Welcome to our new look e-bulletin!

In March this year, we relaunched our website, giving it a fresh new look and easier navigation. The site is supported by a new integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system which has allowed us to enhance and expand on our digital capabilities significantly (which has never been more needed during the pandemic). We've now given our e-bulletin the same treatment.

We've retained all the sections we know you love to read but we've condensed the newsletter to make it much easier to digest. Many of the stories below now feature as snippets with links to our website to view the full articles. We've also reviewed the layout of the e-bulletin, retaining the NCVS branding but adding some great new features which we hope will make it more visually appealing and enjoyable to read.

We hope you like our new look and enjoy reading the latest issue!

Natalie Webb, Communications and Engagement Officer and

Nicki Hastie, Communications and Data Officer

We've been commissioned by the Nottinghamshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which is working in partnership with the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), to undertake a joint strategic community assets assessment to build a comprehensive picture of assets in communities affected by serious violence.

Homelessness charities are raising concerns that if someone is sleeping rough or in a crowded night shelter, it’s impossible to self-isolate and maintain social distance so help is needed more than ever before.

In response, the Morrisons Foundation has set up the COVID-19 Homeless Support Fund, pledging £500,000 to support charities caring for the homeless during the coronavirus outbreak.

Two free initiatives are being offered to key workers and job seekers through the Pop-Up Bike Hubs - Free minor bike repairs from Dr Bike and free Cycle Training to help cyclists build their confidence on the road. Events are taking place throughout October at various locations in Nottingham, see below for details. To book a slot, please click on the links.

Tuesday 20 October at Lenton Abbey Park (NG9 2SF)

• Book Dr Bike - Lenton
• Book Cycle Training - Lenton

Thursday 22 October at Forest Recreation Ground (NG7 6LB)

• Book Dr Bike - Forest
• Book Cycle Training - Forest
  

Thursday 29 October at Bulwell Forest Recreation Ground (NG6 9LQ)

• Book Dr Bike - Bulwell
• Book Cycle Training - Bulwell
  
  

For more information, email access@sustrans.org.uk

Thursday 26 November 2020, 6.30pm-8.30pm

The NCBI Nottingham LGBT+ Short Film Club has moved online, and is also accessible by phone. The next event will include the opportunity to watch short films about a range of LGBT+ issues and identities in a safe, facilitated way and join in relaxed friendly discussions.

The club is open to all members of the LGBT+ community including allies. Registration is essential, please email ncbinotts@ncbi.org.uk or phone 0115 958 2842 or 07905 298 137.

Tuesday 3 November 2020, 10am-11.15am

Cost: £10 per participant

For organisations and community groups who are new to applying for funding, or for those in need of a refresher. Relevant for groups applying for COVID-19 funding and recovery support as well as other general funding.

Wednesday 11 November 2020, 12pm-2pm

Cost: £20 per participant

Are you acting as secretary or note taker, or do you need to record meetings? Learn how to take effective minutes and make your task easier. This two-hour online session replaces our previous face-to -face three-hour course and will take you through the process of producing a 'minute'.

Wednesday 18 November 2020, 6pm-8pm

Cost: £20 per participant

This two-hour session covers the basic information for all trustees, whether you are new to the role or long-established.

Wednesday 18 November 2020 and Thursday 19 November 2020, 10am-11am

Cost: £20 per participant

A two-part online course for leaders of volunteers to start to develop an understanding of some of the legal requirements that relate to volunteering. You are required to attend both parts.

The PDU aims to promote and facilitate collaborative learning and the sharing of good practice among professionals and volunteers from all sectors, in Nottingham and neighbouring areas, who work with people experiencing multiple disadvantage (understood as a combination of mental ill-health, substance misuse, homelessness, offending and domestic abuse, among other issues).

Contact our coordinator Filipa Santos for more information by sending an email to enquiries@pdunottingham.org

Join our free online hub www.pdunottingham.org

Follow us on Twitter @NottinghamCVS #PDUNottingham.

The PDU offers a unique opportunity for voluntary and statutory sector workers who support people experiencing multiple disadvantage across Nottingham and neighbouring areas, to connect, learn collaboratively and share good practice and expertise.

By participating in our events, you will have the chance to develop your knowledge and skills and extend your professional network by making links with other local organisations.

Wednesday 4 November 2020, 10.30am-12.30pm

The idea of individuals' 'readiness to change' is often talked about in services, as they are often supporting people to make various changes to the way they think, feel or behave. Professionals' views about whether somebody is ready to change can influence whether and which support is given, referrals are made, or services accessed.

This webinar will explore the idea of 'readiness to change' and will include:

• A presentation of recent research into frontline homelessness workers' ideas about readiness to change in the people they support
  
  
• Views from individuals who have been supported by services to change
  
  
• Opportunities to reflect on your own practice in small groups of three, as well as whole-group discussion

Creative people in the East Midlands who have gone the extra mile to help their families and/or the local community during the COVID-19 crisis are to be recognised with a new award.

The Kevin Ryan Creative Community Hero Award has been set up by young person's charity The Mighty Creatives, in memory of Kevin Ryan, 'a dear friend and colleague' of The Mighty Creatives who died earlier this year following a short illness.

Nottingham Castle will soon reopen. The drawbridge will be down after a £30 million National Lottery Heritage Fund transformation that will establish the castle as a world-class cultural destination.

Last month, the castle launched its rebrand, displaying a brand new look ahead of its reopening in Spring next year. In the past few weeks, it has also revealed its new golden volunteer brand (see image above) to help get the word out about volunteering opportunities to come.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the need for food has been extraordinary, and the stories of food provision from individuals, agencies, food banks and community projects have been amazing.

Community organisation Near Neighbours Nottingham is keen to understand the full story of food provision in the city during the COVID-19 crisis, so is inviting organisations, big and small, to take part in a short survey.

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations are invited to take part in the next round of the Barometer Survey, commencing on Monday 19 October 2020.

The project, led by Nottingham Trent University in partnership with NCVO, has been set up to examine and explore the impact of COVID-19 on the sector in real-time and is specifically interested in looking at how the pandemic is impacting voluntary organisations' working practices and operations, their responses, learning and resilience.

#CharitySoWhite - a campaign that grew out of people sharing their experiences of institutional racism in the voluntary sector - has launched two surveys in an attempt to overhaul their approach to tackling racism in the sector.

The aim is to build a better understanding of the sector as a whole, and those working towards creating a more equal and anti-racist sector. One survey is for people who experience racism and the other is for those who identify as white allies.