Useful Information – September 2024
August 28, 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 September. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 25/09/24 – 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 August ’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
Developing Your AI Strategy for Non-profits
Wednesday 18 September, Online. This free session from Hart Square will guide you through the essential steps needed to develop an AI strategy tailored to your NFP needs.
Gift Aid Awareness Day
Gift Aid Awareness Day is just around the corner. Get involved on Thursday 3 October and encourage donors to #TickTheBox! CFG (Charity Finance Group) has launched its new Gift Aid Awareness Day campaign toolkit. Download the toolkit (which contains social media images, stickers and printable posters!) and pass this on to your comms colleagues. We want to see a future where every Gift Aid penny is claimed. Let’s make this year’s campaign the best yet! Find out more about GAAD.
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
Launch of Community Transport Research
Wednesday, 11 September, online. The Community Transport Association (CTA) are launching their latest research, “Mapping England: A Comprehensive Review of the Community Transport Sector.” This online event marks a significant milestone, as it is the first in-depth study of the sector in a decade.
Nick Mills, CTA’s Research and Insight Manager, will share key findings from this critical study, offering a thorough analysis of the current state of community transport in England. The presentation will cover the sector’s evolving landscape, its challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead. We will also discuss the broader implications of these findings and consider potential future research and solutions.
Health Trust to hold Annual Members Meeting
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital and community health services in Cumbria is holding its Annual Members Meeting next month. Members of the public are invited to the Trust’s meeting virtually or in person on Thursday, 26 September at Energus, Lillyhall, Workington from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
It’s an opportunity for members to learn more about our achievements and challenges over the last 12 months and the current financial position, which you can find out more about in our annual report for 2023/2024 now available on our website.
To book you can complete our booking form or for assistance or any enquiries please email corporate.governance@ncic.nhs.uk
CAP Life Skills
16 Sept – 11 Nov 2024, Kendal. This is an invitation to you or those whom you know, to join a relaxed group where we can think a little about how to deal with some of the things that life is throwing at us right now. You and your friends or family members on a low-income, are invited to Life Skills sessions, to eat lunch together, share ideas and learn from each other about how we can manage our finances in these trying times.
Would you like to be better prepared or make a few changes to your spending, your health and your confidence? Drop me a message at marymcfarlane@caplifeskills.org or phone 07864341102 to book a place or chat about this free course. Find out more about Life Skills here All sessions run at Castle Street Centre, Castle Street, Kendal, LA9 7AD.
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.
Webinar: How to create compelling digital journeys
19 September, online. The webinar will explore how to turn strangers into supporters, donors, campaigners, volunteers, and service users, creating compelling digital journeys for the communities you serve.
Transferrable Skills and Confidence Building
Inspira are facilitating this free programme to help people get in to employment.
Enrolment is on Wednesday 11 September in Kendal, with the course running from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 September.
Click on the thumbnail image for for more information.
Introduction to Anti-Racism in Charities
19 September, online. This online course is a perfect introduction for senior leaders and trustees to learn and plan how to work towards race equity in their organisation’s culture, practice and services.
Over two mornings, you will learn to:
- Understand key race equity concepts and terminology
- Understand the context and need for this work within our sector
- Assess where your organisation is on its journey towards race equity
- Explore creating a compelling race equity vision
- Begin to set tangible goals.
Get into Engineering with BAE Barrow
On Get into Engineering with BAE participants will:
- Take part in an onsite work experience placement with BAE Systems.
- Develop new skills and confidence, improve their CV and boost their interview technique.
- Learn about job opportunities and apprenticeships with BAE Systems.
- Receive 6 months post-programme support.
Taster Session: Wednesday 25 September. Programme: Monday 30 September to Friday 25 October (Monday-Friday). Venue: BAE Barrow
Get into Engineering participants need to be aged 18-30, not in education, training, or employment and a UK National.
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.
Introduction to Community Action course
Starts Wednesday 18 September 2024, online. Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Have you got an idea to spark positive change but need help taking the first or next step?
