Therapy Dog Service in Tunbridge Wells
We have been contacted by Tony Constable who wants to let groups know about a service that he offers to organisations and groups in and around Tunbridge Wells. Tony is a volunteer providing support to people with his therapy dog. He regularly attends the Day Centre at Age UK and wants to let more groups within the town know about how this free service can be of benefit.
The service is available to day centres, luncheon clubs etc and can be included in events. They will also visit local organisations who feel their staff could benefit, but unfortunately they cannot visit individuals in their own homes.
If you would like Tony and his therapy dog to visit please contact us on 01892 530330 for his contact details.
Sevenoaks Networking Opportunities
Rivermere Residential Home hosts a monthly Professionals Networking Breakfast. Charities and Community groups come together with solicitors, finance managers, local business owners and representatives from business networks. There is always a guest speaker and it is usually from a local charity. January’s presentation came from Caroline Gaskin from Holding On Letting Go. If you would like to attend or provide the presentation for a future session get in touch with Stephanie Seale, Director of Community Relations Rivermere by email Rivermere.CSM@averyhealthcare.co.uk or call 01732 748 400. There is no charge for the breakfast, but there is a collection box for the ‘Sevenoaks Area Dementia Friendly Community’.
New Repair Café being set up in Tunbridge Wells
There is about to be a monthly repair café in Tunbridge Wells. If you've never heard of a Repair Café local people bring broken items that can hopefully be repaired and those with skills and knowledge help them to repair them. As a society we throw away vast amounts of stuff. Sometimes things have almost nothing wrong with them and could get a new lease on life after a simple repair. People have forgotten that they can repair things themselves or they no longer know how, but the skills are still out there. Repair Cafes were started over 10 years ago in Holland and there are now 1500+ Repair Cafes in the world which together have saved 350,000 tons of items being thrown away.
The café will operate from Trinity Theatre. The first takes place on Saturday 7th March from 10 am and will then operate on the first Saturday of every month. For more information or to contact the organiser, Chris Murphy, email twellsrepaircafe@gmail.com. For more information about repair cafes go to https://repaircafe.org/en/about/.
Mike Ward is new CEO for KM Charity Team KM Charity Team has appointed young people’s champion Mike Ward as Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Simon Dolby who founded the organisation in 2000.
Mike brings a wealth of experience to lead the independent charity, which helps children to develop knowledge and motivation to reach their full potential. Former roles include joint CEO of Young Lewisham Project, providing alternative vocational programmes to young people who are not succeeding in mainstream education; Head of Youth Services for Castlehaven Community Association; Head of Fundraising at Fitzrovia Youth in Action; and founding board member of the Young Camden Foundation. Simon is now Communications Manager for construction company Streetspace Group.
KM Charity Team provides services for schools to help promote eco-friendly behaviour, reading for pleasure, cooking and healthy eating, and STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and maths). Currently 194 schools use the KM Charity Team’s walk to school and literacy programmes Active Wow and Buster’s Book Club.
The charity also runs a calendar of collaborative fundraising events, which other causes can use to boost their funds. These include the Maidstone Abseil in March, KM Big Bike Ride in April, KM Colour Run in June, and Charity Firewalk in October. To sign up, visit www.KmCharityTeam.co.uk/Booking.
Kent County Council Plans
Kent County Council has published its budget proposals for 2020/21 and also its draft 5 Year Plan.
The draft Budget Book includes their revenue and capital plans for next year. View the draft Budget Book (PDF, 1.8 MB). These draft plans are being considered by County Council on 13th February.
They also have a draft 5 year plan called ‘Your Future, Our Priority’. The plan will shape what they will do, what they will prioritise spending on and how they will work with partners over the next 5 years. The public consultation on the strategy is open until 17th February 2020. Following the end of the consultation a ‘You Said, We Did’ report will be published by KCC to show how the feedback received has shaped the final version.
Sevenoaks Local Directory
Sevenoaks District Council produce a local directory of the services available in the district. It is updated monthly by their Communities team. To access January’s version of the ‘Your Local Services’ booklet; please visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/yourlocalservices. If your organisation operates in Sevenoaks and is not included in the directory then contact communities@sevenoaks.gov.uk to discuss inclusion.
