|
|
|
|
Welcome
Increases in the cost of living are affecting us all. If your service users are finding it hard to cover living costs, there is support available. In this newsletter, we highlight just some of the support available to service users struggling with the cost of living.
Simply Connect Croydon
You can find more information on support services on our Simply Connect Croydon online directory of services. Local services provide specialist support on a range of issues, such as employment support, debt management, food banks and much more. Find a service
|
|
Employment support services
Local services can help people find sustainable employment. Examples of the employment support found on Simply Connect are shown below.
Scope
'Starting line' is a pre-employment training programme for disabled people at the start of their journey into work. Group sessions, 1-2-1, mock interviews and more. Read more
'Kickstart' is a one-to-one support programme for disabled people who are applying for jobs. A six-month service; 1-2-1 appointments with advisors. Read more
Go2Games
Over 18? Develop enterprise skills, gain Level 1 certificate in business, update CV and Linkedln profile, gain work experience and care package of up to 12 months after end of programme. craig@go2games.com
Education Development Trust
Personalised coaching for up to 4 months and group workshops if unemployed, eligible to work and a resident of Croydon. Priority to over 50s, lone parents, residents from ethnic minorities, with a disability/long-term condition or without basic skills.
Call 01329 559177; mades@educationdevelopmenttrust.com; rfiuza@edt.org
SmartWork
Opening a Croydon office at Centrale (lower Mall) today. Free access to outfits for job interviews and second dress when job secured to all unemployed women as well as career and interview coaching. Care leavers programme.
steph.cooper@smartworks.org.uk or 0207 288 1770
Reed in Partnership
Better Working Futures programme for unemployed over 18 with right to work in UK. Need to be part of a specific category to be eligible (including having a health condition or disability, being an offender / ex-offender, homeless or a victim of domestic violence.
Ursula.Johnston@reed.com
|
|
|
Food banks and soup kitchens
Find local food banks and soup kitchens in Croydon using Simply Connect's food bank list.
Friday Soup Kitchen
Croydon Muslim Association's Soup Kitchen provides 125 hot-packed meals, cooked by a local restaurant, every Friday. Read more
Croydon Nightwatch
Croydon Nightwatch is out every night at 9.30 pm providing food and other essentials to homeless and vulnerable people. Read more
Percy's Homeless Hub
Mobile Soup Kitchen running every Monday night from 5pm at Croydon Clock Tower, providing 80-100 meals every week, tea, coffees and sleeping bags. Read more
Floating Counselling
Floating Counselling offers free weekly food parcels and toiletries. Read more
|
|
|
Advice and support with debt
With the cost of living, help managing debt is vital for those facing hardship, struggling to pay bills or afford food.
Croydon Citizens Advice
Croydon Citizens Advice can support residents with benefits, debt, housing, employment, immigration and legal advice. Read more
South West London Law Centres
SWLLC provides a debt advice service for Croydon residents. Following initial contact, they will either make an appointment or a referral. Read more
Hear Us
Hear Us provides benefits advice and support to those with mental health difficulties in Croydon. Read more
|
|
|
Community Hubs & partnerships
As part of One Croydon’s Locality Operating Model, CVA is supporting the development of Community Hubs, where local residents will feel comfortable going to access wraparound support including connection to local activities. Read more
We also co-host Local Partnership events in six areas:
Croydon North East - Crystal Palace South, Upper Norwood, Thornton Heath and South Norwood.
Croydon North West - Norbury, Pollards Hill, West Thornton Heath and Bensham Manor.
Croydon Central East - Woodside, Shirley, Addiscombe East and Park Hill.
Croydon Central West - Broad Green, Fairfield, Addiscombe West, Selhurst, Waddon and South Croydon.
Croydon South East - New Addington, Fieldway, Addington Village, Forestdale, Monks Hill and Selsdon.
