News, Funding, Training Opportunities etc for Barnet's VCFSE organisations
Welcome to the Community Organisation Support Newsletter from Inclusion Barnet for Barnet Together (15 June).
As the temperature rises, we're doing all we can to make things simpler for you to find latest news on funding, events, training and news. We've got a bumper crop of events this week as Barnet's green spaces are being used for a number of events. So take time away from your desk and go enjoy the great outdoors!
Can't find what you're looking for? Contact Ellen, Community Organisation Support Lead, Inclusion Barnet ellen@inclusionbarnet.org.uk
For VCFSEs looking for focused support, funding, news and events for their work with Children, Young People and Families, contact Young Barnet Foundation.
Latest Funding News
Co-op are inviting local causes to apply to the Local Community Fund in Spring. There'll be three in each community area.
Last year’s successful applicants were Hope Corner Community Centre, GROW and Citizens Advice Barnet.
Deadline EXTENDED: Sunday 25 June
More information about the Local Community Fund can be found here.
South Asian Heritage Month Event Funding from Barnet Council
Barnet Council will be marking South Asian Heritage Month by providing funding to Community Groups to host events throughout July/August alongside a council run community event which is due to take place in August 2023.
Closing date: Wednesday 21 June,
12 noon
More information on event funding for South Asian Heritage Month
GLA Voter ID Awareness Campaign Grants - Phase Two Launch
The Greater London Authority (GLA) would like to invite you to the launch of phase two of the Voter ID Awareness Campaign Grants. The grants are aimed at equity-led organisations running impartial civic and democratic awareness activity in trusted community settings. Join the online event to find out more about the grants available for phase two and how to apply.
Tuesday 20 June, 1-2pm (online)
Book your place on this online session to hear more about these GLA Grants
The GLA Voter ID public awareness campaign
From June 2023 to February 2024, the GLA is running an impartial/non-party political Voter ID public awareness campaign to raise awareness of the equality implications of new legislation – the Elections Act - which will require everyone to have photo identification to vote, as well as bring changes to postal and proxy voting. The grants are to run actvities to raise awareness of these changes among London’s under-registered and under-represented communities. More details on the scope of the campaign.
Mayor of London - Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme
Grants of up to £27,000 to community organisations to support outreach activity and target Londoners most in need of adult education and refer them on to adult learning opportunities.
Deadline: Friday 7 July
More information on the Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme
Civil Society Roots Fund
This fund is aimed at supporting groups to be in a stronger place to respond to and serve the increasing and ever-changing needs of our communities. It is not for delivery of front-line activity.
They are looking for organisations that want to develop new sectoral and/or cross sectoral partnerships, invest in organisational capacity building, research, training, or enable space and time to think about what our communities need most.
Funding of up to £30,000
Deadline: Friday 30 June 2023
National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF): New Strategy
The NLCF has launched a new strategy setting out to support activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
Have a look at NLCF's current funding opportunities
Closing soon (end of June): Climate Action Fund - Nature and Climate
Arts and cultural organisations based in England, including museums, libraries, community organisations and local councils with a cultural project, can apply for a digital commission of up to £15,000 to develop and deliver a creative digital project for online audiences.
This might be a video or audio project, or an interactive or immersive experience.
Deadline: Thursday 29 June, 5pm
More information on this exciting opportunity from The Space
The Connect Fund currently has four programme areas – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Recovery and Resilience (Post-covid); Peer Networks and Challenge Funds. The funding strands for each area have been developed to align with Access’ strategic objectives and to respond to the current needs of the social investment market.
The average grant size varies across the different funding strands. The team will discuss the level of grant you require if you are asked to complete a full application.
The Connect Fund does not provide grants and/or social investment to frontline charities or social enterprises for direct service delivery, unless the proposal is directly linked to improving the social investment market in England.
Note: Some strands have already closed, whilst others are closing at the end of June 2023, and end of July 2023.
Training & Events
Pride Events in Barnet
Barnet Council providing funding to support community groups to put on a series of events during Pride month.
They've a dedicated page with LGBTQIA+ events happening in June and in months to come including:
Uplift in the Community
Saturday 24 June, 1.00pm - 5.00pm
Blooming Marvellous Tea Party
Saturday 24 June, 2.30pm - 4.30pm
Later in the year, look out for Queer Perspectives and The Identity Project. Barnet's first LGBTQ+ celebration Pride in the Park will be held on Sunday 20 August and is being coordinated by a partnership led by Barnet’s LGBTQ+ community group Inkluder CiC.
Fun Family Art Activity and Seed Bombing Workshop!
Join the Golders Green Town Team in celebrating the new outdoor community space in Golders Green Crescent in an interactive workshop, inspired by plants and the nature surrounding the town centre.
