Robert Jenerick and Lord Gardiner of Kimble Launch a £3m grant for village halls.

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On Friday 5 April Nottinghamshire MP Robert Jenrick and Defra Minister for Rural Affairs Lord Gardiner launched a £3m grant for the improvement of village halls.

There are 10,000 Village Halls in England and many are key for rural communities; they provide a space for shops, pubs, cafes, fitness, social, healthcare and even education.


Speaking from the launch event in Oxton Village Hall, Mr Jenrick acknowledged the importance of village halls saying, “Village halls are at the heart of rural communities; places where people come together.” He also shared his understanding that “it’s challenging for communities to raise funds.”


Lord Gardiner said, “This launch is to see how we can enhance and improve the facilities, and this will make a big difference for a large number of communities with village halls.”


The scheme will fund up to 20% of eligible costs, with a minimum grant of £10,000 and a maximum grant of £75,000 payable. This means overall scheme costs would be between £50,000 and £375,000.


ACRE Chair, David Emerson CBE said, “We are hugely appreciative for the ongoing recognition from government of village halls.”
The grant is now open for applications and will be managed by CCB’s national network Action for Communities in Rural England (ACRE) on behalf of Defra.

All eligibility, criteria and information and the application process is online, please visit http://acre.org.uk/our-work/village-hall-improvement-grant%20fund

Volunteering opportunities to join the team at Five-a-Day Market Garden

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THYME TOGETHER SESSION VOLUNTEERS

We will be running our Thyme Together sessions for older people starting Thursday 4th April and are appealing for volunteers to assist our session leader Debs to support participants.  The sessions run weekly in the afternoons from 1-3pm on Thursdays through to October 31st 2019 and are an opportunity for older people to come to the garden and take part in gardening and art and craft activities using natural and recycled materials.  There may be some extra sessions to support to fulfil our funder’s requirements.  If you are interested or have taken part before and would like to do so again please email Wendy at wendy@fiveaday.org.uk expressing an interest.

Five A Day Market Garden,
Englefield, near Theale RG7 5EL

GREEN GARDENING/GREEN ART SESSION VOLUNTEERS

We are looking for volunteers for the Green Gardening/Green Art sessions for Adult Learners on Wednesdays 11am – 2pm. You will support our Tutor Debs to deliver a course for 10 weekly sessions.  You will help participants with learning disabilities to learn how to grow plants, participate in practical wildlife activities including pond dipping, sweep netting and log turning and create individual and group artwork and sculptures in the Green Art sessions.

Sessions are adapted to individual  learners.

You will need to be DBS checked as you will be working with vulnerable adults.  These are fun sessions to deliver and very rewarding. 

If you are interested please email Wendy at wendy@fiveaday.org.uk expressing an interest and provide details of any previous experience.

Calling all volunteers that provide food at events like community BBQ’s, cake sales, PTA’s church fetes etc. Come get your level 1 Introductory Certificate in Food Safety

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Community learning is fun, motivating and helps ensure your reach your goal!

Achieve an Introductory Certificate in food safety equivalent to a level 1 qualification. Certified by the CIEH (chartered institute of environmental health)

Suitable for anyone who works/volunteers in a food environment occasionally. For example, those helping at cake sales, scout camps, PTA fundraisers and church fetes.

£20 CCB/CBAS members, £30 volunteers, £50 for those training for paid work

Sat 11 May 10.30 am – 2.30 pm

St. James’ Church Centre, Church Lane, Finchampstead, RG40 4LU. Places must be booked:
https://ccberks.wufoo.com/forms/zug1hxk0lyx5ci/

Your skilled trainer Ally has a post graduate diploma in dietetics, 25 years’ experience of working in the food sector, an affiliate member of the CIEH and a registered trainer with the CIEH.

Why not train with a friend/colleague – it makes learning more enjoyable and it is great to share your experience.