Welcome
Welcome to the Growing Care Farming newsletter for September. This will no doubt be a busy month for many care farms as they reopen or start to extend their services again after operating in a skeleton capacity for a number of months. Members of the GCF team had the opportunity to join a film crew at a couple of West Midlands care farms last week and it was fantastic to see the atmosphere buzzing again, albeit with slightly reduced numbers and social distancing restrictions in place.
It has been heartening to see how well so many have coped with reopening to a 'new normal' after a difficult few months and also encouraging how many prospective care farmers have been in touch to share their plans.
In this September Newsletter we will cover:
As the GCF project progresses we are building up a bank of useful resources which can be accessed at any time.
A full rundown of all our training is available here. Although face to face training is suspended until January 2021, our partners, Thrive, are working hard to develop a blended learning approach that will enable the face to face training to be accessed remotely. We look forward to sharing more information on this soon.
Our YouTube channel is the place to access all our previous webinars, plus lots of interesting videos and films all about care farming and care farms, both UK and international. If you've got a film or a YouTube channel for your care farm, please send us the link over so we can share it. It's great to be able gather everything in one place to make information about our sector more accessible.
Previous monthly Northern newsletters can be found here, with all the GCF updates available here.
Also, for the eager social media beavers amongst you, please don't forget about SF&G's Facebook Group which is a closed group of over 500 members where you can chat and ask questions informally on almost any topic.
8th September 2020, 7.00pm - 8.00pm, Women and Autism Talk
Autism is a common, but invisible, condition, which is why its prevalence in society is not widely recognised. This is particularly true for women. Most autistic women are undiagnosed and many have no idea they are autistic. Myths and misunderstandings abound and often get in the way of autism being identified and understood. This talk explores why autistic women have historically been under-identified and diagnosed, how this can change, and whether autism is different in women and men.
The talk covers:
- Is there a female presentation of autism?
- Why are relatively few women diagnosed as autistic?
- How can we identify autistic women?
- Some famous autistic women.
- Q&A
Caroline Hearst trained as an art psychotherapist and achieved a diagnosis of autism in adulthood after years of personal therapy. She uses these experiences and her extensive knowledge of autism to offer enjoyable and informative talks and trainings aimed at increasing understanding and acceptance of autism. The talk is provided by AutAngel which is a community interest company run by and for autistic adults to grow autistic community.
Book here - Women and Autism Talk
9th September 2020, 10.00am - 11.30am - Social Prescribing; new insights and recommendations from the VCSE sector
This FREE online webinar is being held to mark the publication of two new reports into social prescribing. This unique partnership event will present, compare and discuss the findings and recommendations from two recent research projects, reflecting the views and experiences of hundreds of people from across the VCSE sector.
Speakers will include:
- James Sanderson, Director of Personalised Care at NHS England and Improvement
- Craig Lister, Managing Director of TCV's Green Gym
- Kate Jopling, National Voices' Associate, who was closely involved in our social prescribing workshops.
Register here - Social Prescribing Webinar
10th September 2020, 2.00pm - 3.00pm - GCF Themed Webinar - What is Crowdfunding and how can it help our care farm?
Many organisations (including care farms and other organisations delivering green care) have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are looking to explore alternative sources of funding such as ‘Crowdfunding.’ Every year ‘crowdfunding’ is used to raise billions for businesses, startups and non profits and can also be used to increase an ‘audience’. In this webinar, the GCF team will be joined by Anthony de Souza from the Crowdfunding Mastery Academy who will explain how crowdfunding may help. Anthony will cover:
- just exactly what ‘crowdfunding’ is all about
- what type of crowdfunding will work best for you and your green care organisation
- the benefits of running a crowdfunding campaign
- the success factors that need to be in place before launching a campaign
- downsides to crowdfunding
- future crowdfunding trends.
We will also cover a few case studies from care farms who have been successful.
Book here - What is Crowdfunding?
15th September 2020, 7.00pm - 8.00pm, Autism and Anxiety Talk
Many autistic adults experience high levels of anxiety. This talk explores issues around anxiety – why it is so common amongst autistic people, whether it is an innate part of autism, how autistic people can manage anxiety, and more.
The talk covers:
- Why do autistic people experience high levels of anxiety?
- Is anxiety part of autism?
- How can autistic people address anxiety?
- Q&A
The speaker is again Caroline Hearst from AutAngel.
Book here - Autism & Anxiety Talk
16th September 2020, 10.00am - 11.30am - How to do a fundraising campaign – the Stonebridge City Farm experience
At the beginning of 2019, Stonebridge City Farm in Nottingham launched an appeal to raise £30,000 funds due to reduced income. Could they achieve it?
This free webinar, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, will tell their story, share reflections, provide a template, and give an overview of wider crowd funding platforms out there. This will be useful to community groups, against a backdrop of a pending funding squeeze and increased demand for services.
Book here - How to do a fundraising campaign - Stonebridge City Farm
17th September 2020, 10.30am - 11.30am - GCF Online care farming network meeting
This event is chance to see and meet other care farmers 'face to face' but remotely! The aim is to provide a forum for care farmers, prospective care farmers, the GCF team and others to support each other and to share learning and ideas.
This event is designed for care farmers, prospective care farmers, commissioners - anyone involved in care farming.
