Voluntary Action Newsletter – 17 February 2022
17 February 2022
Islington Council announces March programme of Irish heritage festivities
To celebrate an historic year in Islington’s history with our first Irish-born Mayor, Cllr Troy Gallagher, Islington Council has partnered with the London Irish Centre to showcase the best of Irish culture and heritage across the borough.
Visit London Irish Centre to contribute, see organised events, strengthening and furthering existing relationships, in support of the Mayor’s chosen charities: icap, James’ Place and forum+. Scheduled events included here
Women’s Art for Wellbeing Classes
23 Feb, 2, 9 & 16 March 6 – 7.30pm on Zoom
A series of Free Art for Wellbeing workshops. Offered by Stepping Stone4 and Serena Nassini in collaboration with the HNG, CLSS and TCWWG Members of Network of Finsbury Park women’s groups. To register email: info@steppingstone4.org or call 07734745781
Black Women’s Link Project – Fortnightly meet up
Wednesday 2 March 2022 – 17:30 – 19:30
The Black Women’s Link Project is about linking women together to share ideas, experiences, and stories. This is done by providing a safe space for them to express concerns. Through talking and listening to the group, can address and resolve unhelpful patterns of behaviour and thinking, relieve isolation, increase self-esteem and improve self-awareness. For next meeting Book here
Cooperative Islington (In-person) Open Advice and Launch
Thursday 3 March 2022 at Space4, 113 Fonthill Road, London, N4 3HH
The even has two parts 4.30-6pm Open Advice Surgery where you can meet specialist advisors and how to discuss how they can help your organisation. The second part from 6-8pm is the Launch event with short talks from key partners followed by informal drinks and nibbles. More info and to book here
Recruitment day – support workers for children and young adults with additional needs
Friday 4 March 2022, 1 – 4pm at Brickworks Community Centre, Crouch Hill, N4 4BY
For open day flyer here
For more information click here
Solace Women’s Aid
Wednesday 9 March at 7pm at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LAJoin Solace for an evening of celebration for International Women’s Day. Featuring survivor-led art exhibition & inspiring panel discussion. Celebrate International Women’s Day with Solace! Buy your ticket here.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) National Summit 2022: Transforming Mental Health Services for Children & Young Adults
Friday 11th March Online
This national conference focuses on transforming mental health services for children and young people, ensuring early intervention, and developing integrated services with clear care pathways from first intervention to crisis and inpatient care. The conference will also look at national developments and learning from the Covid-19 pandemic and how CAMHS has had to adapt and innovate to provide effective care. The conference will address suicide prevention and learning from suicide and also safeguarding and CAMHS. You can claim a 20% discount with code hcuk20CHE. Book here
Let’s Talk Islington – Challenging Inequality Online Roadshow Events
Tuesday 15 March 2022, 6 – 7.30pm – online
Islington Council recently launched ‘Let’s Talk Islington’ programme where they are talking with and listening to local communities and residents about how we can improve life for everyone who lives, works and studies in Islington. Register here.
Union Chapel Meet Your Neighbours
Wednesday 23rd March, 7pm
Union Chapel are holding a social event ‘Meet Your Neighbours’ which is an opportunity for local communities to get to know each other. We’re inviting local faith, identity, and community groups to meet up and find out what’s happening locally.
There will be free food and music. For more info & book here.
Islington Together – Islington Council
Here in Islington, they stand with our communities, so they feel safe, connected and inclusive. Islington is making a safer place for everyone. From on-street Safe Havens scheme, which are safe spaces to go for anyone in fear for their safety, to comprehensive long-term Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, residents’ safety is a priority. They have also consulted residents about safety in Islington and will be holding a number of events to share there findings about Safer Spaces. Check for dates in north, central and south Islington online here.
BIG Alliance is pleased to announce that applications to the 2022 edition of the CoRe Programme are now open.
