Growing Care Farming Newsletter, February 2021

Welcome

The beginning of February brings some very bad weather in parts of the country, but also some small signs of spring with crocuses and snowdrops appearing. We very much hope you are all keeping safe and managing your sites as best you can. Don't forget that our care farming Code of Practice can help you work through your policies and procedures and check that you have everything in place and set up for busier times as the weather warms up again.

We've really enjoyed the last month as there's been lots of opportunity to see both old and new faces on some of the online events we've been running - see below for more details. It's made us think about how much we like a get together of care farmers (a flock of care farmers!?) and we are sad that we can't run our planned conference face to face as these are always so inspiring.

Instead, we've decided to run an online conference on March 25th, offering an opportunity for some care farms to highlight how they have adapted over the last 12 months and give you a forum to ask questions and share ideas. We are conscious that even in these dark and difficut times, it is important for us to remain optimistic and energetic and remember that there are things to celebrate in our sector. We look forward to sharing more details with you later in the month.

This newsletter covers:

GCF Update
GCF Question of the Month
GCF Networking & Events
England Wide Funding Opportunities
England Wide Training Opportunities
News & Opportunities (North)
News & Opportunities (Central & East)
News & Opportunities (South)
Other News & Resources

GCF Update

Training

Two of our online client-specific courses, covering service provision for people with mental ill-health and for alternative educational provision were deivered this month - designed both for existing care farmers and for those looking to set up a care farm. Two other courses are currently taking place covering service provision learning disabilities and ASD, and for young people with anxiety and depression. All 4 of our client-specific courses are being repeated each quarter, so don’t panic if you miss a course you’re interested in! Each of the courses can be found on our website here: https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/gcf/training.

We’re also looking for experienced care farmers who work with one (or more) of the groups in these client-specific courses, to sit in on the live sessions and support the trainers in answering trainee questions and sharing experiences. For each course we would ideally like them to attend two one-hour sessions (via Zoom) and we would of course pay towards their time. Preference will be given to Code of Practice care farmers (but it’s not essential), so if you are interested, have any questions or if you would like to know more, please get in touch with Katie via email at: [email protected] with your name, the care farm at which you work and the service user group/s you typically work with.

Resources & Networking

We had a truly bumper turnout for our online network meeting in January and were delighted to see both familiar and new faces. These meetings were started last May as an informal opportunity for people who may be working in quite isolated ways to see other faces and share worries or concerns. With growing numbers, we may look for formalise these and possibly split them into regional groups or 'themed' sessions. Any ideas of how you would like to see them work are very welcome!

We also very much enjoyed hearing from a number of care farming projects at our Going live care farming; North East on 28th January. With presentations from Ouseburn Farm, Barefoot Kitchen and Rising Sun Farm, we heard about just some of the work that is taking place in the region and discussed how important care farming is for mental health and as an opportunity for social prescribing. If you are interested in being part of a developing network to see care farming services develop in the North East, please contact Sarah Marrison at [email protected]. There is also a short film about Growing Care Farming's plans for care farming in the North East.

Are you looking for a location from which to deliver green care services from in the Sheffield area? In the course of networking this month we have spoken to a landowner in the Sheffield area who is open to approaches from care farmers. If this is something that might interest you please head down to the 'News and Opportunities - North' section to read more!

Also it is worth remembering that if you are a member of Social Farms & Gardens we will advertise any job vacancies for you for free on our website. This will help you reach a wider audience and potentially reduce the cost of advertising. Contact [email protected] if you would like any vacancies adding to this page.

Quality Assurance via the Code of Practice

We are continuing to run our GCF Code Q & A Online sessions – these are an opportunity for anyone who has started their care farming Code of Practice application to ask questions to enable them to complete their application form. They are run by a Code Assessor and GCF staff member – our most recent session (Jan 2021) was led by Rachael Fell-Chambers of Densholme Care Farm. The next session will be held on Tuesday 9th March 2021 and will be led by Keily Elvin of Elm Tree Farm – for details including, how to book please visit this page.

Advocacy and promotion

January saw the launch of the first of three promotional films for care farming. The first film promotes care farming for mental ill-health, and highlights the benefits of care farming through interviews with care farmers, service users and their families, and commissioners from the healthcare sector. Care farming for social care will be launched later this month and care farming for education will be launched in April so watch this space! If you haven’t already, you can find the care farming for mental health video on our website here

Growing Care farming Conference - March 25th - hold the date!

Our first online conference 'Celebrating care farming: Adapting to change' will be held online on March 25th from 2pm to 4.30pm. We will be releasing more details shortly, so watch this space for what we will be covering and and how to book!

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Question of the month

Many thanks to those of you who completed our question of the month on outcome measurement in January - it seems that most care farms are using a mixture of standardised and bespoke measurements for evaluating their service users' experiences. What's clear from the answers, is that there is a desire to look at measuring change in a more holistic way and an appetite for learning about new approaches. We will be addressing many of the points raised in the webinar on the 17th February.

This month we are talking about the innovative ways that care farms have responded to the challenges of delivery during the Covid pandemic. We know that many care farms and green care sites have come up with a whole range of adaptions to the way they deliver their service - to enable their service users to stay connected and involved. From online sessions to imaginative social distancing ideas - the list goes on! We would love to hear more about these new ideas and highlight some examples in our forthcoming conference. We're also really interested to know which of your 'new' ideas have worked so well that you are planning to continue in the future. If you could spare a couple of minutes to tell us more here - that'd be great - Thank you!

GCF Networking & Events

Monday 15th February, 10.00am - 4.15pm - Resilience on the Ground - Policy Hack Day

This event, led by SF&G's London Project Officer Amber Alferoff, is part of a series on resilience which is open to anyone in England. It's an opportunity to work as a team to share and improve your policies and procedures - something that can seem boring and low priority but is essential for effective operations and can work wonders for staff and volunteer resilience. The session will involve Amber sharing best - and worst - policies and participants will support each other to do as much as they can in one day. Amber invites you to bring your policy questions and hopes that making a social day of it will make policy development that bit more enjoyable. Book here.

Wednesday 17th February, 2.00pm - 3.00pm - GCF Themed Monthly Webinar - From measuring outcomes to measuring change: what this could mean for your care farm

In this webinar we will be talking about the complex area of measuring outcomes and measuring positive change (for your clients, your referrers, you, your staff team and beyond) and showing how a holistic approach - wider than measuring 'outcomes' can benefit your care farm or green care site. The session will be led by Dr Rachel Bragg (Growing Care Farming) and Sarah Giles (previously of FarmAbility) - who will share experiences and learning from FarmAbility's measurement journey. So if you’re new to measurement - come along for ideas for how to approach it; if you’re experienced in measurement - you will find ideas to challenge and evolve both your approach and focus; and if you have an interest in continuing this discussion about why, what and how we measure in care farming then join us in our webinar! Book here

Wednesday 17th February, 3.30pm - 4.30pm - GCF Online Care Farming Network Meeting

A chance to see and meet other care farmers in person but remotely! These network meetings provide an opportunity for care farmers, prospective care farmers, commissioners, GCF team and anyone else with an interest in care farming to come together and discuss any issues they feel are relevant. They are also an opportunity to share experiences and learning and make new contacts. It will also offer an opportunity to discuss subjects highlighted in the GCF Themed webinars in more detail. The meetings are not regionally based, they are open to anyone involved in care farming regardless of where they live. Book here.

Thursday 25th February, 10.00am - 12.00pm - Going live: Care Farming North West

During this 2 hour event we will highlight the work of several North West based care farms and will discuss the different ways in which the GCF project can support the growth of care farming and the development of a regional network in the North West. If you are a care farmer, prospective care farmer, health, education, social care or social prescribing professional based in the North West region then we'd love you to join us. Book here.

Tuesday 9th March, 2.00pm - 3.00pm - SF&G Monthly Webinar - 9ft in Common; On the potential of Belfast alleyways

Social Farms & Gardens in NI would like to invite you to to this webinar to hear the current findings of the 9ft in Common project (a research project which asks questions about the wider use of the alleyways), and discuss with others the potential of these underused spaces in the city. Belfast’s terraces are built around a complex network of entries, alleyways, and commonages. Once used as access for important coal deliveries and sewage networks, this infrastructure has been demoted to bin runs, leading to areas of dysfunction with fly tipping and antisocial behaviour. However, as COVID-19 continues to restrict social interactions, these wild, liminal spaces present an opportunity to those craving spaces beyond their homes. They can become places to grow, places to play, places to come together in a ‘rurbanisation’ of the ‘entries’, as they are locally known. Book here.

