Useful Information – November 2024
October 29, 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 November. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 29/11/24 – 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 previous Useful Information posts here to catch up on our archive of information.
For useful resources, information, news and events, 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
[NEW] Practical uses of AI for your charity
4 February 2025, online. This course aims, in just three hours, to boost your everyday use of AI.
The course takes a hands-on, practical approach, showing charities how to use AI to improve meetings, boost email marketing, smash data analytics, enhance workflow efficiency, and so much more.
[NEW] Maximising opportunities and minimising risks in partnership working
Thursday 5 December, Online. In the voluntary sector, partnerships can amplify impact and drive meaningful change. Successful collaboration requires strategic planning and careful management.
Join NCVO and Zurich for this free webinar to learn how to get the most out of partnership working.
An intro to making AI work for you
21 November, via Zoom. This session aims to demystify the current crop of Artificial Intelligence tools, e.g. ChatGPT. Through a third sector specific demonstration, you’ll see:
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- How to get the AI Agent to do things for you
- What that might mean for activities in your organisations
- The start of an exciting journey of exploration with AI
This session is suitable for beginners, or those who have limited technical knowledge.
Meet the Funder Virtual Events
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 and Meet the Expert 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. These events are suitable for fundraisers working for a wide range of not-for-profit organisations of all sizes.
Bid Writing Workshop
Monday 24 February 2025, online. In this friendly 90-minute session, you will have the chance to:
- Get an introduction to what Bid Writing is all about
- Explore what Grant Applications Look like
- Consider the importance of Needs and Outcomes
- Pick up lots of Top Tips to improve your Bid Writing
- Build your confidence and be inspired!
On-demand webinar: Guarding against ransomware – protecting charities in the digital age
In this webinar, explore the risk of ransomware cyber attacks for charities and strategies for prevention.
Creating inclusive and accessible remote volunteering opportunities
Tuesday 10 December, online. By the end of this NCVO event, you’ll:
- understand how to overcome barriers that disabled adults may face to volunteering online
- learn how remote volunteer roles can help small charities involve a diverse community of volunteers
- find out how NCVO member organisations create inclusive, accessible and impactful remote volunteering opportunities.
Civil Society Covenant – online workshops
21, 26 & 28 November, 3 December: NCVO invite you to join them for an interactive workshop to help shape a new agreement to improve the relationship between civil society organisations and government.
You can drop in for as much time as you have available.
Stricklandgate House project launch event
We will be holding the first of a number of launch events for our National Lottery funded project Stricklandgate House for Sustainable Heritage: Where heritage meets the day-to-day (SGH4SH) on 27 November, 1730-1900, at Stricklandgate House.
We would be delighted if you could attend. Please RSVP by 18 November to heritage@stricklandgate-house.org.uk
Social Media Trends 2025: Embracing Social Media Agility
20 November 2024, online. Join Hootsuite for an insightful webinar, explore how to effectively use social listening and generative AI for the most social impact—and discover what all the best strategies driving the most success on social have in common (hint: informed agility is where it’s at).
Plus, you can join industry-specific breakout rooms to get your burning questions answered (and tap into our expert panel).
Find out more and register here
Accessibility in Non-profits Webinar
20 November 2024, online. Join Kerv for an informative session equipping non-profits with tools for creating inclusive, accessible environments.
They’ll cover key accessibility principles, WCAG 2.2 guidelines, compliance steps, and insights into Kerv Digital’s support for non-profits. Perfect for non-profit leaders, program managers, and teams committed to fostering inclusivity—don’t miss this opportunity to make accessibility central to your mission!
Find out more and register here
Healthwatch – Women’s Health Forum
Friday 22 November, Carlisle/online. Join us at the next health and social care community forum – It’s the chance for third sector groups, members of the public and health and social care organisations to share and hear about the latest developments in local health and social care, learn about Healthwatch’s projects, as well as an opportunity to meet face to face.
Get Grants free Bid Writing Workshop
Monday 24 February 2024, online. Whether you have a wealth of experience in fundraising or are new to applying for grants this Bid Writing Workshop will help you explore how to identify grant funding opportunities whilst providing advice on writing successful applications and thinking about the common mistakes made by applicants.
How to master email marketing
17 December, online. This course aims, in just three hours, to boost your email marketing.
The course provides a hands-on approach, showing charities the basics of email marketing, the best platforms, strategies for effective list-building, the importance of segmentation, tips and tricks for crafting effective emails, the best way to write a subject line, the virtues of personalisation, and so much more.
Supercharge your use of social media
10 December, online. This course aims, in just three hours, to supercharge your use of social media. We’ll explore how you can pick the right platforms for your charity and how to know whether you should invest, or divest, in other platforms.
We’ll show you how to increase social media engagement, how to extend your reach, and how to ensure you target the most rewarding demographics.
How to manage charity finances
26 November, online. The course aims to help you make sense of your charity finances. It provides a simple, plain-English introduction, covering budgeting, reporting, governance, sustainability, futureproofing, and so much more.
In two back-to-back sessions, each lasting approximately 80 minutes, the course offers key insights into the essential elements of charity finance.
How to Master the fundamentals of Microsoft 365 administration
19 November, online. The course aims to empower charities to make the most of Microsoft 365. It provides an overview of Microsoft subscriptions, including an exploration of the features in Business Basic, Business Standard, and Business Premium, as well as a look at specialised licenses.
It also helps you optimise your email, make the most of distribution lists, improve the use of OneDrive and SharePoint, as well as tackling security concepts such as multi-factor authentication.
UK Civil Society Almanac 2024 launch
Wednesday 20 November, Online. The UK Civil Society Almanac is the definitive publication on the state of the voluntary sector.
Join NCVO to hear the headline findings and find out how you can use the data to improve your work.
