Useful information – w/c 17/03/25
March 17, 2025
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 the week. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 19/03/25 – 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] Webinar: Building financial confidence in challenging times
25 March, online. Join NCVO’s free online webinar designed to empower charity trustee boards and teams with the financial confidence needed to navigate uncertainty.
This insightful session will provide practical tools, expert guidance, and actionable strategies to address financial challenges with clarity and assurance, ensuring the long-term resilience and sustainability of your charity.
Find out more and book your place here
[NEW] Healthwatch Community Forum
Friday 28 March, online & Penrith. Do you care about the health and wellbeing of your community, and how accessible services are? Do you (or someone you know) have experience of using any part of social care? Would you like to help shape the future of local services?
Healthwatch Westmorland and Furness would love you to join us at our next community forum. The theme this month is ‘Communities and services’.
Re-aligning your Not-for-Profit Data Strategy
25 March 2025, online. Join Simpson Associates for a comprehensive webinar that will guide you through the journey, from defining your not-for-profit data strategy, to successfully executing a plan that aligns stakeholder objectives, and prioritises key use cases.
Reimagining Service Delivery Summit
12 June 2025, online. Free online event, to explore collaborative and user-cantered service delivery.
Explore how charities can make the most of their resources to deliver the best services. We will also discuss ways to shift perceptions of service delivery, ensuring users remain at the centre of these conversations and much more.
Navigating the Misinformation Era: Strategies for Charity Communicators
27 March, online. Is misinformation affecting your charity and audiences? As the world of communications gets knottier, we look to detangle it with this online seminar.
We’ll dive into what misinformation is, how it persists, and the practical ways you can prepare for, address and stop misinformation in its tracks through your comms approach.
Free Storytelling Photography Workshops
April, Barrow. Join Signal Film & Media and Photographer Nicholas J.R. White for a series of free creative photography workshops!
Explore the Sankey Photography Archive and learn photography narrative techniques. Create your own photographic series and showcase your work. For 18+ years. No experience necessary,
What trustees need to know about AI
Wednesday 26 March, Online. Join NPC for this free event open to all trustees, with a particular focus on those of small and medium-sized organisations.
This one hour webinar will cover all the need-to-know points for trustees to consider when planning for and adapting to AI approaches.
Martyn’s Law – implications for venues, communities and spaces
Thursday 20 March, Online. As the eighth anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing approaches, the sector is encouraged to be preparing for the introduction of Martyn’s Law, new legislation that requires public venues to improve their security and preparedness for terrorist attacks.
This event by the VCS Emergencies Partnership will look at the legislation and the resources available to help prepare. There will also be input from Deborah Higgins, Head of Resilience at the Emergency Planning College, on the courses and resources they’ve developed for the sector in relation to this new legislation.
Introduction to Bid Writing Workshop
Tuesday 8 April 2025, online. This 60-minute workshop will give you an introduction to what Bid Writing for Charities and Community Groups is about.
It will enable you to meet Get Grants Experts, get top tips and expert advice and build confidence in your own skills.
Introduction to Legacy Fundraising Workshop
Monday 7 April 2025, online. This 60 minute workshop will highlight what legacy fundraising entails and provide you with a sample of the crucial information for improving your income from legacies.
Get Grants Showcase: Get Jobs
Tuesday 1 April 2025, online. Get Jobs is a new and completely FREE jobs board for the charity sector. Whether you are a Fundraiser, CEO or Marketing expert, Get Jobs brings you the latest opportunities in the third sector.
Led by the team at Get Grants, get Jobs has decades of third sector experience and will put job opportunities in your organisation in front of the Get Grants community of tens of thousands of fundraisers.
Understanding Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Creating an Inclusive Environment
30 April, online.
Board Leadership Stage 1: High-Performance Boards
29–30 April 2025, online. A course on governance for both experienced and new chairs and chief executives.
The course is for both experienced and new chairs and chief executives (ideally attending together). Taking place over two mornings, it will help you in your role of building a high-performance board, delivering valuable insights into the key areas of responsibility for chairs and CEOs and providing you with ideas to keep your board moving forward.
Understanding Governance Stage 1: The Trustee Role
23–24 April 2025, online. Governance fundamentals for new and experienced trustees.
