Information and Advice for the Lancaster District’s Third Sector – 23 March 2023 - LDCVS - Lancaster District Community & Voluntary Solutions

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.

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CVS News

Step into Spring with the Lancaster District Directory
With the days lengthening and the cold snaps of the late winter hopefully behind us, it’s no surprise that many of us find our thoughts turning to getting out and about around the Lancaster District’s neighbourhoods, coast and countryside. Enjoying time outdoors can be a great way to ease worries, meet new people, and boost our physical health. Past research by the mental health charity Mind has shown that taking a walk in green spaces such as countryside parks can decrease tension, reduce feelings of depression, and increase self-esteem. Thanks to the Lancaster District Directory, finding something to do outdoors couldn’t be easier… Read more

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Remembering Michael Hallam
We are saddened to hear the recent news about Michael Hallam. Michael was a long-time friend and supporter of the voluntary community faith and social enterprise sector and incredibly passionate about our communities. His leadership with ESTA and the various programmes he was involved in helped connect small enterprises together for good was an exemplar piece of work which did amazing work across our district. He was innovator, a networker, an activist and everything he did was all about improving the lives of local people. Thankyou Michael for all you did. You will be sadly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. LDCVS team

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Announcing the Closing Loops ‘Pots of Possibility’ Fund
Closing Loops was launched by FoodFutures (North Lancashire’s Sustainable Food Network) in 2022 to support community-led action and local initiatives to transform waste into a valuable resource and stimulate a thriving, regenerative local economy where enterprises, organisations and people are actively contributing to the health and wellbeing of their communities and the environment.

We’re delighted to announce that as part of the Closing Loops project, LDCVS has worked alongside LESS and Shared Future CIC to secure £300,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will be distributed locally as ‘Pots of Possibility’ – grants of up to £10,000 to enable community organisations, charities, social enterprises and others implement activities addressing any of the following themes:

Growing, cooking and eating local, seasonal and sustainable food.
Initiatives that inspire people around sustainable consumption and zero waste practices.
Initiatives around composting.
Regenerative enterprises or initiatives for materials currently going to waste (for instance food, textiles, packaging, electronics and more)- with a focus on reducing consumption or reusing and repurposing of materials.
Regenerative enterprises or initiatives that enable the sharing and repurposing of resources (tools, materials, spaces and skills) within our communities.

Community Pots grants of up to £5,000 will support pilot projects, test the feasibility of new ideas and support community projects.

REconomy Pots grants of up to £10,000 will be awarded to grow ideas and scale up pilots that contribute to an ecosystem of regenerative initiatives and enterprises locally. The Reconomy pots will be awarded through a participatory budgeting approach which transfers considerable decision-making power to local communities and grant applicants.

The first round of Community Pots is now open offering grants of between £1,000 to £5,000 to help get ideas off the ground. See the Funding section of this Bulletin for more information.

Funding

Crowdfund Lancashire Online Launch Online Event
Do you have an idea for a community project in your local area that you want to raise money for? Spacehive – a community fundraising platform together with Lancashire County Council, can help you crowdfund the money you need to bring your idea to life. You could get as much as £20,000 towards your fundraising total. Crowdfund Lancashire provides local communities a chance to create and support the projects which matter most to them, while enabling everyone to contribute towards their community – chipping in as little as £2 to help bring their ideas into fruition. Spacehive are hosting a launch event for this exciting programme where you will be able to discover how you can support or start local sports and culture projects in Lancashire.

Date & time: Tuesday 16 May 2023, 12-1pm
Location: Online

Find out more and book your e-ticket here

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Grants to Tackle Racial Injustice in the Criminal Justice System in North of England
The Baring Foundation has announced another round of its Tackling Racial Injustice in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) stream, which sits within the Strengthening Civil Society programme. Grants of up to £50,000 over 18 months are available to registered charities. The funding is for work which engages with all aspects of the criminal justice system: policing, courts (including the Crown Prosecution Service), prisons, and the probation service. Consideration will also be given to applications which seek to address discrimination and disadvantage arising as a result of contact with the criminal justice system.

Applicants must be anti-racist organisations and already be undertaking legal action activities to address racial injustice in the CJS or be able to demonstrate pre-existing plans for doing so.

The deadline to arrange an eligibility phone-call is 13 April 2023.

Find out more about this funding opportunity

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The Fore’s Summer 2023 National Funding Round
An exciting new funding opportunity has opened for small charities and social enterprises across the UK – The Fore’s Summer 2023 National Funding Round. The programme is offering unrestricted grants of up to £30,000 this summer to help small charities and social enterprises develop, grow or become more sustainable.

Successful applicants will receive:

A grant of up to £30,000 of unrestricted funding spead over 1-3 years.
Access to free, highly skilled support provided by experienced professionals.
Access to our programme of skills training workshops, covering areas such as fundraising, communications, finance, strategy and more.
A fully funded place on an impact measurement course.

All UK registered charities, CIOs, CICs and CBSs with an annual income of under £500,000 can apply. Take their eligibility quiz here

Watch a useful webinar that guides you through making the best possible application for funding.

You will need to register your interest. Registration will be open for one week from 12pm on 11th April to 12pm on 17th of April.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

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ENWL Storm Arwen Community Resilience Fund
Electricity North West Limited have provided grants to support those affected by storm Arwen in parts of Cumbria and Lancashire in 2021. The funding is to help these areas be better prepared for and more resilient to future emergency and/or extreme weather. You must check postcode eligibility and be part of a local volunteer-led organisation, not-for profit community organisation, a local registered charity or part of the parish council. Grants will normally be between £1,000 and £10,000 over one year with exceptional circumstances grants of up to £15,000 may be considered.

Eligible postcodes in the Lancaster District are as follows: LA2 8, LA5 9, LA6 1, LA6 2, LA6 3 and LA7 7

For more information on applying and eligibility

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New National Influencing Grants from Lloyd’s Bank Foundation
Lloyd’s Bank Foundation has launched a £1.8 million funding programme aimed at influencing change at the national level around structural and systemic challenges, such as the social security system, accommodation for people with complex issues and improving support for asylum seekers. The fund offers grants of £30,000 to £150,000 for up to three years to registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) and Community Interest Companies (CICs) with an annual turnover of at least £25,000 based in either England or Wales.

Funding can cover costs related to the proposed influencing work including staff costs, activity costs and overheads as long as they are directly related to the project.

The deadline to apply is 5pm on 19 May 2023.

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Prince’s Countryside Fund Accepting Applications for Spring 2023 Round
The Prince’s Countryside Fund is currently accepting applications from constituted, not-for-profit organisations with an income of less than £500,000 for projects that will create a long-term difference in rural communities across the UK. Grants of up to £25,000 over two years are available for projects that can be completed by December 2025.

The funding is designed to support community-led projects that are pursuing innovative and strategic solutions to the challenges facing their rural area and which will improve the viability and resilience of their community. Groups are encouraged to submit their application before the deadline as the link to the application form will be taken down at midday on the closing date.

The deadline for applications is midday on 11 April 2023.

Find out more about this fund

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Improving Outcomes Through Legal Support Fund Open for Applications
The Access to Justice Foundation is working with Ministry of Justice to offer a new fund aimed at organisations offering free legal support and advice in England and Wales. Funding will be provided to help sustain and improve access to early social welfare and family legal support and advice. A minimum of 15% of the total grant funding will be available specifically for support services which are provided at-court to users who are seeking to use the court system to resolve their issue. Organisations will need to demonstrate they have agreement from the relevant court(s) that they can operate in this space. Grants are expected to be around £100,000 to £200,000 over a 21-month period. Larger grants may be awarded in exceptional circumstances.

The deadline to apply is 4pm on 5 May 2023.