Sunday 18 June, 12noon - 2pm
Basic Security for your Community
This online webinar from CST is delivered in partnership with the Mayor of London’s Office for Policing and Crime and will provide a detailed introduction to security for places of worship and vulnerable communities.
Thursday 22 June, 2pm
Free Online DSC Insights Talk
Join DSC during this year’s #SmallCharityWeek ‘learning day’ for an online presentation and discussion on the findings of our new research regarding small grants!
Commissioned by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT), this valuable research reveals new information on how charities are using small grants to support their operations.
Thursday 22 June, 16:30 – 17:30
More information and book your place for this DSC Insights Talk
Charities: How to do your own PR on a budget’
PR is a fantastic way to reach new audiences, especially if your social media strategy isn’t firing on all cylinders. In this FREE interactive online PR masterclass, Amanda FitzGerald will give share her 3 top tips on how to get your charity seen in the press so that you can generate interest and a buzz around your events.
Thursday 22 June, 12noon - 1pm
Join a live Q&A with the Leader of Barnet Council and Cabinet Members
Barnet Council recently launched Our Plan for Barnet 2023-2026, setting out its ambitions to be a council that cares for people, our places and the planet.
They are running a special live online Q&A event with the Leader of the Council, Cllr Barry Rawlings and Cabinet Members on Thursday 22 June at 6pm to answer any questions you may have.
Do submit your questions here by Friday 16 June. They will endeavour to answer as many of your questions as they can at the event.
They would encourage community groups in Barnet to suggest their members submit questions and join the live event.
You can book your place now for the live online Q&A event and a joining link will be send closer to the event.
'How to encourage a culture of legacy fundraising' in our churches
This 90 minute on-line training workshop will cover:
- Learn how to sensitively build legacy fundraising into the life of your church
- Learn how to incorporate the importance of will making into your stewardship of your community
- Learn how to build relationships with local solicitors who can make the ask on your behalf, and reduce the costs of will making for your membership
Friday 23 June, 11.00 - 12.30pm
Tickets: £9.99
More information and book your place on this Church Grants training session
More Than Human Architecture
For the London Festival of Architecture Artist and volunteer London National Park City ranger Becky Lyon has created a series of experimental ceramic sculptures called More-Than-Human-Architecture designed as ‘offerings’ for the multispecies companions we share our common spaces with.
The artworks have been created for five different community-led growing spaces across the London borough of Barnet: Colindale Community Garden, The Community Plot at Whetstone Stray Allotments; Barnwood N2; Incredible Edible at St John URC and Finchley Energy Garden.
The functional features of the pieces are intended to support the flourishing of bees, birds, beetles and butterflies and have been developed with volunteers from the partnering spaces.
Join Becky for a free creative workshop at Whetstone Stray Allotment, Sunday 25 June, 2-4pm. Book your place.
Introduction to Volunteering Barnet
Are you interested in hearing more about Volunteering Barnet and the service we offer Volunteer-Involving-Organisations?
This 1-hour Introduction to Volunteering Barnet session will cover:
45 minutes of content:
- Who we are & what we do
- How to register with our service
- Our offer for organisations
- Free tools, resources and training available to support you with managing volunteers
Tuesday 27 June, 1pm
FREE Upshot Barnet VCFSE
With the support of Barnet Council we’re excited to offer eligible* members the opportunity to use Upshot for FREE for one year, then at a reduced cost of £200 in the second year, members will be offered a further year at a discounted rate before transferring to full Upshot membership in year 4. There is no obligation to commit to the full four years and you will receive free dedicated support from a new Upshot member of staff.
We will be running online Upshot sessions every month. If you have any queries or to register your interest, please contact:
neilt@youngbarnetfoundation.org.uk
*eligible members are those who have an annual turnover of less than £500,000. The free license will ONLY cover projects that are run in Barnet, additional costs will apply if you want to use Upshot for projects outside of Barnet.
Next session: Thursday 29 June,
6pm – 7pm
My Health Matters Day
Supporting people with learning disabilities, families, carers and staff to achieve their best health.
Church of St Mary Magdalen Parish Hall, 6 Athenaeum Road, Whetstone
N20 9AE
Wednesday 21 June, 11am-4pm
Summer Solstice Festival
West Hendon is celebrating its diverse communities with a Summer Solstice Festival on 21 June on Damsel Walk (off West Hendon Broadway).
It will include performances by local school groups, children’s entertainment, and face painting - plus an evening programme of music and dance on stage. The festival will also feature food and information stalls.
As part of the London Festival of Architecture 2023, the festival will include an architecture and design workshop led by Middlesex University. This free event is supported by Barnet Council.
Wednesday 21 June, 3 - 8pm
For more information on this Summer Soltice Festival visit West Hendon Arts and Culture on Facebook.