Building Inclusive Boards: Insights from Black and Asian Chairs and Trustees
Tuesday 19 November, online. In collaboration with Action for Trustee Racial Diversity (ATRD) and their BAFCA programme, this online event hosted by the Association of Chairs is designed to empower chairs, trustees, and aspiring leaders with the tools and knowledge to foster inclusivity on their boards.
Learn directly from experienced Black and Asian chairs and trustees as they share their insights and strategies. The online event will feature a panel discussion followed by an interactive workshop with a breakout session focused on strategies for succession planning and recruitment.
On-demand webinar: Budgeting tips for charities: how to plan your financial year
In this webinar, explore how charities can better plan their financial processes and budgeting in order to stay efficient and stay compliant.
How to Create Effective Content Using Your Phone
Thursday 21 November, online. Join The Saltways for a practical and interactive session. Learn the fundamentals of film-making using your phone, from planning and shooting to editing and sharing your content.
These sessions are free and open to any charity.
Webinar: Building financial sustainability for your charity
5 December, online. The charity sector has faced major financial challenges recently due to the pandemic, recession, and cost-of-living crisis. This has made it harder for charities to plan and deliver essential services.
This webinar will explore strategies for ensuring financial sustainability and long-term success. We’ll cover key fundraising tactics, diversifying income streams, and smart financial planning to help your organisation thrive in uncertain times.
Learning Events – 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence
Monday 25 November – Tuesday 10 December, online. Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Community Safety Partnerships are delighted to present a series of Learning Events during the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence 2024.
This is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. We have developed a suite of learning events during the 16 days, delivered via Microsoft Teams – no need to book, simply log in at the required time via the link in the attached poster.
How to navigate local government financial difficulty
Wednesday 20 November, online. Financial difficulties within many local authorities, sometimes leading to the issuing of a section 114 notice (s114), are affecting voluntary sector organisations and communities across the country.
In the webinar we’ll present the stages of financial difficulty a local authority might experience, and the significant impact these can have on the local voluntary sector. We’ll offer some suggestions for voluntary sector organisations to help navigate the stages and mitigate the impact on communities, bringing insights from voluntary sector groups and local infrastructure organisations involved in the research.
Regional Remuneration Working Group Learning Event
Friday 29 November, Newcastle. The group includes researchers, PICE leads, university finance representatives, VCSE organisations and public contributors.
The group has been co-developing a regional approach to issues around remuneration for public involvement in research based on the current NIHR National Guidance. During this event, we will be sharing the work that we have been doing and explore some barriers and areas of good practice. The event will also involve the NIHR Lead Silvia Bortoli who has been instrumental in reviewing and updating the national guidance.
Find out more and register here
Labels stick: How we use language in mental health research and services
Monday 11 November, online. Please join us for this free online event hosted by the NENC ARC’s mental health special interest group, looking at Labels stick: how we use language in mental health research and services, it will showcase local ideas and evidence concerning language and labels in mental health.
We will consider some of the tensions around different terminology, how and why certain ways of speaking have become dominant and share community-led ideas about better practices. Topics covered will include ableism, the power of words for people with learning disabilities, severe mental ill-health, and preferred language to describe autism.
Social Action Audit result presentations
Churches Together in Cumbria and Cinnamon Trust invite you to join them as they share the results.
Monday 25 November, Barrow.
Tuesday 26 November, Kendal.
Thursday 28 November, Penrith.
Click on the thumbnail image to find out more.
Governance and Ethical Considerations for AI in Non-Profits
Thursday 28 November, online. Navigating the complexities of AI governance and ethical considerations can be daunting for non-profits and membership bodies, which must ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in their AI applications.
Join Hart Square for this free online session to help you ensure you have a solid foundation on which to develop your AI Strategy. The session will delve into establishing robust AI governance frameworks, managing risks, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Podcast: Misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories
In this podcast, explore how false information spreads, its impacts, how charities can avoid spreading it, and approaches to address misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories about your charitable cause.
Introduction to Community Action on Energy
6 November, online. As a part of the National Lottery Energy Learning Network, we would like you to join us for CSE’s first webinar, ‘An Introduction to Community Action on Energy.’ This webinar is an opportunity for you to learn about the many ways that a community organisation can act on energy for the benefit of your local community.
This webinar is aimed at community-based organisations from across the UK and Northern Ireland and we are really keen to hear your thoughts and gain your insights into how energy projects happen or could happen, in your local area.
Webinar: Advanced financial planning strategies for charities
In uncertain times, charities need the power of data to navigate challenges. With the right financial insights, charities can predict fundraising opportunities and allocate resources more effectively to extend support services.
This webinar explores strategic financial planning for non-profits. Discover data-driven approaches that enhance resource allocation, boost efficiency, and drive mission success.
Pension Roadshow
This course is designed to help people explore and understand what a state pension is. During the course, learners will have the opportunity to use the Pension Calculator and examine how much you will need for retirement.
Monday 4 Nov: Carlisle Civic Centre
Tuesday 5 Nov: Kendal Cancer Care
Wednesday 6 Nov: Barrow Library
Friday 8 Nov: Workington Library
Further information is available in this leaflet
Practical uses of AI for your charity
5 November 2024, online. This course aims, in just three hours, to boost your everyday use of AI.
The course takes a hands-on, practical approach, showing charities how to use AI to improve meetings, boost email marketing, smash data analytics, enhance workflow efficiency, and so much more.
Cyber Security Month: Practical guidance for your organisation
12 November, online. Are you an organisation that doesn’t know where to start with your cyber security, or could do with a “sense check” on where you stand?
As charities, that often hold and process sensitive information, it’s important to have the correct security in place to protect user data.
Energy Resilience Event
20 November, Alston Town Hall. At this exciting in-person event showcasing the latest in energy resilience technology, discover how Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems are revolutionising rural energy solutions. Whether you’re a technology enthusiast or simply curious about sustainable energy, this event is perfect for you.
