Funding Conference with Nick Hurd MP

Funding Conference on Thursday 3 December 2009, a joint event of Voluntary Action Westminster and CITY.COMM, the Councils for Voluntary Service for Westminster and the City of London.

We have a full programme for the day which is attached to this email. We expect that stalls will be set up by 9.30, when you will also be able to help yourself to a drink on arrival. The first main session begins promptly at 10am.

In addition to being able to hear Nick Hurd MP (Conservative Party) in the morning, Karen Buck MP (Labour Party, MP for Regent’s Park and Kensington North) will be joining us at 1.30pm to speak for 5 minutes at the start of the afternoon's main session. Representatives of different funders will give a 5-minute snapshot during that session, before we are able to divide once again into workshops. If you have not already booked to do a workshop (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) please could you get in touch to book your place. Room in two of the breakout rooms is limited:

Lunchtime will be an opportunity to network with funders and other voluntary and community organisations in Westminster and the City of London. You will also be able to look online at two websites:

Ø Funding Central, a free website with information about grants, potential partners, and contracts available;

Ø trustfunding.org.uk, a subscription website available to members of Voluntary Action Westminster and groups supported by CITY.COMM. This provides details of funding opportunities.

Morning choices:

Public Sector Commissioning for beginners, with Margaret Jones, Voluntary Action Westminster

Raising funds in your community - using the Internet and other fun activities, with Martin Shaw of MIDAS Charity Appeals

Making money out of volunteering – a viable social enterprise? With Chris Reed, CEO of Volunteer Centre Westminster

Afternoon choices:

Introduction to financial health checks, with Siobhan Bailey, Trainer with Accounting for Community Enterprises (ACE)

How to write “perfect” grant applications, with consultant Diane West

An introduction to alternatives to grant funding, with Athisia Muir, Voluntary Action Westminster

During 2007/08 we:

· Engaged 295 voluntary sector representatives in influencing local policy through supporting the Westminster Community Network
· Provided 40 training courses to 228 voluntary sector participants
· Offered 290 sessions of one-to-one support for Westminster voluntary groups
· Involved families across Westminster in developing Children’s Centre services, by facilitating parents’ forums
· Gave 100s of people across London a say in their local health service
· Offered one-to-one support to 91 faith community groups

Find out more about our funding advice, one-to-one support and training at www.vawcvs.org