Useful Information – May 2024
May 1, 2024
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 May. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 28/05/24 – items added on this date are marked as [NEW])
You’ll also find the latest Health and Wellbeing news, events and opportunities in the current post on our News page here.
You can view last month’s Useful Information here to catch up on new information added during April ’24.
For useful resources, information and news, updates on our climate commitment, blog posts from colleagues about what they’re doing (in a work capacity and privately) to minimise environmental impact and more take a look at Cumbria CVS Green
If you’ve seen something you think we should be sharing, let us know! Email us: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Looking for funding information? Check out the latest edition of Focus on Funding here
Training and Events
Webinar: Bringing digital into the boardroom
12 June, online. Driving digital transformation in a charity begins at the top. Board members often have limited time and many topics to cover, which can lead to challenges in leadership and progress.
This session, designed to speed up digital transformation, will help board members set priorities, solve problems, and lead their organisations effectively.
IVAR webinar: Involving communities in health service design
26 June, online. Do you want to involve communities in the design of health services? Or work in cross-sector partnership to address local health challenges?
An upcoming webinar on from the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) will share recent findings from their Connecting Health Communities initiative, and be an opportunity for Q&A. Over the last 15+ years, IVAR has supported VCSE organisations and local systems to work together with communities to take action.
Communicating Climate Action in Cumbria
18 June, online webinar. This free event, for communications professionals and volunteers will:
- Outline the concept of segmentation,
- Cover the seven segments from Britain Talks Climate,
- Show how segmentation and mapping can be used to engage people on climate action,
- Introduce the Cumbria maps and data.
Penrith Nursery Recruitment
Looking for a job in Childcare? Wanting further information on different career opportunities? Come along and meet our amazing team and have a look around our newly refurbished nursery! If you are qualified with a level 2 or 3 childcare practitioner, newly qualified this summer or if you are interested in completing an apprenticeship with us, we would love to meet you on the 22nd of May!
First Class Kids Nursery operates as a Charity and not for profit. For more information, click on the thumbnail image.
Digital Inclusion Summit 2024
On 20 June 2024, Charity Digital will be holding a free online event for charity professionals to gain skills and knowledge to help them dismantle the digital divide.
Whether you are a digital master or novice, the event will have something for you. Sessions will introduce the concept of digital inclusion, teach attendees key digital skills for 2024, and explore what we can each do to make the digital world a safer, happier, more inclusive place.
Embedding VCSE Webinar – Commissioning and the impact on VCSE partnerships in health and care
Wednesday 22 May, online. This webinar aims to share learning on the topic of commissioning and the impact on strategic partnerships in health and care, identifying tools and enablers for spreading good practice, by drawing on the experience of case studies.
Find out more, and how to register, here
Dementia Action Week events – Penrith
Click on the thumbnail image to view a leaflet with details of free events taking place at Penrith Leisure Centre on Thursday 16 May.
Reduce your digital carbon footprint; a sustainable way to communicate and collaborate
Wednesday 5 June, online. Learn how to apply sustainable choices and behaviours into your daily use of technology to reduce your individual carbon footprint.
The environmental impact of IT is significant and expected to increase. Us as individuals can support in reaching our Net Zero targets by adopting sustainable best practices when using technology.
Aspiring Leaders Programme Open Afternoon
Fully funded Aspiring Leaders Programme (ALP) is now recruiting for the next cohort starting in September. ALP offers a comprehensive and fully funded apprenticeship degree programme spanning from September 2024 to December 2027.
Led by Brathay Trust, in partnership with Cumbria university, ALP combines formal academic teaching with experiential learning and dedicated mentoring. At the end of the 3-years, participants achieve a bachelor’s degree in leadership and management.
Meet the team at an ALP5 Open Afternoon on Thursday 16 May, 2-4pm at Brathay Hall. Click here to confirm your attendance and secure a spot
On-demand webinar: Securing your charity in the age of AI
In this webinar, Charity Digital and guests explore the essentials of Artificial Intelligence and how charities can ensure they remain secure amid technological advances.
Evaluation Visualisation Design Tool (EViD) Workshop
16 May, online. New to considering evaluation or just looking to explore some new options to improve what you do?
This free 2 hr on-line workshop is for you – learn how to use the easy-to-use EvID tool to evaluate any group, service or project big or small using this great free resource.
