LifeGate Community Cafe opening

With support from FiCD, LifeGate Church are opening a community cafe, starting 5th December and running weekly every Friday 11am - 2pm. 

It will be held in Whitfield Church, Haddington Crescent and it's a safe and friendly environment and open to all, including children. However, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

It's free to attend and there will be free soup and toasties freshly made - so pop along! 

For more information, please contact Debbie Findlay on 07949901334

Wired In - Job Shop

We've been working in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust and City Church Dundee to launch a Job Shop based in The Friary. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn IT skills and get support to look for work, including creating and building CV's and searching for jobs online. It's open to anyone and you can just drop in anytime between 2pm and 4pm every Wednesday or contact its facilitator Chelsea for more information.

Food, Fuel, Finance - Tackling the Poverty Premium Launch

Over the past year, the Iona Community have worked on ‘Closing the Gap in Scotland’ in partnership with Church Action on Poverty, Christian Aid,  Scottish Episcopal Church and ourselves at FiCD and Church of Scotland. The project’s aim was to analyse and develop responses to poverty and in particular to the premiums paid for food, fuel and finance by those who survive on low incomes. The final report draws on their experiences and recommendations.

Please visit the link to download the report and see the attached invitation to its launch on December 8th. 

http://iona.org.uk/2014/11/21/food-fuel-finance-report/

Community Development Worker - Maternity Cover

Faith in Community Dundee

Community Development Worker  -  Maternity Cover

Salary: £12,229pa for 17.5 hours per week.  (£24,458pa F.T.E)  Funded to 27 July 2015 

Providing funding is available, the post will continue up to when maternity cover is no longer required.

As a Faith in Community Dundee team member, you will support and encourage faith groups to:

· develop community initiatives which offer a practical response to the causes and effects of poverty and hardship in Dundee.

· build active links between faith groups, the wider community and local support agencie

Download the relevant application pack from our website at:

www.faithincommunityscotland.org/job/community-development-worker-maternity-cover

or telephone  0141 221 4576.

Closing date for applications: 12 noon, Monday, 24 November 2014.    

Please note:  No CVs.

Interviews:  Dundee, Monday, 8 December 2014

Faith in Community Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC036787.

Funding Information

Money for Life Challenge

Organisations working with young people aged 16-24 can apply to the Money for Life Challenge, a national competition to encourage young people to improve their money management skills. Grants of £500 are awarded to teams of young people in community organisations enabling them to run a money management activity. Deadline is Fri 21 Nov. See the Money for Life website.

Charities (with income under £200,000) to be exempt from water charges.

The Scottish Government have announced that the charity groups earning under £200,000 will be exempt from water and sewerage charges. It means over 19,000 of Scotland’s 23,500 will qualify. Visit http://community-toolkit.org.uk/Managin-and-Developing-your-group/Charities-with-income-under-200k-to-be-exempt-from-water-charges.htm

 Awards for All

The grants programme is open again to applications from voluntary groups in Scotland to carry out projects that improve their local community. The small grants programme, administered by the Big Lottery Fund in partnership with Sportscotland has reopened following a 3 month break focusing on grants related to the Commonwealth Games.

There are some changes to the programme which include:

·         A renewed focus on funding smaller organisations with an annual turnover of less than £250,000.

·         Priority for projects where the beneficiaries are mainly BME, disabled, LGBT, older or carers.

·         Priority for organisations that have not received funding from Awards for All Scotland in the previous three years.

·         A new application form that includes guidance notes and will take less time to complete.

There are no deadlines and applications may be submitted at any time. Full details can be found on the Big Lottery Fund website.

Scottish Government:  Climate Challenge Fund

Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced that the next deadline for draft applications to the Climate Challenge Fund (for funding of £30,000 and over) is the 1st December 2014, though they highly recommend that you submit an expression of interest by the 31st October. Through the Climate Challenge Fund, Communities across Scotland can apply for grants of up to £150,000 per year to help reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient.

