Latest News
for Barnet VCFSE
Environmental Network
Welcome to the July edition of the Barnet VCFSE Environmental network newsletter. We have so much in store for you this month...
Any questions/thoughts/contributions, do get in touch... Caitie Fisher, Communications Officer (Community Organisation Support)
caitie@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Ellen Cheshire, Community Organisation Support Lead
ellen@inclusionbarnet.org.uk Thank you for your interest in the Barnet VCFSE Environmental Network! 6th July 2023
Join Our Next Meeting
Barnet VCFSE Environmental NetworkWednesday 19th July, 2.00pm - 3:30pm
If you've already been to a Barnet VCFSE Environmental Network meeting then you'll automatically receive a MS Teams link for our next meeting on Wednesday 19th July, 2.00pm - 3:30pm. Katherine Carr, 'Health in All' Policies Officer from Barnet Council will be joining us for latest news on the Barnet Food Plan (see below).
If you've not joined us yet, then do email Ellen. Our networking sessions are casual and friendly but jam-packed with vital information tailored to those working in the Barnet Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We discuss environmental issues in the Borough, and work out how we can make a difference. This networking group will raise awareness of environmental projects that are happening across the Borough, help to establish partnerships and joint initiatives, and seek funding opportunities. If you have any topics you would like to raise/discuss at future meetings, do let Ellen know. We can't wait to see you there! FOR PAST E-NEWSLETTERS
Discover and win...Residents' sustainability recommendations and FREE PRIZE DRAW!
An opportunity for you...Become a Forest School Assistant
Wild About Our Woods CIO have have a fully funded Forest School
Assistant training place available to someone who works with children, Young people or adults in Barnet. The programme will teach you how to plan and undertake seasonal activities in nature to help children and adults to develop practical skills, fine and gross motor skills, social skills and confidence. Dates: Sep 25th, 26th & 27th, Oct 17th & 18th Find out more about the Forest School Assistant Training
here
Barnet Food Partnership Meeting
Food impacts every aspect of our lives; It can provide vital connections to our family, culture and nation. Agriculture and food production have an enormous impact on biodiversity and carbon emissions. The local food economy provides jobs and makes our town centres vibrant places to live and work. Good food is important to us, both physically and mentally and insufficient nutrition can lead to stress and poor health.
The Barnet 2022 - 2027 Food Plan recognises that with the current cost-of-living crisis, many Barnet residents struggle to provide good food for themselves and their families. This plan acknowledges how a healthy environment and vibrant
food economy can enhance our health, wellbeing, neighbourhoods and town centres. Finally, food is also one of the most significant contributors to UK greenhouse gas emissions. Councils play an important role in reducing emissions linked to local food systems. Katherine Carr, 'Health in All' Policies Officer, Barnet Council, would like to invite you to the Barnet Food Partnership meeting on Friday 14th July from 9.15am to 11.15am at the Colindale Office, which will focus on introducing new members, mapping the current food issues across Barnet and planning for a Food Summit. Katherine will also be joining us at our next Environmental Network Meeting. For more information, please contact Katherine.Carr@Barnet.gov.uk
In the news...How London's environmental policies have shaped the capital
"I think we can learn that things can get better very quickly. If you put a Victorian Londoner in the city today they'd be astonished how clean things are and how low air pollution is. There will always be opposition because whenever there's change there are winners and losers, but the benefits of change become more obvious with hindsight and perhaps the fears don't materialise as much as people thought." Read the full story about London's eco-history here
Don't miss out...Barnet Green Social Prescribing Brief
The Barnet Social Prescribing Service are developing plans to start a new gardening group at one of the GP Practices in Barnet (Burnt Oak location) to build social networks and encourage positive wellbeing through the exploration and appreciation of the natural world. They're looking for a Barnet based voluntary organisation keen to collaborate and take charge of this activity. Could this be you? Please email bianca.ilii@nhs.net by Monday 10th July 2023 Click here for more info about the Green Social Prescribing Brief
Eat It Up Fund - Reducing Food Waste
Hubbub has launched a £200,000 fund to support innovative ideas to tackle food waste. Supported by Starbucks, they’re offering grants of up to £40,000. They particularly want to support projects that prevent food from being wasted at the manufacturing and processing stage, minimise food waste from retailers and find creative ways to use surplus food Register your interest before Friday 21st of July.
National Lottery - Climate Action Fund
This funding aims to inspire and support communities across the UK to address the energy and climate crisis. They're looking for projects that show how communities can come together to combat climate change. £8.5 million is available for 8 to 12 projects that demonstrate how communities can tackle the energy challenges through community-led climate action. Apply here before Friday 28th July.
