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

Community Led Initiatives – Become a mentor…

We'd like to say thank you to Community Led Initiatives for this guest blog sharing information about their volunteer mentor role, how you can apply... Read More
Westbury Arts Centre are looking for Trustees!

Westbury Arts Centre offers exciting opportunity for new trustees Are you looking for an opportunity to work with a dynamic team to develop a major... Read More
November Networking

Join us for our virtual November Networking! We have taken our networking online to enable joint working and vital information sharing! Join us for November... Read More
Learning, Awareness and Anti-Racism at CA:MK

Our Learning Journey: 2020 Here at Community Action MK we have been taking some time to share and learn as a team, what it means... Read More
Volunteer Drop-In

We are taking our volunteer drop-in online! A chance to talk through and learn more about what volunteering roles are out there for you! We... Read More
MK Play Association need Trustees!

Are you an effective trustee? Can you help one of MK's oldest independent charities? Milton Keynes Play Association Logo MKPA would like to meet you... Read More
Funding Spotlight

This month, Community Action: MK were lucky enough to be able to host an online information session centred around funding. This came out as an... Read More
“Our experience of becoming volunteer hosts…”

This week we have been lucky enough to hear from a volunteer at Sanctuary Hosting. Sanctuary Hosting is a charity that support refugees, migrants and... Read More
Supporting MK’s Vital Volunteers – Free Support available

Free offer of support for volunteers helping during the pandemic, please get in touch by 28th September. Read about the importance of this and more... 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

The latest government guidance can be viewed here, including new information regarding those who fall under the ‘Clinically Extremely Vulnerable’ category.

See the latest newsletter here.

Strengthening Groups:

Let’s Stay Connected – We are asking groups to give us an update of their services in light of the second national lockdown. We are updating our signposting channels, and would like them to be as accurate as possible in order to share it with our audiences and wider communities. If you have any immediate changes in services or wish to let us know the adaptations you will be making, please let us know asap at info@communityactionmk.org or call 01908 661623.
Tuesday 24th November 2020: 11am – 1pm
We are bringing our volunteer drop-in back these will enable us to talk to you through virtual means about all your volunteering queries. We have 4 x 30 minutes times slots on both dates. First come, first serve. Register for a time slot here. Read more.
Grant Application Workshops – MK Community Foundation
Friday 20th November 2020 10am – 11.30am
Thursday 10th December 2020 11am – 12.30am
MK Community Foundation are running grant application workshops over the next few weeks to introduce their new grants policy. Places are limited. To book contact: applications@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk. Read more.

Funding:

Visit our Covid-19 Funding page. Check our last newsletter for the latest funding opportunities here.

Localgiving Coronavirus Fund
Localgiving Foundation is delighted to announce that it is accepting applications for £1m grant funding available for organisations who are delivering critical work to support people and communities in response to COVID-19. Read more.
The Global Majority Fund
Grants for new intermediary technical partners with the ability, expertise, networks and knowledge to distribute rapid funding to further Covid-19 response work with communities experiencing racial inequality in the UK. Deadline: 30th November. Read more.
Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK – COVID–19 Emergency Fund
Grants are available for small to medium sized not-for-profit organisations in the UK who are struggling to manage the financial impact of COVID-19 either because of increased demand for their services or from loss of income. Read more.

Mobilising communities:

FREE Information Sessions
The Sensory Advice and Resource Centre are offering FREE online information sessions for those people that may be struggling to manage their sight and hearing loss. Read more.
Your mental health and wellbeing during Covid Milton Keynes Mental Health Services is undertaking a piece of work to look at how as a member of your local community in Milton Keynes, have looked after your mental health and wellbeing during Covid-19, and how local mental health services can better support you, your families and your communities. Complete the survey here.
Where can your child get mental health support online during lockdown?
parentinfo have shared an article detailing various elements of the affects Covid-19 can have on children and young people’s mental health and where to go to get support through online means. Read more.

Volunteering:

Willen Hospice – Do you have a few spare hours to help Willen Hospice with an exciting new retail opportunity in Central Milton Keynes? With high street shops forced to close during this year’s lockdowns, this opportunity will help us to raise vital funds for patient care. Your help is more important than ever. Call 01908 306997/306998 or visit the ‘Volunteer‘ page
Trustee Roles Available
We have had numerous trustee roles through for us to advertise. Please see below for the list of roles available:

Shaping Policy and Decision Making:

Latest local consultations:

Create a new primary school at Eaton Leys, Milton Keynes – Deadline 22nd November 2020.
Create a new primary school at Calverton Lane in Western Expansion area of MK – Deadline 22nd November 2020.
Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document – Deadline: 23rd November 2020.
Council Tax Reduction Scheme Amendments – Deadline: 26th November 2020.
Conservation Areas in Milton Keynes – Deadline 11th December 2020.
Draft MK Council Tenancy Agreement – Deadline: 14th December 2020.
Waste and recycling collection consultation [NEW] – Deadline: 24th January 2021. Watch video here.