Learn more about this funding option

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Deadline Approaching for Eurovision 2023 and King’s Coronation Funding
Groups have two weeks left to apply to the National Lottery Awards for All programme if they are seeking funding to celebrate the Coronation (5 to 8 May 2023) or Eurovision (9 to 13 May 2023) in England. This is limited-time funding for special events taking place in the UK this year. To be eligible for funding, projects must adhere to the Fund’s usual guidance and:

Involve people and communities from the start.
Build on people’s strengths.
Be connected in their community.

The programme offers grants of £300 to £10,000 for up to one year. Grants can be used to cover a variety of costs including equipment, staff costs, transport, running costs and volunteer expenses.

The deadline for Coronation or Eurovision funding is 24 March 2023 (midnight).

See more information and application details here

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The Closing Loops ‘Pots of Possibility’ fund – now open!
Have you got a great idea to help grow a zero-waste, circular and regenerative economy in North Lancashire? Community organisations, charities and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £5000 to help get ideas off the ground.

Deadline for applications is Thursday 27th April 2023.

Find out more about the Pots of Possibilities Fund

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Dates Announced for Healthy Hearts Grants 2023
The latest rounds of SUBWAY and Heart Research UK (HRUK)’s funding partnership will see five grants of £15,000 each awarded throughout the year with two in England. Funding provision is to help prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease in the UK and will be distributed to new projects that work with communities in heart disease prevention, particularly for vulnerable and isolated groups of individuals who are at an increased risk of developing heart problems in the future.

Application window for England is 11 May 2023 to 8 June 2023.

Find out more about this fund

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Fund Reopens after almost £600K of Cash Seized from Criminals is Invested into Crime Fighting Projects
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund (SLNF) has reopened after almost £600k has been ploughed into crime fighting projects, across all the strands that make up the fund, since its launch 12 months ago, thanks to money seized from criminals. The Community strand of the fund reopened on this week, welcoming new applications from community organisations, parish councils, Community Safety Partnerships and charities for schemes that will help the Commissioner deliver his Fighting Crime Plan priorities, with a focus on getting tough on antisocial behaviour and targeting dangerous drivers.

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Thomas Pocklington Trust Accepting Applications
Registered UK-based charities can apply for funding to support new and innovative projects that benefit blind and partially sighted people in the priority areas of education, employment, engagement, collaboration, and sustainability. The Thomas Pocklington Trust is offering grants of up to £10,000 for registered charities across the United Kingdom to deliver a broad range of projects and activities that achieve positive outcomes for blind and partially sighted people. Funding can be used to cover costs such as new staff posts, professional fees, paid training, resource development, or capital items.

The deadline for expressions of interest is 31 March 2023.

Learn more about the Thomas Pocklington Trust and apply

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£10m Energy and Climate Programme from National Lottery Community Fund
As part of its wider commitment to supporting climate action, National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) is delivering a new grant scheme which focuses on community energy projects across the UK. There is a total funding pot of £10 million, which includes £1.5 million for a Learning Network. More information on this is expected in April 2023. The Fund offers grants of £500,000 to £1.5 million over two to five years for place-based partnerships, UK-wide partnerships or single voluntary and community organisations.

There will online information sessions for interested applicants in the coming months.

Stage 1 applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The application deadline
The programme will remain open until at least December 2023 but it will depend on when and how many others apply for funding.

The link to register can be found on the NLCF website.

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Funding For Cost of Living Projects
In partnership with Lancaster City Council and using funding originating from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, LDCVS is pleased to announce a new fund which will distribute grants to community organisations for projects which help households deal with cost of living problems.

The UK SPF Cost of Living Fund will provide grants of up to £5,000 for projects finishing by 31 September.

There is a quick turnaround on this fund, so make sure apply by the deadline – Thursday 23 March, 5pm.

See our Funding section for more information.

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Community Foundation for Lancashire Still Open
The CFLM Cost of Living Support Fund is still open for non-profit groups to support communities struggling with the cost of living. Grants of up to £3,000 are available for community centres – energy costs, food banks, clothing banks, lunch clubs and organisations using their venue as a warm hub. The fund will close as soon as 15 eligible and complete applications have been received for Lancashire.

Decisions on applications will take place in March

More information and application details here

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£1.9M Partnership Between National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Churches Trust
Funding for project development and maintenance work in places of worship is now available with Cherish, a new three-year programme which will support places of worship in Scotland, Wales and the North-West of England (Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria). Alongside grants ranging from £500 to £10,000, the programme will offer wide-ranging support in the form of:

Maintenance advice.
Crisis support for communities facing the potential loss of local historic buildings.
Resourcing for local issues.
A digital toolkit including buildings care and income generating advice.
Training to improve local capacity to look after buildings in need.
Visitor and tourism support.

Applications for grant funding are set to open in May 2023.

More information on the Cherish programme

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Community Shares Booster Fund Offers a Range of Support for Community Businesses in England
Funding to support new and existing community businesses in England that are at all stages of a community share issue are now available with the Community Shares Booster Fund, provided by Power to Change and Architectural Heritage Fund and delivered in partnership with Coops UK, Locality, Plunkett Foundation and Co-operative and Community Finance. The Booster Fund which relaunched recently now offers pre-grant support, development grants, equity match investment, subscription underwriting and loan finance support to community businesses based in England.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. There is a two-stage application process.

Expressions of Interest can be made at any time.

Guidance notes and the online Expression of Interest form can be found on the Co-operatives UK website

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Onward Community Fund
Do you have a great idea for a community project, but need a little help to get it off the ground? The Onward Community Fund supports local groups and projects in Lancashire, Merseyside and Manchester that aim to address one of four themes relating to work, food, greenspace or digital. Up to £2,500 is available to fund your project. Examples could include: IT training, youth projects or community events.

Next applications are taken in April 2023.

Learn more about this fund

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Grants for Science & the Arts Projects (North West of England)
The Granada Foundation has launched a new funding round for projects that encourage and promote the study, practice and appreciation of science and the arts. Awards of £500 to £10,000 are made three times a year (with the average award being around £2,000) to organisations (preferably with charitable status) for imaginative and innovative proposals which will make the North West of England a richer and more attractive place in which to live and work. The grants are usually for projects in art, architecture, cinema, dance, drama, literature, music, and science.

The next closing date for applications is the 31st March 2023.

How to apply – Granada Foundation

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IOP Public Engagement Grant Scheme – One More Month to Apply
Grant funding is available for up to £5000 for individuals and organisations running physics-based events and activities in the UK that improve people’s relationship with physics in their family or community groups. The Institute of Physics (IOP) provides grants for physics engagement projects that align with IOP’s Limit Less campaign. The framework for the 2023 grant scheme is informed by the learning accrued over the last couple of years with respect to equality, diversity and inclusion, the digital divide, and personal wellbeing. There is only one more month left to submit your application for this scheme.

The deadline for applications has been changed from the previously reported 27 February to 24 March 2023 (5pm).

Find out more about this fund and apply

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Electricity Northwest Accepting Applications for Partnership Fund
Charities and organisations across Northwest England can apply for funding to deliver projects and activities that ensure vulnerable individuals and communities are supported in the event of a power cut. Electricity Northwest is offering grants and support to charities and organisations across Northwest England to develop partnerships that support vulnerable individuals and communities in the event of a power cut and address the following priorities:

Keeping customers safe in a power cut by registering all eligible households to the Extra Care register.
Under the needs of communities through a network of experienced partners.
Building trust around Electricity Northwest’s Extra Care register and services.
Strengthening services through partner-led insights, data sharing, and advancements.

The deadline for applications is 31 March 2023.