Wednesday 17th March, 3.30pm - 4.30pm - GCF Online Care Farming Network Meeting

If you're interested in any GCF or SF&G webinars but can't attend on the day, please don't worry as all webinars are recorded and uploaded to our website here for GCF webinars and GCF YouTube channel or here for the SF&G webinars.

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England Wide Funding Opportunities

Assura Community Fund and Rugby League World Cup 2021 Grants Programme

Applications from charitable organistions in England, working to deliver activities which complement existing Rugby League World Cup 2021 “CreatedBy” grants awarded – or which support vulnerable people living in the eighteen, RLWC2021 host towns and cities, to help them to move forward positively with their lives – please read criteria here for full eligibility guidelines. £1k to £5k to be spent by Dec 2021. Deadline midnight 28th Feb.

Bolton
Coventry
Doncaster
Hull
Kirklees
Leeds
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Newcastle
Sheffield
Preston
St Helens
Tees Valley
Trafford
Warrington
Wigan and Leigh
York.

Read more - Assura Community Fund

Veterans Association grants.

Grants up to £30,000 (spread over up to three years if you wish) can be given, for organisations which are helping past or present members of the British Armed Forces, operationally qualified seafarers, and their immediate dependants, who are in need. Projects can include those that reduce homelessness, increase employment, provide welfare and medical support, increase confidence and social integration, as well as reducing dependence on alcohol and drugs. There is no deadline, but for consideration in April, applications should be made by the end of March. Find out more details on the Veterans Association website, where you will also find an eligibility test.

Read more - The Veterans Association

Community Business Renewal Fund.

Power to Change grants for community businesses in England to adapt, renew and rebuild their business so they can remain financially viable. Unrestricted grants between £10k and £20k. Round 3 opens 2 March. Deadline 9 March.

Read more - CBRF

LNER Customer and Communities Investment Fund

LNER offers grants (minimum £1,000, maximum £100,000) to projects located within 10-15 miles of the east coast mainline, where there is an identified social need in the areas of mental health, education and employability skills, diversity and inclusion, or environment and sustainable travel. Applications must show how the project will work with the community to mitigate the social need and therefore help to create a more inclusive, prosperous and connected community. The East Coast mainline runs from Kings Cross to Edinburgh. The fund opens on 22 February, deadline 2 April.

Read more - LNER CCIF

The Fore

From Spring 2021 The Fore is returning to its standard offer of grants of up to £30,000, which can be spread over up to 3 years. Any registered charity, CIC, CIO or Community Benefit Society with turnover of under £500,000 in the last financial year is eligible to apply. To apply for funding, organisations must first register some basic contact details at the start of each funding round.

Read more - The Fore

BBC Children In Need

Not for profit organisations can apply for grants of up to £10,000 per year for up to 3 years for projects that help children and young people overcome the effects of illness, distress, abuse or neglect; disability; behavioural or psychological difficulties; and poverty and deprivation. Projects funded through BBC Children in Need aim to make a difference in children’s lives that help prevent or overcome the effects of the disadvantages they face. Projects achieve these differences by either working directly with children or seeking to improve their social and physical environments. Deadline - 12th April.

Read more - BBC Children in Need

Cameron Grants

Seed funding grants (up to £2500) are available for UK based charities and other not-for-profit groups and organisations to trial new and innovative ways to support people in the UK who are suffering with poor mental health.

Read more - Cameron Grants

Register now for the Social Entrepreneurs Programme

Register interest in The Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme (opens soon), jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. They are offering free learning, a grant (between £1,000 and £7,000) and a mentor.

Read more - School for Social Entrepreneurs

Ann Rylands Small Donations Programme

Funding for UK based charitable organisations that work in the following areas of interest:

Serious illness - to assist many fundraising initiatives by charities and charitable institutions which help those suffering from serious illness. The needs addressed include nursing, residential facilities, assessment and treatment, and support and advice.
Disability - to make life easier for the disabled, to improve their quality of life, and to promote integration with the able bodied.
Disadvantage - to help those less fortunate in society to enjoy new experiences, and to provide support to help them to lead more fulfilling lives and to realise their potential.
Overcoming adversity - for work with people experiencing particular difficulties in their lives, who are vulnerable and in need of support.

Funding is intended to support registered charities that will use the grant for a specific project of a humanitarian nature or to supplement their core funding. The scheme aims to support charities that share the organisation's vision of helping sick and disadvantaged people. Eligible organisations must have registered charity status, be based in the UK and use the funds for domestic purposes. Grant amount: Up to £1,500. Applications are accepted at any time.

Read more - Ann Rylands Small Donations

Allen Lane Foundation

The Allen Lane Foundation funds small registered charities, voluntary groups, and charitable organisations that work with seven particular beneficiary groups:

Asylum seekers and refugees
Gypsies and Travellers
Migrant communities
Offenders and ex-offenders
Older people
People experiencing mental health problems
People experiencing violence or abuse.

Applications received from now, until the early part of April, will be considered in the round leading up to the June 2021 meeting. Please apply as soon as you are ready.

Read more - Allen Lane Foundation

Grants online - Full list of Coronavirus funding including regional and national.

This list compiles all current coronavirus funding, so it's worth having a look to see if there is anything you could apply for locally or nationally

Read more - Grants Online

Postcode Places Trust

This grant-giving body is looking to make the process more flexible to better serve smaller charities and good causes. With this in mind there will be a funding round opening each month from February until October. Each round will close once a maximum number of bids have been submitted. Once a round has closed organisations that didn't get to apply are encouraged to apply in the following month's round.

Funding Themes:

Improving mental wellbeing;
Enabling community participation in the arts;
Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty;
Supporting marginalised groups and promoting equality;
Improving biodiversity & green spaces;
Enabling participation in physical activity;
Responding to the climate emergency & promoting sustainability;
Increasing community access to outdoor space.

Funding up to £2,000 for unregistered charities and community groups; up to £20,000 for registered charities. Opens 1 February 2021.

Read more - Postcode Places Trust

The Matthew Good Foundation

Grants for Good is the foundation's first fund that invites charities, community interest companies and social entrepreneurs to apply to them directly for funding. Every three months, they'll share £10,000 between 5 shortlisted projects that have a positive impact on communities, people or the environment.

Read more - Grants for Good

Tweed Family Charitable Foundation

Grants of up to £10,000 per annum over 3 years are available to registered charities or not for profit enterprises with an annual turnover of less than £1m. These are for work that offers life enhancing opportunities to young people under the age of 25, particularly those who are disadvantaged and in their teenage years. Such opportunities may be educational or vocational and should provide experiences that would otherwise be inaccessible to the young people concerned. Funding is for specific projects that meet the trustees’ objectives over one, two or three years and the funding of core costs will be considered where the organisation’s objectives meet those of the foundation. Deadline 31 March 2021.

Read more - Tweed Family Charitable Foundation

CLA Charitable Trust

The CLA Charitable Trust is dedicated to helping those who are disabled or disadvantaged to visit and participate in learning experiences about the countryside and the great news is that hey have a record of giving grants to care farms. The aims of the Trust, and the criteria for funding applications, are:

To promote education about the countryside for young people from towns and cities and those who are disadvantaged.
To provide facilities for those who are disabled, who have learning difficulties or who are in some way disadvantaged to enjoy the benefits of the countryside.
To support the advancement of education in agriculture, horticulture and conservation for disadvantaged people, particularly the young.

Read more - CLA Charitable Trust

Barchester Healthcare Foundation

The foundation's mission is to make a difference to the lives of older people and other adults with a physical or mental disability; supporting practical solutions that lead to increased personal independence, self-sufficiency and dignity.

They fund:-

Older people 65+
Adults (18+) with a physical disability
Adults (18+) with a mental disability
Individuals living in England, Scotland or Wales
Small community groups and charities based in England, Scotland or Wales.

The foundation favour applications that encourage a person’s mobility, independence and improved quality of life. Their grants range from £100 up to £5,000. Apply via the online form on the website. Applications can be submitted at anytime. Allow 10 weeks for a decision.

Read more - Barchester Healthcare Foundation

Baily Thomas Charitable Fund

Grants are available for voluntary and community organisations who support those affected by learning disabilities. Funding can be used for both capital and revenue costs. Application for funding is normally considered for capital and revenue costs and for both specific projects and for general running/core costs. Grants are awarded for amounts from £250 and depend on a number of factors including the purpose, the total funding requirement and the potential sources of other funds including, in some cases, match funding.