Jam-packed with workshops, motivational talks, networking and fun, the course is for anyone interested in getting more involved in their community and applications for our September course are now open!
How to master email marketing
17 September, online. This course aims 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.
How to manage charity finances
3 September, 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.
CharityComms Storytelling Conference
Join charity storytelling experts and peers for a day of learning and conversation. The conference on 19 September will examine charity storytelling in today’s world, helping you elevate your skills and hone your approach.
Talks will cover:
- AI for storytellers
- A practical and playful copywriting workshop
- Using storytelling to bring data to life and inspire support
- Developing your brand story
- Working with storytellers
Plus so much more! This event is open to both CharityComms members and non-members.
Read the full agenda and book your ticket here
Canva for Fundraisers masterclass
Thursday 5 September 2024, online. The masterclass will build your confidence using Canva to increase your fundraising success – no design skills necessary!
Led by Fundraising Expert Michelle Stein, this session will give you practical advice and demonstrations on how Canva can be used to make high-impact improvements to your fundraising communications (including proposal documents, reports, case studies, presentations, videos, infographics, posters, websites, and social media images!)
Introduction to Individual Giving Workshop
Wednesday 4 September 2024, online. This Workshop looks at practical solutions and ideas for growing your charity’s income through support from individual donors.
As with all Get Grants events, there will be an opportunity to come together with like-minded people and share successes, experiences, and support with our UK-wide community of fundraisers.
Meet The expert events
In Get Grants’ popular Meet the Funder and Meet the Expert Virtual Events, their Funding Experts are joined by funders and subject experts to talk about their 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.
Coming up:
Charity Excellence Framework – Wednesday 4 September 2024, online. Charity Excellence Framework is a free one-stop shop for everything the non-profit sector needs.
easyfundraising – Tuesday 10 September 2024, online. At this Meet the Expert event, we will be joined by Becky Coleman, Partnerships Manager for easyfundraising, who will explain how changing your organisations and networks online shopping habits can support your fundraising goals.
Self Employment as a Career Option
Tuesday 10 September, Kendal. Inspira are facilitating this free course to help you become self-employed.
Click on the thumbnail image for more information.
Get Grants Virtual Conference
1 & 2 October, online. Two days of expert fundraising advice, top tips, Q&As, networking, peer-support, and lots of chat.
The Conference will be full of celebration, inspiration, and practical advice and support, bringing together Fundraisers from across the UK for a programme led by Get Grants Experts, funders, and other experts from across the sector, providing practical support and advice for fundraisers of all levels that can easily be put in to practice.
VCFSE News and Information
[NEW] Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view the Cumberland Council Newsletter from 15/09/24 here, including:
- Investments in our local communities
- Changes planned for Bitts Park, Carlisle
- Are you eligible for financial support?
[NEW] Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 13/09/24 here, including:
- Public asked to share views on Day Opportunities for adults
- Plans to protect Ulverston library service and Coro backed by Cabinet
- Westmorland and Furness School applications open for 2025
The halo effect: How to stamp out unethical practice
Charity workers’ perception of their own “moral goodness” can hinder efforts to tackle unethical behaviour in their organisation. Charity Digital look at how charities can address this “halo effect”.
Planned national living wage increase could hit charities ‘hard’, NCVO warns
A planned increase to the national living wage (NLW) next year could hit charities “hard” and put them under “additional fundraising pressure”, NCVO has warned.
The Low Pay Commission recently issued a statement in which it set out its approach to the minimum wage rates that will take effect from April 2025.
The ultimate guide to legacy fundraising
Fundraising Magazine is pleased to announce its FREE 60-page guide on legacy fundraising.
How to Guide – Legacies is a comprehensive guide featuring practical insights on growing legacy income and useful interactive exercises.
Pharmacist First poster
Four versions of a poster to promote Pharmacist First are available to use, covering the North East and North Cumbria area. You can download them below:
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J001199 TL NHS Common Conditions A3 no crops
J001199_TL_NHS_Common_Conditions_A3
Podcast: How far has the sector come in tackling systemic racism?
