The newsletter for Sutton’s Voluntary and Community Sector March 2016

In this issue: Funding Special - Sutton Soup, Local Giving in

Sutton, funds you may not have heard of and

updates from some local grants schemes

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Susanna’s column Welcome to a special Spring edition of the Networker

and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a

wonderful Easter break.

With the new financial year nearly here, it’s a good

time to think about your finances, and about where

your income is going to come from for the next twelve

months.

We take a look at some of the grant schemes that

gave out funding last year, as well as take a look at

some of the plans for furture ways of funding in Sutton

- from the innovative Sutton Soup, to a new Local

Giving Scheme.

On pages 10-11 you can also see a roundup of a

number of funds you may not have heard of, but which

you may want to take a look at...

This edition we also take a look at the fantastic

contribution Ted Gates MBE made to the voluntary

sector in Sutton over the last 20 years. Ted sadly

passed away in February of this year, and we know he

will be very sorely missed.

Susanna Bennett

Chief Executive SCVS

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In this issue Pages 3-4 - A look forward

Susanna Bennett shares her

thoughts on the year ahead

Page 5 - news

A look at the work of Ted Gates

MBE

Page 6 - news

Merton and Sutton Mediation

and National Citizen Service

Page 7 - Healthwatch Sutton

A new fun from Healthwatch

Pages 8-9 - Funding

Local Giving and Sutton Soup

Pages 10-11 - Funding

Lots of grants and funds to look

into

Pages 12-13 - Funding

Updates on grants given out in

2015

Pages 14-15 - What’s On

Autism Awareness Week and

What’s On in Sutton

Cover pic: - Daffodils—springtime

in Sutton

page3

news

A few thoughts on the year ahead It’s nearly the end of the financial year, and time to look ahead at what the next one may bring. SCVS Chief Executive Susanna Bennett takes a look forward... As we move closer to the new financial year in April 2016 I think many of us feel nervous about what the future might hold for our organisations. But do not despair - recent reports from NCVO confirm the challenges but also suggest some of the possible solutions! The Road Ahead analyses our changing operating environment and identifies key themes for 2016/17.

Still a shrinking state … The report emphasises that cuts are set to continue until at least 2019/20 and that the biggest changes are in local government. “Even if councils stopped filling in potholes, maintaining parks, closed all children’s centres, libraries, museums, leisure centres and turned off every street light they will not have saved enough money to plug the financial black hole they face by 2020. “Lord Porter, Chair, Local Government Association. In the face of this preventative and specialist services will be vulnerable, as councils are forced to focus on their statutory obligations. The services that do remain are likely to be commissioned through a smaller number of larger contracts, coupled with an expectation on providers to reduce their unit costs. The main message here is that charities most likely to buck the trend are those that have stronger relationships with local politicians and commissioners, or are working in partnerships that can deliver services at scale.

Playing digital catch-up … NCVO encourages charities to consider not only their creaking hardware, but some of the opportunities and efficiencies on offer: making better use of data to target services, campaigns and bids; rethinking working patterns and volunteering; using online communication, collaboration and storage tools; using open software, which can reduce costs; and enabling staff to use their own devices, social media and networks. Plus charities need to think about the implications for their beneficiaries and supporters

- what improvements could be made to their services, information, access, engagement and networks?

