The Foundation is currently finalising details for the one-off Weston Culture Fund which launched on the 5th October.
This £25 million fund is designed to support mid to large scale cultural organisations in the UK to help them restart work, re-engage with audiences, adapt to changed circumstances and generate revenue. The fund is specifically for charitable organisations with a pre-Covid regular annual income of £500,000 or greater; smaller organisations will be able to apply for their regular grants programme via their website as usual
2The Prince's Countryside Fund Opens for Applications
The Fund is now accepting applications from locally-focused, legally-constituted not-for-profit organisations who are working to create resilient rural communities across the UK in the wake of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available for up to one year. Projects must be completed within one year of their start date and no later than 31 March 2022. Some match funding is required.
The grants will cover revenue costs that are directly associated with projects that are helping rural communities deal with the negative effects of the pandemic.
To date the funding has been used to address and combat issues such as isolation, financial pressures, and issues with physical and mental health. Grants have supported a range of projects including a volunteer-run telephone helpline that supports local farmers, local transport to help rural residents access vital services, helping rural communities access and learn how to use online services, and the re-opening of a village shop in a remote rural community.
Applications close on November 3rd 2020 at midday, but if a large number of eligible applications are received the Fund reserves the right to close the round earlier. Projects are advised to apply early.
The Postcode Recovery Fund has been created to support charities to develop innovative solutions that address the many issues affecting people as society recovers from the effects of the pandemic.
We are looking for impactful and original projects that can demonstrate a clear link to the effects of the pandemic across the following six funding priority areas:
Educational inequalities
Homelessness
Domestic Violence
Health and wellbeing
Social exclusion and isolation
Poverty
Applications close at 5.30pm on 30th October.
Guidelines
• Postcode Recovery Fund will offer a total award fund of £3,000,000 for charitable organisations to deliver projects within Great Britain in 2021-2023.
• Charities can apply for up £1,000,000 to deliver a project 12-24 months in length.
• Applications will only be accepted from registered charities.
• We do NOT accept applications from local authorities, statutory bodies or universities.
• Applicants are eligible to apply ONCE only. This restriction also applies to organisations that have multiple branches, e.g. different branches in Scotland and England.
• Please note that we have restrictions regarding income levels of applicants. Organisations must have an annual income that is at least two times the amount applied for.
° For example, if a charity is applying for £500,000 then their annual income must be at least £1,000,000 in their latest audited accounts.
° If a charity is applying for £1,000,000 then their annual income must be at least £2,000,000 in their latest audited accounts.
• There is no maximum upper limit regarding the annual income of applicants.
• Applications must be focused on supporting an area that has been highlighted by the pandemic.
• The minimum amount charities may apply for is £500,000.
4Government Announce Increased Financial Incentives to Train your Staff
The Department for the Economy has announced a scheme that will provide incentive payments to employers to support their existing staff (all ages and even long-term staff) in the achievement of Nationally Recognised Qualifications.
Training is sector and employerspecific and can be customised to meet your staff development needs. All training is delivered on the job and at times that suit you. Employees are supported in the achievement of their training programmes remotely (via Zoom). If and when safe to do so, trainers will also provide training at your site.
There are three elements to the scheme - Return, Retain & Result, with the aim to reduce unemployment and ensure that employers continue to have access to people with the skills and qualifications needed to maintain productivity.
Step 1 - Return: £500 per returned furloughed apprentice payable for the first full month of paid apprenticeship from 1 November 2020. Step 2 - Retain: maximum of £2,000 available: £500 per month for up to 4 months of paid apprenticeship between 1 December 2020 and 31 March 2021. Step 3 - Result: £1,200 for successful full framework achievement of a returned furloughed apprentice.
This scheme is open to employers participating on the DfE-funded ApprenticeshipsNI or Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes, who return their furloughed apprentices to work since April 2020. Details on how to apply will be announced in due course.
5Has COVID-19 affected your personal finances? There is help available
Is your financial situation a constant worry? Has COVID-19 affected your finances?
