News, Funding, Events for Barnet VCFSE Environmental Network
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Latest News
for Barnet VCFSE
Environmental Network
Thanks for your interest in the Barnet VCFSE Environmental Network.
Sharing latest news, funding opportunities, events etc.
Any questions/thoughts/contributions, do get in touch...
Ellen Cheshire, VCS Support Lead
ellen@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
14 April 2022
Our Next Meeting
Barnet VCFSE Environmental Network
Thursday 21 April, 10.30 - 12noon
If you've already been to a Barnet VCFSE Environmental Network meeting then you'll automatically receive a MS Teams link for our 14th on 21 April.
If you've not joined us yet, then do email Ellen. These are informal and informative networking sessions for those working in the Barnet Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, 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.
If you have any topics you would like to raise/discuss at future meetings, do let Ellen know.
Volunteers Needed
Bin There, Donate Thant
Message from Bin There,
Donate That...
We are looking for volunteers to help grow the scheme in East Finchley. The project looks for places for unrecyclable stuff to go while also finding drop-off points along the High Street. We need more help with a range of things including:
- Researching (e.g. looking into where contact lenses could be sent; contacting schemes)
- Finding drop-off spots (e.g. speaking to Opticians and explaining the process)
- Social media (sharing new drop-off spots, encouraging people to share ideas). There is a Facebook page but underused, and others need setting up.
- Project Manager: for someone with experience or wanting to gain experience.
Emma can provide advice and help with the above roles. Things are moving with this project already but with more help and ideas, it could go much further!
Email bintheredonatethat@gmail.com if you have a few hours a month (or more!)
In Person Event...
How to Run a Practical Community Gardening Session for Volunteers
Led by experienced staff of this neighbourhood community garden in Archway, this day, 25 April 11-4pm, aims to sharpen awareness of inclusion, appropriate activities, and leadership when running sessions for volunteers.
You will:
- Develop a few more ideas for your menu of volunteer tasks
- Consider the design of the community garden in relation to how volunteers participate in the garden
- Improve how you lead your sessions
Fees: The event fee is £20 per organisation and includes lunch. Run by Social Farms and Gardens, who would never exclude people on the basis on income, so please let us know if you cannot pay the fees.
Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
SweetTree Fields Farm Open day!
Invite to you all from Gemma at SweetTree Fields Farm ...
As spring hits its stride we are delighted to announce that our beautiful care farm, SweetTree Fields Farm NW7, is opening its gates to you on Tuesday 26th April.
I would like to personally invite you to take some time from your busy schedules to join us on this very special day so we can share the work we do alongside people with a support need to enable independence, gain confidence and lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
I hope this day will be a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow professionals in the world of education, health and social care in person; and for these connections to forge new partnerships to increase the scope of our work within the local community and beyond.
The visit will include a farm tour, a chance to meet the co-farmers and an introduction to care farming which will last around 1 hour. You will be very welcome to stay on and enjoy the farm environment as your time allows.
Please do take a look at your diaries and respond to this email if you or a colleague would like to join
us for one of the following allocated time slots:
10.00-11.00 🔹 11.45-12.45 🔹 13.30-14.30 🔹15.00-16.00
For more information about the farm and our programmes, please contact Farm Project Manager Gemma Johnson on 020 7644 9505 or sweettree.co.uk.
DID YOU KNOW >> Fields in Trust and Liverpool City Council are working together to protect parks and green spaces for good; ensuring the positive benefits they provide will always be available for the city's residents. This commitment will see 100 green spaces, covering over 1,000 hectares, secured in perpetuity. Read more about Liverpool's bold green space vision
Event
Barnet Environmental Hustings
In the lead up to 5 May Local Elections, come and hear what the main local political parties will do in Barnet to protect the environment.
Barnet Climate Action Group, Barnet Friends of the Earth, Barnet Green Spaces Network and Better Streets for Barnet are holding an environmental hustings for Barnet residents and businesses prior to the Local Government Elections on 5 May.
Confirmed attendees (in surname alphabetical order): David Farbey for the Green Party, Sachin Patel for the Liberal Democrat Party, Cllr Alan Schneiderman for the Labour Party and Cllr Daniel Thomas for the Conservative Party.
The four topics being covered are:
• Healthy Homes (energy efficiency, insulation, waste and pollution)
• Active travel (promoting walking and cycling, road safety, air quality)
• Protection of green spaces (biodiversity, water quality, dark skies)
• Barnet Net Zero (overview of issues not covered by above)
To Book >> event registration page.
The event will also be recorded and made available to anyone who registers.
Job Vacancy
Barnet Food Hub Officer
Do you have a passion for food and want to be at the forefront of food distribution in Barnet?
Barnet Food Hub coordinates the distribution of food to Foodbanks and community groups across the borough. Set up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this essential service ensures Barnet based foodbanks have the ability to provide sufficient, safe and nutritious food to all those who use their services, whilst also diverting food away from the waste cycle.
Since November 2020, the Barnet Food Hub has distributed over 400 tonnes of food. It is distributed to a network of 30 plus community organisations, who are feeding approximately 4000 people per week. Any food that is not fit for human consumption is fed into our network of food waste solutions – ensuring no food ends up in landfills. By connecting a wasteful food system with rising food poverty in Barnet, we are tackling pressing social and environmental issues.
This role is physically demanding and will involve regular lifting and moving goods.
Full-Time, £24,000 pa
Closing date: 22 April 2022
Funding News
Grow Wild Funding for Young People
Grow Wild is offering grants of up to £500 to young people aged 14-25 to deliver creative projects that celebrate and share why UK native plants and/or fungi are so special.
Projects should start by June and must be completed by 31 October 2022.
Deadline: 25 April, 10am
The Wolfson Foundation
Grants of between £15,000 - £100,00 to support organisations managing sites of outstanding historic, architectural and cultural significance and that have a clear emphasis on public access and engagement. Grants are awarded towards conservation and restoration work, interpretation, and education spaces.
Apply now for June Meeting.
Metropolitan Public Gardens Association
The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association is able to fund a number of modest grants to enhance and preserve public open spaces within London’s 33 Boroughs.
Grants of up to £1,500 can be awarded to organisations, amenity groups and friends groups who maintain and improve public open spaces.
Next deadlines end of May & August
Stop Press! Platinum Champion Awards - Nominate your volunteer
Through the Platinum Champions Awards, London Plus want to recognise volunteers of all ages, from all corners of Britain and from a range of causes. Tell them about the person you are nominating and their outstanding volunteering effort. Find out what makes a good nomination by reading the guidance along with their terms & conditions of entry. To nominate your volunteering hero, please complete the form which can be found here.
You have until midnight on 18 April to submit your nomination.
