Third Sector have reported that charities are being urged to provide evidence about how the sector can ‘unleash its potential’ as part of a two-year inquiry into the future of the voluntary sector. The Law Family Commission on Civil Society is a two-year initiative that aims to examine how the potential of civil society can be unlocked across the UK. Read the article here.
The Charity Commission have put together a trustee toolkit to encourage charity trustees to refresh their knowledge and be certain they’re up to date on government guidance. View the toolkit here.
Tania Mason shares some inspiring stories of how charities have stepped up in response to the pandemic and assures the sector that the public is aware of its worth. Read Tania’s article here.
We continue our programme of virtual events, courses, book clubs, workshops and more throughout March – we hope you can join us.
Civil Society have reported that NCVO and Volunteering Matters are developing practical recommendations for the government about how a national volunteering passporting scheme would work. Such a scheme was one of the recommendations in a report about levelling up communities, which was compiled by Conservative MP Danny Kruger last September. To find out more about the proposals, click here.
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) are campaigning to help charity supporters give more, and to better support the fantastic charities in the UK to meet the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis.
The sector is currently facing one of the biggest financial crises yet. This has resulted in huge falls in income, increased levels of demand for services. Therefore, needing to do more to respond to Covid-19 and care for the most at-risk and marginalised individuals and communities has created a perfect storm.
CAF are part of a coalition of charities, campaigning for a two year Gift Aid Emergency Relief package. The campaign proposes a 5% increase of Gift Aid from 20% to 25% and that the Small Donation scheme, which makes claiming gift aid easier for small charities, be extended to many more. This change could result in an additional £450m to help the sector survive the crisis and recover.
To read more about the campaign and join, click here.
Paul Ticher, author of Key Guides: Data Protection – for voluntary organisations gives us an update on how the charity sector will be affected by Data Protection changes due to Brexit. To read Paul’s article, click here.
Civil Society have reported that The Value of Small in a Big Crisis report finds that small charities responded effectively because they are distinctive in who they serve, how they carry out their work, and the role they play in their communities. Click here to read more information on the report.
New support and advice to help small businesses trading with the EU
We have been busy bolstering the support available to small and medium-sized businesses to help you navigate the new ways of doing business with the EU and to ensure you’re able to trade smoothly.
Last week the Government announced a £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund to help small and medium-sized businesses adjust to new customs, rules of origin and VAT rules when trading with the EU. This will open for applications next month. We are continually rolling out more tools to support businesses as they operate under the new rules, I urge you to take a look at the range of guidance and support already available on gov.uk/transition.
For any further queries or general business advice please contact our dedicated business support helplines. There is specific guidance and assistance on moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland on GOV.UK.
Thank you for your continued efforts to adapt your business to the new changes. Together we will take advantage of the opportunities that being an independent trading nation brings.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP
Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Helpline numbers
You can contact the government’s Business Support Helpline for free business advice.
England: 0800 998 1098
Scotland: 0300 303 0660
Wales: 0300 060 3000
Northern Ireland: 0800 181 4422
Living Medicine shows how we can feel better, manage long-term conditions and treat minor ailments with foods, herbs and simple lifestyle changes. Discovering the wonderful ways plants support our bodies reveals a new world in which we are part of, and can work with, nature. Understanding how to use food remedies gives us control and helps us feel good. We update this global cultural knowledge for today’s safe use and to pass on to family and friends. Click on the links below to find out more:
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.