Network event: Getting to work on Modern Slavery in Cumbria
Thursday 16 May, Carlisle. Keynote presentations by The Clewer Initiative, on County Lines and the Care Sector. Click on the thumbnail image for more information.
Email jo@churchestogethercumbria.org.uk to book your place
School of Social Enterprise
Are you thinking of starting your own business? Why not start your own Social Enterprise instead?
Applications are OPEN for the brand new School of Social Enterprise, an inspired idea from Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership, who are keen to champion the formation of more Social Enterprises in Cumbria. Starting a social enterprise means running a purpose driven business, and lets you make a positive impact and connect with your community.
Millom – 1 & 2 May (cohort 2)
Capital Fundraising Masterclass
Monday 3 June, online. This NEW Capital Fundraising MASTERCLASS will dive into a practical approach that will make fundraising for Capital projects easier, and increase your chances of fundraising success!
Stewardship Masterclass
Tuesday 14 May, online. In this NEW Stewardship MASTERCLASS, Get Grants will breakdown how your ability to build strong, authentic relationships with your donors, funders, and partners WILL have an impact on your level of success.
VCFSE News and Information
How to conduct a staff survey
Find out why staff surveys are so important, the benefits of running them, and how you might conduct one.
Everything you need to know about the Charity Commission
Explore how history of the Charity Commission, the role of the Commission in today’s society, how the Commission registers and regulates the charity sector, and so much more.
How to choose a legal structure for your organisation
A look at the four main charity structures and how to decide what’s right for you.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
View the Cumberland Council newsletter from 19/05/24 here, including:
- Annual Council meeting held
- Claim Pension Credit
- Upperby Gala 2024
Westmorland and Furness Council Newsletter
View the Westmorland and Furness Council newsletter from 17/05/24 here, including:
- Tell us what you think: Healthy Child Programme consultation
- £100,000 fund open for event and festival grant applications
- Call for young volunteers to support Summer Reading Challenge
UK’s wealthiest gave £200m less to charities last year, says Sunday Times Giving List
Britain’s wealthiest people gave £200m less to charity in the past 12 months, according to the Sunday Times Giving List.
Hedge fund manager Paul Marshall is the most generous philanthropist in the UK according to the Sunday Times Giving List, in association with the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
Household Support Fund (Westmorland & Furness)
The Department of Work and Pensions Household Support Fund grant is now available until the 30th of September 2024 or when the funding has been allocated, whichever occurs soonest.
The fund is there to help residents who are facing significant hardship and in immediate crisis, for example, those who are unable to pay for energy bills, food and other household essentials. Please refer vulnerable residents to this fund if they are struggling to cover household expenses.
Find out more in this document
Household Support Fund (Cumberland)
Cumberland Council has a limited amount of money available through the Household Support Fund to help people who are in financial crisis because of rising prices.
They are expecting demand for support to be high, and will now only be able to pay out if you are facing significant hardship. This means they will need to ask for some information about your household and your financial situation.
Payments will only be made to help households in immediate crisis – for example, those unable to buy food, pay energy bills or buy other essentials. Payments are small. They are to help you get what you need while you look for support (such as advice on benefits and debt) from other organisations. They will put you in contact with those services if you need them.
How to navigate a general election
With a UK general election looming around the corner, Charity Digital share some resources to help charities campaign effectively and within the rules.
What are UK political parties offering charities in 2024?
Labour and Conservative Party politicians are already offering strong hints on how they intend to work with charities should they win 2024’s general election.
How to improve your annual report
Some tips and tricks to help charities create the best possible annual reports.
How to learn AI in 2024
Take a look at some useful resources for learning about AI in the charity sector.
Charity leadership challenges for 2024
Explore the modern challenges charity leaders are facing and how they can navigate them effectively to achieve more impact for their cause.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
View the Cumberland Council newsletter from 12/05/24 here, including:
- Funding opportunities
- Keep up to date with our health research initiative
- Young Volunteers wanted for Summer Reading Challenge in Cumberland Libraries
Westmorland and Furness Council Newsletter
View the Westmorland and Furness Council newsletter from 10/05/24 here, including:
- Council makes commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Connecting Cumbria celebrates progress on its Digital Infrastructure Strategy
- Find out more about fostering this Foster Care Fortnight
How charities can find a CRM that works for them
Explore what charities should be looking for in their fundraising CRM system, whether it’s their first time using one or they’re looking to replace legacy systems.
