Are you looking for a new opportunity? You, too, can join the NCVS team.

NCVS has been commissioned by Historic England to test the potential of the heritage sector to contribute to the development of local social prescribing and the improvement of individual and community wellbeing through the “Buddies” scheme. It is part of a wider whole-community approach to social prescribing, tested by the National Academy of Social Prescribing and its partners across sectors and geographic locations.

We are seeking a Coordinator to lead the project. The main purpose of the role will be to test and trial the use of existing community-based volunteers, volunteering routes and befriending organisations, to link people who are less confident and have more complex needs, with local heritage and the historic environment in Nottingham, through social prescribing.

This is a 14 hours per week post for a fixed term of 9 months. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Thursday 9 February 2023.

Please share our advert (link opens pdf) with your networks.

Di Trinder, Joint Chief Executive at Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire has asked NCVS to share details of their recent report, "A study of the Sybil Levin SPECAL-informed Specialist Dementia Day Service."

The focus of the study was the impact of introducing the SPECAL method to a new
specialist dementia day service and the difference it made to the user’s family carers,
as well as the users themselves and the staff and volunteers between February and August 2022.

The SPECAL method quite simply changes the lives of people with dementia. The in-depth study of Age UK Notts SPECAL-Informed day service (the only one of its kind in the country) has shown that:

• Family carers were overwhelmingly impressed by the Sybil Levin day support
  centre and the dedication and skill of its staff and volunteers. As a result, they
  have described how they have felt a reduction in their own stress and anxiety
  levels due to their loved ones attending the centre.
  
  
• Knowing that the staff and volunteers were focusing on the individual wellbeing
  of their loved ones made a big difference to family carers. They reported that
  users that had been to different day centres were noticeably happier and more
  contented at Sybil Levin.

If you would like to find out more or are interested in attending a SPECAL introductory half day training course, contact di.trinder@ageuknotts.org.uk.

Reconnections is a free service in Nottingham that supports people 65+ in Nottingham City and some areas of Nottinghamshire County.

They currently have capacity to support people in the following ways:

• Matching older people with a volunteer to combat isolation and loneliness, supporting people to become more connected in the local community. Please use this online referral form. (Currently not able to support people with complex needs or who struggle with capacity and would need more specialist help.)
• Confidential telephone service offering specialist advice for people that are 65+, their families and carers. Telephone 0800 319 6789.
• Supporting people that are not able to get out and about, through the opportunity to join a weekly telephone service with other older people in Nottingham.

Independent Age also runs Moneywise events and is developing Scamwise events for older people in Nottingham City to address the cost-of-living crisis.

If there are local groups who would like to book a talk, please email nottingham@independentage.org or call 0115 811 4300 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm).

Most readers will already know that NCVS has partnered with the Nottingham Post and the Nottingham Project to re-launch The Robin Hood Fund. This aims to tackle food and energy poverty this winter (2022-2023).

In the week before Christmas we were able to release £20,000 to provide direct support to Nottingham residents and families. The first £10,000 was distributed to the foodbank network through Hope Nottingham. The next £10,000 was distributed to the Advice Centres to purchase supermarket vouchers for clients, through the St Ann’s Advice Centre.

The second phase of the Fund is to open up a small grants programme for local community groups experiencing rising energy costs. We are now appealing for more donations to the Fund, to make this second phase possible and to ensure we can provide effective support.

Please help to share news about The Robin Hood Fund and how people can donate.

Donate here through the GoFundMe platform.

Applications must be completed by 12 noon on Friday 22 February 2023

Applications for the Windrush Day Grant Scheme have been opened by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Community groups, charities and councils will now be able to bid for their share of the £750,000 pot of funding to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush community in their local areas.

Each local authority area can bid for up to £50,000 to fund celebratory parades, educational resources, arts and sporting projects, providing they are focused on the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants.

