As things start to re-open and we return to some normality, we must ensure we don't brush over the deep-rooted, systemic inequalities in our society that the pandemic has exposed.
Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities are less well served by mainstream provision, and have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. These inequalities permeate a range of social issues such as homelessness, domestic abuse, mental wellbeing and the criminal justice system. Small charities serving ethnic minority communities are vital in addressing these inequalities.
We are supporting small VCFSE groups to help them restart their face-to-face work programmes, re-open their centres, and recruit new volunteers.
If your non-profit organisation would like support with reopening its services, advice on funding, or guidance on governance, please contact Christine and the CVS team on 01727 743018 or email memberservices@communities1st.org.uk.
If you organisation needs support to recruit volunteers or develop its volunteering programme, or you'd like to volunteer yourself, please contact Tom and the Volunteer Centre team on 020 3940 4865 or email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.
If you’re an individual that needs support, whether it's with shopping deliveries, DIY, digital assistance, or just a friendly chat with our telephone befrienders, please contact Nicola and our Wellbeing Services team on 020 8207 5115 or email help@communities1st.org.uk.
Many thanks,
Stephen Craker
Chief Executive
INFORMATION TO SUPPORT VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
Weekly coffee mornings for member organisations
Our weekly Virtual Coffee Mornings for voluntary sector organisations are a chance to say hello, tell us what you are working on, what support you need and to hear from other local voluntary sector organisations.
Every Wednesday at 11am.
The sessions are friendly, informal and hopefully useful. Come along whenever you can!
Register using our calendar.
For more information, please email memberservices@communities1st.org.uk or phone Christine on 01727 743018.
Thinking about your group's volunteering activities?
Contact our Volunteer Centre team who can help direct you to volunteering activities you can do safely, whether in person or remotely.
Email: volunteer@communities1st.org.uk
Do you know any group who are exceptional and should be put forward for a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service?
If you know of an exceptional volunteer group, running for more than 3 years, which has positively impacted on the lives of others in your local community, you could nominate them for the QAVS. Nominations can be made from 1 April to 15 September.
Latest COVID-19 communications toolkit
The Cabinet Office has released its latest COVID-19 stakeholder communications toolkit, which aims to encourage people to take up vaccinations and testing.
Read more.
Charity organisation seeks office space
HACRO, a charity that works towards caring for and resettling offenders, are looking for a space to expand and develop workshops and training etc.
If you know of an available space, email memberservices@communities1st.org.uk.
Study on the experiences of older (50+) lesbian, gay and bisexual people accessing community based social care services
If you are a person who works in a community based social care service or group that supports older people who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, your views are also needed.
Read more.
Could you be a Covid Information Champion?
To ensure our communities are receiving accurate, up to date COVID guidance, we are engaging with COVID Information Champions, in partnership with Community Help Herts. The information champions disperse accurate, current information through their networks, to keep us informed and safe.
Anyone can be a COVID Information Champion. All you have to do is reach out to your community and share information from Hertfordshire County Council. The information is easily shared through social media, email, text messages and online messaging apps, and can also be printed out and used as a poster.
To get involved email Christine at CIChampion@communities1st.org.uk or call 020 3940 4869.
TRAINING AND WEBINARS
Social media made easy
Weds 28 April 10.00-12.30
Telling the story of your work
Weds 4 May 10.00-12.30
Register here.
Measuring the difference your work makes
Thurs 6 May 10.00-12.30
Assessing and Communicating your impact
Tues 11 May 10.00-12.30
Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers
Thursday 20th May 2021 - 10.00am – 12.30pm
Managing and Supporting Volunteers
Thursday 20th May 2021 - 2.00pm - 4.30pm
Register here.
for further information email Carmen Dillon at c.dillon@whcvs.org.uk or call 01707 274861.
The Herts Sports and Physical Activity Partnership Induction Session
This induction session is aimed at recent starters within external partner organisations. The session enables recent recruits to learn about the structure, work and current priorities of the Herts Sports Partnership.
Thursday 22 April from 10.30am to 11.30am.
