David McCubbin’s Post

ℹ️ Two Towns: Big Ideas Participatory Budgeting Fund #Banff & #Macduff Projects Announced We are delighted to report that a total of 6⃣ projects have been successful in their application, supporting a variety of #community activities and have been awarded #grant funding. The Two Towns: Big Ideas participatory budgeting fund will support the 6⃣ projects which range from cultural celebrations, to the creation of an inclusive space for a host of social and creative activites are sharing more than £25,000 in funding. Community groups, school groups, businesses, charitable organisations and social enterprises were all encouraged to submit applications for grant ranging from £500 up to £5,000, with the submissions being carefully scrutinised against agreed criteria by a funding panel comprising representatives of the private sector, community council, council officers and chair of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee Cllr Doreen Mair. While the number of applications didn’t quite trigger the voting element of the participatory budgeting process, the following successful groups are eager to kickstart their various projects: Banff Castle, Banff Academy x 2, The Cattleskate Academy, The Forge and Banff Preservation & Heritage Society. The ‘Two Towns: Big Ideas’ grant fund was identified in both the Banff and Macduff Development Partnership Action Plans as a priority project to help the towns develop in the aftermath of the pandemic and cost of living crisis. Following face-to-face discussions with residents and businesses, together with an online public engagement process, Economic Development Aberdeenshire agreed to explore participatory budgeting as a method of tackling this issue. To read the full news release, please click this link: 📰 https://lnkd.in/eZ68tV9U #Fund #Funding #Grant #ParticipatoryBudgeting #TownCentre #Aberdeenshire #Banff #Macduff #CoastalCommunities #CommunitySupport #BusinessSupport   Aberdeenshire Council

Here’s what everyone’s talking about lately… 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲? The housing market is evolving, and the demand for 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 is at an all-time high. 📊 Yet, the supply simply isn’t keeping up. 🚨 With waiting lists for safe accommodations growing, local authorities and housing providers are under immense pressure. To put it into perspective: 👉 In 2023, England delivered just 𝟲𝟯,𝟲𝟬𝟱 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 while 𝟭.𝟮𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 were still waiting for accessible options. Social housing investments play a vital role in addressing this challenge. By working with councils, charities, and housing associations, investors help create homes that directly support vulnerable individuals and their families. 🏡 This isn’t just about returns; it’s about making an impact where it’s needed most. 💪 Want to explore how you can be part of this solution? Drop me a DM or comment ‘SH’ to learn more! 📩👇 #SocialHousingSolutions #ImpactInvesting #AffordableHomes #PropertyInvesting

🎓 Gatwick Foundation Fund Grants from Community Foundation for Surrey Apply for funding to support youth, wellbeing, and social isolation projects in Tandridge, Reigate & Banstead, & Mole Valley. 🌟 https://lnkd.in/dM8v9HYu #CommunityFunding #VCSE #YouthProjects #ReigateAndBanstead #FundingOpportunities #CommunityGrants

Alongside the legislation that fell with the dissolution of Parliament on 30 May, we also saw the loss of the prospect of swift progress implementing the #CommunityWealthFund – the dormant asset-resourced fund, aimed at rebuilding the social infrastructure of our most deprived and left behind neighbourhoods.  Originally announced in March 2023, the principles underpinning the fund were subject to consultation in early Autumn last year, and were expected to be announced earlier this Spring. However, whilst disappointing, the pause in launching the programme also provides a unique opportunity for any incoming government to review existing plans and address a significant hole in the last government's proposals - the limited initial commitment of only a four years of funding provision to the CWF. Extending funding over the 10-15 years originally envisaged would turbo-charge its potential, bringing it closer to what was originally campaigned for - a genuinely transformational programme capable of turning around the social fabric of our most left behind communities.  Many of the places that would have benefited most from the CWF are located on the edge of post-industrial towns and cities in the north and the midlands. These are communities that have seen the progressive loss of social fabric over many years. Shared workplaces, trade unions, pubs, clubs, community centres – the institutions that helped define local identity and enrich and strengthen the lives of local people.  Looking at the data - and in particular the work commissioned by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Left Behind Neighbourhoods https://lnkd.in/gH_-4tZp - highlights the extent to which, in those places, loss of social infrastructure has too often compounded the impact of poverty and deprivation, leading to some of the worst social outcomes in terms of health, education and economic opportunity. The Community Wealth Fund – secured following a huge cross-sectoral campaign bringing together grassroots activists and charitable foundations, local authorities and church leaders, and politicians across parties – promises long term, patient funding to support the community-led rebuilding of local social infrastructure in those places.  In many ways, it builds on the learning from Local Trust’s own Big Local programme, which has demonstrated the impact this sort of funding can have on local neighbourhoods. With new ministers coming into post in early July, we need to encourage them to grasp the opportunity to provide new impetus and momentum to the Community Wealth Fund, as part of a wider commitment to addressing neighbourhood centred need . When all parties are being asked about how they will be funding their plans, none can cannot afford to ignore the potential of a scheme that has no cost to the public purse and stands ready to tackle some of the most entrenched and important challenges facing our most deprived communities across the country. 

