VCTH Training
Volunteers and the Law
Wednesday 26 April 2017, 10am–1pm
Do you want to know more about legal requirements for organisations that involve volunteers?
This practical half-day session will provide an intro to the key areas of law that affect volunteers and Volunteer Involving Organisations. It will cover health and safety, risk assessment, insurance, safeguarding and criminal record checks. It will explore issues of employment law, such as the difference between contracts and volunteer agreements, volunteer rights and guidance on expenses, the National Minimum Wage and volunteering while on welfare benefits. It will also consider the restrictions on different types of volunteers (e.g. young people, non-UK citizens). It will help you to identify the next steps for your organisation in terms of the minimum legal requirements and good practice.
Our training programme is kindly subsidised by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) via a Mainstream Grant. This enables us to offer discounts to certain organisations. Cost starts at just £30. Book your place.
VCTH News
National Volunteers’ Week is coming
Volunteers’ Week is 1-7 June. The theme this year is “You Make the Difference”. It’s a great time to recognise the contributions your existing volunteers have made, and to encourage people to think about how they could make a difference through volunteering. Start planning your celebrations and recruitment activities for Volunteers’ Week now! Fin out more.
VCTH Achieves VCQA
Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets has received formal recognition for the quality of its work as a Volunteer Centre by being awarded Wave 4 Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA) measures VCTH’s ability to deliver its services to a high standard and create a local environment in which volunteering can flourish. The standard recognises VCTH achievements in matching people who want to volunteer with organisations who can use their help and advice, promoting volunteering, and helping local charities and other organisations to involve volunteers in their work.
Commenting VCTH’s submission, the NCVO assessor said; ‘this was one of the best if not the best portfolios… I couldn’t even identify a recommendation!’
This is a great achievement for VCTH. Many thanks to all of the organisations who helped with case studies for our portfolios and who responded to our service questionnaire.
Do you have group volunteering tasks that companies can help with?
With summer approaching, Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets is being approached by private sector companies whose employees who would like to volunteer together on one-off tasks. Could your organisation host corporate teams of volunteers between April and September 2017? The companies usually have a budget to contribute towards the materials needed. Typically teams are between 8 and 20 people, and they usually want to volunteer on a weekday during office hours, either for a full-day or a half-day. We are happy to consider any outdoor or indoor tasks, as long as they are appealing. Please contact Cath Bavage at Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets with your offers - cath@vcth.org.uk or 020 7377 0956.
Policy News
Volunteering in the UK: 2000 to 2015
The Office for National Statistics has conducted an analysis of changes in participation and time spent volunteering in the UK and estimates of the monetary value of formal volunteering.
The proportion of people volunteering over the last 12 months has increased in recent years, but at the same time, the average time spent volunteering per day has fallen. In 2015, volunteering participation rates for women and men were broadly similar over the year (42% and 41% respectively). However, women who volunteered spent on average 15.7 minutes per day (just under 8 hours per month) volunteering compared to 11.3 minutes for men (just under six hours per month).
In 2015, men in high income households were more likely to volunteer over the year than men in low income households. Between 2014 and 2015, the value of formal volunteering fell from £22.8bn to £22.6bn. This was mainly due to a fall in the total number of hours volunteered between these years. Read more.
The House of Lords report on charities: what you need to know
The House of Lords Select Committee on Charities has published its important new “Stronger Charities for a Stronger Society” report. It recognises the huge contribution our sector makes to Britain, but also that the world is changing rapidly and that there are many ways in which charities need to adapt. The report is wide ranging: there are 100 conclusions including 42 recommendations across 150 pages. Read more.
Brexit: 10 key challenges facing charities
Departure from the European Union, an uncertain economy and overstretched local authorities are among the biggest political changes that will dramatically affect the landscape for small charities in the near future, according to the Lloyds Bank Foundation.
