Tower Hamlets CVS and Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets are the trusted, local capacity-building experts, with 15 years’ experience of supporting VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets. We offer year-round and free support to all local VCS organisations. We have now joined together to offer a more in-depth and bespoke menu of capacity-building consultancy support for local VCS organisations in receipt of the Council’s small grants programme under the capacity-building theme. Applications are now open until 2 February, and the Council is accepting applications from small organisations (under £150,000pa turnover) under five themes:

• Community Events (up to £2,500)
• Community Chest (up to £500)
• Capacity Building (up to £2,500)
• Youth Empowerment Fund (up to £3,500)
• Positive activities for Young People (up to £6,000) 

The capacity-building theme is designed to build your organisation’s capacity so you can improve your ability to meet the needs of residents, including:

• Strengthen your ability to achieve your vision
• Improve the knowledge of your management committee, staff and volunteers
• Improve the quality of your services delivered to the community
• Increase the positive impact that your organisation has on residents.
  

Please click here to see the attached offer from Tower Hamlets CVS and Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets. Please email info@thcvs.org.uk if you would like to discuss the personalised support that you need.

Exhibition runs until Sunday 25 February / Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA

Running in LGBT+ History Month 2024, ARCHIVING DESIRES explores how queer people sought connection in pre-digital times and how queer people today engage with material from the past.

Split into three parts, the first part presents badges created by Ben Walters, using personal and classified ads from vintage magazines donated by Badge Cafe participants and organisations including Bishopsgate Institute. Another showcases ‘found’ collages, created when Badge Cafe participants made badges using circular images cut from books and magazines. The third part presents work created by visitors to Badge Cafe hangouts on Sunday afternoons during the exhibition’s run. 

Monday 26 Feb / 18:00 / London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BJ

Join the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in marking LGBT history month with a community-building event, focusing on the Queer Footprints of Tower Hamlets.

Host, Dan de la Motte, will be joined by Dan Glass (author of Queer Footprints), Isabella Lewis (from the iconic Friends of the Joiners Arms campaign group) and Nazir Uddin (from the Bangladeshi community group The Rainbow Tree) to explore the development of LGBTQ community in the east end. Through the lens of Dan's writing on Whitechapel, we will trace the footprints of local queer presence from past into present, looking at the ways in which local groups are now fighting to preserve community, and the significant challenges of carving out space for queer-living in the future.

Genesis Cinema at 93-95 Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, E1 4UJ

Throughout February, the independent Genesis cinema in Mile End is hosting screenings of a variety of queer cinema, from the BAFTA-nominated All of Us Strangers, to a special valentine’s day screening of Terrorvision hosted by queer film fanatic, Token Homo. If you’re celebrating Galentine’s Day, Genesis is also screening a range of alternative love stories curated by Girls in Film, a community championing female, non-binary and trans creatives on screen.

Thursday 22 February / 6.00 to 9.00pm / Positive East, London, E1 4AQ

Celebrate LGBT+ History Month 2024 at our Queer East London Fest!You can look forward to film screenings, panel discussions, creative activities, food & refreshments, games and workshops and more! This event is a partnership between the Positive East, elop & the Tower Hamlets LGBT+ Community Forum.

Every Tuesday 6.00 to 8.00pm / Toynbee Hall E1 6LS

Join elop's weekly LGBT+ Social Support group. It is a general social group and open to all over 18 to connect and talk! For more information and to sign up, please call 07908 553744 or email events@elop.org.uk

The Equalities Hub is key to the new direction for the Council’s equalities provision, providing a central strategic focus, responding to the community’s needs and issues. The Hub will be vital to bringing about a more coordinated approach to equalities in the borough. If you want to find out more on how to get involved or if you have information you would like to share with the networks please get in touch.

Tuesday 20 February / 9.45am to 1.00pm /  Osmani Trust, 58 Underwood road, E1 5AW

This event will focus on how to build a relationship centered practice, which you can put into effect in your projects and programmes on social isolation on loneliness. Th event will be led by David Robinson OBE, our guest speaker (details below) and will be followed by an update on our social connection campaign for residents in Tower Hamlets, Just Say Hello, highlighting examples of how local stakeholders have taken part and how you can join in. The event will also focus on the local social isolation and loneliness offer in Tower Hamlets, how you can collaborate and tap in new, free initiatives bringing communities together.

