Information and advice for the third sector across Lancaster District – 12 Jan 22

Save the date:
Lancaster District CVS Funding Fair – Wednesday 9th March 2022
We are currently in the process of organising an exciting Funding Fair for our members. This is the first of many events we will be running this year and more details will be available soon but in the meantime, please save the date in your calendar.

As an attendee, you will have the opportunity to attend booked appointment slots with various national, regional and local funders to discuss your project ideas and get tips on how to submit successful funding applications. There will be speakers and a number of information stalls to help your organisation with its needs. We look forward to sharing more details with you soon.

Tackling respiratory illness this winter across the Lancaster District
Lancaster District CVS has partnered with Spring North and NHS England to support Lancaster communities in the fight against respiratory illness this winter. To help us achieve this, we are recruiting and training a team of volunteer Community Champions who will work with our communities to ensure that appropriate, up-to-date information on bronchiolitis is available, including what it is, how to spot it, and what to do if you are worried about your child.

This is a time-limited project that will run until the end of March and your help and support will make a valuable difference to children and their families. This opportunity is open to volunteers as well as paid staff. Full training and support will be provided. 

Read more about this on our website

Become a member today, it’s FREE!
Members of Lancaster District CVS receive benefits including

• This email bulletin
• Organisation development support
• Funding and governance advice
• Access to funding opportunities
• Volunteering support
• Financial services such as payroll and examination of accounts
• Access to events
• Training and development for staff and volunteers
• Opportunities to meet other organisations and share ideas
• A say in our work through consultations and the AGM

Click here to begin the process – it only takes a couple of minutes.

Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Let’s Create – Queen’s Jubilee Fund
The Let’s Create Jubilee Fund will support charity and volunteer groups to develop creative and cultural activities as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. The fund has been created by Arts Council England (ACE) with funds from the National Lottery. Applicants can apply for grants from £750 to £10,000.

Application deadline: 28th February 2022.
Click here to read the guidelines and to apply.

The Screwfix Foundation
The Screwfix Foundation charity raises funds throughout the year to support causes that will change people’s lives. The Foundation works with both national and local charities, donating funds to help a variety of projects, from repairing buildings and improving facilities in deprived areas, to decorating the homes of people living with sickness and disabilities.

The Screwfix Foundation currently offers local registered charities and not for profit organisations funding of up to £5,000. All applications are reviewed individually quarterly, the review dates are in March, June, September and December.

Find out how to apply for funding here.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund – Sports England
Sports England recently launched a new £5 million fund (from the National Lottery) to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee that aims to use sport and physical activity to bring communities together and tackle inequalities.

The fund will make awards of between £300 and £10,000 to community organisations in support of new projects providing opportunities to become more physically active including, facility hire and coaching costs, or small capital improvements.

The grant aims to support projects working with people located in areas of high deprivation (specifically people living in areas defined by Indices of Multiple Deprivation 1-3).

Find out more about the fund and apply here

Lancashire Community Food Grant
Another round of the Lancashire Community Food Grant Scheme is open for applications. The Community Food Grant Scheme is a small grants programme for community groups within Lancashire.

The scheme is aimed at local organisations within the voluntary, community and faith sector that deliver projects to tackle food insecurity. There’s funding in the region of £20,000 available and groups can apply for up to £1,000.

Application deadline: 20th February 2022.

Visit here for more information and to start an application. If you have any questions about the grant scheme, please contact, [email protected]

Suicide Prevention VCSE Grant Fund by DHSC
Applications are open for grants from the £4 million fund to support suicide prevention voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. The grant will support services to help meet the increased demand resulting from the pandemic and will particularly focus on organisations supporting individuals from some of the groups considered to be at higher risk of suicide, as is set out within the latest progress report.

A proportion of the grant is also available to specifically support small community-led groups and organisations that play a vital role in responding to local needs. Applications close on the 16th of January 2022.

Find more information on how to apply here

Lloyds Bank Foundation
Lloyds Bank Foundation provides funding for small and local charities across England and Wales with an annual income of £25,000 to £1 million and a proven track record of helping people on a journey of positive change through in-depth, holistic and person-centred support. The funding is unrestricted and applications are open all-year round.

Check your eligibility and start your application here.

Francis C Scott Charitable Trust – new opportunities
The Francis C Scott Charitable Trust is developing new ways of working in response to time spent listening to their grantees.

