Information and Advice for the Lancaster District’s Third Sector – 17 January 2025

HELP IS CLOSE – Lancaster District Mental Health Support Campaign
This week marked the launch of a Lancaster District all-age mental health support campaign, designed to connect people of all ages with the physical and mental health resources they need while reducing loneliness and isolation.

Over the coming weeks Lancaster CVS and Lancaster ICC will be sharing campaign content across social media platforms and more. Look out for digital ads, posters, postcards, and beer mats appearing across Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth, and nearby areas.

We encourage everyone to share campaign content, including digital ads, reels, and shorts, on social media using the hashtag #helpisclose.

The digital versions of all the adverts can be found here.

Visit the campaign landing page for HELP!

Association of Chairs – Financial Leadership in Small Charities
The Association of Chairs exists to support and champion charity Chairs. They have recently published a useful guide which helps Chairs with financial governance, including supporting trustees with financial duties, making board arrangements for financial governance, creating financial plans and more.

Download the guide here

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Psychology & Behavioural Analytics Student Placements
Lancaster District CVS is working with Lancaster University’s Psychology Department, seeking organisations with meaningful projects—along with data —that could benefit from students’ advanced analytical skills. Lancaster University runs a Masters program called Psychology and Behavioural Analytics. Students are ready to undertake 12-week summer placements, delivering actionable insights while honing their research abilities.

If you are interested in hosting a student over summer, please come along to this online briefing where you will have the chance to find out more about the project from course leads, Professor Mark Levine and Dr Simon Tomlinson, and ask any questions that you might have. This is an excellent opportunity to benefit from the expertise of a Masters student and make best use of your data.

5 February 2025, 1pm – 2pm, online

Find out more and book your place

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Volunteering Research Study: Beyond Good Deeds Study
Investigating How Volunteering Motivations and Personality Shape Well-Being

Northumbria University is conducting a research study exploring the relationship between volunteering, personality traits, and well-being. Adults (18+) are invited to participate in a short, anonymous questionnaire taking 20–25 minutes. The study aims to improve our understanding of how motivations for volunteering impact mental health and could inform better practices for volunteer organisations and health professionals.

Participation is voluntary, confidential, and may help reflect on personal experiences while contributing to meaningful research. Results will support an MSc Psychology thesis and potentially future publications, remaining fully anonymous.

For more information or to take part, contact: [email protected] Supervisor: [email protected]

Your input can make a difference! Participate in the survey here

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Charity Governance Awards
The Charity Governance Awards celebrate exceptional governance and trusteeship in UK charities, offering a chance to showcase best practices, inspire others, and compete for prizes of up to £6,000. Open to charities of all sizes, entries are free and close on 12 February 2025. Winners will be announced at a live ceremony in June.

Find out more and start your entry

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Charity Excellence Survey
Charity Excellence is conducting a survey for small charities. 

They are hoping to create some guidance for funders to make application processes easier for charities. 

Their message is: “The workload in submitting multiple funding bids is now a major problem, so we’re going to create a Good Grant Makers Guide of those that make it easiest and identify ways funders can make applications less onerous. I’m using a short survey to collect data.   

Feel free to complete it and also to share this with anyone who might be interested.  If they add their e-mail, they’ll be sent the results.” 

It should take 10 mins to complete and there is a sneaky bonus in Q4 because this has a big list of funders, some which you may not have heard of, so it may be worth checking what some of those out. 

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UCLan Third Sector Survey 
The University of Central Lancashire is looking to explore the capacity for third-sector organisations to undertake internal evaluation as well as any barriers that may currently exist. Having reviewed existing literature, they are aware that there is increasing demand for evaluation and further attention is needed on how third sector agencies currently complete evaluations. 

They are seeking the views of individuals who currently work for a third-sector organisation and have been involved in conducting, commissioning or participating in an evaluation. They would appreciate if you could take a moment to fill out the survey.

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Police & Crime Plan
Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, has launched a new Police and Crime Plan for 2024-2029. The plan sets out the Commissioner’s vision for policing across Lancashire in preventing and investigating crime. It is based on extensive feedback from Lancashire residents, alongside local and national research and publications.

Read more here

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NCVO Report – Can we Bank on the Banks?
Banking is essential for charities and voluntary organisations. A new report from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations has uncovered how many are struggling to access suitable services, highlights the ongoing barriers, and explains how NCVO is working to change this. The report also includes links to their financial management resources which includes specific guidance on banking.

Read the new report here

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Citizens Advice and Green Rose at The Link  
Visit Green Rose (mornings) and Citizens Advice (afternoons) at The Link on West Street, Morecambe, every Wednesday. Their friendly advisers are here to chat and support you. Free Wi-Fi available.  

You’ll find them at 11 – 13 The Veranda, West St, LA3 1BU 
See the Citizens Advice Drop-in poster here 

Disability Inclusion
In this training session participants will explore various impairments and the challenges faced by disabled people on a daily basis . We’ll talk about language and how this can have a negative and positive impact on disabled people.

Session leader Ollie Flitcroft will also discuss a little about his own experiences as a disabled person and the challenges he has hd to overcome . The session will be interactive, and you will have the opportunity to debate and discus issues around disability equality.

£5 LDCVS members, £10 non-members.