Getting the house in order … It’s not been a great year for the reputation of charities with aggressive fundraising, excessive pay for senior staff and controversial campaigning all being criticised and public trust at an all-time low. Whilst the main implications are for larger organisations, smaller ones should also anticipate greater scrutiny from funders and donors and so should put their houses in order so that they can be transparent about all their activities. Navigating Change: An analysis of financial trends for small and medium-sized charities outlines the key findings from a research project commissioned by Lloyds Bank Foundation and carried out by NCVO. This will probably resonate with most of you as it highlights the financial challenges and changes facing smaller charities since the financial crash in 2008. • Small and medium-sized charities lost more income proportionally than larger charities Since the financial crisis small and medium-sized charities have lost up to 44% of their income from local and national government and increases in income from individuals have been insufficient to offset these losses. • Smaller charities experienced higher income volatility than larger charities Organisations with less than £1m a year have been particularly affected by insecure income, probably due to dependency on single sources of funding. For charities with income of between £100k-£500k in 2008, one quarter had moved into a lower income band by 2013. • Government funding has failed to create a level playing field Government funding has shifted radically towards competitive commissioning and contract models which favour larger, national charities at the expense of smaller, local ones. • Patterns of income generation and spending changed following government funding cuts. Between 2008/09 and 2012/13 small and medium-sized organisations increased their earned income through fundraising and charitable trading by up to 60%. They decreased their overall spending and, in general, increased the amount that they

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news

spent on generating funds. Charities in the income band £100k–£500k also nearly halved the proportion of their spending that went towards staff costs. (NCVO have commented that this cutting back on infrastructure and staffing means that small charities are losing the capacity to diversify or fundraise, and it seems that the number of funding bids is down as there are not enough staff to write them!). The report makes the following Recommendations:

Public commissioning has to be reformed to ensure resources can reach small and medium-sized charities

Funders, both independent and public, need to take steps to reduce the volatility of small and medium-sized charities’ income

Funders, both independent and public, need to support charities to build their capacity

So what can we do in 2016/17? Campaign for the recommendations in the

Navigating Change Report!

A coalition of national charities has set up the Grants for Good Campaign www.dsc.org.uk/grants-for-good-2 to make the case for the grant funding of voluntary organisations. Please join this important campaign and help promote it locally!

Be really good at demonstrating your impact (the case for the change you make). I went to the NCVO Funding Conference in February and this was identified as the most important thing a charity can do to improve its fundraising prospects. SCVS can help you with this – contact Razia (razia@suttoncvs.org.uk) or Hilary (hilary@suttoncvs.org.uk)

The other important area highlighted by the Funding Conference and echoed in the Road Ahead report is partnership – working together to be able to deliver bigger contracts.

Make the most of digital technology – within your organisation and for those who use your services. Superhighways are a voluntary sector ICT support provider who can help you with this: www.superhighways.org.uk

Review your governance, make sure you are following best practice in all areas and can stand up to any scrutiny. SCVS has just done this using the NCVO Governance Wheel which was a really great tool. If you need more support SCVS runs Trustee Roles and Responsibility training courses covering all the essentials of governance several times a year. Visit the What’s on page of our website to find out what courses are coming up.

NCVO Governance Wheel

news

page5

It is with great sadness that we are

letting you know that Ted Gates

passed away on Monday 1 February;

he had been unwell for some time.

Many of you will have known Ted well through

his involvement with a large number of voluntary

organisations including SCILL, Shopmobility,

SCVS, Sutton Volunteer Centre and Healthwatch

Sutton.

Since the early 1990's he was a familiar face

across the community in Sutton setting up

organisations, chairing them, promoting the

voluntary sector and volunteering, campaigning

to improve the local NHS, and working tirelessly

to improve services and access for people with

disabilities.

Ted was born in Lambeth in 1935 into a poor

but happy family. He grew up in the area and

after the outbreak of World War Two, lived

through the blitz, the family sometimes sleeping

nearby underground stations but more often

staying at home, sheltering under the stairs. One

night they decided to sleep in the crypt of a local

church which proved very lucky as their home

was blown up by a German bomb!

The family was rehomed in West Norwood,

which no doubt gave rise to Ted’s lifelong passion

for the local Crystal Palace football club. In the

1970s and 80s he worked for a haulage company,

then as a transport manager, before travelling

round the world for bank J.P. Morgan. After

returning from a trip to Ecuador, Ted was

diagnosed with the crippling Guillan Barre

syndrome, but this didn’t stop him and he set

about working for charities and voluntary

organisations in Sutton. His commercial

background and first hand experience of

disability was much in demand to help set up a

number of disability schemes in the borough, and

he successfully lobbied the council to set up a

shopmobility scheme in Sutton.

