Please note there will be no E-bulletin next week, next one is scheduled for 22 July.
To all our members and groups within the community sector in the north west, we want to try and support you as best we can over the next few months. If you need to put a call-out for support e.g. if you need volunteers to help you to continue to provide vital services within the community or have a support initiative that we can help you inform others about, please send on the information to us and we can post this in our weekly e-bulletin, Twitter or on our Facebook page.
Challenging times for us all but we want to work with you and work together so that we can support those in our community who will need it most in the coming weeks. Email any information to roisin@nwcn.org or neola@nwcn.org
To help organisations and communities to respond better, addressing new needs appearing as a result of the Coronavirus and where restrictions mean finding new ways of meeting existing needs.
To help organisations and communities to #build back better, helping to ensure organisations can thrive and continue to provide longer-term support to communities
The funding is primarily to support communities, and as a result we would expect to see communities, and communities of interest taking action, and to prepare to implement solutions that will work in their areas.
With grant sizes of between £3,000 to £15,000, it is the expectation that this funding will support organisations to continue to provide services over the next 6 to 7 months. Projects must be complete by the end of February 2021, with end of grant reports completed by Friday 12th March 2021.
Grant size: £3,000 to £15,000 - Projects must be complete by the end of February 2021, with end of grant reports completed by Friday 12th March 2021.
Priorities: Initiatives that empower and connect community based organisations; Initiatives that have a clear social impact; Initiatives that involve those with lived experience; Organisations who have fewer live grants, ie: less than four live grants, at any one time. Organisations who have received financial support from the Coronavirus Community Fund are eligible to apply for this funding providing the request is for a new project in line with the New Needs Fund criteria.
The Fund will close for applications on Friday 28th August 2020 but will be assessed on a rolling call basis. We anticipate significant demand and so we may have to close the fund for applications sooner than planned. Groups are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Making Life Better through COVID-19 Short term funding programme
The Public Health Agency (PHA) have identified funding to address Health and Wellbeing in Northern Ireland. The short term funding will support a range of strategic themes and priorities including:
‘Making Life Better’ (Public health framework) priorities
Protect Life 2 Suicide Prevention Strategy
Mental Health, Emotional Well-being, Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm
The PHA are inviting community and voluntary sector organisations, through the Clear Project, to apply for non-recurring short term funding to address the outlined themes.
The PHA has commissioned the Clear Project to facilitate this process in the Western, Southern, South Eastern and Belfast Local Commissioning Group areas. Short term funding will be allocated in the Northern area via the four community networks.
Two types of awards are available under this scheme.
1. Award one funding of up to £1,000 that non-constituted and constituted non-profit taking Community / Voluntary Sector groups can apply for.
2. Award two funding of between £1,001 and to a maximum of £5,000 for constituted, non-profit taking Community / Voluntary sector groups
If you are interested in applying for the small grant go to www.dhcni.com for the following documents:
Funding for UK registered charities for projects that fix, repair, maintain and improve properties and community facilities for those in need across the UK.
The Screwfix Foundation, a registered charity, was created by trade retailers Screwfix in 2013.
After being closed for nearly three months, the Foundation is now open for applications from registered charities and not-for-profit organisations across the UK.
To be eligible, applicants must:
Be helping those in need by reason of financial hardship, sickness, distress or other disadvantages in the UK.
Be looking for funding to support projects that relate to the repair, maintenance, improvement or construction of homes, community buildings and other buildings.
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects that relate to the repair, maintenance, improvement or construction of homes, community buildings and other buildings in deprived areas or for those in need.
This can include repairing run-down buildings and decorating the homes of people living with illness and disability. Projects should be environmentally friendly.
Applications can be made at any time and are reviewed on a quarterly basis. The next review will be in August 2020.
The Charity Survival Fund has been set up in response to Julia and Hans’ ongoing concern about Covid-19’s economic impact on charities. This £10m Fund will provide core funding to help charities, especially small and medium sized, to offset lost income in the current financial year.
The fund is open to UK registered charities that:
Have a beneficial area within the UK
Actively operate across one of the three areas prioritised by The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust: Health and Wellbeing, Welfare and Education, Arts and Culture
Have annual income below £5m
Have lost (or are forecast to lose) income due to Covid-19
Have not already received Covid-19 related funding from The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust
Charities may apply for grants up to the maximum threshold indicated in the table, depending on their annual income
ANNUAL INCOME
MAXIMUM GRANT
Up to £20,000
£5,000
£20,001 - £100,000
£10,000
£100,001 - £250,000
£50,000
£250,001 - £500,000
£100,000
£500,001 - £5,000,000
£250,000
Read the Guidance for Applicants before you apply. This covers all the information we require in the online application.
