Voluntary Sector News
Meet funders and find out how to access grants
Free events too good to miss
Two one-stop-shop free events are offering community groups, local councils, charities and voluntary organisations a chance to meet a raft of funders under one roof.
The events, in Boston and South Holland, will include stands, workshops and an opportunity to network with other similar organisations and those who can support and fund what non-for-profit groups, in particular, do.
Staff from Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) will be among the organisations offering advice and information at both events.
Ruth Copleston, LCVS senior community development officer, said: “These are really valuable events and we are very pleased to be a part of them.
“We would love to see representatives from as many organisations as possible.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to find out what we and others can do to help, including assistance with accessing funds, finding and retaining quality volunteers, ensuring paperwork and governance is in order and safeguarding.”
The Boston event is being delivered by Lincolnshire County Council and members of Lincolnshire Funding Advice Network.
It takes place Thursday, March 19, 4pm to 7pm at Boston Borough Council, Municipal Buildings, West Street, Boston. Book you place via the link at the bottom of this item.
The event includes a BIG Lottery Fund workshop, detailing what successful applications must include and handy tips for completing funding bids.
South Holland District Council is behind the Community Advice and Funding Event in Spalding, which is open to all. There is no requirement to book. The event is on Wednesday, March 25, between midday and 8pm at the South Holland Centre, Market Place, Spalding.
Representatives at the event will include Lincolnshire County Council, South Holland District Council, Lincolnshire Community Foundation, Lincs2Advice, UK Deaf Support and Community Lincs.
Book your place for the Boston Funding Event at: Boston Funding Event
Fibromyalgia support
A fledgling support group for people with a condition that causes pain all over the body is attracting increasing numbers of people.
The Boston Fibromyalgia Support and Social Group was formed by sufferer Siobhan Bernadin, 53, of Wrangle, who wanted to reach out to others in her situation.
She said: “When you are in so much pain and feel you can’t go on any more, it can help just to have other people say ‘I know how you feel’.
“Getting a fibromyalgia diagnosis can be very difficult and once you have it, it seems like you quickly get to the point where you go to the GP and they look at you as if to say ‘what else do you want me to do?’
“It’s a condition that is still little understood and to speak to someone else who knows what living with it is like and believes you when you describe how it feels, is just pure relief.”
Mrs Bernadin launched the group informally in November by announcing a first meeting at a Boston hotel. She hoped to find one or two others to share her experiences with and was astounded when 18 people turned up.
Mrs Bernadin quickly realised she was going to need to establish a more formal meeting place and find a way to cover the cost of the meeting room. She turned to Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Services (LCVS) for guidance on how to get the paperwork and governance of the group in order to avoid any financial or bureaucratic pitfalls and the group is now regularly attracting 20 plus people.
The Boston Fibromyalgia Support and Social Group meets the second Wednesday of every month, 7pm to 9pm at the Len Medlock Voluntary Centre, St Georges Road, Boston.
The next meeting is due to take place on Wednesday, March 11, when the guest speaker will be Lynne Patrick, LCVS health trainer, discussing healthy eating and exercise for fibromyalgia sufferers.
An attendance fee of £1 per month is charged, payable in advance from the first attendance for that month and the following months up to the end of the financial year. An additional charge of 50p is made for refreshments.
Or find The Boston Fibromyalgia Support and Social Group on Facebook.
Events and training
Improve what you offer in South Holland
Meet our community development officer
Calling established or would-be community organisations that want to find out how to get going, further improve what they already do or how to access funds.
Simon Wesley, LCVS community development officer, will be in South Holland on Monday, March 16 and Wednesday, March 18, to meet with groups that want some advice.
Simon has joined our team, initially on a temporary basis, to further enhance the services we offer in South Holland.
He has appointments available at our Spalding base within South Holland District Council offices, Priory Road, on the above dates between 10.30am and 3pm. To book, contact him on: simon.w@lincolnshirecvs.org.uk
We also have community development officers in East Lindsey, Boston and South Kesteven offering a whole raft of advice and assistance, click here to find out how to get in touch.
Quiz night and supper
A sausage and mash supper followed by a quiz is being held in support of a project to revive an old church to create a community hub.
The event is being held at Benington Village Hall for Benington Community Heritage Trust’s Beonna at All Saints Project on Saturday, March 14, 7pm for 7.30pm start.
Tickets are £7.50 for adults and £5 for under 11s. Take your own drink and glasses.
For tickets contact: Irene Presgrave 01205 760905 or Alex Bell 07534 405289.
Household and collectables auction
A household and collectables auction is also being held for the Beonna at All Saints Project.