21 January 2025, 10am – 12 noon, Christ Church Lancaster

Book your ticket

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Effective Communication Skills
Tuesday 21st 10-12.30, Cornerstone (Room 1), Sulyard St, LA1 1PX 

This session is free.

For more information and to book, email [email protected]

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Upcoming NFP Training
NFP Workshops in York are offering a range of training sessions in January and February, including Bid Writing (6 Jan), Managing Staff (7 Jan), and Leadership Skills (8 Jan). Other topics include Trust Fundraising, Recruiting and Managing Volunteers, Fundraising Strategy, Project Management, and Corporate Fundraising.

For more information, visit NFP Workshops website

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Morecambe Town Council – Festivals and Events / Community Grants Funding Applications (Top Tips and Q&A session)
Join Sharon from Lancaster CVS for a webinar about applying for a grant from either of Morecambe Town Council’s grant funds.

1. The Festivals, Sponsorships and Events Grant Fund – revised application form and criteria

2. The Community Grant Fund – revised application form and criteria

Learn more about the dos and don’ts of writing a strong application, receive top tips on how best to approach questions and demonstrate alignment with application criteria, and take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have before finalising your application.

More info and book your place here

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Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
People living with MS across Lancaster, Morecambe and the Bay area tell us they would like to access more local social and exercise activities, as well as being able to access specific expertise such as benefits advice, housing and employment advice and counselling. However they also say they don’t know where these services are, how to find out about or if they meet their needs.

This free online session is primarily for organisations that offer the types of services mentioned above, but anyone with an interest in MS is also welcome. The same session is running twice, so choose the most convenient for you.

The session will deal with:

• what Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is
• how it affects people
• how to support someone with MS to access the service you offer
• MS-friendly services on the Lancaster District Directory of Services (directory.lancastercvs.org.uk)

13 February 2025, 2:30pm – 3:30pm or 7pm – 8pm, online

Book your free place here

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Benefits Training: Personal Independence Payments 
An opportunity has arisen to join trained advisers as they talk you through the basics of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and how you can help eligible people in your community to apply for PIP and other benefits. 

Emily, Sammy, Charlotte and Phil will guide you through the process and answer any questions. 

Networking lunch will be provided. 

Time and Date: Friday 17 January 2025, 10:00 AM – 1:00pm 
Location: Morecambe Town Hall, Marine Road, Morecambe, LA4 5AF 

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Charity Commission Workshops: Supporting Charities Operating Internationally
The Charity Commission is hosting free in-person workshops for charities operating internationally from January to March 2025. These interactive events, titled WORLD: Working Overseas – Risks, Responsibilities, and Legal Duties, will cover essential topics such as trustee responsibilities, international risk management, safeguarding, and handling charitable funds safely.

Dates and Locations:

• London: Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM, Broadway House
• Birmingham: Tuesday, 11 February 2025, 9:30 AM–3:30 PM, Millennium Point

Spaces are limited to two attendees per charity. These workshops offer networking opportunities, practical exercises, and expert guidance tailored to charities working abroad. Refreshments and lunch are provided.

For more details or to book, contact the Charities Engagement Team at [email protected].

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Disability Inclusion
This interactive session will cover all the main issues to bear in mind for making your organisation an inclusive place, including language, visual impairment, hearing impairment, wheelchair users, learning disabilities and etiquette.

Session leader Ollie Flitcroft is a wheelchair user and has been disabled all his life.  He has worked in the third sector for over 25 years, supporting organisations and groups including fundraising to help them to develop. 

£5 LDCVS members, £10 non-members.

21 January 2025, 10am – 12 noon, Christ Church Lancaster

Book your ticket

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Top Tips for Writing a Funding Application
This online session is designed for people who have little or no experience of writing funding applications and would benefit from some basic pointers that would help them to write successful applications for small funding pots e.g. £500 to £5000 grants.

It will be particularly useful for small, grassroots community organisations such as sports clubs, uniformed services, church/faith groups, arts and or youth group projects. Advice given will help with applications for grant funds such The Lancaster Community Fund or Eric Wright Charitable Trust as well as other small funding pots available.

The session will be delivered by Sharon Phillips, LDCVS Development Support Officer.

£5 for LDCVS Members, £10 for non-members.

28 January 2025, 10am – 11:30am, online

Book your ticket

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Writing a Compelling Funding Application
This workshop is designed for people who already have some experience of writing funding applications and would benefit from a practical session to finesse their content for larger funding applications or to develop a project Case for Support document.

There will be an opportunity to explore the types of questions you will need to respond to for larger funding applications and how best to provide clear, concise responses that provide the detail a funder is looking for. There will also be some focus on costings and getting your budget right.

The session will be delivered by Sharon Phillips, LDCVS Development Support Officer.

£15 for LDCVS members, £25 for non-members.

19 February 2025, 9.30am – 3:30pm, Alexandra Barracks, Lancaster

Book your ticket

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FREE LGBTQ+ Awareness Training  
Lancashire LGBT is running two more LGBTQ+ awareness training sessions for people working in North Lancashire and South Cumbria. Lancashire LGBTQ+ will be running a session on Thursday 6th February at 10am-3.15pm in J365 Conference Centre, Crooklands LA7 7NU and an online session on Tuesday 11th March. There is no charge to attend this training.  