Over the years, he has worked with a myriad

of local charities as a trustee, board, member,

Chairman or in an advisory capacity including;

Sutton Shopmobility, Sutton CVS, Sutton

Volunteer Bureau, Banstead Mobility Centre,

Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation, Sutton Town

Centre Management, Sutton Disability Liaison

Forum, Epsom & St Helier Access and Equality

Group, Sutton Community Transport, Sutton

Disabled Trust Fund, SW London Community

Trust Access Group, Sutton Centre for

Independent Living, Epsom and St Helier

Hospital Trust, MSW Health Authority, St.

Andrew’s Church, SCILL and Healthwatch

Sutton.

He was also a keen fundraiser, raising an

estimated £200,000 for local organisations

through various activities including four

wheelchair half marathons.

In 2001 he was awarded an extremely well

deserved MBE for 'services to Disabled People in

Surrey', and he was also awarded the ‘Londoner

for the Year Award’ for Sutton.

Through his work he contributed to making

Sutton a better place and improving the lives of

local residents, and will be greatly missed.

Ted Gates MBE

Ted Gates MBE

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Picture caption

news

We are sad to have to announce the

closure of a group many of you will

have worked with in the past - Merton

and Sutton Mediation. They take a

look back at some of their

achievements over the past 13 years.

Merton and Sutton Mediation was set up in 2003

to provide community mediation services and

training for residents of Merton and Sutton. In

over 10 years, we have handled around 1000

referrals from local partners, including police and

social housing providers in both boroughs, and

have supported over 2000 local residents and

their families to resolve their disputes positively.

We have trained over a hundred local people

as volunteer mediators, who have worked with

the paid members of staff to provide the service,

many of them volunteering for more than five

years.

We have also delivered training in managing

conflict positively to workplace managers, midday

supervisors in schools, police and housing officers

and many others.

We have been involved in community projects

in partnership with local community and faith

groups, to bring local people together for the

benefit of their community.

As with many organisations, the last two or

three years have been very challenging for Merton

and Sutton Mediation (MSM). Unfortunately, we

are now in a financial position where it will be

difficult for us to continue offering our current

level of service. It is for this reason that the

Trustees of MSM have had to take the decision to

wind up MSM from 31 March 2016.

MSM is proud of its achievements. In

particular it is leaving a legacy of professional

community mediation in the local area by working

with and handing over to Confidential and Local

Mediation (CALM), a community mediation

organisation who work across several London

boroughs, with offices in Hammersmith.

When MSM cease to operate as an

organisation, CALM Mediation are planning to

offer a service to our existing clients, continuing

to use local mediators. CALM are also interested

in developing local project work where possible.

For more information about CALM, please

contact the Director:

Corinne Rechais, CALM, Unit 10, Berghem Mews,

Blythe Road, London W14 0HN

infocalm@calmmediation.org, 020 7603 4014

www.calmmediation.org

Merton and Sutton Mediation

National Citizen Service SCVS is supporting the National Citizen

Service (NCS) - a once-in-a lifetime

opportunity for young people aged 16 – 17

which takes place during the summer

holidays. Read on to find out more...

This year, over 700 Sutton teens will be working

with 60 community partners hoping to make a

positive difference in the borough.

NCS is a government-funded programme

which helps young people build skills for work

and life and is also an opportunity for them to

meet new people and connect with their local

area.

Following an action-packed stay at an outdoor

centre and a week spent learning a new skill in a

university-style setting, participating young

people will team up to run community campaigns

for local charities and community organisations.

In Sutton, local teens will be partnered with

organisations such as Sutton Voice, Sutton

Community Farm, Sutton Housing Partnership,

Sutton Libraries, Age UK Sutton, Sutton Ecology

Centre and Carshalton Lavender to name but a

few.

