# data[].attributes.headline
VCSE Energy Efficiency Grants for Community Buildings

# data[].attributes.subject
VCSE Energy Efficiency Grants for Community Buildings

# data[].attributes.body
The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme is offering Independent Energy Assessments to help identify energy-saving opportunities in your building. The programme also offers capital grants to implement measures recommended in your assessment. There is still time to apply. Applicant organisations must be a VCSE based in England and delivering frontline services. They must be able to demonstrate that they are financially sustainable, require support around energy and are not suitable for blended finance or loan support through other schemes.

Application deadlines

Independent Energy Assessment: Thursday 20 June 2024
Capital Grant: Friday 14 August 2024

Action Hampshire are organising 2 further online briefing events to help you understand more about this funding scheme.

Thurs 23 May, 2.00-3.00pm

Tues 28 May, 10.00-11.00am

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Youth  Focus South East still have bursaries for online or face to face youth work training - register your interest asap

# data[].attributes.headline
Bursaries for Level 2/3 Youth Work Training in the South East

# data[].attributes.subject
Bursaries for Level 2/3 Youth Work Training in the South East

# data[].attributes.body
Youth Focus South East known as a Regional Youth Work Unit (RYWU) act as hubs for developing and supporting youth work in their regions. They are a core element of infrastructure support for the youth sector in their regions.

Youth Focus South East have got in touch to let us know that they have fully funded Youth Work in Practice (Level 2), which can then be followed by a Level 3 Top-up. Courses are available in person in Reading (June and October) with Berkshire Youth or online with other youth organisations. Places are going fast, so please register your interest for further detail.

The Level 2 Course is open to anyone interested in developing skills in youth work practice and following the 2 introductory sessions, should be completed within 6 months. For the Level 3 top-up you will need to be able to lead a youth provision session as part of the training.

You can keep up to date with news from Youth Focus South East by registering on their website.

# data[].attributes.headline
Community in Motion: Hart Civic Offices 21 May

# data[].attributes.subject
Community in Motion: Hart Civic Offices 21 May

# data[].attributes.body
Community in Motion is designed to empower individuals to feel confident enough to intervene when they observe unacceptable behaviour being directed at others - in particular, in circumstances when that behaviour is not being challenged by others. This has a particular focus on violence and domestic abuse.  It is not about being responsible for resolving serious conflicts or about placing yourself at risk. It is about having the ability to recognise and challenge those unacceptable behaviours when identified - and from there identify the best course of action to support someone in need. The Hart Community Safety team will be delivering the first of its Community in Motion sessions on 21 May 2024 in the Civic Offices 1-4pm - if you are interested in attending this training, or are part of a group that you feel would really benefit from this, please drop them a line at communitysafety@hart.gov.uk and they will be in touch with further details.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board Learning & Development Programme 2024/25

# data[].attributes.subject
Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board Learning & Development Programme 2024/25

# data[].attributes.body
The Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board has just released its new programme of training courses for 2024-25. All courses are online and bookable via Eventbrite. Voluntary and community organisations working in Hampshire are also eligible to take part. Course options include: Basic Safeguarding Adults Awareness, Friends Against Scams, Fire Risk and Vulnerability. Courses are free to attend. Full details at this link.

# data[].attributes.body
Great Big Green Week is a celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. This year’s theme is Let’s Swap Together for Good. From neighbours swapping skills in repair cafes or allotments, to businesses swapping fossil fuels for solar panels, to friends swapping fast fashion for second hand finds – every swap adds up to make a difference. You can find information on hosting an event here.

# data[].attributes.body
Innovation agency Nesta has launched a service allowing people interested in getting a heat pump to connect with local owners and book a visit to see a heat pump in real life.

There are only 250,000 heat pumps in the UK and most people won't have seen a heat pump in action. This new initiative aims to spread the word by helping people to see heat pumps and question their owners, in the hope that they will become more confident in the technology and more likely to take the next steps towards getting one.

If you would like to get involved, then please do take a look at the website for more information, or see where the nearest location is to book a visit (a quick glance shows a location in Basingstoke as being one of the nearest currently).

