Below is a selection of current funding opportunities available to charitable organisations across B&NES. The 16 opportunities below are listed in order of closing date, and separated into two sections; Local and National. Local Opportunities B&NES Community Contribution Fund 🪙 £500 - £1,000 Small grants of either £500 or £1,000 for new projects or activities that will both reduce inequality and benefit those over the age of 55. The aim is to help organisations get a new activity off the ground – perhaps trialling something completely new, or taking an existing activity to a different area within Bath and North East Somerset. Deadline: Friday 30th May. Find Out More. Bath Building Society Community Awards 2025 🪙 £1,000 - £5,000 One Community Awards of £5,000, two at £2,500 and five at £1,000 available. Open to charities, community groups, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and school PTAs in Bath & North East Somerset, with a turnover of up to £500,000. Deadline: Friday 30th May. Find Out More. St Monica Trust Core Funding 🪙 Grants of up to £20,000 are available for one year, with the potential for a further two years of funding depending on reporting New thematic fund offering core funding for organisations that support older people to live their best lives. Support must be delivered in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset, and clearly demonstrate how their work benefits older people. Grants of up to £20,000 are available for one year, with the potential for a further two years of funding depending on reporting. Deadline: Friday 27th June. Find Out More. Woodroffe Benton Foundation 🪙 Usually £500 - £2,500 The August 2025 Small Grant funding round focuses on projects that improve the quality of life and social engagement for people with severe physical and/or learning disabilities. Deadline: Sunday 31st August - apply from start of August as will close when 150 applications have been received.  Find Out More. Quartet Community Foundation Express Grant Programme 🪙 Up to £5,000 The aim is to support local grassroot groups and small to medium sized organisations. You can apply for funding towards activities, projects and services that: strengthen communities experiencing inequalities and disadvantage; and/or improve the lives of local people who face difficulties and have limited access to appropriate or affordable services and support. Deadline: Ongoing. Find Out More. National Opportunities W.G. Edwards Charitable Foundation 🪙 Usually £1,000 - £1,500 This funding is open to a diverse range of UK registered charities which support older people. 90% of your beneficiaries must be aged over 65. Capital and innovative projects are supported. The application window is small, open only between May 19th - 23rd. Deadline: Applications must be submitted between May 19th - 23rd via email. Find Out More. ASDA Local Community Spaces Fund 🪙 £10,000 - £20,000 Open to charities and community groups to allow them to provide safe, accessible spaces for people to meet and be together. Deadline: 10am, Wednesday 28th May 2025. May close earlier if oversubscribed. Find Out More. Jerwood Foundation - Summer Funding 🪙 Grants have ranged from £1k to £60k Funding applications from organisations with focus on making art available for public benefit. Deadline: 5pm, Wednesday 28th May 2025. Find Out More. Lloyds Bank Foundation - Racial Equity Programme 🪙 £75,000 Small local charities and community interest companies (CICs) working with people experiencing inequity because of their race or ethnicity can apply for a three year unrestricted grant of £75,000 alongside development support. Eligible organisations will have an annual income between £25k - £500k, and be an independent organisation with a track record of delivering services for at least one year to people aged 18 and over. Deadline: Thursday 29th May 2025. Find Out More. Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund 🪙 Match funding The Women and Girls Match Fund utilises our ‘1:1’ Model of match funding. Women and Girls charities apply to Big Give and have their application assessed. Successful charities are awarded a sum of match funding which is ring-fenced for their organisation. This match funding is unlocked by public donations given through Big Give’s online fundraising platform during the campaign. Open  to UK registered charities with an annual income over £25k, and seeking to raise £2,500 - £10,000 in donations. Deadline: Friday 30th May 2025. Find Out More. Arts, Fundraising & Philanthropy Networks Funding 🪙 Up to £2,500 Providing code financial support to arts, cultural and heritage organisations in England. The fund is particularly interested in activity that aims to strengthen governance, fundraising, earned income an audience development. The funded activity or event must take placed between June and October 2025. Deadline: 12 midday, Friday 6th June 2025. Find Out More. CrossCountry – Customer and Communities Improvement Fund 🪙 £100,000 in total This funding is for charities and community projects across the UK that deliver tangible social and environmental benefits are invited to apply. The fund seeks to support projects that reduce pollution, protect the environment, support sustainable community growth and create a positive impact. Deadline: Friday 6th June 2025. Find Out More. The Cooperative Foundation Future Communities Fund 🪙 Up to £30,000 The second round of Coop Foundation Future Communities Fund is open 15 May to 12 Jun. It provides unrestricted funding for up to 5 years. It's open to UK non profits , with income of £250,000 pa or less, that primarily support justice-experienced young people aged 10-25 years old. Deadline: Thursday 12th June 2025. Find Out More. Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 🪙 Match funding The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest collaborative fundraising campaign, championing a wide range of charitable organisations. The Pledge Model offers supporters of participating charities the opportunity to double their donations with match funding via a seven-day online campaign in December 2025. Open to UK registered charities with an annual income over £25k. There is an application support webinar on May 22nd - register here. Deadline: 5pm, Friday 4th July 2025. Find Out More. Hall & Woodhouse - The Community Chest 🪙 £300 - £3,000 The Community Chest is now in its 24th year of giving a helping hand to local people in supporting and strengthening their community, by encouraging volunteer led charities to apply for a grant to go towards improving their local area. Applications are welcome from any voluntary or community organisation that is based, or works in, our trading area across the south of England. Eligible organisations must have a total income under £200k. The funding supports youth work and activities, sports and social clubs, elderly and people with disabilities, health and social care, local arts and culture, conservation and the environment, but not national organisations. Deadline: Sunday 13th July 2025. Find Out More. AB Charitable Trust 🪙 £10,000 to £30,000 per year, from one to three years Funding is available for organisations who work in human rights, access to justice, the criminal legal system and penal reform, migrants and refugees. Where possible, funding is unrestricted. Deadline: Friday 25th July 2025. Find Out More. -------------------------------------------------------- More funding opportunities can be found via the BaNES Funding Finder - Click Here 3SG member organisations also benefit from free access to our Funds Online  account, allowing you to search a library of over 8,000 funders giving a combined total of £8 billion. If you're a member,  head to the Resources page here to find out more.  You can find out more about 3SG membership here , or get in touch via contact@3sg.org.uk   If you work in a fundraising capacity you may also be interested in joining our Fundraising & Communications Network , with Bath Fundraisers' Group. The Network meets quarterly, with different themes and speakers, to offer support and enable inclusive networking and learning amongst those involved in fundraising in B&NES. You can sign up to the monthly Bath Fundraisers' Group Newsletter here and join the LinkedIn group here.

