Useful info – January 2023
December 21, 2022
Events, training, charity news, surveys, research, feedback, reports, services and much more – in one handy place!
This page will be updated with new information as we receive it during January. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 25/01/23)
You can view last month’s Useful Information here to catch up on new information added during December ’22.
If you’ve seen something you think we should be sharing, let us know! Email us: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Training and Events
Multiverse Lab archive launch @ University of Cumbria
Friday 27 January. Hear about the new Multiverse Lab archive. Discover the public’s most talked about health and social care issues, how the data is being used, and how you can use the archive to inspire your research.
If you’re attending in person, please join us afterwards for refreshments.
Find out more and register here
UK Poverty 2023: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK
Thursday 26 January. Join this webinar to hear about The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s perspective on what has happened to poverty and living standards since the start of the pandemic, as well as what the future prospects are.
LGBT History Month
February. LGBT History Month is a whole month dedicated to promoting LGBT equality. The theme this year is #BehindTheLens, celebrating LGBT+ people’s contribution to cinema and film at a time when LGBT+ lives are in the media, you’re encouraged to look ‘Behind the Lens’ to listen to lived experiences.
Kendal ‘Sustainability Hub’ Community Shaping Event
Wednesday 1 February. Please join us (Kendal Town Council, Waste into Wellbeing & Stricklandgate House) to help shape what Kendal’s ‘Sustainability Hub’ is called, how it will look and feel and what it can offer communities across Kendal. Email helen@kendaltowncouncil.gov.uk for more info/questions.
Click the thumbnail to view a flyer with more details.
The cost-of-living crisis: lived experiences of residents of Blackpool
Thursday 16 February. The NIHR ARC NWC project (Community Research and Engagement Network – CoREN) would like to invite you to attend an online lunchtime workshop, led by Tracy Hopkins, the CEO, and Conal Land, the Research and Campaigns Officer at Citizens Advice Blackpool, who are going to share what their clients have told them about the cost of living crisis.
This workshop will provide a platform for the lived experience of people in Blackpool to be shared. The health impact of the cost-of-living crisis will also be discussed, showing how the wider determinants of health are being exacerbated in the current economic climate. (Open to organisations in South Cumbria only.)
Online Community Fundraising Course
Thursday 23 February & Thursday 2 March. Are you making the most of your ability to engage with your community to raise funds? Do you want to launch or grow your Community Fundraising income but you’re not sure where to start?
Get Grants Online Community Fundraising Course is designed to support fundraisers to tap into the potential of their community to increase your organisation’s income.
Online Corporate Fundraising Course
Tuesday 21 February & Tuesday 28 February. Get Grants Online Corporate Fundraising Training Course is a practical learning session designed to support fundraisers and non-profit organisations to increase their Corporate Fundraising success.
Increasing your knowledge of Corporate Fundraising will help you to develop new business relationships and diversify your organisation’s potential income. In doing so, you have the potential to increase your organisation’s financial sustainability, aiding you in meeting your organisation’s objectives.
Online Developing your Individual Giving
Friday 10 February & Friday 17 February. Get Grants Developing Your Individual Giving Course will give you practical solutions and ideas for growing your charity’s income through support from individual donors. By developing an individual giving offer, organisations can diversify their income, strengthening resilience and sustainability (which is needed now more than ever).
Many organisations have communities of people that are enthusiastic about their work and willing to give their support. However, often organisations aren’t making the most of these opportunities as they lack the confidence and knowledge to progress this.
Online Storytelling for Fundraising Training Course
Tuesday 7 February & Tuesday 14 February. Get Grants Online Storytelling for Fundraising Training Course is designed to support fundraisers to improve their fundraising confidence and success through effective use of storytelling.
Telling stories is a powerful tool that is too often overlooked. Stories are used to engage, inform, persuade, and create connections between people. As a fundraiser, storytelling is a valuable skill that can be used to influence your potential supporters and maximise on your fundraising efforts.
Online Bid Writing in Sports & Physical Activity Workshop
Thursday 2 February. Get Grants have developed an Online Bid Writing in Sports & Physical Activity Workshop in response to request for Fundraising support from local clubs and sports organisation.
The Workshop is a two-hour online session aimed at organisations who are delivering sports and physical activity projects who are interested in growing their grant fundraising confidence and increasing their income through grant funding.