Read the Electricity North West guidance notes

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UK Government’s £150m Community Ownership Fund – Third Bidding Window Now Open
A third bidding window is now open for the Community Ownership Fund in helping fund communities across the UK to take ownership of assets at risk of closure. The £150 million fund aims to support charities and community groups across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community. It will run for four years (until 2024/25) with three bidding windows per year. Groups can bid for up to £250,000 match funding or in exceptional cases up to £1 million for larger sporting assets at risk of loss. The Fund will support community ownership projects where the assets make the biggest difference to the local place.

The deadline for expressions of interest to the third window of Round two is 24 March 2023 with the deadline for full applications on 14 April 2023.

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Association of Independent Museums Announce 2023 Application Rounds
AIM (the Association for Independent Museums) has renewed funding for the Audit, Collections Care and Remedial Conservation grant schemes for a further three years. The grants support small to medium sized museums to care for their collections more effectively and efficiently and to meet the standards required for Accreditation. Grants of up to £1,200 are available for an audit, and up to £10,00 for a collections care or remedial conservation grant.

For all three schemes, the application deadline will be:

Spring Round – Friday 31 March 2023 (5pm)

Autumn Round – Friday 29 September 2023 (5pm).

Read more about this

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Charity Digital FREE Webinar: Using Social Media to Raise Awareness and Increase Donations
Charity Digital are set to run a webinar that could help stand you out from the crowd. James Shamsi, Growth Marketing Manager at Charity Digital, will show charities how to find influencers that will champion your cause, how to locate donors to boost funds, top tips for Instagram and Twitter growth, a short introduction to TikTok, the increasing value of overlooked platforms such as Be Real and Snapchat, and so much more.

Find out more and book your place

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Utilising QR Codes for your Business Guide by Hubspot
There was a time when QR codes were a puzzling pixelated black and white square that caused nothing but confusion for most people. Nowadays, organisations are increasingly harnessing their power. The third sector are utilising them more and more advantageously to help with their cause, from marketing your charity campaigns to streamlining access and payments on your Just Giving and Crowd Funding pages. Hubspot have created a useful guide on how to create, use and analyse QR Codes for your business.

Learn about QR Codes with the Hubspot How-to-use guide here

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Lloyds Bank Foundation & Barrow Cadbury Trust – Supporting Leaders Programme
Barrow Cadbury Trust and Lloyds Bank Foundation are looking for expressions of interest from organisations keen to get involved in the development and delivery of a pilot community leadership programme. The programme is specifically aimed at Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic leaders of voluntary and community organisations supporting people in, or at risk of getting caught up in, the criminal justice system.    

Informed by conversations with leaders of Black, Asian and minority ethnic-led charities, the pilot will aim to enable organisations to give them the tools to have their voices heard in the national policy debate, build personal and organisational resilience and develop networks with other criminal justice leaders.  

The provider is expected to be, or work in partnership with, an organisation which is led by people from Black, Asian or minoritized communities and have knowledge of the policy context for criminal justice charities and leadership development for charities. The provider/partnership should have clear demonstrable experience of delivering work in line with the programme design brief.

The application process consists of two stages. The deadline for the first stage is 5pm 27th March, with the preferred supplier appointed at the end of June.  

Learn more about the programme here

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Third Sector Trends in England and Wales 2022: Relationships, Influencing and Collaboration
The fourth of five reports from Third Sector Trends England and Wales 2022 has been published. The report breaks new ground by looking at the extent to which VCSE organisations get involved in campaigning and influencing at a national level – including, controversially, analysis of the use of digital media for campaigning. The report also looks at partnership working across the sector and examines how this has been affected by the pandemic by comparing with 2019.

Third Sector Trends has been surveying the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector every three years since 2010. In 2022, 6,070 responses were received across England and Wales (an average of 600 responses in each region). This is the only fully representative longitudinal survey which can produce robust and detailed comparative analysis at a regional and national level.

The latest full report can be downloaded here

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Centre for Sustainable Energy – Energy Efficiency Guidance
The Centre for Sustainable Energy have release a useful resource to improving the energy efficiency of your community building. The Centre advise using their ‘Energy Hierarchy’ as your framework to reducing bills, lowering carbon emissions and more. Find out all about the available technologies and whether your community building would be suitable on their website.

Get tips from their Energy Framework here

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Lancaster University Library – Community Membership
Anybody over the age of 16 is welcome to join Lancaster University Library as a Community Member to borrow books. Membership is free of charge. Members of the public are also able to use the library building without joining as a member. Currently the building is open for all to access from 8am – 8pm on weekdays and 8am – 6pm on weekends.

Joining as a community member online can be done on their online form or in-person at the library and completing a paper form. Members will be issued with a Community Card which allows borrowing of up to 6 books for 5 weeks. Proof of address must be provided in order to collect a Community Card.

To find out what resources you can access in the library, you can search their catalogue, OneSearch. Once in go to – Refine my results > Show only > Available in the library. This filters the results to display only content that’s available for Community Members.

You can also access resources online, by visiting their Open Access Guide. More information about joining the Library as a Community Member can be found on their website here and here.

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Household Support Fund – Lancaster City Council
As part of a community partner collaboration we are helping to support Lancaster City Council to deliver the Household Support Fund – a government fund provided by the department for work and pensions to support communities with the rising cost of living. It is available to help with household essentials and other bills such as food or fuel.

If you apply to the Household Support Fund you will need to supply a recent bank statement for each adult in the household. If you are on Universal Credit you will also need to provide the full breakdown of your award. As part of the scheme, you will get a phone appointment with an advisor from either Lancaster City Council or North Lancashire Citizens Advice. The Council team will help you through the whole process.

All calls are confidential.

It is easy to apply, you can do it online or by calling Lancaster City Council on 01524 582 000. They may also be able to offer other support, including connecting you with other local support services.

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Platform Places: Start a Local Property Partnership webinar
The social enterprise organisation Platform Places are hosting a practical online workshop to learn more about the Platform Places process and how to start a Local Property Partnership. Platform Places aims to help unlock town centre buildings for amazing ideas that help us live affordably, sustainably and together. They convene and support councils, communities and asset owners to bring buildings into long-term community use or ownership.

During this webinar, attendees will:

meet some of the people behind Platform Places
learn how to start the journey towards a Local Property Partnership in your town centre
meet others looking to do the same where they are
get your questions answered
Multiple dates, free of charge

Find out more and sign up to this webinar

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Eden Project £50m Levelling Up Fund Green Light
You will likely have heard the good news about funding for Eden Project Morecambe. Read about the first part investment of the coastal-themed project here. For updates about the project, including community consultation, construction and recruitment information, see the Eden Project’s page.

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Charity Commission Cost of Living guidance for Trustees
The Charity Commission recognises that many charities are facing difficult circumstances resulting from rapidly increasing costs, from their own cash flow to the issues faced by their staff. Some charities are also experiencing increased demand, particularly charities providing services to people in need. The Charity Commission has published new guidance for trustees, especially trustees of smaller charities, who may need help when facing difficult decisions about their charity’s financial position.

View the guidance here

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Cheaper broadband and mobile deals available through social tariffs
The Government is raising awareness of reduced broadband prices and mobile deals through a UK-wide public awareness campaign. The campaign promotes cheaper, reliable packages being provided to people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other benefits. The social tariff deals will help people to save money on bills and pay less to stream, chat and shop online.

Learn more about the campaign on OfComs webpage

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SEUK State of Social Enterprise Survey 2023
From late January, SEUK will begin to collect data for the State of Social Enterprise Survey – the most comprehensive UK research on social enterprise. This vital evidence helps shape local and national policy, influence support, funding and finance to grow the social enterprise movement. The State of Social Enterprise survey runs every two years and is the most comprehensive survey of UK social enterprise.

Social enterprises can register interest to take part by emailing [email protected] and will then be contacted by BMG Research to take the survey.