One of the Trust’s core beliefs is that organisations delivering directly to children, young people and their families are the experts in their field. The Trust has heard that one of the biggest concerns right now is not necessarily about funding, but about how staff and volunteer teams meet the strains and challenges of the pandemic, and recovering from it.

In response, FCSCT are highlighting the following opportunities, in addition to their existing grants programme. For further information or to provide feedback, contact their team on 01539 742608 or email [email protected] or [email protected]

Step Change – for wellbeing and resilience
Eligible organisations (see criteria here) can apply for up to £4,000 as part of the existing Step Change programme.

Organisations should determine their own solutions, which may include but are not limited to – team and/or board development events, coaching or mentoring for key staff, structured well-being programmes for staff and volunteers. Successful applications so far have included a yoga programme for staff and volunteers, stand up desks and 1:1 coaching.

For guidance and advice about what other solutions would be considered and to direct you to local facilitators who may be able to provide support, please get in touch with the FCSCT team.

Step Change – organisational development workshops
A six-week free-to-access programme of working focused on various aspects of running a charity or social enterprise. Sessions are three hours in duration with content delivered from expert local partners as well as facilitated peer support.

Suggestions for topics are below. Please let FCSCT know if they are of interest or if you have other suggestions and feedback. Full details will be announced in the new year.

• Time and energy management
• Strategy and action planning
• Working with volunteer Trustees/Directors
• Fundraising
• Coaching skills for managers/leaders
• Marketing
• Income generation
• Applying for grant funding – identifying and approaching relevant and appropriate funders
• Managing overwhelm
• Managing volunteers

Top-up to existing FCSCT grants
Organisations in receipt of FCSCT grants awarded prior to 2021 may apply for additional funds to top these grants up if Covid has materially increased the need for the funded provision.

Social Investment
Traditionally, repayable finance has not been a major funding activity within the sector, but options are increasing, and becoming more affordable all the time.

This year FCSCT ventured into the world of social investment and are about to complete their first social loan. The Trust is taking a partnership-based approach, balancing financial returns with social returns that contribute towards their overall mission.

If your organisation is working on plans to expand, make a significant purchase, or other activity that social investment may be able to support, please contact Helen directly using the details above.

Eligible projects will need to have a business plan showing how repayments can be made, and demonstrating how the project, programme or purchase will advance our mutual charitable objectives.

Household Support Fund from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
The DWP has given local councils funding to support people who are experiencing financial hardship this winter. The household support fund aims to help with short-term living costs such as food, help with gas and electricity, and water bills as well as help with other essential items and household appliances.

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and awards are at the discretion of the council.

To be eligible to apply for help from the scheme, applicants must be aged 16 years and over, live in the Lancaster district and be able to demonstrate that they are struggling to afford such necessities or to pay their bills this winter.

For more information and to apply online, click here

Funding to Support Education in Disadvantaged Areas (UK / International)

Grants are available to support schools and registered charities that wish to undertake educational work with children and young people under the age of 25 in disadvantaged areas within the UK and international projects working with marginalised communities.

The funding is available to UK registered charities with an annual income of between £5,000 and £2.5 million, and at least three years of continuous accounts. Stage 1 grant application deadline is 25th January 2022.

Click here to find out how to apply.

Lancaster District Street Aid – helping people stay off the streets

The Lancaster Street Aid initiative helps people who are, or have been, on the streets to apply for a grant to help them get off, and stay off, the streets.

Types of support that can be applied for via the scheme include access to housing, furniture and other home essentials, education/training courses, clothing for job interviews, transport to interview/place of work, and help with searching for a job.

Any VCFSE organisation or public body can apply on behalf of a homeless or vulnerably housed person they work with. Maximum application value of £750. Applications are reviewed as submitted. If you would like to apply, click here for more information.

Thomas Wall Trust – Funding for developing skills from disadvantaged groups

The Thomas Wall Trust recognises that communication is underpinned by a set of key features and skills such as empathy, listening, emotional intelligence, confidence, and clarity, amongst others. The Trust offers grants up to £5,000 to specific projects or core activities that develop these critical life skills for people from disadvantaged groups.

Application deadline is 22nd January 2021. Click here to find out more or to start your application.

Lancaster District Volunteer Centre
We can help you find new volunteers. We can also advertise your volunteer opportunities.

Every week people from across Lancaster District contact us to offer their help. You can help us let them know about your voluntary roles by advertising them online.

The registration process is quick and easy. Our Volunteer Centre manager, Mark, will contact you to discuss your requirements, whether recruitment and promotion of roles, finding and arranging training, or anything else related to volunteer engagement.

