Charity Times Awards 2024

Deadline for entries: 30 May 2024

The 25th annual Charity Times Awards will celebrate best practices in the UK charity and not-for-profit sector.  Since their inception, the awards’ objectives have remained consistent:

  • To honour the outstanding professionals in the many and varied fields of charity management
  • To recognise, celebrate, and promote best practice
  • To support continuing professional development
  • Contribute towards raising the standards of charity management
  • To promote and raise the profile of the charity sector
  • To provide recognition for those who are providing effective support to the sector.

Click the link to find out more: Welcome // Charity Times Awards

Third Sector Awards

Awards Ceremony: 20 September 2024

Join to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the third sector. This event recognises their dedication and significant impact on our communities and emphasises the collective effort and essential role of the third sector.  Come and acknowledge those dedicated to addressing social challenges and shaping a brighter future for our communities at the Awards Ceremony on 20 September 2024.

Entry Dates

Early Bird entry deadline – 2 May 2024

Standard entry deadline – 23 May 2024

Click link for more information and entry fees: Home – ThirdSector Awards

Third Cost of Living Payment

Low-income households will receive the third Cost of Living Payment worth £299, which will be sent automatically without having to apply to receive it.  Some payments may take until 22 February to come through.

People in need of additional support are encouraged to check their eligibility for the various cost-of-living schemes through the government’s website Help for Households.

Click here to read more.

Flexible working laws are changing

Employers will need to change how they manage flexible working requests from employees, as from 6 April 2024.

Flexible working enables employees the opportunity to work in a way that suits both the needs of the businesses and the employee’s. Options include, but are not limited to:

  • Job sharing
  • Remote working
  • Hybrid working
  • Part time
  • Compressed hours
  • Flexitime
  • Annualised hours
  • Staggered hours
  • Predictable hours or set shift pattern
  • Phased retirement

Click here to read more.

Charity Governance Awards 2024

Entry is free; the deadline is 6 February 2024.

The Charity Governance Awards initiative looks to celebrate outstanding governance and trusteeship in charities across the UK.  Their mission is to celebrate and reward exceptional charity governance, while sharing exemplary work that inspires and informs boards and trustees across the country.

For more information and to find out how to enter, click here.

View press release.

Big Picture Charity Films 2024 Free Film Giveaway

Big Picture has been producing films for charities since 2012.  For 2024, they are now offering TEN COMPLETELY FREE CHARITY FILMS to UK Registered Charities who apply before 31 January.

They will work with you to plan and create a storyboard, film, and edit a broadcast quality film in return for their travel expenses (which is usually minimal). 

All charities that apply will be notified by 9 February. 

For more information about Big Picture, and their online application form, visit their website here.

Funding awarded to voluntary and community groups to help customers with tax affairs

Twelve voluntary and community sector organisations were awarded a share of £5.5 million funding to:

  • help customers who need extra support with their tax affairs,
  • offer specialist knowledge and experience to deliver tailored tax and benefits advice
  • provide free advice and support to those who face difficulties in understanding their tax obligations or have complex needs

The grant funding programme will run from April 2024 to March 2027.

Read more here.

Eligible working parents can apply for free childcare

Eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to register to access 15 hours free childcare per week from April 2024. Registration for parents will be opened between January to end-February 2024.

There is also funding available for new childminders:

  • £600 available for those who choose to register with Ofsted and
  • £1,200 for those who choose to register with a childminder agency.

Click here to find out more information.

Faith Security Training: Face-to-face

The Faith Security Training is a new awareness training offered to faith communities.

This is a FREE learning resource developed by the Home Office together with other government departments, experts from security and policing partners.   

The training aims to raise awareness of security risks and how to respond to them. The course is designed to:

  • equip participants with essential skills, and
  • enhance the security and safety in their places of worship.

The Home Office is piloting face-to-face delivery sessions, and those in leadership positions or responsibility for security at places of worship are particularly encouraged to attend.

People interested in attending one of the pilot sessions will need to complete the expression of interest form. Click here.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone directly, please contact 0330 1756962 or email FaithSecurityBooking@cdsds.uk

GCHQ Christmas Challenge: for 11-18-year-olds

Register before: 14 December 2023

Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), is running another annual special festive Christmas Challenge for 11-18-year-olds on 14 December. This is an opportunity for students to put their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to the test in a series of puzzles, which is being coordinated for the day on 14 December.

Registrations are invited from:

• schools,
• colleges and
• educational institutions.

Members of the public however, will still be able to take part and download the challenge from the GCHQ website on Thursday 14 December.

Click here to visit website where you can download a registration pack which will provide more details about the Challenge.