NCVS e-bulletin - Thursday 29 May 2025

Welcome to this edition of the NCVS e-bulletin – your perfect excuse to put the kettle on and skip that email you’ve been putting off!

We've been keeping busy behind the scenes. From dodging the May showers to giving our social media a fresh new feel and (most excitingly!) planning a very special event for the sector coming soon. In the meantime, we’ve still got plenty to share. Let’s get into it!

In this e-bulletin, you’ll find:

• Events to celebrate Windrush in Nottingham
• What we've got coming up for Volunteers' Week
• Mental health training for your group
• New opportunities to grow your social enterprise
• Loads of new funding and training opportunities

...and so much more. Happy reading!

Thursday 12 June 2025, 10am to 12 noon
Online via Zoom

Our next Nottingham Voluntary Sector Provider Network meeting is just around the corner, and you won’t want to miss this one! Whether you're a regular or it's your first time, come along to connect with other local providers, hear about exciting projects, and share what’s happening in your world.

What’s on the agenda?

• NCVS updates and 150th celebrations: Hear from our CEO, Jules Sebelin, about what’s coming up as we mark this major milestone.
  
  
• Shaping a new Community Directory: Kai Pitman from Nottinghamshire County Council will share plans to simplify and improve how we all share community information across the City and County.
  
  
• Spotlight on prevention: Linda Ellis from Life Skills Education Charity will introduce their powerful work helping children make safe, confident choices.
  
  
• Community Health and Wellbeing Hubs: We’ll open the floor to talk about the role of Primary Care Networks in local wellbeing.
  
  
• Support for unpaid carers: Roz Lynch from Carers Federation will give an update on the Carers Hub service, offering vital support for those caring for loved ones.
  
  
• Info exchange and networking: Got an update or idea to share? This is your chance!

Have a question about the network? Email us at ncvs@nottinghamcvs.co.uk.

Let’s keep building a stronger, more connected voluntary and community sector in Nottingham. See you there!

We’ve launched a new social media series to keep you up to date with key developments in the voluntary and community sector.

Every four weeks, we’ll dedicate one week to a themed content series, with five days of posts focused on funding, training, sector news, team updates, and FAQs.

Expect regular updates on funding, training, sector news, our team, and answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Here’s what to look out for:

• More Money Monday: Funding opportunities and grant tips
• Totally Training Tuesday: Learning and development highlights
• What We Do Wednesday: A behind-the-scenes look at NCVS
• Team Talk Thursday: Blogs, resources and think pieces from the NCVS team
• Frequently Asked Friday: Answers to your common questions

Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Looking to expand your services, reach new clients, or move into new areas? If you’re already delivering services in Nottingham, our upcoming workshops can help you take the next step.

We’re running two in-person sessions packed with practical support to help your organisation grow confidently and sustainably.

Save the dates:

• Monday 16 June 2025, 5.30pm to 8pm
• Tuesday 24 June 2025, 10am to 1pm

Venues to be confirmed. Booking opens soon.

You’ll also hear from a successful Nottingham-based social enterprise that’s grown its impact in a short time.

These sessions are part of our Social Enterprise Accelerator (SEA), a UKSPF-funded partnership between NCVS and NTU’s National VCSE Data and Insights Observatory.

To find out more or discuss your organisation’s growth plans, contact Chris at chrish@nottinghamcvs.co.uk.

We’ll update our Social Enterprise webpage as soon as venues and bookings go live.

Welcome to the new Team Talk centre, your one-stop shop for all things tips, tricks, and resources. Here you'll find the latest from the team at NCVS.

There are plenty more blogs, think pieces and helpful resources on our website. 

As part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, we're planning a brand new sector-wide conference - and you’re invited!

Save the date: Monday 13 October 2025

Expect a day packed with practical workshops, insightful speakers, a buzzing marketplace of sector support, and plenty of time for connection and collaboration.

Whether you're leading a small community group or a growing charity, this will be a day to learn, connect, and celebrate our sector.

Stay tuned for more details!

