Ever wondered how many children and young people live in your network area?

We have recently completed a piece of work on 0-18 population within each network area.

Information can be found here.

Working towards a better public transport offer for young people

"This report forms part of pteg’s
wider role in stimulating debate around broader policy issues of relevance to transport. We hope that it will help to generate ideas, discussion and feedback and therefore welcome any comments you may have on the points it raises. You can find our contact details on the back cover of this report.
pteg represents the six Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) which between them serve more than eleven million people in Greater Manchester (TfGM), Merseyside (Merseytravel), South Yorkshire (SYPTE), Tyne and Wear (Nexus), the West Midlands (Centro) and West Yorkshire (Metro). Bristol and the West of England, Leicester and Nottingham City Councils, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Transport for London (TfL) are associate members. The PTEs plan, procure, provide and promote public transport in some of Britain’s largest city regions with the aim of providing integrated public transport networks accessible to all."
Report here.

Support and template documents for LCNs

We have a new page on the North Somerset Council website where all documents and information Local Commissioning Networks have received throughout the project can be found.

http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Community/Activities+for+children+and+young+people/Additional+information/

Can't decide what legal identity your network should be?

Charity? Community Interest Company(CIC)? Company Limited by guarantee? When looking to decide which legal identity will suit your network best, it can be a bit overwhelming.

We are currently arranging a workshop which will aim to provide information around the different options, including the time it will take to apply and any legal obligations you may face. The workshop will also include information from two organisations, a charity and a CIC, who have recently gone through the process.

We have provisionally booked Monday 21st January 6pm in Weston Super Mare.

There will be more information around the content of the session soon, but for now please can you let me know if:

1. you are interested in attending and the date is ok
2. how many people from your network you expect will attend
3. the dates are no good but you would still like the opportunity 
4. your network are not interested

The workshop is free for Local Commissioning Network members as it is part of the ongoing support package we are offering.

Please also let me know if you have any burning questions or would like us to include anything additional in the session.

Please let me know the above by comment on this post or by email heather.brumby@n-somerset.gov.uk by Wednesday 12 December 5pm.

Funding bulletin for activity providers and LCNs

A couple of funding opportunities that caught our eye here in the team this week...

• Kickstarter crowdfunding
• Sustrans
• Tesco charity trust

Please let us know of any other funds you think may be interesting..

Kickstarter crowdfunding site opens in the UK

Are you an activity provider? The popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter launched in 2009 is now accepting projects submitted from the UK.

Crowdfunding can be a great way to raise money for experimental, small, creative projects. Projects on the site ask the funder to support a specific project and get something valuable in return, rather than to donate to organisations in the conventional way.

Kickstarter enables users to seek funding for creative or product-based ideas, has so far raised more than £211m – with 5% of each successful pledge going to Kickstarter. Crowdfunding website examples:

• Kickstarter
• IndieGoGo
• PleaseFund.Us

Sustrans

 

Sustrans provides creative, innovative and practical solutions to the transport challenges affecting us all.  By working with communities, local authorities and many other organisations, Sustrans create change by putting people at the heart of activities, enabling many more people to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment.

Sustrans Liveable Neighbourhoods implements DIY Streets, the practical project which combines urban design, community involvement and active travel promotion. Sustrans work with local residents and other partners to create high quality urban environments which promote sustainable travel behaviour whilst being safe and pleasant to live in and visit.

Guide to Creating your own DIY Street is for residents who would like to change their street to address the balance between road users and other users. It is now available to download or print, along with many other resources.

To find out more about bringing DIY Streets to your local authority or community, please call 0117 915 0244 katherine.rooney@sustrans.org.uk

For LCNs and Providers:

Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards

Applications are being accepted between 1 December to 30 January.

The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme provides one-off donations of between £500 and £4,000 to registered charities and not for profit organisations who are working on local projects that support children and their education and welfare, elderly people and adults and children with disabilities. Applications should be made via an online application form.

