An Evening of Enchantment at The Fence Gate 


Known for its exquisite setting and hospitality, The Fence Gate provides the perfect backdrop for our hauntingly sophisticated evening. 

• The Experience: Arrival is from 18:30, where you'll be greeted by an atmosphere designed to thrill. 
• Dining: Enjoy a complimentary welcome drink on arrival, followed by a sumptuous three-course meal prepared by the Fence Gate’s award-winning culinary team. 
• Refreshments: The bar will remain open throughout the night until 00:30. For those attending in groups, bespoke drinks packages are available to pre-order, ensuring your table is ready for the festivities. 
• Entertainment: Get ready for Live performance from the award winning Stage Door Youth Theatre a night of DJ sets, dancing, and high-energy fundraising games. 

Supporting Vital Local Services 


Every penny raised from this event goes directly towards the life-changing work of Positive Action in the Community. We provide essential support across East Lancashire for individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of youth homelessness, domestic abuse, and poor mental health. 


The need for our services has never been greater. In the last 12 months alone, we have received more than 5,000 new referrals. These are people in our local towns who require urgent, compassionate intervention. 


By joining us for this special evening, you aren't just buying a ticket to a ball—you are helping to provide safety, shelter, and mental health support for those who need it most. 






Perfect for Teams and Clients 


The PAC Halloween Charity Ball is an ideal choice for a corporate night out or a unique way to treat your top clients. It offers a professional yet high-energy environment, perfect for networking and showing your organisation's commitment to East Lancashire. 


Event Details 

• Venue: The Fence Gate, Wheatley Lane Road, Fence 
• Time: 1830– 00:30 
• Dress Code: Fancy Dress or Dress to Impress 
• Included: Welcome drink, three-course meal, Live Entertainment, DJ, and fundraising activities. 

As we only host this ball once every two years, tickets are highly sought after. Secure your place now for the most exclusive and spookiest event in the 2026 PAC calendar. 

Saturday 26 September 2026
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Accrington, BB5 2BB 
Whether you're walking for a loved one, supporting a vital cause, or simply wanting to make a difference, we'd love to see you there.
Book your place: www.p-a-c.org.uk/events/
For more information: 01282 227649

We also have lots of FREE Events taking place, including Introduction Workshops, Showcases, Meet the Funder & Expert Events and Virtual Fundraisers Networking Events. These are great opportunities to connect, learn and build your fundraising skills and confidence!


Read on to discover this month’s upcoming training and events...

Upcoming Grant Deadlines
10/09 Philip Henman Trust
10/09 The Finnis Scott Foundation
11/09 DCMS 'Connections Through Gaming' Pilot Fund (Boys 11-16)
11/09 Freelands Foundation – Learning Through Making Fund
11/09 Theatre Improvement Scheme
11/09 Thomas Wall Trust - Grants for Registered Charities
11/09 W F Southall Trust
14/09 ChurchCare - Grants for Clocks
14/09 Macmillan Q Lab Funding
14/09 Peter Sell Award
15/09 Air Ambulance UK Improving Outcomes Fund
15/09 Children’s Alliance
15/09 NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme
15/09 Ulverscroft Foundation
16/09 Heart Research UK - Healthy Heart Grants
16/09 NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme
17/09 Emerging Justice Fund
17/09 Strengthening Justice Fund
18/09 Arts Council England - Incentivising Touring: Repayable Grants for Theatre and Dance
18/09 Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant
20/09 Help the Homeless Grant Scheme
21/09 BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund
21/09 Low Carbon Fuels Fund (LCFF)
22/09 Women Veterans’ Oral History Project Grant
23/09 Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust – Free from Fear Programme
23/09 Armed Forces Families Fund - Supporting Partners Programme
23/09 Ingenious - Public Engagement Grant
25/09 Association of Independent Museums (AIM) Collections Care Audits
25/09 Fidelio Charitable Trust
25/09 Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF)
25/09 Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES)
27/09 Electrical Safety Fund
30/09 Britford Bridge Trust
30/09 England and Wales Cricket Board - County Grants Fund
30/09 Fat Beehive Foundation
30/09 Groundwork – Grassroots Grants
30/09 Matrix Causes Fund
30/09 Michael Tippett Musical Foundation
30/09 Richard and Siobhán Coward Foundation - Grants for Community Photography
30/09 Riverhorse Trust
30/09 School-based Nursery Capital Grant 2027 to 2030
30/09 Sea-Changers Grant Programme
30/09 Sunrise Medical Community Fund
30/09 The St Lazarus Charitable Trust
30/09 Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation - Small Change Big Difference Fund
01/10 National Manuscripts Conservation Trust - Grants for the Conservation of Manuscripts
01/10 Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts - JJ Charitable Trust Literacy Small Grants Scheme
01/10 Sasha Foundation
02/10 Jerwood Art Fund Commissions
05/10 ChurchCare - Grants for Organs
05/10 Nuffield Foundation Main Grants (Research, Development and Analysis Fund)
05/10 Nuffield Foundation - Racial Diversity UK Fund (RDUK)
06/10 Army Benevolent Fund – Grants to Organisations
07/10 Aviva Foundation - Financial Futures Fund
07/10 Universal Music UK Sound Foundation (UMUKSF) - School Funding
09/10 Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS)
09/10 NFU Mutual Charitable Trust
09/10 Rees Jeffreys Road Fund

Featured Grants

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Fidelio Charitable Trust


Fidelio provides grants in support of the Arts particularly for Music, including Opera, Lieder, Composition and Dance.  The trust supports individuals and groups who would not be able to carry out a project or activity without financial support, particularly those who are at an early stage in their careers.