Book here - September Online Care Farming Network meeting
22nd September 2020, 10.00am - 11.00am, SF&G Webinar - Trustee Indemnity: Confidence in a Crisis
Trustee liability can be a barrier to individuals joining charity boards and can also be a worry for individuals on a board. This is especially so during times of unprecedented crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic. Join our insurance partner, McClarrons, to find out how to protect your trustees and to provide a framework where the board can make difficult decisions with confidence. McClarrons will also use the opportunity to launch their exclusive pricing for SF&G members on their market leading Management Liability product, Rural Protect.
The session will cover:
- What is trustee liability?
- What is company/charity legal liability?
- What are the risks?
- What Insurance is available?.
- Rural Protect Introduction
- Legal resources available under the policy
Book here - Trustee Indemnity: Confidence in a Crisis
13th October 2020, 2.00pm - 3.00pm - GCF Themed Webinar - Governance: How should I set up my care farming enterprise?
In this themed webinar we will address the complexities of possible governance options for care farmers (and other green care service providers). This is something that many prospective care farmers raise with us, so the webinar will highlight the importance of the right governance set up, the various options available to care farmers, and the advantages and requirements of each.
The session will be led by Karen McGarrity, Development Officer for Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency who has extensive experience advising and supporting the establishment of community groups and charitable enterprises. Karen is also a trustee of a local youth charity.
Book here - Governance: How should I set up my care farming enterprise?
14th October 2020, 1.30pm - 3.00pm - Yorkshire and Humber Care farming Network meeting
This online meeting, chaired by Robin Asquith from Camphill Village Trust, is part of a regular programme of bi-annual meetings of this independent network. These meetings are an opportunity to provide peer support and develop relationships across the care farming sector in the Yorkshire & Humber region.
Book here - Y&H Care Farming Network Meeting
15th October 2020, 10.30am - 11.30am - GCF Online care farming network meeting
This event is chance to see and meet other care farmers 'face to face' but remotely! The aim is to provide a forum for care farmers, prospective care farmers, the GCF team and others to support each other and to share learning and ideas.
This event is designed for care farmers, prospective care farmers, commissioners - anyone involved in care farming.
Book here - October Online Care Farming Network meeting
9th November 2020 - Autism a Hands On Approach Online Conference
The 'Autism - a Hands on Approach' conference has proved extremely popular and has become firmly established in the ‘Stockport’ autism calendar as an event where parents, carers, professionals and autistic individuals have a chance to meet up, listen and network. The contributions from speakers with lived experience are an illuminating and valued part of the day. They aim to provide a wide selection of information, generally having a very varied audience and are aware that everyone has their own particular interests and issues.
They have been fortunate over the years in attracting many world renowned speakers in the field of autism and this year is no exception. Tickets are £50 for professionals, or £20 for parents carers and those with autism.
Read more - Autism Online Conference
If you're interested in any GCF webinars but can't attend, please don't worry as all are recorded and uploaded to our website and YouTube channels for you to access whenever you want.
FREE access to NCVO funding resources
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has temporarily removed the paywall for their membership resources. This means that for a short time you can access a wide range of resources without being members of the organisation. The funding and income section provides 'tips and guidance on bringing money into your charity or voluntary organisation - from individual giving and legacies, to bidding for grants and digital fundraising.
Read more - NCVO funding resources
Tesco Bags of Help Focuses support on Children and Young People (UK)
At the end of September, the Tesco Bags of Help COVID-19 Communities Fund will close and in its place during October, November and December Tesco will be providing grants of £1000 to support projects focused on local children and young people.
The type of projects funded could include:
- Mental Health support for children and young people – COVID-19 has had an impact on the health and wellbeing of children, particularly mental health.
- Outdoor activities – sport & green space provision for children & young people including use of green spaces support wellbeing through physical activities.
- Non statutory educational activities – to support, widen and rebuild educational support networks for children, web-based activities. Sport, exercise, and arts.
- Young carers – support for young carers as a result of current and continued isolation.
- Bereavement counselling – offering support to children that have lost family members and support networks due to COVID-19
- Child poverty – to support organisations that offer family support that are further impacted by COVID-19, which could include food/educational packs, free activities.
- Vulnerable at-risk children – the pandemic has impacted vulnerable children with challenging home & family circumstances.
Other local good causes supporting children and young people will also be considered.
Eligible applicants include charities, voluntary or community organisations, schools, health bodies, Parish/Town Councils, local authorities and social housing providers.
Projects should last up to 12 months and can be a stand-alone project or discrete, self-contained part of a larger scheme, or part of a phased project. Funding can be used to cover 100% of project costs.
Applications can be made at any time.
Read more - Tesco Bags of Help
New funding for Equine organisations
Are you a small or medium-sized charity whose primary focus is equine rescue and re-homing? Has your work been directly affected by the crisis? The good news is you could be eligible for a grant. The Petplan Charitable Trust has just launched it's Covid-19 Equine Rescues Emergency Fund.
Read more - Petplan Covid-19 Equine Emergency Fund
The Volant Charitable Trust Covid-19 Funding
The Volant Trust was set up by author J.K. Rowling (you may have heard of her Harry Potter books!) in 2000 as a grant making trust to help fund charitable causes in Scotland. However the Trust has recently set up a Covid-19 Response Fund and is seeking applications from not-for-profit groups impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic working to deliver services anywhere across the UK or internationally.To be eligible to apply organisations must be:
- A registered charity, community interest company, community organisation or social enterprise
- Have an organisational bank account with at least two unrelated cheque signatories
- Have organisational accounts independently audited each year.