The deadline for applications is Friday 6 June 2025, 12 midnight

They are looking to award grant funding across a wide range of schemes and activities – anything from apprenticeship schemes, diversity and community outreach to projects removing barriers to train travel.

An integral aspect of the CCIF is that it is designed to support schemes that have a tangible community benefit, address an area of social need, and are not for commercial gain.

The deadline for applications is Monday 23 June 2025, 4pm

Rosa’s Rise Fund offers two-year organisational development grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 to Black and racially minoritised-led women’s and girls’ organisations that have an income of between £30,000 and £300,000.

Rosa will also be hosting two webinars in June to support with funding applications. 

The deadline for applications is Friday 4 July 2025

At Big Give, Christmas always comes early. The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign. For seven days, supporters of participating charities can double their donations and, in doing so, make an extraordinary difference to some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Eligible organisations must be a UK-registered charity with a charity commission, OSCR or NI and have an annual income of at least £25,000. Charities must be registered on BigGive.org (free to register). Organisations must secure at least £1,000 in match funding.

We're regularly updating the funding news on our website, so click the button below and find the fund for you!

We’ve got lots happening for this year’s Volunteers’ Week (Monday 2 to Sunday 8 June)! I’ll be out and about visiting local volunteer teams, and we’ve got a couple of key events we’d love you to attend.

Wednesday 4 June, 10am to 12 noon
Online via Zoom

Join our friendly, regular online network for anyone involved in managing or supporting volunteers.

Share ideas, ask questions, and connect with others who understand the sector.

Free to attend – please register to get the Zoom link.

Thursday 5 June 2025, 10am to 1pm
Dryden Enterprise Centre, NTU City Campus

We're delighted to announce our first in-person training session since COVID-19, and it's going to be a big one! Join us for an interactive, in-depth workshop focused on the biggest challenge facing volunteer leaders right now: recruitment.

While 21 million people in England volunteer each year, formal volunteering with organisations is declining. Let’s explore the causes - and find solutions together.

Workshop highlights include:

• Trends in volunteering
• Challenges in recruitment (group discussion)
• Creative recruitment solutions
• Tools and tech for volunteer management
• Action planning

Tea, coffee and biscuits included.

Free to attend - but spaces are limited, so book your place early.

Active travel social prescribing connects people to walking, cycling, and wheeling activities to improve health and wellbeing, often via referral from healthcare professionals.

The 'Travel Well' project operates in Nottingham neighborhoods, enabling referrals to activities like cycle training, bike repairs, and guided walks. NCVS works with partners, including Nottingham City Council and local organisations, to deliver this support.

Two Care Coordinators help manage referrals and ensure access to these services, promoting active travel as a way to enhance mental and physical health.

The Practice Development Unit (PDU) aims to promote and facilitate collaborative learning and the sharing of good practice among professionals and volunteers from all sectors, in Nottingham and neighbouring areas, who work with people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD). This is understood as a combination of mental ill-health, substance misuse, homelessness, offending and domestic abuse, among other issues.

Contact our PDU Team if you need more information: pdu@nottinghamcvs.co.uk

Join our free online hub www.pdunottingham.org

Follow us on Twitter @NottinghamCVS #PDUNottingham.

Thursday 12 June 2025, 1pm to 2.30pm
Delivered as a webinar via Microsoft Teams

Join Dr Victoria Milner, a trainee Clinical Psychologist, as she shares new research on recognising autism in people experiencing homelessness. Based on real-life scenarios, the session looks at how frontline staff respond and what support might help. It’s part of our Understanding Neurodivergence and Multiple Disadvantage series and is ideal for anyone working with people affected by trauma, addiction, homelessness, or poor mental health. All sectors and roles welcome!

Tuesday 24 June 2025, 10.30am to 12 noon
Delivered as a webinar via Microsoft Teams

Curious about how local mental health services work? Join our next Service Spotlight session to get a clear, friendly overview of Secondary Adult Mental Health services, with a focus on Local Mental Health Teams (LMHTs). You'll learn how referrals are made, who’s involved in the team, what support is offered, and how services link to people facing multiple disadvantage. The session is led by experienced professionals from Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and is perfect for anyone supporting people with mental health needs. All roles and sectors welcome!

