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 2 February 2023
Our Next Meeting
Barnet VCFSE Environmental NetworkWednesday 15 February, 2pm - 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 15 February, 2pm - 3:30pm. In this meeting we'll be taking some time to consider what activities the Network might work together on in 2023.
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. FOR PAST E-NEWSLETTERS
Have your say...Barnet parks improvements
This Saturday, Thames21 are holding a co-design workshop all about improvements being made to Chandos Park and Watling Park. The organisers will update you on the designs, and then you'll be able to give your feedback and local knowledge to make sure the parks serve the community. Saturday 4 February, 1pm - 3:30pm at Flash Musicals Youth Theatre, HA8 6EZ Book your place by emailing sam.bentley-toon@thames21.org.uk
Shop local...First multi-charity store open in Brent Cross
Brent Cross shopping centre now hosts Charity Super.Mkt, a store selling donated clothing from 10 charities inc All Aboard. The pop-up store is open for one month, until 27th February, and is staffed by local volunteers. The idea was created by Wayne Hemingway, Red or Dead Founder, and Maria Chenoweth, TRAID CEO to promote buying second-hand. Read more about Brent Cross' Charity Super.Mkt
Live funding event for environmental initiatives
Do you want to pitch your green idea to a room of sponsors? Three lucky charities will have the opportunity to raise funds for their environmental projects at a live event in March, organised by The Funding Network and the Environmental Funding Network. The three charities will each get the chance to make a six-minute pitch in front of an
audience of engaged supporters who might be willing to sponsor their projects. The aim is for each organisation to receive between £15k and £20k in support. Similar events in the past have raised £284k for 15 small environmental charities. Application deadline: Tuesday 14 February Event: Thursday 30
March, 6 - pm at Rathbone Greenbank Investments, 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2M 7GB More information: Environmental Funders Network application pack
Did you know..? Neighbourly are working on a Community Reuse Programme with B&Q stores nationwide! The scheme lets stores donate their unsellable but usable
products so local charities, groups and schools can benefit from them. Read more about the Community Reuse Programme
Local offsetting...Counter your organisation's carbon emissions
Barnet Council is encouraging local businesses and organisations to invest in offsetting schemes right on their doorstep. The aim is to create new job opportunities for Barnet residents and raise awareness about the climate crisis across the borough. The council want local companies' feedback on this idea and work with you to make it easy for everyone to get
involved. Email oliver.pinch@barnet.gov.uk to arrange a short phone call.
Get campaigning...United for Warmer Homes
One of our network members, Barnet Friends of the Earth, is backing the United for Warmer Homes campaign, and would love more of us to get involved! The campaign is calling for support for people who can't afford to heat their homes and asking the government to roll out a programme of insulation and other energy saving measures in homes across the country. Your
community group can sign up to get involved by taking action online or in your area. More info: United for Warmer Homes campaign
Big Give Green Match Fund
Big Give is match-funding charity projects addressing environmental issues. The campaign centres around World Earth Day, from 20th - 27th April. Last year, they raised over £2.7m for 146 charities, so your organisation should definitely get involved! Match-funding on either £2,500, £5,000 or £10,000. Deadline: Friday 17 February
Green and Resilient Spaces Fund
The Mayor of London's Green and Resilient Spaces Fund supports large-scale and ceative improvements to London's green spaces. Projects should aim to improve climate resilience, make green spaces more accessible and promote physical and mental health. Grants between £40,000 and £750,000. Deadline: Friday 10 February
Grants to tackle single-use plastics and pollution
The environmental charity Naturesave Trust is offering grants to help tackle pollution and single-use plastic. The grants are for community projects that are working locally to address these issues. Grants between £500 and £2,500 are available. Deadline: Tuesday 28 February
Fundraising support from Barnet Together Want to learn more about fundraising? Attend our free Barnet Together 2023 Fundraising Programme, with fortnightly online events until March. Hosted by experts in the field, the sessions will cover the many aspects of fundraising, from building relationships with funders to writing the perfect application. London Festival of Architecture funding Barnet Together can also identify which fundraising opportunities
might be right for you. For example, have you seen that Barnet Council is asking for local organisations to host events as part of this year's London Festival of Architecture, based here in the borough? Funding of up to £500 is available for events that celebrate public spaces and design. The application deadline is Tuesday 28 February. More information about London Festival of Architecture funding
Plant a tree at Barnwood Community Forest Garden Pop along to Barnwood Community Garden for the first in a series of tree planting events! When: Sunday 5 February, 1 - 3pm Where: Tarling Road, London, N2 8LG For more information contact Natan by emailing natan@sfitogether.org or call 07590 028 823
