Community Volunteering is an important part of the UK’s story, from Air Raid Wardens during the Second World War to over 12 million of us who stepped forward during the pandemic.

Now thousands of organisations – big and small – are getting together to mark The King’s Coronation by giving everybody the chance to try volunteering for themselves and make a difference in their community.

The Big Help Out starts on Monday 8th of May and we need as many of you as possible to get involved.

From March 20th we’ll have a full list of the opportunities on offer, and ways for individuals, volunteer organisations and businesses to help.

If you are a volunteer-involving organisation here’s how you can help:

• Start planning your events for May 8th and beyond. Maybe its some taster sessions to help people experience what you do, or something special for the day. Let us know on the link below
• Spread the word. Make sure you tell your networks to save the date – Monday 8th May – and check back on 20th March for social media, posters and much more.
• Share other opportunities to volunteer using the link below.

Register here with your events and opportunities

If you are a business, individual or other organisation that would like to get involved, make sure you save the date, tell your networks and check back on 20th March when you can sign up, and spread the word!

To celebrate the coronation of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort to the throne, a fund of £30,000 named ‘The King and Queen Consort’s Coronation Grant Fund‘ is available for local groups to apply to.

This Coronation fund is aimed at supporting events and activities that bring residents of Wandsworth

together as we honour and celebrate this historic occasion over the Bank-holiday weekend, between Saturday May 6th and Monday May 8th, 2023.  

Constituted Voluntary and community organisations can apply for grants of between £500 – £5,000to run inclusive, creative events and activities. It is likely that the most common award will be around £1,000, with larger awards considered where the applicant can demonstrate significant participation, inclusivity and scale.

All applications must be received by midnight 19th March 2023. 

The full Guidance Notes and application form can be found at:

https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/king-and-queen-consort-coronation-grant-fund/

How much time do you have right now?

Maybe one hour? Jump into one of our, virtual ‘Lunch & Learns’ where our talented pool of Skilled Volunteers share their wisdom. Check out replays of our previous events on our website.

Maybe two hours? Come along to our next Flash Consulting for 1-1 support in a Flash. Keep an eye out for the next one coming this Spring!

More time for some bespoke guidance? If you know what you want but do not have the skills in-house to make it happen, then a structured Skilled Volunteering Project is for you!

No matter how much time you have, Link UP can support you to reach your goals. Read on to find out more…We’ve got access to some exceptional people…

Data Analyst Benjamin, works as research and teaching assistant at a London University. Great at analysing data, interpreting results and research pieces, he is keen to help out on community development projects!  Maxine is a business analyst and project manager, with an interest in start ups. She has experience in strategy, programme development, stakeholder engagement, technology and organising community events! 

Bianca, experienced coach, mentor and board member, is interested in supporting teams who are going through big changes. Get in touch if your team is going through periods of transition, growth or restructuring and we’ll get you connected!  With a background in management consultancy, Henry is adept at all aspects of business development, including business planning, financials and creating a strong business case. Get in touch to jump start your planning for 2023! 

ACCESS SKILLS HERE

Dads Matter:

Intra-familial child sexual abuse:
One-day multi-agency training

This one-day training course will equip professionals across health, education, social care and policing with an understanding of:

• the scale and nature of child sexual abuse
• the challenges, myths and obstacles which can limit identification and response
• who commits intra-familial child sexual abuse
• how sexual abuse takes place in families
• understanding the child’s experience – the impact of abuse, signs and indicators of abuse and the barriers to disclosing it
• children’s disclosures and your role as a professional.

The training will support you to improve your understanding of child sexual abuse within the family environment, and help you to better identify signs and indicators and respond effectively to protect children.

Dates: 14/03/2023, 10am – 5pm. This training will be delivered virtually using Teams.

Both VIRTUAL events are free of charge and a certificate of attendance is issued.

CLICK HERE book a place to Intra-familial child sexual abuse Workshop

CLICK HERE to book a place to DADS MATTER WORKSHOP

For more information please contact Paola Di Martino paola.di-martino@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

• First of new workspaces in Wandsworth libraries open for business  
• New co-working spaces create fairer opportunities for local start-ups  
• Council teams up with British Library’s business network to support entrepreneurs 

Wandsworth Council is supporting start-up businesses in the borough with new co-working, office and meeting space, thanks to a partnership with the British Library and local libraries provider, Better.

Start Up Wandsworth is operating initially in the new affordable workspaces at York Gardens library, followed by Putney library later this year, and is part of the wider British Library network of support in London.

The launch of Start Up Wandsworth at York Gardens Library is part of Wandsworth Council’s commitment to provide business support at the heart of local communities – giving aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses the opportunity to grow and access business information.

Councillor Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth Council cabinet member for voluntary sector, business engagement and culture said: “We want people from all communities and abilities in Wandsworth to have the opportunity to start and develop their business which is why we are investing in library-based affordable workspaces.

“Many small businesses and start-ups find it difficult to access the networks and facilities that will help them to grow and thrive, so our support for new affordable workspaces makes Wandsworth a fairer place for people to establish a successful venture.”

The support available from Start Up Wandsworth includes expert-led workshops, 1-2-1s with a business manager, networking events, coworking and office space. In addition, aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses will be able to access business resources, test new business ideas and leverage partnerships to build routes to market for new products and services.

Start Up Wandsworth’s newly furnished and redecorated co-working space, office space and meeting room will also be available for Wandsworth businesses, trainers and community groups to use.

If you’re starting up a business and need access to workspace in Battersea and Putney, find out more and register your interest on the Better website at better.org.uk/start-up-wandsworth

Find out about the wider network of local work facilities supported by Wandsworth’s Affordable Workspace Fund 

About the Start-ups in London Libraries programme

The project is the latest collaboration between Better and the British Library to support start-ups through the Start-ups in London Libraries (SiLL) programme. The new Business and IP Centre will form part of the British Library’s growing national network, which has helped thousands of entrepreneurs across the UK to start and grow their businesses.