Members News
Here at CommUNITY Barnet we are eager to celebrate the wins and successes of our members.
In these times of cutbacks and change, it is all the more important to shout about it when we are awarded a grant or a contract, or receive some form of recognition – so please let us know! For example – have you received a grant, or set up a social enterprise, or made a significant change as a result of attending one of our training events? Have you developed an existing or new service for the benefit of your users? Have you perhaps set up a partnership or acquired an important supporter?
Please email your stories to marilyn.keats@communitybarnet.org.uk and let’s inspire and encourage each other whilst sharing our achievements!
* Good news from Energise Barnet *
January 2012: Energise Barnet, a community initiative set up by local residents, has recently been awarded £37,500 as part of Barnet Council’s Big Society Innovation Bank, a £600,000 fund created to help kick-start citizen- and community-led projects. Further details of all the Round One BSIB awards can be viewed here.
By helping local residents to realise their green potential, Energise Barnet hopes to bring down energy bills and increase carbon awareness.
Energise Barnet received seed funding after coming top in a competition to find ideas to accelerate the creation of a sustainable energy system. ‘Gatecrashing the UK Energy sector’ was a competition run by Forum for the Future. Read more here.
Nigel Farren of Energise Barnet has also been selected as the only London representative on a newly formed ‘Community Energy Contact Group’ convened by Energy Minister Greg Barker. The first meeting of the Group took place in December with Nigel joining eight other community groups and organisations from across the UK who will help DECC understand the issues and opportunities facing communities setting up local renewable energy initiatives. Further details on Energise Barnet’s involvement in the Group can be read on the following news report.
Sangam Centre awarded £120,000 from Big Lottery!
Let’s start the ball rolling with the exciting news that the Sangam Centre has been awarded nearly £120,000 over 3 years to employ counselling practitioners for its Domestic Violence Service. Avinash Mandalia of the centre said: “Thank you for all your help with the funding application. It was invaluable.”
Sangam is a not-for-profit charity organisation founded and managed by Asian Women and in 2006 was proud to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The group provides information, advice and support to all communities in London, put on a range of events (including a Valentine’s evening on 13th February!) - and also have extensive space to hire in their Colindale premises. (You may remember CommUNITY Barnet held its recent AGM there).
For full details of all the Centre’s activities, see their website.