FUNDING
St Albans City & District Council- Grant for community groups
This grant will allow year-round applications with grants awarded between £200 and £2,000 from a total pot of £6,000. It is for organisations in need of small capital items to aid their delivery of services. Examples include IT equipment, portable ramps and sports or arts materials. The new Community Project Funding will also be launching this year. It will be allocated twice-yearly and open for applications in May and November. Grants of between £500 and £5,000 will be awarded from a total fund of £41,000 available. Read more.
Funding to Support Youth Organisations
Not for profit youth organisations that support disadvantaged young people can apply for grants of up to £90,000 spread over three years to help them to sustain or expand their work. The funding is available to support the core operating costs of the applicant organisation. Examples of what can be funded include developing volunteers; additional fundraising or income generation capacity; and upgrading IT systems or website. The funding is being made available through the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Youth Fund and applications can be submitted at any time. Read more.
Transformational Grants for Small Charities/Non Profit Organisations
From the 12th April 2021, small organisations working with marginalised groups will be able to apply for grants of up to £30,000 for projects and activities that have the potential to have a transformational impact on their organisation. Transformational impact includes helping an organisations become more sustainable, more efficient, to grow significantly or enabling an organisation to take a major step forward of some kind. The funding is being made available through The Fore, a seed funder for the non-profit sector. The funding is available to any registered charity, CIC, CIO or Community Benefit Society with a turnover of under £500,000 in the last financial year. Read more.
Funding to Support the Reopening & Recovery of Community-Run Leisure Centres
Grants of up to £50,000 will be available through the Community Leisure Recovery Fund to support leisure centres who provide a general leisure offer such as swimming, sports hall, fitness, and health and wellbeing facilities. Funding will support the difference between income and expenditure during April to September 2021 and will include a bespoke support package. Priority will be given to organisations supporting disadvantage and minoritized groups including people on lower incomes, disabled people, people with long-term health conditions, and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Applications can be submitted between the 6th April 2021 and the 29th April 2021. Read more.
Return to Play: Community Asset Fund
Sports clubs, charities and not for organisations can apply for grants of between £10,001 and £50,000 to help clubs and community groups to return to play. The Return to Play: Community Asset Fund provides capital funding, to help local sports clubs and organisations to adapt and open important places and spaces so people within their community can return to play and physical activity, safely. Priority will be given to projects located in areas of high deprivation and to organisations working with Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, people on lower incomes, disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and people experiencing a greater burden of care because of coronavirus. Applications will be paused for applications on the 30th April 2021. Read more.
Funding to Support Vulnerable Young Migrants
Not for profit organisations and private law firms working with vulnerable young migrants can apply for grants of up to £30,000. Grants will enable the organisation to undertake strategic legal work to benefit young migrants (under the age of 25) living in poverty who face significant disadvantage or discrimination in connection with their (or their parents') migration status. Applicants should note that the average grant size is around £12,000. The funding is being made available through the Strategic Legal Fund (SLF) for Vulnerable Young Migrants and the closing date for applications is the 4th May 2021. Read more.
Hertfordshire CC seeking applications from voluntary sector/not for profit organisations supporting mental health/reducing suicide
The £3,000 one year of funding is part of NHS England 4th wave provision for Herts and West Essex Integrated Care System (ICS). Its purpose is to encourage resilience and build greater community support for those at increased risk of suicide and reduce the incidence and associated stigma of self-harm and suicide. Aimed at small and innovative projects, the grants will be up to £3000 each and will be for 12 months, with opportunity to apply for more funding next year. While there can be only one bid per organisation, match funding or other evidence of joint working will increase chances of success. Deadline for applications is 7th May. Read more.
Grants to Support Grassroots Community Sports Clubs Affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, Made by Sport, in partnership with the Cash4Clubs scheme, has launched a new Covid-response fund to enable grassroots community sports clubs across the UK to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people affected by the pandemic. The #ClubsInCrisis Fund will provide grants of up to £2,021 to local sports clubs and third sector organisations using sport to help young people develop life skills, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, improve employability skills, or tackle mental health issues. The closing date for applications is the 15th May 2021. Read more.
