The Bath Half is fast approaching on March 15th, and we know many of our member organisations will have runners fundraising for them in the race. Our Social Prescribing Project Manager, David Jenkins, is a keen runner himself, having completed the London Marathon, Bristol Half and Bath Half previously, as well as many others. Please hear from David, an experienced runner, on some top tips for individuals running the Bath Half on Sunday 15th March. Please note this is informal advice, and is only my own personal experience. All runners are advised to refer to the participant guide provided by London Marathon events.  Pre Race: You are unlikely to gain more fitness at this stage, and getting to the start line fit and healthy should be number one priority. Trying to chase fitness is unlikely to help and may leave you feeling tired. With one weekend to go, this is the perfect opportunity to test out your chosen running clothing & shoes.  This upcoming weekend put your race day outfit on and go for a spin.  Test out your fuelling strategy. Trying new gels or food on race day is not a good idea. This weekend test your pre race fuelling options (porridge, bagels, rice) before heading out for your run. On the run test out any chosen gels or food items. For all those who have already doing this in training runs you are a step ahead of the game.  Try to prioritise sleep and eat a healthy diet leading up to the race. The evening before there will likely be race nerves, so banking a few good night's sleep prior to this helps.  As your training volume is likely to be less, continue to consume the same amount of food and this is a smart way to carb load.  Please read the Bath Half Participant guide for all event specific queries. It is advised to get to the race village early to skip the queues and ensure there is no additional stress. Keep warm and any throw over clothes can be left at the start to be donated to charity. During Race:  Soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the occasion. For me it is one of the best events in the calendar year. The buzz around the city is electric. Look out for  water stations and be sure to take advantage of water at every station. For those who won't stop at the stations, cups make it difficult to consume water. One tip is to pinch the cup to create a 'funnel'. This is certainly not an easy task but the key is not to panic. Use gels or other food items as per your training. It is tempting to consume sweets and go off plan but your stomach won't thank you. Remember there it is a two lap course, don't go out too quick and run within your limits. Please refer to course map and information within the participant guide. Finishing the race: Be proud of your achievement. Finishing a half marathon is an incredible feat.  Try to get some warm clothes on to ensure your body temperature doesn't drop. Celebrate with friends, family and the wider running community.  Take a week of rest (unless this is warm up race for upcoming events ). Take on some post race nutrition and have a relaxing afternoon. Any questions between now and race day David is open to a conversation: david@3sg.org.uk

Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership is seeking a Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) based in Bristol or the wider West of England to deliver a Climate & Disability commission as part of the Community Climate & Nature Action Project. The commission will take place between Ma y 2026 – July 2028 for a budget of £50,000. They are looking for a Disabled People’s Organisation based and operating in the West of England region (Bristol, BANES, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset) who can: - Be a custodian of the existing community climate and nature action plan for Bristol’s community of Disabled people - Be an activator and advocate for the priorities within the community climate and nature action plan - Convene engagement events/conversations with members of the Disabled community across the West of England region (Bristol, BANES, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset) - Evolve the existing community climate and nature action plan for Bristol’s community of Disabled people for the wider West of England region - Contribute to the holistic Community Climate & Nature Action Project Find more information and the link to the short expression of interest form on their website at: https://bristolclimatenature.org/news/opportunity-for-disabled-peoples-organisation/ The deadline for expressions of interest is now 6pm on Friday 27 March 2026

The new easyfundraising Impact Fund is now open with 20 unrestricted grants of £500 for UK not-for-profit organisations to help them continue or enhance their work. The grant is unrestricted, so it can be used wherever the money is needed most to support your work. When to apply: 23 February – 5 April Who can apply: The fund is open to UK based: Registered charities Other not-for-profit organisations Sports clubs and teams Schools and education settings Social enterprises and CICs After-school and youth groups Churches and religious organisations How it’s awarded: The application form is straightforward. Grants will be awarded to organisations that best explain how they would use the £500. The grants will be awarded across a mix of categories and locations, and the fund is open to organisations of all sizes and structures. Apply here: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/impact-fund Need more info? Come along to a short session to find out more: Thursday 26th February on Zoom 12.30pm - 1pm Register here About easyfundraising: easyfundraising is a simple way for your organisation to raise extra funds from everyday online shopping. When your community shops with over 8,000 retailers through easyfundraising, the retailer makes a donation to your organisation - at no extra cost to anyone. From a weekly grocery shop to booking a holiday, it all helps generate free donations. Donations are paid to you every three months, and because they’re unrestricted, you can spend the money on whatever your organisation needs most. Register for free funding with easyfundraising here https://bit.ly/3o8dm23

WECA (The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority) have announced an exciting new initiative for VCSE organisations to further support young people across our region. A new West of England VCSE Fund will offer around £700,000 a year for up to three years - the VCSE Flexible Support Fund - helping join-up support for young people aged 18-21 who are not in education, employment or training.   Since the launch of WECA's regional Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme, around 400 young people have already been supported through the pilot project. 70 of those young people have already been supported into paid employment including apprenticeships or into education and training, thanks to the partnerships with local employers, and another 200 more are being supported to help make that next step.   Now, they’re excited to announce plans to work more closely with the local VCSE sector as the Youth Guarantee evolves over the coming years – bolstered by trusted relationships with local communities, helping provide tailored support to another 1,100 young people.   VCSE organisations be able to apply as a single organisation or as a consortium, and the funding grants will be flexible.  To find out more, please join Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, at an event at Engine Shed in Bristol on Monday 2 March from 10am to 12 noon. Click here to reserve your space .

