We are excited to share that June is ‘The Month of Community’, a campaign which entails many events such as Volunteers' Week (1st-7th) & Small Charity Week (20th-25th) to bring people and organisations together to celebrate everything that makes our communities great! (see news section below)! June will see a month of community events and celebrations across the UK, as we get together to share friendship, have fun and support a variety of charities and causes. Last year, over 15 million people took part in the first ever Month of Community, and this year it’s going to be even bigger and better. So don't miss out, join in this June - whether you want to say cheers to volunteers, connect with your neighbours, support a cause you care about, or simply to say thank you, it's all part of the Month of Community! Continue reading below to find out how you or your organisation can get involved... Partner Campaigns - Quicklinks Neighbourhood Watch Week, 30 May – 5 June Volunteers Week, 1-7 June The Big Lunch, from 2 June The Big Jubilee Lunch 2-5 June Thank You Day, 5 June Carers Week 6-12 June Loneliness Awareness Week, 13-17 June Refugee Week, 20-26 June Small Charity Week, 20-24 June The Great Get Together, 24-26 June How you can get involved - Show your support for the campaign on social media, using the content and graphics below - Include copy in your e-news, blogs or websites to help spread the word! Suggested copy is included in this document, but we can provide additional copy and images to help - Organise your own event! Use our new stamp to help show your event, however big or small, is part of the Month of Community. - Support participating partner campaigns - check out our website for the full list - Supporting other Month of Community events – find out what’s going on in your area Suggested social media posts - Here are a few suggested ideas for social media posts to help make it easy for you to support the campaign - Don’t forget to include #MonthofCommunity in your posts! - Please remember to use an image or video with your post as this will help with engagement - Visit participating campaign websites to find specialised campaign resources for each participating campaign week - If you have any questions about supporting us on social, please get in touch with Thea Bibby at tbibby@edenproject.com Social Media Content TEMPLATE TWITTER POSTS Post 1 This year, we’re proudly part of the Month of Community, and celebrating everything that makes our communities great! Get involved at www.monthofcommunity.com #MonthOfCommunity Post 2 The #MonthOfCommunity celebrates everything that makes our communities great! Whether it’s cheering on volunteers, organising a Big Lunch or hosting an activity for Loneliness Awareness Week, there’s so many ways to get involved. Find out more: www.monthofcommunity.com Post 3 Feeling inspired by #MonthOfCommunity? There’s so much going on in our communities, why not get involved? Find out more at www.monthofcommunity.com (you can also use this to signpost to your own community activity) Post 4: I’m taking part in [The Big Lunch/The Great Get Together/Volunteers Week etc] as part of #MonthOfCommunity, celebrating all the wonderful things happening in [my town]! I’ll be doing [this activity on this date] TEMPLATE FACEBOOK POSTS Facebook option 1: This year, we’re taking part in the Month of Community! The Month of Community celebrates the amazing things happening in our communities, and anyone can get involved. Get involved at www.monthofcommunity.com Facebook option 2: We’re proudly taking part in [The Big Lunch/Refugee Festival Scotland/Volunteers Week etc] as part of the Month of Community, celebrating all the wonderful things happening in [my town]! I’ll be hosting (this activity on this date) and would love to have as many people as possible join us. Facebook option 3: We’re proudly taking part in Month of Community, celebrating all the wonderful things happening in [my town]! There’s so much going on, so why not get involved? Find out more here: www.monthofcommunity.com Use the Month of Community stamps on design assets to show that you’re supporting the Month of Community!