Here at Frugi we want kids to be kids, for them to enjoy their childhood and have a chance to learn and grow.
Every year we donate 1% of our turnover to charity through our Little Clothes BIG Change charity project. We are so proud to say that over the past 16 years we have donated more than £600,000 to worthy causes.
This year with the help of our customers we’re on a mission to improve the lives of children living in poverty in the UK.
We are looking for small grass roots charities in UK communities that are supporting kids living in poverty.
We’d really love to help as many charity projects as possible, focussing on our three pillars: Hunger, Shelter and Nature.
We’re looking for small projects we can fund in their entirety, not running costs.
A registered charity number is essential so please make sure you have this to hand before applying.
Deadline 12pm GMT 8/7/20
About our criteria
Examples of the type of projects we are looking for are as follows:
Hunger
Do you work at a local Food bank who need some new equipment? Maybe you run a Community kitchen providing vital nutrition and meals to children in need?
Food banks
Community kitchens
Holiday hunger
Shelter
Does your charity help run groups for underprivileged children at community centres? Are you a charity who donates white goods to families living in poverty?
Homelessness
Community centres
Foster care
Nature & outdoor spaces
Does your charity help connect children with nature through workshops or days out? Perhaps you give vulnerable children a chance to play and have fun outdoors?
The Eurpean Cultural Foundation invite you to apply for the second round of the European Culture of Solidarity Fund. Set up at the beginning of the pandemic crisis, the fund continues to support imaginative cultural initiatives that reinforce European solidarity and the idea of Europe as a shared public space.
The second window opened on June 22nd and will close on July 14th, 13:00 CET PM. Find all application details including criteria here.
In a Q & A session - hosted on Facebook - the team behind the open call of our Culture of Solidarity fund will be present to answer any question on the fund and its workings. More information here.
The Public Records Office Northern Ireland (PRONI) is asking members of the public to compete the Stay Home Census, as part of the Stay Home Memories Project. You can take part by visiting nidirect.
We hope you continue to find these updates useful – don’t forget to check our website and nidirect regularly for the latest information on the impact of COVID-19 on our services.
Please find below the link for the COVID Wellbeing NI website.
COVID Wellbeing NI is an online hub to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of people across Northern Ireland during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes information, self-help guides and support and aims to help people take steps to look after their mental health and reach out for help and support when needed.
10PHA Special Update - Test, Trace, Protect - Public Information Campaign
‘Test, trace, protect’ campaign to support fight against coronavirus
We are launching a new mass media campaign today to raise awareness of the symptoms of COVID-19, the importance of testing, and the role contact tracing can play in limiting the spread of infection.
This comes as Northern Ireland progresses through the coronavirus recovery plan, with the aim of reminding the public of the important role everyone has to play in minimising the risk of a second wave of infection.
The campaign will include TV and radio ads, social and digital activity, and outdoor advertising.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “I very much welcome the launch of this vital public information campaign. I would encourage everyone to spread the word – to friends and family and on social media. Test, Trace and Protect is an essential part of the battle against COVID-19. It will help keep people safe and protect our health service.
“Everyone has a role to play. That includes getting tested early if you have symptoms, helping contact tracing by providing details of contacts, and self-isolating when required in order to protect others.”
Find out more about the mass media campaign below:
For more information on contact tracing, who is a close contact, how to download the Northern Ireland symptom checker app, and how to book a test, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/coronavirus
11The 'New Normal' - A Virtual Summit for the Community & Voluntary Sector
The approaches and practice of the community & voluntary sector have changed as our lives have been upheaved by COVID-19. As restrictions are lifted and we move towards a return to 'normal', what approaches will endure? And how can the community and voluntary sector sustain and embed these new approaches to create better outcomes and impacts for people and communities?
This virtual summit brings together industry experts including The National Lottery Community Fund, The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, B4B Group, Log Me In, Elemental & Care Merseyside to explore these questions & offer practical advice and guidance that can support your organisations plan for the 'new normal'.
We will cover the following topics:
Funding: Tune in to our panellist discussion with key funders about funding in the new normal:
how funders plan to react and refine their priorities
how organisations can best prepare
new opportunities on the horizon.
Connecting Digitally in the New Normal:
Learn the latest from Log Me In & B4B Telecoms on how to engage, consult and connect with key beneficiaries and communities virtually and get insight to digital platforms and tools available for you and your organisation. Connecting Beneficiaries to Services and Measuring Impact in the New Normal:
Elemental & Care Merseyside share experiences of digital transformation and how it has enhanced connectivity to services for beneficiaries.