If you would like to discuss volunteering and find out more, contact Mark by email at [email protected] or telephone 01524 555900.

Could you be a LESS Director?
Would you like to support community-led climate action work in North Lancashire? Are you up for a challenge? LESS is seeking two strategic thinkers to join its board of directors from February 2022 onwards.

Visit here for more details and to register your interest.
Application closing date: 31st January 2022.

Independent Examiner of Accounts at Lancaster Canal Trust
Lancaster Canal Trust is seeking a volunteer external examiner. The examiner does not need not be a Qualified Accountant or Chartered Secretary but would need to have the ability and practical experience to carry out a competent examination of accounts.

Interested in this volunteer role? Find out more on the LDCVS volunteering website.

Volunteering Opportunity: Respiratory Infections Community Champions (RICC)
An exciting volunteering opportunity is available at Lancaster District CVS (in collaboration with Spring North and NHS England) to support communities over winter with information and advice on respiratory illness, particularly in children.

As a trained Community Champion, you will act individually and as part of a team to ensure that up-to-date and appropriate information about bronchiolitis is available as widely as possible, speaking directly to those most at-risk families with young children.

This is an opportunity that would suit students studying health and social care, or other wellbeing courses, and will be an excellent chance to put into practice some of the key skills that you will need in the future, such as communicating with a variety of people in different settings and circumstances.

Please visit the LDCVS volunteering website to find out more about the role and how to apply.

As always, there are many other exciting volunteer roles on the LDCVS volunteering website. Click here to search.

Small Charities Coalition (SCC) to close – Spring 2022
The trustees of SCC regret to announce their decision to formally wind up the charity. This has been an extremely difficult decision.

The decision was made after the Trustees and SCC’s team had exhausted all possibilities to secure funding that would have put the charity on a secure, sustainable financial footing to continue its work in support of thousands of small charities.

Small Charities Coalition will close in Spring 2022 and secure ongoing support for small charities through other channels and organisations.

For further information, email [email protected]

Arrangements for in-person events may change – check with the organiser before attending

Free Prince’s Trust 12-week programme for unemployed (NEET) young people
The Prince’s Trust is looking for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) to take part in a 12-week programme. The programme aims to equip participants with work experience, employability skills, confidence, leadership skills, and more. The programme is open to young people that are:

• Living in or around Morecambe / Lancaster / Carnforth
• Aged between 16 and 25 years
• Not in employment, education or training … but want to be
• Looking for a challenging but fun personal development programme

Next start date: 24th January 2022.

Visit the Prince’s Trust website for more information or call for free on 0800 842 842 to refer a young person.

Contextual Safeguarding-Addressing Extremism, Exploitation and Youth Violence by Lancashire Prevent Team
This is an interactive training online session for professionals with expert facilitators aimed to up-skill staff in contextual and complex safeguarding to address extremism, violence and exploitation.

The free training will provide staff with an overview of the Contextual Safeguarding (CS) model to extremism, exploitation and youth violence, including an update on extremism & serious youth violence in their local area, and provide tools to implement contextual safeguarding principles.

Available dates: January (20th and 28th) & February (10th and 28th) 2022
Time: Varies per session

Register here

If you would like any further information then please contact Katy, [email protected]

Kooth Young Men’s Mental Health Workshop
Kooth young men’s mental health workshop is still available for all education settings, youth and professional services to access on a bespoke basis. The interactive workshop will address the barriers and stigma facing young men speaking about their mental health, along with signposting information about the Kooth service.

Register by contacting your local Engagement Lead [email protected]

Invitation to participate – New Radicals Young People’s Group
The New Radicals is a highly focused group of young people with a passion and desire to create cultural and creative shifts within their community. Culture Coop is currently accepting responses from young people to join the first cohort.

This opportunity is available to young people aged 11-19 (and up to 25 with a disability) living within the Lancaster & Morecambe area.

Click here to apply.

Targeted Youth Support Events
These weekly events aim to provide support to young people.

Mondays:
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) youth group (ages 2 to 25).
Location and time: Morecambe Library from 6.15 pm too 8.30 pm

Thursdays:
IMPACT Group for young people (ages 12 to 19 and up to 25 with Special Educational Needs and Disability – SEND) who may have some issues with anxiety, are missing school or have low self-confidence.

Location and time: Morecambe Library from 4 pm to 5.30 pm and Lancaster District Youth Council Morecambe Library from 6.15 pm to 8.30 pm.