Find out more here 

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Allergen Awareness
Lancaster City Council in conjunction with Lancaster and Morecambe College are offering a fully funded (free) Level 2 Food Safety and Level 2 Allergen Awareness for people who live or work in our district.

A minimum requirement of Level 2 Training is essential for all food handlers who prepare or handle high risk food.

To book a place on the course contact LMC e-mail: [email protected]  or phone: 01524 521483.

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The Peer Partnership Training Opportunities
The Peer Partnership is offering a series of online workshops in November 2024 and February 2025 for VCSE, local authority, and health sector workers. Topics include peer support design, group dynamics, workplace boundaries, and responding to challenging behaviour. Each workshop costs £50 and can be booked via Eventbrite. Custom sessions for organisations are also available.

How to Design Peer Support
Tuesday 4th February 2025 09:30-13:30

Group Dynamics and Facilitation
Tuesday 18th February 2025 09:30-13:30

Boundaries in the VCSE Workplace
Thursday 20th February 2025 12:30-16:30

Recognising and Responding to Challenging Behaviour
Tuesday 25th February 2025 09:30-13:30

For more details, visit The Peer Partnership website or contact them directly at [email protected] or call on 0117 955 5038.

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Prevent Training & Support
Community groups can access training and support around the Prevent programme. Training includes information about:

• What is Prevent
• What Prevent does in Lancashire
• What is terrorism, extremism, and radicalisation
• Threats in Lancashire – i.e. ideologies: Islamist/ far XRW / LAsi and other
• What to look out for – vulnerabilities
• Case studies

To access training and support, email [email protected] or call 01254 585260.

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Become a Trustee with SAFE
Have you always wanted to support your local community? Share your skills or interests to help others? Have some time spare and want to help but might not know how? SAFE can help! SAFE are currently seeking trustees to join their team and help them to shape the future of SAFE and enable support for the local community. The charity are seeking roles including: A Chair of Trustee, Trustees to support with Fundraising, Admin & HR, as well as general support roles. Trustee roles are remote and suggested a monthly commitment of 3-5 hours (This can vary each month depending on the charity’s activities) with quarterly trustee meetings. Please contact CEO Keeley to find out more [email protected] or 07568937988.

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REMAP Volunteers Wanted 
REMAP are in urgent need of volunteers with DIY and problem-solving skills to design and make aids to help people with disabilities where there is nothing available commercially. In particular they need people in FY and PR post code areas. 

The equipment, produced by their team of dedicated volunteers, can help with day-to-day tasks such as mobility, personal care or eating. Or it can enable the client to pursue a hobby or ambition, such as participating in a sport or art activity. 

Please take a look at their website for more information or contact [email protected] 

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Lead Volunteer for Premises – The Gregson Centre
Can you support the Gregson Centre, working with staff and volunteers to help them as they move forward with renovations and improvements to their slightly dilapidated but very well used Victorian building? 

Visit here for full details and to apply 

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Various Volunteer Roles with Harmony Health CIC 
Harmony Health is a new CIC working to support health and wellbeing in Lancaster communities and they need volunteers to support them with: 

• Bookkeeping
• Social media
• Administration
• Horticulture
• Direct health and wellbeing support 

Find out more about each role and how to get involved 

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Fundraising Volunteer – Beyond Radio 
Beyond Radio would love to hear from anyone who feels they could support them by offering their knowledge and experience of fundraising, helping with grant finding and general fundraising activities.  

Visit here for more information including how to apply 

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Van Drivers and Delivery Assistants  
The 3R Foundation charity shop in Carnforth needs volunteer van drivers and delivery assistants.  

See here for more details including how to apply  

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Under 18 Volunteering 
We’ve had a great response over the last few months to our call for opportunities for under 18s to volunteer, but we really want to widen participation as much as we can. So, if you have any roles for under 18s to support your organisation or project, please let us know. 

Like the idea of involving under 18s but have concerns? Perhaps you’re worried about insurance, or safeguarding – whatever your question, let us know and we can support you to engage under 18s with your work. 

We are still getting requests from parents and students looking for volunteering opportunities for people aged between 14 and 17, so if you’d like to offer them something, let us know. 

Please email [email protected] with the details. 

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Opportunities for Volunteering from Home 
Do you have any volunteering roles that can be done from home? We would like to increase the number of options that are available for people who either cannot, or would prefer not to, go out to volunteer. 

This can include people with disabilities; people who are challenged by anxiety, depression, or other mental wellbeing issues; people with short-term illness or injury that prevents them from going out; people who are isolating because of some other health related issue; or perhaps just people who want to do something but would find it more convenient to work from home. 

Roles that could be done from home could include things like administration, finance, social media, marketing and promotion, telephone befriending etc and often would only require minimal equipment, such as a computer and an internet connection. 

Please contact [email protected] with your volunteering needs. We have volunteers waiting for home-based roles, so there is potential for a quick referral. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

Health & Wellbeing Support in the Lancaster District
Discover the Lancaster District Directory, your go-to resource for finding essential services offered by local community groups, the NHS, and local authorities. From health and fitness to mental wellbeing, financial advice, and job skills, this comprehensive directory has it all. Easily browse through detailed listings, contact information, and referral instructions to access the support you need.