Bath-based change management consultancy Nine Feet Tall has published a new paper designed to support charities with technology selection. The free-to-download paper entitled ‘Big Impact: How charities can get maximum value through technology selection’  draws on Nine Feet Tall’s extensive experience of delivering successful technology selection projects. With insights from leading charities including St John Ambulance and Dimensions, the paper sets out five key steps organisations can take to achieve greater clarity and consistency across their systems. Tiggy McCool, Partner at Nine Feet Tall, said:  “Choosing the right technology solution helps organisations to scale and grow, as well as helping teams to function more effectively. For charities, this can mean a significant investment both in terms of financial outlay and internal resource, making it vital that digital programmes are set up correctly from the outset. “We created this guide to help teams make better-informed decisions, which could ultimately lead to greater confidence that the selected system meets organisational needs.” Nine Feet Tall has supported a wide range of clients to select and implement technology solutions that enable them to operate more effectively, including charities such as St John’s Foundation, St Peter’s Hospice, and UK Youth, as well as global companies such as sustainable development firm Chemonics and multinational law firm Osborne Clarke. “As a chair of a charity myself, knowing the executive team has a structured and robust approach to conducting technology selection helps to assure the Board that there is appropriate governance in place and that risks are being managed to get to a good outcome,” Tiggy added. Alongside her role as Partner and Nine Feet Tall’s not-for-profit sector lead, Tiggy is deeply committed to community impact. She joined the Jessie May Trust, a children’s hospice-at-home charity based in Bristol, as a Trustee in 2020 and was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2021. Headquartered in Bath with offices in London and Manchester, Nine Feet Tall specialises in delivering complex change projects, bringing together the power of people and technology. The consultancy works across sectors including retail and consumer goods, housing, construction, manufacturing, legal and financial services, and the third sector, helping organisations achieve results that make them more profitable, agile and competitive. Nine Feet Tall was acquired by international consulting group Talan in 2024, and continues to operate as an independent and autonomous business under the Talan UK umbrella. To download the guide, visit https://resources.ninefeettall.com/en/big-impact-technology-selection-guide

The finalists for Bath Life Awards 2026 have now been announced, and we are so proud to congratulate some of our wonderful members who have made it to the prestigious final on March 12th. We're delighted that 15 of our member organisations are in with a chance of winning across 7 categories. Local businesses and charities were able to nominate themselves for free in any of the 22 categories to be in with a chance of receiving well-deserved publicity and recognition. For 3SG members, the Charity and Civic categories offered specific opportunities, but charities and Third Sector organisations were also able to nominate themselves in categories that relate to their work (such as Education), until nominations closed on January 15th. The finalists in the Charity category are... Bath Cats and Dogs Home* Bath and District Samaritans The Carers’ Centre* Children’s Hospice South West* Dorothy House* Evie’s Gift I Can & I Am* Julian House* The Lily Foundation Charity Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity* The finalists in the Civic & Community category are... Bath Carnival* Bath Spa University* Bath Women’s Fund* CaliUnity Fairfield House Bath* Hands to Hold Lets Go Girls Phoenix Allstars Cheerleaders Radio Bath* 3SG Member organisations have also made it to the Bath Life Awards final in alternative categories: Arts & Creative The Egg at Theatre Royal Bath Education Bath Rugby Foundation Bath Spa University Event Bath Carnival RUHX Leisure & Tourism Fairfield House Bath Sustainability Climate Hub *3SG Member Organisations Congratulations to all finalists and thank you for all of the amazing work you do! The Bath Life Awards Final will take place at The Forum, Bath, on March 12th. Find out more here.

3SG has launched its annual Third Sector survey, Members’ Voice , inviting local charities, social enterprises and community groups to share their experiences, challenges and priorities for the year ahead. Members’ Voice is the primary way 3SG gathers evidence on how the Third Sector in Bath and North East Somerset is currently doing, providing a key opportunity for organisations across the Sector to have their voices heard.  The survey is designed to take a “temperature check” of the local Third Sector, identify emerging patterns and themes, and understand what support organisations most need. The findings directly inform 3SG’s advocacy and influencing work, ensuring the needs of the Third Sector are effectively championed when representing members in discussions with the local authority, NHS boards and other strategic partners. With over 260 member organisations, 3SG is aiming for at least 100 responses to ensure the results provide a meaningful and representative picture of the sector. We also welcome responses from local Third Sector organisations that are not 3SG members. “This year’s survey, entitled Members’ Voice, remains a critical part of 3SG’s annual calendar,”  said Kate Morton , Chair of Trustees at 3SG. “It ensures we hear from all of you – our members – to highlight the current and emerging issues and challenges you are facing.” “We know how busy everyone is, but taking a few minutes to complete the survey enables us, as an influencing organisation and a voice for the Third Sector, to support and advocate on your behalf. We also encourage members to share their stories of working within BaNES, showcasing the difference you make and the impact you have on residents’ lives.” This year’s survey will explore a wide range of topics, including: Organisational capacity, concerns and reach Funding and finance Commissioning Cross-sector collaboration and partnerships Social prescribing (Impact Alliance Project) Social impact and social value evaluation Volunteering Workspace and venue requirements Use of wellbeing courses Future support needs In a change from previous years, the survey is launching in February rather than November , in response to feedback and with the aim of increasing engagement and participation across the sector. The survey will remain open until Friday 27th March , with results shared in the new financial year. 3SG is encouraging one representative from each organisation to take part and to share experiences openly – including challenges, opportunities and examples of impact – to help build a strong, evidence-based picture of the Third Sector locally. The Members’ Voice survey is now open to complete online and closes on Friday 27th March. 🔗 Survey link: https://bit.ly/3SGMV26 About 3SG: Bath & North East Somerset Third Sector Group (3SG)  is a charity supporting over 260 charities, social enterprises and community organisations across B&NES by providing 1:1 support, events, training, networking and advocacy. For more information, visit : 3sg.org.uk