Larger Grant Applications

The Tesco Charity Trust offers grants of up to £25,000 to charities working around their stores. They prioritise applications in the areas of children’s education and welfare, those with disabilities and the elderly. If you would like to apply for a grant, please download a copy of their grant criteria Download Larger Grant Criteria PDF 0.03MB .

Deadline for larger grant applications is Friday, 8 February, with decisions being made by the end of March.

Brumby's thought for the day

"A mind is like a parachute, it doesn’t work if it is not open"

"Volunteer Health Walks Training Day"

Health Walks is all about supporting and encouraging individuals from the community to improve their health (mentally and physically) through walking. 

The National Walking For Health (WfH) Programme in North Somerset are currently planning the next Volunteer Health Walks Training day.

The training is a one-day course for anyone willing and able to lead walks in the community. It is a day of practical advice and is run locally in areas where there is a potential or existing "walking for health" scheme.

It includes practice in leading a walk, the importance of physical activity for health, components of a Health Walk, planning and risk assessment & the roles and responsibilities of a Health Walk Leader.

It will be taking place on Tuesday 15th January 2013 at Clevedon Town Council Offices from 10-3pm

If this sounds like something you may like to take part in, or if you know of anyone who maybe interested please get in touch with Kira Thorpe, Active Lifestyles Development Officer 01275 88 2731

Sports and active lifestyles

You may already know about the Sports and Active Lifestyles team however if you don't and you would like to know how to get active locally, check out the Go 4 Life pages. You can also join up to the monthly newsletter Move More Monthly

Heather

Weston COG secure £10,000!!

Some good news from Weston COG, full story here.

We might not have won Portas' £100,000 but by taking part in the process we became eligible for the government's Town Team Partner scheme and an award of £10,000. John Penrose MP got behind our bid and we were recently informed that the money is available and waiting to be spent.

The question is... what should we spend it on?

And we need your to help answer it.

 

COG is an informal group of local people who want to be involved in shaping the future of their town. This money is a community pot to help make that community action possible in Weston super Mare.

We're getting together at Loves Cafe on Thursday 6th December to start making some decisions and get some plans going. Drop in when you can from 6.30pm!

6.30pm - Informal meet and mingle
7.00pm - Get down to business
8.30pm - Finish up

9.00pm - Loves Cafe live music for those who want to continue the evening informally
We'd love to see you there

If you're on Facebook, please head over to our page and let us know you're planning to attend. We'd like to give Anna at Loves an idea of numbers.Event link here


PS: If you know someone who might be interested in this meeting, please forward this email on to them and encourage them to join the mailing list

Bumper funding bulletin for the North Somerset area

Applying for funding can be a daunting process, however we have support and advice here to be able to help you through the process.

Local funds that have caught our eye here in the team this week…

• Mall Foundation Fund Grants Programme
• Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
• Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club Grants
• Santander Launches Community Plus Fund
• The Advice Services Transition Fund
• Young Person’s Volunteering Fund
• Bristol International Airport Fund
• Moto in the Community Trust
• Pople Charitable Trust Grant
• Richard Davies Charitable Foundation
• Wessex Watermark
• Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust

There are some real gems here, and some perfect opportunities for local commissioning networks and activity providers alike!

Thank you for all contributers who have sent us funding updates.

Mall Fountain Fund Grants Programme - through Quartet Community Foundation

http://www.quartetcf.org.uk/showcontent.asp?CollectionID=@0000000199&ParentID=@0000000107

Grants from the Mall Fountain Fund are awarded to small, local voluntary and community organisations which help people in need.

You need to be in an area 25 miles radius of the Mall at Cribs Causeway (includes Weston-super-Mare and Newport to the West, Stroud to the North, Chippenham to the East and Shepton Mallet to the South). Grants of up to £1,000 are available.

The grant reopens and they will be accepting applications for the 2013 round of the grants programme from November 2012 onwards.

Apply online now or download an application form, complete it and return it to by post or email.

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Announces New Grants Programme for Gypsy Roma and Traveler Groups

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has announced that, together with the Travellers Aid Trust, they will be launching a new grants programme for Gypsy Roma and Traveller groups. 

Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the programme will be delivered by the Travellers Aid Trust. Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 will be awarded to Gypsy Roma and Traveller groups to help skill up young people, improve literacy and work with offenders. The Travellers Aid Trust expects to award between 7 and 10 grants a year. 

The programme is being launched in January 2013 and will run for two years. For more information, please contact Susan Alexander at The Travellers Aid Trust on info@travellersaidtrust.org or visit their website.

Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club Grants (England, Scotland & Wales)

The Greggs Foundation currently supports 180 breakfast clubs throughout England, Scotland and Wales.  If you are interested in opening a breakfast club at your school, criteria stated that at least 40% of the pupils qualify for free school meals and that the school serves a disadvantaged community.

Schools should able to attract adult volunteers to help run the scheme and attendance at the club must be free for all pupils. The grant can even be used for games and sports equipment to help children play together. Greggs also provides bread donations from the nearest shop.

Although applications can be made at any time, there is currently a waiting list for funding whilst new sponsorship partners are being identified. See their website for more information.

Santander Launches Community Plus Fund 

 

Santander Foundation has announced the launch of a new £1.23 million Community Plus fund to support charities helping local disadvantaged people across the UK.

 

UK registered charities can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 and the funding must be for a specific project that helps disadvantaged people. 

For example this could be for a piece of equipment or to pay for the costs of a part time sessional worker.  

To apply, just visit any Santander branch and complete a nomination form. The completed form should be dropped into the box provided in your local branch.

There are no closing dates and entries will be regularly considered by a panel of staff drawn from across the region. Successful charities will be notified within 2 months of submitting their nomination.

Advice Services Transition Fund (England)

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and the Cabinet Office have announced the launch of a new £65 million fund to enable local advice services to continue to give vital help to people and communities.

The Advice Services Transition Fund will provide grants of between £50,000 and £350,000 to help partnerships of advice organisations to identify new ways of delivering and funding their services in the future.  Partners should be organisations that provide free advice, help and support to people about their rights and responsibilities. Partnerships can include other not-for-profit organisations where you can show that they will strengthen your proposal. The range of advice providers within the partnership should reflect the full needs of the people and communities in your area. BIG expect this to include the provision of advice on welfare benefits, debt, housing and employment. 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on the 28th January 2013.

Young Person’s Volunteering Fund

Young Person’s Volunteering Fund is the name of SITA Trust's funding programme to support volunteering projects which transform community amenities and green spaces.  This fund has been created to assist young people aged 14-25 to volunteer their time to create or enhance recreation or leisure facilities that can be enjoyed by the wider community.  SITA Trust can support projects in England and Wales and can provide up to £10,000 towards agreed project costs.

The final funding round of this programme closes at 5pm on Wednesday January 2nd 2013.

SITA Trust can provide funding towards the resources required by young volunteers to transform a derelict piece of land into a community green space or give a local community centre a much needed 'make-over'. Funding can be sought to provide necessary equipment such as tools, paint, plants, fencing and materials.

see the application guide for full details.

Bristol International Airport Fund

Financial assistance is available to groups living within 5 mile radius of Bristol Airport (including Winford, Wrington, Backwell, Brockley, Cleeve and Barrow Gurney) who require funding for projects that benefit the local community or environment.

Grants of up to £1,000 are invited but must be spent within six months of being awarded. More information here.

Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. The next meetings are 7 December 2012 and February 2013.

Moto in the Community Trust

Moto in the Community Trust supports voluntary and community groups wishing to conduct projects within a 25 mile radius of a Moto site or employee catchment area. The scheme is particularly keen to fund projects or activities that provide opportunities for Moto employees to get involved.

The Trust funds all types of projects provided they directly benefit the communities where Moto is present or where it has a significant staff catchment.

Applications are looked on favourably when they clearly provide opportunities for Moto employees to engage in the project/proposal. A maximum of £10,000 can be applied for.

Pople Charitable Trust Grant

The Pople Charitable Trust offers grants to charitable organisations active in Bristol, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Funding is intended to support organisations undertaking projects in the fields of education, youth work and assisting the elderly.

