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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
May 2026 |
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Welcome to the May 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
Rosa’s Stand With Us Fund
Grants of up to £28,000 are available to strengthen organisations supporting women and girls affected by male violence. Funding can support organisational development, including leadership, governance, fundraising and building influence within the sector. Eligible organisations (income £100,000–£500,000) can submit applications until 22 June
Climate Action Microgrants
Grants of £100–£500 are available to support local projects that encourage positive behaviours around climate change and sustainability. Funding can be used for activities that help residents reduce environmental impact or adapt to climate change. The next deadline is 26 June.
Grants of £500–£2,000 are available to support projects that improve both community wellbeing and the environment, with a focus on enhancing green spaces. Funding can support activities such as tree planting, community gardens, outdoor learning and sustainable improvements. Applications are open 1–30 June.
London Marathon Foundation – Active Spaces Fund
Grants of £10,000–£80,000 are available to improve or create community spaces that support sport and physical activity. Funding can cover facilities, equipment, coaching and staff costs, with a focus on engaging under-represented and less active groups. The next deadline for expressions of interest is 8 July.
Michael Tippett Musical Foundation
Grants of £500–£3,000 are available to support group music-making projects, particularly those involving young people in composing and developing creative ideas. Projects should begin from January 2027, with applications open until 30 September 2026.
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Training, Learning, and Research
Exploring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Online Workshop
Join Richmond CVS on 9 June for an online session exploring diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-oppression in community organisations. The workshop will help participants reflect on current challenges and identify practical ways to strengthen inclusive practice. This session is particularly relevant for staff and volunteers working with diverse communities, offering tools, ideas and resources to better support people experiencing marginalisation
Shape Digital Inclusion – Online Conversations
VCS organisations are invited to take part in a series of six online discussions with the GLA, policymakers and funders, on a variety of topics starting on 10 June and running until January 2027. The programme will help inform the London Health Mission and highlight effective approaches to digital inclusion. This is a valuable opportunity to share experience, showcase best practice, and help shape London-wide policy and funding priorities.
Health in Hot Weather Training – Free Online Modules
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Prepare for the summer months with free, self‑paced training designed to help you understand the health risks of hot weather and how to support vulnerable people. Developed with Shade the UK, the modules offer practical guidance on creating safer, cooler environments. This training is particularly useful for organisations supporting at‑risk residents. |
Join the Richmond Involvement Pool
Richmond CVS is inviting adult participants from a broad range of backgrounds who use health and care services - as well as those who support them - to join a new network to help shape local health and care services. There are flexible ways to get involved—from surveys to workshops and co-design projects, and will help ensure local services are shaped by lived-experience and reflect the needs of residents.
Effective Governance Training
This Richmond CVS online session is ideal for new trustees or those wanting to refresh their understanding of governance. It provides a clear, practical overview with interactive learning and follow-up support. A great opportunity to strengthen governance and build trustee confidence.
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Advice and Support
Here Comes the Sun – SEND Activities Event
Achieving for Children and the Family Hub service are partnering with the Parent Carer Forum to promote activities for children and young people with SEND. A free in‑person event on 8 June (10am–2pm) at The White House Family Hub will bring together local providers showcasing activities for children and young people with SEND. Parent carers can explore what’s available locally and connect with organisations offering inclusive support. This is also an opportunity to have your say on the Family Hub offer for Richmond
Refugee Welcome Pack
This updated welcome pack is designed for sanctuary seekers who have arrived in Richmond. It explains how to access council services, including housing, schools, health and more. The welcome pack is available in English, Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Pashto and Ukrainian.
Free Career Development Programme– Hampton Wick
Residents aged 40+ can access free sessions delivered in partnership with Room For Work from 1 June to 7 July covering CV writing, interviews, LinkedIn and networking, alongside one-to-one mentoring. A valuable opportunity to support service-users returning to work or changing careers.
Volunteer Coordinators’ Forum – 7 July 2026
Local Volunteer Coordinators and anyone with responsibility for recruiting and managing volunteers for organisations in Richmond upon Thames are invited to this in-person meeting of peers hosted by Richmond CVS. As well as the chance to discuss, share and network, the session will take a closer look at situations where volunteers, for various reasons, may no longer be able to carry out their roles.
