Basingstoke Voluntary Action

Universal Music UK Sound Foundation School Fund

This scheme aims to support the access to music for schools, students and teachers by supporting the purchase of musical instruments and equipment. Grants of up to £1,500 are available.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 14 August 2024 (1pm).
https://www.umuksoundfoundation.com/umuksf-school-awards/

Our latest community news brought to you by Basingstoke Gazette!

We are excited to be part of the Fri-YAY events this summer with the BVA Gnome Trail! Join us Friday 16th August, 11am-2pm. Check out the event for more information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1513245386240756/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

Love Basingstoke Presents is back this summer with free family Fri-YAY fun during the school holidays across the Top of the Town and War Memorial Park. Activities will also be at six out of town locations during August.

From 11am to 3pm every Friday in August you’ll find activities designed for children aged three to 16 giving them the chance to have a go at a new sporting activity, take part in arts and crafts or try something totally different!

All activities are free, most activities you will be able to just turn up to enjoy, but some may require waiting to take part or pre-booking. https://www.lovebasingstoke.co.uk/news/fri-yay-fun

-YAYFun

If you are looking for something to do this Saturday, check out the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council FREE Sports and Wellbeing Day in the Park. Come along to see displays throughout the day and try different sports and activities! 🛹🎾

We will be there to talk about our My Community Directories, come and say hi!

For more information please visit: https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/sport-wellbeing-day

📅 Saturday 27th July ⏰11am-3pm 📍 War Memorial Park (by Tennis Centre)

Do you love animals and have spare time during the week? We have just the volunteering opportunity for you! Keki's Guinea Pig Rescue are looking for volunteer Weekday Guinea Pig Volunteer Helpers to provide hands-on support such as feeding, cleaning, socializing and providing general care for the Guinea Pigs.

Click here for more information or to apply: https://volunteernorthhants.org/opportunities/weekday-guinea-pig-volunteer-helpers-7272292/

Read Easy Basingstoke are looking for volunteer Co-Ordinators, Team Leaders and Publicity Organiser to help manage and spread the word of the amazing work they do.

If this sounds like something you, or someone you know may be interested in, click here for more information https://volunteernorthhants.org/opportunities/referrals-networker-7271402/ or pop into the BVA Volunteer Hub this Friday to have a chat with the Read Easy team about becoming a volunteer.

📅Friday 26th July ⏰10:00-14:00 📍BVA Volunteer Hub

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund provides funding to voluntary organisations working in the field of learning disability. It describes people with learning disabilities as having three things:
• Global intellectual impairment (intelligence quotient less than 70)
• Need for support/help to fulfil ordinary daily activities
• Onset before the age of 18 years.

Applications will only be considered from voluntary organisations which are registered charities or are associated with a registered charity. Exempt charities such as schools, and Parent Teacher Associations can also apply.

https://www.bailythomas.org.uk/grants/general-programme/general-guidelines

Drop-in Friday 26th July to chat to Read Easy Basingstoke about their volunteering opportunities. Read Easy offers free, confidential, 1:1 coaching for adults struggling with literacy. If you would like to know more about how you can volunteer, they will be at the BVA Volunteer Hub from 10am until 2pm - no need to book just drop-in.

https://www.bvaction.org.uk/groups/training-events/event/838

Are you looking for a walking group? Why not check out the Basingstoke Wellbeing Walks schedule - there is no need to book just turn up 🚶

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/wellbeing-walks-groups/ramblers-wellbeing-walks-basingstoke

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Basingstoke Join Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Basingstoke for short, local and accessible walks to help you get more active.

Outcome Home are looking for Community Outreach and Homelessness Prevention Mentors, a service that aims to provide vital support to individuals at risk of homelessness. Follow this link for more information about the mentor role: https://volunteernorthhants.org/opportunities/community-outreach-and-homelessness-prevention-mentor-7272291/

If you would like to have a chat about becoming a mentor, Outcome Home will be here at the BVA Volunteer Hub on Thursday 12-2pm, just drop-in!

Could you spare some time to bring the joy of books to those unable to get to the library? The Home Library Service are looking for Chineham Library - Hampshire County Council & Basingstoke Discovery Centre - Hampshire County Council are looking for volunteers who can deliver & return books for those in the community who can not get out and about. To find out more about how you can help follow the link: https://volunteernorthhants.org/organisation/424094/

Do you remember Basingstoke in the past? If so we would love you to come along and share your stories with us

OutcomeHome's will be taking over the BVA Volunteer Hub next Thursday for a volunteering drop-in session. They are looking for volunteers for the new Homeless Prevention and Community Outreach Service.

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity pop in to chat to the OutcomeHome team about volunteering.

https://www.bvaction.org.uk/groups/training-events/event/840

📅Thursday 18th July ⏰12:00-14:00 📍BVA Volunteer Hub, The Orchard, RG21 4AF

Veterans' Foundation
The Veterans’ Foundation has established a substantial grants programme to support charities and organisations that provide support to those in need among serving armed forces personnel, veterans, operationally qualified seafarers and their immediate families. All registered charities and other not-for-profit organisations that support the Armed Forces community (veterans, those serving and immediate dependants), including seafaring veterans who have served on operations, can apply.

