How the third sector is responding to the pandemic
Digital training for charities
eBay UK, Barnardo’s, the Charity Retail Association and New Philanthropy Capital are today calling for a Government Digital Innovation Fund to help charities embrace online retail and to support new models of digital innovation and service delivery in the sector.
The call comes as eBay UK announces an extensive package of financial support and training to help UK charity shops boost their sales online.
While 89% of charities see digital technology as important for achieving their mission, their confidence in making the best use of digital has plummeted from 70% in 2017 to just 59% in 2020, according a recent report from New Philanthropy Capital.
eBay UK this week announced unrestricted grants of £1.7million to 250 of the charities most affected by declines in online revenue on its platform, to help make up for the shortfall in sales as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
To upskill charities to boost online revenues, the e-commerce platform has also announced plans to launch Charity Connect, an ambitious training programme to support at least 500 UK charities, including those not yet on eBay, to help them raise more money through more effective online sales. Charity Connect will help charity retailers build an effective online presence through dedicated customer service, onboarding assistance, promotional support and a tailored eBay training programme.
Charity Connect will begin next month with a series of free weekly webinars for new and existing charity sellers on how to boost sales on eBay, including follow up 1:1 sessions with e-commerce experts. Training will begin from Tuesday 7 July and charities can book for free by visiting here.
Further funding boost for football charities
The SPFL Trust has announced it has secured a commitment for a further £1.25m to support communities around Scottish football.
An initial £500,000 has been received by the SPFL Trust this morning, with gift aid to follow (£125,000). An agreement is in place for a further £625,000 (also inclusive of gift aid) to be donated in June 2021.
The donor wishes to remain anonymous, a request which will be respected by the charity.
From the immediate donation, £280,000 will be made available to club associated community trusts, who will be eligible to receive £10,000 to support their efforts during the Covid-19 crisis.
Around 150 activities, supporting thousands of isolated and vulnerable people across the country, have been delivered from a standing start, since Scotland went into lockdown in early March.
A further £220,000 will go towards the launch of Scottish Football United.
Scottish Football United is to be a major new project launched later this year. It had previously hoped to secure traditional grant funding in 2021 for a 2022 launch, but since funding was secured plans are now being put in place at speed.
Further detail will follow, but in principle, Scottish Football United will bring together clubs, governing bodies, with national and local public agencies to create a focal point for future crisis planning and support. This will enable Scottish football to react and support communities quickly, and at scale.
The gift aid part of the immediate donation – representing £125,000 - will be used to support programmes that did not previously have funded settlements for 2020-21, the 4-4-2 Reading Challenge, A-Team, and Festive Friends.
New walking guide
People walking, cycling and wheeling in Scotland are being asked to Be Safe, Be Smart and Be Kind, according to a new information sheet released today by Sustrans Scotland on behalf of active travel organisations in Scotland.
Complied in partnership with Public Health Scotland and Transport Scotland, and the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, the information sheet provides a summary of things to consider during everyday journeys and exercise.
The messaging asks the public to, look after themselves and those in their care; stay in their local area and plan ahead and be mindful of others when walking, wheeling and cycling – particularly disabled people, older people and more vulnerable groups.
Sustrans deputy chief executive John Lauder said: “As Scotland progresses through the phases of lockdown, there will be more people out and about on foot, wheelchairs, by bike. There may also be more people driving on our roads.
“Walking, cycling or wheeling have huge benefits for our physical and mental health as well as the environment. Physical distancing means that we will be using urban spaces differently and so being aware of each other is important so that we share space safely and sensibly.”
You can read the information sheet online.
Shining a light on global projects
A new online initiative is shining a light on outstanding projects delivered by children’s organisations from every corner of the globe - from an Indian storybook about sexual abuse to Filipino personal safety lessons for four to 18-year-olds.
How We Care (howwecare.community) is a bi-lingual ‘by practitioners, for practitioners’ resource, bringing together some of the most effective child protection practice.
It has been produced by charity Family For Every Child, an international member-led network of local children’s organisations.
Family for Every Child believes that by sharing practitioner knowledge, practice can be strengthened globally, which will contribute to their vision of a world where every child grows up in a safe and caring family.
The website introduces new, themed multimedia content three times a year as well as producing related live online events. The first theme, now live, is the prevention of sexual violence, with a focus upon child sexual abuse. A second series, addressing practitioners’ response to the Covid-19 crisis in the area of psychosocial support to children and families, is coming online shortly.
For each chosen theme, the site will showcase outputs and outcomes of a range of projects from different parts of the world that have proven highly effective. Themes are explored using video, the written word, illustration and discussion. All site content has initially been produced in English and Spanish.
Tik Tok challenge
Young people have a new and unusual TikTok challenge to get their teeth into during lockdown.
The #NoKnivesChallenge encourages young people to take their breakfast routine to a whole new level. The challenge is to butter a slice of toast with anything but a knife. The No Knives Better Lives (NKBL) campaign is all about getting people to think about knife carrying, we may be in lockdown but the issue of knife crime has not gone away.
NKBL exists to reduce the incidence of knife carrying amongst young people by raising awareness of the potentially devastating risks and consequences associated with carrying a knife and promoting positive life choices. NKBL is a primary prevention, national initiative that is delivered at a local level across Scotland.
The TikTok ‘Butter your Toast’ challenge will run for a month and will be hosted on the YouthLink Scotland TikTok account (@YouthLinkScotland). Young people who create a #NoKnivesChallenge video will be in with a chance of winning a £50 Amazon voucher.