# data[].attributes.headline
Thermal imaging your Hart home next winter 

# data[].attributes.subject
Thermal imaging your Hart home next winter 

# data[].attributes.body
Let Hart District Council know if you’re interested in thermal imaging your home next winter by filling out their form at: bit.ly/3VZavqT. Using thermal imaging cameras allows you to pinpoint the weak spots in your home's insulation, the first step to help keep warm whilst saving money on heating bills.

# data[].attributes.headline
NEW £5,000 community pledge from Tesco & easyfundraising 

# data[].attributes.subject
NEW £5,000 community pledge from Tesco & easyfundraising 

# data[].attributes.body
Tesco and easyfundraising have come together again to give a helping hand to voluntary groups, charities, and CICs working tirelessly to keep up with spiraling costs and rising demand. They will donate £1000 funding pots to 5 community organisations this May. For a chance to receive £1000 for your community organisation, follow these simple steps: 1. Firstly, register your organisation with fundraising platform easyfundraising before May 31st. 2. Then ask everyone connected to your organisation to use the easyfundraising platform to shop with Tesco in May. Each time one of them shops online at Tesco, your organisation will be entered into the draw to receive a £1,000 funding boost. The more people who shop online with Tesco on your behalf, the more chances your organisation has of winning. And what’s more, when your supporters shop with Tesco in May, they’ll raise £10 for you if it’s their first-time shop, and £1 for each subsequent shop they do. easyfundraising will even help you to get your supporters involved, with free downloadable images, flyers and messaging to share across your social media channels and newsletters. Signing up to easyfundraising is your first step; it only takes 2 minutes so get started here: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/community/

# data[].attributes.headline
Healthy Heart Grants – Heart Research UK

# data[].attributes.subject
Healthy Heart Grants – Heart Research UK

# data[].attributes.body
Healthy Heart Grants of up to £15,000 are available for community projects aimed at supporting adults to reduce their risk of coronary heart disease, helping them to live healthier, happier and longer lives. The grants are available to charities and community interest companies across the UK. Projects must work solely with adults and have a main focus on one or more of the following areas:

healthy eating

physical activity

smoking

Application windows vary for different parts of the country. England South is open from 12 June to 10 July. More detail at this link.

# data[].attributes.headline
Community Green Spaces Fund – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

# data[].attributes.subject
Community Green Spaces Fund – Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

# data[].attributes.body
Defra has announced a new fund offering grants of up to £75,000 to help communities to plant fruits, vegetables and trees, creating orchards and kitchen gardens for all to access and enjoy. Landscaping projects could also create raised beds and improve areas to plant different flowers around village hall facilities and other community green spaces, making space for pollinators and nature to thrive.

Funding will also be awarded to support the expansion of natural play facilities which encourage children to spend more time outdoors, in addition to projects which focus on improving access to green spaces such as new paths and seating. To make the spaces more accessible to disabled people, funding will also be available for the creation of disabled parking spaces.

Applications are expected to open in the summer.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Another £5 million made available to help with projects like village hall extensions and improved Wi-Fi access

Supports the government's ambition that no-one should live more than a 15-minute walk from a green space

Community orchards, kitchen gardens, and natural play areas are set to spring up across rural England thanks to a new government fund unveiled today (23 March).

The new Community Green Spaces Fund will provide up to £7 million of funding to support communities across the country - from Northumberland to Cornwall - to create, restore and enhance their green spaces.

Grants of up to £75,000 will be provided to help communities to plant fruits, vegetables and trees, creating orchards and kitchen gardens for all to access and enjoy. Landscaping projects could also create raised beds and improve areas to plant different flowers around village hall facilities and other community green spaces, making space for pollinators and nature to thrive.

Funding will also be awarded to support the expansion of natural play facilities which encourage children to spend more time outdoors, in addition to projects which focus on improving access to green spaces such as new paths and seating. To make the spaces more accessible to disabled people, funding will also be available for the creation of disabled parking spaces.

The announcement supports the government's ambition that no-one should live no more than a 15-minute walk from a green space, a commitment set out in our Environment Improvement Plan.

