This week is mental health awareness week, so remember to do something good for your mind. Whether it’s talking to a friend, going for a walk or just taking a few deep breaths, a few small actions can make a big difference. If you think someone you know might be struggling with their mental health, send them a message to check in.
This week we’ve welcomed some new Kickstart employees into our team. The government’s Kickstart scheme aims to help young people at risk of long term unemployment to find work. Earlier this year Communities 1st became a Kickstart gateway.
As the economy opens up, our work with this project will help build the capacity of the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector. It will also give young people an insider’s perspective on how the sector works, and hopefully inspire them to become further involved.
“The programme has been great for someone who has struggled with finding a job prior and during a pandemic. I cannot wait to develop and learn new skillsets, but most importantly to gain experience in the charity sector.“ - Urvashi, Kickstart employee at Communities 1st.
We are now supporting 15 VCFSE employers with this recruitment process. They have created 66 jobs for 16-24 year olds so far. Communities 1st have now employed six individuals through the scheme, and our 6 month employability support training is also starting this month, offered to all our kickstart employees.
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, please contact Tom and the Volunteer Centre team on 020 3940 4865 or email volunteer@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
Volunteer's Week is Approaching!
Volunteer's week takes place from June 1st - 7th, and to celebrate it we are bringing you a week of exciting events!
An introduction to Trusteeship
1st June - 5:30pm – 6:15pm
Register here.
Volunteering Herts Annual Conference and Volunteer Management Awards
2nd June - 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Register here.
Nominate your organisation for an award here.
Trustee Speed Matching
3rd June - 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Register here.
Member organisations funding newsletter
We will soon contact you regarding membership renewal. From June we will be launching a new members only newsletter, which will include all funding opportunities. Organisations who need to renew their membership with us should do this as soon as we contact you, to avoid missing out on important information and funding tips.
The Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures Manual has been updated
The new, updated Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Manual is available to view here.
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.
Water checks for charities and community groups are worth the time
WaterPlus has put together some helpful information and advice to help keep costs down and help the environment. With charity shops and community groups opening up again and starting activities, this information will save you money.
TikTok for Nonprofits: The Beginner’s Guide
With many nonprofits struggling to reach younger audiences, TikTok presents an exciting way to get creative and engage the next generation of donors and advocates with your cause. But where exactly should you start?
How to keep mobile devices safe
Mobile phones, tablets, and other mobile devices often contain valuable data and can be used to access charities’ office computers through storage systems like the cloud. Find out how to make sure you keep them safe.
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.
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 & WEBINARS
Level 3 Award in Education and Training
Starts Weds 19 May - 9:30-3:30
Register here.
Respond to challenge as a social enterprise
Weds 19 May 10:00-12:00
Safeguarding for trustees
Weds 19 May 18:00-20:00
Adapt and grow your social enterprise
Weds 26 May 10:00-12:00
Planning your AGM: online and in-person
Weds 26 May 10:00-12:00
Strengthen your impact reporting as a social enterprise
Weds 09 June 10:00-12:00
Preparing your board to be more inclusive Better Boards training
Tues 15 June 19:00- 21:00
Register here.
Social enterprise discussion forum
Weds 16 June 11:00-12:00
Fundraising for boards: What do you need to know?
Fri 18 June 10:00-12:00
Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers
Thursday 20th May 2021 - 10:00am – 12:30pm
Register here.
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.
FUNDING
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 Available for Those who Deliver Holiday Activities
The ‘HAPpy: Hertfordshire’s Holiday Activity Programme' is open to children and young people aged 5 to 16 who are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals, and aims to tackle the triple inequalities of holiday hunger, physical inactivity and social isolation. Thanks to funding by the Department for Education, existing or prospective organisers of holiday activity programmes can now access this funding to deliver daily programmes for young people. In Hertfordshire, the HAPpy project will look to offer 5000 free activity places each day, for a four-week period. Grant applications for summer delivery are open now, and close on Friday 14 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 15 May 2021. Read more.
Neighbourhood Planning Grant Scheme Re-opens for Applications
Applications to the Neighbourhood Planning Grant Scheme have re-opened for applications for the 2021 – 22 financial year. Local communities can apply for grants totalling £10,000 to help shape the future of their local area through the development of neighbourhood plans or neighbourhood development orders. This can include issues such as the location of new homes, shops, offices and green spaces. The closing date for the Bespoke high streets regeneration and social infrastructure support and follow up grant is 5pm on the 17 May 2021. Read more.
Children’s Summer Activity Grants
To help connect children from disadvantaged backgrounds with nature, the charity Social Farms and Gardens, in partnership with the Hilden Charitable Fund, are providing small grants to support summer activities for children. Eighteen grants of £1,500 are being made available through the Children's Summer Activities Programme to charities, schools, CIC’s and other not-for-profit organisations in the UK who are existing members of Social Farms & Gardens. Funding can be used to help the everyday costs of projects and to support sustainability post-Covid. The deadline for applications is midday on the 24 May 2021. Read more.
The Co-op Local Community Fund Re-opens for Applications
The Co-op have announced a new funding round to support projects which benefit local communities in the vicinity of Co-op Food Stores and funeral homes across the UK and the Isle of Man. The Co-op Local Community Fund will fund projects which help local communities come together to help those in need by providing access to essentials such as food and community spaces; improving mental wellbeing; or helping young people develop new skills and make a difference in their community. The closing date for applications is midnight on the 30 May 2021. Read more.
