— Comments Off on MK Storehouse give free school uniforms away to families in need

MK Storehouse give free school uniforms away to families in need

CITY CHARITY MK STOREHOUSE GIVE FREE SCHOOL UNIFORMS AWAY TO FAMILIES IN NEED BEFORE START OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
Charity MK Storehouse who are based in Stacey Bushes and provide free second hand, good quality clothing to anyone in need from school age up to adults in Milton Keynes, announced today that as part of their usual services they are also providing free school uniforms throughout the month of August.
The uniforms which have been generously donated to the storehouse by schools, individuals and churches across the city are available to any family in genuine need for both boys and girls in different size in the run up to the new school year starting. MK Storehouse will next be open for people to visit anytime from 10AM – 12PM on Thursday the 11th August.
Alan Smith, Manager of MK Storehouse says,
“We love to see children grow up and do well at school, however we appreciate the financial burden of providing uniforms every new school year can be a significant one for many families. At the MK Storehouse we want to pass on items from those who no longer need them to those who really do, and help take some of the pressure of families who need a bit of support.”
The charity which was launched in January 2016 was a new initiative for the city having been set up by Grand Union Vineyard Church (GUV) who meet on Sundays in Fox Milne, and is open to anyone no matter their faith, ethnicity or background. Since it’s opening MK Storehouse has had the privilege to welcome over 500 visitors in need and has received wide support from the local authority, other charities and people in the city including local organisations. Relying on volunteers and donations the charity is keen to regularly receive any good quality, clean, second hand items for both sexes including school uniforms, shoes, coats, trousers, skirts and jumpers.
MK Storehouse is passionate about serving those who have little in our city and believe that no one should struggle to own sufficient clothing simply due to a lack of finance. The charity partners with local agencies, authorities, faith groups and professionals working in care, health and education for referrals, identifying those in genuine need of help.
MK Storehouse not only provide clothing to those most in need, but also offer a welcoming environment for people from across MK to enjoy a hot drink and listening ear from the storehouse manager or one of the friendly team of volunteers from the church who help run the project.
To visit or contact the storehouse, donate or volunteer your time please email Alan Smith via: contact@mkstorehouse.com, call: 01908 233725. Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/mkstorehouse

or Twitter: www.twitter.com/mkstorehouse.

For further information about the church check out Grand Union Vineyard Church’s website via: www.grandunionchurch.org.  To request photos or an interview please contact Andi Russell on: 07946 539571 or email: andi@grandunionchurch.org.
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— Comments Off on Lloyds Bank Foundation – Transform Programme

Lloyds Bank Foundation – Transform Programme

Lloyds Bank Foundation – Transform Programme

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales today launched Transform; a new policy, practice and infrastructure focussed grants programme designed to strengthen and support the domestic and sexual abuse sectors. The Foundation is inviting bids from charities who have a track record of innovative work in these sectors and can propose projects that will have a long-term, strategic impact. Prospective applicants for Transform grants must be registered charities with an annual income of between £25,000 and £2m and display a relevant track record. Partnership bids are encouraged.

Grants of up to £100,000 will be awarded to up to 10 charities that can demonstrate plans to:

  • Influence policy at a local, regional or national level
  • Build the evidence base through research and analysis around needs and identification of effective interventions
  • Develop and share new models to help small and medium-sized specialist providers strengthen, grow and replicate
  • Develop and support effective partnerships within and across sectors

The panel has a particular interest in proposals presenting innovative ways for small and specialist services to make greater impact. It will also prioritise projects which show the greatest potential in sharing learning and have a clear plan to achieve it.

Transform grants will not be awarded for service delivery or to support the development of individual organisations – charities should continue to apply to the Foundation’s Invest and Enable programmes for such work.

The Transform programme is part of the Foundation’s £3m commitment over three years to strengthen the sectors and improve responses to domestic and sexual abuse. It builds on the work the Foundation began last year, through funding Women’s Aid Federation of England, Imkaan and Welsh Women’s Aid to support small and specialist providers to prepare for competitive commissioning and supporting the Drive perpetrator project in partnership with SafeLives, Respect and Social Finance to seek to better tackle and reduce domestic abuse at source.

For Transform programme enquiries contact: policy@lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk

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— Comments Off on Office for Civil Society (OCS) Local  – July 2016 FOR INFO Update

Office for Civil Society (OCS) Local  – July 2016 FOR INFO Update

Update from Victoria Westhorp, OCSI Local Team Head of London & South:

“FOR INFORMATION ONLY – Please see below updates and links we trust you will find of interest”

Office for Civil Society (OCS) transferred from Cabinet Office to Department of Culture, Media, and Sport – A message from Mark Fisher, Director of the Office for Civil Society, 21 July 2016 below.

Office for Civil Society (OCS) Updates:

Updates from other Government Departments:

Stakeholder Updates:

Click here to download further information

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— Comments Off on New funding for local community groups now available

New funding for local community groups now available

European Social Fund

Nearly £1 million is now available to grassroots voluntary and community groups based in the South East Midlands.

Grants are between £5,000 and £20,000 and are specifically for projects that help engage and progress ‘hard to reach’ individuals towards the labour market. Groups eligible to apply must be based in the SEMLEP area, with an annual turnover of less than £300,000.

The funds are being managed by ‘Futures Advice Skills and Employment’ and jointly funded by the Skills Funding Agency and European Social Fund.

The types of projects this funding can support include:

• Initial help with basic skills
• Taster work experience including voluntary work
• Training, advice and counselling
• Confidence building
• Job search assistance including the provision of equipment and other help necessary to secure employment
• First contact engagement activities

Applications open for the first round of funding open today (14th July) and close on Tuesday, 2nd August at 4pm. The grants will be allocated during the week commencing Monday, 15th August 2016.

Find out more about the events and the funding by emailing comm.grant.apply@futuresadvice.co.uk

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— Comments Off on Offer of RENT & RATES FREE shop space for Charities in Milton Keynes

Offer of RENT & RATES FREE shop space for Charities in Milton Keynes

 

Opportunity for charities looking for additional space to use on a RENT & BUSINESS RATES FREE basis.

Avire UK Lettings Ltd are offering a small Shop located on Tanfield Lane

  • Ground Floor Retail Space approx 624 sq ft
  • W/C and kitchenette

The only costs you will incur for using this property will be to cover the utility bills.

If any Charity is looking for additional space to use, they can offer up to a 36 month lease with a 28 day rolling break clause.

For further information or to arrange viewing please email yvettecautonelliott@avire.co.uk or telephone 01295 256 338

 

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— Comments Off on Your Views – Policing and Crime

Your Views – Policing and Crime

The Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley would like your views on policing and crime.

This Summer, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is seeking views from the residents of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire on policing and crime.  This feedback will help inform the Police and Crime Plan which sets the priorities for Thames Valley Police for the next five years.

What concerns you about policing in your area?  What would you like Thames Valley Police to prioritise with regards to crime?  Have you been a victim of crime and would like to feedback your experience?

To give your views, you can complete a short anonymous online survey at www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/survey.  It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and will be open until Friday 30th September 2016.

If you would like a copy of the survey posted to you, please contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner on 01865 846780

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