The Trust is wanting to fund work that:
Is specifically related to the response to the Covid-19 pandemic
Directly helps with the alleviation of social deprivation and with vulnerable groups who have been particularly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic
Is for project running or core costs. This can include medical equipment or PPE in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic but NOT other items of capital equipment.
The closing date for applications is 31st December 2020 with decisions reached and communicated by April 2021 at the latest.
Read more - The Volant Trust
Steel Charitable Trust
The Steel Charitable Trust makes discretionary grants where they believe that their contribution will make a real difference. The five current funding priority categories are;
- Arts and heritage
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Social or economic disadvantage.
Applicants can apply for between £2,500 - £25,000 for support towards capital projects, specific projects, research programmes and core costs. Covid-19-related funding will also be considered. As with all funding please check you eligibility before applying (registered charities/CICs/CIOs are eligible). Deadline October 31st, 2020.
Read more - Steel Charitable Trust
Funding to promote better understanding of the environment and countryside
The Ninevah Charitable Trust supports a broad range of projects and activities that promote a better understanding of the environment and countryside, whilst facilitating improved access, education and research. Whilst the Trust does not specify a minimum or maximum grant amount that can be applied for, an analysis of previous grants would suggest a maximum of £5,000 per year for up to three years. The Trust prefers to pay grants to UK registered charities or Community Interest Companies, but individual applicants may be considered if the outcome benefits are clearly defined.
Read more - Ninevah Trust
Funding for Digital Development
The Fat Beehive Foundation is offering grants of up to £2,500 to small UK registered charities for building websites or digital products that enable them to carry out their work in a more efficient and effective way, resulting in positive social benefit.
Read more - Fat Beehive Grants
Lloyds Bank Foundation (specific geographical areas - Redcar and Cleveland, Halton, Bolsover, Great Yarmouth, Telford and Wrekin or Merthyr Tydfil)
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales has ring-fenced 2 of its COVID-19 Recovery Fund grants for each of the six communities that are part of their People and Communities work. The COVID Recovery Fund will offer around 150 charities a two-year unrestricted grant of £50,000 alongside a Development Partner to help charities navigate a tumultuous future.They are welcoming applications from organisations who meet the following criteria:
- Your charity’s work supports people facing complex social issues such as mental health, homelessness or domestic abuse (you can see a full list on the Foundation website)
- Based in the community of Redcar and Cleveland, Halton, Bolsover, Great Yarmouth, Telford and Wrekin or Merthyr Tydfil
- Have an appetite for organisational development and working in partnership with the Foundation’s Development Team and their work on system change (what this means will be different in each community).
They are looking for evidence that:
- You actively participate with statutory partners at an influencing level, for example, engagement in, or links with strategic partnerships such the health and wellbeing board and/or issue-based partnerships
- You actively participate with your local infrastructure organisation/arrangements e.g.. CVS/CVC/wider VCSE networks
- Be a registered charity (this includes CIOs)
- Have an annual income of between £25,000 and £1m.
To apply for this funding you must be a Charity or Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission. Pending registrations will not be accepted. You must have at least one year of published accounts covering a twelve-month operating period. The accounts must show as ‘received’ on the Charity Commission website.
Applications will open from 10am 3rd August 2020 and will close at 5pm 11th September 2020.
Read more - Lloyds Bank Foundation
Discounted Fundraising Training with 'Get Grants'
Social Farms & Gardens have teamed up with Get Grants to offer discounts on a range of fundraising training courses to members. Get Grants is a Birmingham based consultancy that delivers a range of fundraising related training courses across the UK, including Bid Writing, Corporate Fundraising and other topics. They also offer a free Funding Finder and newsletter to keep you up to date with funding opportunities.
Read more - Get Grants Funding Finder
Groundwork - Could you be eligible for a grant?
Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. Groundwork works closely with a number of funders and administers a large number of grants across the country. Check out their website to check to see what is available in your area and whether you are eligible.
Read more - Groundwork - National grants listed by area
Clarion Housing Group’s William Sutton Prize - Applications Now Open!
Following the success of the William Sutton Prize over the last two years, Clarion Housing Group is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the third year of the scheme. Clarion is seeking applications from individuals or organisations presenting an innovative concept, product or service that will have a positive social impact on a community.
There is a prize fund of up to £20,000 on offer for each of the two categories, with the funding provided by Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group. The winning entries will be determined by a panel of industry experts led by Clare Miller, Group Chief Executive of Clarion.
The William Sutton Prize for Social Innovation will be awarded to an individual or organisation that has developed a ground-breaking new product, concept or service that will make a positive social impact on disadvantaged groups or communities.
The William Sutton Prize for Placemaking and Affordable Housing Design will be awarded to an individual or organisation that has developed a ground-breaking design concept that will improve the quality of life and support the wellbeing of residents and communities.
The William Sutton Prize was developed by Clarion Housing Group to celebrate William Sutton’s legacy as a 19th century innovator and philanthropist who bequeathed his fortune to improve the quality of social housing. The deadline for application is 30 September 2020.