At the heart of the event will be a demonstration of V2X technology, enabling vehicles to act as mobile power sources – a pioneering solution to enhance energy management in rural areas. This event is ideal for Local Authority EV Teams, Resilience Teams, and anyone interested in learning about or hosting this groundbreaking technology, particularly those in rural settings.
Inter Faith Week events
10 – 17 November 2024. Please see the flyers below for details of: Home sessions of meditation or prayer and study; AWAZ Cumbria and Westmorland and Furness Diversity Equity and Inclusion Partnership (WFDEIP) talks on interfaith; +more.
Retired RC Priest IF Week 2024 event
WFDEIP IFWk 2024 at home event
WFDEIP IFWk 2024 QT event
Start a purpose-driven business – free training
The School of Social Enterprise are offering free training for anyone wanting to learn how to transform their ideas into a purpose-driven business that not only makes a positive impact, but also connects you with your community.
There are sessions in Barrow in October and November, Penrith in November and December, and Kendal in November, December and January. See the flyers below for more information.
SOSE BARROW FLYER
SOSE KENDAL FLYER
SOSE PENRITH FLYER
Barrow Introduction to British Sign Language courses
Starting Monday 4 November, Barrow. Cumbria Deaf Association would like to invite you and your staff to attend a new Introduction to British sign Language (BSL) course. BSL is the first or preferred language of an estimated 70,000 Deaf people in the UK, and in March 2003, BSL was recognised by the Government as a language on its own.
Currently we offer a six-week introduction to basic sign language course, which is an entry level course. This is ideal for anyone wanting to learn some signs and gain a better understanding of deaf awareness. A relaxed fun learning environment with topics that can include family, numbers, colours, emotions, animals etc with basic communication being the main goal. Course cost £95.
Festival of Trusteeship 2024
Getting on Board’s Festival of Trusteeship is happening from Monday 4 November to Friday 8 November in conjunction with Trustees’ Week. The 15 sessions over five days will help you develop and grow your trustee superpowers. Whether you’re just getting started on your trustee journey or have been a serial trustee for years there’s something for you.
Topics include:
- Convincing the sceptics: diversifying your board
- Trustees in 2024: A deep dive into the latest trustee research
- Catching clouds: How to assess and pin down your organisation’s culture
- What is it like to be a charity CEO? Getting on Board draws back the curtain
- Turkeys voting for Christmas – how can you conduct an objective review of your governance?
- Are trustees brave enough? Get empowered to be a brave trustee
Youth Work Week
4-10 November. The National Youth Agency is calling on youth workers to celebrate the rich diversity of young people they support and the ways they make their provision accessible in line with this year’s theme: A right to youth work for all – delivering positive futures for young people.
Youth clubs can choose to celebrate in any way they wish and there’s lots of guidance on how to go about planning your event on the NYA’s website, as well as downloadable assets and templates to help you engage your local MP and media.
Find out more about Youth Work week here and the Art of Youth Work campaign.
Digital Fundraising Summit
Thursday 7 November 2024. The Summit is a free, one-day, online event, with informative webinars, interactive workshops and plenty of time for networking.
We will explore fundraising trends and fads, and how to spot the difference; examine the impact of AI and where it can help with fundraising; investigate how we can make fundraising more accessible for donors; and much, much more.
VCFSE News and Information
Christmas Jumper Swap
Now accepting donations at Penrith Library throughout December.
Click on the thumbnail image for more information.
Tech4Youth
The Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), in partnership with Macquarie Foundation and Voneus, has launched the Tech4Youth Programme, providing digital access and skills to young people aged 11-19 in Solway and neighbouring communities, including Silloth, Wigton, Maryport and Aspatria.
This programme offers:
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- Refurbished laptops designed for educational purposes.
- Six months of data to ensure reliable connectivity.
- Digital skills training, specifically tailored for young people.
- Online safety resources to protect them as they navigate the digital world.
Applications are now open, but spaces are limited. More details, and the online application form can be found here.
Why embracing artificial intelligence early is the key to long-term impact
Take a look at how charities can adopt and implement artificial intelligence (AI) early to drive impact and deliver faster results.
Children in Need 2024 exceeds last year’s total and raises £39.2m on the night
BBC Children in Need’s 2024 appeal raised £39.2m on Friday night, its most for three years and 16% more than in 2023.
The three-hour annual telethon for the children and young peoples’ charity raised its highest on-the-night total since 2021, when £39.4m was donated.
How to set up a JustGiving page
Explore the steps required to set up a page on fundraising platform JustGiving.
Welcome to the Research Methods Toolkit for Society and Mental Health
Curious about doing research? Involved in collecting information or data to understand society and mental health? Find yourself sharing that information with others? If so, then this is the place for you!
Welcome to your very own online Research Methods Toolkit. Across this website you will find high-quality, engaging resources that discuss research design and ethics; qualitative, quantitative and participatory methods; data analysis; knowledge dissemination and much more.
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 15/11/24 here, including:
- Cash boost for community-based projects across Eden
- Notice of Penrith Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum published
- Help to shape future of your waste and recycling collections
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 15/11/24 here, including:
- Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme launches
- Plans to extend Family Hub offer across Cumberland
- Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge launched
Artificial intelligence: Responsible use for charities
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been transformative in 2024, offering charities opportunities to boost productivity, efficiency, and innovation. However, it also presents risks such as data breaches, biased decisions, and workforce concerns.
Explore how charities can prioritise the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their organisation, with a checklist from Public Interest Registry (PIR).
How recycling supports digital inclusion
Discover how charities can give their unwanted hardware new purpose and support people who are digitally excluded.
Over 280 organisations receive King’s Award for Voluntary Service
Over 280 organisations in the UK have received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for their “outstanding community service”, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced.
DCMS announced that 281 charities, youth groups and museums had been recognised for their “outstanding work”, representing the largest number of recipients in the award’s 22-year history.
