NWCN Ebulletin 15 June 2022

1 Community Ownership Fund Opens for Round 2
2 Brighter Communities Fund
3 Growth Impact Fund & UnLtd Awards
4 Ours to Share Grant Programme
5 Arts Council NI – Rural Engagement Arts Programme 
6 Good Relations Week 2022: ‘Change Starts With Us’ 
7 Trade Union Rally – Stormont
8 Climate Change Awareness Talks – Free Online Sessions Available 
9 What is Natural Health and how can you apply the answers to this in your daily life?
10 International Leadership Course
11 Training Programmes at Derry Youth and Community Workshop
12 Latest Offers from Salto Youth
13 Job Opportunity with Versus Arthritis
14 Cornfield Fest 2022 at The Cornfield Project, Coleraine – You are Invited!
15 Echo Echo Dance Summer Scheme - 4th - 8th July 2022
16 Summer Camps 2022
17 Eden Place Arts Centre launches 'The Masked Artists' Exhibition
18 A Night of Ulster Scots - Summer Celebration

1 Community Ownership Fund Opens for Round 2

The UK Government's £150 million Community Ownership Fund, which will run until 2024/25, is currently accepting Expressions of Interest.

Applications will be accepted from voluntary and community organisations from all parts of the UK who have a viable plan for taking ownership of a community asset at risk and running it sustainably for community benefit.

Groups can bid for up to £250,000 match funding or in exceptional cases up to £1 million for larger sporting assets at risk of loss.

To be eligible for investment from the Fund, the terms of community ownership must be either the ownership of the freehold or a long-term leasehold of at least 15 years with reasonable break clauses. Assets with leaseholds of 25 years and no early break clauses are preferred as applicants will find it easier to demonstrate the long-term sustainability of the asset in community hands.

The fund has moved to a two-stage application process with an initial Expression of Interest stage to determine eligibility and bid readiness followed by a detailed application stage which can be made to any of the three bidding that will be available this year. The first application window is expected to close on 19 August 2022. There will be two more application windows before March 2023.

Expressions of Interest are currently being accepted.

Full details available here

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2 Brighter Communities Fund

Power NI's Brighter Communities fund is receiving applications for June!

Small or large community, sporting, charity and youth groups from across Northern Ireland are eligible to apply for support from the Brighter Communities fund.

Find out more and apply now at 
powerni.co.uk/community/brighter-communities

 Growth Impact Fund & UnLtd Awards

Growth Impact Fund
The Growth Impact Fund is a social investment fund, helping fast growth early-stage social businesses to grow their impact. It is offering between £50,000 and £1,500,000 of social investment and supporting grants up to £20,000. Find out more about eligibility & how to apply here: www.growthimpactfund.org.uk  

UnLtd Awards (up to £15,000)
UnLtd finds, funds and supports social entrepreneurs - enterprising people with solutions that change our society for the better. We do this by providing practical and financial support up to £15,000. Next deadline date is 30th June 2022. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply here: UnLtd - What We Do | Mission, Vision & Values | UnLtd |  

For Further information on either fund, contact Nuala at 
nualasmyth@unltd.org.uk

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4 Ours to Share Grant Programme

The ‘Ours to Share’ grant programme is for rural community groups / organisations who are interested in developing heritage projects in rural areas. In Round 1 12 projects have been funded and we are now pleased to announce Round 2. Grants up to £3,500 are available and we expect to support around 8 projects.

This grant programme has been created to help support rural communities in developing and delivering heritage projects that will bring people together to celebrate our diverse heritage.

If you are interested in applying, please read the guidance notes to check your eligibility.

The closing date is 5pm on Thursday 30 June 2022.

If you have any questions please contact Nigel McKinney on nigel@ruralcommunitynetwork.org

Completed applications plus all supporting documents must be e-mailed to ours2share@ruralcommunitynetwork.org 

The application form is available here

5 Arts Council NI – Rural Engagement Arts Programme 

This programme aims to provide an integrated, cohesive approach to the needs of local rural communities as they emerge from the global Covid pandemic, recognising the specific issues they face as a result.

The overarching theme is combatting isolation and loneliness, and promoting social inclusion. The pandemic and the resulting lockdowns across the UK have taken a toll on individual lives, with mental health and well-being adversely affected as families and friends were separated for sustained periods of time. Intergenerational family relationships being particularly affected. This has been compounded in rural communities which are characterised by smaller and more dispersed populations.

Groups can apply for one-off projects or for a programme of events to a value of between £500 and £10,000. Projects do not have to be new: existing programmes which are successful and meet the strategic themes of REAP are eligible.
While engagement must be targeted at rural communities, Local Authorities and other groups based in urban areas may apply for programmes to be delivered in rural communities.
 
Organisations based in Republic of Ireland border communities are eligible to apply, however, any proposed project must benefit people living in rural communities in Northern Ireland

Applications from single organisations are permissible, but should demonstrate partnership working. Consortium applications demonstrating partnership working will be prioritised. For partnership/consortium applications, a single organisation must be the lead applicant.