Funding to Empower Women and Women's Organisations
Funding is available to support small women’s groups and organisations to develop innovative ways of empowering women in their local area and build the capacity of small organisations. Seed funding grants (£500 - £1,000) will support small women’s groups to establish/run micro women’s empowerment projects in their local area that support women to build skills and confidence and decrease social isolation. Women’s Sector grants (£1,000 - £25,000) will support women’s groups and organisations to develop capacity to respond to changing needs in their communities and run projects over a fixed duration of at least 6 months. The deadline for applications is 5pm on the 28th May 2021. Read more.
Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation
The Wingate Foundation has announced that the next deadline to apply is the 9th June 2021. The Foundation supports projects, institutions and activities in the following areas: Medical Research Travel grants; Jewish Life and Learning; Performing Arts; and Music. Applications are invited from smaller charitable organisations only; the Trustees will not consider approaches from large charities who are well represented on the High Street or their local branch offices. Applicants need to detail how the funding they are seeking can be used under the constraints of the current HM Govt Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the sector. Read more.
Funding to Support Disabled & Disadvantaged Children
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities to fund equipment and services to support disabled and disadvantaged children under the age of 13 across the UK. The Toy Trust fund helps disadvantaged children and their families to alleviate suffering; support children through awful experiences; encourage achievement through adversity; purchase vital equipment; provide care; bolster existing initiatives; initiate brand new projects; and satisfy basic needs. The next deadline to apply is the 30th June 2021. Read more.
Funding Available to Celebrate the Windrush Generation
Community groups, charities and grass root organisations across the UK can apply for funding to raise awareness of the Windrush Scheme, the Windrush Compensation Scheme or both. The Home Office is making a total of £500,000 in funding available for phase two of the Windrush Community Fund. Eligible organisations can apply for grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 for activities including holding events, producing and distributing marketing materials, accessing and using communication channels, and securing support from partners. The closing date for applications is 11.59pm on the 30th June 2021. Read more.
Grants of up to £50,000 Available for Community Projects
Small charities, schools and community interest groups with innovative ideas that benefit their community can apply for funding of up to £50,000 for projects that build more connected, more resilient communities; and give people the tools to become more financially independent. The funding is being made available through the newly re-launched Aviva Community Fund. Every three months from January onwards, £250,000 will be split equally among Aviva’s UK employees to donate to the projects that matter to them most. Applications are open on a continuous basis and are reviewed every three months. The closing date for this round is the 6th July 2021. Read more.
Funding to Support Education in Disadvantaged Areas
Grants are available to support schools and registered charities that wish to undertake educational work with children and young people under the age of 25 in disadvantaged areas within the UK and international projects working with marginalised communities. The British & Foreign Schools Society (BFSS) normally makes grants totalling about £900,000 in any one year. Grants for UK projects will range between 30,000 and £100,000 and for international projects up to £60,000. The next closing date for applications is the 8th July 2021. Read more.
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Sustainable Futures Fund
To address climate change and its effects, organisations, individuals and charities can apply for grants to support projects that develop and promote sustainable, low-carbon alternatives to the current consumerist and growth-based economic model. Grants are available for projects that address the current unsustainable economic system; excessive consumerism; giving marginalised groups and young activists a voice; and responding to the dual harms of COVID-19 and systemic racism. The deadline to apply is 5pm on the 23rd August 2021. Read more.
Grants to Improve the Quality of Grass Football Pitches
To prevent the cancellation of thousands of football matches in England each year, the Football Foundation has launched a new £14 million fund to improve and maintain the quality of grass pitches. The Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund will provide eligible grassroots clubs, leagues, charities and National League System Clubs (Step 1-6) a grant of £2,500 to enhance pitches that are considered 'poor' or 'basic', or £750 to help them sustain pitches already at a 'good' level. The funding must be used to carry out maintenance recommendations provided by the Foundation which can include contractor works, and the purchase of materials and equipment. Read more.
Funding to Build Stronger Connections Across Communities
The National Lottery Community Fund is offering grants of up to £300,000 for community-led projects that brings communities across the UK together. The Bringing People Together programme will support projects run by charities, voluntary and community organisations, CICs, CIOs and statutory bodies that build stronger connections across communities. The Fund expects to make up to twenty awards over the next year to enable organisations to deliver collaborative projects across at least two countries in the UK that focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, particularly amongst communities disproportionality affected by the pandemic. Applications can be made at any time. Read more.