Imago News
It’s a New Year, now let’s think about next Christmas
After an eventful Christmas period we are looking forward to 2020. Here’s hoping it will be a good one for all of us.
One of the nice things about Christmas for us has been the carol service that Imago organises at St Luke’s Church in Sevenoaks. It is a community carol service with contributions from schools and community groups followed by a buffet. It is well supported by the leader of Sevenoaks District Council and the mayor. We are looking for another organisation to take over the organisation of this event. Would your organisation like to do it? If so, contact Sharon Overy on 01892 530330 or email sharon.overy@imago.community.
Young Carers Christmas Round Up
We had such great support from volunteers, local businesses and charitable trusts for our Christmas parties for Young Carers. They provided support including funding, presents, party food, entertainment and helped out at the parties.
Our supporters included Osbornes, Optivo, Lloyds, Price Waterhouse Cooper, Skinner Sheds, KMFM, the WI, Inner Wheel, The Giving Tree at Bluewater, Heart FM, the Ivy and Jane Charitable Trust Fund, the Anne Bickmore Children’s Trust and Free Cakes for Kids.
Highlights included a rock and roll gladiator party enjoyed by the Wealden East Sussex Young Carers and the donation of teddies for Young Carers from the children at St Dunston's Catholic Church in Southborough.
Easter Eggs for Young Carers
After seeing a short video posted by Russell Howard about a Young Carer who had set up to collect and distribute chocolates to other Young Carers, a member of the public contacted us to offer her help. She then spoke to others in her village and has donated chocolates to us for Young Carers in her area.
If you would like to collect or donate an Easter egg we would love to hear from you. Please contact youngcarers@imago.community with the area you are in and we can arrange to distribute them on your behalf.
Telephone Befriending on offer
Imago is proud to launch a new telephone befriending service. This new service is made possible by our wonderful volunteers, who call clients on a weekly basis for a 6 week period. The aim is to help those who are lonely, isolated and in need of extra support to become independent in their local community. Currently we are covering clients in Dartford, Gravesend, Swanley, Swale, Medway, and Sevenoaks.
If you would like to recommend someone for the service, please call the hub on 0300 011 1965 or complete our online referral form at www.imago.community.
You can also join our excellent team of volunteers and become a telephone befriender by sending an email to volunteering@imago.community or using the volunteering referral form at www.imago.community.
CAMEO
CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) is a Big Lottery funded project working with people over 50, living in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley, who are socially isolated or experiencing loneliness due to changed life circumstances.
CAMEO offers a 12-week programme of activities with sessions on topics such as healthy living, personal finances, volunteering and community services. It’s a great opportunity for people to meet others who have experienced similar circumstances and make new friends.
A key aspect of CAMEO is sustainability and after the programme the participants will be encouraged to continue meeting, engaging in volunteering and accessing community facilities.
Wanted: your used inkjet cartridges
We send them for recycling and each one raises £1 to support our work. To support us simply follow the link to request freepost envelopes: https://recycle4charity.co.uk/Register/C93503 or email hello@imago.community and we will post some to you.
News
The Road Ahead: What’s next for the voluntary sector?
NCVO has released a new publication, exploring the political, economic, social, technological trends likely to impact charities in 2020. its an interesting report covering everything that charities should be considering post Brexit.
The Road Ahead is NCVO’s annual analysis of the changing operating environment for anyone working in the voluntary sector. It identifies and explains forces and trends that are shaping the sector and are likely to have an impact on organisations in the future.
You can read an introduction to the report here and you can download The Road Ahead here
Lloyds Bank Charity Digital Index
This report contains data, insights and case studies to highlight the importance of digital skills in the third sector. The key findings and calls to action are here. Download the full report here - https://resources.lloydsbank.com/businessdigitalindex.
Free Property Advice
LandAid is the property industry charity. At LandAid they know that many charities lack the money, expertise and experience to manage, maintain and improve their buildings, so offer a Free Property Advice Programme. The programme matches charities in need of advice about their buildings with property professionals from LandAid’s network – all for free. They have a pool of professionals ready to help. It is open to any registered charity, social enterprise, and community interest group working with the disadvantaged and socially excluded in the UK. To apply visit their website and fill out a simple form. Theycan help with most building problems including premises searches, negotiating leases and purchases, architectural services, planning advice and more.
