teacher Development Fund, which aims to build partnerships between primary schools and arts/cultural organizations in the UK. Grants of £165,000 are awarded to partnerships comprising arts/cultural organizations and six to ten schools. These partnerships collaborate for two academic years, participating in activities that promote peer networking and learning. Eligible applicants include charities, community organisations, schools, and others involved in the arts. Projects should focus on supporting students facing inequities, integrating arts-based learning into the curriculum, exploring blended professional development models, and building strong partnerships.

The deadline to apply is 13 November 2023 at 12 noon.

Learn more about this funding opportunity

Castle Studies Trust Reopens for Applications 2023
Individuals and organisations across the UK can apply for funding to help advance the understanding of Castle Studies. The Castle Studies Trust is offering grants of up to £10,000 to support the production of new and discrete pieces of research that enhance the understanding and knowledge of castles. Grants will initially focus on new work on castles, such as architectural and geophysical surveys, radio-carbon dating, or projects that enhance the general public’s understanding of castles. The fund will cover costs specific to carrying out research and site work, such as travel to and from a castle site, equipment costs, or services provided by a third party. Funding can be used to co-fund large-scale projects.

The deadline for applications is 1 December 2023.

Learn more about this funding and apply

Charity Commision’s Guidance on Charities use of Social Media
Though social media can be an effective way for charities to promote their work and engage audiences, there are some risks involved which it would be highly beneficial for charities to be aware of. The guidance aim is to highlight to trustees topics such as their legal duties in relation to using social media, the importance of following a social media policy and dealing with any issues that may arise when doing so. The guidance also provides useful links to those who would like to begin using social media or expand on their knowledge and skills around using social media in an effective and safe way.

Trustees can take a new interactive quiz here to test their knowledge.

View the Commision’s campaign website to view their 5-minute guides and videos.

Read the guidance here

Talk Money Week 2023
Get ready for Talk Money Week 2023, taking place from November 6 to 10! This year, the campaign revolves around a simple call to action: “do one thing.” It’s all about breaking the money taboo and sparking conversations. It could be as small as tracking a lost pension or using free financial tools on the MoneyHelper website. Organisations are encouraged to join in – whether through social media, online events, blogs, or other means – to spread the ‘Do One Thing’ message and inspire better financial well-being across the UK. Check out our comms toolkit for resources to make participation easier.

View their participation pack here

Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service Annual General Meeting
The meeting will be held at the LDHAS Centre on Edward Street on Monday the 30th of October at 5:30pm.

Address: LDHAS Centre, Edward Street, Lancaster, LA1 1QH
Tel: 01524 842008
Email: [email protected]

Lancashire & South Cumbria VCFSE Assembly No 5
Lancashire and South Cumbria VCFSE are holding an in-person Assembly supported by Community Futures and in collaboration with UCLan’s Social Prescribing Unit. The event features various sessions, including sector networking, welcome and introductions from VCFSE leads, place-based partnerships updates, and several workshops covering topics like digital skills, workforce strategy, health equity, and VCFSE collaboration. It’s an opportunity for networking and collaboration among voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organizations in the area.

The assembly will take place on Thursday, October 19, 2023, 10am to 2pm at the Westleigh Conference Centre, Lea Road, Preston, PR4 0RB.

Book your place here

Charity Commission Resources
The Charity Commission has just launched a quiz on its website to help trustees gauge their knowledge and identify areas where they might need a bit more support. It’s a short ten question quiz, and each question offers feedback and signposting to further knowledge.  The quiz tackles such areas as Safeguarding, Conflicts of interest and reportable incidents. The quiz is designed to engage trustees with a variety of questions based on everyday scenarios that they may encounter at their charity. It has been designed to help identify knowledge gaps and is an ideal refresher for trustees at all levels of experience, according to the regulator.

You can find the quiz here

Love Lancaster Business Awards 2023 – Lancaster Superhero Award
Do you know someone exceptional in Lancaster city centre? The HPA-sponsored Community Hero Award is here to recognise individuals who’ve generously given their time to uplift the community. It could be a school, a local community group, or a charity—anyone who’s made a significant and positive difference in the lives of others. Tell us their inspiring tale that sets them apart from the rest!

Do you know a deserved winner? Nominate them here!

Volunteer Centre News Update
For the latest from the Volunteer Centre you can read our Volunteering News Update here

Lancaster Guardian Column
Read all about aspects of volunteering and other third sector items in the Lancaster District with our regular Lancaster Guardian article.

Volunteer Opportunity Promotion and Recruitment
Have you registered on our website to promote your volunteer roles? By adding your opportunities to our website you will be making them available to the hundreds of people per month who check our site looking for something to do. You will also enable our team to easily and quickly signpost people to your roles, to give them the information that they need to decide whether they would like to apply.

Registering is quick and easy and you can do it here.

Once registered you will be able to add your roles. If you need any help, or have any questions, you can contact Mark by email at [email protected].

In addition to the website, the Volunteer Centre can promote your roles via our bulletins and newsletters; through attendance at in-person events such as volunteer fairs; in 121 meetings with potential volunteers; through visits to various support organisations; drop-in events at local Job Centres; by posting to our social media platforms; and through our bi-weekly column in the Lancaster Guardian.

If you would like to discuss any of this, including having space in our Lancaster Guardian column, please contact Mark.

