Voluntary Action Newsletter – 21 April 2022
21 April 2022
Outcome – Islington Mind LGBTIQ+ – Lesbian Visibility Week
Tuesday 26 April 2022 – 2.00-4.00pm – online
Lesbian Visibility Week is about showing solidarity with all LGBTIQ+ women in the community, as well as celebrating lesbians. You can find out more about the general event here:
All self-identifying women are welcome to this event. We very much welcome folks who identify as non-binary if they feel their experiences align with those of women, and we especially welcome non-binary people who identify as lesbian, bisexual, or gay. Book here.
Mother to Mother Carers Support Project
Mondays 11am – 3pm at Islington Mind, Ashely Road Day Centre, 35 Ashley Road, London N19 3AG.
A Service for mothers who are carers of offspring with mental health problems. Offers peer support groups, activities to improve well-being and learn new skills, training/workshop on issues such as mental health diagnosis/medications etc. More info here.
(Louie put poster on website)
Highbury Roundhouse AGM online meeting
Monday 25 April at 19:30
Everyone is welcome. If you would like to become a member, please send an email to admin@highbury-roundhouse.org.uk
The Value of Data for Charities – Profusion
Friday 6 May 2022 – 9.30am – 1.30pm
Free Data for Leaders Taster Day – A room of charity representatives learning the power of data together. Covering key data concepts you should understand for your business, how you can interpret, and challenge data presented to you and how you can evaluate data science models. For more & book here.
Camden & Islington Hate Crime Meetings
The police and various key partners/stakeholders are conducting various meetings throughout the year to review redacted crime reports to reassure both partners and communities that hate crimes are being dealt with appropriately and taken seriously. The meetings will be held on Microsoft Teams, 11:30am-12:30pm, as follows:
· Monday 9 May – Religion/Faith
· Monday 4 July – Race
· Monday 5 September – Disability
· Monday 7 November – Sexual Orientation
· Monday 9 January 2023 – Transgender
If you are interested in being a part of these meetings, please contact – matthew.hogg@met.police.uk
Join the NHS Big Conversation for Improvement
Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 May 2022. 8.45am – 5.00pm – Online and free to join.
The Big Conversation will take place over 2 days, and you can choose how much or how little of the event you join. It will bring people together for a range of interactive discussions, workshops, and presentations, giving a space for people to talk through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, explore continuous improvement opportunities and share fresh insights and ideas on how to promote the improvement of health and care. This event will highlight the benefit of people using health and care services and for those working in and providing the services. For full agenda and to register, click here.
Third Sector Fundraising Conference 2022
Thursday-Friday 26-27 May 2022 – online
From developing your digital awareness to enhancing your measurement methods, key industry speakers will invite you to rethink and rebuild your fundraising strategy and teach you the tools you need to equip you for a better, brighter year ahead. Tickets: £15.00: Small charity, £25.00: Medium charity, £50.00: Large charity, £500.00: non-charity To book here.
Racial Terminology Focus Group – BAME-led organisations
Thursday 28 April, 2.00 – 3.30pm
Join the online focus group, specifically for Black, Asian and Minority ethnic-led organisations to share what they think about the use of racial terminology in the UK.
This initiative aims to understand how racialised terminology in the UK has evolved but also provide a space to voice and shape the way racial terminology is used in the UK today and its future.
For more info & to book here.
The Mayor of London has launched a new Cost of Living Hub for Londoners
The price of energy, food and bills are all rising steeply, and many Londoners are struggling to keep up with the cost of living. The hub contains information about help you can get if you are in financial difficulty. It includes help with paying your bills, debts, and income. It also includes help in a crisis, mental health and help for migrants. For more info here.
Impact for households accessing charities
Pro Bono Economics, following the Spring Statement from the Chancellor, has released its same-day analysis looking at the challenges that lie ahead for households accessing charities’ services.
To read the full analysis, please click here.
Free support programme for social enterprises in London
Civil Society Consulting are delivering a free support programme for social enterprises in London.
Funded by the GLA and the Dept for Business Energy and Infrastructure, this ‘Peer Networks’ programme aims to develop social enterprises, equip them with new skills and connect them to others in a peer support network.
