Small Groups Network

Next meeting of Community Works Small Groups Network
Date: Thursday 8 February, 9.30-12.30
Venue: the Bridge, Lucraft Road, Brighton, BN2 4PN
Cost: Free
For more information and to book a place visit http://bhcommunityworks.org.uk/voluntary-se…/…/small-groups/

Working with the media

Community Works briefing on understanding how to engage with print, TV and radio journalists. It will help you to develop and illustrate your key messages and avoid the common pitfalls.
Title: Working with the media
Date: Thursday 8 February 2018
Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: BMECP Centre, 10 Fleet Street, Brighton
How to book: For more details and to book please visit http://bhcommunityworks.org.uk/working-with-the-media/

Keeping Adults Safe

An introductory course run by Community Works. It is for voluntary organisations who work with, engage and deliver activities or services for adults.
For more information and to book a place, visit:
http://bhcommunityworks.org.uk/keep-adults-safe-training/

Funding for projects countering extremism

Funding opportunity for innovative projects countering hate and extremism. Charities and community groups are eligible to apply. Projects need to contain an online element, but do not need to be large scale. Full details can be found at https://www.isdglobal.org/innovation-fund/
Contact Melinda.King@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk if you would like to discuss or are interested in applying to this fund.

Celebrate your community food project – #sharedmeals campaign

Brighton and Hove Food partnership is running a social media campaign to celebrate the many different settings where food is served for groups of people over Christmas and the work of hundreds of volunteers who deliver an amazing 1265 meals every day in the city.

Sharing food helps reduce social isolation, brings the community together and is just good old fun.  We know people who attend the breakfast and lunch clubs, surplus food projects, community cafes and supper clubs across the city enjoy a great sense of wellbeing, form friendships and can become part of a new family.  Not to mention the nutritional benefits of eating healthy, plentiful, warm food together.

How do you get involved in this campaign?  Just take photos of you enjoying food at your community project, with friends, family or colleagues.

More info http://bhfood.org.uk/Blog/celebrate-the-season-with-our-shared-meals-campaign

Brighton & Hove Way

Back in April 2017 a team of six staff, trustees and friends of the Resource Centre walked 18 miles in the countryside around Brighton & Hove, to raise money for the Resource Centre and to help launch the Brighton &  Hove Way. We raised nearly £4000 for the Centre, and enjoyed a fantastic long walk. We were able to take part because the Resource Centre was on of the Mayor’s charities last year, and the former Mayor Pete West supported the walk to help charities to raise money.

The Brighton & Hove Way is now being developed by the Brighton & Hove Way Association, chaired by Pete West.We’re thrilled to learn that the Brighton & Hove Way is developing further, and we look forward to enjoying it in future!

For more information see https://www.facebook.com/BrightonandHoveWay/

 

Funding available for dementia friendly projects

The Brighton and Hove Dementia Action Alliance has funding available for organisations that want to make a positive difference to those living with dementia in the city.

The first pot is for local groups to apply to provide services that improve the health and well-being of people living with dementia. They are particularly keen to look at projects that encourage participation in physical activities and reduce people’s feelings of isolation. Each grant fund from this pot is limited to a maximum of £3000 per financial year but smaller grants (under £1000) are encouraged, particularly for new innovative and creative projects.

The second pot is for local groups to apply to help adapt their environments to assist people living with dementia to feel more comfortable accessing the wide range of services  provided in Brighton and Hove. Feedback from people living with dementia say they often struggle to navigate around spaces that the rest of us can take for granted. Have a look at this checklist which will hopefully inspire you to think about how you can make your environment more dementia friendly. Each grant from this pot is limited to a maximum of £2000 per financial year.

Applications are invited from local organisations and businesses that are committed to joining the Dementia Action Alliance and helping us achieve our core objectives namely that of Brighton and Hove being recognised as a Dementia Friendly Community, tackling the stigma associated with dementia and reducing the social isolation of people with dementia and their carers. Organisations can apply for finances from both funding streams if appropriate. If you would like a copy of the relevant application form and the accompanying guidance notes then please email Matthew at DementiaA@Ageuk-bh.org.uk.

10% discount on room hire at Friends Centre

Friends Centre is based in two central Brighton locations both within 5 minutes’ walk to the North Laine; Brighton Junction (BN1 4GQ) and Ivory Place (off Morley St, off Grand Parade – BN2 9QE). (Neither of these locations are Friends Meeting House on Ship St!)

They have rooms available for hire during the evenings (particularly Mondays and Wednesdays) and weekends. They also always have rooms available during the day in school holidays when their own adult education programme decreases. They are currently taking bookings for 2018 for classes/workshops.

Both centres have light, airy rooms (including a dedicated art room complete with sink at Ivory Place) that are ideal for day and evening classes and training, interviews, board meetings, away days, weekend workshops, small conferences and more. They can provide refreshments directly but there are also lovely cafes serving delicious snacks, meals and refreshments at both venues.

The rooms are fully accessible and have projectors in each room at no extra cost. They are comfortable, furnished and can be prepared in all manner of layouts.

Reception is welcoming and there to help you with anything you need including most (!) technical issues.mailto:info@friendscentre.org%3cmailto:info@friendscentre.org

To get a 10% hire discount, quote FCRH2017 when booking on 01273-810210 or info@friendscentre.org

Free event on social enterprise, 30th November

Community Works and The Platform are hosting an event on setting up a social enterprise, this Thursday (30th November) 10am – 1pm.

This session will enable you to explore what it means to be a social enterprise and support you to make an informed choice as to whether this approach is right for your organisation. There will be a Q&A with social enterprises Foodini Club and award-winning Here, long with Rebecca Luff, Award Manager at UnLtd and Social Enterprise specialist adviser, Mark MacTaggart.

Whether you are an established organisation or starting a social venture, this workshop will enable you to:

  • Recognise the defining features of a social enterprise
  • Explore the benefits and challenges of becoming a social enterprise
  • Identify your next steps and where to access support

A limited number of 30 minute 1-2-1 sessions will be available 1 month after the workshop – bookable on a first come first served basis. A booking link will be shared with attendees after the workshop.

The event is free, but you need to register at http://www.theplatform.org.uk/event/social-enterprise-right-approach-organisation/

Our work with BME groups wins funding support

We are very happy that Sussex Community Foundation has awarded us £5,000 towards the cost of our flexible, one-to-one support services for small community groups run by migrants and refugees.

The money will enable us to support migrant-led groups with fundraising and financial management, responding flexibly to problems as they arise, and supporting group members to develop new skills in the process. By helping groups to raise and manage the money they need, we make it easier for them to run the vital activities and services they provide – which in turn reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing among BME communities.