Funding to Support People and Communities Living with Mental Ill-Health, Trauma & Distress
Grants of between £200 and £500 are available to peer support, mutual aid or self-help groups in England and Wales for activities which benefit people or communities who live with mental ill-health, trauma and distress. The funding is being made available through the National Survivor User Network’s Side by Side Fund and can be used to help community member-led groups to connect remotely, prepare to move their activities to face-to-face, or make their group more sustainable. The deadline for applications is the 31 May 2021. Read more.
Grants to Support Projects in Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Fine Art & Art History
UK charities and charitable organisations, including school Parent Teacher Associations, are eligible to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects in the areas of horticulture, plant sciences, fine art and art history. The Finnis Scott Foundation will award funding to cover capital or revenue expenditure, with preference given to smaller organisations where the grant will have a significant impact. The next closing date for applications is 4pm on the 4 June 2021. Read more.
Grants Programme for Not-For-Profit Theatres to Carry Out Essential Works
The Theatres Trust has launched a £100,000 small grants programme for not-for-profit theatres across the UK to carry out essential works, particularly improvements to buildings that protect theatre use and remove barriers to participation and attendance. The Small Grants Programme, supported by The Linbury Trust, will provide grants of up to £5,000 to support small projects that make a big impact to a theatre's resilience, sustainability or accessibility. Applications are also welcome for projects that help theatres reopen as Covid-secure. The deadline for applications in this round is 5pm on the 7 June 2021. 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 30 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 6 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 8 July 2021. Read more.
Funding for Tree Planting Projects in Urban & Peri-Urban Areas
The Urban Tree Challenge Fund has re-opened to applications from community and volunteer groups as well as Town Councils and individuals for tree planting projects in cities and towns across England. This third round of funding is open to applications from small organisations or community groups for between £10,000 and £30,000 for smaller, focused areas of planting; and block bids of over £250,000 with no upper limit to enable multiple projects that are either geographically dispersed or focused in one area to be submitted under one application. The fund provides 50% of standard costs for planting and establishment. The remaining 50% must be met through match funding. The deadline for applications is the 25 July 2021. 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 1 May 2021 the Let’s Move Together Fund will open for applications. Read more.
Funding to Support Disadvantaged Young People and Offenders
Small registered charities can apply for grants of up to £15,000 for projects working with young offenders; prisoners and ex-prisoners as well as young disadvantaged people at risk of criminal involvement. To be eligible for funding, local organisations such as those working in a village, estate or small town should normally have an income of less than £100,000. Those working across the UK or in larger areas should normally have an income of not more than £250,000. Grants are usually given for one year. The funding is being made available through the Weavers' Company, a textile-related, charitable and sociable organisation and the next closing date for applications is the 19 November 2021. Read more.
Tesco Community Grants Now Open to Applications
The Tesco Bags of Help Programme has been relaunched as the Tesco Community Grants programme to support local good causes that focus on helping children and families across the UK. Registered charities, voluntary and community organisations, schools, parish/town councils and other not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of £500, £1,000 or £1,500. Three projects from each local area will be shortlisted to go to the public vote by Tesco customers every three months, with grants awarded depending on the number of votes their project receives. The types of projects that could be supported include those which help to fight holiday hunger, tackle mental health, support young people, and host community events. The fund will be administered by Groundwork. Applications can be made at any time. Read more.
INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS
Advice on the COVID-19 Vaccination
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
Bedtime Stories
Our volunteers have been busy creating bedtime stories, for you and your families to enjoy at home. These stories are a great opportunity to help you children improve their literacy skills.
Email: bedtimestories@communities1st.org.uk to get access to our bedtime stories videos!
Herts West Essex ICS are running sessions for people who may be affected by the current COVID-19 crisis in India.
The space will be a place to reflect, and identify emotions, management strategies and support systems.
Session Dates & Times:
Wednesday 19th May 2021 - 11am until 1pm
Please register by emailing: hereforyou@nhs.net
Living with COVID: Support available to Hertfordshire residents
Vaccines will not eradicate COVID-19, and therefore we will all need to learn to ‘live with Covid’ whilst we strive to keep cases as low as possible. The Hertfordshire Community Reassurance Cell (CRC) invite you to a webinar outlining the support available to Hertfordshire residents.
Wednesday 26 May, 11:00-12:30
Register here.
Beezee Bodies
Help your child to maintain a healthy weight, and learn skills for a happy, healthly life. Beezee bodies offers a free, family focused healthy lifestyle course. It is aimed at 5 - 15 year olds and their families.
Hertfordshire Family Centre Services
The Hertfordshire Family Centre is running various courses for families, including 'Families Feeling Safe', 'Parenting Puzzle' and 'Welcome to the World'.
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.
Government launch public survey to decide England's new Women’s Health Strategy
The government want to hear from women of all ages and backgrounds. Now is the time to speak up and be heard so that the many disparities across the health service can be further evidenced, and a plan can be made to deliver future improvements.
Shape Up Weight Management Courses
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
Hertfordshire Family Centre Service
The Hertfordshire Family Centre Service are now running an antenatal and postnatal online social group, for current or future mums, dads, and families to meet other parents. For more information email hertsfamilycentres.org or call us on: 0300 123 7572. Book here.
Learn To Ride Bike Lessons
Learn to Ride lessons are back. These are one-to-one cycling sessions with Chris the Bike Whisperer. He has a 99% success rate with children who have special educational needs.
Spaces are available during May, June and July on Fridays from 4pm to 7pm. Please book through the Potential Kids website or email info@potentialkids.org.
Hertfordshire Family Adult Learning Services and Oaklands College Courses
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.