Our full Training and Development programme is available to view on our website. All courses take place online via Zoom.

We have new sessions and new dates for 2025/2026. Book now.

Here’s what’s on offer:

• Core training – Now free*!
  Expert-led sessions covering essential skills for your organisation. You've said, we've listened, introducing brand new training to support your funding needs.
  
  
• Meet the... Series
  Join us for this new series where sector leaders share insights on the topics that matter most to Nottingham’s voluntary sector.
  
  
• PDU Training
  Supporting those working with people experiencing Severe and Multiple Disadvantage (SMD) with specialist insights and practical approaches.
  
  
• Social Enterprise Accelerator Programme (with NTU)
  Providing hands-on support for those starting or growing a social enterprise.

Check out upcoming sessions and book your place today!

* Please be aware of our Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy.

Tuesday 3 June 2025, 10am to 12 noon
Online via Zoom

Join David Saunders to learn the basics of taking clear, effective minutes. Whether you're new to minute-taking or looking to improve, this session will make the process easier and more straightforward. You’ll learn how to capture the right information, work well with the chairperson, and create minutes that truly reflect your organisation’s work.

Wednesday 11 June 2025, 10am to 12 noon
Online via Zoom

Join Dave Thomas to explore how to show the real impact of your volunteer programme.

If you're an experienced Leader of Volunteers looking to back up your work with evidence, this session will help you plan for, measure, and confidently report on the difference your volunteers make.

Thursday 26 June 2025, 11am to 12 noon
Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, NG1 7FH

Discover the tools to grow your social enterprise with this special introduction from the BIPC.

Designed for participants of the Social Enterprise Accelerator (find out more here), this one-hour session will show you how to access expert support, research tools, and funding insights through Nottingham’s Business & IP Centre.

Perfect for anyone building a case for funding or social investment.

If you are a VCSE organisation in Nottingham City or a VCSE organisation recruiting to a job role which covers the Nottingham City area, you can submit a job advert for our website. Adverts remain on our website until the closing date. We feature new adverts once in the e-bulletin, where possible, depending on the volume of new adverts received.

There are lots more job listings on our website. You can view all the job vacancies available by clicking on the 'More Vacancies' button at the bottom of this section.

Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 October 2025
Online

Over two days, Get Grants' free virtual conference will bring together thousands of fundraisers from across the UK for a programme led by Get Grants Experts, funders, and other experts from across the sector.

Expect expert advice, top tips, Q&As, networking, peer support, and lots of chat! Every session will have practical support and advice that you can take away and put into practice.

This conference is for fundraisers of all levels of experience to build their confidence and celebrate the amazing work they do with like-minded, friendly people!

Friday 20 and Sunday 22 June 2025

Two community events will mark Windrush Day 2025 in Nottingham, celebrating the lasting impact of the Windrush Generation through music, storytelling and shared heritage.

Organised by the Windrush Support Forum and local partners, the weekend highlights the theme Pioneers of Progress, Champions of Tomorrow. Events will honour the contributions of Caribbean communities in shaping modern Britain, while spotlighting the voices of elders and their descendants.

On Friday 20 June, enjoy a River Cruise on the Nottingham Princess, with food and entertainment (2 to 4pm, tickets from £10 via Skiddle).

Then on Sunday 22 June, head to Binks Yard for a full-day festival of gospel music, poetry, and a Civic Service - all free and family-friendly (11.30am to 6.30pm).

Everyone is welcome to join in celebrating, connecting, and learning from this important shared history.

More event listings on our website

Head over to the dedicated 'External Events and Training' page on our website to view more events and training opportunities from Nottingham's Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.

If you would like to submit an event to feature on this page, please fill in our online event submission form. Events will be approved for publication on the NCVS website at our discretion, taking into account our aims and mission.

