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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 Newsletter
April 2026 |
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Welcome to the April 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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Funding Opportunities
Gear Up for Sport Programme – Apply Now
UK motor retailer Arnold Clark is reopening its Gear Up for Sport programme, offering free sports kits to youth teams across a wide range of sports. One team per club can apply, with eligible teams supporting up to 30 young people aged 4–15. Applications must be submitted by a coach, treasurer or club officer. The deadline is 30 April 2026.
UK Youth Fund – Apply Now
UK Youth, in partnership with the Pears Foundation, has launched a new £10 million fund offering multi-year, unrestricted grants to strengthen the sustainability of small youth and outdoor learning organisations. Grants are set at up to 10% of annual income and are complemented by a structured capacity building programme. Grants are available to organisations working with children and young people that have an annual turnover under £500,000. Submit Expressions of Interest by 6 May 2026.
The Shared Endeavour Fund supports London-based projects that challenge racism, hate, intolerance, extremism and radicalisation. Grants are available for initiatives focused on raising awareness, building community resilience, promoting positive action, or strengthening prevention and early intervention. This opportunity is relevant for organisations delivering equality, cohesion or safeguarding focused work. Tier 1 grants of £10,000–£30,000 are available, with larger awards for projects working across multiple London boroughs. The deadline for applications is 8 May 2026 at 11am.
B&Q Foundation Home Improvement Grants – Apply Now
The B&Q Foundation is offering grants of up to £10,000 to registered UK charities supporting people experiencing homelessness. Funding can be used for essential repairs, adaptations and improvements to housing or community spaces, helping create safe, welcoming and comfortable environments for those in need. The current funding round is open from 27 April to 22 May 2026.
Skills for Londoners – Apply Now
The GLA Skills for Londoners Community Outreach Programme offers multi-year funding to small community organisations to help increase awareness of, and participation in, adult skills and employment support opportunities across London. Grants of £70,000–£120,000 are available to support outreach, engagement and signposting activity for residents most in need. Applicants must be London-based and have an annual income under £500,000. The application deadline is 12pm on 22 May 2026.
Barclays Community Sport Fund – Grassroots Grants – Apply Now
The Barclays Community Sport Fund is offering £1,000 Access Grants to help reduce inequalities in sport. Funding is available to support football, cricket or tennis activities for women and girls, including projects looking to start new sessions. Although most funding will be focussed on areas of high deprivation, projects in wider areas supporting women and girls with disabilities will also be considered. Applications close at 5pm on 27 May 2026.
Kew Fete 2026 – Apply Now
Kew Fete, taking place on 20 June 2026, is inviting applications from local charities to receive a share of the event’s profits. Since 2010, the fete has donated almost £245,000 to local causes, supporting a wide range of community focused projects.
This is an opportunity for Richmond-based organisations seeking funding for specific projects or one off purchases. Applications must be submitted by post by 30 May 2026.
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Training, Learning, and Research
Finance and Governance Training for Trustees
Trustees are invited to join Richmond CVS’s short online Finance for Non Finance Trustees session on 7 May 2026, designed to build confidence in understanding financial information and fulfilling governance responsibilities. This session is particularly helpful for trustees with little or no financial background who want a clearer framework for asking the right questions and protecting their organisation.
There is also the option to book Effective Governance training on 3 June for new trustees, or for those looking for a refresher on trustee roles, responsibilities and good practice. Subsidised low-cost tickets are available for Richmond-based organisations.
Community Tensions Preparedness Workshop
This free, in‑person Richmond CVS workshop on 12 May 2026 will support local VCS organisations to better identify, manage and prevent community tensions and hate‑related incidents, both in person and online. It is particularly relevant for organisations with staff, trustees or volunteers who are public‑facing, deliver frontline services or manage community spaces.
Diversify Your Income - Online Training
This online session from Richmond CVS will help fundraisers explore a range of income options and consider how to reduce reliance on a single funding source. The session will support voluntary and community organisations to identify approaches that could offer the best chance of success for their work. This training is particularly relevant for organisations looking to strengthen financial resilience and takes place on 14 May 2026.
