Welcome to the Barnet Together (2 December 2021) newsletter featuring news on funding, training and support for your organisations.

I hope our Jewish friends and neighbours have been enjoying a Happy Chanukah this week. And with the annual Bank Holidays around Christmas and New Year fast approaching you might have been hoping for a bit of breather, but the deadlines for funding, award nominations, promotional opportunities and events are still coming in. Lots of great opportunities, please do take a look and apply if you can. Here to help!

The last Barnet Together newsletter before the Christmas break will be going out on 16 December, and I would love this to be a celebration of your 2021. So if you'd like to share any positive news or events from this year or those you are planning for next year, do send me an email.

Ellen Cheshire, Voluntary and Community Sector Support Lead ellen@inclusionbarnet.org.uk 

Co-op: Carbon Innovation Fund

Funding between £75k and £100k to support food and farming projects that are tackling the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Deadline: Midday, Friday 10 December

Our Space Award (OSA)

Grants up to £20k to help Londoners clean and green the city through active community engagement and participation. Leading to a greater sense of community ownership.

Deadline: Midday, Wednesday 15 December

Ocado Foundation for Good​

Grants of up to £1,000 to support skills & education development and to promote sustainability in communities across the UK.

Deadline: Friday 31 December

ASDA: Investing in Spaces & Places

Grants from £5k to £25k for community-led organisations to improve their community spaces inc. building/outdoor repairs, improvement, or development.

Deadline: Sunday 9 January 

Focus Group Session on Barnet Food Security Action Plan

Barnet Public Health Directorate are updating the Barnet Food Security Action Plan. The plan has four key themes: 1) Supporting resilience of the voluntary sector. 2) Promoting the health and sustainability of the wider food system 3) Tackling the underlying causes of food insecurity 4) Minimising the risk to health and wellbeing as a result of food insecurity. 

As part of the process of updating the Plan, UCL has been commissioned to conduct focus group research. The main aim is to learn from stakeholders. They are running a session for Local community-based organisations on 15 December, 15:00 – 17:00 at St Barnabas Church, 913 High Rd, London N12 8QJ.

To find out more and confirm attendance contact Hyunji Cho at UCL. 

Last Chance to Take Part in the Barnet Together Needs of the Sector Survey

Last few days to share your experiences and needs as a Barnet voluntary, community and faith organisation. What do you need from us after a period of extreme change? More info.

Barnet VCFSE please complete this survey. 

Deadline: Monday 6 December

Introduction to the Immigration and Asylum Systems

This Near Neighbours webinar, aimed at faith groups and community groups, is a non-technical introduction to how the asylum and immigration system works.

It will cover the structure of the immigration system. It will introduce key concepts such as leave to enter, leave to remain, immigration bail, removal and deportation. It will explain the roles of the Home Office, the First-tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal.

Wednesday 8 December, 4pm-6pm 

Wanted! Photos and Text About Your Organisation

I’m working on some PowerPoint slides for an event and want to showcase the good work being done by the Barnet VCFSE. 

If you’d like your organisation featured, please can you email me a photo, logo and a couple of lines about your work by Monday 13 December.

Many thanks, Ellen 

Nominations Open for Barnet Civic Awards 2022

With a closing date of 31 December 2021 if you know of a worthy individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community, or you think should be recognised for a lifetime achievement award or even a Young Citizen award, then download a form here.

Send completed forms to mayor@barnet.gov.uk by Friday 31 December.

Get your appeal broadcast on the BBC next Christmas

Have you been listening or watching the BBC and suddenly heard a charity appeal, and wondered how you'd get yours on there? Here's how to get your charity considered for the BBC Radio 4 and BBC One Lifeline appeals...  email the BBC Charity Appeals Unit telling them the:

• Name of your charity
• Your Charity Registration number (you must be registered with the UK Charity Commission to be eligible)
• Name of charity contact (email + phone no.) i.e. the person who is going to fill out the application form

Next deadline 6 December 2021 by 23.59, for appeals to be broadcast from 6 Nov 2022 - 29 Jan 2023.

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. By signing up to the Manifesto, groups and service providers agree to adhere to the values within the document. 

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

Communities Together Network 

For more information about local events, national campaigns and updates from Barnet Council, drop Danusia an email and ask to be added to the Communities Together Network bulletin.
Danusia.Brzezicka@Barnet.gov.uk