In its report, “Facing Forward: How Small and Medium-Sized Charities can Adapt to Survive”, the grant-making body warns that there are 10 key challenges on the horizon for small charities and urges them to implement a range of actions to ensure their survival, including diversifying their funding streams.
The Lloyds Bank Foundation said it would respond by making a new £100,000 investment in the Small Charities Coalition to help it represent small charities in policy discussions with government. Find out more.
Events
Charityfair Learning Labs
28 - 29 June
Learning Labs are 90 minute training sessions including 60 minute seminar delivered by sector experts, followed by 15 minutes of group work and discussion time, and a 15 minutes of Q&A session where you can ask direct questions to the trainer and guest speaker. It costs £55 per Lab. Learning Lab sessions at the Charityfair cover marketing, fundraising, governance, leadership and management. Read more.
Citizen journalism competition
Media Society and London Learning Consortium are running a citizen journalism competition called 'London Voices'. They are asking Londoners to produce a piece of journalism in any format about a range of issues in London. They are looking for entries in print, radio, video, online and photography. No previous experience is necessary, as this is about encouraging people to have a go.
There are a range of prizes, and everyone shortlisted will be invited to an awards ceremony to be held during the prestigious Media Society's summer drinks reception in central London, attended by a range of high profile media and journalism contacts. The deadline for entries is 22 May 2017. Read more.
THCVS - Tower Hamlets' Trustee Network
Wed 26 April, 6pm - 7pm
The THCVS Trustee Network is a forum for trustees of organisations working in Tower Hamlets. Join to meet other voluntary and community sector trustees, discuss experiences of trusteeship, other challenges/opportunities in the borough. The Network is for both long-serving board members and newer, less-experienced trustees. The meeting takes place at THCVS, 15a Old Ford Road (next to The Gallery Cafe) E2 9PL. Read more.
Funding
Mayor's Crowdfund London Programme 2017 - Tower Hamlets Workshop
Thursday 27 April 2017, 6pm-8pm
Crowdfund London gives local organisations the opportunity to pitch ideas, big and small, for projects which will make your local area even better. This is your chance to play a part in transforming where you live. If you have an idea which will make your local area special, build on local character and bring people together, then the Mayor of London could help you make it happen. City Hall are looking for innovative ideas that benefit the whole neighbourhood and show community support through a vibrant crowdfunding campaign. The best ideas could attract a pledge of up to £50,000 from the Mayor to help you hit your target and bring your idea to life. The workshop take place at Osmani Centre, 58 Underwood Road. Find out more.
Sports England
The opportunity Fund and Potentials Fund will support volunteering projects for groups from economically-disadvantaged communities and young people. The Opportunity Fund targets people, aged 20+, from economically-disadvantaged communities. The Potentials Fund targets children and young people aged 10 to 20 (with a particular focus on 10-14 year-olds) who are interested in doing something to benefit their community, through social action. The deadline for Expressions of interest is 24 April. Find out more.
Greater London Authority – The Community Athletics Fund
This summer, London will host the IPC World Para Athletics Championships and IAAF World Championships, set to be the biggest sporting events of 2017. The Mayor is inviting organisations to apply for a share of £400,000 to inspire Londoners to try athletics and celebrate the Championships with their local community.
There are three tiers of funding available to apply for Small Grants (up to £4,000) - to run athletics-based activity - and Large Grants (up to £20,000) - to use athletics-based activity as a tool to tackle a specific social issues; and Disability-focused Grants (up to £10,000) - to run disability-focused athletics-based activity.
They will fund projects that deliver free athletics-based activities and organise a community event to encourage people to participate in the project and/or hold an event to celebrate the success of the project. Apply by 18 April 2017 (12noon). Read more.
London Marathon Charitable Trust – Small Capital Projects
The London Marathon Charitable Trust provides grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 for capital projects implemented by organisations and communities that are committed to inspiring and increasing the numbers of people regularly taking part in sports and physical activities in London. Funding is available to help improve existing amenities or to build new facilities that will enable organisations to encourage and support more people to become involved in sport and physical activity.
