Useful Information – April 2023
March 29, 2023
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 April. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 24/04/23)
You can view last month’s Useful Information here to catch up on new information added during March ’23.
If you’ve seen something you think we should be sharing, let us know! Email us: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Training and Events
On-demand webinar: How to organise an event
In this webinar, Lisa Rowland, Charity Digital’s Events Manager, shares her tips and advice on everything events, from managing your budget and marketing your event to what you need to know to help it run smoothly on the day.
Electricity North West: Community Connects Event
To launch the next round of Electricity North West’s (ENW) award-winning Powering our Communities fund they’re hosting a Community Connects webinar on Thursday 11 May 2023 at 10am – 11.30am. The aim of the Powering our Communities fund is to provide seed funding to support communities to take part in the energy transition.
Applications are sought for projects that support the development of community and local energy in our region. Each year ENW look to award up to £15,000 per project and to find out more about how to apply sign up to attend this webinar.
VCSE Contract Readiness programme
The VCSE Contract Readiness programme aims to provide the skills and knowledge organisations need to bid for local and national government contracts.
Launched on 4 April, the programme of training, workshops, online modules and a resource hub is provided by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Social Enterprise UK and Voice4Change England. The programme is fully funded, so VCSE organisations can access the support without charge. The training is targeted at different phases of interest, from just starting out to winning contracts, and for different sized organisations.
There is also a Public Services Hub containing resources for VCSEs on how best to work with the public sector, and on demystifying the VCSE for commissioners.
Local Infrastructure and Community Transport Association – Creating Connections
Thursday 4 May, 2pm – 3pm, online. The Community Transport Association are exploring how local infrastructure organisations and the CTA can work more effectively together.
Local infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving voluntary and community sector and this include community transport operators. We want to explore and discuss how CTA can work more effectively with local infrastructure to ensure that CT as a sector thrives and also has the connections it needs into local public sectors and the wider voluntary sector.
Free Suicide Alertness training
In Ulverston on 25 April from 4pm- 7pm. This 3 hour training session is aimed at anyone who wants to understand more about suicide, how to know when someone may be having thoughts of suicide, how to talk directly and comfortably about suicide, and what we can all do to offer practical support.
Completion of the training will also qualify individuals for the countywide Orange Button scheme.
Fundraising Convention 2023
3-4 July, QEII Centre. Fundraising Convention is the largest in-person event for fundraising professionals in the UK, and the one time of year, we meet as a sector to feel part of a community that will support and empower us. This year’s Fundraising Convention theme is Connection.
We will provide a space to imagine what could be possible, a place to be inspired, discover the latest trends, learn best practices and network with others who understand the challenges and opportunities that a job in fundraising brings. It is a learning opportunity not to be missed.
Virtual Fundraisers Network Event
Thursday 27th April, online. 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.
Skills Bootcamp in Project Management
From May 2023. Develop your Project Management knowledge with the University of Cumbria and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) new & improved Skills Bootcamp in Project Management.
This programme is available for individuals living and working in Cumbria with limited experience of working in projects who want to develop their skills.
Applications open for a year of environmental support
Applications are open until Wednesday 31 May to join Become Green Together, a support and training programme helping VCSE organisations across Cumbria become environmentally sustainable.
Eden Community Forum
26 May, Penrith or online. Healthwatch Cumbria (HWC) facilitates the Carlisle and Eden Community Forum. This Forum, which creates the conditions for effective “conversations about a healthier future”, brings together representatives of community groups of interest and place and senior representatives of the health and care system.
The Eden Community Forum Agenda is here and you can join online on the day here
Carbon literacy training for voluntary groups & social enterprises
21 & 28 June 2023. Take your organisation on its first steps to environmental sustainability by joining Cumbria Action for Sustainability’s accredited carbon literacy course. Half-price subsidised places are now available for employees and volunteers from organisations in Cumbria.
The course, hosted on Zoom, will give you the facts about the latest climate science. You’ll come away with the skills to calculate your carbon footprint and see where you can make improvements to reduce it. You’ll also explore the kinds of actions needed to put those improvements in place – in your organisation, community or at home.