There will also be a space at the end of the event for participants to take to the stage and share new work they would like to publicise to colleagues.

We invite attendees to bring along leaflets and materials to share, there will be a table where to display your information.

Guest speaker: David Robinson - David Robinson founded and co leads the Relationships Project. He is a community development worker who has worked on social innovation for almost fifty years, founding and leading several organisations including Shift– using behavioural insight and award winning design to tackle social problems, the Children’s Discovery Centre- working on literacy and language and the multipurpose Community Links.

Targeted Lung Health Checks are a free test of the lungs for people aged between 55 and 74 and who have ever smoked. These are available for people who are registered with a GP in Barking & Dagenham and Tower Hamlets (we will also be extending this to other areas of north east London). 

Tower Hamlets have one of the highest uptake rates in the country, which means 1,000s of your neighbours have taken advantage of this free service. Have you missed yours? Don’t worry, it’s not too late. Contact the team via email at nel.lunghealthcheck@nhs.net or phone 020 3839 8911. You can watch the video What is a lung check? How can you get your lungs tested? by clicking here.

Having a chat with an old friend or checking in on your elderly neighbour can make a big difference to their wellbeing. Even the smallest gesture can create a meaningful connection for someone, especially if they’re feeling lonely or isolated.

Just Say Hello is a new local campaign about encouraging conversations and connecting with one other, by taking time out to say ‘hello.’ Partners, organisations or members of the community across Tower Hamlets are being invited to use the Just Say Hello resources in their own way – whether it’s attending an event at a local community centre, hosting a ‘pop up’ coffee shop with your neighbours or dropping into a new class, there are many ways to make new connections. Click here for more information and resources.

If you are feeling isolated and in need of mental health support, there are local services that can support you:

• Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies provides a range of psychological therapies and counselling services - 020 8475 8080
• Mind in Tower Hamlets provide advice and support, as well as free counselling for residents - 020 7510 4247/4248
• If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with your mental health, you can call the Tower Hamlets Mental Health Crisis Support number for free 24/7 on 0800 073 0003 

Click here for the new social isolation and loneliness directory. This guide summarises activities available for adult residents in Tower Hamlets, available through the VCS sector.

Wednesday 21 February / 10.30am to 1.00pm / on Zoom

Many organisations are finding that there is a reduced supply of volunteers due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. In this practical and interactive online training, we will consider how your organisation can adapt to the changing context and recruit the right volunteers to continue delivering vital services. We will look at what might currently motivate people to volunteer, adapting or framing roles to be more attractive to potential volunteers, reducing barriers, offering more development opportunities, and exploring different recruitment methods/channels for advertising your volunteer opportunities. This session is suitable for experienced Volunteer Managers, as well as those who are new to managing volunteers.

This training programme is brought to you by the Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets (VCTH) and is kindly funded by the City Bridge Foundation. The session is FREE to voluntary sector and public sector organisations with a base/office in Tower Hamlets, or that have services aimed in Tower Hamlets residents. For any organisation without a base or services in Tower Hamlets, or private sector/commercial organisations, there is a small fee. 

AM and PM sessions are available on: Monday 26 February / 9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30 to 4.30pm & Wednesday 27 March / 9.30am to 12.30pm or 1.30 to 4.30pm / Bernie Cameron Community Centre, 32 Merchant St., E3 4LX

Local Health and Care staff are invited to a half-day introductory workshop "Let's talk about race". Workshops are 1-half day face to face. This short session is designed to encourage participants to openly explore the issues that inhibit discussions about race. It recognises that not being able to engage in a discussion about ‘race’ can severely hinder our efforts to do anything about racism. From the onset, this programme intends to create a collaborative and discursive space, and participants are encouraged to bring (without) judgment and to process what has previously held them back.

Wednesday 28 February / 1:00 to 2:30pm / Online

East London Eating Disorder Service invites you and your team to join them at this online session to mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) 2024. During the session, Experts by Experience will be discussing what it feels like to seek help and navigate the healthcare system as someone with an eating disorder. You’ll be looking beyond the stereotypes to explore questions such as:

• What does the ‘eating disorder identity’ feel like?
• What does ‘recovery’ really mean to us, beyond clinical definitions?
• Who is served by eating disorder services – and how can we make them more accessible for everyone?

