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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
July 2026 |
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Welcome to the July 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
RHP Ham Social Value Grants - Apply by 31 July 2026
Applications are now open to the latest round of RHP Ham Social Value Grants. Funding is available for projects that deliver positive community outcomes in areas including health and wellbeing, learning and development, financial security, and safety and control. Applications are welcomed from community groups, registered charities, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations that can demonstrate clear benefits the wider community. applications can be considered from the wider Richmond borough, although activity in Ham is prioritised.
Full of Life Fund - Apply by 3 August 2026
Community groups and organisations working with older people and carers in Richmond can apply for up to £250 through the Full of Life Fund. Funding is available for activities taking place during October that help older residents stay active, connected and independent, such as exercise sessions, walks, arts activities and digital inclusion support.
The LGBT+ Fund: London Fund is offering grants of £2,000 to £15,000 per year for up to three years to LGBTQ+ organisations and community groups across London. The fund prioritises grassroots organisations, under-resourced communities and groups working in outer London boroughs.
Warburtons Community Grants - Next deadline 17 August 2026
The Warburtons Community Grants Programme provides small grants to support projects that improve health, skills and community wellbeing for families and local communities. The fund takes a local approach to grant-making and is particularly well suited to grassroots organisations delivering practical community activities. Projects focused on family support, food, community development and wellbeing may be especially relevant.
GSK Impact Awards 2027 - Apply by 19 August 2026
The GSK IMPACT Awards recognise charities making an outstanding contribution to health and wellbeing in communities across the UK. Registered charities with an annual income between £150,000 and £3 million can apply, with up to 10 winners receiving £50,000 in unrestricted funding and additional leadership development and support. The awards recognise the overall impact of an organisation's work rather than a specific project.
Richmond Council Climate Action Microgrants - Apply by 28 August 2026
Do you have an idea that could help your community take positive action on climate change or sustainability? Richmond Council's Climate Action Microgrants programme offers grants of £100 to £500 to support community groups, schools, individuals and not-for-profit organisations to deliver local events, activities and initiatives.
Whether you're planning a community event, workshop, repair café, environmental project or awareness campaign, funding could help bring your idea to life.
MHCLG Democratic Engagement Fund - Apply by 31 August 2026
The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Democratic Engagement Fund is offering grants to civil society organisations to deliver politically neutral activities that help people better understand, engage with and participate in democracy. Applications are particularly encouraged from organisations working with groups that are traditionally underrepresented in civic life, including young people, ethnic minority communities, disabled people and those experiencing disadvantage. This funding could support a wide range of community engagement, outreach, volunteering and participation projects.
Grocers' Charity Small Grants - Enquire by 1 September 2026
The Grocers' Charity Small Grants Programme provides one-off grants to registered charities working across a wide range of charitable causes. Funding is available for projects supporting areas such as hardship relief, children and young people, older people, disability and inclusion, health, arts, and environmental initiatives. This is a flexible opportunity that may be suitable for many established charities delivering community-based services.
Richmond Council Challenge and Innovation Fund - Apply by 6 September 2026
Richmond Council has launched a new round of the Challenge and Innovation Fund, offering grants of up to £5,000 for small-scale cultural projects that increase participation in arts and culture across the borough. Funding is available for projects that engage underrepresented communities, support children and young people, develop new partnerships, or test innovative approaches to cultural activity.
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Training, Learning, Research and Events
Balsam Hunt and Water Quality Testing - 26 July 2026
Join this community volunteering event to help tackle Himalayan balsam, one of the UK's most invasive plant species, while contributing to local environmental monitoring. Participants will learn how to identify and remove the plant, as well as take part in water quality testing, with results contributing to a citizen science dataset on local river health. The event is taking place on Sunday 26 July 2026, 10am to 12pm, meeting at: Buccleuch Gardens, 85 Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 6UX
LAST CALL: Trustee Forward Round 2 - Apply by 29 July 2026
There are just a few days left for local trustees to apply for a place on this free development opportunity. The programme is delivered by Richmond CVS, in partnership with Richmond Foundation, and offers fully funded specialist training, mentorship and peer support. It’s proved invaluable for participants in the first cohort, for both new trustees and aspiring chairs.
BOOK NOW: Emergency First Aid at Work - 18 September 2026
A few places are still available on this certified, practical and affordable in-person training which provides participants with essential basic first aid skills for the work place. The highly rated training is suitable for a variety of working environments and includes a range of life saving techniques for early medical intervention. Charities, community groups, social enterprises, faith groups and uniform groups are eligible to attend.