Below is a selection of current funding opportunities available to charitable organisations across B&NES. The 18 opportunities below are listed in order of closing date, and separated into two sections; Local and National. Local Opportunities Bath Women's Fund 🪙 Main grant of £15,000, and two smaller grants of £4,000 Bath Women's Fund has opened its grant programme for 2026 to local charitable organisations, with the theme this year being Meeting the needs of families who are most impacted by the increased cost of living, For example, organisations providing food, warmth, benefits advice, and preventing homelessness.   Deadline: Monday 23rd February - Find Out More Community Grants - Radstock Town Council 🪙 £500 - £1,000 Grants are available to support charitable or voluntary activities for organisations operating within Radstock Town Council area. Match funding of projects receiving Big Lottery money will also be considered. Provision for local nature recovery and biodiversity is a central theme for the council, therefore grants that show support of this theme would be most welcome. Deadline: Friday 27th February - Find Out More The Society of Merchant Venturers 🪙 £500 - £5,000 The Society normally awards grants of between £500 and £5,000, together with a few higher awards, to registered charities and organisations with charitable purposes in the Greater Bristol area (including being based and working in B&NES). Its primary areas of support are Social Welfare, Youth, Education, Environment, Social Enterprise, Healthcare, Culture and the Arts, projects that will benefit Greater Bristol and its Economic Development. Grants can be used for revenue and project costs, as well as capital appeals. Deadline: 5pm on Tuesday 31st March - Find Out More National Opportunities Clark Foundation Community Grants 🪙 £1,000 - £100,000 Funding supports capital projects, equipment and community assets, with priorities spanning health and wellbeing, village halls, countryside and wildlife, arts and heritage, education, youth groups, and sport and leisure. Open to not-for-profit organisations including registered charities, CICs and schools, for community projects, based in Somerset, Plymouth, Barnstaple and Kendal. Deadline: The grant committee meets in March, June, September adn December. The cut off for applications is the 15th of the month before (e.g. 15th February, for the March meeting). Find Out More. Government - Local Covenant Partnerships Fund 🪙 Offering £11.59m over 3 years This funding supports collaboration between charities and local authorities to strengthen preventative, community-based services in England, targeting 15 priority areas most affected by the cost of living and addressing needs such as mental health, adult social care, women's refuges and child poverty. Open to civil society organisations able to lead multi-stakeholder local partnerships. Deadline: 11.59pm on Monday 23rd February - Find Out More KFC Youth Foundation - Community Grants 🪙 Up to £6,000 over 2 years This fund is for grassroots, youth-focused organisations working with young people aged 11 - 25 in high-deprivation areas. The funding aims to support programmes that create safe spaces, offer diversionary activities, and build life skills such as confidence, resilience and job-readiness. Deadline: Midday on Friday 27th February - Find Out More Health Lottery Foundation - Community Choice 🪙 £1,000 Grants for UK charities and CICs that improve health and wellbeing, with eligibility limited to organisations with incomes of £300,000 or less, operating for 2+ years. 10 organisations will be selected at random and contacted in early March. Deadline: 5pm on Friday 27th February - Find Out More Wise Music Foundation - General grant programme 🪙 Between £500 and £5,000 This fund is for small UK charities (generally turnover under £500k) that support vulnerable people facing hardship and poverty - particularly children, the homeless, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Deadline: Unspecified. Applications submitted by the end of February will be reviewed in March. - Find Out More Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust - Peace and Security Programme 🪙 No fixed limit This fund is for organisations performing national-level work in the UK - work that is legally charitable and focuses on systemic change. JCRT will not fund large, established national charities or statutory bodies, nor will it fund business development projects. Deadline: Monday 2nd March - Find Out More Aviva Financial Futures Fund 🪙 Minimum grant size of £100,000, average of £250k - £300k This fund supports organisations working to improve financial resilience for those who need it most in the UK. Eligible organisations will have a minimum annual income of £1m. There is a total budget of £3 million for 2026. Deadline: Wednesday 15th April - Find Out More NISA - Making a Difference Locally 🪙 £500 Small grants are available to support local grassroots neighbourhood-level projects that improve community life, such as activities for children and young people, community events, wellbeing initiatives, equipment, and small capital items. Applications can be made directly to individual NISA stores; there are 4 NISA stores in Bath Deadline: Awards are made throughout the year - Find Out More Speech, Language and Hearing Foundation 🪙 Unspecified Available to small charities working with children who have hearing impairment, speech delay, language or communication difficulties, or complex needs. Charities working on research in all topics related to these children, and medical innovation relating to them, are also welcomed. Decisions may take several months. Deadline: Unspecified - Find Out More Cash for Kids - Impact Grants 🪙 Typically £1,000 - £3,000. Larger amounts considered. Available to organisations and groups with turnover of less than £1million, that support children and young people affected by poverty, abuse, neglect or those with additional support needs. Deadline: Application windows open and close as funds allow - Find Out More Aviva Communities Fund 🪙 Up to £25,000 in match funding per year For small charities and non-profits with incomes of less that £1m. This funding is for organisations that help build financial resilience and support community-led climate action. Deadline: Ongoing - Find Out More POhWER - Arthur Bate Fund 🪙 Up to £2,000 This fund is for voluntary organisations which are looking to start or expand advocacy groups. The fund especially welcomes organisations which can demonstrate their commitment towards diversity, cultural awareness, health and wellbeing, among other criteria. Deadline: Unspecified - Find Out More Old Possum's Practical Trust 🪙 £500 - £5,000 Old Possum's Practical Trust continues the charitable work Mrs Eliot embraced on with the proceeds of the musical CATS. The Trust favours projects which fall within artistic, literacy, literary, musical and theatrical criteria. The Trust also seeks to support organisations devoted to upholding the right to freedom of speech. It distributes approximately £250,000 pa, and since inception has awarded over £7 million to a wide range of causes. Deadline: Unspecified - Find Out More Climate Action Fund - Food Systems 🪙 Grants of £2.5 million - £7 million Delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund, providing large-scale grants for long-term, partnership-led projects that aim to strengthen the UK food system, reduce food insecurity, and create healthy, affordable food produced in ways that work with nature. Deadline: Unspecified - Decision in 39 weeks. Find Out More Eddie Stobart - Stobart Sustainability Fund 🪙 Applicants invited to specify the level of funding required Applications of a green, ecological or sustainability nature to benefit the environment are welcomed. This Fund is open to charities, community groups, educational institutions and small businesses for community-led sustainability projects. Deadline: Applications may be submitted at any time - 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.

