Information and advice for the third sector across Lancaster District – 9 Feb 22

Registration Open – Lancaster District CVS Funding Fair, Wednesday 9th March 2022
We’re delighted to open bookings for this year’s funding fair, where voluntary sector organisations working across the Lancaster District can book appointments to meet representatives from national, regional and local funders, discuss project ideas, and get tips on how to submit successful funding applications.

The funders attending this year’s Fair are:

• Community Foundation for Lancashire
• Francis C Scott Charitable Trust
• The National Lottery Community Fund
• Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund
• Lancashire Environmental Fund
• Key Fund
• The National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Lancashire County Council Community Project Support
• LDCVS Bay Foundation
• Ørsted Walney Extension Community Fund
• Areti Charitable Trust
• Elizabeth & Richard Wilson Charitable Trust
• Banks Lyon Memorial Trust

The Fair is open to LDCVS members (£5 per ticket, which admits two representatives) and non-members (£25 per ticket, admits one).

We recommend you book soon, as consultations with funders will be allocated in order of purchase and bookings close at midnight on Thursday 3rd March.

Date: Wednesday 9th March 2022
Time: Morning session (9.15 am to 1.15 pm), afternoon session (1.15 pm to 4.30 pm)
Location: Vale of Lune Rugby Union Football Club, Powderhouse Lane, Lancaster, LA1 2TT.

Click here to buy a ticket and select the funders you’d like to meet.

For more information, email [email protected]

2022 COVID-19 Resilience Survey – extended to 11 February at 5pm
Leaders of voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations are encouraged to complete our 2022 COVID-19 Resilience Survey.

The survey will help us understand how the pandemic has affected the voluntary and community sector, and the impact the sector has had on our communities.

This year’s survey focuses specifically on your organisation’s experience during 2021, how this was different from 2020, and what you expect from 2022.

Click here to complete the survey

View the 2020 report here.
View the 2021 report here.

The Eric Wright Charitable Trust is awarding £500 to community groups
We are pleased to announce that The Eric Wright Charitable Trust’s fund administered by Lancaster District CVS is now open for 2022 applications. Applying is easy and we would like to encourage all small organised groups around the Lancaster District to apply.

The Trust awards grants to organisations providing activities that can make a positive difference to the lives & wellbeing of all age groups. The application must be made on behalf of an organisation, not by an individual, and receiving organisations do not need to be registered charities but the activity for which they seek a grant must be charitable, which includes social activities.

Available grant per application: £500
Application deadline: Friday 11th February 2022.

Click here for guidelines and to start your application.

If you have any queries about the fund, or about how to apply, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] or by ringing CVS on 01524 555900

There is still time to be a Respiratory Infections Community Champion (RICC)
There is still time for you to be a RICC! As a Community Champion, you will help provide information to families and your community around bronchiolitis and other respiratory infections. Around 1 in 3 children will develop bronchiolitis before their first birthday and as a Community Champion, you will help us to reach more people including parents with children with the latest facts about respiratory infections.

If you are a paid member of staff, a volunteer, working in a community group, school, or community centre, or a student studying health and social care and you are passionate about your community, then you can sign up to be a RICC. A couple of hours of week will make a difference but you can do as much or as little as you want. Full training and support including materials will be provided. All we need is an hour of your time and we will take you through the next steps.

If you would like an informal chat first, please do contact us on 01524 555900 or email [email protected]

You can also visit our volunteer website to find out more and sign up. We look forward to hearing from you.

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

• A fantastic discount on your ticket to this year’s funding fair
• 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.

National Emergencies Trust Local Action Match Fund
Crowdfunder and the National Emergencies Trust have teamed up to make more than £1.2m match funding available to help local charities, voluntary and community groups in the UK overcome the effects of the pandemic.

Organisations that are eligible for the Local Action Fund include registered charities, community interest companies, constituted organisations and non-registered charities, churches and other religious organisations, and other voluntary community organisations.

Eligible groups simply have to set up a fundraising campaign on Crowdfunder UK, and the National Emergencies Trust will match donations (up to £10,000) they receive, from its Coronavirus Appeal.

Click here for the eligibility criteria and to start crowdfunding.