The CoRe (Community Resourcing) programme is a collaborative partnership between the Macquarie Group Foundation, Slaughter and May, and Expedia, delivered by the BIG Alliance. During the programme, local community organisations are matched to teams of business volunteers for a 6-month period. Last year, on average, each organisation received over 100 hours of support from their volunteer team. You can find out more about the CoRe programme by reading the CoRe 2020 and CoRe 2021 impact reports.
To apply to the join CoRe 2022, complete all sections of the attached application form and return it to Jonathan.Tait@thebigalliance.org.uk. Deadline for applications are 5pm on Tuesday 8th March 2022.
CP4H’s response to LBI’s consultation
Islington Council have just completed a consultation on the planning application submitted by the developer Peabody. The pdf below is CP4H’s response to the consultation, informed by everything local people have told us in the past 2.5 years and the hard work campaign members have put in to analyse the planning application. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to producing this document. Read more here
Licenced Office space available in Jean Stokes Community Centre
The Jean Stokes Community Centre is undergoing renovations and due to re-open in June 22. It has five offices for an initial licence of two years for not-for-profit voluntary and community sector organisations. The centre is a multi-purpose community centre located on Bemerton Estate in Caledonian Ward, Islington.
Advert here. Guidance notes here. Application form here.
Islington Council provides Streets Kitchen with new space to support homeless people
Streets Kitchen, a grassroots group working to help the homeless community has now a permanent address at The Solidarity Hub, 48 Seven Sisters Road, which is a fully refurbished council property. They provide some 400 hot nutritious meals a week, the council has organised for volunteers to receive training from professional chefs. Alongside this, services include vaccination days, sexual health checks, drug and alcohol support and referrals to other services. Visit website
Black Training & Enterprise Group (BTEG) relaunches after 30 years as Action for Race Equality (ARE)
BTEG, a national race equality charity established in 1991 and a leading voice for reform across education, employment and criminal justice, has re-launched as Action for Race Equality (ARE) and with it revealed a brand new website!
The launch follows on from a series of consultations held with Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and young people across England. It responds to urgent calls from the voluntary and community sector for a solutions-based approach to addressing the country’s deepening and systemic racial disparities. This is a call that has become all the more pressing since the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Visit new website
The Cally Community Plan
The council has worked with local people, organisations and groups to put together a Cally Community Plan to identify the key things they need to work on together to make it an even better place to live, work and play in.
The closing date is 4 March 2022 at midday. More details here.
BIG Alliance announces applications to the 2022 edition of the CoRe Programme are now open.
The CoRe (Community Resourcing) programme is a collaborative partnership between the Macquarie Group Foundation, Slaughter and May, and Expedia, delivered by the BIG Alliance. During the programme, local community organisations are matched to teams of business volunteers for a 6-month period. The volunteer teams work with the organisations on projects that contribute to the achievement of key strategic objectives, often providing resource to complete work that wouldn’t otherwise have been possible. Deadline 5pm Tuesday 8 March 2022. More info here.
City Bridge Trust Workshops
Tuesday 22 February 2022, 11:00 – 12:00 online
City Bridge Trust is offering free webinars and workshops to address a range of organisational development opportunities, including: Business planning – Getting through (and beyond) recovery on the right foot – Cranfield Trust
‘Perfecting Your Pitch’, ‘Social Impact Measurement for Beginners’ and more. Book here.
How to have discussions about the Covid-19 vaccine
Tuesday 22 February, 1pm – 3pm online
A consortium of VCS partners are working with Islington Council and Public Health to support local residents with Covid-19 vaccination. They are trying to encourage vaccine take up across the borough but particularly in the wards: Finsbury Park, Bunhill and Holloway.
More details here
Inside out clothing project for young men who have been through the youth justice system.
A seven week business and fashion project, which will offer young men who are and have been through the youth justice system. They will learn fashion, business and employment skills. Expenses will be paid including food and travel.
For more information contact Zack Fortag on 07841 375 342 or email: zack@aheadoftimeacademy.com
You can download the flyer here.