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Lloyds Banks Foundation Charity Support Free Tools & Resources
Lloyds Bank Foundation have provided a number of free tools and resource links for service users to help manage their money and budgeting to help with the rising cost of living.

There are free tools and resources available from the Money and Pension Service across the UK which might help your staff support your service users. There is also access to free (City & Guilds accredited) learning modules for staff giving non-regulated money guidance and support to individual service users and clients. They call this support for Money Guiders.

These are in addition to the free resources around Money Management on the Lloyds Bank Academy website too.

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The Herbert Protocol
The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme being implemented by Lancashire Constabulary in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services and North West Ambulance Service.

It involves carers compiling useful information which could be used by Police and other agencies to search for and locate a loved one in the event of them going missing.

Carers, family members and friends complete the form in advance, giving all vital details including medication required, mobile numbers and places known to visit, along with a recent photograph.

Should that person then go missing, the form can be quickly and easily used to assist the search process.

Find out more on the Lancashire Constabulary website.

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Free Cost of Living Support and Advice for Community Businesses
As part of the Resilient Communities Fund, launched last year, Power to Change is offering bespoke advice and support to help community businesses navigate the cost of living and energy crises, build resilience and strengthen local communities in the shift to a fairer, greener future.

Power to Change grantees can book sessions for tailored support from CSE’s broad range of experts. This includes advice about retrofit, energy-efficiency measures, fuel poverty, community action, engagement and building long-term resilience in the energy market.

CSE will also host a series of online resources and webinars, available to the wider community business sector.

Find out more here

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Energy Bills Discount Scheme – Government Announcement
The Government has announced a new Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) to run from 1 April 2023 for eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain including UK businesses, charities and the public sector. This replaces the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme for non-domestic customers, which comes to an end on 31 March 2023 and provided a reduction on wholesale gas and electricity prices. The new scheme will mean all eligible UK businesses and other non-domestic energy users will receive a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024.

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Cost of Living Support Factsheet
With the ongoing cost-of-living challenges that we are faced with, the government have provided a helpful factsheet for supporting households including useful information covering benefits and cost-of-living payments, national living wage, energy price guarantees and more.

Follow this link to view the factsheet

Volunteering

The Coronation Champions Awards
To mark the Coronation of Their Majesties, The Coronation Champions Awards, with the support of Her Majesty The Queen Consort, will celebrate and recognise inspiring volunteers who have made an exceptional difference in their communities.

Her Majesty is a passionate and long-standing advocate of volunteering, and the Royal Voluntary Service is organising the awards to acknowledge the contributions of volunteers across the UK. They will commend outstanding volunteers from all communities and also aim to inspire others to explore what volunteering has to offer. There will be eight categories of awards, from volunteering in health or animal welfare, to supporting the environment or sports and heritage. Anyone can nominate a volunteer they know for an award. Judges will also be on the lookout to celebrate rising stars as ‘Young Coronation Champions’ (aged 14-18).

The awards opened for nominations on 20th February 2023 and will close on 2nd April. 500 Coronation Champions will be announced before the Coronation weekend. The Coronation Champions Awards, along with the Big Help Out, will place volunteering at the heart of the Coronation celebrations, aiming to build a lasting legacy of volunteering spirit. The RVS website should answer most questions about the aims and process for nominations.

Visit the awards website to nominate a volunteer or to find out more.

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

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Volunteer Recruitment Fair – Lancaster Library
Our Volunteer Recruitment Fair took place on the 3rd March at Lancaster Library and was a great success, connecting community organisations and prospective volunteers. We had over 20 local volunteer involving organisations that attended, and their representatives were there to share their projects. If any of your service users would like to find out about volunteering in Lancaster, please do get in touch. The Volunteer Centre here at CVS provide an ongoing volunteer support and recruitment service.

Have a watch of our video compilation from the event

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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 (#LDCVSVolunteerTuesday); 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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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.

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Volunteering Opportunities

Roles with n-compass

Penpal Volunteer
Provide a connection and emotional support to Carers.

Outgoing CHAT line Volunteer
Provide a listening ear and emotional support to Carers.

Sitting In Service Volunteer
To allow carers a much-needed break from their caring role in order to do something for themselves.

Green Rose Energy Volunteer
Green Rose are advertising a variety of roles to choose from including social media support, helping at drop ins and events, delivering energy advice and holding the phone. There will be support around delivering energy champions training and briefings. The CIC provide a friendly and fun environment in which to meet new friends and learn new skills.

Explore this opportunity

The Bay Morecambe Hub Volunteer
The mental health & wellbeing project The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery have recently opened a Community Hub in the Arndale Shopping Centre in Morecambe and are looking to use the space for events, closed group sessions and drop-in wellbeing support and signposting. The team are looking for friendly, reliable and empathetic volunteers to support with the running of the Community Hub and activities. The Bay programme is designed to help people to recover from the effects of Covid-19 and the resulting social isolation by providing opportunities to connect with nature and participate in environmental activity around Morecambe Bay. The role will be flexible and there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Find out more about this volunteer role

Health & Wellbeing

Lived Experience Strategic Approach to Changing Culture Workshops
As part of their ongoing work on Changing Futures, The Well Communities are running 6 free training workshops over 7 months on taking a strategic approach to changing culture through a trauma and recovery lens. The workshops will provide a strategic overview, along with practical examples of how to support leaders in working in organisations where there are people with multiple complex needs.

Dates & times:

Workshop 1 – EmBRACE the journey through 6 Core Conditions – 24.3.23, 12-4.30pm
Workshop 2 – The Importance of language/The Rat Hell Case Study – 24.04.23, 10am-4.30pm
Workshop 3 – 6 Core Conditions (Part 1_Lived Experience) – 22.05.23, 1-4pm
Workshop 4 – 6 Core Conditions (Part 2_Connections, Meaning and Purpose) – 26.06.23, 1-4pm
Workshop 5 – 6 Core Conditions (Part 3_Community, Trauma Safe) – 19.09.23, 1-4pm
Workshop 6 – 6 Core Conditions (Part 4_Hope) and Modelling Good Practice – 2.10.23, 1-4pm

For more information contact Jo Obrien at [email protected]

View their event e-leaflet here

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West End Mental Health Project Commission
In line with its Action Plan, West End Morecambe Big Local (WEM) is looking to commission work to support Mental Health in the West End community. WEM are working within a maximum budget of £50,000. This is an open commission looking to invite the widest range of projects that could help in the West End. If your group or organisation have an interest in this theme please visit the West End Morecambe Big Local website for further information about the commission and to download the commission form.

Please note the closing date for this commission is Monday 24th April 2023.

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Laughter Yoga with The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery
The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery is hosting a series of FREE sessions combining Laughter Yoga and nature connection. The group will meet at the Bay’s Community Hub in the Arndale Centre, Morecambe for a series of weekly laughter sessions followed by a litter pick and nature walk along the seafront. You’ll have the opportunity to try out laughter yoga and see how laughter can help you to feel better and connect with others. Experience the benefits that time outdoors can have on our wellbeing, meet new people and have fun in a safe and welcoming setting!

Sessions run every Thursday from 20^th April – 18^th May 2023.

Booking and pre-registration is essential (limited spaces) please contact Alex: [email protected]

View their event e-flyer here

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What’s On Guide – Lancaster District Children and Family Wellbeing Service April-June
The LCC Children and Family Wellbeing Service latest What’s On Guide for April-June has now been released with lots of activities and support available in the district. Their service is there to provide early help on a whole range of issues affecting you and your family.