Lancashire BME Network Small Grant – Comic Relief Global Majority Fund
The Comic Relief Global Majority Fund is targeting Lancashire based communities that are experiencing racial inequality and have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The fund aims to benefit people from a BAME background which includes Black, Asian, Eastern European, Refugees and asylum seekers, and Roma and Traveller communities.

Applicants can apply for grants of up to £5,000.
Application deadline: 21 February 2022 (projects need to be delivered by the end of December 2022).

Click for the eligibility criteria and to apply.

Lloyds Bank Foundation
Lloyds Bank Foundation funding is still open for applications for a two-year, unrestricted grant of £50,000. Lloyds Bank Foundation provides funding for small and local charities across England and Wales with an annual income of £25,000 to £1 million. The funding is unrestricted and applications are open all year round.

If you are a small and local charity in England and Wales, visit Lloyds Bank’s website to check your eligibility and apply. If the majority of your Board self-identifies as belonging to a Black, Asian or minority ethnic community, you also can apply under the Racial Equity strand.

Check your eligibility and start your application here.

Local Member Grants from Lancashire County Council
The local member grants scheme helps county councillors to support the work of local charities and volunteer groups. Grants can be used to fund projects that will directly benefit the community, from gardening workshops to football activities to help young people stay active. Groups can apply to their local county councillor, who will decide which applications are accepted and award grants from their own budget.

Grants of £500 will be awarded between January and March 2022.

From April 2022, the annual Local Member Grant budget for each county councillor will be £2,000 for each financial year. The minimum amount that can be awarded is £100. The maximum grant will be determined by each county councillor but will not exceed the amount they have available from their annual local member grant budget for the year.

Click here for more information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

DCMS Youth Investment Fund
The aim of the Youth Investment Fund (YIF) is to create, expand and improve local youth facilities and services, in order to drive positive outcomes for young people, including improved health and wellbeing, and skills for work/employability and life. BBC Children in Need was selected to distribute phase 1 of this funding on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Phase 1 comprises £10m for youth provision in left-behind areas of England and is funding for small-scale capital projects, including capital equipment, small redevelopments and other capital projects that can be delivered within the 21/22 financial year (by 31 March 2022).

Applicants can apply for grants of a minimum of £5,000 (The fund will award grants between £5,000 and £50,000 – larger applications that can be spent by 31st March 2022 will be considered). This fund does not have a fixed application window, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis as they are received. Applications can be submitted from 31 January 2022.

Check your eligibility here.

Recovery Loan Fund for UK charities and social enterprises
The Recovery Loan Fund provides loans to UK charities and social enterprises who have been impacted by COVID-19 and need funds to help them to survive, recover and grow. It has been established by Social Investment Business (SIB) to make an existing Government guarantee scheme, the Recovery Loan Scheme more easily accessible to charities and social enterprises.

The Fund will lend to UK based organisations that are improving people’s lives, or the environment they live in. All funding purposes will be considered including refinancing of existing debt onto more patient terms.

Organisations must be UK based and have a minimum turnover of £400,000 in its last financial year (or £200k if the organisation is BAME-led). Eligible organisations can apply for loans of £100,000 to £1.5 million (BAME-led organisations will be able to apply for loans upwards of £50,000).

Application deadline: 20th May 2022

Click here for more information on the eligibility criteria, loan terms and how to apply.

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]

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

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.

Online Volunteer Recruitment & Management
Did you know that you can reach hundreds of potential volunteers by advertising online, using our new online volunteer management system? It isn’t just for recruiting volunteers, it also has a powerful set of tools to help you manage people and shifts. Register here.

Social Media
Have you seen our weekly #LDCVSVolunteerTuesday posts? We use this as an opportunity to focus on one or more new volunteering opportunities each week. If you would like to be featured then let us know, but you can also help your colleagues find new volunteers by sharing our posts!

Lancaster Guardian
Every two weeks we write a column for the Lancaster Guardian print edition. This column very much belongs to the voluntary sector, so if you want a future edition to focus on your project, your volunteers, or your service users, let us know. We can promote a service, promote volunteering opportunities, celebrate achievements – whatever you want, as long as it is related to voluntary sector activities.

Contact us
To discuss any of the above, or anything else related to volunteers and volunteering, contact Mark by email at [email protected], or telephone 01524 555900.