A group of bidders can apply. If applying as a consortium, organisations must have agreed a lead partner and project lead (individual) from one of the organisations to manage the programme. Some bidders may be seeking funding below £5,000. In this case, they should contact their local authority to explore the possibility of inclusion in a larger bid.

Online Bidders' Workshops are being held on Friday 27 January and Monday 30 January 2023 (register here and select preferred date), offering an overview of the scheme and an opportunity to ask questions.

Near Neighbours, a charity that brings people together in communities that are religiously and ethnically diverse, is administering this year’s grant scheme.

y-notts gives one-off grants to young people from Nottinghamshire who have been prevented, by circumstances, from pursuing their education and training and reaching their full potential.

Grants are available to individuals, and to groups for a specific project. To qualify you should generally be aged 15 to 30 and live in Nottinghamshire. Special provisions, in exceptional circumstances, may be made for people outside of the prescribed age range.

Green social prescribing is a way of connecting people to nature-based activities and green groups, projects and schemes in their local community for support with health and wellbeing. Often this will be through a referral from a Link Worker based at a GP practice or another primary care professional.

Our scheme in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, called GreenSpace, is one of seven government Green Social Prescribing Test and Learn sites. It's all about improving people’s mental health. Green providers, social prescribers, voluntary organisations and community initiatives will help connect many more people with nature-based activities, helping everyone to feel better.

If you would like the monthly GreenSpace bulletin delivered to your inbox, please email greenspace@nottinghamcvs.co.uk with a request to join the mailing list.

The next bulletin will be sent out on Monday 30 January 2023, so be quick with your requests. We'll do our best to get you on the list right away, or we'll subscribe you in time for the February edition.

National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) has recently released four new evidence reviews, and accompanying briefings on:

• Social prescribing and the natural environment
• Social prescribing and arts, culture and heritage
• Social prescribing and physical activity
• Social prescribing and financial, social welfare and legal advice.

LGBT+ History Month is a celebration during February of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and gender diverse history, including the history of LGBT+ rights and related civil rights movements. In the UK, the event is honoured in February to coincide with the abolition of Section 28 in 2003, which prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” by local authorities.

The theme for LGBT+ History Month 2023 is ‘Behind the Lens’ and aims to celebrate LGBT+ people’s contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens. Directors, cinematographers, screen writers, producers, animators, costume designers, special effects, make-up artists, lighting directors, musicians, choreographers and beyond.

You are encouraged to look ‘Behind the Lens’ and listen to LGBT+ peoples’ lived experiences.

A number of virtual events are being planned for LGBT+ History Month 2023 by Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System (ICS) partners.

Wednesday 1 February 2023, 12pm to 1.15pm – ‘Asexuality: a minority within a minority’
Nottinghamshire Healthcare will launch LGBT+ History Month on behalf of the ICS. This takes the form of a virtual seminar featuring Yasmin Benoit. Yasmin is a British model, multi-award-winning asexual activist, writer, speaker, media consultant and researcher. Click and copy this link to join the live meeting on Microsoft Teams.

Wednesday 8 February 2023, 1pm to 2pm - ‘Behind the Lens’
Nottingham University Hospitals hosts this session which will feature Adam Zmith, author, screenwriter and producer of The Film We Can't See podcast series for the BBC. Click and copy this link to join the live meeting on Microsoft Teams.

Wednesday 22 February 2023, 7pm to 9pm at Nottingham Council House
Free to attend. All are welcome, no tickets required.

This will be the 15th annual Celebration and Awards evening. Awards are presented to organisations and individuals who have benefited the local LGBT+ community.

Getting awards this year are: Base 51, Singing Proud, Tina Nock (from the Centre for Transgender Health), Broadway Cinema and the Queer Arts Collective. There will be plenty of stalls to showcase the work of local organisations, plus free refreshments.

Friday 17 February 2023, 9.30am to 1.30pm
Nottingham College - City Hub, 111 Canal Street, Nottingham NG1 7HB
Free to attend

This event is for all employer types and future employers from across the D2N2 area (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire).

