E-bulletin: 14 January 2026
- kevin7809
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
In this edition
The Randal Foundation Small Grant
The Randal Foundation works to deliver the vision of Founders, Dr Nik and Moni Kotecha – saving and significantly improving the lives of 1 million people, across the UK and globally. We work in partnership with inspirational organisations, bringing support and essential funding to both create opportunity and foster hope, for those in greatest need.
Projects must address the following priority areas:
Poverty alleviation
Support for women and children at risk of immediate harm
Grants available
Small grants of up to £3,000 will be available through an open call.
Funding is for project costs only, and not to support core organisational overheads or capital campaigns.
Ongoing - No Deadline
Further information available here
Young Futures Programme – Healthy Teen Minds Fund
Asda Foundation recognises the importance of supporting teenagers in communities across the UK, with a particular focus on their mental health and wellbeing. This year, we will be providing up to £600,000, via the Healthy Teen Minds Fund, to support teenagers with their development.
Grants ranging from £500 to £1,000 are available to help groups who are supporting young people aged 13-18.
Applications close: 20 January 2026 at 10am
They expect a high demand for this grant and the application window will close when all funding has been allocated.
Further information available here
Webinar: Unrestricted Funding for your Charity
Is your charity looking for unrestricted funding in 2026?
Come along to a short webinar to find out how you can use the free easyfundraising platform to tap into ongoing, unrestricted funds throughout 2026 and beyond.
What to expect:
A demo of how easyfundraising works and how to get started
Tips on how to make the most of it
The opportunity to ask questions and get advice and support
When:
Wednesday 21st January
12.30pm - 1pm
On Zoom
Suitable for: All types of voluntary organisations and groups, CICs, social enterprises, church and faith organisations, grassroots sport organisations and charities.
An Introduction to Co-operatives & Community Wealth Building
Friday, Jan 23, 2026 from 10 am to 12 pm Gasyard Development Trust
Join us for a workshop exploring co-operative business models in Derry.
Join us for a workshop exploring how co-operative business models can help promote the creation of good jobs and redirect power and wealth to local communities.
The workshop will be delivered by the specialist co-operative development organisations Trademark and Co-operative Alternatives.
This practical session will outline the key steps involved in starting and growing a co-operative, with an opportunity to discuss concrete possibilities relevant to participants’ own contexts and organisations.
Register your place here
Pitch Perfect, The Fundraising Workshop
Jan 21 from 10am to 1pm - Online event
Get ready to fine-tune your pitching skills and raise funds like a pro at Pitch Perfect, The Fundraising Workshop!
Join Northern Ireland Resources Network's interactive Fundraising Training Workshop designed specifically for our members looking to enhance their fundraising strategy, skills, and results. Whether you’re a small grassroots organisation or an established charity, this workshop will equip you with practical tools to build stronger donor relationships, develop compelling fundraising campaigns, and achieve ideas for financial growth. Strategies for individual giving, grant writing, events, and digital fundraising, effective use of data to drive fundraising decisions, and tools for building a culture of fundraising within your organisation.
Hosted by Glenn Oaks, Caboodle Fundraising
Book your place here
Call for Nominations: Civic Threads Knowledge Exchange Visit
NICVA are inviting senior leaders from across Northern Ireland’s voluntary and community sector to take part in an exciting Civic Threads Knowledge Exchange Visit to Cardiff this February.
11–13 February 2026
Travel, accommodation and meals covered
Meet Welsh Senedd members, VCS leaders and public sector colleagues
This is a fantastic opportunity to:
Build your UK-wide connections
Share ideas on policy and civic participation
Bring back practical learning for your organisation and sub-sector
If you’re passionate about leadership, learning and collaboration, we’d love to hear from you.
To ensure broad representation across the sector — and recognising that the VCS Panel already reflects a range of sector interests — we particularly welcome nominations from the following sectors:
Housing and/or homelessness
Arts, culture and heritage
Minority Ethnic groups
Environment and sustainability
Equality and human rights
Older people
NICVA aims to ensure a strong mix of organisations across geography, sector, and organisational size.
Calling All Inspiring Women!
Do you know an inspirational woman aged 40 or under, who is making a real difference? Or have you done something extraordinary in your community, achieved success in sport, shown leadership, or made your mark in business, health, or public life? If so then FWIN want to hear from you!
We’re celebrating amazing young women who are shaping our communities and inspiring others. We’re creating a book called "Women To Watch: Recognising the Leadership, Achievements and Community Impact of Women 40 and Under", and we’re calling for nominations of women who deserve to be recognised, celebrated, and to go down in history.
We want to hear about women who are making a difference in areas such as: Community Development Business & Entrepreneurship Health & Wellbeing Sport Agriculture Arts & Culture Education Public Life Social Action Or any other field where women are leading the way!
Selected women will be: - Professionally photographed - Have their story captured, authentically - Featured in a published book - Celebrated through a public exhibition - Included in a 2027 calendar - Recognised as part of International Women’s Day 2026 You can nominate yourself or someone you admire today!