Understanding the funding crisis in the UK voluntary sector
Many of us are aware of the additional and acute pressure many funders are experiencing, and of funders such as the City Bridge Foundation who have closed to new applications. This is worrying for us and the sector more widely, as funding from statutory sources is also reducing.
This blog from Carol Mack, CEO of the Association of Charitable Foundations, explains a bit more about what is driving some of those actions, and is worth a read in the context of your own organisation.
Charity funding concerns as government announces National Citizen Service closure
Concerns over funding for youth charities have been raised after the government announced that it would close the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme and the not-for-profit organisation that manages it.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy announced that the government would wind down the NCS from March 2025 as part of plans for a new national youth strategy, which will be co-produced with young people.
Opportunities and challenges for the charity sector in the 2024 autumn budget
The autumn budget 2024 presents a mixed picture for the UK charity sector, with both opportunities and challenges.
Rathbones give their key highlights here
Over 7,000 charities sign letter to chancellor over £1.4bn NICs rise as concerns spread
More than 7,000 charities have signed a letter urging chancellor Rachel Reeves to ease the burden of an estimated extra £1.4bn per year that the sector will have to pay in employer national insurance contributions (NICs).
Reeves announced in her first budget as chancellor a fortnight ago that NICs would increase from 13.8% to 15% from April 2025 but that the employment allowance would more than double to £10,500 to shield the smallest organisations from the tax.
London Marathon to enable 800 new charities to enter through relaunched scheme
Organisers of the London Marathon have launched a scheme to enable 800 new charities to become part of the fundraising event from 2026 onwards.
Charities that are not currently partners of the event will be able to apply for golden bonds, which offer four entries per year for a four-year term, and silver bonds, which offer two over the same time period.
How to simplify website navigation
Charity Digital break down the steps you can take to improve the experience of using your charity’s website.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 08/11/24 here, including:
- Community Panel events
- Copeland Local Plan adopted
- Speak to us about fostering during our Campervan Adventure
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 08/11/24 here, including:
- Council continues support for council tax and housing costs for those in need
- Wraparound childcare survey to share with parents
- Council committed to offering free bus travel for pass holders
How charities can support job sharing
With the sector facing a skills shortage, job sharing is one way to access a greater range of skills and experience. Here are some tips to recruit, onboard and manage a job share.
Carlisle Key honour founding Trustee’s legacy
This past month, we lost our beloved trustee, chair, and founder, Graeme Ridgewell. If you ever met Graeme you’ll know just what a lovely, fun and caring personality he had.
He will be a great miss to all those whose lives he touched, and also to the city of Carlisle where he always sought to help those disadvantaged and in need. His legacy lives on in everything we do, and his impact on the organization and our community has been truly invaluable.
His absence has been deeply felt by the staff and those he has inspired over the years. We are working with his family to honour him in a way that reflects his dedication.
Venue booking guidance
Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and the Prevent Duty Guidance place an expectation on Councils to ensure that all publicly owned venues and resources do not provide a platform for extremists and are not used to disseminate extremist views or ideologies.
This guidance has been developed to assist Council staff and relevant partners to meet these obligations. In general, bookings must not incite hatred, intolerance, law breaking or violence, nor must they pose a reputational risk to the Council.
New learning academy for all working or volunteering in health and care in our region
The Boost learning academy is now available online, serving as a key resource for training and development. The learning academy offers a wide range of courses, seminars, and events – all designed to support our collective commitment to delivering the highest standards of care to the population we serve.
The Boost learning academy is open to all those working or volunteering in health and care across the North East and North Cumbria, including colleagues in the NHS, local authorities, public health, the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, and private care providers.
Crowdfunding platform launches foundation to harness ‘power of community fundraising’
A major UK crowdfunding platform has announced plans to launch a charitable foundation to “empower communities, amplify social impact, and redefine how we fund change”.
Crowdfunder UK said its foundation would harness “the collective power of community fundraising” and is aimed at helping philanthropists, high-net-worth individuals, trusts and foundations to maximise their charitable contributions through the “innovative” use of crowdfunding.
National Lottery Community Fund pledges £3bn funding for England
The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has announced plans to distribute at least £3bn across England by 2030.
NLCF’s latest pledge forms part of its previously announced seven-year strategy that aims to give out at least £4bn across the UK in that time.
Charity bodies welcome Stuart Andrew’s appointment as shadow culture secretary
Former charities minister Stuart Andrew has been appointed shadow culture secretary, a move that has been welcomed by the charity sector.
Andrew was the minister for civil society as part of the previous Conservative government for two years before the general election in July.
Household Support Fund
The Department of Work and Pensions Household Support Fund grant is now available until the 31st March 2025 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.
More information is available in this document
Applications now open for the annual Weston Charity Awards
We know that charities are under pressure to deliver their great work – they face increased costs, a high demand for their services and a competitive environment. The Weston Charity Awards programme is a great opportunity for charities to take stock, work with experienced experts, and develop plans for a resilient future.
We are once again partnering with Pilotlight to offer a package of support worth over £22,000, including unrestricted grants of £6,500 for ambitious charities like yours. Award winners receive 10 months of pro-bono (worth an estimated £16,000) support from senior professionals across diverse private and public sectors. These “Pilotlighters” offer expert coaching on everything from operational efficiencies to sustainable long-term strategies and growth.
Maintaining Cyber Essentials all year round
As Charity Cyber Essentials Awareness Month has concluded, we want to emphasise the importance of staying vigilant all year round.
The guide, ‘Maintaining Cyber Essentials all year round’ gives some excellent tips on how charities can maintain good cyber hygiene throughout the year. Cyber Essentials represents the UK Government’s minimum baseline standard for cyber security for organisations of all sizes in the UK. The annually renewable certification scheme is aligned to five technical controls designed to prevent the most common internet-based cyber security threats.