The aim is to bring together providers who can support employers to recruit and retain local talent. The event focuses on helping employers to understand the needs of those furthest away from the labour market. There will be four keynote speakers and four workshops focusing on inclusive recruitment.

The event will be followed by lunch and an opportunity to visit the market place of organisations that can support your business to recruit talent from a wider, more diverse pool.

Wednesday 1 March 2023, 9am to 5pm
Trent Conference Centre, Easter Park, Lenton Lane, Nottingham NG7 2PX
Live stream admission: £55; Face-to-face admission: £100

To apply for free/sponsored places, please email training@harmless.org.uk.

Harmless is proud to announce their eighth national Self Harm & Suicide Prevention Conference. The theme this year is "Keeping Access and Commitment High When Resources are Low".

Delegates can expect to take away from the conference a range of knowledge, inspiration and practical applications for the implementation in real life personal and professional situations. Learning from some of the leaders in the field, delegates will have access to sessions that can drive change in the field of self harm prevention.

Wednesday 12 April 2023, 10am to 12.30pm

An online course giving a basic understanding of roles and responsibilities in the safeguarding of adults and how to respond to concerns.

Cost: £25 per participant

Tuesday 31 January 2023, 10.30am to 12.45pm

An online course giving a basic understanding of roles and responsibilities in the safeguarding of children and young people and how to respond to concerns.

Cost: £25 per participant

Tuesday 28 February 2023, 10.30am to 12.45pm

An online course giving a basic understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead Person.

Cost: £25 per participant

Thursday 16 February 2023, 10.30am to 11.45am

An interactive online session for Trustees (or members of Management Committees) of organisations whose activities put them in contact with vulnerable adults or children.

Cost: £15 per participant

Tuesday 18 April 2023, 10.30am to 12.30pm

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

Cost: £20 per participant

Wednesday 22 February 2023, 10am to 12.15pm

A new interactive hands-on workshop for organisations and community groups who want to practice their skills and would welcome constructive feedback to further develop their skills in writing successful funding applications.
Cost: £20 per participant

Wednesday 15 March 2023, 11am to 1pm

Do you manage a space, office or building? This new two-hour online session will take your Fire Wardens and/or Fire Marshal through the basics. As a result, they will be better equipped to carry out these very important roles.

Cost: £20 per participant

Tuesday 16 May 2023, 10.30am to 12.30pm

This two-hour online session is intended for trustees who have completed our 'Being a Trustee' course, who want to further develop their involvement and awareness of trustee duties and improve their personal skill set.

Cost: £20 per participant

Tuesday 7 February 2023, 10.30am to 12.30pm

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'.

Cost: £20 per participant

Wednesday 15 February 2023, 6pm to 8pm

This new two-hour online session will explain the basics of health and safety, then take you through the process of carrying out a risk assessment in an organisational environment.

Cost: £20 per participant

Tuesday 21 March 2023, 10:30am to 12:30pm

What is the right structure for your organisation? This two-hour online session will explain your options and provide you with some useful tips to help you through the process of registration and beyond.

Cost: £20 per participant

Wednesday 22 March 2023, 10am to 11.15am

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.

Cost: £10 per participant

Thursday 29 June 2023, 10am to 11am

In this one-hour online session, we will identify some of the barriers that potential volunteers face to becoming involved in your organisation and share ideas to remove these barriers.

Cost: £10 per participant

Wednesday 14 June 2023, 10am to 11am

This one-hour online session aims to share some ideas about how best to deal with the inevitable disagreements, personality clashes and conflicts that arise from time to time among a team of volunteers.

Cost: £10 per participant

Tuesday 4 April 2023, 10am to 11am

This one-hour online session looks at methods that have proved to be effective in volunteer leadership, including the best ways to plan, involve, support and retain volunteers.

