Opportunities for Volunteering
is a Department of Health funded scheme to encourage volunteering in the
fields of health and social care. Churches Together in England is one of
seventeen National Agents which administer the scheme on behalf of the
Department. The other agents include Age Concern England, Barnado's, MIND, Community Service Volunteers, Scope and Volunteering England.
OFV grants via Churches Together in England are available to churches,
“churches together” groups and other Christian organisations in England
who are using volunteers to provide services to the community.
Other National Agents have their own specialities. Please make sure that
you apply to the most appropriate agent for your project . You can only apply
to ONE agent.
Further information is available on the Department of Health website www.governmentfunding.org.uk which also includes details of other
government-funded grant schemes,or if you have any queries, contact us
at Churches Together in England email: carole.golden@cte.org.uk,
tel: 020 7529 8133.
Volunteering England also has helpful information on its website about the Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme.
CRITERIA FOR FUNDING
Projects:-
Must be based in England and work in a local area or areas
Must provide services or activities that benefit the health and/or social care of
its users
Must focus on involving volunteers in carrying out these services and activities
Must be managed by a management group, which must include representatives
from a local church or “Churches Together” group. National Christian organisations must have a representative of a local church on the management group
Must be governed by a legal document such as a constitution or be part of or sponsored by another organisation which is, (it is not necessary to be registered
as a charity)
Must be based within and/or benefit local communities, and should involve local
people (volunteers and service users) in decision making
Must not have an annual turnover of more than £100,000, (this limit does not
apply to sponsoring organisations or organisations in which the project is based)
Should develop creative and dynamic opportunities for volunteers, and must
develop and carry out good practice principles and systems on volunteer
recruitment and management, including the reimbursement or out-of-pocket
expenses
Must have or be working towards an Equal Opportunities policy and practice,
including the development and promotion of volunteering within socially excluded groups
Must demonstrate that its work will provide longer term benefit for users and volunteers
WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FUND:-
Projects that have received funding through the Scheme before (this does not
apply to sponsoring organisations or organisations in which the project is based)
Core funding
Victim Support Schemes
Projects whose major focus is Social Security and housing benefits advice work
USE OF FUNDS:-
The grants can be used for expenditure such as -
Salaries (any salaried post funded by Churches Together in England must support
the involvement of volunteers in the project’s activities)
Running costs (this does not include presmises costs e.g. rent)
Expenses for volunteers
Training for volunteers, staff and management committee
Office and project equipment
Transport
MAKING AN APPLICATION:-
Funding runs from April each year. Grants are awarded for a maximum of three
years (dependent upon funds being available from Government). The maximum
grant awarded by Churches Together in England is £20,000 pa.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is the 31st October each year.
For further information, contact:
Carole Golden on 020 7529 8133 or email: carole.golden@cte.org.uk
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