I am too excited to concentrate properly. It feels as thought nothing has been going on for months and then out of the blue, it seems that Gareth Bale is moving back to Spurs an that it could all be confirmed today. He’s on this plane at the moment apparently. I might be able to wave to him as he flies over London.
If you’re not a football fan, you’re probably wondering what all the fuss is about. You’re probably right to as well, but for the time being it feels a bit like Christmas where I’m sitting. Just without a tree. Or Christmas lunch. And there is no-one else in the house, which isn’t particularly festive.
Anyhow, I’m rambling so I’ll stop there. I told you I was too excited to concentrate.
Enjoy the news…
Learn to juggle. One of the more unusual stories to kick off the newsletter with but I’m in a good mood and I like this one. SSE student Kat Borrowdale and her social enterprise Think Circus have created a free online course teaching the basics of juggling. It’s free, suitable to anyone over 8 and will build co-ordination, improve mental flexibility, and is a great way to be both physically and intellectually engaged. Take a look here.
Navigating the New Normal. We only have two places left on our Navigating the New Normal course and we are expecting to close bookings at the end of today. The course will help you to map out how to respond to future bumps in the road during the Covid-19 recovery period, and opportunities to do things differently and better than before. We’ve got participants signed up from a wide range of not-for-profit organisations including in the education, health, sports and arts sectors, so we’re anticipating a real range of insights, perspectives and challenges. Places are £850, book here.
SSE Fellows. Important news! We’ll be opening up applications to the latest round of the Fellows Future Fund at 5pm on Tuesday next week. Four grants of £5k will be available, so keep an eye on your inboxes for further details next week. You can read all about the fund here.
Being the Story. When I was seven I’m fairly sure I spent my evenings watching Knightmare or Grange Hill, I certainly wasn’t speaking at conferences. (32 years on, not much is different to be fair). So I find it amazing that seven-year old Nylah Abitimo-Jones will be speaking at the first ever evening Being the Story, featuring talks and performance on the theme of ‘Life in Lockdown’. Also speaking will be award winning author Onjali Rauf, among a whole line-up of excellent contributors. It takes place on Wednesday 14th October, tickets are priced £5-£15. Book one here.
SYHA Enterprises launches its Social Value Investment Fund. SYHA Enterprises (part of South Yorkshire Housing Association) are looking for organisations in the region to invest in. They are keen to look at opportunities which help to tackle the climate emergency and which would offer direct benefits to the health and wellbeing of people in the region. Typically, investments range from £10,000 – £100,000 with an expected minimum return of 7–10% per annum and investment payback in under 10 years. For more information, contact the Enterprise Team via email at [email protected].
Fundraising from Trusts and Foundations. We’ve got a reasonable number of places available on our online workshop on Tuesday. If you have some bid writing experience already but would like to add more quality and strategy to your approach, or you are struggling to repeat previous success in an increasingly competitive and urgent funding climate, then fire up your modem and join us online. You can book a place here.
Small grants to registered charities. Until writing this newsletter I had never heard of The Leathersellers’ Company. Apparently it is ‘one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, ranked fifteenth in the order of precedence. It was founded by royal charter in 1444 with authority to control the sale of leather within the City.’ So now we know. They are also a grant maker, currently offering small one-off grants (up to maximum of £3,000) to registered charities with an annual income below £200,000. Find out more here.
Well Grounded are hiring. Social enterprise Well Grounded, founded by SSE Fellow Eve Wagg, are searching for a Marketing & Partnerships Executive (£22.5k – £27.5k) to join the team and lead the marketing and communication function, whilst nurturing employer networks and building brand presence. Well Grounded runs a series of specialty coffee training academies, connecting people looking for work with sustainable careers in the coffee industry, regardless of their background. Deadline to apply is 28th September.
Leaders with Lived Experience 2020. National Lottery Community Fund are looking to support organisations set up or run by people with first-hand experience of a social issue, who are trying to faux sac de luxe create positive change for communities and people who share those experiences. Grants of £20,000 to £50,000 are available, apply by 13th October.
Community Business Trade Up Programme. Community businesses! The Community Business Trade Up programme is coming your way real soon. It’s a FREE learning programme with a Trade Back grant of up to £10,000. It’ll give you the skills to grow your income from trading, have more impact and be sustainable. Run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs with partners Power to Change we’re prioritising applications from communities hit hardest by Covid-19 including BAME-supporting organisations and those working in deprived areas. Find out more and register interest here.
Ethos explores activism. A cool sounding event from Ethos Magazine next week: Ethos Explores Activism features the head of global activism for Ben and Jerrys and will look at how issues can turn into action and we go from caring to action, policy and vigorous campaigning. It’s takes place on Thursday at 5pm and is free to register.
Learn more about managing your social impact. Social Tech Trust are running a 90 minute online workshop focused on how to get started with impact management on 24th September. It’s suitable for all levels – whether you’re just at idea stage, already have a purpose-led initiative or start-up, or simply want to understand more about impact management. You can book a place here.
UnLtd Celebration: Thrive Accelerator for Healthy Ageing Ventures. Unltd a celebrating the graduation of 12 entrepreneurs from the Thrive accelerator on 30th September and would like to invite you all along. It’s an opportunity for aspiring social entrepreneurs to hear more about the work that Unltd do and the support that they provide. (I’ve heard whispers that Unltd will be opening their general grant programmes again from the end of the month so it’s well worth joining the event to find out more). Register for a free place here.