New Conservative leader urged to ‘re-think’ party’s relationship with charities
Kemi Badenoch has been urged to “re-think” how the Conservative Party works with civil society after being elected as its leader.
Badenoch beat Robert Jenrick to become the party’s first elected leader of the opposition since losing the general election in July. Reacting to the leadership election result, New Philanthropy Capital policy manager James Somerville said: “With a clear mandate, Kemi now has an opportunity to re-think how the Conservative Party can work effectively alongside civil society.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 01/11/24 here, including:
- Autumn Ramblers Wellbeing Walks
- Cumberland Youth Justice Service recognised for positive outcomes
- Whitehaven’s Beacon Museum wins top tourism award
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 01/11/24 here, including:
- New solar farm sparks greener future for council
- Council celebrates Occupational Therapy Week
- Museum designs sensory tour for blind visitors
‘Long-term decline’ in government funding leaving charities vulnerable, peers told
A “long-term decline” in funding from the government has left the charity sector vulnerable, the president of NCVO has told members of the House of Lords.
Baroness Delyth Morgan, who has served as president of the sector body since June and was chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, made the remarks during a debate on the importance of contributions of the charity and voluntary sector.
Charities urge chancellor to ease sector’s £1.4bn national insurance rise from budget
Over 1,000 charities have signed a letter urging chancellor Rachel Reeves to intervene after recently announced increases in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) will create an extra bill of £1.4bn per year for the sector.
Umbrella bodies NCVO and ACEVO published an open letter to Reeves yesterday evening, voicing concerns over the impact of this week’s budget announcements, which has since garnered more than 1,000 signatures from charities and voluntary organisations.
Autumn Budget: what does it mean for the voluntary sector?
The Autumn Budget announcement saw many potential changes and challenges for the voluntary sector and for the communities we work with. In NAVCA’s blog post, they highlight some of the key announcements and what they could mean for NAVCA members and their local communities.
Foundations umbrella body says pauses on grants could benefit charities
The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF), the UK’s umbrella body for foundations and independent grantmakers, has said that recent pauses announced by grantmakers may be good for charities.
In the past months, numerous foundations have paused their grant programmes to reset their operations while others like the Albert Hunt Trust have announced moves to change their grant criteria due to an “unprecedented number of funding requests”.
Plans to prevent charities claiming tax reliefs ‘in ways that aren’t intended’ published
The government has published plans to stop charities from obtaining tax reliefs “in ways that aren’t intended”, which it expects to generate £125m for the state by 2029-30.
Last year, the government opened a consultation on charities tax compliance designed to help tackle non-compliance and protect the sector’s integrity.
National insurance increase to place strain on charities, warn sector bodies
Civil society umbrella organisations have voiced concern over the impact on charities of the government’s increase to employer national insurance contributions, announced in October’s budget.
NCVO, ACEVO, Charity Finance Group (CFG) and New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) all issued responses to chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first budget.
Cumbria Community Foundation October newsletter
You can view CCF’s newsletter here, which this month features the launch of the 2024 Winter Warmth Appeal.
There is also information on:
- Funding for mental health support confirmed
- £2.7m awarded to good causes in Cumbria
- New Guide to Giving out now
- Age Friendly South Lakeland Premises Award
- Hub offers support for the whole community
- Warm Spots open their doors again
- Wanted: young entrepreneurs
- Call for applications
- Sector Funding, News & Opportunities
Rainbow Wishes closes
As you may have noticed we have been very quiet over the past year or so. This is because a while back we made the decision to close the company. It was a difficult decision for us as we all truly believed in the Rainbow Wishes mission and loved spreading magic across Cumbria. However, all of our lives have been pulled in different, but equally exciting directions and we decided that the time was right to say goodbye.
We want to thank everyone who has ever hired us for a party or attended an event; any company who we have worked with; all of our amazing team and all of those people who supported us from behind the scenes. As a CIC we relied upon the wider community to keep us going and we had lots of great people who helped us. As we do officially close, the rest of the money in our pot of wishes will be going to the wonderful team at Cumbria Family Support to support the amazing work that they do – please go and check them out.
How to make your social media a trusted voice
Explore how charities can make the most out of their social media accounts, helping them to reach more people and make them a successful extension of their online presence.
Charities respond as chancellor announces £40bn tax rise in first budget
Rachel Reeves has delivered her first budget since Labour formed a government following the general election, in which she announced £40bn-worth of tax increases.
Reeves announced several changes following lobbying by charities including Shelter, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Trussell.
Charities underinvesting in fundraising staff development, says report
Charities should be investing more in their fundraising team’s professional development, according to a new report.
Online community platform Fundraising Everywhere surveyed 339 professionals, most of whom are experienced fundraisers with management responsibilities at their charities, and 47% said that they don’t have a learning and development plan.
Slow the Flow films
Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Cumbria Innovative Flood Resilience project have launched a new series of Creature Comforts-style animations, showcasing how natural flood management (NFM) can protect communities from flooding, enhance biodiversity, and combat climate change.
Developed in collaboration with the Environment Agency (EA), Westmorland and Furness Council, Royal Society Protection of Birds (RSPB), National Farmers Union (NFU), Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and the National Trust, and funded by the EA, these short films demonstrate how working with nature can reduce flood risks, improve water quality, and build climate resilience for homes, businesses, and farms across the region.
The new animations can be watched here
Westmorland and Furness Council – Customer Charter
We’re committed to putting customers at the heart of everything we do.
We are here to serve you, our residents, businesses and visitors. We strive to deliver high quality customer service by caring, listening and putting you first – helping to make Westmorland and Furness a great place to live, work and thrive. This is reflected in our Customer Charter, which sets out what you can expect from us and what we ask from you in return.
Involving children and young people in research
The NIHR has revised guidance and top tips for involving children and young people in research including issues around safeguarding, payment & ethical considerations.