Cost: £10 per participant

Wednesday 8 February 2023, 10am to 12 noon

For some time, we’ve been asked about training that goes beyond the basics of managing and supporting volunteers. In this new two-hour online session, we’ll explore some of the real-life issues that you are facing.

Cost: £20 per participant

Tuesday 9 May 2023, 10am to 12 noon

A two-hour online course for Leaders of Volunteers to start to develop an understanding of some of the legal requirements that relate to your volunteering programme.

Cost: £20 per participant

Thursday 26 January 2023, 6pm to 7pm

A one-hour online session to help your volunteer role descriptions stand out, ensuring you attract enthusiastic volunteers.

Cost: £10 per participant

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 Katie Hall, our PDU Programme Manager, for more information: enquiries@pdunottingham.org

Join our free online hub www.pdunottingham.org

Follow us on Twitter @NottinghamCVS #PDUNottingham.

Deadline to apply: Friday 27 January 2023 (tomorrow!)

The British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) is offering 20 community groups the chance to participate in free, online workshops on using the Human Rights Act in practice.

The 90-minute workshops will offer:

• A chance to learn more about the practical use of the Human Rights Act
• How the legal duties and rights can be used to challenge the social injustice and disadvantage that your organisation is seeking to change
• Interactive, participatory learning
• Case studies and real-life stories relevant to your organisation and the people you support.

So-called 'Honour'-based Abuse and Forced Marriage
Wednesday 8 February 2023, 9.30am to 1pm
Free to Nottingham City workers. This online session is delivered by Juno Women's Aid. Register via Eventbrite

Reducing Parental Conflict
Thursday 9 February 2023, 9.30am to 12pm
Free to Nottingham City workers. This online session explores how to recognise signs of parental conflict in the early stages, where domestic abuse is not present. Learn how to help parents find constructive outcomes, which has also been shown to provide positive lessons for children in negotiation and compromise.
Register via Eventbrite

Understanding and Responding to Domestic Abuse
Free to Nottingham City workers. Are you looking to increase your understanding of domestic violence and abuse? This course will help you build up a toolkit of information and strategies to use in your workplace and everyday life.

• Online: Thursday 16 February 2023, 9.30am to 1pm - register here
• Face-to-face: Tuesday 21 February 2023, 9.30am to 4.30pm at Nottingham Mechanics, 3 North Sherwood Street, Nottingham NG1 4EZ - register here

Domestic Abuse and Counter Allegations
Tuesday 28 February 2023, 9.30am to 12pm
Free to Nottingham City workers. This online briefing is for workers who have experience of working in cases where both people in the relationship have been identified as using violence. Register via Eventbrite

AXA and Business in the Community (BITC) are partnering to deliver fully funded Youth Mental Health First Aid Champion training during the spring of 2023.

This Mental Health First Aid England (MHFAE) course will be delivered over two half day sessions, online, from the end of February to the end of March 2023. There are six different cohorts to choose from.

The online cohorts involve some online independent learning which must be completed in advance of each training session. You will receive course material, and a certificate of completion upon attendance at both sessions and completing the online learning.

In order to be eligible for a funded place on this course, individuals must be:

• An employee/volunteer of a small, voluntary sector organisation (a not-for-profit i.e. charity or otherwise registered) with approximately 50 employees or under, and mental health NOT being the primary focus of your services.
• Had minimal or no Youth Mental Health training recently.
• Working directly with young people (8-18 years) on the ground on a regular basis, with at least 20% being from low-income backgrounds.

Places are limited and will be offered on a first come basis, with a maximum of two individuals per organisation.  

Thursday 9 February 2023, 1pm to 2pm
Online via Zoom

Charities are seeing the value of making sure that lived experience and expertise influences decisions at board level, with many recruiting trustees with lived experience of the challenges the charity is tackling. But doing this well is not as simple as recruiting new trustees.