In the latest Third Sector podcast, Emily Burt and Lucinda Rouse are joined by Collette Philip, founder of the anti-racist brand agency Brand by Me, to discuss the findings of its recent audit of anti-racism work by the top 30 charities listed in Third Sector’s Charity Brand Index.
Collette explains why adopting a non-racist organisational approach and focusing primarily on diversity and the representation of racialised communities will never go far enough in the fight against systemic racism. She outlines the areas where progress has been slowest and describes ways in which charities can take meaningful action, starting with making a public commitment to anti-racist practice in order to promote accountability.
Post-pandemic volunteering decline at charity shops may never recover, CRA warns
The Charity Retail Association (CRA) has warned that volunteering recruitment challenges at charity shops, which it says have intensified since the Covid-19 pandemic, might never improve.
CRA’s warning came as it published its new strategic plan which sets out its planned activities and key objectives over the next three years.
Charity Commission updates decision-making guidance to increase use by trustees
The Charity Commission has refined its guidance on decision-making to incentivise more trustees to read it.
It has shortened and changed the language in CC27 after its research showed that not enough trustees were using it when in leadership roles.
A charity guide to effective storytelling
A look at best practices for communicating your charity’s story online and how charities can focus on results to demonstrate impact.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view the Cumberland Council Newsletter from 08/09/24 here, including:
- Boost for Petteril projects
- Are you eligible for financial support?
- Diving into Solutions: Have Your Say on Flood Reports at Upcoming Community Events
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 06/09/24 here, including:
- Consultation launches on ‘community-backed’ 20mph proposals
- Enterprising Cumbria board members announced
- Have your say on how flagship residential site is developed
Westmorland and Furness Local Plan – Public Consultations
There are several public consultations to inform the early stage of a new Local Plan for Westmorland and Furness (excluding National Parks) to replace all the existing local plans adopted by the former Councils. An overview of the current Local Plan consultations is available here
A Call for Sites exercise, asking people to identify land or sites that are available to be developed for housing, employment, minerals or waste purposes, closes on 30 September.
Prince’s Trust September Lancashire Newsletter
The newsletter includes free courses for young people aged 16-30 give people the tools to build their confidence, find a job or start their own business, and includes some that cover Cumbria too.
View/download the newsletter here
How to learn about AI
Charity Digital round up the best resources for learning about AI in the charity sector.
Walney Extension Skills Fund Announce 2024 Winners
The Walney Extension Community Fund has announced the three groups in Cumbria and Lancashire who are to share over £100,000 awarded through its dedicated Skills Fund.
The Skills Fund aims to help projects delivering Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) related training or education courses in the region.
Free ‘How to Guide’ for fundraisers on legacies launched
Civil Society Media and Fundraising Magazine have released the How to Guide: Legacies, a second, legacies-focused edition of their new “How to Guide” series, which aims to educate and share knowledge between fundraisers.
Like the first edition, the second edition will also be free, with the purpose of sharing the learning as widely as possible.
Pension Credit awareness drive
The Deputy Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary have written to councils, older peoples’ charities, and other groups regarding the annual Pension Credit Week of Action. Councils are being asked to encourage the uptake of pension credit in their local areas.
Pensioners should check if they could be eligible for Pension Credit to secure the Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300 per household. A pension credit toolkit is also available.
Winter vaccinations comms toolkit
A winter vaccinations toolkit has been produced jointly by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), NHS England and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The communications toolkit provides information on the flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme for 2024/25.
It aims to support stakeholders to explain and promote the vaccination programmes to the public and their own staff. It contains background information, statistics, key messages, suggested social media copy, social media assets and links to useful information.
Download the winter vaccines toolkit here
Childhood immunisations campaign comms toolkit
On the 26 August 2024, the second wave of the England-wide UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England childhood immunisation campaign will go live across England. In response to falling vaccine rates, UKHSA have launched the campaign to support efforts to increase uptake of childhood immunisations among children aged 0-5, and highlight the serious risk childhood diseases can pose if children aren’t vaccinated.