Working closely with their community

partner, NCS participants will learn about the

organisation and the value of volunteering and

social action. Activities this summer include: a

youth-led health and wellbeing event – with

support from local Housing Associations – and a

day of crop harvesting with Carshalton Lavender.

In Greater London and Surrey, NCS is

delivered by The Challenge which is country’s

largest provider of NCS. Since 2009, 70,000

young people have taken part in NCS with over

5,000 community partners benefitting from this

social action programme.

For more information about the programme,

visit www.ncsthechallenge.org, or come along to

our next Children and Young People’s Forum.

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Health-

The NHS in south west London, and Surrey Downs, is working with Healthwatch Sutton to speak to local people about what they think of local health services. They would particularly like to speak

to people who do not normally share their views about local health services (seldom heard communities).

What can the money be used for? We would like to fund activities and events that would be enjoyable for Sutton residents. Examples could include: dinner dances; pottery classes; fun days; drop in sessions; afternoon tea etc. The local NHS would attend these events/activities and spend part of the time talking to people local health services.

Who can apply for the funding? Local groups and voluntary sector organisations who work with or support; Older people Younger people People with physical and/or learning disabilities, People with mental health conditions Transgender people LGBQ communities Pregnant women/new mums People from different races and of different religions Carers Socio-economically deprived communities Working population

When does the activity need to be held? All events/activities need to be held by the end of 2016

How to apply Please complete a short application form which explains: what activity you would like to run; who you will be inviting/reaching; when the activity is going to take place and how best you think NHS staff could engage with people at the event.

For application forms and further information please contact: Sara Thomas sara@suttoncvs.org.uk or Pam Howe pam@suttoncvs.org.uk or call 0208 6419540

Funding opportunity

Would you like to hold an event/activity for your local group or community? We are offering grants up to £750 to run one-off events or activities with local people.

Volunteer Centre

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funding

Have you heard of Local Giving?

Funded by the Sutton Community

Fund and the City Bridge Trust, SCVS

is working to develop a Local Giving

Scheme in Sutton, which would provide

a way for businesses to get more closely

involved with the local voluntary

sector.

Across the country Local Giving Schemes are

building partnerships between the voluntary,

public and business sectors. These schemes

encourage businesses and residents to become

more involved with their communities and help

support vulnerable residents. The schemes also

increase donations - of time, support in kind and

money to fund projects in priority areas of need.

Successful examples of Local Giving Schemes

are already running in Islington, Hackney and

Kingston, and further schemes are being

developed in other boroughs such as Barnet and

Southwark. These are supported by London’s

Giving Network (London Funders) which is

providing resources and sharing good practice.

So why is this Local Giving model needed in

Sutton?

Community Need

High levels of deprivation in certain wards

(Rosehill, St Helier and the Wrythe); significant

health inequalities e.g. women in the most

affluent wards live on average 8 years longer than

those in the most deprived ; 16% of young people

live in poverty; and there is increasing isolation

amongst older people.

Changing Population

The Office for National Statistics estimate that by

2022 the number of young people (0 to 19) will

increase by 17.5%, and older people (65+) by

20.8%. Sutton is becoming more diverse with a

21% increase in the Black and Ethnic Minority

population since 2001.

Funding Reductions

VCOs are experiencing a significant

increase in demand for services +

substantial funding reductions. A recent

report (A financial sustainability review of

the voluntary sector, NCVO, July 2015)

highlights that small/medium charities

experienced a 38% cut in their income from

government sources between 2007/8 and

2012/13.

SCVS is working towards launching a Local

Giving Scheme in Sutton—Sutton Giving, in

September, and is also developing a long

term strategy (2016-19) with income

generation targets. We are also working on

developing relationships with local

businesses and identifying champions

within the business community.