Stay Connected with Your Integrated Care Community (ICC) 
Integrated Care Communities (ICCs) are integrated teams of health and care workers, third sector organisations, statutory organisations and wider community assets. We work together with the aim to improve physical & mental health outcomes, promote wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. 

In the Lancaster District we have 3 ICCs, Lancaster, Bay and Carnforth. Each hosts a monthly online networking meeting which is a great opportunity to meet new partners, find out what is happening locally and share updates of your own.  Each ICC also has a Facebook page and a monthly newsletter that goes out far and wide. 

If you aren’t available to go along to a meeting but have something to share – don’t worry! Jenny, our Community Health Officer, attends each ICC and is very happy to update the meeting on your behalf – sharing items of news or events that are coming up.  

Contacts for each of the ICC’s are below. 

Lancaster ICC – Sarah Baines (development lead) – [email protected] / Lorraine Ducket (ICC admin) – [email protected]  

Bay ICC – Anji Stokes (development lead) – [email protected]  / Amy Dawson (ICC admin) – [email protected]  

Carnforth ICC – Hayley Clarke  (development lead) – [email protected]  / Janette Wright (ICC admin) –  [email protected]

Contact Jenny Reddell, Community Health Officer for LDCVS, at [email protected]
View the health coaching flyer

Lancashire Mind Youth Advisory Group
Lancashire Mind are recruiting across the county for young people aged 14-18 to get involved with a new Youth Advisory Group. Their aim is that Youth Advisors lead with the feedback and evaluation of their services for young people as well as becoming a part of focus groups within the organisation.

Young people will be given practical training to build key skills in mental health, leadership, and will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of coproduction and service design in a leading mental health charity.

Anyone interested in taking part can find out more and apply here

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Lancashire Youth Challenge Spring Programme 2025
Lancashire Youth Challenge are welcoming referrals from partner agencies working with young people aged 13- 21 yr experiencing multiple vulnerabilities including A.C.E.S, mental health, trauma and emotional based non school attenders.

Time to Breathe, provides an environment that allows young people to reflect, review, and rebuild while immersing themselves in the natural world and experiencing the positive benefits of being in nature.

On January 18th, there will be a taster day at Gathering Fields to launch Time To Breathe 2025. The programme will then run weekly sessions from 3rd Feb 2025 leading up to an Easter Camp in April. 

RESTORE provides young people with the tools, skills and resources needed to rediscover their purpose, build resilience, and develop a greater sense of self-awareness. RESTORE with EFC harnesses the benefits of being active through regular fitness sessions and non-contact boxing methodologies in partnership with psychology informed mentoring practice – partnered with Empire Fighting Chance

On January 21 a 10 week RESTORE with EFC non contact boxing programme begins at Bay Fit Gym.

If you are working with a young person who you think would be interested in one of LYC’s projects please fill in the referral form and return to: [email protected]

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Artist Callout – Escape2Make Heritage Festival
The E2M Heritage Festival will take place on Saturday, 23rd August and will be preceded by 5-weeks of creative workshops during the Summer holidays.

The festival is a celebration of Lancaster & Morecambe’s rich history in all manner of things, such as: lino printing, chocolate/sweet making, furniture making and more! But everything will have a creative twist. Young people will have the chance to learn about the history of the local area by engaging in creative practices they wouldn’t get to do in school.

E2M are looking for artists to deliver creative workshops for 11-18 year olds that are fun and creative, celebrate local heritage, and have clear outcomes that can be showcased. Workshops can be programmed over five sessions or as one-offs.

Find out more and respond to the callout

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Young People’s Barriers to Accessing Library Services
Lancaster County Council are working as part of the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians youth engagement network to share best practices for working with young people across the UK.

The Council would like to engage a small group of young people who may face barriers to accessing library services, working with them throughout 2025 to garner their advice and ideas. The project will be co-produced; ideally, the young people involved should initiate and develop the ideas. These barriers could relate to mental health, LGBTQIA+, SEND, diverse communities, people seeking sanctuary, etc.

If you can support or know a group of young people who would like to be involved in this project, please contact John Haigh, Bibliotherapy and Wellbeing Officer – [email protected]

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Independent Visitor with Young People in Care – NYAS 
The National Youth Advocacy Service needs your help to support young people in local authority care. As an Independent Visitor you will visit, advise, and befriend the child or young person on a minimum basis of one visit per month, sharing quality one to one time.  

Visit here for full details and to apply. 

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BEE Unique Sessions
BEE UNIQUE Autism, a non-profit charity that supports families with children who have special educational needs (SEN) provide exclusive activities and sessions in the Lancaster district. These sessions are designed to help children enjoy everyday activities in a safe, non-judgmental environment. No official diagnosis is required for children to attend, and siblings and family members are welcome.

The charity is run by parents of SEN children and professionals who volunteer their time, ensuring that no expenses are taken. All funds raised are used to subsidise costs, enabling as many SEN families as possible to benefit from their support.

View poster one
View poster two

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Family Hubs What’s On 2025
The Family Hub centres have provided their new year schedule of events which provide various support sessions and activities for families and young children.

Baby and You sessions on Monday mornings provide engaging, age-appropriate activities for babies and parents. Infant Massage sessions on Tuesdays offer bonding time and development support with booking required. Chat Play Read sessions on Wednesdays help children under 5 develop speech and language skills. Development Matters on Friday mornings offers stimulating activities for young children.

