Nominations are live for the SMK National Campaigner Awards 2021.
SMK are hosting the National Campaigner Awards. Last year it was hosted digitally allowing thousands of people to join in on the celebrations. This year they are doing the same thing.
Can you help find those who have made change happen most effectively & courageously?
Nominate them here: https://smk.org.uk/what-we-do/awards/
Deadline for nominations is: Tuesday 2nd February 2021.
As we are getting back into the full swing of 2021, the FSI would like to keep you updated with some news and opportunities to support you and your charity to start the new year right.
Survive and Thrive 2021
Charity excellence framework has had a major upgrade to provide the free tools, help and support charities need to manage the charity crisis. Survive & Thrive gives you the tools, help and support you need to make 2021 a great year for your charity, despite the crisis; everything is free. See here more more details.
Free 90-minute Webinars for small charities
Don’t miss out our January 90-minute webinar sessions from 20th to 22nd January. The topics will include: Project Management, Risk Management and Digital Fundraising. These are all free to our charity members thanks to National Lottery Community Fund, click here to book a place.
Free 2-day National Online Charity training event
The FSI has just launched our latest 2-day online national training event on 9th and 10th February, offering over 180 free training places so that our small charities members, wherever they are, can access the skills they need to become self-sustaining. Choose from 9 interactive full and half-day webinars covering popular topics such as: Capital Campaigns, Stewardship, Fundraising Strategy and Digital Fundraising. Click here to secure a place.
VCSEs: Winning Central Government Contracts and the New Social Value Model
This free online event, hosted by VCSE Crown Representative Claire Dove CBE, is aimed at VCSE organisations interested in finding out more about the new Social Value Model and the opportunities it brings to the sector. Click here for dates and more details
New E-learning course and Bursary places available for International Development members
To celebrate the launch of our new E-Learning course, focusing on ‘Major Donor’, the FSI are offering 25 bursary places for 25 international development charities to access this interactive online course entirely free of charge. In order to be eligible for this opportunity your charity must be an International Development organisation who is also FSI member and have an annual turnover of less than £250,000. To apply please click here.
New £4m fund for charities and community groups tackling loneliness
Local Connections Fund is now open for application from charities and community interest groups that are working to help social isolation across their communities. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and The National Lottery Community Fund are investing £2 million each. This will be used to fund hundreds of ‘microgrants’ between £300 and £2,500, so small, local organisations. See here for more details on how to apply.
Community Business Renewal Fund now open for application
Power to Change has launched the Community Business Renewal Initiative, in response to the COVID-19 crisis and this £3million Community Business Renewal Fund is part of this support package for the community business sector. Application will be closed on 19th January. Click here for more details on how to apply.
Small Charity Guide to Cyber Security
It’s more important than ever to ensure your charity is as protected as possible from cybercrime threats and fraud. A good place to start is the National Cyber Security Centre’s Small Charity Guide. Click here to access the guide.
When: Thursday, 22nd April 2021 Where: The Royal National Hotel, London Time: 08:30 – 16:35
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH: RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS
COVID-19 has intensified dislocation amongst campus communities, propelled healthcare students onto the front line of a global pandemic and upended traditional teaching models; but it will pass – and when it does, preexisting issues will resurface compounded. This conference will break-down the cultures, economic factors, social and institutional pressures that contributed to dramatic rises in disclosures of mental health issues and student suicides at universities in the UK – providing delegates with the knowledge and tools to ensure that students return to campuses better equipped after the pandemic.
Public Health England and the GLA are holding monthly online briefing sessions on the unfolding Covid-19 recovery effort. The meetings will be an opportunity to receive updates on key information about the situation in London.
When: Tuesday, 18th May 2021 Where: The Royal National Hotel, London Time: 08:30 – 16:45
PATIENT SAFETY: SAFER CULTURE-SAFER SYSTEMS
Delivering the Patient Safety Strategy: Making the NHS the Safest Healthcare System in the World”
The Patient Safety Strategy was designed around an ethos of learning and acting when things go wrong. The ambition is to make the NHS the safest system in the world to receive healthcare and it is thought that the implementation of the strategy could save nearly 1000 extra lives per year from 2023/24, whilst saving £100 million in care costs
When: Tuesday, 25th May 2021 Where: The Studio, Manchester Time: 08:30 – 17:00
NHS LONG TERM PLAN 2021
“A national conference programme that will provide comprehensive updates on the Long Term Plan’s”
Our sixth annual CPD accredited national conference reviewing delivery of the NHS’ overarching strategy will explore how elements of the LTP – particularly digital innovation, have been uber-accelerated by the pandemic; whilst others have been consigned to the paperwork.
When: Thursday 13th May 2021 Where: The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Time: 08:30 – 17:00
“The Government Strategy – Roadmap Policy Priorities”
The government has committed to turning the UK into a ‘science superpower’ and has outlined its strategy to do so in the new UK Research & Development Roadmap. This CPD accredited conference programme will explore the new Roadmap – a long-term plan to make Britain a global centre for world-class research and dynamic innovation, supported by initiatives such as the R&D Place Strategy, Global Talent Visa and Office for Talent.
Delegates will have the opportunity to hear from and pose questions to the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, in addition to exploring how the UK R&D Place Strategy can make the fullest contribution to unlocking local growth and societal benefit from R&D across the UK, as well as exploring the role of universities and the research community in driving economic and social recovery post-covid.
Register or view full event here
We are holding our next Tender Writing Introduction webinar on Tuesday 26th January 2021. This live and interactive webinar is an excellent introduction into the bidding process and tendering within the public sector.
On the day we will cover:
• Understanding Procurement Jargon
• Where to find suitable tenders
• What realistically should I bid for – Making the right ‘Bid/No Bid’ decisions
• What does my business need to prove/demonstrate to be seen as a credible supplier by the public sector
• Choosing the right references and then writing descriptively to fully show your experience/credibility
• Basic Do’s and Don’ts of Bid / Tender writing – Important advice
Who should attend?
• Anyone currently involved, or looking to start Tendering for Public Sector contracts.
• Any organisation who wants to win ‘Public Sector’ contracts or contracts through the formal procurement process
• Businesses who want to get on the route to ‘contract readiness’
Why should you attend?
This workshop is designed to provide delegates with an understanding of the process, why it is being used and most importantly how to be successful
The cut-off date for booking places is: Friday 15th January 2021. Payment is required in full by Monday 18th January 2021.
For further details, click here.
New campaigns launch from the Department for Education (DfE).
DfE are launching a new campaign for The Skills Toolkit called ‘An Hour to Skill’. The campaign aims to inspire the nation to spend one hour a week learning online with The Skills Toolkit by highlighting the ease and benefits of accessing free, high-quality online courses.
By setting aside one hour a week for online learning, people can learn skills that employers are looking for, boost their job prospects and keep their mind active. At a time when we will all be spending more time indoors, The Skills Toolkit can also play an important role in supporting the mental wellbeing of our country.
