Information and advice for the third sector across Lancaster District – 24 Nov 21
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. Previous editions of this bulletin are available by emailing [email protected] and are also available online, here.
Click headings below to expand each section.
New Connecting Communities Development Officer at LDCVS
We are excited to introduce you to our new Connecting Communities Development Officer, Sharon Phillips. Sharon comes to us with years of extensive VCSE sector experience in managing and leading youth, community and family support services. Some of her previous roles in business development involved tendering for commissioned contracts, grant and private donor funding applications. She has worked for various national charities, including The Children’s Society, Barnardo’s and Action for Children.
Sharon’s role at CVS is to provide business dcevelopment support for VCSFE organisations in the Lancaster District, including information and advice on organisational structure and governance, funding, recruitment, and support for developing a business strategy.
If you would like free one-to-one development support, you can email Sharon at [email protected]
LDCVS can manage your payroll
Running a charity can be challenging and we understand how time-consuming doing your payroll can be. Our years of working with charities and our local knowledge & expertise help us to offer the services you need at the right price. If you want payroll support, we can:
- Make sure your staff are paid accurately and on time.
- Use accredited payroll software to keep your organisation HRMC compliant.
- File your payroll online with HMRC (monthly).
- Calculate pension and provide support with auto-enrolment.
- Provide reports for net pay and deductions.
- Create monthly or quarterly Pay As You Earn (PAYE)/National Insurance (NI) liabilities statements.
- Complete P45 documents for exiting employees.
- Support year-end processes.
Our payroll fees are reasonable and billed annually from as little as £100. Our best practice approach is guided by frameworks from the Charity Commission code of good governance and fundraising.
Email us at [email protected] or telephone 01524 555900 to find out more.
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.
Grants of up to £100,000 available for Community Facilities
Registered Charities, churches, Parish Councils, Local Authorities and CASC registered sports clubs can apply for grants of between £2,000 and £100,000 for the provision, maintenance, or improvement of community facilities. Next application deadline is 1st December 2021.
Click here to start your application.
Refurbishment Funding from John Lyon’s Charity
John Lyon’s Charity is pleased to introduce the NEW Refurbishment Fund helping support groups most severely affected by Covid-19 continue to deliver their services as safely and efficiently as possible.
Refurbishment Small Grant – up to £5,000 available (No application deadlines; applications are considered six times per year).
Refurbishment Main Grant – up to £25,000 available for projects costing up to £75,000 (First stage proposal submission deadline is 10th December 2021).
Grants can be used for:
- Minor or essential maintenance to a building such as re-wiring, roof repairs or plumbing.
- Small refurbishments such as upgraded kitchens, toilets or communal/delivery spaces.
- Upgrading or refurbishing indoor or outdoor activity spaces.
- Making spaces accessible to users.
Click here to start your application.
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.
Urgent Response Fund (URF)
The URF is still open and available for charities and community groups in need of resources to effectively deliver projects/activities which support the basic health and wellbeing needs of vulnerable members of the community in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the lockdown and the gradual easing of restrictions.
No minimum or maximum award amount. Applications are reviewed monthly.
Click here to find out how to start your URF application.
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.
The Arnold Clark Community Fund
Grants of up to £1,000 are available for UK registered charities and other not-for-profit organisations who need financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund aims to help UK charities and local community groups continue their important work which may be at risk due to the pandemic. Grants are awarded by a weekly draw during the winter campaign. Unsuccessful applications will be kept in the draw for the following week. The funding must be used for charitable or community purposes.
The deadline for applications is 31 December 2021. Click here to find out how to apply.
Step Change – Resilience and wellbeing support by Francis C Scott Charitable Trust
As a local funder with around ninety active grants, FCSCT has a lot of conversations with community organisations and charities who have been weathering the storm in all sorts of different ways.
One of the concerns raised is the human effects of the crisis on charities, their organisations, and their teams – at all levels.