“Never overlook comments from young people – they are unlikely to continue to contribute if you ignore their points” Young person.
How charity leaders can drive trust
Explore the top governance risks for charities and how leaders can mitigate them to drive trust, with insights from a new whitepaper from Azeus Convene.
How to embrace micro-volunteering
Providing short-term volunteering opportunities benefits both charities and people who want to give back.
6 Tips for Harnessing AI at your Nonprofit
Ready to get a comprehensive view of the current state of AI for nonprofits in the UK?
Blackbaud surveyed nearly 850 nonprofit professionals for their annual Status of UK Fundraising Report with a focus on artificial intelligence. These findings revealed that while most participants use AI, comprehensive adoption is in the early stages and many are unsure how this technology can be used in a nonprofit fundraising context.
Healthy response to new Charity Commission trustee campaign based on updated guidance
The Charity Commission has already received around 35,000 responses to its recently launched trustee campaign for 2024, compared with over 75,000 responses last year, a spokesperson told Civil Society.
The campaign is a call to trustees to refresh their knowledge of the commission’s guidance on the role of the trustee. It has a new interactive component for this year’s quiz, with questions stemming from recently updated guidance.
New guidance for VCSE organisations working with councils in financial difficulty
New guidance has been published to help smaller and local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations operating in local authority areas experiencing financial difficulties.
Published by NAVCA and the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales (LBFEW), the guidance sets out the key stages of a section 114 notice (s114 notice) journey, detailing what VCSE organisations should expect and do to navigate each.
The new office for Equality and Opportunity
A new Office for Equality and Opportunity has been announced by Westminster, which will succeed the Equality Hub. Additionally, two new appointments have been made: Dame Nia Griffith MP as Minister for LGBT+ Equality, and Lord Collins of Highbury as Lords Spokesperson on LGBT+ Equality.
The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) will oversee the comprehensive framework of equality legislation in the UK, along with cross-cutting equalities policy. This encompasses areas such as disability policy, race and ethnicity, gender equality, and LGBT+ rights.
Cumbria Deaf and Hearing Loss Services
Cumbria Deaf and Hearing Loss Services is delivered by BID Services and offers specialist equipment support alongside specialist information, advice and support to people living in Cumbria who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a dual sensory loss. We also provide support to families, carers, professionals and other organisations.
You can find out more in this flyer and click the thumbnail image for more information on free hearing loss home and equipment assessments.
GoFundMe launches ‘social sharing feature’ with tech giant Meta
The crowdfunding platform GoFundMe has announced that it is partnering with Meta, the tech conglomerate which owns Facebook and Instagram, to launch a “social sharing feature” that it hopes will “supercharge” charity fundraisers and help them to raise more money.
The new feature will reportedly make it much easier for individuals to raise money for their chosen charities on GoFundMe by providing improved sharing capabilities for charities and fundraising organisers that help fundraisers to stand out more in Facebook and Instagram feeds.
New automated and free service to help charities process gift aid claims
The GivenGain UK Foundation has created a fully automated, free service to help charities process gift aid claims.
Launched in October, the service automatically distributes 100% of gift aid claims to charities free of charge.
Handyperson scheme rolled out
A scheme that supports elderly or vulnerable residents with practical help around their homes is being rolled out across Westmorland and Furness.
The popular Handyperson Scheme has run for several years in the South Lakeland area, offering eligible residents assistance with small jobs around the home to help them maintain independent living and support quality of life. The service, which is operated by Westmorland and Furness Council, can provide help with anything from changing a lightbulb to putting up shelving, hanging curtains, installing handrails and small repairs such as unblocking sinks or replacing a washer on a tap.
The Governance App
The Governance App is a new, free and easy way for your board of trustees to review and improve its governance, together.
- Gather responses from your whole board
- Get a performance score out of ten in seven different areas
- Highlight where board members have different views on performance
- Have targeted discussions about what’s going well and where to focus on improving
So if you’re looking to review your governance but don’t quite know where to start, can’t afford the time or expense of a consultant or facilitator and want an easy way to involve your whole board in the process, click here to find out more
2024 Force for Good Program
Is your charity ready to take its mission to the next level?
JPMorganChase have opened applications for the 2024 Force for Good Program, a pro-bono social innovation initiative that pairs their skilled employees with charities like yours. Whether you need tech, data, or design solutions, this program is designed to help you drive meaningful change and deliver your services even better.
Get Grants Virtual Conference – Sessions Now Available Online
This free event offered two days full of celebration, inspiration, and practical advice and support. Get Grants were joined by Fundraisers from across the UK to share expert fundraising advice, top tips, Q&As, networking, and peer-support.
The programme included practical ‘how-tos’, sharing knowledge, and wellbeing and confidence building – all delivered by sector experts, funders, and hosted by Get Grants Founder & Director John Ellery.
You can view recordings here and click here to view the post-conference press release
How does digital inclusion impact service delivery?
Explore the recent Digital Inclusion Report and look at the landscape of digital service delivery, the core barriers to service delivery, and ways your charity can overcome such barriers.
Addressing substance misuse in Cumberland
Healthwatch Cumberland has produced a report based on the stories of people living with the impact of addiction. Cumbria Addictions: Advice and Solutions (CADAS), Recovery Steps and The Well have all supported the project based on people sharing their personal stories.
It aims to improve service delivery and to raise awareness of the complexity of addiction and emphasise the importance of seeing past someone’s addiction.
Starmer reveals plans for ‘fundamental reset’ of relationship with civil society
Prime minister Keir Starmer has announced plans for a “fundamental reset” as the government publishes a framework for a new working relationship with civil society.
In September, NCVO chief executive Sarah Elliott revealed that a new agreement between the government and charity sector was due to be published in 2025.
