Most services are closed over the Christmas holiday period – but some remain open, providing much needed support for residents during what, for many, is a particularly difficult time of year. Please find details here of local services open at various times between Saturday 23rd December and Monday 2nd January.
If you would like to add any information about your organisations services to this – please contact Sobus to let us know.
‘The recruitment market has certainly seen some changes in recent years. The lockdown years of 2020 and 2021 saw redundancies, furloughs, and people across all sectors working remotely through necessity. Since the UK opened back up, many have reassessed what they want from their jobs, looking for the flexibility in working practices brought by the pandemic to continue.’ Read more here.
Registered charities, churches, parish councils, local authorities and CASC registered sports clubs can apply for grants of between £2,000 and £100,000 for the provision, maintenance or improvement of community facilities. This can include village halls and community centres, public play areas; publicly available multi use games areas, skate parks and BMX tracks; sport and recreation grounds including pavilions and clubhouses with full public access; churches – community spaces only; nature reserves; public gardens, parks, country parks and woodlands with at least dawn to dusk access; and Museums. The funding is being made available through the FCC Community Action Fund and is available to projects located within 10 miles of an eligible FCC Environment site. The fund is currently closed but will re-open for applications from the 21st December until 5pm on the 8th March 2023. Grants of up to £100,000 Available for Community Facilities (England)
Date: Tuesday 21st February 2023
Time: 09:15 – 13:30
“Our ultimate goal is that, across England, people with a learning disability and autistic people are equal citizens able to fulfil their potential. They are supported to live full lives in their community, in their home, with access to the care that is right for them, when and where they need it. Just like everyone else.” *
The challenges facing adults with autism or learning disabilities are vast and pressures are mounting. At this crucial time, we are pleased to announce our Improving Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autistic People Digital Conference. With a particular focus on community-based services, we will address the priorities to improve support to enable people with learning disabilities or autistic people to live fulfilled and independent lives.
Recent policy, including the Building the Right Support Action Plan, and proposals to the Mental Health Act, reaffirms the importance of good quality services in improving quality of life for autistic people or adults with learning difficulties. Key commitments include:
We will cover the government plans to reduce reliance on mental health inpatient care and ensure people can live independently in their communities. You will gain insights on funding and where investment should be targeted to best support people. You will hear best practice guidance to help you to provide meaningful, accessible, person-centred services.
Bringing together government, public services and charities, this half day digital conference will be an opportunity for sectors to come together, share insights, network, and strengthen the support network for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people.
* Department of Health and Social Care, August 2022
Friday 16th December 2022 1:30pm-4pm
2023 is fast approaching. Are there any potential improvements your charity or social enterprise is looking at for the new year?
Link UP London provides access to bespoke Skilled Support for charities, social enterprises and community groups for free.
Link UP Volunteers have industry specific knowledge in areas of crucial importance to any charitable organisation’s development such as finance, legal, human resources, communications, data analysis, social media, and much more.
Book to chat here– https://calendly.com/will-linkuplondon/link-up-phone-chat
Sign up directly here – https://linkuplondon.org/sgo-registration/
The 10th December marks the end of 16 days of international activism of violence against women and girls (VAWG). The United Nations describes this as “the most widespread and pervasive human rights violation worldwide affecting more than an estimated 1 in 3 women”.
As a Community Organiser, it has been humbling and a privilege to speak to a number of women and young girls that have shared their stories of their lived experiences. It is clear that more funding and work needs to be done to support organisations that provide services to vulnerable women and girls. It is the hope that we could strive towards a day when these campaigns and services will not be need. Will this ever happen?
At the local level exist some outstanding organisations dedicated to offering support to the rights of women and girls. See below for a list of organisations operating locally and links to more information.
Organisations operating in London Brough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Useful Links:
Help us improve planned surgery for adults with bone and joint problems in north west London. Click here
Having recently attended the NCVO & SCVO webinar, ‘How to manage rising energy costs with Utility Aid’, I’d like to share with you the really useful information that they provided below.
Utility Aid
NCVO (for organisations based in England)
SCVO (for organisations based in Scotland)
Help us to ensure charities get ongoing support with their energy bills
Join us – NCVO and SCVO are membership organisations
We will cover the government plans to reduce reliance on mental health inpatient care and ensure people can live independently in their communities. You will gain insights on funding and where investment should be targeted to best support people. You will hear best practice guidance to help you to provide meaningful, accessible, person-centred services.
Bringing together government, public services and charities, this half day digital conference will be an opportunity for sectors to come together, share insights, network, and strengthen the support network for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people.
