London’s Connected Communities Programme Opens for Applications (London)

Community organisations are invited to apply for funding to help tackle poverty and inequality in London. The Trust for London’s Connected Communities Programme will provide funding for initiatives which help disadvantaged and underrepresented people to access their rights and entitlements, and to speak out about issues which directly affect them. There is no minimum or maximum size of grant, however, the average grant will be around £80,000 and can be spread over one to three years. Grants do not normally exceed £150,000. Priority will be given to charities led by and for Black and minoritised groups and Deaf and Disabled people. The deadline for applications is 1pm on the 1st February 2022. London’s Connected Communities Programme Opens for Applications (London)

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Nigel Huddleston, Sport & Tourism Minister Now Responsible for Charities Brief

Nigel Huddleston was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 14 February 2020 and has now had the charities brief added to his responsibilities. Find out more here.

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British Heart Foundation Named as London Marathon Charity Partner for 2022 Race

Civil society have reported that The British Heart Foundation said it hopes to raise £3m through the partnership to invest in research to find a cure for heart failure. Read the article here.

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Donate Blood Plasma

https://www.blood.co.uk/plasma/

 

 

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Postcode Innovation Trust: The Dream Fund

A new round of The Dream Fund has opened to applications. Charities can apply for up to £1.25 million to deliver their ‘dream’ project, including Covid-19 recovery projects. Applications must come from a partnership of at least two charitable organisations, one of which will be the lead. The website states: ‘Applications must be innovative, creative and original, and present projects that are a genuine ‘dream’’. Applications will close at 5.30pm on Monday 1 November. Click here to apply for the fund. 

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Black Lives Matter Virtual Gallery

Black Lives Matter UK are proud to launch the Virtual Exhibition 2021 which showcases pieces from 20 Black artists in celebration of Black History Month. Click here to view the exhibit.

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FREE Training Courses for Staff

We have access to a range of Level 2 fully funded courses that offer huge advantages to your organisation – they are cost-effective, help you support talented employees who want to learn and progress, and they are an effective way to support your skills requirements.

We want to support you in focusing on the retraining or up-skilling of your staff, which will provide them with motivation, job satisfaction and bring new skills to your organisation.

The free courses can be delivered online and therefore do not require staff to be off-site whilst studying them. They are fully accredited by NCFE and successful completers will be awarded a formal qualification. There is a range of courses to choose from including mental health, business admin, data protection, a variety of digital workshops, and a host of health and social care courses to name a few.

View our full list of free courses and download our free guide here

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Flu and Covid-19 Booster Jabs

With colder months fast approaching, the winter flu vaccination programme will get well and truly underway.  This year the flu jab will be offered via GPs, pharmacies and schools to:

  • All children who are aged two and three on 31 August 2021
  • All children in primary school and all secondary school pupils under the age of 16 on 31 August
  • Those aged six months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
  • Pregnant women
  • Those aged 50 years and over
  • People in residential care
  • Unpaid carers
  • Close contacts of people with weakened immune systems
  • Health and care staff

At the same time, a Covid-19 booster jab is being offered to the over-50s, frontline health and care workers and younger adults with health conditions.  Your Covid-19 booster can only be given 180 days (6 months) after your second vaccination.

If you or any of your clients have questions or concerns about getting a flu or Covid-19 booster jab, please speak to your GP or pharmacist or visit: www.nhs.uk

Support from Sobus:

If you would like to arrange a workshop or information session with your clients about the winter flu vaccine and/or Covid-19 booster, Sobus can help arrange for health professionals to attend to provide the right information or advice. 

You might also want to come along to one of our upcoming meetings:

Sobus Health & Wellbeing Forum, 12th October at 1pm

POPS (Provides of Older People’s Services) Forum, 1st November

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Health & Wellbeing Forum

Health and wellbeing is without doubt, one of the key underlying themes of the work of most VCS organisations in the borough.  Countless organisations provide a myriad of information, services and support to local residents, from physical exercise, support for those with specific health conditions, and a huge range of support for all forms of emotional wellbeing, from those experiencing loneliness and isolation, to those with ongoing mental health difficulties.

We are pleased therefore to relaunch the Sobus VCS Health & Wellbeing Forum, which is open to all voluntary and community groups in Hammersmith & Fulham.  The forum will have two areas of focus:

  1. Providing the opportunity to share your feedback, experiences and thoughts on local services, get updates on changes in health and care that will affect local communities, and to find out how you can be involved in shaping these.

 

  1. Providing the opportunity to learn about and contribute to the strategic development of local services, including the Integrated Care Partnership

Our next meeting on Tuesday 12th October will look at the Integrated Care Partnership, and how local organisations can get involved.  In 2018, as the ICP was beginning, at a series of workshops with the VCS it was agreed that Sobus would represent the sector in the ICP, and we attend both the ICP Board and Operational Group meetings. However, with work now picking up pace, we need to ensure that organisations are directly engaged in the ICP in order to inform and influence how the different strands of work develop.

Come along to the VCS Health & Wellbeing Forum on 12th October at 1pm to find out how you can be involved in:

  • ICP structure and areas of work
  • “Care closer to home” and how health services can be more joined up.

To book a place, please register through the following link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sobus-health-wellbeing-forum-tickets-182500181957

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A Word from Sue Spiller, Sobus CEO

Whilst offices and workplaces have opened up again many of us are now working both in the office and from home.  “Hybrid working” is becoming the norm for lots of organisations and businesses, but we need to make sure that we are managing this approach carefully so as to avoid any complications that may arise.

Ideally, organisations should have a clear flexible working policy in place, which includes home working options.  This kind of policy can help you set expectations for staff, such as when they should be logged on, how they will handle communication, and how they will log their time. Having these rules defined can help employees feel prepared and connected to the team. 

If you would like help developing or updating your flexible working policy, please contact us for information and support.

Lastly, October is Black History Month, and we are delighted that a number of local events and activities are planned to celebrate the achievements and contributions of black people both in the UK and throughout the world.  You can find details of these at https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/arts-and-parks/events/race-equality-and-black-history-cultural-events

We have some truly outstanding and inspirational BAME organisations, community leaders and individuals in Hammersmith & Fulham and we need to share and celebrate their stories! 

As always, Sobus is here to provide organisations with the advice and support they need – please don’t hesitate to contact us.

 

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