Minister for Rural Affairs Robbie Moore MP said:

Our rural communities are an integral part of our society with rich human, economic and natural potential.

This government is committed to putting the needs of people and businesses in rural areas at the heart of policymaking. We have increased connectivity, modernised village halls, improved transport and expanded opportunity for England's remotest communities.

The Community Green Spaces Fund will build on our ambitions for rural areas, creating and enhancing valuable community facilities and green spaces at the very heart of rural communities to preserve and protect their essential character.

An additional £5 million of funding for village halls has also been announced today to support capital improvement projects, such as building extensions and the installation of Wi-Fi. This follows the £3 million of funding made available to mark the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. Village halls are vital to local communities, and we recognise the key role they play at that heart of rural life.

Richard Quallington, Executive Director at ACRE said:

We welcome the government's commitment to supporting rural communities so they can make the most of green spaces. The fund has the potential to support a wide range of initiatives that contribute to Net Zero and biodiversity net gain, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of local residents.

We know from our experience of administering recent grants to village halls that the availability of capital funding can catalyse new projects, many of which have had an environmental focus. We stand ready to support this new scheme.

In addition, the government has this week published its third rural proofing report, detailing progress the government has made in the past year to grow the rural economy, improve digital and transport connectivity, and build more homes.

Achievements in the last year include cutting travel costs in rural areas with the £2 fare cap, connecting 162,000 homes to digital capable broadband through Project Gigabit, and the announcement of a National Planning Policy Framework which has enabled more homes to be built in rural areas where it is needed most.

The third rural proofing report, Delivering Rural Opportunity, is available to read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-rural-opportunity

Notes to editors:

Defra is working with Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) to scope the Community Green Spaces Fund with applications expected to open in early summer.

The extension to the Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund will be also managed by ACRE. Further detail and guidance on applications will be provided in due course but is expected to open in Summer 2024.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rural community green spaces to be rejuvenated through new government investment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fund of up to £7 million will boost access to nature and support rural communities across England to become more green-fingered

# data[].attributes.headline
New! Walk & Talk Counselling coming to Hart - please support!

# data[].attributes.subject
New! Walk & Talk Counselling coming to Hart - please support!

# data[].attributes.body
To mark Mental Health Awareness week (13-19 May) we are pleased to announce that we have a new service launching in June - our Walk and Talk Counselling Service for adults living in Hart/Rushmoor. We are also pleased to announce that we are part of Big Give's Kind²Mind fundraiser which opens during Mental Health Awareness Week. Any donations we receive up to a total of £2500 will be matched by Big Give. If you would like to make a donation please go to this link (opens for donations on 14 May).

For more information about our Walk & Talk Counselling Service and how to refer or self-refer, please go to this link. We would like to thank Frimley ICB and Hampshire County Council for seed-funding this new initiative through the North East Hampshire Innovation Fund. Donations through the Big Give Kind²Mind will help our funding go further. Thank you!

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Dementia Action Week 2024 is running between 13 and 19 May

# data[].attributes.headline
Understanding Dementia, HVA's Community Garden - 15 May

# data[].attributes.subject
Understanding Dementia, HVA's Community Garden - 15 May

# data[].attributes.body
To mark Dementia Action Week, our Community Garden Team are hosting two “Understanding Dementia” sessions at the Community Garden in Edenbrook Country Park on 15 May.  There will be a choice of 2 one-hour sessions at 10.00-11.00 or 14.00-15.00.  We have 10 spaces available per session.

Come along and gain a better understanding of what it is like to live with dementia. This can help you to support someone with the condition to live well. The relaxed, friendly and informal events are free of charge and are held in a supportive environment. Refreshments will be available on a donation basis with the proceeds going to The Community Garden. Please book your place using this link.

If you have not visited The Community Garden before, it is located in Edenbrook Country Park, with the nearest access point located on Pale Lane (nearest postcode RG27 8DH) on Winchfield/Fleet borders.  Do get in touch if you need further directions.  There is parking available.