GamCare
GamCare is a national provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. One of their programmes focuses on women.
Using GamCare and Gambling Commission data, they estimate that only 1% of women who experience gambling related harm contact the National Gambling Helpline. They have found that women are far less likely to contact their helpline than men and there is a perception that problem gambling is mostly a ‘male issue’. Women are also disproportionately negatively impacted by gambling related harm from someone else’s gambling e.g. significant safeguarding issues, harm to finances and relationships, impact on mental health and wellbeing; despite this, they still don’t come forward.
GamCare has recently secured funding from the Tampon Tax Fund to deliver a nationwide programme to build awareness of problem gambling and support options for women and girls.
Could women coming into contact with your service be affected by a gambling problem? Are women you see affected by: debt, Domestic Abuse, housing issues and/or mental health problems? If they are, there is a chance these issues could be the result of a gambling problem – whether their own or someone else’s. Trying to sort out the symptoms without looking at the root cause may mean the individual never fully recovers.
GamCare works across England, Scotland and Wales delivering free advice, support and training that can be catered to your service and flexible based on staff skills/availability. They offer:
Free suite of resources for staff and women/girls in your service affected by problem gambling;
Free face-to-face training packages with an aim of upskilling staff around early identification, advice, signposting and referral;
Free Treatment to women affected by problem gambling;
A single point of contact for ongoing support and advice.
For more information about the programme please contact the South East Outreach Officer, Suzanne Gosney (M: 07869 998914, E: suzanne.gosney@gamcare.org.uk).
Free or subsidised training
ACAS has a number of free courses on employment issues which may be of interest - https://www.acas.org.uk/elearning
NHS England have put together a free online level 3 safeguarding course. Find out more
Or small charities can transform their fundraising and governance, just £12.50 (half day) or £25 (full-day). If you’re a #smallbutvital charity in or around London, don’t miss the Foundation for Social Improvement's popular small charity training this 4th and 5th February at Amnesty International, 25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA . Explore 14 different courses covering topics such as trusts & foundations, project management, fundraising strategy, charity leadership, earned income and more! These sessions are heavily subsidised and some are fully booked but there are currently spaces on 9 of the 14 courses so you can still benefit.
Government confirms extra support for Troubled Families
Up to £165 million new funding has been announced for the programme designed to assist families to get their lives back on track. The funding will be used to tackle complex inter-connected problems including unemployment, poor school attendance, mental health issues, anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.
How do families with disabled children engage in physical activity? Sense, The National Deafblind And Rubella Association, and the ukactive Research Institute are partnering together to understand in more detail how families with a child or children with complex disabilities engage in physical activity. The survey asks questions about perceptions of activity opportunities. The results will be used to support the continued development of physical activity provisions for children with complex disabilities. You can find the survey here.
The closing date is 15th March.
Safeguarding – who cares? Following a combined £1.2 million Department of Culture Media and Sport and National Lottery Community Fund investment, a new portal has been launched to strengthen the support to charities handling safeguarding concerns or allegations.
The portal, at safeguarding.culture.gov.uk, offers a step by step guide to help charities correctly manage their concerns, identify the right people to contact if needed and access helpful resources and advice.
People are talking about Kent Community Foundation’s new Out of the Ordinary Fund! Do you know somebody with an idea that could have significant social impact for Kent? You have until 21st February to nominate somebody to receive a grant of up to £5,000 to help develop their idea. If you’d like to find out more, or would like to nominate someone to receive a grant from this dynamic new fund, please contact Natalie at Kent Community Foundation natalie@kentcf.org.uk in the first instance.
The Hargreaves Foundation
Charities ‘and organisations’ across the UK will be able to apply for a share of £100m over the next year from a new charity launched by the billionaire co-founder of the online investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown. It is intended that the Foundation will be operational, with permanent staff and able to disburse grants, by the second half of 2020.
Gatwick Airport Community Trust
Gatwick Airport Community Trust (GACT) is open for applications. To check to see if your project idea would be eligible and if it falls within the Trust’s geographic area of benefit go to www.gact.org.uk.