Press release from the new Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board. A new collaborative health and care organisation with a responsibility for providing £1.5 billion of services to the people of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire has been established. Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board came into being at one minute past midnight on Friday 1 July, following a successful transition from the region’s former clinical commissioning group. Officials from the new organisation will meet during a virtual day one meeting in public to herald its arrival, discuss future plans and answer questions submitted in advance from people living in the local area. The ICB for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire is one of 42 others that have been established across England as part of national plans to improve integration between health and care organisations serving the same geography. Following Parliamentary approval, and the subsequent Royal Assent, of the new Health and Care Act 2022, which outlines the need for more effective collaboration and better joined-up working, CCGs have been dissolved to make way for integrated care boards that will bring more cohesion to local health and care systems. Sue Harriman, Chief Executive, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “This is day one of a brand new organisation, and it is incredibly exciting to look ahead, and to think of all that can be achieved through genuine integration and real collaboration. “However, while we have big plans, many of which build on strengthening the ties partners forged during the pandemic, today marks only the start of a long journey to truly change how we deliver health and care to local people.” Stephanie Elsy, Chair, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “For too long, residents have spoken of a health and care system that feels overly complicated and, at times, confusing, but we now aim to change that by bringing all our various health and care partners together around a single table. “The integrated care board will make it easier for the NHS, local government and voluntary sector to work as one, which in turn should create a more seamless journey of care for patients, especially those who receive help from multiple partners, such as older people who may be visited at home, but still need to attend appointments in hospital or with their GP.” As a sovereign statutory body, the ICB will work collaboratively to improve outcomes in population health, provide better joined-up care, reduce health inequalities and enhance productivity and value for money, while also helping the NHS support broader social and economic development. The board itself will sit within the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care System, known as BSW Together. This is a wider network of local health and care organisations that will plan and organise how health and care services can be delivered across the region, while also committing to give local people and communities a louder voice in how services are provided locally. Those organisations that make up the ICS include the region’s three NHS foundation trusts, 88 GP practices and three local councils, as well as the ambulance service, community caregivers, mental health providers and hundreds of local voluntary, community and social enterprise groups. More information about the integrated care board can be found online, either by visiting www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk, or by searching for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.

It goes without saying that volunteers are the backbone of the third sector, and their input is invaluable. Over the pandemic, many more people gave up their time to volunteer for good causes. In 2020, half of UK adults at least once (NCVO Almanac 2021). However, volunteers often sit in-between traditional supporters and contracted staff members, so effectively managing them and their needs can sometimes be more difficult. Therefore, volunteers tend to be treated as either supporters or staff, but never both. This handy e-book can help charities maximise the impact of their volunteers and manage them more effectively via the use of a good CRM. As well as helping charities to boost their own performance, CRM's can aid the volunteer experience and therefore help with communication, retention and management of your volunteer operation as well as 1-1 contact with volunteers. The guidebook also offers great tips for attracting new volunteers, and includes a helpful case study from Christian Aid. Find out more and download the e-book here.

Our partners Lime Green Consulting have brought out a new blog post on a critical topic that we think you'll find particularly relevant and beneficial. We've included a brief overview below, and you can visit their website here to view the full blog. The cost-of-living and energy crisis is the latest major headache for charities and social enterprises, with many experts now predicting that the impact could be more severe than the pandemic. When the outlook is so serious, and you have a million other things to do, it might be tempting to put off thinking strategically about this, and simply hope that the worst projections don't come true. But - I can’t stress this enough - this is a crisis to tackle head on, because there are things you can do to navigate your organisation through the worst of it. Firstly, how will charities and social enterprises be impacted? Rising energy bills will push up your running costs and project costs, particularly if you have large or older, energy-inefficient premises, or run lots of energy-intensive activities - for example activities involving cooking, electrical machinery or digital equipment.​ Inflation is forecast to hit historic levels, so the cost of pretty much anything you need will increase - fuel, food, materials needed for activities, services provided to you by businesses. Increasing staffing costs - rising costs will impact your staff too, making it more expensive for them to travel to work, feed their family etc. In a sector already known for low pay, this will put pressure on charities to pay staff more - Pro Bono Economics previously reported that to ensure that wages don’t fall in real terms, charities would need to increase salaries by 8.8% between 2021 and 2024. As costs increase, the real value of existing grants and donations goes down. Again, let’s look at what Pro Bono Economics say: a grant worth £100,000 per year in 2021 will only be worth £94,000 by 2023, and a monthly direct debit of £20 in 2021 will have effectively depreciated to £17.20 by 2026. These figures are all based on inflation estimates that may already be too optimistic. All this points towards you having to spend more to achieve the same impact - bad news, especially if you’re reliant on funders with antiquated views on how much things cost, and what they're willing to fund. But charities can’t control inflation and rising energy costs - so what can you do in response? 1. Urgently re-budget Before deciding what action to take, you need to understand exactly how your organisation will be impacted. This will depend entirely on your circumstances and what you do. 2. Ask funders (and donors) for help If you’re currently in receipt of a multi-year grant, contact the funder and explore whether it's possible to renegotiate the grant amount for future years, based on the unexpected and unavoidable rise in your costs. 3. Look for cost savings This crisis isn’t your fault, but there will still be things you can do to make savings, even if this only makes a modest difference in the face of rising costs. Visit the Lime Green Consulting website to view the full blog.