# data[].attributes.body
The Countryside Team are planning a great selection of events this summer and invite you to join them. Whether solo, or with friends and family, you can explore the local country parks and connect back with nature. The first event is a Health Walk in Edenbrook Country Park on 21 May. All events are free, but some require advance booking. Full details on the Hart Countryside Events web-pages.

# data[].attributes.body
Small Charity Week is a time to shout about your incredible work and demonstrate the vital role you play in our society. NCVO would love for you to join the campaign and make sure your voice is heard.

Help spread the word by downloading templates and graphics from the resource pack

Plan and upload your events to the Small Charity Week website

Share your story with NCVO, organisers of Small Charity Week

Follow @smallcharityweek on Instagram for inspiring stories from our community

More details about how your community organisation can get involved at this link

# data[].attributes.headline
Gig on the Green - Yateley - 29 & 30June

# data[].attributes.subject
Gig on the Green - Yateley - 29 & 30June

# data[].attributes.body
Gig on the Green, the annual music and fundraising event for the development of facilties at Yateley United FC is back for its 13th year (29-30 June) on Yateley Green. Both days will be jam-packed with high energy music, dancing and fun, featuring a selection of the UK’s best tribute acts, interspersed with the very best local musical talent. Bring your own picnics, or enjoy meals, drinks and snacks from the many food outlets, bars and stalls. Bring your friends and family and join the party. Ticket booking link here.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hart Voices - Sounds of the 70's - 29 June

# data[].attributes.subject
Hart Voices - Sounds of the 70's - 29 June

# data[].attributes.body
Celebrating some of the best sounds of the 1970s, Hart Voices would love to welcome you along to enjoy a lovely evening of music with them! Featuring songs by Abba, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, ELO, Billy Joel and many more, performed by Hart Voices, this promises to be a real toe-tapper of a concert. ​ Complimentary refreshments will be served during the interval. Tickets: £20 (Under 16s: £5)

On sale now at: www.hartvoices.org.uk/box-office

# data[].attributes.body
If you represent a charity or an organisation that provides assistance to serving and former members of the British Armed Forces who are in need, you can apply for a grant from the Veterans' Foundation. The closing date for the next round of applications for ‘Standard’ and ‘Salary’ grants is 30 July 2024.

More detail at this link.

# data[].attributes.body
The Prince’s Trust can provide young people with a Development Award. The amount of each Award depends on your unique needs, future career goals and personal development plans. Awards are available from £10 right up to a maximum of £500.

To be eligible for an Award, you must be:

Aged 16 to 30 and living in the UK

Studying less than 14 hours a week or not in compulsory education

Unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week

What Development Awards can support

Accredited course fees up to Level 3 (A-level equivalent)

Tools, equipment or uniforms for a job or qualification

Job licence fees

Transport to a new job until your first pay slip

More information at this link

# data[].attributes.body
We would like to welcome 3 new member organisations who have joined Hart Voluntary Action over recent months:

Accessibility for You - a newly formed community interest company, which is aiming to offer local public access spaces (shops, restaurants, pubs etc) the opportunity for an informal "access visit". Nikki, the founder lives in Hart, and is looking to make our local public access spaces more disability friendly and aware. In return for an access visit, she is offering disability access awareness training and ideas of how to make spaces more accessible for a range of disabilities. More information on their website and social media pages. Do contact Nikki if you would like to be involved in some way.

Cody Astronomical Society - The Cody Astronomical Society are a group of enthusiastic people interested in the science of the night sky, the stars and planets, and all aspects of modern and historical astronomy. Their base is the observatory in Cody Technology Park. The Society holds regular meetings on a variety of interesting and educational topics open to all members. They also offer an educational outreach function to popularise astronomy to external groups such as scouts and schools. They present and display images and equipment at local events. More detail at this link.

(Many thanks to members of the Cody Astronomical Society for working with our community garden team on a Stargazing event in March. We look forward to welcoming Society members back to the community garden later in the year).

