Engage Newsletters
Keep up to date with Engage Renfrewshire
Funding & Training Focus - 15 November
We have a jam packed list of potential funders for you this week, covering a wide range of activity and target groups.
In particular, we would like to draw your attention to the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, the closing date from applications is looming, Friday 24 November. If you need support with your application or developing your project idea for this, or any other funds, please contact Jane – jhamilton@engagerenfrewshire.com .
- Community Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Winter Activity
- Creative Arts and Music
- Environmental and Net Zero
- Employment
- Young People
- Homelessness
- Heritage
- Human Rights
Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
*CLOSING ON FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER*
The Fund has a strong focus on prevention and early intervention and aims to support grass roots community groups in tackling mental health inequalities and address priority issues of social isolation and loneliness, suicide prevention and tackling poverty and inequality. There will be a continued emphasis in Year 3 on responding to the cost of living crisis and on those facing socio-economic disadvantage.
The overarching aim of the Fund is to:
Support community based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing and/or mitigate and protect against the impact of distress and mental ill health within the adult population (aged 16 or over), with a particular focus on prevention and early intervention.
Find out more and apply here
Renfrewshire Council’s Winter Connections programme encourages people to come together this winter to take part in activities that will improve health and wellbeing, reduce isolation and provide people with advice and support if they need it.
There is £85,000 of funding available for the Winter Connections programme. The Fund opened on Friday 22 September 2023 and Local community and voluntary organisations based in Renfrewshire can apply for a grant of up to £2,000 to run or expand a free activity. (This could be increased if you are co-ordinating several events in partnership with a range of local groups).
Renfrewshire Council wants Winter Connections activities to be available in every neighbourhood in Renfrewshire, available at different times and for residents of all ages. Applications that will run activities during the festive period are also welcomed.
You can apply online for the Winter Connections Fund and all details about the fund, the guidance on what types of activities are eligible, how decisions on funding will be made and much more is here https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/12902/Apply-for-the-Winter-Connections-Fund
New Fund to Encourage Girls to Get Active through Music and Movement
Nike, in partnership with Spotify, has launched a new fund that encourages teenage girls to get active and improve their mental well-being through music and movement. The Make Moves Fund will provide £20,000 grants to UK-based creative community organisations for innovative programmes that use music and movement to encourage the least active girls to exercise in ways they enjoy. The fund aims to improve the overall mental wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence of girls aged 10 to 17, particularly those from disadvantaged and Ethnic Minority backgrounds. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2023. Find out more
Funding to Support Young Creatives to Launch a Project, Idea or Business
Youth Music, a national charity funded by the National Lottery, has announced that round 6 of the NextGen Fund has opened for applications. The fund supports emerging musicians and behind the scenes creatives aged 18-25 (and under-30s who identify as d/Deaf or Disabled) from across the UK to launch a creative project, idea or business. Grants of up to £2,500 could help people including singers, songwriters, producers, djs, managers and agents who do not have the financial means to invest in themselves, to start a record label, launch a single, or provide a platform that supports underrepresented voices. Funding can also cover costs linked to career development, audience development or marketing, equipment and software, and business development. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 19 January 2024. Find out more
Funding for Community-Led Tree Planting Projects
Schools, community groups, and other not for profit organisations in the UK can apply for grants for community-led tree-planting projects. The International Tree Foundation provides funding through the UK Community Tree Planting Programme to conserve and protect native species while raising awareness of trees' importance to the environment and well-being. Two funding tiers are available: Small scale grants of up to £1,000 for projects lasting 1 year or less, such as community woodlands, orchards, or hedging; and larger scale grants for projects involving 1,000 to 10,000 trees, with a maximum cost of £1.50/tree suitable for community woodlands or hedging. Trees must be planted in publicly accessible spaces like schools, parks, or sites managed by community groups. Applications are accepted until 01 December 2023. Find out more
The FCC Scottish Action Fund
Grants from £2k to £40k are available to not-for-profit organisations for environmental and community-based projects that are within 10 miles of any landfill site or transfer station in Scotland and are for the benefit of the general public. Formally constituted not-for-profit charities, community councils, church or community organisations and voluntary groups can apply.
