THATCH

NEWSLETTER www.somersetrcc.org.uk | info@somersetrrc.org.uk

OCTOBER 2019 BOOK YOUR SPACE Community Buildings Annual Training & CCS AGM / Rural Conference 2019 24th October 2019 Long Sutton Village Hall 9.45 am - 3.30 pm Book now to avoid disappointment

CCS Thatch - Autumn Issue As we move into autumn we have hit the ground running with a new Somerset Agent website, including a fantastic new Agent map where you can search your parish for your local agents. If you aren’t sure what type of agent you are looking for see our full page with details outlining the one-to-one support

For the full agenda and link to the online booking form see page 2

we provide to individuals, groups and hospitals.

Visit: www.somersetagents.org Our Community Buildings Event & Rural Conference with AGM is now taking bookings. Make sure you get your space today! See page 2

Highlights Page 2 Book your space to attend our Annual Community Buildings Training

Page 3

Page 4

Over 30 multicultural CCS MAKES A SPLASH groups attended INTO CREATIVE Taunton Together 2019 PEOPLE & PLACES

Page 7 - 9 Events across Somerset plus NEW Mendip Roadshow

2

Community Buildings Annual Training & CCS AGM / Rural Conference 2019 24 October 2019 - Long Sutton Village Hall 9:45

Registration

10:05

Fairer funding for Rural Communities, the case for change with guest speaker

10:00

Welcome

10:30

The Art of the Possible: A sustainable future for Village Halls and Community

11:15

Comfort Break

Buildings an interactive session with guest presentations.

11:30

CCS AGM

12:15

Lunch

12.00 13.05

Short presentations from invited Exhibitors Celebrating Somerset Halls for Somerset people

13.20

Smart Communities – resources to support your committee & community to

13:40

Protecting your Hall on-line - Frazer Keith Digital Investigations Unit, Avon

14:15

Hallmark Quality Standard – The benefits of taking part and how to get it

14:45

Hallmark presentations & District Awards presented by Eileen Zoers

15:20 15.30

make it happen!

and Somerset Police right first time

Trustee of the Year 2019

Opportunity to ask the experts – Community Buildings Advisors & Smart Communities Team / Networking opportunity

TO BOOK YOUR SPACE VISIT: www.somersetrcc.org.uk/community-buildings-event-and-ruralconference-with-agm/

3

More than 30 cultures celebrated at Taunton Together event! SCORES of people packed into the Abermarle Centre in Taunton and celebrated different cultures at the third annual Taunton Together event this autumn. More than 350 people attended the free event on Saturday (September 14) and enjoyed celebrating more than 30 different cultures in Somerset with live performances, food, arts, talks and activities. The event was opened by High Sherriff of Somerset Johnny Halliday and deputy mayor Cllr Sue Lees was a guest speaker on the day. Community groups including Avtar Indian Dance Somerset, Ray of Sunshine for a Child and Taunton Polish Association set up stalls and spoke to visitors about their culture. Michal Puzynski, who helped to organise this year’s event, said: “Taunton Together was a fabulous success and a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and meet wonderful people from around the world.”

4

CCS MAKES A SPLASH INTO CREATIVE PEOPLE & PLACES Good news! The SMart (SedgeMoor Art) Creative People and Places consortium led by Homes in Sedgemoor has been successful in its bid to Arts Council England for £1,101,374. This investment covers the first four years of the ten-year SMart programme vision. https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/creative-people-and-places-fund/cpp-projects-south-west CCS is a consortium partner and will be supporting the delivery of the programme alongside Homes in Sedgemoor, Somerset Film, Bridgwater Town Council and Senior Citizens forum. Claire Tough, interim CEO at Homes in Sedgemoor says, “This is a fantastic opportunity for Sedgemoor to expand our access to the arts and local culture scene in ways that can surprise and delight us all! An important first step is for more people to not only enjoy the arts in Sedgemoor but to take a lead role in shaping this and engaging with us over the next ten years. We want to build on our collective strengths as a consortium, to form new long-term partnerships with local communities, businesses, charities, artists and institutions (local, regional, inter/national) to achieve exciting new creative work the like of which we have not seen in our area before. Building a legacy that drives well-being and independence.” Keeley Rudd CEO at CCS says “CCS is delighted to be a part of this exciting new initiative to widen participation in the arts across Sedgemoor. As an organisation embedded within local communities we are perfectly placed to help engage people in new creative pursuits to help build community cohesion and improve wellbeing. Our SMart consortium is composed of partners all sharing a similar ethos and a desire to see more people enjoying the benefits of participation in arts and culture”

If you or someone on your committee needs a refresh or up-skilling on any of our training topics then book your space today.