Have some content you want to spotlight?  What about the creators you work with behind the scenes?  Charity Comms Inspiring Communicator Awards 2025 is now open for nominations until 3 September. They're looking to praise the rising stars and strategic leaders in charity communications,  mark the best collaborations and in-house campaigns, and cheer on the best teams and inclusive communicators. Put in your nomination today (it's free!) and help them celebrate charity communicators.

The Graduate Internship Scheme is funded by Bath Spa University and currently open to Expressions of Interest. Along with all internships being fully funded by BSU Careers, organisations can have the opportunity to benefit from the skills, insights and innovative ideas that BSU graduates can bring to enhance existing processes or services. The programme offers recent BSU graduates the chance to gain developmental, short-term, paid work experience to grow their skills and confidence in a graduate-level role within an organisation.   Find out more   Programme overview, link to full guidance & application form: https://bit.ly/4jrzZpD   Contact employer-services@bathspa.ac.uk    Submit an expression of interest   Firstly, read the full Guidance, Best Practice, Terms and Conditions document (found linked inside the programme overview ) Complete an Expression of Interest form  The deadline to submit an internship is 25 May 2025. Please aim to submit your internship by this deadline. BSU will continue to accept submissions until 5 pm on 30 May 2025. However, submitting an expression of interest after 25 May could delay your opportunity being promoted to graduates.

Bath Building Society has re-launched its annual Community Awards as part of the Society’s pledge to give 2% of profits back to the community each year.   The newly named Community Awards reflects the scope of the awards which are now open to charities, community groups, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and School PTAs in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES).   Launched in 2006, Bath Building Society has donated more than £123,000 through the annual awards to support over 150 local charities and community groups in the past 19 years. In 2025 the funding pot has increased to £15,000, more than doubling funds available in previous years.   This year local charities and community groups can apply for up to £5,000 through the Community Awards: 1 x £5,000 2 x £2,500 5 x £1,000   Bath Building Society CEO, Richard Ingle said: “As a judge for the annual Awards I’m always blown away by the great work that local charities, community groups and volunteers do in our local community. The Society’s roots in the community are very important to us. This year we have committed to donate 2% of profits back into the community and are pleased to be able to increase the funding pot for our annual Awards this year.” The awards are now open for applications until Friday, 30th May.  New for this year, Bath Building Society welcomes applications from charities, community groups, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and school PTA’s in Bath & North East Somerset, with a turnover of up to £500,000.   For more information about the Bath Building Society Community Awards and to apply online, please visit: https://www.bathbuildingsociety.co.uk/your-society/supporting-our-community/community-awards/

Bath Spa University (BSU) is launching BSU Boost, an initiative that enables freelancers, arts and culture organisations, and micro-businesses from the creative industries in and around Bath to apply for grant funding that they would be otherwise unable to access. Within Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) in 2023 it was reported that 89% of enterprises are micro-businesses with 16% classified as creative industry businesses . Yet many of these are currently excluded from applying for significant funding programmes and development opportunities due to financial or structural barriers, a lack of knowledge around contracting, legal requirements or governance, or the onerous burden of reporting required by many funders. With many of its graduates and creative community amongst those trying to kickstart their business, BSU wants to help. Through its enterprise and innovation hub, The Studio, and its Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries, BSU has extensive experience of the challenges facing creative technology micro-businesses and freelancers in the city. BSU Boost is here to help creative and cultural businesses in B&NES, or within ten miles of its borders, to access the funding needed to thrive. BSU Boost can: ·       Offer support on application processes up to submission and beyond ·       Increase knowledge of how to access funds previously deemed unattainable ·       Help develop the business tools to grow and succeed Celebrating this opportunity to support the local creative community, Stacey Pottinger, Producer of BSU Boost and Project Manager, Inclusive Communities Unit at BSU said: “We are really excited to launch this opportunity to work hand in hand with small creative industry businesses to support them to develop, grow and access new funding opportunities and markets previously inaccessible to them." BSU Boost was piloted with the University’s cultural partner, Little Lost Robot CIC - a not-for-profit collective of artists working with social practice and managing community studios in B&NES. BSU were able to support Little Lost Robot CIC with bid writing, project administration, monitoring, evaluation and much more. Reflecting on the successful BSU Boost pilot, Juliet Webb, Co-Director of Little Lost Robot CIC said: “We are so fortunate to have partnered with the BSU Boost team. BSU's support makes the difference between us having the ability to run the project or fading out of existence. The sharing of expertise and support has been fundamental to our success.” Kate Pullinger, Academic Lead  of BSU Boost and Co-Director of the Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries (CCCI), said: “Access to funding is one of the key barriers for many microbusinesses in the region. Boost will enable arts and culture and technology businesses to develop new income streams and new ways of working. Partnering with creative businesses enables BSU to increase its knowledge of and support for the creative industries in our City and region, which is a key part of CCCI’s mission.” BSU Boost is currently open to applications for the 2025 cohort. To find out more about eligibility and to register your interest, visit the BSU Boost webpage.

EDIT (25/04/25): Opportunity closed. All positions now filled. The University of Bath are inviting two local organisations to benefit from a fully paid student to work on a project based on the organisation’s needs.   Within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences we see the importance in providing real world opportunities to our students and have partnered up with the Santander Employability Scheme. Funding is eligible for organisations to benefit from a fully paid student to complete a work project within the business. The work project can be completed virtually or in person. The project will take place over the summer of 2025 and students can work up to 108 hours over the project (maximum of 35 hours per week).  See a summary of previous years here: Trio of students work with local organisations as part of Santander Employability Projects scheme   Benefits to your organisation:   An opportunity to address a challenge/issue    A cost-effective way of gaining free additional resource and insight   Exposure to future graduate recruits   Enthusiastic students eager to deliver high quality work   CPD opportunities for existing team members     The projects can be based around your organisational need, as you can see from previous examples, these can be different projects, if you would be interested in support around climate focused work then we can approach our climate action team for support.   If you would be interested in hosting an Employability Project for one of our students during summer 2025 then please contact Katie Gilham-Terrell ( klg48@bath.ac.uk ) and we can arrange to discuss this further.