Latest Update: 26/08/2022 To help individuals and organisations access the local and national support available around the 'Cost of Living Crisis', we have begun to compile a list of resources below. Please get in touch with us by emailing contact@3sg.org.uk if you would like us to add to the list below: Community Wellbeing Hub Partners from across Bath and North East Somerset have come together to pledge help and support for local people with the rising cost of living. A wide range of agencies, third sector organisations and community groups - working under the umbrella of the Community Wellbeing Hub - have joined forces with Bath & North East Somerset Council and HCRG Care Group to help residents with money matters, bills, benefits, energy costs, food, housing, mental health support, jobs and skills, support for carers and other services. The move follows the announcement on Friday 26th August that the energy price cap is rising from £1,971 to £3,549 a year from October. The Community Wellbeing Hub provides a single telephone number 0300 247 0050 to access help from key local agencies, including Citizens Advice, Age UK and Bath Mind. The Hub has provided support - particularly to the most vulnerable - during the pandemic and provides links to a wide range of community groups and information about what services are available. The Hub can be contacted Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. B&NES Council - Money Matters Signposting In response to the concerns and difficulties experienced by some families in B&NES around food insecurity and fuel bill increases, B&NES council have set up a dedicated Money Matters section on Live Well B&NES. This provides a wide range of information and signposting, with 29 organisations listed ranging from those which help with school uniforms to financial support and advice and the Community Well-being Hub. Cost of living support (benefits, energy, food, debt, childcare costs, mental health support etc.) Support services and organisations Paying for care and support, planning for future care costs etc CleanSlate - Financial Support Quids in! is the financial resilience initiative run by CleanSlate Training & Employment CIC, a West of England-based social enterprise helping people on low incomes to become better off. They support people to re-think how they organise their finances, help them find work or better work, and enable them to get online. Quids in! publishes a light and easy-to-read, personal finance magazine for people on benefits, in social housing or on low pay, as well as a range of guides, a monthly e-newsletter and interactive tools on quidsinmagazine.com, reaching over 160,000 people per year. They also have a professional network, Quids in! Pro, which has 2,000 subscribers made up of advisers, housing professionals and decision-makers across the UK. To find out about all the local training on offer, visit: cleanslateltd.co.uk Bath Mind - Mental Health Support Financial struggles can weigh heavily on our shoulders, and poorly impact our mental health. When financial strains worsen, as they have for many due to the spike in the cost of living, our mental health often takes a back seat and is undermined by the increased stress. Those with existing mental health issues are likely to find the increased costs of living hinder their wellbeing and the task of managing money becomes harder. Bath Mind has recognised this, and the 'vicious cycle' that can prevail in these circumstances, and has put together a guide with resources to help those struggling. You can find their advice here. Government Support The government has launched a 'Help for Households' campaign to outline the cost of living support they have available. Income support Help with energy bills Help with childcare costs Housing support Help with transport costs Help finding work Discounts and offers available from businesses to help with the cost of living. Your Park Bristol & Bath Likewise, Your Park Bristol and Bath understand the links between rising costs, poverty and poor mental wellbeing. With NHS mental health referrals reaching a record 4.3 million last year, reliance on support from local charities is unsurprisingly on the rise during this cost of living crisis. Wellbeing resources, as well as practical and financial support and advice, are more invaluable than ever, and so it's worth mentioning that Roots to Wellbeing provide a six week course of therapy in Bristol's parks for those struggling with mental health, and have proven to be very effective