Voluntary Action Fund: Community Grant Programme

Voluntary Action Fund's Community Grant Programme offers grants of up to £1,000 to local groups with annual incomes under £25,000. Funding can be spent on activities or operational costs. VAF is particularly keen to fund project development, such as training, visits to other projects or consultancy support. Application forms are available online. Closing date is Fri 14 Nov.

Mickel Fund

The Mickel Fund supports a broad range of charities and individuals working in different fields providing direct service delivery to people in Scotland. For example the advancement of education, the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those otherwise in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, the advancement of health, the advancement of the arts and the advancement of public participation in sports. One off and annual grants available as well as value engineering support. Visit www.mickelfund.org.uk for information. Applications accepted at any time.

 

Homeless Outreach Support (HOST) Dundee-Midnight Patrols

Below is information about the HOST Dundee Midnight Patrols that are operating in the city over the winter months.

 
Matthew 25 – 40

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 
HOST Dundee is a small team of dedicated volunteers who aim to demonstrate the love of Christ to all regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability by providing support such as a listening ear, hot drinks, warm clothing, food or a warm blanket to street homeless person’s particularly rough sleepers in Dundee and surrounding areas.

HOST Dundee aims to relief suffering and distress by providing or assisting in the provision of humanitarian support, pastoral care such as listening, sign posting to other agencies, supporting, encouraging and befriending in order to save and improve lives.

The HOST Dundee 'Midnight Patrol' which operates from October to March, searches the city including the bus and railway stations looking for those who are street homeless, sleeping rough in shop doorways, church entrances, bin sheds, parks, car parks, in void /derelict properties, etc.

Our first patrol commencing at 21:30 to 23:00hrs and second patrol being at 06:00 to 07:30hrs. We endeavor to provide an on call response service throughout the night. 

Experience from previous years has found that rough sleepers have normally identified a place to sleep and are 'bedded down' by 01:00hrs and do not wish to be woken up in the middle of the night.

Our mission is to maintain human dignity through practical help improving the conditions of life for street homeless person’s in particular rough sleepers throughout the city of Dundee and surrounding environs.

 

Contact Details:

Team Co-ordinator: Gareth Norman

Telephone: 07999 872 928 (3pm-7am)

Email: hostdundee@gmail.com 

Website: www.host.btck.co.uk

 

 

Gordon's Reflection on helping with the Dundee Drop In (DDI) Research: "When does poverty become destitution?"

Members of the FiCD team helped earlier this year to co-ordinate research done by Dundee Drop In in partnership with Dundee University. The research has been collated (see our previous blog post for more information) and our co-ordinator Gordon wrote this article for the St Paul's Cathedral Autumn Newsletter reflecting on his engagement with people at Drop In's during the research process.

When does poverty become destitution?:-

As part of my commitment to working with the Dundee Drop In group of church based projects, including Graham’s Kitchen, I helped co-ordinate research across the projects earlier this year with Dundee University.  This has been collated, but actually getting alongside many of those who use the drop ins was the first shock to my system.  The questionnaire took about half an hour to complete and the first two guys I interviewed had not had any electricity for ages. The cost of reconnection was prohibitive so trying to cook anything or wash themselves was impossible, let alone heat their homes.  These first two would become typical of many who had fallen on hard times.  Yes, some were drug addicts and coping with the damage that drugs had inflicted seemed impossible.  There was one guy who had not had any electricity for a whole year and was entirely dependent for his survival on the various drop ins across the city.  As well as no electricity he had no benefits apart from getting his council rent paid. His benefits had been sanctioned (stopped for some reason or another) but he didn’t know how to get them re-instated, so for a whole year had been totally dependent upon handouts for his survival. The parish nurse who interviewed him and the council worker who was then involved managed to get his benefits re-instated - (£72.00 pw).  However, he subsequently found himself sanctioned again as he has poor literacy and finds it difficult to apply for the number  of jobs required.  Then there was the former joiner who was determined  not to be sanctioned, but he was as he applied for a job by email and not through the right website.  He was surviving on about £50 pw prior to being sanctioned as there had to be a contribution to his rent as Housing Benefit only paid so much as he was in private accommodation. Those who are sanctioned can apply for a hardship payment, but it takes a couple of weeks and is a small  proportion of benefits. Sanctions start for four weeks, but can escalate to six months, which I’ve come across. 