Read more & Apply here - Clarion Housing Group's William Sutton prize
North Yorkshire Online consultation on local government reorganisation: Tuesday September 8th at 10am
The leaders of the seven district and borough councils in North Yorkshire would like to invite members of the community and voluntary sector to an online consultation event about local government reorganisation. The event takes place on Tuesday September 8th 2020 at 10am. They're holding this event because the Government has made it clear to local councils in North Yorkshire and York that they must reorganise local government in order to secure a devolution deal for the region. The Leaders of the county’s seven district and borough councils have unveiled a proposal for an ‘East-West model’ which would create two brand new councils. The first would serve communities in Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby and York. The second would serve communities in Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate and Richmondshire.
The Leaders believe that the east-west model makes sense to local people, and is designed in their best interest, delivering:
- Fair and equitable population and geographical sizes
- Strong, responsive and efficient local services – embedded in, and connected to, our communities
- The best value for taxpayers’ money, with estimated savings of up to £56m a year
- Clean and inclusive economic growth and support for business
- Strong local leadership and democratic representation, supporting an effective Mayoral combined authority with greater parity of influence between authorities.
North Yorkshire County Council would instead like to see a ‘mega-council’ across the whole county, alongside a separate, much smaller council serving the City of York.
This Zoom engagement session has been organised for local communities and VCSE organisations to find out more and feed in your views. Shortly after signing up, you will be sent details of how you can access the Zoom session.
A number of other sessions have been organised for residents, businesses and community groups. If you are unable to join the session on September 8th, please feel free to sign up for an alternative session below.
Book here - Working Together to get change right - consultation event
Book here - Alternative consultation events
Tender Opportunity - Bradford Adult Social Care: Daytime Activities
COVID-19 has delayed Bradford District Council in implementing the new Daytime Activities Tender, which will create a list of Providers able to offer daytime activities, including employment support and volunteering. They are now in a position to be able to resume work on this tender and are therefore publishing the indicative timetable. They are also publishing the proposed pricing model for feedback. To find out more and respond to this soft market test to indicate what services you can offer please register interest and use the messaging facility on Yortender. They welcome your questions, queries and comments and will respond as far as is possible via Yortender.
Read more - Daytime Activities Soft Market Test
Cumbria Community Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund
This fund has awarded 186 grants to local community and voluntary organisations that are responding to the pandemic to a total value of over £1.2m, having raised over £1.7m. New applications continue to be accepted. Grant awards are made fortnightly.
Read more - CCF Covid-19 Response Fund
Sirius Minerals Covid-19 response fund (Teesside and North Yorkshire)
The Sirius Minerals Foundation, the charitable arm of Anglo American’s Woodsmith Project being built near Whitby and on Teesside, has launched a new round of funding aimed at helping local charities and voluntary groups on the North Yorkshire coast recover from the coronavirus crisis. A total pot of £250,000 is being made available to help local voluntary, community and social enterprise groups with their costs as they adapt their ways of working to the new and challenging environment created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Awards of between £500 and £15,000 are available for the development of new digital services needed as a result of the pandemic, or to help cover funding gaps caused by the economic effects of the pandemic.Charities can apply for one of two schemes, a ‘Digital Success Programme’ and a ‘Regroup and Rebuild Programme.’ The former is designed to improve the digital capability and capacity of groups to deliver their services through digital platforms, for example through the purchase of new IT equipment, virtual office infrastructure, or online services. The latter is aimed at helping groups with their core outlays, such as or premises costs or skills development and support for staff.
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 15th September 2020 (12pm) Decisions on funding will be announced by the 19th October 2020.
Read more - Sirius Minerals Funding
The Two Ridings Community Foundation Coronavirus Community Fund (North Yorkshire, York, East Riding of Yorkshire or Hull)
The Two Ridings Community Foundation Coronavirus Community Fund has re-opened for applications. Grants are available of up to £10,000 for individual and group applications. Partnership bids will also be considered. In phase 3 grant making will support the development of self sufficient and resilient communities, by helping to support solutions rather than the symptoms of problems. Funds are available for either projects or running costs, but the work supported must be aimed at strengthening communities and/or strengthening the organisations that provide vital support to communities.
The priorities for funding are:
- Good jobs & economic growth
- Zero hunger
- Good health & wellbeing
- No poverty
- Reduced inequalities
Applications from organisations with an annual income of under £500,000 (based on current forecast annual income) will be prioritised. Groups must be based in and/or working in North Yorkshire, York, East Riding of Yorkshire or Hull.
Read more - Guidance notes
Funding portal for Merseyside based organisations
If you are based in the Merseyside area you can access collated information through Merseyside Funding Information Portal - Funding news, updates and information for Merseyside's non-profit sector.
Read More - Merseyside Funding Information Portal
FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (Bradford)
Do you work with children and young people in the Bradford District? Would you or any of your staff benefit from attending a free Youth Mental Health First Aid course for professionals? The courses will be face to face and will take place at the TFD Centre in Holmewood. Please note, delegates must attend both days - dates and times below:
- Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th September 9:30 to 4:30
- Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th October 9:30 to 4:30
- Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th October 9:30 to 4:30
Please email [email protected] for a booking form.