Read more - Baily Thomas Fund

Covid-19 Emergency Loan Fund for UK Social Enterprises

Social Investment Business has announced that their Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund will close to new applications at 11.59pm on the 31st March 2021.The £25 million fund provides emergency loans of between £100,000 to £1,500,000 with no fees or interest for the first twelve months to social enterprises and charities which are facing financial difficulty and disruption to their trading due to the coronavirus pandemic.The Fund is intended to provide working capital until normal business can resume for organisations that are improving people’s lives across the UK. Loans, which are backed by the Government’s existing Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, could be used to cover delays in trade payments, or for business modification to meet increase in service demand. Applicants will be considered on a first come first served basis.

Read more - Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund

Funding for Projects that Work with disabled children and their families

Through the True Colours Trust UK Small Grants Programme, charities and projects with a charitable purpose can apply for funding that work with disabled children and young people; children and young people with life-limiting conditions; and their families.

Grants of up to £10,000 are usually available for;

hydrotherapy pools
multi-sensory rooms
mini buses
young carers projects
sibling projects
bereavement support
specialised play equipment / access to play and leisure
family support / parent-led peer support, etc.

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Read more - True Colours Trust

NFU Mutual Community Giving Fund

Charities, schools, and community groups can apply for grants of up to £1,000 through the NFU Mutual Community Giving Fund. The fund is available in areas that are local to NFU operations in the UK.In 2020, the Fund helped 49 community groups and charities across the UK, providing support for front-line charities dealing with the impact of Covid-19. The grants have funded equipment for a Search and Rescue team, an outdoor shelter for a community centre, PPE for a dementia support group and food parcels for vulnerable members of the community to name but a few.

Applications are likely to be more successful if they meet one or more of the funds priorities. These are:

Connecting the community
Reducing social isolation
Providing opportunities, and encouraging resilience
Providing care and support to vulnerable members of our community
Relieving poverty
Improving the health and wellbeing of our communities
Advancing education and experiences for young people.

The next closing date for applications is the 31st March 2021.

Read more - NFU Mutual Community Giving Fund

The Cruach Trust

The CruachTrust is a small charity which provides financial support for gardeners, retired gardeners and for preserving gardens throughout the United Kingdom has announced that the next deadline for applications is the 10th September 2021. The funding is available to registered or recognised charities, societies, trusts or other bodies. There is a preference for small local and national charities. The trustees also have discretion to make donations to a wide range of organisations in the UK and abroad, with charitable objectives of whatever nature.

Previous projects supported have included:

Supporting a horticultural apprenticeship, arranged through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Grants for gardens, wildlife and the natural environment.
Grants for music, the arts and cultural charities.
Grants for medical research and support.
Grants for organisations working with children, the elderly and vulnerable.

The trustees also have discretion to make donations to a wide range of organisations in the UK and abroad, with charitable objectives of whatever nature.

Read more - The Cruach Trust

The National Lottery Community Fund

Although it's main programmes were closed during 2020 in order to focus on the Covid-19 relief funding streams, NLCF has re-opened a number of it's core programmes this year.

Read more - TNL Community Fund

Warburtons community grants up to £400

Warburtons' financial giving programme is aimed at supporting projects, activities and organisations that have charitable aims and will be of real direct benefit to families. The support they provide should reach charitable organisations delivering work that aligns to their three key priorities – Health, Place and Skills - and have a direct and tangible impact on families.

Read more - Warburtons Community Grants

The Soil Association Small Grants (Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, Walsall, Leicester City, Leicestershire, Nottingham City, Hull, Calderdale, Kirklees, Sheffield, Rochdale, Salford & Wigan only)

Small grants of £150 to support community-led food growing, cooking and sharing activity and Get-Togethers. For projects that bring people of different backgrounds and/or ages together to strengthen and connect communities.
Deadline: This round-12 February, Next round-12 March.

Read more - Food For Life Get Togethers

The Henry Smith Charity (Gloucestershire (Inc. Bristol and South Gloucestershire), Hampshire (Inc. Southampton and the Isle of Wight), Kent, Leicestershire, Suffolk, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex)

The Henry Smith Charity County Grants programme is open for applications in selected counties. Grants of up to £20,000 are available to registered charities with income of £250,000 or less (up to £1m if working countywide) for work benefiting groups experiencing social and/or economic disadvantage and work in areas of high deprivation.

Read more - Henry Smith Charity

The A B Charitable Trust

The A B Charitable Trust (ABCT) was set up in 1990 by Yves and Anne Bonavero. Its purpose was to support unpopular causes that championed human dignity, and to focus on small and medium-sized charities working close to the ground. Applications are particularly welcomed from charities working to support:

migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
criminal justice and penal reform
human rights, particularly access to justice

Deadline: The trustees meet four times a year, in January, April, July & October. Deadlines are 4-6 weeks prior to the meeting dates. Please see the latest deadlines on the website.

Read more - AB Charitable Trust

D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust funds UK registered charities operating in the fields of the advancement of the arts, health and medical welfare and environmental protection or improvement. The majority of the Trust’s grants are single grants over a one-year period. Occasionally longer-term grants (usually up to 3 years) are agreed by the Trustees when deemed to have particular merit. Deadline: 10/02/2021.

Read more - D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

Ulverscroft Foundation

Grants between £100 - £500,000 are available for projects which help visually impaired people. Applications are welcomed from a broad range of organisations as long as a significant number of their beneficiaries are affected by a vision impairment. Deadline is 15th March for consideration at the April meeting.

Read more - Ulverscroft Foundation

Garfield Weston Foundation

Grants are available to charitable organisations in the UK for a wide range of projects in the areas of welfare, youth, community, arts, faith, environment, education, health, and museums and heritage. Grants can be used for capital, revenue (core costs) or project work. Applications for Regular Grants (under £100,000) are reviewed by our Trustees on a regular basis and are dealt with in order of receipt. There are no deadlines that applicants need to worry about meeting.

Read more - Garfield Weston Foundation

Tesco Bags of Help

This scheme is still open for new applications to support local projects focused on children and young people. This theme could cover a large mixture of local causes. Examples include:

Mental Health support for children and young people – COVID-19 has had an impact on the health and well being of children, particularly mental health.
Outdoor activities – sport & green space provision for children & young people including use of green spaces support well being 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.

Voluntary/community organisations, registered charities, schools, health bodies, Parish/Town councils, social enterprises, Community Interest Companies, community councils, local authorities and social housing organisations can apply. Take the eligibility quiz below which will be followed by the application if you are eligible.

Bags of Help Eligibility Quiz

Charles Hayward Foundation - Funding Programme For Older People.

The Trust is interested in supporting programmes which show some creativity in improving the quality of life of older people:

Programmes aiming to alleviate isolation & depression in older people, including informal day care or social
Physical & recreational activities
Programmes which mainly use volunteers to give practical help, assistance and support for older people living in their own homes
Programmes addressing the emotional and practical needs of older carers
Programmes designed to meet the specific needs of people with dementia.

Small Grants are up to £7000 and you can apply any time. Charles Hayward Foundation also provides main grants for projects related to justice, heritage, overseas work and older people.

Read More - Charles Hayward Foundation

BlueSpark Foundation

The BlueSpark Foundation are offering grants of up to £5,000 for schools, community groups, clubs, societies and other not-for-profit organisations to fund or part-fund projects that aim to improve the education and development of children and young people by means of educational, cultural, sporting or other activities. Apply anytime.

Read more - Blue Spark Foundation

Edward Gostling Foundation

Support to improve life opportunities for disadvantaged people. Our 'Vision' is that people living with a physical and/or mental disability or a long-term illness should have, as many as possible, of the same choices, quality of life opportunities and aspirations as others more fortunate than themselves. To help us achieve this goal we provide grants to other charities with a gross annual income of £5M or less and operating front line services supporting this beneficiary group. Two grants are available:

Small unrestricted grants to £5,000 for charities with income under £3m needing urgent support.
Capital grants open to all charities with a gross annual income of £5M or less wishing to apply for a grant in excess of £5,000 towards the cost of funding a new project.

Read more - Edward Gostling Foundation

Betty Messenger Charitable Foundation

Grants of £100 - £1000 are available to 'small charities (turnover of less than £1m) who are temporarily struggling but otherwise viable'. It's a rolling programme of support, the deadline for applications is the 20th of each month. You have to be a registered charity to apply.