12Youth Zone Survey - Please take 10 mins to complete
Most of you will be aware that the Outer west Youth Forum led a campaign for a Youth Zone a number of years ago. Since then, PEACE IV funding was secured and S3Solutions have been appointed to complete a feasibility study to assess if a Youth Zone is the right approach for the Derry/ Londonderry and Strabane District.
Much of the study will be co-designed and co-delivered with young people and S3 Solutions are working alongside the Glen Development Initiative. The youth steering groups will oversee consultation with young people in their Community Planning Areas, participate in site visits and offer advice for the overall feasibility study.
There is already so much fantastic work happening but unfortunately there are still gaps in terms of access to youth services. The aim is to explore if there is a model which can help fill those gaps, not duplicate or replicate anything which is already happening and being delivered so well by existing services. We very much need the input of the youth sector to identify if this is something that is worth progressing and appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey. Please be assured that all information provided will be treated in a confidential manner.
If there are any queries about the feasibility study please contact Patricia Magee patricia@s3solutions.co.uk
The Playhouse Derry/ Londonderry is recruiting a full-time Youth Engagement Officer.
The Youth Engagement Officer will coordinate an innovative range of projects which are delivered throughout Northern Ireland. You’ll be working with young people from some of our most marginalised communities, using the power of the arts to explore issues ranging from youth justice to health & wellbeing while promoting creativity and learning. Working in partnership with artists, community groups and statutory organisations such as health trusts and the police, there will be opportunities for expansion by working in partnership with other organisations in Ireland, Britain & Europe. We’re looking for a well organised dynamic person with a background in arts and youth development.
To apply please email your C.V, and a cover letter of no more than two A4 pages outlining how you meet the job specification to Max Beer, Interim CEO, The Playhouse at email max@derryplayhouse.com or alternatively post to Max Beer, Interim CEO, The Playhouse, 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry/Londonderry BT48 6RG.
Closing date for submissions is Thurs 23 July 2020 at 5pm.
The post-holder will play a vital part in supporting the organisation to deliver our ‘Planning Good Relations’ strategy in Tullyally and Currynierin, which will enable Belfast Interface Project to engage with interface communities in Planning for Change
The post-holder will play a vital part in supporting the organisation to deliver our ‘Planning Good Relations’ strategy in Tullyally and Currynierin estates in Derry/Londonderry, which will enable Belfast Interface Project to engage with interface communities in Planning for Change/Planning the Future. Working under the direction of the Strategic Director, the post holder will be responsible, on a day to day basis, for supporting an inter-community interface area cluster partnership within Derry/Londonderry and support the building of capacity to vision change. She/He will be expected to maintain high quality standards in all aspects of the role and to advise the Strategic Director of any necessary changes required in order to maintain best practice in this area.
Closing date for applications is: 2.00pm on Wednesday, 22nd July 2020.
It should be noted that the criteria for this post may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. Interviews are due to be held week beginning 3rd August 2020.
The Verbal Arts Centre operates a Child Protection Policy.
The Verbal Arts Centre is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
These projects have been supported by the EU’s Peace IV Programme, managed by SEUPB
17North West Greenway Network - complete survey and you could win a €500/£450 bike
Survey request regarding Buncrana greenway linking Derry to Buncrana - win a commuter bike worth €500
Funded by INTERREG VA, the greenway planned to link Derry to Buncrana is a Council Growth Project and being delivered in conjunction with Donegal County Council. As part of the planning application to be submitted by Donegal County Council, an Environmental Impact Assessment Report is required. The project team is soliciting feedback from the general public regarding their cycling and walking preferences, particularly after the greenway is constructed.
18Local Arts Organisation Allegri brings the music into lockdown
With the Covid-19 pandemic impacting us all in various ways in our lives, so many of the enriching interactions and activities we previously took for granted have disappeared from our lives.
This is keenly felt by those involved in music-making and in group singing activities in particular. These activities not only offer singers the chance to hone their choral craft through regular rehearsals and performances, but also provide opportunities for human connection, a break from the stresses of everyday life and huge benefits for mental and physical well being.
Local arts organisation, Allegri, is just one of the many groups who were faced with having to abruptly cancel rehearsals and upcoming performances when lockdown hit in March. Faced with such adversity, its management team quickly started to explore the ways in which local singers could continue singing together while finding themselves physically apart.
As Allegri Musical Director Maurice Kelly explains, “In mid-March, life as we knew it came to a complete halt! At one fell swoop, all our music events were either postponed or cancelled. Rehearsals, performances, lessons, workshops; everything, all the good stuff – gone! The music just stopped.”