Photo of 3SG staff Emma Huggill (L) and Alifya Khan (R) with Roz Lambert, Chief Executive of First Steps Bath First Steps Bath  have recently received support from  BANES 3rd Sector Group (3SG)  via the Social Economy West Programme - see what Chief Executive, Roz Lambert said below: "The support through Social Economy West has been essential in helping us gather factual evidence to make strategic changes and explore realistic options to generate a surplus, ultimately increasing our impact." Alfiya Khan from 3SG commented, "Seeing these organisations flourish and take their next big steps has been incredibly rewarding. It’s proof that with the right support, the social economy can thrive even in uncertain times." Interested in support for your own organisation? Social Economy West provides charities, Third Sector organisations, social enterprises, and co-operatives with the resources, expertise and guidance they need to: - Explore opportunities for growth - Effectively manage increasing demand on services - Build economic resilience and enhance environmental sustainability - Manage risk more effectively  - Diversify income streams  Find out more and apply here:  https://www.3sg.org.uk/sew A  West of England Mayoral Combined Authority  initiative, delivered in partnership with Business West and expert partners to support the social economy across the region.

The amazing work that individuals and organisations do across Bath and North East Somerset to improve the lives of others has been recognised in this year’s Community Awards. The Community Awards 2024/2025 celebrate the positive contributions that people make to communities and the winners were announced at a ceremony at Bath’s Guildhall this week (April 14). The awards organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council and its partners invited nominations for individuals or organisations who go above and beyond to support others.  The charity of the year, volunteer of the year and young volunteer team of the year categories were decided by public vote. The awards winners are: Willson Volunteer of the Year: Graham Bush who   became a member of Saltford Scouts as a cub in 1980 and has since shown unwavering commitment to empowering young individuals through his involvement with Saltford Scouts and the Wansdyke Scout District. Beryl Dixon Community Leader of the Year: Ransford Ras Habakkuk Graham who arrived in 1967 as one of the Windrush children and has since dedicated himself to community work for the black community, currently serving as an elder in the Rastafari community at Fairfield House. Charity of the Year:   Forget Me Not Club based in Twerton which provides a small, friendly club to support older people living with dementia. Highly commended were  I Can, and I Am and  Trauma Breakthrough . Volunteer Team of the Year:   Somer Valley FM ,  a not-for-profit community radio station focused on volunteer engagement and connecting education with community development. Highly commended were the  Keynsham Community Fridge team and  The Together Project at Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Young Volunteer Team of the Year: Bath Marrow   which seeks to have a positive impact on the lives of people with blood cancer and their families through its partnership with the Anthony Nolan charity. Highly commended were  The BANES Youth Forum and  Bath Nightline Peter Duppa-Miller Parish Award  for commitment and service by councillors: Councillor Phil Harding of Saltford Parish Council  Councillor Karen Walker, council Chair, said: “The Community Awards serve as a platform to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of remarkable individuals and organisations within our community, allowing us to express our appreciation. We were thrilled to receive over eighty nominations across various categories, and your inspiring stories made the decision-making process quite challenging. Congratulations to the winners and those highly commended. “Thank you to everyone who participated in the awards, including the nominators, our partner organisations and everyone who contributed to the public voting categories.” Becky Brooks, Director at 3SG, said: "The Community Awards were launched by Bath & North East Somerset Council at 3SG's Volunteer Fair last October to recognise the importance of charities and local residents who go above and beyond for the benefit of others. A huge congratulations to all of the winners of this year's awards and thank you for the tireless work that you do. It is needed now more than ever and these awards support that well deserved recognition." The Community Awards partners include: The Student Community Partnership (University of Bath, Bath Spa University & Bath College) Bath Ethnic Minority Senior Citizen Association (BEMSCA) CURO Bath & North East Somerset Third Sector Group (3SG) Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) HCRG Care Group

The Saltways is  dedicated to helping charities and nonprofit organisations tell their stories effectively through ethical filmmaking and content creation. Founded by experienced charity professionals, we understand the unique challenges small to medium-sized nonprofits face when trying to showcase their impact with limited resources. They've recently launched The Community Studio - an online learning platform designed specifically for nonprofits to become creators. This self-paced programme teaches organisations how to create authentic, powerful videos using just their smartphones - no expensive equipment or prior experience needed. They're offering  a special 20% discount code (CC20). Please note, The Community Studio enrollment closes on April 23rd. Programme link: https://payhip.com/thesaltways In addition to The Community Studio, they're hosting two specialised workshops: How to Create Effective Content Using Phones - A hands-on session where participants learn practical techniques for capturing professional-quality video with smartphones. Ethical Filmmaking for Nonprofits - Exploring how to create content that respects dignity, obtains meaningful consent, and authentically represents communities. https://thesaltways.com/

Local charities are invited to host a stall at a Charity Summit at the University of Bath on Monday 28th April. A team of volunteers at the University of Bath Amnesty Society are organising a Charity Summit to provide local charities with a platform to showcase their work and offer students the opportunity to explore career opportunities in the sector. Charities will be able to host a stall, with information about their work, and what it's like to work for a nonprofit organisation. The aim is for the event to be cyclically beneficial, both for charities to showcase their work and recruit enthusiastic individuals, and for students to learn more about the sector and potential career routes. Whilst fundraising is not the primary focus, the organisers are happy for charities to collect donations at their stalls. If interested, please reach out to Zoë Wocha - zw2118@bath.ac.uk