The Saltways specialise in training nonprofit teams to create authentic video content using just their phones. They focus heavily on ethical storytelling - particularly important when working with vulnerable communities - and provide practical skills that work within tight budgets and busy schedules. They have recently updated their free monthly video training workshops specifically designed for charities throughout 2026. These sessions are practical, interactive, and regularly attract 200-300 charity professionals live, with many more accessing the recordings afterwards. Their 2026 workshop topics include how to use video to nurture major donor relationships, getting started with legacy and in-memory programmes, an AI-generated imagery ethics panel discussion, creating effective video content using your phone, content beyond case studies for nurturing regular giver relationships, authenticity in charity storytelling, and TikTok and Reels for non-profits. All sessions feature industry experts who understand the charity sector, including guest speakers from Royal Free Charity, Octopus Legacy, and Legacy Futures. View the full schedule and register (free) at www.thesaltways.com/training Community Studio For organisations wanting deeper, ongoing support, they also offer Community Studio – a twelve-month membership programme where charity teams learn to create professional smartphone videos. The February cohort includes their 'Getting Started with Legacy and In Memory Campaigns' bundle featuring five expert videos from Octopus Legacy, Legacy Futures, and Prospecting for Gold, plus a free downloadable Q&A video about leaving gifts in wills that members can use in their communications. Community Studio provides monthly training, live creative brainstorming sessions, templates, and a supportive community of charity professionals. Investment is £250 for twelve months, with only 50 places available. Registration opens 12th February. Join the waitlist at https://mailchi.mp/thesaltways/community-studio-waitlist

The Festival of Nature is the UK's largest free celebration of the natural world, taking place every June across the West of England region. They are seeking local community groups who would like to put on events between 6 and 15 June to celebrate the actions communities are taking for nature.  These would be promoted as part of the Festival of Nature programme. To take part, organisations simply need to organise an activity or event that their community can take part in on any day between the 6 and 14 June.  The group could organise anything: a litter pick, a wildflower planting session, nature talk or walk, building bird boxes or anything in-between!  There’s no idea too big or small. They offer up to £100 for community groups to put on events (this funding is subject to availability and is not guaranteed).   The deadline for submissions is Monday 2 March at 9am. There are 2 half hour webinars to provide more information, or groups can also arrange a call directly with a member of the NHC team to talk about the opportunity or help develop an idea - this contact info is on the website. Webinar times: 3 February at 6pm and 17 February at 10am. Find Out More Here

We are excited to announce a new initiative exclusively for our 3SG members! The "3SG Members Drop-In"  sessions are designed for you to ask questions, share ideas, or seek advice  from 3SG in a friendly and supportive environment. Details: What: 3SG Members Drop-In When:  One hour every Wednesday afternoon with our Project Manager, Toni Green Format:  Three 15-minute slots per week (see above) Where:  Online via Zoom Booking:  Sessions will be booked through Calendly Purpose:  These drop-in sessions are an excellent opportunity for members to connect with us, quickly engage, and gain insights on various topics. Whether you have a specific query, a project idea, or simply need some guidance, we are here to help! How to Book:  To secure your spot for a Drop-In session, please visit our Calendly link https://calendly.com/toni-3sg/15min  and choose a time that works best for you. Join Us:  We encourage all members to take advantage of this opportunity. Come prepared with your questions, ideas, or anything else you’d like to discuss. We look forward to seeing you there! For Questions:  If you have any questions about the sessions or how to book, feel free to reach out to toni@3sg.org.uk This initiative is open to anyone working or volunteering for a 3SG Member organisation. If you're not sure your organisation is a 3SG member yet, head to our Members' Page here.