For more information contact natasha@civilsocietyconsulting.co.uk
Keep yourself safe from Covid-19
Covid-19 is still with us and cases in Islington are rising. Take steps to protect the vulnerable, your family and friends.
Get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated offers the best protection against Covid-19. It reduces the risk of spreading it to others and means you are less likely to get seriously ill. Let fresh air in. Open a window to disperse the Covid-19 particles. Wear a face covering. Consider wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces. Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitiser. Walk-in vaccination sites here.
Covid-19 Vaccine FAQs in different languages
Islington Council have prepared translations of Covid-19 vaccine information for use in promotional material in the most common languages spoken in Islington. This includes Arabic, Bengali, Polish, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish and Urdu. Provided are A5 sized flyers and A3 sized posters. They have also included social media banners so you can customise your messages. Printed flyers are available in these languages to be collected from VAI offices by appointment. To download from the Voluntary Action Islington website here.
Help for Ukrainians
UK Government Announces ‘Homes for Ukrainian’ Refugees Scheme with ‘Thank You’ Payment to Sponsors
A small monthly payment will be available for UK host families who volunteer to house Ukrainians fleeing their homeland due to the Russian invasion. More details.
Welcome: a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK
Homes for Ukraine: factsheet for Ukrainians
Homes for Ukraine scheme: frequently asked questions
Q&A with the Home Office on the Ukraine visa process –You Tube video
Homes for Ukraine Sponsor Toolkit
VCSEP Slack channel for Ukraine: if you wish to join, please let us know here. If you are already on the VCSEP Slack, you can add yourself to this channel.
HealthProm – Ukrainian Refugees Cultural Sensitivity Sheet – Base Guidelines fact sheet here.
Join the UCL Partners Patient, Carer, and Public Advisory Panel
UCL Partners is a partnership organisation that works to improve physical and mental health and care through research and innovation. To do this, we know that it’s essential that the work we do is shaped by the people whose lives it affects: patients, carers, and members of the public. We’re looking for 8-10 people to join the Panel and attend virtual meetings with us for 2 hours every 8 weeks. Dates and times of the meetings will be agreed as a group to suit as many people as possible. You don’t need any skills or experience to join the panel: all we ask is that you have an interest in sharing your views and experiences to help improve health and care.
Panel members will be paid £25 per hour for their work with the Panel (including preparation time) and expenses.
Closing date for applications is Monday 9 May. Find out more and apply here.
We are Penelope – Cyber Security for Third Sector
26 April 2022 – 12-2pm – Free
Spitalfields Conservatory, 35-41 Folgate Street, London E1 6BX
Cyber Security for third sector finance teams. What are the threats? What can be done to improve this?
Contact : dave.vriend@wearepenelope.co.uk
Sustainable Communities – Volunteer Retention
Tuesday 26th April 2022 – 11.00-12.00 – online
Sustainable Communities UK is a social enterprise which helps develop community, voluntary and enterprise organisations to support local communities across the UK. As well as the management of community buildings, we specialise in charity governance, community development, youth-work, carbon reduction and environmental sustainability. More info and register here.
How to Recruit Trustees, led by Getting on Board
Wednesday 11 May 2022 – 10.30am – 12.00 noon – Free webinar.
Governance, trustee/board recruitment & development. Session Content: This is a one-off webinar delivered by Getting on Board which will consider: Introduction to board recruitment, why it’s good to have a range of voices/experiences on a board, how to develop your board to allow your organisation to do more & how to get started with recruiting purposefully. For more info & book here.
Charity Digital – A practical guide to effective budgeting – Workshop 1
11 May 10:00-12:30 Deadline for applications: 29th April
Course: The basics, the benefits, and the importance of budgeting. How to create an effective budget for the future. The basics of cash flow forecasting and cashflow process. The need for long-term thinking and financial strategies. Where to find useful resources. View here.
Charity Digital – Futureproofing and financial sustainability – Workshop 2
25 May 10:00-12:30 Deadline for applications: 13th May
Course: The fundamentals of financial sustainability, how to review income reliance. How to practice cash flow governance, cost control, and income diversification. The importance of financial strategy, culture, leadership, and infrastructure. How to write a sound financial management policy. View here.