I’ve had two calls during the last two weeks with funders and was in two minds about writing this post. Funders are like “gods” to any not-for-profit because without them, many organisations will struggle to survive.  So, no one wants to annoy them, or say the wrong thing. Obviously, I’m not naming names! The first call was with a funder who wanted me and another organisation to “team up” and “collaborate” to create a new walk in a particular area.  The lady at the other organisation who was clearly pushed for time as she was late arriving, let’s call her Claire, didn’t waste any time and asked, “How much money is available?” The funder replied, “About £750…” And I’m not kidding, Claire let out THE BIGGEST SIGH known to man. I was shocked! Gobsmacked! I was a little bit in awe of Claire! I waited to see what the response was from the funder. They stuttered a bit. They tried to explain. And said they’d go away and see if they could find more. The second funder call was about a fund which was “invite-only”. Only selected organisations could apply. I was quite interested to learn more, given that the funder was the one who arranged the call. The brief? The funder was looking to fund a project that brought communities together, something that boosted physical and mental health, something that reduced social isolation. But the project had to be NEW and INNOVATIVE and NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE. I asked how much money was available. “£30,000.” “Is that per bid?” “No, that’s the amount we have to share across all the VCSE sector in the borough for the year.” I let out THE BIGGEST SIGH possible. “So, you’re telling me, that despite MileShy already delivering fantastic outcomes across all of its running, walking and mental health clubs, and EVEN THOUGH all our walking groups are in need of funding, you won’t fund them because they are not NEW and INNOVATIVE and NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE?” The funder gave an apologetic look. “And that £30,000 has to be split across services such as food banks, crisis centres, employment support services etc across the borough?” The funder gave another apologetic look. I said I’d think about it. 🙄 #fundingwoes #nhscrisis

On a community board? This advice from Jo Cribb is worth reading over your morning cuppa. The best boards we work with at Heft have diverse funding and a strong strategic vision - one they can clearly articulate and speak to when advocating for their organisations and impact.

"The Prime Minister has made it a priority to reset the relationship with civil society and build a new partnership that can harness civil society’s full potential to rebuild our country and deliver against the government’s 5 missions." On 17 October 2024 DCMS published a Covenant Framework to catalyse a wider conversation across civil society and government, based on 4 principles: - recognition -partnership -participation -transparency. We've heard it all before (i.e. Compact), talk is cheap and so if there's no money then - calling all charities - at least get Government to put its time and commitment where its mouth is, and do engage with it on the proposed framework here: https://lnkd.in/e-Veurwc

As the charity of the housing sector for nearly 65 years, you can understand why we might get a little passionate about supporting #HousingAssociations and their supply chain to lead the way in creating lasting social impact. But that's because we get it ... and we understand that, as a housing association, your role goes beyond just providing homes; you are at the heart of building communities and improving lives. Thats why: 💡 Our UK Social Value Bank, and our new Built Environment Bank, are the leading social value measurement in the sector - widely recognised and trusted by funders, regulators and partners. 🏘 Our approach is designed to capture the unique impact of housing on individuals and the communities in which they live. 💭 Our experts have been doing this a long time - we understand your challenges, priorities and the activities you do and work alongside you to refine your approach, helping you stay ahead of emerging trends and maximising the impact of your initiatives. As the experts in social value for the housing sector, we understand the journey – that’s why we’re here to help. Find out how: https://lnkd.in/eZ5UdsDM or speak to the team at socialvalue@hact.org.uk

Big achievements need out-of-the-box thinking! I had a ravishing discussion with Dave and Ian Jones MRICS from the BGI Development Group yesterday. Their JOY Concept is the answer to the lack of affordable housing and expensive retirement homes. This turnkey model is built for 100% ownership by local charities or Not For Profit organizations. It offers affordable independent living for Boomers (the forgotten middle) that exceeds government affordable housing specifications. Out-of-the-box thinking is crucial for tackling complex housing issues. Their JOY Concept is truly an innovative approach to addressing the challenges of affordable housing and retirement homes. Addressing the lack of affordable housing and the needs of aging populations are critical challenges that require fresh perspectives. The JOY Concept's model has the potential to provide high-quality, accessible living options is an exciting development. I commend the work being done by Dave, Ian, and the BGI Development Group. Innovations like the JOY Concept have the power to make a real difference in people's lives. If you are interested to learn more about this promising initiative and its potential impact please comment below. #affordablehousing #torontobizsummit #cmhc #thejoyconcept

Agri-tourism business in Fife?? Community Grants (up to £25,000 and on average £15,000) These are open to constituted voluntary groups, organisations, registered small businesses (including sole traders), registered charities, and trusts. The projects must meet at least one of four priority themes: Promoting access to employment and opportunities Skills development and youth activity for children and young people Activities that encourage the creation of a resilient local economy (e.g. nature restoration, agri-tourism) Rural community capacity building https://lnkd.in/egxC5W4z