The latest local and national VCSE sector news

Bring Me To Life Women's Wellness Hub Grand Opening

Nova Member, Bring Me To Life, are really excited to be able to invite you to the grand opening of their NEW women's wellness hub situated in The Ridings Centre on International Women's Day!

Feb 21, 2023

New Creative Hub to Attract 300,000 Visitors to Wakefield Each Year

Wakefield Exchange, a new creative hub to be located in the former Market Hall, is to become home to major events, exhibitions, an independent food and drink offer and creative businesses when it opens in 2024.

Feb 21, 2023

Thinking Differently: Peer Meeting to share inspiring progress

We met with the five organisations taking part in Thinking Differently to hear about their areas of development and the amazing progress they've made towards them.

Member Spotlight: Families and Babies

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 Families and Babies!

9 New Nova Members!

We were thrilled to welcome 9 new Nova members in January 2023, bringing us to 462 members across Wakefield District.

Is there just too much uncertainty to plan financially for the future?

Embrace Finance believe there is always scope to ready ourselves for whatever conditions we might be faced with.

We're committed to being a menopause friendly employer

We're reviewing our policies, practices, training and more to make sure our staff have the guidance and support they need.

Feb 17, 2023

Get ready: Neurodiversity Celebration Week

13 to 19 March is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and the schedule of events has been announced.

Feb 17, 2023

5 years as a Living Wage Employer!

It's our five year anniversary of paying our staff according to the cost of living.

Feb 15, 2023

Does your organisation work with parents? Tell them about BaBi Club

BaBi Wakefield is an exciting new research initiative which aims to create a picture of local people’s health and lifestyles over time, help to get more parents involved.

Feb 15, 2023

Free menopause sessions available for VCSE colleagues

Join one of these free sessions which will be led by Menopause specialists to help those who are going through the Menopause journey or to support someone who may be going through the Menopause.

Feb 15, 2023

Scam Warning: Please Be Aware of People Pretending to Be Nova

One of our members has forwarded us an email from someone pretending to be Nova.

Aug 1, 2024

How to improve access to social prescribing for people with severe mental illnesses?

Researchers at University College London are interviewing stakeholders to understand how access to social prescribing can be improved for people with severe mental illnesses.

Jul 29, 2024

Report on the older people’s mental health inpatient services consultation

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board have received the independent report of findings from the older people’s mental health inpatient services consultation.

Jul 25, 2024

Feedback to Shape West Yorkshire's EDI Strategy

West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership wants an inclusive and fairer West Yorkshire.

Jul 24, 2024

Offer to Write Up Case Studies for Your VCSE Organisation

New Local are keen to work with you on a case study about community voice in decision-making; focusing on community strengths; or shifting organisational culture.

Jul 22, 2024

Toolkit for People and Communities work

Now we know the result of the election charities can start influencing work in earnest.

Jul 17, 2024

Find recommended services on the Trustee Services Directory

An initiative from Getting on Board specifically aimed at charity trustees to find the services their organisations need.

Jul 17, 2024

Nominations Open for Wakefield BID Awards

The Wakefield BID Awards is an annual event recognising the achievements and contributions of members and charities within the Wakefield Business Improvement District (BID) area.

Jul 16, 2024

New Signage Lights the Way for Community Growth

The sun is shining and so is Bless Community Support's new signage at their renovated space in Hemsworth!

Jul 16, 2024

Schedule for Nova's Free, Online & Regular VCSE Workshops

Take a look at our new workshops...

Jul 15, 2024

Free Licences Available for Mental Health Support System

Brain in Hand is a hybrid support system for people with anxiety-based mental health challenges.

Jul 12, 2024

The Women and Girls Sector Survey is Open

The Women and Girls Sector Survey is now open until Wednesday 24 July.

Jul 12, 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

We've been shortlisted as a finalist for the HSJ Partnership Awards 2023!

We're delighted to announce that Nova, Conexus Healthcare and Partners have been shortlisted for 'Best Not for Profit Working in Partnership with the NHS' in the HSJ Partnership Awards 2023.

Dec 6, 2022

Get involved: West Yorkshire Housing Needs Analysis

Campbell Tickell are undertaking a housing needs analysis for West Yorkshire - covering Leeds, Wakefield, Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford - and they want your help!

Dec 1, 2022

Over £88,000 awarded to VCSE organisations through Live Well Wakefield Small Grants

We're thrilled to announce that over £88,000 went out to local VCSE organisations in Round 13 of Live Well Wakefield Small Grants.

Dec 1, 2022

Welcome to our new website!

It’s been months in the making, but we’re ready to share our brand new website with you.

Nov 28, 2022

Volunteer recruitment a growing concern for small charities

Small local charities are increasingly concerned about volunteer recruitment, according to newly published research.

Nov 25, 2022

Connecting Locally: New report from NAVCA

Through working with and advocating for communities, and coordinating support, infrastructure organisations (like Nova!) are alleviating the worst impact of the cost of living crisis.

Nov 25, 2022

How to talk to funders about the cost-of-living crisis

As costs rise and high inflation erodes the value of reserves and pre-pledged grants and donations, charities nationwide are being forced into impossible choices.

Nov 25, 2022

Wakefield District Sight Aid to run first art project for people with sight loss!

Our member, Wakefield District Sight Aid, are excited to share with you that they have secured a Culture Grant from Wakefield Council to run an art project entitled Art Beyond Vision! Art Beyond Vision will consist of eight weekly creative workshops in February and March 2023.

Nov 24, 2022

Get the basics right: Findings from the Funding Experience Survey by IVAR

"The things that matter most to charities are not wasting their time and giving them as much financial flexibility and stability as possible – some change here is within everyone’s grasp."

Nov 24, 2022

Support your staff's wellbeing using this free trial

Our member, Words for Wellbeing, are looking for feedback on their wellbeing text service that could benefit your staff. Get involved now!

Nov 23, 2022

Explore Census Maps for Wakefield District

Find useful data using these interactive census maps!

Nov 22, 2022

Introducing VCSE Voices!

Our new project recruiting senior leaders from the VCSE sector onto multi-agency, decision-making boards.

Nov 21, 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