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E-bulletin: 3 December 2025

  • kevin7809
  • 9 hours ago
  • 9 min read

In this edition



  1. NWCN AGM

You are invited to attend our AGM at 10:30 on Friday 12th December 2025, at the Gasyard Centre where we will outline our achievements of the past year and set out our priorities for the year ahead.


We will launch our new Website and our Strategic Framework for 2026-2029. Following the AGM we will have the pleasure of hearing insights from Gary Rutherford, ARC Fitness and Cynthia Karanja, African Caribbean Community Network.


Refreshments provided, for catering purposes, let us know if you are planning to attend on info@nwcn.org




  1. Reminder: Culture Grant Aid Programmes Call for Applications 2026/27

Just a quick reminder that the Grant Aid Portal for the following is still active until Friday 5th December.


  • Heritage Animation & Visitor Servicing Programme

  • Headline Events Funding Programme

  • Community Festival Programme (including Christmas events) Consensual Awards (through Headline Events)

  • Artist and Cultural Practitioner Award


Closing Date: 12 noon Friday 5th December 2025




  1. Building the Community-Pharmacy Partnership Programme

BCPP aims to reduce health inequalities by addressing the social determinants of health—factors like poverty, housing, social isolation, and access to healthcare. We focus on:


  • Strengthening social support

  • Building community connections

  • Improving access to healthcare through community pharmacies


We specifically target the most deprived communities and those most affected by health inequalities to ensure those most in need are included.


Closing dates:

Level 1 (BCPP Taster Project) - Thursday 26 February 2026 

Level 2 (BCPP Full project) - Thursday 26 March 2026 


Further information available here



  1. Cancer Charities Grant Scheme for 2025/26

A major £2 million Cancer Charities Grant Scheme for 2025/26 has been unveiled by the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer Support, boosting community-based cancer services across Northern Ireland.


The grant scheme has been developed through a co-design approach, working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition.  The £2 million funding package will see the deployment of a new partnership funding model, with £1 million funding provided by the Department of Health and £1 million match-funding provided by Macmillan Cancer Support. 


The funding will be offered across two tiers:

  • Tier 1: Grants up to £25,000 for smaller projects (with around £500,000 ringfenced)

  • Tier 2: Grants from £25,001 to £150,000 for larger programmes (with around £1.5 million available)


Eligible organisations must be UK registered charities or not-for-profits operating in Northern Ireland with a clear cancer-related purpose. Funding will support services including mental health support, rehabilitation and prehabilitation, transport services, awareness and education initiatives, and programmes addressing health inequalities.


Applications close on 23 January 2026.


For more information on the Grant Scheme, including guidance and application forms, go to https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/cancer-charities-grant-scheme-202526  



  1. DAERA Forestry Grants

Forests for Our Future programme aims to plant 18 million trees or 9,000 hectares of new woodland over the next 10 years to help our environment and economy.


The Small Woodland Grant Scheme is now open for applications and will close on 7th January 2026 at 18:00.

The Woodland Investment Grant scheme is open for applications and will close on 31st December 2025.


Further information on both funds available here



  1. Ideas Fund – Reimaging Research Event 

Thursday 4th December at 12:30


We have a great online event coming up with the Ideas Fund, sharing the learning from all of the projects on research – ‘Reimagining Research’. The event will consist of an hour long (12.30-1.30) interactive workshop with guest speakers from the field of community research followed by an optional 30 minute facilitated networking opportunity. We hope people will be able to join for the full 90 minutes (until 2pm) but it is possible to come just for the first hour. We will compile a list of resources and sharing materials through the event and aim to build a mailing list of interested participants.


The organisers hope that the event will prompt new collaborations and ways of bringing together conversations around this theme. It aims not to be a one off sharing event but the first of a new set of collaborative encounters with people who share a vision for a more community-centred approach to researching our shared future.


 See link below for more info and to register for the event.



  1. Future Heritage Leadership Programme

The Heritage Fund's new, Future Heritage Leadership programme is here to help young adults learn about heritage sector governance and grant making– no previous experience required!


Over 18 months, as well as gaining hands-on heritage sector experience, there will be training, heritage project visits and networking opportunities with sector leaders.


  • Are you 18–30 years old?

  • Are you passionate about heritage?

  • Do you have little or no experience on boards or committees?

  • Do you understand and support diversity and inclusion, especially the challenges faced by young people and under-served groups?

  • Can you commit to attending quarterly meetings, taking part in training and peer support sessions for 18 months?


Applications are open until 11.59pm on 10 December 2025. Paid attendance at quarterly committee meetings plus cover for travel and other relevant expenses.




  1. Support the PHA 'Talking Really Helps' campaign

A message from the Public Health Agency Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Team.


We are asking for your support to amplify the Public Health Agency ‘Talking Really Helps’ suicide prevention mass media campaign, which will run from November 2025 to March 2026.


You can support the campaign, and raise awareness of Lifeline by using and sharing the digital resources across your organisation’s social media platforms, AND by ordering FREE resource pack(s) containing campaign promotional items for distribution to your service users.



Please note that the deadline for ordering resource packs is 5pm on Friday 5 December.


Following the conclusion of the campaign, we will also share a short feedback form. Your insights will help us evaluate the campaign’s impact and inform future campaign development.If you have any questions about ordering campaign resource packs, contact Richard.Bucklee@hscni.net.


Thank you in advance for your support.



  1. World AIDS Day 2025

This year’s World AIDS Day 2025 (WAD) theme is Prevent to Protect, a powerful message that emphasises both personal responsibility and collective action in the fight against HIV and AIDS.


