Eliminating Homelessness & Rough Sleeping in the UK: Designing a Comprehensive Strategy to Tackle an Escalating Crisis – Webinar, 20.05.25

This symposium aims to offer stakeholders – including policymakers, local authorities, charities, and social housing providers – an opportunity to examine the current state of homelessness and rough sleeping in the UK, assess the new Labour government’s plans to eliminate homelessness and the ability of local authorities to support vulnerable households, and discuss avenues for reversing the UK’s escalating homelessness and rough sleeping crisis.

Programme

  • Learn about and assess current trends in and drivers of homelessness and rough sleeping in the UK, the different approaches taken to tackle thee across the UK and the new Labour government’s plans in this area
  • Assess the role that the Renters’ Rights Bill could play in tackling homelessness and rough sleeping and how the bill could be improved
  • Exchange views on what a new national strategy for ending homelessness should look like     
  • Understand how local authorities, charities and other stakeholders can work together to support rough sleepers into accommodation
  • Consider the roles that increased devolution can play in assisting local authorities, combined authorities, and regional mayors in tackling housebuilding and rough sleeping
  • Evaluate the varying roles that rent caps, increased housebuilding, empty homes, Council housing, social housing and housing benefit could play in addressing homelessness and rough sleeping
  • Assess the state of local homelessness prevention services and the additional support they need to ensure sufficient provision for vulnerable households
  • Exchange best practice on how local authorities, housing associations and landlords can better support vulnerable households

To register for the briefing, please click here.

/by

Tackling Homelessness in the EU : How to Address an Escalating Crisis – Webinar 10.06.25

This symposium will provide an opportunity for EU-wide stakeholders, policymakers, and other professionals working in this sector to discuss the latest trends in and drivers of homelessness across Europe, examine the merits of current policies aimed at tackling Europe’s escalating homelessness crisis, and develop comprehensive strategies designed to end homelessness for good. #

Programme

  • Learn about and assess current trends and drivers of homelessness across Europe
  • Examine the successes and failures of EU policies, programs and initiatives designed to tackle homelessness
  • Exchange views on what the internationally agreed definition of homelessness and associated statistical definitions and data collection methods should be and how these should be established  
  • Develop strategies that go beyond managing homelessness, but on ending it
  • Examine the role that taking a housing-led, Housing First approach can play in tackling homelessness
  • Understand the impact of taking a punitive and criminalising response to homelessness   
  • Discuss how to ensure that the needs of homeless people are met in policymaking and service delivery, including with regard to access to health and other social services
  • Assess how EU policymakers, in concert with EU structural and investment funds, can help shape and support national and regional homelessness strategies in such a way as to embed the right to housing across the continent

To register for the briefing, please click here.

/by

Funding for Community Organisations to Enhance their Energy Efficiency (England)

Community organisations in England can apply for a share of £250,000 of funding to reduce energy usage and carbon footprint.  The funding is being made available through the Energy Efficiency Sharematch fund. It can be used to install on-site energy generation measures like solar panels and heat pumps, improve building energy efficiency through insulation and LED lighting, and upgrade operational equipment to more energy-efficient alternatives. Funded by Access – The Foundation for Social Investment using Dormant Assets Scheme funds, this grant is administered by Crowdfunder in partnership with Co-operatives UK. Most grants will be £10,000-15,000. The application process requires an initial expression of interest, followed by a formal application through the Crowdfunder platform for eligible projects. The fund’s application closing date is March 2026, and the goal is to allocate all funds before this deadline. Funding for Community Organisations to Enhance their Energy Efficiency (England)

/by

EV Charging Scheme for Schools & Education Institutions (UK)

To boost the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, the government has extended the Workplace Charging Scheme to support state-funded schools and education institutions to install EV chargepoint sockets at their sites. Eligible institutions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can receive 75% off the cost of purchasing and installing chargepoints, up to £2,500 per socket. There is a limit of 40 sockets per institution. Academy trusts can apply for up to a maximum of 40 sockets for each institution within the academy trust.  Successful applicants will receive a voucher that is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. The installation must be completed by an authorised installer within this time. The closing date for applications is the 31st March 2026. EV Charging Scheme for Schools & Education Institutions (UK)

/by

Expert Comms Training & FREE Film Support for your Charity

Media Trust Films is launching a new initiative to create free short films for charities that support women and girls.

In partnership with The Crucible Foundation, we’re looking for 10 women and girls’ charities tackling issues such as domestic violence, harassment and trafficking to take part. Successful applicants will be matched with a skilled volunteer filmmaker to co-create a powerful film that amplifies their work, at no cost to the charity.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to tell your charity’s vital story through film.

Apply today

To see a full list of our low-cost upcoming courses, with topics like podcasting and accessible content creation, head to our Communications Courses homepage

/by

H&F Business Growth Hub: Web Design – Creating Visually Engaging Websites

In this workshop, Theo Ruby, will guide you through the core principles of web design, focusing on creating a website that’s both visually appealing and user-friendly. You’ll learn the essentials of setting up WordPress with Elementor Pro, designing a compelling homepage, and crafting a smooth user experience (UX) that encourages customers to engage with your site.