Now in its 19th year, this independent charity has funded hundreds of projects in parts of East and West Sussex, Surrey and Kent. The Trust is keen to support schemes that benefit diverse sections of the local community and are targeted towards the development of young people, the arts, sporting facilities, environmental improvement and conservation, improvements to community facilities, volunteering, the elderly and the disabled. The deadline for grant applications is 16th March 2020.
The Sussex Lund Grant Programme
The Sussex Lund grant programme is currently open for new applications - the deadline is 2pm on Monday 2 March 2020. Sussex Lund supports small, practical projects that improve the landscape of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – the High Weald covers parts of East and West Sussex, as well as Kent and Surrey, see boundary map. Sussex Lund is administered by the High Weald AONB Partnership. They are looking for environmental projects from landowners and managers, non-profit organisations, community groups and schools that aim to:
Improve wildlife habitats
Improve scenic beauty
Improve access to green spaces.
They are also working with national charity Plantlife who are offering free advice and support for creating and restoring wildflower meadows. Further information can be found at www.highweald.org/sussexlund. Potential grant applicants should contact them for an informal discussion about their project idea – get in touch ASAP this month to book a visit to a potential project site early this year. Please contact the High Weald AONB team on:
Supermarket Funding Bags of Help is Tesco’s local community grant scheme where the money raised by the carrier bag charge in Tesco stores is being used to fund thousands of community projects. The projects must meet the criteria of bringing benefits to the community. Grants of up to £2,000 are available.
Waitrose Community Matters - This unique scheme gives each branch £1,000 (or £500 in its convenience shops) to share out between three local good causes each month such as welfare organisations, community groups, schools or local divisions of national charities.
Apply anytime.
Funding of up to £2,000 is offered to organisations supporting people in need. Not for profit organisations can apply if their turnover is less than £300,000. Deadline: 23 February 2020
A new decade welcomes in a new Aviva Community Fund The Aviva Community Fund has provided thousands of causes with funding, skills and resources. Now they have changed the way that the fund works. The funding cycle will now be quarterly. Applications are now open for the newly refreshed Aviva Community Fund programme. If you are an eligible charity with a forward-thinking idea that could make a big difference, you are encouraged to apply. Aviva staff have the opportunity to decide which projects will be funded – decisions were made by public vote before. Every three months from January 2020 onwards, £250,000 will be split equally among their UK employees to donate to the projects that matter to them most. Applications for eligible causes are open for the first round of funding between 21 January - 11 February. Through Crowdfunder, causes can add to any donations they get from the Aviva Community Fund with public donations.
Deadline 11 February 2020.
Lloyds Bank Foundation relaunches grants programme
Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales has announced that core funding grants worth up to £100,000 are now available for small local charities through a new simplified, more flexible and transparent approach. The Foundation is an independent charitable trust funded by Lloyds Banking Group. To be eligible charities must have an income between £25,000 and £1m and be tackling complex social issues such as mental health, homelessness and domestic abuse and with a proven track record of helping people achieve positive change in their local communities.
The new approach involves:
A continuously open application process, rather than in rounds, so that charities can apply for support whenever they are ready
Clearer turnaround times for when a decision on funding will be made
Grants worth up to £45,000 and £100,000 available over three years (with the possibility of continuing to six years) that can be used entirely for core costs, with charities able to determine how much they spend each year.
A simplified approach to reporting whereby charities can share existing reports they already produce, rather than having to complete bespoke reports for the Foundation ensuring charities maintain accountability to their boards and not the foundation.
Support from the Foundation’s regional managers and access to the Foundation’s ‘Enhance’ organisational development programme, helping charities to become more resilient and sustainable
What's On
Sources include: Action Planning, Charity Commission, KCC Inside Track, DSC, NAVCA LINX, NSPCC, NCVO, Small Charities Coalition and Bates, Wells and Braithwaite. If you would like to submit an article or provide feedback on the newsletter please email Wendy McGeachy at Imago – wendy.mcgeachy@imago.community.
Contact details for Imago
Our head office is located at 17-19 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells – 01892 530330 - and we have project delivery offices in 10 locations across Kent, Medway, East Sussex, and London (Bexley, Havering and Southwark).
