Sector News

Leading Charity Offers Free Database to Small Charities and Community Groups

Lasa are offering an Advice and Information Management System database (AIMS Free) to all small community groups and third sector organisations across the UK, to help them deliver their services more efficiently and cost effectively in challenging times.

 

Last year the AIMS Free package was made available to all voluntary and community sector groups and over 700 groups have downloaded the software to-date.

 

Technology Conference Offers New Opportunities for Efficiency in the Third Sector

Third sector organisations and community groups can harness new technologies to help them deliver their services, cost effectively and efficiently, when they attend The 2010 Lasa European Not For Profit Technology Conference on 28th and 29th September.

Lasa, a second tier charity providing organisations with practical support and advice on technology, will be hosting the event (formerly known as the Circuit Rider Conference. This year’s theme is ‘Will the Cloud Save the Sector? Opportunities for Efficiencies and Innovation’. Delegates attending the two day conference at the Garden Museum in London can book tickets from just £100.

Charity Bank Offering Preferential Loan Rates

Charity Bank is offering charities and community groups a preferential rate for new loans drawn before the 31st December 2010.
 
Charity Bank is a not-for profit bank that offers affordable finance to third sector organisations, including those that might not be able to borrow from commercial lenders.

Free Goods Available to Community Groups

Giving World Online (GWO) is a scheme set up to help to community groups and charities access free surplus goods from businesses and organisations whilst at the same time helping reduce the amount of goods sent to landfill.

Data Protection: A New Guide.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has produced a new plain English 'Guide to Data Protection' to provide businesses and organisations with practical advice about the Data Protection Act and to dispel myths. While the Guide is aimed at any organisations that hold or use personal data, to help them to comply with the law, it also contains information about individual rights, for example, the right of access to personal data and the right under certain circumstances to have inaccurate data rectified or destroyed. 

Where Are The Nation’s Most Sociable Communities?

Where are the nation’s most sociable communities? - A comprehensive study of Britain’s clubs, associations and informal groups – past, present and future – is underway. The online study, organised by author Henry Hemming, is asking for informal groups around the country to stand up and be counted.

Health Volunteering Fund.

The Department of Health is launching a new Volunteer Fund, to support health volunteering.  There are two  2 distinct grant funding schemes: a local grant scheme aimed at supporting volunteering in health and social care and a national portfolio scheme for national organisations invited to apply for more substantial awards or to deliver more strategic or developmental programmes.  Applications for the fund will open in January 2010 with the first round being for local projects, followed by a second round later in the year which will support a national scheme.

The BRIT Trust.

The BRIT Trust supports activities that encourage young people in the exploration and pursuit of educational, cultural or therapeutic benefits emanating from music.

Community Foundation CNL Young People's FUND.

The Fund will support charities and voluntary & community groups running projects to help disadvantaged young people in Northumberland to overcome the barriers of a successful transition to adulthood. Projects will be for young people aged 13-19 (and aged up to 25 if special needs).  Priority will be given to projects serving isolated communities.

Young Roots Programme.

Young Roots is a grant programme that engages a wide range of young people 13-20 year-olds (up to 25 for those with special needs) with their heritage. Applications are invited from projects that will help young people develop skills, build confidence and connect with their local community.