Parenting support includes Breastfeeding Peer Support Group on Mondays and Positive Relationships, Stronger Families courses on Tuesdays. Citizen Advice sessions on Wednesdays provide practical advice, and Warm Space drop-ins on Fridays offer a supportive environment for connection.

Monthly Coffee and Connect/One Stop Shop and M.A.T.C.H (Men and Their Children) events provide further opportunities for parents to gather and share experiences.

View the What’s On Guide

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Lancaster Youth Challenge Restore & Time To Breathe Programmes
Restore
This ten week programme of non-contact boxing and wellbeing for young people 13 – 17 years will build confidence and fitness levels and nurture a sense of personal achievement.

Tuesdays from 21 January, 4.30pm – 6pm at Vale of Lune RUFC

For more information or to refer a young person, contact [email protected]

Time to Breathe
This ten-week programme provides an alternative and safe space to understand emotional well-being, express thoughts and feelings, develop personal confidence and transferrable skills through nature-based education and educational wellbeing activities.

Sessions begin on 18 January and are delivered at Gathering Fields and The Cornerstone.

For more information or to refer a young person, contact [email protected]

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Barnardo’s Supported Lodgings
The Supported Lodgings services offers a unique opportunity to provide a safe and supportive environment for young people aged 16-25 as they transition into adulthood. Supported Lodgings hosts offer a safe and stable home, provide guidance and emotional support, help the development of independent living skills, and have access to a dedicated support worker to address any challenges.

Hosts are provided with a 24/7 helpline and weekly financial support.

Supported Lodgings are expanding across Lancashire so if you have a spare room, want to support young people, and are a patient good listener, please contact Saira Hussain at [email protected]

Download the leaflet to find out more

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Join the new Morecambe Bay Curriculum Working Groups
Would you like:

• funding for your place-based green project ideas?
• top notch CPD delivered by Lancaster University, Eden Project, Lancaster and Morecambe College, University of Cumbria and Health Professionals?
• to collaborate with like-minded colleagues who feel passionately about the power of teaching and learning?
• to weave sustainability, place and the environment into your day-to-day practice?
• a say in shaping the Morecambe Bay Curriculum and Eden Project Morecambe?

If so, consider joining one of the MBC working groups, focusing on one of primary, secondary, special educational needs and disabilities, or alternative provision.

The MBC team will be on hand to support each group as you meet regularly to explore your collective interests and develop projects, curriculum resources or campaigns that you think will make a difference in your setting.

Working Groups start in February 2025 and culminate in July 2026. Groups will meet approximately every one or two months for around 60 – 90 minutes, followed by termly inter-phase twilight CPD.

Find out more and apply

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Inside Out – Support for Children (8-11 Years) 
The Children and Family Wellbeing Service offers free weekly sessions for children aged 8-11 (Key Stage 2) who may be struggling with emotions, anxious behaviors, or low confidence. Kids can explore feelings, manage worries, build confidence, and enjoy creative, physical, and fun activities with peers. 

• Carnforth Neighbourhood Centre – Mondays, 3:30-4:30 PM
• Morecambe Library, Central Drive – Tuesdays, 3:30-4:45 PM

No booking needed – just turn up! For more info, call 01524 581280. 

See the C&FWS poster here 

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Lancaster and Morecambe Family Zone Services 
Offering a wide range of support for families, the Family Zone hosts community midwives, health visitor clinics, Citizens Advice, and smoking cessation services, alongside engaging groups for children and parents.  

Sessions include: 

• Baby & You sessions (0-pre walkers) 

• Development Matters for early child development 

• Infant Massage and Triple P Parenting Courses 

• Inside Out emotional support group (ages 8-11) 

• Sensory Room (free to book) 

Sessions run across various centres in Lancaster and Morecambe. For bookings or info, call 01524 581280. 

See their events poster here

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Sported – Opportunity for Young People’s Sports Groups
Sported offers free membership to organisations that use sports to improve the lives of young people aged 11–25. Eligible groups must deliver regular sports or physical activities with a focus on development, rather than competition, and be a non-profit organisation. Access resources and support on the Sported Hub can be found here, or contact Sported to learn more. You can view their sported e-flyer here.

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Free Children’s Writing Workshop with Hiba Noor Khan
Are you over 18, from an underrepresented group, and interested in writing for children? Join award-winning children’s author Hiba Noor Khan at Lancaster Library for a free writing workshop on Saturday, 7th December, from 11 am to 1 pm. Spaces are limited, so book your spot at the Library desk today!

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Healthy Young Minds Focus Group 
Lancashire Mind are looking for feedback on their Healthy Young Minds website. They would like to gain suggestions on what young people, parents and professionals like and dislike about the site and are open to any ideas for improvement. 

The site focuses on the mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people and can be accessed here.  

Download the Information & Consent form

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Wise Up Workshops – latest provision
Wise Up Workshops are running fortnightly sessions to help build new skills from cooking to map reading, event planning to mental health support.

Upcoming sessions:

• Youth Theatre/ Tuesdays/ The Platform/ Ages 5-16 years/ Production & performance skills
• Lifewise/ Wednesdays/ Heysham Library/ Ages 14-25 years/ Learning life skills & includes a residential
• Creative Saturdays/ Sefton Rd Church Hall/ Ages 4+/ Drama, art, crafts, eco junk modelling, movement, gardening, cooking

Wise Up are only part funded for all of these workshops and ask for a donation from attendees if/where possible.  