Free training for Health in Hot Weather
As summers become warmer, Richmond Council is encouraging workers and volunteers in community-facing roles to complete its free Training for Health in Hot Weather. Developed in partnership with Shade the UK, the online training provides practical advice on staying safe in hot weather, supporting vulnerable residents, understanding the health impacts of heat, and creating heat-safe community spaces. The training is suitable for anyone working or volunteering with local communities.
Free Charity Digital Strategy Accelerator
Charity Digital's Digital Strategy Accelerator is a free online course designed to help charities develop a clear and practical digital strategy. Through a series of self-paced modules, participants can improve their organisation's use of digital technology and build a strategy tailored to their needs.
Free Video Storytelling Workshops for Non-Profits
The Saltways is offering a programme of free online workshops to help charities and community organisations create engaging video content using their smartphones. Topics include creating effective content, storytelling, filming and using video to support fundraising and communications. The practical sessions are designed for anyone involved in the voluntary sector, regardless of previous experience.
Training and Development Opportunities from the Directory of Social Change
The Directory of Social Change (DSC) offers a wide range of training courses for charities and community organisations, covering topics such as fundraising, governance, leadership, finance, communications, AI, impact measurement and bid writing. Training is delivered online and includes both in-depth courses and affordable bite-sized learning sessions.
Make Every Contact Count (MECC): Free training for frontline workers
Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is a free training programme designed to help frontline staff and volunteers make the most of everyday conversations to support residents' health and wellbeing. Richmond Council has developed 16 short online courses (around 30 minutes each), accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health, covering topics such as falls prevention, suicide awareness, and recognising and supporting unpaid carers. The training helps participants identify when someone may need additional support and confidently signpost them to relevant services.
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Advice and Support
Summer Funding Advice Clinics - Book now
Richmond CVS is offering a series of Summer Funding Advice Clinics to help local voluntary and community organisations strengthen their funding plans. Book a tailored one-to-one session with an experienced adviser on 16 July or 13 August 2026, with both morning and afternoon appointments available.
Whether you are developing a funding strategy, identifying grant opportunities, or preparing a funding application, these sessions provide practical, personalised support. To request a session, complete the short enquiry form and Richmond CVS will match you with the most appropriate adviser at a time that suits you. Spaces are limited and early booking is recommended.
Keeping Cool for Less: Free Advice and Support from Thinking Works
Thinking Works, which delivers the WRAP fuel poverty support service in Richmond is offering free advice and support to help vulnerable residents stay cool during hot weather. Eligible residents can also receive a free microfibre cooling towel.
Advice is available over the phone or through a home visit and includes practical tips on staying cool while managing energy costs, such as using fans efficiently, reducing heat indoors with curtains and blinds, improving ventilation, staying hydrated, and other low-cost cooling measures. The service is funded by Public Health and is free for eligible residents. To make a referral or booking, please email, call or text with:
- Full name
- Address and postcode
- Contact telephone number
- Brief reason for the referral (for example, "high energy bill" or "advice on keeping cool")
For further information or to make a referral, please contact the Thinking Works team at enquiries@thinkingworks.co.uk or over the phone on 0800 118 2327.
Library of Things Offer
Library of Things is a social enterprise that helps people save money and reduce waste by borrowing useful items such as DIY tools, gardening equipment, cleaning machines and event supplies, rather than buying them. They are currently offering 20% off your first rental and organisations can sign up to earn free rental credit for their school, community group or business network. If you're running events, workshops or community projects, this is a great way to access the equipment you need while stretching your budget further.
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Employment / Development Opportunities
Trustee Recruitment Evening 2026 - Apply for a stall by 31 July 2026
Local voluntary and community organisations can now apply for a stall at the Trustee Recruitment Evening on 14 October 2026. The event offers a great opportunity to meet potential trustees and promote board vacancies. Demand is usually high, with priority given to organisations with the greatest recruitment needs. Stallholders must be available from 4pm to 8pm.
Richmond Community Energy Cooperative - Get Involved
Richmond Council and Community Energy London are supporting the development of a new Richmond Community Energy Cooperative to deliver local renewable energy projects and community-led climate action. Residents are invited to become founding directors or volunteers, with support and funding available to help establish the cooperative.
