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London Plus May 2020 Newsletter

London Plus updates civil society organisations on the latest news, events and funding

Dear All,

We hope you are keeping safe and well.

Please read below for our latest updates, sector funding, events and training and much more.

Best wishes,

The London Plus Team

London Plus Updates

Supporting volunteering small grants
We have partnered with Team London to offer small grants of £500-£1000 to pay for your extra volunteering expenses during Covid-19. The grant is open to Volunteer Centres, CVSs and other infrastructure and community organisations. Click here to find out more information and fill out the short formDeadline 22 May 2020. 

Briefing session: recovery planning for London’s civil society
21 May, 14.30 – 16.00
In partnership with the GLA, London Funders and colleagues from the London Strategic Coordination Group we are hosting a briefing session on recovery planning for London’s civil society organisations. The session will cover practical considerations in light of the changing lockdown guidelines, an overview of London’s recovery planning and an update on funding in London as we move out of immediate crisis response. Book your place on Zoom.

London Plus resources 
We have been updating our website with resources and guides, for civil society organisations in London during Covid-19.

Funding

London Plus using voice and influence to promote funding opporutnities

Defra funding for food charities 
If you run a front-line food aid charity you can apply for a grant of up to £100,000 to help you continue to provide food to the vulnerable.

Barclays’ 100×100 UK Covid-19 community relief programme
Barclays are making 100 donations of £100,000 each to UK charities working to support vulnerable communities impacted by Covid-19, and the associated social and economic hardship caused by the crisis. Closing date 22 May.

Morrisons grant funding
The Morrisons Foundation awards grant funding for charity projects which make a positive difference in local communities. The grants are available to fully fund projects up to £25,000.

Youth Endowment Fund 
If your organisation supports children (aged 10-14) in England and Wales at risk of youth violence, you can apply for funding of £25,000 and over.

OFGEM
The Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (Energy Redress Scheme) has opened its latest funding round for applications from charities that support vulnerable energy consumers.

National Survivor User Network (NSUN)
NSUN has launched a new fund with grants up to £1000 to support peer support, community action and mutual aid for mental health services or additional support during Covid-19.

Events & Training

London Plus Events

Clore Social and LEx Movement
Are offering a free, online programme throughout the summer for the UK’s migration and refugee sector. The aim of the programme is to strengthen leadership skills and help organisations to cope with the immense pressure as a result of the pandemic, and learn together about how to respond and lead.

Superhighways
Do you want to learn how Microsoft Teams can help your small London charity/community group during these times? Superhighways have put together some resources to help you get started and are running free short training sessions, on the following dates: May 19 & 27.

Partnership for Young London
Are running a series of sessions for women over the next six months. Each session will have a different focus. The next one is titled: Dealing with uncertainty – Women and Leadership.  Wednesday 20 May from 4.30 to 6pm.

Civil Society Media 
You can view their webinar ‘managing investments in unprecedented times‘ anytime online. It explores some of the key investment challenges arising because of the pandemic. It’s a great opportunity to hear some expert advice from the industry.

Third Sector
Third Sector has announced that Salesforce.org has come on board as a headline sponsor for their fundraising conference taking place on 20-21 May. Tickets are now £5 for staff who work for registered charities and social enterprises.

COVID-19 Resources and Support

Blume
Blume are offering 1,000 hours of free support to help charities deal with the consequences of Covid-19. Experienced charity accountants, HR professionals, fundraisers, copywriters, and office administrators are all on hand to support you with pressing tasks.

NCVO
Regularly update their advice page on involving and managing volunteersduring the Covid-19 outbreak.

Charity Commission 
Have published their updated regulatory and risk framework policy paper.

On Road 
Have published a new guide: Better Stories: How to support people with first-hand experience to do great media interviews.

Reports and Blogs

Blog icon London Plus

The Food Foundation 
Have published data from their online survey about the impact of Covid-19 on household food expe, across the UK in a slide format, which contains interesting data which is easy to read in a short space of time.

Pro Bono Economics 
Release a short 60 second survey for charities each week to understand the pressures being faced by the sector as a result of the coronavirus crisis. You can fill the survey in and read their findings from previous weeks on their website.

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)
APPG group has produced a report from the Covid-19 inquiry by the APPG on Social Integration. Page 17/18 has a table of categorised groups of people deemed at risk of social isolation.

Other COVID-19 Resources

Covid-19 Volunteers – a photo essay
The Guardian have posted a lovely article featuring volunteers from across London who have stepped up to help their communities during Covid-19.

Youth Futures Foundation
Are offering several secondment opportunities, which aim to alleviate the pressure of furlough and the pandemic for some people and organisations.

Compassion London 
Are a group of professional chefs, foodies and volunteers who have come together at wembley stadium to cook and deliver delicious, nutritious meals for those who need them the most. You can find out about them, volunteer or donate here. 

The Loss Project
Is a new initiative working across the UK and beyond aimed at connecting people in local communities through the experience of loss, death, dying or trauma. Their project ‘Stitch in Time‘ encourages people to remember a person
they know who has died during the pandemic period by stitching, sewing, drawing or painting their full name onto a square of fabric.