To find out more about the scheme and

our plans, please contact Susanna at SCVS

on 020 8644 2867, or email her at

susanna@suttoncvs.org.uk.

Local Giving – a new way of funding Sutton’s voluntary sector?

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funding

A delicious new soup Have you heard of Sutton Soup? The

first soup will take place next month,

and offers a fun and different evening

for £5, helping good community

projects get started. With food,

refreshments, entertainment and

voting.

Sutton Soup is a socially-focused crowdfunding

project, in which members of the community pay

a small donation in return for a bowl of soup and

the right to vote for one of four local good causes,

pitching to win the prize fund. The winning pitch

gets to take away ALL the money donated on the

night.

You might be wondering 'what is Sutton

Soup?' Well, it's what is known as a 'community

micro-finance project' for the people of Sutton

based on the very successful Detroit Soup model.

The basic aim is to create funding for local

community projects - bringing people together

along the way.

So what happens is: we meet, everyone

donates what they can afford to the kitty

(suggested donation £5), we eat, all the

organisations with a case to put forward make

their pitch, we vote for the one we like best and

the winner gets the cash. They have to come back

at the next Soup and tell us all how their plan

went.

£5 for food, musical entertainment and a vote

to choose which of 4 community projects get some

funding.

1. Eat some delicious home made soup and

bread whilst chatting to people about the

projects.

2. Listen to 4 people give a quick passionate

pitch on a community project that needs

funding.

3. Vote for your favourite project – and the one

with the most votes gets ALL the donated

money.

4. Enjoy our pianist until the winner is

announced.

Sutton Soup is a Dragons Den for local good

causes in which you are the Dragon.

Sutton Soup would like to invite you to their

next soup, at St Nicholas Church on Thursday

21st April, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

To book your tickets for April’s Sutton Soup

please visit http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sutton-

soup-9828223328

To find out more about Sutton Soup visit the

website at www.suttonsoup.org.uk or email

adminteam@suttonsoup.org.ukPlease note:

Sutton Soup will be held in the beautiful venue of

St. Nicholas Church but it is NOT a religious

event. We welcome people of all faiths (and those

with none!). Nor are we aligned to any political

party. All are welcome whatever their views/

background and we are hoping that Sutton Soup

will reflect the vibrant and diverse population of

Sutton.

funding

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Money, money, money... Money - one thing that all charities

and voluntary organisations could do

with more of, but something that is not

that easy to come by...

However, there are loads of funds out there you

can apply for - it’s just knowing where to look and

then writing that perfect bid. This edition we’ve

pulled together a host of funding opportunities

you may not have heard of - have a look through

and see what you could apply for.

Love Your Yew

Small grants of up to £400 to cover the costs of

essential maintenance work and inspection of

yew tress on land owned by a not for profit

organisation or church.

Find out more

Henry Smith Charity The Henry Smith

Charity is a large

grant making

charity that makes

grants totalling

approximately £25

million each year to

up to 1,000

organisations and charities throughout the UK

for initiatives and projects that address social

inequality and economic disadvantage.

Find out more

Living Wandle Landscape The HLF Living Wandle Landscape Partnership

Scheme (LWLPS) is looking to release some

money to fund new projects in Spring 2016. It is

likely that the total sum available will be

£60,000, from this, a variety of smaller projects

will be funded. The deadline for applications to

this fund has been extended to 13th April.

Find out more

The Yapp Charitable Trust The trust offers grants to registered charities

with a total annual expenditure of less than

£40,000, who are undertaking work with their

priority groups which include elderly people,

young people aged 5–25 and people with physical

impairments, learning difficulties or mental

health challenges, social welfare project or

education and learning projects.

Find out more

Funding for Leagues Scheme Grants between £350 and £1,000 are available for

football leagues (outside of the National League

System or below Step W4 in the Women’s

Pyramid of Football) for the purchase of

equipment that assists in the administration of

the league.

