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Richmond Council is committed to supporting the voluntary and community sector in Richmond. You are receiving this email as you have opted-in to receive these mailings. To stop receiving these emails please follow the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. |
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Voluntary Sector News and Updates Bulletin
January 2025 |
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Welcome to the January edition of the Voluntary and Community Sector Newsletter. Please find information below on a range of funding and training opportunities, as well as local updates and events from across the borough.
Please email voluntarysector@richmond.gov.uk with any newsletter feedback or comments.
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Richmond Council Updates
Voluntary Sector Forum - booking now available
Booking for the next Voluntary Sector Forum on Wednesday 26 February 2025 is now available! The forum is an excellent opportunity for voluntary sector organisations to share information and hear key updates from the Council and partner organisations. There will be networking opportunities before and after, and lunch will be provided. The forum will take place at The Salon, York House, from 13:30 to 15:30, with lunch available from 13:00.
Richmond's IDVA service is changing
The commissioned Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA) service, shared between Richmond and Wandsworth Council, is changing provider. IDVAs provide vital, free of charge support and advocacy to residents across Richmond suffering abuse. The Council undertook a procurement exercise in 2024 which selected Refuge as the optimal provider for this vital resident service, currently delivered by Hestia. Refuge have experience delivering the service in Richmond prior to 2021.
Voluntary sector organisations should be aware that from Tuesday 01 April 2025 Hestia will no longer be the provider of the IDVAs, with Refuge taking on any existing cases as well as new cases. Please look out for further communications on Council news channels.
Help us recognise unsung heroes giving back to our borough
Richmond's Community Heroes Awards are BACK! These awards celebrate the local people, businesses, groups and organisations who selflessly volunteer their time and efforts to improve their communities and people's lives, without expecting anything in return. Help us show them how much their hard work means to our borough by submitting your nominations and spreading the word to your networks!
A few things to note:
- We have 10 categories to choose from, and all work must have been carried out in a voluntary capacity.
- Nominations close 26 February 2025.
- Shortlisting will take place in March 2025. All shortlisted nominees will be contacted to ensure they're happy to be put forward.
- An awards event will take place 29 April 2025, when our shortlist and winners will be publicly announced.
Read about last year's fabulous shortlisted nominees and winners for a bit of inspiration! If your organisation would like to receive any promotional print materials, please email events@richmond.gov.uk.
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Richmond Council's Fairer Access Scheme
Richmond Council has expanded the Fairer Access Scheme to ensure no one is priced out of moving more at the borough's leisure facilities to keep fit and healthy. The Fairer Access Scheme provides a range of discounts and free concessions for people in receipt of certain benefits. To find out more, follow the link below.
Winter Warmers events
As part of the Cost of Living programme, Richmond Council's Library Services are looking to support residents over the winter months. Libraries across the borough will host free events for those seeking warm and welcoming spaces where they can access information, engage with others and enjoy a free hot drink. This month will offer yoga, baby sleep Q&As, knitting groups and more! Check for updated information in libraries, on community noticeboards, the Winter Warmers webpage, and our social media.
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Funding Opportunities
REMINDER: Funding for Community Discussions on Accessing Care
Up to £2,000 is available to South West London community and voluntary organisations to host community discussions with minoritised and diverse communities on accessing health and care. This small grant programme is managed by Kingston Race and Equalities Council and aims to improve health and care equity by amplifying the voices of these communities and those furthest from services. Grantees will play a vital role in shaping anti-racist health and care strategies through creative consultation, with insights contributing to a final report and conference in April.
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Training Opportunities
Boundaries in the Workplace - Thursday 23 January
The last few spaces only are available now for this online workshop to help local voluntary and community sector staff consider, plan and implement essential personal and professional boundaries in the workplace.
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VCSE Contract Readiness free webinar
Are you looking to secure public sector contracts to increase your income and impact? With three sessions to choose from, this 90 minute webinar is the ideal first step towards contract readiness, by giving voluntary, community or social enterprises a solid grounding in the procurement process. Aimed at charities who have little to no experience in tendering, this training well help you to understand more about the fundamentals of procurement and tendering.
From the Top Down for Volunteer Coordinators - Tuesday 04 February 2025
In response to recent trends in volunteering, this new online session is designed to empower Volunteer Coordinators to achieve the best in their role and strengthen the recruitment and retention of volunteers. Explore how to effectively influence upwards, so that you can create better understanding and support for your volunteer engagement efforts. If you have responsibility for recruiting and managing volunteers, this course is for you.
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For trustees: Effective Governance - Monday 24 February 2025
This popular session for new or existing trustees looking to refresh their knowledge is back. It provides a great opportunity to improve understanding of the roles and responsibilities, and the principles and practice amongst a local peer group.
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Events
Twinning Reaffirmation weekend reminder: host families needed
Many attendees will be travelling from Fontainebleau and Konstanz for the Twinning Reaffirmation celebratory weekend this summer. We are looking for host families to accommodate guests for their stay from the 06 to 08 June 2025. If you are able to provide accommodation please get in touch with Josephine Cachia: Josephine.Cachia@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.
For further information, please visit the Twinning Town page.
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Register now: Richmond CEO Network Meeting - Wednesday 12 February 2025
The first meeting of the year for this closed group for Chief Executives and leaders of organisations in Richmond is filling fast. With agendas and discussion guided by attendees, it provides a great sharing opportunity for key and emerging issues, and supports the mutual benefit of the local voluntary and community sector.
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Useful Information
REMINDER: Get Involved with the Richmond CVS Involvement Pool
Richmond CVS is seeking individuals with lived experience to join an active pool of people who would like to influence local health and care services. Please share amongst your networks or for more information and to get involved email: involvement@richmondcvs.org.uk
Free Guides Fundraising and Marketing Guides
RCVS have refreshed two handy free guides for voluntary sector organisations, which are now available to download. High Street Fundraising provides details of easy opportunities to fundraise with local and national retailers, banks and service providers. Local Markets and Summer Fairs focuses on opportunities around the borough where you can raise funds and your organisation’s profile. Find both of these, alongside a wide range of other really useful guides, on the Richmond CVS Briefings and Resources webpage.
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Spotlights
VisitRichmond's January wellbeing activities
January is the month to focus on health and wellbeing. VisitRichmond have chosen 31 different activities for you to try out for a month or throughout the whole year if you fancy. Discover all that's on your doorstep from late night events to hidden gems, there is so much to do. So get out there and get busy!
Richmond's Night Time Photography Competition
As part of Richmond's Night Time Strategy, VisitRichmond is holding a night time photography competition, giving residents the opportunity to win £100 for the best night time photographs of Richmond. Open to all ages and all abilities, the winner and five runners up will be exhibited at the Night Time Strategy launch event in February. Submit your entries by Friday 31 January 2025.
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