Happy New Year for 2021. 

Welcome to our first bulletin for what looks like being a busy but much more positive year ahead.  In this bulletin we update on local COVID-19 guidance and support, our new BAME Disparities project, the launch of our new website and current funding opportunities.

For many organisations, emergency funding that was available last year will be coming to an end so now is the time to be getting in new funding bids your activities in preparation for the impact of mass vaccinations and the end of the lockdown in the Spring.

Alongside these funding opportunities, you can visit the events page on our new website to find out about funding briefing events and training sessions. 

Our new website it a major new development for THCVS in 2021.  We have totally revamped the site and are developing the support behind the site to be much more dynamic with regularly updated useful VCS information and as a tool for promoting and sharing successes from across the VCS in Tower Hamlets.  Your feedback on how we can continue to develop the site to be more useful to you is very much welcome.

Another major new development for THCVS in 2021 is the launch of our BAME Disparities project which aims to support Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic VCS projects to be more sustainable and have greater influence on local decision making.  We invite anyone interested in finding out more about this project to a first networking event on the 27 January 2021.  

Planning ahead can be difficult when dealing with the here and now, so our bulleting begins with links to all the useful guidance and support that is available to help you plan for and respond to the current lockdown.   

The start of 2021, has been the most challenging of circumstances but with the days getting noticeably lighter, it already feels more positive than the year we have left behind.  We look forward to seeing you at our events, to promoting your activities and successes and to your feedback on how we can continue to improve our support to you in months ahead.

Best wishes to you and your colleagues for a more positive and successful 2021.

The THCVS Team

If you have Symptoms 

Getting tested if you present Covid-19 symptoms is extremely important- Testscan be booked by calling 119 or in the NHS Covid page. Tower Hamlets residents will be offered an appointment at the closest testing site to them. Shadwell, Mile End and Isle of Dogs . Appointments to these sites are available through the NHS Covid national site

If you have no symptoms

LBTH are now offering rapid Covid tests to people who don’t have symptoms of Covid-19 but would still like to get tested at the Ecology Pavillion, Mile End Park, E3 5TW. The site is open 10am to 7pm. People do not need to book - it is currently a walk-up test site.

We started developing a new website last year with the support of the Force for Good programme from JP Morgan and then continued developing it by the THCVS team.

We have heard your feedback and we aim to make easier for you to find the information you need to keep updated with the latest opportunities and guidance for the Voluntary sector.

Among the changes we want to highlight:

Our Thriving Communities page - we have set a dedicated page to showcase the valuable work of Tower Hamlets Voluntary organisations, these news will be incorporated across our social media channels with the hashtag #ThrivingTowerHamlets

Events Page – You will find our training, networking events and our members events all in one place!

Now you can upload your events and Job opportunities for promotion, we will review the submissions regularly.

Funding page -  We want to make easier for you to find the right funding and not miss any opportunity, in the new funding page you will find currently open opportunities, upcoming deadlines, Crowdfunding and Partnerships opportunities.

We want to know your thoughts about the new website, please contact us at info@thcvs.org.uk with your feedback.

This is our way to showcase the work and achievements of Tower Hamlets community and voluntary organisations and their impact in our communities.

We will be using #ThrivingTowerHamlets across our social media channels.

Want to be part of it? send us your stories at info@thcvs.org.uk

We want to keep you up to date with all the relevant funding opportunities to Tower Hamlets organisations, visit our new dedicated funding page with over 30 funding opportunities.

If you are planning to submit an application and would like for our team to review it please contact us at info@thcvs.org.uk