For further information view their event poster or visit  www.wiseupworkshops.com

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Coach Core Foundation
Coach Core Foundation is a UK charity that uses sport and apprenticeships to support young adults facing barriers to employment. Partnering with local employers, they create positive change in communities by training young role models to deliver sports and physical activities.

Their Lancashire programme, in collaboration with the Westminster Foundation, offers a Level 2 Community Activator Coach Apprenticeship, benefiting 100 young people over five years. The programme includes professional development, regular support, and grants for employers, focusing on empowering young people and enriching community engagement through sports.

More information about the Community Activator Coach Level 2 Apprenticeship and

Read all about Coach Core and the benefits of their apprenticeship

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Youth Futures Team
The Youth Futures Team offers support for young people leaving school, providing guidance on various pathways such as college, apprenticeships, employment, and training. They assist with A-levels, vocational courses, entry-level programs, and work-based training options. The team can help with CV preparation, interview skills, building confidence, and employability skills. For more personalised advice, you can contact the North representative Anna at [email protected] or call 07354 167290.

See their information flyer part 1 and part 2

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M.A.T.C.H Men And Their Children NEW Event
Calling all dads, grandads, uncles, and male carers! Join the Family Hubs Network at the Morecambe Central Hub (Morecambe Library) every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month starting in October, from 10am-12pm. Enjoy a warm brew and hot breakfast in a friendly setting, with activities provided for the kids. No booking is required—just turn up and take part. Best of all, it’s FREE!

Find out more here

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Lancashire Mind CYP Peer Support
Through innovative, peer-led support systems, this programme aims to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 10 to 19 (up to 25 with SEND) across Lancashire. With children facing an alarming increase in mental health challenges, Lancashire Mind can help support them to find coping strategies and build resilience.

Find out more and make referrals

Hest Bank’s Coastal Story Workshop 
Residents of Hest Bank are invited by Morecambe Bay Partnership to join a special history project to make a meaningful impact on the future of the coast. Attend a workshop at Slyne-with-Hest Memorial Hall on Thursday 23rd January to find out how you can be involved in uncovering the past to shape Our Future Coast. 

Our Future Coast is using historical data to understand the long-term patterns of coastal change at our sites. Using records of past coastal changes, flood events, and human impact, the project seeks to understand how the Hest Bank coastline has formed and how it may change in the future. By joining this project, volunteers will help to inform engineering decisions and play a critical role in shaping the sustainable management of our coastlines. 

Find out more about this project and book a place here 

Time and Date: Thursday 23^rd of January, 7pm-8pm 

Location: Slyne with Hest Memorial Hall, Hanging Green Lane, Hest Bank, Lancaster, LA2 6JB 

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Un-named Book Club 
For almost two years, the un-named book club has been meeting each month at the Gregson to explore social and environmental issues that concern us all. Using a book, podcast or visual content as a starting point, book club attendees learn from authors from around the world and from each other; looking for inspiration and tools to create ways of living that help regenerate the health of our planet and all those living on it.

Read this blog post to find out more about what the book club has been reading and how to read and listen along in 2025. 

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Pots of Possibility: Making Great Ideas Happen 
The 2025 rounds of ‘community grants’ and ‘Your Pots’ will be announced soon, so start dreaming and shaping your ideas.

Deliberate CIC are working with Closing Loops to run community conversations across Lancaster District in locations which were underrepresented in the previous Pots of Possibility funding rounds.

These workshops with community groups seek to generate new project ideas and get more people involved in the annual ‘Your Pots’ voting day. To frame the discussions at these workshops, you can now vote and share your ideas on regenerative economies, including potential projects, in an interactive online survey on a platform called Pol.is.

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Good Business Bootcamp Workshop 
What can your organisation do to build a ‘good’ business’ and have a positive impact on your local communities and the environment? The Closing Loops project is working with Future Fixers to offer free accredited training to local businesses, social enterprises, charities and other organisations who want to develop their enterprise while caring for people and planet. 

Free to eligible organisations who can commit to attending both sessions.  

Time and Date: Tuesdays 4th and 11^th of March 2025, 10am to 1pm 
Location: Lancaster 

Places are limited to 12 participants, so please sign up asap 

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FarmStart 2025 applications open now
LESS and The Plot invites individuals to apply for the 2025 FarmStart Training programme—a one-year, part-time training opportunity designed for North Lancashire residents that are passionate about improving our local food systems. 

This programme prepares you to start a food-growing business as a new grower. It offers access to land, a supportive community, and access to local markets while providing training on small-scale, climate-resilient food-growing methods. This initiative plays an important role in building a more resilient and sustainable food system for North Lancashire. For more information and to apply: 

Read the FarmStart 2025 column 

Read the full information document here 

Apply here by the 21^st of January 2025 

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Winter Recipe Challenge
Do you have a favourite winter recipe? Join the winter recipe challenge! 

The  FoodFutures Closing Loops project would like you to take part in the North Lancashire winter recipe challenge. Recipes should either use ingredients that are local and seasonal to North Lancashire or have something to do with local history. Recipes could also reflect the great diversity of food cultures that we have in our region. 