Online Community Fundraising Training Course
Thursday 23 February & Thursday 2 March. Are you making the most of your ability to engage with your community to raise funds? Do you want to launch or grow your Community Fundraising income but you’re not sure where to start?
Get Grants Online Community Fundraising Course is designed to support fundraisers to tap into the potential of their community to increase your organisation’s income.
Community Transport Forums
(North West, Tuesday 24 January.) The Community Transport Association (CTA) has launched its new Forums for England. Following consultation with CTA members and Department for Transport, a structure has been developed which will provide an opportunity for the voice of CT to be heard at a local and national level.
The aim of these forums is to connect community transport providers and stakeholders, creating regional communities where we can come together share and discuss challenges and work collaboratively to promote the value of CT and how it can integrate with the wider transport sector. CTA welcomes all non-profit Community Transport Providers, the wider Voluntary sector and our public sector colleagues to register for these meetings.
NAVCA Annual Conference 2023
Online conference, 27 April 2023. We’re so excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for our next annual conference. After listening to your feedback and reporting on the conference, we have decided that we are going to move to having an in-person conference in springtime rather than November.
Find out more and buy tickets here
Grant Giving in 2023 with NCS
National Citizen Service Trust (NCS) have introduced their new grant programme which will allow grants to be awarded to local organisations so they can deliver community-based experiences. They are working closely with National Youth Agency and StreetGames UK to develop the grant programme which will be open to applications in 2023.
To give you an opportunity to learn more about the programme, they’re hosting a virtual event on Friday 20 January 2023. You can register for the session here.
Every Life Matters: new training dates for 2023
Every Life Matters strives to take a fresh, innovative and long term approach to suicide prevention and suicide bereavement support in Cumbria.
Our training aims to reduce the stigma attached to suicide, increase understanding of when someone is at risk of suicide, raise awareness of how to practically support someone, and the range of services and resources available for people in our communities experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Course dates are available for Jan – April for: Suicide Alertness; Suicide First Aid; Safety Planning; Supporting Children’s Mental Health; Self Harm Alertness; Understanding Suicide Bereavement; Suicide Awareness; ASK – Assessing Suicide in Kids; Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Click here for more information and to book. Most are free.
Webinar: A complete guide to volunteering
12 January 2023. In this webinar, Charity Digital will explore the intricacies of volunteering covering how to recruit volunteers, how to manage volunteers, how to thank and support volunteers, and so much more.
Creative Textiles for Wellbeing
Starts Tuesday 17 January, Kendal Library. An inspirational and practical course to de-stress and realise your creative potential. This course aims to improve your focus and confidence in all areas of life.
This free course is aimed at those struggling in terms of social isolation, mental well being or low income.
More information in the attached flyer
easyfundraising Live Online Webinar
Wednesday 18 January. easyfundraising provides a great way for people to raise funds for your organisation or charity without making a donation themselves. Find out more!
Virtual Fundraisers Networking Events
Tuesday 31 January/Monday 27 February. Since April 2020, Get Grants have delivered monthly Virtual Fundraisers Networking Events – supporting the sector whilst it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These friendly sessions involve a Get Grants Expert providing an update on the current grant fundraising landscape, before facilitating discussions about how the grant fundraising world continues to change, and what opportunities and challenges this presents to you as fundraisers.
Online Bid Writing for Charities and Community Groups Course
Tuesday 24 January & Tuesday 31 January. Get Grants Online Bid-Writing Course will give you practical support to improve your grant fundraising success and inspire you to become a more confident grant fundraiser.
In attending our course, you will access expert insights, crucial information, and friendly advice that will help you increase your organisation’s income through grant funding.
Online Developing a Fundraising Strategy Training Course
Thursday 19 January & Thursday 26 January. Across the sector, fundraisers and charity leaders are working to ensure their organisations put themselves in the best possible position to meet the future needs of their beneficiaries.
In response to demand from the sector, Get Grants Online Developing a Fundraising Strategy Training Course has been created to give fundraisers the practical skills and knowledge to develop an effective fundraising strategy and increase their organisation’s income and sustainability.
Online Major Donor Fundraising Course
Tuesday 17 January & Tuesday 24 January. Get Grants Major Donor Fundraising Course offers a comprehensive overview of the major donor fundraising process and includes practical examples for you to apply to your organisation.
