Community Action: MK – Weekly Info & Updates

Welcome to the weekly bulletin for the voluntary and community sector of

Milton Keynes

#Blacklivesmatter – Inclusion not Exceptionalism
See our latest blog with key thought and recommendations on how to effectively support (your) Black+ colleagues in the workplace. The blog has been written by Demi Senda, a globally acclaimed Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Expert and go-to Coach on workplace inclusion for people of Black and minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME). Read more.

Nkiru Arts need your help!
Our friends at #NkiruArts are desperately looking for new premises to base their office and store their instruments at after July. If you can offer a space please contact them via their contact page: nkiruarts.org.uk/contact

Celebrate 50 years of play with MKPA
Next year, Milton Keynes Play Association will have been running for 50 years. To celebrate this exciting occasion, the charity has launched a campaign to raise £50,000 by its 50th anniversary. Show your support by donating just £5 via the JustGiving page today. Read more.

Online training: writing successful funding bids
NCVO are running an interactive online training course on writing solid funding applications, where you can learn how to prepare effectively for writing a proposal and understand what makes a successful application. The next session is on 21st July.
Read more.

Bid Writing Support Programme for Charities 
This pilot programme aims to provide a robust and comprehensive service to not-for-profit organisations operating within Buckinghamshire to secure grants in response to the challenging circumstances during the Covid-19 crisis. Closing date to submit the expression of interest form: 22nd July. Read more.

The British Red Cross Coronavirus Support Line:
0808 196 3651
If you’re at home and finding it hard to access food or medication, or you are feeling lonely or worried, you can call the British Red Cross free coronavirus support line. Their friendly volunteers answering calls on the helpline can give you emotional or practical support, or direct you to other people or local services. And if you just want to talk, they are there to listen. Read more.

Covid-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
The latest guidance on safely reopening community centres, village halls, and other multi-use community facilities. Read more.

Join the virtual meetings of the Mental Health Partnership Board led by MK Health Watch. Email info@healthwatchmiltonkeynes.co.uk to attend:

HealthWatch MK are also hosting their AGM virtually this year on 2-3pm on Wednesday 29th July. Read more and register here.

The regional group, The Academy of Urbanism, is running an online event that looks at the implications of Covid -19 and the impact that this might have on the draft MK Strategy. This event is part of a series being delivered by Academicians focused on the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Read more.

Final week to feed into MK Futures 2020 strategy
This Friday 17th July is the deadline to submit your feedback on how the Covid-19 crisis has affected life in Milton Keynes and how it needs to be reflected in the MK Futures 2050 strategy to help rebuild a better, resilient and more sustainable city. Read more.

Thames Valley Police request for information regarding religious events
With places of worship being reopened, Thames Valley Police are keen to support worshippers to stay safe. They are asking the local places of worship/ representatives of faith communities to provide the following information:
1. Are there any festivals or gatherings that are being planned which may attract large groups of people? If so, what dates and times are they scheduled to occur?
2. What steps are being taken to ensure COVID-19 compliance at these events?
3. Would you like police to be present at any of these events in a supportive capacity? If so, which ones?
4. Are there any other issues that require police assistance or advice?
You can contact them here.

Contacting Your GP online 

Watch this short YouTube video on how to get in touch with your GP online. For more information on health at home and how to access NHS services online visit https://www.nhs.uk/health-at-home.

Milton Keynes Youth Choir summer concert 
MK Youth Choir, who have been meeting via zoom this term, were due to host their summer concert on Saturday July 11^th. Sadly they were not able to perform in person, but they live streamed a concert through their Facebook page. You can watch and enjoy the performance here.

The Open University PhD scholarship opportunities 
The Open University currently offers a range of scholarships and we have identified the two that might be of interest to our colleagues from the VCSE sector:

• Gender, ethnicity and class inequalities in Covid-19 work lives
• Collaboration and civil society post COVID-19

Share your Covid-19 experience as a parish council
Complete this online form if you work for a local parish council in MK to share your experiences of supporting your residents throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the crisis has affected your work. This will help us explore the issues across MK with the view of fostering the most useful links and creating solutions to address them.

Milton Keynes Covid-19 outbreak control plan

Visit MK Council’s website for more information about the MK’s Covid-19 outbreak prevention plan aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the city, including the latest weekly Covid-19 updates from Council Leader Peter Marland. Read more.

Volunteering Guide 
The Plunkett Foundation, a charity supporting rural communities across the UK to tackle the issues they face through community business, offers a range of useful resources related to volunteering, including top tips for attracting and motivating and keeping your volunteers. Read more. 

Multi-million pound Covid-19 recovery scheme 
A new £9.5million funding scheme, led by Power To Change, will provide grants up to £100,000 to community-led organisations facing severe financial difficulties as a direct result of the coronavirus lockdown. Potential applicants can register to attend a free webinar on Thursday 23rd July to find out more about the criteria/ application process. Read more.

Youth Futures Foundation - Inspiring Futures 
Developed in partnership with BBC’s Children in Need, this  £6 million programme offers funding between £10,000-£80,0000 for organisations that run positive activities which support children and young people to achieve their potential on their journey towards employment. Closing date: Friday 31st July. Read more.

With support from the National Lottery, applications are now open to the ‘COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund’, a £5 million fund to support the migration sector in England to respond to the Covid-19 emergency. Deadline: 2nd August 2020.
Read more.

The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust Charity Survival Fund
Core funding for small and medium-sized charities who need financial help due to lost income in the current financial year as a result of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Closing date: Monday 27th July 2020. Read more.

Football Foundation – Club Preparation Fund
Grants are available for football clubs and organisations in England and Wales to get their buildings ready for a safe restarting of football activity. Closing date: Sunday 19th July. Read more.