Download their What’s On Guide here

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Integrated Care Partnership Strategy
Hearing your views and those of communities

A strategy has been produced by members of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Partnership (ICP). The joint strategy focuses on the most complex issues that can only be solved by the organisations within the partnership working together. In October 2022 people living in Lancashire and South Cumbria were asked to to share their views on the six proposed priorities for the strategy. Feedback was received from a broad range of partner representatives and residents, which included over 700 survey responses. This feedback was shared with the partnership, which reviewed the priorities and developed the final strategy, which will be the initial focus of the partnership going forward.

Now the ICP are looking for your feedback for the final strategy document and the priorities it identifies ensuring they can be easily understood; that they make sense and are meaningful to partners and residents of Lancashire and South Cumbria.

View the draft strategy here

For more information on how to get involved

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Social Prescribing Day 2023
March 9^th was Social Prescribing Day, an annual celebration of social prescribing, recognising link workers, local community groups and regional and national organisations which support people’s health and wellbeing. Sometimes our needs for our health and wellbeing require something outside the realms of medication and clinical services. With people’s health determined primarily by a range of social, economic and environmental factors, social prescribing takes a more holistic route. The Social Prescribing Academy have provided a few short videos which you may find useful:

Our brand new Lancaster District Directory is the perfect tool for social prescription. You can search, browse and discover a whole range of useful health and wellbeing services in the area to provide you with that wellbeing boost.

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Healthy Relationships 6 week Course
Lancashire County Council and the Children & Family Wellbeing Service are promoting a 6 session course supporting ‘Healthy Relationships’. The course is for parents, grandparents or carers that are either separated or still together that are experiencing conflict in their relationship. The course aims to build healthier relationships, and help with more constructive communication to improve children’s physical and mental health.

The six week course begins on Tuesday 18^th April 2023, 9.30am-11.30am at LunePark Neighbourhood Centre.

For more information on the session topics view the e-leaflet here

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Managing the Menopause in Life and Work
Lancashire Adult Learning are running a FREE online event Managing the Menopause for anyone aged 19 and over in Lancashire. Come along to learn more about the menopause and discover some helpful tips and tricks to make the journey smoother.

Date & time: Tuesday 25^th April 2023, 6-8pm

View the course e-leaflet here

For more information and book your place

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#CovidNOW Resources
Resources and workshops created by Maya Abeysuriya and Will Doe resulting from the #CovidNOW events held at The Storey last March are offered for use at other relevant events and activities.

A short summary of resources is below. For further information please contact Maya at [email protected]

Cathy Covid

Cathy is an interactive puppet who helps us learn more about Covid 19 and how it affects our bodies. She is a conversation starter who helps adults and children learn more about public health, and inspires art and writing in workshops.

Printmaking and Craft Workshops

Pop-up printmaking or craft workshops for schools and groups – an opportunity to make art while discussing experiences of the pandemic.

Poetry Workshops

Telling stories and making a difference through writing poetry, for all ages and abilities.

Sound Booth

A recording booth which gives participants the opportunity to speak in private about their Covid 19 experience.

A Quick Recap of that Thing That Happened
Video installation by Will Doe, available to view on Youtube

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The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery – Taster Sessions
The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery is a free Nature and Wellbeing programme for people in Morecambe Bay, helping individuals to improve their wellbeing and tackle feelings of isolation through learning about nature. The programme includes public events and weekly wellbeing sessions for small groups in Morecambe and Lancaster that individuals can refer onto. Activities link into the 5 ways to wellbeing and include bushcraft, conservation, environmental art, mindfulness and nature walks.

To join a Nature and Wellbeing session please contact Alex (Nature and Wellbeing Officer) for more information: 07884 605256 / [email protected] or complete an online referral form.

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Venus Revisited Workshops
Supported by LDCVS, King Street Arts, Lancaster are running a series of workshops working with clay and celebrating the form and nature of older women. The sessions will explore different making techniques and there will be opportunity to make one or more creations to keep. The project is for women 55 years and older in the Lancaster & Morecambe District. The sessions are free and are suitable for beginners or those with some creative experience: no previous art or clay skills are needed to join in.

Venue & Location: The Cornerstone, Lancaster
Date and times: Wednesdays, 2.30-5pm | April 19^th & 26^th / May 3^rd & 10^th

Find out more about the Workshops

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Tackling Inequality and Disadvantage – Health and Wellbeing Alliance Resource
Members of the VCSE Health and Wellbeing alliance have launched a report that highlights how groups of people who experience the greatest barriers to accessing health and care are often the most likely to experience digital exclusion. The document also contains additional, detailed insights into how digital exclusion affects groups who experience health inequalities. This includes people with learning disabilities, people seeking asylum, people in contact with the criminal justice system, people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and others. The report is part of a wider body of work by the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance, whose mission it is to enable policy, commissioning and provider organisations to design services and support based on the needs of people and communities who face disadvantage and exclusion.

Learn more about this

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact Jenny by email at [email protected]

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

Day 1: Wednesday 8 March 09:30 – 13:00
Day 2: Wednesday 22 March 09:30 – 13:00

Day 1: Tuesday 11 April 13:00 – 16:45
Day 2: Tuesday 25 April 13:00 – 16:45

Day 1: Tuesday 2 May 09:30 – 13:00
Day 2: Tuesday 16 May 09:30 – 13:00

Children & Young People

Easter Fun Days – Lancaster District Children and Family Wellbeing Service
The Lancaster District Children and Family Wellbeing Service have egg-celled themselves once again with organising some egg-citing Easter Fun events in April. These free family events will have a range of easter activities such as egg rolling, facepainting, egg decorating and crafts. Not only that, you’ll be egg-static to know there will be the opportunity to meet a real Easter Rabbit.

Lune Park Neighbourhood Centre
Date & time: Wed 5^th April 2023, 10am-12.30pm

Westgate Neighbourhood Centre
Date & time: Weds 12^th April 2023, 10am-12.30pm

View their Easter Fun Poster for more

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BEE UNIQUE Parents, Carers & Families Support
BEE UNIQUE Parents, Carers & Families Support are running regular sensory play sessions for children not in school. Sessions can be tailored to suit those that attend regularly with activities including crafts, lego and more. The sessions are ran by Kirsten and welcomes children of all ages. All sensory play sessions double as parent/ carer support so families can bring their worries and queries along to talk with Kirsten who will provide the best help she can.

Find out more on the BEE Unique Facebook Page

For bookings and to see other activities available

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Invitation from Lancaster and Morecambe Prince’s Trust
Young people in the local community have been taking part in a 12-week development programme by The Prince’s Trust delivered by the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. This programme has been an opportunity for them to develop new skills that will help them in their future lives, whether that is at work, college, or in training. As a celebration of their success and development The Lancaster and Morecambe Prince’s Trust would like to formally invite you to the Final Presentation of Team 61. It is a fantastic opportunity for those attending to connect and build professional relationships with members of the local community.

Date & time: Tuesday 11th April 2023, 12.30pm
Location: King Community Church, Phoenix Street, Lancaster, LA1 1DD.

It is advised to arrive no later than 12.15pm for a prompt start.

Visit the Eventbrite link to book your tickets

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Your People Recruitment – Lancashire Wildlife Trust Youth Council
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust are currently recruiting young people aged 13-25 years for their Youth Council. They are looking for up to 15 new members to join the Youth Council in April and this will include one Chair and one Vice Chair. The LWT are looking to recruit a spread of young people from across the region with a big focus on diversifying the Youth Council. Members do not need any qualifications or specific skills, just a love of nature and a willingness to get stuck in.

The closing date is the 31st March.

For more information and to apply

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Inside Out Children Support Sessions
The Children & Family Wellbeing Service and Lancashire County Council are running support sessions for children to help with expressing and managing their emotions, and building self-confidence. The Sessions are aimed at those aged between 8-11 years (Key stage 2). The kids will be able to get involved with a variety of activities and games whilst developing social skills and more.