For more information, please contact Claire at [email protected] or call 01524 581280

New Yoga Club for 11 to18-year-olds by Escape2Make
Escape2Make, is looking for participants for a brand new Yoga Club. Sessions will run once every two weeks and are completely free to attend for all 11 to 18-year-olds.

Location: The Storey, Lancaster.

Click here to sign up.

New Mid-Week Hangout for young people at More Music
If you know of a young person who is struggling with social isolation or anxiety, accessing mental health support or on a waiting list for services, they could benefit from the range of sessions More Music offer. Having a safe and supported space for socializing, creativity and self-expression are of the utmost importance for young people’s personal, social and emotional development.

Weekly activities: Music, chatting, learning about the music industry & more.
Day of the week: Wednesdays from 4 to 7 pm
Location: 13-17 Devonshire Road, Morecambe, Lancashire. LA3 1QT.

Email [email protected] or [email protected] to sign up.

Arrangements for in-person events may change – check with the organiser before attending

Invitation to Living well with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Virtual event
The Lancashire MS Society groups are hosting an online Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis information event.

This is a free event exploring topics such as managing fatigue, finance and the benefits of both nutrition and exercise. There will also be the opportunity to meet with local MS groups and find out what services and support they offer. Groups attending include:

• Blackburn with Hyndburn and Darwen Group
• Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Group
• Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Group
• Chorley and Leyland Group
• Lancaster and Morecambe Group
• Preston Group
• West Lancashire Group

Date: 12th February 2022
Time: 10.30 to 2.45pm
This is an online event (Zoom)

Register here to book a space or telephone 020 8438 0753

Family Learning Awards – Campaign for Learning
The Family Learning awards celebrate imaginative, innovative, and inclusive, learning opportunities. The awards are a chance to showcase work delivered last year. The three award categories for 2022 are:

• Award for Family Learning in the Early Years
• Award for Building Brighter Futures through Learning
• Award for Family Learning to Support Health and Wellbeing

The awards are free to enter.

Applications closing date: 7th February 2022.
Winners announcement month: April 2022.

Click here to find out more or to start your application.

Invitation to apply: The Bay Health Festivals (July 2022)
The Bay Health Festivals (formally known as Lancaster Health Festival) is seeking participants, facilitators and stall-holders. There are three themes across the festival this year:

• Young People day
• Physical Health and Healthy Food day
• Relax and Mindfulness day

Date: 7th to 10th of July 2022.

Click here for more information.

Funded session for women by The Growing Club CIC
The Growing Club is offering a funded 6-session course for women seeking employment, education, or thinking about setting up a small business.

If you have lost your job because of the pandemic, or if you are in a low paid work and you don’t know where to go next, this programme can offer the training and support you need.

Dates: January (12th, 19th & 26th) and February (2nd, 9th & 16th)
Time: Wednesday, 10 am to 12.30 pm on the listed dates
Location: Online via Zoom (details will be sent closer to the time)

Register here

Any questions? Email [email protected]

How co-ops can empower communities webinar (FREE)
This is an opportunity for groups across the Lancaster district and beyond to discover the power of co-ops to strengthen communities.

The one‑hour session will be introduced by Daniel Clarke, Community Wealth Building Officer at Lancaster City Council, and delivered by Co‑operatives UK’s Petra Morris, who’ll explain:

• How local people can form co‑ops to create solutions that meet their needs, and enrich and revitalise their neighbourhoods.
• The important role co‑operatives can play in strengthening communities, creating wealth locally and enabling people to have greater control over what happens in their area.
• The benefits of the co‑op model for empowering people at grassroots level.
• How communities can come together to take control of local assets.

Date: 3rd February 2022
Time: 1 pm to 2 pm
Location: Online

Click here to book a space

New group for blind and visually impaired people in Lancaster
A new peer-led support group for blind and visually impaired people has been created by the Marsh Community Centre. There will be lots of biscuits as well as opportunities to chat and share ideas, advice and experiences.

Date: Every Monday
Time: 11 am – 12.30 pm
Location: Marsh Community Centre, Willow Lane, Lancaster

For more information email [email protected] or call 07868314807

Morecambe Bay Poverty Truth Commission – Join the conversation
Have you had enough of not being heard? Morecambe Bay Poverty Truth Commission is inviting people who have experienced poverty to join this conversation.

These sessions will involve meeting local people in positions of power to tell your stories, challenge the stigma, change the understanding of poverty, make practical changes for the better, and help to find solutions.

