NORTH TYNESIDE VODA

Brilliant feedback from Charity comms expert Carrie Brookes about the first ever podcasting workshop at VODA today. A big thank you to Si Beckwith for sharing his knowledge with the VCSE.

New Online Training: An Introduction to Inclusive Volunteering Practice This short online course on our Elements Training Portal is designed for Volunteer Managers and Coordinators in the VCSE sector. It covers the benefits of volunteering, motivations of diverse groups, and how to tackle societal barriers that prevent participation. Learn how to create accessible and inclusive volunteer programmes that welcome everyone. Topics include equality and diversity, engaging diverse communities, and practical solutions to common barriers. Sign up for free at voda.org.uk/elements Connected Voice NCVA Northumberland Community and Voluntary Action

The VODA Funding Fair at Linskill Centre is well underway. Funder meetings are fully booked, but we have four drop-in sessions if you want to call in. 🔹 VODA Finance Team: Got questions about budgets or accounting support? The team will be available to help with any finance-related queries. 🔹 Big Issue Invest & North East Combined Authority: Learn about the new Flexible Social Finance fund and how repayable finance could help grow your organisation. 🔹 Grow & Eat Grant: Vicky will be on hand to talk about grants for creating or improving community gardens. First-come, first-served. 🔹 Junction Point CIC: Explore how to generate income streams for your charity or social enterprise, reducing reliance on grants. We'll be here until 2pm so pop by and get your questions answered.

The Curve: Social Media Strategy for Impact and Engagement is a free, interactive workshop taking place on 6 February 2025. Led by Ross McCulloch, from Third Sector Lab, the session will help organisations align social media efforts with their goals, develop user-focused strategies, and improve their online presence. Participants will gain practical guidance on crafting a social media strategy, creating protective policies, and planning effective, engaging content across key channels. This workshop is part of the Network of Non-Profit Digital Support, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and convened by CAST. Spaces are limited—register now to secure your spot at https://lnkd.in/dkxHwFu

Drop-in Opportunities at the VODA Funding Fair The VODA Funding Fair is happening tomorrow (28/01) at the Linskill Centre. While bookings for funder appointments have closed, there are still valuable drop-in sessions available. Who can you meet without a booking? 🔹 VODA Finance Team: Got questions about budgets or accounting support? The team will be available to help with any finance-related queries. 🔹 Big Issue Invest & North East Combined Authority: Learn about the new Flexible Social Finance fund and how repayable finance could help grow your organisation. 🔹 Grow & Eat Grant: Vicky will be on hand to talk about grants for creating or improving community gardens. First-come, first-served. 🔹 Junction Point CIC: Explore how to generate income streams for your charity or social enterprise, reducing reliance on grants. We'll be there 10am to 2pm so pop by and get your questions answered. Please note - one-to-one meetings with funders are fully booked.

We have a fantastic new Sector Connector workshop coming up next month - Unlock the Power of AI for the Voluntary Sector. Delivered by Kate Watson, from Ask Mrs Watson, this engaging 2-hour will explore how AI tools like Chat GPT can boost efficiency, creativity, and inclusivity in your organisation. During this session there will be an opportunity to dive into practical applications, governance, and hands-on activities to leverage all the benefits of Generative AI. Bring a laptop and discover AI’s transformative potential and gain a better understanding of how to use it carefully and effectively! 📅 Wednesday 19 February 10am to 12pm at VODA, Wallsend. Places are limited so make sure you register as soon as you can. Please note - this workshop is for staff and volunteers from the VCSE.

Our North Tyneside Volunteer Network offers a friendly and supportive environment for staff and volunteers responsible for managing volunteers in their organisations. Join us for our quarterly peer support group to connect with others who share similar responsibilities. 📅 Date: Tuesday 11 February 🕒 Time: 10am to 11.30am 📍 Location: Hybrid - in person at VODA or via Zoom This meeting, facilitated by VODA, will focus on volunteer support resources, including the Elements Training Portal, Volunteer Good Practice Guides and more. It’s a great opportunity to share good practices, exchange ideas, and develop joint initiatives with fellow professionals in volunteer management. Book your place at voda.org.uk/events We look forward to seeing you there!

On Tuesday the 21st of January, we hosted the 3rd annual Grow & Eat networking event, organised by the project’s officer, Vicky Batsioudi. Growers, gardeners and nature lovers from North Tyneside and beyond, gathered to share their news, exchange ideas with each other, and make plans for the year ahead! In this year’s event, we were also joined by two wonderful speakers, Mark Ridsdill Smith from Vertical Veg (verticalveg.org.uk) and Gemma Gee, also known as The Cramlington Forager (https://lnkd.in/g5JN2R6t) who both inspired us with their talks about how to make the most of our urban and natural space. Finally, the event saw the official launch of the Garden Network of North Tyneside membership, which has been in the making for the past couple of years. To find out more and join the Network, please visit: voda.org.uk/garden-network If you run a community garden or are planning one, but you are not sure where to start, please contact Vicky at Vicky.batsioudi@voda.org.uk With Spring just around the corner, there’s never been a better time!

Help Shape This Year’s Sector Connector Workshops! Our new Sector Connector Coordinator, Rachel Sketheway, is busy planning this year’s workshop schedule, and she wants your input! Do you have ideas for topics that would benefit your organisation or community? Whether it’s a specific skill, a new trend, or a pressing challenge in the sector, Rachel would love to hear your suggestions. Please share your ideas by emailing Rachel at rachel.sketheway@voda.org.uk.