Proms at St Jude's
The Proms at St Jude’s Festival is a wonderful array of music, literature, comedy, family events and heritage walks that takes place every summer in Hampstead Garden Suburb, North London. There are FREE lunchtime concerts, Family and Children's events.
Running from 24 June to 2 July 2023
Digital primary care services: Online GP access and the NHS App
If you support others to get online and use the NHS App, join The Patients Association and NHS England for this online training session via Zoom.
Members of the NHS App team will explain developments in the App, how to make the most of the App, and how you can support others to use the app. We’ll also discuss online access to primary care. There will be time for questions.
Wednesday 28 June, 5pm
More information and book your place on this digital primary care services session
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
News & Opportunities
Help create a new Mental Health Charter for Barnet
In partnership with the London Borough of Barnet, Barnet Together is co-producing a Mental Health Charter for the borough. This is an exciting opportunity to outline our vision for acknowledging and supporting mental health in Barnet, fostering a culture of positive mental well-being. It will also set out our expectations of services operating across the borough.
To ensure that the Charter is co-produced, we want to hear from residents. As a local organisation working directly with residents… can you help us??
Can you bring together a group of residents known to your organisation for a short workshop, or piggyback an existing programme, to gather their feedback on the charter? This could be a dedicated session, or you could carve out some time during a regular group you run.
We can offer a small amount of money to incentivise attendance/cover small expenses/room hire/food etc. up to £150.
Senior Community Officer, Health
Are you passionate about health and making a difference to local communities?
Groundwork London are seeking a Senior Community Officer, Health to shape and deliver the Barnet Health Champions project into its next phase.
Location: Office locations in East Barnet and Waterloo. Some project work across Barnet.
Contract: Fixed until end March 2024 (with view to extend, subject to funding)
Salary: £28,000
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Closing Date: Monday 20 June 2023
‘Why should anyone be hungry when there’s food that can be given away?’
In this feature for The Guardian, Ellie Violet Bramley interviews four people who have set up Food Banks in their community. One of those featured is Deepa Chauhan from the Burnt Oak community food bank. Read more about the "heroes feeding their neighbours" from The Gaurdian (23 May 2023).
Helping someone having a seizure doesn’t have to be scary. All you have to do is CARE
C – Comfort
Cushion their head with something soft, to protect them from injury and keep them comfortable
A – Action
Start to time the seizure, and clear the area of anything that might be harmful. You could also check if the person has a medical ID or bracelet with more information on how to help
R – Reassure
When the seizure has stopped, place them in the recovery position, stay with them and reassure them as they come round
E – Emergency
Call 999 if:
- the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes
- the person is not regaining consciousness
- the person goes straight into another seizure
- the person has trouble breathing after the seizure
- the person has never had a seizure before
Small Charities Week 2023
Small Charities Week 2023 is coming up soon: 19 - 26 June. Take a look at this year’s daily themes and join in by shouting about what you do. Here are a few of their free resources that can help you do just that!
Thinking about starting a charity podcast?
DSC's own podcast host George Knight is sharing his insights into why you should start a podcast and offers some top tips on where to start and guides you through the process.
Read DSC's blog: Take a leap into the world of charity podcasting
Find your next workspace
Barnet Council has launched a new online workspace listing for any home-based or growing companies looking for new premises. The listings include a map and directory with key information on serviced offices as well as desks and meeting rooms for hire around the borough. View the workspace listings here.
For workspace operators
If you are an operator based in Barnet and would like your workspace added to the listings, email BarnetBusiness@barnet.gov.uk.
North London Mental Health Partnership Strategy
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust and neighbouring Camden and Islington NHS Foundation are now working together in a formal Partnership, with a single Chair, Chief Executive and Partnership Executive Team. This will further support and speed up the integration and effectiveness of its community teams.
Their new Partnership Strategy was launched in May 2023: North London Mental Health Partnership Five Year Strategy [pdf] 2MB
The Partnership Strategy is summarised on a page, showing their four Strategic Aims and our agreed Strategic Objectives for 2023/24, here: Strategy on a Page 2023 [pdf] 822KB
More from Barnet Together
Need a space to hold your workshop or meeting?
At Inclusion Barnet, we run two libraries in Barnet that have meeting rooms available for hire.
With discounted rates for community groups, and potential to welcome up to 30 people, the spaces are flexible to suit your needs.
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 for the VCFSE, email.
- Barent Council's Barnet First eNewsletter for residents, sign up.
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.
#WorkingTogether
#StrongerTogether
#BarnetTogether
If you have any news to share in this or Inclusion Barnet's Barnet Together Environmental e-newsletter then email barnettogether@inclusionbarnet.org.uk