​We want to understand what matters most to carers who have or who are supporting someone with a learning disability. Your answers will help us share carers’ views. We want to understand what matters most to carers who have, or who support someone with, a learning disability.


By taking part in this short survey (around 3 minutes), you can help us make sure carers’ voices are heard. Your answers will help us share carers’ views with the Lancashire Learning Disability Partnership Board.


👉 Survey link: Short survey for carers – Fill in form

Upcoming FREE Virtual Events!

We’re heading into May with a few FREE events coming up to keep you inspired, connected and energised throughout the month.


Join our Meet the Funder session with The Eveson Trust and The Portal Trust to hear their latest insights, explore useful resources and discover current funding opportunities.


We’re also closing the month with our Virtual Fundraisers Networking Event on Thursday 30th April, 11am - 12pm, a space to share fundraising challenges, exchange ideas, and connect with others in the sector, or simply drop in and listen.


Our Introduction to Trusts and Foundations Workshop will also be running, giving you practical guidance and a chance to win a FREE place on our full course.

Holiday Activity & Food programme aims to provide a range of enjoyable activities and nutritious meals for primary and secondary school aged children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.

The England-wide Holiday Activities and Food Programme is funded by the Department for Education and distributed through Lancashire County Council. Rossendale Leisure Trust were asked by Rossendale Borough Council to become the lead body, responsible for HAF in the borough.

 All activity providers were Rossendale or Lancashire based, ensuring the scheme supported local businesses as well as local families.  
​
From Grip & Go at Adrenaline, Tubing at The Hill, Multiskills at local schools, Emma’s Crazy Creature, Hula hooping with Laura from The Valley Hoopers are just a couple of fun activities the children took part in over Summer and Winter as part of HAF.

​Volunteers’ Week is just around the corner, and it’s time to start planning! Whether you're hosting an event, giving a shout out to your amazing volunteers, or looking for new ways to get involved, we’ve got you covered.

​Please come along to our next People’s Assembly on Thursday 23rd April 5-8pm at 3B Systems, Nelson


Look forward to seeing you there if you can make it and please share out with anyone you know.

Please find attached the March newsletter.
As with previous editions, readers are encouraged to forward it to anyone who may benefit from its contents.

VIC hopes you enjoy reading the latest updates and news. Further information and regular updates can be found on VIC’s Facebook page and group.

If hard copies of the newsletter are required, please contact a member of the team on 01706 833180.

Copies of all newsletters and the latest news are also available to download from the VIC website. Both the website and Facebook page are regularly updated with information about VIC services and activities.
​

Hello Neighbours, 

April is the ‘cruellest month’ according to opening of the famous poem The Wasteland. But we disagree, our news this April is actually very exciting. We’re sharing insights into the new plans for police reform, a minute of mayhem on Radio 4, and celebrating some fantastic volunteers. 

Highlights this month: 

• The Neighbourhood Watch podcast - coming soon! 
• Watch the Safer High Streets webinar
• Blog: what will the new police reforms mean in practice? 
• Local volunteer spotlights on Greenwich and Gloucestershire. 
• New Online Crime Centre launched to crack down on fraud
• Sign up to our special Stephen Lawrence Day event on knife crime. 

Welcome to your Charity Bulletin
​
As a family of financial services businesses, the Benefact Group reinvests available profits back to charities and good causes. In this bulletin you'll find the latest support and news for charities from the Benefact Group. 

A day of talks and workshops about Nature, Health and Wellbeing work delivered by professionals across Lancashire and the North West
The conference will showcase projects using the NatureWell approach to Nature and Heath in different settings including men’s groups, families and young people. We will share evidence-based models of practice rooted in eco-psychology and nature connectedness working in partnership across communities and within NHS Trusts.
Our theme will include reciprocity (between people and nature), recovery (personal and community), and regeneration (ecological and systemic) using an ‘Eco-Bio-Psycho-Social’ Model.