Anyway, just some of the people I met, laughed with – yes laugh!  Their openness and welcome was second to none and it made me think of Jesus. Of how he was there to help the lepers, the outcasts, the prostitutes.  He challenged the establishment because he thought differently.  He didn’t speak about a fair world or a just world, but a generous grace that subverts the norms of society. So, such an experience changed my perception.  It wasn’t just being there, but listening and learning  and getting to know and trust other human beings who were hungry in our city.

We completed 106 questionnaires across the drop in projects and they show that no electricity, benefit sanctions, loneliness, poor mental health and lack of clothes are key problems for people and when people have  a number of these problems then along with low self-esteem they are really up against it. But, why use the drop ins? Well, it isn’t rocket science, but the main reason for using the drop ins was hunger!  I think being hungry is when poverty becomes destitution and I never thought that I would ever use that word for Dundee, but this research has changed me forever. I now recognise some people begging and some people selling the Big Issue.   Of course some people are rogues, but most guys and girls have fallen on hard times for all sorts of reasons and become isolated and excluded.  What Graham’s Kitchen does is fill a gap in the sharing of food, company and help. This is not the answer, but it is “not passing by”, “ going the extra mile” and it is leading  to other action. St. Mary’s in Lochee and Eagles Wings are looking at the provision of clothes – not just handouts, but trying to give people a choice, because they can’t afford charity shops.  Others like the Friary and Gilfillan are looking at helping with IT access and Job Search to help people avoid sanctions.   And yes, this is being doing in partnership with the council, but often churches are best placed to make that simple response that the Cathedral does through Graham’s Kitchen. It is so important and many people are grateful – believe me, I’ve heard and written down many comments expressing sincere gratitude.

FiCD Training and Events 2014-15

Feature Project: 'Taught by Muhammad' at Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI)

Earlier this month I met with Rizwan Rafik from ‘Taught by Muhammad’ at Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI) and asked him some questions about the project.

Tell me about your work and how the project started?
YYI started in 2004 when we identified that there was a need for something for young people in the Muslim Community because many young Muslims were disengaged from wider society. For this reason when it started YYI was just doing youth development work including activities to integrate young people into wider society. We started a Scout group for youth up to aged 14. As that grew we identified a need for something that helped those over the age of 14 with skills, employability, and volunteering opportunities. We developed ‘Change Makers’ to offer these opportunities to young people. As young people were building up life skills we saw the opportunity to help young people outreach to the local community and to help others, with the hope that this would contribute to a more tolerant and integrated society in Dundee. This was the start of ‘Taught by Muhammad’ which is the project that I work for.

‘Taught by Muhammad’ has a number of different projects within it. We run a food bank, where we collect food from the Muslim Community as well as the wider public. We receive referrals from local agencies and then deliver the food to those that need it. We run two Curry Kitchens once a month (see photo below showing volunteers at a curry kitchen). One is at the Salvation Army Drop In and the other is with the Claverhouse Smart Lone Parents Programme. For both of these our volunteers (aged 16 plus) cook and prepare the food and then serve it at the Salvation Army, or deliver it to unemployed single parents. The Curry Kitchens provide the opportunity for our young volunteers to develop team work and cooking skills, and to grow in understanding of the challenges some people in Dundee face. It is also an opportunity for them to meet with the wider community and break down barriers.

 

We have some other work that we are in the early stages of developing including taking presentations into external organisations such as schools and universities to help bridge understanding between Muslim’s and other communities. This is because a large percentage of 18-24 year olds say that they don’t trust the Muslim community. We want to help break down barriers, and build safer communities. Another new initiative is working in partnership with Dundee West Youth Team bringing YYI and local youth from Lochee and Menzieshill together through things like football. This is also aimed at growing understanding and integration. We are also planning to run a Budgeting Cooking Programme together with the Cairn Centre and a worker from the Gate Church. In the future we would also like to develop a programme for older members of the Muslim community to reduce isolation.

What is the connection of your project with faith?