We recently celebrated Volunteers' Week 2022, and along with many third sector organisations, extended our thanks to the amazing individuals across our communities who volunteer their time and skills to good causes. It goes without saying that volunteers are the backbone of the third sector, and so maintaining an effective volunteer management system that easily supports volunteers throughout the process is vital. This can be a challenge on tight budgets and time constraints, but digital methods can make a huge improvement to the efficiency of small charities' volunteer management. There are now a wide range of digital volunteer management systems available in all shapes and sizes to suit the needs of any charity, to help streamline the process of volunteer organisation. Not only does this improve the organisation's efficiency, but it offers a more positive experience for volunteers, fosters stronger relationships between volunteer coordinators and individual volunteers, and improves retention rates. Volunteer management systems can therefore help charities with recruitment, communication, engagement, tracking and recognition. Charity Digital have helpfully compared five top volunteer management systems for charities, including pricing and functionalities, and have links to further resources to help you identify the best system for your organisation. They have also compiled a handy, in-depth article packed with lots of advice on volunteer management systems, why they're so helpful and how to go about using them.

Last week, 3SG's Director (Becky) and Project Manager (Miles) had the pleasure of attending the 2022/23 Community Awards, at a special ceremony in Henrietta Park in which the winners were revealed by Chair of the Council, Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall. BaNES Council's Community Awards recognise those who have made outstanding contributions to their local communities, and 3SG were delighted to be a part of acknowledging their efforts. Out of 60 nominations, from 7 different categories, 12 triumphant individuals were presented with a Community Award. This year's ceremony also included the planting of cherry blossom trees for each winner, as a lasting tribute to mark their achievements. Amongst the 12 winners were several nominations from organisations that we are honoured to call 3SG members; special congratulations to Southside Family Project, Age UK, Mentoring Plus, The Community Farm, SWALLOW, Oasis and last but by no means least, Youth Connect South West! Thank you to all who took part, and to everyone who continues to do amazing work in their local communities. List of winners are: The Beryl Dixon Community Leader of the Year Winner – Penny McKissock, Southside Family Project Volunteer of the Year Joint Winner – David Musgrave, Oasis Pantry Joint Winner – John Harvey, Mentoring Plus Joint Winner – Kathleen Still, Age UK B&NES Volunteer Team of the Year Winner – Bravo Medics Volunteer Critical Care Consultants Young Volunteer Team of the Year Winner - Students' Union Nightline - Kashiv Mishra Charity of the Year Winner – Youth Connect South West Green Business Leader Winner - The Community Farm Chairs Special Recognition Award for Service to the Community Winner – SWALLOW Outstanding Young Person Winner – Will Lakey The Peter Duppa-Miller Award for Town Councillor of the Year Winner – Councillor Steve Plumley, Midsomer Norton. The Peter Duppa-Miller Award for Parish Councillor of the Year Winner – Councillor Robert Helland, South Stoke. The Community Awards are organised by the council in partnership with: The Student Community Partnership HCRG Care Group Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire Integrated Care Board. The Third Sector Group Curo Housing Find out more here. Photos from the ceremony can be viewed here. Photo of all 12 winners of the 2022/23 Community Awards holding their certificates in Henrietta Park, alongside the Chair of BaNES Council, Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall.

