Latest News
for Barnet VCFSE
Environmental Network
Welcome to Barnet Together's Environmental Newsletter! This edition features all the latest activities, funding news, and sustainability tips.
Have you signed up to our Inclusion Barnet's Community Organisation Support Membership yet? It's quick, easy and free to sign up and you'll gain access to a wide range of support and networking opportunities including: 🌟 Barnet Together Alliance Conference on October 2nd 🌟 One-to-one support sessions 🌟Grant funding advice and support 🌟Planning and marketing support 🌟Networking opportunities 🌟Partnership development 🌟Training sessions
Any questions/thoughts/contributions, please get in touch... Caitie Fisher, Communications Officer (Community Organisation Support)
caitie@inclusionbarnet.org.uk Thank you for your interest in the Barnet VCFSE Environmental Network! 17th August 2023
Climate Matters Symposium: 21st - 22nd September The Climate Matters Symposium is a project organised by academics and practitioners in the fields of Art & Design, Social Sciences and Health who work or study at David Game HE in Aldgate. This 2-day symposium is funded by The Aldgate Connect Community Fund. All events are free to attend.
By exploring the topic of climate, ecology, environment and sustainability, locally and globally, the aim is to represent and explore the topic of climate change. This project, instead of looking at climate change as a distant phenomenon, invites speakers, researchers, workshop facilitators, artists, Graphic design and Visual Communications students, as well as Public services and Criminology students, and the local communities to collectively reflect on their experiences of living within it, inviting anyone interested in the topic of climate change. You can get free tickets for all events
here
32 - 35 Jewry St, London, EC3N 2ET
Tackle Plastic in our Rivers and Oceans
Waves of plastic are ending up in our oceans and 80% of this comes from land. This isn’t just a coastal problem. Litter across the country is flowing down our drains, canals and rivers to end up in the ocean. The Canal and Rivers Trust report that 500,000 items of plastic litter are reaching the sea from UK rivers each year. A recent study has shown that in the River Thames 32% of fish had
microplastics in their gut. This impacts the entire food chain and plastics have been discovered in the food we eat.It’s a whirlpool of a problem, but fortunately there are some simple steps we can take to help turn the tide on ocean and river plastic pollution.
Help remove plastics from the ocean and prevent them from getting there in the first place by participating in, or organising a clean up of your local waterway. This is one of the most direct and rewarding ways to fight ocean plastic pollution. Simply visit your nearest river and collect plastic waste on your own or with friends or family, or you can join a local organisation’s clean up
Friends Provident Foundation
Friends Provident Foundation’s grant giving programme aims to fund organisations and activities that support our vision of a fair and sustainable economy. They offer project funding, for work specifically focused on a particular project or activity and small grants of up to £10,000. Deadline: Monday 9th October 2023, 5pm
The DWF Foundation offers grants of up to £5,000 to registered charities which benefit local communities with a impact in one or more of the following areas: - Homelessness
- Health and wellbeing
- Employability
- Education
- Environment and Sustainability
Deadline: 31st October 2023
Join Neighbourly to get help for your charity, school or community group.
The Neighbourly platform is free to use and connects you with businesses that have volunteer time, money or product surplus to donate. For example, last year B&Q donated over 50,000 products to local community groups.
Ongoing Community Event Funding from Barnet Council Barnet Council’s vision is to make Barnet a ‘Borough of Fun’, where those who live and work have opportunities to enjoy life and celebrate the things that are important to them. Community Groups can apply for up to £1,000 throughout the year to host an event within their community. Please apply at least 4 weeks before the proposed event More information and how to apply for Community Event Funding
Supermarkets are offering FREE funding to charities and community groups Did you know that the leading supermarkets - Tesco, Morrisons, ASDA, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Iceland, and Ocado – will donate money to your voluntary organisation, charity, social enterprise or community group when your supporters shop with them? Whenever a supporter shops online, the supermarket will send your organisation either a flat monetary amount (up to £5) or a percentage of what the online shopper spends. On average, just one person
could raise £97.50 in a year by doing their food shop; think what multiple people could do! All types of third sector organisations can receive this funding - your organisation just needs to be registered with easyfundraising.
Click here to register with easyfundraising for free.
Bittacy Hill Park – play equipment consultationBarnet has a great collection of parks and open spaces, and these are an important part of what makes Barnet a green and family friendly borough. The council has agreed to allocate £120,000 to improve and refurbish the playground facility in Bittacy Hill Park, Mill Hill. The council is seeking your views on the proposed play equipment at Bittacy Hill Park and the location of this equipment. You can view the proposed playground layout and the individual pieces of proposed equipment
in 2D and in 3D. Please complete the online questionnaire for Bittacy Hill Park.
Fees and charges 2024/25 consultation Barnet Council are consulting on their proposed schedule of fees and charges for services, to be implemented from January 2024. Where fees have increased, the majority are increasing by up to a maximum of 6.8%, in line with inflation (July 2023). They want to give residents and businesses the opportunity to have their say on the proposed fees and charges before they are finalised. Please take the time to read the proposed fees and charges schedule before completing a short questionnaire.