FCSCT is therefore encouraging eligible organisations (those who fit the existing FCSCT eligibility criteria, which can be found here) to apply for up to £4,000 as part of the existing Step Change programme, specifically to help address these needs.
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.
Click here to start your application.
For guidance and advice, please get in touch with the team at FCSCT by calling 01539 742608, or emailing Helen ([email protected]) or Kevin ([email protected])
Trustee roles at CancerCare
CancerCare is looking for an experienced Treasurer, a Marketing & Communications Trustee and a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Palliative Care Nurse Trustee.
Trustees have a crucial role at CancerCare. They use their expertise and vast experience to help steer the charity and make the important decisions needed to secure its future.
Closing date: 17th December 2021
Interviews: Mid-January 2021
Click here to view all trustee roles and apply.
Lancaster District Volunteer Centre
The Lancaster District Volunteer Centre provides support services for all not-for-profit organisations, helping them to recruit, train and retain quality volunteers.
Every week people from across Lancaster 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 volunteer requirements, whether straightforward recruitment and promotion of roles, training, or anything else related to volunteer engagement.
If you would like to discussing volunteering and find out more, contact Mark by email at [email protected] or telephone 01524 555900.
Children Young People Multi-Agency Forum
The CYPMAF provides a valuable opportunity for people working with children and young people in the district to share information ideas and keep in touch with other organisations.
This forum is open to anyone working with children, young people and families. The next meeting is taking place on Wednesday 1st December, 9.30 am – 11 am online (for now).
If you wish to attend or be added to the mailing list, please email [email protected]
Community Learning Network Survey
The Lancaster District Community Learning Network is a group of community education providers and community development organisations working to provide educational pathways through a wide range of courses which will lead to people gaining new skills that are valuable in all areas of life and work.
We are aiming to provide community-led and community-based opportunities, so your support in helping us to understand your community’s needs would be most welcomed. Circulate the online survey among your contacts and communities, or request paper copies from [email protected]
Safeguarding & Protecting Children workshop by Active Lancashire
This workshop aims to increase the awareness of Safeguarding and Protecting Children by helping coaches to recognise signs of abuse and poor practice, and deal sensitively and effectively with issues that arise. If you work with children, you might benefit from this course.
Date: 13th December 2021
Time: 6 pm – 8.30 pm
Location: Online
Price: £39 (not including Eventbrite fees)
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.
Kooth Program of Sessions 2021/2022
This November, Kooth is delivering a variety of sessions for young people and adults that work with them. These sessions will cover topics about anxiety and stress, emotional resilience, wellbeing and more.
To book sessions or to discuss any safeguarding questions that you may have, please email [email protected]
Girls Can Artist Bootcamp by More Music
More music is inviting aspiring vocalists, songwriters, musicians, producers & engineers to join brilliant resident artists, Sarah Angel, IORA and Harriet North for an inspirational three-day boot camp. Participants will learn to:
- Collaborate with musicians and producers to construct their sound
- Write and record tracks
- Explore the process of releasing music
- Master the art of rehearsal & performance preparation
- Develop a profile as an artist, technician & musician
- Develop sound tech and lighting skills.
This FREE event is for women & people from marginalised genders aged 14 – 19.
Date: 10th to 12th December 2021
Time: varies per day
Click here or email [email protected] for more information.
“Chameleon: The New Age” event – Inviting Young Creatives to participate
Young people from Morecambe and Lancaster are organising a fundraising event to raise awareness of how the creative arts can support positive mental health.
The event is organised by young producers from across the region: More Music’s More Media Collective, Lancashire Youth Challenge and the Mental Health Champions Network. The event is in response to the decline in young people’s mental health post lockdown.
Event date: 3rd December 2021
Time: 6 pm
If you are aged under 25 and would like to perform at the event, email [email protected] with information about you and your performance. If you have video or audio recordings please send those along too.
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.
Click here to view the list of all activities.
Email [email protected] or [email protected] to sign up.