St. Monica's Trust is offering a range of support to help individuals and local organisations tackling digital exclusion in older people. Since the pandemic, many organisations and services have not reinstated traditional methods of accessing services, but many older people are unable to use the new digital ones. As our communications and service provisions become more focused on digital platforms, older people are often left behind. This leaves them more vulnerable and isolated, without the skills or technology to access modern communications or access vital services. In response to this, St. Monica's Trust has launched their Digital Inclusion Fund, offering grants and gifts to those at risk of digital exclusion, and to organisations helping older people to strengthen their digital skills and participate in the online world. Support may be provided in the form of computer clubs, Employment and IT Skills training, or training on the use of smartphones/tablets/laptops. It is specifically aimed at those over 55 years old. The maximum award on offer to organisations is £35,000 for one year, with the potential for a further two years of funding depending on reporting, reported outcomes and continuing need. Closing date: Midday 28 November 2022 For individuals, St. Monica's Trust aims to support older people to live independently in their communities for as long as possible. This may be offered in the form of a short term grant of monthly financial support, or a gift, such as appliances. Those eligible for individual funding must meet the below criteria. Have a physical disability or long-term physical health problem Live in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset or Bath and North East Somerset Have a low income and limited savings Are over 50 years of age To find out more about individual funding support, or the Digital Inclusion Fund, please click here.

BaNES council is currently working on a new initiative to support residents across Bath and North East Somerset, in response to the cost-of-living crisis. The new 'Warm Welcome' package will see council libraries offering information, and signposting local resources, for those struggling with soaring energy bills. Libraries will host 'Hublets' - accessible computer tablets for residents to access council services from the library, as well as curating an online map and directory of local organisations that can offer help and support. The council is inviting local organisations to identify additional spaces that can provide warmth and welcome as we approach winter. To register your organisation or space, click here. Warm spaces will be public spaces within the community, open to all residents, and identifiable via an interactive map so that residents can find their closest and most suitable Warm Space. You can view the current list of warm spaces here. The Warm Spaces initiative is being supported by the council and its partners in the Community Wellbeing Hub. The Community Wellbeing Hub has responded to the cost of living crisis by stepping up its help with money matters, bills, benefits, energy costs, food, housing, mental health support, jobs and skills, support for carers and other services. Both the Warm Spaces initiative and the Community Wellbeing Hub form part of the local response to the cost-of-living crisis in BaNES, which also includes the Live Well BaNES Money Matters page. For more information on the council's response, click here. For more detail, and to stay up-to-date on the Warm Spaces initiative, see the council website.

Launched as a partnership between Bath Spa University and 3SG, Bath Social Impact Network is the first of its kind in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), aimed at bringing together groups and individuals specifically from social enterprises with a shared purpose of improving and growing the social economy in B&NES. Created with social enterprises at the heart, along with B Corps, CICs, co-ops, and those interested in the work of these types of organisations, the Bath Social Impact Network will provide the support its members need to flourish through collaboration and idea generation. Members will also have the opportunity to attend networking events, forge new business relationships, find out about external funding, and gain access to specialised training sessions and workshops. Bath Spa University is one of only five higher education establishments in the UK to have received a Gold Mark Social Enterprise and brings to the Network this expertise, as well as specialised experience in social value and entrepreneurship. The Network’s in-person events will be hosted by Bath Spa University, beginning with a launch evening on Thursday 23 February at the University’s Locksbrook campus, 5pm-7pm. Professor Andy Salmon, Pro-Vice Chancellor External at Bath Spa University said: “We aim to bring together those working for good in the region because we are stronger as one. Contemporary challenges are complex, and opportunities will only be unlocked by collaboration across traditional borders. Our message is clear - we’re here for you, in mutually supportive environments, journeying together, one idea at a time. “Importantly, this network is a first for Bath - there are networks for the third sector and charities, but not one specifically for social enterprises. Working with 3SG, we are committed to addressing this gap and we’re excited about the positive impact that we know will come from bringing together great minds in this special city. “All are welcome to join us for the launch event. During the evening, you’ll hear from partners and key stakeholders about the plans for the future. There will also be time for meeting other attendees and for you to share your ideas on what you’d like from the network.” Complementing the University with a strong track record of managing existing networks in the region, 3SG is an independent membership network supporting the charity, social enterprise, faith and voluntary sector, operating in Bath and North East Somerset. 3SG will be responsible for running the Network’s online events. Becky Brooks, Director at 3SG said: "Last year 3SG partnered with the School for Social Entrepreneurs to deliver the BaNES Social Enterprise Programme that supported hundreds of local organisations and individuals. “The creation of the Bath Social Impact Network feels like a great extension of this work - there is a real need for a space such as this for businesses and those with new ideas to come together, learn and grow. "We are really excited about this partnership with Bath Spa University and hope to utilise 3SG's experience in facilitating and networking to help the Bath Social Impact Network become a great success, really challenging the way in which we do business in the city and helping to create change for good." Find out more and register to attend the launch via the Bath Spa University website.