Community Development Course
This free, 5 week, in-person Community Development Course offers learning, networking and skills development for people developing or supporting community projects. Delivered by Birkbeck in partnership with the London CVS Network, the course explores community development and leadership through practical examples, reflection, and peer learning. The course runs weekly from 9 June to 7 July 2026 at Birkbeck’s Malet Street campus.
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Advice and Support
Talk, Listen and Connect
Taking place during Loneliness Awareness Week, this free online session on 18 June 2026 will help participants better understand loneliness and learn simple ways to connect, listen and support others in their community. The session is delivered by Princess Alice Hospice. The session is open to anyone who wants to build compassion and confidence when supporting people who may be struggling.
Free Cooking Classes
Cooking Up is a local charity offering free, five week cooking courses across the borough, supporting people to learn how to cook healthy meals from scratch. New courses will be starting from mid June. This opportunity may be particularly helpful for organisations supporting individuals who want to improve their confidence, skills or wellbeing through cooking. Upcoming classes begin on 10 June in Ham, 11 June in Whitton, and 17 June in Hampton Hill.
Peace of Mind Day
Age UK Richmond is hosting a Peace of Mind Day on Tuesday 5 May at the Twickenham Wellbeing Centre. This free event aims to make it easier to think about and talk through future planning, offering reassurance for individuals and those close to them. The day will include short talks from specialist speakers covering topics such as funerals, downsizing, wills and probate, navigating care options, and how hospice services can help. Other local charities and organisations will also be present, providing free advice and information.
Better Off Calculator
The Richmond Better Off Calculator is a free online tool that helps households check whether they are receiving all the government and local support they may be eligible for. It has been tailored specifically for Richmond and can be a useful resource for organisations supporting residents with financial pressures or advice work. Over the coming months, the calculator will be expanded to allow residents to apply directly for some council schemes without needing to re enter their details.
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Events
Richmond Volunteer Fair
The Richmond Volunteer Fair returns on Wednesday 20 May, 2–6pm at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College (RHACC). Organised by Richmond CVS, with 50+ local voluntary and community organisations recruiting on the day, it’s the borough’s biggest showcase of volunteering and community action. The fair is free to attend and offers residents a friendly, informal way to explore volunteering opportunities and get involved locally. Advance registration is requested.
Richmond May Fair
The Richmond May Fair returns to Richmond Green on Saturday 9 May, 10am–5pm. The the fair brings together local charities, community groups, schools, artisans and businesses, providing an excellent opportunity to raise funds, promote services and connect with residents. With over 200 stalls, food and drink, live performances and popular attractions, the May Fair is a popular event and a major showcase for local community action and plays an important role in supporting local charities.
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Richmond Council Updates
2026 London Youth Games
Young people living in the borough are encouraged to register their interest in representing Team Richmond at the 2026 London Youth Games, Europe’s largest annual youth sporting event. Each year, more than 10,000 young Londoners compete across 30+ sports, including football, tennis, netball, swimming, athletics, cycling and BMX. This is a great opportunity for VCS organisations, schools and youth groups to share with young people who are passionate about sport and keen to compete at borough level. Sign up deadlines vary by sport.
Richmond Refugee Services Newsletter
Sign up to receive updates on news, events and resources supporting people seeking sanctuary in Richmond. The newsletter is also relevant for VCS organisations, partners and allies working alongside them.
Refugee Week 2026 - Community Celebration
Richmond Council is inviting voluntary organisations, partners, residents and local sanctuary seekers to a Refugee Week celebration on Thursday 18 June, marking this year’s theme, Courage. The evening will feature food, performances and music, celebrating the contribution of people seeking sanctuary who call Richmond home. This free event is an opportunity for VCS organisations working with migrants and refugees to attend, connect and show visible support for Refugee Week.
The Fixery
Have something that needs fixing? The Fixery, based at Grove Gardens Chapel, Richmond, is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm, offering friendly, practical support to help people repair broken items and reduce waste. As well as repairs, visitors can swap clothes, buy pre loved items, refill household cleaning and laundry products, or simply stop by for a tea or coffee.
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Useful Information
If your organisation has some news or an event you'd like to share with residents on the Council's community news pages, via our social media accounts or in the weekly community e-newsletter, tell us about it.
The e-newsletter is distributed to over 43,000 individual contacts and is a great way to promote your services and increase awareness of local news and issues.
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