Help us continue our work by becoming a member!

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Membership is open to anyone who share our aims and would like to further the work of our charity.

The cost of membership for 2022 is £42 for parish/town councils and voluntary or community organisations or £20 for individuals. In order to join our service you can click here to complete the online form and then arrange payment; https://ccberks.wufoo.com/forms/sc2hujw0st0kk9/

Becoming a member of CCB is an effective and rewarding route to building connections, accessing information, training and support, and helping to ensure communities like yours are strong, successful and well represented.

As we face increasing demands on our resources, our members support helps us to continue to deliver and develop projects that help people and groups that need us most in your community.

Our members are really important to us and are always at the core of what we do and why we do it. Benefits to members are outlined below:

Benefits of Membership

  • Free or discounted training opportunities at our range of courses that ultimately all focus on strengthening communities.
  • An invitation to attend focus groups and have an important say in our future priorities and work.
  • The opportunity to become a CCB Trustee and to nominate and elect members to our Board.
  • An invitation to attend our annual training workshop and Annual General Meeting (1 vote per membership)
  • Monthly e-bulletins and updates on our work including services, funding opportunities, events and training workshops that may be of benefit to you, your colleagues and community.
  • The opportunity to market your community events, news or local facilities via our e-bulletin and website.
  • Prompt access to the CCB team who will be available to discuss issues affecting your community.

Any questions? Get in contact with us at admin@ccberks.org.uk

Energy Advice by Helen Dean

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We are aware that more and more families are struggling financially. Citizens Advice are also saying that almost half of the people they help are in a negative budget – they have more essential spending going out than coming in.

The government have recently announced measures to help with the cost of living – see their factsheet – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-living-support/cost-of-living-support-factsheet-26-may-2022

Frontline workers in Berkshire can refer low-income families they support for telephone advice on reducing their bills, and help with utility debt by emailing Helen on helen.dean@ccberks.org.uk

If you run a group for families with good numbers of low-income families attending, please contact Helen to arrange an advice session at your group.

Small rural charities say they are having increasing problems using banking services .

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ACRE’s Policy Adviser, Jeremy Leggett blogs on emerging findings from a survey of community organisations who claim it is becoming even more difficult to manage their bank accounts as services move online

For the last few months, ACRE Network members, of which CCB is one, have been receiving cries for help from rural community organisations over banking services. The ‘presenting symptoms’ have been further closures of rural bank branches, sudden imposition of charges, difficulties changing signatories and problems resulting from trying to move to online banking.

It is often the case that rural areas experience the downside of economic and consumer trends before urban areas due to their smaller populations and reduced incentive for the market to offer choice. They can also be slower to receive the benefits of change for the same reason. Rural areas have recent experience of this in the commercially led roll-out of both broadband and mobile phone networks. However, in the case of access to banking services, rural community organisations have not been alone; many urban small charities are voicing similar concerns. To read the rest of this article click here.

Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Improvement Grant Fund

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A new 3-million-pound Village Halls fund was recently announced to co-inside with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Details need to be finalised before the fund goes live, however, our Community Buildings Advisor, Kate, has completed a list of Q & A’s below that may be
helpful.

Q. Who can apply for the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund?
A. Groups responsible for village halls in England may be eligible to apply for the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Grant Fund. Full details of the application process and the eligibility criteria will be published shortly.


Q. What can the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund be used for?
A. The Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Grant Fund is intended to support the modernisation and restoration of village halls across England. Full details of the application process and the eligibility criteria will be published shortly.
It’s expected that the fund will support capital improvements, such as:
• Extensions and internal reconfigurations
• New roof and roof refurbishment which includes insulation
• Improvements that help to increase energy efficiency
• Refurbishment of toilets and kitchens
• Damp proofing
• Installation of Wi-Fi
• Guttering, repointing, and drainage
• Replacement of external and/or internal doors


Q. When can I apply for the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund?
A. Further detail of when the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Grant Fund will be launched will be announced later this year.

Q. How can I apply for the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund?
A. Groups responsible for village halls in England may be eligible to apply for the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Grant Fund. Full details of the application process and the eligibility criteria and will be announced later this year.

Q. How will this impact rural communities?
A. This fund will have a positive impact on rural communities, restoring these facilities will ensure that local people can continue to benefit from them well into the future.

Q. Where is the funding available?
A. The fund will be open to applications from village halls based in England

Q. Which halls will benefit?
A. The eligibility criteria and all funding information will be announced shortly.

Q. Why 125 halls?
A. This is an estimated figure based on the number supported through the current fund – it may be dependent on the applications that come in and the final criteria that are agreed.
Full details of the application process and the eligibility criteria for village halls wishing to apply for the fund are yet to be released by the government. In the meantime, our national body Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is recommending halls complete a short form to register their interest and be kept informed about developments.

It’s always lovely to receive recognition; rewarding achievement through the honours system

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Do you know anyone who has gone the extra mile in delivering outstanding quality in your charity or community?

Did you know that anyone can nominate anyone for an honour (except themselves!)?  

Maybe If you work with remarkable colleagues or volunteers who you think deserve to have their exceptional contributions acknowledged, join our session to find out what to do  
People get honours for achievements like making a difference to their community or field of work, long-term voluntary service and for improving life for people less able to help themselves.  

REWARDING ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH THE HONOURS SYSTEM – Wednesday 20 July 1030-1200

Nominate someone for an honour or award: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This session will guide you through the honours system including how to nominate a colleague, friend or someone else you know.  It’s a great way to recognise people who’ve really changed things for the better and the Home Office is keen to ensure that our charity partners have the best chance of success with the nominations they submit.  

As well as explaining the internal workings of honours committees and how decisions are made, we will also provide advice on how to demonstrate the outstanding quality of the person you are nominating, with hints and tips based on the experience of the Home Office Honours Team including:

  • How to structure the nomination; 
  • What you should have in, and what to leave out; 
  • Getting to grips with the official citation form

You can only nominate an individual for an honour.  To nominate a volunteer group or team, try the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.