Fundraising Convention 2023
3-4 July, London and online. Thinking of attending virtually? This year we are delighted to offer both in-person and virtual tickets for Fundraising Convention 2023. As a virtual attendee, you will access quality content specifically programmed for you to experience online. Across two days our virtual programme includes live plenary talks, interactive virtual workshops, speaker interviews and more.
When you attend Fundraising Convention 2023 you’ll be joined by hundreds of professional fundraisers from incredible charities across the UK, including RNLI, Dementia UK, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and St. John Ambulance.
Martyn’s Law Workshops
16 May 2023, Carlisle. Owners, operators, and those with responsibility for public premises are invited to apply for one of a series of workshops around the UK covering Martyn’s Law. Attending one of these workshops will allow you to hear about plans for the upcoming legislation and help to scope how the legislation will work in practice, including opportunities to contribute to requirements on advice and guidance.
Pre-reading will be required, and on the day members of the policy team behind Martyn’s Law will be on hand to answer questions and discuss specific issues. We encourage applications from those with an interest, regardless of whether you have any security-related experience.
Hidden: Communities setting priorities for research
Tuesday 18 April 2023, online. Join award-winning arts and health organisation (Royal Society of Public Health, 2022) Made By Mortals for an interactive workshop. Using sound design, original music and guided by the voices of people with lived experience you will meet Joanna.
Joanna is a fictional character. She likes to wear colourful clothes when she can. Joanna has psychosis. She spent much of her time in hospital struggling to get better. Joanna also has type two diabetes.
Find out more in the attached flyer and book your free place here
Planning a low carbon event for Great Big Green Week
27 April 2023. Great Big Green Week takes place from 10th – 18th June. This online training session provides ideas on planning and promoting your event.
This session will give more information about the funding opportunities available through CAfS, and look at what can contribute to a successful low carbon event.
Employment law training for charity leaders
Tuesday 16 May. It is important for charity leaders to have a robust knowledge of employment law to ensure employees are managed fairly and effectively, especially in the era of hybrid working.
Essential Employment Law for Charity Leadership is an online training course. The programme will provide a comprehensive overview of the laws and regulations around recruitment, diversity and inclusion, disciplinary issues, flexible working, safeguarding and much more.
Webinar: How to organise an event
13 April. In this webinar, Lisa Rowland, Charity Digital’s Events Manager, shares her tips and advice on everything events, from managing your budget and marketing your event to what you need to know to help it run smoothly on the day.
Get Grants free introduction workshops
Following the success of Get Grants 10th Anniversary events, we are pleased to announce the return of our FREE Introduction Workshops! These workshops provide a taster session, filled with top tips and advice, of each of our training courses.
Thursday 20 April: Introduction to Bid Writing in Sports Workshop
Thursday 18 May: Introduction to Community Fundraising Workshop
Thursday 8 June: Introduction to Major Donor Fundraising Workshop
Thursday 22 June: Introduction to Trusts & Foundations Workshop
Thursday 6 July: Introduction to Individual Giving Workshop
Tuesday 25 July: Introduction to Corporate Fundraising Workshop
Friday 29 September: Introduction to Using Data in Fundraising Workshop
Tuesday 10 October: Introduction to Storytelling in Fundraising Workshop
Friday 10 November: Introduction to Fundraising Strategy Workshop
Online Developing a Fundraising Strategy Training Course
Wednesday 26 April & Wednesday 3 May. 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.
Having diverse income sources that works for you is an essential part of making your organisation stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient. 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 Storytelling for Fundraising Training Course
Wednesday 12 April & Wednesday 19 April. 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 for Charities and Community Groups Course
Thursday 6 April & Thursday 13 April. 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 Corporate Fundraising Course
Tuesday 11 April & Tuesday 18 April. 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.
Free online Multiply course
From 03 April 2023. Improve your numeracy from the comfort of home. Free online Multiply course, just for people living in Cumbria.