Latest Volunteer Opportunities

Coffee Shop volunteers at The Centre @ Halton
The Centre @ Halton is looking for volunteers in their coffee shop. Any help whether it’s days or a few hours will be greatly appreciated. There will always be office staff on hand so that volunteers will not be left alone during their shifts.

Coffee shop opening hours:
Mon to Fri 1 pm – 5 pm
Sat & Sun 10am – 5pm (term time) 11am – 5pm during school and bank holidays.

Interested? Email Leah Collins [email protected]

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.

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 9^th February, 9.30 am – 11 am online.

If you wish to attend or be added to the mailing list, please email [email protected]

Lancaster University is seeking placement partners for Social Work Students
Lancaster University is seeking new partners to provide placements to Social Work students on their BA programme.

This would involve students spending 70 or 100 days with the organization, carrying out social work-related tasks. There would be a payment and the university will provide support and training to staff facilitating the placement.

Interested? Email Clare [email protected]

Call for participation: Researching Lived Experience in Social Care
Shaping Our Lives, as part of a partnership led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, are developing research teams in Chester, Lancashire and Northumbria. The Research in Practice Partnerships will bring together academic, practice professionals and people with lived experience.

The partnership aims to reduce the gap between those delivering adult social care and those researching it. The purpose is to improve the experiences of people working and living in residential care homes for older people.

Who can take part?
People who have direct experience of research in residential care for older people:

• residents,
• carers of residents,
• or people working in residential care (volunteers or paid workers).

What will you do?

• Attend 4 meetings per year (quarterly), two in-person and two remotely.
• Two members of the Lived Experience Reference group will attend an annual advisory group meeting.
• There may be other activities such as workshops and evaluation activities that members may want to attend.

Involvement payments are £75 for a half-day and £150 for a full-day meeting. Reasonable support costs will be met.

Click here for more information or email [email protected]

National Youth Guarantee
DCMS has announced that by 2025 every young person in England will have access to regular out of school activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer. The Guarantee will be delivered through a variety of means including reform of the National Citizen Service scheme, extending the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and providing £368 million of funding through the Youth Investment Fund in 45 local authorities and 600 wards in the most deprived parts of England.

Read the summary of the Youth Review and the Government’s reponse here.

See the Funding section of this bulletin for more information about the Youth Investment Fund.

Children’s Mental Health Week
This week is Children’s Mental Health Week (7-13 February 2022) and this year’s theme is Growing Together.

There are a number of free resources that will help you take part in the week. All of the ideas can be adapted for use in school, for home-schooling, online lessons or independent learning.  For more information, visit the dedicated site.

Focus Group Invitation – Alcohol and drug prevention for young people
Katrin Georgieva, a researcher from behaviour change agency ICE Creates, is currently working on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care Office for Health and Improvement Disparities (OHID), researching alcohol and drug targeted prevention resources with young people in non-mainstream education settings.

She is interested in speaking with individuals who work with children aged between 13-17 and would like to invite them to take part in one of the focus groups running from the week commencing the 7th of February.

The focus group will be 60-minutes long over Microsoft Teams and participants will receive a £30 Amazon voucher as a thank you for participating.

The groups are taking place on the following dates:
Group 1 – Tuesday, 8th February 7-8 pm (closed)
Group 2 – Wednesday, 9th February 12-1 pm
Group 3 – Thursday, 10th February 7-8 pm
Group 4 – Monday, 14th February 4-5 pm
Group 5 – Wednesday, 16th February 6-7 pm
Group 6 – Friday, 18th February 10-11 am

To register for a group, please complete the online form.

If you have any questions, please contact Katrin at [email protected] or telephone 07958 115294.

Stop Abuse Together – Campaign to counter child sexual abuse
It is estimated that one in ten children in England and Wales will experience sexual abuse before they turn sixteen. The majority will not tell anyone at the time.

The government has launched the Stop Abuse Together campaign. The campaign aims to empower parents and carers to take steps to help keep the children in their life safe.

You are encouraged to support and share the campaign through the Stop Abuse Together digital toolkit. Please consider using these resources in your organisations, or sharing them with relevant stakeholders as appropriate.

‘What’s On’ guide for Children and Family Wellbeing Services – Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council wellbeing services provide targeted services for children and young people aged 0-19yrs+ living in Lancashire. The county council work with key partners to bring these services to local areas.