The Children & Young People section features several new opportunities for under 25s and those who work with them.
New Connecting Communities programme – COVID-19 recovery
Throughout Covid-19, Lancaster City Council has made strong links with community groups, businesses and residents in response to the many negative impacts the pandemic has had on people’s wellbeing. Feelings of social isolation, loneliness, and disconnection have all dramatically increased.
To combat the effects of the pandemic, the council and its partners are launching a Connecting Communities programme to bring people back together and provide support through the recovery from Covid-19.
Date: 25th November 2021
Time: 6.30pm to 8pm
CSI Fit Body & Fit Mind (Online Nutritional Sessions) by Active Lancashire
Designed, operated and delivered by Active Lancashire, The Challenge through Sport Initiative (CSI) is an innovative behaviour change programme for people in recovery – mostly from substance and alcohol misuse but also including help for people with mental health issues, gambling addictions, isolation and just as importantly, their families.
Learn about the rules of healthy lifestyles at the coming session.
Date: 2nd December 2021
Time: 1.45pm
Click here to join – Meeting ID (374 793 4597)
New Group for Blind and Visually 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
You are invited to St John’s Hospice’s “Light Up A Life”
Light up a Life is a Christmas remembrance service, hosted by St John’s Hospice.
Everyone is welcome to join in, whether or not you have a connection to St John’s Hospice. There will be a mix of music, reflection and readings as we light our lights in memory of our loved ones. Light up a Life is free to attend and suitable for the whole family.
Available date: 6th December at Kendal Parish Church Kirkland, Kendal, LA9 5AF.
Time: 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm
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.
Lancaster and Morecambe Beginners Meditation at Marsh and Stanley’s Community Centre
If you’re finding yourself worrying about things, not sleeping very well, feeling on edge or just burnt out, come and try a relaxation session and see how you get on. It’s informal and friendly and you’ll be made to feel very welcome.
Day of the week: Every Wednesday
Time: 1.30 – 2.30 pm ( at Marsh Community Centre) and 11 am – 12 pm (at Stanely’s Community Centre).
Price: £5 per class or FREE for those in receipt of benefits and/or a low-income (no proof necessary).
Email [email protected] or text 07803 891650.
Wellbeing Day for Women in Business
The Growing Club is organising a day of wellbeing events: making, movement, meditation and meaningful conversations to help women to manage the stress from this challenging year.
Date: 1st December 2021
Time 9.45 am – 3.15 pm
Location: The Storey, 27 Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1TH.
Ticket: £5.98 (If you are in financial hardship, please request a free place by emailing [email protected])
Drug Use Screening Tool Training by ‘We Are With You’ Lancashire
Join this session to learn about the Drug Use Screening Tool (DUST) and how to use it with young people. This will be an interactive session with group activities and discussions. All participants will receive a copy of the resources booklet before the training.
Date: 23rd December 2021
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
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, or to a booking form and full 2022 schedule, email [email protected]
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week – Think CO
The Gas Safe Charity is offering free carbon monoxide (CO) Zoom workshops to help launch Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week on the 22nd of November.
As the days get colder and the heating is turned on, the potential risks of CO poisoning increase. The workshops last about an hour and are a mix of practical information and interaction aimed at staff and volunteers from any organisation that delivers a service in the home of a vulnerable person via face to face or telephone support.
Available dates: December 7 & 8, 9.30 to 10.30 am
The course is also delivered as e-learning which you can take at a time convenient for you, accessible by emailing Gas Safe at [email protected]
Boxing 4 Fitness Activator Course by Active Lancashire
The Boxing 4 Fitness Activator has been developed by StreetGames in partnership with England Boxing. The workshop will provide volunteers, young people, community workers, leaders and sports coachers with the skills needed to deliver NON-CONTACT boxing for fitness sessions in their local community.
Date: 27th November 2021, 10am – 1pm
Venue: Gregson Arts & Community Centre, 33-35 Moor Gate, Lancaster LA1 3PY
Cost: £60pp
Email Abi to book a space: [email protected] or call 01772 299838.