Grants awarded vary in size but tend to be limited to a maximum of £5,000 and are usually offered to projects no longer than 12 months in length.


Find out more on our website...


easyfundraising Impact Fund


The easyfundraising Impact Fund will offer 20 unrestricted grants of £500 to UK not-for-profit organisations to help them continue or enhance their work. The grant is unrestricted and can be used where it’s needed most.


The application form is straightforward and easy to complete. Grants will be awarded to the organisations that best show how they will use the grant. Successful applicants will be selected across a range of categories and geographical areas and the Impact Fund is open to causes of all sizes and structures.


Find out more on our website...


Universal Music UK Sound Foundation


Universal Music UK Sound Foundation is an independent music education charity, established in 1997 to celebrate the centenary of EMI Records and now supported by Universal Music. The Foundation’s aim is to improve access to music education in the UK & Ireland.


Schools can apply for up to £800 towards the cost of musical resources. Please note, we do not fund staffing costs to cover teaching of the national curriculum or peripatetic music lessons and regrettably we cannot accept applications from Music Services.


Find out more on our website...

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View more on our Funder Finder

Training Courses

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Get Grants Training Courses cover a range of fundraising areas and topics, including our most popular Bid Writing Training Course, diverse income streams including Major Donor, Corporate, and Legacy fundraising, and key fundraising skills including Storytelling, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Strategy.


All of our courses can be provided as In-House Courses.
Upcoming Training Courses

Bid Writing Training Course – Monday 7th & 14th September 2026, 6 pm – 8 pm


Fundraising Stewardship Training Course – Tuesday 8th & 15th September 2026, 10 am – 12 pm

Individual Giving Training Course – Wednesday 9th & 16th September 2026. 10 am – 12 pm


Bid Writing Training Course – Tuesday 22nd & 29th September 2026, 10 am – 12 pm

Fundraising Strategy Training Course – Wednesday 23rd & 30th September 2026, 10 am – 1 pm


Popular Training Courses


Bid Writing


Corporate Fundraising


Storytelling for Fundraising


Legacy Fundraising


Fundraising Strategy 



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See all upcoming training dates
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In Person Bid Writing Training Courses

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Get Grants are now delivering our popular Bid Writing Training Course in-person. Join us for a full day with Get Grants Founder & Director John Ellery, with lunch and refreshments included! 


In-Person Bid Writing Training Course

• London: Tuesday 3rd November 2026, 10 am – 4 pm
• Birmingham: Tuesday 17th November 2026, 10 am – 4 pm

MASTERCLASSES

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Upcoming MASTERCLASSES


Telling Your Charity’s Story MASTERCLASS – Thursday 10th September 2026, 2pm – 3pm


Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS – Tuesday 20th October 2026, 12pm – 1pm


Ethical Fundraising MASTERCLASS – Friday 20th November 2026, 11am – 12pm

FREE Events

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Upcoming FREE Events


Get Grants FREE Virtual Conference 2026

• Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th October 2026, 10am – 3pm
• Book your place today through Eventbrite.

FREE Meet the Funder & Meet the Expert Events

• easyfundraising – Monday 14th September 2026, 2pm – 3pm
• Heart of England Community Foundation – Monday 21st September 2026, 12pm – 1pm
• Severn Trent Community Fund – Thursday 8th October 2026, 11am – 12pm
  

FREE Introduction Workshops

• Storytelling in Fundraising Workshop – Tuesday 8th September 2026, 1pm – 2pm
• Monitoring & Evaluation Workshop – Thursday 15th October 2026, 11am – 12pm
• Individual Giving Workshop – Monday 2nd November 2026, 1pm – 2pm

FREE Virtual Fundraisers Networking Event

• September: Thursday 24th September 2026, 10 am – 11 am
• October: Monday 19th October 2026, 1 pm – 2 pm

FREE Get Grants Showcases

• Application Review Service – Thursday 24th September 2026, 12pm – 1pm
• One-to-One Mentoring Service – Thursday 19th November 2026, 12pm – 1pm

FREE Get Grants & easyfundraising Online Webinar

• November – Monday 16th November 2026, 2pm – 3pm

All our previous Meet the Funder & Meet the Expert Events are available to watch again on our website.

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, has invested £90,638 of money seized from criminals into 13 community organisations, supporting projects that will prevent crime, tackle anti-social behaviour, and protect vulnerable people across the county.
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The latest round of the Commissioner’s Community Fund will support a range of initiatives delivered by local charities, community groups, councils and partners. Projects focus on key priorities within the Police and Crime Plan, including youth diversion, tackling anti-social behaviour, supporting vulnerable communities, and preventing violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Schemes funded in this round include targeted diversionary activities for young people, community safety projects, and specialist support and awareness programmes designed to reduce harm and build stronger, safer neighbourhoods.
A number of projects will provide safe, positive opportunities for young people during periods of increased risk, helping to steer them away from crime and anti-social behaviour. Others focus on raising awareness of domestic abuse, supporting victims, improving community resilience, and preventing harmful behaviours before they escalate.
Community-led initiatives funded in this round include sports and mentoring programmes, youth engagement activities, outreach work, creative projects, and campaigns to improve online and community safety. Several schemes will also help strengthen relationships between local communities and policing teams, building trust and confidence while addressing issues that matter most to residents.
The investment also includes partnership funding delivered through local organisations and community networks, recognising the important role of local leadership in identifying and tackling neighbourhood concerns.
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said:

“I’m proud to be investing money taken from criminals back into the communities they have harmed, supporting projects that are making a real difference to people’s lives.

“These schemes demonstrate the incredible work being carried out by community organisations across Lancashire. From helping young people make positive choices to supporting vulnerable residents and tackling anti-social behaviour, this funding is about prevention and early intervention.

