London Plus News
Join us on Facebook
We now have a Facebook page where we will be posting updates, as well as using it to reach smaller charities & community groups! Like & follow our page to stay connected.
Take part in our survey!
We have a short, five-minute survey to gain insight into the demand for social prescribing services in London. Please help us by taking part if you’re an organisation involved in social prescribing.
Sector News
Living Wage Week 2021
From 15th – 21st November, the Living Wage Foundation is celebrating Living Wage Week 2021 after 20 years of the movement, with events happening throughout the week.
Inclusion London: Call for evidence
Inclusion London is looking for deaf & disabled people, and allies such as disability charities & human rights organisations to contribute to the next United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRDP) civil society shadow report by the 22nd November.
Events & Training
Datawise London: Data about civil society
15th November, 11:00 – 12.30
Datawise London’s Zoom session, in partnership with London Plus and the HEAR Network, will discuss the use and need for data about civil society, linking to wider national work from the Data Collective and the Civic Strength Index.
People’s Question Time in Camden
23rd November, 19:00 – 21:00
The Mayor of London, the London Assembly and Anne Clarke, Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, will be chairing this event about their plans and priorities for the city, in-person. Register here for a chance to ask your questions.
Tools & techniques for facilitating online workshops
23rd November, 16:00 – 15.30
TechSoup Connect London’s event will help you learn about digital tools and facilitation techniques for virtual workshops. All are welcome – whether you’re new or you’re a seasoned facilitator.
Young Londoners Coalition Data and Insight
26th November, 13:00 – 15:30
Partnership for Young London’s agenda for the event includes exploring ‘Mapping Young London’ and the London Research Network, a collaboration across universities and a youth sector panel discussion.
The London Conference
30th November, 9.00am – 5.25pm
The 2021 London Conference will bring leaders together to discuss the capital’s future. It will discuss London’s recovery from the pandemic, tackling inequality, improving women’s safety, tackling climate action, levelling up and London’s responsibilities as a capital city.
Local Insight data sessions
Until the 13th of December
Datawise London has a subscription to the Local Insight platform, with data on over 1,000 neighbourhood level indicators from over 50 different sources. Book a one to one with the Datawise London team to explore the data.
Resources
Free mental health training for charities & not for profit orgs
The series of free online courses cover issues including counselling, children & young people’s mental health and mental health first aid (MHFA).
Digital tool for Universal Credit Users
Catalyst has collaborated with several charities to see how to provide remote support for online Universal Credit, to de-complicate jargon and the process.
Free data for charities from Vodafone
Vodafone’s charities.connected allows registered UK charities to apply for free data, to help those supported by charities, as well as enable organisations to improve their own digital capacity.
Guidance for people experiencing homelessness this winter
Groundswell has released a leaflet with guidance on staying healthy this winter for people experiencing homelessness. It includes top tips from staff with experience of homelessness, and up-to-date information on accessing healthcare, protection against flu and COVID-19.
Bayo: Mental health and wellbeing for Black communitiesBayo is a space run by The Ubele Initiative to find collectives, organisations and services from across the UK to support mental health and wellbeing for Black communities.
Free communications coaching
Clinks is offering free coaching from a charity communications specialist for a small number of voluntary organisations working in the criminal justice system. Spaces are limited, so apply by 12pm Friday 26th November.
Looking for a new space?
ALLOT pair charities in need of workspace with businesses that have it to spare, including desk space, meeting rooms, and storage space. Spaces may be available for up to six months, at no expense to the charity. Register your needs and find a new space today!
Covid Wellbeing Inequalities Research
Covid: WIRED includes research findings that highlight areas of life most affected by the pandemic under the categories: health, what we do, relationships, money, where we live, and education.
Funding
Right to Thrive Innovation Fund
The Fund is a small grants scheme designed to support innovative community & grassroots projects in London which help support the mental health & wellbeing of those who are experiencing higher levels of unfair treatment and discrimination.
Deadline: 22nd November.
Funding for London Communities
Trust for London’s Connected Communities Programme will provide funding for initiatives helping disadvantaged and underrepresented people to access their entitlements, and speak out about issues that directly affect them.
Deadline: 1st February 2022.
National Lottery Awards for All
Applications can be made at any time. This is a quick way to apply for small amounts of funding between £300 and £10,000. They will continue to support people and communities most adversely impacted by Covid-19.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Foyle Foundation
The Small Grants Scheme is designed to support charities, especially those working at the grassroots and local community level. Online applications are accepted from charities that have an annual turnover of less than £150,000.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Together Fund
Sport England’s Together Fund will help community organisations to engage communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic to become more active. Community organisations in London wishing to engage should contact London Sport.
Deadline to be announced.
The Archer Trust
Applications can be made at any time. The Archer Trust prefers to support organisations working in areas of high unemployment and deprivation. They favour charities that make good use of volunteers.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Racial Equity FundLloyds Bank Foundation has launched the Racial Equity Fund to support charities with evidence of helping people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities overcome complex social issues. A two-year grant of £50,000 is available.
Deadline: Ongoing.
Mayor of London: Community Spaces at Risk Support Programme
Local charities & community groups affected by the pandemic can apply for grants to protect at-risk spaces such as cultural, youth centres, and social clubs. It also provides one-to-one crisis support, and specialist business & property advice. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis.
No deadline.
Reports
London Calling: “Stretched too far”
Child Poverty Action Group’s (CPAG) London Calling project, funded by Trust for London, aims to understand the challenges faced by Black and minority ethnic parents on low-incomes bringing up children in London. The report pulls together their experiences from the first year of the project.
London Voices Briefing Paper: Voter ID and electoral reform
This briefing, funded by Trust for London, outlines the views of 109 London’s civil society organisations on potential changes to democratic rights, including photo voter ID proposals, and electoral reforms.
Understanding Thriving Communities
The Understanding Thriving Communities report [PDF] by What Works Wellbeing looks at factors and interventions that influence a community’s capacity to thrive, including insight into gaps in the evidence.
Analysis of the Autumn Budget changes to Universal Credit
This briefing note by the Resolution Foundation looks at the changes to Universal Credit (UC) – the main benefit for low-income families – made by the Chancellor in the Autumn 2021 Budget.