Location: Morecambe Library
Dates & times: Tuesdays from 3.30pm-4.45pm
To book onto sessions contact Briony or Nichola on 01524 581280
View their session e-leaflet here

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Children & Family Wellbeing Service ‘What’s On’
The Children & Family Wellbeing Service are promoting a variety of family sessions taking place in the district over the coming months. A useful ‘What’s on’ timetable of the latest events in your area can be found here.

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We Are With You Support Services
The young persons wellbeing support charity We Are With You deliver drug and alcohol services throughout Lancashire. The services now have a dedicated Schools Team to support, educate and train young people and school staff. The organisation offer a variety of completely FREE services to help you help your students:

Groupwork
Through fun and engaging activities and discussions, With You can deliver bespoke Drug and Alcohol awareness and harm reduction sessions to support parts of the school PSHE programme.

Assemblies
Introduce the school to With You, the positive impact With You can have and how individuals in the school can receive support.

Staff Training
The team at With You can provide school staff with knowledge on substance misuse and the wider risks associated.

Free Short Course for students
With You deliver the ASDAN accredited qualification in Peer Mentoring for students, which is aimed at young people in the greatest need. The short course provides certification and recognition for skills in mentoring and buddying younger ones.

1:1 and Small Group Support
Work one to one and in groups with young people to address their own substance or alcohol misuse and help them to make positive changes.

For session bookings or for more information please contact Nikki at [email protected] or call 07977830453.

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What’s On Guide – Lancaster District Children and Family Wellbeing Service
The LCC Children and Family Wellbeing Service latest What’s On Guide for February-April has now been released with lots of activities and support available in the district. Their service is there to provide early help on a whole range of issues affecting you and your family.

Download their What’s On Guide here

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Kooth Online Mental Health & Wellbeing Support for Young People
Kooth is an online support service for young people that offers wellbeing support 365 days a year via a range of self-help materials and peer to peer support which young people are able to contribute to. Kooth also has an online wellbeing team from 12pm- 10pm on weekdays and 6pm- 10pm on weekends offering 1:1 text- based online counselling via live chat or messaging.

Find out more about Kooth

Kooth March Webinars
During the month of March Kooth will he holding a number of webinars relating to Children’s mental health, details as follows:

How Kooth and Qwell Can Support Eating Disorders and Self Injury & Harm – for Professionals supporting young people or adults – Weds 29^th March, 12-1pm | Book your e-ticket here
Kooth Information Session for Professionals – Weds 29^th March, 4-5pm | Book your e-ticket here

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Women’s & Children’s Care Group –Health Services Survey for Young People
The Women’s & Children’s Care Group are calling for young people with experience of health services to help improve how health services prepare young people with long term health conditions or complex needs with the right knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their health as adults.

Please complete the Transition in Health Care Survey here

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Find your Purpose Project with Lancashire Youth Challenge and the Adullam Programme
With funding from Banks Lyon and the Westminster Foundation, Lancashire Youth Challenge in partnership with the Adullam Programme, has been able to develop another ‘Find Your Purpose’ project for young people aged 16-25 years from the local area. If you are interested in finding out more or if you have any young people that would benefit from taking part, please contact Ant directly at [email protected].

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

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Escape2Make FREE Cabaret Workshops
E2M are calling all 11-18s who live in the Lancaster & Morecambe Area to take part in their free creative workshops to try something new and make new friends. Escape2Make are excited to offer you an exclusive invitation to sign up to 1 of 10 FREE workshops as part of their CABARET event! This is a first opportunity to snap up these sought-after spaces, but you will need to be quick as this will go live online in the coming days.

You can meet new people, learn new and exciting skills over 5 workshops through February and March, then deliver a celebratory event at the iconic Alhambra Theatre in Morecambe on 25th March. The experiences include Wild Cooking, Magic, Upcycled Fashion Show, Cartoon Portraits, Mini Musical and much more, and no experience is necessary to get involved…..just turn up and have a go!

If you need any help contact the team at [email protected]

For more info and details of how to sign up

Events & Training

Polish Heritage Day
The Polish Saturday School are inviting the local community to join them for a celebratory family picnic, an opportunity to meet your Polish neighbours and learn about their traditions. There will be a number of activities on the day for all the family from music and live performances to great food and an exhibitions. There will also be a bouncy slide, a planetarium, sports, games and stalls. This family friendly event is free to attend and fun for all ages.

Date & time: 29th April 2023, 12pm to 4pm.
Location: Morecambe Bay Academy, LA4 5BG

Reserve your FREE ticket here

Book your place with the Lancaster University planetarium

View this event e-flyer here

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Let’s Talk Good Finance Virtual Events by Good Finance
Let’s Talk Good Finance is a series of virtual events hosted by Good Finance which seek to dispel the myths and share knowledge surrounding social investment for charities and social enterprises. The session will look at how community-based organisations harness social investment to help local people to thrive. At Let’s Talk Good Finance: Pubs, Clubs and Community Hubs, the virtual workshop will explore how different organisations have taken on different types of social investment to build resilience and scale their impact. From attending this session, you’ll gain an understanding of some of the different types of social investment available, and hear directly from people who have gone through the process in their own organisations. They’ll share insights into the challenges, opportunities and impact social investment has delivered, plus their top tips for other leaders.

Date & time: Tuesday 18 April 2023, 1-3pm

Location: Online

Learn more about this event and book your place

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Free Tennis Open Day
Lancaster Tennis Club are holding a FREE Open Day for families and adults in the Lancaster area who are interested in trying out tennis or pickleball. This is especially aimed at families and juniors, but adults are equally welcome. The event is for players of all levels from beginners to more advanced. The open day will provide a great opportunity to trial the Club’s astro turf courts, find out more about the Club, the social tennis sessions, teams and matches. There will also be a chance to meet the new coaching team as well as their friendly and welcoming current members. There will an opportunity to hit balls with them and also try out the fast growing & fun game of pickleball.

No prior registration is needed, guests can just turn up and balls and racquets are provided for.

Date & time: Saturday April 29^th 2023, 2pm to 4pm
Location: Lancaster Tennis Club, Lune Road, LA1 5QU

More information about this event

Any queries contact Susan Lucas on 07771 734920 or email: [email protected]

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Mill Race: Flow of Change Cultural Programme Information Event
Following a bid submission in 2021, the city council and Lancaster Arts, a part of Lancaster University and the National Portfolio of Arts Council England, have been successful in being awarded a £86,660 grant from Historic England. The grant is to help create an exciting three-year cultural programme for the Mill Race area to complement the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Programme.

The programme will deliver a range of place-based cultural opportunities to help reveal and experience the area’s unique histories and distinctiveness, celebrating the Mill Race area as a core and dynamic part of Lancaster that is directly informed by its heritage but also informing its emerging, contemporary character.

LancasterArts are now looking for people to join a cultural consortium to help oversee new arts and cultural commissions in the Mill Race area.

An information event will take place on Weds 22 Mar at The Storey, 5.30-7.00pm.

If you would like to attend this event please RSVP to [email protected]

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Training Sessions with LDCVS & Lancashire Adult Learning

Introduction to Safeguarding
LDCVS and Lancashire Adult Learning are once again working in partnership to bring to you a Free Introduction to Safeguarding course. Targeted at the voluntary sector, this training is aimed at supporting people who require further knowledge about safeguarding. This could be for a volunteer role or job, or it could be for personal development.

You will learn:

The principles of safeguarding
Who is at risk
Who can be affected by safeguarding
Who should be informed about a safeguarding issue
How to signpost people who have raised a safeguarding issue

The session will be delivered once in person and once online.