Generations has a range of online courses to launch you career in 12 weeks
All courses are free and they provide skills to learn the technical and behavioural skills you need to be hired in your dream role. After the course, they will introduce you 1-1 to hiring employers in London! Courses in London. Visit website.
Health & Wellbeing Network Meetings:
Thursday 10 March 2022, 10.30-12.30 online
‘We are very pleased to announce the rollout and success of VAI’s first borough-wide Health & Wellbeing Network Meeting, held on Thursday 8 February. Partners from Age UK, Talk for Health, Islington Adult Social Care and Buddy Hub make up just some of our borough’s health organisations and contributed to what was an important agenda. We look forward to seeing all at our next Network meeting. You can see the outcomes and presentations view here.
Mental Health First Aid
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid & Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace
This course is for anyone who wants to raise their professional understanding of Mental Health First Aid and its associated care. It is ideal for any public facing role where you are interacting, advising and guiding clients. You may be working in an organisation where there is no role of Mental Health First Aider or you may be responsible for staff members or volunteers. You will learn how to identify, understand and support colleagues or clients who are experiencing a mental health issue.
New Challenge (Main number) – 020 8795 3999
Email: courses@newchallenge.org
See flyer here.
Health Start Scheme moves from vouchers to pre-paid cards
The Healthy Start Scheme, which provides help to buy food, milk and vitamins, is moving from paper vouchers to a prepaid card. As a result, ALL current recipients of the means-tested Healthy Start scheme need to reapply by 31st March 2022 to continue to receive Healthy Start payments. Current recipients will stop receiving Healthy Start from 1st April if they have not reapplied by 31st March 2022. More details about Health Start NHS here.
Please advice your service users so they can reapply before the deadline.
Apply online here or by calling 0300 330 7010.
Gentle Dusk launches new website with a range of resources and workshops.
Gentle Dusk works with healthcare and community associated professionals to strengthen advance care planning. Including, key information about lasting powers of attorney, guidance on making a will and funeral wishes known. Visit their new website here.
In Islington, Future Matters service is delivered in partnership with Age UK Islington. They have made it easier for members of the public to access our service with a dedicated section with contacts and links for referrals. Visit here.
LGBT+ Futures Equity Fund
Grants: Small grants of up to £25,000
Status: LGBT+ groups and organisations
Objectives: Community-led for organisational running costs, projects and organisational / leadership development.
Deadline: Anytime. Visit website
Cooperative Islington
Grants: Up to £20,000
Priority Groups: Islington Cooperatives
Objectives: Start up groups that work or live in the London Borough of Islington, or convert existing projects and businesses into co-ops.
Deadline: 14 March 2022
View website
The Fat Beehive Foundation
Grants: £2,500
Status: Charities under £1m
Priority Groups: Environmental protection or climate change mitigation, Human Rights, Equality and Diversity, Social Justice, Refugees, Housing, Education, Art & Culture, Health & Wellbeing, Prisoner Rehabilitation
Objectives: Grants for websites and digital products
Deadlines: Trustees’ meetings are April, July, October, and January.
Visit website
Help the Homeless
Grants: Up to £5,000
Status: Charities, Voluntary and Community Organisations under £1m turnover
Priority Groups: Homelessness projects that assist individuals in their return to mainstream society
Objectives: applications towards the funding of ‘capital’ projects
Deadlines: Quarterly: 15th March / 15th June/ 5th September/ 15th December.
Deadline: decision within six weeks of each deadline.
Visit website
Black arts grants
Grant size: not specified
Status: Check website
Priority Groups: Black artists
Objectives: They can spend the grant on whatever they want – be that make new work, buy equipment or materials, travel, research, visit exhibitions or conferences, or to even just cover some life expenses
Deadline: Monthly
Visit website
Lawrence Atwells’s Charity
Grants: up to £10,000 per-year
Status: Voluntary, Community groups and Charities under £1m
Priority Groups: Funding programmes of work which support young people to move into employment or become employment ready.