Whether you’re a small business owner starting your online presence or looking to refresh an existing site, this session will give you the practical skills and knowledge to create a website that attracts, retains, and converts visitors.

Book your ticket now

Register to attend: Web Design: Creating User-Friendly and Visually Engaging Websites

What Youʼll Learn

  • WordPress and Elementor Pro Setup – Learn how to get your WordPress site up and running with Elementor Pro, including themes, plugins, and basic customisation.
  • Homepage Design and Basic UX – Discover best practices for designing a homepage that grabs attention and offers easy navigation, with a focus on user experience.

Creating a Story and Guiding Visitors – Explore how to build a story through your website design that guides customers through your site, leading them naturally towards conversions and actions.

What to Expect in the Workshop

·        Step-by-Step Guidance

·        Interactive Group Learning

·        Q&A Session

·        Follow-Up Resources

What to Bring

No preparation is needed—just an internet browser, a notepad, and any specific questions you’d like answered during the Q&A.

Book Your 1-to-1 follow up Session

As an attendee, you’re entitled to a free 1-to-1 session with Theo to follow-up on any questions and learnings from the Business Growth Hub that you are implementing in your own business.

Email theo@theoruby.com to book your session.

Presenter

Theo Ruby, has over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and specialises in helping small businesses grow their online presence. From website design to SEO, Theo focuses on practical advice that delivers results.

Where

Online event, delivered via Zoom
The Zoom meeting link will be emailed later after you have registered to attend.

When

Tuesday 29 April 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

This event is free and open to London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham residents and businesses. Please book your place via the Eventbrite website. Email us business-support@lbhf.gov.uk or call 020 8753 5585 if you have questions or require assistance.

/by

The London Branch of the Eastern Sudan Community Association Celebration of Eid al-Fitr

In celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the London Branch of the Eastern Sudan Community Association hosted a cultural evening, attended by over 130 families, children and young people! The evening event was marked by Sudanese hospitality,cultural and social harmony, in line with the association’s 2025 strategy aimed at strengthening family ties and fostering social cohesion among children, while preserving their cultural identity and pride in their rich heritage.

# Cultural Performances
A group of performers presented dance performances to traditional music of the eastern Sudan heritage, wielding swords amidst great audience interaction.

# Community Engagement
The community officer emphasized the association’s commitment to achieving its goals and highlighted the importance of strengthening social ties among families amidst current challenges.

# Participant Feedback
Many participants expressed their delight with the event,while apreaciating the association for its focus on families and children, and welcomed the opportunity to continue participating in its activities.
The event also featured competitions and prizes for children, aimed at introducing them to Sudan and Eastern Sudan in particular, amidst great enthusiasm and joy.

# Event Highlights
The evening concluded with a presentation by Rayan Idris on the branch’s activity plan for the next four months.

## Event Organization
The event was organized by the Activities Department of the Eastern Sudan Sons Association(ESCA)

 

/by

Earls Court Community Fund

H&F Giving are delighted to be working to manage The Earls Court Development Company’s grants programme, with support from the Kensington + Chelsea Foundation.

  • The total value of the Earls Court Community Fund is £180,000 per year. Organisations can apply for a grant of up to £15,000 for projects taking place for up to 12 months.
  • Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to £15,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months.

This year, there will be a two-stage application process – a First Stage Application Form asking for details of your project followed by a full application that will ask for more details on your organisation, your project and its expected impact for short-listed organisations.

To review the full guidelines and application process please click here. The deadline for First Stage applications is Wednesday 30th April 2025 at midday. 

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your application before applying, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Hammersmith & Fulham Giving at team@hfgiving.org.uk. Please do look to see you if would like to apply and/or share with any organisations in the community who you think might be interested in applying.

/by

Financial Assistance Available for Energy Debt Relief (England, Scotland & Wales)

The British Gas Energy Trust, a charity funded by British Gas, offers grants to help individuals in England, Scotland, and Wales clear domestic energy debts. Two main funds are available: the Energy Support Fund for British Gas customers, offering up to £2,000 depending on meter type, and the Individuals and Families Fund for pre-payment customers of British Gas or other suppliers, with grants between £50 and £1,700. Applicants must reside in the UK, hold energy debt on their main residence, and not have received a similar grant recently. They must also seek money advice or use the Trust’s Benefit Calculator. Applications are made online, with no fixed deadline, though funding is limited and may close without notice. Financial Assistance Available for Energy Debt Relief (England, Scotland & Wales)

/by

Recognise Civil Society as ‘Critical National Infrastructure’, Government told

“The government should regard civil society as “critical national infrastructure” in its crisis response preparedness planning, a new report has argued.  The report from the Young Foundation, commissioned by Local Trust, warns that the UK is not currently equipped to protect its citizens from crisis…” Read more here.

/by