If you are struggling with your finances, The Consumer Council can provide you with free advice and information in relation to:
Managing debt;
Borrowing money;
Household budgeting; and
Shopping around for a better deal.
To avail of this, visit our dedicated ‘True Cost’ website to use our online budgeting tools and get practical help with borrowing money safely, seeking advice early before debt becomes an issue and what to do if you are worried about illegal money lenders.
6NICVA Conference: COVID-19 Taking Stock 7 months on
Thursday, 22 October 2020 - 11.00am to 12.00pm | via Zoom
This stock taking conference will reflect on the last 7 months and the sectors response. It will consider what we have learned and how we move forward in the 6 months ahead. We will look at the importance of collaboration, our engagement, and the funding response.
Speakers are:
Carál Ní Chuilín, Minister for Communities
Tracy Meharg, Permanent Secretary, Department for Communities
Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health
Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive, NICVA
We will look at the health and wellbeing of the sector and the impact of the crisis on organisations. Dr McBride will also consider the health response at the core of the crisis.
Following on from the latest guidance issued by the Government and heath authorities regarding COVID-19, a number of measures have been put in place in the Derry City & Strabane District Area.
Young people in the area have in the past shown great discipline and leadership when it comes to helping make a bad situation better and now we need YOU to do your bit again, in order to stop the rate of transmission in our community. Check out the video below to see what YOUth can do!! Please share far and wide.
We are delighted to announce that Lilian-Seenoi Barr from the North West Migrants Forum, will join an already stellar line-up for what promises to be an unmissable event!
Lilian will join Ulster University Professor Duncan Morrow, NI Commissioner for Children & Young People, Koulla Yiasouma, and Colin Parry OBE, Tim Parry Jonathon Ball Peace Centre in Warrington, to deliver keynote addresses.
Implications for intercultural dialogue, peace-building and reconciliation in the UK! Tuesday 8th & Wednesday 9th December, Derry-Londonderry
This two-day Community Relations Council-funded event (limited to 50 participants) will include Guest Speakers and will be facilitated by a team of International Facilitators.
Practitioners will avail of:
opportunities to be inspired and better informed through inputs from experts in the field, and to have space and time to share and reflect upon their international learning experiences and thus continue to add to the existing evidence base;
an opportunity to document in broad terms how participant's experiences (of ‘the international’) have informed and influenced their perception of and approach to intercultural dialogue, peace-building and reconciliation;
specific examples of how international experience has contributed to intercultural dialogue, peace-building and reconciliation between individuals, local communities and society as a whole, but also how it equips practitioners in a practical sense to ‘do their job;
opportunities to demonstrate how experience from participation in international programmes has contributed to or influenced practical efforts to nurture relationships between diverse communities;
due consideration to the potential differences that anticipated non-participation in European programmes will make in a post-Brexit era;
a setting to ‘mark’ the end of this particular era in UK-European international relations by exploring ways in which they can maximise other international opportunities to promote relationships between diverse communities;
conclusions and recommendations for those involved in policy development and delivery as to how ‘the international’ can be utilised and maximised to support intercultural dialogue, peace-building and reconciliation in a UK-wide post-Brexit future.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
Due to Covid places are limited so you are advised to book early not to miss out. Places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. You can reserve your place by clicking here.
Social Distancing and Covid-Compliant measures will be in place at the conference.
9Western Trust Involvement Plan – Involvement Opportunity for Service Users and Carers
The Western Trust is developing new ways of involving our service users and carers in how we deliver services. To do this, we need a plan on how we work better together across services. Part of this is the development of our new draft ‘Integrated Involvement Plan’. This sets out how the Trust will work to embed the voices of service users, carers and the public into the Trust’s culture at all levels. We want to hear your views on this new plan.
A series of short, virtual workshops will take place in the coming weeks and we are offering service users and carers the chance to attend. You must live in the Western Trust area and be able to link in to the virtual workshops via Zoom. If you cannot join this virtual group, we still want to hear your views. The draft plan can be emailed or posted and thoughts and comments can be sent to the email address below.