Read more - Betty Messenger CF

The Archer Trust

Small charities can apply for grant of between £500 and £4,000 to support a defined group of needy or deserving people, for instance those with physical or mental disabilities or the disadvantaged. The Trust favours organisations that make good use of volunteers and that operate in areas of high unemployment and deprivation. You must apply in writing and there are no deadlines, but the trustee only meet twice a year, normally March and September.

Read more - The Archer Trust

Finnis Scott Foundation

Charities and charitable organisations, including school Parent Teacher Associations, are eligible to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects relating to horticulture, plant sciences, fine art and art history. Grants awarded may cover capital or revenue expenditure. Preference is given to smaller organisations where the grant will have a significant impact. The next meeting is in April and applications need to be received at least 4 weeks in advance to be considered.

Read more - Finnis Scott Foundation

The Volant Charitable Trust

The Covid-19 Response Fund aims to help charities in the UK to alleviate social deprivation, helping vulnerable people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.Registered charities, community interest companies, community organisations and social enterprises based and working in the UK may apply.

To be eligible, applicants must:

Be constituted (have a governing document).
Have a bank account in the name of the group with at least two unrelated signatories.
Have at least three unrelated members on their management committee.
Have committee meetings with a quorum of at least three unrelated members present.
Be at least two unrelated cheque signatories.
Activity must be specifically related to the Covid-19 pandemic and can be for project and administrative costs, as the Trust does not usually fund capital expenditure. However, applications for medical equipment and the production or distribution of PPE may be considered.

Deadlines: Round 2-31st July 2021.

Read more - The Volant Trust

David Solomons Charitable Trust

The David Solomons Charitable Trust offers grants to registered charities supporting people with learning difficulties. To be eligible for funding, organisations working with both physically and mentally disabled people must be able to show that at least 75% of those supported have learning difficulties. Grants tend to be in the range of £500 to £1,000.

Applications must be made in writing to Mrs Elizabeth Prior, David Solomons Charitable Trust, 2 Highfield Road, Collier Row, Romford, RM5 3RA. Telephone: 01708 502 488. Email: [email protected].

The Astor Foundation

The Astor Foundation provides grants to registered charities in the UK working in the following areas:

Children and youth groups
The disabled
The countryside
The arts
Sport
Carers groups
Animal welfare.

Preference is given to assisting with the launching and initial stages of new projects and filling in gaps/shortfalls.Grants are generally between £250 and £1500. Applications should be in writing to the secretary and must include the applicant’s organisation most recent accounts and an annual report if available. Contact details: Trust Secretary, Astor Foundation, PO BOX 168, Bideford, EX39 6WB. Telephone: 07901 737488. Email: [email protected].

Boshier-Hinton Foundation

The Boshier-Hinton Foundation awards grants to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, learning difficulties or sensory impairment, and their families. Requests to support projects which are innovative and developmental are particularly welcomed. Registered charitable trusts, community charities and institutions providing services, facilities or advocacy for children or adults with special educational or other needs in the UK can apply for grants up to £2,000.

All organisations that are awarded a grant must confirm that they have in place Health and Safety, Vulnerable Persons, DBS and Equal Opportunity policies, as appropriate. Applicants should include a copy of their most recent balance sheet or audited accounts, showing funds received from all sources, with the application form.

Read more - Boshier-Hinton Foundation

Peter Cruddas Foundation

Registered charities in England and Wales can apply for funding for projects that help disadvantaged and disengaged young people in England and Wales. Priority is given to projects designed to help disadvantaged and disengaged young people in the age range of 16 to 30, to pursue pathways to Education, Training and Employment with the ultimate aim of helping them to become financially independent. There is no minimum or maximum amount and projects can be funded for more than one year. The next closing date for applications to the Peter Cruddas Foundation is the 1st March 2021.

Read more - Peter Cruddas Foundation

DM Thomas Foundation for Young People

Applications are received for quarterly deadlines from registered charities (and CIC's). There is approximately £200,000 available to distribute each quarter. Applications working in the areas of education or health with one of our four chosen focus groups are selected or considered:

Children and young people with disabilities
Children and young people who are sick in hospital
Children and young people who are life limited (requiring palliative care)
Children and young people who suffer from mental health issues.

If favoured, grant applications for up to £5,000 can be approved by the Director, up to £10,000 can be approved by the Grants Committee, and applications for more than £10,000 are recommended to the Trustees for final approval. The Foundation is a small charity and generally will not make awards of over £30,000 (per year). Funding can be requested for up to 2 years for any particular project.

Read more - DM Thomas Foundation

Grants to cover running costs for small charities.

Grants of £300 to £2,000 are available to small charities to help them to pay for with running and core costs. The funding is available to registered charities (CICs are excluded) working in the areas of literature, arts and heritage; social welfare; environmental causes and animal welfare; education and training; and healthcare.

The funding is being made available through the Marsh Christian Trust. The Trust focuses on providing funding which could help small organisations pay for various running costs, such as volunteer expenses, training days, equipment maintenance and other core outgoings. Their funding strategy is to provide long-term core funding for such costs, as they understand that many of the organisations they support depend on unrestricted income in order to meet their operating needs. Grants are unrestricted and range from £300 - £2,000. Successful new applicants can expect to receive a grant at the lower end of this scale.

Applications are considered on the basis of the organisation’s financial position, performance against charitable aims and objectives and the ratio of voluntary income against fundraising expenses. The Trust aims to build long-standing relationships with successful applicants and, subject to an annual review, continue its support over time.There are no application deadlines. Examples of the support given include core costs for Compaid, a digital skills centre in Kent that supports people with disabilities and sensory impairments and Glassdoor, an organisation that offers shelter to the homeless in London.

Read more - Marsh Christian Trust

Grants to support those with mental health issues

The Gamesys Foundation is a newly formed charity, set up by the Gamesys Group to alleviate Mental Health Issues. Funding is available to charities and other not-for-profit organisations with an income of more than £50,000 who support individuals suffering from mental health issues, as well as those who focus on research in the mental health field. The Foundation will also consider funding for other types of organisation so long as they can be proven to have an impact with regard to mental health, support, and treatment. Funding comes from both corporate contributions and employee initiatives. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount and applications can be made at any time.

Read more - Gamesys Foundation

The Grocers' Charity

The Grocers’ Charity typically provides one-off grants up to £5000 for UK. registered charities working in the areas outlined below. Please follow the links to read the specific criteria for each;

Applications will NOT be considered from:

Places of worship;
Educational establishments (schools, colleges, universities);
Individuals;
Charities whose beneficiaries are overseas;
Non-UK registered charities (not regulated by the Charity Commission);
Charities with a turnover of over £500,000, except for Health/Medical Charities (up to £15m turnover).

Deadlines for an initial enquiry:

9 March (if invited, 2nd stage application decisions are in June).

Read more - The Grocers' Charity

The Douglas Arter Foundation

This Foundation offers grants to charitable organisations working in the UK for projects to aid the physically or mentally disabled. Previous grants have been for between £500 and £2,000, with the majority being given in the £250 to £500 range. All grants are made on a one off basis with no ongoing commitment. Applications must be made in writing and should include a copy of the organisation's most recent accounts. Contact details: The Secretary, Douglas Arter Foundation, Fern Villa, Melksham Road, Patterdown, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2NR. Telephone: 01249 448252.

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England Wide Training Opportunities

Free Dementia Training through Dementia Adventure

Several of our care farms were involved in the ‘Dementia Adventure in a box’ project that finished last year and have experienced the really useful dementia skills training first-hand. If you are looking to deliver services to people living with dementia in future, Dementia Adventure are currently offering a couple of free training sessions that we think you might find useful. We recommend that you start with the 2-hour online course ‘Thinking Differently About Dementia’. Once you have completed this you can move on to their online training taster session – ‘Time in nature’. There has been a good take up from care farmers so far so we thought we’d spread the word!

Free courses in England

This website provides access to over 50 free courses across the country. Some of the most popular courses include awareness of mental health problems, understanding autism, understanding children and young people's mental health, mental health first aid and behaviour that challenges.

Read more - Free courses

Latest update on CEVAS training

CEVAS stands for the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme. It's an accredited training programme run by the Access to Farms Partnership for anyone wanting to provide education or therapeutic (care farming) experiences on a farm or countryside location. During 2020 courses all courses were put on hold, but their website says dates for new courses will be published 'early in the new year'.