Read more - MHFA for children and young people
Monitoring and Evaluation Essentials Webinar (Bolton)
Bolton CVS are hosting this webinar to understand and discuss the essential keys to monitoring and evaluation. Review what essential information you are collecting and how it is helping you to make key decisions, communicate clearly with your stakeholders, and build confidence with your current and potential funders.
Read more - Monitoring and Evaluation Essentials Webinar
Safeguarding Training (Lancashire)
A number of training sessions run by Blackpool Safeguarding are open to delegates from across Lancashire. As well as face to face courses they also have online courses and podcasts and webinars available.
Read more - Blackpool Safeguarding training and resources
Support and resources on Learning Disability (North East & Cumbria)
The North East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network has updated the 'Learning Disability Matters for Families' website with a range of resources to support family resilience and the health and wellbeing of children and young people with a learning disability.
Read more - Learning Disability Matters for Families
FREE Designated person safeguarding training (Northumberland)
The role of Designated Person for Safeguarding is a challenging one, but is vital in protecting your organisation, its staff and the people you work with. Northumberland CVA is offering two free training sessions on Zoom, in September and November, as part of its work with Safer Culture North East. To take part, you must have previously completed at least basic safeguarding training in the last three years, and there is around 30 minutes of pre-reading. The sessions will give you an understanding of:
- the role of Designated Person (DP)
- how to deal with concerns about an individual’s welfare
- how to deal with allegations of abuse against a team member
- engaging with your local Safeguarding Board, and
- training and development needs for yourself as DP and those you support.
Book for the September 23rd session by September 16th, and the November 21st session by November 16th by emailing [email protected].
John Moores Foundation (Merseyside)
The John Moores Foundation is a registered charity, established in 1964, that gives money to local community organisations doing charitable work. They focus on funding projects based in Merseyside (including Skelmersdale, Halton, and Ellesmere Port) and Northern Ireland. Their aim is to enable people who face barriers, as a result of social, educational, physical, economic, cultural, geographical or other disadvantage, to improve their social conditions and quality of life. They do this by making grants to local groups that fall within their areas of interest as set out on the website. Priority is given to small, grass-roots and volunteer-driven organisations.
They are an enabling funder and would like to help groups achieve their targets and outcomes in their own way. If a group receives a grant from the Foundation, additional support may be offered to the group by their Community Groups Development Worker in areas such as fundraising, strategic planning and trustee development and by their Monitoring & Evaluation Worker to set up systems that best meet their needs, capacity, etc.
Sefton CVS are hosting a Meet the Funder event for the John Moores Foundation. This will take place on Thursday 17th September 2020, between 11.00am -12.00 noon. To book a place email [email protected].
Read more - John Moores Foundation Grants
York Small Charities Fund
The York Small Charities Fund aims to support small local VCSE organisations who have a positive impact on the well-being of people in York, and who are at risk from closure due to the financial challenges of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Groups must be able to show both that they are at serious risk of closure within twelve months, and that any funding awarded would make a material difference to the medium- to long-term survival of the group. Applicants must be able to show how they will use the grant to help them become sustainable. This could be part of their long-term plans or a temporary measure in order to apply for larger funds, to allow the group to generate their own income, or to allow the group to recruit more volunteers.
Funding will be available for core running costs, for example:
- salaries
- volunteer recruitment
- overhead costs (utility bills, rent etc)
This list is not exhaustive. The deadline for applications is Friday 11 September.
Read more - York Small Charities Fund
Funding for supporting disadvantaged children and young people (Bradford)
The Leeds Community Foundation have launched their Manjit Wolstenholme Fund and it is now opened for applications. The fund offers grants of up to £10,000 for organisations supporting children and young people in disadvantaged areas of Bradford District to achieve their potential through educational and aspirational opportunities.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, grants can be used to cover core costs of organisations. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 29th September 2020.
Read more - Manjit Wolstenholme Fund
Community Business Start Up Programme (Wakefield)
The Building Powerful Communities - Community Business Start Up Programme is an exciting new bite-size training programme for potential entrepreneurs to find out more about setting up a Social Enterprise and how to go about it.
To be eligible for the project you must be living in an eligible postcode in Airedale, Castleford, Ferrybridge, Havercroft & Ryhill, Kinsley & Fitzwilliam, Hemsworth, South Elmsall or South Kirkby, or you may want to operate your business in one of these areas. An Adviser will check that your postcode is eligible. Y
You can choose from a minimum of six sessions from the list below, but why not commit to all 8?
- What is a Social Enterprise – an introduction to the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector, recognising a need and social impact
- Your business idea – developing your strategy and writing a business plan
- Setting up a Social Enterprise – which legal structure is right for you and what do you need to do?
- Funding – sources of funding and fundraising, writing successful bids and match funding for small capital grants
- Getting your message across – marketing campaign, market research, social media and website
- Looking after the finances – templates and support from West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service (WYCAS).
- Legal duties – policies and procedures, health & safety and safeguarding
- Shared Learning from successful Community Businesses – how they did it, tips and advice and lessons learnt.
Read more - Community Business Startup Programme
Better Together Norfolk Grants (Specific areas of Norfolk)
Grants of up to £300 are available to community groups in Norwich, Great Yarmouth, South Norfolk and parts of Breckland to help them provide a safe space for their visitors, members, staff and volunteers. This could include funding for hand sanitiser, PPE or other things you need to make your group comply with government guidelines.
