Grants of up to £75,000 are available to special schools and colleges for children and young people with special educational needs. Grants are awarded towards capital costs such as new buildings, the refurbishment of existing buildings and equipment. The funding is available for projects that are is focused towards helping pupils to develop skills which would help them to gain employment or live independently after leaving school or college. The grants are made through the Wolfson Foundation’s Special Schools and Colleges grants programme. There is a 2-stage application process and the next stage 1 closing date is the 1st July 2021. Applications successful at this stage will have until the 1st September 2021 to complete the stage 2 application. Click here

Power to Change has teamed up with Crowdfunder to launch Community Business Crowdmatch to support new or existing community businesses responding to the Covid-19 crisis. The scheme will help community businesses, providing services or activities that help local people disproportionately affected due to the crisis, by match-funding each £1 raised, to a maximum of £10,000. Power to Change is keen to support new and existing projects in deprived areas and work with Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities across England. Funding could be used to support new ideas to help local neighbourhoods, help meet increased demand, save a community space or bridge a funding gap. Applications can be made at any time. Click here

Cyber Hackers have used Coronavirus to prey on remote workforce’s and IT systems, as criminals attempt to steal money or data. The resulting impact on businesses and reputations can be significant.

This webinar addresses how businesses can ensure they have implemented security controls, secured sensitive data, and are protected from cyber-attacks. It also looks at how businesses can mitigate many of the main attacks and improve security awareness with their staff.

Free webinar – Wednesday 26th May – 14.00 – 15.00 – Click here

Discover how other charities have moved to remote working by taking a look at how it can benefit your organisation and make it work well. Read the article here.

Shop and Donate’s social supermarket is here to provide low cost food service to people in the local community who are in poverty, on low income or out of employment.

We also offer free employability & healthy eating classes!

To find out more about our services, click here

 

HF Mencap are looking for a proactive and compassionate volunteer who can make a difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities.

To share an interest or hobby with people in our service. Organise and support people with learning disabilities in activities such as yoga class, arts group, cooking class, wellbeing therapies, literacy support, or even sharing a coffee morning.

To support people with learning disabilities in their social and health care needs as required, always with supervision.

To work as part of a team, and closely with families, friends, advocates of the people you are supporting.

To work within the policies and procedures of HF Mencap and follow instructions as determined by senior support staff and your line manager.

Time commitment: Minimum of one day per week, 7 hours.

We are looking for a minimum commitment of 1 day a week, although this may vary depending on the right candidate and additional availability. We would welcome more days, where possible.

Applicants can send their CV to: priyanka.kunwar@hfmencap.org

Young adults are among the hardest hit by the pandemic, with many having lost jobs, missed school, and been unable to meet friends and family during lockdowns. They will also carry the long-term economic burden of COVID-19 for years to come.

This highly informative piece showcases important facts and figures around COVID-19’s impact on young people. It covers:

  • The financial impact of the pandemic: OECD data shows people aged 15-24 were most affected by unemployment at the start of the crisis.
  • Career and education figures: 73% of 14-to-18-year olds expressed concerns about the pandemic’s impact on their future careers.
  • Mental wellbeing: survey data showed 18-24-year-olds experienced the highest proportion of negative feelings during lockdowns.
  • Tips and advice to help with the long-term challenges faced by young adults and other useful links.

You can read the full version here

Community spaces are often at the heart of their community providing places to meet and activities to engage the people in the locality. Community Matters are hosting an event on Tuesday 15 June for organisations running community spaces on Big Advice day. This is an opportunity to pause and consider how to be in a strong place to move forwards for the future. Sign up for Small Charity – Big Spaces here.

The staff within your organisation are important, and the success of an organisation totally depends on them, and their ability to do their jobs.

The responsibility of supporting staff to do their jobs does not start and end with the induction period, but continues throughout a person’s time with an organisation.

The purpose of learning and development is to develop your staff knowledge and skills. This ensures as the organisation grows and the environment changes, staff can meet challenges and take advantage of the opportunities.

Discover our top tips towards developing an Organisational Learning and Development Plan here.