Welcome
Welcome to the November edition of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) newsletter, with the latest funding news, events and opportunities for the sector.
Tower Hamlets Voluntary and Community Sector Summit
Tower Hamlets VCS Summit will be taking place on Monday 11th December 2023 from 11:00am – 2:00pm at the Grocers Wing, Tower Hamlets Council, Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ, with lunch included.
This event will focus on:
- Presentations from inspiring speakers about the VCS
- Update on Mayor’s Community Grant Programme
- Information about funding opportunities, including the Councils’ new Small Grants Programme and refreshed Emergency Grants Programme
If you haven’t signed up already, please ensure you book your place via the link below. We are only able to accept 2 persons per organisation.
We also have a limited number of stalls available which will be allocated on first come first served basis. If you are interested, please email vcs@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Help to shape the Council’s future budget
As part of the Council’s budget-setting process for 2024-25, community organisations, residents and businesses are encouraged to help shape the borough’s next budget by giving their views in a survey which runs until Monday 4 December 2023.
The Council has worked hard to make over £200m in savings since 2010, as its budget has been cut by the government and squeezed by additional demand. The extra spending and income pressures, compounded by increased demand for services and expected changes to government funding, mean the council is expected to make savings of £40m over the next two years.
Despite challenges from government budget cuts, increases in the number of vulnerable residents, and a rising population, the Council remains committed to investing in frontline services, and has one of the lowest Council tax rates in London.
You can find out more about the consultation, share the details with your contacts, and complete the survey on the council’s Let’s Talk Tower Hamlets website: https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/budget-consultation
The Let’s Talk webpage includes a link to an 8-page budget consultation booklet which is also available in a limited number of hard copies.
If you would like to request some hard copies of the booklet to be shared with your organisation and people who use your services, please email communications@towerhamlets.gov.uk to arrange for copies to be collected from Whitechapel Town Hall.
Overview and Scrutiny Meetings
Beyond Loneliness: Free Tower Hamlets Connection Coalition Event
 Join us on Thursday 30th November 2023 as we build a stronger local response to loneliness and isolation.
This gathering will bring together healthcare professionals and stakeholders from the voluntary and community sector working to tackle loneliness and isolation in the borough. Featuring keynote speakers, this event also marks the official launch of our bespoke campaign to tackle loneliness, with networking opportunities and lunch provided.
Keynote Speaker: Ocean Women
Ocean Women will share their strategy for addressing loneliness among Bangladeshi women in Tower Hamlets, and audience members will have the chance to hear the story of one women’s lived experience in overcoming isolation through their services.
Agenda:
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm: Free Lunch and refreshments
1:00 pm - 4:15 pm: Speakers, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities
This event is hosted in collaboration with Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Service (THCVS) and key partners across Tower Hamlets. Together, we aim to support organisations working on loneliness and social isolation, fostering understanding, networking, and shared actions to reduce isolation.
Spaces are limited, to avoid disappointment please book by Friday, 24th November 2023 on the link below.
London PLUS workshops and training:
Fundraising Apprenticeship and Funding Opportunities Workshop: Thursday 30th November 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm.
This webinar focuses on fundraising for voluntary sector organisations where London Plus will be hosting an introduction about the Fareport Fundraiser Apprenticeship. It will highlight what the apprenticeship is, how you can access it for staff in your organisation.
The apprenticeship is a way to professionalise your fundraising strategies and upskill staff to ensure you can apply pragmatic solutions. It would allow you to use a range of methods to maximise value to your organisation and gain insight on current grants and fundraising opportunities, plus practical tips for fundraising.
London Plus: An Introduction to Systems Change in Homelessness Services Systems Tuesday 5th December 10.00 am -11.30 am
An Introduction to Systems Change in Homelessness Services with Shelter's Systems Practice Leads. London PLUS is delivered in partnership by Homeless Link and Shelter. We support organisations and councils across London with a wide range of support and our Systems Practice Leads Nicola Hayler and Hannah Dillon will be speaking about Systems Change and its importance when working in homelessness to effectively support your clients and have lasting change.