Tuesday 5 March / 10.30am to 1.30pm / Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, E1 6BJ

In partnership with East London Business Alliance (ELBA), the London Borough of Tower Hamlets will be hosting this Connecting Communities - Corporate Insight event.

This event aims to highlight the needs of the voluntary & community sectors (VCS), equipping staff with a better understanding of ESG: Environment, Social and Governance. You will hear from an expert panel to discuss ESG and the importance for the those sectors to be ESG aware, along with how to access opportunities from the Corporate organisations on your doorstep.Tower Hamlets based community organisations are welcome to have a stand at the event to highlight and showcase your work. For more information. email Business.Support@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

ELBA (East London Business Alliance) are currently offering Team Connect programmes & workshops to VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets:

1. Business Planning session - Session 1 Diagnostic - Thursday 29 February / 10:30am to 12.00pm
Session 2 Workshop - Thursday 7 March 10.30am to 12.30am / MS Teams - This workshop provides community organisations the opportunity to work with small team of corporate business volunteers from a Business Analysis and Innovation team. This session will be held in two parts with a one-hour diagnostic and two-hour workshop the following week. Sign up here.

2. Priority Planning Workshop - Tuesday 13 February / 9.30am - 11.30am / MS Teams - Horizon scanning and future planning. In this online session, you will be paired with a business volunteer to run through an organisation health-check exercise created by the NCVO. Sign up here.

3. Effective Negotiation - Thursday 29 February / 9.00am to 12.00pm / M3 Consulting at: Dashwood House, London EC2M 1QS
Join this interactive session to learn effective negotiation skills and to increase your confidence. Limited spaces, so sign up soon to secure your spot! Sign up here.

4. Sustainability Compass: Have you been looking to build a sustainability and environmental action plan for your organisation? Compass is designed to help community organisations navigate a particular topic over three months of high impact, intensive-volunteer support. Sign up here. 

5. Leaders in Partnership: East London Business Alliance (ELBA) is excited to open applications for the next cohort of Leaders in Partnership, a programme of support designed to strengthen the leadership and management of the charity and not for profit sector in east London. Sign up here.

Thursday 29 February / 1.00 to 3.00pm

Vision Ability CIC is working on a project funded by the NHSE Legacy and Health Equity Partnership, aiming to hear and respond to community health priorities and Improve Community access to health services

They are particularly interested in the experiences and feedback of people living with Visual Impairment, and or any other Disability. In order to achieve this, Vision Ability are organising an in person Think Tank workshop. If you would like to attend, please email info@visionability.org.uk to book your place.

You can also share your experiences, voice your concerns and offer suggestions, by completing this survey. If you require assistance filling out this survey, please call 07943722343 for assistance.

Tower Hamlets has some of the highest levels of reported mental health illness in London, and with the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, more people are experiencing mental health problems. It is known that older adults aged 65 or older and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds are less likely to access mental health support services when needed. With this project, Healthwatch Tower Hamlets seeks to collect feedback to identify barriers that exist for these groups and how they can be overcome.

Please have your say by completing this short online survey. The survey is for anyone living in Tower Hamlets who is aged 65 or older OR from an ethnic minority community (OR both). If you have any questions about this survey, please email info@healthwatchtowerhamlets.co.uk or call 0800 145 5343. 

VCS Organisations occupying Council Premises can get 80% reduction on their rent.
The Council has a scheme to give rent reduction of up to 80 per cent to organisations that meet its requirements. Organisations that do not meet all the requirements may still get 40 or 20 per cent rent reduction. The scheme is called Community Benefit Rent Reduction (CBRR).

To be eligible for CBRR, an organisation must:

• Occupy premises listed in the Council’s ‘Community Premises Portfolio’ with a lease of three to five years
• Be community led
• Show good governance
• Embrace diversity, work to improve community cohesion and reduce inequality
• Be capable of managing a building
• Be willing to share space, and
• Show how their activities contribute to the Tower Hamlets Plan outcomes.
  

Full details of the CBRR scheme are set out in the Council's VCS premises policy.