Find out more

Hospital Saturday Fund The Hospital Saturday Fund will award grants to

individuals with a medical condition or disability

or registered health charities such as hospitals,

hospices, medical organisations who are in need

of grants for

medical projects,

care, research or

support of

medical training.

Find out more

Peter Cruddas Foundation The Foundation awards grants for organisations

that help disadvantaged or disengaged young

people get a

better education.

Find out more

funding

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E-on Energy Action Fund

Local community centres that need to improve

their energy efficiency and schools or charities

looking to add a spark to the area through energy

education, can all apply for funding.

Find out more

Bailey Thomas Charitable Fund

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund is a grant

making registered charity which was established

primarily to aid the research into learning

disability and to aid the care and relief of those

affected by learning disability by making grants to

voluntary organisations working in this field.

Find out more

New Beginnings Fund This fund will support local groups working to

welcome refugees and asylum seekers into their

local communities, through existing or new

services.

The fund is particularly interested in groups

who are working to get their local communities

involved in volunteering and supporting their

work to promote integration and welcome new

arrivals. Deadline 29th March 2016.

Find out more

Community Trees Fund This grant fund is open to community groups,

both formal and ad hoc, within the United

Kingdom. Please ensure that children under the

age of 16 are

included in the

planting project.

They will fund up

to 4 fruit trees (but

no more than that)

on semi-vigorous,

vigorous and very

vigorous

rootstocks.

Find out more

FreeSport FreeSport funds sports clubs, youth groups and

community organisations that provide free sport

activities for Londoners. Grants of up to £1,500

available. FreeSport grants are awarded to

approximately 150 different organisations across

London twice a year. These grants are for projects

to run during the summer (July to October) and

the winter (January to April).

Find out more

Foyle Foundation

The Foundation's Small Grants Scheme is

designed to support smaller charities in the UK,

with an annual turnover of less than £100,000 per

annum. They will award grants of between £1,000

and £10,000 to charities which can demonstrate

that such a grant will make a significant

difference to their work.

Find out more

The Discovery Foundation

Previously known as the Santander Foundation,

the Discovery Foundation offers funding to

support local charities, community interest

companies and credit unions that are helping

disadvantaged people locally across the UK.

£5,000 is available and forms can be picked

up at any Santander branch or downloaded

online.

Find out more

Bags of Help The second round of funding for

the Tesco Bags of Help scheme

will open for applications on 18

April 2016. Bags of Help is

administered by Groundwork

and funded by Tesco customers

from the proceeds of the 5p

charge for plastic carrier bags.

Find out more

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funding

In December 2014 SCVS was asked to

administer the Pro Active Sutton Physical

Activity and Sports Development Fund. We

take a look at one of the projects helped by

the fund. The Physical Activity and Sports

Development Fund was a grants funding

programme, financed by Sutton Council and

Public Health to support projects that improved

the take up and maintenance of physical activity

and sport by Sutton residents.

Community sports clubs and groups and

voluntary and community groups that provide (or

could provide) sport and physical activities to

benefit Sutton residents were encouraged to apply

for grants up to a maximum of £1,000.

16 grants were awarded totalling £15,280 to a

groups offering a wide range of activities such as

Yoga, upskill staff to deliver sports activities,

tennis sessions, exercise classes for people with

cardiovascular disease, chair based exercises, line

dancing, running-club sessions.

Age UK Sutton received £1,000 from the

fund to deliver Nordic Walking Sessions in

Manor Park and provided a case study to

demonstrate the benefits of this project:

Mrs A is 66 years old. She was recently

widowed and was suffering from depression

when we first met her. After the death of

her husband she had become the sole carer

for her adult son who has learning

difficulties, epilepsy and who is prone to fits.

As a result he cannot be left alone for long

periods. Mrs A was becoming lonely. She had

stopped taking part in outside activities and

hobbies she once enjoyed.

Mrs A was receiving some support from

Sutton Carers Centre who referred her to

Age UK Sutton as they knew we had a number of

social activities which might appeal to her.