“ “ “ “

“ “ “ “

CALLING ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS!

5

Attendees have said: Chelmondiston “ Well delivered

and well organised”

24th October – Long Sutton Village Hall Community Buildings event and rural conference with AGM. 

Oulton Broad “ Excellent course, well presented”

A day packed with presentations, training, workshops and networking opportunities.

presentation”

Topics include online security, fairer funding for rural communities, the art of the possible: a sustainable future and Smart community resources. Plus our Quality Standard Hallmark presentations and the Trustee of the Year Award 2019. Long Sutton Village Hall, TA10 9NT 9:45 - 3:30pm 7th December 2019: Goathurst Village Hall Goathurst Village Hall, Park Lane,Goathurst, Bridgwater TA5 2D. • 10 am - 12 pm: Trustees Roles and Responsibilities • 12.00 - 1pm lunch • 1 pm -3 pm Funding Opportunities and How to write a Successful Application • Light refreshments will be provided Download the booking form here https://somersetrcc.org.uk/communitybuildings-training-calendar-2019/ or contact Robert@somersetrcc.org.uk

Glemsford “ Well structured

Attendees have said: West Monkton Parish Council “

Really useful training course, providing clarity on the similarities and differences between village halls, playing fields and Parish Councils”

Attendees have said: Winsham Parish Council“ Very

Informative & Worthwhile Thank you”

Attendees have said: Williton War Memorial Rec Ground“

Good content knowing your responsibilites of running and owning a Village Hall ”

6

MEET OUR 6 NEW AGENTS

Lisa Cudlipp Village Agent (Mental Health) Sedgemoor

Lucy Parkinson Carers Agent Sedgemoor

Chris Wilkinson Village Agent South Somerset

Claire Baker Village Agent Sedgemoor

Barry Williams Village Agent (Mental Health) West Somerset

Julie Draper Village Agent (Mental Health) Sedgemoor

NOW LAUNCHED OUR NEW AGENT WEBSITE VISIT:

www.somersetagents.org

7

8

9

Somerset Community Connect

Talking Cafe

Find the local services, support, advice & activities you need!

Bridgwater: Bridgwater Arts Centre Every Thursday 10am – 1pm Burnham-On-Sea: Methodist Church, College Street Every Tuesday 11am – 2.30pm Cheddar: Baptist Church, Lower North St. Every Monday* 9.30am – 12.30pm Chard: Chard Library, Holyrood Lace Mill, Holyrood St. Every Monday* 2pm - 4pm Dulverton: Dulverton Library, 7-9 Fore Street Every Friday 10.30am – 12.30pm Langport: The Angel, Bow Street Every Monday* 10am - 1pm Minehead: The Beach Hotel Every Monday* 10am – 1pm Porlock: Porlock Library 1st Tuesday of the month 10am – 12 noon South Petherton: South Petherton Library, 3 St. James St Every Friday 10am – 12 noon Street: Fondo Lounge, 107 High Street Every Wednesday 10am - 12 noon Taunton: Great Western Hotel, Station Approach, TA1 1QW Every Monday* 10am - 1pm Taunton - Musgrove Hospital: Home First @ Concourse Hub Every Wednesday 10am - 1pm Wiveliscombe: Silver Street Centre Every Wednesday 10.30am – 12 noon Williton: Williton Pavilion, Killick Way Every Tuesday 10am – 12 noon Yeovil: Home First @ Yeovil Hospital, in the Canteen Every Wednesday 2pm - 4pm *Please note Talking Cafes will NOT run on Bank Holidays

Op

over 18’s en to

In conjunction with Health Connection Mendip

y & informal drop-in’s Friendl

alth to finance - support is here for yo e h m u Fro

Call 01823 331222 or email info@somersetrcc.org.uk www.somersetrcc.org.uk/talkingcafe

10

Woodland Wellbeing Tuesdays near Taunton, Autumn 2019 Practical, purposeful, mindful and connected to nature.  Learn new skills with friendly tutors, explore 100 acres of woodland, and meet new people. Practice green woodworking, woodland management, campfire cooking, create using natural crafts.  Relax and practice mindful being. Gain the John Muir Award. Especially for those on low incomes, trying to get back into work, feeling isolated or experiencing mental health issues.  Open to Somerset residents over 19 years old.    