For full information about this programme including Guidance Notes and the Project Budget template , see: http://artscouncil-ni.org/funding/scheme/rural-engagement-arts-programme
 
Deadline: THURSDAY 28 JULY 2022 at 12 NOON

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6 Good Relations Week 2022: ‘Change Starts With Us’ 

Good Relations Week 2022 will deliver a positive message that ‘Change Starts With Us’ as we shine a light on local communities taking action to build a stronger shared society and a more sustainable future.

The Community Relations Council’s annual celebration of peace building and cultural diversity work will run from Monday 19th to Sunday 25th September 2022 – and we want as many local groups and organisations as possible to get involved!

The theme for this year’s celebration is Change Starts With Us’ and it will focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to highlight the political, social, economic, and environmental challenges we face as a region. It will also demonstrate how good community relationships are fundamental to enabling us to work together to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.

We’d really love you to get involved by hosting a physical event, online event, or piece of online content. This could be a workshop, lecture, discussion panel, music or theatre performance, exhibition, archive video or new short film and lots more.

Your involvement and participation will help make Good Relations Week 2022 a success, so please get involved and reinforce the message that ‘Change Starts With Us’!

Further details available 
here

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 7 Trade Union Rally - Stormont

Northern Ireland Committee Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Trade Union Rally – 25 June 12 noon, main gates Stormont, assemble 12 noon


Owen Reidy Assistant General Secretary of the ICTU said:
Workers and their families can no longer endure inaction on the cost of living crisis. Inflation is now at 9% and predicted by some to increase to 11%.

Workers make no apologies for seeking to protect their living standards. Many of these workers who are hard pressed and struggling with in work poverty are the very same workers who guided society through the pandemic.

We are calling on all workers and unions to join us at this rally at Stormont on 25th June to add their voice to the call for Westminster to provide the necessary supports to working families and for a return of a NI Executive to roll out the necessary policies and actions to seek to address this cost of living crisis now.

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8 Climate Change Awareness Talks – Free Online Sessions Available 

Interested in becoming more climate smart in your home, business, local interest group or workplace? Wondering where to start? Why not join one of our free online Climate Change Awareness talks, available across Northern Ireland. 

We can offer this in repeatable sessions virtually for groups of up to 50 attendees at a time.  This stand-alone training, delivered virtually in under two hours, offers valuable insight into climate change, and an awareness of the impacts and risks for Northern Ireland.  Attendees can then choose to extend the training if they wish to gain certification.

Please contact Scott Howes at 
scott.howes@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org  to organise this for your staff/group at no cost. 
 
Additional information on the accredited training is available on the 
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful website.

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9  What is Natural Health and how can you apply the answers to this in your daily life?

**Please note there has been a change of date for this event**
Organised by Far and Wild (in partnership with North West Community Network)
 
Where: DiverseCity Community Partnership Building, Bishop Street,
When: Wednesday 29th June at 11:00am
Refreshments will be served
Please RSVP to 
info@nwcn.org 

 
We invite you to an open discussion at this important time of health recovery, welcoming your contribution and perspective on this topic.  This event is for everyone interested, particularly anyone who may feel they haven't been heard on this issue or who simply wish to know more.
 
Far and Wild believes that debate around how to maintain a healthy life-style- both physically and mentally- particularly during the past 2 years of health-related restrictions, should be supported and allowed to flourish. Please come along and join in the discussion- your opinion is valued and welcome.
 
For further information contact Lawrence on +447775911198 via Whatsapp 
 
Supported by funding from the Community Foundation of NI

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10 International Leadership Course

International Leadership Course 2022
A) Social Action
B) Young Entrepreneurs
20th to 29th June 2022, London, UK

The Centre for International Learning and Leadership (CILL) and Momentum World have been running international leadership courses since 2010. These courses have become recognised as some of the best personal and professional development programmes for young people anywhere. They offer a potentially life-changing experience for participants.

On this course you will get a deep understanding of your own leadership style, skills, ambitions and motivations. You will work in mixed groups with people from different countries and cultures, giving you new perspectives on the world, new ideas and networks for your future. This is an interactive and non-formal learning process, so you will have fun as you learn. Activities include teambuilding exercises, discussions, an in-depth personality profiling exercise, coaching masterclasses, visits to businesses and social organisations in London, meetings with inspiring people, and our famous "London Challenge". There will also be a vibrant social programme including a welcome party in central London, an intercultural evening, and a final celebration night.

To apply fill out the 
attached form
 and return ASAP, states on form that it is already closed but the organisation is willing to accept some more applications this week!

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11 Training Programmes at Derry Youth and Community Workshop

Please find attached information on our 
DFE Skills for Life and Work programme
, aimed towards 16-18 year old's who are interested in Vocational training including having the opportunity to gain qualifications in Essential Skills (English, Maths and ICT), Employability Skills and Personal and Social Skills.
 
Work Placement opportunities and allowances / cash bonuses are available as part of our Skills for Life and Work programme.
 