Below is a selection of current funding opportunities available to charitable organisations across B&NES. The 19 opportunities below are listed in order of closing date, and separated into two sections; Local and National. Local Opportunities B&NES Health Inequalities Grant Funding 🪙 £25,000 - £50,000 This is an opportunity for local stakeholders to submit bids for funding to address prioritised health inequalities in Core20 areas and PLUS groups in BANES. This round of the Health Inequalities Funding will be awarding grants for projects which implement practical interventions that address one or more of the following priorities:  Adults   Low uptake of annual physical health checks for those with severe mental illness (SMI)  Children and Young People    Improving mental health in children and young people who are more at risk of developing poor mental health  Address over reliance in children and young people on asthma reliever medications and decrease the number of asthma attacks.  Deadline: 5pm on Friday 9th May 2025. Click here for the Guidance . Click here for the Q&A. Click here for the application form. Quartet Community Foundation - Megawatt Community Energy Fund Grant 🪙 £4,000 The fund is open to groups working in neighbouring South Gloucestershire, Bristol, North Somerset and Sedgemoor District. To support community action on reducing carbon in our atmosphere, and making energy more affordable (but you don't have to be an energy or environmental group). Priority given to small organisations with charitable aims. Deadline: Thursday 29th May 2025. Find Out More B&NES Community Contribution Fund 🪙 £500 - £1,000 The Council's Community Contribution Fund is a scheme for residents to pay into a 'good causes fund' to support local charity, community and voluntary groups and help reduce inequalities in the area. Funding is for new projects or activities that will both reduce inequality and benefit those over the age of 55.  This does not mean that intergenerational projects would be excluded. Any charity, voluntary or community organisation that operates for the benefit of residents in Bath and North East Somerset and is not for profit may apply. Deadline: 5pm on Friday 30th May 2025 . Find Out More. The Denham Charitable Trust - Small Grants 🪙 Around £2,000 Funding is available for small local charities in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire, for a diverse range of charitable causes, albeit with an emphasis on supporting charities working in the areas of health and disability. The trustees meet four times a year to review applications, with their next meeting scheduled for June. Deadline: Quarterly. Next deadline should be late May. Find Out More. The Harford Charitable Trust 🪙 Up to £2,000 Grants are available for small registered charities in the South West. The Trust’s principal areas of interest are: Children and families. People who are disadvantaged. People who are disabled, and Overseas projects, particularly environmental and self-help initiatives. Deadline: Ongoing. Find Out More. National Opportunities Youth Music Trailblazer Fund - The National Foundation for Youth Music 🪙 Between £2,000 - £30,000 Funding for UK constituted organisations to run projects for children and young people aged 25 and under to make, learn and earn in music.  Deadline: Friday 11th April 2025. Find Out More. Persimmon Charitable Foundation 🪙 £50,000 This funding is available for charities with a focus on social mobility and youth development, including learning and training. There will also be a second round of this funding opening in June. Deadline: 11:59pm on Sunday 13th April 2025. Find Out More Impetus - Skills 🪙 £100,000 in core, unrestricted funding for 1+ years Funding is for non-profit organisations supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) into employment through skills. Deadline: 11:59pm on Thursday 17th April 2025. Find Out More Shoosmiths Foundation 🪙 Between £25,000 to £50,000 Funding is available for charities that work on increasing access to justice such as sustaining or improving community access to specialist legal advice and/or educational charities that offer pro bono programmes to increase access to justice. Deadline: Friday 18th April 2025 (may close early if sufficient applications received). Find Out More The Community Matters Fund (Future Skills) 🪙 £2,000 - £5,000 The grant is supporting groups that deliver focussed programs to develop the practical skills and improve employability levels for people furthest from the job market. A total of £250k is available. Open to groups in the West Country, Wales and the Midlands. Deadline: 5pm on Wednesday 23rd April 2025. Find Out More Shackleton Foundation 🪙 Up to £10,000 - £15,000 For aspiring social leaders across the UK, for early-stage social enterprises with long-lasting, far-reaching projects with the potential to provide solutions to intractable social problems faced by disadvantaged and socially marginalised young people. Deadline: Monday 28th April 2025. Find Out More. Main Grants Programme - The Leathersellers Foundation 🪙 Between £20,000 and £25,000 for 1 - 4 years Unrestricted Core Grants are available to UK registered charities to help prevent and tackle the consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Eligible organisations will have an income over £200k but under £2m. Deadline: 5pm on Wednesday 30th April 2025. Find Out More. Home Instead 🪙 £500 - £1,500 Funding is available to support charities and community groups to deliver events, activities or pastimes that prevent social isolation and loneliness, and improve the lives of those aged 55+ across the UK. Applications are reviewed four times a year. Open to small grass roots organisations and small registered charities. Deadline: Wednesday 30th April 2025. Find Out More. Lloyds Bank Foundation - Local Collaborations Programme 🪙 Flexible grants of £100,000 over two years (with some opportunity for extension and further £50,000) Local collaborations led by small charities can apply for funding of £100,000 over two years to influence change around the social security system, accommodation, and support for asylum seekers and refugees. Deadline: Expressions of Interest are due by 5pm, Wednesday 30th April 2025. Full applications by Friday 22nd August 2025. Find Out More. The Goldsmiths' Foundation - Inaugural Grants Programme 🪙 £30,000 - £50,000 Funding is available for organisations that focus on vocational skills and training, working at the intersection of creativity and social change. Open to: Registered charities, CIOs, exempt and excepted under Charity Commission guidance, working in the field of craft, design or architecture. Deadline: 10am on Monday 5th May 2025. Find Out More WCIT Charity 🪙 Up to £15,000 UK registered charities, not-for-profit organisations and educational establishments can apply for innovative projects that use Information Technology to strengthen communities. Deadline: 5pm on Wednesday 7th May 2025. Find Out More. Big Give Women & Girls Match Fund campaign 🪙 Up to £100,000 a year for 10 years A match funding campaign for charities dedicated to serving women and girls. Those led by Black and minoritised women and girls, LGBTQUIA+ women and girls, or disabled women and girls will be prioritised. Deadline: Friday 30th May 2025 - Find Out More Here National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities Fund 🪙 £20,001 or more, for up to five years Priorities for this funding include projects that support places, people or communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination, and support people and communities to shape the decisions that affect their lives. Open to voluntary or community organisations in England. Deadline: Ongoing - Find Out More DCMS - Museum Estate and Development Fund and Libraries Improvement Fund 🪙 From £50,000 up to £5m The funding will support museums and libraries’ vital maintenance repairs and upgrades, ensuring they can continue to tell the story of our nation’s rich history and providing spaces for people from all walks of life to access books, work and learn Deadline: Unspecified. Expressions of interest open on May 12th 2025. Find Out More Groundwork - Community Builders' Fund 🪙 Loans of between £100,000 and £1.5m Charities and social enterprises across England may be eligible for this unrestricted fund for reasons such as reducing carbon emissions, energy cost savings, energy-efficient vehicles and equipment, and upgrading energy efficiency ratings. Organisations must be working to improve peoples' lives, or the environment they live in. Deadline: Unspecified - Find Out More More funding opportunities can be found via the BaNES Funding Finder - Click Here 3SG member organisations also benefit from free access to our Funds Online  account, allowing you to search a library of over 8,000 funders giving a combined total of £8 billion. If you're a member,  head to the Resources page here to find out more.  You can find out more about 3SG membership here , or get in touch via contact@3sg.org.uk