View all details and send in your recipe 

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Forming a Lancashire Food Alliance
A LancsCAN grant is supporting workshops which will explore the concept of a Lancashire Food Alliance, bringing together Sustainable Food Places Partnerships, LancsCAN members, and other food partnerships and networks from across Lancashire to explore ways to meaningfully support each other and work together to shift our local food system at a county level.

Each workshop will build on the previous ones, however you do not have attend all three.

Workshop 2 – Identifying commonalities and points for collaboration.
Weds 22nd January 2025 online (10-12:30)

Building on workshop 1, this session will look to pull out common themes, leverage points and areas for collaboration across Lancashire’s food system. Collectively delegates will explore what Lancashire-wide food system shifts could be achieved together as a network of networks and partnerships.

Booking link: www.trybooking.com/uk/EASY

Workshop 3 – Creating a shared vision and an action plan
Weds 12th March 2025 – in person. Venue TBC (9:30-12:30 followed by lunch)

This session will focus on the leverage points identified in workshop 2 to understand what success looks like and how we will get there. As part of this, next steps will be agreed for how this Lancashire-wide group should continue to meet and communicate and take forward actions.

Booking link: www.trybooking.com/uk/EARW

For further information please contact Ellie Shackleton at [email protected]

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Tech Lancaster – Electronics and Green Skills Training
Tech Lancaster offers electronics training tailored for adults seeking career shifts into the tech industry and runs STEM workshops for children, plus work experience for college students. Currently, in collaboration with Lancaster City Council, they’re providing a Green Skills Short Course—a taster for those considering careers in green technology.

For more information, visit Tech Lancaster and Green Skills.

View their e-flyer here

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Marsh Community Gardening Project
Would you be interested in improving and looking after green spaces in the Marsh area? Get involved by contacting Katie from the Marsh Community Centre on 07868314807.

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Land Wanted for Allotments
Do you know of or have a piece of land (big or small) that could potentially become allotments?         

Would you be interested in hearing or learning about how this can be done, what is involved, and how running allotments has worked for other private landlords? 

If the answer is “yes” then please get in touch with Deborah at [email protected]   

LESS (a Lancaster based social enterprise) is keen to understand the level of interest around opening new allotment sites across Lancaster District and is willing to offer some support and information sharing about how this can be done.

For more information about this call to action, read this food column and contact Deborah with any questions.

Out in the Bay Winter Drop-ins
LGBT+ Charity Out in the Bay are offering two new drop-ins this winter.

Craft sessions take place on Mondays and Tuesdays 2pm – 4pm.

Youth Group takes place on Thursdays 4.30pm – 6:30pm.

Both take place at 30-32 Claremont Road, Morecambe.

Find out more by emailing [email protected]

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Music with the Mayor Burns Night Ceilidh
Enjoy a two course meal provided by students from Lancaster & Morecambe College including veggie haggis, neeps and tatties, alongside music from the ceilidh band Sandpiper. Caller Ben Farmer will take you through the dances with humour and patience!

24 January, 7pm – 11pm, Lancaster Town Hall

£30 / £25 Concessions / £40 with additional donation

Event in aid of Citizens Advice North Lancashire

Find out more and book

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Friends of Lancaster Library – Lancaster 1684
As part of their regular series of ‘Mini Fun Palaces’, the Friends are presenting an interactive map of Lancaster in 1684. All ages can participate and imagine a life without transport, internet and supermarkets. Lancaster in 1684 was about to change from an age-old rural economy to join what we might recognise as the modern age.

1 February, 10am – 4pm, Lancaster Library

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An Evening with Citizens Advice North Lancashire
Join Citizens Advice North Lancashire for an engaging evening event offering a chance to hear directly from the staff and volunteers about their essential work, the campaigns they’re championing, and the positive impact they’ve made on the local community. The evening will feature the launch of their Impact Report, highlighting achievements from the past year and their plans for 2025. Drinks and nibbles will be provided, along with opportunities to mingle, ask questions, and gain insights into their mission.

Whether you’re curious about their services or want to support their efforts, this event is an excellent opportunity to connect and learn more.

Date & time: Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: St. Thomas’ Church, Lancaster.

More info and bookings

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3 Bridges 10k race 
The popular 3 Bridges 10k race is back again in 2025! This is always a popular race with runners from all over the north-west taking part, often as a fast preparation for spring marathons and other longer races.  It’s also very suitable for beginner runners, perhaps moving up from a Parkrun to a longer race. 

The entry fee is £21 for members of running clubs (affiliated), £23 for non-members and £17 for Lancaster Runners members, with an extra fee for on-line bookings. Entries on the day are £25, or £20 for Lancaster Runners.  No refunds once registered. 

The race meets UK Athletics Rules, is Certified Accurate and there are prizes for the first 3 men and the first 3 women finishers.  It has a flat, fast and scenic route and there will also be a really nice medal for all finishers. 

Enter here and for any queries please visit 

Time and Date: Sunday the 13^rd of April, 11am 

Location: Lancaster & Morecambe Athletic Club clubhouse at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, Doris Henderson Way, LA1 5JS 

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Arts4Us Project 
The Gregson are very excited to be a community partner in the Edge Hill University project – Arts4Us. 