Wednesdays, 11 June to 16 July 2025, 5.15pm to 7.30pm
£10 per session or £55 in advance, free sessions available

All of Us and Nottingham Women's Centre are excited to be hosting this new feminist activism course! Want to take action on the issues that matter to you? Whether you're new to activism or already have experience, this six-week course - led by Lydia Rye, experienced changemaker - will help you build the skills and confidence to make real, lasting change. 

Booking is essential! Please email the team at reception@nottinghamwomenscentre.com or call 0115 9411475.

Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 June 2025, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Nottingham Central Library,1 Carrington Street, NG1 7FH
£325

Looking to build a more compassionate, resilient, and mentally healthy team?

Conscious Wellbeing Academy CIC is offering in-person, accredited Mental Health First Aid training designed to equip your staff or volunteers with the skills to better understand and support mental health in the workplace.

Led by experienced trainers and backed by a nationally recognised FAA qualification, this expert-led course offers practical tools your organisation can put into action right away.

Whether you're a community group, charity, school, or healthcare provider, this training can help foster a culture of wellbeing that makes a lasting difference.

Book your place today! Email the team at info@consciouswellbeingacademy.co.uk or give them a call on 0331 630 4002 or 07515 41332. Alternatively you can visit their website via the button below.

Thursday 5 June 2025, 12 noon to 1pm
Online via Zoom

Do you look after a building or rent a space for your group or charity? Understanding a lease is really important. But it can also be confusing!

The Ethical Property Foundation (EPF) is a charity that gives helpful property advice to organisations like yours. In this free online session, their friendly legal experts will explain:

• What a lease is and why it matters
• What common words and phrases in a lease really mean
• What your group has to do under a lease – and what the landlord must do
• How to spot what’s fair and what might not be – and how to ask for changes

You’ll also get a handy information pack and the chance to ask for free expert advice afterwards.

It’s a great way to feel more confident and make sure your group is protected.

Monday 2 to Thursday 12 June 2025
Online

Young people don’t always say when something’s wrong. But volunteers, like you, can often tell.

During Volunteers’ Week, you can join a free training session to learn how to spot signs of gaming and gambling harm in young people, and what to do to help.

The training is for anyone who supports young people aged 11 to 25, like:

• Youth workers
• Sports coaches
• Faith leaders
• Care staff
• Early Help teams
• People in gaming and esports

You’ll get a City and Guilds Assured certificate too!

There are lots of dates to choose from!

Following the success of last year’s inspiring event (read more here, including NCVS's Community Award win),the Black Achievers Awards return on Saturday 25 October 2025 at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel and Spa. Hosted by the dynamic Anton Leon and a special performance by the comedy legend himself, Rudi Lickwood, this year promises another unforgettable evening celebrating black excellence and future leaders.

Nominations are now open, including a brand-new Aspiring Stars Award for young changemakers, sponsored by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue. Nominate someone amazing by Sunday 31 August 2025!

Tickets are on sale now!
We highly recommend securing yours early—demand is high, and you won't want to miss out. Bring your team, friends, or family and celebrate together: tables of 10 are available. Simply email theblackachieversaward@gmail.com to book.

So far this year, over £3.5 million has been raised for community groups through easyfundraising - and there’s another £1 million up for grabs this August.

Sign up your organisation now to get a share of this free, unrestricted funding.

How it works:
When your staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters shop online, thousands of retailers, including Tesco, eBay, Just Eat, Argos, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s and more, donate to you for free.

No forms, no fees. Just simple, regular funding paid every three months to spend on whatever your group needs.

Join the local causes already benefiting and get started today.

General VCSE sector resources

• UK Local Giving Report - Offering the first detailed look at giving patterns across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland for 2025.
  
  
• Members of public think regulator or government run charities - Only 15% of people think that trustees are responsible and accountable for the actions of individual charities, including their direction and strategy. Read the newest article from Civil Society Media to find out more.

The Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (NCVS) e-bulletin will be back in a fortnight. The deadline for contributions and comments is Monday 9 June 2025. Email communications@nottinghamcvs.co.uk

Did you know we keep an archive of past NCVS e-bulletins? View the archive here.

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