London Festival of Architecture 2023 Barnet has been chosen to host this year's London Festival of Architecture, and the organisers would like to hear from groups that are interested in taking part. There will be funding of up to £500 to host an event during the Festival. They are holding a workshop where they will provide the opportunity to
discuss event ideas and connect with other event organisers in the area who might want to collaborate. The Council will also share information on the Community Fund, which will support community-led events, and eligibility for applying for funding. When: Wednesday 8 February, 4:30 - 6:00pm Where: R202, Ritterman Building, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT More information on the London Festival of Architecture workshop
Crowdfund Barnet Workshop Spacehive is holding a free online workshop all about their Barnet Crowdfund opportunity. So far, Crowdfund Barnet has raised more than £770,000 for 31 inspiring local projects. If you have an idea for a community project, such as improving high streets, neighbourhood or parks, or bringing members of the community
together, then they want to hear from you. Pledges of up to £5,000 are available from Barnet Council to support your crowdfund campaign. To find out more, attend their workshop on Tuesday 21 February at 12pm. Read more and book: Crowdfund Barnet
Community energy planning workshops Would you like to see local renewable energy plans put into place? Then attend one of the Centre for Sustainable Energy's workshops, teaching their Future Energy Landscapes approach, which works by setting a community-centred goal and helping you understand what your community needs. The next online workshop is on Tuesday 28 February, 10:00am-1:00pm Sign up to a Community energy planning workshop
Family Fairtrade Tea Party at Stonegrove Celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight with Stonegrove Community Trust! When: Saturday 4 March, 3 -
5pm Where: OneStonegrove, 5 Hayling Way, Edgware, HA8 8BN
Would you like to host a tree-planting event? Faiths Forum for London is planning to hold 15 tree-planting events across the next year, aiming to plant 75 trees across London. All events will be focused on local faith communities, with the goal to build relationships and build attractive public spaces. Five trees are provided free for planting at
each event. If you're interested in hosting a tree-planting event, please email stewart@faithsforum.com
Second Chance: Refurbished laptops Second Chance have just launched their Refurbished Laptop scheme, improving unwanted devices to give to people who need them. If your organisation would like to give these laptops to people you support, you can apply to join the Second Chance network. And if you have any unwanted computers or laptops consider donating them to this good cause. More information: Second Chance Laptops
Educational Farming Awards 2023 The Educational Farming Awards celebrate the amazing work done by organisations, schools and students who have farms as part of their curriculum. There are several categories such as 'Garden Leader of the Year' and Most 'inspirational educational farm or garden'. Winners will be announced at the Educational Farming Conference on 30th June, and will receive a plaque and certificate. Application deadline: Friday 12 May. For the application pack and instructions on how to apply, please email janem@farmgarden.org.uk
A message from the Plant-Based Council's campaign... Farming for meat and dairy contributes to nearly 30% of carbon emissions worldwide as well as causing pollution of rivers and countryside. The single biggest impact we can have on the climate as individuals is eating only a plant-based diet. To this end there is a new campaign in Barnet asking the council to serve only plant-based food at meetings and events. To get involved please email Stephen at stephendeyoung@yahoo.co.uk. Find out more on the Plant-Based Councils Twitter page
Nominate an inspirational woman for Barnet's International Women's Day poster series In the run up to International Women's Day on 8th March, Barnet Council wants to hear your nominees for Barnet's inspirational women and girls. They can be involved with charities, helping others, sport, business or being a role model. To nominate someone you know, please email the following to madeleine.herbert@barnet.gov.uk by 12pm on Monday 6 February. - Name and title of nominee
- Name of organisation or group
- A short bio: 150 word description of why you're nominating them
- The nominated person to agree to having a professional photo taken
- Contact details of the nominee
Get paid to save the planet: Groundwork's New to Nature scheme Groundwork's New to Nature programme offers 12-month paid work placements at a range of interesting organisations such as The Woodland Trust, City of Trees, the National Trust and more! This opportunity is great for young people who might not have access to a career in the environmental
sector, and a brilliant way to get your foot in the door. Check out their website to see a map of where they're hiring... New to Nature vacancies
Inclusive (and better) recruitment: Guest blog by Stonegrove Community Trust Want to find out how your organisation can make its recruitment process as fair as possible? Have a read of our latest blog post, guest written by Gus Alston, CEO of Stonegrove Community Trust to find out some tips. Ethical recruitment blog post
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