We are looking for an individual who can support the development and growth of the Practice Development Unit (PDU) so its learning offer can engage with and reach a broad cross-sector audience, in close collaboration with voluntary and statutory sector partners. NCVS has hosted the PDU in partnership since 2017, originally with Opportunity Nottingham and since 2022 with Nottingham Changing Futures.

We have secured funding to develop the PDU learning offer and to upgrade and relaunch our online hub. This is an exciting opportunity to support the PDU in its next phase of development, to grow our membership to influence system change and embed the PDU as a shared learning tool and resource for the local system.

This role will help ensure that people working in Nottingham and surrounding areas understand how to best support people who experience Severe Multiple Disadvantage (SMD), and that services and staff from a wide range of organisations feel confident to deliver approaches that work.

The role is initially for 12 months with a possible extension dependent on funding. Secondments and job shares will be considered.

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Salary: £26,945 per annum
Closing date: 12 noon on Monday 14 August 2023

Please share the full job advert (pdf) with your networks.

A reminder that NCVS is working in partnership with Historic England to lead on a new Heritage Buddies Project. This is an innovative pilot project to test and trial an approach to delivering social prescribing and wellbeing through heritage in local settings, across Nottingham City.

The project aims to help people appreciate the value of their local heritage and the local historic environment, experience how it can positively benefit their health and wellbeing, widen the access to heritage organisations and activities they offer, support active participation in engaging with the historic environment and strengthen community cohesion and pride of place.

The project will test and trial the use of volunteers in both befriending and heritage organisations to link people in need through social prescribing to engagement with local heritage and the historic environment in a place.

Get involved:

We would like to invite interest and involvement from befriending or heritage organisations with a volunteer policy and supporting procedures, who are interested to involve their volunteers in this pilot. Volunteer training with organisations will take place throughout July, August and September 2023.

Not able to host a heritage buddy? We will also be creating a supportive Heritage Providers Signposting Section on the NCVS website to increase awareness of provision and opportunities across the city.

If you are interested in being involved or would like further information, please contact Sarah Greaves, Heritage Buddies Coordinator: sarahg@nottinghamcvs.co.uk.

On Thursday 29 June 2023, we opened the doors at Nottinghamshire County Football Ground for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire's first Social Prescribing Conference.

The event was organised in partnership with Ruthe Sawyer, Project Manager for Social Prescribing and Community Development at NCVS, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Nottingham City General Practice Alliance (NCGPA). It brought over 180 partners together from across the health sector, local government and the voluntary and community sector.

The event provided a rare but important opportunity for the City and County's Social Prescribing Link Workers to come together and share their experiences, as well as make new connections and learn from each other.

Twenty voluntary and community organisations were also invited to attend, as part of a marketplace initiative; allowing Link Workers to connect and collaborate directly with the groups and charities responsible for delivering social prescribing activities out in the community.

Attendees at the conference also had the opportunity to experience one of five knowledge-sharing workshops, four of which were facilitated by experts within the voluntary sector.

A huge thank you to everyone that attended, exhibited and made it such an incredible day! A report on the themes, findings and next steps drawn from the day will be published soon.

For further information about social prescribing and the links with health and community development, please email Ruthe Sawyer: ruthes@nottinghamcvs.co.uk.

GoodGym is a national charity which encourages people to get fit by volunteering in their local community, and their services have arrived in Nottingham to support our local communities and community organisations.

GoodGym is a community of people who get fit by doing good; running, walking and cycling to provide free volunteering time to organisations and charities in their local area.

Do you have a task they can assist you with?

GoodGym tasks are usually short, physical activities with an achievable outcome. Examples include:

• Sorting donations at a food bank
• Shifting compost and weeding at local parks and community gardens
• Painting walls and cleaning windows at community centres
• Rearranging furniture in a primary school or library
• Setting up gazebos for local community events.

If you're short of support with physical tasks, your organisation could benefit from a task force of 'goodgymers' as additional volunteers on specific projects.

If you have any questions about GoodGym in Nottingham, please email markgilyead@goodgym.org.

Rolling application process until 12 noon on Monday 14 August 2023

Up to £3 million is available through The National Lottery Community Fund’s (TNLCF’s) Awards for All England programme this summer thanks to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and National Lottery players. This is the first phase of funding of the Million Hours Fund, which totals £11 million up to March 2025.

Awards for All England welcomes applications for projects that will support young people primarily aged 11 to 18 (and up to 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities) starting during the 2023 school summer holidays (21 July to 3 September 2023). This funding will support a range of youth services offering a variety of positive activities for young people in eligible wards with the highest reported numbers of antisocial behaviour incidents.

Eligible wards have been determined by allocating wards to each Police Force Area (PFA) based on youth population, and then selecting those with the highest reported number of antisocial behaviour incidents from within the PFA.

Your project needs to be delivered by trusted adults, whether they are qualified youth workers/youth support workers or experienced volunteers, and provide open or targeted (for example, via youth faith groups) provision for young people.

The Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire Violence Reduction Partnership is happy to look over your application ahead of you submitting it. Please email vrp@notts.police.uk.

There are four application rounds per year. The next deadline is Monday 31 July 2023.

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust awards grants to registered UK charities that work with communities in the UK. They aim to give grants to those in society who face the greatest challenges and whose opportunities are most limited.

The remaining rounds of funding for 2023 focus on children and young people in care and care leavers. The Trust's priorities change each year.

You must be registered with the Charity Commission (unless exempt) in order to apply, and not all organisations will be eligible. Please check the guidance carefully.

Guidance has been updated for voluntary and community sector organisations on how to apply for HMRC's funding grant for 2024 to 2027.

HMRC has secured £5.5 million for a three-year programme from April 2024 to March 2027 (£1.835 million per year), to fund voluntary and community sector organisations to help them provide advice and support to customers who need extra help in understanding and complying with their tax obligations and claiming their entitlements, including those who are digitally excluded.

HMRC is inviting bids for funding of between £30,000 and £600,000 a year, with a maximum threshold set at 50% of an organisation’s turnover.

The advert and application will be available from Monday 24 July 2023 and the application window closes at 11.59pm on Monday 21 August 2023.

Deadline for expressions of interest: 5pm on Friday 22 September 2023

Lloyds Bank Foundation has launched a new funding programme for local collaborations led by small charities seeking to influence and achieve local or regional change around improving the social security system, access to suitable accommodation, and support for asylum seekers and refugees

Under this programme, eligible organisations can apply for a grant of £100,000 over two years to push for the change needed to make a positive impact on people’s lives and long-lasting change. Collaborations will have the opportunity to extend by a further year and additional £50,000.

This funding cannot be used to fund direct delivery of services and is exclusively to support partnerships to influence locally and regionally.

You are encouraged to read the full guidance on the Lloyds Bank Foundation website.

If you have further questions about the programme after reading the guidance, please email collaborations@lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk by Friday 8 September. There is also information on the website about how to set up a call with the team.

Severn Trent Community Fund has published an annual review for 2022-2023, showcasing highlights and stories from their third year of funding. Read it here.

Women Thrive Fund was set up as a partnership fund by Rosa and Smallwood Trust to support organisations working to improve the mental health and financial resilience of women and girls across the UK during the Covid crisis. An impact report was published in June 2023. Read it here.

Friday 21 July 2023, 1pm to 3pm
Meadows Library, Wilford Grove, Nottingham NG2 2DR
Free to attend; no need to book

This is a free seminar on how men and women cope with stress differently, based on Dr John Gray's book, Why Mars and Venus Collide.

Dr Rani Thanacoody, from the Nottingham University Business School, will take an
entertaining and informative look at stress.

The event is supported by the University of Nottingham Institute for Policy and Engagement and hosted by Nottingham City Libraries.

Saturday 22 July 2023, 11am to 5pm
Windmill Community Gardens, at the end of Ascot Road, Aspley Lane NG8 5HD
Free entry

Local artists' work will be exhibited in the gardens. Plants for sale, live music, workshops and fun family activities. Refreshments will be available.

Text 07816 899978 if you need directions.

Saturday 22 July 2023, 10am to 2pm
Gresham Park Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7YF
£1 before event day; £2 on the day
Under 18’s free when accompanied by a paying adult

The Nottingham Emmanuel School is 20 this year. There will be fun activities for all. This event is not only a celebration but also an opportunity to learn and educate and show support to the local community.

Everyone who has been part of the last 20 years is welcome, including alumni, former staff and the local community. The catchment area served is West Bridgford, Clifton and The Meadows.

NCVS will have a stand at the event in the afternoon, sharing information about the benefits of volunteering.

Sunday 30 July 2023, 12pm to 7pm
Forest Recreation Ground NG7 6LB
Free to attend

Organised by Karimia Institute, this event celebrates the diverse cultures of the different communities in Nottingham.

The festival will be held on the Forest Recreation Ground, with food and drink stalls, Mehndi, face painting, inflatables and funfair rides, plus live nasheeds.

Sunday 24 September 2023 (race starts at 9.30am)
The race starts and finishes at Victoria Embankment, Nottingham
Entry fees apply

The Robin Hood Half Marathon is one of the longest established and most popular city centre road events in the UK. It is also the largest charity fundraising event in the city, raising over £330,000 for charity in 2019.

Many local charities are participating this year, so you may wish to show your support. View the charity partners for 2023. NCVS understands that other partners are continuing to sign up who may not yet be listed on that page and/or organising their own fundraising campaigns around the event.

For latest updates, follow the social media accounts for Robin Hood Half Marathon.

Thursday 28 September 2023, 10.30am to 3.30pm (registration from 10am)
The Good Shepherd Church, 3 Thackeray’s Lane, Woodthorpe, Nottingham NG5 4HT
This event is free but they ask for a donation towards lunch on the day (If you have a special diet, you are welcome to bring your own lunch.)

Trent Dementia charity works with people affected by dementia to plan and deliver events and activities.

Email contact@trentdementia.org.uk or call 0115 748 4220 with any questions.