Free cyber security support with IASME
There is plenty of free cyber security support and guidance written especially for charities on the Cyber Essentials Knowledge Hub. Find guidance on:
- The Cyber Essentials guide to working with contractors for charities
- Guidance on Remote Working for Charities
- Guidance on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for Charities
- Cyber Essentials Guide to Working with a Third Party IT Provider for Charities
- The future is password-free
+more
Pension Credit information
Pension Credit (PC) can be enhanced through Attendance Allowance so awareness of that DWP benefit can be invaluable. We all have older friends and family as do our clients so very much worth sharing as far as possible.
Pension Credit toolkit: advice and guidance for stakeholders – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Pension Credit calculator – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Attendance Allowance: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Pension support, health & money Check the status of your work, health and money – Midlife MOT (jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk)
Get help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save): How it works – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). This is for working families and individuals in receipt of UC and in work.
Charity Commission campaign to support trustees
The Charity Commission has launched a new campaign to support charity trustees, helping them refresh their knowledge on essential trustee duties. The campaign has been designed to prompt trustees at all levels of experience to pause and reflect on what they think they know. It promotes the Charity Commission’s five-minute guides, which give short and clear advice on key topics all trustees need to know. In addition, they are promoting their recently updated guidance, including decision making and improving your charity’s finances.
It features a new interactive quiz, enabling trustees to test their knowledge as well as promoting our guidance. The quiz sits on their campaign website which also showcases their 5-minute guides and videos.
Stop Loan Sharks
Stop Loan Sharks investigates and prosecutes illegal money lenders and provides support for borrowers in the UK. If you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else, we’re here to help and keep you safe.
Our specially trained staff will provide you with emotional and practical support that is tailored to your needs.
Visit the Stop Loan Sharks website
Funding to create Warm Spots across Cumbria
Community groups and organisations across Cumbria are once again being offered financial support to help people keep warm over winter.
Working in partnership with Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumbria Community Foundation is offering grants of up to £500 from the Warm Spots Fund to help create a network of places where people can go to keep warm and socialise.
Volunteer platform launches to connect charities with media professionals
Media Trust has launched a free volunteer platform to connect charities with skilled media and creative professionals.
The platform matches charities with Media Trust’s volunteers who range from freelance filmmakers to marketing directors and social media strategists.
Fundraising events guide: 25 email templates and tips
Are you looking to enhance engagement and boost your fundraising events? Email marketing is a powerful tool for non-profits, helping you build connections and reach your goals. iRaiser’s latest guide, featuring 25 ready-to-use email templates and expert tips tailored for charities.
Diversity in Research Film
Egality has worked with eight health charities, eight people with lived experience, and two community organisations to co-produce this film, all about diversity in research.
Their collective aim is to increase the number of people with lived experience from diverse ethnic groups who are actively involved in health research and ultimately improve health treatments and services.
Simple campaigns your charity needs to automate
Charity Digital explore the top ideas for charities to automate their marketing campaigns, allowing them to spend more time on their mission and deliver more impact for their communities.
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
[NEW] ACEVO’s Pay & Equalities 2024 survey highlights little meaningful change
The ACEVO Pay and Equalities 2024 survey has highlighted that little meaningful change has been made on some of the key issues which continue to affect VCSE sector leadership. This includes a highest hitting gender pay gap, a lack of investment in learning and development opportunities, and a lack of diversity across leadership and boards.
The lack of diversity within the sector is still prominent with the number of CEOs from Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic backgrounds remaining at 7%, and only a third of CEOs currently being satisfied with the ethnic diversity of their boards.
You can read highlights of the report on the ACEVO website
LGBT Foundation: Pride in Practice Primary Care Patient Survey
LGBT Foundation is seeking responses to the Pride in Practice primary care patient survey. The object of this survey is to collect data on LGBTQ+ patient experiences in primary care, be that at GP practices, dental practices, pharmacies, or optometry services.
This survey will be open on an ongoing basis, with data being collated for a report once a year. The responses to the survey will be used to support the LGBT Foundation in improving awareness of the experiences LGBTQ+ patients have when using primary care services.
Find out more and complete the survey
Key findings from this year’s NCVO Almanac
This week, NCVO launched the 2024 UK Civil Society Almanac, offering the most detailed analysis of the voluntary sector’s financial health, workforce trends, and volunteer engagement.
The findings highlight a sector facing mounting challenges, with smaller charities disproportionately affected by funding pressures and systemic inequalities. Despite their essential role in communities, these organisations are increasingly forced to make difficult decisions about their survival.
Almanac shows charity sector income rose to £69bn despite government funding
The UK charity sector’s income increased by 9% to £69.1bn in 2021-22, following its first annual decline in eight years during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, NCVO’s latest almanac shows.
NCVO’s UK Civil Society Almanac 2024 says the rebound as the pandemic eased was largely due to a recovery in public donations and earned income.
Regional inequalities in community resilience exposed in new research
Coastal, rural and areas in the North of England are less able to withstand and recover from adverse events, according to new research which highlights regional disparities in community resilience.
Led by academics from Health Equity North, the University of Manchester and ARC Greater Manchester, the study examined local authority data to identify geographical patterns in different communities’ ability to navigate and thrive in the face of challenges.
August race riots – impact in communities
The recent race riots across England and Northern Ireland have had profound effects on communities, and we know civil society organisations like yours played a vital role in supporting those affected. The VCS Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP) is committed to learning from these events and your experiences to ensure communities are better prepared for future crises.
To achieve this, VCSEP is partnering with Neighbourly Lab to gather insights from organisations that were impacted by, or responded to, the August 2024 riots. Your first-hand experiences with local response and recovery efforts are essential to building a coordinated, community-centred approach for the future that is focused on resilience and cohesion.
Where appropriate, please take a few minutes to share your experiences by 22 November. Whether directly or indirectly impacted, sharing your perspective will directly contribute to strengthening the sector’s readiness and resilience.
