Useful information – w/c 30/12/24
January 2, 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: 03/01/25 – 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
How to brief for a website that achieves your organisational goals
Tuesday 28 January, Online. Join HdK for this free webinar that will explore the topic of website briefs, with guidance on how to write one that helps you and your digital partner realise your organisational goals.
Questions will be welcomed throughout the webinar, to ensure you are able to get the best possible information for you and your organisation.
Implementing AI: Tools, Partners, and Best Practices
Thursday 23 January, Online. Join Hart Square for this free webinar giving practical guidance on choosing AI tools. This session covers choosing AI tools, identifying suitable technology partners, and implementing best practices for AI projects.
Learn from a detailed case study of a successful AI implementation in a non-profit or membership body.
Inclusive workplaces: making changes to better support neurodiversity
Wednesday 22 January 2025, online. Join Acas for this free webinar for employers wanting to learn more about neurodiversity.
It’s estimated that around 15% of the UK population is neurodivergent. Understanding neurodiversity and taking steps to better support it in workplaces can benefit both employers and employees.
This free to attend webinar covers:
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- supporting and managing neurodivergent staff
- reasonable adjustments
- making your recruitment process more accessible
- creating an inclusive environment
How charities can effectively protect data
23 January 2025, online. Data offers incredible opportunities for charities, from improving decision-making to increasing funds and reducing costs. But with these rewards come serious risks that too many charities overlook.
Cyber criminals often target charities because of their valuable data, outdated technology, and lack of investment in data security. It’s time to change that.
This webinar will share essential advice to help your charity effectively back up and protect its data.
Introduction to Events Fundraising Workshop
Tuesday 4 February 2025, online. Get practical advice and top tips for consistently planning and delivering fundraising events to increase your fundraising success!
Introduction to Fundraising Strategy Workshop
Thursday 9 January 2025, online. This free workshop gives an introduction to what Fundraising Strategy is all about and looks at how organisations can put themselves in the best possible position to meet future funding needs.
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.
Management Accounts for Small Organisations
Tues 4 March, online. What do management accounts look like and why should you do them? The session will look at:
- why we do them
- how to do them
- when to do them
- what we do with them
Legal Issues Around Managing Volunteers in England and Wales
Tues 18 February, online. This session introduces the key legal issues around managing volunteers. It will signpost participants to the headline information, policies and procedures which your organisation will need to be aware of, and what needs to be put in place to help you deliver your legal responsibilities to volunteers and those they support.
This is not intended to replace advice from a legal professional.
How to Make Your Social Media More Engaging
Mon 27 January, online. Do you get the most engagement from your Twitter, Facebook or your Instagram posts? Why do some posts get more clicks than others? Find out how to increase engagement.
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.
Listen Up! Rethinking Mental Health & Hearing in the North
Wednesday 12 March 2025, online and in-person (Newcastle). Event co-organised by the NIHR North East & North Cumbria Applied Research Collaboration and the Sustainability & Resilience Institute. Join us for an important event exploring what we know, and what should be done, about the connections between mental health and hearing. Mental health issues and hearing loss affect millions in England and around the world, with research showing that individuals with hearing loss are twice as likely to experience depression and other mental health issues.
In the North, where historically industrial areas have experienced higher rates of hearing loss, this connection highlights how environmental and socioeconomic factors drive health inequalities across regions. We’ll explore the latest findings on these issues, their impact on living and ageing well, and strategies to improve health and economic outcomes in areas most affected by these challenges.
Online booking
In-person booking
Planning for Fundraising Success: The Impact of Learning and Development on Charity Staff
22 January 2025, online. Fundraising Everywhere are hosting a virtual event report launch. They will explores the impact of access to professional development on charity staff wellbeing and performance.
They discovered that not investing in learning and development could have a negative effect on staff morale and retention, as well as an organisation’s performance and culture.
Find out more and register here
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.
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!
Get Grants free Bid Writing Workshop
Monday 24 February 2025, 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.
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 Kendal in January. See the flyer below for more information.
VCFSE News and Information
Charity sector figures named in New Year Honours List 2025
A number of people across the charity sector have been recognised for their achievements and service in the New Year Honours List 2025.
Jeremy Isaacs, honorary life chair of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, has been awarded a knighthood for services to philanthropy and to children’s hospice care.
Loyd Grossman, chair of the Royal Parks, has been awarded a knighthood for services to heritage.
How charities can share office space and infrastructure
Charity Digital provide some top tips to help charities cut overheads and share infrastructure with others.
Westmorland and Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland and Furness Council’s newsletter from 21/12/24 here, including:
- Councils launch new Adult Learning courses
- Share your views with us to help shape our budget
- Find your nearest “Warm Spot”
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
[NEW] Regulator consults charities on risk of terrorist financing abuse
The Charity Commission has opened a consultation asking the voluntary sector and the wider civil society to better identify potential vulnerabilities, trends and threats on the risk of terrorist financing abuse.
The regulator is working in accordance with global anti-money laundering body the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) recommendation to help the UK government assess its vulnerability to terrorist financing.
FATF revised its guidance in November 2023 to require countries to protect non-profit organisations (NPOs) – those that carry out charitable, religious, cultural, educational, social or fraternal work – from terrorist financing abuse through the risk-based implementation of strengthened measures.
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.