Volunteering Opportunity Help Guide
We have produced a guide to help you when adding an opportunity to our website – It is quite detailed and covers every possible question. You don’t need to follow it but please do look at it if you get stuck or if it isn’t clear which option to choose when going through the form to add new opportunities.

You can now also add more users to your account. Once registered, log in, hover on Account at the top of the dashboard and click ‘Users’, where you can add more users. This will be useful if you would like someone else to check applicant info and contact potential volunteers.

You can also now choose which category to add your opportunity under, to help people when searching for roles. If you can’t find an appropriate category just use the ‘default’ category and let us know what categories you would like to see added.

Visit the guide here

DBS Checks
We offer a DBS check service, working in partnership with Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale CVS. If you need DBS certificates for your staff or volunteers, please visit our website here.

Volunteering Opportunities

Escape2Make Volunteer Opportunities
Escape2Make is a youth charity for young people aged 11-18, aiming to help them make friends and pick up new skills they wouldn’t be taught at school. On December 17th, they will be holding a Heritage Market Festival, dedicated to the heritage of Lancaster and Morecambe. There will be several creative workshops taking place, which we will need volunteers, such as; pottery/sculture, landscape photography, podcasts our past, woodworking and printing, theatrical storytelling, tattoo art, graphic design and virtual reality.

If you are interested the above roles click this link

View their Whats on page

Volunteers Needed: Light Up Lancaster 2023
Light Up Lancaster is looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to take to the streets of Lancaster to support Light Up Lancaster 2023. Volunteers will be on hand to distribute maps and brochures to festival attendees and provide a warm welcome. This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with an exciting event, and to gain experience of working on a cultural festival.

If you’re interested in supporting this year’s event please contact Karl Fisher-Roe on [email protected] with your availability for the event.

For full details view this link

SolidariTee Volunteer Lancaster Team
SolidariTee is an international charity run and led entirely by volunteers who are students and young people. The charity are working to make lasting change in the way refugees and other people forced to flee persecution and violence are treated, through a combination of awareness-raising, advocacy, and direct funding to grassroots NGOs providing vital refugee aid. As a member of the Lancaster team, you will be responsible for uniting your team and the wider student community to support refugee rights on your campus. This will involve organising events over the year (from panel discussions, to quizzes, to bake sales … whatever you like!) selling t-shirts (‘SolidariTees!’) over the year, and raising awareness via social media.

Find out more about this opportunity

Multiple Roles with MS Society

Finance Volunteer
This role is crucial in maintaining and managing income and expenses, ensuring financial compliance, and facilitating clear financial communication within the group. The charity are looking for someone passionate about our cause, knowledgeable about MS, and comfortable with financial matters, preferably with an accounting or business background. Make a meaningful impact in your community by supporting those affected by MS.

Find out more about this role

Administration Volunteer
The MS Society team require an Administration Volunteer with the Lancaster, Morecambe, and District Group. As a key player for their local group’s activities, you’ll be the first point of contact, ensuring information flows smoothly among volunteers and members. Your role also involves maintaining essential data for data protection compliance. With an estimated commitment of about 2 hours a week, this flexible ongoing role offers you the chance to hone your administration and organisation skills while helping the local MS community thrive.

Find out more about this role

Rockpool Roadie with The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery
Do you enjoy rockpooling and like chatting to people? Then our Rockpool Roadie role may be for you! The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery are looking for volunteers to collect snails, anemones, and crabs from the shore and take them in a ‘portable rockpool’ to people who would struggle to access nature, such as people in care homes. After the activity, you’ll then return the rockpool creatures to the shore. To get involved, sign up to one of the Rockpool Roadie training days on the 6th November or the 18th February, where we’ll practice collecting rockpool creatures, discover how to safely handle and transport them, learn about tide times, and more.

Find out more about this opportunity

Winter Maintenance Coppicing of Trees, Fruit Bush Pruning at Claver Hill
Claver Hill are looking for volunteers to help with tree coppicing and fruit bush pruning. This project will begin once the leaves have come off the trees, the sap has gone down. There will be a training session given. Tools are supplied, but please bring gloves if you have them. Dress accordingly for the weather.

Get involved with this opportunity

West End Players Multiple Roles

Morecambe Poetry Festival Volunteers
Morecambe Poetry Festival is coming to town on 22nd, 23rd and 24th of September 2023 and it needs you! In return for two 4-hour shifts, you will be given a free weekend pass to the festival. This word fiesta will feature some of the most amazing and talented poets!

Find out more about this opportunity

The Bay International Film Festival Volunteers
The Bay International Film Festival is coming from the 6th to the 29th of October and it needs you! The International short film competition had more than 400 entries from over 45 countries!

Find out more about this volunteer opportunity

Cast and Crew for Alien the Musical
The West End Players CIC, who brought you fun and laughter with Aladdin Morecambe in February 2023 are now back with a new show and are looking for cast and crew for Alien The Musical on Thursday 22nd February (press night), Friday 23rd February and Saturday 24th February 2024 (performance).

Find out more about this opportunity

Befriender with Let’s Befriends
Let’s Befriends are looking for volunteers as befrienders, to work with people who are homeless, recently rehoused or under threat of eviction.

Find out more about this opportunity

Van Driver for the Well Communities
Well Communitities are looking for a van driver volunteer/s who can help assisting their community members to access the gym, take members to the Saturday hub in Lancaster and do our food collection from FareShare in Preston on Friday mornings.