This course is ideal for fundraisers of all levels and organisations of any size. Whether you would like to assess if your organisation is ready to develop a major gifts programme, or if you already have a programme in place, but would like to review some of the foundational elements, then this course is suitable for you.
Webinar: A complete guide to volunteering
12 January 2023. In this webinar, Charity Digital will explore the intricacies of volunteering covering how to recruit volunteers, how to manage volunteers, how to thank and support volunteers, and so much more.
Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) BGKT 2023 meeting dates
Please view this document to see details of events taking place in 2023, including monthly open meetings and Vesak Celebration in May.
Meet the Funder Events
Dates through until May ’23. There has never been a greater need for fundraisers to get-together and share knowledge and experience. Get Grants FREE Virtual Events bring fundraisers across the UK together to share experiences and connect with other fundraisers.
In our popular Meet the Funder Virtual Events, Get Grants Funding Experts are joined by funders to talk about their funding programmes. These events give attendees the opportunity to speak directly to funders, take part in discussions, get unique insights, and ask questions specific to their project or organisation.
Dementia Information Sessions
Monthly dates through to March ’23 at Longtown & Brampton Community Centres, from Carlisle Dementia Action Alliance.
Click here to see more details.
Going Green Together – Carbon Literacy Course
Cumbria Action for Sustainability have released another date for their subsidised Carbon Literacy course for those operating in the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector (VCSE). These accredited courses are for groups looking to take the next steps with their organisation’s sustainability strategy.
The course will delve into the facts about the latest climate science, and you will be equipped with the skills to calculate your carbon footprint. This will help you identify where improvements in your organisation can be made, and actions to put those improvements in place.
The course, hosted on Zoom, is split into two sessions, in the new year, on Tuesday 17 & 24 January.
This is a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of heavily subsidised training exclusively for VCSE groups, with 50% off the usual ticket price, thanks to the Going Green Together project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and County Durham Community Foundation.
Click here for more information and to book
Eden Project Communities Camp applications are open
Community Camp is the Eden Project’s annual immersive learning experience for people who are interested in, or new to, community action. If you want to make a positive change in your community but don’t know where to get started, this is for you. There are Community Camps coming up between now and March 2023, two of these are face to face camps at the Eden Project and two of them will take place online.
VCFSE News and Information
Cumbria awarded £60m in levelling up funds
Cumbria has been awarded more than £60m in government levelling up funds – with road, bridge and industrial projects set to benefit.
In Copeland, £20m will part-fund the creation of an “enterprise cluster”. Cumbria County Council will receive £18m to upgrade 18.5 miles (30km) of roads and a number of bridges. An extra £9.5m will fund highways and town centre schemes in Workington with £16m for a town centre revamp in Barrow, the government said.
Stay switched on!
You may be eligible for free support from your energy supplier by signing up to their priority services register. It’s a free service that makes sure extra help is available to people who need it like pensioners, people who need power for essential medical equipment or those who need help in a power cut. Alternatively, you might be struggling to access your payment meter or read small print on your bills.
The register helps energy suppliers know which customers need extra support. This can be because of your age, disability, a problem with your mobility, if you have an illness, suffer from mental health problems, have communication needs, or there have been changes in your life (such as pregnancy or if you have children under five).
LGR Stakeholder Newsletter
The seven authorities working together to create two new unitary councils and fire service governance for Cumbria are committed to keeping stakeholders informed on progress as we move towards a new era for local government in the county.
Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Councils will take over the running of local authority services from 1 April, 2023. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will come under the Office of Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
The latest newsletter contains information on what’s new, budget consultation and Chief Officer recruitment.
‘Festival of volunteering’ announced to mark King Charles’ coronation
Charities have been urged to take part in a national volunteering initiative announced as part of a weekend of celebrations to mark King Charles’ coronation.
The Big Help Out will take place on 8 May, a bank holiday Monday two days after the coronation, with 30 national charities already set to take part including the Scouts, NSPCC and the Trussell Trust.
How volunteering will develop in 2023
Charity Digital looks at how the cost-of-living crisis will affect volunteering trends in 2023.