“By working together with local partners, we can address the root causes of crime and create safer, stronger communities. These projects will provide valuable support, opportunities and protection for residents across the county.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact these initiatives have and will continue to work closely with partners to ensure funding from the Commissioner’s Community Fund delivers real benefits for Lancashire communities.”

This latest investment builds on continued funding through the Commissioner’s Community Fund, which reinvests money seized from criminals into initiatives that support safer, stronger communities across Lancashire.
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Read more about the projects by clicking here.

The Centre for Processional Culture will help protect Britain’s rich but increasingly vulnerable processional traditions.

There are few art forms quite like procession.
Part performance, part ritual, part celebration and part public gathering, processions have the unusual ability to bring art and culture out of traditional venues and directly into the places where people live.
They can be ancient or entirely contemporary. They might involve music, theatre, dance, puppetry, costume, sculpture, carnival, ceremony or simply the collective act of moving through a place together.
And yet, despite the extraordinary variety and cultural significance of processional practice, there has been relatively little dedicated infrastructure in the UK focused specifically on understanding, developing and supporting it.
That is beginning to change.

Introducing the Centre for Processional CultureA new Centre for Processional Culture in the UK (CPCUK) is being established in Lancashire, with its base in Waterfoot, Rossendale.
The Centre has been founded by Esther Ferry-Kennington, Director of Lancashire Encounter and former Executive Director of Horse + Bamboo Theatre, supported by a partnership between Horse + Bamboo (Rossendale), Preston City Council, and Manchester Met University, with funding from Arts Council England.
Its emergence feels particularly appropriate in Lancashire - a county with deep traditions of street performance, festivals, community celebration, heritage and processional activity.
The Centre aims to provide a space for people working across these different worlds to come together: artists, makers, producers, festival organisers, heritage practitioners, cultural leaders, researchers and communities.
Rather than defining procession narrowly, the ambition is to recognise the breadth of practices that come together under the umbrella of processional culture.
That could mean traditional and heritage processions, contemporary street arts, carnival, outdoor performance, ceremonial events, large-scale public spectacles, community celebrations and the artforms that make these experiences possible.
But behind the creation of the Centre is a growing concern about the sustainability of these activities - particularly the many events that depend on volunteers and community organisations to survive.


A culture under pressure

Speaking about why she felt the time was right to establish the Centre, Esther Ferry-Kennington says the conversations she has already had with people working in the sector have revealed widespread concern about its future.
“Our network has shared explicit worries about the future of these diverse and accessible cultural activities. Increasing traffic management costs are being passed on to declining groups of volunteers, fundraising has become increasingly onerous, and as local authority capacity has decreased, so too has the appetite - and sometimes the confidence - to manage even well-understood risks.
“We are also seeing ageing committee members who are worried that there simply isn’t enough new blood to continue or develop these events. We want the Centre to help change that: to ensure that a new generation of event leaders is initiated, supported and equipped to carry these traditions forward into the future.”
That question of succession is an important one.
Many processions are not simply events that can be programmed, funded and delivered by an organisation. They are the product of accumulated knowledge: how to organise a route, work with local authorities, manage volunteers, engage communities, commission artists, build spectacular structures, work with emergency services and navigate the practical complexities of putting large numbers of people into public space.
When the people who hold that knowledge step away, there is a risk that something much larger than an individual event is lost.
Why does processional culture matter?A procession changes the relationship between performer and audience.
Instead of asking an audience to enter a theatre, gallery or concert hall, the work moves into public space. The audience may become participants, spectators, followers or even part of the performance itself.
The route becomes a stage.
The street becomes a venue.
The community becomes part of the performance.
This creates opportunities that are quite different from those offered by conventional cultural spaces. Processions can transform how people experience familiar places and can bring together people who might not otherwise encounter one another through the arts.
They can also carry memory and identity.
Many processional traditions have developed over generations, while contemporary artists continue to reinvent the form through new approaches to performance, visual art, music, puppetry, costume, movement and technology.
There is therefore a fascinating conversation to be had between heritage and innovation.
How do we protect and understand traditional processional cultures while allowing them to evolve?
How can artists develop new forms of procession?
What kinds of commissioning models could support ambitious processional work?
And what infrastructure, skills and knowledge are needed to make processional events sustainable?
These are some of the questions that a dedicated Centre could help bring into focus.
When the infrastructure becomes the riskThe challenges facing processional events aren’t only about funding.
Processions occupy public space, often at scale, and that brings practical challenges around traffic management, public safety, local authority capacity and risk.
For a large professional event, these might be logistical problems to solve. For community-led processions, the burden can fall on volunteers who are already dealing with fundraising, administration and increasingly complex regulatory requirements.
Recent examples demonstrate just how complex this can become.
As Esther explains:
“The challenges around safety and traffic management show just how vulnerable processional events can be. The shocking events at Liverpool FC’s Premier League title celebrations in May 2025, when a car was driven into crowds lining the streets, highlighted how even well-resourced processional events can face serious safety challenges. And in November 2024, the long-standing Bridgewater Carnival - one of the biggest and most spectacular illuminated parades of its kind in Europe - experienced cars being left on the parade route when parking couldn’t be found.
“These issues are often being dealt with by volunteers, but no event can truly be inclusive unless it is safe for everyone. At the same time, decreasing resources can create a culture of risk aversion within some local authorities, particularly where there may not be the confidence, capacity or experience to deal with the complexities of potentially centuries-old processional traditions. The result is that events can become harder to organise precisely at the moment when they most need support.”
The answer to these problems isn’t necessarily to remove risk from public cultural activity. Nor is it simply to expect volunteers to become experts in increasingly complex areas of event management.
Instead, there is an argument for sharing knowledge, building relationships and developing a stronger collective voice for processional culture.