The grant offers help with costs associated with eligible projects. It is ongoing and you can apply at anytime.

Applications should be made in writing: Pople Charitable Trust, Avonhurst, 38 Church Road, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, BS8 3Q - 01275 374789

Richard Davies Charitable Foundation

This grant is for charitable organisations undertaking projects for the young and elderly in Bristol and Avon areas.

The grant will help with costs associated with eligible projects. It is ongoing and you can apply at any time.

Please contact: Mrs Janet Coles, Richard Davies Charitable Foundation, 18 Over Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4BP

Wessex Watermark

The Wessex Watermark Awards are provided to support environmental projects in the Wessex Water region of South West and Western England. Originally only intended for water-based projects, grant-making now extends to any scheme, large or small, that is designed to directly benefit the environment.

Awards of £100 – £1,500 are made every quarter

Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust

The Trust gives grants for projects in England and Wales (but with a clear preference for South West England) in the following areas: medical and disablement; youth and children; Methodism; the community; disadvantage; non-Methodist churches; the environment; and the arts.

Small innovatory projects with a good measure of self-help or voluntary input are preferred. Applicants must demonstrate what other sources of funding have been sought and secured. A grant will not normally be paid until all other funds needed for a project have been raised and the project started.

The fund can grant from £100 to £2,000 applications should be made in writing - email applications will not be accepted.

Please write to: Phillip J Stoate, Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust, 7 Sherwood Close, Bracknell,

The Trust recommends December to February and June to August as the best times to submit applications as they are considered twice a year.

 

Don't forget if you are interested in applying for funding, but are not sure where to start, give us a call on 01934 634 758 or positive.activities@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Community learning courses

The Community Learning Service have a raft of community learning courses on offer at Partnership House. Including

• Safeguarding adults awareness (1/2 day)
• First aid (1 day)
• Food hygiene (1 day)
• Health and safety awareness (1/2 day)
• Deaf awareness (1/2 day)
• Mental health awareness (1 day)
• Learning disabilities awareness (1/2 day)
• Domestic abuse awareness (1 day)

These courses are available at subsidised rates to those employed in the private, voluntary and independent sectors for example Domiciliary Care Agencies, Care Homes, Not for Profit & Voluntary Groups and Housing Associations.

For more information on these or other courses available please contact natasha.budd@n-somerset.gov.uk

Local Community Transport

If you are interested in finding out local community transport and minibuses, then please see the directory below.

Have you thought about linking up with the community transport in your area to help your children and young people get to activities?

Community Transport Directory

Give Rhiannon a call if you wish to discuss this further on 01934 634 758 or rhiannon.jones2@n-somerset.gov.uk

Christmas Shopping EXTRAVAGANZA

NS Youth Parliament Survey results and report...

At last! We are able to share the results of the youth parliament survey with you.

Headlines

There were 1177 responses

The top three attended activites were

a) playing a team spor

b) playing an indivdual sport

c) playing a musical instrument.

The bottom three attended activites were

a) making a film 
b) skateboard or bmx 
c) youth club

You can find the full report and the reasons why here.

Legal strctures for your Local Commissioning Network

Are you part of a Local Commissioning Network? Are you starting to think about becoming a Charity or other legal entity?

Becoming a Charity can greatly improve your chances of accessing funding and can help with your sustainability.

We would like to offer your network an opportunity to attend an informal workshop based on community organisations structures and legal identities during January.

However, we really need to gauge how popular this would be, so please could you notify us asap as to whether you would be interested in this offer and your preferences with:

• An evening in the week or weekend workshop
• What type of information you would be hoping to access
• Preferred venue

Please comment on this post or contact me direct heather.brumby@n-somerset.gov.uk.

REMINDER safer recruitment and commissioning training this weekend...

Just to confirm the venue for Saturday is Castlewood, Tickenham Road,Clevedon, BS21 6FW (BS21 6AB if you're using a SatNav). The course will be starting promptly at 10am as there is a lot to cover.