Funder will accept an application for funding towards the refurbishment of an existing community building. Funder is unable to accept applications for funding towards the fabric of any new build and / or extension projects i.e. foundations, drainage, bricks and mortar, roofing, provision of any mains supplies, (water, gas, electricity, oil) to the building. Will only consider applications for funding for the internal fittings of a new build or extension is you have already raised sufficient funds to cover the build costs and your total project cost does not exceed £250k. List of internal fittings include: kitchens; toilets; floor coverings; decorating; lighting; heating; renewable energy technology.
Application deadline: 04 December. Find out more here
Funding to Support Employment Opportunities for Partners of Serving Armed Forces Personnel
Grants of between £30,000 and £80,000 are available for projects which support the partners and spouses of armed forces personnel to access employment support and opportunities. Through the Armed Forces Families Fund: Supporting Partners programme, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust will award funding on behalf of the Ministry of Defence for projects that improve support for partners and spouses to develop and use their skills and experience in the workplace. This includes making it easier for partners to access employment opportunities, improving access to education, training, and qualifications, and communicating the skills and experiences that partners can bring to the workplace. Applications are accepted from Armed Forces units or bases, as well as charities, community interest companies and universities in the UK. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 25 January 2024. Find out more
Grants to Improve Health, Social Welfare & Employment Opportunities for Young People
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to charities and community groups working to improve the health and social welfare of, and offer training and employment opportunities to disadvantaged young people up to the age of 25 in Scotland. The types of projects the Essentia Foundation are looking to support could include helping those facing long-term challenges living in poverty and inequality, projects that support the participation in mainstream society for those with learning disabilities or long-term life limiting health conditions, or projects that support those who have been excluded from school to access or return to education or training opportunities. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2023. Find out more
Funding for Youth Groups in Rural Areas
Youth groups operating in Scottish rural communities can apply for grants of between £100 and £750 to provide more and/or better youth work opportunities for young people. The funding is being made available in response to the challenges which rural youth groups are facing in funding the delivery of community-based youth work. Grants can be used for equipment, longer-term programmes of activities, IT equipment, one-off events, venue hire, travel costs, membership fees, building repairs and maintenance, and training costs for volunteers. The funding is provided through the Youth Scotland Rural Action Fund, and is supported by the Gannochy Trust. The next deadline for applications is 12pm on 24 November 2023. Find out more
Funding to Encourage More Teenage Girls to Cycle
Schools and youth organisations across Scotland can apply for funding to encourage more teenage girls and young women to cycle. The funding is made available through the #AndSheCycles campaign, which aims to help break down the barriers girls aged 12-18 face when choosing to cycle. Grants of up to £2,000 are available to cover the cost of purchasing equipment such as bikes, lockers, helmets and other essential equipment to make cycling more accessible. The scheme is funded by the Scottish Government, and delivered by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans. The closing date for applications is 21 December 2023. Find out more
Funding to Turn Ideas into Positive Change
Grants of up to £500 are available to individuals in Scotland aged 16-26 looking to make a positive change to the issues that matter to them. The funding can be used by individuals to get their idea up and running and will help cover some of those costs. In addition, business support is available for those who decide to turn their idea into a business. The funding is being made available through the Pounds for Purpose grants programme and to be eligible the idea must primarily be for the benefit of people or communities within Scotland. Applications can be submitted at any time. Find out more
Funding to Support the Education of Young People with Physical or Learning Disabilities
Schools, charitable organisations and other groups in Scotland supporting the education of young people under the age of 21 who have a physical or learning disability or who are socially disadvantaged can apply for funding to the John Watson Trust. Previous awards of around £1,000 have been made for items such as dyslexia tuition or books and equipment. For example, Castleview Primary School, Edinburgh received a grant of £1,000 to support field trips and days out for eligible pupils; and Women’s Aid East and mid Lothian received £1,000 towards their summer programme. The next closing date is 26 January 2024. Find out more
The Essentia Foundation
The Essentia Foundation re-opened on Monday 23 October and is aimed at supporting grassroots community organisations across Scotland. Grants of up to £3,000 is available for a period of 12 months. The fund is looking for projects that:
- Support the participation in mainstream society for individuals with learning disabilities or long-term life limiting health conditions
- Support young people who face long-term challenges living in poverty and inequality.
