International Women’s Day!

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new podcast, featuring a powerful discussion between Yvonne Field OBE and Nicole Crentsil—a Ghanaian-British entrepreneur, angel investor, and cultural curator. Nicole is the founder and CEO of Black Girl Fest, a cultural studio dedicated to social innovation, community, and experiences.

This special feature, launching on International Women’s Day (8th March 2025), takes a deep dive into Yvonne’s early life and the experiences that shaped her, Black history and education for children, feminist literature, her career and travels, the founding and work of Ubele, and the importance of documenting our history. Together, Yvonne and Nicole explore what the future looks like, Yvonne’s vision, and her lasting legacy.

This inspiring conversation will go live on our YouTube channel on #IWD2025! Make sure you’re subscribed.

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Price Cap to Rise Again – Help with Heat Energy Services

We’re delighted to share that we have secured additional funding to support households who are struggling to pay their energy bills/overcome fuel poverty. Our dedicated team of HEAT Mentors can provide holistic, independent, and tailored assistance to vulnerable households in England and Wales affected by the ongoing energy crisis.

Our 1-1 mentoring and advocacy service includes:

  • Advocating on behalf of your customer(s)
  • Accessing energy grants and crisis funds on a case by case basis.
  • Addressing energy emergencies
  • Managing fuel debt and related challenges
  • Optimising energy usage and improving efficiency

Who is eligible to access the service?

  • Out of work households
  • Anyone with fuel poverty/struggling with costs
  • Households receiving Universal Credit
  • People with disabilities
  • Low-income households
  • People who are 65+

How do I refer someone needing support?

If you have a customer that would benefit from our support, then you can:

Click here for further information

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Statisticians for Society: Pro Bono Data Support for Charities

Statisticians for Society (S4S) connects professional statisticians with charitable organisations, offering expert support at no cost. Launched in 2017, the scheme has now successfully linked statisticians with over 200 charities, helping them achieve their objectives and make data-driven decisions.

Many third-sector organisations recognise the value of data but often lack the resources to access expert support. Our volunteer experts provide charities with the tools and guidance needed to analyse data, measure impact, and improve services. Whether it’s designing surveys, evaluating programmes, or generating statistical insights, our projects helps organisations make informed decisions and demonstrate their value.

Charities that have received support include Transform Justice, Home Start Worldwide, and ColaLife. For more examples, visit our case study page.

Charities with an annual income under £1 million can apply for free support from our network of statisticians. To learn more or apply, visit our website.

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Climate Cafe: H&F Healthy Homes Tickets, 27.02.25, 12:00pm

Join our next Climate Cafe to hear about H&F Healthy Homes – your local energy savings advice service.

Find event and ticket information here: Climate Cafe – H&F Healthy Homes Tickets, Thu, Feb 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

 

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H&F Training & Networking Opportunities for Your Business

We want to help you have the best year yet. There’s a range of support opportunities across the next month to help you and your business, including:

More than 100 local business leaders and residents turned out to our first-ever Dragon’s Den-style event at The Ark on Tuesday 4 February. It was a fantastic event and I got to hear seven superb pitches from local businesses. Congrats to the winners. See all the pictures and read more below.

This summer our huge market parties will return to Hammersmith’s King Street, 7 June, and Fulham’s North End Road, 12 July. Keep an eye on our webpages to find out when you can apply for a stall.

We also want to work with you at our VE Day celebration. Visit our webpage to find out more.

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SMK National Campaigner Awards 2025

There’s two weeks left to get nominations in for this year’s Sheila McKechnie Foundation National Campaigner Awards 2025. There are 10 amazing categories to choose from. It’s free to enter and you can even nominate yourself. Deadline to nominate is Friday 28 February 2025. Find out more here.

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RahRah Theatre Company: Shows for 2025

We are delighted to share with you our shows for 2025 which are available to be booked for community and care settings across London and the Home Counties. We advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Rock Around the Clock 26th May – 4th July

A musical comedy love story, set in the 50’s, containing all the popular tunes of that time.

Thank You for the Music 14th July – 22nd August

An inventive and magical show featuring all of ABBA’s greatest hits, full of audience interaction and laugh-out-loud comedy.

Dick Whittington 24th November 2025 – 23rd January 2026

A magical panto full of toe-tapping, sing-along songs and audience interaction. Festive, feel-good fun for all!

The Jingle Bell Singers 26th November – 30th December 2025

A collection of ‘feel good’ Christmas songs performed by our ‘Christmas Carollers’ with heart-warming harmonies and a hilarious comedy through line.