The Trust currently wishes to fund projects that encourage and support increased participation in sport and physical activity amongst one or more of the following; individuals who are currently physically inactive or who have low levels of activity, groups that are currently physically inactive or who have low levels of activity, and children and young people outside of school hours. Apply by 18 April 2017 5pm. Find out more.
London Community Foundation – Red Nose Day Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund
The Red Nose Day Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund is for small community and voluntary organisations and social enterprises in London that are doing work to support local people living tough lives. Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available to support work where there is clear evidence of benefit to people who are excluded or disadvantaged through low income, social isolation, age, disability, race, sexuality or gender. Apply by Friday 12 May. Read more.
Tower Hamlets Event Fund Workshops
Friday 7 April 10.30am and 1.30pm
LBTH Event Fund next round of applications will be due on 27 April. Tower Hamlets Council are offering small grants up to £250 for events as part of the Great Get Together on 17 and 18 June in honour of Jo Cox. They are also offering two funding workshops in partnership with THCVS (Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Service) on Friday 7 April at 10.30am and 1.30pm at the Brady Arts Centre, E1 5HU. Find out more.
Jobs
NCVO – Mentoring and Befriending Officer
£33,914
With excellent project and time management skills, you are experienced in working to tight deadlines and budgets, while developing strong working relationships with multiple stakeholders across different sectors and levels. You work well both within a team and on your own initiative. With a high attention to detail, you analyse and interpret data which can be accessed by a range of audiences. You use your excellent communication skills to consistently deliver good customer service and achieve income targets. Apply by Monday 10 April. Read more.
Bromley by Bow Centre - Community Facilitator
£21,606 per annum, pro rata
The Community Facilitator will support the Project Manager in delivery of East Exchange, as well as, be responsible for building relationships with borough-wide bodies. You will lead on brokering exchanges, identifying activities and be responsible for updating and maintaining online records of activities across all sites. You will also support and manage Peer Champions. Apply by Monday 10 April 2017. Read more.
NCVO – Quality Standard Unit Assistant
£29,154
Are you an experienced administrator with an interest in the voluntary sector, committed to helping us make a difference? If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen within NCVO’s quality standards unit. With excellent verbal and written communication skills, you are confident in developing relationships with multiple stakeholders at all levels and delivering high quality customer care. Apply by 10.00 am, Monday 10 April 2017. Find out more.
Imperial College Union - Student Development Manager
£35,140-£43,350
An excellent opportunity has arisen within Imperial College Students’ Union based in South Kensington for a Student Development Manager to join a student led, innovative, democratic and growing organisation. The Student Development Team is responsible for our volunteer development programmes and is part of the Student Experience and Services Directorate, alongside our Student Activities Team and Commercial Services Team.
You will be responsible for maintaining and developing our Investing in Volunteers status and the programmes that support it. Including community volunteering, student social enterprise and training programmes, accreditation and extra-curricular qualifications provided to our members. You will ensure that Imperial College Union continually develops and maintains best practice in the management and development of volunteers. Closing date is Monday 24 April 2017. Find out more.
Volunteer Centre Lambeth - Good Practice Development Officer
£25k- £28k
VC Lambeth are looking for a skilled and self-motivated Good Practice Development Officer who will have an understanding of what it takes to recruit, manage and retain volunteers in organisations of varying sizes and who has the confidence to support other groups in Lambeth to undertake this vital role. They are looking for someone who has both the enthusiasm and experience to develop and deliver good practice processes, policies and procedures, solutions/resources and training centred on the management of volunteers and will have the communication skills required to support a network of organisations in Lambeth who need tools, assistance and advice in this area. Closing date for this position is be Friday 28 April 2017 at 12pm. Apply online.
Welcome
Welcome to organisations that registered with Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets over the last months;
Charity IT Association
East London Business Alliance
Forget Me Not Memory Café
Opening Doors London
St Bartholomew’s Hospital Museum
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