Dates

Times

Tuesdays September 24th October 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 31st. November 12th, 19th, 26th. December 3rd  10am-2.30pm

Place

Young Wood, Neroche Forest, near Staple Fitzpaine. Free minibus from Taunton

Cost

Free to Somerset residents over 19 years

Bookings

Text, email or call Jenny on 07541 080397. No obligation to come to all sessions, try out a session and see if it's for you.   jenny@nerochewoodlanders.org 

Funded through SS&L

www.nerochewoodlanders.org  

11

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THE COMMUNITY HOUSING FUND - Grants for the delivery of communityled affordable housing schemes across England (outside of London). Application deadline: Tuesday 31 December 2019. The aims of the Community Housing Fund, which has a budget of ÂŁ163 million, are to: o Increase housing supply in England by increasing the number of additional homes delivered by the community-led housing sector. o Provide housing that is affordable at local income levels and remains so in perpetuity, and o Deliver a lasting legacy for the community-led housing sector in the form of an effective and financially selfsustaining body of expertise within the house building industry in England. The Fund has two phases, both available for initiatives outside of London (which has a separate scheme): Phase 1 consists of: o Applications for revenue funding for capacity building and pre-development costs, including revenue grants to local authorities to support community groups, and o Capital bids for associated infrastructure costs which will support community-led housing development. Phase 2 is for capital funding to support

the costs of building new community-led housing schemes that covered under the second phase of the Fund. Any type of not-for-profit organisation may apply for a grant, including registered charities, local authorities, companies limited by guarantee, Community Interest Companies, social enterprises and/ or cooperative societies. Please note, however, that this is not an exclusive list and other forms of constituted not for profit organisations may apply. Local authorities or Registered Providers may apply on behalf of community groups and, in those cases, the lead bidding organisation will remain directly accountable for the funds, where appropriate. The Fund will remain open to new applications for both Phases 1 and 2 until funding is fully committed or until Tuesday 31 December 2019, whichever is the earlier. Please note that all organisations applying to the Fund will be required to submit details of the proposed activity through the Homes England bidding portal. :

Homes England Windsor House 42-50 Victoria Street London SW1H 0TL Tel: 0300 1234 500 Email: communityhousingfund@ homesengland.gov.uk

12

THE GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION – Regular (up to £100,000) and Major (over £100,000) grants for UK registered charities working the areas of welfare, youth, community, arts, faith, environment, education, health, museum and heritage projects in the United Kingdom. Application deadline: none – applications may be made at any time. The Trust has a strong preference for supporting organisations that are working at a grassroots community level. UK registered charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), Faith-based organisations, Museums and galleries, Housing Associations and schools, universities or registered educational charities may apply for either of the following two grant streams, which can be used for: The two grant streams are: 1. Regular Grants of up to £100,000, and 2. Major Grants of £100,000 and above. (When awarding major grants, the Foundation typically expects the project and organisation’s overall annual income to be in excess of £1 million.) Please note that there is a match funding requirement and that this should be in place before an application is made to the Trust. Grant awards are normally for a 12-month

period. However, the Trustees may making an award for up to 3 years for previously successful applicants, provided they can demonstrate that a longer-term commitment will add value to their organisation’s objectives. Projects should fall within at least one of the following categories: o Arts - Both revenue and capital grants for o Community o Education o Environment o Faith o Health o Museums and Heritage o Youth Applications for a Regular Grant may be made at any time and they will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. It takes around four months from the time an application is received to notification of a decision. Contact details for the Foundation are: Ciara Molloy Grants administrator

Garfield Weston Foundation Weston Centre 10 Grosvenor Street London W1K 4QY Tel: 020 7399 6565 Email: cmolloy@garfieldweston.org

13

THE COOP COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FOUNDATION LOANS FOR COMMUNITY SPACES - interest-free loans up to £50,000 for charities and other types of not-forprofit organisations to improve community spaces in the UK. The Coop Foundation’s Loans for Community Spaces programme is designed to enable UK registered charities and not-for-profit organisations explore enterprising ideas that could contribute to a more sustainable future for a local community space. Grants can be used for capital costs for building or refurbishment, revenue costs to pay staff who can develop trading activities, or for working capital while getting the trading activities started or waiting for other funding to be paid in arrears. Eligible applicants must: o Own or manage a building or outdoor space that is used for a wide range of community activities. o Run the organisation for the benefit of the community and the environment, rather than for private profit. Groups that do not have charitable status, must have a constitution or governing document that shows their organisation is run for the benefit of the community. o Involve a wide range of local people in their work, including more disadvantaged members of the community, and o Have realistic plans to develop trading activities that will grow their long-term income.