Further current programmes on offer are:

We would be happy to arrange a visit for those who would be interested to call at DYCW for a walk around our premises and to have a chat with some of our staff or we can arrange a meeting to discuss our training programmes and what we can offer.
 
If you require any additional information, please contact Andrea at 028 7126 8891 or by e-mail at 
andreamontgomery@dycw.co.uk

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12 Latest Offers from Salto Youth

Please see attached document for the latest training opportunities from Salto, including:

- Online Course on Digital Youth Work
- Activist Summer School
- Live Sustainably Training Course

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13 Job Opportunity with Versus Arthritis

We are recruiting for a Regional Officer to help us develop and shape the work Versus Arthritis does in local communities in the North West of NI.  Through the ‘Together Versus Arthritis’ project we aim to build partnerships with local communities to reach and support more people with arthritis; including creating new peer-support groups, raising awareness of arthritis as a condition and improving the support and opportunities available to people with arthritis in local areas.
 
The role offers flexible working and is home based.

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: £27,000 per annum
Benefits: Read more about 
the excellent benefits we offer
Contract type: Permanent
Travel: Frequent travel within North West/Western Trust region. Occasional travel across Northern Ireland and to our offices in Belfast, Chesterfield and London
Closing date: 9.00am, 27 June 2022

Download the job description and person specification for the Regional officer - Northern Ireland (north west) role

Further details available here

14 Cornfield Fest 2022 at The Cornfield Project, Coleraine – You are Invited!

In 2020, we planned to welcome everyone to the wonderful Cornfield Project to experience a three-day festival full of fun and activity in our beautiful outdoor setting. Unfortunately, due to you-know-what, we were unable to deliver our event, were denied again in 2021, but now we’re delighted to say that we’re finally going to be running Cornfield Fest 2022 from 1st-3rd July.

At The Cornfield Project, Hartford Park, Coleraine, BT52 2JW come and join us for a fun-filled 3 days with bouncy castles, music, food and drinks, outdoor gym fitness sessions, golf nets and our wide and varied programme of activities (for a festival brochure, please email 
manager@focusonfamily.co.uk
 or telephone 02870329550 or call in to Focus on Family, Ballysally or Millburn Community Office). Our activity programme includes workshops for people of all ages and includes mixed sports, making bug hotels, natural arts, drumming, dance, boxing, drama, archery, gaming, mud kitchen play, survival skills, visual arts and yoga!
 
Everyone is welcome to attend (the activity programme is pre-booked but there will be plenty to do for anyone else that isn’t booked on a programme activity) and the festival runs on Friday 1st July from 2pm-6pm, on Saturday 2nd July from 1pm-7pm and on Sunday 3rd July from 12pm-6pm. At 4pm on the Sunday, we close the festival with a live performance and DJ set from locally renowned band, Brown Sugar.

This festival has been developed and delivered by a local team of volunteers and community workers and has been made possible through funding from Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council Festival Fund (supported by Department for Communities) & contributions from Bell Architects, MacBlair, CP Hire Ltd, Graphics Hub Signs and Right Price – it’s been a real team effort and we say thank you to everyone that has helped Cornfield Fest 2022 come together.
 
Now all that remains is for you to put your summer clothes on, slap on some sun cream and enjoy the start of summer with us – we look forward to seeing you at The Cornfield!

15 Echo Echo Dance Summer Scheme - 4th - 8th July 2022
 
Join experienced professionals of Echo Echo Ensemble for a week of dance and movement for primary school ages! The course will run from 4th-8th July, from 10am-1pm daily in our studios on Magazine Street. It is suitable for kids aged 5-11 (the youngest should at least complete P1).

In our kind and playful environment kids will spend time dancing, playing, storytelling and engaging in arts and crafts. We would love to see you!

£50 per child - (£20 deposit to be paid in advance). Please follow link to book.
 

https://www.echoechodance.com/whatson/echo-echo-summer-scheme-2022

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16 Summer Camps 2022

Derry City and Strabane District Council have a number of programmes and camps running throughout the summer providing a variety of recreational activities and sports to keep the kids active. 

Online booking for:
Melvin Sports Complex will open from 9am on Tuesday14th June.
At Foyle Arena bookings go live from 9am on Wednesday 15th June.
Templemore Sports Complex can be booked from 9am on Thursday 16th June.

Customers can also contact the centres directly by phone from these dates.

Full dates and details available 
here

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17 Eden Place Arts Centre launches 'The Masked Artists' Exhibition

The Masked Artists created an amazing body of work thoughout lockdown, now that they have discarded their masks they are bringing this eclectic display of work to Eden Place Arts Centre for 2 days only!

The work can be viewed on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th June from 10am-6pm.
Come along and be amazed at the talent on display.

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18 A Night of Ulster Scots - Summer Celebration

We’re hosting a new event, and we’d love to see you there. Join us for A NIGHT OF ULSTER SCOTS (Summer Celebration), June 23, 2022 at 19:00 @ Monreagh Heritage Centre

Register soon because space is limited.

We hope you’re able to join us!

 

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