Increasing number of large charities publish highest earner’s exact salary on website
An increasing proportion of large charities publish the exact figure of their highest earner on their websites, according to an analysis by Civil Society.
Currently, charities with an income of over £1m are required to outline how many staff are paid more than £60,000, as well as what they are paid, within £10,000 bands.
Seven key resources for advancing your skills in 2024
Is there a new skill you’re itching to learn? Explore the best resources at your fingertips to achieve your goals and make a difference.
Fundraising: what lies ahead in 2024
Charity Digital explore fundraising trends from the beginning of 2024 and how donations will be affected in the months ahead, with insight from the Spring Donor Pulse report from Enthuse.
The road to better supporter journeys
Explore the key stages of a supporter journey and how charities can turn would-be supporters into strong advocates for their cause.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
View the Cumberland Council newsletter from 05/05/24 here, including:
- Work begins to create Workington’s £19m Community Diagnostic Centre
- Talk and Tidy event
- Lake district shuttle bus
Westmorland and Furness Council Newsletter
View the Westmorland and Furness Council newsletter from 03/05/24 here, including:
- Council agrees strategy for homelessness and rough sleeping
- Election results 2024
- Cabinet approves Cared for and Care Experienced Young People’s Strategy
Charities minister responds as MP proposes right to paid volunteering leave
Civil society minister Stuart Andrew has urged caution over a proposal by a fellow Conservative MP to introduce a legal right for all workers to request paid volunteering leave.
Jo Gideon suggested the policy at a Westminster Hall debate about the contributions of volunteers she tabled recently.
How AI can serve everyone
The public says no charity should be left behind during the artificial intelligence revolution. Charity Digital explore how to make AI accessible to all.
How to make better decisions with charity data
Discover how digital finance technology is helping charities make better decisions and get a fuller picture of the impact they are delivering towards their mission.
How to stay cyber secure with volunteers
Explore how charities can strengthen their cyber security while working with volunteers, with help from the National Cyber Security Centre.
Free consultancy support to get Big Help Out ready
Across the country, local areas and front line volunteer-involving organisations are getting ready for The Big Help Out weekend, taking place from 7-9 June at the end of Volunteers’ Week.
If you are leading or coordinating local efforts to use the campaign to encourage new local volunteers to come forward, and would welcome support to plan and implement your activities, help is available through NCVO:
- It could be that you would like to host a flagship, light touch volunteering event to give those new to volunteering a great first experience;
- Maybe you want to develop a flexible ‘action’ that individuals or groups can undertake in their own time, whilst still making a difference for your cause;
- Or perhaps you just want to ensure your volunteering opportunities are advertised on the Big Help Out digital platform as well as your own – that your local roles get extra visibility in the national ‘shop window’.
If you’d like to explore any of the above, have something else in mind or would simply welcome a direct link into the national campaign and its partners, contact Gethyn Williams at NCVO for details: gethyn.williams@ncvo.org.uk
Removals to Rwanda – Important Information
Some useful info/support for an asylum seeker receiving anything mentioning Rwanda, from Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit.
West Cumbria Carers name change
Following a major re-brand to celebrate the organisation’s 30th Anniversary in 2022, West Cumbria Carers have now officially changed their name to Carer Support West Cumbria.
Charities to pay up to 50% more as Fundraising Regulator increases levy
The Fundraising Regulator has announced it will increase the voluntary levy it asks charities to pay by up to 50% over two years, following a consultation with the sector.
Its increases, the first in eight years, will mean the largest charities pay £22,500 a year, a £7,500 rise on current rates.
Futureproofing Your Charity
Charities are used to operating in a permanent head wind of disruption, but the uncertainty and strain of recent years have created so much turbulence that achieving any significant progress
has been challenging.
Nine Feet Tall have put together a comprehensive framework to help ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of your service delivery and operations.
Hospice charities considering service cuts after ‘worst ever’ £77m deficit estimated
Hospice charities in the UK have recorded an estimated £77m deficit, their “worst ever” financial year, according to a sector membership body.
Hospice UK reported recently that its members faced a collective estimated deficit of £77m in the financial year 2023-24.
The fundamentals of third-party cyber security
Why charities must ensure that their suppliers, contractors, and partnerships prioritise cyber security and what they need to ask for.
How to boost your brand power
Learn some tips and tricks to digitally supercharge your charity’s brand.
How to make your workplace accessible
Discover how you can support staff with disabilities to excel in their jobs and play an active role in the workplace.