The ‘What’s On’ guide aims to keep families up to date about support services and groups that are available at the nearest centre in the local community.

Click here to view the summary activities and here to read the complete activity and service guide.

Free Yoga Sessions for 11 to18-year-olds by Escape2Make
Escape2Make is organising free yoga sessions for 11 to 18-year-olds in Lancaster.

Location: The Storey, Lancaster.
Day of the week: Every other Monday evening (from the 24th January 2022)
Time: Varies per age group (4 pm – 5 pm for 11 to 14-year-olds) and (5.15 pm – 6.15 pm for 15 to 18-year-olds)

Click here to sign up.

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]

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

Open Day for Hospital Home Care Recruitment
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMBT) are looking for Clinical Support Workers to work in patients’ homes in the community. There are 30 roles available in service, Cross Bay, including Furness and the South Lakes areas. Drop-in virtually or in-person on the open day at one of the venues listed for a chat to meet staff and managers from the team.

In-person session
Date: 15th February 2022
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Locations: Kendal Rugby Club, Mint Bridge Shap Road, Kendal, Cumbria (LA9 6NY); Barrow Football Club, Holker Street, Wilkie Road, Borrow-in-Furness (LA14 5UW)

Virtual session
If you are interested in registering for the virtual sessions please email [email protected] or [email protected]
Data: 15th February 2022
Times: 10 – 10.30 am, 2 – 2.30 pm & 7 – 7, 30am
Location: Online

Save the date – St. Thomas Church Lancaster Grand Opening
Everyone is invited to the grand opening of the new centre at St. Thomas Church.

Date: 12th March 2022
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Location: Marton Street, Lancaster, LA1 1XX.

Activities: Centre tours, displays of community work, refreshments and family activities.

Celebrate Recovery (12 step Programme)
This session provides weekly support for anyone struggling with any of life’s hurts, hang-ups and habits (not just addiction). Participants can find help with bereavement, divorce, low self-esteem, anxiety – the list of issues is varied.

Date: Tuesday evenings or Wednesday mornings (weekly throughout the year
Time: 10 am (term time)

Email [email protected] or call 07449373979 to sign up.

Social Group – Coffee Time

The Coffee Time group runs weekly during term time at Hope Church, Queen Street, Lancaster. This term’s activities include craft groups, a book club, a monthly trip out, and Cook-along sessions.

Date: Every Tuesday (Weekly)
Time: 10am

Email [email protected] or call 07449373979 to sign up.

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

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.

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.

LGBT+ Mental Health Hour – LGBTQ+ people with disabilities
Lancashire LGBT will host its sixth LGBT+ Mental Health Hour, to celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2022. This time, Community Support Worker Beth Meadows (she/her/hers) will speak with Daniele Lul from Parapride to discuss tackling the lack of inclusion for disabled people within the LGBTQ+ community, a need for more accessible LGBTQ+ spaces and more.

Date: 24th February 2022
Time: 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm
Location: Zoom

Click here to find out more about the session and how to participate.

Level 2 course in LGBT inclusion in the workplace
The Learning Curve Group is offering a FREE 8 weeks online course in LGBT Inclusion in the Workplace. The course is designed to increase the understanding of stereotypes and assumptions relating to LGBT people, and how organisations can support LGBT people with an inclusive workplace.

Course content:

• Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) history and culture
• Language, stereotyping and assumptions relating to LGBT people
• Organisational policies and legislation affecting LGBT people in the workplace
• Contribute to maintaining a supportive workplace environment for LGBT people

Register here to book a space

Free Virtual Employability Programme – Healthcare Career
Are you seeking work or a change of direction? Are you looking for a healthcare career? You can register to attend a 5-week virtual program. The Virtual Employability Programme is an opportunity to learn about a range of different job roles within NHS and Care whilst developing employability skills.

Participants will learn interview techniques and skills, CV building skills, confidence-building skills, and more. All sessions are free.

Date: from 21st February 2022 (ever Monday to Thursday)
Time: 10am
Location: Microsoft Teams

Register here

Fully funded course – Better Understanding of Autism
If you work with autistic people or if someone you know is autistic, this course by the Learning Curve Group is a great way to increase your knowledge.

You will learn:
• the characteristics that may be present in autistic individuals
• common misconceptions surrounding autism
• how legislation and guidance underpin support for autistic people.