UK registered charities and not-for-profit organisation may apply for an Interest-free loans of up to £50,000. As the loans are designed to develop or increase trading activities to grow the applicant’s long-term sustainable income so they are more financially secure, no repayments are required within the first year while trading activities are being developed. Groups based in more deprived areas or whose work mainly benefits more disadvantaged sectors of the community may also be eligible to apply for a grant alongside the loan. Interested applicants should initially complete an Expression of Interest form, available on the Coop Foundation website. Eligible organisations will be contacted for a further discussion of their ideas. If the funding proposal meets the funder’s criteria, applicants will be invited to submit a full business plan, together with any relevant supporting documents. Contact details for the loan scheme are: The Co-op Foundation Team Co-op Foundation 9th Floor 1 Angel Square Manchester M60 0AG Tel: 08437 519251 Email: foundation@coop.co.uk

14

NATIONAL GRID COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAMME – Grants up to £20,000 for projects that provide social, economic and environmental benefits to local communities. The National Grid is the system operator of Great Britain’s electricity and gas supply. This includes England, Scotland and Wales. It is the company that manages the network and distribution of electricity and gas that powers all our homes and businesses. National Grid’s Community Grant Programme is aimed at community organisations and charities in areas where National Grid’s work is impacting on local people through its operations and site activities. National Grid funds projects run by charities and community groups that meet local community needs by providing a range of social, economic and environmental benefits that are impacted by National Grid and its operations. Community projects that are directly linked to National Grid’s major projects can apply for a grant of up to £20,000. Any other community project outside of this can apply for a maximum grant of up to £10,000. All applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application that they are impacted by National Grid’s operations in order to meet the criteria for a community grant.

Projects must meet one or more of the following criteria: 1. Social benefits: 2. Economic Benefits 3. Environmental benefits Funding is not available for: o Religious activities or organisations. o Political parties or causes. o Medical research. o Core running costs. o Individuals. o People taking part in treks or expeditions, or o Any work that is the responsibility of statutory organisations such as local government, the NHS or local councils. Applications may be made at any time. Further information, together with an application form, is available on the National Grid website. The National prefers to receive applications online, but organisations that are unable to do this, or that need help with the process, a Community Helpline is available on 01285 841912, while a message can be left on its ‘Contact’ web-page.

http://betl.nationalgrid.co.uk/ contact

Privacy statement If you’re receiving the Thatch Newsletter it is because you have signed up to receive the newsletter via our online subscriber button or 2019 Grant Deadline Dates responded to our GDPR Email notification. • Monday 11th November We define this as a ‘legitimate interest’ and are processing Any applications received after the your data. (i.e. storing your deadline date will be considered at email address and using it to the subsequent meeting. send you this newsletter) on this lawful basis.

Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation Grants 2019 The Bishop Fox’s Educational Foundation is dedicated to improving educational opportunities for young people in Taunton Deane, Somerset, through the provision of grants to individuals and organisations supporting young people. The Foundation’s aim is to promote the education (including social and physical training) of young people between the ages of 11-24 years.

To find out how we use your personal information more generally see: www.somersetrcc.org.uk/ccspolices

GET YOUR GRANT FORMS HERE www.bfef.org.uk/

Address: Viney Court Viney Street Taunton Somerset TA1 3FB

If you would like to opt-out of receiving future copies please use the unsubscribe button at the bottom of all our emails or contact info@somersetrcc.org.uk

Community Council for Somerset founded 1926

info@somersetrcc.org.uk www.somersetrcc.org.uk www.twitter.com/@ruralsomerset Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3541219 Charity No. 1069260

CCS APP available in the Google Play App Store - download today! Or SEARCH: CCSLove Somerset Or Scan this QR code