The latest local and national VCSE sector news

Happiness Together Fund Now Open

HARIBO, in partnership with Community Foundation Wakefield District, have now entered the second year of their four-year grant programme - the HARIBO Happiness Together Fund.

Feb 14, 2023

New Trustee: Antony Nelson joins Nova's Board

We're pleased to announce that Antony joined Nova's Board of Trustees in February 2023.

Feb 13, 2023

Resource for Members: Voter ID Easy Read Booklet

Does your organisation work with people with learning disabilities? You might find this booklet helpful to explain changes in the voting process.

Feb 9, 2023

What's Next for Nova? Have your say!

What matters most for the VCSE sector in Wakefield District? Have your say on Nova's priorities for the next 3 years by getting involved with our consultation.

Feb 8, 2023

Improve your health & wellbeing through self-help workshops

Live Well Wakefield, working in partnership with Nova, offer a range of short, free workshops and longer courses to help you improve or maintain your general health and wellbeing.

Feb 7, 2023

Key Awareness & Cultural Dates for Your Calendar

Wakefield Council have produced a 2023 cultural calendar, which you might find useful for planning events and campaigns.

Feb 6, 2023

National Cyber Security Centre’s Charity Sector Threat Report

This report has been developed with Boards and trustees in mind, highlighting key threats charities face in 2023 and beyond.

Feb 2, 2023

Member Spotlight: Empath Theatre CIC

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District. We hope you enjoy hearing from Empath Theatre CIC!

Jan 30, 2023

Time to Talk: Starting mental health conversations

It’s Time to Talk day on 2 February, here's some resources you can use to start mental health conversations.

Jan 30, 2023

New research demonstrates the impact and value of infrastructure organisations (including Nova!)

Back in November, the Connecting Locally research report by the Centre for Regional, Economic and Social Research (CRSER) at Sheffield Hallam University was launched, demonstrating the impact and value of local infrastructure organisations.

Jan 26, 2023

Could you be a voice for our local VCSE sector?

We're recruiting VCSE Advocates to ensure that our sector is fully represented at every level of decision making, have you applied?

Jan 25, 2023

New Three Year Grants to Support Wakefield City Centre Communities

Grants of £10,000 to £25,000 per year are available through the Third Sector Framework, funding VCSE organisations that support communities with the highest deprivation and poorest health outcomes in Wakefield City Centre.

Nov 20, 2024

Challenging Plans To Increase Employer National Insurance for VCSE Organisations

It’s becoming more and more challenging for VCSE organisations to keep delivering their services that support and enrich communities.

Nov 13, 2024

Tell Your Advocates: Employment & Skills Survey

VCSE Advocates need your input so they can advocate for you and the local VCSE sector.

Nov 4, 2024

Join the new West Yorkshire Allyship Network

Are you passionate about justice and equality? Do you want to be part of a movement that creates real, lasting change?

Oct 25, 2024

Join Us In Looking Back, Moving Forward: Our AGM 23-24

Join our AGM to hear a recap of our year, explore the challenges our sector is facing, and network with Nova Members and partners.

Oct 22, 2024

New Funding Open For South Kirkby & Moorthorpe

Local VCSE organisations know what their communities need. We've opened another funding opportunity where they can decide what to fund.

Oct 17, 2024

The Wakefield Children’s Bed Appeal Launched

Our partners have launched a new collaboration to make sure that every child in Wakefield District has a comfortable bed to sleep in.

Oct 16, 2024

West Yorkshire VCSE Update: Work Around Procurement & Contracting

An update from Kim Shutler, VCSE Lead for West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board & Senior Responsible Officer for Power of Communities.

Oct 11, 2024

5 Things to Consider When Using AI for VCSE Work

AI is becoming part of everyday life – from using Google Maps to email software – so we were interested to see how it could benefit VCSE organisations.

Oct 9, 2024

Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Allowance for Wakefield District Residents

Up to 850,000 pensioner households may be entitled to Pension Credit, but do not claim it. Encourage the people you support to check their entitlement.

Sep 30, 2024

Wakefield Community Organisations Funded to Build Healthy & Sustainable Communities

£20,000 awarded to local organisations, who came together to present their pitch and decide what to fund.

Sep 30, 2024

Have Your Say: Transport to Medical Appointments

NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board would like to know how people travel to medical appointments and if they know about different support that is available to people.

Sep 25, 2024

Member Spotlight: Trinity Mission

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District. We hope you enjoy hearing from Trinity Mission!

Mar 17, 2023

Here's our tried-and-tested wellbeing activity for VCSE (and other) teams!

Thinking about our wellbeing is a ongoing process. Our Mental Health Community Builder, Rachel, writes about the staff wellbeing session she ran for the Nova team last month - could your team do something similar?

Mar 16, 2023

Young Carers Action Day: Complete the Poll!

To celebrate Young Carers Action Day, our partner Young Lives Consortium have created a poll on the WF-I-Can website to find out what is important for young carers in Wakefield District.

Mar 15, 2023

Goodbye Third Sector Leaders, Hello Connecting Wakefield

The Third Sector Leaders Group has had a bit of a makeover and is now Connecting Wakefield! Here's an update from Chairs Andy and Paula...

