Funding is available to community groups in the UK to support a broad range of activities which can contribute towards transforming their community and improving the lives of people in their community. Groups may apply for one Empowering Local Communities grant per year of between £500 and £1,500. Asda Foundation's Empowering Local Communities Grant programme is currently accepting applications for funding for projects under the following four themes: Building Resilient Communities; Active Lives; Seasonal Celebrations and Festivals; Leading Healthier Lives. Deadline: 15 April

Support is available for groups and organisations through the United Kingdom that support young people challenged by abuse and addiction, young carers, and those suffering from homelessness. The 7Stars Foundation is offering grants of up to £2,500 for groups to support young people (aged 16 and under) challenged by abuse and addiction, young carers, and those suffering from homelessness or lack access to a safe space. Funding is intended to help young people who lack opportunities to cope with unfair situations and achieve their potential. Deadline: 31 April

Theatres run by charities and not-for-profit organisations throughout the United Kingdom can apply for funding to support small capital projects that will enable them to remain viable and thrive in the future. Grants of up to £5,000 are available for theatres run by charities and not-for-profit organisations to support small capital projects that will make a big impact on a theatre’s resilience, sustainability, or accessibility, including work to make theatres COVID-secure and ready to reopen. Deadline: 3 May, 12pm

On 31 January, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) paused the rollout of mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for health and social care staff. Following a short consultation on the subject to get feedback, DHSC have now confirmed that health and social care staff will not need a Covid-19 vaccination in order to work with patients. The legislation that required mandatory vaccination will be repealed (cancelled) from 15 March 2022. The legislation requiring Covid-19 vaccines for care home staff and anyone who does any work in a care home will be repealed at the same time.

Dr Murugesan Raja, who is a Manchester GP and Clinical Lead for Respiratory Medicine at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning answered community questions, which were introduced by the presenter of the programme. The questions submitted cover a lot of topics including vaccination questions linked to fertility, 12-15 year olds, the booster and long-term plans around Covid-19. The second part of the interview will be broadcast in Urdu, from 21 March, GP, Dr Sobia Kashif will be answering questions related to Ramadan, 12-15 vaccinations; and also wider questions on boosters and vaccinations.

Proud Connections is the Proud Trusts digital support chat service for LGBT+ young people and the adults who support them. Youth workers are available to provide support online Tuesdays and Thursdays 12pm-6pm.

TRC Sexual Abuse and Rape Support Greater Manchester provide a free, confidential and non-judgemental support service run by women for women and girls who have experienced any form of rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence, whether now or in the past. The service will listen, support and believe you. You are not alone. TRC Sexual Abuse and Rape Support Greater Manchester have launched a live chat which takes place on Wednesday’s, 11.30am - 2pm. It is an online service where you have up to 45 minutes to chat with one of the trained volunteers via instant message.

Step Up MCR is the new place-based giving scheme for Manchester primarily focusing on the neighbourhoods of Ancoats and Beswick and Clayton and Openshaw. Step Up MCR are helping build an exciting and prosperous future for Manchester and are currently looking to expand their Board of Directors and Advisory Panel. Step Up MCR are looking for caring, dynamic and committed people who are passionate about building community and making a real difference to a place and the people who live there.

FutureYou is free, personalised support for 18-24 year olds not in education, employment or training in Greater Manchester. Ingeus delivers FutureYou across Greater Manchester with a specialist partner network. Collectively, the partners work with organisations and employers to break down barriers and help young people progress into local opportunities. FutureYou is designed around each young person and uses a mix of in-person, telephone and online support.

Holyoake House is home to numerous co-operatives and social enterprises, and received its Grade II listed status on 20 June 1988. Co-operative UK are currently considering how the building could be used to best serve the Co-operative movement going forward? What workspace models should be explored, and what wider amenities could the building benefit from? Could the building accommodate tours, exhibitions and events? Deadline: 25 March

To help reduce carbon emissions, supporting NHS and wider government goals, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Customer Experience team want to learn more about the ways in which patients and staff travel to health sites such as hospitals, GPs, clinics and walk-in centres. On 29 and 30 March the team are hosting engagement workshops to provide an opportunity for attendees to share their travel experiences, highlight any potential practical issues encountered when travelling to health sites and to discuss opinions on sustainable transport modes. You need to register to attend by 22 March at 12pm.

> WeStandTogether Difficult Dialogue: Crisis in Europe?
   14 March, 6pm - 7.30pm, In person: Ukrainian Cultural
   Centre or Online via Zoom

> Near Neighbours webinar – Supporting people
   experiencing homelessness
   15 March, 4pm - 5.30pm, Online

> Being bolder and braver on social media, with Mind
   17 March, 2pm - 4pm, Online

> Free Macc webinar: Beginners guide to social media
   30 March, 10am - 11.30am, Online

> Free Macc webinar: Recruit and retain volunteers
   26 April, 10am - 12pm, Online

> 2 x Neighbourhood Health Worker at Greater Manchester
   Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
   Salary: £25,655 - £31,534 per annum | Hours: 37.5 hours
   per week | Deadline: 16 March  

> Homeless Outreach Worker at MASH
   Salary: £17,314 actual | Hours: 21 hours per week |
   Deadline: 20 March 

Our funding search engine is a straight forward FREE service using information from IDOX Information Solutions that can help voluntary, community, social enterprise sector organisations like yours to find suitable funding. By becoming a member of Macc you will gain access to our free funding portal of funding opportunities.

Please note: To be eligible to access our funding portal you must be a voluntary, community, social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations working in the City of Manchester with at least 50% of your beneficiaries in the City of Manchester. VCSE organisations working outside of the City of Manchester, consultants, sole traders, statutory bodies, private businesses and infrastructure organisations who become members of Macc aren’t eligible to access our funding portal. To sign up to become a member of Macc and to access our funding portal, complete our membership form

If you need any help with using the funding portal please email us: [email protected]