The Join In Stay In Fund will award grants of up to £50,000 and significant non-financial support from a behavioural science evaluation partner, for organisations to undertake Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) to understand which interventions work best in retaining volunteers who are 50 and over following a large one-off volunteering event. 
The Give More Get More Fund is a partnership between Nesta and the Office for Civil Society which will support organisations to develop and test intensive volunteering placements for people during, or as they approach, retirement, that create clear impact alongside public services. For example, you might be a hospital that can offer placements for three months for people to radically improve patients’ well-being and outcomes, or a charity who can create intensive placements for people in schools to improve literacy and attainment.
We streamed our Spirit of Manchester Awards live, on Thursday 6 October.
You can watch our awards ceremony below.
Could you make a contribution to this local charity?
Do you have a background in finance?
Would you get satisfaction from helping to direct a local charity? 
Watch our Chief Executive, Mike Wild talk about our upcoming Spirit of Manchester Awards on That's Manchester TV
Microvolunteering and online volunteering may not be the first things that spring to mind for people looking at volunteering opportunities. Traditional volunteering roles usually involve spending time on site with an organisation working with other staff, volunteers or service users, or maybe volunteering at an event.
Every Friday afternoon starting at the beginning of September 2016, there has been a FC United of Manchester Sporting Memories Group for Manchester United supporters to meet and bring stories of football from the past. These stories go back as far as the Second World War and also discuss the wider social changes at the particular time. The group members also bring photographs and memorabilia of football matches such as the 1968 European Cup Final. The group is open to anyone and it's aim is to address health issues such as dementia, depression, and loneliness and isolation.
Last night (Wednesday 21st September), George House Trust (GHT) held its Annual General Meeting. It has a unique governance structure, one that fully involves the people who use GHT services and the volunteers. It is part of what makes the culture of GHT, a culture where everyone is valued, everyone is equal.
In Manchester, Step Together are supporting disadvantaged young people and ex-offenders to develop the personal and practical skills required to build a more positive future. We provide tailored one-to-one support to help individuals into volunteering placements that match their needs and interests.
Set up as a Community Interest Company in 2012, 4 Steps is supported by Manchester City Council and provides information, advice and guidance to people seeking to improve their employment prospects and to VCSE organisations wanting to grow and become more sustainable.