Cool Spaces – Register Your Venue
Organisations with community buildings are invited to support local resilience by registering as a Cool Space and helping residents stay safe during hot weather. Cool Spaces offer indoor places for people to rest and cool down during hot weather, helping reduce the health risks of heat. Community venues can be added to the London-wide map (live 1 June–30 September) so residents can easily find nearby spaces.
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Employment /Trustee Opportunities
Trustee Opportunities – Combination Dance
Combination Dance, an award winning Richmond based dance charity, is recruiting new trustees to support its growth and development. The organisation is particularly seeking skills in governance, finance and fundraising, with applications open until 1 June.
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Events
OneRichmond Dragons’ Den – Charity Pitch Event
Join OneRichmond on 9 June at The Exchange in Twickenham for an exciting Dragons’ Den-style event, hosted by Jim Rosenthal. Six local charities will pitch to a panel of community “dragons”, with opportunities for attendees to offer funding, volunteering or pro bono support. The event will provide opportunities to network, showcase local impact and connect with potential supporters, while celebrating the work of grassroots charities across Richmond.
Richmond Sustainability Forum – Reinventing Resources
Join the summer Sustainability Forum at The Fixery (Richmond’s new repair and reuse hub) on 13 June, 11am–1pm at Grove Gardens Chapel. The session will feature expert talks, workshops and a marketplace exploring practical approaches to repair, reuse and the circular economy. The Fixery will also be open until 4pm for repairs, swaps and refills. Get in touch with the team via ClimateChange@Richmond.gov.uk if you would like to have a stall or run a workshop.
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Carers Week 2026
Carers Week (8–14 June) will be marked locally with a programme of activities and workshops throughout June, organised by Richmond Carers Centre. The sessions focus on supporting carers’ physical health, mental wellbeing, and opportunities to connect with others. The theme for the 2026 national campaign is ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’, highlighting the power of building carer-friendly communities and the difference they can make to carers’ lives.
Refugee Week 2026
From 15 to 21 June Refugee Week 2026 will be proudly celebrated in Richmond. The theme this year is 'Courage'. A range of events will take place across Richmond during Refugee Week, offering opportunities to learn, connect and celebrate the borough’s diverse communities. Organisations are encouraged to take part, attend events and help promote activities that highlight the contribution of people seeking sanctuary in Richmond.
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Flood Resilience Event
A free event on 20 June (10am–1pm) in Barnes is offering interactive activities and advice on flood resilience and sustainable drainage. Useful for organisations supporting community resilience to climate impacts.
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Richmond Council Updates
Richmond Carer’s Charter – Join the Movement!
Organisations across Richmond are invited to support the new Adult & Young Carers’ Charter, recognising the vital contribution of over 14,000 unpaid carers locally. The Charter sets out shared priorities to help organisations better identify, support and value carers of all ages. By signing up, VCS organisations can help shape a more carer friendly borough, ensuring carers’ voices are heard and supported through services, policies and everyday practice.
"Having heard firsthand from over 250 carers in the development of Richmond Carer’s Charter, we know that recognition, support and reasonable adjustments can change carers lives. That's why we're proud to stand with our colleagues across Richmond in pledging our support to ensure that carers voices stay at the heart of local decision-making. We are committed to using our research, our communications platforms and our influence to champion carers of all ages, ensuring they are respected as the experts in their own care journeys. Join us in pledging your support today and help Richmond be a better place to care”
Healthwatch Richmond
Health Needs Assessment – Sanctuary Seekers Advisory Group
Richmond Council are establishing a multi‑agency Advisory Group to support a Health Needs Assessment focused on sanctuary seekers in the borough. Running until March 2027, the project will take a co‑designed approach to better understand needs and improve awareness of local support. Organisations are encouraged to get involved and help shape this work, ensuring lived experience and frontline insight inform future services and Borough of Sanctuary commitments.
Heatwave resources
A variety of useful preparedness guidance and resources are available, to support organisations plan during hot weather, and help keep vulnerable residents safe and well throughout the summer.
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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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