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The SPARKS FUND- Empowering local communities

CSVA are delighted to launch the SPARKS fund- small grants programme for voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) organisations working in the areas of Elmbridge (focus on Walton South, Walton North, Cobham & Downside) and Epsom & Ewell (focus on Court area), Mole Valley (Holmwoods area). £2,000 is available for VCFS projects which empower communities that have been impacted by Covid19 and its wider impacts on health and wellbeing.

Enabling communities to have increased participation, engagement and a role and say in how things are done on matters that impact them and where they live through small-scale community-led initiatives that benefit the local community and residents in the highlighted areas below.

Find out more or to apply; please visit csva.co.uk/funding

The closing date for applications is at 5pm Friday 31st of March.

Training

FREE 2 hour Dementia Friends Training session for clubs and volunteers to learn about dementia, so they can help their community.

Details as follows:

Date: Wednesday 29th March 2023

Time: 1pm – 3pm

Venue: Thames Ditton Community Centre, KT7 0BS

The session covers all aspects of dementia, including the symptoms to look out for, information on how dementia is diagnosed and tips for adaptations you can make to the person’s home and lifestyle in order to make everyday living easier. Learn more about what it is like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action. It’s really easy to do: Too many people affected by dementia feel that society fails to understand the condition they live with. Dementia Friends help by raising awareness and understanding, so that people living with dementia can continue to live in the way they want.

If you are interested in attending, please email; emilyjones@elmbridge.gov.uk.

Limited spaces are available, therefore this will be on a first come first served basis.

Free Digital Marketing Strategy Training for Charities

Media Trust is offering charities across the UK free Digital Marketing Training both online and in person. Taking place between March – April, there are beginner sessions tailored by region and organisation size for charities looking to build their digital marketing knowledge and leave the session with the skills to build their own strategy. See here for more details.

Fully funded Cyber Essentials for small charities and legal aid firms

A programme of funding has been launched to help UK organisations gain vital Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
This Funded Cyber Essentials Programme will initially target small and micro organisations in two key sectors – charities and legal aid. These sectors were identified as ‘high risk’ if targeted by a cyber attack, often with limited financial resources and highly sensitive data.

The funding will enable organisations to work with Cyber Essentials Certification Bodies to implement baseline security controls, helping to prevent the most common types of cyber attack. Eligible organisations will have until the end of March to apply to be part of the programme. Click here for more information and to register your interest.

Community Consultation

Surrey’s Children’s Community Health Services

Surrey Heartlands and Surrey County Council are on a journey to design children’s community health services that are fit for the future and continue to ensure that the child is at the centre of these services.

Children’s community health services comprise a wide range of community-based services that support physical and emotional health and wellbeing amongst children and young people from birth up to 19 years of age and their families and carers.

We’ve set up a new public engagement platform where you can read about what people have been telling us so far. Help us shape the future of the services too and contribute your own thoughts: Have Your Say Today - Surrey’s Children’s Community Health Services - Commonplace.

Fundraising

Voluntary organisations across the country have just received a share of £1.2m in easyfundraising donations, meaning they can update their facilities, buy new equipment, and improve their services. Through the easyfundraising platform, 7,000 online retailers including Sainsbury’s, eBay, Amazon, M&S, Just Eat and Argos will donate to third sector organisations like yours for free.

To find out more and receive funds in easyfundraising’s next #donationday in May, register your organisation here.