To support you with promoting the campaign from next week, UKHSA have produced an updated communications toolkit to help you encourage parents and carers, whose children (0-5 years old) have missed or may miss a vaccine, to get their child vaccinated.
Launch of South Lakes Digital Directory
A community digital directory has been set up in a bid to tackle social isolation and loneliness. The Grange and Lakes Community Directory brings together groups, clubs and societies in the South Lakes area. It gives details of what services or activities the groups provide, when and where they meet, how to join them and whether there is any cost involved.
There is a large body of evidence that social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity. The directory hopes to help address this by linking these individuals with the opportunities already available in the communities.
Grange and Lakes Primary Care Network / Integrated Care Community, who operate the system, have now started populating the directory. Initially, Primary Care Network Care Navigators who work with the more vulnerable members of our community will start to use the system in the coming weeks and a comprehensive launch of the directory to the general public is then planned for later this Autumn.
To add your group, club or society to the directory, complete the form here Or contact Mike Eddy (ICC Lead- Grange & Lakes) michaeleddy@nhs.net
Food donations in Kendal
Waste into Wellbeing have now relocated to their new premises at The Eddington (formerly the United Reform Church) on Highgate, Kendal, and the move has given more scope to collect EVEN MORE SURPLUS FOOD.
So, if you and your organisations know of any community kitchens, supported housing, residents’ associations etc that could benefit from using any surplus from them, they would be interested to hear from you. They run a larder on a Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday and put a message to groups and they can then come and collect what is left, usually bread, fruit and vegetables.
Please contact: petherington95@gmail.com 07557 048627.
Tips for charities to make the most of AI and cloud storage
Explore why cloud storage and collaboration matters for charities, how they can use it to improve productivity and keep their content secure.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view the Cumberland Council Newsletter from 01/09/24 here, including:
- Heart health checks in the workplace
- Uncovering Roman Carlisle 2024 autumn excavation announced
- Exciting new adventure play park for Maryport revealed
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 30/08/24 here, including:
- Consultation launched on review of local election boundaries in Westmorland and Furness
- Sharpen your skills with new Adult Learning courses!
- Community Catalysts | Feedback from the community micro-enterprises
Community Ownership Fund round 4
Details of the Community Ownership Fund round 4 applications were published on 15 August. The application window is yet to open, and it looks it like will be delayed until after the budget on 30 October 2024. This is yet to be confirmed though. This is also the last round of this fund — at least in its current form.
Prospectus available here
Express interest in applying her
How to set up a JustGiving page
Explore the steps required to set up a page on fundraising platform JustGiving.
How to choose a legal structure for your organisation
Take a look at the four main charity structures and how to decide what’s right for you.
More charities drop X accounts including leaders membership body
Charity leader membership body ACEVO has joined a number of sector organisations that have decided to close their X social media accounts in recent weeks.
Some charities have criticised the platform, formerly known as Twitter, especially in the wake of the riots which spread across the UK.
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
Public asked to share views on Day Opportunities for adults
Westmorland and Furness Council have recently started work on recommissioning the Day Opportunities offering across the area. As part of this work they are seeking feedback from both service users and people who may care for them on this service to inform the recommission.
Please share the online survey linked below with anyone you work with who may have an interest in Day Opportunities so that their voices can be heard.
Click here to access the survey
Charity sector ranks third in staff retention rate across industries, report says
A recent report has shown that the charity and not-for-profit sectors ranked third across more than a dozen industries in terms of employee retention rate.
The Employee Retention Report 2024, produced by the equity management company Vestd, revealed that employees in the charity and not-for-profit sectors have an average tenure rate of 4.3 years.
FCA report highlights charities’ difficulties meeting banks’ requirements
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a report with new findings on the difficulties charities have been facing in their banking experience.
It reveals that charities had difficulties meeting banks’ requirements on financial crime-related obligations as part of their due diligence requirements.
The Future of fundraising: 2024 Summer Pulse report
Good news for the charity sector: the UK economy is stabilising, with inflation rates steadying. While challenges remain, this stability allows charities to plan more effectively.