 Peer Learning Session for Volunteer Managers: Engaging Generation Z Volunteers (age 18-24)
Tuesday 21st November 2023, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm
Would you like to engage the next generation, Gen Z, in your volunteering programme? British Heart Foundation research in 2023 showed that people aged between 16 and 24 are more likely to have volunteered for charities than any other age group. Gen Z are very socially conscious and want to positively impact their communities and know that they are directly making a difference.
This practical peer learning session will look at the benefits of reaching out to Gen Z volunteers, the unique skills they can bring to your organisation and good practice tips for recruiting and engaging them in your volunteering programme. Please use the link below to book your place, if you have any questions please email info@vcth.org.uk.
The Directory of Social Change’s fundsonline.org.uk expert George Knight will be holding a 30 minute webinar to support you to explore some tips and tricks to help get you access to the funding you need today.
The session will explore everything from completing a basic search to saving funds and search results. George will show you how to get Funds Online working for you, almost as if you had an additional fundraiser working in your team! For booking details and further information please see the link below.
Social Value Scheme
Social value resources that support a thriving Voluntary and Community Sector
The Council expects organisations it awards contracts of over £100,000 to provide resources that help VCS organisations improve the lives of residents. In the past, these have included items such as computers, membership fees, training and development.
We have a range of social value benefits that VCS organisations can apply for. For a full list of the resources and application please see the link below.
Lloyds Bank Foundation Specialist Programme Funding
This programme is designed to support small,specialist,frontline charities that work with people to help them overcome complex issues.
Funding amount - £75,000
Length Of grant - 3 years
Closing date for applications - 25th January 2024, 5 pm.
Further details can be found in the link below.
 Ashden, Climate Action Charity - Sharing Spaces Funding.
Climate action charity Ashden is joining forces with community organisation Think & Do Camden to replicate their highly successful ‘Sharing Spaces.’ This project helps community groups join together to have fun sharing information and practical tips about living in a low-cost, low-impact way.
Participating groups will receive a grant of £5,760, with additional small amounts of funding available to support ongoing projects, plus the support of a Think & Do project officer, a toolkit and template materials that provide a step-by-step guide to setting up a Sharing Space in their community, based on all the learning from the Think & Do projects. Deadline for applications is: 30th November 2023.
 Isle of Dogs Tech Firm Donates 40 Laptops To Local Charities
On Wednesday 8th November 2023, Telehouse Data Centre, a technology company based in the Isle of Dogs, presented 40 laptops to local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations. This generous donation is part of the company's Social Value pledge, which aims to support the community and make a positive impact.
The event also provided an opportunity for private sector organisations to network with smaller VCS organisations and learn more about their work and the vital support they provide to residents.
Trapped In Zone One who had received some of the laptop donations had this to say at the event;
"The laptops donated to Trapped In Zone One by Tower Hamlets Council and Telehouse will be of great use in supporting our community work in the borough, working with local people in after-school youth provisions at Mulberry School for Girls using digital technology to engage and host training presentation”.
To find out more about social value benefits and how to apply please see the link below.
Community Premises Lease
The Council is marketing a community space located in the new development at 73 Strahan Road, Bow, E3. The Council’s agents, SFP Property, will be seeking expressions of interest until 15th December 2023.
Full details can be found here Strahan Road, Bow, London E3 5BU - SFP Property .
The property is in the Council’s community portfolio. Eligible organisations may seek Community Benefit Rent Reduction. For further details of the council’s VCS Premises Policy and CBRR please see the link below.
Office Space and Venue Hire
St.Hilda’s East Community Hub offers a range of affordable office and studio spaces which are available to rent or hire. Located 3 minutes walk from Shoreditch High Street Overground, and just 15 minutes from Old Street and Liverpool Street stations, the organisation is based in the heart of Shoreditch, with multiple food and retail venues just steps from its door.
For further details, please email or call on 020 7739 8066
Useful links
For information on infrastructure support to VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets, please visit Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Service.
For information on volunteering opportunities in Tower Hamlets, please visit Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets.
They are offering VCS organisations high-quality training, workshops, courses and events to help organisations grow stronger and more resilient.
Thank you for reading
We hope you found this bulletin useful. Contact us for any feedback or if you would like anything to be considered for inclusion in future newsletters.
Please note, the next issue of this bulletin will be published in early November.
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