You use numbers every day, from working out your household budget to helping the kids with their homework. Every time you do the weekly shop or trying to keep up with the cost-of-living crisis, you’re using maths skills. Our free online maths course for adults helps you boost these numeracy skills that you use every day. The online classes are available 24/7, so you can learn at your own pace.
Free MS awareness training
Wednesday 24 May, Wednesday 26 July, Wednesday 27 September, Wednesday 29 November. Are you a community-based professional or volunteer? Do you work in health or social care? Do you work for a charity, community voluntary organisation or social enterprise? Are you an employer looking to know more about multiple sclerosis (MS)?
We are hosting free MS awareness training sessions for you. Due to demand, additional dates are available.
Teenage Market – Carlisle
Saturday 22 April 2023. This exciting new market will be at the Market Square in the centre of Carlisle for the first time. It offers young people a chance to test their entrepreneurial ideas and make money from their hobbies. On the day we will offer young people a chance to show off their talents in our performance space. If you know any young people who love to perform, please support them to make their debut in the city centre.
Young people can sign up if they want a stall, wish to perform, or you they can do both! They must be aged 8 – 25 years and the Teenage Market will be a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive space.
A Day with Professor Tony Attwood
Thursday 18 May. Professor Attwood is one of the world’s leading experts on Autism and will be doing a full day of presentations specially chosen to benefit parents, carers and people who support those with Autism as well as individuals themselves.
NAVCA Annual Conference 2023
Online conference, 27 April 2023. It is open to all members of staff and trustees from NAVCA member organisations, and is designed to allow more of our members to engage with NAVCA’s work, no matter where you are based. One ticket allows an unlimited number of staff from the same organisation to attend.
We have added more speakers to our programme including Adam Lent, CEO of New Local, and Angela Spence, CEO of Kensington and Chelsea Social Council (KCSC).
Find out more and buy tickets 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 through to 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.
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 September’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.
VCFSE News and Information
50 incredible fundraising ideas
50 of the best fundraising ideas to help you raise money for charity. Ranging from virtual to sporting, from animals to the workplace, there’s a fantastic fundraising idea for every occasion.
Using finance to build trust with your donors
Explore why donors care about your finances and the benefits of discussing them openly, especially in the context of the cost-of-living crisis.
How to boost your volunteering in 2023
A look at how charities can get the most out of their volunteering, from attracting new volunteers to managing existing ones.
Latest news from Cumberland Council
View Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 14 April here, including:
- Cumberland Council’s inaugural meeting
- Town and Parish Council elections
- Join team Cumberland
Cumbria Police: Your local officers
Want to know who your local officers are? Simply go to Cumbria Police’s website. Scroll down the home page and you can browse different areas to see who your local team are – or enter your postcode.
Not only will you be able to find out who your named local officers and PCSOs are, you will also be able to view the local policing priorities and details of any meetings or events they will be attending.
Grants to Develop Community Food Hubs
The Hubbub Foundation, in partnership with Starbuck’s, is making funding available to develop their network of community fridges into food hubs to help local residents learn about sustainable, affordable and healthy living.
Up to 50 community fridge groups will benefit from grants of £7,000 to deliver new activities relating to cooking, growing, budgeting and using surplus food.
Carlisle Mind: You In Mind
You In Mind is a free and confidential service for anyone in Carlisle and Eden who is concerned about their mental health and finds themselves in crisis.
Everyone in a crisis deserves to be treated fairly and with respect. Every referred person will have a safe, calm environment to meet with a worker in one to one session(s). You In Mind helps to provide a holistic service to people in order that they get their needs met and find strategies to better manage their mental health.
Public encouraged to add Coronation events to digital map – reminder
Members of the public and community organisations across the UK have been invited by the government to share how they will celebrate the Coronation on a digital map.
The map is designed to encourage people to add their own Coronation Big Lunches, street parties, Big Help Out plans and other Coronation activities so others in the local community can find out about events near them and get involved. The Coronation website also includes information for getting involved, a toolkit including templates, a playlist, recipes, and designs.