You can find out more and nominate here: https://www.fwin.org.uk/women-to-watch-nominations
Nominations close Friday 23rd January 2026, 5pm. If you have any questions, please email us at info@fwin.org.uk
Calling all support services & community organisations
The ARC Fitness Health Fest NW is returning for its fifth year, and for the first time we’re opening the floor for organisations to come to us.
If your service supports:
Mental health
Recovery
Physical health & wellbeing
Addiction support
Family, community or social care
Lived-experience-led support
…we want to hear from you.
This event is about connection, access, and removing barriers. Bringing services and people together in one space, without stigma.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ
Stall spaces are LIMITED
Expressing interest does NOT secure a space
Your space is ONLY secured once a registration form is completed
To request a registration form, please email laura@arcfitness.uk Once spaces are filled, Registrations will close.
Let’s work together to Rewrite The Story of support. Collaboratively, visibly, and accessibly.
Forward Thinking Workshop with Dr Anne Devlin
Our next Forward Thinking workshop will take place on Wednesday 28th January at 7pm at Holywell Trust with Dr Anne Devlin.
Anne is an economist with the Economic and Social Research Institute in Dublin. Her research interests are primarily in the areas of labour economics, education, wellbeing and social inclusion. Anne’s work across these areas has increasingly taken a place-based approach. Anne has also been involved in a range of projects examining various aspects of the all-island economy and North South cooperation on the island of Ireland. Anne has published her work in a range of national and international academic journals.
Anne obtained her PhD in Economics from Queen’s University Belfast. Her PhD research examined the high levels of disability in Northern Ireland and whether there is a relationship with the conflict in NI.
Anne is a Visiting Scholar at Queen’s Business School, Queen’s University Belfast, a Steering Group member of the All-Island Social Security Network, an advisor to the Centre for Economics, Policy and History, and a mentor to Economics students in Queen’s University Belfast interested in pursuing research careers.
To find out more please visit: www.holywelltrust.com/forward-thinking
ACET OCN Level 2 Course
ACET will be running their next PHA funded online HIV STIs and Contraception OCN L2 Training course on:
Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd, (NOT 9th & 10th) Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th February 2026 from 10.00-11.30am each day
The course will be delivered entirely online via 4 live Zoom sessions.
We will cover:
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Blood-borne viruses : HIV and Hepatitis C
Contraception
Prevention
Condom Use
Local Sexual Health Services
It will be suitable for anyone working or volunteering with either young people or adults in Northern Ireland who would like to improve their understanding of sexual health. The course is funded by the Public Health Agency so free of charge to participants, and is accredited with OCNNI at Level 2. Places are limited to 15 per course, and allocated on a first-come-first served basis.
L6 Skills fund course in Career Guidance and Development
Funding has been secured via the DfE Skills Fund to fully fund eight places on the Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development for staff within the Voluntary and Community Sector. The course will be delivered by the Open University (OU).
This initiative aims to strengthen the quality and consistency of careers guidance across the careers ecosystem.
Who can apply?
Staff who are working in the voluntary and community sector that are involved in delivering careers guidance to clients and want to upskill to achieve a Level 6 qualification.
Introductory Webinar
The Open University will host a webinar information session on Wednesday 28 January 2026 from 12:00 to 13:30. It will cover what is involved on the L6 course, application and selection process.
Register your interest on the link below: Introductory Webinar: Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development
Should anyone require more details of the OU course, please click on the following link: Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development | Open University(external link opens in a new window / tab)
Derry Strabane LMP 2025/26 programmes and academies
Funded by Department for Communities (DfC), Derry and Strabane Labour Market Partnership (LMP) offer free training programmes to help people get into employment, training or full-time education by:
Building confidence
Delivering qualifications and/or licences
Providing experience and develop skills
Please click here for a summery list of the current LMP programmes (and eligibility).
You can also view/share this information from our website www.derrystrabane.com/LMP
Latest Offers from Salto Youth
Please see attached document for the latest offers from Salto Youth, including:
The Art of Presence
Let's Discuss Democracy! - How can young people build resilient democracies? - ONLINE
Youth@Work Seminar: AI and the Future of Youth Employability
MAPS
Call for Trainers
Walk 5k a Day this February
Autism NI’s Walk 5k a Day 2026 is back, and we’d love you to be part of it. This month-long challenge is all about getting moving, feeling good, and raising vital funds for local autism services in Northern Ireland.
All you have to do is walk or run 5k a day in February at your own pace, in your own way. We’re encouraging participants to aim to raise £100 to support essential autism services, and to help spread awareness, understanding, and acceptance in their communities too.
Walk 5k a Day is open to everyone and fits easily into everyday life. Whether it’s a relaxed evening walk with family, a lunchtime dander with colleagues, or clocking up steps at the gym, it all counts - and registration is free! You’ll also receive a fundraising pack and an Autism NI t-shirt to get you started.
So why not turn your daily steps into something amazing? Sign up today and walk with us for a great cause. To receive a 'Walk 5k a Day' fundraising pack sign up here or email events@autismni.org for more information.
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