A Lancashire-based initiative with a wider ambitionAlthough the Centre is based in Lancashire, its remit is much bigger than our county.
Lancashire provides an interesting starting point because of its strong cultural traditions and its history of outdoor and community-based performance. The Centre’s base in Waterfoot also connects its development with a place that has a long history of experimental theatre and community engagement.
But the ambition is national: to create connections between practitioners and organisations working across processional culture throughout the UK.
The Centre aims to build a network, knowledge base and collective voice for this distinctive area of cultural practice, bringing together experience, sharing knowledge and advocating for the support and resources needed to sustain and develop it.
Individual events can be easy to overlook. Collectively, however, they represent a substantial body of cultural activity taking place in towns, cities and communities across the country.
Esther describes this as the need to demonstrate a “critical mass of human activity” rather than seeing processions as a collection of isolated events.
“By bringing together partnerships and profile, we can start to highlight a critical mass of human activity which is more than just single events. These are not isolated traditions or one-off celebrations; together they represent an important and living part of our cultural life.
“We hope that by making that activity more visible, by connecting the people who sustain it and by building partnerships across the sector, we can advocate for the resource and support that processional culture needs. Ultimately, we want to help ensure that these important cultural practices don’t simply disappear because the people and infrastructure that sustain them no longer have the capacity to continue.”
The first major gathering: the Processional Culture Symposium

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The Centre is marking its emergence with a Processional Culture Symposium on 23 September 2026 at Horse + Bamboo in Rossendale.
The event will bring together stakeholders, creatives and leaders involved in processional events to explore both the opportunities and challenges facing the field - and to consider where the Centre might be able to offer support.
Importantly, this isn’t simply an event about listening to established voices.
The Centre is inviting contributions from people with ideas to share about processional events and cultures, both contemporary and heritage.
There is an open invitation for short presentations covering subjects such as:

• contemporary processional events and cultures
• heritage processions and traditions
• artforms that are particular to processions
• new ideas for commissioning processional work
• emerging practices and ideas
• other subjects relevant to processional culture

Presenters can submit no more than one page of A4 outlining their event, artform or idea, with fees and travel expenses available for selected presenters.
There is also financial support available for people who would like to attend but may find the costs prohibitive.

Ten bursaries of £75 are being offered to help support attendance, recognising that for freelancers in particular, taking a day away from paid work, combined with travel and other costs, can make participation in sector events difficult.

Expressions of interest for presenting or attending through a bursary are due by midnight on 10 September 2026.
A conversation worth joining

The establishment of CPCUK raises an interesting question: what happens when a cultural form that has often existed across multiple sectors - theatre, festivals, heritage, carnival, visual arts, community arts and public celebration - gets a dedicated home?
Perhaps the most exciting possibility is that it creates connections between people who don’t usually find themselves in the same room.
A heritage practitioner might have something to learn from a contemporary street artist.
A festival producer might have an idea that could transform how an artist commissions new work.
A puppeteer might find common ground with a carnival maker.
A community organiser might bring knowledge that an arts institution has overlooked.
And artists working in different disciplines might discover that the particular challenges of creating work for streets, routes and public spaces are shared.
That cross-pollination could be one of the Centre’s most valuable contributions.
From Lancashire to the wider UK

There is also something worth celebrating about the Centre’s Lancashire roots.

Cultural infrastructure is often imagined as something that flows outward from London or the UK’s major metropolitan centres.

CPCUK offers a different model: a national conversation emerging from a place with its own distinctive traditions, expertise and cultural history.
Lancashire is not simply the location of the Centre. It is part of the story.
The combination of Lancashire’s heritage of community and outdoor cultural activity with Esther Ferry-Kennington’s experience at Lancashire Encounter and Horse + Bamboo provides a strong foundation for thinking about what processional culture can become next.
The challenge now is to bring as many voices as possible into that conversation.
Artists.
Makers.
Festival producers.
Heritage organisations.
Community groups.
Researchers.
Funders.
Commissioners.
And, importantly, the people who experience processions as audiences and participants.
An invitation to the sectorThe launch of the Centre for Processional Culture is an opportunity to think differently about a form of cultural practice that is all around us, but which can sometimes sit between established categories.
What if procession were considered not simply as an event format, but as an artform in its own right?
What new work might be commissioned?
What traditions might be better supported?
What knowledge could be shared?
And what might happen if the people who create and sustain processional culture had a dedicated space in which to ask those questions together?
The Processional Culture Symposium on 23 September is intended to be the beginning of that conversation.
For anyone working in festivals, outdoor arts, theatre, heritage, carnival, community arts, public performance or related fields, it could be an opportunity not only to find out what CPCUK might become, but to help shape it.
The Centre for Processional Culture is starting in Lancashire. Its conversation could belong to the whole UK.
Find out moreThe CPCUK Processional Culture Symposium takes place on 23 September 2026.
View the symposium and book tickets on Eventbrite
For enquiries about presenting or applying for one of the attendance bursaries, contact admin@cpcuk.net.
Presentation and bursary deadline: midnight, 10 September 2026.

​What makes one application stand out, while another gets rejected? What are grant assessors really looking for? And what are the common mistakes that can weaken an otherwise strong bid?

In this practical Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS, we will explore behind-the-scenes of the grant assessment process, sharing what assessors look for when making those all-important funding decisions.


Join us for Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS
Tuesday 20th October 2026, 12pm – 1pm
Secure your place through Eventbrite.
 
Everyone who registers for the live Masterclass will also receive a copy of the session recording. 


All of our previous MASTERCLASSES are available to purchase On Demand via our website. 
 