- Support those who have been excluded from school to access or return to education or training opportunities
- Provide skills and training to those who are furthest from the labour market
- Aim to improve the health and welfare of children and young people (being those under 25)
Please note the above are all in relation to supporting young people up to the age of 25 only. Application deadline: 30 November 2023. Find out more here
Grants of up to £5,000 Available for Projects that Help the Homeless
Small Homeless charities can apply for capital grants of up to £5,000 for projects that aim to help homeless people return to the community and enable them to rebuild their lives. Typically, such organisations operate residential or training facilities to assist homeless people. To be eligible to apply, the charity must have an annual turnover of under £500,000 and with ‘unrestricted reserves’ of under six months. Previously funded projects include the Booth Centre, an advice and activity centre for homeless people in Manchester, which received a grant of £1,500 to transform the centre with new lighting, a new water heater and new decoration; and a grant of £3,000 to the Amber Foundation to enable the Foundation to buy new bedroom furniture for their residential centre in Devon, where every year over 60 unemployed, homeless young people are able to rebuild their lives and gain the motivation, confidence, self-esteem and skills for independent living. The closing date for applications is 15 December 2023. Find out more.
Funding for Projects Connecting People & Communities to Heritage
Grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations and private owners of heritage across the UK for projects connecting people and communities to the national, regional and local heritage of the UK. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, the National Heritage Fund will prioritise heritage projects that promote inclusion and involve a wider range of people; boost the local economy; encourage skills development and job creation; support wellbeing; create better places to live, work and visit; and improve the resilience of organisations working in heritage. All projects must also consider long-term environmental sustainability. The Heritage Fund has launched its new 10-year strategy, Heritage 2033 and applications under this programme will be accepted until December 2023. Find out more
Funding for Projects that Combat Abuse and Violation of Human Rights
UK-registered charities that working to combat the abuse and violations of human rights can apply for grants of up to £20,000. Applications are particularly welcomed from charities working to support migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; criminal justice and penal reform; and human rights, particularly access to justice. The funding is being made available through the A B Charitable Trust. The Trust generally makes one-off grants to charities registered and working in the UK with annual incomes of between £150,000 and £1.5m that do not have substantial investments or surpluses. The next closing date for applications is 26 January 2024. Find out more
Training
Introduction to Mental Health Awareness - Friday 1 December, 9.30am – 12.30pm
RAMH HQ, 41 Blackstoun Road, Paisley, PA3 1LU
The Let's Talk About Mental Health Awareness training raises awareness of ill-mental health. It will increase understanding of mental health conditions and of self-mental health. Delivered by RAMH (Recovery Across Mental Health). If you would like to find out more about it or register for a place, please contact: James McGuire - james.mcguire@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Writing Successful Funding Applications - 18 January
This informal, in-person, training will provide guidance on getting started with writing funding applications. We will cover budgets, the why/what/how questions asked in applications, outcomes and gathering evidence, and best practice. You will also have to opportunity to network with other local organisations. Book here
It’s good to talk: navigating challenging conversations - 27 November
Professionals will explore the theoretical basis and research on emotional intelligence and communication in the workplace. The training gives attention to diversity and issues of intersectionality. There will be opportunities for small group work to explore solutions and overcome challenges. This course is for solution-focused people working in the children’s sector. You may be in a leadership or managerial role, working as part of a team, or working with distressed young people. Costs apply. Book here
Self-harm strategy and action plan response
Enquire has offered constructive feedback on the Scottish Government's Draft Self-Harm Strategy and Action Plan, emphasising the connection between children's mental wellbeing and their school support. Their response highlights challenges faced by children and young people. They also feedback on what parents and carers have told them regarding this matter. Find out more