The Summer 2024 Donor Pulse report from Enthuse reveals promising trends: three-quarters of the public have donated in the last three months, and 78% intend to give in the next quarter. This consistent generosity helps charities forecast their finances more accurately and allocate resources where they’re needed most.
Funder Plus & Additional Support Report
Over the past few years, nfp Research have had more conversations with funders looking to understand the impact and limitations of ‘Funder Plus’ support and whether offering this type of additional support should be a consideration for their organisation.
This report examines the perspectives of grantees and declined applicants on the concept of ‘Funder Plus’. The findings are based on three surveys conducted among applicants of AB Charitable Trust, Henry Smith Charity and John Ellerman Foundation.
Consultation – 20mph Speed Limits, Westmorland and Furness area
Share your views on proposed 20mph speed limits for 28 communities across the Westmorland and Furness area.
Funding has been allocated from the Council’s Priority Investment Fund to deliver this ‘community-backed’ safety initiative, which will promote safer roads, and enhance the environment for walking, wheeling and cycling.
All proposals, and further information relating to the project, are available to view and download here Please submit your comments or feedback via email to 20mph@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk by Friday 18 October 2024.
New Pro Bono Economics report highlights skills gaps and financial instability in charity sector
A new report, “Treatment for the Charity Sector’s Unhealthy Status Quo”, has been produced by Pro Bono Economics in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University’s VCSE Data and Insights National Observatory. This report highlights the critical challenges facing charities across the UK.
Key findings include Recruitment Difficulties, Financial Strain and Impact on Services. The report makes the case for the government to extend the remit of the newly established Skills England body to include the charity sector.
Charities asked to share views on ‘more user friendly’ fundraising code
The Fundraising Regulator has published a revised draft of its Code of Fundraising Practice and opened a final consultation with charities and other stakeholders.
Speaking to Civil Society, the regulator’s head of policy Paul Winyard said the revised code was “much more user-friendly” than the current guidance.
One in six wealthy Brits could afford to double their charitable giving, say researchers
Researchers estimate that rich people in the UK could give up to £2.8bn more to charities every year, with one in six wealthy Britons saying they could afford to double their donations.
Pro Bono Economics (PBE) commissioned market research firm Opinium to survey over 1,000 British adults with investable assets of £100,000 or more last year, 86% of whom currently donate to charities.
How can funders help tackle the youth mental health crisis?
Charities are a vital lifeline for children and young people who slip through the cracks of mental health services. It’s therefore more crucial than ever for the sector to pull together, moving away from further fragmentation and towards collaboration and systems-based approaches.
These are just two of the six key areas identified in NPC’s new report where funders in particular can create long-term positive change for children and young people.
Public Trust in charities at a 10 year high
The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has published fresh research that shows public trust in charities is at its highest level since 2014.
The research reveals that information about how money is spent by a charity is the single most important factor for most people. This is followed closely by knowing that the charity achieves its purpose, that it makes a difference and that it operates to high ethical standards. The results come at a time when people receiving charitable support grows threefold, as the cost of living pressures bite.
Charity Finance Group survey: Gift Aid and your charity
Does your charity claim Gift Aid? If not, why not? Whether you claim Gift Aid or not, we’d like to understand what Gift Aid means to your charity ahead of this year’s Gift Aid Awareness Day on Thursday, 3 October. Please take a few minutes to tell us.
Complete the Gift Aid Awareness Survey
Most charity professionals use AI but lack resources to explore fully, report finds
Some 57% of charity professionals now use artificial intelligence (AI) in some way but it is still in the early stages, according to a newly published report.
The Status of UK Fundraising 2024 Benchmark Report by software firm Blackbaud asked 850 voluntary sector professionals, most of whom were fundraisers, about their use of AI.
UK drops out of top 20 most generous countries in the world, CAF reports
The UK is no longer among the most generous 20 countries in the world, according to the Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index 2024.
CAF’s index now places the UK at number 22, its joint lowest ranking, having fallen to the same level it was in 2020 when charitable activity was limited by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