It will take place at Benington All Saints Church, on the A52, at Benington, near Boston, from 10.30am on Saturday, March 28.
Viewing of items is offered 3pm to 6pm on Friday, March 27. Collections are offered on Thursday, March 26.
For more details contact: Irene Presgrave 01205 760905 or Alex Bell 07534 405289.
Trustee Breakfast Network
Networking events can be the perfect opportunity to pick up tips, meet others facing similar challenges and make new connections to further your cause.
Chartered accountants Moore Thompson run an event in Spalding specifically for trustees and the next event is on Friday, March 13.
On the agenda for discussion will be risk assessments plus other topics suggested by attendees.
The event is free and breakfast is provided. Booking is essential. Email: kenneth@mooret.co.uk
LCVS is running a similar event in Louth, open to all representatives of community groups, on Thursday, March 26. Find out more and book click here.
Whatever your training need – we can help
Food safety training, learn how to access Lottery grants and get help applying and find out how to train and retain your volunteers
Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) provides free training and advice to community groups and not-for-profit organisations in a vast range of topics.
We aim to provide free training on any subject where there is clear demand.
Our training and advice sessions in the coming month include food safety in catering, how to access Lottery grants and recruiting and retaining volunteers. In addition we have a string of networking events for organisations who involve volunteers or have plans to.
Find a full list of upcoming events and book your place here.
What training and events would you like to see?
We’d love to hear your views on what training/workshops you’d like to see us running in the future, if you have any suggestions or if there’s something in particular your organisation needs, please let us know, contact Esta Siggs:
T: 01205 365580
E: esta.s@lincolnshirecvs.org.uk
Volunteering
Help someone at their lowest ebb
From the satisfaction of helping someone through a tough time to learning new skills and meeting like-minded people, Samaritans volunteers have much to gain as well as a lot to give.
As the leading national helpline offering emotional support, Samaritans helps anyone struggling to cope with a variety of issues such as illness, debt, family concerns or exam pressures.
It relies on volunteers, not just to answer calls, texts and emails, but also to assist with administration, fundraising, finance and IT based work.
Samaritans Grantham is holding information evenings for would-be volunteers on Monday, March 9 and Wednesday, March 11, starting at 7pm, at Autumn Park, Dysart Road, Grantham.
For more details contact: 07504 913360 or granthamsamaritans@hotmail.co.uk
Samaritans has branches across Lincolnshire and they all need further support. Find your nearest branch here
Big Boston clean-up
Do you care about your environment? Volunteers are now being recruited for the eighth annual Big Boston Clean-up, being held from Monday, March 30, to Thursday, April 2.
There will be opportunities for teams of neighbours, friends and relatives to work together, helping clean up their own areas.
You can sign up now using the online pledge form: click here, by contacting
Jen Moore at Boston Borough Council on 01205 314583, by emailing Jen at
jenny.moore@boston.gov.uk
Jen also wants to hear of any “grot spots” that you think need particular clean-up
attention.
She said: “The Big Boston Clean-up has proved a successful community event over
the past seven years. It is as much a fun social event as it is a really good community
effort to clean up the town. We are always pleased to welcome new faces, and so grateful to all who take part.
“We start at 9am and finish at 3pm each day, but volunteers can do as little or as much as they want to. There’s a coffee break and lunch provided each day.”
She said volunteers needed to wear clothing appropriate to anticipated weather conditions and stout footwear. Everything else – high-visibility vests, litter pickers, sacks and gloves are provided.
Over the past seven years 5,000 volunteers have got involved, lifting more than 71 tonnes of rubbish from the streets and waterways of the town.
The clean-up starts each day at 9am at Municipal Buildings. A separate Big Schools Clean-up is also organised before they break up for Easter.
So far eight primary schools have agreed to do a deep clean of their own grounds and the surrounding area.
This scheme has been running for the past three years and has involved more than 1,000 junior litter pickers.
If your school has not so far signed up and wants to be involved, contact Jen.
Hundreds of opportunities to volunteer
Do you have a skill for bringing children’s stories to life? Have you got what it takes to befriend an older person or someone battling a terminal illness? Or have you got exceptional computer skills to share?
Organisations across Lincolnshire are looking for people with these skills and an infinite list of others.
LCVS has dozens of volunteering opportunities on file. Whatever your skill or interest we have a role for you.
For details of other opportunities contact your local Volunteer Centre. Find all the contact details you need at: Volunteer Centres
Or view the opportunities we currently have on file in your local area: Volunteer in Lincolnshire
Get in touch
If you have anything to feature in NewsBite send it to: louise.c@lincolnshirecvs.org
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