16 September 2019
SAVE THE DATE: Autumn networking event

Our Autumn Networking event has been confirmed for Tuesday 8th October 2019. It will be held at the Meeting Place as part of The Festival for Creative Urban Living .
Watch this space for more details! We look forward to seeing you there!
Let’s Talk Good Finance MK

This session is designed for charities, social enterprises, community businesses and local groups in Milton Keynes interested in social investment. Thursday 17th October, 1.30 – 4.30pm. To find out more about social investment and to book your free place, follow this link.
No-deal Brexit and the voluntary sector

While there is still little certainty around what kind of Brexit we will get and what Brexit will mean for the UK, planning for it is essential. It is vital that all organisations undertake contingency planning now to make sure they are resilient during times of uncertainty. Read more
Charities warned to prepare for no-deal Brexit following prorogation of Parliament

According to upcoming research from the Charity Finance Group, 75 per cent of charities have made no or little preparation for no-deal Brexit.
Read more
Shifting power, supporting communities and reshaping public services

Nesta are sharing stories from five local government innovators who are experimenting and developing more effective ways to shift power, solve problems, and reshape public services in the UK.
Read more
Sign up to our Cyber Protect workshops

The workshops will be held on the following dates and times:
Workshop 1: Tuesday 8th October
11am – 1pm.
Workshop 2: Thursday 24th October 11am – 1pm
Venue: Grant Thornton, 199 Avebury Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 1AU. REGISTER HERE
Meet Peta : drop-in with the representative of MK Health & Wellbeing board

Drop in on 25 September, 13:00-15:00, Acorn House Foyer.
For more information about what the Health and Wellbeing Board is and what they do, click this link.
Age UK Milton Keynes AGM

Thu, September 26, 2019, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. Register here
Guest speaker is Michael Bracey, Chief Executive Milton Keynes Council, who will be speaking about the changing role and relationship between the council and the voluntary sector.
Fundraising and Bid Writing Opportunities for MAKE Members

Between autumn 2019 and summer 2020 MAKE offers two CPD fundraising and bid writing opportunities to its members, as a result of a successful funding bid to Artswork. Please email elizabeth@aha-mk.org for more information.
Community Grants information event

Do you run a project that supports local people to get on in life? Join the upcoming ‘Community Grants information event’ on Thursday 19 September in Milton Keynes for more information. Find out more
Charity Finance Group (CFG) Awards

Have you and your team made an outstanding contribution to your charity? If so, the Charity Finance Group (CFG) want to hear about it and recognise it with its new awards! The CFG Awards consist of three categories: Inspirational trustee, Innovation in Finance team & Embracing digital in financial reporting. Find out more
Emmaus Professional Open Day – 7th October

Emmaus Village Carlton is a homelessness charity providing more than just a bed for the night to people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion. For a short tour talk about Emmaus, a tour of the site, and an opportunity for shopping and free refreshments at the Bistro, book here.
Milton Keynes Council Open Consultations
- NEW: Draft Housing Strategy 2019 – 2024
- NEW: Informal consultation on a proposal to change the age range at St Mary’s Wavendon CofE Primary School
- NEW: Draft Downsizing Incentives Policy
- NEW: Draft Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy
- Draft Milton Keynes East Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document
- NEW: Bushey Close – Proposed Waiting Restriction -Informal Consultation
- NEW: Statutory consultation on a proposal to close Emberton School
- NEW: Little Linford Lane and Pennycress Way, Newport Pagnell – no waiting restrictions proposal consultation
See all MK Council consultations
Other useful links:
- See all MK Council consultations
- See the calendar of upcoming meetings at MK Council
- See the latest Economy and Cultural Newsletter from MK Council, including the latest update on the Local Economic Assessment 2019.
Milton Keynes Housing Strategy Consultation

The Housing Strategy provides a clear vision of how the Council and its stakeholders can achieve our shared aspiration in providing housing that meets the needs and requirements of Milton Keynes. Find out more and have your say here.
MK Carbon and Energy survey 2019
Complete the MK Carbon and Energy Survey here
EEH Transport Strategy Meeting

England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) officers are holding a local engagement event where you can hear about the strategy and their work. The event will take place on 25 September 2019 from 6:30-8pm, in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Milton Keynes. Please email Transport.Policy@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Netherfield Update

There’s been a lot happening in Milton Keynes this summer, but we at Community Action: MK have been working with the local residents on Netherfield Local Conversation, to engage and entice the local community to get involved with what’s happening in Netherfield. Find out more
Mental Health Awareness Session – Netherfield

Mental Health Awareness session took place on Monday 9th September with Christa Drennan from The University of Lancashire for people who live and work in Netherfield. This was an informative event which was a good starting point to think more about mental health.
What Matters? Community Survey

In this survey, the Institute for Community Studies is looking to hear what matters most in your community and the questions you have about the issues that affect it. Please take the survey here.
CMK Litter picking

North Row:
On Saturday 21st September Central Milton Keynes Town Council is holding another litter pick between the North 9th and 10th Street flats . The event will take place between 10am – 12 noon and we invite residents to come along and get involved. We will meet next to Centrecom, North Row.
Aspects Sound and Vision: A project for young people aged 16 – 25 on the Autism Spectrum

Working in a small group you will devise a project to create podcasts in a professional radio studio, learn interview skills, how to run a radio show and create blogs. 1st Course: Starting 9th October for 6 weeks. 2nd Course: Starting 20th November to 18th December. For more information or to book contact: Sue Quinn 07739985546 or admin@aspects.org.uk
Volunteering opportunity of the week: Puppy Socialiser

Medical Detection Dogs are looking for caring family homes in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas to look after and socialise puppies and young adult dogs up to 18 months old.
Volunteer Recruitment Day – National Museum of Computing, Bletchley

Sunday 21st September 2019. The National Museum of Computing seeks volunteers to assist in roles including front of house, room stewarding, tour guiding, back of house technical and administration, people looking to support STEM activities and helping in the small shop and front desk. Find out more

Homeless Shelter Support Worker

The Bus Shelter are seeking an additional team member to assist our Shelter Manager in supporting our guests and also ensuring the site remains a pleasant environment both physically and in atmosphere. Find out more
Winifred Tumim Fund 2019
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has launched the Winifred Tumim Memorial Fund 2019, awarding a grant of £1,000 for work which supports innovation in good charity governance . Find out more
Magic Little Grants 2019
Magic Little Grants 2019 from Localgiving is now open for £500 grants to charities and community groups that encourage people to be physically active. Find out more

Heritage Open Days

13th – 22nd September. This year Heritage Open Days will run over 10 consecutive days. All events will be free for the public to attend. The theme will be People Power, a celebration of the ways that people across time have taken action to change our world. Find out more
The Festival of Creative Urban Living : 26 September – 13 October 2019

You’ll find MK’s first ever free ‘A Festival of Creative Urban Living’ from 26 September – 13 October on Midsummer Boulevard in Central Milton Keynes.
Community Fridge Tea Dance

Thursday 19th Sept 1230 – 3pm
The community fridge pop-up cafe team will be sharing an afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes and homemade jam until 2pm accompanied by music from bygone decades and dancing until 3pm. No charge for food or entertainment.
MK SNAP Quiz Night

Fri, 20 September 2019 19:00 – 22:00. Join us for a fun and competitive night at MK SNAP. £8.50 per person includes Hot dog and snacks for the table. Teams of 6. Find out more
MK LIT FEST 2019

18th – 22nd September. A fabulous festival of books, words, writers and ideas that celebrates everything literary, bookish or wordy. A programme of events and ticket information can be found here. Follow this link to find out more about MK Lit Fest.