You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications. This course might be of interest to practitioners in the field of autism, healthcare workers, autistic people, and parents or carers.

This course can be studied online and you can learn at a place and time that suits you. You’ll be assigned a specialist tutor, who will support you via phone, text or email

Register here to book a space.

Free training for Lancashire’s Rural Tourism/Food & Drink businesses
There are 15 training spots for independent rural tourism/food & drink businesses.

Participants will learn how to increase profitability, use and promote effectively on social media and improve online visibility.

Date: February (4th, 11th, 18th, 25th) & March (4th) 2022.
Time: 10am
Location: Online (Zoom)
To register: email [email protected]

Visual Merchandising training
Are you struggling to make your charity shop look attractive and appealing? The Charity Retail Academy is offering affordable visual merchandising (VM) courses to help charities stay up to date on the latest VM trends, skills and solutions. Visit the links provided to indicate your interest.

Course 1: Visual Merchandising – Planning your year. Read course details and register here.

Course 2: Visual Merchandising – VM toolkits, techniques and standards. Read course details and register here.

Course 3: Visual Merchandising – Tackling quirky corners and difficult departments. Read course details and register here.

Course 4: Christmas Visual Merchandising – Practical, inspirational tips & ideas for making a magical & profitable Christmas. Read course details and register here.

All downloadable courses cost just £30 plus VAT per head. If you want more information, email [email protected] or phone 07985 574904.

Fully funded Business Excellence workshops by Lancaster University Management School
There are three exciting fully funded programmes for businesses that fall under the criteria listed below.

• based in Lancashire or Cumbria
• employ between 2 and 250 full-time equivalent employees (FTE)
• annual turnover of less than €50 million (or the equivalent in GBP)
• received less than €200,000 of de minimis State Aid in the last 3 years

These workshops are available to only one person per business – please pick only one workshop to attend.

Workshop 1 – Ideas Into Action
This workshop aims to help participants to understand the innovation process, from idea to commercialisation. Participants will learn to use evidence-based ideation techniques and tools to build, develop and test ideas quickly with minimal risks, and implement them via the use of an innovation roadmap.

Dates: 3rd, 15th & 30th March 2022.
Time: 9am to 1pm
Location: Online using Zoom

Click here to find out more.

Workshop 2 – Lean for 2022
Participants at this workshop will learn how to manage a sustainable and profitable business, the benefits of good organisational culture, ethics and communication, and how to effectively implement this into their business strategy.

Dates: February (8th & 22nd ) and March (8th) 2022.
Time: 9am to 1pm
Location: Online using Zoom

Click here to find out more.

Workshop 3 – Pricing with purpose
Participants will learn about the history of pricing and the most effective pricing strategies, the barriers of implementing pricing changes, how to drive profitability and accountability, the psychology of pricing and how to effectively communicate, market and implement pricing strategies.

Dates: January (27th), February (10th & 17th) 2022
Time: 9am to 1pm
Location: Online using Zoom

Click here to find out more.

If you are interested in any of these three workshops or would like more information, please complete the registration form.

Please note that workshop details may be subject to change during the programme.

‘Living Life to the Full’ course
Living Life to the Full course helps people who are struggling with their mental health or feeling isolated to deal with everyday life challenges and learn a range of life skills using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles. This is a 6-week course which runs each term – usually February, May and October.

Next course start date: 11th February 2022
Time: 10.00am

Email [email protected] or call 07449373979 for more information.

Mental Health First Aid & Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace (Level 2)
Around 450 million people currently experience mental health problems. Recent reports suggest that over 12 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in just one year. It’s important that employers are transparent and open about mental health issues. Increasing the understanding of mental health among staff at all levels builds a culture of care and support.

Participants on this course will learn about mental health issues, understand how to support individuals with mental ill-health and what a mentally healthy environment looks like.

Duration: 7 weeks
Course delivery: online

Learners may be eligible for funding (subject to eligibility). There is a £125 cancellation fee if a learner enrols and fails to complete or withdraws early from the course.

Click here for more information and to enrol, or phone 01388 741 336. This course is organised by the Learning Curve Group.

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]

Paid Employment Placement – 2027 Programme
Are you passionate about forming a career that helps communities through grant-giving? Do you have lived experience of being “working-class” and working in the community? Are you looking to develop a career with more influence on enacting change?