The Big Give have just announced the launch of a brand-new match funding campaign for 2023, which has been specifically designed to support charities improving mental health as part of their work. The Mental Health Match Fund 2023 will run from Monday 15th May until Monday 22nd May. The Big Give say "this is an opportunity for charities to come together and shine a light on their work as part of this match funding campaign taking place over Mental Health Awareness Week." Charities can apply for three tiers of match funding - £2,500, £5,000, or £10,000. To be eligible, charities must have an annual income of at least £25,000, and be registered on The Big Give (free to register here). For full details on the eligibility criteria for this campaign, please visit the Mental Health Match Fund page. Applications are now open and close at 5pm on Friday 24th March. The Big Give are encouraging charities to get their applications in ASAP! Any questions regarding the fund can be directed to hello@thebiggive.org.uk.

Sport England are currently offering small grants to support projects working with people located in areas of high deprivation, and to help address inequalities related to access to sport and physical activity in these areas. Funding through the National Lottery of between £300 and £15,000 is on offer to non-profit organisations to support communities, share resources, and improve sustainability. The projects funded will aim to improve the physical activity levels of inactive or less active people in these communities. A few examples of what the projects could include are... Coaching Volunteer training Additional equipment needs Alterations to minor facilities Flood relief funding is also available to fund emergency costs related to the restoration of sports facilities, and other minor works such as minor electrical work or skip hire. Whilst BaNES is one of the least deprived authorities in England, there can be great differences in deprivation across the area, and multiple localities could benefit considerably from funding designed for those in deprived areas. Areas that could meet the criteria for funding in BaNES include Twerton & Whiteway, Southdown, Keynsham Southwest, Peasedown St John and parts of Radstock and Midsomer Norton (as ranked by UK Gov's Index of Multiple Deprivation). Applications are open to non-profit organisations until 30 June 2023. Multiple applications can be made. Click here to find out more about the Small Grants Programme, and view previous projects they've funded. If you're not sure whether your project is eligible for funding, please get in touch beforehand by calling 03458 508 508, or emailing funding@sportengland.org. You can find out more about the English indices of deprivation here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2019

Volunteer recruitment consistently comes out top of the agenda and concerns for many charities. Whilst the content and appeal of your volunteer opportunities play a key role in your organisation's chances of successful volunteer recruitment, it's also important to ensure you're exploring all potential avenues of advertisement, to spread your message far and wide. We've therefore put together a list of advertising opportunities in the local area, to help you in your volunteer search. Uni of Bath SU: You can share your volunteer opportunities on the University of Bath Students Union site here: https://www.thesubath.com/volunteer/browse/ Link to sign up is here: https://www.thesubath.com/volunteer/providers/login/ BaNES Community Volunteer Service website: To add roles, just email HCRG at bathnes.volunteerservices@hcrgcaregroup.com and they'll talk you through the steps or you can simply sign up here. You can view all existing roles here. If you upload your advert to the Community Volunteer Service website above then we can also include your volunteer opportunity (if you let us know when it's uploaded) in our next 3SG Monthly Community Newsletter that goes out to 2,000+ local residents across BaNES at the beginning of each month. Co-op Free Local Volunteer Advertising: You can create a free account here and view all listings here. Charity Digital: You can sign up to this platform for free and add free volunteering vacancies (you only have to pay to advertise paid vacancies). You can view current listings here. Reach Volunteering: An online platform that enables charities to find a volunteer with professional skills in a wide range of areas including marketing, digital, finance and HR for short or long-term projects. Free to charities with an annual income under £1m: https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/when-and-what-we-charge We will also be hosting an online event for local organisations in need of volunteers, on Monday 27th March, 3 - 4PM; register your interest for 'BaNES Community Volunteer Service - How your charity can advertise volunteer opportunities locally' here. This event will be hosted by 3SG, in partnership with the BaNES Community Volunteer Service and St. Mungos.