Read more - Better Together Norfolk Grants
Post lockdown research into State of Life (Essex)
As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, Active Essex and the University of Essex are continuing to seek to understand how people in Essex are doing in terms of wellbeing, work, money and life in general. Please help by filling out this quick survey, so they know how best to help.
Take part - State of Life survey
VAST Bursary Fund (Staffordshire)
The VAST Bursary Fund has reopened to local VCSE organisations including charities, CIC's, social enterprises and community groups. VAST members (membership is free) can get up to £500 towards eligible business services like accountancy, payroll, web design, training and governance. Applications are accepted on a rolling monthly basis, with a deadline of 25th of each month.
Read more - VAST bursary
Networking and FREE training opportunities (Huntingdon)
Hunts Forum is an independent, non-profit making registered charity based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Their purpose is to encourage, support and develop voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and individuals to have a real influence over the places and communities in which they live.
If you are based in this area you can access a myriad of free training and networking events including safeguarding, cyber security, governance, diversity & inclusion as well as advice, support and training around fundraising. Check out what is on offer.
Read more - Hunts Forum
Covid-19 Recovery Fund for Cambridgeshire - Short deadline
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (CCF) has launched a new Recovery Grants element to its Cambridgeshire Coronavirus Community Fund. The new Recovery Grants are intended to shore up the finances of organisations that have lost income due to the crisis. CCF identifies various types of organisation that they wish to target, based on the people they support:
- People severely economically impacted by the pandemic
- BAME communities
- Young people
- Women and families affected by domestic violence
- Supporting good mental health and well-being, and people with disabilities.
However this is not an exhaustive list. Grant applications can include core costs. The deadline for expressions of interest for grants over £15,000 has unfortunately already passed, but applications of £10,000 to £14,999 can be made up to 9 September 2020.
Read more - CCF Recovery Fund
FREE Training opportunities (Colchester and Braintree)
Community 360 has a number of free training courses on offer which are coming to an end soon. If you work for a charitable organisation in Colchester or Braintree, you can access the following courses for free:
- Impact and Influence, 15th September, (last chance to book!)
- Finding Funding Now, 23rd September
- Managing & Retaining Volunteers, 30th September
To book please contact [email protected] or call 01206 505250.
Charity Mentors (Kent and Medway)
Charity Mentors Kent and Medway is a new in initiative established at the suggestion of the Kent Lieutenancy and inspired by similar successful operations being run in East Sussex and Oxfordshire. Charity Mentors Kent and Medway provide free mentoring to charities and not-for-profit community organisations by senior leaders with strategic management experience. It will typically be focused on the chief executive and is aimed at improving organisations’ strategic vision, effectiveness and efficiency.
They recognise that running a charity or social enterprise can be a challenging and sometimes lonely job. The management of day to day issues often leaves little time to step back and think about the strategic direction of an organisation and how best to get there. Speaking to somebody with top level management experience in business or charity sectors can help leaders ger fresh perspectives and release time to concentrate better on the future.
The Covid-19 pandemic has made working more difficult for everybody. Though not ideal, they are finding that effective mentoring can still be delivered remotely e.g. using Zoom. The first project started a couple of months ago and half a dozen are now under way.
Read More - Charity Mentors Kent and Medway
University of Essex Free webinar on evaluation - 16th September
As COVID-19 spreads globally, a massive health, humanitarian and development crisis is challenging evaluators, programme managers and stakeholders to adapt the way the impact of their programmes and interventions are evaluated. In a world of turmoil and constant change, how can evaluation adapt to meet the challenges of a world pandemic and make the most of the opportunities presented?
This session will be particularly useful to evaluators, programme/project managers and anyone with an interest on how to assess the impact of interventions at times of a pandemic crisis.
Book here - Evaluating in Times of Social Distancing
SEMBLE volunteers awaiting projects (London)
SEMBLE, the organisation which links volunteers to worthwhile projects, has a team of eager volunteers ready to help London projects in late September/early October. If you need help running an event, supporting your services or want some people-power for digging, painting, cleaning, building or any other jobs, let them know. Covid-19 safety regulations will be planned into all volunteering and remote volunteering opportunities are also welcome. They also have a budget available to support the work.
Read more - SEMBLE volunteering
Start-Up School for Seniors (London)
Thinking of starting a care farm or green care enterprise? On 5th October, Advantages of Age is launching a new e-learning course, Startup School for Seniors. Funded by City Bridge Trust, this 8-week course is aimed at unemployed or recently made redundant
Londoners over 50 to learn how to start a business, taught by those who have been there and done it.
Kicking off on 5th October, each week you’ll watch two videos related to starting a new business and participate in a Zoom session with your fellow startup students. They’ll help to make sure you’re moving forward by providing you with homework and the opportunity to track your progress, week on week.
Read more - Start-Up School for Seniors
Surplus Crops Project (Bath)
Transition Bath Food Group has initiated a project with the multi-agency Food Poverty Steering Group set up by Bath & North East Somerset Council. Many allotment growers and gardeners have surplus vegetables and fruit during the summer glut period from August to October. This project directs the abundance to local charities and organisations like children’s centres which have set up food clubs and school holiday food provision. The Council’s intention is to help families on low income access affordable food.
