COMMUNITY ACTION: MK – Supporting the Voluntary and Community Sector of Milton Keynes

Collaborative Action Groups: What have we learned and where are we heading?

The Collaborative Action Groups we are facilitating are still going steady, despite the ever-changing environment we find ourselves in. We are making the most of... Read More
Update from MK Fawcett Group

See the latest update from MK Fawcett group about their recent report and the feedback from the online discussion sessions which they run over the... Read More
Celebrate 50 years of play with MKPA

Next year, Milton Keynes Play Association will have been running for 50 years. To celebrate this exciting occasion, the charity has launched a campaign to... Read More
COVID-19 Innovations: Branch-out MK & the Rainbow Posies

We would like to share this update from one of the local social enterprises in Milton Keynes, Branch-out MK CIC, with thanks to their Director,... Read More
Become a Chair of Trustees at MK Play Association

MK Play Association (MKPA), one of the longest-serving independent charities in Milton Keynes, dedicated to developing the health and wellbeing of children through play within... Read More
Inclusion not Exceptionalism

This is a blog from Dumi Senda - thank you for sharing this with us. More information about how to get in touch with Dumi... Read More
#NeverMoreNeeded – Help us ask the Government for urgent help

In the face of coronavirus, charities are #NeverMoreNeeded – for the essential support they provide in crisis and beyond, and how they shape our society... Read More
Black Lives Matter

Today, black people in Britain are still being dehumanised by the media, disproportionately imprisoned and dying in police custody, and now also dying disproportionately of Covid-19. (See more in this article... Read More

Strengthening Groups:

Save the date: 14th October- 10.30am
Funding Session for groups
We will be running a free online session for groups, which will include an overview of funding opportunities and some key tips on how to make your funding applications successful. More details to follow in our next newsletter and on social media – tune in.
Tell us about your Support and Training needs:
We recently held a community resilience meeting which was joined by various VCSE groups that have been part of our Collaborative Action Groups (CAGs) project. A key finding from both the CAG’s and the meeting is tailored support and training needs, which is something that we want explore more, so we can tailor our support programme. Please complete this short form to tell us about your organisation’s support/ training needs.

Mobilising communities:

Coronavirus guidance on the ‘rule of 6’
From Monday 14 September, when meeting friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) you must not meet in a group of more than 6, indoors or outdoors. The Government guidance sets out exceptions where groups can be larger than 6 people, including when it is for work, or the provision of voluntary or charitable services. Read more.
Report: Foodbanks forecast to provide six emergency food parcels every minute this winter
A new report from the Trussell Trust shows a huge increase in reliance on foodbanks during the pandemic, with the families and children being hit the hardest. The report also forecasts that during winter they’ll give out six emergency food parcels a minute, which represents a 61% increase in food parcels needed across its UK network in October to December. Read more.
Great Linford Community Larder
A membership-based scheme where surplus food is saved from landfill and distributed to members. The larders can be set up anywhere in the Parish and anyone can be a member. This is about surplus food not being wasted, but it can help with food poverty. This is an affordable option for residents to obtain a good variety of food on a weekly basis. Where: The Cross & Stable, Downs Barn Boulevard. When: 11am-1pm. Contact: office@great-linford.gov.uk or call 01908 606613. Read more.

Funding:

Resourcing Racial Justice -Alternative Funding Opportunties
With over 1400 + applications, the Resourcing Racial Justice Fund were unable to fund every incredible application received. They have compiled a list of other grant opportunities that are linked to the themes and geographies of the applications received but unable to fund. Read more.

Volunteering:

Are you a volunteer looking for some support? We have an offer from volunteer counsellors who are going to run support groups and 1-2-1 sessions. If you know a volunteer who would like to share their experiences or you would like to join a support group to discuss, hear and share what you have been doing throughout the crisis please get in touch by 28th Septmeber. Email: danielle@communityactionmk.org
Victims First Emotional Support Service Volunteer
Victims First Emotional Support Service provides free emotional and practical support to all victims of crime, witnesses of crime and family members of victims. The service is available across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and can provide help regardless of whether or not the crime has been reported to the police. Read more.

Influencing Decision and Policy Making:

Reminder: The impact of Covid-19 on education and children’s services
Deadline: 30th September 2020.
A call for evidence from The Department for Education relating to the impact the pandemic has had on education and children’s services as a whole. Read more.
Milton Keynes Task and Finish Group: Interim Report of the response to the Covid-19 Crisis in MK
The Task and Finish Group (TFG) was established by the Scrutiny Management Committee on 9 June 2020 to scrutinise the response by the Council and its partners to the Covid-19 Pandemic in Milton Keynes.The purpose of this report is to give a brief overview of the lessons learned so far and present the Group’s recommendations from Phase 1 of this review. The TFG is now moving to a phase 2 and aiming to provide a full report to Council on 25 November 2020. Read more.