Apply For a Grant | Veterans' Foundation Apply for a grant from the Veterans' Foundation.

Do you know a young person with a love for creativity? Why not tell them about the Young Design Academy!

Are you a local business looking to help a local charity? Living Paintings are in need of art materials for their My Art and Craft Book. This book is designed as a fun and engaging introduction to Art for blind children age 5-7 years of age, though may be of interest for children 7-11 years too.

If your business would like to help provide the supplies they require, then please get in contact with us by emailing [email protected] and we will put you in touch with the team at Living Paintings.

Please share with any businesses you think might be able to help!

Gary the Gnome is back! Join us Friday 16th August 11am-2pm for the BVA Gnome Trail! Pick up a map from the BVA Volunteer Hub on the day and head into the park to find Gary and his friends.

The trail is part of the Love Basingstoke Fri-YAY events - head over to their website to see all the great events taking place this summer.

The Basingstoke Pride Team are holding Basingstoke’s first LGBTQ+ Pride Parade this year and they want you to be involved!

Help celebrate diversity here -> www.bvaction.org.uk/basingstokepride

Basingstoke Pride 2024 - Find out more - Basingstoke Voluntary Action The Basingstoke Pride Team are holding Basingstoke’s first LGBTQ+ Pride Parade this year and they want you to be involved! Getting involved with Pride shows your Support for the LGBTQ+ community and equality, promoting visibility and acceptance, challenging prejudice and discrimination, and to cre...

We are excited to be joined by The Orchard Community Cafe at the BVA Volunteer Hub Friday 12th July, 11am-2pm. Come along to meet the team and learn how to make their delicious milkshakes whilst finding out more about volunteering at the Café!

This is a great opportunity for anyone from the age of 14 upwards looking to volunteer and gain skills like food hygiene, barista skills and customer service – no experience needed!

There is no need to book just come along!

Looking for a fun family day out? Save the date for this August!

A very special occasion, our thanks to The Worshipful The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane for hosting us at The Volunteer Award Ceremony.

At BVA we recognise that we don’t volunteer for recognition, but it’s important to recognise the incredible contributions volunteers make. We are so fortunate to have such a strong volunteering community across Basingstoke & Deane. However you contribute, volunteering is a critical part to the sustainability of the voluntary sector and the many charities we support across the borough. Today we thank just a few of our volunteers at BVA.

Would you like to nominate volunteers in your organisation or welcome The Mayor to your events? You can contact the Mayor’s Office to find out more details: www.basingstoke.gov.uk/mayorattend

Are you looking to volunteer? Perhaps curious to find out how you can support a charity? Why not find out more about The BVA Volunteer Hub and how you can come and meet our team: www.bvaction.org.uk/bva-volunteer-hub

Trading for Good: Community Business Funded Programme
The programme aims to support early-stage community businesses across England by helping them to develop skills to:
🔸 Generate income to be invested in their community through trading.
🔸 Create a resilient, growing community business.
🔸 Adapt to changes in external environments.
🔸 Develop emotional resourcefulness.
🔸 Build and benefit from new networks.
🔸 Positively impact their community.
Your organisation will also receive a Match Trading grant of up to £4,000. This grant is designed to challenge you to grow your trading income.

Trading for Good Community Business Develop your community business through a specialist programme of support including a development programme, grant and ready-made network.

A fantastic amount raised! Well done Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke 👏

Click the link to check out Sport in Mind's activities map to see what is happening during July in your local area. https://www.sportinmind.org/find-an-activity 🏸

Activity Map Take a look at our interactive Activity Map to find sessions near you!

Pamber Heath Memorial Hall are holding their Summer Market this Sunday! Entry is FREE - pop along and have a go at the tombola or raffle whilst enjoying something from the BBQ!

📅 Sunday 7th July ⏰1-4pm 📍Pamber Heath Memorial Hall

🚶 Last weeks Basingstoke Wellbeing Walks drop-in session at the BVA Volunteer Hub was a big success, but for those of you who missed it, don't worry you can still apply to become a walk leader here: https://volunteernorthhants.org/opportunities/wellbeing-walks-walk-leaders-7271612/

Would you like to volunteer but cannot commit regularly? We are looking for people to join our BVA Buddies - a team of people we can call upon on when help is required without the regular commitment. For more information click here: https://volunteernorthhants.org/opportunities/bva-buddies-7272247/

The Whitchurch Conservation Group are looking for help during July & August. Help is needed to stop the spread of the non-native plant called Himalayan balsam which is invading river banks, threatening native wildlife.

The group are very flexible with dates, for more information and to apply please follow the link: https://volunteernorthhants.org/opportunities/himalayan-balsam-bashing-whitchurch-7272296/