Partners include the Allotment Association and the Sustainable Food Partnership. If you have surplus crops, or if you can lend a hand with transporting crops from the collection points to the food centres that need them, please get in touch.
Read more - Surplus Crops Project
Inclusion Barnet - Join the network
Inclusion Barnet are a Peer-Led Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO). Their office is based in Barnet, North West London. Nearly all of their directors and staff have lived experience of disability, including mental health issues and/or long-term health conditions.They work to design and deliver higher quality, more person-centred services and also work with support organisations to do the same.
As part of the mental health work they provide weekly updates about activities and events linked to mental health and wellbeing in Barnet and the surrounding area via a newsletter. If you are a care farm in the Barnet area why not get in touch, become a supporter and see if they can help you promote your service to the wider community?
Read more - Inclusion Barnet
FREE 30 minutes of Legal/Governance Advice (Buckinghamshire)
If you are a charity or a VCSE organisation delivering services in Buckinghamshire don’t miss this opportunity to meet with IBB Law who have a specialist department for charities on a one to one basis on legal or governance issues. Delegates get expert input on a problem they have raised and know what they need to do next, which may include getting (and potentially paying for) legal assistance. Examples of the type of issues other charities have sought advice about:
- Questions regarding a lease
- Changes to a constitution
- Changing articles of association
- Incorporation of an existing charity
- Copyright and intellectual property
An appointment time can be selected at the time of booking and are as follows: 09:30-10:00, 10:05-10:35 10:40-11:10, 11:20-11:50, 11:55-12:25, 12:30-13:00. For any questions about this event please contact 01844 617223 or [email protected].
Book here - Free Legal/Governance advice sessions
FREE Writing a Funding Application workshop for VCS organisations (Plymouth)
Need funding for your idea? New to writing bids or need a refresher? These free Writing a Funding Application workshops (either on 18th September or 14th October) on Zoom will walk you through:
- Laying out your thinking and writing
- Describing your project outcomes and benefits
- Considering true costs
- Top tips for success
Please note a £10 registration fee is charged, but is refunded upon attendance at the event.
Book here - Writing a Funding application workshop
Bulb-tober Planting Native Wildflowers (North Somerset)
Avon Wildlife Trust are running Bulb-tober again this October by aiming to plant native wildflowers with young people to improve local green spaces. They are looking for youth and school groups that would be interested in receiving some beautiful local wildflower plugs to plant in their local area. Due to the current situation they are planning on dropping off bundles of plants along with 'how to' videos for choosing a location and planting. There will also be the option of AWT running a session online before and after the planting, and they may be able to attend some of the planting sessions too. AWT are also interested in hearing from care homes and GP surgeries that have green spaces which could use some wildflowers as there may be a willing youth group in the area that will plant them.
If you are interested in finding out more, please get in touch with Dani Smith at AWT: [email protected] or go to the website.
Read more - Avon Wildlife Trust
FREE 6 month PSEN Membership & Expert Support (Plymouth)
Plymouth Social Enterprise Network is offering a six-month FREE "COVID Response Membership" to current members and social enterprises who were adversely affected by the pandemic, to ensure they are still able to access PSEN member support. PSEN is also offering fully funded support from its pool of Social Economy Experts, with detailed knowledge/experience in a range of topics. Any PSEN member can request an hour of 1-2-1 advice and support from one of these Experts.
Join here - PSEN Membership
The Fundraising Regulator's Code of Practice
Are externally raised funds becoming a large part of your care farm's income. Are you spending more time or employing new staff to support with this work? You may not be aware, but the Fundraising Regulator has a Code of Practice which it encourages organisations to follow. This pre-recorded short webinar will help you understand what the code is, who it applies to, what the code covers and how to use the code, both online and offline.
Watch here - Fundraising Code of Practice webinar
DSC - 'Espresso Express': Top fundraising tips
In this edition of the weekly series designed to watch whilst you take a quick break the Directory of Social Change team highlight their top fundraising tips - why not make a cuppa, watch and learn?
Watch here - DSC 'Espresso Express'
'Give me Space' badges
The Government has published badges that can be used to show that the person carrying them may have difficulties or concerns with regards to maintaining social distancing.
Read more - Please give me space badges
Multi-lingual Covid-19 Information Graphics
A group of doctors, medical students and volunteers has created infographics to help summarise key points about COVID-19 in a variety of languages to get the right information, in an easy to understand format, to these communities.
Read More - Multi-lingual Covid-19 Infographics
Open Country Audio Walks
Are a number of your service users still too vulnerable to come back to the care farm? For those people still shielding it can feel like they have lost contact with nature, but Open Country have produced a number of free audio walks to bring the outdoors indoors for people who are missing out. There are currently six different walks on their website, all recorded in Yorkshire's beautiful countryside.
Listen here - Open Country Audio walks
Understanding and Managing Trauma in Young People
This free guide produced by the Greater Manchester Resilience hub and funded by the NHS looks at what trauma is for children and young people, how they might be feeling, triggers, and some things that can help.
Read the guide - Understanding and Managing Trauma
Foundation for Social Improvement - FREE Training courses
On 8 and 9 September 2020 the FSI will be delivering 9 full and half day webinar training courses with fundraising topics such as Corporate Relationships, Community and Events and other topics including Project Management and Good Governance. You must be a member to register, however membership is free for organisations with a turnover of less than £1m.
