Latest News

Back in September, together with Support Staffordshire, we asked the local voluntary sector to take part in the ‘State of the Sector’ survey. This was a follow-up to the survey that was reported in May, to gauge the effect of the Coronavirus outbreak and COVID-related restrictions on local charities, community groups and social enterprises. Thank you to everyone who took …

Local Trust has published its sixth briefing as part of their rapid research series. This research series focuses on the Covid-19 responses across 26 communities in England, and how they will recover. This briefing uses insights from across these communities to explore questions in relation to what volunteering is taking place, who is getting involved, how it is organised, whether …

In Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, VAST’s Door2Door Community Transport Service is doing everything it can to help those who are vulnerable, lonely, or isolated to get out and about in the community. The scheme, together with the help of 15 volunteer drivers, supported an average of 60 people with over 100 journeys every month before lockdown. When local authority funding for …

This is a ‘Meet the Funder’ event with Groundwork West Midlands and Get Grants, that is taking place to promote the Comic Relief Community Fund, which supports project across the strategic themes of: Children Survive & Thrive, Fighting for Gender Justice, A Safe Place to Be and, Mental Health Matters. The event is taking place on Tuesday 3rd November. Click …

Update from Stoke-on-Trent City Council on the Community Investment Fund If you’ve got a great idea to improve your local area, we may be able to help with the investment you need to get it moving. We have £2.7 million of capital investment available and building on the previous rounds of successes, we are inviting our communities to come forward …

£19,200 is available to local organisations to provide food and essential supplies to help people affected by Covid19.  Stoke-on-Trent City Council has received this funding from the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Not-for-profit organisations which are supporting residents in Stoke-on-Trent who are struggling due to the pandemic can apply for up to £3000. Funding can be used to: …

Public Consultation on Allocation methods for the associated New Burdens Funding 12th October 2020 1.    Introduction This public consultation was launched 5th October 2020 and responses are required by 13th November 2020. It is proposed that new burdens funding for implementation of the duty will be allocated from 2021 for a period of three years in annual amounts.  A review …

Department for Education (England) Additional remote education support to help children learn at home if they have to self-isolate is being made available to Schools, colleges, teachers and pupils across England. As part of the package, the Government will provide an additional 100,000 laptops to support children most in need if they are required to learn at home. Over £1 …

Deadline for submitting evidence: 20 December 2020 The Department for Education has an opening call for evidence relating to the impact the pandemic has had on education and children’s services as a whole. This may relate to the effect of cancelling exams and the fairness of the grades awarded; on disadvantaged groups such as those eligible for free school meals …

The Women and Equalities Committee has published its report on ‘Unequal impact? Coronavirus, disability and access to services’ following its consultation earlier this year. The report stated that: “The temporary Coronavirus Act provisions considered in this interim report have the potential to substantially restrict or curtail important, hard-won rights that disabled people rely on for their quality of life. They …