After a full assessment of her needs and

current situation we discovered that Mrs A

previously liked to knit but since the start of her

depression found it difficult to concentrate. We

also knew that she only had a few hours a week

when her son was with his personal assistant to

get out and that she wanted to be nearby.

We suggested Nordic Walking as an idea for

her to get out in the open air and help her to

make new friends. Another advantage was that

the group met near to Sutton College where her

son attended a class with his PA, so Mrs A was

reassured that she would be nearby if needed.

Mrs A reported to us that after attending the

group for 10 weeks she no longer needs to take

medication for depression and has made new

friends. She also reported that not only did she

feel a real boost in confidence but that a long term

shoulder problem had also cleared up!

Mrs A said ‘Nordic Walking has improved my

flexibility and I have made some good friends,

thank you.’

Pro-active Sutton Physical Activity and Sports Development Fund

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funding

The James Trust At the end of last year the James Trust offered

grants to enhance the life chances of adults and

young adults with a learning disability and/or

mental health issues, living in the London

Borough of Sutton.

The James Trust was the vision of the late

Richard James, a lifelong resident of the London

Borough of Sutton who remained in his parents'

Sutton home until his death. As a young man

Richard studied art at the Slade School of Fine

Art in London, and was at one time a window

designer for the Gorringes department store in

Buckingham Palace Road, London which closed in

the 1960s.

For many years he ran a Puppet Theatre,

designing and making his own puppets and

delivering shows all over the area. He was a

lifelong Opera enthusiast and Friend of the

English National Opera, travelling across the UK

and Europe to see performances, gaining him a

wide circle of friends.

As far back as the 1960s Richard conceived

the idea of using and sharing his family home as

a safe and comfortable environment for people

with learning disability who would benefit from

independent living. For over 30 years he was part

of the Sutton Adult Placement Scheme a fostering

programme, now called the Shared Lives Scheme,

sharing his home with David Hunt who had both

a learning disability and mental health problems.

He set up the James Trust prior to his death

in 2007. The Trust continued to support David, in

Richard's home, until David's untimely death in

2014. The house was then sold and the Trust now

focusses on giving both large and small grants to

organisations who provide life chances for those

who have a learning disability* and who live

within the London Borough of Sutton.

The Awards given in January 2016 were:

Sutton Mencap - £140,000 for the Circles of

Support Project. This is a group of people who

meet together on a regular basis to help somebody

accomplish their personal goals in life.

The Change Foundation - £149,840 for the Sutton

Futures Project which will engage with residents

and give them access to expert coach mentors and

will participate in sport and arts projects.

Roundabout - £52,545 to run “dramatherapy in

the community” project for adults with learning

disabilities

They are in negotiations with a fourth applicant.

Sutton Community Fund - deadline approaching

The Sutton Community Fund awards grants of between £300 and £10,000 to projects that benefit Sutton's residents. Grants awarded must be used within 1 year. Applications are now being accepted for the next round of grants. The application process is quite straight forward but it is important that you read the guidance notes before applying, and please make sure that you have all the documents listed on the checklist. The next deadline is 5pm, Monday 4th April 2016. Find out more

what’s on

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Get Autism Aware It’s nearly time for World Autism Awareness Week 2016. This year the week will run from Saturday 2nd April to Friday 8th April. Sutton Council’s Dominique Sydamah tells us what it’s all about, and how you can help in Sutton. On 2nd April every year, the global autism community celebrates World Autism Awareness Day with fundraising and awareness raising events. This follows a unanimous declaration by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 to designate this day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of children and adults, who are affected by autism, so they can lead full and meaningful lives. Autism is a lifelong disability which impacts on how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. Around 700,000 people in the UK have autism. There is lots of information and guidance available on Autism—you can find out more about autism, and about World Autism Awareness Day on the National Autistic Society’s website at www.autism.org.uk or on the Autism Speaks website at www.autismspeaks.org.