Did someone forward you this email? Sign up here to stay updated.

Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS

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Having reviewed hundreds of grants across a range of funders and grant programmes, Get Grants Director John Ellery will share valuable insights you can use to increase your application’s chance of success from over 20 years of experience assessing grant applications.


Gain a deeper understanding of how applications are assessed, how due diligence is carried out, what actually impacts your chance of success, and how to present your organisation in a way that gives assessors trust and confidence.


You can book now to join the Get Grants Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS.
Tuesday 20th October 2026, 12pm – 1pmSecure your place through Eventbrite.


WHAT TO EXPECT?
This 1-hour Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS will include:

• Understanding the process of funders assessing grant applications
• Top tips for how to engage and influence an assessor through your application
• Exploring the role of language, tone and storytelling in assessments
• How to answer application questions with clarity and confidence
• Avoiding common mistakes that assessors typically don’t like
• How your website, social media and online content can impact funding decisions
• Practical ways to present your organisation in the best possible light to assessors

WHO IS THIS SESSION FOR?


Whether you’re new to grant fundraising or looking to maximise your success rate, this session will help you see your applications through an assessor’s eyes and strengthen your approach to funding applications.


This session is ideal for charity fundraisers, senior leadership, and anyone involved in writing or reviewing grant applications for charitable organisations.


WHY ATTEND?


Most fundraisers never get to see the assessment process from the other side of the table.


This MASTERCLASS offers an opportunity to hear from an experienced grant assessor and understand how funding decisions are made. You’ll leave with practical insights that can help you write stronger applications, avoid common errors and maximise your chances of success.


This session will help you see your grant applications from an assessor’s perspective and start submitting bids with more confidence.


All attendees of the live Masterclass will receive a copy of the session recording. We will also make the recording available to purchase on-demand via our website after the session.


For more information, including more details on what you will learn in our Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS, and further upcoming training dates, check out our website. 

To join our upcoming Grant Assessment MASTERCLASS, book via Eventbrite.

Dates for Your Diary
Bid Writing Training Course
Monday 7th & 14th September 2026, 6 pm – 8 pm
Register via Eventbrite.


FREE Introduction to Storytelling in Fundraising Workshop
Tuesday 8th September 2026, 1pm – 2pm
Register via Eventbrite.


Individual Giving Training Course
Wednesday 9th & 16th September 2026, 10am – 12pm
Register via Eventbrite.


Telling Your Charity’s Story MASTERCLASS
Thursday 10th September 2026, 2pm – 3pm
Register via Eventbrite.


FREE Meet the Expert Event: easyfundraising
Monday 14th September 2026, 2pm – 3pm
Register via Eventbrite.


Meet the Funder Event: Heart of England Community Foundation
Monday 21st September 2026, 12pm – 1pm
Register via Eventbrite.


Bid Writing Training Course
Tuesday 22nd & 29th September 2026, 10 am – 12 pm
Register via Eventbrite.


Fundraising Strategy Training Course
Wednesday 23rd & 30th September 2026, 10am – 1pm
Register via Eventbrite.
Our Most Popular MASTERCLASSES

Cohens Chemist will be visiting Carers Link Lancashire in Accrington, on Wednesday 28th October, 10am - 3pm, to hold a drop in 1-1 support session in our information hub around the 5 Rights of Medication, including:
Right Person
Right Medication
Right dose
Right route
Right time


Our Participation & Engagement Team will also be visiting Cohens Chemist, Oswaldtwistle, in October during their Flu & Covid vaccination clinics, and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about caring and the support Carers Link Lancashire can provide:


Saturday 3rd October - 9:30am - 12:30pm
Saturday 10th October - 9:30am - 12:30pm

We've updated the Carers Caravan page on our Carers Link Lancashire website to include a new calendar showing the dates our carers caravan is available to book and the prices for those dates. We'll be keeping this page updated as dates are booked. If you're interested in booking a holiday at our caravan in the beautiful Haven Lakeland site, there is also information on the page on how to book your holiday.


We have several dates available in October for you to book:
5th - 9th October (4 nights)
12th - 16th October (4 nights)
19th - 23rd October (4 nights)
23rd - 26th October (3 nights)
26th - 29th October (4 nights)


Carers Link Lancashire/Health and Wellbeing/Carers Caravan

We have 2 places available to book on our Curling Trip on Wednesday 9th September. We will be visiting an Olympic sized curling venue in Preston to try the hit sport from the winter Olympics. There will be minibus collection available from either Accrington or Burnley. To book a place simply click this link and complete an online form, you will then be contacted to let you know if you have a place. Tickets are £7 per person
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Activities, Events and Courses | carers-link-01

What we've been up to in August..
Our Young Carers visited Blackpool Zoo, which provided the young people with an opportunity to take a break from their caring responsibilities and meet new friends. Watch our video below to find out which animals some of our young carers were looking forward to seeing.


Our Young Carers team are once again accepting referrals for young carers in the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley area. If you work for a local organisation and you'd like to find out about how our team support young carers, and how you can identify a young carer, get in touch and we can organise a visit.


To celebrate the Soapbox Challenge which was organised by Amazing Accrington...…we opened on a Saturday! Our Accrington charity shop and café were open and to join in with the festivities we set up a hotdog stand for visitors to enjoy a pitstop. We enjoyed a busy day in the shop and the town was buzzing with activity.

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Charity Shops
Did you know our charity shops have social media accounts where they promote news and updates from the shops, and let you know about any interesting donationed items they have for sale.