Breakfast in Morecambe: every other Wednesday 9 am to 11 am.

Lunch in Lancaster: once a month 10 am to 12 pm.
Chippy tea in Lancaster: once a month, 6 pm to 8 pm.

Zoom sessions are also held once a month.

Call 07766933884 or email [email protected] for more information.

Arrangements for in-person events may change – check with the organiser before attending.

Greater access to employment support in Lancashire
The Building Better Opportunities (BBO) programme provides one-to-one support to help people gain confidence and overcome barriers to employment, education and training. Invest in Youth keyworkers assist young people age 15-24; Age of Opportunity keyworkers assist people age 50+.

These projects are delivered by the Places Impact Team at Places for People. The BBO programme is offered free of charge and does not affect benefits. It is funded through the National Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund.

For further information, or if you know of anyone in Lancashire who could benefit from this programme, please contact [email protected]

Engaging with diverse communities workshop series
Campaign for Learning’s new workshop series focuses on community groups you may not be familiar working with or that may not be accessing your services.

This workshop series will equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to open your learning offer to a wider community including bilingual and refugee families, fathers and male carers, Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Dates: 8th and 10th February and 10th March 2022.
Time: Varies per session.

Visit here to book a space (Earlybird rates available until 14 January 2022).

Morecambe Bay Health Coaching Sessions for 2022
New dates for the 2022 Morecambe Bay Health Coaching course are now available. The course aims to equip staff to have better conversations and support people to reach their self-identified goals.

The course is highly interactive and participatory and therefore it is important that all participants have access to a camera and microphone for the duration of each session.

Date: Monthly (from January to August 2022)
Time: Varies per session

Please note that this course is made up of two sessions (3.5hours per session) and requires full attendance on both of the identified days.

Location: Online (Microsoft Teams)

For more information, the booking form and full 2022 schedule, email [email protected]

CEO at Gregson Centre
The Gregson Centre in Lancaster is recruiting a Chief Executive. The CEO will work with the Board to deliver its vision. The successful candidate will need considerable strategic experience in a not-for-profit setting, including people and financial management, an understanding of the wide-ranging nature of income streams in this sector, a willingness to embrace innovative approaches, and an appreciation of the various joys and challenges inherent in this area of work.

Starting salary: £35,000
Closing date: 24th January 2022

Email [email protected] for an application pack (no CVs).

Administrator vacancy at Eggcup
Eggcup is looking for an administrator who is passionate about social justice has a desire to contribute towards positive change in the community.

Responsibilities will include managing databases, supporting members and general office administration. The successful candidate will need to have excellent organisational skills, good literacy and numeracy, and a flair for creating structures and systems to keep everything in order.

Salary: £10,000 (£20,000 per annum pro rata)
Hours of work: 17.5 hours per week, preferably over three days (0,5 FTE)
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 19th January 2022.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Closing Loops Project Coordinator at LESS and FoodFutures
LESS and FoodFutures are seeking a project coordinator to coordinate and oversee the delivery of the Closing Loops Project: stimulating a regenerative food economy in North Lancashire.

This role will work closely with the FoodFutures partnership to take forward elements of this
community food strategy as part of the Closing Loops project – a 5 year project funded by the
National Lottery Climate Action Fund.

Hours of work: 30 hours per week
Type of contract: 5-year fixed term
Salary: £17,160
Closing date: 31st January 2022
Interview date: 14th February 2022

Click here for more information about this role.

Speciality Doctor at Change Grow Live (CGL)
CGL is looking to recruit a Specialty Doctor for the substance misuse treatment service in North Lancashire. The post holder will work under the Consultant Psychiatrist for the service and have the responsibility to work with a multi-disciplinary team to provide holistic care for the clients of both services.

Salary range (pro-rata if part-time): £80,000
Type of contract: Permanent employee
Hours per week: 37.50

Click here to download an application pack and apply or email [email protected] to find out more.

Social Workers at Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council is recruiting new and experienced Social Workers within its Child Services department.

Starting salary range: £31,346 (with 2 years post-qualifying experience)

Click here to find out more about the vacancies or book a space to attend a virtual open day.

Home Working guidance by Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
The HSE have some useful guidance about home working as many people are moving to a more hybrid working pattern. Click here to find out about health and safety responsibilities as an employer and employee.

Wellbeing Toolkit for Charities
This toolkit aims to help leaders break down the wellbeing challenges facing themselves and their teams and quickly find high-quality resources to inspire and assist them. The resources can be used individually or put together to form the basis of a full or half-day team wellbeing session.

