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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
June 2026 |
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Welcome to the June 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
Big Give Christmas Challenge
Apply by 3 July 2026 to participate in the Big Give’s annual match funding campaign for a week in December. Participating organisations can see pledges from their own supporters doubled with funds provided by the Big Give’s partners.
Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund
The Tree Council and Network Rail are offering grants of £2,500 to £10,000 to support community tree-planting projects that benefit local people, wildlife and the environment. Funding is available to charities, community groups, educational institutions and other not-for-profit organisations for projects in publicly accessible or community-used spaces. Successful projects will demonstrate clear community involvement, biodiversity benefits and a commitment to caring for the trees for at least three years. The application deadline is 19 July 2026.
Historic England is offering grants of £10,000–£15,000 for organisations to work with young people aged 13–25 to uncover, explore and share overlooked local histories. Projects should be co-created with young people and could include creative activities such as public art, walking trails, performances or other ways of celebrating stories that matter to local communities. Historic England is keen to hear from organisations outside the heritage sector that can demonstrate strong youth engagement and co-production experience. Applications close on 24 July 2026.
Democratic Engagement Fund
The Democratic Engagement Fund has launched offering grants of up to £50,000 for civil society organisations to deliver politically neutral projects that help people better understand and participate in democracy. Applications are especially welcomed from organisations working with groups that are often less engaged, including young people, ethnic minority communities, disabled people and those experiencing disadvantage. Applications close on 31 August 2026
Fat Beehive Foundation Digital Grants
The Fat Beehive Foundation offers grants of up to £2,500 to small (income under £1 million) UK charities to support digital projects that can help organisations improve their online presence, reach more people and deliver greater impact. Funding can be used towards websites, digital development and other technology-based projects that strengthen charitable work. The next deadline for applications is 30 September 2026.
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Training, Learning, and Research
Free Sexual Harassment Prevention Webinars
Rape Crisis South London is delivering two free online webinars for anyone working or volunteering with young people in Richmond. The sessions will help participants recognise the signs of sexual harassment and abusive behaviour, respond appropriately to disclosures, and strengthen safeguarding practice.
This training may be particularly valuable for youth workers, volunteers, sports coaches, and school or college staff. The webinar will run twice, attend either 2 July (4.30pm–6pm) or 9 July (12.30pm–2pm) via Microsoft Teams.
Richmond Trustee Network Meeting – Artificial Intelligence
Local trustees can book a place on this Richmond CVS online session on 6 July 2026 focused on the hot topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It’s an introductory session, led by voluntary sector pioneer Ian McLintock, who is the founder of Charity Excellence. Expect a clear, accessible overview of what AI is, how it can be used, and the key considerations when it comes to good governance. With practical examples and time for Q&A and discussion, the aim is to help trustees understand and feel confident engaging with this fast-growing technology
Supporting Home Safety for Under 5s – Free Training Opportunity
Professionals, volunteers and foster carers working with young children and families are invited to attend an interactive online training session delivered by the Child Accident Prevention Trust. The session will explore the link between child development and accident prevention, provide the latest home safety advice, and share practical techniques for engaging families in conversations about keeping children safe. The session takes place on Tuesday 7 July, 9.30am–12pm.
Understanding the Pressures Boys Are Navigating Today – free webinar
Parents and carers in Richmond are invited to attend a free online webinar exploring the pressures and messages that shape young people's views of masculinity, identity and relationships. The session will offer practical advice on supporting young people to navigate peer pressure, build resilience and develop into confident, caring individuals.. The webinar will be held on Thursday 16 July, 6pm–7pm via Zoom.
New Grant-Making Guidance
The Charity Commission has published updated guidance to help trustees make effective and responsible grant-making decisions. The guidance covers key areas including setting funding priorities, carrying out due diligence, monitoring grants and reporting impact, and reflects the challenges facing many charities as demand for services continues to rise. Trustees of both grant-making and grant-receiving organisations may find the guidance useful in understanding current good practice.
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Advice and Support
Summer Funding Clinics
If your organisation needs a boost with its funding plans, you can book tailored, one-to-one support through Richmond CVS, from experienced advisers at the special summer clinics on 16 July and 13 August 2026. Simply share a few details on a short online form to be matched with the right adviser at a time to suit.