Follow this link for more info

Canteen Assistant at The Friendship Centre
The Friendship Centre are in need of a canteen assistant on a Monday, Wednesday’ or Friday. The charity are a social club for isolated over 55’s and offer classes and activities from 9.30 to 1pm. They have a modern kitchen with a 4 star food hygiene rating. The group have nearly 100 very friendly members and between 20 and 30 members attend each session. Training will be given if required.

Find out more about this role

Marketing Officer with Beyond Radio
As a not for profit, volunteer organisation, the role of Marketing Officer with Beyond Radio is an important one and we are particularly keen to hear from volunteers with experience that can help us with a variation of marketing tasks from merchandising to social media.

Find out more about this opportunity

Coordinator with The City of Sanctuary’s Bike Project
The City of Sanctuary Bike Project require a volunteer to coordinate a multitude of tasks such as getting bike donations, handling bike issues and requests along with bike repair appointment setting.

Find out more about this opportunity

Bay Volunteers Opportunities
Bay Volunteers are offering various roles including the new role for a community group buddy!  

Do you have time during the week to support individual residents with things like shopping, Eggcup and prescription collections, telephone or in-person befriending, digital support, attending a community group with someone on a short-term basis, and more? 

  Bay Volunteers needs volunteers to take up either regular or one-off missions that you can pick and choose, carrying them out when and as often as it suits and fits in with you in a given week to support vulnerable members of our communities. Missions are made available to volunteers on a mobile app and website which is very easy to use, so you can choose which ones you can do. 

 Email: [email protected] 

Visit their website here for more information

Volunteer Van Driver- Morecambe
The Well Communities are looking for a volunteer/s who can help assisting their community members to access the gym, take members to the Saturday hub in Lancaster and do their food collection from FareShare in Preston on Friday mornings.

If you like variety and want to meet new people, this could be the role for you! Their community relies on their volunteers to keep them running successfully.

Duties include:
Weekly Friday collection of food from Fareshare, Preston – Helping load and unload items for delivery (including bulky items) in line with their health and safety guidelines. This enables them to run their weekly food club for the community. 2-3 times a week (1.5hrs) – Transporting residents to local Salt Aye Gym, returning to the hub. Saturday – Transporting residents to their hub in Lancaster and collection, returning to the hub in Morecambe.

An opportunity to be part of The Well Communities CIC and the knowledge that you are making a positive difference to people’s lives.

Requirements:
A clean driving license and able to drive a 15-seater minibus.
Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
For an informal discussion please contact: Richard Hancock on 07444 907135 or Jo O’Brien on 07581 027413

For an application form, please contact Sarah Lunan – [email protected]

Visit their website here

Lancaster Men’s Hub
Lancaster Men’s Hub support men of all ages in the Lancaster area with their physical and mental health through a wide variety of activities. They are looking for two volunteers to help in the kitchen during their Friday meals.

Kitchen Coordinator
This role will plan the weekly menu, buy food, and arrange a rota for cooking

Kitchen Assistant
This role will serve food and drinks, keep the cafe and kitchen area tidy, and conduct other kitchen duties.

The Cornerstone
The Cornerstone is part of Lancaster Methodist Church and is a community of people working together to create a safe place in the city. They are currently looking for volunteers in the roles of Kitchen Assistant, Promotions & Social Media, and Administration Support/Fundraising.

Kitchen Assistant
Required between 10am and 3pm on Tuesdays for general kitchen duties.

Promotions & Social Media Lead
Design eye-catching leaflets and posters, and engage the community through social media.

Administration Support – Fundraising
Help with general office duties and complete funding applications.

Home-Start Volunteers
Home-Start, who offer home-visiting support to local families are looking for more volunteers such as parents, carers or grandparents who feel they could spare 2 to3 hours a week to support a family. They provide training and also other training opportunities and are hoping to run their net course in September. If anyone is interested in this position, please contact Debra Dawkins, the Senior Coordinator of Home-Start to further discuss this role.

Tel: 01524 414871
Mob: 07939404194
Email: [email protected]

Support for Safer Cycle Ways
Josh’s Brandwood’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and community support. In December 2018, his father, a local man, survived a devastating accident while cycling along the Bay Gateway, which left him with lifelong disabilities. Despite the challenges, Josh reached out to the community and successfully advocated for a protected cycle route on the Bay Gateway. Now, he’s asking for your support once again. Please take a moment to complete a brief survey to provide feedback on the proposed cycle route. This is a crucial opportunity to ensure the safety and well-being of all road users in the Lancaster District. Share the survey with friends and family to help make this proposal a reality.
Read Josh’s story here
Please complete the survey here

Adult Additional Needs Sports Sessions
Join in with the Adult Additional Needs Sports sessions at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre. They offer a variety of activities to cater for individuals with different needs and abilities. From cycling with adapted bikes to boost physical, social, and emotional well-being, to football training and multi-sports sessions that promote teamwork and enjoyment. Join in on select weekdays during term time to connect, have fun, and improve your well-being. All sessions are pay-as-you-go, so just turn up and participate.

Find out more about the sessions

Lancashire County Council – Feedback Request for Active Travel Networks
Lancashire County Council in partnership with Blackpool Council are preparing Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) and are seeking your input in supporting upcoming enhancements to local cycling and pedestrian networks. Various travel routes have been examined to enhance Active travel paths, providing additional choices for convenient, affordable, eco-friendly, and health-conscious transportation.