Do you ever wonder if what you say in response to consultations makes a difference? You can find out more about the results of consultation and engagement activities and how your views have helped influence decision-making on the Engage Barnet website the results of recent consultations can be found here
The Loop @ Grahame Park Have you visited the Loop at Grahame Park - Barnet's own community re-use hub? Working with Notting Hill Genesis, The Loop repair, restore and upcycle unwanted furniture for resale. All the money raised from sales is reinvested in the workshop and in training for local people. At The Loop, unwanted furniture is rescued
from ending up in landfill sites, residents living on the Grahame Park Estate can donate their items. They offer free doorstep collection for furniture and also a handy-person service for jobs around the home. The Graham Park Loop is open 9.30am - 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. It is located at 12A,The Concourse. Graham Park. NW9 5XB. For more information about training, volunteering, the furniture repair service, handy-person service or to arrange a furniture collection please contact theloopgrahamepark@groundwork.org.uk
Office Spaces to Rent! OneStonegrove is a joint community centre and Church housed in a modern and spacious building in Edgware, North London.Two office spaces are available on the first floor. The rooms are available separately or together. Facilities: - Within walking distance of Stanmore and Edgeware tube stations and served by local buses
- Free onsite parking (limited)
- Fully staffed (mail receiving available)
- Open reception/Cafe style space on the ground floor
- Hot and cold drinks available
- Fully accessible
- Superfast wi-fi
- Advanced heating and air circulation system
- Fully maintained
- Use of break out rooms (availability dependant)
- Use of kitchen space (microwave, kettle)
Find Out More Here
It’s Seed Gathering Season! With the Autumn Equinox fast approaching on September 23rd, it's time for Seed Gathering Season, a chance to feel the connection and joy that comes with growing from seed – starting by simply getting out there and collecting seeds. Tree Council Top Seed Gathering tips: Getting together with friends, family or colleagues to gather seeds is a great way to spend time outdoors with the people you love and make a difference. If you’re planning to collect fruit and seeds to eat (like blackberries) be
careful where you’re gathering from. Don’t collect from trees beside busy roads or old industrial sites and make sure children are supervised! Always check that you know exactly what you’re gathering. Some of the most attractive berries are poisonous and easily confused with ones that are safe to eat. Don’t gather more than you need. Wildlife like squirrels and birds rely on fruits, nuts and seeds for food so make sure you leave enough for them to thrive. Take care not to damage trees or the surrounding area as you gather your seeds. Keep safety in mind. Climbing a little way up a tree to gather some acorns might seem like a good idea but it can be dangerous. Gather your seeds from the ground or from branches that are easy to reach. Use seed gathering and seed identification guides to help you – and have fun!
Know your seeds!When you’re gathering seeds, it’s important to know exactly what you’re collecting. Some berries, for example, are poisonous but look very like ones that are safe to handle and eat. The seed guides below cover some of our favourite British tree species, helping you to recognise and get to know trees in your area. The guide has lots of amazing facts for you if you’re not able to get outdoors this Seed Gathering Season, while the guide to spotting tree seeds is the perfect thing to have on hand during your seed collecting
adventures! Download The Seed Guide Download The Guide To Spotting Tree Seeds
Burnt Oak Community Fun Day Don't miss the Burnt Oak Community Fun Day, next Wednesday 20th September from 12 noon to 6pm on Barnfield Road, between Watling Avenue and Silkstream Road. There will be free activities for children and young people, including Dr Bike sessions, play sculptures, crafts workshops, BMX scooter workshops, and more. There's something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, local high street businesses will be providing plants to enhance the atmosphere and also refreshments for the event!
Upcoming events on Hampstead Heath Events to join in on the Heath: - Bat walk on 14th September at 6.30pm cost from £4
- Nature walk for dog walkers on 16th September
- Drop-in nature activities 2-4pm on 16th September
- Bug ID walk at 2pm on Saturday 23rd September
- Kenwood Estate guided walk at 2pm on 30th September
- Drop-in nature activities 2-4pm on 1st October
- Conker championships (12.30-4) on 8th October
Volunteer walk leaders run health walks every Monday at 10am, and Wildlife Interpreters will be out at weekend drop in sessions. There will also be bandstand concerts. Join in with Carnivall on the Heath Date: Sunday, 17 September 2023 Time 12:30 - 13:30 Join Seethrough Theatre’s inclusive carnival extravaganza in the Parliament Hill area of the Heath. The parade will start at the Hive and end at the Bandstand. Come and join in the fun and admire the creative costumes - black and white theme this year! The full range of events can be found here
UK Youth Innovation Essay Prize UCLPartners and Douglas Knowledge Partners are delighted to announce the inaugural UK Youth Innovation Essay Prize. Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 are invited to write a 1,500–2,000 word essay on the theme of 'Innovations for health and climate change'. They want to hear your ideas for addressing the interlinked challenges of health and climate change in the UK and beyond. £2,000 in cash prizes will be split amongst the winners! Deadline: Monday 16th October You can find out more about the competition and submit an entry here
Booking open for the second Barnet Together Alliance Conference
Join us on Monday 2nd October 2023 for the second Barnet Together Alliance Conference 9am arrival, with the conference starting at 10am, followed by a tea and cake get together from 4pm – 5pm. Address: RAF Museum, Hendon Keynote speakers: - Kamran Mallick, CEO of Disability Rights UK
- Amy Bowen, Director of System Improvement at North London Partners in Health and Care
- Deborah Blyth, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead, The Barnet Group
Parallel Workshops facilitated by key sector partners, and a Meet the Funders sessions with funders including John Lyon’s Charity, City Bridge Trust and Barnet Council. More information on the Barnet Together Alliance conference and how to book One place per organisation, given on a first come, first served basis. This Conference is free for Young Barnet Foundation Members and members of the newly-launched Inclusion Barnet
Community Support Membership. Click here to become a member of Inclusion Barnet Community Support. #BTAConference2023 #StrongerTogether
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