Deadline: Friday 04 March 2022
Visit website
The Ragdoll Foundation
Grants: Up to £50,000 for projects lasting up to 3 years.
Status: Not aimed at arts organisations that receive core support from one of the UK arts councils, or that have an annual turnover in excess of £300k
Objectives: the cultural sector’s work with children and young people, for innovative, arts-based small projects, pilots, or research & development to inform a new project
Deadline: 28 February 2022
Visit website
National Lottery Community Fund (England)
Social Enterprise Support Fund – Covid-19
Grants: from £10,000 and £100,000
Status: Your social enterprise must be incorporated. It may be a charitable company, a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), a Community Interest Company (CIC) or a Community Benefit Society (CBS/Registered Society).
Priority Groups: Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ communities, and leaders with lived experience.
Objectives: Help organisations rebuild and grow their income from trading, and help them to continue to support people facing increased social and economic challenges as a result of the crisis.
Deadlines: The fund will be open to applications from 1pm on the 28th February 2022 until the 24th March 2022.
Visit website
Ubele Initiative (UK)- Majonzi Fund
Grants: £500
Status: local not-for-profit groups, households and individuals
Priority Groups: Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic (BAME) community
Objectives: For people who have been lost during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK
Deadlines: end of February 2022
Visit website
Austin and Hope Pilkington
Grants: £1000
Status: Charities – Operating costs: Minimum £100k – Maximum £2m
Priority Groups: The Arts: People in the early stages of their career
Objectives: We are prioritising projects supporting performers and creative
Deadlines: 1st – 28th February (Round 1)
Visit website
Cripplegate Foundation – Islington Community Chest
Grants: Max Value: £5000
Status: VCS organisations
Priority Groups: For groups based in Islington for a wide range of projects that support Islington Residents.
Deadlines: 3 March 2022
Visit website
Kelly Family Charitable Trust
Grants: £1000 – £5000 but Trustees will consider requests for higher amounts.
Status: Charities income under £500k
Priority Groups: Family members in initiatives that support and encourage the family to work as a cohesive unit in tackling problems that face one or more of its members
Objectives:
• Interventions and support that help families to manage better and prevent the fracture of the family unit, eg. relationship counselling, mediation
• Families where sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, alcohol abuse and drugs abuse threaten the integrity of the family unit
• Prisoners and in particular their families, during and after the period of imprisonment
Deadlines: Grants are awarded twice a year. Applications must be submitted by 1st March and 1st September
Visit website
The Islington Funding Toolkit enables organisations to easily search a database of current and upcoming funding programmes.
The updated VAI Funding booklet is out now. The booklet is divided up into eight different sections, this will make searching easier as you will now be able go directly to the sections that you are interested in.
Check out our latest (January 2022): Funding Booklet (doc) / Funding Booklet (pdf)
Live Through This: Provider Pack
Live Through This has released a booklet to improve awareness of LGBTIQ+ issues in cancer and how we as individuals and organisations can work together to address the barriers to equitable care. See PDF here.
The Plan for a Decent Social Security System
The Commission on Social Security has published their Plan for a Decent Social Security System, funded by Trust for London and developed by people with experience of accessing benefits. View here.
London Travellers: Anti-racist representation
Media That Moves is a report on anti-racist representations of Travellers in the UK media by Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange, London Gypsies and Travellers, and Public Interest Research Centre. View report.
The Islington Safeguarding Adults Board is consulting on its next strategy.
The Islington Safeguarding Adults Board wants to hear from you. What should the Islington Safeguarding Adults Board be focusing on over the next three years? What work needs to be done to protect and prevent adults with care and support needs from abuse and neglect? Tell the Board what you think needs to be improved to keep adults in Islington safer. Your views really matter to the board.
To read the Board’s draft plan for the next three years, here.
To submit your views on the strategy, click here.
