Action Learning 
To complement our courses and as another offer to engage and support those working with communities, our Director, Wendy, has trained as an Action Learning Facilitator (another Lockdown activity!). We will also be hosting our first Community Development Action Learning Set starting in October.
Action Learning is a unique way to tackle real problems or issues in order to get things done. Action Learning brings individuals together in small groups where they can explore issues around their direct experience and develop actions around them through the support and exploratory questions of a group.
This will be for a group of 6 and is open for anyone who has a focus on community engagement or community development as part of their work. It is a very structured and facilitated process that has 5 key elements:

  • Issue holders arrive at their own action points and insights about real life work challenges
  • Value comes from hearing others talk through problems and identifying options
  • Leadership, questioning, listening and decision making skills are developed
  • Learning comes from the topics shared and from reflecting on the group process
  • A facilitator guides, encourages and maintains the structure of the session and the focus on learning

For those attending we will host 6 sessions and all members will get the opportunity to fully participate in being issue holders, helping colleagues explore questions, reflecting on learning etc. For more information and to book visit our website https://wsacommunity.co.uk/training/ or email hana@wsacommunity.co.uk.

Our training programmes are based on our extensive experience, and we have worked to develop a range of courses for a wide variety of people who work with communities, including those in local authorities, housing associations, health and the voluntary sector organisations. We have the long experience of being part of the Community Works training partnership and bring much of that delivery to these courses.

The courses will be running from September 2020 and we encourage you to book your places now! The one day courses will consist of two 2.5-hour sessions and there will be one hour’s pre-course work. They are all accredited through Continuous Professional Development and worth a 6-hour credit. The action learning will be over 6 three hours sessions with one session each month for six months.

We look forward to seeing you at these workshops and hope our training offer will support the capacity and sharing of good practice across the sector.

DIY store B&Q operates a community re-use scheme through all its branches across the UK. The scheme donates unsellable products and materials for re-use by local schools, other educational institutions and community groups, for the benefit of the local community and the environment. All items are donated on the understanding that they will be re-used or disposed of responsibly if they are not used. Eligible groups include community garden projects, registered charities, schools and colleges, youth groups, Scouts and Guides, hospices, preschool groups and registered child minders. B&Q also works with Community Repaint, a network of schemes that collects any surplus, re-usable paint and redistributes it within their communities to individuals and families on low income, charities and community groups. Charities, community groups, colleges or schools interested should get in touch with B&Q. B&Q will add the organisation’s details to their database of community groups. When a B&Q store has something to donate, they will use this list to get in touch with groups in their area. Click here

Project Grants is open to anyone who needs funding for an arts, museums or libraries project that shows public benefit. We’ve updated our guidance so we can support more individuals and creative practitioners during Covid-19.

Guidance

We’re making sure individual applicants are well supported and, for now, you won’t need to provide 10% match funding to be eligible. We’re also more likely to fund activity that gives you the time to think, plan and test new ideas and we’re funding a wider range of museum and library activity. Find out about these changes and more on our website.

What’s changed?

If your question isn’t covered by any of the above, check out our FAQs before you get in touch. We may already have an answer for you! Read the FAQs >

The ACAA provides support, Skills and knowledge to help our communities live and prosper in the UK.

The ACAA has started an ‘older people’s virtual social club’. This initiative will assist older people to use Zoom, FaceTime or other video conferencing technology to develop a befriending network supported by volunteers and to develop a peer support group for older people.

English flyer

Persian flyer

 

Nominations for the 2020 National Lottery Awards are now open to honour individuals who have made an extraordinary impact in their community, especially those who have adapted during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This year the annual search for the UK’s most popular National Lottery funded projects will, for the first time, honour individuals who will receive £3,000 for their organisation as well as a National Lottery Awards trophy for outstanding contributions in any of the following categories: arts; charity/voluntary; education; environment; health; heritage; sport; and young hero (under 18s). Nominations for ‘hometown heroes’ or ‘lockdown legends’ will be put before a judging panel made up of members of The National Lottery family and partners. The deadline for nominations is midnight on the 19th August 2020. Click here

New Social Enterprise, ‘Home(less) made’ is an initiative from the Barons Court Project, supporting our guests who are homeless or living with mental health conditions to enable them to live the life they deserve.We run a weekly art group that encourages them to express their emotions into beautiful creations.

There are three lovely cards designed by one of our super talented guests, Guan and we are now selling these to raise funds for the Barons Court Project and the artist, who is homeless. We will have more designs coming soon and from another guest.

We really hope that this will take off and not only help BCP but also the artists. You can find out more on our website at www.homelessmade.co.uk and also promote our work on Twitter – @homelessmade, Facebook – Home_less Made and Instagram – homelessmade_uk. Many thanks.

 

Bronwen Edwards is looking for an opportunity to become a trustee. She is looking for a role in an organsiation that works with human rights, equal access to opportunities or a charity that supports young people. She’s worked on many key projects for DSC, including working closely with our board of trustees to create a more inclusive recruitment process. Find out more.

Sobus have affordable serviced desk spaces and private offices available now at Dawes Road Hub in Fulham and Freston Road Hub in N Kensington. Both hubs are minutes away from tube stations, bus stops and amenities, have onsite meeting space and are a great source for networking opportunities. Please see further details and links below.

Dawes Road Hub
Office 1: Suitable for up to eight users – Image
Office 3: Suitable for up to five users – Image
These private offices would ideally suit one organisation with exclusive use at a premium rate, but may also be shared and concessions are available to third sector organisations.

Freston Road Hub
Office 2: Suitable for one user – Image

If you would like to make an enquiry or register your interest, please contact: carita.magnani@sobus.org.uk

Select a box  to donate and receive the box to support vulnerable members of society, local communities, care homes, young people and NHS Staff. This money will go towards providing food, basic essentials and other services such as telephone befriending and aftercare support which gives those leaving hospital a food package for when they arrive home. All food donations we receive go back into the community! To find out more, click here