Latest News from Cumbria County Council
You can view Cumbria County Council’s newsletter from 20 January here, including:
- Call for new volunteer drivers and co-ordinators across Cumbria
- Residents encouraged to have their say on budget proposals
- Westmorland and Furness Council consult on council tax
Disabled charity leaders often find themselves ‘pigeonholed’, says ACEVO boss
Disabled leaders in charities tend to feel “pigeonholed”, the chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) has said.
In a speech at an event recently, Jane Ide told delegates how ACEVO has been improving diversity and shared best practices on how charities can be more inclusive.
Amazon scraps donation tool used by thousands of UK charities
Online shopping giant Amazon has announced that it has scrapped its online donation service, AmazonSmile, six years after launching it.
In a letter to customers, the retailer said AmazonSmile, which enabled online shoppers to donate to a charity of their choice when making retail purchases, had not “grown to create the impact that we had originally hoped”.
Public expectations of charity efficiency set to increase, Commission chair warns
The chair of the Charity Commission has said that charities will come under “evermore intense scrutiny” as they navigate the unfolding cost-of-living crisis.
Speaking at an event recently, Orlando Fraser warned that as donors and supporters experience financial hardship, “their expectations of efficiency and effectiveness in charity is only going to increase”.
New NHS role to support victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) NHS Trust has welcomed its first Health based Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisor (IDSVA). It means that patients who are victims of sexual or domestic abuse will have dedicated support with specialist advice when they need it most.
The Trust recently appointed to the role thanks to funding secured through the Ministry of Justice and will be working alongside safeguarding team to provide critical support for victims of Domestic Abuse (DA) and Sexual Violence (SV) across the Trust’s services.
Cost of Living support poster
Cumbria Association of Local Councils have produced a poster which can be shared electronically or printed out, providing details of a free Welfare Helpline, and links to Cumbria County Council’s cost of living advice.
Cost-of-living crisis: five ways charities can reduce costs
Here are five ideas to help you keep your charity’s costs under control in the face of rapidly rising prices.
Four ways inflation will affect your charity
Some of the most important things your charity needs to know in an era of high inflation.
Two-year facilitation package for cross-sector health partnerships
The Institute for Voluntary Action Research are inviting expressions of interest in the next phase of their Connecting Health Communities programme. This is a two-year facilitation support package for cross-sector partnerships who would like to engage their community in addressing health inequalities.
You can find more information here
Data suggests no significant recovery for charity sector until 2024
The latest data from Charity Excellence has indicated that a charity sector crisis is set to continue into 2024 before any significant improvement is seen. The data suggests that the sector is now entering it’s worst phase in a continuing downward trajectory for resilience and fundraising, which began in late 2021.
In response, Charity Excellence has launched phase 3 of it’s sector support programme, offering support to help charities increase their governance, management and fundraising effectiveness.
Free online property guidance for charities published
The Ethical Property Foundation (EPF) has launched a free guide for anyone in the charity sector planning to acquire and manage property.
The Weston Property manual contains 12 easy-to-read sections that range from tips on basic mistakes to avoid to a jargon buster for commercial property.
Podcast: The essentials of effective online communication
This podcast discusses all things language – from establishing an appropriate voice to being inclusive, to communicating in line with your mission.
Concerns shared as regulator publishes social media guidance for trustees
The Charity Commission has published draft guidance for trustees on how charities should use social media and has asked the sector to respond.
Its guidance warns that social media posts by someone who works or volunteers for a charity can be seen as reflecting the views of the organisation itself and urges trustees to set rules and plan responses to negative attention the charity may receive.
Digital trends for 2023
Charity Digital takes a look at the challenges set to define 2023 and explores the digital trends that will help organisations meet those challenges.
Climate change: rise of the eco-friendly donor
Charities are increasingly having to prove their green credentials. Donors want to know how the charity they support – regardless of mission – is playing their part in protecting the planet.
The best winter fundraising ideas
Freshen up your fundraising toolkit with Charity Digital’s winter fundraising ideas.
Latest News from Cumbria County Council
You can view Cumbria County Council’s newsletter from 13 January here, including:
- Residents encouraged to have their say on budget proposals
- Westmorland and Furness Council consult on council tax
- Council leader lobbies Government over free school meals
GCHQ offers free support to small charities at risk of cyber attack
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, has announced it is offering small charities free support to put protections in place against cyber attacks.
It has launched the initiative to help organisations that support the most vulnerable in society boost their cyber resilience.