Our work is inspired by faith and our remit is targeted at the Muslim community. However we believe that we are trying to project values that are shared by all people, such as kindness. We are not about promoting Islam as a religion, but about developing the Muslim community, outreaching to those who are in need in Dundee, and building bridges between the Muslim and the wider community.

What do you think has been the impact of your work?

I think our impact has been very positive. We have had good feedback from the people we are working with at the Curry Kitchens. The people we work with now feel comfortable with us and we have formed good friendships. Working for the good of others together has promoted tolerance. Those who we serve food to were at first a little apprehensive, but over the last year they have got to know us and realised that we are normal people that they can have a joke and a laugh with.

The first youth football tournament run in partnership with the Dundee West Youth Team was a success. The young people enjoyed it and have asked to do it again.

I think it is important for Dundee’s Muslim community to play a part in addressing Dundee’s social issues and help to build a closer knit community. I think ‘Taught by Muhammad’ and YYI are helping this to happen.

Do you have any message for those thinking about starting similar projects like yours?

I think it is very important to engage with the local community whatever your target age group, as there are so many needs. It is excellent to see different strands of work being done in Dundee but there is still more that needs to be done. I would actively encourage other youth to do something even if it is little. Everything starts with something small-it doesn’t have to be a massive thing. For example helping your neighbour when they are ill.

Thank you to Rizwan for giving his time to speak to me. If you would like to find out more about ‘Taught by Muhammad’ and YYI you can contact him on: rizwan.rafik@taughtbymuhammad.com

WIRED IN – Dundee IT/Employability Drop-in Information Session

Volunteers Wanted

1^st October 2014 at 7pm

The Friary, Tullideph Rd, DD2 2PN

People who are vulnerable and/or are on benefits are required to have access to computers and basic IT Skills in order to job search and perform various other activities. For some this is very difficult, if not impossible to manage on their own, but churches and the community want to help. A partnership is being developed with the local authority to help this happen.

This event has been organised by Bethany Christian Trust, The Friary, Gilfillan Church and Faith in Community Dundee. 

If you’d like to be involved, or would like to find out more, please come along, and if possible, volunteer.

To book your space please contact Chelsea Lamont; 

chelsealamont@bethanychristiantrust.com / 07747018550

Job Advertisement - Lochee Parish Church Community Support Worker

Community Support Worker 

As part of its outreach programme Lochee Parish Church is looking for an experienced person to provide a high level of support and care, appropriate to the needs of clients recovering from addiction issues, in the context of the community.

You will be responsible for developing this work, building a client list from referrals through our church community cafe and from other agencies working locally. You will also contribute to the development and setting up of care plans for clients, in partnership with other agencies. Your work will be part of the overall youth and family strategy of our church working in the community. Ideal candidates will be confident, assertive, with excellent communication skills and will have experience working in a similar role. A down to earth nature and a good sense of humour is essential.

You will be required to work flexibly to suit the needs of the project. You will be able to work well both individually and within a team and will also be competent in liaising with outside agencies and family members where appropriate.

It is preferred, but not essential, that the applicant for the post will have a Christian commitment.  It is essential that he/she will uphold our Christian ethos. This requirement is a Genuine Occupational requirement in terms of the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003.

Please email dave-lpc@hotmail.com quoting Ref No CSW001 or call 01382 612549 to request an application pack or seek further information.

Closing date for receipt of applications:  12 noon on Thursday 25th September 2014.

Scottish Charity Number SC033313

Update on Dundee Drop In Research

The DDI projects continue to serve many of the most marginalised in our city through the provision of food, conversation and information.  The new drop in at St. Mary’s RC Church in Lochee is now very well established on Saturday afternoons.

 Questionnaires were both designed and completed by volunteers from DDI projects along with some who use the DDI services and five students from Dundee University.  The questionnaires were completed by volunteers in talking with people who use DDI services and took around half an hour to complete, sometime in the rain. The willingness of people to complete them was a very strong indication that people wanted things to change.  106 questionnaires have been collated now and issues arising from the information include: not having enough clothing, fuel poverty, benefit sanctions, addictions, poor mental health and loneliness. 