As we continue to feel the financial pinch, and with the news that AmazonSmile is soon to close, it's important to consider and introduce fundraising ideas that are free and easy to maintain. That’s why we encourage our members, voluntary groups, charities, and CICs to join easyfundraising. easyfundraising is passionate about local groups and communities accessing vital funds, which is why they partner with over 7,000 online retail brands that want to give back. Simply put, when someone shops online, a small percentage of what they spend transforms into a monetary donation for your organisation. It’s free for your organisation and the online shopper – the retailer donates the money, not the shopper. Anything from a weekly grocery shop to a family holiday can generate a free donation because over 7,000 retailers are involved, including Amazon, eBay, John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Screwfix, Waitrose, Argos, Moonpig, Tesco, Boots, trainline and more. With 24% of people shopping online twice a week these days – and everyone watching how they spend their pennies - this is a way you can ask for support without needing to ask for money. For example, a weekly online food shop at ASDA raises £1 for your organisation. 5 people shopping weekly = £5 a week in donations and over £250 in a year. All you need to do to start receiving these donations is register your organisation here. If you'd like to learn more about easyfundraising, you can sign yourself up to a 'Meet the Funder' webinar with easyfundraising on Monday 20th March. During the webinar, they will be explaining how easyfundraising works for good causes and how a partnership can benefit your organisation. Training Coordinator Devan will also be explaining how it works for ERVAS (East Riding Voluntary Action Services) and their groups. Find out more here. The easyfundraising team will also help you get started and give you lots of free support to help you get your volunteers, supporters and staff involved.

Localgiving are pleased to announce the re-launch of their Magic Little Grants programme for 2023. This is an excellent source of unrestricted funding to boost small charities' new or existing projects*. Thanks to the players of the People's Postcode Lottery, Localgiving distributed 'Magic Little Grants' to a total of 2,650 charitable organisations in 2022, and they hope to make an even bigger impact in 2023. Charitable organisations' with an annual income under £250,000, or within their first year of operation, are invited to complete a simple 20 minute application to obtain a £500 Magic Little Grant. Outcomes are given within 6 weeks. *Applicants may apply for funding for projects under one of the following themes Providing support to improve mental health. Enabling participation in physical activity. Enabling participation in the arts. Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty. Supporting marginalised groups and tackling inequality. Improving biodiversity and responding to the climate emergency. Improving green spaces and increasing access to the outdoors. Applications are now open and will be until 31st October 2023. Find out more and apply here.

In honour of Their Majesties’ service to the country, Royal Voluntary Service is launching the Coronation Champions Awards for volunteers, an official Coronation project. Together with Her Majesty The Queen Consort, the awards will celebrate extraordinary volunteers across the country who have been contributing to their communities. The awards seek to recognise and celebrate a diverse group of volunteers who have gone above and beyond, through adversity or creativity, to support their local communities in the last five years. Organisations are invited to nominate volunteers over the age of 14, in one of the following categories: Supporting older people Supporting young people and children Crisis and welfare Community Sports, culture and heritage Health and care Sustainability and the environment Animal welfare A total of 500 volunteers will be awarded the Coronation Champions Award, and will receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a signed certificate from Her Majesty The Queen Consort. Some of the Coronation Champions volunteers will also have the opportunity to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party. Celebrate Britain's volunteering spirit and the awe-inspiring contributions of volunteers across the U.K. Nominations close on Sunday 2nd April at 23:59 - Nominate a Coronation Champion