Monday 17 April 2023, 9.30am – 12 noon at The Cornerstone, Sulyard Street, Lancaster LA1 1PX – find out more and book

Thursday 20 April 2023, 6pm – 8:30pm, online – find out more and book

For further information please contact [email protected]

Introduction to Equality and Diversity (Level 1)
This programme provides an overview of Equality and Diversity with the opportunity to gain a Level 1 accredited Award. Learners will explore at an introductory level the topics below and can choose to undertake a short online assessment which will lead to an accredited qualification.

What the terms Equality and Diversity mean
Recognising Equality and Diversity in Action
Understanding how law impacts on Equality and Diversity
Recognising and Supporting Equality and Diversity at Work

The session will be delivered once in person and once online.

Tuesday 24 April 2023, 9.30am – 12 noon at The Cornerstone, Sulyard Street, Lancaster LA1 1PX – find out more and book

Thursday 27 April 2023, 12.30pm – 3pm, online – find out more and book

For further information, contact Catherine Westwell by email at [email protected] or see the Lancashire Adult Learning Course Information Sheet

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Strategic Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement Short Course Funded Places

There are funded places available for the Strategic Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement short course that will be delivered from 16-18 May 2023 in Ambleside. There is one free place available for each Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisation/group that is working on the Netmakers project.

A return minibus has been organised for transportation each day from the University of Cumbria’s Lancaster campus (Bowerham Road, LA1 3JD) to the Ambleside campus (Rydal Road, LA22 9BB). Lunch and coffee/tea breaks will also be covered for all VCFSE participants for the duration of the three-day course.

Please register for your organisation/group’s free place by signing up via this link as soon as possible due to limited places. If you have any questions about the course or anything else about the Netmakers project, please feel free to contact David Murphy at [email protected]

A Teams meeting or WhatsApp call can also be arranged.

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Problem Gambling Seminar by Lancaster University
This month is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. With this Lancaster University are holding a seminar for anyone interested in learning more about problem gambling, research in the area, and local efforts to combat the problem. Lancaster University are currently working with the NHS and other partner organisations across the northwest exploring problem gambling among help-seeking populations. This free event will take the form of brief presentations and detailed discussions, with key local organisations attending and providing their perspectives on this public health emergency. A networking lunch is included to foster further partnership working.

The event aims to increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment & recovery services. It also aims to encourage healthcare providers and others to screen clients for problem gambling.

You are invited to attend this free event on Friday 31 March 2023, 10am-2pm. The event will be held at Private Dining Room 1, Floor A, County South, Lancaster University, LA1 4YU

Reserve your place here

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2027 Professional Development Programme
2027 is an initiative which exists to hire, develop and support anybody passionate about forging a career that helps them serve communities through grant-giving, and has some lived experience of being working class and working in the community. The ultimate aim of 2027 is to bring 15 people a year into the grant-giving sector over 10 years, in order to fundamentally change how decisions are made about where money is going, and who is involved in the decision-making process. Further details are outlined below:

The opportunity at a glance:

Job Title: 2027 associate
Salary: A minimum salary of £25,000
Employer: One of our 2027 host organisations, a leading Foundation, Trust or social investment organisation
Location: We have opportunities throughout England and Scotland and you’ll tell us your preferences
Hours: Typically 9 am-5 pm with some flexibility according to the requirements of your employing host organisation
Term of contract: Fixed-term, 12-months starting October 2023

Alongside your job, you will also take part in an acclaimed Development Programme where Associates will attend masterclasses and residentials, receive coaching and mentoring and connect with alumni and experts throughout the sector.

How can I find out more?

Apply today by following this link
Have a look at the 2027 Application Pack
Browse the 2027 Programme Website
Watch a video covering the 2027 Grant Making Career Programme

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Wise Up Workshops Weekly Activities
The performance-based Community Interest Company Wise Up Workshops have released their current weekly activity programme for the coming months. They will be hosting a variety of sessions from film club to wellbeing workshops, creative movement workshops to theatre group, all with the aim of promoting health and wellbeing and building resilience and self-confidence.

All activities are either low cost or free and are inclusive of everyone, all ages and abilities.

View their weekly timetable here

More information on Wise Up Workshops

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Lights on the Lawn with Cancercare
CancerCare invites the community to join them at Lights on the Lawn: a special evening of celebration & remembrance. For this special event, they will be adorning the gardens of the Slynedales centre with hundreds of lights as coming together to pay tribute to lost loved ones. Everyone is invited to dedicate a candle, which will bear your unique, personal message and be added to display, setting the garden aglow with light. Dedicating a candle in memory of a loved one is a wonderful way to honour their memory, and by making a donation in their name, you will also be helping to provide vital support to others in the community affected by cancer or bereavement.

For those unable to attend, a dedication can be placed with a candle on your behalf. To dedicate a candle to a loved one, please visit Lights on the Lawn or call Anna on 01524 381820.

The event will take place on April 1st 2023, 6.30-8.30pm.

More information on the Lights on the Lawn event

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NFP Workshops – Affordable Training Courses for Charities (Extra Dates)
NFP are running a variety of workshops in the coming weeks that cover a range of subject areas for charities, schools, healthcare and public sector organisations. The online sessions can be attended via Zoom and take place from 10am-12.30pm. The workshop timetable has included more dates in the coming months as follows:

Capital Campaigns –26 Apr

Managing staff – 26 Apr/24 May/ 21 Jun

Bid Writing – ~~20 Mar~~/ 17, 24 Apr/ 8,22 May/ 5,19 Jun

Trust Fundraising – 9 May

Major Donor Fundraising – ~~21 Mar~~/ 23 May

Corporate Fundraising – ~~10 Mar~~/ 18 Apr/ 6 Jun

Legacy Fundraising – 25 Apr/ 20 Jun

Recruiting & Managing Volunteers – 27 Apr/ 10 May/ 7 Jun

Fundraising Regulations & GDPR – ~~22 Mar~~/ 25 May

Introduction to Fundraising – 19 Apr/ 22 Jun

Project Management – 11 May

Managing Staff – ~~13 Mar~~/ ~~23 Mar~~/ 26 Apr/ 24 May/ 21 Jun

Charity Finance – 24 Mar/ 20 Apr/ 8 Jun

View the full workshop schedule and booking links

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Lancaster & Morecambe Primary Mental Health Sessions – Last Remaining Places
The Lancaster & Morecambe Mental Health Team are running an upcoming session and the last few places are available.

Bereavement and Loss (full day face to face) Monday 27th March

To reserve a place on these sessions please email [email protected]

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Sponsored Run & Walk – Wise UP Workshops CIC
Wise Up Workshops will be holding a sponsored run and walk for all ages and abilities this month. The money raised will go towards supporting the work of the organisation. The run and walk will start at the Battery to the stone jetty and back and it’s a dog friendly event, so long as the dogs are friendly.

Date: Saturday March 25^th 2023, 11.30am start
For more information call Emma on 07398104149

View the event e-flyer here

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More Music HERchester Up North Rap/MC/Lyric MCing and Lyrical Workshops
More Music are launching some exciting Rap / MC / Lyric writing sessions as part of their Wednesday offer. The sessions will be run by signed artist Oneda and will be open to women, non-binary people, transgender women and those that identify as women. The workshops are ideal for those just starting out or for the more seasoned rapper. The sessions will take place at More Music during term time. Young people can sign up via the email on the event e-flyer or by emailing [email protected] or they can just turn up.