2027 Programme aims 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.

If you’re looking to develop a career with more influence on enacting change, this could be the opportunity for you.

Salary: £23,000 (UK-wide) or £25,000 (London)
Employer: One of 2027 host organisations, a leading Foundation or Trust
Location: Opportunities throughout England and Scotland
Hours: Typically 9 am-5 pm with some flexibility
Term of contract: Fixed-term, 12-months starting October 2022
Closing date: 30th March 2022 at 1 pm.

If you would like to find out more, please visit the 2027 website.

Questions? Email [email protected] or attend the 2027 team live session on Thursday, 9th February at 6 pm via Zoom.

Community Clinical Support Workers – Hospital Home Care NHS
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) are looking for Support Worker / Carer staff within the South Cumbria area to help with discharging patients who have care or rehabilitation needs at home whilst their longer-term care arrangements are being established. Successful candidates will be integral in supporting patients to reach their goals as they return home from their stay in hospital.

Salary: £20,330 – £21,777, £18,813 to £20,795 per annum/pro-rata
Hours of work: Part-time – 24 hours per week (Potential for various contracts available including 36 hrs / 30 hrs or 24 hrs per week)
Contract: Permanent:
Closing date: 24th February 2022

Download the application pack here.

If you need more information, you can attend the Open Day event – details in the event section of this bulletin.

Communications & Partnerships Assistant – Kickstart position at Lancaster District CVS
We are looking for an enthusiastic person to work alongside Lancaster District CVS staff to create and publish digital content, including photographs and video, promoting our services and supporting our members.

To apply for this job, you must be claiming Universal Credit and be 16 to 24 years old.

Salary: £9.50 per hour
Hours: 25 hours per week, flexible days and times
Term: Six months from start date

Find out more here

Population Health Administrative Support
To support the work of the Population Health Team and Bay Health and Care Partners, Morecambe Bay CCG is seeking an administration support to help meet increasing demands on the team.

For the right candidate this is an opportunity to work within a dynamic team with a passion for reducing inequalities in health through effective partnership working and working differently with communities.

Salary: £20,330 – £21,777 (pa)
Hours of work: 37.5 hours
Contract: Fixed term/secondment until March 2024
Location: Moor Lane Mills, Lancaster

Download your application pack here.

Business Development Officer at Lancashire LGBT
Lancashire LGBT is looking for a Business Development Officer to drive the Quality Mark ‘kite mark’ scheme to the next level. The Quality Mark Scheme supports organisations to be more LGBT+ inclusive. It helps service providers demonstrate to service users and staff that the organisation has taken steps to improve their offer for LGBT+ people, internally and externally.

Salary: £16,225 (PA) – FTE £38,025)
Hours of work: 16 hours per week
Closing date: 27th February 2022

Download the application pack here.

Gleaning Coordinator and Trainer at Eggcup
Eggcup, LESS and FoodFutures are seeking a Gleaning Coordinator to support in developing and delivering the Closing Loops Project: stimulating a regenerative food economy in North Lancashire.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity for someone passionate about food and sustainability to become part of a strong community that is taking action to create a thriving local food system that is healthy, resilient and fair.

Salary: £24,200 (starting salary)
Hours of work: 35 hours per week
Contract: 4 years fixed term
Closing date: 16th February 2022

Download the job description and application form here.

REconomy Coordinator and Community Event & Marketing Coordinator at LESS and Foodfutures

REconomy Coordinator
LESS and FoodFutures is seeking a REconomy Coordinator supporting the development and delivery of the Closing Loops Project: stimulating a regenerative food economy in North Lancashire.

Salary: £20,280
Hours of work: 30 hours per week
Contract: 5 years fixed term
Closing date: 25th February 2022

Click here to download the Application Pack.

Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator
LESS and FoodFutures is seeking a Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator to support in developing and delivering the Closing Loops Project: stimulating a regenerative food economy in North Lancashire.

Salary: £20,280
Hours of work: 30 hours per week
Contract: 5 years fixed term
Closing date: 25th February 2022

Click here to download the Application Pack

North Lancashire Diet & Chef Co-ordinator
Global Link and the Closing Loops project are seeking a North Lancashire Diet & Cooking Chef Co-ordinator to oversee the delivery of the North Lancashire Diet element of the Climate Action local partnerships Closing Loops project: stimulating a regenerative food economy in North Lancashire.