 Follow us on Instagram to keep updated:
@carerslinklancscolne
@carerslinklancshaslingden
@carerslinklancsaccrington5456 


Follow us on Facebook:
@54/56 - Carers Link Lancashire's Community Facility
@CarersLinkLancashireColne
@CarersLinkLancashireHaslingden


Volunteering
We have exciting news this month....our Accrington charity shop will begin opening on Saturdays!!


We will be open from 10am - 3pm for you to browse and purchase preloved bargains. To support the shop with their new opening hours we are looking for retail volunteers to help sort donations, welcome customers, tidy shelves and complete sales using the cash register.
 
To find out more contact our Volunteer Officer by email info@carerslinklancashire.co.uk
or visit our website to complete an online form
Register as a Volunteer | carers-link-01

We have a monthly 500 Club Lottery here at Carers Link Lancashire and we now have availability for new people to join. There's a guaranteed three prizes to be won each month, and its only £10 per month to play. All proceeds after the prize money has been deducted, go towards supporting our work with unpaid carers across East Lancashire, providing services and support. If you'd like to find out more information you can email us via fundraising@carerslinklancashire.co.uk, or, you can register via our application form on our website. Once you have registered to join we will send you a membership pack and your lottery number.


One of our winners from our January draw let us know just how much playing our lottery means to her:


"It was a lovely surprise winning on the Club 500 lottery with Carers Link. I've been involved with Carers Link for around 12 years now, so it's good to know some of the money I pay monthly goes back into supporting Carers like myself."


Play to win and join today!

Useful Contact Numbers:


The Carers’ Hub Lancashire 0345 688 7113
(Monday –Friday 8:00am – 5pm)
Carers Help and Talk (CHAT) Line 0333 103 9747
Social Care (24 hour service) 0300 123 6720
NHS 111 Service for non-emergencies 111
NHS Carers Direct Helpline 0300 123 1053
Care Navigators (Booking Respite) 0300 123 670
Lancashire Advocacy Hub 0330 0022 200
Lancashire Care (NHS) Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline 0800 915 4640
Carers UK Advice Line 0808 808 7777
Alzheimer’s Society Nation Dementia Helpline0333 150 3456
Age UK Lancashire 0300 303 1234
Job Centre Plus 0800 055 6688 Text phone 0800 023 4888
Just Good Friends  07557734233 
Welfare Rights 0300 123 6739
Attendance Allowance Helpline 0800 731 0122 Text phone 0800 731 0317
Blue Badge Applications 0343 100 1000
Carers Allowance Unit 0800 731 0297 Text phone 0800 731 0317
Disability Living Allowance (if you born on or after 8th April 1948) Helpline 0800 121 4600 Text phone 0800 121 4523
Disability Living Allowance (if you born before 8th April 1948) Helpline 0800 731 0122 Text phone 0800 731 0317
Personal Independent Payment Enquiries 0800 917 2222 Text phone 0800 917 7777



Contact Us

This inspiring festival celebrates young talent, creativity and community, bringing people together through a fantastic programme of events and shared experiences.
18-20 September 2026
Various venues across Pendle

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Find out what's on and get involved: 👉 https://rootedandrisingfestival.org/

What keeps you awake at night?


Fire. Flooding. Wildfires. Road collisions. Water rescues.


These are just some of the risks Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service prepares for every day.


As part of our Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) consultation, we want to know what matters most to you and your community. Your views will help shape our future plans and how we continue to help keep Lancashire safe over the next five years.

Take our short survey and have your say:
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/LFRScrmp2


The survey takes around 5 minutes to complete and closes at 5pm on Friday 9 October 2026.
Find out more about the consultation:
www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/about/consultation


Thank you for taking the time to share your views. 


Every response helps shape our plans for the future.

Welcome to the August edition of my stakeholder newsletter, where I bring you the latest updates on crime and policing across Lancashire.

Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls remains a key priority for my Office and continues to shape much of our work. From the ongoing campaign for Kiena's Law to our work with local partners through the #GetTheMessage campaign to challenge misogyny and harmful attitudes, we are committed to driving meaningful change and making Lancashire safer for women and girls.

During the summer recess, I have also taken the opportunity to meet with Lancashire's MPs to discuss the issues that matter most to residents across the county and explore how we can work together to address them.
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We know that anti-social behaviour can increase during the summer months, affecting communities and people's sense of safety. That is why Lancashire Police have continued to take robust action through Op Centurion, targeting offenders, responding to local concerns and working with partners to prevent anti-social behaviour and keep our communities safe.

Our petition calling for Kiena's Law has now reached over 43,000 signatures. Current law does not clearly and consistently recognise where prolonged domestic abuse is a significant contributing factor in suicide. As a result, perpetrators are not always held accountable, and families are left without justice.
That's why we are calling for #KienasLaw, a specific criminal offence of domestic abuse-related suicide, and to include coercive and controlling behaviour within the “dangerous offender” framework, allowing courts to impose extended sentences.
I'd like to thank everyone who has already signed our petition, and urge everyone to share it more widely among their families, friends, and colleagues to create meaningful change. 
Following the success of our Blue Shoes exhibition, we are now offering you the opportunity to host the exhibit in your area. If this is something you wish to do, or would like more details, please contact comms@lancashire-pcc.gov.uk. 

#GetTheMessage

Our #GetTheMessage campaign has continued to go from strength to strength. Aimed at men and boys, it highlights the impact of low-level harassment on women and girls. 

As part of this campaign, Morecambe Police and local running group Track Nights hosted a free track running event at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre earlier this month. Over 100 people attended on one of the hottest days of the year to show their support for the campaign and stand together in support of women's safety. 
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Last year over 90% of women surveyed in our county told us that they changed their daily behaviour just to feel safe. That is something we cannot ignore. Events such as this show a real appetite for change, women and girls across Lancashire deserve to feel safe and that is what I will continue to strive for.