Ahead of the 2025 TBE South West Charity Conference & Expo, a roundtable hosted by Milsted Langdon  has brought together sector professionals and charities to discuss challenges facing the Third Sector. Held at Milsted Langdon’s Bath office and chaired by Tim Lerwill, Head of Charity & Not For Profit, the event fostered an open and constructive dialogue about the hurdles charities must overcome to remain sustainable and effective in the current climate. Attendees included Becky Brooks, Director of B&NES Third Sector Group (3SG); Anita Jaynes, Founder of the TBE South West Charity Conference & Expo; and charity law specialists, Alexandra Steffensen and James Barratt from Stone King. Here's a summary of the discussion... Trust and Collaboration Building trust, both within the sector and with funders, is vital for the continued success of charities. The roundtable emphasised the importance of collaboration and shared resources, helping organisations work together to maximise impact and efficiency. Funding Delays and Grant Challenges A recurring issue for many charities is the delayed release of funding, which significantly hinders planning and sustainability. Many organisations find it difficult to commit to long-term projects when they are uncertain about future funding streams. Additionally, excessive red tape surrounding grant applications was highlighted as a major burden, especially for one-year grants that require extensive reporting. Some charities are even relying on staff to complete applications outside of office hours, putting further strain on teams. The consensus was that grant funding should ideally be for a minimum of two years, providing stability and reducing administrative pressure. The Need for Better Matching Between Charities and Trusts Many charities struggle to connect with the right funding bodies, and there was a strong interest in improving the matching process between trusts and charities. This could include compiling a list of available trusts or utilising platforms like Bath’s 3SG to facilitate connections between donors, philanthropists, and organisations looking for support. Potential next steps include: Exploring the idea of a comprehensive database of trusts for charities to access. Engaging with 3SG to discuss trust-charity matchmaking at the upcoming TBE South West Charity Conference & Expo on 5th June at Bath Racecourse. Investigating the use of matchmaking software to streamline the process. Lobbying for Policy Change Advocacy was another key topic, with charities discussing the importance of lobbying MPs to push for more realistic funding structures and less bureaucratic red tape. Engaging policymakers to ensure funding processes reflect the needs of charities remains a priority. New Opportunities: Philanthropy and Investment Managers With increasing interest from investment managers and philanthropists in setting up new charitable funds, there is potential for fresh sources of financial support. Looking Ahead: Collaboration and Innovation The roundtable underscored the need for continued collaboration, better funding structures, and stronger matchmaking between charities and donors. With these discussions in mind, the sector must work towards more streamlined processes, greater transparency, and innovative solutions to sustain its invaluable work. Milsted Langdon will continue to facilitate these vital conversations and explore ways to support the Third Sector in overcoming these challenges. If you’re interested in attending a future Third Sector roundtable event, please email marketing@milstedlangdon.co.uk Thank you to The Business Exchange and Milsted Langdon for this copy.

From a global scale to a local level  When setting up 3SG, Bath and North East Somerset’s Third Sector group, James Carlin was aiming to do some real work on a local community level. What he, and the rest of the world, couldn’t have foreseen was that, just 3 weeks after the launch of ‘Compassionate Communities’ - a part of their organisation specifically designed to bring communities closer together - COVID-19 would take a firm grip globally, and did its best to separate individual people from day 1. Local councils and government bodies were plunging into an unknown future, individuals and organisations went into panic, and fear and mistrust between even good friends began to creep in.  Emergency responses, volunteer coordination and societal damage control was needed at government and grassroots levels. But how to bring people together people when the situation demanded separation, when togetherness equated danger....  You could say it was fortunate then that James’ past experience at UNICEF gave him insight and strategies that could now be employed on a local scale. Instead of pressing ‘pause’ when lockdown began and social interaction was no longer allowed (surely an option?) he saw that he had exactly the structure in place that could, with a swift change of focus, be put to really positive local use, and it could be done quickly. James: “It was just a simple idea. The timing was bizarre. We had Compassionate Communities ready and waiting to go when people needed it at some unknown moment. Then it was suddenly really needed.”  Having been involved himself in global organisations, he had witnessed just how fast it was possible to mobilise volunteers in response to enormous crisis situations, like in Haiti after the earthquake of 2010.  James was able to kickstart a chain of actions to assist and connect those most vulnerable and isolated, street by street, in the city of Bath.  A helpline was set up for information and it became the first port of call for thousands of local people who were struggling to know what to do and where to go for help. He connected with Sarah Williams-Martin, and organisations such as Bath Mutual Aid, to maximise partnership strength and combine knowledge to come up with a joint plan of action. A tsunami of volunteers “We launched Compassionate Communities in February and put out a request for volunteers, aiming to train up maybe 50 people over the year to understand better how to support local communities.”  The request went out just as the people started to see the size and impact of the pandemic.  “I think it was one Instagram post one weekend, the response was almost overwhelming”. 3SG went from being a one-person operation to having six full-time volunteers and almost 2,000 connectors or volunteers. “We had to turn the sign-up page off!” “We not only had a flood of volunteers, but at the same time a flood of people needing help, information, and basics like access to food and medicines. Our inbox was quickly overwhelmed.” 3SG received 200 - 300 applications to become volunteers daily, so dealing with uploading data, cleaning data, staying in touch, getting them reading handbooks and agreeing to our way of working was like a huge staff induction programme in itself.  They had already been building networks that were now ready to use and put the test. A sustainable food partnership was formed giving house-bound people access to information about finding food, creating ‘street champions’ who would help coordinate information and deliveries to those people who needed help most.  “It’s been amazing to see how much good work can be done by people who don’t know each other,” says James. “Almost all of our volunteers are operating out of their own homes, many have never met and wouldn’t recognise each other in the street! What joins us together is compassion and a willingness to be part of the solution, and I’m immensely proud of each and every one of us. So it has become this virtual community. That’s been really unexpected.”  From Christmas calls to vaccine centre marshalling At Christmas, they ran a campaign focused on loneliness and isolation and arranged deliveries of Christmas lunch and a phone call from a volunteer just to chat, to those alone who requested it. Once again they were overwhelmed with offers of help. They linked up with Bath College so that every person offering to make a call received a 2 hour training course on compassionate conversation, which included a safety section. This level of investment in volunteers is unusual and made possible by the foundations that 3SG had set up to foster networks of organisations when they started out. It is paying dividends. Volunteers feel more valued and more engaged and more understanding of how they can help.  When the Bath vaccine centre was set up, they said they’d find volunteers to help the NHS to look after people, direct them, smile, put them at ease. 600 signed up straight away and they had to start a waiting list! Fairly quickly they had to ask those volunteers to reduce the amount of shifts they did, so that all volunteers got a chance to help. What a problem to have! “People wanted to help but didn’t know how. So it showed us that there was no lack of interest in helping but people don’t always know how to help or what help they can do depending on their own circumstances. We were able to enlist people and able to use their different skills, to make phone calls, deliver something, print posters, run the twitter account. I think it showed people just how much they could do.” Looking back at the experience of 2020, the 3SG team nailed their mission to help community individuals, organisations and networks work better together. The speed with which they embraced the changing situation and adapted to meet the needs of their community to provide much needed assistance has been recognised through the city.  James is enthusiastic and positive about the future and the next steps, “It should be laying some solid groundwork for our community when this is finished. That could genuinely make our community a lot better. We’ve experienced a huge wave of people wanting to help each other, wanting to help the people who live on their own streets and in their own city.”  It was exactly the outcome that 3SG was built for but no one anticipated the path it would take to get there.  And that’s something to be celebrated. And something to build on.  Written by James Carlin. Thank you James, you are amazing! Happy 5th Birthday Community Wellbeing Hub!