 

The research has now been collated into an excel spreadsheet designed by Dr. Fernando Fernandes of Dundee University. Fernando’s contribution to this research is considerable and the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership who are providing a small amount of money have agreed that this can be used to carry out 1:1 interviews and focus groups. This will be led by Fernando and offers a real opportunity to gather more in depth information from people who have already completed a questionnaire and who face a variety of struggles in day to day life.

A group of volunteers from the DDI projects have been going through the data from the questionnaires and will be recommending some key actions to come out of the research. This follows on from a full meeting of DDI projects in June.   This process will take time and Fernando will again be providing considerable input in ensuring that all the data is reported upon.

 

During the course of the research and afterwards the input from the new Connect team of the city council was invaluable. They really have reached people that no other services were reaching. A very obvious learning point from the exercise has been using the questionnaire to identify issues that people face and being able to refer people immediately to advice from the Connect team. There is a real need it would seem to improve how issues might be identified and referrals made to a range of key services.

 

Any person in the DDI projects who wants to help with the analysis of the research and report writing please contact Gordon on gordon@faithincommunitydundee.org or phone 825351.

Big Lottery invests in Prison Throughcare work

Faith in Community (Scotland) is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £901,471 from the Big Lottery Fund to develop its Faith in Throughcare programme, which will support people returning from short-term prison sentences.

 This considerable investment will, over the next five years, enable people like Mark to rebuild their lives on release from prison, with the support of trained volunteers and a network of local community organisations. Mark is a 35 year old man with a 20 year history of offending that is linked to drug and alcohol addictions.  He’s from an area of Greenock where the prison population is three and a half times higher than the national average.

Living with his sister, he’s managed to stop drinking and is on a daily methadone and diazepam prescription but, due to years of substance misuse, he suffers severe anxiety which makes him anxious about going outside.

 Mark said: “I would have been dead. I really felt like killing myself before Faith in Throughcare started getting me out. I was never out of here. I feel like I can talk to them and know that they won’t judge what I have done.” Through his involvement with the project and with the support of volunteers since 2013, Mark’s confidence has grown. He opened up about how hard he found life without drugs and alcohol but meeting a volunteer who had a similar history to his own gave him hope for his own recovery. “I enjoy the volunteers getting me out of this house and can have a laugh with them. Faith in Throughcare is one of the only things I have in my life that does not make me angry,” he added.

 A small staff team will work with people like Mark who are leaving prison, as well as with local people living in East Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Glasgow and Dundee.  By bringing together teams of volunteers and by building the capacity of existing local groups, the project aims to build a strong neighbourhood infrastructure where communities are able to welcome back people who have previously been in prison – sometimes on several occasions – helping them not only stay away from prison in future, but also supporting them in using their skills and talents to contribute meaningfully and positively to the life of the local community.

 Faith in Throughcare has been piloting its approach over the past three years, initially in the north of Glasgow, where it has worked closely with St Matthew’s Centre in Possilpark, as well as with local churches, community groups and statutory and third sector organisations.  With funding from the Church of Scotland, the Tudor Trust, the Robertson Trust, the Dulverton Trust, the LankellyChase Foundation and the Scottish Government’s Reducing Re-offending Change Fund, a team of 60 volunteers have supported over 100 people returning from short-term prison sentences.  Initial evaluation of the work identified that the relationship between somebody leaving prison and a volunteer mentor who builds the person’s confidence in helping them to help themselves, was critical in helping people to escape the cycle of re-offending which affects the lives of so many people living in Scotland’s economically poorest communities.

“Everyone who has worked so hard to make Faith in Throughcare  a success is thrilled by this award”, said Fergus McNeill, Chair of the project steering group and Professor of Criminology and Social Work at the University of Glasgow. “Faith in Throughcare has always been about pooling resources to give people second chances and to build communities. The Big Lottery Fund’s award makes it possible for us to use what we have learned to take the work so much further; building on the strengths and resources of individuals, groups and communities to support a safer and fairer society for everyone. The funding will secure staff positions to recruit, develop and support volunteers – to recruit, develop and support people leaving prison – so that they can settle back into their communities and make a positive difference to them. We’re now able to extend that work to more communities who can and will see the benefits.”