Stalking 
Stalking is a high-impact crime that deeply affects victims by disrupting their daily lives and creating an environment that makes people feel unsafe and fearful, often over prolonged periods of time.
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Earlier this month, I spoke with Sharon Hartley on BBC Radio Lancashire about the impact on victims and the need to tackle stalking across Lancashire. If you are affected by this issue, please do not hesitate to contact Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service for support. Funded by my Office, Paladin provides dedicated support for anyone in Lancashire who has been affected by stalking to ensure that they can access the right help and support for their needs.


Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse Research
Private intimate images are being shared, stolen and distributed without consent, often leaving victims with devastating emotional, psychological and social impacts. Working alongside Lancashire Police and experts from Lancaster University, we're seeking to better understand the impact of non-consensual intimate image abuse (NCII), sometimes known as image-based abuse.
This research is helping to shape a specialist support service for victims across Lancashire.
Whether you have lived experience or not, we want to hear from you. Your views will help us understand awareness, attitudes to reporting and the support victims need.
Please take a few minutes to complete our anonymous survey and share your views. 


Tackle Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour


Ketamine Re-Classification
Ketamine misuse has become an increasing concern across the county. As a highly dangerous substance, it can cause significant harm to individuals, families and communities, particularly among young people. 
That is why I wrote to Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP setting out my concerns about the growing prevalence of ketamine misuse and the devastating impact it is having on communities. 
I was pleased to receive a response from the minister, which acknowledged the serious harms associated with the drug, and recognised the important work we are undertaking here in Lancashire through Op Shore, the county's coordinated response to the supply and misuse of ketamine. 
I will continue to champion Op Shore, which sees policing, health, local government and wider partners working together to reduce ketamine misuse through prevention, intervention and enforcement activities, while helping those impacted access the right support and treatment services.


Pol-Ed
Following my investment in January 2025, I am pleased to see the Pol-Ed programme has now reached almost a quarter of a million young people across Lancashire. Delivered by policing professionals, the scheme helps raise awareness of key issues including personal safety, crime prevention, and safeguarding.
With 85% of local schools now using the programme, it is particularly encouraging to see it adapting to tackle emerging issues such as water safety during the summer months.


Op Centurion 
The illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters remains one of the issues most frequently raised with my Office by residents across Lancashire. As part of Lancashire Police's ongoing crackdown on anti-social behaviour through Op Centurion, officers have been proactively targeting the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters across the county.
Alongside enforcement activity, we're raising awareness of the risks these vehicles can pose and encouraging people to think twice before buying one this summer.
To report issues or find out more, head to LancashireTacklingASB.co.uk.


MP Patrols
Throughout summer recess, I have been joining MPs across Lancashire on visits in their constituency. I have had the pleasure of joining West Lancashire MP Ashley Dalton, Southport MP Patrick Hurley, Lancaster MP Cat Smith, and Pendle and Clitheroe MP Jonathan Hinder. 
What really stands out from joining MPs with local officers is how well neighbourhood teams know and understand their communities. They understand the issues, actively engage and want to make towns safer for all. That is exactly what neighbourhood policing is all about. 

Morecambe Funding Visit
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I recently joined Lizzi Collinge MP in Morecambe town centre to see first-hand how investment from my Community Fund is helping to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve community safety.
Through the MP Strand of the fund, Morecambe BID has received £23,910 to support a dedicated warden presence in the area, providing visible reassurance, supporting police activity and helping to boost public confidence.
It was encouraging to hear directly from wardens and local businesses about the positive difference the project is already making. This is exactly the type of initiative the Community Fund was created to support. By investing in partnership-led projects that respond to local needs, we can make our communities safer, more resilient places where people feel secure and supported.

Serious Violence Conference

Planning is well underway for my Serious Violence Conference on 16th September. Plans for the day include the launch of my Serious Violence Strategy, a series of expert guest speakers and an exhibition area for partners to showcase some of their innovative work.
There are a few spots remaining, if you wish to book on for the day, you can register via Eventbrite here: Lancashire Serious Violence Conference Tickets, Wednesday, September 16  •  9 AM - 3:30 PM | Eventbrite


NWAS Bleed Kit Training
My Deputy PCC Kimberley Whitehead recently attended an event in Accrington held by my Violence Reduction Network (VRN) in partnership with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) to deliver bleed kit training to bar owners and staff. 
Everything my VRN does is driven by the belief that knife crime is preventable. But when incidents do occur, training like this can make a real difference, ensuring that more people have the skills, knowledge and confidence to step in and potentially save a life before emergency services arrive.


Rebuild Public Trust and Confidence


Have your say on crime and policing where you live
I am supporting the National Public Confidence in Policing Survey which launched on Monday. This is a major research study exploring people’s views and experiences of crime, anti-social behaviour and policing across the UK.
The survey is being delivered through In the Know, on behalf of the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, who are working with researchers from the London School of Economics and University College London.
The research aims to improve understanding of what shapes public confidence in policing, how confidence changes over time, and what impact neighbourhood policing has on local communities.
We want to hear from people with a wide range of experiences and opinions, whether positive, negative, or somewhere in between.
You do not need to have had contact with the police to take part. Every response helps build a better understanding of what matters most to local communities. The findings will be used to: 

• Improve neighbourhood policing
• Inform policing policy and practice
• Identify ways to build public confidence in policing
• Better understand local priorities and concerns across Lancashire

Please sign up to In the Know and take the survey, which should take no longer than 10 minutes. 