Top tips for working with sensitive text data
Some top tips for charities that work with sensitive data and a look at a case study that shows data safeguarding in action.
Local charity groups warn of closures after post-March reduction in energy support
Many local charities will close when the government’s energy bill support reduces after March, sector representatives have warned.
Local charity membership bodies criticised the Treasury’s recent announcement that all charities will continue to receive a reduced level of government support in paying for their utilities after March through the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS).
A quick guide to writing up your events
Event coverage matters – let audiences know what you’ve been up to.
How charities should approach clickbait
The temptation to click on a flashy advert or titillating image is difficult to resist. Mainly, it’s about wanting to know more about a celebrity or juicy gossip.
For charities navigating the use of click-bait, there are pitfalls to be aware of before using the controversial digital marketing technique.
Energy Bills Discount Scheme
The Government has announced a new Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) to run from 1 April 2023 for eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This replaces the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme for non-domestic customers, which comes to an end on 31 March 2023 and provided a reduction on wholesale gas and electricity prices.
The new scheme sets a cap of £5.5Bn on expenditure based on the estimated volumes that will be used. The aim is to provide a balance between supporting businesses for 12 months from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 and limiting taxpayer expenditure.
Eligibility – The scheme is available to all non-domestic contracts including:
- businesses
- voluntary sector organisations and charities
- public sector organisations such as schools, hospitals, and care homes
Charities and climate change
Charity Digital explore the basics of climate change for charities, looking at why charities need to get involved, how charities can get involved, the best resources available to charities, and so much more.
Facts about charities in 2023
Charity Digital notes down all the latest facts and statistics about the charity sector, looking particularly at how digital is changing the landscape of fundraising, service delivery, volunteering, marketing, finance, cyber security, sustainability, and more.
Latest News from Cumbria County Council
You can view Cumbria County Council’s newsletter from 6 January here, including:
- Torpenhow and Bothel pedestrian access update 2023
- Covid and flu on the rise, warns Director of Public Health
- HM The King’s New Year 2023 Honours Announced
Number of new charities drops to 33-year low as regulator ‘strengthens’ approach
The lowest number of new charities in more than 30 years registered with the Charity Commission in 2022, according to the regulator’s database.
Some 4,021 organisations in England and Wales registered as charities last year, compared to 4,315 in 2021 and a yearly average of 5,415 in the decade before that.
Charity Digital launches Climate Action Campaign
The Charity Digital Climate Action Campaign aims to raise awareness about climate change in the charity sector and empower charities to take meaningful action to protect our planet.
Charity bodies decry chancellor meeting snub as energy bill uncertainty continues
NCVO has called on Jeremy Hunt to hold an urgent meeting with charity sector representatives after the chancellor met business leaders to discuss future energy bills support recently.
Hunt met private sector representatives including the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and UK Hospitality.
Regional Winter Preparedness Scenarios
The VCS Emergencies Partnership has now published a summary and resources from their regional winter preparedness scenarios.
The resources include an organiser deck to help people run the same exercise with your organisation and additional packs for facilitators and organisers.
They have also updated their winter preparedness page with information and guidance on a range of relevant issues.
UK Government Resilience Framework
The UK Government Resilience Framework has now been published. This represents a significant amount of work by national, regional, local and grassroots VCS organisations, who have been at the forefront of the response to emergencies.
Local Government Reorganisation
A useful presentation has been produced which contains details about confirmation of appointments, setting up of networks, confirmation of each area’s Council plans and the next steps before Vesting Day on 1 April.
Make your organisation eco-friendly in 2023
Support is available to help your organisation to become environmentally sustainable in 2023.
You can register for the Become Green Together programme up until Tuesday 31st January. Get access to expert support, workshops and webinars to develop green policies, create sustainability strategies, and monitor and reduce your carbon footprint. This is the perfect opportunity to make meaningful change happen and showcase your eco-credentials to funders and stakeholders.
Regulator offers guidance to trustees of charities hit by cost-of-living crisis
The Charity Commission has published guidance on what trustees of charities facing difficulties related to the cost-of-living crisis should consider, after reports of voluntary organisations facing increased energy bills and struggling to meet higher demand.
Its guidance notes these challenges may include charities’ own cash flow but also those they serve and their own staff facing cost-of-living pressures.
