Age UK Free Taxi Transport for Over 50s to Covid-19 Vaccine Appointments

If you are aged 50+ and would like Age UK to arrange free taxi transport to and from your Covid-19 Vaccination appointment within Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminister, Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent area, then please get in touch: ashallon@aukc.org.uk, or please call on: 07947 188 221 and ask for Amy Shallon.

We are aiming to run this service up to the end March 2021, although this is dependent to some extent on take up as we have limited resourcing.  We would particularly like to focus on supporting people in this age group from BAME communities.

The taxi service we are using is Uber and as we have one code for each Borough, we will book rides on behalf of people.  The full cost of the travel to and from the vaccination centre will be covered.

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NCVO & Volunteering Matters Begin Work on Volunteer Passport Proposals

Civil Society have reported that NCVO and Volunteering Matters are developing practical recommendations for the government about how a national volunteering passporting scheme would work. Such a scheme was one of the recommendations in a report about levelling up communities, which was compiled by Conservative MP Danny Kruger last September. To find out more about the proposals, click here.

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Gift Aid Emergency Relief Campaign

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) are campaigning to help charity supporters give more, and to better support the fantastic charities in the UK to meet the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis.

The sector is currently facing one of the biggest financial crises yet. This has resulted in huge falls in income, increased levels of demand for services. Therefore, needing to do more to respond to Covid-19 and care for the most at-risk and marginalised individuals and communities has created a perfect storm.

CAF are part of a coalition of charities, campaigning for a two year Gift Aid Emergency Relief package. The campaign proposes a 5% increase of Gift Aid from 20% to 25% and that the Small Donation scheme, which makes claiming gift aid easier for small charities, be extended to many more. This change could result in an additional £450m to help the sector survive the crisis and recover.

To read more about the campaign and join, click here.

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New Vacancies at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA)

Application Deadlines: 08:00, Monday 15th March 2021.

Domestic Abuse Court Coordinator
Responsible for: Supporting the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC)
Coordinated by STADA and the wider remit of Criminal and Civil
Justice work at STADA including the national Mentor Project
Work Location: Remotely whilst restrictions are in place, otherwise a combination of:
• Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse Office (Hammersmith);
• Westminster Magistrates Court;
• Area West Met Police Public Protection Unit, as required
Contract: 2 Years Fixed Term
Working Hours: Full Time – 35 hours per week
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Annual Leave: 25 days

Read more

Criminal Justice System Project Officer
Responsible for: Supporting the Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC)
Coordinated by STADA and the wider remit of Criminal and Civil
Justice work at STADA including the national Mentor Project
Work Location: Remote working whilst restrictions are in place, following this
at STADA Offices (London)
Contract: 2 Years Fixed Term
Working Hours: Full Time – 35 hours per week
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Annual Leave: 25 days

Read more

 

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Funding to Support Grassroots Organisations During the Coronavirus (UK)

In response to the coronavirus, The Alpkit Foundation are prioritising funding to support projects that demonstrate an immediate impact on those affected by the crisis. Grants are available to grassroots organisations serving those affected by the outbreak. Funding can provide support for activities which might include helping vulnerable and elderly people who are self-isolating, supporting the homeless, providing access to food, medicines or social care, supporting foodbanks, increasing the number of meals on wheels deliveries, and bringing exercise indoors. Applications can be made at any time and will be checked on a daily basis. Click here

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NFU Mutual Community Giving Fund (UK)

Charities, schools, and community groups can apply for grants of up to £1,000 through the NFU Mutual Community Giving Fund. The fund is available in areas that are local to NFU operations in the UK. Applications are likely to be more successful if they meet one or more of the funds priorities. These are connecting the community; providing care and support to vulnerable members of the community; relieving poverty; improving the health and wellbeing; and advancing education and experiences for young people. The next closing date for applications is the 31st March 2021. Click here

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Interim ‘Adequacy’ Agreement for Data Protection

Paul Ticher, author of Key Guides: Data Protection – for voluntary organisations gives us an update on how the charity sector will be affected by Data Protection changes due to Brexit. To read Paul’s article, click here.

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Action on Disability – New service for Local Disabled Adults

Action on Disability has been asked by its trustees and members to introduce a new Activity Service within Hammersmith and Fulham for local disabled adults. We would like to know from you what activities you would like to access and when. We have created a short list of questions that will help us to get the money we need to set up a new activity service.

We would like you to answer the questions and add any other thoughts or ideas you might have. You can complete the questions here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=zibQeO-dukCGrZVNlVk_54LPcPgF4M9OkmFKWP5V5e1UNUM4TzlNSkdOTTZWWUpDU0dERFFORzZBNS4u

We would also like to meet with you to hear your thoughts on what activities you would like us to introduce.

You can meet with us, using the zoom app on Monday 01st of March at 1pm (This meeting is called Meeting 1).

If you can’t make this meeting, you could come along to our meeting on Wednesday 03rd of March at 9:30am (this meeting is called Meeting 2).

If you want to attend this meeting please email us at info@aod.org.uk and we will send you a zoom invitation link. When you do email us, please tell us which meeting you would like to attend; Meeting 1 or Meeting 2.

We look forward to hearing from you about your ideas and thoughts.

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Small Charities ‘Showed up and Stuck Around’ During Pandemic

Civil Society have reported that The Value of Small in a Big Crisis report finds that small charities responded effectively because they are distinctive in who they serve, how they carry out their work, and the role they play in their communities. Click here to read more information on the report.

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A letter from Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP

New support and advice to help small businesses trading with the EU

We have been busy bolstering the support available to small and medium-sized businesses to help you navigate the new ways of doing business with the EU and to ensure you’re able to trade smoothly.

Last week the Government announced a £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund to help small and medium-sized businesses adjust to new customs, rules of origin and VAT rules when trading with the EU. This will open for applications next month. We are continually rolling out more tools to support businesses as they operate under the new rules, I urge you to take a look at the range of guidance and support already available on gov.uk/transition.

For any further queries or general business advice please contact our dedicated business support helplines. There is specific guidance and assistance on moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland on GOV.UK.

Thank you for your continued efforts to adapt your business to the new changes. Together we will take advantage of the opportunities that being an independent trading nation brings.

Yours sincerely,

Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP

Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Helpline numbers

You can contact the government’s Business Support Helpline for free business advice.
England: 0800 998 1098
Scotland: 0300 303 0660
Wales: 0300 060 3000
Northern Ireland: 0800 181 4422

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