The Arts4us project is a £2.5M AHRC funded project in collaboration with integrated care systems and community organisations including the Gregson! It focuses on the mental health of young people aged 9 to 13, a group at significant risk of developing mental health problems while transitioning from childhood to adolescence and they are now looking to recruit a panel of young people aged 9-15 with lived experience of mental health challenges who can share their ideas about the project, helping us to shape the platform and understand the research data we will collect throughout the project. 

To read all the details about this project and get involved please visit here 

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Veterans Walk for Wellbeing 2025 Crowdfunder 
Help support Fleetwood Town Community Trust who will be joining forces with Morecambe FC Community Foundation and walking 24 miles from Fleetwood Town FC’s Highbury Stadium, to the Mazuma Stadium, Morecambe on Saturday 1st February 2025. 

The purpose of the walk is to raise invaluable funds and awareness towards the respective charitable projects, both of which aim to engage with veterans, military personnel and their family members. All donations will be split evenly, and their target is to raise £5,000! 

Read more and donate 

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Lancaster Contra Dance – Community Dance Events
Lancaster Contra Dance hosts lively social dance events with live music, welcoming all ages and experience levels. With three main events per year on Saturday afternoons, the format allows for easy travel and a family-friendly atmosphere. A suggested donation of £10 supports event costs, with electronic payments preferred in advance. Dancers can enjoy an afternoon of energetic movement, great music, and a welcoming community. If you’re interested in calling or playing, get in touch!

Date & time: 1 February 2025, 1.30pm
Location: St. Pauls’s Parish Hall Scotforth Rd, Lancaster, LA1 4ST

Find out more about this event

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SAFE Inaugural Glitter Ball
SAFE are hosting their first charity ball, which is taking place in March. A night of entertainment which includes a welcome drink and a three course meal with the chance to win some amazing auction and raffle prizes. Tickets are £55 with discounts available for tables of 10. Tickets can be reserved by emailing [email protected], Full payment is not required until 31st January 2025.

All proceeds from the evening will go to SAFE to support the continuation and expansion of their programs for adults and young people experiencing mental and life challenges across the Lancaster district. 

Date & time: 22nd March 2025,7pm
Location: Mazuma Stadium, Morecambe

Learn more about this event

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Crafts at Galloways
Fancy a crafty afternoon? 

Join the group at Galloways, behind the Brew Me Sunshine Cafe in Morecambe. You can bring along your own craft project, join in with new craft ideas or just come for a chat and a brew in a warm, friendly space.  Alternatively, if you would like to run your own craft session, then please let them know! 

Time and Date: Every Monday, 1pm-3pm 
Location: Brew Me Sunshine Cafe, 12 Victoria Street, Morecambe, LA4 4AE

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The Cuisine Zines: Food-Inspired Zine Project
The Morecambe Community Riso Press has been awarded a Pots of Possibility grant to deliver a food-inspired zine-making project. The aim is to create a library of DIY zines focusing on food stories, recipes, and local food networks.

Five free workshops will take place at various locations from September 2023 to January 2024, where participants can explore zine-making, share food experiences, and contribute to the final Cuisine Zine. The project aligns with the Food Futures Good Food Manifesto, promoting sustainable and fair food practices across North Lancashire.

The workshops are free but booking is essential.

Dates, times & location:

• Good Things Studios 18th Jan – Book here

More information here

Cancer Care Volunteer Coordinator 
CancerCare is seeking a highly motivated person with a passion for managing a diverse team of volunteers for this full-time role. You will play a key role in recruiting, training and supporting new and existing volunteers and ensuring the team is inclusive, cohesive and well trained to support the incredible work that CancerCare does. 

For more information and to apply for this roll, please visit here 

Salary: £25,000 per annum 
Contract: 37.5 hours per week 
Location: Lancaster or Kendal (on site) with travel throughout the region 
Closing Date: Friday the 7^th of February 

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Entry Level Fundraiser with RSPB
Join Europe’s largest nature conservation charity as a Fundraiser and help inspire public support for vital environmental work. No prior fundraising experience is needed—full training is provided. Using a company van, you’ll travel to various venues, set up engaging fundraising stands, and encourage memberships through direct debit.

Salary: £25,890 – £26,720 per year
Contract: Full-time or part-time (Choose to work 3, 4, or 5 days per week.) Permanent
Location: Kendal, Cumbria
Closing date: 9 February 2025, 11.30pm

Find out more and apply

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Corporate Fundraiser – Charity People
Develop and manage corporate partnerships to support Trinity and Brian House Hospice, securing sustainable income through sponsorships, donations, and engagement events. Ideal for a strong relationship builder with fundraising or business development experience.

Salary: £28,437 – £31,390 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Blackpool (Hybrid)
Closing date: 20 January 2025

Find out more and apply

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Network Coordinator (Lancaster) at Sported
Sported works to transform the lives of young people by supporting and resourcing grassroots clubs to create social impact.

The Network Coordinator will support community groups in rural areas surrounding the Abbeystead Estate to support them to grow and sustain activity, co-ordinate the development of a Sported community network, and develop a youth forum, among other duties.

Salary: £26,500 – £28,000 pro rata
Contract: 22.5 hours per week, fixed term for five year
Location: Lancaster district
Closing date: 31 January 2025

Find out more and apply

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

Funding and governance support, contact [email protected]

Volunteering and 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

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