Salary range: £17,778 (starting salary)
Hours of work: 28 hours per week (4 days)
Type of contract: Fixed term for 5 years
Closing date: 25th February 2022

Click here to find out more about this role and start your application.

Senior Navigator, Navigator, and Peer Mentor roles at Changing Futures

Senior Navigator
The Senior Navigator will supervise and assist with the development and training of Navigators and Peer Navigators and provide intensive and direct service navigation. The successful candidate will work closely with other members of the service team to ensure that clients access all relevant available services and build effective relationships with the beneficiaries of the Changing Futures Programme.

Salary range: £26,000 – £28,000
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week
Type of contract: Fixed term until March 2024
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe

For more information, download the Job Description and the Person Specification.

Navigator
The Navigator will regulate comprehensive assessment of services users, deliver intensive and direct service navigation.

Salary range: £23,000
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week
Type of contract: Fixed term until March 2024
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe

For more information, download the Job Description and the Person Specification.

Peer Mentor
As a Peer Mentor, you will provide 1:1 peer mentoring support to people experiencing multiple disadvantages (homelessness, substance misuse, offending, mental illness and domestic abuse) across Lancaster & Morecambe.

The post holder will work as part of a multi-agency team whilst ensuring the needs and wishes of people with lived experience of multiple disadvantages are placed at the centre of all decision making.

Grade/Payscale: Permitted Earnings Post
Location: Lancaster & Morecambe
Contract: Fixed term until March 2024

For more information, download the Job Description and the Person Specification.

Trainer and Assessor at Community CVS
Community CVS in Blackburn are recruiting for an accredited Trainer and Assessor to help the team to deliver a new and exciting project to upskill individuals and future-proof organisations across Lancashire.

Applicants should hold an assessor qualification (A1 D32/33 or similar) and have experience delivering accredited training, with an understanding of coaching and mentoring techniques. The project runs until December 2023.

Salary range: £33,782 per annum
Type of contract: Full time, fixed-term
Flexible working hours

Click here to find out more and apply

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.

Lift Someone Out of Loneliness Campaign
The next phase of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports’ loneliness campaign launches on Monday 31 January, as part of the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign.

The phase is aimed at 18-24 year olds, as this demographic is at higher risk of feeling lonely, but less likely to seek advice and support.

We’re all being encouraged to ‘Lift Someone Out of Loneliness,’ through small acts of kindness to help others feel more connected.

DCMS is keen to work with partners to ensure support and guidance gets to those who need it. Please get in touch at [email protected] if you’d like to find out more, or to receive their campaign video and other assets.

Mental Health Support Groups
Do you struggle with depression, anxiety or poor mental health? Are you feeling lonely or isolated? Or do you struggle with low self-esteem?

Adullam is providing a range of mental health support courses. Get in touch and book your place.

Dates:
28th January to 25th March 2022
6th May to 1st July 2022
Time:10.00 am

Get in touch to register – email [email protected] or call 07449 373979

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.

Levelling Up
White Paper
The Government has published its white paper on Levelling Up, which “aims to galvanises action across sectors to improve jobs, incomes, health, skills, transport, pride in place, safety and well-being across the UK”. In particular, DCMS is tasked with developing a new Strategy for Community Spaces and Relationships “including reducing barriers to volunteering, improving community infrastructure and getting funding to the places it’s needed most.”

Read the full white paper here.

Kruger Report
The Government has also published it’s response to Danny Kruger MP’s report ‘Levelling Up Our Communities: Proposals for a New Social Covenant’ which announces several commitments to the voluntary sector including funding to faith groups, community organising, volunteering, community ownership, and local democracy.

Read the full report here, and the Government’s response here.

National Youth Sector Census: First Report
Findings from the national census of youth provision in England, reveal the large disparity in the amount and type of provision available to young people depending on where they live. The data suggests that there is twice as much youth provision in the most affluent areas as opposed to the most deprived areas, alongside 50% more buildings purpose-built for, or dedicated towards young people in affluent areas.

The Census was carried out May to July 2021, as part of a two-year programme of research and data analysis, on priority areas for young people and youth work. This is the first report written based on findings from the Census data, focusing on the methodology behind the National Youth Sector Census alongside a summary of early findings.