The campaign highlights & key messages:


  • Prevent to Protect with a focus on prevention strategies as a way to protect yourself and others (condom use, PEP, PrEP, regular testing).

  • Solidarity & Awareness: Since 1988, World AIDS Day has united communities against stigma and discrimination.

  • In 2024:

    • Over 1,439 people in Northern Ireland living with a HIV diagnosis and who had accessed HIV-related care

    • 101 new diagnoses in Northern Ireland.

  • Medical Advances: HIV is no longer a death sentence—people can live long, healthy lives with treatment. People on effective HIV treatment cannot pass on the virus This is known as U=U – an undetectable viral load means the virus is untransmissible

  • Stigma Still Exists: Discrimination persists in workplaces, education, housing, and healthcare.


How can you get involved:


  • Use and share our social media posts from the toolkit to spread awareness.

  • Host community discussions or webinars on prevention and stigma reduction.

  • Encourage testing and education campaigns in local communities.

  • Share personal stories or testimonials to humanize the issue.


The World Aids Day toolkit is live now and it can be accessed through the following pages:



You can access all campaign resources on the World AIDS Day - Sexual Health NI page World AIDS Day - Sexual Health NI



  1. Special School Partnership Training Scoping: C&V sector only

In order to progress the Special School Programme Action plan - Priority 4: Training and upskilling across professions, organisations and sectors,  we are mapping our Community & Voluntary Partner Organisations that provide training related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN/D) settings across Northern Ireland. 


By 'training' we mean any structured learning offer, including workshops, courses, webinars, accredited modules and coaching. 


This training can be any aimed at pupils, parents/carers, school staff or other professional staff


We have created this survey (link below) to collect your feedback to help us understand what’s currently working well, where there are gaps, and how we can build stronger support and learning opportunities for everyone involved. The data will be used to create a database of current training available across N.I.


We would appreciate it if someone in your organisation could take 20mins to complete this survey by the 10th December 2025. 


NB  at this stage we are only scoping the Community and Voluntary sector offer 




  1. North West BAPS Christmas Party

You are very welcome to join us at the North West BAPS Christmas Party this Fri 5 Dec at 9.30am - 12 noon in the PLAYSHED, Trench Rd, Waterside,  BT47 2ED. You don't need to book, but it will help us to gauge numbers if you can register your interest on this Eventbrite link


This Christmas celebration is a chance for the kids and babies to play and for parents, supporters & advocates to have some lovely refreshments and most importantly a good catch up! 


Discounted Price per adult including food: £5 each Price per child including food and soft play admission: £10 each Babies free!


Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there!



  1. Free OCN Level 1 - Community Development Practice

Start Date: 13th January 2026 Time: 10-12 noon (fortnightly)  Duration: 8 weeks (4 sessions) Location: The Churches Trust Office, Limavady Road


For more information or to register, please email margaretbonner@thechurchestrust.org.uk



  1. Latest Offers from Salto Youth

Please see attached document for the latest offers from Salto Youth, including:


  • Virtual Partnership Building Activity

  • Youth Work for All

  • Essence of Outdoor Experiential Education Training Course

  • Teaching for Peace



  1. FREE Midwinter Gala Christmas Concert 

Season Four opens on 4 December 2025 with a firecracker programme of baroque brilliance, with music by J.S Bach and Handel.


Kindly sponsored by Alchemy Technology Services, part of NTT Data, and the Dutch Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London, the concert features internationally-acclaimed Irish Mezzo-Soprano, Tara Erraught. 


The programme will be played on authentic historic instruments and marks the launch of the Le Foyer des Artistes singers. 


Join us for a magnificent evening of music!


  • Date: Thursday, 4 December 2025

  • Concert Time: Promptly at 7:30 PM

  • Venue: St. Columb’s Hall in Derry


 Use code DNCH1212 to get it free Reserve tickets



  1. All welcome to the Fine Art Exhibition by Paul Kelly

Wednesday 26th November 2025


The Exhibition will continue until 6th December 2025 Opening times : Wednesday – Saturday 12- 5pm


In Kelly’s new exhibition, he shares his fascination with landscapes, quirky stone architecture and lighting. He uses bold acrylic colours with simplistic brushstrokes to reveal the organic shapes of the Irish countryside and the texture of old cobbled houses creating a nostalgic feeling through an uncompromising, purposely placed brush that reflects a journey through his own artistic endeavour and faith.


Read full press release here



  1. Christmas at the Cultúrlann

Christmas has arrived — and we’ve got a very special visitor on the way to An Chultúrlann! Join us for a festive afternoon of children’s Christmas fun, arts & crafts, music, dance, and more!


7.12.2025, 14:00-16:30


Browse our beautiful Irish-language gifts, and treat yourself at the café, open for hot drinks and sweet treats!



  1. Celebrate NI’s 1st Paint Remixing Facility!

We’ve got some genuinely exciting news to share, a completely game-changing initiative right here in Northern Ireland. The exciting launch of Legenderry Paint by Repair & Share Foyle!


Repair & Share Foyle is now home to the FIRST paint remixing facility in Northern Ireland. This inspiring project is bringing a revolutionary approach to waste reduction here in Derry/Londonderry.




  1. Job Opportunities with CCNI

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is recruiting! Offering hybrid working and learning opportunities from day one, current vacancies are:



Find out more about each role see the recruitment information pack available on the Commission's website or email jobs@charitycommissionni.org.uk.


Apply by midnight on Sunday 14 December 2025 by sending your completed application to jobs@charitycommissionni.org.uk. Interviews will be held on 13–14 January 2026 at Marlborough House in Craigavon.



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The information in this E-Bulletin has been collated from a range of sources. NWCN does not however accept responsibility for any third party content or for any of the opinions expressed.

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