Media Trust Volunteer Platform
Looking for support with communications, marketing or media? The Media Trust Volunteer Platform connects charities and community organisations with skilled volunteers from the media, communications and creative industries. Organisations can access support with areas such as communications strategy, social media, media relations, content creation, graphic design and storytelling, helping to build capacity and raise their profile.
Autumn Training for Volunteer Coordinators
Whether you’re a trustee, staff member or volunteer in our borough who is responsible for recruiting and managing volunteers, or who is thinking of using volunteers to support their work, it’s always important to get the basics right when it comes to volunteer recruitment, selection, support and supervision. Registration is open through Richmond CVS for two bitesize online sessions to help you do just that.
New Mileage Reimbursement Rate
Organisations that reimburse staff and volunteers for using their own vehicles for work-related travel should note that the mileage reimbursement rate increased from 45p to 55p per mile on 6 April 2026. The change provides additional support for those who regularly travel as part of their role and may be a useful opportunity to review your organisation's expenses policy.
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Richmond Council Updates
Active Hampton: New Community Wellbeing Hub Growing Strongly
The newly launched Active Hampton programme is already making a positive impact, welcoming more than 500 visits in its first eight weeks. Based at the former Hampton Youth Centre, the hub now hosts a wide range of activities across a seven-day timetable, including Mini Kickers football, pickleball sessions for older adults, wheelchair rugby and junior sports coaching.
The programme continues to expand, with new activities planned for September, including a Multicultural Richmond Social Hub, walking football, social badminton and a Sporting Memories group for older people living with dementia. The long-term vision is to create an inclusive wellbeing and physical activity hub for residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Local organisations and residents are encouraged to get involved and help shape the future of Active Hampton – You can share your ideas here: https://activehampton.commonplace.is/en-GB/
For information about the programme, available space and partnership opportunities, contact Thomas.Burgar@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.
New Lifesaving Defibrillators installed in Richmond Parks
Three new public-access Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed in Richmond's parks, helping to improve emergency preparedness and potentially save lives. The new AEDs are now available at Heathfield Recreation Ground, Old Deer Park and Carlisle Park, following a partnership between Richmond Council, the Richmond Heavies Foundation and The Paul Alan Project. The initiative includes not only the installation of the devices but also training for local sports clubs and community groups, helping more people feel confident responding in an emergency.
AEDs can significantly improve survival rates following a cardiac arrest, and the new installations form part of wider efforts to increase access to lifesaving equipment across the borough. More information about AED locations and use is available on the Council website.
International Recognition for Richmond's Healthy Schools Programme
Richmond's Healthy Schools programme has gained international recognition after being showcased at the Economics of Obesity and Metabolic Health Summit in Brussels. The programme was highlighted as a leading example of how schools, councils and local partners can work together to improve children's health and wellbeing through a prevention-focused approach.
The positive reception reflects Richmond's commitment to reducing health inequalities and supporting healthier lives for children and young people across the borough.
Reflections on Refugee Week 2026: Celebrating the theme of Courage
Local organisations brought together sanctuary seekers, residents and community groups through cultural activities, music, food, storytelling and discussion, creating opportunities to share experiences and strengthen community connections.
Highlights included SFIDA's Courage, Culture and Community event and Ukrainian cultural celebrations organised by Prosperity for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Social Club. Together, the events showcased the resilience, skills and cultural richness that refugee communities bring to Richmond, while promoting understanding and inclusion across the borough.
Richmond Council's event was also a wonderful celebration of community and culture. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make it possible.
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Useful Information
Charity Commission Update: EHRC Code of Practice
Whilst details are not yet available, the Charity Commission has published an interim update on the forthcoming Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Code of Practice and advises charities to take steps now towards ensuring they can comply with the Code and the law - notably changes regarding the definition of sex under the Equality Act 2010 as relating to biological sex.
Celebrating over 100 Community Toilets across Richmond
Residents and visitors can now access more than 100 free public toilet facilities across Richmond upon Thames, thanks to the continued expansion of the Council's Community Toilet Scheme. The scheme now includes 63 participating venues, alongside 41 publicly available toilets, providing convenient facilities across the borough without the need to make a purchase. It is particularly valuable for older people, families with young children, people with health conditions, and anyone spending time in local town centres, parks and high streets. New venues have recently joined the scheme in Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton, Hampton Wick, Ham and Barnes.
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