How job sharing can recruit better charity leaders
Charity Digital explore why charities are increasingly turning to job share applicants when they look for new leadership.
Mapping the Mental Health Sector
The Association of Mental Health Providers is developing a mapping tool that shows service providers across the country, sorting by members, types of services/specialties (developing), and has a self-input form for people to add themselves. If it seems relevant to your work, or just of interest to you, please check it out and feel free to add yourselves if you feel you meet the criteria of inclusion.
This app was created for the purpose of highlighting the disparity of mental health service access between areas of England.
Climate Perspectives for changemakers
The Spring 2023 edition of Climate Perspectives is available to read now from the organisers of Net Zero Week.
The online magazine addresses all things climate change for people whose role is to deliver change and make improvements in an organisation, or who are drivers of societal change.
Active ageing and tackling inactivity and economic disadvantage
Sport England has worked with 25 Active Ageing partners over the past five years to support more than 30,000 older adults into sport and physical activity. The programme has provided learning on how to provide positive, inclusive physical activity experiences that support older adults to build sport and physical activity into their daily lives.
Their online guide summarises the learnings and provides inspiration and actions for organisations wishing to help people become more active.
Free trees for schools and community groups
The Woodland Trust is once again offering schools and community groups the chance to apply for free trees to plant in their area.
The scheme is run annually as part of efforts to plant 50 million trees in the UK by the year 2030.
National Minimum and National Living Wage increases
The planned increases in the National Minimum and National Living Wage rates have now come into effect in the UK this month, and the Government is advising everyone to check that they are on the correct rate of pay. Find out more about the new rates of pay and what to do if you think you are not being paid the correct amount
Acas have also updated their advice pages to reflect the changes to statutory rates of pay, and you can view their advice video here.
CALC News – January & February 2023
You can view Cumbria Association of Local Councils’ latest newsletter here
Over 850 charity and community figures invited to King’s coronation
More than 850 volunteers, charity and community representatives have been invited to King Charles III’s coronation service in Westminster Abbey next month.
Over 450 British Empire Medal recipients, often awarded in recognition of a person’s local charitable or volunteering activity, will attend the congregation on 6 May.
Climate change: tools charities use for activism
Charity Digital explore the different tech green charity activists are using and how it is helping them achieve their mission.
Latest news from Cumberland Council
View Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 6 April here, including:
- Cumberland Council starts delivering council services
- Council launches new community panels
- Cumberland residents need photo ID to vote at elections in May
Priority Services Register (PSR)
The PSR is a free UK-wide service which provides extra help for anyone who might struggle with an interruption to their electricity, gas or water supply. For example, being of pensionable age, medically dependent on energy or water, disabled, chronically sick or having communication difficulties.
Registering with a utility company’s PSR provides customers with vital support during a supply interruption. Electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) have created a new national web page. A single reference point to make it easy to help a customer to join the PSR wherever they live.
How to create and manage a surge of volunteers
As a charity, volunteers are the lifeblood of your organisation. In this article Ansvar shares their top tips for managing an increased number of volunteers.
Charitable organisations may see an increased number of volunteers, especially in the lead-up to The Big Help Out, surrounding the coronation, where people from all over the nation are being encouraged to volunteer for a cause close to their heart. As amazing as the initiative is, we know it’ll incur additional logistical pressure on you as an organisation, to manage the influx of kind-hearted individuals who want to help make a difference for those in need of help.
DCMS launches programme to help charities win public contracts
A government-funded programme has been launched to help voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) in England bid for and win public sector contracts.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched the VCSE Contract Readiness programme, which includes a series of online training sessions and webinars for charities hoping to secure local and national government contracts.
Welcome to Cumberland Council
You can view Cumberland Council’s new newsletter from 3 April, and sign-up yourself, here.
Articles include:
- A message from Cumberland Council Leader
- A busy first weekend…
- What can you expect from your new council?
New fund to address digital poverty
Full fibre broadband company Fibrus, who are currently rolling out their network in Cumbria, have announced a partnership with the Cumbria Community Foundation. This new fund is named the “Fibrus Community Fund Cumbria” and aims to award funding to local communities in need of support.