Before the workshops, a member of our team will be in contact with you to give further background information on the Integrated Involvement Plan to make sure you feel supported ahead of the workshops.
There will initially be 3 workshops in October/November to develop the new plan. We want to hear a wide range of voices from across different services and we are keen to hear the voices from sections of the community that can be lesser heard. If you are not selected to take part in the virtual workshops, please do still give us your thoughts on the new plan via email. If you are interested in attending these virtual workshops, please submit your details by 12pm on Friday 9th October to equality.admin@westerntrust.hscni.net. If you are selected to take part in the workshops, a member of staff will be in contact with you.
Tuesday 13th October - Introduction meeting to give background to the work
Tuesday 20th October - Discussion and review of Integrated Involvement Plan
Tuesday 3rd November - Final meeting to present final draft of Integrated Involvement Plan
This event is co-hosted by the South Eastern and Western Connections Services, funded by the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.
With very special guest speaker and expert in his field Professor David Nutt, Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit at Imperial College London.
Professor Nutt will talk to us about:
Is cannabis simply the latest flavour of the month or does it have a long term future as a medicine?
Is cannabis just another sticking plaster or can it contribute to a holistic view of managing chronic health conditions?
The issues surrounding drug policy and NICE guidance in relation to the medical use of Cannabis.
Where he sees things moving over the coming years and the challenges around using cannabis as a medicine.
How his new cannabis prescribing programme Project Twenty21 will contribute to the body of evidence in relation to the medical use of Cannabis.
This event will take place online via the Blue Jeans webinar platform – joining details will be provided upon registration.
Following on from the launch of the Feminist Recovery Plan, the Women's Policy Group is holding a series of webinars examining different areas of the paper. The first three webinars have been announced:
COVID-19 Poverty, Austerity, Debt, Universal Credit: The Impact on Women - Thursday 8thOctober from 10am-11am. Register here.
COVID-19 and the Impact on Rural Women (in collaboration with NIRWN) on Thursday 15thOctober 1pm-2pm. Register here.
A Global Outlook – Social Justice and Gender Equality Post-COVID-19 (in collaboration with WRDA and the Social Change Initiative) on Thursday 22nd October from 2pm-4pm. Register here.
The Western Health and Social Care Trust and lead partners Derry City and Strabane District Council, Public Health Agency and Community and Voluntary organisations have worked together to promote the 3rd annual Positive Ageing Month throughout the Derry City and Strabane District Council area during the month of October.
Positive Ageing Month is an opportunity to draw attention to groups and activities that exist for older people throughout the District. In an ageing population, it is important we continue to work together to encourage older people to reach out and connect with their local community, not only to reduce social isolation and loneliness but to support them to live, long healthy lives.
Positive Ageing month takes into consideration the 5 steps to wellbeing - Be Active, Connect, Take Notice, Give and Keep Learning. This PHA initiative shows these 5 simple steps built into our daily lives can help maintain and improve emotional health and wellbeing. This year in light of Covid-19, a mixture of activities are planned that enable older people to connect both virtually through online events and physically where this is permissible within the Covid-19 guidelines.
Our British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) customers can now contact the Northern Ireland Housing Executive through a new communication method called Video Relay Service (VRS).
This Relay Service is being provided by SignLive . Using this service customers will be able to communicate directly with our staff via a Sign Language interpreter who will sign the staff member's words verbatim to the customer and vice versa. All calls coming through to the Housing Executive will be managed by SignLive and details of how BSL & ISL customers can access the Video Relay Service are available on the Housing Executive's website.
Please note that this is a pilot scheme that is currently in place for 12 months. It is also hoped that VRS will improve communication options during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ulster Scots Community Network, in partnership with Rural Community Network, are running an online Understanding Ulster Scots course from Tuesday 3rd November 2020 from 7pm to 9pm for five consecutive nights, via zoom.
The level 2 course allows for a deeper understanding of Ulster Scots and culture. It is a very active course with debates on cultural perceptions; quizzes and a language section. Topics discussed include the Plantation of Ulster; 17th Century Ulster, Home Rule, the covenant and Ulster Scots today.