Have your say and participate now

Rockpool Roadies – Training Day
The Bay: A Blueprint For Recovery is a program designed to promote nature and well-being, fostering outdoor connections among people. But what about those who can’t readily access the natural world, like individuals in hospitals and care homes? The solution is simple yet brilliant: bring nature to them! Introducing “Rockpool Roadies” – volunteers tasked with collecting marine treasures like snails, crabs, anemones, and seaweed from Earnse Bay. They’ll safely transport these captivating creatures to a “portable rockpool” location, where they’ll help others explore and learn about these remarkable beings. At day’s end, they’ll return these creatures to their ocean home.

Training includes hands-on experience in creature collection and identification, setting up portable rockpool events, understanding tide schedules and risk assessments, and more. This initiative offers a wonderful chance to make a positive impact on the community, acquire new skills, and join a passionate group of volunteers. This opportunity welcomes individuals aged 16 and up. Please note that the event commences at Earnse Bay and may involve travel to the Round House, with lift-sharing options available.

Date & time: Monday 6 November 2023, 10am-4pm
Location: Earnse Bay, West Shore Road, Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness

Find out more about this event

Living Well with MS Morecambe Event
Discover MS information and support resources available in Lancaster and Morecambe. Learn about local services, the offerings of the MS Society and other organisations, and share your insights on services and activities that would benefit those living with MS. Both sessions will have a similar format with speakers and market stalls. Friends, family, and caregivers are welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.

Date & time: Wed 25 October 2023, 1 – 3.30pm
Venue: Trimpell Sports & Social Club, Morecambe

Find out more here

MS Society Information Events Lancaster and Morecambe
There are estimated to be 634 people to have MS across the Morecambe Bay area, previous work in other areas has shown people want to access local services but often don’t know how to find them. The MS Society are holding an event each in Lancaster and Morecambe to make people affected by MS  (people with a diagnosis, carers and family) aware of what services and support are available cross the area and how to access it as well, as information on national MS support services. There will also be the opportunity to meet local stakeholders and providers.  The vent will also open discussion to find out what gaps in services people feel there are in the area.

Lancaster
Date & time: Wednesday 18th October, 4-6.30pm
Location: The Storey, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1TH

Reserve your place here
View event e-poster

Morecambe
Date & time: Wednesday 25th October, 1-3.30pm
Location: Trimpell Sports Club, Out Moss Lane, Morecambe, LA4 4UP

Reserve your place here
View event e-poster

Love your Liver Roadshow Coming to Lancaster
Do you love your liver? The British Liver Trust are set to bring the Love your Liver roadshow to Lancaster for health guidance maintaining a healthy liver and screening for early signs of illness. Most cases of liver disease can be prevented. The Love your Liver roadshow events are for people who want to find out more about their liver health or are worried that they may be at risk of developing liver disease.

At the roadshow you can take a liver health screener to see if you might be at increased risk of liver disease. You can also have a free, liver scan. This is a quick, simple, and painless test, carried out by one of their specialist liver nurses. The results of your test are completely confidential. You will receive your test result, and information about what to do next. Depending on the result recommendation to see your GP might be advised.

Date & time: Saturday 21st October, 10am-4pm
Location: Sainsbury’s car park, Cable St, Lancaster

Find out more about the roadshow

View the Lancaster visit e-poster

Bay Wellness Suicide Awareness Kit
The Bay Wellness Partnership, formed in collaboration with partners from the Bay area, is dedicated to improving colleague health and wellbeing across Morecambe Bay. They emphasise the importance of physical and mental fitness, especially during challenging times, and aim to empower colleagues to take ownership of their health and wellbeing.

The partnership’s recent focus has been on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day recently. They have created a Suicide Awareness Toolkit to raise awareness and encourage support for those impacted by suicide, emphasising suicide prevention. The partnership is also promoting initiatives like the Zero Suicide Alliance and the Orange Button Scheme to reduce suicides across the Bay. Together, they aim to create “Suicide Safer Communities” and spread hope through action.

Access the toolkit and further info here

Birchall Referral
Birchall are there to support people who have been affected by rape or sexual abuse by offering a wide range of services to help heal people and to help them move forward. These include adult counselling, play therapy for children and training and education programmes and more. Information on how to get referred or to refer someone else is provided on the poster which includes a QR code besides other alternative contact details. 

View their e-poster here

NIHR Improving Engagement Research Report
The NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) and BVSC have produced a report “Improving Engagement” which highlights the crucial role played by the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in delivering social care services in the UK, currently worth £3.8 billion.

The findings highlight the importance of involving the sector in health and social care research. The report summarises outcomes from listening events organised by the NIHR Research Design Service and BVSC in 2022. It identifies barriers to engagement for VCFSE organisations, such as lack of time and confidence, as well as challenges faced by researchers, including capacity issues. Key recommendations for improving engagement include early involvement of VCFSE organizations in research, co-designing research outputs, better cost estimation, dedicated relationship-building time, and meaningful co-production based on equal partnership.

You can read the full recommendations and learning from the events in the Full Report and Summary Report.

Read the report article

Free Event for World Menopause Day
On the 18th of October is World Menopause Day. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. Lancashire Adult Learning are pleased to be hosting a free online event on the day:

The event will highlight some of the issues surrounding menopause and give you different tips and strategies to make it more manageable for you. The important people in your life can also come along, to help them better understand the changes you might be going through.