For any further enquiry about the project, please contact Morag Sievwright at morag@faithinthroughcare.org

Funding Information August 2014

Faiths in Scotland Community Action Fund (FISCAF) is delighted to announce the next rounds of funding in partnership with the STV Appeal, which will result in more funding being awarded to develop the work of faith groups tackling poverty amongst children, young people and families. There are two upcoming deadlines, and faith groups can apply by Friday 22 August at 5pm, or by Tuesday 30 September, 5pm, with decisions by the beginning of October and beginning of December, respectively. Eligible projects must meet the normal FiSCAF criteria (for details visit www.fiscaf.org); identify a particular need of children and/or young people up to the age of 18 and/or their families; encourage the widest possible participation; and build real and meaningful relationships with the wider community. To register interest in this new round of grants focusing on children, young people and families, please email FiSCAF with the name of your organisation, contact details and a description in no more than 100 words of what you want to apply for, how much you think you will need, and what difference it will make in your community.  We will be in touch thereafter with details of how to make a formal application.

CONTACT:      Faiths in Scotland Community Action Fund

Email:              clare@fiscaf.org

Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation Grants Programme (UK)

The Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation Grant is provided and administered by the Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation and is available for Third Sector Organisations in the UK.  The main objectives of the foundation are to contribute to the development of a just society based on a commitment to nonviolence and environmental sustainability. Grants are made between the values of £5,000 and £15,000 and are provided for between one and three years. Priority will be given to small, pioneering organisations.

 Previous projects supported include:

Airport Watch which received a grant of £15,000 over two years to educate UK policy-makers about the dangerously unsustainable growth and levels of air freight.

EcoNexus which received a grant of £8,000 to examine and promote the understanding of new technologies that are potentially harmful to the environment and communities, and the influences and interests that lie behind them.

The next closing date for applications is the 15th September 2014.

http://www.polden-puckham.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=35

 

MacRobert Trust Grants Programme (UK)

The MacRobert Trust, which makes grants to registered charities in the United Kingdom (but preference is given to registered charities in Scotland), has announced that the next application deadline is the 31st October 2014.

The MacRobert Trust makes grants in the areas of:

• Services and Sea


• Education and Training


• Children and Youth


• Science, Engineering and Technology


• Agriculture and Horticulture


• Tarland and the Local Area.

Grants can range between £5,000 and £25,000 and occasionally the Trustees make a recurring grant of up to three years. In addition a small grants programme facilitates awards of up to £5,000.

Previous grants awarded by the Trust include:

A grant of £15,000 over three years to Life Cycle UK towards ‘Bike Generation', a Bristol project which aims to make youngsters more independent and less isolated by teaching them new skills

A £15,000 grant to CatZero to tackle low educational achievement, youth crime, drug and alcohol abuse, poor health and lack of alternative employment and training for young people in Hull.

http://www.themacroberttrust.org.uk/grant-making/monetary-awards/

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust Launches New Grants Programme (UK)

After having completed a strategic review of its funding, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust has announced the launch of its new grants programme. Under its new programmes the Trust is inviting application under the following programmes:

•  Peace and Security;


• Power and Accountability;


• Rights and Justice;


• Sustainable Future;


• and Northern Ireland.

The Trust anticipates that funding will be under one of these programmes but will also consider applications that cut across one or more of these. Applications can be submitted by a range of different organisations and the Trust generally funds work that is about addressing the root causes of problems rather than delivering services or alleviating immediate needs.

 It is not necessary to be a registered charity to apply to the Trust. However, the Trust can only support work which is legally charitable as defined in UK law.

 There are two closing dates for applications. These are 12 noon on the 18th August for the Right and Justice, Sustainable Future, and Northern Ireland Programmes; and the 12 noon on the 1st September for the Peace and Security, and Power and Accountability Programmes.

http://www.jrct.org.uk/about-us

ScotRail Foundation

Funding is provided by ScotRail as part of their commitment to their social and corporate responsibilities and is managed by Foundation Scotland on ScotRail's behalf. The Fund aims to support and develop a wide range of projects which bring communities together.