Read more - CEVAS website

Fully Funded Learning Curve Courses available across most of England (excluding Liverpool City Region and Bristol/Gloucester)

Learning Curve Group have a wide range of training courses including an updated infection control course, behaviour that challenges, children & young people's mental health, dementia care, learning disabilities, understanding autism and many more. These courses are available fully funded to learners who are;

19+
have lived in the UK or EU for at least 3 years
are not on any other government funded programme
who have not previously accessed for funding for the same course

For a full list of the courses available visit www.LearningCurveGroup.co.uk. For more information on how to sign yourself or your staff up to these courses please contact Stephen Hind at Learning curve on [email protected] with how many people you are looking to put forward.

FutureLearn Free Courses

Learn 100% online with world-class universities and industry experts. Develop your career, learn a new skill or pursue your hobbies with flexible online courses. Categories include business and management, healthcare and medicine, nature and environment and psychology and mental health.

Read more - Future Learn

Health Education England - Free online courses

HEE have a huge range of online training available free for NHS professionals and those working or volunteering to improve the population's health.

Read more - HEE courses

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North - News & Opportunities

Sheffield based landowner keen to partner in care farming delivery!

If you are based in the Sheffield area and are seeking a venue from which to deliver care farming services, this could be your lucky day! We have a contact with a 20 acre site with orchards, a polytunnel and vegetable garden as well as buildings and open area of grassland and woodland who is interested in a potential partnership. She is open to ideas about how to use the land, and who gets involved. She recently retired after 30 years as a solicitor, and sees this as a second career, so would like to be involved in some parts of the farm, but not necessarily all. She has also been a governor at a local inner city school for a number of years and loved working with the children. She is particularly keen that excluded children get to experience and enjoy the outdoors and growing too.

If you would like to make contact with this landowner to discuss how you might work together please email Sarah at [email protected].

Update on Greater Manchester Green Social Prescribing Test Site

Last month we told you about how seven sites across England have been awarded a share of £5.77 million pot to test the ways in which connecting people with nature can improve mental wellbeing. The new test and learn sites will focus on communities hardest hit by coronavirus. The sites will each explore and bring together opportunities for communities to get involved in their natural environment. This could include activities such as walking, cycling, community gardening and food-growing projects, and practical conservation tasks such as tree planting. For people who need help to get involved this could include supported visits to local green spaces, waterways and the coast, and other outdoor activities to reduce isolation and loneliness.

The Greater Manchester Green Social Prescribing programme have recently provided further information and links for anyone interested in finding out more or applying for funding. Applications for funding can be submitted between now and Friday 26th February at 5:00pm.

Read more - GM GSP Test site Programme

North Yorkshire Adult learning

Selection of free courses running in Feb/March and April including Level 2 dementia, person centred approaches in health and social care and Level 2 equality and diversity.

Read more - NYCC adult learning

Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund

Each year Manchester Airports Group contributes £100,000 to the Community Trust Fund for distribution to local good causes. Grants of a maximum of £3,000 are awarded to a broad range of projects including, for example, play areas, community fun days, community growing projects, riding for the disabled, that are delivered by not-for-profit organisations. Projects supported must be within a 10-mile radius of the Airport and priority is given to those areas most exposed to aircraft noise. The next deadline to apply is 5pm on the 5th March 2021.

Read more - Manchester Airport CTF

Funding Fair - 23rd to 25th March

Voluntary Action Rotherham are running a funding fair. Spread over three days there will be presentations from a variety of funders (Day 1 - Yorkshire only), day's 2 & 3 national funder. places are free, but donations are welcomed.

Read more - Funding Fair

Community Matters Yorkshire Funding Fair 2021

Each funder has been allocated a 30 minute session using Zoom to explain what funding they have and also how the application process works. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. You will need to book separately for each session you wish to attend.

Tuesday 23 March is a day for Yorkshire and Humber funders; Seedlings Foundation / PGMT, The Wharfedale Foundation, Sir George Martin Trust, Leeds Community Foundation, South Yorkshire Community Foundation, Two Ridings Community Foundation, West Yorkshire PCC Safer Communities Fund, South Yorkshire PCC, Groundwork, The Hillards Trust.
Wednesday 24 March is a day of national funders; Tudor Trust, Children in Need, Allen Lane Foundation, Lloyds Bank Foundation, Henry Smith Charity, Good Things Foundation.
Thursday 25 March is another day of national funders; Key Fund, The Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Grantscape, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sport England, The Architectural Heritage Fund.

Crowdfund North Tyne Project Creator Workshop

Your chance to pitch for up to £5k towards your project. Join North of Tyne Combined Authority for a free online workshop on February 11th to find out how you can pitch for up to £5k towards your project. 2020 showed us the power of communities coming together to achieve amazing things in the face of adversity. Do you have an idea for a community project in your local place? A way to make your neighbourhood more sustainable, inclusive, or accessible, from community gardens and cycle hubs to workshops and murals.

Read more - Project Creator Workshop

Prescription for Wellbeing Funding programme (Lancashire)

BPRCVS have been appointed by the East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver the Prescription For Wellbeing (Social Prescribing) programme of funding for 2020/2021. Funds are still available to community groups, faith groups and voluntary organisations operating in Burnley, and Rossendale. Don't delay, apply today! When it's gone, it's gone! The funding programme is aimed at local organisations (with an annual turnover of less than £150,000) operating within the VCF sector. The fund is open to groups and organisations that provide activities and services to meet local needs and are making a positive difference to the lives and wellbeing of people of all ages.

Read more - Prescription for Wellbeing

Bolton's Fund; Health and Wellbeing

Grants up to £1,500, up to £5,000 and £25,000 are available for groups and organisations to achieve one or more of the outcomes to the Health and Wellbeing fund. Find out more on this fund and its priorities and on how to apply.

Read more - Bolton H&WB Fund

Bolton's Fund; Children Getting The Best Start In Life

Grants up to £25,000 are available for your group/organisation to meet any of the following priorities; Improving the mental wellbeing of children and young people (including early years), increasing engagement in activities that promote good nutrition and healthy lifestyle activities, improving access to out of school activities for children and young people of all ages and/or Improving the ability of young people to take control of their lives and reduce their risk of exploitation. Read more on this fund and how to apply. If you would like help with an application to one or both of the new rounds to the Bolton’s Fund, you can book a one to one session with their Grants Team by emailing [email protected]

NYC Stronger Communities Grants

Small grants of up to £1000 to help groups adapt existing activities or start new things that help people regain confidence and independence in a safe and Covid compliant way.

Read more - NYC Stronger Communities

CRH Charitable Trust (North West)

CRH support charitable activities that seek to support children, young people and adults with mental illness and mental disability. Applicants should be able to demonstrate how the work will be financed after the Trust's grant has ended. Priority is given to local organisations. National organisations will need to demonstrate that any spend can be restricted to the local area. Charities or not-for-profit organisations working in north west England can apply. There is no specific maximum or minimum grant. Funding is at the discretion of the trustees. Most grants range from £5,000 to £15,000 per annum with a maximum of three years funding. Larger grants may be subject to reducing amounts in the second and third years. Most forms of revenue expenditure are eligible. Capital costs will not receive priority but can be considered but not relatively small contributions to a large appeal. Preference for specific pieces of work rather than ‘general operating costs’. Priority will be given to requests for new work. Deadline: Rolling programme. The trustees meet normally four times a year and grant applications are considered at the next available meeting. For more information email [email protected].

Bridging the Access Gap (Yorkshire)

A new initiative to encourage more members of the public to take up sign language as an extra language and skill, is now available to residents of Yorkshire. The Signs4Life scheme is to help people to communicate and engage with children and adults who may have hearing impairments. They are offering a FREE 6-week British Sign Language program, which you can enjoy and access from the comfort of your homes, delivered through Zoom”. Signs4Life is leading efforts towards a society in which people with disabilities have full access and are working to raise the public and political awareness of disability provision. For more details on the free community program, due to start after February half-term, please email Hana, on [email protected].

Children in Need Funding Masterclass (Yorkshire)

Interested in submitting an outstanding application for the Children In Need grants programmes? Join Community First Yorkshire on 11th February to improve your understanding of these programmes. Places vary from free to £20 plus VAT depending on your organisations income/status.