Managing the Menopause in Life & Work
Free online session
Wednesday 18th October
6pm – 8pm

Book your place and find out more

Social Prescribing Research – University of Chester
The University of Chester is collecting views and experiences of social prescribing from VCFSE participants and providers. The project’s purpose is to unpick the processes and common features in successful social prescribing schemes, particularly from a Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise perspective. 

VCFSE providers are asked to complete a survey focusing on these questions:

  • What do successful social prescribing schemes look like to the VCFSE?
  • How can resources, impact and VCFSE support be maximised?
  • How can collaboration between PCNs and the VCFSE be encouraged to benefit all partners? 
  • What do hosting organisations need?

Find out more about the research, or go directly to the survey.

Phase two of the project will involve focus groups and interviews, however taking part in the survey phase does not mean you have to take part in further research.

Student Meningitis Vaccine Reminder
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and leading meningitis charities are urging students to make sure they have been vaccinated against meningitis as the latest data shows that around 1 in 8 new students are unprotected from this disease.  

New students going to college or university are remaining unprotected against these serious illnesses which consist of 4 strains of meningococcal bacteria. Each of these can cause long term disability, serious health complications and can be life threatening.  

The latest data shows that the vaccination rate has fallen to 79.6% which means that around 1 in 5 pupils will remain unprotected when the begin college or university if they don’t catch up.  

Find out more about the risks, and how to get a vaccine.

Escape2Make Workshops Early Access
Exciting News for 11s-18s! There are MORE Escape2Make workshops and this time, they have one-day workshops for those who crave a day of creativity and fun! Sign up now for FREE here to get early access. These workshops are perfect for young people who prefer shorter, one-day experiences. Take a look at their other programs here.

Package of youth announcements launched by DCMS Secretary of State
Last week, the Government published a series of announcements that will increase opportunities for disadvantaged young people and help strengthen the youth sector.

Delivering the National Youth Guarantee
DCMS provided an update on the Government’s progress in delivering the National Youth Guarantee – including creating over 60,000 volunteering opportunities, delivered through the #iwill fund – in addition to opening two further funding opportunities:

  • The Adventures Away from Home Fund – £1.5 million in bursaries for up to 7,500 young people who face barriers to getting outdoors to go on adventurous trips away from home. A competition to apply to be the grant administrator is currently live, and will close on Wednesday 18 October 2023. Bursaries will be distributed later this year.
  • Opening of the £19 million Million Hours Fund – creating more positive activities for young people in ASB hotspots. The deadline is 12.00 on Friday 24 November 2023.

Read more on this press release from the DCMS Secretary of State, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP.

Supporting the Youth Sector
The UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) is taking significant steps to support the youth sector. They’ve updated guidance for local authorities in line with their statutory duty, funded a Peer Review Programme for self-improvement among local authorities, allocated £800,000 for bursaries benefiting 500 youth workers and volunteers, provided £320,000 in core funding to enhance regional youth work practices, and invested £250,000 to create local youth partnerships in ten areas for increased collaboration among youth organizations, funders, and local businesses. Find out more about their initiatives to train and empower new youth workers.

Read more about the Government funding to train new youth workers.

Government Support for Those Most in Need
Significant support for those in need! The UK’s Dormant Assets funding, totaling £15 million, is being directed to the Youth Futures Foundation to launch the ‘Building Futures’ program. It will provide intensive mentoring and support to 5,000 young people aged 14-16 at risk of disengagement from education or employment. Additionally, the DCMS is partnering with the Youth Endowment Fund and Youth Futures Foundation to deliver a multi-year ‘Summer Jobs Programme,’ offering six-week employment placements to 2,600 young people at risk of involvement in crime. Furthermore, at least 100 paid work placements for 18-24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training will be delivered as part of the National Citizen Service’s UK Year of Service. Events & Training

Read more about the Government’s investment in mentoring, and employment opportunities to help reduce offending and violent crime.

Escape2Make Autumn/Winter Workshops
Free Autumn/Winter creative workshops are now available to sign up for any 11-18 year old in the Lancaster and Morecambe area and we once again have the opportunity to make a real different in young people’s lives. These amazing workshops, funded by the National Lottery Heritage fund, include learning skills such as graphic design, virtual reality painting, pottery, photography and so much more. All to help build skills, create a safe and inclusive escape as well as the chance for them to showcase their skills at our Heritage Market Festival in December

Find out more and book

£22m Million Hours Fund Applications Reopen
Does your project support young people and provide positive experiences to help them thrive? The National Lottery Community Fund has partnered with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to invest in vital youth projects that improve the lives of young people across England. This joint funding programme will create extra hours of youth work and additional activities to give young people more places to go and interesting things to do.

Their funding page has now gone live for applications.

Read guidance notes on the Government website

Love Lancaster Business Awards – Young Person of the Year
The Love Lancaster Business Awards are back for 2024, and are looking for nominations for young people that have excelled in their jobs. The Young Person of the Year award, generously sponsored by Lancaster & Morecambe College, is dedicated to individuals aged 16 to 25 who work in the city centre businesses and consistently exceed expectations, leaving a positive mark on customers. If you know someone that deserve their outstanding contributions to be recognised, nominate them today, whether you’re a member of the public or a colleague.

Follow this link to nominate!