Everyone is welcome to participate, and the course is open on a regional basis.
To register, contact Teresa at RCN by emailing teresa@ruralcommunitynetwork.org or ring 028 8676 6670
“Get Real Training” – online community-based education programme
NIACRO, in partnership with Rural Community Network, is offering participants the opportunity to engage in an online six-week community education programme called Get Real.
This programme explores those most at risk of perpetuating hate crimes, involvement in the criminal justice system and restorative practices. The programme challenges prejudice, misunderstanding and intolerance on sectarian, racial and other discriminatory views; by creating opportunities for honest expression and cultural learning.
Participants are supported to explore differing attitudes and behaviours, to deal positively with diversity and make positive contributions towards a shared and cohesive future. The programme will be delivered through six 2-hour sessions starting Wednesday 11th November 2020 and running every Wednesday until the 16th December from 10am – 12pm.
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please register with Teresa McKernan on 028 8676 6670 or email teresa@ruralcommunitynetwork.org This is a regional programme therefore anyone from NI can register their interest in taking part, we particularly welcome those living in a rural community.
15Belfast Interface Project Programme of Activities for Tullyally/Currynierin
Due to changes in local restrictions, all of our activities will now move on-line during the month of October. There will be no cost and will be available to all residents in the Currynierin and Tullyally areas. Times and age groups will remain the same.
Jo-Jingles classes will commence w/b 12th October and will run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings between 9.30 and 10.30.
Skills School NI activities will commence w/b 12th October and will run Monday and Thursday afternoons between 3.30 and 4.30 (5-7 years) & 4.45 and 5.45 (8-11 years)
Residents should still register for the programme in order to access links for activities and you can do this by calling Fergal on 075 8523 2560 or mailing him at fergal@belfastinterfaceproject.org
All programme activities have been made possible with funding from The Executive Office as part of Belfast Interface Project’s Promoting Good Relations Programme and will run up to the end of March 2021.
NISRA is moving into the second and most important phase of its recruitment campaign for Census 2021. More than 1800 temporary field staff will be required to help with census operations throughout Northern Ireland. This includes staff at Area Manager, Team Co-ordinator and Enumerator grades. Twelve Area Managers have already been appointed and will take up post on 5 October, and a competition to recruit 174 Team Co-ordinators and 1676 Enumerators is now underway.
If you are a people person, have great customer service skills and want to be part of something that affects all of us, then take a look to see how you can get involved.
Census Team Co-ordinator and Enumerator roles are advertised now with a closing date for applications of Friday 23 October.
19Invitation for Proposals Language Awareness Resource
INVITATION FOR PROPOSALS Small Grant Commission: £2,000 to develop a short introductory guide to the languages of Irish and Ulster-Scots
Invitation for Proposals Language Awareness Resource: An Introduction to our Indigenous Languages: Irish & Ulster-Scots
Brief
Derry City and Strabane District Council is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified writer/content writer/organisation or other suitably qualified individual to develop a short introductory guide to the languages of Irish and Ulster-Scots titled ‘An Introduction to our Indigenous Languages: Irish & Ulster-Scots’.
Methodology
To develop a short introductory guide to the languages of Irish and Ulster-Scots which is written in a jargon-free and accessible style which:
(a) informs, educates and raises awareness;
(b) places a particular emphasis on language within the context of our shared heritage and which promotes good relations;
(c) signposts to language learning and usage opportunities;
(d) appeals to both younger and older readers;
(e) promotes the Council’s work in respect of language by directing the reader to our Irish language and Ulster-Scots pages/social media platforms etc.
The text may include the following:
History and evolution of both languages;
Language Family Trees: Celtic & Germanic. This section should explore the links between Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh (Celtic) and the relationship between Ulster-Scots, Scots and English (Germanic);
Did you know? Interesting facts, figures and local data placed throughout the text
Legislation, protections and rights: what can users of both languages expect from local Councils and other agencies in terms of provision and protections for language rights.