Unlocking success: Key trends in mass fundraising events for 2025
Mass fundraising events are a popular way for charities to boost revenue, bring people together, and raise money and awareness for vital community services.
Since 2021, in-person fundraising events have surged, with over half of charities expecting growth in 2024. The outlook for 2025 is even brighter: Enthuse’s 2024/25 Mass Events report shows that 23% of the public are already committed to a fundraising event, with another 47% considering it.
Two in five Gen Z people interested in becoming charity trustees, survey finds
Research has found that two in five Gen Z people would now consider becoming a charity trustee, an increase on previous years.
Insurance firm Ecclesiastical conducted a survey in partnership with the Young Trustees Movement of 545 18-24-year-olds in the UK, 40% of whom said they would be interested in joining a charity board.
ACEVO boss criticises lack of progress in new charity CEO diversity stats
Jane Ide, chief executive of sector leaders’ umbrella body ACEVO, has criticised a lack of progress in the diversity of charity CEOs as her organisation published its latest figures.
Based on a survey of 1,365 charity CEOs, the ACEVO Pay and Equalities Survey 2024 found that the number of leaders from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic backgrounds remained static at 7%, the same as last year.
New research reveals many charity trustee boards remain ‘incomplete’
A new report published by Pro Bono Economics (PBE) has revealed that many charity boards remain “incomplete“.
Less than four in 10 charities (37%) responding to the survey reported having a full board of trustees, leaving almost two-thirds (63%) reporting vacancies in some form.
Want to learn how to write content that’s accessible to minoritised groups?
Catalyst would like to write and publish a guidance article on this subject and need your help.
Complete the online form and tell Catalyst about your challenge(s) with writing website content for minoritised groups and non-native English speakers. The survey will only take 2 minutes to complete, and they will plant 100 trees for every 10 responses received.
Clinks State of the Sector survey
Alongside the team from National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Clinks are holding focus groups across England and Wales to understand how the work, needs and vison of voluntary organisations working across the criminal justice sector have been shaped and changed by the last few years.
They are eager to speak with organisations from across the sector to enable them to connect with the broadest possible range of organisations and experience, and want to hear from you! Whether a small community group, regionally focussed hub, or national organisation, all voices are welcome; from the broad issue-based organisations to the organisations focussed on unique and specific experiences. To express your interest to join a focus group, please complete a two-minute survey and the NCVO team will get in touch with you to register your preferences and coordinate with you.
Charities facing ‘trustee crisis’ with four in five reporting a vacancy
NCVO has said there is a “trustee crisis” after reporting that four in five charities in England and Wales are operating with at least one vacant position on their boards.
Its report says that trustee vacancies are causing “significant” skill gaps, governance issues and stress, especially for smaller charities.
How digital access challenges impact charities and service users
Charity Digital’s research found that digital access is a roadblock to charities achieving their missions.
Mass event participants raising larger amounts for charities, research finds
The proportion of mass event participants raising larger amounts for charities has increased, according to new research.
A survey of 2,486 people in the UK published by fundraising platform Enthuse found that 23% plan to participate in a mass participation event for a charity in the next 12 months.
Hope Not Hate report – Fear and Hope 2024: The case for community resilience
HOPE not hate has launched the seventh nationwide iteration of its Fear and HOPE report: Fear and HOPE 2024: The case for community resilience.
In the report, HNH examine how building resilience to the far right in communities goes beyond promoting social cohesion and includes tackling economic deprivation, repairing relationships with democracy, ending damaging political rhetoric and more.
Through an updated segmentation analysis of UK attitudes, HNH look back on the last 13 years of Fear and HOPE and what’s changed since the first report in 2011. This includes detailed analysis on how narratives around migration and multiculturalism in particular have lowered resilience to hate and allowed the far right to thrive, as we saw unfold during the nationwide riots in August.
Researchers warn of power imbalances in business-charity partnerships
A new report has warned of potential power imbalances that can form in partnerships between charities and businesses.
Based on consultations with dozens of charities and businesses, research by Pro Bono Economics (PBE) found that partnerships that entail common goals are more likely to be sustainable, adaptable and impactful.
Poverty and Children in Care
The Together Trust has published a report exploring links between poverty and children entering care in the UK. It looks at research on poverty and the care system, examining how factors such as abuse, neglect, deprivation, education, race, health, and welfare policies are intertwined.
Recommendations for policy change include recognition of poverty as a primary driver behind children entering care, not just a contextual factor.
Local authorities urged to better engage with voluntary sector to address inequalities
Local authorities must better engage with the voluntary sector and community groups if they are to address known inequalities in their areas, according to a new report.
In October, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates and inspects health and social care providers in England, published its State of Care report 2023-24. Every year, the CQC assesses the state of health and social care in the country, looking at the trends, sharing examples of good and outstanding care and highlighting where care needs to improve.
Social justice charities considering leaving X due to ‘misinformation’, survey finds
Many organisations working in the social justice sector are considering leaving X due to the role the social media platform plays in spreading misinformation, according to a new survey by a major funder.
The Barrow Cadbury Trust recently surveyed 415 of its funded partners and other stakeholders, many of which are charities, about their use of social media.
Trustees say their boards are performing worse at EDI than anything else
Charity trustees have rated equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as the governance area in which their boards are most struggling to achieve positive outcomes.
The Directory of Social Change (DSC) analysed the responses of over 1,000 users of its Governance App and found that they rated their charity board’s EDI performance at 6.5 out of 10 on average.
Demand has risen ‘a lot’ over past year for most charities, report leaders
Most UK charities have seen demand for their services increase “a lot” over the past year while many are facing increased competition for funding, according to a survey of sector leaders.
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) surveyed 784 charity leaders and 86% said that their charities had recorded increased demand for their services over the last 12 months, with 54% of those reporting that it had risen by “a lot”.
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.