Driving for Change Mobile Support Hub – Richmond Visits
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Change Please Foundation’s Driving for Change bus will be visiting Richmond to provide free support for people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable residents. Services available include oral health care, health advice, haircuts, support with opening a bank account, drug and alcohol services, and specialist homelessness support. The bus will be located opposite the Thai Elephant, 1 Wakefield Road, Richmond TW10 6SD, from 9am–3pm on 23 July, 27 August and 24 September. |
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Employment / Development Opportunities
Richmond CVS – Interim Programme Manager – Apply Now
Richmond CVS is looking for an experienced and practical professional to join its small, friendly team in a part-time interim role. The post will focus on overseeing funded projects, supporting staff and partners, and ensuring programmes continue to be delivered effectively. The closing date for applications is 5pm 30 June 2026, but applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.
Trustee Forward – Apply Now CVS
Trustee Forward is recruiting for its second year, following a successful pilot programme supported by Richmond Foundation. The programme combines training, mentoring and peer support to help trustees develop their confidence, skills and leadership potential. Applications are welcomed from trustees of all backgrounds, particularly those who are currently underrepresented on charity boards or who have faced barriers to becoming a trustee. The deadline for applications is 1 July 2026 Experienced trustees with three or more years' experience are also encouraged to apply as mentors, offering a valuable opportunity to support the next generation of charity leaders in Richmond – apply by 8 July 2026
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Events
Richmond Voluntary Sector Forum
Join colleagues from across Richmond's voluntary and community sector for the next Voluntary Sector Forum on Wednesday 1 July. The event will provide an opportunity to hear the latest sector updates, discuss issues affecting local organisations and build connections with peers from across the borough.
Highlights include an interactive session from Richmond CVS on the strategic and responsible use of AI, information on youth employment and skills support available to VCS organisations, updates on support for sanctuary seekers and community resilience during hot weather, and learning from the first year of the Trustee Forward programme. A networking lunch will follow the forum.
Food Partnership Network Meeting
Local organisations involved in any aspect of food provision, food growing, community cooking, allotments or food poverty are invited to join the next Food Partnership Network in-person meeting on 2 July 2026. The network will focus on improving connections between local groups, developing shared mapping and data, strengthening monitoring and evaluation, and contributing to the co-production of a Richmond Food Poverty Action Plan.
Volunteer Coordinator’s Forum
The next Volunteer Coordinator’s meeting will be in-person on 7 July 2026. Alongside the usual sharing of good practice and networking, the group will also be looking at managing situations where a volunteer’s ability/capacity to fulfil a role has changed.
Shape Digital Inclusion in London – Later Life Services
The next session in this new series of online conversations, where voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations join GLA colleagues, policymakers, researchers and funders will focus on Later Life Services on 13 July 2026. The sessions will feed into the work of the London Health Mission and offer the chance to showcase VCSE best practice examples and solutions to their board
Richmond CVS Health & Wellbeing Network
For voluntary or community organisations involved in health and wellbeing work, these meetings are a chance to network with local colleagues and learn about relevant updates and initiatives. They also offer a key opportunity to inform developments and have your say. Register for a free place at the next event on 13 July 2026 (online) now
Richmond CEO Network
Chief Executives and leaders of local voluntary sector organisations in Richmond upon Thames can book to join this free in-person afternoon meeting on 20 July 2026. The sessions offer peer support, information sharing and updates within a closed group, and space to discuss an agenda of key issues and topics for members. Please note, it is not suitable for those who hold multiple roles, e.g. trustee and leadership. There are limited places and early booking is recommended
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Richmond Council Updates
Have Your Say on the Future of SENDIASS
Parents, carers, young people and professionals are invited to help shape the future of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) in Richmond. A survey is open for feedback and the findings will help inform the design and commissioning of future support services.
The survey closes on 17 July 2026.
Preparing for hot weather
Help your community to stay safe from the health risks of extreme heat this summer by taking simple preparedness actions.
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Register to be a cool space—guidance is available from the Council webpage.
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Complete the training for health in hot weather. We have partnered with Shade the UK to create training videos to support people who work or volunteer in community facing organisations to protect their own and others’ health during hot weather.
For more information visit the Council Heatwave webpage
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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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