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Call for Papers: Rethinking Poverty, Insecurity and the Cost of Living Crisis in the North West and Beyond | One-Day Conference
The ongoing cost of living crisis is causing immense stress and hardship for individuals, families, and communities. The price of basic goods and services – food, electricity, fuel – is increasing at a much faster rate than average household wages and benefit increases. Moreover, recent tax changes mean that more people are now experiencing poverty and insecurity, unable to meet their basic everyday needs. In light of this, Liverpool Hope University are organising a one-day conference which aims to bring together researchers, academics, activists, politicians and members of the third sector from across the northwest and beyond to advance knowledge and further understanding of the specific ways in which people are experiencing the cost of living crisis. The conference will thus provide a knowledge exchange/ social partnership platform for researchers and stakeholders working in this area to share their expert opinion on the emergent issues, experiences and wider consequences associated with this crisis.

Date: Wednesday 28th June 2023
Location: Liverpool Hope University, Creative Campus

Find out more about this event

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Basic Drug & Alcohol Awareness Sessions
We are Lancashire for Young People are running free online workshops for anyone working with those under 25. The session will be roughly 2 hours long, interactive and fun. You will learn a little more about the services that are available at We Are With You in Lancashire and will talk about current themes and trends.

The group will look at some of the reasons why young people use substances, risks and some harm reduction messages. You will also gain access to their Tier 1 resource booklet & drug use screening tool which includes practical information and worksheets, useful when working with young people.

Sessions dates include:

~~Thursday February 2^nd 2023, 10am~~
~~Thursday March 2^nd 2023, 10am~~
Thursday April 6^th 2023, 10am

Jobs

Outreach Support Worker – Preston Domestic Violence Services
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a dynamic team providing one to one support to those from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities who have or are experiencing domestic violence/ abuse.

Please note: This job is open to women only. (Exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1)

Salary: £20,138 actual (£24,838 pro-rata)
Contract: 30 hours per week (Flexible hours and job sharing will be considered)
Location: Preston office and home visits combination
Closing Date: Not confirmed

Find out more and apply

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Buddy Co-ordinator – RECOOP
RECOOP, part of the BCHA Group, has been supporting and delivering services to help the older offender population both in prisons and in the community for over ten years. RECOOP are looking to recruit support roles for their services in their Lancaster cluster of prisons to manage their Buddy Support Worker programme. The programme trains prisoners to National Care Standards, adapted for use in Prison, to support other prisoners who have health and social care needs.

Salary: £22,854 – £23,887.5 per year
Contract: Permanent, Part-time, 3 – 4 days per week (7.5hours)
Location: Lancaster, Leyland
Closing Date: 20 April 2023, 23:59

Explore this role and apply

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Catering Assistant with RSPB
Do you want to join a fantastic catering team, working on a beautiful nature reserve? RSPB’s Leighton Moss cafe, in Silverdale, near Carnforth, is recruiting for a part-time Catering Assistants to join the team. Along with many duties, the catering assistant will be required to assist with the day to day operation of the café, work as part of a motivated and passionate team of staff and volunteers and deliver the highest standard of customer care,

Salary: £10.90 – £11.70 per hour
Contract: Permanent, Part-time, 22.5-hour-a-week, spread over 3 x 7.5-hour days
Location: Carnforth, Lancashire
Closing Date: 10 April 2023, 23:59

I’m interested in this role, show me more!

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Manager at The Rainbow Centre
The Rainbow Centre (The Youth Club for the over 50s) are seeking to recruit a Manager to run their centre. They are seeking someone that is a people person, flexible, welcoming and able to adapt to situations as they arise. Previous experience of at least 12 months in a managerial role of a similar organisation would be beneficial. The post holder will need to be computer literate with experience of Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher.

Salary: £18,870 based 44 week contract, annualised hours paid fortnightly
Contract: 27 hours per week, Mon-Thurs
Location: Morecambe
Closing Date: –
Interview Date: Tuesday 18^th April

To apply and arrange an informal visit please phone us – 01524 415502

Find out more here

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Crisis Recovery Worker – Richmond Fellowship
The Lancaster Outreach Service Richmond Fellowship are looking to appoint a caring, flexible and creative individual to fill the role or Crisis Recovery Worker. The post holder will be responsible for helping and inspiring the people who use their services and to maintain their tenancy and independence in the community, work to develop personal support plans for those in recovery that will see them achieve their goals and aspirations.

Salary: £20,054 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Lancaster Lancashire
Closing Date: 12 April 2023, 23:59

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Anne Frank worker with Anne Frank Trust
The education charity Anne Frank Trust UK are recruiting a permanent position to fulfil front-line delivery for all the education programmes of the Anne Frank Trust UK. The post holder will be leading their workshops, training the organisation’s peer educators and mentoring their ambassadors in schools and communities across the country. This is a varied, exciting and demanding role for highly organised professionals with a deeply held commitment to equality and the skills to engage 9 to 15-year-olds in a structured, creative journey of learning and empowerment.

Salary: 27,820 per year
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Closing Date: 3 April 2023, 23.30

Find out more about this role and apply

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Cook at The Centre @ Halton
An opportunity exists for an enthusiastic and reliable person with experience of cooking for large numbers (up to 50) to join the team at The Centre @ Halton to plan and provide meals for their Luncheon Club. The role will be supported by a team of volunteers and staff.

The successful applicant will be required to start as soon as possible.

Salary: Competitive salary
Contract: Minimum 5 hours on 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.
Location: The Centre @ Halton
Closing Date: 24th March 2023

For detailed information and an application form please contact: Naomi on 01524 811316 [email protected]

Find out more and apply

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Social Worker – Children & Families with Love Barrow Families
The Community Interest Company Love Barrow Families are looking for a Social Worker to join their team and help with the delivery of a comprehensive “all under one roof” support service that includes all family members from birth to old age. Love Barrow Families work with local disadvantaged families facing multiple and complex challenges. They use true co-production principles to design and deliver services in a way that recognises and welcomes the strengths and assets that all families contribute.

Salary: 32,500 – £38,500 Dependent on experience
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Closing Date: 5 April 2023, 23:59

Learn more about this role and apply

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Business Support Officer – Preston Domestic Violence Services
The PDVS are looking for a Business Support Officer to be responsible for the efficient running of the charity’s administration, including payroll and accounts.

Salary: £10,881 actual (£26,839 pro-rata)
Contract: 15 hours per week
Location: Community Gateway Offices, Preston
Closing Date: 10^th April 2023, 12pm

Learn more about this job and apply

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Family Support Worker – Rainbow Trust
The children’s charity Rainbow Trust are 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.

Salary: £20,100 pa + benefits (company car, 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Barrow in Furness
Closing Date: 24 March 2023 at 23.59

Apply for this role

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Asylum Lead – Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council are looking for an experienced Asylum Lead Officer to deliver on the key strategic priorities of the Lancashire Refugee Integration Team (LRIT). The Asylum Lead Officer will be the main point of contact within LRIT for a range of internal and external stakeholders responsible for the delivery of asylum services across the region. The post holder will be required to be dynamic, adaptive and will also be expected to work proactively. The team are particularly welcoming candidates with lived experience of being a refugee or asylum seeker.

Salary: £27,852-£32,020
Contract: 37 hours, Full time, Fixed term until 31.12.2023
Location: Preston County Hall
Closing Date: 3 April 2023, 23:59

Find out more about this role

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Multiple roles at CancerCare
CancerCare is looking to expand its team of therapists with some experienced and qualified practitioners in the following fields:

Nutritional Therapists – to work across the whole of our area, both face-to-face and online

Children and Young People’s Therapists – to work at Kendal (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday), Lancaster (Friday) and Morecambe (Tuesday)

Aromatherapists – to work at Lancaster on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4-8pm and Friday (during the day)

You will deliver therapy for CancerCare clients affected by issues surrounding cancer and bereavement and you will be contracted on a self-employed basis.

If you are interested in any of the above roles please email your CV and a covering letter to Head of Therapies Alison Dixey [email protected]

LDCVS - Here to Help

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]

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