Download report here.

Government Grant Management Function – grant applicant survey
The Government Grant Management Function (GGMT) is working to provide the best service to everyone who applies for and receives central government grants.

The GGMT need your feedback to provide a better service to grant applicants in the future. The survey takes 10 minutes to complete and your views will help shape central government grant application processes.

Complete the survey online.

Putting Communities First – National Lottery Community Fund Impact Report
Putting Communities First examines the impact of the £3.4 billion that the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has awarded over the last five years.

This report demonstrates the essential role that local community activity has in ‘generating local social capital and building critical social infrastructure’. It covers six main areas, including:

• supporting thriving communities
• giving opportunity to young people
• promoting employment and employability
• helping those most in need in our society
• the climate and net zero challenge
• NLCF’s dedicated crisis funding during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This follows a commitment by NLCF to use data and evidence to shape their future strategy.

Coronavirus Community Support Fund Learning Hub Reports
In May 2020, the government pledged a £750 million emergency COVID-19 funding package for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, of which £200 million was pledged to The Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF), distributed to over 8,000 organisations by The National Community Lottery Fund (NLCF).

Between October 2020 and August 2021, over 3,000 organisations came together through the Learning Hub to share the lessons they had discovered during the pandemic.

The Learning Hub reports highlight areas for development and advice for the sector as a whole: focusing on building connections and strengthening organisations for the future, as well as volunteer culture and staff wellbeing.

Read the reports produced from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund evaluation.

Are you struggling to pay your bills? Support and resources from Healthier Lancashire
More than 14 million people have seen their income fall at some point in the past two years, while more than 6 million people have experienced money problems such as struggling to pay the bills. Nearly three million people have used high-cost credit cards to make ends meet – and this is all due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit here to find available support and advice.

Going green: ways to make your community hall more eco-friendly
There are many practical things you can do to make your village hall, community centre or property more sustainable. An article by Zurich provides some suggestions about how to make your hall more eco-friendly including:

• how to shift where you spend money on consumables such as power, food and cleaning products.
• how to change the way your space uses energy and water.
• ways to make it easy for people who use your space to reduce their environmental footprint.
• ways to maximise how your space is used.

Read the full article here.

If your committee needs some inspiration, take a look at these examples of village halls responding to the climate crisis.

Bay Health and Care Partners ask for your views on digital services
The Bay Health and Care Partners (BHCP) have developed a Digital Strategy that aims to continue to merge and support services across Morecambe Bay for the next three years.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, digital services including ‘video conferencing’ for outpatient appointments and the mixed reality HoloLens 2 headset at Kendal Care Home were adopted and continue to be used where appropriate to reduce the risk of infection and keep the public and staff safe.

BHCP is inviting patients, carers, service users and the public to share their experiences of using digital services.

Sign in here to access the ‘Let’s Talk Digital’ feedback page by the 25th March 2022.

The Road Ahead 2022 report from NCVO
This week, NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations) has launched the Road Ahead 2022 – its annual analysis of the biggest trends, opportunities and events that will impact charities and volunteering in the year ahead.

NCVO has identified some areas of stability as well as trends that go beyond the pandemic, to help leaders, trustees and communities make informed decisions about their futures. Some of the trends set out include: more political stability, a tighter squeeze on living costs, and a shifting role in climate change.

You can read an overview on the NVCO website and  find the full report here.

Changes to the Healthy Start scheme
The Healthy Start scheme helps those who are pregnant or have responsibility for at least one child under 4 years of age who are on a qualifying benefit and a low income in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Families entitled to Healthy Start can get help to buy plain, fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables, plain cow’s milk, infant formula and fresh or tinned pulses.

The key changes to the scheme include:

• Paper application forms will be replaced with an online application process. Applicants can apply online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk
• Paper vouchers will be replaced with prepaid cards.
• Beneficiaries of the NHS Healthy Start scheme will be able to show their prepaid card as proof of entitlement to get free Healthy Start vitamins.
• The HS01A application leaflet will no longer be available. All new applicants should be signposted to the online application.
• A health professional signature is not required (was removed from legislation and the application form in April 2020).

Click here for more information.

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.

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]

Alternatively, call us on 01524 555900

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