This free seminar hosted by NPC (New Philanthropy Capital), with funding from and in partnership with the Clothworkers’ Company, is aimed at trustees. It will explore:

• How a board might create inclusive, accessible and engaging governance structures, processes and cultures.
• How to make the most of the lived experience and expertise of trustees and embed this in decision making.
• How to ensure being a trustee with lived experience is a positive experience.

Neighbourly works with retailers and manufacturers to help them redistribute surplus food and products to where they are needed most in the community.

There are currently regular surplus collection slots available at a local store, Sainsbury's Nottingham Clumber St Local (NG1 3ED).

Would you be interested in collecting surplus food donations from this store? If so, you are invited to register your organisation with Neighbourly as soon as possible.

Please follow the steps below:

1. Register by creating a page on Neighbourly for your organisation. This should include a detailed summary about your organisation and how you use surplus food donations, as well as any supporting pictures and website/social media links. Please also add a main image to your page and make sure that your categories, organisation type and impact sections are filled in.
   
   
2. By setting up a page you will be agreeing to the terms and conditions. You must be an established community organisation, school or charity to join the scheme.
   
   
3. Upload a current Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate to the 'food approval' section of your page. Alternatively, you can add a link to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Rating for your organisation.
   
   
4. Email sainsburys@neighbourly.com, referencing this local store, to confirm that you have set up your page, so that you can be introduced to the next steps.

There is availability for a weekly surplus collection on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from this store. Donations will include fruit and vegetables, bakery and ambient (non-perishable food cupboard) items. Collection time will be between 12 noon - 5.30pm Mon - Sat, or between 12 noon - 4pm on Sundays, and you will receive an alert notification to let you know an estimation of the available donation.

Please use the email above if you have any questions about this store's surplus food.

Applications for the first Co(l)laboratory fully funded studentships are open until Monday 6 February 2023.

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and the University of Nottingham are providing PhD programmes which offer a unique blend of research and real-world experience. This is fully funded, which means that all tuition fees and a stipend are to be paid in monthly arrears in Years 1-3 of PhD study.

The PhD funded projects have been co-created with academics and local organisations such as Nottingham City Council, Skate Nottingham and the Trent Bridge Community Trust, to address challenges such as local mental health provision, understanding youth violence in Nottingham, local experiences of modern slave labour practices, and much more.

Information events are being held so you can find out more.

One of these is online tonight - Thursday 26 January 2023 from 6pm to 7pm. You'll need to be quick, but you can register to attend up until 5pm. It's not a requirement to attend one of these events, although you might find it useful.

Alternatively, there is an in-person event on Monday 30 January from 9am to 6pm at The Carousel, 25 Hockley, Nottingham NG1 1FH. 

Careers Advisors at Nottingham College are keen to build relationships with more voluntary and community organisations, especially to develop opportunities for SEND learners.

A SEND careers progression event, supporting learners into work and volunteering, is taking place at Nottingham College, Basford Hall Campus, NG8 6AQ on Wednesday 15 March 2023 from 10am to 2pm.

Volunteering can be an important step for learners to gain an understanding of work and how it can enrich their lives and that of others.

If you have volunteering or employment opportunities and would like to know more, please contact Natalie Wasley. Email natalie.wasley@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk or call Natalie on 0115 838 0724.

Natalie is keen to discuss ways to work together, so do get in touch even if you can't assist with the March event.

The deadline to submit an internship is Tuesday 21 February 2023

The Careers and Employability Service at University of Nottingham is looking to engage with organisations that would be interested in hosting up to three University of Nottingham students as interns for 10 days between Monday 3 and Friday 28 April through the Nottingham Internship Scheme.

The intern(s) will receive a £730 bursary from the university, so the host organisation won’t have to employ or pay them. Student applications are open to home fee paying undergraduate students that meet Widening Participation criteria.

Please email george.lycett@nottingham.ac.uk (George Lycett, Work Experience Officer) if you have any questions about this opportunity or would like to arrange a call or meeting to discuss it in more detail.

