Freedom from Torture’s billboard campaign outside the Reform Party Conference was not only a statement in support of the torture ban but also a response to the growing far-right intimidation targeting charities that assist refugees. Read more here.
Thursday 18 September 2025 | Online
*Last chance to book*
Would you like some practical strategies for how to embed inclusion into everyday volunteer management?
This event will explore how we can create and develop peer learning opportunities that drive meaningful inclusion in the workplace.
Peer learning is a powerful, people-centred approach to change that invites us to learn from each other, and creates a space where insight and shared challenges become tools for growth. It also helps deepen inclusion and strengthen team dynamics, especially in diverse volunteer settings.
At this event we will address the challenges and offer solutions in fostering psychological safety, embedding allyship, broadening volunteer participation, and responding to lived experiences of exclusion.
AVM Conference 2025
Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16 October 2025 | Online
The role of volunteer managers is ever evolving, so make sure you don’t miss out on the AVM Conference, providing you with the opportunity to delve into key aspects of our profession.
You’ll gain insights from leading voices and learn about best practices alongside peers from across the sector.
All of the sessions have been designed to inspire, educate and challenge you to think differently about what you do, and include informative keynote speakers and insightful panel discussions.
Plus, you can choose from twelve interactive workshops, all structured around the following themes:
- The Volunteer Experience: From Recruitment to Retention
- Building Your Volunteering Infrastructure
- Inclusive Volunteering: Engaging Diverse Communities
- Thriving as a Volunteer Manager: Wellbeing and Professional Development
Our exciting range of Interactive Online Learning Courses are designed to support your clients—whether they’re employed, managing family commitments, or currently a little further from the job market.
These flexible, tutor-supported courses are ideal for learners who need to study around their existing responsibilities, while still gaining valuable qualifications.
Why This Works for Your Clients:
- Start any day of the week—no waiting for term dates.
- Level 2 courses must be completed within 12 weeks
- Level 3 within 90 days (some Level 3 courses may take longer depending on content, which will be discussed at enrolment).
- Learners receive ongoing tutor support, regular feedback, and access to weekly (Level 2) or monthly (Level 3) drop-in sessions.
- Upon completion and verification, learners receive a certificate from the awarding body, emailed directly to them.
This delivery model empowers learners to progress at their own pace, with the guidance and structure they need to succeed.
Important Requirements:
- Learners must have access to a computer or laptop with stable Wi-Fi (smartphones/tablets are not sufficient)
- Completion of Maths and English evaluations (Entry Level 3 minimum for Level 2)
- IT assessment for digital courses (Level 1 minimum)
Eligibility Criteria:
- Aged 19+ (20 before 31st August of the academic year)
- Unemployed and receiving benefits, employed individuals looking to upskill, or economically inactive (self-declaration required)
- Must have permission to remain in the UK for the next 12 months
- Not currently enrolled in another funded course or in education
- Must have appropriate identification and not have completed a similar qualification at the same or higher level
Making a Referral is Simple:
Email aeb@lmpeducation.org and please do copy Heral.chauchan@lmpeducation.org in to the email with your client’s name, course of interest, email, contact number, and confirmation of computer/laptop access. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your team, colleagues, or wider network. We’re here to support your learners in building confidence, gaining qualifications, and moving closer to their goals.
Let’s empower learners together. www.lmpeducation.org
We’ll be delivering an online Compassionate and Inclusive Leadership training session on Friday, 26th September 2025, from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
This free training is exclusively for the NWL care sector workforce—including teams across Hounslow, Harrow, Hillingdon, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, as well as NWL health and social care students.
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your colleagues, staff, or students. Anyone interested in attending can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer here:
Mental health organisations across the UK can now apply for grants of up to £15,000 to support work with people experiencing moderate or severe mental health conditions. Priority is given to specialist and user-led groups tackling isolation, stigma and discrimination, and can cover running costs, salaries or project expenses, though one-to-one counselling is excluded. Eligible applicants include small community-based charities and not-for-profits, with income usually under £100,000 locally or £250,000 nationally, excluding projects delivered solely in Greater London. The funding is being made available through the Allen Lane Foundation. Awards may be made as single or multi-year grants, averaging £5,000–£6,000. Applications are open until early December for consideration at the Foundation’s February 2026 trustee meeting. Funding to Support People with Mental Health Issues (UK-excl. Greater London)
Are you keen to talk though issues with other Chairs who share similar challenges and can share experiences and ideas? Do you want to build a network of Chairs who you can chat to?
We’re pleased to offer monthly face-to-face peer support sessions in London, designed to offer you support and help you build a network of Chairs you can call on for ideas, and encouragement.
This month’s session will be on 23.10.25, 5.30-8.30pm, chaired by the co-chairs of Board Racial Diversity UK, Lena Bheeroo and Dalton Leong. Case study theme: Co-chairs of a new charity come together for the first time, needing to not only build their board, but also develop a strategy for a sustainable future. With their inspirational founder stepping away, how do they keep momentum? What if funding runs out? When does succession planning start?
More info and book your free place here: https://app.sheepcrm.com/aoc/events/aoc-booking-67a4d0533a7f899df961342f/
Hammersmith & Fulham Council is excited to offer a new series of free training sessions for the voluntary and community sector (VCS), developed in response to priorities raised through the Cost-of-Living Alliance.
Upcoming workshops are tailored to support both staff and volunteers to build sector knowledge.
Join us as we dive into key topics like Business Continuity, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Housing Affordability—and more.
View and Register for Autumn training sessions
All sessions are hosted online via Microsoft Teams, with accessibility features such as live captions, transcription and session recording enabled.
If you have any questions or require support to enable your full participation, please contact us at hfcompass@lbhf.gov.uk
Designed to help you find the volunteers you need, a game-changing new digital volunteering platform (delivered by the Royal Voluntary Service) is launching this October. It has been created to reach and inspire a new generation of volunteers, whilst helping you find and mobilise the support your organisation needs. Find out more.
Charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of between £50,000 and £1 million to support a wide range of activities and projects to improve transport and travel independence for disabled people. The funding is available for projects and activities taking place for one to three years. The funding is being made available through the Motability Foundation’s Organisation Grants programme, and covers active travel, wheelchairs and mobility aids, community and shared transport, driving tuition, travel training schemes, and initiatives to strengthen the community transport sector. Applications are now open through the Foundation’s website, and closing dates vary across the different funding streams included in the programme. Grants of up to £1 Million Available to Improving Travel Independence for Disabled People (UK)
UK charity regulators are assessing whether to adjust the proposed accounting tiers following concerns raised by the sector during a consultation. According to the SORP-making body, there is widespread support from charities for the introduction of tiered accounting requirements but disagreement on what their thresholds should be. Read more here.