There are spaces available for this Saturday and the 26 November and 3 December sessions so if you would like to attend get in touch on rhiannon.jones2@n-somerset.gov.uk  

FREE funding advice workshop this THURSDAY

There are still a few FREE spaces on the funding working shop being held this week on Thursday...

Who we are? - sported. is the leading UK sport for development charity – empowering community groups to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people through sport.

What we do - sported. provides business support and grant funding to voluntary and community sports organisations through a network of Regional Managers and volunteers.

What is happening in Clevedon– On Thursday 8th November 2012 sported. will deliver a free engagement evening, which will include membership registration and the delivery of the “How to succeed in securing funding for my club” workshop. Membership registration starts from 5.30pm, with the workshop commencing at 6.30pm.

Who can attend? – Any community group, voluntary organisation or sports club that delivers sport to meet one of these outcomes:

• Building strong communities
• Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour 
• Removing barriers to participation for marginalised groups
• Developing young people by providing them with skills for the workplace and life 
• Education in health and well being

Venue – Castlewood, Tickenham Road, Clevedon BS21 6BD

Time

• New sported. membership registration 5.30pm
• “How to succeed in securing funding for my club” workshop 6.30pm

How to book a free place - Contact Julian Wills on 07901 339335 or email j.wills@sported.org.uk

Happy Holloween!

So, it is that time of year again where fireworks pop in the night sky and the little ones dressed in all manner of creepy ghouls ask us for a trick or treat! Do you have any community events going on in your area? Let me know if you have, and I can advertise it for you on here!

 There is a variety of information below, however here are a couple of news bulletins I have been sent this week which may be useful to you:

Big Lottery South West eBulletin 

Learning South West Funding opportunities

Your North Somerset

North Somerset Council in partnership with sponsors, are running the popular Your North Somerset event at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare on Sunday 27th January 2013.

Whilst the main purpose of the Your North Somerset event is to share information about services, this year we are using the event to promote "building stronger, independent communities". We are asking stand holders to publicise any work your organisation is involved in, out in the community, whether you run:

• A support group
• An organised club
• Community project
• Programme that supports individuals in becoming more active and involved in the community

The event will also feature a wide range of food-tasting, entertainment, dance and fun activities for both adults and children.

We would be grateful if you could confirm if you would like to support the event, the number of stands you require and any specific requirements you have for the day. This could be internet access, access to power sockets etc.

Please can you provide this information by Friday, 30th November '12, as space is limited and stands will be allocated on a first come basis.

If you have any further enquiries, please contact Lucy Woodham on the details below.

Lucy Woodham, 01275 88 4022 lucy.woodham@n-somerset.gov.uk

You Can Cook

In collaboration with and excellent food tutor, NHS North Somerset has developed You Can Cook, a course to promote healthy cooking skills for practitioners and volunteers.

The course is suitable for anyone who wants to cook with individuals or teach small groups about the simple healthy cooking and healthy eating.

• Where: Hans Price Academy, Weston super Mare
• When: 5,12,19, 26 November and 3 December 2012
• Time: 6.15-8.30pm

This 6 week hands-on course includes:

• Learning to deliver cookery courses/sessions suitable for a particular client group (adults and/or children)
• Learning how to produce a range of healthy and simple to follow recipes
• A take-home resource pack
• Level 2 CIEH Award in food safety

If you are intrested please get in touch with Carmen, carmen.page@nsomerset-pct.nhs.uk.

Finally, do you know some one or are working with someone who may benefit from this?

SAFER RECRUITMENT AND COMMISSIONING TRAINING

Please don't forget to let us know which of the Safer Recruitment training sessions you wish to attend.

Safer Recruitment and Commissioning Training

We would like to invite a minimum of two representatives from each Local Commissioning Network and from the Positive Activities Network to attend either of the following sessions:

Saturday 10 November 2012

10.00am – 4.30pm

Venue: TBC. 