Bath Spa Works is back for its seventh year! The initiative's success continues, providing a valuable bridge between Bath Spa University students and local employers, while fostering innovation and growth within the community. Organisations taking part benefit from access to talented, motivated students who can bring fresh ideas and skills to your work, which also supports their professional development. Why Get Involved?     The internship scheme is designed to support a wide range of organisations - from micro businesses and SMEs to charities, social enterprises, and CICs. By hosting a Bath Spa student, you can:     Access motivated and skilled students  to support projects and business growth  Bring in fresh perspectives and creativity    Help develop student employability skills , preparing them for the graduate labour market Strengthen ties  with Bath Spa University and our talent pipeline    Internship Funding Options     1. Part-Funded Internships     120 hours Internship   Bath Spa Works provides a £1,000 funding contribution   You top up the remaining cost to ensure the student is paid at least National Minimum Wage  The student will be added to your payroll and paid directly by you    2. Employability Awards (Limited Availability)     In some cases, where small businesses or charities might not otherwise be able to host a student, Bath Spa Works can offer a limited number of Employability Awards . These awards provide eligible students with £1,250 (paid directly by the University)  to support their internship. Unlike the part-funded option, these internships are not required to be paid at National Minimum Wage, as the Award covers the student’s contribution.  Eligibility will be assessed when you submit your proposal form, and the outcome will be confirmed via email by the Scheme Coordinator or an Employer Relations Advisor within Step 2  of the process.    How to jump start your internship!     Step 1: Submit Your Proposal     Complete the Employer Proposal Form    Provide details of the internship role, sign the T&Cs, data sharing, and disclose the required Health & Safety documentation  Proposals are essential to be eligible for funding    Step 2: Review & Confirmation by the Scheme Coordinator     The Placements Team will review your proposal (within 5–10 working days)  You will be notified of the outcome and type of funding available  If part-funded, you’ll be asked to sign the Bath Spa Works Internship Funding Agreement    Step 3: Your opportunity is LIVE & Intern Selection Begins!     Once confirmed, your internship opportunity will be promoted on MyCareer , the student careers platform.   Students will be able to apply within an agreed timeframe (usually around three weeks,  set with the organisation and Scheme Coordinator). If requested, the Scheme Coordinator can keep you updated on application progress throughout this period.  When applications close, you will receive an e-book of applications  so you can begin your intern selection.    For a full description of the entire Internship process, please read the Bath Spa Works Internship: Employer Handbook     Important Information     The employer proposal window is NOW open until   15th March 2026   Funding is allocated on a first come, first served basis , and may close earlier if all funds have been distributed.   Decisions will be based on both the quality of the internship opportunity and the organisation’s needs.  Graduates are not eligible  for these internships.  If you request multiple interns within a proposal form, funding may be limited to one internship to ensure opportunities are shared across a wider range of organisations. This will be confirmed during Step 2  if your proposal is successful.    For full details, please see Bath Spa Works Internships: Employer Handbook .     If your internship includes remote working, we also encourage you to read ACAS’s Guide to Working from Home for Students.   If you’re not quite ready to have an intern but want to get involved, the 180-hour Summer Employer Proposal Intake is the 16th March – 19th May!   If you have any questions, please get in touch with the team.

Every February, the Climate Coalition invites people across the UK to make and share green hearts to show what’s at the heart of the future they want to protect, and that climate and nature action is at the heart of healthier, fairer and safer communities. Climate Hub are supporting the campaign this year and hope to encourage people and groups across Bath and North East Somerset to join in and celebrate ' the places we live, the people we love, and the progress already happening across our communities .' On 14 February, the Climate Coalition invites people to send a green heart to their politician : a simple act of care that shows what matters most in their community. Climate Hub will be hosting a craft session on Friday 13 February at the Climate Hub (old ticket office, Bath bus station) and there will also be opportunities to create green e-hearts and messages. Other organisations are of course welcome to set up their own green heart craft events ! Get in touch to find out more via email to info@climatehub.org.uk and follow on social media for updates  @climatehuborguk For now, save the date and get ready to Show the Love.

Applications are now open for the Bath Women's Fund 2026 grant making programme. Together, they will be awarding one main grant of £15,000 and two smaller grants of £4,000 this year. The deadline for Expressions of Interest forms is Monday 23rd February. Information on their website about eligibility, the grant theme and funding criteria. There is a link to the Expression of Interest form in the guidance. The grant making theme for 2026 (voted for by our members) is: Meeting the needs of families who are most impacted by the increased cost of living, For example, organisations providing food, warmth, benefits advice, and preventing homelessness.   Bath Women's Fund invites you to apply for £15,000  if you are a charitable organisation working in Bath & North East Somerset and you are meeting the needs of families who are most impacted by the increased cost of living. The first step in our process is to complete an Expression of Interest form and submit it by 5.p.m. Monday 23rd February . Please read their Guidance for Applicants  document for the full details of our process, the criteria we will use to make decisions, and the link to the Expression of Interest form.

