Inter Faith Week achievements

With Inter Faith Week 2022 being celebrated back in November, Barnet's Multi Faith Forum held a series of successful events that encouraged the cohesion and collaboration of all faiths together. 

They hosted a Cost of Living discussion, a writing workshop on Food, Faith and Fiction, and a film showing of the Emigrant, amongst other activities.

As well as all the local events going on, Inter Faith Week was considered to be a national success, with activities going on around the country - there was even an Inter Faith Week information drop in at the Houses of Parliament!

Read more - Inter Faith Week

Barnet's fourishing Tiny Forest 

Just off the North Circular, at Henlys Corner, is a tiny little patch of wildlife that's bringing biodiversity and green space back to Barnet's streets. 

The Tiny Forest, a dense and fast-growing patch of native woodland, is about the size as a tennis court, and was planted in March 2022.

The project was a collaboration between GoodGym, Earthwatch Europe and Barnet Council.

"It's a symbol of pure nature against the ravages of the busiest of London's roads.", says Paul Salman, GoodGym's Area Activator.

Over the past year, the Tiny Forest has welcomed lots of Barnet residents and hosted some fun events to promote growth, including a planting day where the local community came together to plant 600 trees in just two hours!

And it's not slowing down anytime soon, with the project growing for years to come!

Read more about Barnet's Tiny Forest

Saturday Socials success in Burnt Oak

Having kicked off in the last few weeks, the Saturday Socials being held weekly at Burnt Oak Library have been very successful!

One of their most popular sessions was the Gentle Gym Seated Exercise session, which had an attendance of 27 people, who had a great time chatting with each other. 

Refreshments and free food parcels were provided by Morrisons, which was appreciated as many guests said the cold winter months have been difficult and lonely.

It was great to see so many people in the library, and for many of people it was their first visit, or the first time they'd been in years!

Barnet Walking Football Team

The over 50s walking football team based at the Hive Stadium has had another very successful year, with their weekly sessions attended by many residents.

They have officially been announced as an England Accredited Team and been accepted through their year 2 renewal process. 

And if that's not enough... They were the 2021/2022 Central League Champions, awarded the Grassroots Project of the Year by Middlesex Football Association, and given the Group of the Year 2021/2022 prize at the Barnet Homes Awards!

They're a friendly bunch, and even invited our Communications Officer Sarah to play with them and find out about disability provision within the club!

Good luck to the team for 2023!

Barnet Walking Football Team

WrapUp London Coat Collections

WrapUp London have been overwhelmed by the response to their winter coat appeal and want to thank everyone who has donated. 

Here's what WrapUp London had to say...

'Having the seven Barnet Libraries join us for WrapUp London this year was fantastic. This was the first year there was any public collection points in the borough. Collectively, Barnet Libraries collected around 400 warm coats for those less fortunate in the community and will make a real difference to hundreds of lives.'

Their collection has now closed and they are unable to accept further donations.

Age UK Quiz Night fundraiser

Age UK hosted a wildly successful Quiz Night, raising £1,500 to support their work in Barnet.

They also want to thank the local businesses that have made generous donations recently, saying "It's so heartwarming when local businesses work with us to improve the lives of older people in the borough." 

The first ever Barnet Together Alliance Conference

Our organisational highlight was without a doubt the sold-out Barnet Together Alliance Conference that took place in October.

We were joined by community organisations and leaders from around Barnet for a day full of interesting discussions and bright ideas for the future of Barnet.

It was really inspiring to see what you're all working on and how we can come together to support each other - We can't wait for the next one!

You can read more about the Barnet Together Alliance Conference here

Winter events organised by Barnet Council

Whether you're celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, or just the new year drawing in, there are lots of winter events planned for Barnet in the coming weeks.

From the annual Mill Hill Chanukah Lighting, to Christmas crafting events, there's something for everyone to get involved with.

Barnet council have made a handy calendar with many of the events being put on by local organisations, so be sure to check it out!

Barnet Council's Winter Festivals Calendar

Ebony Ambassadors Christmas Craft Party

Ebony Ambassadors, a skills acquisition centre and promoter of African cultural identity is hosting a Christmas Craft Party that is not to be missed!

The party is sponsored by Barnet Council and will feature music, dance, free food and drinks, arts and crafts, a treasure hunt, raffles and much more!

When: Friday 30 December, 11am-4pm

Where: 102A Watling Avenue, Burnt Oak, Edgware, HA8 0LN

Join the Warm Spaces initiative

Warm Spaces is a community-led initiative where local businesses and community groups provide a welcoming space for residents to stay warm and engage with others in their community. 

If you run a business or community, faith or social enterprise organisation, you can join the scheme by offering your space.

Click here to find out more about Warm Spaces, including a directory of Barnet's Warm Spaces

Young Barnet Foundation Christmas Gift Campaign

Now in its fifth year, Young Barnet Foundation's Christmas Gift Campaign is once again asking local Barnet residents, businesses and community organisations to help provide presents for local children and young people, who may not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas.

Since its launch in 2018, the Christmas Gift Appeal has wrapped and distributed a staggering 7,000 presents.

Want to get involved? You can donate gifts, organise a gift collection, volunteer or make a financial donation, all are massively appreciated!

Young Barnet Foundation Christmas Gift Appeal

Support local businesses this Christmas 

When shopping for Christmas presents this year, why not stay local and support some of Barnet's environmentally-focused initiatives?

Helpful Kids creates gifts and toys for children from handmade and sustainable materials.

The Flower Bank is a zero-waste enterprise that sells re-purposed flowers.

The Incredible Edible book is all about how residents can grow food to support the local area, and features Incredible Edible Barnet's Wendy Alcock!

Trustees - Young Barnet Foundation

Young Barnet Foundation are looking for two new trustees to support advocate for their work with young people in Barnet.

They're particularly interested in candidates with a financial background, or knowledge of the education sector in Barnet.

Deadline: Friday 6th January

More info - Young Barnet Foundation Trustee Pack

Cost of Living Crisis

We now have a dedicated Cost of Living Crisis page on our website where we're compiling both local and national information, resources and guidance linked to the Cost of Living Crisis, and the impact on Voluntary Sector organisations. 

Do let us know if you have any activities and support that needs to be added.

Sign up to Barnet Together Alliance partners' Newsletters...

• Food Banks/Food Poverty support, email Barnet Food Hub.
• Children, Young People and Families (for Young Barnet Foundation members only)
• Local Environmental news & initiatives, sign up here.
• For Volunteer recruitment/ management support, sign-up. 
• Barnet Council's Together newsletter, email.

Sign up to Barnet’s voluntary sector Manifesto

Barnet Together is calling for community, voluntary, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) groups as well as statutory organisations and businesses operating in the borough of Barnet, to sign up to the Barnet Voluntary Sector Manifesto.

The aim of the Manifesto is to create better understanding and deeper cross-sector collaboration between organisations working within Barnet. 

If you are a representative of a group, service provider or business based in or serving Barnet, then you can sign up to the Barnet Voluntary Manifesto.

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