The latest local and national VCSE sector news

Who are we funding? Take a look at our data!

At Nova, we're committed to transparency, and we work with 360Giving to publish information about our grants.

Apr 20, 2023

Interested in working with Sanctuary Seekers?

Wakefield District City of Sanctuary would love to work with your organisation!

Apr 19, 2023

Applications Opening Soon: Award-Winning Leadership Development Programme

The Fellowship Programme is for colleagues from ethnic minorities aspiring to move into senior leadership.

Apr 19, 2023

Expert Support to Help You Compete for Contracts

The VCSE Contract Readiness Programme aims to provide the skills and knowledge organisations need to bid for local and national government contracts.

Apr 17, 2023

An Update from Helen, our Third Sector Framework Support Officer

It’s a busy couple of months for the Third Sector Framework, with 2 funding opportunities currently open!

Apr 17, 2023

The Big Sing 2023

Memory Action Group invites you to The Big Sing 2023 on 20 May. Come and sing your favourite songs and help support the community during Dementia Action Week.

Apr 14, 2023

Emergency Alert Test on Sunday 23 April

The Cabinet Office has announced that the UK-wide test of the public Emergency Alerts system will take place at 3pm on Sunday 23 April.

Apr 13, 2023

Do your service users know about Voter ID requirements?

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photo ID when voting at a polling station at some elections - please share this update with people that engage with your organisation.

Apr 13, 2023

Need some inspiration for your Live Well Wakefield Small Grants application?

There's still a few days left to get your application in!

Apr 12, 2023

Free funding? Now that’s unexpected

Recent times have told us to expect the unexpected, and in the current climate, what is more unexpected than free funding?

Apr 12, 2023

New contact number for the Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub

The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub has opened a new message-taking phone service.

Apr 11, 2023

Help Map the Mental Health Sector

The Association of Mental Health Providers is developing a mapping tool that shows service providers across the country, add your organisation!

Apr 10, 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

Right Care, Right Person & What It Means for Your Organisation

Our Lead Community Mental Health Builder, Rachel Hale, has been meeting with colleagues from SWYPFT and West Yorkshire Police around Right Care, Right Person. This policy has raised some concerns within the VCSE sector relating to welfare checks, especially over the Winter Period.

Dec 21, 2023

Save Our House, Wakefield's LGBTQ+ Centre

Our House has become a lifeline for so many local LGBTQ+ people across Wakefield District, and they have welcomed over 3000 people through their doors in the short 18 months since they first opened. Now, they need our help!

Dec 20, 2023

Express Your Interest: Community Leadership Development Programme

West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership are currently considering the potential delivery of a community leadership development programme to run from early 2024. Express your interest by Monday 8 January!

Dec 19, 2023

New Funding Announced: Open Access Youth Provision Grants

Grants are available through the Third Sector Framework to support VCSE organisations to deliver open access youth provision for children and young people aged 11 – 17 years (up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities).

Dec 14, 2023

Sending you the best of wishes for 2024!

It's not long until we wrap up our work for 2023, so you can find our closing times here.

Dec 14, 2023

3 Highlights from Our AGM 22-23

We asked our members, colleagues and partners what they thought of our celebration on Wednesday 6 December, here's what they told us...

Dec 14, 2023

Free Furniture On Offer From YPO

YPO are kindly looking to donate a wide range of furniture to local VCSE organisations.

Dec 13, 2023

Why do we need to be professionally curious?

Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) are running a new district wide campaign on what it means to be professionally curious and challenging in the district.

Dec 13, 2023

Using AI, Charity Banking and Cost of Living: Share Your Views

Share your views with CAF by 20 December and be in with a chance of winning a £250 donation for your charity.

Dec 12, 2023

Register Your Services: Hub of Hope

The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database.

Dec 8, 2023

Deadline Extended: Social Enterprise Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2023

SEYH represent, promote and connect social enterprise across the region. It's time for their annual awards!

Dec 7, 2023

Member Spotlight: CoActive Arts

Each month we showcase the amazing organisations that make up our membership and the important work they do across the Wakefield District. We hope you enjoy hearing from CoActive Arts!

Nov 29, 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