If you are new to the role of being a charity trustee, this course will provide the perfect introduction, while experienced trustees will also benefit from a refresher of their responsibilities and comprehensive updates on evolving elements of the trustee role.
Data Protection Training for Charities
22 April 2025, online. It is important for every charity leader to ensure their organisation is fully compliant with the latest data protection regulations. This half-day course will guide you through the key points to consider and what measures you should have in place.
You will also learn how to avoid some common data protection pitfalls.
Cyber Essentials Training: Mastering the Five Key Controls for Digital Security
15 April, online. This three-hour workshop offers an accessible introduction to Cyber Essentials, a government-backed framework designed to help organisations protect themselves from the most common cyber threats. Over two engaging sessions, we’ll break down the scheme’s five critical controls and run a live hack, including reconnaissance and initial access, where you will play a lead role in the operation.
By the end of the training, you’ll be equipped with actionable strategies to strengthen your organisation’s digital defences.
Introduction to Improving Quality
Thurs 10 April 2025, online. Improving Quality is a clear, simple system, and focuses on the key issues that make a difference for charities. IQ can either be used for self-assessment or accreditation, and has international recognition: a number of organisations in the UK and the Republic of Ireland are already accredited to it.
Find out more about it at our free online workshop.
Data Protection for Fundraisers: What fundraisers need to know and how to prepare
27 March 2025, online. Join Fundraising Everywhere for key updates on data protection for fundraisers in 2025 and 2026!
As the UK’s new data protection bill takes it final steps before becoming law, this session will update you on the expected changes and amendments which will impact fundraising and help you prepare for the future.
Charity Digital Academy: Five time-saving tools for your charity
26 March 2025, online. This course, in just three hours, will show you five game-changing tools to help your charity work smarter, not harder. These tools are easy to use, always come with no-cost and low-cost options, and have been designed to take the stress out of running your organisation.
Please note: Registration will close at 5pm on the 24th March 2025. Registration will not be available after this time.
Charity Digital Academy: Making the most of M365 apps – tips and tricks
18 March 2025, online. This three-hour session helps you master 365 apps, covering web vs desktop, Copilot, Microsoft Forms, Sway, and Teams—plus meetings, file storage, whiteboards, polls, and more.
Please note: Registration will close at 5pm on the 14th March 2025. Registration will not be available after this time.
A Nature for Health Approach Across Cumbria
Thursday 24 April, Carlisle. We know that high quality health and wellbeing, supported by a healthy environment, are the basis for thriving local places and people. And yet, we also know that organisations across our county are grappling with a challenging range of issues, from greater pressures on local services, to nature & climate emergencies and health & wellbeing crises.
As Cumbria looks forward to a period of further devolved powers and responsibilities, it seems an appropriate time to foster conversations that are rooted in cross-sector working, to achieve multiple goals for the health of people & nature.
We would welcome representatives from a variety of sectors and agencies, to join this initial event and participate in structured workshops to establish key areas of focus for Cumbria. Your thoughts, engagement, and outlook as to how we create and sustain positive change, will be key.
Five time-saving tools for your charity
26 March, online. Spend less time on admin and more time making a difference!
This course, in just three hours, will show you five game-changing tools to help your charity work smarter, not harder. These tools are easy to use, always come with no-cost and low-cost options, and have been designed to take the stress out of running your organisation.
Supercharge your use of social media
25 March, 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.
Reserves Policy Training
25 March 2025, online. Learn how to develop a reserves policy for your charity.
This half-day online course has been designed to help charity finance professionals develop a reserves policy that meets the requirements of the Charity Commission and SORP but which is also focused on financial risk and forms an integral part of the charity’s financial strategy.
A Civil Society Covenant – here we go again? Wrigleys’ Charity Leadership Forum
Monday 24 March, Kendal. A robust, respectful and practical working relationship between the third sector and government in all its forms has long been a desire of charity leaders and is intended to be reinvigorated by the proposed Civil Society Covenant.
This session will consider how senior leaders can engage with the Covenant to the advantage of their charities, and will offer a chance to share learning points from previous iterations of such charters.
The forum will be carried out under the Chatham House Rule and will provide an opportunity for discussion, knowledge and experience sharing.
