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London Plus July Newsletter 2023

Hello, welcome to the London Plus 2023 July newsletter.

We’ve encountered an unusually large number of funding opportunities this month. So, if you’re currently looking for additional funding, this might be a good newsletter for you. We’re also excited to talk about our newest case study and the Greater London Authority’s very important Voter ID awareness campaign – see more on these below.

Hopefully you find this newsletter useful. As always, if you have any suggestions for the next one, feel free to contact Henry at info@londonplus.org.

To those of you taking a well-earned holiday this summer, we hope you have a lovely time.

London Plus News

London Plus newspaper

Cost of Living Documents
Check out our cost of living resource page for all our cost of living documents, all of which serve different purposes. First, the resources document contains information on how people can get support. Second, the good practice document has a list of examples of good organisational practice and innovation aimed at mitigating the impacts of the crisis. Third, the data document includes an ever-growing list of the available data relating to the crisis.
UPDATE: We have now added a fourth resource; a new cost of living evidence and insights toolkit. This document aims to help small organisations and community groups to build an evidence base for funding applications, with a few key external data sources and tips around gathering data from the communities they work with. Click the link above to see all four.

Health by Stealth
Check out our newest case study which spotlights the work of Streatham Common Cooperative and their dementia volunteering group ‘Leaping Forward for Dementia’. While it does have a social prescribing focus, it also discusses approaches to health and volunteering generally, and therefore may have relevance to the wider sector.

News

News: Glasses on Newspapers

Voter ID
The Greater London Authority and Shout Out UK are running an impartial public awareness campaign to highlight the changes to how we vote, and who can vote, resulting from the recent Elections Act (2022). In particular, it seeks to increase awareness on the need for voter ID. Visit the Greater London Authority Democracy Hub for more.

Google Analytics
There’s a new version of Google Analytics. If you want to know what this means for you, take a look at this blog from Access on everything the charity sector needs to know.

Third Sector Awards
The Third Sector Awards Shortlist has been released. See the best of what the sector has to offer.

Events & Training

People in a meeting room

Introduction to Fundraising
Thursday 3rd August, 10am
Get Grants are running a ‘fundraising for beginners‘ workshop for those new to the funding world.

Black Pride
Sunday 20th August
UK Black Pride is returning to London. It’s the worlds largest celebration of African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Caribbean-heritage LGBTQ+ people.

Locality Convention
Tuesday 7th – Wednesday 8th November
The ‘biggest community sector event of the year‘ from Locality will bring organisations together to discuss new approaches within the sector. You can save money on your ticket if you book before July 26th. Note that the convention will take place in Bristol.

Resources

Chalk board with lightbulb

Migrant Support Map
This map from the Mayor of London’s Migrant Londoners Hub shows organisations throughout London that offer free services to migrants and refugees.

Poverty Profile
Take a look at the latest updates to London’s Poverty Profile from Trust for London.

Employee Wellbeing
This employer toolkit from Good Thinking offers guidance on how to support mental health in the workplace.

Volunteer Guidance
Croydon Voluntary Action has a webpage dedicated to guidance on how to involve volunteers in your work.

Fossil-Free Future
Many charities are unintentionally funding the fossil fuel industry. Does your charity want to divest from fossil fuels? Sign up to a fossil-free future with The National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Website Accessibility 
Identify some potential accessibility barriers on your charity’s website with this blog from Catalyst.

Funding

Latest funds for your organisation

Movement for Good
Movement for Good are offering large grants for organisations working on education, community development, arts, and the environment.
Deadline: Friday 28th July

Sheldon Trust
Grants from The Sheldon Trust are available to London-based organisations, specifically for projects relating to youth development and holidays for the disadvantaged.
Deadline: Friday 28th July (rolling)

William Wates Memorial Trust
The William Wates Memorial Trust will support projects that help keep disadvantaged young people away from anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.
Deadline: Monday 31st July

Skipton Building Society
The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation gives grants of up to £6,000 for UK charities that offer education and mental health support for people in socially deprived areas, poverty and homelessness reduction, and support for the elderly.
Deadline: Tuesday 1st August (rolling)

Data Innovation
Applications for the Civic Data Innovation Challenge are now open. They are looking for applications from individuals and groups to build a data project that contributes to London’s Civic Strength Index.
Deadline: Friday 4th August, 5pm

Health Action
The Community Action for Partnerships in Health fund is an opportunity from the Legacy Health and Equity Partnership and the Greater London Authority. It aims to improve community health and develop partnerships between communities and health services.
Deadline: Friday 11th August

Million Hours Fund
This fund from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport welcomes applications for youth projects and services in places with the highest numbers of antisocial behaviour incidents. Also, see this blog from the National Lottery Community Fund to find out more about their new strategy.
Deadline: Monday 14th August, 12pm

End Violence Against Women & Girls
This fund from the London Community Foundation will support the resilience of organisations working to end violence against women and girls in marginalised communities.
Deadline: Wednesday 30th August

Funding List
Catalyst has compiled a large list of funding opportunities on their website. You can also find a similar list on the Community Southwark website, which is useful even for those outside of Southwark and neighbouring boroughs.

Green Spaces
Looking to create or improve a green public space? The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association is a gardening charity offering grants for green spaces in London.
Deadline: Thursday 31st August (rolling)

Reports

puzzle piece with word 'charity' on it

Small Grants, Big Changes
This report from the Directory of Social Change looks into the important role of small grants within the sector. It includes examples of best practice, along with opinions from organisations involved in the small grants process.

Cost of Living Tracker
The most recent findings from Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s cost of living crisis research are now available. It shows persistent hardship for low income households and includes a number of recommendations.

Thrive LDN
Thrive LDN, the London-wide mental health partnership, has released their 2022/23 impact report.

Hunger in the UK
The Trussell Trust has created their most in-depth study on hunger in the UK. It discusses causes, impacts, and those groups most affected.

Digital Skills
The Charity Digital Skills 2023 report looks into the impact of the cost of living crisis on the use of digital in the sector, artificial intelligence tools, and more.

Surveys

Magnifying glass against blurred background

Carers UK
The State of Caring Survey 2023 responses will be used on the policy and campaigning work of Carers UK. It focuses on areas including health, employment, and finances.

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