The Charity Awards 2023
The 23rd annual Charity Awards are now open for entries. Visit the website to get your application underway and learn more about the awards programme.
The awards provide a perfect opportunity for you to propel your charity’s work into the spotlight, influence policymakers and funders and boost the morale of your staff and stakeholders. Submitting an entry is free, and charities shortlisted will be invited to attend the presentation ceremony on 7 June as guests.
Record £590m raised through JustGiving in 2022
Some £590m was raised through JustGiving for 23,000 charities and good causes in the UK in 2022, the highest total recorded by the platform.
Last year’s total is 7% higher than the £551m raised in 2021, with both figures including Gift Aid.
‘Missed opportunity’ – charity sector bodies react to annual return changes
Charity sector bodies have responded to an updated set of questions that charities will have to complete as part of their 2023 annual return, with one decrying a “missed opportunity” to introduce questions on diversity and impact.
The Charity Commission announced the changes in December following a consultation with the sector earlier last year.
Charity sector leaders recognised in New Year Honours list
A number of people across the charity sector have received recognition in the New Year Honours List 2023.
Latest News from Cumbria County Council
You can view Cumbria County Council’s newsletter from 23 December here, including:
- New data results show 48% of children in Cumbria are active
- County Council reminder about requirement for scaffolding permits
- December road improvements – A592 – update
Latest News from Cumbria County Council
You can view Cumbria County Council’s newsletter from 22 December here, including:
- Are you struggling with the cost of living?
- Find your nearest ‘warm spot’
- NHS industrial action
The best places to find charity jobs
Useful information to help you find the role you’ve been looking for in the charity sector.
Everything you need to know about volunteering
Charity Digital looks at the benefits of volunteering, how to recruit and manage volunteers, the importance of volunteer management systems, and explores volunteering opportunities across the world.
How to embed sustainability in decision making
If we’re going to tackle climate change and succeed, we all have to step it up. And that includes charities.
Cyber security actions charities can take right now
Explore steps that charities can take to mitigate the risks posed to them by cyber threats.
How to avoid meeting overload
Eight top tips to help you regain control of your time spent in meetings.
9 tips for a user-focussed, content-first homepage
The Catalyst have taken insight from a survey of 30 charity homepages and have compiled a list of top-tips on how to create an impactful, but user-friendly homepage for your website.
Launch of Core20PLUS5 for Children and Young People
NHS England is launching a national approach to support the reduction of health inequalities for children and young people. The approach defines a target population cohort – the Core20PLUS – and identifies five focus clinical areas requiring accelerated improvement.
The original Core20PLUS5 approach launched in 2021 focused on adults. A new version has now been designed to focus on the clinical areas most relevant to reducing health inequalities in children and young people. The five clinical areas of focus will be asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, oral health and mental health.
How to overcome fundraising challenges in 2023
Covid-19 drastically altered the landscape of fundraising. Charities found stability in 2022, or at least some version of stability, but were immediately struck by new political, economic, and cultural challenges.
In this podcast, Charity Digital looks to the future, examining the latest fundraising ideas, trends, tech, platforms, and changes to help us prepare for the year ahead.
Cost of Living: Effect on the Nation’s Mental Health
Rehab Recovery have created an infographic outlining how the cost of living crisis is impacting particular groups’ mental health. It highlight people of working age, those who are retired, those with disabilities, and those with dependent children to name a few.
You can view the infographic here
Latest News from Cumbria County Council
You can view Cumbria County Council’s newsletter from 16 December here, including:
- School pupils set to benefit from £2m emergency school food fund
- Cumbria County Council – Christmas and New Year period opening hours 2022-23
- Cumbria’s Director of Public Health asks parents to remain vigilant but not to panic as scarlet fever cases rise
Women and Girls Learning Pack
The National Lottery Community Fund is delighted to share our Women and Girls Learning Pack emerging from 4 regional roundtable events attended by over 500 people, held in 2021 and 2022 in the North East and Cumbria, Yorkshire and Humberside, the Midlands and the North West of England in partnership with the women and girls sector.
These events were co-produced by staff from women and girls organisations, the Learning and Impact Services partners from our Women and Girls Initiative funding programme and The National Lottery Community Fund staff. The pack shares the vital work of the women and girls sector, their key challenges and recommendations for funders to improve the lives of women and girls.