Wednesday 11 October 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 24 October 2023, 10.30am to 1pm

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

Wednesday 30 August 2023, 10am to 12.30pm

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

Cost: £25 per participant

Wednesday 16 August 2023, 6pm to 7.30pm

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

Monday 9 October 2023, 11am to 1pm

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

Thursday 19 October 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

Tuesday 10 October 2023, 10.30am to 12.30pm

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 7 November 2023, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

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 16 January 2024, 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 11 October 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

Monday 8 January 2024, 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

Tuesday 19 September 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 cost of living funding and recovery support as well as other general funding.

Cost: £10 per participant

Wednesday 22 November 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

Thursday 9 November 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

Thursday 5 October 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

Thursday 21 September 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 5 September 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

Tuesday 17 October 2023, 10am to 11am

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.

Wednesday 2 August 2023, 10am to 11am
Online event, free to attend

In this session we will explore the topic of screening in relation to gambling related harm. We will discuss available screening tools, how these can be implemented within your service and the impact these can have on identifying problematic gambling within your client groups - looking at both local and national approaches.

We will explore how stigma and shame can impact people’s willingness to openly discuss gambling behaviour, with a view to increase people’s confidence in having conversations on this topic.

We welcome individuals with lived experience of Severe Multiple Disadvantage (SMD) to attend, as well as professionals and volunteers from all sectors.

Register here

Future sessions:
This is part of a series of interactive webinars to develop understanding and best practice around gambling related harms. Though you do not have to attend all the webinar sessions, it is recommended you do to get the most out of the series.

Other planned sessions include:

• Affected Others/Women - Wednesday 6 September 2023, 10am to 11am
  
  
• Gambling and Cultural Responsivity - Wednesday 4 October 2023, 10am to 11am.

Are you inspired by the work of the PDU? NCVS is looking for a Practice Development Unit (PDU) Events Coordinator to join the team. Closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 14 August 2023.

This conference isn't until November, but Early Bird discount tickets are only available until Tuesday 15 August 2023.
Early bird ticket price is £76 (then £108.50).

This not-for-profit conference promises to be both educational and impactful for professionals working with children and young people who have experienced trauma.

The Conference will take place at the Albert Hall in Nottingham on Wednesday 8 November 2023 and offers a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge, gain valuable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points, and connect with like-minded individuals.

People who work in health, care and the voluntary sector will be celebrated in the first ever Health and Care Awards, launched on the 75th anniversary of the NHS.

The awards are being organised by the Integrated Care System – a partnership of NHS services, local authorities and other local partners – and Nottinghamshire Lieutenancy.

Nominations are now open until Friday 8 September 2023 and the winners will be announced at a ceremony held at Nottingham University on Tuesday 24 October.

Deadline for applications: 11am on Friday 18 August 2023

Nottingham City Council is seeking tenders from sufficiently experienced and qualified contractors to deliver a local evaluation of the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) programme across Derby, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire (Working Well East Midlands).

The IPSPC programme aims to increase employment support for people with Long Term Health Conditions and Disabilities, providing an opportunity for Local Authorities to improve health and employment outcomes in their local areas.

This is one contract covering all the areas in the geography. The value of the contract is £150,000 and the delivery period will be 18 September 2023 to 31 May 2025. Applications are only through the tender portal.

Email Workingwell.EM@nottinghamcity.gov.uk with any questions.

The GSK IMPACT Awards are for charities with total annual income between £150,000 and £3 million. They are funded by GSK and managed in partnership with The King's Fund to provide core funding and free training for charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. Up to 15 awards will be made, ranging from £4,000 to £50,000, plus free training and development valued at a further £9,500. Closing date: 5pm on Friday 1 September 2023.

The new GSK Health Inequalities Programme supports small charities with total annual income between £20,000 and £150,000. Up to 15 charities will receive up to £10,000 in unrestricted funding plus access to free training and development valued at £2,700. Closing date: 5pm on Monday 14 August 2023. 

Survey closes on Monday 31 July 2023

NHS Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) would like to engage people who have been impacted by suicidal thoughts, bereaved by suicide or/and self-harm. They would like to hear from people with lived experience, carers, family members and professionals.

Findings from this survey will help shape upcoming listening events, Health Equity Audits, Joint Strategic Needs Assessments, and future service improvement.

Consultation closes at 11.59pm on 16 August 2023

This consultation will inform the government's proposed development of secondary legislation on visiting in care homes, hospitals and hospices to inform decisions around making visiting rules mandatory for the good of service users.

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) wants to ensure that visiting is protected and that it remains a priority for health and care providers. To do this, they are considering introducing secondary legislation to amend CQC regulations to include a specific visiting requirement.

Through this consultation, DHSC wants to better understand the views of those who would be affected by a legislative change, and the most effective way of ensuring that patients and residents can receive visitors whenever it is reasonable and safe.

This consultation is regarding visits from family, friends and volunteers, such as befrienders. It is not considering access to visiting professionals.

The easiest way to respond is by completing the online survey.