Mondays26 November and 3 December 2012

7.00pm – 09.30pm

Venue: Castlewood, Clevedon

Delegates will gain an understanding of:

• Safer Recruitment/Commissioning: in the wider context of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Safer Recruitment/Commissioning Process: focusing on best practice when recruiting or commissioning adults to work with children. The procedures and strategies to help those involved in the recruitment process to deter, identify and reject applicants who are unsuitable to work with children.
• On-going culture of vigilance: examining the need for ongoing awareness and vigilance and consider how organisations can develop and maintain an environment that deters and prevents abuse and challenges inappropriate behaviour.

To book onto this course please contact Rhiannon Jones, 01934 634758 rhiannon.jones2@n-somerset.gov.uk

Money, Money, Money

Good afternoon all,

I have lots to share today ICT Youth Hubs, Sports facilities grants, community and heritage projects... you'll see I have had quite a few funding updates of late!

Rhiannon our Project Support Officer is busy compiling all of these opportunities into one database/directory so that we have our finger on the pulse and the most up to date information on funding for community groups such as the Local Commissioning Networks.

Recent opportunities that have caught my eye include:

• Do you want to become an IT Youth Hub? FREE opportunity for Youth Clubs
• StreetGames
• Young Roots- Heritage Lottery Fund
• Funding for Childrens Outdoor Recreational Activities (UK)
• Sport England Iconic Facilities Fund

I have given a summary below- don't forget if you are interested in applying for funding, but are not sure where to start, give us a call on 01934 634 758 or positive.activities@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Do you want to be come an IT youth hub?

UK Youth's new programme with Microsoft is NOW OPEN offering 30 youth clubs the chance to become IT Youth Hubs.

Each of the 30 selected clubs will receive a FREE technology makeover, financial support and a Microsoft IT mentor.

Selected Microsoft IT Youth Hub will be run by a group of young people (IT Champions) who will learn IT and take part in a peer education programme, ensuring a wider group of young people benefit from improved IT skills.

IT Champions will be overseen by a youth worker who will receive training and support from a Microsoft volunteer.

"This programme is a fantastic and timely addition to our work.  We want to ensure that as many young people in our network are able to progress in the digital age, especially those who have limited access to IT.  No business is better placed to help us do this than Microsoft." Charlotte Hill, UK Youth Chief Executive.

To apply please download an application form from our website.  If you have any questions please contact Abby@ukyouth.org .

StreetGames

The Sports and Active Lifestyles team have recently recruited two self employed multisport StreetGames coaches for the North Somerset area. The team are now in a position to look at where the demand is for StreetGames delivery and try to fill up the 10 hours allocated to each sports coach.

These coaches will be on a fixed term self employed contact with the Council and as a result there will be no cost incurred by you for their delivery during the initial 6 months.

There is an expectation that demand for their time will be high, therefore if your network is interested in hosting a StreetGames coach/programme, check out the ‘eligibility’ list below which should help you decide if you are eligible to host a StreetGames coach/ programme.

Eligibility

• StreetGames is about bringing sport straight to the doorstep of young people living in disadvantaged communities.
• Sport sessions last 1 hour a week.
• Local volunteers are identified and invested in

Funding

• Is available for the payment of the sport and/ or physical activity deliverery
• Can be made available for venue/ facility where the case can be made
• Is not forever! Sustainability must be considered

Target Groups, Sports and Sessions

• Must be able to provide evidence of demand/ need
• Must be within the area of North Somerset
• Aimed at those aged 11 + (there is some flexibility if need can be demonstrated)
• All year round activities
• Must be able to supervise/ support sessions
• Compliment current youth provision but can not enhance sport/ physical activity already taking place
• Competition/festival element can be included within the projects
• Be willing to assist with monitoring and evaluation
• Be willing to work towards long term sustainability

Please contact Lisa.Perryman@n-somerset.gov.uk for more information.

Young Roots- Heritage Lottery Fund

Young Roots is a grant programme designed to engage young people aged 11-25 with their heritage. Young Roots projects stem directly from the interest and ideas of young people, who are supported by youth and heritage organisations to develop skills, build confidence, and connect with their local communities.