Each show costs £250.00 (1 hour, 3 performers). Our time slots are 11am, 1.30pm, 4pm or 6.30pm.

For more details or to make a booking please contact us on 07944868358 or rahrahtheatre@hotmail.com.

 

 

 

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Construkt: FREE Engineering & Construction Programme for Young People

Serious About Youth (SAY) and Mullaley are delivering an exciting free in-person initiative for sixth form students (Years 12 & 13) and unemployed young people aged 18 – 25 years old called, ‘Construkt’, which is an immersive programme with live opportunities attached, delivered during the February half term from 17th – 21st February 2025 at the Euston Skills Centre, Starcross St, NW1 2HR to give young people exposure to the wide range of great opportunities in engineering and construction. 

The programme is open to young people from all London boroughs; however, we are particularly targeting young people that live or go to school/college in Camden, Islington, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Ealing and Brent, and would particularly like to encourage females to take part. The closing date for registrations Sunday 9th February at 11.59pm. 

The programme will take participants through the whole life cycle of a construction/engineering project to expose them to the wide range of career pathways in the sector such as project management, design/3D modelling, trade roles, admin roles etc. During the programme participants will:

  • Engage and work with construction/engineering professionals from a range of leading industry firms (Mullaley, Laing O’Rourke and more)
  • Do a live site visit
  • Undertake Building Information Modelling (BIM) digital design work
  • Deliver a tender presentation to industry professionals
  • Take part in a networking and presentation evening with companies and professionals with opportunities 

Travel and lunch will be covered for participants during the programme, and we will be supporting participants into jobs, apprenticeships, work experience and further education opportunities after the programme.

We have helped over 70% of past ‘Construkters’ into positive outcomes, so if you are interested in taking part, or have any young people interested, please complete or ask them to complete the online registration form below. Places are limited and in high demand, so please register as soon as possible to secure a place – https://forms.office.com/e/jqmfcdyaA2.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact Guy Thwaites (guy@say-youth.org).  

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FREE ‘Click Start’ AI & Digital Skills Employability Programme

SAY is working with ‘Click Start London’ to provide an amazing opportunity for young Londoners from 18 – 30 years old to secure employment or apprenticeships in the digital/tech sector. We would particularly like to encourage females and those from underrepresented groups to take part.

‘Click Start’ is a free 4-week Artificial Intelligence (AI) & digital skills course that has live opportunities with industry-leading companies, including Amazon, BT Group, Cisco, QA, and small and medium businesses across London. 

The 4-week programme is in-person and will be delivered at University of East London (UEL) Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16 2RD from 10th February – 7th March 2025. The course provides training in the fundamentals of AI, digital marketing, social media management, business ownership, client-facing skills, and data analysis with certificates in Google Digital Garage and Excel. Candidates will also receive class-based and 1:1 sessions on improving CVs, cover letters, interview techniques and building confidence and professional work skills, and will get the opportunity to work collaboratively with real life tech companies to pitch ideas to boost their businesses. 

For up to 6 months after the course, candidates will receive employability support to empower them towards an apprenticeship, job or other positive outcome. As well as this, throughout the programme and at future networking events, candidates will be supported to explore pathways into digital careers and apprenticeships with industry-leading companies, including Amazon, BT Group, Cisco, QA, and small and medium businesses across London.

To be eligible for the programme, candidates must be:

  • Aged 18-30
  • Based in London
  • Not in employment, education or training during the course. 

During the 4-week programme travel and lunch will be covered for candidates. If you are interested in taking part, or have any young people interested, please complete or ask them to complete the online registration form below. Places are limited and in high demand, so please register as soon as possible to secure a place – https://forms.office.com/e/prhRdjVEjL

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Mayor of London’s 2025 Community Campaign

Help contribute to a new London-wide 2025 campaign on community! The Mayor of London is developing a new campaign, to celebrate London’s values of diversity and unity.

As part of this campaign, we are looking for short stories about how Londoners have felt valued and celebrated in our city, and examples of how as Londoners we rally together, and stand up for our shared values. You can take part by filling in this quick form as soon as possible but no later than 13th January: https://londongov.typeform.com/lovedandwanted  

This could be an opportunity to celebrate and share your community work.

By sharing your story with us you will consent to part of it being used on marketing materials around the launch of the campaign, along with your first name and location in London. If you’ve got any questions, please contact Alice Owen on alice.owen@london.gov.uk. 

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