Read more - Children in Need Masterclass

Free safeguarding training (North East)

Safer Culture North East are hosting;

Introduction to Safeguarding, Wednesday 24th March 2021, 1pm to 2:30pm, Online via Zoom. This session is for you if you are new to the world of safeguarding. It will give you an overview of the key issues about both adults and childrens safeguarding that any community organisation, charity or social enterprise needs to know.
Designated Person for Safeguarding, Wednesday 9th June 2021, 9.30am – 12.30pm (Deadline for booking: 9am on Wednesday 2nd June), Online via Zoom. Every organisation that works with children and young people needs to designate someone to take the lead on safeguarding and child protection, and that person needs to have a thorough understanding of safeguarding issues. The role of Designated Person is a challenging one, but is vital in protecting your organisation, its staff and the people you work with.

To book your place email [email protected]. Please state the name of the session and date when booking.

Fully funded distance learning opportunities

Diamond Group, working in partnership with Tyneside Training Services, is offering fully funded distance learning that is suitable for volunteers, employees and the unemployed. Courses include: Awareness of Mental Health Problems;The Prevention & Control of Infection; Principles of Team Leading; Lean Organisation Management Techniques; Principles of Customer Service; Equality & Diversity; Safeguarding, Prevent & British Values; Understanding Nutrition & Health; and Principles of Warehousing.

For more information or to sign up contact: 0191 286 2919 or 0333 358 2002 or [email protected].

Bettys and Taylors Group Coronavirus Community Fund (Yorkshire)

Administered by the Two Ridings Community Foundation, the fund aims to support the long term sustainability of small groups who are working to improve the lives of local people. Grants up to £5000 are available to support groups with running and/or organisation development costs. Applications will be considered from groups from organisations with an income of under £200k per annum across the whole of Yorkshire. Priority will be given to groups whose work meets one or more of the following aims:

Promoting good health & wellbeing
Reducing inequality
Reducing loneliness and social isolation.

Priority will also be given to disadvantaged communities and may also be given to projects in the areas surrounding Bettys Café Team Rooms and the Bettys and Taylors head office.

Read more - Bettys and Taylors CCF

The Chrysalis Trust (North East)

The Trust supports local projects in the North East of England only, national organisations providing benefit across the UK, as well as, international charities registered in the UK. The Trust is able to provide support for both capital projects and core funding with 'one off' donations. Their current priorities are;

Relief of poverty and disability
Provision of access to shelter, education, healthcare and water
Less popular and hard to fund activities/projects

Read more - The Chrysalis Trust

Free training (Rotherham)

The latest Learning & Development Calendar with courses taking place between January and March 2021 is now available to download. Courses include Emergency First Aid, Moving and Handling and Safeguarding Adults; Raising a Concern.

Read more - Rotherham free training

The George A Moore Foundation (Yorkshire)

The Foundation supports registered charities based in North and West Yorkshire. Typical grants made by the Foundation range from £500 to £2,500, although larger grants may be considered for selected projects. The next quarterly trustee meeting to discuss general applications for funding is on Tuesday 23 February. The deadline for applications to be considered during this meeting is Monday 8 February.

Read more - George A Moore Foundation

Free skills training (East Riding of Yorkshire)

The Skills Network and ERVAS are currently working together to offer learners access to qualifications via distance learning. This opportunity provides access to interactive and engaging learning content from The Skills Network, a company that has partnered with a number of leading awarding organisations, including NCFE, CACHE and TQUK, to develop outstanding learning resources that meet a diverse range of learning needs. Learners can submit their answers online or via the answer booklets provided.

Read more - Find out more and apply for a course

Useful Northumberland Focused funding list

Northumberland CVA has produced this useful list of 30 funding sources all Northumberland based groups should know about.

Read more - 30 funding sources

Closing soon - The Big Farm Tree Planting (Yorkshire & North East England)

Would you like to improve the environmental value of your farms? You now have the chance! The NFU in the North East has joined forces with the Woodland Trust to launch The Big Farm Tree Planting. Farmers across Yorkshire and the North East are being offered the chance to further improve the environmental value of their farms by collectively planting 5,000 native trees.

Read more - NFU Big Farm Tree Planting

CDL Fund (Greater Manchester)

This fund will support the activities of local community or voluntary groups and projects that contribute positively to the quality of life, wellbeing and improved health of people and communities which address any or all of the priorities listed below:

Older people
Children and young people
Stronger communities
Environment
Health and Wellbeing.

The CDL Fund is particularly keen to receive applications from groups who are using technology to adapt their activities or change how they support their community during the Covid-19 pandemic. Grassroots community organisations based and delivering activity in any of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester can apply. Applicants must have an annual income of less than £150,000. Grant amount: Up to £1,000. Deadline: Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis and as such there is no deadline, however, please note that the Fund may close at short notice if oversubscribed.

Read more - CDL Fund

Greater Manchester Mental Wellbeing Grants

Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations, working in partnership with 10GM, have launched a small and medium grants programmes to support adults from communities of identity or experience, based in Greater Manchester, that may struggle to achieve high levels of mental wellbeing. These grants are in addition to the micro grants already available to voluntary and community groups and social enterprises that will support people to develop high levels of mental wellbeing.

The communities they want to reach are:

•    Adults from black Asian minority ethnic (BAME) communities
•    Adults living with long term physical and mental health conditions
•    Disabled adults
•    Socially isolated older people
•    Military veterans
•    People who are unemployed
•    Adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning/queer and/or intersex (LGBTQI)
•    Adult carers.

Read more - GM Mental Wellbeing Grants

Psychological Support Fund for North Cumbria

North Cumbria Health & Care System and Cumbria County Council have provided a combined total of £180k of funding for voluntary sector organisations supporting people struggling with their mental health during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The Psychological Support Fund will be held by Cumbria Community Foundation. The considerable impact of Covid-19, and the subsequent lockdown, has been significant on people’s lives – physically, emotionally and economically. Anxiety, stress and depression are normal reactions to life events such as losing someone, losing your job, or suffering isolation.

It isn’t inevitable that everyone needs clinical intervention and timely support may be better delivered by small, local organisations. Bids for grants of up to £25k which tackle the following areas will be considered:

emotional wellbeing - impact of anxiety and isolation
bereavement.

Bids for grants of over £25k which demonstrate a collaborative application from multiple charitable organisations will also be considered. If you are considering making an application please call Annalee Holliday at Cumbria Community Foundation on (01900) 825760 or e-mail [email protected]. To find out more about each strand of the Psychological Support fund please click on the links below.

Read more - Emotional Wellbeing Strand

Read More - Bereavement Support Strand

Free Training in Youth Work, Health and Social Care (Oldham)

We have been made aware that training company The Training Brokers is running a number of courses which are free and accessible to people living in the Oldham area. Courses on offer include a number of adult care issues (dementia, dignity, safeguarding), adult and young peoples' mental health awareness, plus youth work and education support qualifications.

Read more - The Training Brokers courses

Greater Manchester Moving Oldham Local Pilot Grants

Do you have an idea for a local project which will contribute to increasing physical activity? They are open to any ideas for all groups across Oldham, but priority will be given to activities which involve:

People in Failsworth and Glodwick (as selected 'Local Pilot' areas)
Children & Young People aged 5-18 in out of school settings
People out of work/at risk of becoming workless
People aged 40-60 with, or at risk of, long term conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disorders

Any group can apply if you have an activity which might contribute to the above aims. This includes unconstituted groups if they can identify other ways to be sure the funding you receive will be spent on the aims above.

Grant amount: Micro grants are available for amounts up to £1,000 on a rolling programme. Larger grants up to £5,000 are available for decision through community-wide 'Participatory Budgeting' event, as well as up to £25,000 for ideas that have been developed alongside the community as part of the wider Local Pilot work. Contact [email protected] if your project requires more than £1,000.

Read more - Greater Manchester Moving

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Central and East - News & Opportunities

Green Care Network 'Networkshop' (Norfolk)

Norfolk Green Care Network is a recently established network which is running a series of 'Networkshops'. The first is called ‘Space to Grow’ and is focussed on ways of connecting with nature in healthcare settings. It will feature examples of local and other projects and will hopefully help those of you developing therapeutic outdoor spaces. Follow this link to register for the event on 10th February between 4pm and 5.30pm.