Practical uses of AI for your charity
8 April, 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.
Fostering psychological safety at your charity
18 March, online. In every work environment it is important to foster a culture where everyone feels safe to voice their thoughts, share ideas and raise concerns without facing negative consequences.
This training course will give charity delegates actionable strategies to cultivate psychological safety and recognise the impact it has on team performance, creativity, and overall well-being.
A Web for All: Accessibility, usability and inclusivity online
19 March, online. Few and Far, a digital agency that work with non-profits, are hosting a free webinar on accessibility online. This comprehensive session will be led by Col Grist, Co-founder and Creative Director, who brings 15 years of experience working with leading UK charities.
Key highlights:
- Understanding accessibility fundamentals and WCAG guidelines
- Practical tools and tips for improving website accessibility
- Solutions for both physical disabilities and socio-economic barriers
- Real-world examples and interactive exercises
- Full recording and resource pack provided afterward
#DoWith – new campaign by The King’s Fund
26 March, online. Radical and hopeful change in how public services work with people and communities is urgently needed.
Do With is a network of people and organisations calling for a radical shift in the public sector from ‘doing to’ to ‘doing with’.
Click here to find out more about the campaign and to sign up for the event
Shopmobility 30th Anniversary
Thursday 3 April, Carlisle. Shopmobility Carlisle are holding a drop in event (Coffee and Cake) to celebrate the official opening above back in 1995. Anyone is welcome to come along between 10am and 3pm.
Shopmobility Carlisle information
Free film-making charity workshops
Various dates, online. These workshops by The Saltways are open to anyone involved with a charity who is interested in creating more effective content, including fundraisers, communications managers, front-line staff, beneficiaries, and even marathon runners.
A practical and interactive session. You will learn the fundamentals of film-making, from planning and shooting to editing and sharing your content.
Our experienced professionals will guide you through the process, providing tips and tricks for creating compelling content that effectively communicates your charity’s mission and impact. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your content creation skills to the next level and make a real impact with your charity’s message.
Reserves – What They Are and How to Calculate Them
Tuesday 8 July, online. Reserves are a critical element when building small charity resilience. However, they are often, for very valid reasons, miscalculated.
The session will look at Why we hold reserves, how to calculate reserves, what a good reserves policy looks like and how to report on reserves.
Introduction to Engaging with Businesses: Five Things I Wish I’d Known
Tuesday 17 June, online. A basic introduction to engaging and connecting with your local business community.
This session is aimed at small charities and voluntary groups, whether they are at the beginning of their journey in engaging with businesses or wish to develop stronger contacts.
How to use Canva for Social Media
Monday 9 June, online. Canva is the great free-to-use online graphic design tool which you can use to create great graphics as well as presentations and videos amongst other things.
This is an introductory session about Canva with a few tips about using it for social media.
GDPR and Data Security
Tues 13 May, online. Who is trying to access your data and what are the implications of this?
Also, what can you do to make it more difficult for people to steal your data.
Where Are Your Next Generation of Volunteers
Tues 29 April, online. Volunteer numbers have been falling since 2020. Considerable changes have occurred in how the public wants to volunteer. There has also been a rise in younger people wanting to give back to their communities, contribute to their environment, and make a difference in their neighbourhoods.
It is important for any group to start thinking about how it can adapt and remove the barriers so that younger people can get involved in volunteering. This session will offer you some practical ways to make volunteering for your organisation more appealing to younger people.
Pension Roadshow
Various dates in February/March 2025. The Pension Roadshow from Adult Learning links in the national 50+ MOT offer and other wellbeing, health related support for older workers.
Click here to view a flyer for more information
Village Halls Week 2025
Village Halls Week will take place on 17-23 March 2025. This week is an opportunity to spotlight the efforts of volunteers who keep these important venues open for the benefit of local residents, groups, and rural businesses.
In England alone, it is estimated that over 80,000 people regularly volunteer their time with village halls, from those on management committees who oversee the day-to-day use of the building and its finances, to those who organise events and group activities for the benefit of the local community.
Village hall groups can register their interest in the campaign here, which will enable them to receive news and updates as well as resources to help them get involved.
