The Big Lottery Fund launched their new Strategic Framework in April 2015, which is resulting in changes to how they work with organisations and communities. As part of their commitment to deliver on their promise of putting ‘people in the lead’, The Big Lottery have asked an organisation called EY Seren to work alongside them for a short period of time, with a view to helping to improve the small grants offer (currently Awards for All). 
The aim of this is to ensure that the Big Lottery:
• work with the strengths and assets that exist in all communities
• consider and consult with customers, to help shape how they do things in future
• develop an approach to funding that is available to a wider range of communities and interest groups than it is currently
• establish an on-line application option
The Big Lottery want to move quickly to make this transformation and to help them do so, they would like to invite local organisations to a face-to-face session in Manchester on Wednesday 13 July.
A range of organisations are being invited – only some of whom will have had funding from the Big Lottery Fund. The Big Lottery is essentially looking to hear from anybody who has applied or would consider applying for funding in the future.
The session will be talking about what groups see as the biggest barriers to funding as well as sharing some suggestions about how The Big Lottery could remove these and work differently. It will be a practical session about how The Big Lottery can create a simple approach that improves access and provides support where it is most needed.
The session is reasonably small, with representation from around 20 organisations and will be held on Wednesday 13 July 2016 at King’s House Conference Centre, King’s Church, Sidney Street, Manchester, M1 7HB from 11am to 2.30pm, with a break for lunch.
All reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
As there are a fixed number of spaces, this will be on a first come, first served basis and is one person per organisation to ensure the widest spread possible.
If you would like to attend email: [email protected]