Free access to online care farming sessions (Dudley, Black Country and W. Mids)

Camphill Village Trust ran daily interactive Zoom sessions for its community members throughout 2020. With the closure of day services and not being able to access other activities, the Zoom sessions proved to be extremely successful over the last lockdown. Due to its popularity, the charity is opening Opportunity TV to everyone, whether or not you are part of the Trust community. Camphill Village Trust has decided to share it with social care colleagues across Dudley, The Black Country and West Midlands. The virtual interactive sessions run Monday to Thursday, 10 am and 3 pm. Fridays 10 am and 2 pm. To find out how you can join Opportunity TV, click here. Watch recordings from previous sessions on the website here. Please direct your questions or feedback to Phil Gibson, Project Manager, on 07824 463798.

Central Bedfordshire Tree Planting Fund

The fund is aimed at delivering tree and hedge planting schemes across Central Bedfordshire. Town and parish councils, local voluntary and community organisations, schools and other groups can apply for funding (or match funding). Projects can vary in size, from a minimum of five trees upwards, to larger areas of new woodland. Planting more trees and hedgerows represents one of the key ways in which the climate challenge can be met. It will help increase biodiversity and mitigate other environmental issues such as flooding and air pollution. In addition to this, it will help create a nicer environment that benefits communities in many ways. Deadline 28 February.

Read more - Tree Planting Fund

Enjoy free funding support (Suffolk)

Community Action Suffolk can offer VSCE organisations in Suffolk free support in developing their funding strategies and applications. Online Funding Surgeries are available Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and take place on Zoom for up to one hour.

Read more - CAS Funding support

Grants of up to £1,000 Available to Community Businesses (East of England)

Grants of up to £1,000 are available to support established and new community businesses in the East of England through the current pandemic. The funding is being made available through a partnership between East Anglian housebuilder Hopkins Homes and national charity the Plunkett Foundation. As well as funding, the scheme is also providing free support and expertise from the charity’s central support service and network of advisors. To be eligible for funding community businesses need to be established in one of the following counties:

Suffolk
Norfolk
Cambridgeshire
Rural Essex

Grants of £200 to £1,000 will be made available until the end of March 2021. The grant scheme may close before March, if all the funding has been allocated before this time.

Read more - Plunkett Foundation

FREE Resilience training (Bedfordshire)

The session is aimed at staff/volunteers from VCS organisations in Luton to equip them with the knowledge and skills to build their resilience and help protect their mental health and wellbeing during these challenging times. Tuesday 9 February at 10am to 11.30am. The session will cover:

Describing stress and its impact on mental health and wellbeing
Managing your mindset and understanding emotional energy
Behaviours and daily habits to support mental wellbeing.

To book, please email [email protected] with the name of your organisation and the names of the people who would like to attend. Places are free, but if there is high demand for this course, they will limit places to 2 per voluntary organisation.

Online learning - Introduction to Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) (Bedfordshire)

Central Bedfordshire has some new online learning for professionals who work with children or young people who have SEND. The modules will help participants to gain an understanding of how to support children and young people to ensure a positive outcome.

Read more - SEND Local offer

The Tudwick Foundation (Essex & Suffolk)

The Tudwick Foundation is now accepting applications for grants of up to £3000 from voluntary and community groups which are working to benefit the residents of Essex and Suffolk. Not-for-profit organisations with an annual income of £500K or less are invited to apply. The foundation supports requests for core funding as well as project-based grants, and actively encourages applications from relatively new organisations to help them become established or organisations which are struggling to find the funds they need during the Covid pandemic. Apply anytime.

Read more - The Tudwick Foundation

Funding for Men's Mental Health (Suffolk & NE Essex)

Grants are available from the Suffolk and North East Essex Men’s Mental Health Community Fund for projects to improve men’s mental health, to reduce the risk and incidence of suicide amongst men in high risk groups. If you have an idea about a project that supports and/or works with men in any of the following high risk groups, please contact Karen Tedder-Ward – [email protected] or call 01255 425692 in the first instance to register an interest and to discuss the funding available.

Men in the care of Mental Health Services, including inpatients.
Men working in specific occupations such as the construction industry, rural and agricultural sectors.
Men in other high-risk groups – BAME, LGBTQI, Veterans, Homeless and rough sleepers.
Men in contact with the criminal justice system.
Men who are survivors of domestic/sexual abuse.
Men with a history of self-harm.

Severn Trent Community Fund (Warwickshire)

Customers have helped to create and share the new community fund to better understand community needs and as a result, have chosen to design the fund around improving community wellbeing:

People: Projects that help people to lead a healthier life and gain new skills
Places: Projects that help to create better places to live in and use
Environment: Projects that will help to look after our environment, give people greater access to that environment or help look after water.

If your organisation is registered not-for-profit, and the project you would like to fund will benefit Severn Trent customers, you may be eligible for a grant from the Severn Trent Community Fund.

Read more - Severn Trent Community Fund

Youth Action Grants (Derbyshire)

Derbyshire County Council has extended its Youth Action Grants programme, making an extra £221,000 available. The grants are aimed at projects for children and young people aged 0 to 19 years and up to 25 years if they have a disability. Eligible organisations include voluntary and community groups, social enterprises and parish councils providing services in Derbyshire. Applications must support the wellbeing priorities in the DCC Council Plan. Applications should be made ASAP as the programme will run until the money has been allocated. DCC have committed to responding to all applications within 6 weeks.

Read more - Youth Action Grants

IGas Community Energy Fund (Lincolnshire)

IGas Energy Plc is one of the UK's leading onshore hydrocarbon producers has announced that its Community Energy Fund has opened for applications. The fund covers specific areas of Hampshire, West Sussex and Lincolnshire where the company operates. IGas support projects that make a difference to life in the mainly rural communities where they operate. Organisations that are eligible to apply include community and voluntary organisations that are charitable, educational or benevolent in purpose; as well as local schools. Applicants will need to demonstrate need for their project, real community benefits and value for money. IGas need initial expressions of interest in order to register projects and then require submission of full applications by the 28th February 2021. The grants panel will make its decisions in April 2021.

Read more - IGas Community Energy Fund

Health & Wellbeing Grants (Derbyshire)

South Derbyshire CVS manages a number of small grant funds for voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations wanting to make a difference to local people and communities. You can apply for up to £2,000 in total. Guidelines and application forms can be found online.

Heart of England Winter Wellbeing Fund

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for charitable organisations providing wellbeing and economic support services to help communities in Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire through a COVID-19 winter.

Read more - Winter Wellbeing Fund

Alfred Haynes Charitable Trust grants (Birmingham)

The Alfred Haines Charitable Trust is a small local grant making charity. The Trust primarily allocates its funds to support local organisations helping people to improve their quality of life. The Trust prefers to make donations towards specific items and does not give to large appeals. The Trustees prefer to support specific projects and concentrate on helping smaller charities based in Birmingham and the immediate surrounding area. They meet quarterly to consider written applications for grants.

The majority of donations are made on a one-off basis. Sometimes the Trust will agree to fund a project annually for up to three years subject to receipt of satisfactory project reports. One off grants are normally in the range of £250 to £2,000. Please check their exclusions list before applying. Also grants are not normally made to individuals.

Read more - Alfred Haynes Charitable Trust

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South - News & Opportunities

Support for groups working in the Bexley Borough

Does your community or voluntary group need help to:

Re-invent or adapt how they work in lockdown,
Prove the difference they are making,
Get funding,
Or something else?

Impact in Action is here to help groups that work in the Bexley borough (that’s Belvedere, Erith, Sidcup or all the parts in between!) with FREE help. Whether that is 1-2-1 support, training or resources on our website, they can help in a way that suits your group. Now is the perfect time to be in touch as they launch another batch of bitesize training sessions. Thanks to funding from the City of London Corporation’s charity, City Bridge Trust they have funding to help groups, but it won’t last forever, so contact them today. Contact Karen Jefferys on 01322 315391 or email [email protected].

The City Bridge Trust (London)

Grants are available to support young people with mental health needs; young disabled people; those in care and moving into adulthood. Applications are open to a wide range of registered organisations e.g. charities; CIC; CIO. Grants have no min or max but a grant in any one year must be no more than 50% of total income. Online application process; allow at least 4 months for a decision. Apply at any time.

Read more - The City Bridge Trust

Funding for third sector organisations adversely affected by Covid-19 (Buckinghamshire)

The deadline for The Rothschild Foundation’s Covid-19 Support Fund has been extended and is open for applications until end of April 2021. The Fund has already awarded approximately £0.6m in grants to 21 local organisations which provide a range of services to communities across Buckinghamshire.