My Community has collated a list of resources from across the community sector to help charities and community groups through the cost of living crisis. The resources range from guides to government announcements, to advice on working collaboratively, to help with supporting vulnerable or hard to reach people during the cost of living crisis. Resources are tagged as either webinars, toolkits, guides, top tips or videos to help you find the type of support you want. Some of the current resources include a Good Governance in a Time of Crisis guide, and a webinar on how best to support and retain your staff during the cost of living crisis. MyCommunity is free to sign up to, and you can receive alerts on new resources straight to your inbox.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact, more people are being pushed into poverty and turning to charities, food banks and community groups to access items they would otherwise have to go without. In Kind Direct is a charity that redistributes consumer products donated by companies, like toilet roll, shampoo, laundry supplies, toothpaste, warm clothing, toys, books and small electrical appliances to local charities, community groups, foodbanks, schools and CIC’s. All for a fraction of the retail price. Sign up today for free here to help more people in your communities access the personal hygiene products they need to stay warm, clean and well.

There's under a week to go until the Big Help Out on Monday 8th May, and many community and voluntary groups across BaNES may be already gearing up for the day, considering how to make the most of the campaign, or perhaps wondering what it's all about. The Big Help Out is a national campaign to encourage people across the UK to lend a hand in their local area, on Monday 8th May - a national day of volunteering - to mark the King's Coronation that bank holiday weekend. The long-term aim is to get more people volunteering, including those who wouldn't usually consider it, and to celebrate the contribution of volunteers. Whilst levels of volunteering have been in steady decline in recent years, the Cost of Living crisis has presented a further barrier to some volunteers, at a time when they're desperately needed. The Big Help Out campaign, which offers a great opportunity to engage first-time volunteers in an inclusive and national day of support, has therefore come at a key time for the sector. Across Bath and North East Somerset, volunteers play a vital role in building thriving communities and supporting local people. At 3SG, we help individuals find meaningful volunteering opportunities via our Volunteering Resources, and also support small charities and community groups to host and recruit volunteers. We are therefore supporting the Big Help Out, and the #VolunteerReady campaign, and encourage all our members to get involved! All volunteer-involving organisations are encouraged to take part by: Organising and registering an event that volunteers can get involved in on Monday 8th May Sharing details about the Big Help Out, and their event, far and wide. For help with creative social media and newsletter content to spread the word, check out the Toolkit. Take the opportunity to publicise your longer-term volunteering needs as well. Share your volunteer stories for inspiration and showcase the value volunteering has brought to your community and your volunteers lives. NCVO is keen to hear case studies, so feel free to also share any via communications@ncvo.org.uk. To help local organisations and communities to get involved, and make the most of the Big Help Out, NCVO has put together a Toolkit - click here to find out more. You can also find tips on how to deal with an increase in volunteers and the logistical pressures that may come with this here. Maddy Desforges, CEO of NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) adds that 'The Big Help Out is an opportunity to highlight the importance of local volunteering and encourage people to volunteer for the first time. We also want to take the time to thank current volunteers for their hard work all year round. We are proud to support 3SG in achieving this.’ If your BaNES-based third sector organisation is hosting an event for the Big Help Out over the Coronation weekend, or getting involved in the campaign another way, let us know at contact@3sg.org.uk and we'll help spread the word! The Big Help Out complements and ties in with other upcoming national campaigns, such as Volunteers' Week (1st - 7th June), Thank You Day (2nd July), and NCVO's Trustee's Week in November.

The University of Bath have developed a new student project that aims to support local charities in their fundraising. The project runs from 6th June - 18th August 2023, and is a rework of the old 'Practice Track' project. Local charities can request support from teams of students from the School of Management, whose participation in the project will support sustainable fundraising for the charity, whilst providing an opportunity to put the skills and knowledge from their studies to good use. Find out more and submit an expression of interest here.