Click here to download the toolkit.

Mental health crisis lines – here for you and your loved ones
If you or a loved one is struggling to cope with mental health, you can contact the mental health crisis lines for help. The helpline is staffed by trained mental health professionals who are able to provide assessment and referrals to appropriate services – ring it if you need to access services or for advice about someone who needs treatment/support.

Click here to find your nearest line.

Mental Health Resources at Work
Mental Health at Work has created a toolkit for small organisations. The toolkit empowers employees to look after themselves and gives leaders the tools to support them too.

This toolkit contains:

• a handbook filled with advice and tips for small business owners and the self-employed
• a free and confidential mobile app for employees
• two practical tools to help you to start implementing change straight away.

Click here to access the toolkit.

A public health model for mentally healthier integrated care systems
Better together: A public health model for mentally healthier integrated care systems outlines how integrated care systems can adopt a public health model to use their budgets, powers and influence to support better mental health outcomes for all.

Involving all NHS bodies and local authorities in 42 areas covering the whole of England, integrated care systems have an increasingly important role to play in organising health and care and addressing the wider factors that influence people’s health.

Click here to read more and to find out how to join the conversation.

Researching the needs of women in the district, post COVID-19 – survey
The Growing Club in partnership with a group of researchers at Lancaster University are inviting women leaders running small not-for-profit organisations to take part in a research study to understand what women need for social, emotional, and economic resilience post-lockdown.

Please complete the survey here by 4 February 2022.

COVID-19 Communications Toolkit
The latest toolkit published by the Cabinet Office (6 January 2022) can be downloaded here.

Free Canva design tools for nonprofits
Canva for Nonprofits is jam-packed with tools that help organisations save time and look more professional. Discover easy ways to create high-impact social media graphics and marketing materials with the Canva design tool.

Are you a registered nonprofit? Visit here to find out your eligibility and to apply for a Canva nonprofit account.

The World Book Night book giveaway
The World Book Night giveaway provides books to organisations that can reach people who don’t regularly read for pleasure or have access to books. This includes libraries, prisons, hospitals, youth centres, charities and many more. Eligible organisations can apply here to receive a set of books to distribute in April 2022.

There are a limited number of books available so you are encouraged to think about how you can best reach people who don’t read or have access to books before applying. Applications are open until 28th January 2022.

Click here for more details.

If you have any questions about eligibility or applications, please contact, [email protected]

Build the right support for people with learning disabilities and autistic people

Complete the survey here

The Government wants to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. To achieve this, the Advisory Board has asked people with lived experience from the health and wellbeing alliance to work with the Local Government Association (LGA) Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and Care Quality Commission (CQC) to find out what people think good support looks like. The survey closes on the 7th of January 2022.

If you know of anyone who would like to contribute, please share the survey link with them. Please contact [email protected] if you have questions about the survey.

Safeguarding for charities and trustees
The Charity Commission has recently updated its guidance on safeguarding in voluntary sector organisations. Find out about your responsibilities to keep everyone who comes into contact with your charity safe from harm: this includes volunteers, staff and beneficiaries. Click here to read more.

Start-up Toolbox for New Non-profit
The Start-up Toolbox has important information which can help make your new non-profit a success. Find resources to help register your charity, register with HMRC and more. There is also a substantial selection of fundraising, governance, strategy and other guides.

Impact of COVID on small charities
The Covid-19 crisis is radically reshaping the work of small charities. Around half of small charities have had to adapt or reduce the way their services are delivered, with many unfunded charities being unable to continue delivering services. Overall, small charities experienced a variation in changes to their total income in 2020, compared to 2019, reflecting the financial precarity of the sector.

Read the full report from Small Charities Data.

Supporting people with learning difficulties with digital passports
University Hospital of Morecambe Bay (UHMBT) has launched digital passports to support patients who have learning difficulties. A hospital passport provides important information about patients care and communications needs, including personal details, the type of medication they are taking, and any pre-existing health conditions.

Free data for charities from Vodaphone
Vodafone has launched Charities Connected, an initiative allowing UK charities to apply for free data. The aim is to help individuals and families supported by charities, as well as enable organisations to improve their digital capacity. Each SIM is loaded with 20GB of data plus unlimited texts and minutes to be used over 6 months.

Click here to complete your application.

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:

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

Funding and governance support, contact [email protected]

Volunteering and upskilling your workforce, contact [email protected]

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