Croydon South West - Purley, Woodcote, Riddlesdown, Purley Oaks, Sanderstead, Kenley, Coulsdon and Old Coulsdon.
|
|
|
Warm spaces
Warm spaces are heated, safe and friendly locations in the borough that you can visit for free to keep warm.
Broad Green Library
Broad Green Library is just one of the warm spaces in Croydon. Residents are welcome to visit their local library to browse books, use the computers or enjoy the warm welcoming library environment. Read more
Food Cycle - Thornton Heath Project
Join Food Cycle for a free warm meal, in a warm space, with warm company. Everyone is welcome. Read more
Crystal Palace FC Warm Hub
The Warm Hub is open to residents over 65, with a choice of hot meals and a range of activities. Read more
|
|
|
Community news and events
Presentation on the council’s proposed council tax rise
The government recently granted Croydon Council permission to propose raising council tax by 15%. Download the presentation on this proposal.
CVSA - Resetting the relationship between Croydon Council and the VCS
Join us to hear progress on the 'Reset Action Plan' – a set of practical ways to bring investment back into Croydon’s VCS.
23 March. Book here
Money Management - How to support People with their money
This free session is part of CVA's 'One Croydon Training Programme', aimed at our frontline workforce (statutory, health and voluntary), colleagues working in Foodbanks, social prescribers, helpline staff, befrienders and social workers.
8 March. Book here
Local Community Partnerships - Croydon South-East
You are warmly invited to join your Local Community Partnership in Croydon South East (which includes the New Addington, Fieldway, Addington Village, Forestdale, Monks Hill and Selsdon communities). The partnership is seeking your involvement in shaping the future of your area.
9 March. Book here
Starting up: how to become a charity or social enterprise
This training is suitable for anyone setting up a community group, charity, or social enterprise based in the London Borough of Croydon. You can come as an individual, new group, or a community group that has been running for a while but needs a refresher. Real-life examples will be used in group work.
16 March. Book here
London 'ABCD' Learning Centre: Legacy Building
Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) and the South West London ICS are providing training and support on Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) across South West London for the CORE20 delivery partners and key NHS/Council colleagues.
17 March. Book here
Further events are on the CVA website.
|
|
|
Upcoming funding deadlines
Croydon Relief in Need
Grants to Croydon residents of all ages who are in need, or facing distress or hardship, and to local and national organisations which help them. In 2023 there are two grant rounds of £110k each. There is a focus on older people's projects at present. Organisations can apply for a maximum of £30,000, there is no minimum. Higher amounts can be spread over two or three years. Grants for individuals can be made for up to £1,000 and submitted at any time.
Deadline: 9am on 2nd August.
UK Youth funding
This new fund is a three-year unrestricted grant programme aimed at mitigating the devastating impact the cost of living crisis is having on the youth sector.
Deadline: none given.
Lloyds Bank Foundation's Specialist programme
Funding for small, local, specialist charities. This funds charities that understand the complexity of the issues people face and are best placed to make a genuine difference in people’s lives.
Deadline: 3 March.
Building Strong Communities Fund Advice and Support fund
The Mayor of London is offering funding for London equity-led voluntary and community sector organisations to enable communities to shape their recovery from COVID-19, through community-led projects.
Deadline: 13 March.
BME Youth
BME Youth is inviting clubs, groups, associations and organisations to apply for Together Fund to deliver sports and physical activities to culturally diverse communities, disabled people, lower socioeconomic groups and people with long-term health conditions to improve their health and wellbeing.
Deadline: 31 March.
Easyfundraising
If you are looking for a simple and effective fundraising activity, thousands of third sector and voluntary organisations recommend easyfundraising. Through easyfundraising 7,000 online retailers such as Amazon, eBay, Just Eat, Trainline and Sainsbury’s will donate to your organisation when your volunteers, staff and supporters shop with them. It means everyday online spending turns into a continuous income stream your organisation can put to good use. Take the experience and knowledge of other organisations to make 2023 your best fundraising year yet. Sign up to easyfundraising to get started.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