Grants of between £250 and £5,000 are available. However, it is anticipated that most grants will be made for around £1,000.

To be considered for a larger award, groups must be able to demonstrate a significant contribution to local needs. Only exceptional applications will be awarded the maximum grant of £5,000.

Funding is available for projects that:

• Support children and young people.


• Improve the local environment.


• Improve the general health and wellbeing of local communities.

Deadline(s): 2014 deadlines: 1 September 2014 and 1 December 2014.

Frequency: Biannual.

Link to guidelines: http://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/scotrail.aspx

 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) IMPACT Awards

The UK IMPACT Awards are an annual scheme, funded by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as part of the company's commitment to promoting community health and wellbeing.  The Awards are organised and managed in partnership with the King's Fund, a leading independent health charity with a wide remit in the health and social care field.

Up to ten winners will receive £30,000 unrestricted funding with one overall winner receiving an extra £10,000. Winners will also receive free training and development valued at up to £6,000, a specially commissioned professional film and photographs along with publicity and press support.

Up to ten runners-up will receive £3,000.

Deadline(s): 2014 deadline for the 2015 Awards: 19 September 2014 (5pm).

Frequency: Annual.

Link to guidelines: http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/gskimpactawards

People's Postcode Trust - Small Grants Programme

 

Funding is available for projects that advance citizenship or community development in England Scotland and Wales.

Project costs and general running costs that are directly related to the running of the project

Grants of up to £20,000 are available for those in Scotland and England. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for those in Wales

The amount of funding requested from the Trust must be more than 10% of the overall project cost

2014 funding round dates are as follows:

• Quarter One - Open: 6 January 2014; Close: 21 February 2014. For applications from Scotland, Wales and North of England.


• Quarter Two - Open: 7 April 2014; Close: 23 May 2014. For applications from Scotland, Wales and South of England (excluding Greater London).


• Quarter Three - Open: 7 July 2014; Close: 22 August 2014. For applications from Scotland, Wales, East and West Midlands.


• Quarter Four - Open: 6 October 2014; Close: 7 November 2014. For applications from Scotland, Wales and Greater London.

Awards for All 2014

The Big Lottery Fund announced that their Awards for All programme has now re-opened for applications.

Awards for All will now:

·         Focus on funding smaller organisations with an annual turnover of less than £250,000 (this does not apply to schools)

·         Prioritise applications from organisations who have not received an Awards for All grant in the previous three years

·         Prioritise projects that support BME communities, the disabled, LGBT communities, older people and carers, however projects engaging with other groups will also be supported.

 Awards for All will support projects that achieve one of the following outcomes:

·         Strengthen how your community works together – run events to engage the community,

·         Increase people’s skills and life chances – help people learn or experience new things

·         Improve your local area for people to enjoy – improving local spaces or facilities, helping people to develop a community garden

·         Get people more active and healthier – giving people opportunities to exercise and eat well

 Grants of between £500 and £10,000 will be available with projects lasting up to 12 months. Applications can be submitted at any time (but you should apply at least 4 months before you need the money) and decisions will be made within 10 weeks of Awards for All receiving a completed application.

The revised application form has been simplified to reduce the amount of information that they require from applicants. There are 2 key questions that require written answers (up to 500 words each), much of the rest of the form is tick boxes:

1.       What does your project involve? What you will do how you will do it and who will benefit.

2.       Why is your project a good idea? What aims/needs will the project address, how do you know about these needs, provide evidence, what support do you have from the people who will benefit.

  Money Advice Trust - Innovation Grants Programme

Type	Grant
Scheme Outline	Grants are available for innovative projects helping people across the UK to tackle their debts and manage their money wisely.
Eligible Costs	Project costs
Funding/Support	Applicants can apply for up to £30,000 per year for up to three years
Match Funding	The Trust can pay for all of the project costs, however, applicants are encouraged to get some funding from other sources if possible
Deadline(s)	2014 deadline for Expressions of Interest: 17 August 2014 (midnight).
	Tel: 020 7653 9746 Website: http://www.moneyadvicetrust.org/Pages/default.aspx