Funding to Support People with Long-Term Health Conditions to Get Active
To reduce the negative impact of coronavirus and the widening of the inequalities in sport and physical activity grants of up to £5,000 are available to registered charities and other not-for-profit organisations to help people to get active across the UK. Two funds are available. In England the Tackling Inequalities Fund will provide grants of up to £5,000. Applications are particularly welcome from disability-led and BAME-led organisations The fund will close once enough applications have been received. From the 1st May 2021 the Let’s Move Together Fund will open for applications. Read more.
INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS
Census Help and Support
Have you received a Census Reminder Letter? Don’t worry, there’s still time for you to complete the questionnaire - and we can help through the whole process before May 4th.
If you need help completing your census form, have a look at this document. For more assistance and advice, you can visit the Borehamwood Healthy Hub. Call 020 8207 5115 to book an appointment.
Advice on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has carried out a detailed review of reports of an extremely rare blood clotting problem affecting a small number of people who have had the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine. The risk is extremely low – around 4 people develop this condition for every million doses of AZ vaccine given. Read the latest guidance from Public Health England here.
Vaccine Resources:
- COVID vaccine information video in Arabic
- COVID vaccine information video in Urdu
- Herts Care Providers Association
- Herts and West Essex Health and Care Academy website
- BBC Asian Network Resources
Mind Hertfordshire Network Summer Courses
Mind in Hertfordshire are offering a range of online courses this summer, including Understanding Anger, Learning to Accept Uncertainty and Change, and Overcoming Anxiety and Fear.
H'arts in Mind are holding lots of art classes this spring
Art Club - Fridays - 1.30-3.00pm
Expressive Art chat group - Starts 28th April (twice monthly)
Zentangle - Tuesdays 7.30pm and Fridays 11.00am
To register email hartsinmind@gmail.com
For more info visit their website.
Study on the experiences of older (50+) lesbian, gay and bisexual people accessing community based social care services
If you are 50 years of over and a lesbian, gay or bisexual person, you could help inform this research by participating in a survey.
HAFLS Online Resilience Course
Hertfordshire Family Adult Learning Services and Oaklands College are running a Resilience Course, to help you build the skills to thrive in uncertain times. Register here.
Shape Up Fitness Course
Shape Up is a free 12 week weight management course for men, which is open to all Herts residents. Clients must be 18-65 males with a BMI of 30+.
If you have any questions please email: Rhys.Ratcliffe@watfordfc.com
VACANCIES
Service Manager
Trinity Community Project
Salary £28,000 per annum
Full time - 37 hours per week - can be flexible
Start date ASAP
Location St Albans, Hertfordshire
More information and apply here
Community Outreach and Membership Development Officer
CVS for North Herts and Stevenage
Up to 27,000 per annum
28 hours per week (4 days)
More information and apply here
Polling Station ‘Greeters’
Greeters needed for election day on 6 May
£9 per hour - two shifts available -7am - 2:30pm or 2:30pm - 10pm.
Email emmagraham@welhat.gov.uk for to express an interest in this role.
More information here
Chief Executive
Home Start Hertfordshire
£45,000 per annum
30 hours per week/permanent
Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire
More information and apply here
Deputy Service Manager
Hospital and Community Navigation Service
£32,000 - £35,000 per annum
Welwyn Garden City
Temporarily remote
More information and apply here
District Council seeking staff for Local Elections
The paid work (all COVID 19 secure) is on Thursday 6 May at the Polling stations and / or at count the following Saturday 8 May, Sunday 9 May and Monday 10 May.
Find all role descriptions here.
Find more information here.
To express an interest in any of these roles please complete an elections application form or contact elections@stalbans.gov.uk / 01727 819318
Hertfordshire County Council: Polling Stations
Hertfordshire County Council have a number of roles available at Polling Stations around the county. These roles include:
- Polling Station Marshall
- Poll Clerks
- Count Assistants
Payment for these roles range from £80 -£190
Email your interest to the elections team at elections@stalbans.gov.uk or call 01727 819318