Read more - FSI training courses
BBC Studios Casting "Wanted: The Simple Life"
Are you fed up of life in the crowded, noisy, hectic city? Are you thinking about swapping it all for a less frantic, quieter, healthier way of life? The production team behind Wanted Down Under want to hear from you for a brand new series that offers you the chance to road test your dream move. Who are we looking for? We’re interested in hearing from people who are seriously considering making a move from the city to the countryside or coast in the near to medium future, and are looking for help and guidance with making that decision. Whether it’s in the search of a whole new career, to start a new business, or just to escape the ever-crowded rat race and take up life as a farmer, fisherman or foodie, we want to hear from you.
Read more & apply - Wanted: The Simple Life
Directory of Farm and Rural Support
The Princes Trust has recently developed this Directory which lists 69 regional, national, and membership organisations who can provide support, advice, and guidance to farming and rural communities.
Read more - Directory of Farm and Rural Support
Campaign around mental health in young people with autism
In 2017 the Youth Council and myVoice volunteers decided that they wanted to run a campaign around mental health. The Know Your Normal campaign aims to reduce the stigma around mental health and create resources for autistic young people to work out and understand what their normal is. Although the campaign is not new there are some great resources - a toolkit to download, plus lectures and training to access.
Read more - Know your normal
New book on mental health and gardening
Anyone with a specific interest in gardening for mental health and well being could check out this new book, The Garden Cure, written by Jan Cameron, an SF&G member based in the Scottish borders. The book is now available from Waterstones for £9.99.
Order here - Waterstones The Garden Cure
Real People, Real Stories Campaign
Supported by the Farming Community Network (FCN) and NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, this campaign features the experiences of men from isolated communities who have struggled with mental health. The campaign comes after new research released by the Samaritans showing nearly half of men aged from 20 to 59 in rural communities had experienced feelings of anxiety during the lockdown. It is hoped that the campaign will help encourage more men from isolated communities to talk openly about their mental health.
Read more - Samaritans Real People, Real Stories
LEAF Online Farm Sunday - 20th September
Following on from their success in June LEAF are holding Online Farm Sunday to celebrate British farming, our incredible farmers, everyone involved in the industry and of course our regional foods and heritage. With on farm visits once again being transferred online, Sunday 20th September is shaping up to bring you a plethora of new farming related content. Alongside more ‘live’ virtual farm tours taking place throughout the day, they have two key themes of Produce & Provenance and Wildlife & Biodiversity.
Read more - LEAF Online Farm Sunday
FREE Toolkit for Designing and Delivering Online Sessions
As the world becomes increasingly digital, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, knowing how to design and deliver engaging sessions online is essential. This means we have to think about how we adapt our face-to-face events, meetings, focus groups, and services for an online audience. Hosting events online can make charities’ services more accessible, removes geographical restrictions, and provides opportunities for new ways of fundraising.
This toolkit from Lloyds Bank Foundation provides an overview of how to create engaging sessions for an online audience. This toolkit is designed for use by people of all levels of experience or prior knowledge and provides an introduction to delivering online sessions.
Read More - LLoyds Bank Foundation Online toolkit
New process maps from ACAS to help you navigate workplace changes
As the country is slowly easing out of lockdown, many organisations are cautiously and gradually returning to the workplace or planning to do so. If you are a charity or voluntary group that employs individuals, then the trustees are employers in law. For help with mapping out a process and ensuring the board thinks through all the stages, take a look at the following free process maps from ACAS below. These three process maps are interactive resources, which signpost some recommended actions and further guidance that is available.
Returning to the workplace process map - Designed for employers who are preparing for a return to the workplace, including a process for ensuring the workplace is Covid-19 Secure and also a People Strategy to take into account those who are vulnerable, how to deal with annual leave and ending furlough. Access the returning to the workplace process map here.
Varying an employment contract process map - For employers who are considering making changes to employee contracts and/or terms and conditions. This interactive resource has been designed to help employers better understand this process, required steps, statutory obligations and also good practice when engaging with employees. It also provides details of options, alternative approaches to contract variation, risks and prompts. Access the varying an employment contract process map here.
Redundancy process map - This process map is designed for employers who are unfortunately having to consider making redundancies within their organisation. This interactive resource has been designed to help employers better understand redundancy processes, required steps and also good practice when engaging with employees. It also provides details of options and alternatives to making redundancies and prompts employers to consider further support they can provide to their employees. Access the Redundancy process map here.
New What Works Centre for Wellbeing guide to measuring impact
If you want to understand if and how your activities affect the wellbeing of the people you support, this new What Works for Wellbeing Centre impact measurement guide, aimed at small or medium-sized charity or social enterprise, is a good place to start. The guide brings together the most important things that organisations working with communities and individuals should understand in order to measure subjective wellbeing.
The What Works Centre for Wellbeing is an independent body developing robust, accessible and useful evidence that governments, businesses, communities and people can use to improve wellbeing across the UK. This guide, which was developed by the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, New Economics Foundation and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, brings together the most important things that organisations working with communities and individuals should understand in order to measure subjective wellbeing
Read more - Guide to Measuring Impact
Stay safe everyone and keep in touch with us. We love to hear from you!
You can send general enquiries to [email protected] or you can contact Debbie and Rachel on [email protected]
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