The value of the CBRR may exceed £20,000 per annum. Where this happens, the Council’s assessment includes a Social Value Self-Assessment Tool. You can find the guidance here Social Value UK Self Assessment Tools.

Please email vcs@towerhamlets.gov.uk for an application form, advice and further information.

Mondays / 12.15 to 1.15pm / Whitechapel Sports Centre 55 Durward Street, London, Greater London, E1 5BA

These free pregnancy yoga sessions are proudly sponsored by the Royal London Hospital NHS Maternity Department, and are exclusively available to patients who have registered their pregnancy with Royal London Hospital. The sessions take place every Monday with alternating sessions of prenatal yoga and mindfulness classes. Yoga mats and all necessary equipment are provided.

With any queries on your eligibility to attend Royal London Hospital's sponsored pregnancy yoga classes, please email NHS midwife Sabrina - sabrina.mubiru1@nhs.net.

Thursday 7 March / 10.30am to 3.00pm / Atrium, 124-126 Cheshire Street, E2 6EJ

The Women's Achievement Awards are dedicated to recognising and celebrating the remarkable contributions of women in Tower Hamlets who have excelled in various fields. These awards represent resilience, leadership, and innovation. The event will showcase their accomplishments and provide them with a platform that fosters inspiration, inclusion, and empowerment.

Are your residents/beneficiaries facing rising living costs? Aishah are here to help with a one-off voucher supporting individuals and families dealing with increased costs of living who can apply for a one-off £50 supermarket voucher.

Right now, individuals and families are dealing with a significant increase in the prices of things they need, like groceries and services. This means families must decide whether to spend more money to keep buying what they used to or cut back on some things. This fund is designed to support individuals and families, offering financial empowerment and flexibility. Apply now for a helping hand in managing your budget and ensuring your well-being.

The KeolisAmey Docklands Community Grant Funding Programme is are providing £10,000 of funding for ten months in 2024, awarded each month from February through to November. This funding will support six month projects that are within three miles of a Docklands Light Railway station in East and South East London. Two tiers of funding are available; Standard Grants: £1,000 to £2,000 and Flagship Grants of £2,001 to £10,000.

They would like to support local community organisations to improve the lives of people living or working near the DLR network, aiming to support and expand upon KeolisAmey Docklands’ new Community Assist programme, a tool box of solutions to support customers and communities to travel safely and confidently across the DLR network.

To learn more about the grant programme and how to apply, come along on Friday 23 February @ 10.00 AM to a free online workshop. Click here to register.

There are monthly deadlines for this fund leading up to November 2024.

Canary Wharf Group (CWG) understand it has a responsibility to create a positive and lasting impact that goes beyond the buildings and places they create. CWG pride themselves on their ability to create long-standing and meaningful relationships with the communities based around Canary Wharf.  

The programme supports initiatives that aim to make a positive difference to the lives of local residents. Grants of £500 to £10,000 are available to support local groups with an annual income of less than £2 million and statutory organisations. Project should deliver against the following priorities of Education, Skills andEmployment and Wellbeing and Biodiversity. CWG’s Community Grant Programme is delivered by the East End Community Foundation. There will be three rounds of funding throughout the year. 

Application deadline (round #1): 12.00pm Monday 26 February 

The Merchant Taylor Company’s Small Grants Scheme is for community-based charities operating exclusively in the London boroughs of Hackney, Lewisham, Southwark and Tower Hamlets. Charities applying for these grants must work with people who are in need on account of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship, or some other form of disadvantage to be eligible.

Application deadline: Thursday 29 February 2024

Round 15 of the Clarion Futures Digital Grants Programme is now open for applications. Grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 are available to organisations seeking to deliver innovative, well designed projects that support Clarion residents and the wider community to address digital exclusion. The Fund is designed to support Clarion residents and the wider community to get online and stay online, and to use the internet as an everyday tool, safely and confidently.

Application Deadline: Wednesday 13 March @12 noon

This grant programme aims to support small, grassroots organisations who are embedded in the community, working within the most deprived areas of the UK. They fund established organisations with a track record of delivering services directly to beneficiaries. They want to fund work that enables people who are excluded, vulnerable or facing other forms of hardship to have access to community-based services. Grant sizes vary between £20k and £70k per year. You can apply for these grants at any time.

Deadline: Ongoing