The Community Wellbeing Hub, covering Bath and North East Somerset, set up to support members of the community, has celebrated its five-year anniversary with more than 15,000 people now having received vital help. Since its origins during the Covid pandemic delivering emergency food parcels and medication to people isolating during lockdown, as well as telephone advice, the Hub has become a central place for residents to access many services that support their health and wellbeing. The Hub has received 32,000 referrals over the five years it has been operating from residents needing help with a wide range of issues including money, housing advice, food access, mental health and caring for others. People who contact them will on average receive support from two or more services. The Community Wellbeing Hub was created by Bath &North East Somerset Council, HCRG Care Group (formerly Virgin Care), the 3SG and other third sector partners in March 2020 and has grown to include 37 partner organisations including Avon Fire & Rescue, Centre for Sustainable Energy and the Royal United Hospital. The Hub has also supported more than 1,200 people who are being discharged from hospitals in B&NES and has distributed 500 HELP packs to ease patients’ transitions back home. A celebratory video made by the Hub partners has been created as part of the anniversary celebrations https://studio.youtube.com/video/KuprHodrxBM/edit. The Hub also celebrated news of being shortlisted for the Municipal Journal Awards, Innovation in Public Private Partnerships, which described the strength and trust across the partnership and being an example of good practice for co-production, delivering for local people. Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “Congratulations to everyone who has played a part in making the Community Wellbeing Hub the excellent resource for everyone in B&NES that it is today, giving the right support to people at the right time. We are immensely proud of the quick and effective support the Hub continues to provide our community, which is testament to the strength of the relationships between all the partners involved.” Becky Brooks, Director of the 3SG “The Community Wellbeing Hub is a remarkable legacy from the pandemic that is still supporting the most vulnerable residents in B&NES. There could be no better example of what happens when a community comes together to help others and we are proud to be part of that journey.” Residents can contact the Community Wellbeing Hub by calling 0300 247 0050 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

Imagine walking into a workplace where you feel truly understood - where your strengths are celebrated, and your differences aren’t just accommodated but valued. I am really glad to say that I have finally found that. For neurodivergent individuals, like myself, this kind of workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the key to thriving. I have been through a lot to get to this point; I’ve been in workplaces where I’ve been told I’m the problem, I’m difficult, I’m too sensitive, too much, too stupid, too slow, I’ve been bullied, ganged up on, mocked, micromanaged, ignored... You name it, I have probably experienced it. The worst part is, I believed it all. I truly believed it must have been my fault. This happens all too often and it is something that needs to stop. We need to embrace our uniqueness and the skills that we all bring to the workplace. This is as much for our well-being as it is for performance.  Now, don’t get me wrong, even when you are supported at work it doesn’t mean your difficulties suddenly disappear. But you feel better able to ask for help, be open about your struggles and seek a solution. I still have days when I struggle, I get overwhelmed, miss an email or double book myself and it would be all too easy to spiral into a pit of blame and self doubt. But I am now in a team that I can openly talk to when I need support, a chat, or to run through something I’m unsure of, so I am much less likely to end up in a state of burnout. If we practice inclusive ways of working, we are much more likely to create happier, more efficient teams. It just makes sense! So, What Is Neurodiversity, and Why Does It Matter? Neurodiversity is the understanding that brains work in many different ways. Some people process information in ways that are considered "typical" (neurotypical), while others - such as those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences - experience the world differently. These differences aren’t flaws; they are variations that bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and incredible problem-solving abilities to the workplace. Yet, too often, neurodivergent individuals face unnecessary barriers - rigid hiring practices, sensory-unfriendly office spaces, unclear communication styles, or expectations that don’t account for different ways of thinking and working. Neuroinclusion means breaking down those barriers so everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Why Neuroinclusion Matters 1. Recognising Strengths, Not Just Challenges Too often, conversations about neurodivergence focus on what people struggle  with. But what if we flipped the script? Many neurodivergent individuals have exceptional abilities - whether it’s an eye for detail, deep focus, creativity, or out-of-the-box thinking. Instead of trying to fit them into a mold, workplaces should be reshaped to let those talents shine. 2. Encouraging Innovation and Problem-Solving Some of the world’s most brilliant thinkers - Einstein, Da Vinci - were likely neurodivergent. The ability to think differently is a powerful asset. A workplace that embraces neurodivergence is one that encourages innovation, where different viewpoints lead to better problem-solving and stronger, more creative teams. 3. Creating a Culture of Empathy and Belonging Everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued at work. A truly inclusive workplace doesn’t just make accommodations - it actively cultivates a culture of acceptance. When neurodivergent employees feel safe to be themselves, it creates a ripple effect of empathy and understanding that benefits the entire team. 4. Taking a Stand for Equity Beyond being the right thing to do, neuroinclusion is also a matter of fairness. Many workplaces were built with neurotypical people in mind, often unintentionally excluding those who process the world differently. Making thoughtful changes isn’t just about compliance with legal frameworks - it’s about recognising the inherent value of ALL employees. Steps Toward a More Neuroinclusive Workplace 1. Rethink Hiring and Onboarding Standard interviews often favour fast talkers and those who thrive in high-pressure conversations. But many neurodivergent individuals struggle with these formats despite being incredibly talented. Offering alternatives - like work trials, project-based assessments, or structured interview questions - can help showcase skills in a way that feels fairer and more inclusive. 2. Make Simple, Meaningful Adjustments Small changes can have a big impact. Providing noise-cancelling headphones, allowing flexible work hours, offering clear written instructions, or creating quiet spaces can make the difference between an employee struggling and one who thrives. 3. Educate and Build Awareness Many challenges stem from misunderstanding. Neurodiversity training for managers and teams helps break down stereotypes and creates a more supportive work environment. It’s not about treating neurodivergent employees as “different” but about recognising that everyone has unique needs and strengths. 4. Empower Leaders to Be Advocates Leaders set the tone for workplace culture. When managers and executives champion neuroinclusion, it sends a message that everyone is valued. Encouraging open conversations and mentorship opportunities can help neurodivergent employees feel supported and included. 5. Develop Clear Policies and Peer Support Networks Having formal policies in place - such as workplace accommodations, mentorship programs, and employee resource groups - reinforces a company’s commitment to neuroinclusion. Even more importantly, peer support networks can provide safe spaces for neurodivergent employees to connect and share experiences. A Call to Action: Let’s Build a Workplace Where Everyone Belongs Neuroinclusion isn’t just a tick box exercise, it’s a movement toward a better, more human way of working. It’s about seeing each person as they are, valuing their contributions, and ensuring they have the space to thrive. When we embrace neurodiversity, we don’t just improve workplaces, we create environments where people feel seen, respected, and empowered. If I can help even just one person feel that way then I will feel I’ve done something right.  So, let’s make the change. Let’s listen, learn, and build workplaces that truly welcome everyone. Because when we do, we all win. Here are some resources that you may find helpful: Neurodiversity Glossary Dyslexia Style Guide 2023 Top 10 tips for reducing dyslexic visual distortion - Defeat Dyslexia The Pocket Guide to Neurodiversity  (short recommended read) Access to Work