The fund’s main goal is to support those experiencing digital poverty in rural areas, with a particular focus on grassroots organisations and community groups. Successful grants will be allocated to support on-the-ground digital technology projects which make key differences to communities, enhancing people’s lives and wellbeing. A particular focus will be placed on children, young people and older people who could benefit from digital support.
Morrisons teams up with Kellogg’s to launch a free breakfast club this Easter
Morrisons are offering the whole family a free bowl of cereal during the Easter Holidays when they ask for a Kellogg’s Breakfast. It’s available in all Morrisons Cafes from 3rd April to 24th April before 11am whilst stocks last.
Cumbria’s New High Sheriff
Samantha Scott was appointed as King Charles III’s first High Sheriff of Cumbria at a declaration ceremony held at Kendal Town Hall on Thursday 30th March 2023.
The event was attended by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Lord Inglewood, The Mayor of Kendal, Councillor Doug Rathbone and His Honour Judge Barker. Samantha succeeds Alan McViety who served as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s final High Sheriff until her death in September.
Find out more about the High Sheriff here
Welcome to Westmorland and Furness Council
You can view Westmorland and Furness Council’s new newsletter from 1 April, and sign-up yourself, here.
Articles include:
- Town criers proclaim new council
- A message from the Council Leader
- New website launched
Latest News from Cumbria County Council
You can view Cumbria County Council’s newsletter from 31 March here, including:
- Keep in touch by signing up to the new council’s latest news!
- Finding safe, loving homes for children remains the priority for Cumbria Fostering and Adoption services
- £1.5 million investment for flood alleviation works in Flimby
Ørsted’s Spring 2023 Community Benefit Funds newsletter
GrantScape is working with Ørsted (formerly DONG Energy) to develop and help manage Community Benefit Funds for their offshore wind projects in Liverpool Bay, the Irish Sea off the Cumbria coastline and the North Sea off the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North Norfolk coastline.
You can view/download the latest Ørsted Spring 2023 Newsletter here
£130,000 awarded to good causes in Copeland
Charities in Copeland have received a financial boost to help people through the cost of living crisis thanks to the generosity of one local company.
The LLWR Grassroots Fund provides grants to charitable organisations that are addressing issues relating to the current economic crisis, supporting the younger generation with developing skills and vulnerable, older people. Managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, the fund was set up in 2011 by waste management company, Low Level Waste Repository Ltd, now trading as Nuclear Waste Services.
The best environmentally-friendly technology for charities
There is plenty of cost-effective technology that charities can start using to help tackle climate change – in this article, Charity Digital explore the best options.
Pensions regulation changes ‘won’t work for charities’, CFG warns
Proposed regulatory changes to defined benefit (DB) pension funding could have a “detrimental” impact on charities, the Charity Finance Group (CFG) has warned.
In its response to the Pensions Regulator’s consultation on the DB funding code of practice, CFG said that the proposed changes are too restrictive and do not take into account the nuances of charities’ finances.
How to avoid over-strategising
In this article, Charity Digital share the tell-tale signs of over-strategising and explore how charities can avoid them to improve their efficiency.
Funding Opportunity – Energy for Tomorrow
Centrica are seeking out projects, initiatives and ideas that can accelerate the energy transition. They want to hear from community groups or other registered organisations who are enabling a more inclusive and sustainable future for our communities.
They want to support those who have a clear social mission and a viable and feasible idea. They welcome applications from UK based charities, CICs, registered community groups, not-for-profit and for-profit companies that can demonstrate both a positive environmental and social impact. Grants of up to £100,000 are available.
Youth Investment Fund cut by further £31m, DCMS confirms
The government has reduced the value of the Youth Investment Fund to around £350m, the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) has confirmed.
DCMS told Civil Society News that in light of a “challenging financial climate” £31m of the previously £380m fund’s capital was given back to the Treasury as part of its latest spending review.
