Invitation to Welfare Reform Event - HURRY! Seats are Limited!

 

Support and Connect (Big Lottery Fund) - First Deadline 10 May

What’s it all about?

 

Support and Connect is part of the Investing in Communities portfolio, through which BIG Scotland invests in projects that bring real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.

 

Support and Connect is a £10 million fund which aims to improve the support available locally for people experiencing hardship and material need.

 

 Our research tells us that more people are facing challenging times. Many organisations on the ground report increased demand for support with basic needs and welfare and financial advice.

 

We are also aware that there’s sometimes a lack of knowledge about what’s available locally and that services aren’t always as connected as they could be. 

 

We will fund organisations helping those who are in hardship that are experiencing growing demand for their services.  We will also help organisations and services enhance their provision and connect with each other to provide more effective support.

 

Support and Connect is a £10 million fund to support the following types of projects:

 

• welfare advice
• financial skills training and services
• action to address food poverty
• provision of clothing and household goods
• action to address fuel poverty.

The deadlines for applications to this programme are in May and September 2013. Activities funded under Support and Connect should be completed by 31 March 2015.  There are two deadlines to allow some organisations to apply for immediate support and others to spend time working up ideas and applications.

 

What are we looking for?

 

All applications must demonstrate how their activity will bring about the following outcomes:

 

1          Organisations helping those in hardship are better connected to each other so they can offer more effective support.

And

2          People in hardship have better access to services that can help them.

 

Who can apply?

 

We welcome applications from a wide range of organisations including:

 

·         voluntary and community organisations

·         local authorities

·         schools

·         housing associations.

 

We welcome applications from partnerships. However, one organisation needs to be designated as the lead applicant. We cannot accept applications from individuals and sole traders.

 

How much can organisations ask for?

 

Organisations can ask for between £10,000 and £350,000.

 

What can organisations apply for?

 

Organisations can apply for project costs such as staff, training, equipment, the cost of running premises, providing information, evaluation, and overheads. We can also fund capital costs such as minor refurbishment of premises (less than £50,000).

 

Organisations can apply to enhance, develop or extend existing services and support to meet an increase in demand or develop new provision where a gap has been identified.

 

What happens when?

 

The key dates are:

·         10 May –  first deadline

·         end June – decisions made

·         6 September – second  deadline

·         October – decisions made

FiCDundee SEs Aspiring Event

On March 13, Faith in Community Dundee organized a small event on Social Enterprise in collaboration with Dundee Social Enterprise Network (SEN) at The Factory Skatepark. A total of 8 people, representing different churches and projects, participated in the event. Susan Smith from Dundee SEN introduced the concept of social enterprise - its definition, criteria and legal status and explored options to manage a business model for charity oriented entities. After the introduction session, Peter Friend from Helm Training shared his experience of running a social enterprise - its ethos and community engagement. Towards the end of the event, the floor was open for discussion where participants looked at how to get started and what kind of support - resources, knowledge and experience - is available to budding social enterprises, through Dundee SEN and other organizations.

Photos from the event    

Susan, Dundee SEN introducing Social Enterprise	Participants exploring the Social Enterprise ideas
Participants listening to the presentation	Gordon, FiCDundee sharing his thoughts

 

Broken Puzzle - A Play from Jericho House

FISCAF Small Grants - Deadline March 11 - HURRY!

 

Faiths in Scotland Community Action Fund (FISCAF) will be having a further round of small grant awards before the end of March. If your group has an idea for a small grant of up to £2000, please visit the website www.fiscaf.org to check if you meet the application criteria.  If so, you can request a copy of the application form.  Your application must be received by no later than 5pm on Monday 11 March, and you will hear about the outcome by the end of March.