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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
October 2026 |
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Welcome to the October 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
Community Garden Grants - Next Deadline 30 October 2026
The National Garden Scheme is accepting applications for its 2027 Community Garden Grants, supporting community gardening projects and helping more people access green spaces and the health benefits of gardening.
Applications are open now and close at midday on Friday 30 October 2026. Organisations are encouraged to check the eligibility guidelines before applying
Take the Lead: Data Champions Community Grants - Next Deadline 2 November 2026
Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) is offering £3,000 grants to community organisations to deliver activities exploring how data can support health and wellbeing. Projects can focus on areas including young people’s mental health, cancer, heart and brain health, healthy diets, and the environment and health. The programme particularly welcomes organisations working with communities that are less likely to be engaged with health data. No previous experience of data, science or research is required. Applications close at 12pm on 2 November 2026
MOPAC Grassroots Funding Opportunities – Deadlines 2 & 4 November
Two Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) funding opportunities are currently open to grassroots organisations across London:
- Victims Small Grants Fund 2027–29 – supporting smaller community organisations working with victims. Applications close at 2pm on 2 November 2026.
- Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Grassroots Fund 2027–30 – supporting grassroots organisations working in the area of violence against women and girls. Applications close at 2pm on 4 November 2026.
Screwfix Foundation – Grants of up to £5,000
The Screwfix Foundation offers grants of up to £5,000 to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations for projects that fix, repair, maintain or improve properties and community facilities for people in need.
Applications are made through a short online form and are considered quarterly. The next application deadline is 4pm on 10 November 2026, with decisions expected by 30 December.
Garfield Weston Foundation - Applications Open Year-Round
The Garfield Weston Foundation provides funding to charities across the UK working in a wide range of areas, including welfare, youth, community, environment, education, health, arts, heritage and faith.
There is no fixed application deadline, with applications accepted throughout the year.
WCIT Charity - Next Deadline 13 November 2026
The WCIT Charity offers grants of up to £15,000 for not-for-profit organisations using technology in innovative ways. Projects should focus on education, inclusion, IT for charities or public understanding of IT, with particular interest in areas such as apps, AI, accessibility technology and training.
Applications are reviewed quarterly, with the next deadline on 13 November 2026.
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Training, Learning, and Research
Richmond CVS: Training and Events for Organisations Using Volunteer Support
If your organisation works with volunteers, it’s important to keep your recruitment, support and retention skills up to date. Free or low-cost places are still available on upcoming training sessions covering key topics.
- Volunteer Support and Supervision
- The Philosophy of Volunteering & Volunteer Coordinators Forum
- Volunteering and the Law
Visit Richmond CVS's Eventbrite page at the link below to register.
Richmond CVS: Last Spaces, Major Donor Fundraising – 10 November 2026
This short online workshop will look at how you can secure significant gifts through the simple power of relationship, impact and vision.
Discounted Training from Kingston Voluntary Action
Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) are offering places and discounted tickets to Richmond organisations on a number of their forthcoming sessions including
You need to register with KVA first before booking their training and events
Digital Inclusion in London: Low Income Residents - 2 November 2026 (online)
The next session in this series of online conversations will bring together organisations working with residents and families on low income in London, to feed into the work of the London Health Mission Board around digital inclusion and health inequalities. If you work in this area, sign up now for updates and related research from the GLA London Health Mission Board, and help shape future priorities and approaches for addressing digital exclusion.
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Advice and Support
Hate Crime Awareness Week: Working together against hate crime
Last week marked Hate Crime Awareness Week, an opportunity to come together and reaffirm the importance of making Richmond a welcoming and inclusive place where everyone feels safe and respected. While the awareness week has now ended, we all have an ongoing role to play in recognising hate crime, challenging hate and knowing where people can turn for help.
You can find information about recognising and reporting hate crime, as well as where to get support at the link below:
Know who to turn to for mental health support
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust is encouraging local organisations to help residents know where to turn for mental health support, whether they need wellbeing advice or urgent help.
The Know Who to Turn To campaign brings together information on local and NHS services, while a free toolkit provides digital and printable resources that organisations can share with service users.
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Events
Get ready for the Mayor’s Halloween Quiz!
Looking for a fun way to support local charities this Halloween? Join the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames for a charity quiz at York House on Friday 30 October at 7pm. Gather a team of up to eight and enjoy an evening of quizzing, food, a raffle and optional fancy dress. Tickets are £27 per person, raising funds for Cocoon Care After Care and Skylarks.
Time to Shine Awards 2026
Nominations are open for Richmond’s Time to Shine Awards 2026, celebrating children and adults with disabilities or long-term health conditions who live, work or study in the borough. Categories include Community, Volunteering, Arts, Culture & Sport, Accessibility Champion and more, with every nominee recognised.
Nominate by 5pm on 16 November 2026. The awards will take place on 3 December.
Alternative Provision VCS Forum - Wed 18 Nov 2026
Staff, volunteers and trustees of organisations which provide services to support children and young people in the borough are encouraged to join this meeting, including those working with young carers, children with SEND, and parent carers. This online session will focus on analysis of the Alternative Provision Pupil Panel data and trends, in order to feed back, reflect, and identify actions to take forward.
United in Hope: No Place for Hate in Richmond
Join Multicultural Richmond for United in Hope, a free community event bringing residents, young people, faith leaders and local organisations together to challenge hate and celebrate what unites our communities. Taking place on Thursday 26 November, 10am–3.30pm at Clarendon Hall, York House, Twickenham, TW1 3AA, the day will include theatre, discussions, interactive workshops and information on recognising and reporting hate crime. Young people aged 16+ are particularly encouraged to attend.
Admission is free, with lunch and refreshments provided. Advance booking is essential.
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Richmond Council Updates
Stronger communities start with working together
In a new Council blog, Cllr Katie Mansfield, Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities and the Voluntary Sector, reflects on the vital role of Richmond’s voluntary and community organisations and the importance of partnership working.
Richmond Council calls for rethink on government funding cuts
Richmond Council has called on the Government to rethink proposed funding reforms which would reduce the Council’s annual core funding by £29 million by 2028/29, equivalent to around 58% of its core funding allocation.
Help shape Richmond’s ‘No Wrong Door’ approach
Richmond Council is seeking feedback from organisations supporting people experiencing mental health, substance use, homelessness and other forms of multiple disadvantage. The survey will help identify barriers and opportunities to improve referral pathways, partnership working and access to coordinated support.
Please complete the survey at the below link by 30 October.
Register your interest in the new Ham Close Makers Barn
Richmond Council is inviting voluntary and community organisations to register their interest in operating the new Ham Close Makers Barn, a purpose-built, accessible community facility offering flexible workshop and making space for creative, practical, educational and community-led activities.
Organisations that register their interest will be invited to apply when the formal application process opens. To register your interest, please email: Corporateprojectoffice@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk
Have Your Say on Richmond's Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy
Richmond Council is seeking views from voluntary and community sector organisations on their Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Strategy for 2026–2029. The consultation takes around 10–15 minutes and will help shape priorities and support for people at risk.
Closing date: Thursday 22 October 2026.
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Cost of living support for Richmond residents
If your organisation supports Richmond residents who are struggling with the cost of living, please consider sharing with them details of the Council’s Cost of Living Hub.
The Hub brings together information on support with bills, food, housing, childcare, health and employment, as well as grants and benefits. It also includes a Better Off calculator, which takes around 10–15 minutes to complete and can help residents identify schemes, benefits and other support they may be entitled to.
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