What is reverse mentoring?
Reverse mentoring can have huge benefits for your organisation, such as developing talent, retaining staff, and enhancing equality and diversity.
National Digital Inclusion Network
The Network is powered by Good Things Foundation, the digital inclusion charity, and is made up of thousands of organisations across the UK – all working to fix the digital divide.
Join the National Digital Inclusion Network. It’s free to become a member, and you’ll get a range of benefits in addition to accessing core digital inclusion services for free. These include, free digital skills training, digital inclusion grants and hundreds of resources and more.
Major charities spend millions more on staff costs after minimum wage rises
Several large UK charities have reported spending millions more on staff salaries due to minimum wage rises introduced this month, and commissioners have been urged to cover their increased costs.
Mencap, Age UK and Sue Ryder have reported that their salaries have risen by £6.7m, £1.7m and £1m respectively after increasing staff pay following the legislation changes introduced on 1 April.
Digital inclusion: Preparing for a more digital future
Explore how charities can make digital for all by accessing free digital inclusion services to get everyone online.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
View the Cumberland Council newsletter from 14/04/24 here, including:
- Community events extended
- Councils respond to Government offer of devolution support
- Families join in the fun to open Whitehaven’s ‘Family Hub on the Harbour’
Westmorland and Furness Council Newsletter
View the Westmorland and Furness Council newsletter from 12/04/24 here, including:
- Bus service funding supports tourism businesses and communities
- Councils respond to Government offer of devolution support
- #GreatBigGreenWeek is back in June
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
Westmorland and Furness Council Healthy Child Programme consultation
A consultation has been launched by Westmorland and Furness Council on a proposed redesign of their Healthy Child Programme services.
The Healthy Child Programme offers every family a range of support, including screening tests, immunisations, developmental reviews, and information and guidance to support parents, children, and young people to grow, develop and thrive. There are two surveys available as part of the Healthy Child Programme consultation, one for families and one for professionals.
Click here for ore information
Donations to food bank charities increase by 50% to estimated £973m
Money donated to UK food bank charities increased by more than 50% last year, according to new research, despite a similar number of people giving.
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) found that people donated £973m to food banks in 2023, increasing from £635m in 2022.
Take part in Fundraising Magazine’s survey
Fundraisers are great at sharing their insights to help their colleagues raise more for the causes they are passionate about.
This month, Fundraising Magazine is running a short survey to give fundraisers an opportunity to share their experiences and learnings.
Charity Shops Survey 2024 opens
The 33rd edition of the Charity Shops Survey 2024 is now open. For more than three decades, the survey has provided detailed benchmarking data for charities that operate in retail, giving them a better understanding of the sector.
Participants in this year’s survey will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher.
Quarter of employees unaware of workplace volunteering opportunities, survey finds
A quarter of employees (24.7%) responding to a recent survey did not know how much time their employer gave them for volunteering.
“This alone shouts very loudly that many employers are not promoting effectively employee volunteering to their employees,” the report reads.
Young people hear about causes from influencers more than charities, report says
Age has a big influence on people’s perceptions of charities, according to new research, with younger adults more likely to hear about good causes through social media influencers.
Adults under 40 surveyed for the Tomorrow’s Donor, Today‘s second report were more likely to say they had heard about good causes from influencers than local, national or international charities recently.
Call for evidence about the priorities of people with lived experience of poverty in the UK
GMCVO and Greater Manchester Poverty Action have been funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) to conduct a review that collates evidence from work that has enabled those affected by the economic injustice of poverty to articulate the issues that they face and what they feel are the most important things to invest in.
This evidence will be collated in a JRF ‘knowledge bank’ as part of a programme that seeks to act on the priority areas identified. If your organisation has been involved creating or is aware of any UK based evidence like this, we want to hear from you. Deadline for submissions has been extended to 13 May.
Click here to share your evidence
Gradual rise in donors leaving charitable gifts in wills, report says
There has been an incremental rise in charitable donors writing wills and pledging gifts to charities, according to a new report.
Almost two thirds (64%) of charity donors have written a will, up from 63% in 2022 and 62% in 2021.
Make Your Voice Heard survey 2024
Charity Excellence has launched their survey about the wellbeing of charity staff and volunteers.
Take the survey to help the sector better understand volunteer wellbeing and charity staff. It’s open to all staff and volunteers, including trustees/directors, of any non profit of any size.
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.
