|
Welcome to the Waltham Forest Communities and Participation team newsletter.
Are you ready for Community Voice?
Independent external facilitators Locality have been running workshops, online surveys and talking 1-2-1 with VCS organisations operating in Waltham Forest.
With you, Locality have been co-designing the creation of a new VCS coordinating entity that will represent you independently.
Register for the CPN to find out:
- What the Waltham Forest VCS wants from the new entity that will independently represent them.
- What the suggested year one priorities are.
- What we need to do to set this up.
- How you can you get involved.
Haven't had your say yet? There are a few days left to contact the Locality team to share your thoughts.
|
Register for the Waltham Forest VCS Community Participation Network meeting
The first part of this meeting will be to hear more about the initial findings of the Community Voice consultation.
The second part will be the usual chance to network, share ideas and develop partnerships with colleagues and volunteers from other VCS organisations across the borough.
- 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
- Tuesday 11 June.
- In person at the William Morris Community Centre, Walthamstow, E17 6QQ.
If you have any questions about this month's newsletter or support available to your organisation, please get in touch.
This month we meet Alesia who is our Community Action Manager (Volunteering).
"I feel fortunate to have this job. I get to promote varied volunteering opportunities and help to streamline an area of work that has the potential to make a powerful impact on our communities.
"Outside of the job, I’m a trustee for two charities and a telephone befriender for Age UK. I also support Crisis at Christmas by volunteering for a couple of days each year.
"Volunteering has enabled me to meet many different people and continuously upskill. Volunteering, like most things, is about finding the role that resonates with you most.
"If you would like to learn more or have a chat with me about volunteering it would be great to meet you at our Volunteers' Fair and Celebration on Wednesday 5 June. Or contact me on Alesia.Carrington@walthamforest.gov.uk."
|
Celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2024
Join the Legends of the Forest Volunteers’ Fair on Wednesday 5 June.
This will be an opportunity to meet volunteer providers, learn about different volunteer opportunities and meet some of the many Legends of the Forest.
|
Volunteer opportunities for young people
The Communities team would like to hear from you if you would like to offer volunteering opportunities for 16 to 25 year olds.
Corporate volunteering
Do you have volunteering activities or roles that could be fulfilled by a corporate volunteering partnership? Let us know in case we can connect you with a corporate partner.
Refugee Week 2024
From Monday 17 to Sunday 23 June Waltham Forest will be celebrating Refugee Week.
Our borough will be hosting events planned and delivered by those seeking sanctuary as well as the organisations and teams supporting them.
This year’s free celebratory activities feature arts, music and food including:
-
The Taste of Home: A Community Feast. A community meal for refugees, people seeking asylum and the organisations and individuals that support them. 6 to 9pm, Thursday 20 June, in front of the William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park.
-
Home: A Group Art Exhibition 11am to 5pm, Friday 21 to Sunday 23 June, Winns Gallery, Lloyd Park.
-
Children’s Arts & Crafts, a Magic Performance, Henna art and Knitting. 3pm to 5.30pm, Thursday 20 June, Lea Bridge Library.
-
Making Home: A collaborative embroidery. 11am to 2pm, Saturday 22 June, William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park.
As well as many more. View the programme below or email us if you’d have any questions.
|
VCS Workforce Wellbeing Event
This Waltham Forest VCS Health and Care Leadership Group event will be an opportunity for VCS staff, volunteers and trustees to come together and focus on their own wellbeing.
- 10.45am to 2.45pm on Wednesday 29 May at Harmony Hall, Walthamstow.
Windrush Festival 2024
This June, the Windrush Festival returns to Fellowship Square.
Local community groups will showcase the very best in Afro-Caribbean culture through performances, dancing, music and arts and crafts activities.
All are welcome to celebrate and honour the Windrush generation together.
- 11am to 6pm on Saturday 22 June at Fellowship Square at Waltham Forest Town Hall.
|
Creative Trades Networking - Funding special
Join this regular event hosted by @E17Films and @TradesE17 which connects creatives, curators, producers, artists and makers to circulate news, advertise opportunities and promote exhibitions and shows.