To receive a Young Roots grant, your project must relate to the varied heritage of the UK and:

• Provide new opportunities for a wider range of young people ages 11 to 25 to learn about their own and others heritage.
• Allow young people to lead and take part in creative and engaging activities.
• Develop partnership between youth organisations and heritage organisations and create opportunities to celebrate young people’s achievements in the project and share learning with the wider community.
• Your project must also create new opportunities for young people to either volunteer in heritage, or gain skills in indentifying, recording, interpreting or caring for heritage.

Please see their website for more details.

Funding for IT Projects Supporting Disadvantaged Groups

Funding is available to organisations with innovative IT related project ideas that can make a positive difference to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

The funding, which is available through the Nominet Trust, aims to fund innovative Internet projects that make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

The Trust is particularly interested in funding projects that can be scaled up and replicated. There is no minimum grant application and applications for over £100,000 require an interview.

Organisations, wishing to apply, initially need to complete an online application form. Those organisations deemed successful will be invited to complete the Stage 2 application form.

Previously projects supported through the Trust include:

• Pottery Primary School, Belper, which received funding towards the costs of printed material to raise awareness to parents, children and the community of internet risks and safety measures. 
• Learning for the 4th Age, which received funding to increase the use of IT in care homes to benefit elderly residents and young volunteers alike.

The next closing date for submitting initial Advisory Eligibility Forms is 12th December 2012. Stage 2 applications to be submitted by 31st January 2013. For further information contact Funding for IT Projects Supporting Disadvantaged Groups (UK).

The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme

...has announced that its funding programme for children’s education and children’s welfare will re-open for applications on the 1st December 2012. The scheme awards one-off donations of between £500 and £4,000 to registered charities, schools and not for profit organisations. The funding goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children living in the local communities around Tesco stores in the UK.

Projects previously supported include:

• Playground equipment in schools and local communities
• Sensory garden or room projects
• Outdoor classrooms
• Breakfast and after school clubs
• Holiday play-schemes
• Part funding to purchase minibuses

The closing date for applications will be 30th January 2013. For further information contact Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards (UK).

Tesco Charity Trust - Large Grants Programme (UK)

The Tesco Charity Trust has announced that its large grants programme is open for applications.  The Trust gives one-off donations ranging between £4,000 and £25,000 to charities working in the areas of:

• Children’s welfare and education
• Elderly people’s welfare
• Adults and children with disabilities.

The funding is available to charities working on an international, national or regional basis in areas where Tesco have a presence. 

The closing date for applications is the 2nd November 2012.

Funding for Childrens Outdoor Recreational Activities (UK)

The Outdoor clothing company "North Face" has announced the launch of a new funding round of its Explore Fund.

The Explore Fund supports not for profit organisations that encourage youth outdoor participation. Grants of up to €2,500 are available for projects that:

• encourage community involvement
• focus on breaking down barriers to getting youth outdoors
• projects that reach out to a specific community or place of interest.

Only one Explore Fund financial support package will be given to an organisation in each calendar year and applications that can provide match funding will be viewed favourably.

The closing date for applications is the 28th February 2013.

Sport England Iconic Facilities Fund Re-Opens for Applications (England)

Sport England has announced that although the Iconic Facilities Fund has re-opened for applications.

The Iconic Facilities fund is part of the £135m Places People Play initiative which will transform the places where people play sport and contribute to an increase in mass participation in sport across England. The fund will support the building and improvement of strategic new sports facilities used by at least two National Governing Bodies of Sport.

A key criteria of the fund will be to support facility projects that are sustainable in the long-term. Bids can be submitted by organisation entitled to receive public funding such as:

• Sports clubs
• Voluntary or community organizations
• Local authorities and education establishments such as schools, colleges and universities.

Priority will be given to projects with a collaborative or consortia approach between public, private and commercial organisations.

An example of a previous project funded by the Fund is:

Birtley Young People’s Club received £573,610 for a new state-of-the-art multi-sports hub. The new facility includes two gyms, three boxing rings, two junior grass pitches, an education/conference room and office and classroom space. 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 17th December 2012.

I hope you find something useful!

Heather,