DCMS invests £600,000 into sector-led volunteering initiative
The government has invested £600,000 into Vision for Volunteering, a 10-year initiative supported by more than 300 charities.
Funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will support the next 18-month stage of the project led by NCVO, NAVCA, Volunteering Matters, Sport England and Association of Volunteer Managers.
£250m EU replacement fund payments begin after charities criticised delays
The government has confirmed it will begin distributing over £250m to local authorities from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) this month after charity bodies criticised delays.
In the autumn statement, £400m of EU replacement funding that the government previously pledged to distribute in the current financial year appeared to have been removed.
Cost-of-living: rising cyber threats
Cyber criminals have been quick to exploit the cost-of-living crisis to find new victims. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and your charity.
Zero Carbon Cumbria – Community Climate Grants
The Zero Carbon Cumbria – Community Climate Grants, is a £100,000 funding pot to support local initiatives to raise awareness of climate change and reduce carbon emissions. The funding will contribute to the work of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership over a five year period.
We are particularly keen to reach out to groups getting set up in areas of the county which haven’t previously taken action to address the climate crisis at a local level, and to offer support to groups working alongside more vulnerable individuals who will be hit hardest by climate change.
Find out more and apply on CAfS’ website
Social media for charities 101: Mastodon
Take a look at how charities can use the upcoming social media platform Mastodon.
Cancer Champion Project – North Cumbria
We hope that training Cancer Champions will mean more people are sharing key cancer messages with family, friends, colleagues and other groups in their local community. We hope that by talking more about cancer, people will be more willing to engage in screening programmes and will seek support from their GP with any cancer concerns much sooner.
The project has now gone live and we are in the process of looking for people who want to become Cancer Champions. We have lots of information on our website and social media (details are on the attached poster – click thumbnail to view – and in this leaflet.)
Menopause: how to support your team
Charity Digital looks at ways leadership can support staff through the menopause.
Why charities should share expertise (and where they can find it)
How can charities learn from each other to inspire innovation, particularly in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis?
Cybersecurity and why the little things matter
Vicki Bowles from VWV discusses some steps that trustees and senior management can take to ensure that information held on their computer systems is protected.
A guide to digital donor journeys
Charity Digital explores how digital donor journeys can boost fundraising, with advice from a free guide from charity software provider Access.
PPE Packs Offer
With the continued threat of communicable diseases/viruses this winter, PPE Packs can be provided by Lancashire County Council’s Public Health Team.
This PPE Pack is free of charge, and will be made up of common PPE items to assist with responding to increase Infection Control Protocols. Please use this Order Form, and indicate the size of pack you require (please base this on the size of your setting.) You are able to order more than one pack if you have a number of sites within Lancashire -please list them on the order form.
The order form will need to be sent to careproviderppe@lancashire.gov.uk who will respond to your email and aim to deliver within 48 hours. Please be mindful at busy periods the wait may be longer.
All Packs are pre made but will be subject to availability, as we continue to support settings certain items may run out and not be available. All packs are non-returnable, there will be no provision to return items not used, so urge you to choose the correct size for your settings to reduce wastage.
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
One in five people are paying members of a charity, survey says
More than a fifth of British adults are paying members of a charity, according to a new report by nfpResearch.
Membership and the Charity Sector shows that paid membership of charities has remained consistent over the past decade, dipping from around 24% in 2008 to 23% last year.
Charity sector needs productivity boost to unlock its potential, researchers argue
With a lack of productivity data and support, charities are “out in the cold when it comes to the productivity agenda”, according to new research.
Productivity of purpose: Bringing charities into the UK’s productivity drive was conducted for the Law Family Commission on Civil Society by Pro Bono Economics.
MaPS Research to support Future Debt Commissioning
MaPS (Money and Pensions Service) is undertaking an evidence gathering phase to support the development of a future commissioning strategy. They are looking for frontline debt advisers, service managers and organisations supporting the advice sector who are willing to participate in the research – this could be by completing online surveys, telephone interviews or hosting a site visit.
They are particularly keen to have more participants for their ‘motivations and behaviours’ research, particularly from organisations not delivering debt advice but other types of support services like foodbanks and community groups.