Ichthyosis Support Group - ISG is a national charity based in Yateley. Ichthyosis, pronounced Ick-thee-o-sis (which comes from the Greek word meaning ‘fish’) describes a group of conditions in which the skin is dry and scaly, and usually affects the whole body. Most types are congenital and inherited. ISG is a membership organisation, providing information packs, regular updates and events for its membership. They also raise awareness of the various types of ichthyosis by taking part in dermatology-related events across the UK and Ireland. Web-link here.

# data[].attributes.headline
Fleet Mortgages and the Sunflower Challenge! 

# data[].attributes.subject
Fleet Mortgages and the Sunflower Challenge! 

# data[].attributes.body
A great start to May for Amanda and Helen from our community garden team with the launch of Fleet Mortgages – Sunflower Challenge.

Employees popped along in their lunch break to collect their growing kits and it was a great opportunity to provide them with growing tips (no favourites!) and also update them on our ongoing work down at the garden. We were certainly impressed with how competitive everyone was…. competition will be fierce to grow the tallest!

As part of the @RHS #BIGSEEDSHOW initiative, the aim is to bring the community together whilst sharing resources, this certainly was the case yesterday with additional kits being taken for family members to take part too…. A lovely intergenerational contest with some green-fingered grandparents rising to the challenge! Zoom will be busy over the summer!

Big thanks to Julija, Laurencia and the whole team for inviting us along; we can’t wait to see the results… Time2Grow!

# data[].attributes.headline
Inclusion EB8 - Developing Diversity in the Workplace

# data[].attributes.subject
Inclusion EB8 - Developing Diversity in the Workplace

# data[].attributes.body
Inclusion EB8 is a new service developed by Inclusion Education to support young Hart people aged 18+ in the workplace with mental health, neurodiversity and additional learning needs.

Based in Belvedere House in Basingstoke and working closely with Inclusion College, the service will provide the next steps towards employment for young people, with supportive work experience programmes, on site work skills training and employability sessions.

Please contact Marie Greenhalgh Innovation and Development Director (Social Impact) if you are a local company/business which would like to work with them and offer their students work experience to give them a real sense of the roles available in the world of work.

Contact Inclusion EB8 for more information about Inclusion EB8's programme of employability support and how to make a referral for a young person.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Representatives from Phyllis Tuckwell (including Chris and Philippa Tuckwell) and representatives from Beard Construction

# data[].attributes.headline
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice - New Build Begins!

# data[].attributes.subject
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice - New Build Begins!

# data[].attributes.body
As the population ages, 80% of us will need specialist care at the end of our lives. Phyllis Tuckwell is building a new, larger, modern Hospice to meet that demand, and work has begun! The new Hospice will include an In-Patient Unit with 18 single ensuite rooms, wellbeing, exercise and education suites, therapy rooms and outpatient facilities, enabling Phyllis Tuckwell to care for more people both there and in the community.

On 1st May, Sarah Church, chief executive of Phyllis Tuckwell, and Alison Huggett, Chair of Trustees, joined E.W. Beard Construction on the site of the new Hospice for a ground-breaking event! Together they put the first spade in the ground, signalling the start of the building work to construct this amazing new Hospice.

Hospice President, Chris Tuckwell, son of Phyllis Tuckwell, placed a letter to a future President, explaining the history of the organisation and what it means to the local community, into a time capsule. The time capsule, containing the letter and all the farewell messages left by local people when the site was vacated in summer 2023, will be buried in the new Courtyard Garden, a safe space for patients and loved ones to enjoy.

If you would like to find out more about the new Hospice, please visit www.pth.org.uk/new-hospice

# data[].attributes.headline
Hart Voluntary Sector Forum - 20 May @ The Harlington, Fleet

# data[].attributes.subject
Hart Voluntary Sector Forum - 20 May @ The Harlington, Fleet

# data[].attributes.body
Hart Voluntary Action's next Voluntary Sector Forum is on Monday 20 May, 10.00-12.30 at the Harlington in Fleet.

Our Agenda includes:

New Green/Environmental initiatives including Greening Fleet and Wilder Hook

Hart Volunteer Centre updates - Volunteers Week, The Big Help Out and much more

National Lottery Community Fund - grant programmes presented by one of their local grants officers for Hampshire

Hampshire and IOW Community Foundation - grants updates

All welcome. More detail and booking link here.