What is happening in Sutton?

In Sutton, the Adult Autism Strategy Steering Group provides oversight and steer in the implementation of the Sutton Autism Strategy Framework. This group consists of local champions and interested stakeholders working together to make Sutton an ‘autism aware and

friendly place’ to live in. In times of austerity, it is imperative that we make the best use of resources that currently exist and seek to obtain new ones when the opportunities arise. The implementation of the Suttons Adult Autism Framework is based on the 9 objectives to mirror the requirements of the Autism Statutory Guidance. Each objectives has its’ own work stream as follows: 1. Training, raising awareness & understanding 2. Identification, assessment diagnosis and service provision 3. Transition planning to adult services 4. Leadership planning 5. Preventative support and safeguarding 6. Reasonable adjustments and Equality 7. Complex Challenging Needs 8. Employment 9. Criminal Justice Our aim is to make Sutton an ‘autism aware and friendly’ place to live in. Our success will be judged by people with autism having better access to mainstream services, where they feel valued; respected; and supported in the community. We are looking for people to join us and help to achieve our aim. We recognise we are not there yet, but we are committed to work and support this work so that we make a difference. If you can spare an hour or so every three months, please come and join us. If you would like to know more about the Sutton Autism Strategy Steering Group, please contact; Dominique Sydamah

Head of Health Service Development London Borough of Sutton: Email: dominique.sydamah@sutton.gov.uk. Tel: 020 8770 6816. For More information from the council about autism, please look at the following pages on their website: Sutton Council Autism information Sutton Autism Strategy Framework

Chief Executive: Susanna Bennett

Communications and Admin:

Claire Avery

Jackie Parr

Development Team

Razia Sattar

Hilary Chisnall

Accountancy Services:

Glory Sivaraja

Laura Corney

Creative Payroll Solutions Ltd

(CPS):

Karen Adorjan

Tina Green

Grove House Project

Jon Ward

Healthwatch Sutton

Pete Flavell

Pam Howe

Sara Thomas

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Granfers Community Centre,

73-79 Oakhill Road,

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www.suttoncvs.org.uk

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Apr – May 2016

Wallington Farmers Market Saturday 9th April, 9am-1pm

Old Town Hall and Library Gardens,

Wallington

Get along to the borough’s oldest farmers

market and buy fresh, local produce direct from the

producers.

www.ecolocalmarkets.org.uk

South West London Question Time Monday 11th April, 7.15pm

The Secombe Theatre, Sutton

Do you feel strongly about an issue that you want to raise

with your mayoral candidates? Are you undecided about

whom to vote for in May’s mayoral election?

www.suttontheatres.co.uk

Knights, Damsels and Dragons afternoon Sunday 24th April, 2-5pm

Honeywood Museum, Carshalton

Fly the flag for St. George’s Day and come to Honeywood to

hunt the dragons. Lots of fun with themed crafts, trails and

more. Come dressed as a Knight or Princess for the

occasion for a small prize

www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk

The Sue Robson Fund charity event Sunday 1st May

Carshalton Athletic FC

The family and friends of Sue Robson are raising money for

The Brain Tumour Charity in her name - Sue Robson fund

– and have already secured an impressive £4669!

They are now organising a May 1st Charity Event at

Carshalton Athletic FC - a great excuse to all get together

for an evening to remember and to raise more money for

The Brain Tumour Charity (all proceeds will go to the Sue

Robson Fund).

The evening will kick off at 7.30pm, tickets are £22 and

will get you a hot buffet dinner, live entertainment and

access to an exclusive charity auction.

Find out more and book tickets

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Contact us today: t: 020 8644 2867 e: creativepayroll@suttoncvs.org.uk w. www.cpspayroll.co.uk

Get CPS to manage your payroll and see how much time you could save

Focus on service delivery - getting us to sort out your payroll means that you can concentrate on what’s important for your organisation

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