As some charities have experienced difficulties with the new system, the Charity Commission has published additional guidance for charity contacts and charity trustees on how to access and use ‘My Charity Commission’ on behalf of a charity. There is also new and revised guidance: Setting up ‘My Charity Commission Account’.
HM Revenue and Customs has updated its guidance for charities to confirm that donations of cryptoassets are not eligible for Gift Aid. This is because HMRC does not consider cryptoassets to be currency and Gift Aid applies only to gifts taking the form of a sum of money. The guidance advises that where a donor holding cryptoassets wishes to benefit from Gift Aid they must convert those cryptoassets into money and make a cash donation under the Gift Aid scheme.
‘The Charity Commission has appointed David Holdsworth as its next chief executive. He will take over as chief executive of the regulator from Helen Stephenson, whose term comes to an end this summer…’ Read more here.
DSC’s Research Kalli Jayasuriya explains everything you need to know about the Civil Society Groups latest report – Dismantling Racism. Take a look here.
After surveying 653 charities, The Charity Aid Foundation has discovered that charities are being forced to create waiting lists, charge fees and turn people away due to demand. Find out more here.
NCVO’s latest research reveals the extent of the crisis facing the sector this winter. This new campaign aims to raise awareness and help charities that are struggling. Find out more here and get involved.
British Heart Foundation is supporting a new funded defibrillator programme, which gives community groups an opportunity to apply for a free defibrillator.
Applications close on 15th March 2024. Please check eligibility requirements on the website
In a highly competitive environment, how do you make your proposal stand out from the crowd? Here are some top tips from expert and trainer, Layla Masoovi Rivers. Read more here.
‘JustGiving saw the most donations to good causes and the highest total raised since launch in 2023, with £550mn going to almost 20,000 UK charities. Almost one million (+950,000) JustGiving fundraising pages were set up – an average of 2,600 pages per day and 9% more than last year. There were also two million more donations to UK charities in 2023 compared to 2022, and 3.5 million people donated to a good cause more than once…’ Read more here.
Historically, the World Health Organisation has called for an end to violence against women and girls through 16 days of activism that runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December, Human Rights Day.
As a Community Organiser, I have met both women and men in this borough who have experienced violence and abuse that for some has lasted for many years. The impact of living with and in this experience has had a measurable impact on the mental health of those who have survived. This article will focus on the experience of women in recognition of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence of women and girls.
For one local resident, she described living with the effects of her experience as impacting on the wellbeing of the children – now young adults – she was trying to raise. She shared that she feels tremendous shame and guilt for what she described as “not protecting my daughters enough” , the poor relationship with the people she was closest to and initially was unsure of who to seek support from.
Some women now describe themselves as survivors – including the female resident above.
Hammersmith and Fulham are fortunate to have a number of organisations – charities and charitable, public and statutory, forums and networks seeking to support residents in need of help, raise awareness and work both collaboratively and in partnership with agencies and organisations to address this.
Events occurring in Hammersmith and Fulham:
Tuesday 12th December – H&F Council – 16 Days of Activism to end Violence Against Women and Girls event.
For tickets, visit Eventbrite: Making an IMPACT on Domestic Abuse Survivors’ Criminal Justice Outcomes Tickets, Tue 12 Dec 2023 at 18:00 | Eventbrite
Useful web links:
- Hammersmith and Fulham Council: Violence against women and girls – list of support. https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2023/11/25/default-calendar/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence-2023
- United Nation: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism
Some local voluntary and community organisations operating in Hammersmith and Fulham supporting women and girls experiencing domestic abuse and violence:
- WILDE Foundation: https://www.thewildefoundation.org/
- People Arise Now: https://www.peoplearisenow.org/
- Health and Wellbeing For All CIC: https://gehw.org.uk/
- Lucas Ark: https://www.lucasark.org/
sobus
20 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7EN
Telephone 020 7952 1230
Email info@sobus.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1071089
and Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.03471416
Sobus is a new Community Development Agency for Hammersmith & Fulham. It has been created through the merger of the Community and Voluntary Sector Association Hammersmith & Fulham (CaVSA) and the Fulham Community Partnership Trust (FCPT). Building on the strengths of both organisations, sobus aims to provide a wider range of support services for local charities, community groups, social enterprises and start up businesses.