Police Recruitment
It's always a privilege to see new officers being sworn into the ranks of Lancashire Constabulary. A ceremony on 4th August saw 35 new Police Constables embark on their careers in policing. This is the ninth intake for the Police Constable Entry Programme with new officers making promises to uphold police values and principles.
The public rightly expect to see more officers out on our streets: visible, engaged and making a real difference by tackling the issues that matter most to people in their local area.
That’s exactly what my Police and Crime Plan, together with the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, is delivering.


Public Contact 
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The performance of Lancashire Police, including how quickly 101 and 999 calls are answered, is something I monitor closely and routinely challenge through my quarterly Accountability Board meetings to ensure the public receives the service they expect and deserve.
However, we all have a role to play in helping the police provide the best possible service. Lancashire Police recently highlighted that in June alone, their Force Control Room had an additional 3,000 999 calls above what was expected. 

That's why it is so important we ensure our emergency lines remain just that, for emergencies. Whilst I will continue to strive for improved responses in call times, please take the time to familiarise yourself with ways you can keep in touch with your local police including Lancashire Talking and Online Reporting. 

Meet John, our newest team member!

We would like to introduce everyone to John Moore, who you may have seen on our socials. John was previously a dedicated volunteer, but has taken the leap and joined us as a sessional worker!

This means you may start to see John out and about at more events or leading on Enter and View visits!

To help you get to know John, we asked him some questions about his hobbies and why he is excited to work for Healthwatch Lancashire👇

What are you most looking forward to in your new role as a Sessional Worker for Healthwatch?
Helping the rest of the team to make a difference

Describe yourself in three words...
Old open-minded geek

In your free time, what activities do you like doing?
Cycling, walking the fells, weights, theatre, live rock music, reading, buying too many books, new places and learning languages!
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There’s plenty to catch up on in this month’s edition, including important updates on cyber security and upcoming changes to regulated activity with children.


You’ll also find new opportunities for your organisation, useful resources and ways to get involved with the wider voluntary sector.


Read on to find out more.

Updates your organisation should know about  Changes to regulated activity with children from September 2026


From 1 September 2026, the law on regulated activity with children is changing. The current supervision exemption will be removed, meaning some roles involving staff and volunteers may become regulated activity where they weren’t before.


If your organisation works with children, it’s important to understand how the changes could affect roles within your organisation and the level of DBS checks required.

Find out what the changes mean for your organisation




Beacon cyber security incident: guidance for affected charities

The Charity Commission has published guidance following a cyber security incident involving Beacon CRM in late July, which is used by charities to manage supporter and other data. Beacon has also published its own Security Incident Response Guide.


If your organisation uses Beacon, the Commission recommends assessing the potential impact, considering whether you need to report a serious incident or notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and communicating clearly with anyone whose data may be affected.

Read the Charity Commission guidance

CAF Bank online banking: latest service update

CAF Bank experienced disruption to its online banking service in late July following security concerns. While access has now been restored, CAF Bank says there may still be periods when the service is unavailable as it continues to monitor activity.


If your organisation banks with CAF Bank, you can check its service updates and guidance, including information about payments and accessing support.

Check the latest CAF Bank service update

Are you attending any party conferences this year?

With party conference season just around the corner, we’d love to hear from charities planning to attend. NCVO will be at all five main party conferences, speaking up for civil society and making sure the voices and experiences of charities are heard.


If you’re attending too, we’d love to connect and hear what matters to you, the issues you’re raising and what you’re hoping to get from conference season. Get in touch with our policy and public affairs team at policy@ncvo.org.uk. 

The Phoenix Threat Report 2026: understand the cyber threats facing your organisation


Our Trusted Supplier, Phoenix Software, has just published their Threat Report 2026, covering this year's shift in exploit activity, how ransomware groups are operating, and why identity compromise is now the leading way attackers get in.


It's a useful read for any organisation looking to understand the current threat landscape.

Read the full report

Partner promotion: Discover funded partnership opportunities with Capita

Are you a charity, SME or community organisation than can help people overcome barriers to employment?


Capita is looking to connect with organisations specialising in:

• Health and wellbeing
• Disability support and accessibility
• ESOL and inclusion services
• Youth and family support
• Rehabilitation and justice services
• Employer engagement and recruitment support

As Capita prepares to support government with future employment programmes across the UK, they want to build a diverse partner network bringing together expertise, local knowledge and community connections.


If you're interested in exploring funded partnership opportunities, Capita would like to hear from you.



Submit an expression on interest

Grow your impact with our training on partnership working


Working in partnership can help charities share expertise, reach new audiences and achieve more together – but successful partnerships need clear goals, the right approach and a strong understanding of responsibilities.


Our interactive training course will give you practical guidance on developing effective and sustainable partnerships.


You’ll learn how to:

• identify shared goals and opportunities for collaboration
• understand different partnership models, including their benefits and potential pitfalls
• navigate key governance and legal considerations. 

Get involved in national campaigns

​Save the date for Volunteers' Week: 7-13 June 2027
We're excited to announce that Volunteers’ Week 2027 will run from Monday 7 June to Sunday 13 June 2027.




Mark your calendars and start planning how you'll celebrate the volunteers who make such a difference in communities across the UK.

Find out more

Download the Trustees' Week partner toolkit
Trustees’ Week 2026 will take place from Monday 9 November to Friday 13 November.


Start planning how you'll celebrate trustees and their vital contribution to charities across the UK, with ready-to-use resources available in the partner toolkit.

Download now

Burnley
Wednesday 16 September 2026
Burnley Football Club, Turf Moor
Blackburn
Wednesday 14 October 2026
Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Ewood Park

• Suitable for colleagues across health, care, social care, VCFSE organisations and community services.
• Learn from practical examples and case studies.
• Network with professionals from across the sector.
• Lunch and refreshments provided.

Book your place today: https://lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/ageingwellevents