Deadline for expressions of interest: 12 noon on Friday 17 February 2023

CQC is seeking to procure suppliers to gather the experiences of people accessing CQC regulated services through direct engagement with people from population groups that are socially excluded using NHS England’s definition of inclusion health groups.

Inclusion health includes any population group that is socially excluded. This can include:

• people who experience homelessness
• drug and alcohol dependence, vulnerable migrants
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
• sex workers
• people in contact with the justice system
• victims of modern slavery
  

People’s experiences of care at named health and social care services gathered through this commissioned work will be shared with CQC via their Give Feedback on Care webform.

CQC is particularly looking for suppliers that would enable this work to be delivered within an integrated care system (ICS).

Successful bids will be awarded on Monday 20 February 2023, with planning and delivery of work to take place March to April 2023.

Contact engagementandinvolvement@cqc.org.uk for more information and how to apply. 

For your project or initiative to be considered, you will need to submit your completed form by Monday 27 February 2023.

Submitting an entry is free, and charities shortlisted will be invited to attend the presentation ceremony on 7 June 2023 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

Entries will be considered for a single initiative or project, or for the work of the whole
charity (particularly for smaller organisations). It is recommended that your initiative or project has been running long enough to show a compelling track record of success.

Thursday 2 February 2023, 11am to 12.30pm
Online via Zoom

Nottingham City Council is currently reviewing its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy. As voluntary and community sector organisations are key partners, NCVS is hosting this online engagement session to invite your essential and valued views.

There is still time to register to join us for a conversation with Saema Mohammad, Nottingham City Council's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead, where there will be a presentation and a chance to share your views. Your input is needed to help shape the EDI ambitions for 2023-2028.

Please register to ensure you are sent the Zoom meeting link.

Additional opportunities for residents and local communities to share their views will be publicised by Nottingham City Council.

Nottingham City Council is planning a public health approach to gambling related harm following a recent health needs assessment. Gambling related harm is a common though hidden public health problem with widespread impacts for individuals, families, communities and wider society.

Gambling related harm is associated with a number of other challenges, including though not limited to homelessness, alcohol related harm, social isolation, poor mental health, and suicidality.

Groups and organisations, including people with lived experience, will soon be brought together to share and discuss health needs assessment findings. The ambition is to work with others to develop a plan in the coming months, detailing how to prevent and address gambling related harm in Nottingham.

To ensure a comprehensive and successful plan, the involvement of groups and organisations in Nottingham working on intersecting areas is welcomed.

If you would like more information and are interested in being involved with this work, please email gamblingrelatedharm@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.

Consultation closes at 5pm on Tuesday 14 March 2023

Charity Commission casework suggests that some trustees have limited oversight of their charities’ use of social media compared to other aspects of their communication and engagement strategy. This might be due to a lack of confidence or understanding, or because uptake of social media has developed through staff or volunteers.

The aim of this guidance is to help trustees improve this understanding, and to encourage charities to adopt a policy on social media as a way to set their charity’s approach. The guidance does not introduce new trustee duties but seeks to make clear how existing duties are relevant to a charity’s use of social media.

The guidance is relevant to charities in England and Wales, whether or not they are registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

You might be interested in reading this Civil Society news article which warns that the Commission’s guidance "encroaches into the private lives of trustees, staff members and employees". What do you think?

Responses can be made via an online survey and additional information or responses can be made via a dedicated mailbox. The Commission’s final guidance is due to be published in the summer.

Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) needs your help to produce the most accurate and up to date picture of the key trends and issues affecting social enterprise.

From late January, SEUK will begin to collect data for the State of Social Enterprise Survey – the most comprehensive UK research on social enterprise. This vital evidence helps shape local and national policy, influence support, funding and finance to grow the social enterprise movement.

Social enterprises can register interest to take part.

Email research@socialenterprise.org.uk and you will then be contacted by BMG Research to take the survey.