Mar 15, 2023

New Workshops Available: Book Your Spot

We've got an interesting selection of workshops coming up in the next few months, perfect for any VCSE staff and volunteers looking to learn and develop!

Mar 14, 2023

What's new with the Third Sector Framework?

Here's a quick update from our Project Support Officer, Helen Betts.

Mar 14, 2023

Case Study: Joined up emergency support with community hubs

The VCS Emergencies Partnership have shared a fantastic case study about how Nova and partners are responding to the cost of living crisis in Wakefield District.

Mar 14, 2023

Round 14 of Live Well Wakefield Small Grants is OPEN!

We're pleased to welcome applications for the 14th round of Live Well Wakefield Small Grants.

Mar 13, 2023

Could cutting your carbon, cut your costs?

NatWest's Carbon Planner is free and could support you to become a more sustainable and climate conscious organisation.

Mar 13, 2023

Exciting opportunity for young people aged 14-25 to join West Yorkshire Youth Commission

The West Yorkshire Youth Commission is a peer-led project that enables young people to get involved and have their say about urgent issues that affect their lives and help build a safer community.

Mar 13, 2023

Fully-Funded Trustee Training for People of Colour - Closing 24 March

Why do Getting on Board offer fully funded places to people of colour? For a start only 8% of trustees are from Black and Asian backgrounds and only 2.9% of all trustees are women of colour.

Mar 10, 2023

Fundraising Regulator sees increase in case ‘complexity’ and public awareness

The cases seen by the Fundraising Regulator have become more complex over the past few years, according to its chief executive Gerald Oppenheim.

Mar 10, 2023

New funding available: Mental Health Alliance - Thinking Differently Development Fund

This focused pilot will allow five VCSE sector organisations, considered as ‘Tier 2 or 3’ on Wakefield District's Third Sector Framework, to access funding to develop over a 2 year period.

May 3, 2022

Projects funded by Live Well Wakefield Small Grants

Learn about the amazing projects making a difference within communities across Wakefield District...

Apr 28, 2022

Member Spotlight: Theatre Royal Wakefield

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District. We hope that you enjoy learning more about....

Apr 20, 2022

Energy Affordability Helpline

Citizens Advice now have dedicated Energy advisers working as part of a project with Newcastle Citizens Advice and Northern Powergrid to help clients in Leeds, Wakefield, Calderdale, Kirklees and the North East.

Apr 20, 2022

6 Top Tips for Writing Funding Bids

This #StressAwarenessMonth, we're working with Wakefield & District Health & Community Support to take the stress out of writing funding bids. Read our tips here...

Apr 4, 2022

Projects funded by the Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Grant Fund

Read more about the brilliant projects taking place across Wakefield District...

Mar 28, 2022

VCSE Power Week Long Partnership Event

West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership have launched an online event to celebrate the work of their partners in the voluntary community social enterprise sector (VCSE) from Monday 28 March to the 1 April.

Mar 25, 2022

How VCSE organisations can support Ukraine

International Women's Day 2022

The theme of the day was Break the Bias, and we asked women working at Nova how they plan to do this within their roles.

Crafting4Good nominated for a Yorkshire Choice Award!

We’d like to congratulate our member Crafting4Good, who have been nominated for a Yorkshire Choice Award in the Independent Business of the Year category.

Member Spotlight: Mindful Movers

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District. We hope that you enjoy learning more about....

Happy Social Prescribing Day 2022!

The positive impact social prescribing has on local communities and people is clear to see!

Mar 10, 2022

Member Spotlight: Memory Action Group

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District.

Dec 17, 2021

Recipe Club Success

Residents of the Warwick Estate began sharing recipes in lockdown and the food initiative now reaches 70 families, in a programme managed by Warwick Ahead.

Nov 18, 2021

Member Spotlight: Disability Sport Yorkshire

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District.

Nov 18, 2021

Additional income for VCSE organisations in Wakefield District

Funding is available for voluntary organisations, non-profits, charities and CICs in the Wakefield District through fundraising website easyfundraising.

Oct 20, 2021

Member Spotlight: Grow Wakefield

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District.

Oct 20, 2021

Do you live in the Wakefield District and access government benefits?

The £20 Universal Credit uplift ended at the end of September. Did you know that you could receive additional support and advice around the recent changes to Universal Credit? Find out more here.

Oct 14, 2021

Member Spotlight: Portobello Craft and Camera Group

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District.

Sep 27, 2021

West Yorkshire & Harrogate Health and Care Partnership launch anti-racism movement

The movement is part of an ongoing commitment to tackle structural and institutionalised racism, as well as addressing health and social inequalities across the area.

Sep 1, 2021

Community>Wakefield is live!

Community>Wakefield - the new place for services, activities, opportunities and events across Wakefield District.

Jul 19, 2021

Member Spotlight: Wakefield Hospice

Each month we'll be showcasing the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District. We hope that you enjoy learning more about....

Jun 17, 2021

Volunteers' Week 2021: Nova's roundup of celebrations and opportunities

The Nova team would like to thank volunteers for their inspiring and incredible work to support people and organisations across the Wakefield District.

Jun 3, 2021

Case Studies from the Covid-19 Community Hubs

We have asked community organisations to provide us with information and stories so we can highlight the brilliant work that volunteers are doing throughout Wakefield District during the pandemic.

Jun 1, 2020