Holidays, weekend trips, and hotel stays can provide your organisation with unrestricted funding.  Travel companies including TUI, Booking.com , Lastminute.com , Haven Holidays, Expedia, Thomas Cook, Hotels.com , and more all partner with online fundraising company easyfundraising, to give your organisation a way of receiving funding – for free.    When someone supporting your organisation books a holiday, the company they book with will send your organisation a free donation as a thank you  at no extra cost to the shopper.   With many people booking holidays in January and February, this is an easy way for them to help you fund running costs, services, projects, and more .    Just one person booking a family holiday could raise an average £50 . Think what multiple people could do.     All types of third sector organisations can receive this funding - your organisation just needs to be registered with funding website easyfundraising which you can do here  (it’s very straightforward and there is no cost): https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/3sg/

WESPORT are now offering Tennis @ The Park, inviting constituted community groups and charities to get involved in their flexible and inclusive Community Tennis offer. Whether you’re looking for informal play or structured activity, there are plenty of options to suit your group.   What’s on offer? Free court access  – book and use the courts at times that work for you Equipment available  – borrow racquets and balls if needed Coach-led sessions  available – organised via Wesport Inclusive programmes  to book on to – including Tennis & Talk  (men’s mental health), Walking Tennis , and other coached sessions More sessions like these are coming to B&NES courts in 2026 You can explore what’s happening locally and book sessions via Clubspark . Find out more or get in touch: Visit Wesport’s Tennis @ The Park page , call 0117 328 6266 , or email tennis@wesport.org.uk  to discuss how your group can get involved. B&NES courts available to book: Alice Park – Play tennis at Alice Park, Bath (Clubspark) Sydney Gardens – Play tennis at Sydney Gardens, Bath (Clubspark) Keynsham Park – Play tennis at Keynsham Memorial Park, Bath (Clubspark) A great opportunity to use tennis as a fun, social, and accessible activity for your community. 🎾