Hospice sector reports £186m deficit as charity announces service closure
Hospices have reported facing a deficit of £186m this year as one charity in northeast England has announced that it will close its long-term care unit due to financial pressures.
Umbrella body Hospice UK surveyed 101 of its members, 96% of which said they were budgeting for a deficit in the 2023-24 financial year largely due to rising staff and energy costs.
Support from Pro Bono Economics
Are you struggling to make your volunteer spreadsheet do what you want it to? Do you know you have great data but not sure how to make it visually appealing or tell the right story for your supporters or your board? Need an expert to compare your data to other sources, or analyse a survey of your beneficiaries?
PBE is a charity which can provide other charities, voluntary organisations and community groups with quick, easy, pro bono support from a dedicated volunteer economist to help with ad hoc data needs. That might include data analysis or visualization, spreadsheet tasks or short pieces of research and analysis.
Guidance for Charity Annual Return 2023
The Charity Commission have released a question guide to help charities understand what information you’ll need to prepare for the 2023 Annual Return and why they are collecting data for questions that are new to the annual return.
New questions have been added to determine charities financial risk around fraud, property and financial loss. Requests for additional charity information are also included to enhance accountability by ensuring the Register is up to date. The updated Annual Return applies to charities with financial years ending on or after 1st January 2023.
Easter fundraising ideas for your supporters
Looking for ways to engage your supporters during Easter and raise money at the same time? Here’s nine Easter fundraising ideas.
How to brief a freelance copywriter
Looking to commission a freelance copywriter? Here’s a useful explanation as to why a good brief is important and what information to include.
National Lottery Heritage Fund to offer £3.6bn in grants over next 10 years
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced plans to make £3.6bn-worth of grants as part of its 10-year strategy, published today.
The grantmaker is also lifting its £5m ceiling for grant applications for funding programmes, which has been in place for 20 years, to £10m, and will consider exceeding this threshold for some projects.
Small Charities Advisory Panel formed after infrastructure body closures
The Small Charities Advisory Panel officially launched in March, with 14 members appointed and a first meeting scheduled.
Its creation was planned after the Small Charities Coalition (SCC) closed last year and its services were transferred to a partnership between the Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI) and NCVO.
The best environmentally-friendly technology for charities
There is plenty of cost-effective technology that charities can start using to help tackle climate change – in this article, Charity Digital explore the best options.
How to build a fundraising strategy
Find out how you can write a brilliant fundraising strategy, exploring recent fundraising trends, the best fundraising platforms and channels, the importance of prioritising the donor experience, and much more.
Latest News from Cumbria County Council
You can view Cumbria County Council’s newsletter from 24 March here, including:
- County council meets for final time after 50 years of service
- Celebrating social work across Cumbria
- County receives funding to boost from RNCM for transformational music education project in west Cumbria
How volunteers can leave you vulnerable to cyber attacks
Charity Digital explore how charities can set up guest networks for volunteers and remote workers to improve their cyber security and reduce risk.
Charities must not be driven by their leaders’ personal views, says Orlando Fraser
The Charity Commission’s chair has said that charities must be driven by their purposes, “not the personal views or instincts of their leaders”.
In a speech at ACEVO’s festival of leadership recently, Orlando Fraser said charities should remain “separate to the political fray” in their campaigning and avoid “trashing the motivations of those who think differently”.
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
How is the cost-of-living crisis affecting fundraising?
A review from Charity Digital of data from donations, fundraising and events platform, Enthuse that shows that, when it comes to fundraising, the future remains uncertain.
Running Hot – Burning Out
The second wave of results from the VCSE Sector Barometer Survey from Nottingham Trent University have been released. The survey focused on the recruitment and retention of paid staff, with 71% reporting difficulties in recruiting staff, 54% with open vacancies and of these 83% reporting they were hard to fill.
Coupled with this is a continued reduction in the number of available volunteers and a continuing increase in demand for services. This is putting pressure on staff (and volunteers) with problems of staff burn out and a reduction in services.
Read more and access the report here
Share how you use digital tools in useful ways
Thousands of charities and other non-profits want to use digital tools better. Catalyst want to hear how you use them in your organisation.