Get Ready for #iwill Week!
20th-24th November marks #iwill Week, where we’ll be celebrating 10 years of the #iwill movement. 10 years ago, in 2013, #iwill was founded to showcase the Power of Youth social action and encourage others to better involve young people in the decisions that are being made. Join us as we celebrate 10 years of #iwill and help build the Movement.

In the meantime, an Establishing Youth Voice report has been produced with how to guides that present insights and learning from an evaluation of youth voice practices and initiatives. It focuses on how to make young people’s voices heard and the impact youth voice has had on young people and communities.

Children and Family Wellbeing Service – What’s on Guide Sept-Oct
The Children and Family Wellbeing Service for the Lancaster District have a selection of support sessions for families and young people over the next couple of months. The service aims to provide early help on a whole range of issues affecting you or your family. Targeted services are available for children and young people across the age range 0-19 yrs+. Sessions are varied from baby development to youth groups and parental guidance.

Take a look at their event schedule
View What’s On at their Centres

Aspiring Leaders Programme – Communication and Influence
The Employer Hub at Lancaster & Morecambe College have secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support local businesses, entrepreneurs, volunteers and local community with training and development in line with the local skills demand. The college will be commencing their Aspiring Leaders Programme with a session on Communication and Influence. This will cover effective ways to communicate, share your ideas persuasively, to inspire and move people to act. This programme will be delivered in 7 half day sessions at the Employer Hub, Lancaster & Morecambe College (remote delivery available).

For further information contact [email protected] or phone 01524 521223.

Ceilidh Against Poverty CAP Fundraiser
CAP at the Lancaster & Morecambe Debt Centre are hosting a ceilidh against poverty fundraiser. There will be a live Ceilidh band, lots of dancing with a brief interval to hear about the work of CAP. Donations being taken on the door.

Booking is free! on Friday 20th October 7:30pm @ Kings Community Church, Phoenix Street Lancaster

Free booking here

Online Workshops regarding Energy and Fuel Poverty
For local organisations and community groups already planning for the winter ahead, the following workshops (provided by National Energy Action and the Centre for Sustainable Energy) may be of interest:

National Energy Action:

Bootcamp for domestic energy advice
Monday 16th October

Online with Zoom registration: Meeting Registration – Zoom

Centre for Sustainable Energy:

Fuel poverty awareness and basic energy advice
Wednesday 25th October, 12 noon – 1.15pm

Book online

Community approaches to tackling fuel poverty
Wednesday 22nd November, 6pm – 7.15pm

Book online

Energy efficiency in your community building
Thursday 18th January 2024, 11am – 12.15pm

Book online

Give & Take Re-Home Your Home-Wares at the Gregson
Join the Gregson for their Give and Take Day for a sustainable community event. Reduce waste and embrace a circular economy by giving and taking donated homewares in our community. Donate items you no longer need, and find treasures for your home. Drop off unwanted homewares year-round at our center or bring them on the event day. It can be kitchenware, utensils, cutlery, crockery, pictures, ornaments, jewelry, toys, games, books, and more! (No clothing donations this time.) Please do not provide; Electrical items, second-hand bedding, broken or incomplete items, DVDs, and food. Enjoy a cuppa at our cafe during your visit. All items are free, but donations support our community-owned charity and future events.

Upcoming Event Dates:

October 21st, 10 am – 1 pm
January 27th, 10 am – 1 pm
April 13th, 10 am – 1 pm

More details here

Free Practitioner Training – Support Families Learn about Money
The Money and Pension Service (MAPS) are providing a free 90-minute workshop for practitioners working with families. It offers a new inclusive family approach to learning about money. The approach supports children aged 3-7 with diverse needs, including autism spectrum disorders and social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The training is funded by the Money and Pensions Service and delivered by Campaign for Learning.

By attending you will:

  • Learn how to deliver an inclusive, differentiated and accessible financial education programme through rich learning experiences using Makaton, sensory icons, storytelling, songs, games and family activities
  • Receive all the resources and tools you need to deliver the activities including facilitator’s guide, multimedia content, session plans and certificates

Find out more and book your funded place

Community Drum Circles at Lancaster Music Festival
Lancaster Music Festival’s will be running Community Drum Circles, specially designed for healthcare organisations, service users, carers, staff, and volunteers. These drum circles offer a unique and informal musical experience, bringing people together to create music with drums and hand percussion instruments. No musical experience is needed, and all equipment is provided.

Sessions will run for about 45 minutes, accommodating between 16 and 30 participants, in an accessible city centre location during the festival weekend. The sessions are free and will be held on Saturday, 14th, and Sunday, 15th, with two sessions each day at 1:45 pm and 3:00 pm.

Filomena Ianni, an experienced facilitator specialising in healthcare drum circles, will lead the sessions. To book a session for your organization or enquire about joining a session with others, please contact Stuart Marshall at [email protected] or call 07765 120926.

View their e-poster here

Foundation Training in Nonviolent Communication with Shona Cameron
Join renowned international NVC trainer Shona Cameron for a two-day learning experience in Nonviolent Communication (NVC). Shona Cameron is a Certified NVC Trainer and Assessor with CNVC.org and an active member of NVC UK. With extensive training under Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, she now leads NVC training sessions globally. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your communication skills and understanding of NVC principles with an expert in the field.