Charity Digital- How charities can master financial reporting – Workshop 3
8 June 10:00-12:30 Deadline for applications: 27th May
Course: The difference between statutory accounts and management accounts. Exactly what is needed for a useful financial statement. How to report income and variances to budget and last year. Understanding and reporting variables costs (cost of sales) and overheads. How to generate a cashflow forecast, understand it and act on it. View here.
NFP Workshops – May Workshops
Monday 09 May 2022 – Bid Writing
Tuesday 10 May 2022 – Recruiting and Managing Volunteers
Wednesday 11 May 2022 – Introduction to Fundraising
Thursday 12 May 2022 – Charity Finance
Monday 23 May 2022 – Bid Writing
Tuesday 24 May 2022 – Trust Fundraising
Wednesday 25 May 2022 – Legacy Fundraising
Thursday 26 May 2022 – Fundraising Regulations and GDPR
Workshops are held online via Zoom 10.00 to 12.30 Each workshop costs £95 Visit website
Alzheimer’s Society at Cecelia’s Café, Hargrave Hall Community Centre, Hargrave Road, N19 5SP
Fortnightly Wednesdays 27 April, 11 May, 25 May, 1.30 – 4.30pm and throughout the year.
If you, your family, or carers are affected by dementia, join others with shared experience in a friendly and relaxed, social environment. They often host regular talks by a variety of local services and organisations who promote safety and wellbeing. Dementia cafés provide useful information in a structured and relaxed setting that gives the opportunity for people with dementia, families, and carers to ask questions and learn from the experiences of people in similar situations. Contact: Islington@alzheimers.org.uk or call 020 8121 5626 or 07484 089543
The Islington & Camden #QuitforCovid campaign
The #QuitforCovid campaign begins on Monday 8 June. The campaign is to support people to quit smoking, particularly at a time when people who smoke are putting themselves at a greater risk of developing severe disease from the Covid-19 virus.
Breathe Stop Smoking Service provides personalised help from a specialist advisor online or over the phone, and face-to-face support. They can help you stop smoking, offering all their support over the phone. Call 020 3633 2609 or visit www.breathestopsmoking.org. You can also sign up to regular texts from Stop Smoking London here. Or get 24/7 support by downloading My Quit Route app for android and iOS, free for Camden and Islington residents.
Arnold Clarke Community Fund
Grant: Up to £1,000
Status: All Non-Profit
Priority Groups: Groups affected by Covid-19 (see website for more details)
Objectives: For immediate relief of the organisation
Deadlines: Application now open
Visit website
Artemis Charitable Foundation
Grants: from £1,000 to £10,000
Status: Charities up to £2m per annum
Objectives: health, education, poverty, the environment
Deadlines: Monthly
Visit website
Better Temporary Accommodation for Londoners funded by Trust for London and Oak Foundation
Grants: £30,000 – £150,000 – The programme will run from 2022-25, with the first grants awarded in June 2022.
Status: Organisations with with TA.
Priority Groups: Organisations working for change with and for people with experience of TA
Objectives: Aims to strengthen the voice, connections, and influence of people in Temporary Accommodation (TA)
Deadlines: Tuesday 17 May2022
Visit website
Black arts grants
Grant: 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 life expenses
Deadline: Monthly
Visit website
The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
Grants: There are three types of grants; major grants of £50,000 and above, medium grants between £5,000 and £50,000 and small grants below £5,000. Small grants account for 80% of those awarded annually.
Status: Charities
Priority Groups: Capital projects
Objectives: Community, Education, Health and Social Welfare
Deadlines: Applications can be submitted at any time.
Visit website
Betsy Foundation
Grants: up to £30,000
Status: Charities with a turnover of less than £750,000
Priority Groups: People under the age of 30
Objectives: Help to alleviate the effects of poverty, abuse, and homelessness as well as help recipients to overcome the causes of these.
Visit website
The Charles Haywood Foundation
Grants: Small grant scheme up to £7,000. Main: £15,000 to £25,000 up to a maximum of three years.