Early Help information and signposting for professionals can now be found on the Live Well B&NES website. The resource holds all the information previously held on the Early Help App. It provides: information and signposting links to a range of websites up-to-date, accurate and relevant information an easy to navigate resource, with a site search function a new Early Help directory of services part of a wider information offer, with links to services and support listed on Livewell (e.g. those to support adults needing care or support and the SEND Local Offer) How to access Early Help information: Click on the following link https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/early-help or scan the QR code at the bottom of the page then save as a favourite on your phone/laptop Please note the Early Help App will no longer be updated from March 2025. If it’s downloaded on your phone, please remove it now and add the link to Early Help Livewell B&NES to your favourites. Please contact Livewell if you have any feedback Livewell@bathnes.gov.uk or via the website ‘Contact Us’ form.

3SG was honoured and delighted to welcome Mr Mohammed Saddiq, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset and seven Deputy Lieutenants - Edward Bayntun-Coward, Suresh Ariaratnam, Neil Dowdney, Robert Drewett, Thomas Sheppard, Ian White and Alison Vowles on Tuesday this week to find out more about our organisation. The meeting was kindly hosted by the St John's Foundation, and St John's new CEO, Catharine Brown, joined the meeting, alongside 3SG Chair of Trustees and CEO of Bath Mind, Kate Morton and the 3SG Director, Becky Brooks and Project Managers, Alfiya Khan and Toni Green. We spoke at length about the work that 3SG is currently doing and hopes to do in the future and the importance of an infrastructure charity like 3SG, to support the amazing work of the Third Sector in B&NES. Becky Brooks, Director at 3SG said: "The meeting was a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the huge amount of work that 3SG is doing to support its 250 members across Bath & North East Somerset. We spoke at length of the challenges the organisations that we support are currently facing and the work that we are doing to better advocate for the Sector in light of this. As well as our everyday support, including a 1:1 service, we also spoke about the networks, training and events that we run to bring the sector together and our more strategic work around social prescribing, social economy and connecting charities and local businesses. "The Lord Lieutenant and the Deputy Lieutenants were incredibly generous with their time and support and we hope that they will spread the message about 3SG and the essential work of the Third Sector here in B&NES far and wide." Catharine Brown, Director at St John's Foundation said: " "It was a pleasure to host this important discussion at St John’s and to highlight the crucial work 3SG does to support charities across Bath & North East Somerset. At St John’s, we are deeply committed to strengthening our community through collaboration, and our partnership with 3SG - particularly through initiatives like the Ageing Well Network - helps to drive meaningful change working with charities to help everyone who needs support in our community” Thank you to Lord Lieutenant, Mohammad Saddiq and the seven Deputy Lieutenants for their generosity and interest in our work and the current landscape of BANES 3rd Sector!