With this information, they can turn what you do into guides that show others what is possible. When you share a guide your organisation gets credit and a page on the Shared Digital Guides website. This shows funders how you are using their funding to share your learning.
£3,200 of funding available for organisations participating in The Charity Digital Skills Report
There have been almost 200 responses to The Charity Digital Skills Report survey. Charities and social sector organisations like yours have shared their views about how they’re using digital. They’ve fed back where support and funding are required across the sector, and how the cost of living crisis might be affecting your digital progress.
Have your say today and, thanks to Catalyst, be in with a chance of winning 4 grants of £800 of unrestricted funding for eligible organisations.
How the pandemic hit the North harder
A new book – ‘Northern Exposure: Covid- 19 and Regional Inequalities in Health and Wealth’ – details how people in our region suffered significant inequalities compared to the rest of England during the pandemic.
Using original data analysis from a wide range of sources, this book demonstrates how COVID-19 has impacted the country unequally in terms of mortality, health care, mental health, and the economy.
Third of people agree charities are effective on cost-of-living crisis, survey says
Some 33% of members of the public in the UK agree that charities are doing an effective job of supporting people in the cost-of-living crisis, according to a survey.
The final report of GOOD Agency’s Cost of Giving Monitor series found that 14% of regular donors were considering cancelling their gifts.
Charity leaders urge more collaboration between umbrella bodies
Sector umbrella bodies should collaborate more and prioritise lobbying of government, according to a survey of senior charity representatives.
Charity Finance’s Umbrella Bodies Survey shows that three-quarters of respondents that have interacted with organisations such as NCVO, ACEVO and the Charity Tax Group (CTG) said they were effective and satisfied with the support they provide.
Eight new entrants in this year’s Charity Finance 100 Index
There are eight new entrants to this year’s Charity Finance 100 Index, including the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The Index tracks the UK’s largest 100 charities, ranking them by their average total income over the past three years. It is updated every spring, with the latest version published in the April issue of Charity Finance.
Charities pausing operations due to recruitment crisis, study reveals
Most charities (54%) have vacancies – causing some to limit their operations, according to a study published recently.
The study, based on a sample of 489 registered charities, found that among those with hard-to-fill vacancies 46% have had to pause some operations.
Phoenix Way Mapping Survey
The Phoenix Way is a group for Black people. By this, they mean organisations and groups that are led by and for Black people. The term Black is used as an inclusive term that includes people from the African, Caribbean and Asian diaspora.
They are asking for your help in supporting and improving funding opportunities for black-led communities and charitable organisations. They are starting by building a map of the region, to highlight what is already in place to support communities, and any gaps that might exist. Please complete this survey so that your input can help us on our mission.
Helping the voluntary sector to stand strong
Last year, Paul Hamlyn Foundation commissioned an evaluation of the Backbone Fund, which since 2017 has been a pragmatic way for them to support infrastructure organisations that are vital to the health of the sector but did not fit easily into other funding routes. Whilst the evaluation confirmed the value of the Backbone Fund, which the Foundation are committed to continuing for the foreseeable future, it also shone a light on the challenges funders currently face.
The report also focuses on the hugely important role of infrastructure organisations in pushing the sector as a whole to be more diverse, more led by equity and more inclusive.
Read more from Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Fundraising complaints rise by 14% at largest charities, research finds
Complaints at the largest fundraising charities increased by 14% last year, according to new research, with those at RNLI almost doubling.
Civil Society News’ analysis found complaints at 47 of the largest fundraising charities increased from 12,116 in 2020-21 to 13,843 in 2021-22.
Diversity at foundations remains ‘poor’, says report
A report on charitable foundations has found particularly “poor performance” in the organisations’ diversity practices.
The Foundation Practice Rating (FPR) report rated UK trusts using a point-based system on their diversity, accountability and transparency with ‘A’ being the highest and ‘D’ the lowest. Zero out of 100 foundations surveyed scored an A on diversity within their organisation while 48 scored the lowest mark of D.
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.