# data[].attributes.headline
Smoking/Vaping Prevention Sessions for Professsionals Working with Young People - No Limits

# data[].attributes.subject
Smoking/Vaping Prevention Sessions for Professsionals Working with Young People - No Limits

# data[].attributes.body
No Limts are running smoking/vaping prevention sessions in June and July (Thursdays: 16.00 - 19.00 - 23 May, 20 June, 18 July on Zoom). The online workshops give essential information, advice and guidance to support professionals working with young people around smoking and vaping. These sessions are sponsored by Hampshire County Council and are free to access for representatives of organisations working with young people in Hampshire.

Booking link here

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Friday afternoons 15.00-18.00, the Club Room, Hook Community Centre

# data[].attributes.headline
New! Fleet Phoenix launch Open Door Hook

# data[].attributes.subject
New! Fleet Phoenix launch Open Door Hook

# data[].attributes.body
Fleet Phoenix have recently launched Open Door Hook sessions for young people aged 16-25 to book a confidential meeting with one of their experienced youth workers. These one-to-one sessions are there to help any young person talk through issues that are causing them concern. For example:

Contraception Advice

Housing Support/Advice

Access to Education/Training

Drug & Alchohol Support

Mental Health

And much more.

Currently this is by appointment only as Fleet Phoenix start to develop new provision for young people in the Hook area of Hart District.

Further detail at this link.

# data[].attributes.headline
Village & Community Halls: A Net Zero Design Guide

# data[].attributes.subject
Village & Community Halls: A Net Zero Design Guide

# data[].attributes.body
To coincide with Village Halls Week in March, ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) launched a new guide "Village & Community Halls: A Net Zero Design Guide". The guide outlines what can be done to improve the energy efficiency of village halls, featuring several pioneering communities that have sought to decarbonise their building and reduce bills by improving insulation, replacing heating systems and generating their own energy.The resource has been authored by Ben Stagg, Director of stagg architects who approached the charity last summer with an offer of help, conscious that many community venues were struggling with increasing energy bills. Further details and a link to download the guide here.

Don't forget that you can network with a whole range of village halls and community building managers/trustees in Hampshire via the Action Hampshire Community Buildings Service. Action Hampshire is the ACRE representative for the county.

# data[].attributes.headline
Fleet Lions - Prostrate Cancer Screening Session - 31 August

# data[].attributes.subject
Fleet Lions - Prostrate Cancer Screening Session - 31 August

# data[].attributes.body
Fleet Lions, sponsored by "Fleet Hospital & Community Friends",  are holding their next PSA Screening on Saturday 31st August – 10.00am – 2.00pm at the Key Centre, The Key, Elvetham Heath. Fleet. GU51 1HA. Registration required.

Due to the increased costs of each test a non-returnable fee of £10.00 is requested to secure your appointment.

OR you can apply for a home screening test kit. Fleet Lions, working with the Graham Fulford Trust are offering Fleet men (GU51 or GU52 postcodes) aged 40 to 70 a simple finger prick test that can be done at home. It'll take 5 mins to follow the simple instructions. Cost £27.00 More details about all of the above at this link.

# data[].attributes.headline
Village Magpies: New recycling sorting and storage venue needed

# data[].attributes.subject
Village Magpies: New recycling sorting and storage venue needed

# data[].attributes.body
Hart Voluntary Action is pleased to be working with other community organisations in the western parishes in Hart to keep the Village Magpies recycling initiative going for the future. Started by two enthusiastic Rotherwick residents some years ago, this scheme has helped to recycle many types of waste through the Terracycle scheme, which can not go into our blue wheelie bins in Hart, and has raised charitable funds at the same time. But the storage and sorting space that Village Magpies has been using all this time is about to be reclaimed by the landlord, and so we are on the hunt for a new venue. What are we looking for? Somewhere about the size of a double garage with access to lighting, ideally somewhere in western Hart at low or no cost. Are we asking too much?? Do get in touch if you have any ideas.