Happy Social Prescribing Day. This is a time to celebrate all the amazing work you are doing. My ask is for everyone to take time to reflect on this, and give yourself some self- love. There is a real movement, and recognition that interventions that help to address more social issues, have a significant impact on wellbeing. In this blog I’m providing examples of best practice, some of the challenges and whether social prescribing requires a paradigm shift. Best practice in Secondary Care A great example of this is St Bartholomew’s hospital heart pathway programme , which has incorporated social prescribing. When people are discharged from hospital they are asked ‘ do you struggle to make ends meet’?. The response to that question can open many doors for that individual, which may not have necessarily been there before. The team have recognised that for too long, discharging people into a lifestyle that doesn’t promote health and wellbeing, will likely lead to that person being readmitted into the pathway. In one recent study , it was found that heart attack patients from a socially deprived background are at a 53% greater risk of premature death, and 58% greater risk of readmission into hospital. “I would consider [social prescribing] to be one of the priority innovations that any hospital leader or executive should be considering, especially with the evidence we know about the significance of social deprivation to clinical outcomes and success of treatments” Dr Andrew Wragg, Medical Director at St Bartholomew's Hospital says.   Challenges - The above provides a great example of how social interventions can improve people’s outcomes. However, as Chris Dayson, Professor of Voluntary Action, Health & Wellbeing says: “At risk of sounding like a stuck record, this #socialprescribingday I think it is important to highlight the challenges facing small local voluntary organisations and community groups. Instinctively, they want to support social prescribing, but face real challenges meeting the additional demands it places on their capacity without additional resources to support this. We wouldn't ask a pharmaceutical company to provide drugs for free, so we shouldn't expect voluntary and community providers to do this either. If social prescribing can't find an equitable way of supporting voluntary and community providers there is a real risk that the approach will become an over-medicalised extension to existing systems and clinical pathways, rather than a more radical community-based model of prevention. This might be an uncomfortable message given the challenges facing the NHS and Integrated Care Boards, but I firmly believe that there are collaborative place based solutions that could be developed that could enable the risks and rewards to be shared across sectors and organisations. These are needed more than ever”. Paradigm shift Some of you will know that I’m a huge advocate for Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), Compassionate Communities, whatever you want to call it. Having had the opportunity to participate in a workshop held by Cormac Russell, early on in my role, it really resonated with me, and set the direction of travel. I was also fortunate enough to listen to Cormac at The Social Prescribing Conference, where he critiqued aspects of the approach, but in a way that got everything thinking differently. In a recent paper, We Don’t Have a Health Problem We Have a Village Problem , Cormac Russell highlights brilliantly the need for a paradigm shift in Social Prescribing. “Thomas Kuhn, who popularised the term paradigm shift, noted that at the edge of every dominant paradigm are new ideas that sometimes coalesce to form a new paradigm. To end on a positive note, perhaps it is possible for social prescribing initiatives to pivot from prescribing social solutions to merge with other efforts to facilitate collective citizen-led health creation. Perhaps they can begin to genuinely support the birthing of approaches like those we are seeing in Greater Rochester. This form of ally building, alongside strategic investment to support a resurgence in co-operatives, would trigger a step change. The seeds of change already exist, but more work is necessary to lay the foundation for substantive action. The first step is recognition of the root cause. We must come to the realisation that we do not have a safety problem, nor a social care problem, nor a youth problem, nor even a health problem; what we have is a village problem. The solution does not lie in reforming each institutional silo but in organising our silos the way people organise their lives, so that the neighbourhood becomes our primary unit of change. Such a step change demands genuine place-based action, pooled budgets, and the release of resources to work upstream to stem the subsidence of our social foundations. In the final analysis, the actualisation of true population health will only be conceivable when alienated citizens rejoin their communities and make contributions; then health will be enjoyed by all. This journey begins at the local level, with caring communities driving the discourse and health care systems taking on a supplementary role”. I strongly believe for too long, including myself, we have outsourced our health to services that don’t necessarily serve us. This is not to say that there is not the need for medical interventions, my point being that an overreliance on a medicalised model does not address the root causes. At a recent event I attended, Dr Rangan Chatterjee openly admitted that despite 20 years of medical experience, the patient/individual will know there body far better than I. I think some in the medical world can view more person centred social approaches as a threat to conventional medicine. To me, I see this approach as something to complement the medical model. My ask is for all of those working in a more traditional way is; how could a more person centred holistic approach, help the people you are working with?? As opposed to reaching for the medical cabinet, could a social intervention help alleviate the root cause of the issue, and not cover over the cracks. As always any questions please do get in touch david@3sg.org.uk

The move toward digital-by-default services continues to exclude many in our community from accessing essential services, education, and employment opportunities. The Digital Divide Collective , led by Bath Bridge and  Tech4Good South West , has been working to address these challenges. We've recently been awarded a  University of Bath Participate Grant  to research specifically how addressing digital exclusion can contribute to improved health and wellbeing outcomes in our community. This research aims to strengthen our evidence base for advocating local policy initiatives and resources to tackle digital exclusion. The Digital Divide Collective has been making significant progress: Recruiting part-time coordinator through a start-up grant from  Good Things Foundation Building partnerships with Twerton & Whiteway Community Network, Southside Project, Bath City Farm, Bath City Football Club, and Reconnecting Twerton Distributing devices and data SIMs to those in need through our growing technology bank Delivering digital skills workshops with Learn My Way programme from the Good Things Foundation to local community groups With the recent release of the  UK Government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan , we're well-positioned for future funding opportunities to expand our impact in BANES. How You Can Help! As a leader in our local charity sector, your insights and experience are invaluable. We'd like to invite you to: Complete our  Participate Grant survey : Share your perspective (or perhaps ask some key workers within your teams) on digital exclusion in the communities you support and help inform our research on how addressing the digital divide can improve health and wellbeing outcomes. We have paper copies if that would be easier for you let me know. Attend our participatory  co-design workshop : Join us on 25 April 930-1130 at BRSLI in Central Bath to review the survey data and collaborate on developing our "Digital Playground" initiative and other digital inclusion efforts that directly address the needs of local residents. We'll work to refine our understanding of digital exclusion in BaNES and co-create practical solutions.  Workshop Details - Date: 25 April Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Bath Royal Scientific and Literary Institution (BRSLI), 16-18 Queen Square, Bath RSVP:   Sign up here .  A stipend of £50 is available per charity participation, thank you in advance for bringing your perspectives to this! To stay connected to the Bath Digital Divide Collective - we invite you to: Join our LinkedIn group for the Bath Digital Divide Collective  to participate in ongoing community conversations Follow our LinkedIn business page  for the latest news, announcements, and events.

The Disabled Childrens Team (DCT) works with children and young people who have diagnosed disabilities or health conditions which have a significant impact on their day to day lives from birth through to 18 years old when they transition to Adult Services.   Following on from a recent consultation with parent/carers, B&NES Council are now looking to introduce a new commissioned service which provides families with more choice and flexibility, with more tailored support supporting outcomes detailed in the childs care plan. To compliment the services already on offer in Disabled Children’s Team (DCT) B&NES would like to implement a service via a block contract arrangement which, better meets the needs of families accessing the service , provides more flexibility and choice for families and continuity to service delivery.   The majority of the support required is carried out on a 1:1 but sometimes 2:1 support is required. To provide a home and community-based provision in daytime, evening and at weekends. This includes school holiday hours. Individual/small group support for activities outside the child/young person’s home. A sitting service in the child’s home with the disabled child/young person. Short term practical support in the child/young person’s home at times of family pressure. There is no overnight provision   If you are interested in delivering a service similar to the above please contact kay_sibley@bathnes.gov.uk There is a online market event taking place on 17th March 2025, 10am – 11.30am which will launch and outline a funding opportunity for organisations to deliver support services for B&NES Disabled Children’s Team (DCT). Email kay_sibley@bathnes.gov.uk to be sent the Teams link.