British Airways - Better World Community Fund
British Airway’s BA Better World Community Fund provides 50% of your project target matched funding contributions up to £50,000 to charities or social enterprises for innovate projects that demonstrate an ability to create positive impact on the environment. Funding will be pledged onto your Crowdfunder project page once you've met 25% of your project target, with at least 25 unique supporters. Deadline: Rolling
Ongoing Community Event Funding from Barnet Council Barnet Council’s vision is to make Barnet a ‘Borough of Fun’, where those who live and work have opportunities to enjoy life and celebrate the things that are important to them. Community Groups can apply for up to £1,000 throughout the year to host an event with their community. Please apply at least 4 weeks before the proposed event More information and how to apply for Community Event Funding
Enter the 2023 Cultivation Street Competition The Cultivation Street campaign is all about community gardens and what makes them so fantastic. Enter your community garden into the following categories for your chance to win a fantastic prize: Best Community Garden This category rewards gardening projects bursting with community spirit, with a 1st prize - 1st prize - £1,000; 2nd prize - £500; 3rd prize - £250; Two highly commended prizes of a Miracle Gro® hamper each. Gardens for Better Health This category rewards gardens that have a positive impact on the mental or physical health of the local community. 1st prize - £1,000; 2nd prize - £500; 3rd prize - £250; Two highly commended prizes of a Miracle Gro® hamper each. Best School Garden This category rewards school gardens that enrich the educational environment for children. 1st prize - £1,000; 2nd prize - £500; 3rd prize - £250; Two highly commended prizes of a Miracle Gro® hamper each. Miracle Gro® - Gro Your Best This category rewards the most creative display created using Miracle-Gro’s free bag of
peat-free compost. The winner of the Judges’ Choice will receive a Miracle Gro® hamper, and the winner of the Public Vote will win £200. Garden Centre of the Year This category shines a light on the garden centres who encourage better gardening for all in their community. We also have £1,000 worth of prizes for garden centres who excel in supporting their local community and schools. Submit your application to the Cultivation Street Competition
here
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre Consultation Get involved and have your say on the mix of facilities to be included as part of a replacement leisure facility on the site of the Great North Leisure Park. Barnet Council want to involve a wide range of residents to help us shape a new leisure centre that works for everyone. Finchley Lido Leisure Centre, located at Great North Leisure Park (GNLP) was built in 1995/96 and is operated by Better on behalf of London Borough of Barnet. The existing facility is ageing, and the condition of the building restricts its ability for the council to deliver wider aspirations to create a more active and healthy
borough, whilst offering a full family friendly and inclusive experience. There are various ways you can have your say: Attend a community workshop Attend a workshop to share your ideas and priorities for the new leisure centre by joining one of our upcoming community conversations in July. Attend a consultation meeting Pop come along to one of the drop-in sessions on the following dates to find out more and share your ideas and thoughts: - Thursday 3 August 2023, from 1 - 4pm
- Saturday 12 August 2023, from 11am - 2pm
- Wednesday 30 August 2023 from 4 - 7pm
Read more about the Finchley Lido Consultations here, including where to find information in alternative formats
School Streets Engagement Barnet Council want our streets to be safe spaces for you to walk and cycle, for children to get to and from school safely and healthily, for businesses to be able to prosper, and for you to be breathing cleaner air. A priority area for making our streets safer and cleaner is the roads around our schools. How to have your say Each School Streets scheme proposal varies in design and the council have provided further details on how each scheme will operate. Click here to find out more on the school streets engagement scheme
Environment Sector Programme Lead (maternity cover) The Environmental Funders Network (EFN) aims to increase the overall level of financial support for civil society groups working on environmental causes and to help increase the effectiveness of environmental philanthropy. This role will mainly involve supporting environmental organisations (rather
than funders) to be more effective in their fundraising, communications and environmental impacts. This will include developing and strengthening networks (such as the Green Fundraisers Forum) so that organisations and initiatives can better support and collaborate with one another; organising trainings and events; developing ideas for how EFN and others can further support NGO impact; and securing additional funding for activities within this strand of work. Contract: Fixed term contract; subject to a 6-month probationary period, expected to last from October 2023 to November 2024. Salary: £42,920 per year, pro-rated depending on hours worked plus 7% pension contribution. Workplace:
Working from home, with occasional travel within the UK, most regularly to London. Working hours: 3 to 5 days a week, depending on the candidate’s preference. Deadline: 11:59pm GMT, Monday 10th July 2023. Click here for more information on this role with the Environmental Funders Network and how to apply
Communities & Faith Officer - Inclusion Barnet The deadline is fast approaching! Are you passionate about the important role that community and faith groups play in their localities? Could you support these groups to achieve their potential in the London Borough of Barnet? With an awareness of the local landscape and the challenges the sector faces, you will play a
key role in providing support to community and faith groups in Barnet. We are looking for someone who would enjoy working with them to provide resources, advice, and support around fundraising, organisational and business development, planning and governance. This is a varied and rewarding role, and you will be able to make a real impact for the sector. You will become part of a friendly and supportive team, working within a focused but flexible culture, where diversity is valued and you can bring your whole self to work. Location: Colindale, Greater London (Hybrid) Contract: Contract, Fixed to March 2024 with possibility of extension depending on funding Salary: £34,000 per year pro rata
(28 hours per week) Closing Date: Friday 14th July 2023 at 23:59 Click here for more information on this role with Inclusion Barnet and how to apply
Enjoy Our Green Spaces Jazz on the GreenSun 9th July 2023, 1.00 pm - 6.00pm Hadley Residents Association is proud to present the Jazz on the Green 2023 open air concert with live music from:
Home Cookin'
Lana Shelley
Monk ‘n’ Funk
Jo Collins & Friends
Bring a picnic, listen to some fabulous music and enjoy an afternoon on Hadley Green with friends and family. Tickets are free for under 6s, £5.00 for children aged 6 - 16 and £12.00 for adults.
