Our Next Meeting
Barnet VCS Environmental Network

Thursday 23 September,
10.45 - 12.15

If you've already been to a Barnet VCS Environmental Network meeting then you'll automatically receive an invite and zoom link for our 7th on 23 September.

If you've not joined us yet, then do email Ellen. These are informal and informative networking sessions for those working in the Barnet VCS, where we can come together to discuss environmental issues in the Borough, and work out how we as a sector can make a difference.

This networking group will raise awareness of environmental projects that are happening in the Borough, help to establish partnerships and joint initiatives and seek funding opportunities.

In September we'll be joined by Barnet Council's Greenspaces Service Manager, and we'll be discussing Tree Planting, the Council's Adopt a Place scheme and the Barnet Community Innovation Fund, which in Round 2 has funding for Green Space projects.

If you have any topics you would like to raise/discuss, do let Ellen know.

FOR PAST E-NEWSLETTERS

Funding
Barnet Community Innovation Fund

Opens: Friday 1 October
Deadline: Monday 1 November 

Since launching in spring 2021, the Barnet Council-led Community Innovation Fund (CIF) has invested nearly £130,000 in seven local projects that are helping Barnet residents and communities improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Following the success of the pilot scheme, the joint initiative with local NHS partners and Barnet's volunteer and community sectors represented by Barnet Together, a second round of funding with a pot of £320,000 will be open for applications from 1 October 2021 and will close on 5pm on Monday 1 November.

The 4 priorities are:

1. Mental Health and Wellbeing support particularly focusing on pandemic related crisis support and interventions
2. Initiatives that promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
3. Sustainable Green Spaces for healthy leisure projects
4. Projects supporting Families, Children  and Young people, with a particular focus on family health
    

If you have any questions about the fund, please contact Marta Montague, Community Innovation Fund Manager.
 

Funding & Resources
Climate Funding Hub - National Lottery Community Fund

Deadline: 18 November 2021, 5pm

The National Lottery Community Fund's brand new Climate Hub is now live. Check out their latest stories, news and funding information on community-led climate action. The learning and insights section contains information on what the National Lottery Community Fund has learnt so far from environmental grantmaking. 

The National Lottery Community Fund has also announced a brand new environmental fund, Together for Our Planet. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £10k to support a legacy of ongoing climate action projects in hundreds of communities across the UK. 

Together for Our Planet funding information webinar: Tuesday 21 September, 11am

Recruitment
Head of Community Services at Inclusion Barnet

Deadline: Saturday 9 October

Inclusion Barnet (who host this environmental network) are looking for someone to lead on delivery of our voluntary sector support activity, working as part of our successful Barnet Together partnership with Young Barnet Foundation and Groundwork London. 

As well as attending senior meetings as the representative of the voluntary sector and leading sector groups, you’ll lead on developing our membership offer and making sure this is communicated to community groups.  You’ll also be working collaboratively with wider system partners to implement the voluntary sector manifesto and ensure they understand the sector’s capabilities.  Alongside this, you’ll have responsibility for oversight of our Healthwatch and Partnership Libraries contracts, ensuring that these services thrive and develop. 

More Information & To Apply

Free Service
Green Doctors service- FREE 1:1 energy support

Get in touch 

Do you have contact with residents who might have trouble paying for their energy bills? Part of the community charity, Groundwork London, Green Doctors are a team of expert energy advisers who offer consultation over the telephone or arrange for a home visit with residents to help them manage their energy use.

The consultation can help residents get on top of their home energy use, and understand the best practices for use of energy in homes. It will also help them find financial support and reduce costs on their energy where possible, not only saving money but also peace of mind. Our services can help residents get rid of cold and damp in the house which can be a leading cause of several health complications – both physical and mental.  There’s additional support available for vulnerable residents who can sign-up for the Priority Services Register to receive ongoing assistance and guidance on managing their energy usage and bills.

Read more at the Green Doctors' Guest Blog for Barnet Together

Event
Apple pressing and compost making day

Sat 25 September, 10am - 12noon

News from Wendy at Incredible Edible:

"We're very excited to be holding an apple and compost day this month!  Come along to our community garden outside St John’s Church, Mowbray Road, EN5 1RH to learn about ways to reduce food waste.

We’ll have an apple press to make fresh juice plus workshops about worms and compost making activities. There may even be some apple related snacks to enjoy!

Please bring your own apples (plus an empty bottle) or we’ll have some for you to crush. Sanitising facilities will be available throughout the garden.

Pop in for as little or as long as you like to get involved, find out more about the community garden and eat some zero waste cake!

We hope to see you there!" 

Find out more
 

Starting Tomorrow
Over 60s needed for Outdoor Project

From Friday 17 September

Our friends at Wild About Our Woods are starting a new intergenerational outdoor project tomorrow (Friday 17 September) and are looking for some people aged 60 plus to join them.

Anyone interested should register here. 

Find out more
 

Event
Coppetts Wood Festival

Sunday 19 September, 1 - 4pm

Message from Coppetts Wood Conservationists...

"Our annual festival is a community highlight, with plenty to do for all ages. Covid willing, we’re hoping for a great mix of music, food, clay sculpting, treasure hunting, facepainting and displays and demonstrations by community organisations and craftspeople."

 Find out more
 

Event
Barnet's Big Eco Show and Tell 

A hello from a new Barnet VCS Environmental Network member...

Hi, I'm Shiri Atsmon from Finchley, Barnet, nice to meet you!

I'm involved in Barnet's thriving environmental volunteer sector, and would love to team up with people who like this new Show & Tell  initiative and who might be interested to shape and promote it together. Is that you? The Great Big Week (September 18th - 24th) presents an opportunity for small Show and Tell initiatives to be part of a bigger, national event, and we very much hope you can be a part of this unique week, or join our growing network.

Please let me know what you think about this initiative at: ecoshowandtell@gmail.com, perhaps you'd like to host a Show and Tell or join one?

Hope to chat with you soon!
Yours, Shiri

More information on Barnet's Eco Show and Tell
 

Events
The Big Green Week

18 - 26 September

The Great Big Green Week is taking place from Saturday 18 September to Sunday 26 September 2021, and will be the largest event for climate and nature ever seen in the UK.

Thousands of events will celebrate how communities are taking action to tackle climate change and protect green spaces, and encourage others to get involved too.

You can search their website for events via location and/or online.

And it's not too late to put on events and add them to their listings page. 

So if you have an event planned over the next week even if its a regular litterpick or open day do make sure to quickly add it to their site and you may find a new audience for your amazing work.

To search for an event

To add an event