Complete the regional profiles user survey for OHID
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) is inviting views on the Health Profile for England 2021. Your feedback will help OHID to understand the use and the value of their products, improve their outputs, and ensure their reporting better meets their audiences’ needs.
It should take no more than 5 minutes to complete the user survey, and all responses are anonymous. The survey will close by 31 January 2023.
Testing times ahead for third sector finances
Third Sector Trends have published the third report from their 2022 survey of the VCSE sector. The latest report focusses on finances, assets and organisational wellbeing, following on from their earlier reports, ‘people in the sector’ and ‘sector structure, purpose, energy and impact’.
The report looks at relationships with grant making trusts and foundations, alongside public service delivery contracts and optimism for future finances.
Third Sector Trends 2022: finances, assets and organisational wellbeing
Funders are more flexible in how they dispense funds since pandemic, report finds
Some 60% of civil society organisations received unrestricted or core funding from grantmakers in 2022 compared to less than half (46%) in 2019.
This is evidence that funders are more relaxed with grantmaking since the pandemic, according to the new Third Sector Trends report 2022.
Rural Households Survey on the Cost of Living
The Rural Services Network and the Rural Issues Group of Citizens Advice are jointly running this survey to understand more about rural household budgets at, what is, a very difficult time for many.
Research has shown that those living in rural areas face some extra costs and we now want to explore the impacts for households. But we need your help and want to receive as many survey responses as possible, whatever your household’s income or financial position. This will help us to engage more effectively with Government Departments, MPs and other policy makers.
Half of British public intend to volunteer in 2023, survey finds
Almost half (49%) of British people intend to volunteer in 2023, an increase of 3% on the year prior, according to a new survey.
The National Lottery Community Fund’s (NLCF) community research index surveyed 8,968 UK adults on topics affecting their communities.
Muslim charities overlooked by policymakers, report claims
Policymakers must do more to unlock the potential of British Muslim charities, according to a new report.
The British Muslim Civil Society report, released today by Mercy Mission UK, said that there need to be “stronger partnerships” between the sector and central government to better respond to society’s needs.
Is optimism in decline in the UK charity sector?
Charity Digital explores the findings of the 2022 Nonprofit Trends report, which suggests UK charities feel less than hopeful about the next 12 months.
Third of local charities seeing utility costs increase by over 60%, finds survey
A third of local charities have seen an increase of 60% or higher in their utility costs since September 2021, according to a survey published recently.
The research found many organisations have been partially insulated from large increases in utility costs by having a fixed tariff but approximately half of these will expire from March 2023.
State of the VCSE Sector – Survey Results Out Now
NAVCA recently partnered with Pro Bono Economics, Nottingham Trent University and other infrastructure organisations to re-start a ‘State of the Sector Survey’ in November 2022.
The first set of results have now been released. The headline findings suggest that half of charities and community groups expect demand for services to exceed capacity this winter, with 20% expecting to fall significantly short in the ability to meet demand. 36% of charities and community groups are struggling to recruit staff and 41% are being forced to cut services. You can read a summary and download the full report here.
The survey also looked at energy costs for the sector, reporting significant rises for many, particularly energy intensive users, with 55% of charities using their reserves to meet current operating costs.
You can use this PowerPoint presentation to share the findings with your networks. There is also a dashboard where you can explore the data in more depth.
This is the first in a series of surveys, the next will take place within this quarter.
The Status of UK Fundraising 2022
Charity Digital explores the 2022 findings of the Status of UK Fundraising report from Blackbaud, looking at fundraising trends in the charity sector.
Charities in north of England finding it hardest to recruit, says report
Charities in the north of England are finding it harder to recruit staff than those elsewhere in the country, according to a new report.
Third Sector Trends found that the charity sector in England and Wales is facing new challenges arising from difficulties in retention and recruitment of volunteers and employees.
Environmental charities half as racially diverse as wider economy, report says
Fewer than one in 10 people working for environmental charities in the UK are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, a new report has shown.
According to data released recently by the RACE Report campaign, 7% of those working in the environmental charity sector identify as BAME, compared with a 14% national average across all people in employment and 9.5% of the civil society workforce.
Disclaimer
The information above is provided in good faith. Whilst every care is taken to ensure that it is correct, Cumbria CVS cannot accept liability for any omissions or inaccuracies and does not take responsibility for the quality for any services or products mentioned.
