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The BSWN Team is here to share useful information, upcoming events, opportunities and guidance. Restrictions eased on the 12th of April, however, we still have a Covid-19 Support & Resource page which you can access through the button below. We continuously send our thanks to all front line organisations, key workers, and unsung heroes who are working tirelessly throughout this pandemic and we are looking forward to coming out on the other side. 


Covid Business Recovery Support Update Tuesday 27th of April
Join BSWN and Bristol City Council on our monthly Covid Business Recovery and Support Update, last month BCDF! Sole-traders, small business owners, taxi drivers, and those working in the VCSE sector were welcome to join us for this webinar. Our guest speaker was Joshua Rees, Founder, and Director of Bristol Community Development Finance. Register your attendance HERE

 
BSWN is offering a new exciting programme “Make it Work” to support Bristol’s Black, Asian, and, Minority Ethnic enterprises and VCSE organisations to work with Bristol City Council’s care commissioning framework. You will join like-minded organisations for a 12-month programme of workshops, one-to-one tailored support with peer learning, and mentoring. The support will enable you to demonstrate your organisation’s capabilities to commissioners in the care sector to participate in commissioning. You can apply for the programme HERE

  
Have you considered applying to Bristol Impact Fund?
Have you had a chance to fill in the Expression of Interest form? The deadline has been extended so you can get help from BSWN with completing the funding application form. The deadline for Expression of Interest to say you need help was on Monday 19th April 12.00.pm. For the EOI click HERE

 
VCSE Organisations
The Baobab Foundation has launched a report looking into the funding given to Black people and communities subjected to racial injustice in the UK.  The report revealed that while we’ve seen a huge surge in focus on funding related to the crisis response and recovery around the Covid-19 pandemic, the racial inequalities that the pandemic exposed weren’t given the attention they deserved. Read the full report HERE



Bristol Mayoral Hustings on the interests of Afrikan Heritage Communities Thursday 15th of April
This Mayoral Hustings invited candidates to explain how they will address the needs of Afrikan Heritage Communities in Bristol. It was time to make our votes conditional and find out which candidate can best serve the interests of Afrikan Heritage communities. Register your interest HERE


Fix your Crown – Screening and Discussion
A short film featuring Bristol women explored on Monday 26th of April the legacy of historical African Queens and relevancy for our contemporary world. “Fix your Crown” is a the culmination of an innovative project developed by Bristol-based Razana Afrika, a Community Interest Company, which aims to empower communities through African history. The short film captures monologues written and performed by eight Bristol community women, who have used the stories of historical queens to inspire their performances.

Availability of funding for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations has been a major concern throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for the VCSE sector. CPWOP released a report last month where 74% of respondents expect Covid-19 to have a moderate or significant negative impact on delivering their objectives next year. Read the full report HERE

Would you like some information on how to apply for the Windrush Community Fund? The Windrush Community Fund is up to £500,000 of financial support available to charity, community or grassroots organisations across the UK. Find out more information HERE

Long Covid is newly emerging diagnosis which is affecting everyone differently. The NHS has a long covid survey, All information provided will be treated confidentially and anonymously. Fill in the survey HERE

Bristol Fair Renting Campaign Team have written a guest blog piece of Shelter titled, ‘Demand fair renting for Bristol.’ There are around 134,000 people renting privately in Bristol, which is almost one-third of the population of the city. Read it HERE

BusinessesThe government has published the ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England. From the 12th of April:- non-essential retail will be able to reopen
– personal care premises will be able to reopen
– outdoor hospitality venues will be able to reopen
– indoor leisure and sports facilities will be able to reopen

BSWN is still providing a Covid-19 Support programme for Black, Asian and, Ethnic Minority led businesses and VCSE organisations. You can book a 1-1 session HERE


Creative Scale Up is a programme funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. It aims to help creative businesses in the West of England access finance through an intensive sustainable growth support programme. Find out more and apply HERE


Let’s Talk Good Finance: Arts, Culture and Heritage Wednesday 21st  of April
This event was for charities, social enterprises and community businesses working in the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector who would like to learn more about how social investment could be a useful financial tool HERE

Lloyd’s Banking Foundation fund small and local charities, investing in their work helping people overcome complex social issues across England and Wales. They support charities with an annual income of £25,000 to £1 million with a proven track record of helping people on a journey of positive change. Find out more information HERE

Local Opportunities

BeOnBoard are looking for Trustees at Headway Bristol. They have three positions, for more information click HERE

JustAGuy Foundation have just launched The Lighthouse Project which pairs driven young people aged 16-19 from African and Caribbean heritage with a skilled mentor from Google. Find out more and apply HERE

Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) is seeking a proactive person who loves working with arts and technology in a community context and believes in the power of co-creation to achieve better futures for everyone. The Arts Producer will develop and deliver KWMC’s socially-engaged arts programme. The deadline is 19/04/21. Find out more and apply HERE

St Werburghs City Farm are looking for a Horticulture and Gardens volunteer. The role is to support their team in the care and maintenance of the community garden. Read the full volunteer description HERE

Bristol Old Vic are currently recruiting for 5 roles through Bristol City Council’s Kickstart scheme. Applicants must be 18-24 and on Universal Credit. Applications must be made through the Job Centre via a DWP work coach. Find out more and register HERE

Lightbox Theatre is seeking a versatile and experienced drama workshop facilitator to plan and deliver weekly drama workshops for young people in St Paul’s, Bristol in early summer. The Facilitator will deliver a 6 week drama course for young people aged 14-19 years from w/c 7th June – w/c 12th July 2021. Find out more and apply HERE

Age UK Bristol are looking for a Treasurer, preferably with experience in voluntary organisation finance, to join our Board of Trustees. The closing date is 24/05/21, apply and find out more HERE

The Trinity Centre is seeking an Activities Coordinator to lead in our asset-based community development approach to rebuilding our community activities programme at the Centre, post-lockdown. The deadline is the 26/04/21. Find out more and apply HERE

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website: www.blacksouthwestnetwork.org/our-events And if you have any queries or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at mina@bswn.org.uk

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Black South West Network
Redbrick House
Wilder Street
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