Date & time: Friday 17 and Saturday 18 November, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Venue: St Thomas Church, Lancaster

Find out more here

Lego Robotics at the Fun Palaces 10th Anniversary
Inspire your child’s imagination and let them learn coding at the same time with Lego Robotics at Judges Lodgings Museum, a local community event celebrating 10 years of Fun Palaces. There will be 45 minute slots throughout the day from 11.15am-3.45pm.

This event is FREE but advance booking is required.

Book your place here
View the event e-poster here

Think Carbon Monoxide Workshops
This autumn The Gas Safe Charity is continuing its Think Carbon Monoxide (CO) awareness raising programme. Help protect vulnerable people that you support by booking on to one of their free, hour long (9.30 – 10.30) and interactive Zoom workshops. You will learn about the sources, signs and symptoms of CO poisoning as well as what to do to help prevent the risks and some of the sources of support that exist for those people in fuel poverty.

Book on to one of the workshops

Childcare and Education Courses with Lancashire Adult Learning
Lancashire Adult Learning are pleased to launch a new Working with Children and Young People – Is it for me? course. LAL are offering a taster session aimed at people who have an interest in working with children but are unsure of which pathway to take to reach their goal. During the session, learners will explore different opportunities to work with children and the skills and qualities needed for those roles. Learners will also have the opportunity to find out about further accredited courses to develop their knowledge and skills to work with children.

Upon successful completion you will progress to the Get Into Working in Schools and Colleges or the Get Into Working in an Early Years Setting.

Enrol on the course today!

Energy Saving Workshops
Struggling to save money with your energy bills? Lancaster City Council are running  energy saving workshops to provide some support. There will be specialist guidance on energy efficient ways to reduce your bills and save money. The workshops are a great opportunity to be proactive before the colder months start creeping back in. There will also be opportunity to take away some handy (and FREE) energy saving gadgets. FREE parking and lunch available!

Morecambe Energy Saving Workshop e-poster

Reserve your place at lancaster.gov.uk/workshop or call 01524 582000

Suicide Prevention – Funded Workshop
LDCVS has secured an additional Suicide Prevention workshop, as the first date offered is now full.

This half-day workshop provides learners with the confidence and tools to understand the impact of suicide and take someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide from a place of danger and isolation to a place of safety and support, using a three-step ‘first aid’ approach.

This approach enables the suicide ‘first aider’ to identify the signs that someone may be experiencing thoughts of suicide, recognize the needs of that person, ask about suicide clearly and directly and use safety planning to empower the individual to find appropriate help.

The workshop is City and Guilds registered, delivered by a trainer registered with the National Centre for Suicide Prevention.

This is a funded course, with just a registration fee (£5 LDCVS members / £10 non-members, plus ticket and payment processing fees) to cover venue and refreshments costs.

5 December 2023, 9:15am – 12:30pm, St Thomas Church

Find out more and book

Mental Health First Aid – Funded Course
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised two-day training course which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis.

MHFA England training will teach you the best way to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis. Learning takes place through a mix of group activities, presentations and discussions.

LDCVS is promoting this course which normally costs up to £300. In this case, it has been fully funded by Lancashire County Council Public Health and is free of charge. A £50 deposit (plus £2.65 covering ticketing and payment fees charged by our suppliers) is required at the time of booking to guard against non-attendance. £50 will be repaid on completion of both full days.

16 & 17 October, 9am – 5pm, The Cornerstone

Find out more and book

Coffee Shop Weekend Supervisor for the Coffee Shop @ Halton
The Centre @ Halton has a position available for a Coffee Shop Weekend Supervisor to start work as soon as possible. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and full training will be provided. Applicants must also have their own mode of transport or live in Halton.
To apply or for further information please contact the office on 01524 811316 or contact [email protected]
Contract: 9:45am-5:15pm
Salary: £10.80 per hour

Youth Activity Worker – LBAGC
Lancashire Boys and Girls Clubs are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic individual to be an integral member of our delivery team, to deliver a wide range of positive activities for young people in youth clubs and other venues across the county on evenings, weekends and school holidays.

In addition, you will support our work with young people on personal development programmes

such as National Citizens Service (NCS).

Salary: £22,000 – £23,000
Contract: Flexible from 9 hrs to 18 hrs per week
Location: Lancaster but with Lancashire wide travel
Closing Date: Monday 23 October 2023

Find out more here

CancerCare Roles

Fund Raising Coordinator
CancerCare are seeking a Fund Raising Coordinator. This exciting role places you at the core of their busy Fundraising, Marketing, and Engagement team. Your mission: secure vital funding from various sources, engage with donors, assist at events, and manage their fundraising database.

Salary: £10,920pa
Contract: 22.5 hours, to be worked ideally across 5 days, permanent
Location: Lancaster Centre (Slynedales)
Closing Date: Monday 27 October 2023

Learn more about this role and apply

South Lakes Area Fundraiser

CancerCare are looking to recruit an area fundraiser to be responsible for organising and delivering some of the exciting events within CancerCare’s event calendar, across the geographical patch, but predominantly in the South Lakes area. You will also help raise awareness of CancerCare’s services and build loyal and trusting relationships with businesses and donors in the local community.

Salary: £14,496pa
Contract: 22.5 hours, flexible working hours
Location: Kendal Centre
Closing Date: Monday 27 October 2023

Find out more and apply

Finance Administrator – The Gregson
The Gregson are looking for a Finance Administrator. In this role you will work closely with the CEO to enable the charity’s Board of Trustees to work effectively to fulfil its financial responsibilities and secure the Gregson’s sustainability. You will be responsible for overseeing the charity’s day to day financial needs. There will be exciting challenges and opportunities to create new financial processes and streamline operations as we continue to evolve and as we set up a Trading Arm ahead of the next financial year.