Hadley Green West, Barnet, EN5 4PL Book your tickets to Jazz on the Green here
Ramblers East Finchley Wellbeing Walk Every Wednesday 10.00am - 11.00am This gentle walk in green spaces lasts one hour and is FREE to everyone. Whether you're looking to ward off illness, make new friends, enjoy the local environment, manage health conditions, or boost your wellbeing, all ages and abilities are very welcome. Opposite East Finchley Underground Station, behind bus stop H, High Rd, London, N2 0NW
South Asian Heritage Month - Community Cricket Tournament Sunday 30th July In celebration of South Asian Heritage Month Barnet Council will be hosting a community cricket tournament. Whilst Cricket was brought to South Asia, it is a sport that is enjoyed across all the countries, generations and people that live in South Asia and the diaspora. Cricket it is a unifying factor in the fabric and narrative of these communities. If you are over 18 years old and would like to participate as an individual or a team please click here to register your interest in this cricik event with your name and contact details. If you are registering as an individual, please include the cricket position that you play. The closing date for registration is Monday 10th July 2023 Mill Hill Village Sports Club, Burtonhole Lane, Mill Hill, NW7 1AS
London – People, Planet, Pint: Sustainability MeetupWednesday July 12th, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Come and meet others interested in the Net Zero, Bcorp and Environmental space! Whether you’re a sustainability professional, small business owner, local council/government worker, student, consultant, looking to switch careers, or anything else besides, come down and meet others interested in
sustainability. No agenda, workshops or webinars. Just chat over some nibbles and beers. Tamesis Dock, Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TY
Online Seminar: Carbon Literacy Taster SessionFriday July 7th, 10:00 am - 11:00 amJoin Annie, The Sustainable Life Coach, and Adrian from Single Use Alternatives for an engaging and interactive FREE Carbon Literacy taster session. Carbon Literacy training is designed to educate individuals and businesses on the science of climate change, their
impact on the environment, and practical steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint. During this sample session, you’ll get to experience Carbon Literacy training, an opportunity to ask experts questions and discover why over 60,000 individuals have been certified as Carbon Literate. Book your FREE ticket to the Carbon Literacy Taster Session here
Online Seminar: How to Save Money and Cut Your Emissions Thursday 13th July, 9am - 10am This practical online seminar, hosted by Barnet Council, will cover how to save money and reduce your carbon footprint in your business deliveries and services. Experts will share tips on optimizing your deliveries and adopting zero/low carbon modes. You'll hear about successful businesses and initiatives that have implemented sustainable practices and reduced their costs. Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while
saving money. Book your FREE place on the 'How to Save Money and Cut Your Emissions' online seminar here!
On Wednesday, 21 June 2023 the West Hendon Arts and Culture Society (WHACS) hosted a Summer Solstice Festival, a vibrant community event for local residents, providing fun for all and showcasing opportunities to bring the public space to life.
The Summer Solstice offered a fantastic mix of local and professional performers including vintage pop trio the glamourous London Belles, bohofolk singer-songwriter PandorasDiary, Jada Funk Collective performing 70s and ‘80s hits. A Chinese ribbon dance and Indian classical music transported festival goers around the world while Broadfields Primary School students joined the celebrations with a flowing dance and the BEAT Jazz Ensemble and Barnet Education Arts Trust shared jazz hits with flare. Offstage, local children enjoyed the chance to make and create at the Art Workshop with a Summer Solstice theme while balloon modelling artists brought smiles to many faces with their colourful creations. The African Drumming Workshop introduced those of all ages to drumming, adding to the
day’s musical theme.
The event also featured in the London Festival of Architecture programme for 2023, the theme of which is ‘In Common’. This month-long celebration of architecture and city-making aims to open up discussions around architecture, environment and city spaces. The Summer Solstice Festival included an interactive architecture and design workshop led by Middlesex University on the theme of interiors and a student exhibition of work on ways in which local communities can re-engage following the Covid-19 pandemic and design can re-energise high streets. With tantalising street food and lots of useful information from community stalls, there was something for everyone throughout the afternoon and evening festivities. Naomi Stanford, a
member of WHACS said: “The Summer Solstice Festival showed the possibilities for exciting community events in West Hendon. We look forward to sharing more opportunities to come together as a community.” For more information, please contact Osita Udenson on 07875 588 107 or udenson@btinternet.com. If you would like to share an update on your community event please email caitie@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Save the Date for the second Barnet Together Alliance Conference
Join us for the second Barnet Together Alliance Conference Monday 2 October, 9am – 4.05pm Theme: Stronger Together: Addressing inequalities in Barnet Keynote speakers • Workshops • Marketplace
Networking • Meet the funders Followed by Then tea and cake until 5pm Address: RAF Museum, Hendon Formal invitation and agenda to follow
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