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
23rd June 2022
Our Next Meeting
Barnet VCFSE Environmental Network
Wednesday 20 July, 2pm - 3.30pm (NOTE: change of date and time)
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 20th July.
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.
These Network meetings are now receiving administrative support from Stonegrove Community Trust through funding awarded by the National Lottery Community Fund's Together For the Planet programme.
A fun day out...
Tiny Forest Community Day at Mutton Brook
Earthwatch are organising a science day at our Tiny Forest on Wednesday 29 June from 10am.
Over the course of the day, you will learn about:
- Wildlife in the forest including butterflies, bees, and bugs!
- How trees can capture and store carbon from the air we breathe
- The forest's ability to store water
- The cooling benefits of the trees
There are hour-long slots throughout the day and you can sign up for as many as you want.
A fun night out...
Comedy on the Farm
Allsortz Comedy and GROW have teamed up to host a fun-filled comedy night outside on the GROW Farm in Barnet, to raise money for GROW.
With Allsortz Comedy in charge of booking the acts, you can be sure the lineup of acts will be suitably hilarious!
Tickets priced at £7 pp + £3 extra to pre-book hot veggie food made with produce from the farm.
There will be the option to buy food on the night for £4.
All proceeds will be supporting GROW.
Thursday 30 June, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
To book tickets click HERE.
Green Social Prescribing
Green social prescribing links people to nature-based interventions and activities such as outdoor exercise, local runs, active travel, local food growing etc to deliver positive health, social and environmental outcomes.
Find out what Heath Hands are doing locally through their Health Connections programme, set up to help support people who would like to improve their physical or mental health through contact with nature. This can be for general health improvement or as part of a more structured programme of recovery through nature. They've been been working with local Social Prescribers from VAC and Age UK to help make connections with opportunities on Hampstead Heath. Do get in touch if you would like more information about this aspect of their work and check out upcoming events, such as our FREE forest bathing.
DID YOU KNOW >> That can access FREE regular online training sessions on Green Social Prescribing via Groundwork plus other forthcoming events via Naturally Birmingham - Future Parks Accelerator Project on 28 June, 12pm and RHS Garden Bridgewater on various dates.
Online Event...
London Climate Action Week - Locality event
With speakers and panellists from Locality, the Greater London Authority, Library of Things, Repowering London, and Roots n Permaculture.
Come along to hear about the Future Neighbourhoods programme, advice on scaling local projects, and the latest Locality research into maximising the impact of community led approaches to the climate crisis.
Tuesday 28 June 2.30 to 4pm
Do sign & share...
Petition: Improvement of Trinity Road and Manor Park Road Underpass
The Underpass is dark, dirty, overgrown and damp. Barnet Council is responsible for maintenance and Transport for London is responsible for the tube track. Grange Big Local improvements to maintenance, lighting, paving and drainage and a new play path, community artworks and planting to make the walk through the underpass interesting, safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Meet the Team here at Inclusion Barnet
Carter joined the Community Organisation Support team here at Inclusion Barnet in April 2022, as our new Communities & Faith Officer. Carter has a background in research and has a PhD focused on acoustic ecology and diaspora studies. Acoustic ecology focuses on the relationship between living beings and their acoustic environment. Carter has a particular interest in environmental sound and noise pollution, a serious concern in urban areas. Not only does sound pollution affect animal biodiversity but it also affects human health, from hearing loss to heart disease and high blood pressure. In Carter’s new role he will be working with communities and faith groups as part of the Barnet Together Partnership. He has formerly worked in a variety of interfaith roles at universities and charities. Carter has a particular passion for supporting those from minority faith and belief groups, who often have less access to culturally or religiously appropriate support. Carter is excited to be a part of the Environmental Network and is happy to hear from groups on projects they need support with, especially those focused on education, sustainable living, local parks/green spaces, sound pollution, biodiversity/ecosystems and other community led projects.
Feel free to reach out to him for a coffee and a chat at: carter@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
Funding News
Your Station Your Community Improvement Fund
Over the next three years, Govia Thameslink Railway will be allocating up to £500,000 for initiatives taking place within 15 miles of stations on their network, that make a positive impact in one or more of their focus areas, one of which is
enhancing our stations to be a welcoming environment, which in Barnet includes: Cricklewood, Hendon, Mill Hill Broadway, High Barnet and Oakleigh Park.
Applications open: Tuesday 28 June Closing, Sat 30 July
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The government is providing grants to encourage property owners to install low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps, through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). These grants can help property owners overcome the upfront cost of low carbon heating technologies.
The scheme is open to domestic and small non-domestic properties.
You can get the following off the cost/ installation...
£5k - air source heat pump
£5k - biomass boiler
£6k - ground source heat pump
Clean Mobility Fund
McCarthy Stone Foundation supports the health and wellbeing of older people, and their Community Grants programme is aimed at organisations achieving this through intergenerational activity and/or community regeneration with grants of up to £5,000.
One of their 3 strands is creating/enhancing community spaces that bring people together and foster connection and opportunity.
BOOK NOW for an online funding webinar on
Wed 6 July, 3pm.
Stop Press! Congratulations to all the Synagogues who received awards at The EcoSynagogue Environmental Awards this week. The awards celebrate synagogues doing the most in their communities to help combat the climate emergency. So a particular shout out to Barnet United Synagogue, Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue and Golders Green United Synagogue on their Bronze Awards. The only Gold Award went to West London Synagogue. To qualify, a community had to score 80% (Gold), 60% (Silver) or 40% (Bronze) in the EcoSynagogue’s Environmental Audit.