Read more - The Rothschild Foundation

Third International Social Prescribing Network Conference

Want to understand more about social prescribing? This is the only conference in the world bringing together the latest research and developments in social prescribing, unpicking what makes it work best, and how it can address inequalities and sustain communities. The programme is being broadcast over two days on March 4th and 5th, but to be Covid-proof, all delegates will be able to access recordings of each session for a month afterwards. For all enquiries email [email protected].

Read more - Third International SP conference

Free Risk assessment training (Bromley)

Community links Bromley are running this free half-day training session on risk assessment on 2nd March.

Read more - Risk Assessment training

Meet the Funder - BBC Children in Need; What Makes a Successful Funding Application webinar (Buckinghamshire)

If your organisation supports disadvantaged children and young people and you are looking to increase your knowledge and confidence when applying to national funders, this FREE session on 25th February, 10am (Zoom) is for you. Organised by Community Impact Bucks this webinar will give you a greater understanding of what it is like to work with a National Funder. It will increase your knowledge in what makes a successful application and give you an insight into how BBC Children in Need is looking to support smaller local charities and not-for-profit organisations. Attendees will be joined by Pam Bacon, Regional Officer South East for BBC Children in Need, who will give you further information about funding opportunities and provide some key hints and tips about how you can make the most of your application.

Next steps; If you would like to take part in this event, please read the fund and eligibility criteria and be aware that priority will be given to charities and not-for-profit organisations that have not previously been successful with BBC Children in Need. There are only 20 places available at the event, so they advise you to book soon so that you don't miss the chance to get a unique insight into BBC Children in Need's funding.

Read more - Meet the Funder - Children In Need. If you can’t make this date you can register your interest here and CIB will let you know when they are running another one.

Coronavirus Response Grants (Wiltshire)

Wiltshire Community Foundation have a Coronavirus Response Grants programme to distribute funds raised through their own appeal and Wiltshire and Swindon’s share of the National Emergencies Trust Coronavirus Appeal Fund. Details on how to apply are available below.

Read more - Wiltshire Community Foundation

Free skills support (Bristol)

Bristol’s voluntary sector organisations can access free skills-based support from local businesses, with the help of the City Funds Pro Bono service. Contact [email protected] to find out how Bristol's City Funds Pro Bono Brokerage can connect your organisation with the skills or resources that you need.

Health and Wellbeing Funding (Plymouth)

The Livewell Foundation has announced £100K of funding for Plymouth charities and non-profits. Grants up to £10K are available to help people to live happier and healthier lives, by improving health & wellbeing or reducing social isolation.

Read more - Livewell Foundation grants

Social Prescribing online directory (Cornwall).

Pluss Social Prescribing has signed up to iNavigator, to improve its social prescribing directory. Any other organisations offering social prescribing activities in the Cornwall area are invited to join too, to ensure that people can access their services.

Read more - INavigator

Involve Community Services (Berkshire)

Involve is a charity that helps other charities. No time to write grants? Stuck for words? The Involve Funding Advice Team have launched a grant-writing service FREE for not for profit organisations serving those in Wokingham Borough Council and Bracknell Forest Council areas. In the last 4 months NFP's using the service have received more than £180,000 from applications and they are still waiting for decisions on applications worth more than £350,000. For those NFPs outside these areas they also offer a low cost grant writer service drawing on experienced writers from their register.

Read more - Grant writing service or contact [email protected] or call 01344 304404.

Funding for the rehabilitation of young offenders (Kent)

Registered not-for-profit organisations in Kent can apply for grants of up to £75,000 for projects that support the rehabilitation of offenders and to help reduce the consequences of their imprisonment. Grants are offered to local organisations working in Kent and national charities currently offering, or planning to offer their services in the county. Collaborative/partnership working is particularly welcome, but consortium applications must be submitted by a ‘lead’ organisations. The funding is being made available through the NewColyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust’s Investing in Rehabilitation programme. This is a rolling programme and applications can be submitted at any time.

Read more - Investing in Rehabilitation Programme

IGas Community Energy Fund (Hampshire & West Sussex)

Read more - IGas Community Energy Fund

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Other News & Resources

Free Pollinator evening webinar

Organised by West Sussex County Council, Who Loves a Pollinator? 2021 is an extended webinar event with live music and a Q&A session. The decline in pollinators throughout the UK means we all must work together to save an important part of our ecosystem. We’ll be joined by bee expert Professor Dave Goulson, the Sussex Wildlife Trust, guitarist Richard Durrant and WSCC's Youth Cabinet, to delve a little further into how we can all love pollinators better. Everyone with an interest in becoming more pollinator friendly can take part in this free, online event on Thursday 18 February 2021, starting at 7pm

Book here - Who loves a Pollinator? 2021

How the UK leaving the EU will affect data protection

As of 31 December 2020 the transition period of the UK leaving the EU has ended. UK GDPR has now replaced EU GDPR. The NCVO Knowhow pages have been updated to reflect what the differences are and how this will impact organisations in the UK.

Read more - NCVO

Take part in the Big Farming Survey

This is your chance to take part in this major survey launched by The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and help shape the future of farming people. Watch the survey’s launch video here.

How to get the money you need for your charity

Read NCVO's step-by-step guidance on how to apply for funding and explore their practical tips to get you started.

Read more - NCVO guide to funding

Vaccines for people with learning disabilities and/or autism

A short film and media clips have been produced by NHS England/Improvement to help people with learning disabilities and/or autism understand more about vaccines, how they are made, and why you should get them. Watch the film here.

Webinar Checklist

Charity Digital has produced a really useful checklist of things to consider when planning and running a webinar. The checklist covers the planning process, promotion, the event itself as well as how to follow-up with attendees after the event.

Read more - Webinar checklist

Financial management in 2021; Tips for social enterprises.

The School of Social Entrepreneurs has published an article that provides social enterprises with expert guidance on how to manage finances during a crisis. The article covers cashflow, planning, and details what help and support is currently available in the form of loans and grants.

Read more - Tips for financial management

New health and wellbeing video series for farmers

Yorkshire Agricultural Society have produced a series of bitesize farmer-friendly videos with the help of grant funding from The Prince’s Countryside Fund, including a short clip about managing stress.

Read more - YAS Health and wellbeing videos

The Prince's Farm Resilience Programme Non-Beneficiary Survey

ADAS is conducting a survey on behalf of The Prince’s Countryside Fund concerning the impact of The Prince's Farm Resilience Programme (PFRP) on farm businesses. Are you a livestock or dairy farmer? Have you not taken part in PFRP? Then complete this survey.

Read more - PFRP survey

Free Prevent training

Have your staff and volunteers undergone Prevent training yet? Although primarily aimed at those in formal education it provides useful insight into potential signs and symptoms of radicalisation using two different case studies.

Read more - Prevent

Survive & Thrive 2021

Charity Excellence Framework have produced a strategy toolkit assessing the 2021 outlook and detailing everything you need to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities.

Read more - Survive & Thrive

ACAS training

ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service offer a range of management, employment law and HR training courses (run remotely using Zoom).

Read more - ACAS training

The Eden Project

Check out the online resources the Eden Project has been circulating, around gardening, nature, craft activities, mental wellbeing and home learning, while their site is closed.

Read more - Eden Project resources

Free Legal Support for your project (Semble members only)

Would some free legal support help your project out of a pickle or give more power to your policy work? The law firm Reed Smith is offering pro bono support to non-profits in the environment sector and Semble have bagged some of their precious time for their network (it's free to join). They can help you out with all sorts of issues including contracts, privacy policies, property disputes, taxes, data protection, policy research and much much more.

Read more - Free legal support

Safeguarding guidance from NCVO

The importance of care farmers having robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place cannot be overstated, that is why it is a key part of the Code of Practice process, so it is worth spending time to get this right when you start up and also to review on a regular basis. NCVO provide a useful set of resources to support with this including;

Webinar on bidding for central government contracts

DCMS is hosting a webinar aimed at VCSE organisations interested in finding out more about the new Social Value model and the opportunities it brings to the sector. You will also learn more about the central government bidding process, including Contracts Finder, the public procurement review service and consortia bidding. There is one more date available: 17 March.

Delivering safe face to face adult day care

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) have produced a useful guide for day care managers, social workers, commissioners and providers to restart or continue activities. It is focused on community-based day services, day centres (with and without personal care), including specialised day centre environments, and those with outdoor spaces.

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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]

Find out more or keep in touch with the Growing Care Farming team -
email: [email protected] | Website: www.farmgarden.org.uk/gcf |
Twitter: @GrowCareFarming