Third Sector Trends has been surveying the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector every three years since 2010. In 2025, 8,680 responses were received across England and Wales. This is the only large-scale and fully representative longitudinal national survey in the UK which can produce robust and detailed comparative analysis at regional and national level. The project is funded in 2025-26 by Community Foundation North East, Lloyds Bank Foundation England and Wales, Wales Council for Voluntary Action and Millfield House Foundation. This is the first of five national reports from Third Sector Trends in England and Wales 2025. Third sector labour market dynamics Third Sector Trends makes estimates on the size of the workforce for all types of organisations including charities, Community Interest Companies, Mutuals, Registered Societies and Community Amateur Sport Clubs – so employee estimates are higher than those of the NCVO UK Civil Society Almanac. The third sector in England and Wales employs about 1.15 million people, constituting an average of 3.1% of employment in regions. It is estimated that there has been a small increase of around 25,000 full-time equivalent employees nationally since 2022. The full cost of employees to voluntary organisations is estimated at £43.7bn which represents around 67% of total organisational expenditure. In England and Wales, regular volunteers number around 4.3 million people who contribute 308 million hours of work valued at between £3.8bn (at National Minimum Wage) and £5.6bn (at 80% median wage) in 2025. Many third sector organisations (TSOs) have seen regular volunteer numbers increase over the last two years, but 38% report that they have yet to recover volunteer numbers to pre-pandemic levels. This strongly suggests a substantive decline in numbers of regular volunteers from 4.7m to 4.3m in England and Wales since 2022. That represents a fall of around 22,500 full-time equivalent regular volunteers. Middling-sized and newer organisations have been the most successful at recovering numbers of regular volunteers. Many TSOs in the poorest areas (45%) have struggled to recover to pre pandemic levels of volunteers compared with 35% in the most affluent areas. The situation for trustees is most acute in smaller organisations where more TSOs have been losing trustees than those which have gained them. Given that a majority (64%) of TSOs have income below £50,000 this strongly suggests substantive overall decline in trustee numbers. As Rob Williamson, Chief Executive of Community Foundation North East stated: "It's encouraging to see the voluntary sector workforce is growing. But volunteers and trustees are the heart and soul of the Third Sector, especially for smaller organisations. Whilst post-pandemic we have seen some recovery in the number of people coming forward to be volunteers and trustees, we know recruitment is still a real challenge for many of the charities we support, and there is clearly still some way to go." Sector optimism is high The third sector is full of highly committed and ambitious leaders who want to make a positive difference. Inevitably, this produces competition over finite resources. In such a situation, there are bound to be winners and losers, but most leaders remain optimistic that their current resource levels will remain stable or increase. Almost 30% of leaders expect that their income will increase over the next two years while 55% think it will remain the same; only 16% believe it will fall. A quarter of TSOs think that support from the private sector will increase and 60% feel that it will remain similar; only 15% think that support will decline. Grants from charitable trusts and foundations, 27% of TSOs believe grants will increase and 52% think they will remain about the same: only one fifth of leaders think that grants will decrease. Optimism about funding from statutory agencies is much lower. Only 17% of TSOs think that statutory support will increase while half think it will remain the same. A third expect that statutory support will decline. Volunteer support, perhaps surprisingly, given the findings presented in this report, is also considered in an optimistic light: 27% of TSOs think support will increase and 60% think it will remain the same. Fewer than 15% of voluntary organisation expect that volunteer support will decline. Investing in organisational effectiveness Ensuring that people are highly motivated and properly equipped with the skills needed to do front-line and managerial work is generally thought to be an important aspect of organisational effectiveness. It may be a matter for concern that only 28% of TSOs state that trustee development and training is a high priority. Investing in staff training of employees has declined since 2020 from 67% to 61% of TSOs whereas for regular volunteers it has fallen from 36% to 33%. Training budgets for staff are held by 93% of the biggest TSO employers compared with just 23% of the smallest. Leadership and management skills are important – especially in fields such as people management, business planning and improving managers’ and trustees’ skills so that they make effective operational decisions. The reality is that TSOs prioritise income generation support above all these other aspects of organisational development. That may cause many TSOs problems further down the line because badly made decisions about money can be damaging reputationally and in operational terms. Professor Tony Chapman, Durham University, who leads the Third Sector Trend project commented: “A majority of leaders in voluntary organisations are in an optimistic frame of mind and 75% of them have set their sights on bidding for funding to do something brand new. That is good news, because it shows that the voluntary sector is hungry to develop new initiatives to achieve more social impact. Vitality, optimism and ambition are key drivers for success in voluntary organisations. But organisational leaders need to be careful about what they wish for. If their energies are focused too closely on raising money, there is a serious risk that other factors that sustain organisational wellbeing, such as volunteer, staff and leadership development are neglected.” Where do voluntary organisations go to access support? Organisational development is often tackled in house, but many organisations go to outside providers to help them. Employment issues: 43% of TSOs tackle employment issues in-house but a majority seek external support. The most popular source is via local private-sector providers (25%) while (19%) go to local third sector infrastructure organisations (LIOs). Volunteering issues: a majority of voluntary organisations deal with these issues in house (63%), some go out externally for support from LIOs (21%) or local trusts and community foundations (10%). Governance and leadership issues: about half of voluntary organisations deal with such issues in-house (54%) while many go to local LIOs (20%) or local trusts and community foundations (12%). Income generation issues: are predominantly dealt with internally (66%), but 17% of TSOs go to local trusts and community foundations as first port of call, followed by LIOs (9%). Financial management issues: around 18% of voluntary organisations go to professional firms (such as lawyers, investment managers or accountants) for help, but most deal with these issues internally 65%. Local social and public policy issues: are tackled in-house by nearly a half of TSOs but some go to LIOs (22%) or directly to local public sector organisations (17%). How do leaders feel about their responsibilities? The apparently unshakable optimism of many voluntary organisations’ leaders is heartening, given the operational difficulties they can face in an uncertain and fast-paced political, economic and social operating environment. Working collaboratively with other voluntary organisations: 80% of respondents were involved in partnership working at some level. Very few felt worried about collaborations they were currently involved with. On the contrary, 11% felt exited about that prospect and 35% were quite excited. Putting ourselves forward for awards to show how well we're doing : while 54% of TSOs state that is not something they are interested in; amongst those organisations which are interested - 38% find this a more exciting prospect than a worrying one (7%). Bidding for funding to do something brand new : 75% of TSOs were actively involved in trying to get funding to do something new, amongst whom 41% of leaders were excited, while 25% were worried – only 32% were unconcerned. Campaigning to get the general public to see things our way: nearly two thirds (63%) of leaders were currently involved in campaign work to persuade the general public to see things their way. Some were very excited about this (11%) while another a third of leaders engaged in campaigning were quite excited (32%). Worries about campaigning were affecting about 15% of leaders –3% were worried enough to be losing sleep about it. Some operational aspects of running voluntary organisations worry many leaders. Managing difficult interpersonal relationships (i.e. with volunteers, trustees, staff) : only 4% of organisational leaders stated that his issue was of no relevance to them. 18% of leaders were worried about such issues (and 5% were losing sleep). About 7% were quite excited about getting interpersonal relationship problems sorted out. Managing with the financial resources we have to hand : only 8% of TSOs were acutely concerned (“keeps me awake at night”) while another 24% were quite worried. That 15% of respondents were quite or very excited about managing with financial resources they have to hand (and that 53% were neither worried nor excited) is encouraging. The confidence of leaders is severely undermined in TSOs which are struggling financially Two thirds (67%) of leaders in TSOs which are struggling financially worry about managing within their current budget and 25% are ‘losing sleep’ over the issue. In financially thriving organisations, only 20% of leaders are worried while 28% are quite or very excited about dealing with current levels of finance. As the report’s author, Professor Tony Chapman states: “While life in the third sector can be challenging and sometimes the pressure feels relentless, that does not mean that the people who lead organisations lose their verve. This research shows conclusively that confidence and ambition of most organisational leaders remains high. This message is an important one because it signals, to those commentators who continually prophesise doom for the third sector, that their warnings go largely unheeded. Leadership in voluntary organisations is, in many ways, an unenviable task given the uncertain environment within which they work. It is gratifying, nonetheless, that this report shows how optimistically minded so many leaders are. This is a vital story to tell if the third sector is to renew itself by continually bringing in new people to lend it support, to work, to regularly volunteer and lead.” Diversity in sector leadership In 2019 Third Sector Trends introduced new questions to provide baseline data which has been tracked in 2022 and 2025 (see Figures 3(a) and 3(b)). A majority of TSOs are led by graduate chairs and CEOs (~67-70%) and this has changed little over the last six years. The percentage of women chairs has remained similar (~42-45%), but the proportion of women chief officers has increased from 55% in 2019 to 67% in 2025. The percentage of chairs with disabilities was higher before the pandemic (18%) but has since declined steadily to 7% in 2025. Chief officers with disabilities declined from 12% pre-pandemic to 8% in 2022; their numbers have since recovered slightly to 9%. The percentage of minority ethnic chairs continues to decline, from 10% in 2019 to 7% in 2025. The situation for chief officers is more promising, with an increase from 7% in 2019 to 10% in 2025. Retired chairs remain in the majority, but their proportion has fallen steadily from 64% in 2019 to 57% in 2025. Sector impact This report has focused on the ‘people energy’ the third sector has at its disposal for individual TSOs to achieve social impact. This a complex problem (Figure 4) as there are many ways of considering the value of the third sector’s work – some of which is more amenable to ‘measurement’ (such as economic value and fiscal value, while others necessarily rely on informed judgement – including social value, community value and existence value). Using this approach, Third Sector Trends has made assessments of sector value using a standardised statistical model which produced a series of estimates (see Figure 5). Find out more here - https://www.stchads.ac.uk/research/third-sector-trends-in-england-and-wales/