Salary: £30,000 pro rata
Contract: 3 days (24 hours per week)
Location: Lancaster
Closing Date: Monday 16 October, 10am

Find out more and apply

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor for Victim Support
There is an exciting opportunity for a children and young person’s Independant Sexual Violence Advisor to join the Victim Support team in Lancaster. They are looking for a resilient and adaptable individual who would like to make a difference to and improve the lives of those who need it. 

This role will involve, supporting those affected by crime in understanding and asserting their rights and entitlements. Facilitating access to additional services and providing practical support and information along with establishing healthy coping mechanisms. 

Salary: Qualified £27, 500 per annum. Unqualified £35, 500 per annum
Contract: Permanent. 37.5 hours per week
Location: Lancaster
Closing Date: 26th of October 2023

For more information and to apply click here

Director of Communications and Growth for Dementia Carers Count
Dementia Carers Count are a small national charity but with big ambitions and they are looking for an inspiring, supportive and collaborative leader with excellent strategic and operational skills gained in the charity sector. You will be joining the Senior Leadership Team, working with the CEO and other senior colleagues to build on successes to date with the aim of ensuring that no dementia carer id ever isolated, forgotten or ignored. 

Salary: £65, 000-£70, 000 per year (FTE)
Contract: Permanent, part time or full time, 28-35 hours per week 
Location: Remote
Closing Date: 30th of October 2023 at 9:00

View job and apply here

Senior Finance Business Partner for Alzheimer’s Society
The Alzheimer’s Society are looking for an experienced Senior Finance professional wanting to make a positive difference to anyone effected by dementia. The role will include assisting the directorate with financial analysis and advice that will help shape decision making and supporting budget holders to maximise their impact and deliver a high-quality customer focused finance partnering service to stakeholders.

Salary: £45, 217-£58, 167 per annum
Contract: 35 hours
Location: Home Based
Closing Date: 13th of October 2023

To view full job description and apply click here

Project Coordinator for The National Flood Forum
This is a diverse and rewarding job involving working with various projects across England and Wales that support flooded communities. The role involves supporting a small team of Managers and also working with other organisations including County Councils and the Environment Agency, amongst others. 

Parts of the role will involve supporting managers to deliver projects to time, scope and quality, overseeing administrative tasks, maintaining electronics records and building and maintaining excellent relationships with stakeholders.

Salary: £28, 000
Contract: Full time. 37.5 hours per week
Location: England and Wales
Closing Date: 27th of October 2023 at 17:00

Read full description and apply here

Health and Safety Manager for the Alzheimer’s Society
Applicants must be an experienced Health and Safety professional. Amongst many responsibilities, they will be working closely with senior management to ensure issues are raised and resolved and management information is shared. You must have strong analytical and organisational skills and the ability to articulate complex, technical detail in a way that engages non-specialists. 

This is a home-based role but will involve travel to attend meeting and team-days.

Salary: £45, 217-£50, 807 per annum
Contract: 35 hours per week
Location: Home Based
Closing Date: 16th of October 2023

To read description and apply click here

Research and Campaigns Team Leader – Citizens Advice North Lancashire
Citizens Advice North Lancashire are looking for someone to lead our Research and Campaigns. Research and Campaigns are one of the twin aims of the charity (the other being the advice given) and they are looking for someone who can look at what issues are affecting clients, research them and campaign for change where policies and practices are unfairly impacting on people. This involves data analysis, report writing and contact with a variety of people in our community and further afield.

Salary: £29,600 pro rata
Contract: 21 hours per week – we can negotiate a working pattern but it will include a Wednesday morning
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe
Closing Date: Friday 13 October 2023, 5pm

Find out more and apply

Audience Development Services Consultant – Morecambe Winter Gardens
The Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust is seeking an Audience Development consultant for its “People’s Palace” project, running in tandem with a restoration program. This initiative is part of the Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities program, with support from Theatres Trust and various funding sources.

The Trust is focused on restoring the historic Winter Gardens, a cultural gem in Morecambe, and is now in need of a consultant to assist in creating an Audience Development Plan. The consultant will work on data analysis, documentation review, procurement requirements clarification, and the drafting of a brief for Audience Development activity.

The project offers a fee budget of £10,000 and is open for submissions until October 13, with a possible extension to October 16 by request.

Find out more about this opportunity

Kentown Family Support Worker – Rainbow Trust
Rainbow Trust is looking to appoint a Kentown Family Support Worker to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of the pilot Kentown Children’s Palliative Care Programme, in collaboration with Kentown Wizard and Together for Short Lives.

Reporting to the Kentown Project Lead out of our North West team base and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness

Salary: £21,000 pa + benefits (company car, 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Preston, Lancashire (Hybrid)
Closing Date: 13 October 2023, 23:59

Full details of this role here

Find out more here

If your organisation needs support whether it be working with volunteers, completing accounts and payroll, finding funding, solving governance issues, or just want a listening ear, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team:

Funding and governance support, contact [email protected]

Volunteering and DBS,
contact [email protected]

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

Health and social prescribing, contact [email protected]

Children and young people, contact [email protected]

Membership queries to: [email protected]

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

Alternatively, call us on 01524 555900

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