At this special June event, Make It Happen applicants will be in attendance, as will representatives from East London based and national funders and grant making organisations to support creative collaborations. This will include: Arts Council England, Foundation For Future London, Federation of Small Businesses and Future Formed.
- From 6:30pm on Tuesday 25 June 2024 at Walthamstow Trades Hall.
Free training during Safeguarding Week
Would you like free training for your staff and volunteers during Safeguarding Week from Monday 8 to Friday 12 July?
The council and partners are hosting a programme of online multi-agency safeguarding awareness-raising and training as well as a one day conference.
KoothTalks Training Webinars
Kooth are running free 'KoothTalks' training webinars on why support for diverse and seldom-heard young people is more important than ever:
|
Waltham Forest Council Community Ward Funding 2024
 Applications are now open for Community Ward Funding 2024 under the theme of Stronger Communities. Deadline: Friday 14 June.
Funding opportunities
-
Loughborough’s London Open Fund Applications for up to £1,000 will be particularly welcomed for projects that link to health and wellbeing, climate change, sustainability or inclusive communities. Deadline: Friday 7 June.
-
Good Things Foundation Grants to Fix the Digital Divide These grants are for members of the National Digital Inclusion Network to develop new or existing digital support services or to support people with their digital skills and access to data. Deadline: Dates vary.
-
Sport England – Movement Fund. Deadline: Unconfirmed.
-
Material Focus - Electricals Recycling Fund to support recycling, reuse or repair organisations that test creative and practical methods for collecting unwanted electric items within the UK. Deadline: Unconfirmed.
Waltham Forest Waste Prevention and Recycling Initiatives Fund
Grants of up to £2,000 for community groups to encourage residents to be more mindful with their choices; encouraging a reduction in consumption, motivating and encouraging residents to realise the benefits of embracing reuse and preloved items. Deadline: TBC.
St James Street Big Local Reach Out Grants
We are seeking to commission groups committed to working with local residents, with at least 75% of beneficiaries residing in the SJSBL area. The funding awarded should address one or more of the identified priorities: disability, poverty, or social isolation. Deadline: Friday 14 June.
Council funding awards
The council is pleased to announce the list of successful applicants for recent funding opportunities. Find out which projects were successful by clicking on the links below.
Jobs at Age UK Waltham Forest
Age UK Waltham Forest is developing a range of high quality, paid-for services to help older people live safely in their own homes, enabling them to remain independent as much as possible.
Handyperson To provide a reliable, friendly handyperson service with an emphasis on home maintenance and gardening.
Help At Home Staff To provide a basic housework service - including mopping & vacuuming, cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, helping with laundry and ironing, changing beds, etc.
Window Cleaner To help people be as happy, safe and comfortable as possible in their own homes. The right person will provide a reliable, friendly service to clean windows.
Deadlines: Varied.
|
Community and Commercial Spaces available
The property team at the council would like the borough's VCS to be aware of these opportunities. Follow the links below to find out more, and for the relevant contacts details.
Update on Waltham Forest Giving
Waltham Forest Giving (WFG) is an independent initiative, hosted by Groundwork London, that aims to provide a straight forward, connected approach for individuals and businesses to support local community projects. The support could be in the form of money, time, advice and/ or resources.
WFG recently appointed 9 steering group members to co-design the strategy and plan the next steps for this place-based giving scheme.
WFG are also inviting residents to form a network of local champions to inform this design process.
If you have any questions about WFG, you can contact Charlie.Blair@groundwork.org.uk
- Performance of the new play 'At the Rainbow’s End' based on interviews with older LGBTQ+ people who have experienced homophobia and transphobia in care settings or in their own home when receiving care. Sunday June 9 in Walthamstow Trades Hall. Free.
Council newsletter for all residents
Residents can receive the weekly residents’ newsletter email for: News about the borough, Local events, Free services, Job opportunities and more.
|