Undeterred, the group took up the challenge of reimagining their provision for this new way of life. “When the initial shock slowly abated, the creative spirit began to adapt to new ways of connecting and uniting people. Now our ensembles and performances are virtual, our rehearsals, meetings and lessons have become Zoom sessions,” Maurice continues.
During lockdown Allegri has delivered two online projects with the generous financial support of the Community Foundation of Northern Ireland (CFNI). The first was the Every Voice Cloud Choir, offering free online Zoom workshops led by Maurice throughout April and May. An intergenerational project, it brought together 160 singers from throughout Ulster in song and workshops focused on American composer Jacob Narverud’s upbeat song ‘Sisi Ni Moja (We Are One)’, a piece which celebrates the universal connection and shared human experiences. Participants were then invited to make individual recordings of the song from which a choral performance was produced. It launched online last week and instantly generated huge interest.
Allegri also manages Orchestra NorthWest, the region’s only symphony orchestra, and are currently working on a similar virtual project with players which will be released over the summer.
The CFNI funding also made it possible for 80 local young people to avail of a programme of one to one voice tutorials with Maurice Kelly and music and drama classes in collaboration with the McPhillips School of Speech and Drama. Aisling Smyth, a parent of two of the participants of both these and the Cloud Choir, was full of praise for the projects: “Oisín (11) and Daimhín (8) have been involved with Allegri Kids for two years and I knew these activities would be a great experience for them. Not only did it mean they could keep their connection with Allegri during lockdown but they also got to see how amazing the internet can be outside of playing games. They loved it and it was great to see them focusing on something that was fun during a time that has been challenging for us all.”
Buoyed by the response to these projects, the Allegri team is now focused on developing a virtual programme for their Every Voice Festival. For the third year running, Allegri has been successful in receiving funding from Derry City and Strabane District Council to manage a festival for local singers and the organising team have worked hard to engage local communities and offer dynamic singing experiences to choirs and singing groups in the region with the ethos that “every voice matters”.
Originally due to take place in June, the festival has now been postponed until August and will run from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd. An impressive lineup of guest facilitators who will host workshops with content tailored specifically for local amateur singers and choir leaders has already been announced.
World renowned Norwegian music professor, clinician conductor and composer, Thomas Caplin, will deliver a workshop to benefit local choir leaders and conductors. Bespoke workshops for local singers relevant to background and experience are also being offered. Kuala Lumpur based Susanna Saw, whose work with young people is renowned throughout the choral world as being truly inspirational, will lead a workshop for those aged 8 to 14 and Tracy Wong, also from Malaysia but now based in Canada, will host an exciting session for adult singers.
There will also be newly recorded content from local choirs, live streamed performances and virtual concerts. All content will be free to view across a number of online platforms.
As the next phase beyond lockdown approaches, we know life will be very different. Specifically, serious concerns are being raised about how the arts may be negatively impacted. But recent months have illustrated the importance of finding new opportunities for connection and Allegri, along with many groups like it, will continue to demonstrate resourceful and innovative solutions, recognising that music offers much needed healing, renewal and revitalisation.
As Maurice remarks, “I’ve had weekly virtual meetings with colleagues from across the globe. One of them summed up perfectly what lies ahead for us as we emerge from lockdown: ‘Someday soon choirs, orchestras and bands will gather together again. The conductor will signal for the first note to sound, and musicians will remember that it’s hard to read music with tears in their eyes.’”
The Every Voice Festival will run from 19th to 23rd August. You can find out more about the programme on Allegri’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, at www.allegri.co.uk, or by emailing info@allegri.co.uk.
Just wanted to let you know about this wee ACNI funded project I launched yesterday. I've made a series of 6 writing workshops, (both video tutorials and transcripts of the sessions) plus an introductory users guide session.
They're all aimed at beginner writers in isolated or confined spaces and use things which you'll find easily to hand as writing prompts. I thought they might be of use to older people's groups or even for some nursing homes at the minute. The session on memoir writing would be particularly relevant I think.
All the tutorials are live on my website www.jancarson.co.uk now with written transcripts alongside video tutorials They're in the blog section just search #WriteOutsideTheBox The videos are also all live on my YouTube channel jan carson Here is a wee link here
Autism NI are celebrating our 30th birthday this year and we are asking you to roll up your sleeves and get a slice of the action by baking Autism NI a birthday cake.
Celebrate with us in the comfort of your own home and put your baking skills to the test. We want you to be as creative as you can and really make your cake stand out. We will be sharing all birthday cake entries on our social media pages and website. The winner will also receive a prize!
Pictures of your birthday cake entry can be emailed to rachel@autismni.orguntil 31st July 2020. For more information, visit www.autismni.org
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