VCFSE News and Information
[NEW] NAVCA Briefing on NHSE and ICB Cuts
On 13 March 2025, the UK Parliament debated a major restructuring of NHS England. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, announced plans to abolish NHS England over the next two years, integrating its functions directly into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). This move aims to streamline NHS governance, reduce bureaucracy, and cut administrative costs, with an expected 50% reduction in staff across NHS England and DHSC.
In the latest health update from NAVCA, explore the main announcements and policy changes, as well as the risks, opportunities, and implications for the voluntary sector.
[NEW] Larger charities urged to engage in ‘generous’ partnerships with smaller organisations
Sector umbrella bodies have urged larger charities to engage in “generous” collaborations with smaller organisations.
Large, national charities and their boards have a responsibility of carrying out a generous style of leadership and collaboration in the sector, said Sarah Elliott, chief executive of NCVO, at an online event this week hosted by Binley Drake Consulting.
When collaborating, large charities should give up more space and power to smaller, local charities that are on the front line of addressing the social issues people face, Elliott said.
[NEW] Free anti-racism guide urges charities to move beyond diversity initiatives
A free guide published this week has called on charities to move beyond equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices to tackle racism in the sector.
ACEVO and Voice4Change England’s An Anti-Racism Companion Journal warns that increasing a charity’s employee ethnic diversity may change who does its work without changing what the work is.
The guide warns that this can leave in place “civil society’s failures to support Black and minoritised ethnic populations at large”.
[NEW] Charities named in list of UK’s best places to work
Charities of different sizes have been named in an annual list of the UK’s top employers.
Last week, Great Place To Work (GPTW) published the 25th edition of its Best Workplaces List, which includes charities in its super large (over 1,001 employees), large (201-1,000 employees), medium (51-200 employees) and small (10-50 employees) categories.
Alternative Futures Group (AFG), which employs 1,800 people and supports people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions across the north west, was the only charity in the super large category, ranking in 45th place.
[NEW] 2025 is the year of refurbished tech
Refurbished tech is a great money-saving strategy as charities face another challenging year.
[NEW] Designing inclusive and trusted digital health services with people and communities
Technology plays an important role in our health and care system, but with 8.5 million adults lacking basic digital skills, how can we create digital services that are inclusive?
The King’s Fund explore these issues in their recent blog, which you can read here.
[NEW] Cumberland Council newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 16/03/25 here, including:
- Meet the Funders – how to apply for GDF Community Investment Funding
- ‘Let’s talk food and health’ in Millom
- Social Prescribing Day
[NEW] Westmorland and Furness Council newsletter
You can view Westmorland and Furness Council’s newsletter from 14/03/25 here, including:
- Cumbria devolution consultation
- Community-based projects get cash boost in South Lakeland
- A week of appreciation for social workers – World Social Work Week
Local government reform could disrupt charities’ funding, NAVCA warns
NAVCA, the membership body for local infrastructure organisations, has warned government reforms to councils could hurt charities by disrupting funding, partnerships and commissioning arrangements.
In a blog this week, the body said plans to implement regional strategic authorities, with two-tier local government systems becoming unitary authorities by 2028, could “marginalise local voluntary action” and damage key relationships, such as with health services.
“As decisions move to a higher level, strategies will be needed to maintain community influence and rebuild relationships,” it said. “With local government already under financial pressure, there is a real risk of funding cuts and disruptions to procurement.”
A guide to buying refurbished computers for your charity
Some of the key considerations to help you make an informed decision when purchasing refurbished devices.
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
[NEW] VCSE Barometer Wave 9: Paying the Price
As the financial year-end approaches, the ninth wave of the quarterly Barometer highlights how employment policy changes are impacting the sector amidst rising costs, increasing demand, and uncertainty in funding streams.
Findings present a mixed picture: medium and large organisations feel the greatest impact but may also be better positioned to handle these challenges.
You can read the full report here
[NEW] Charitable foundations continue to lack diversity initiatives, report shows
Charitable foundations continue to lack initiatives to improve diversity, according to new research.
According to the annual Foundation Practice Rating (FPR) 2024-25 report, none of the 100 foundations it assessed scored an A for its diversity practices.
The FPR rated the 100 charitable foundations of different sizes and types from A to D on their diversity, accountability and transparency.
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.