Caretaker at The Cornerstone Lancaster
Lancaster Methodist Church is seeking to appoint a Caretaker to work at The Cornerstone, a partnership of Lancaster Methodist Church and a number of other charities seeking to provide ‘A Safe Place in the City’.
The primary focus of this role will be to perform a wide range of duties related to the cleaning and maintenance of the building and liaising with centre users – keeping the building clean, safe and functional.
Salary: Living Wage £9.90 (per hour)
Type of contract: Temporary (initially for 3 months),
Hours per week: Part-time, 12 to 16 hours (negotiable)
Closing date: 10th December 2021
Interview date: 16th December 2021
For further information and an application form please contact the Centre Manager. Phil McGrath at [email protected] or phone 01524 840027
Participatory Evaluation of the Supporting and Sustaining Specialism Programme
Comic Relief is seeking a UK consultant or team with expertise in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector to undertake a participatory evaluation with organisations funded through our Supporting and Sustaining Specialism Programme (co-funded with DCMS).
Comic Relief has ring-fenced funding for organisations that are led and managed by Black and minoritised women, for Black and minoritised women and girls working to end VAWG in England.
Available budget: £27,016 (including any taxes and expenses, if applicable)
Closing date: 14th December 2021.
Click here to download the participation pack.
Re-Fresh Peer Support Group Youth Worker – CancerCare
CancerCare is recruiting a youth worker to help support and develop the peer support youth groups in Kendal and Barrow. The group is helping to support young people in coping with bereavement or diagnoses of loved ones or helping them come to terms with their own diagnosis.
Salary: £11,472
Type of contract: 12 months fixed term
Hours per week: 20 hours
Closing date: 12th December 2021
Click here to find out how to apply
Independent Non-Executive Members of the proposed NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is looking to appoint two independent non-executive members to the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, a new NHS organisation which is proposed to be established from April 2022 as part of national legislation and the development of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership.
Closing date: 1st December 2021.
Renumeration: Competitive with other NHS non-executive roles
Click here for more information on how to apply
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.
Bullying & Cyberbullying for Small Charity Employees – What Can You Do?
Bullying remains a significant workplace issue even with the increased awareness of the problem. Many small charities and not-for-profits do not have an HR department. Small Charities Coalition provides guidance on how to identify bullying in the workplace, what to consider and what to do.
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.
CSI Fit Body & Fit Mind (Online Nutritional Sessions) by Active Lancashire, and Wellbeing Day for Women in Business
See Events section for more information
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.
New Living Wage rates for 2021/22
Over 300,000 people working for almost 9,000 real Living Wage Employers throughout the country are set for a vital pay boost as the new Living Wage rates rise to £9.90 across the UK (40p increase), and £11.05 in London (20p increase), supporting workers and families. The Living Wage rates are the only rates independently calculated based on what people need to live on.
Click here to read the report.
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.
Lancashire Local Skills Improvement Plan
The Lancashire Local Skills Improvement Plan mass survey aims to help shape technical skills provision to meet future business needs. Please complete the survey to help make the transformational change Lancashire firms deserve.
Click here to complete the survey.
New guideline to help reduce health inequalities in people experiencing homelessness
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Centre for Homelessness Impact (CHI) have jointly published a new guideline to increase the access people experiencing homelessness have to health and social care services.
Digital tool for Universal Credit users
The process for claiming universal credit can be lengthy and complicated. That’s why Catalyst collaborated with several charities to work out how they could provide remote support for online Universal Credit claims. If you’re an organisation that works with those trying to claim Universal Credit, do have a look.
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.
If your organisation needs support whether it be working with volunteers, completing accounts and payroll, finding funding, solving governance issues, or just want a listening ear, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team:
Funding and governance support, contact [email protected]
Volunteering and upskilling your workforce, contact [email protected]
Payroll, bookkeeping and independent examinations, contact [email protected]