The Living Languages: Words, phrases and language relationships
Links and Resources for those keen to find out more; i.e. language agencies, language organisations/centres, languages in the city and district
As this resource is intended for a general rather than a ‘schools-only’ audience, the written style of the resource should appeal to both younger and older readers. The text should relate strictly to language without overtly referencing cultural expression and/or cultural identity. Suggested maximum word-count: 2,500 -3000.
Budget: £2,000
How to submit a proposal
Applicants should provide a brief CV of their relevant experience listing examples of similar work/projects undertaken and provide evidence of relevant insurances e.g. professional indemnity. Applicants should also provide a breakdown of what work they will undertake and within what time period, including how many days/hours they will dedicate to the project and details of any other associated costs. Ideally, we would like to see the project completed in full by the end of the 2020 calendar year. The successful applicant may be required to meet with representatives from the Council’s Languages’ and Good Relations’ teams to discuss expectations etc. Please note that design and print do not form part of this tender and will be dealt with by means of a separate tender exercise. The requirement is for text only.
Deadline Proposals must be received by 30 October 2020 and returned via email to:
Pól Ó Frighil Policy Officer (Irish & Ulster-Scots) Derry City and Strabane District Council pol.ofrighil@derrystrabane.com
20Open for Submissions - Poetry in Motion and Seamus Heaney Award for New Writing 2021
Literature and Verbal Arts (LaVA) at Community Arts Partnership is delighted to open the submissions process for the 2020-2021 Poetry in Motion project.
This year we are excited to announce that with the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and of the Heaney family, we will be presenting the seventh Seamus Heaney Award for New Writing to the most outstanding submission through this process.
Anyone living in Northern Ireland is eligible to make a submission for the anthology by following the guidelines on the website. The submissions process will close on Monday December 7th, 2020, at 9 am, sharp.
Once the selection has been made for the anthology, the selected poems will be presented to a panel which will include representatives from ACNI, the Heaney family, Community Arts Partnership and other members of the local literary community from across the region. The panel will then make the decision as to whom to award this accolade. This represents an exciting opportunity to all new and emerging poets living here, to be recognised for their craft, and can be a springboard to the next stage on their literary career.
The theme of this year’s callout is “Heartland”. This theme, set against the uncertainty and fragility of all that is happening in the world, may embrace and reflect our sense of who and what is important to us, the need to believe in the future and to show our love, our humanity, our thirst for justice, our reliance on healthcare, our celebration of diversity and our commitment to solidarity. Other facets of this theme resonate with resilience, collaboration, and the capacity of the arts to create new possibilities in challenging times, central to the theme of all CAP programming this year, guided by the determination to “Take Heart, Make Art”.
While we have had to close the gallery, we will continue to bring you online activities, from content relating to our current exhibition as well as family activities which you can do at home. Please see below some of our upcoming workshops.
Make your own Agamograph Available from: Wednesday 7th October at 11am
Find it on our website www.derryvoid.com I Facebook & Instagram IGTV @derryvoid I Vimeo www.vimeo.com/derryvoid/
In this workshop, Stephanie Gaumond will bring you through the process of making your own Agamograph - meaning two drawings in one - inspired by Alan Phelan’s Joly screen photographs.
Filter Flowers Available from: Tuesday 13th October at 2pm
Find it on our website www.derryvoid.com I Facebook & Instagram IGTV @derryvoid I Vimeo www.vimeo.com/derryvoid/
Sinead Crumlish returns with a fun workshop to make your own flowers using coffee filters!
DIY Painted Pumpkins
Available from: Thursday 29th October at 7am
Find it on our website www.derryvoid.com I Facebook & Instagram IGTV @derryvoid I Vimeo www.vimeo.com/derryvoid/
To celebrate Halloween this year, join Karen Cassidy to paint some pumpkins for Halloween! No sharp tools are needed so you can get the whole family involved!
Collect your RGB Prism packs
We still have art packs for our ‘Make your own RGB Prism’ available so get in touch and we can send them to you. Limited packs available. Email hello@derryvoid.com with your postal address and phone number today.
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