Status: Small grant programme: Social & Criminal Justice and Older People (for charities with an income of less than £350,000). Main grants: Social & Criminal Justice and Heritage & Conservation (for charities with an income of more than £350,000)
Objectives: The Foundation funds capital costs. Projects that are preventive or provide early intervention with a preferred area of impact at the community and neighbourhood level.
Deadlines: The trustees meet only four times a year.
Visit Website
City Bridge Trust – Small grants
Grants: £1,000 and £10,000 per year are available for a maximum of five years. Decision within 12 weeks
Status: Registered charity, CIC, CIO income of less than £100,000
Priority Groups: Greening and growing projects which bring communities together and improve the local environment.
Objectives: A project which enables disabled people and/or older people who are disadvantaged to actively participate in the arts, sports and health and wellbeing opportunities.
Deadline: On-going, check with funder
Visit website
City Bridge Trust – Advice and Support Grants
Grant: £1,000 and £10,000 per year are available for a maximum of five years. Decision within 12 weeks
Status: CIC, Charities
Objectives: Up to five years of funding, & core funding considered.
Priority Groups: Advice & support for disadvantaged individuals in the following areas: benefits; debt & money; fuel poverty; employment problems; housing; or immigration status. Food poverty. Tackling hardship and crisis by funding the infrastructure needed to support the distribution of donated food.
Deadline: On-going, check with funder
Visit Website
Cripplegate Foundation Main Grants programme
Grants: See website for details
Objectives: You directly help residents to tackle poverty and inequality.
Priority Groups: For this round of funding, Black, Asian, minority ethnic groups, deaf and people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. Led by board and/or senior staff are people from those communities.
Deadline: 9am on Monday 16 May
Visit Website
Islington Council’s Community Chest
Funding: up to £5,000
Status: Community Groups with annual turnover of less than £100,000
Priority Groups: supporting residents experiencing poverty and/or isolation
Objectives: respond to the impact of Covid-19, seek to address community safety, aim to make Islington a more, environmentally sustainable borough.
Deadline: 12noon, Tuesday, 3 May 2022
Visit website
Lloyds Bank Foundation – Racial Equity Funding
Status: Small and local charities led by and for Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities with an income between £25,000 – £1million
Priority Groups: Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic communities
Objectives: They must also have a focus on supporting people from specific Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic communities to overcome 11 Complex Social Issues – see website.
Deadlines: There is no closing date for applications – the Foundation aims to give you a decision within four months.
Visit Website
We Move Fund – Youth Social Action (BBC Children in Need)
Grants: £10k – £50k
Status: Unregistered organisations and registered bodies.
Priority Groups: Black children and young people.
Objectives: Youth social action is about the activities that young people do to make a positive difference to their lives and their environment.
Deadlines: 20 June for completed applications.
Visit Website
The Islington Funding Toolkit enables organisations to easily search a database of current and upcoming funding programmes.
The VAI funding 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: Funding Booklet (doc) / Funding Booklet (pdf)
National survey on the quality of legal representation in the youth justice system
The Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research (ICPR) Birkbeck is conducting research on legal representation and advocacy in the Youth Justice System with Just for Kids Law. The research, funded by the Dawes Trust, is seeking to identify whether, and what kinds of, interventions are needed to improve the quality of the work of criminal solicitors who advise and represent child suspects and defendants. https://justforkidslaw.org/
Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector
The Charity Commission has published up to date coronavirus guidance for the charity sector.
Read the full guidance here, and please share with your networks so that the voluntary and community sector can operate safely and continue to help people during this challenging time.
Trust for London is an independent charitable foundation.
We aim to tackle poverty and inequality in London, and we do this by funding voluntary and charity groups – currently we make grants totalling around £10 million a year and at any one time we are supporting up to three hundred organisations; funding independent research; and providing knowledge and expertise on London’s social issues to policymakers and journalists.
See their publications here.
Have your say in improving stop smoking services in Islington
Camden and Islington Public Health have launched an easy-read survey
to hear from residents and service users on current stop smoking services and future need. We would like to hear from people who smoke or used to smoke about what support they might want or need to help them stop smoking and what worked for them in the past. Participants will be entered in a prize draw to win a £50 shopping voucher. The deadline for the easy-read survey will close on Friday 29 April. Please complete the survey and/or share with relevant contacts.
