News Register now for online funding and volunteering advice event
Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations providing support or services in Maidstone are being invited to register now for an online Funding and volunteering advice event being held on Thursday 20 July 1.30pm to 3pm.
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is hosting the online event and will be joined by representatives from the National Lottery, crowdfunding experts SpaceHive as well as Refer Kent, a Kent County Council referral scheme. Anyone logging in will also be able to hear from Ann Mansfield from the MBC Community Larder about how to recruit and keep volunteers.
- Andy Smith from the National Lottery will be talking about their ‘Reaching Communities’ funding, which is over £10,000 for organisations that work with their community.
- Online Crowd Funder SpaceHive will let Kent based groups know about their upcoming Autumn funding window, launching Wednesday 26 July. Crowdfund Kent will be covering everything from fund eligibility, how to launch a project, as well as projects previously funded by the programme.
- ReferKent is an online referral system that aims to strengthen referrals across Kent for adults and families who may be experiencing financial hardship. Supported by the Helping Hands Scheme, they will be encouraging groups to sign up as referral partners which is free to organisations who support Kent residents.
- Ann Mansfield from the Community Larder at MBC will be talking about the volunteers that support both Shepway and Park Wood Larders, how they recruit, the time they give and the tasks they carry out and how they are supported and valued.
Cllr Claudine Russell, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Arts at MBC said:
This online event is to support our wonderful VCSE organisations and help strengthen the network in the borough.It will provide advice on funding opportunities, volunteer recruitment and management and we hope will be of great benefit to these organisations who are the back bone of our communities.
We really do recognise how important this sector of our community is and would encourage any eligible organisation to register with us now.
Ann Mansfield, Senior Project Co-ordinator at the MBC Community Larder said:
We have an amazing team of volunteers and have been very fortunate to be able to recruit volunteers from within the local community. We have several volunteers who are Larder customers who have gained confidence and now feel that they have a real purpose in helping their fellow residents. It is great to see how being part of this initiative has made a difference to their lives.
Any Maidstone Voluntary and Community Sector group can attend and just need to email VCSliaison@maidstone.gov.uk for the joining instructions.
Sign up to Maidstone Borough Council e-newsletters ‘Stay Connected’ to receive vital news and updates via email for the many services and events provided by the Council https://maidstone.gov.uk/StayConnected