PBE is a charity and think tank connecting organisations with skilled volunteer economists to unlock the power of data for social impact.  PBE’s Data First Aid volunteer matching service connects you with one of 1000+ volunteer economists for short-term, ad hoc data tasks completed in 1–6 days over up to 5 months.  Whether you need help drawing out key metrics to improve fundraising, support ongoing reporting, or simply make your data more useful, their volunteers can assist.  How it works:  1. Submit your request via our form.  2. We develop a brief.  3. We match you with the best volunteer.  4. You work directly with your matched economist. Recently Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network was matched with Data Analyst volunteer Nick, to improve its fundraising and donor analysis.  Get started on their website today.

Developed by Octopus Impact and Polymathic in partnership with the University of Bath Public Engagement Unit. The University of Bath has launched a new e-learning course designed to help researchers, practitioners, and community organisations confidently measure and communicate the social value of their work. “Measuring Social Impact”  draws on the expertise of Octopus Impact and Polymathic, who first delivered the material through a series of well-received in-person workshops in 2024. These original workshops were tailored specifically for researchers and community groups across Bath and North East Somerset. Drawing on insights from community conversations and Participate Grants applications, the sessions addressed the practical challenges many organisations face when trying to evaluate the difference they make. The overwhelmingly positive response inspired a new ambition: to transform the full training into a free, accessible online course for anyone who needs it. Working closely with the University of Bath Public Engagement Unit, Octopus Impact and Polymathic have now converted the comprehensive curriculum into a high-quality e-learning experience. Every practical tool, exercise, and template has been carefully preserved to ensure that the online version offers the same depth of learning as the in-person programme. Hosted on the MoodleCloud platform, the course brings together ten modules that guide learners step-by-step through the fundamentals of social impact evaluation. By the end, participants will be better equipped to articulate the value of their projects and make informed decisions about future work. What Learners Will Explore Throughout the course, participants will: Understand what evaluation is—and why it matters Distinguish between research and evaluation Learn key concepts including outputs, outcomes, and impact Apply core evaluation principles grounded in ethics and equity Develop trauma-informed and GDPR-compliant evaluation practices Create a basic Theory of Change Explore a range of evaluation frameworks and tools Learn to select appropriate metrics and measures Collect and analyse evaluation data effectively Use specialised tools for evaluating areas such as wellbeing What Previous Participants Said “I’ve showed these tools to my CEO and will carry on showing them to my team. We are going to use them for mapping out future projects and where we are going to go.” “It has given me more insight into what is needed and I will be able to apply for grants using this.” “Lots of great content – I really felt I learned a lot that was actionable. Some training is great but a bit nebulous, and when you go back to the day job it’s hard to use what you’ve learned.” With its practical approach and accessible format, Measuring Social Impact  offers a complete toolkit for anyone looking to evaluate and strengthen the positive change they create. To join the course simply follow this link: Sign Up Here!

Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership is thrilled to announce an exciting new opportunity for community organisations across the West of England! They are inviting local groups to co-produce community climate and nature action plans  and start turning these ideas into real, impactful action. They are looking for six community organisations  to take part in their Community Climate & Nature Action Project’s Capacity Building Programme . This initiative is informed by insights from three previous cohorts of diverse Bristol communities, ensuring the programme is tailored to what really works on the ground. Each participant organisation will benefit from £30,000 funding and a tailored programme of support to collaborate with local residents in creating climate and nature solutions that work for your communities. This is a fantastic chance to collaborate with your community, strengthen your organisation’s capacity, and make a tangible difference for both people and the environment. They are welcoming applications from voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise organisations  across the West of England. Please note, statutory organisations are not eligible , although their support and collaboration are very welcome. For full details, including eligibility criteria, project requirements, support offered, and the application process, visit their website . To help communities take climate and nature action, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership offers a variety of free resources and research : Guides for community organisations  to kickstart climate and nature projects Climate & Disability resources  – practical tools for creating a green and accessible future Learnings from five years of community climate action  – insights and case studies to inspire your projects This is a unique chance to strengthen your organisation’s impact while making meaningful contributions to your local environment. Don’t miss out – get involved and help shape a sustainable future for your community!