This week the Foundation @lbfew.bsky.social has awarded £675K to #SmallButVital local charities in the North West. We are proud to be investing in 9 more charities in the area who do amazing work and really understand the complexity and the needs and aspirations of the people they support. I ❤️my job

Top right is an image from a charity we are funding. She is holding a mic. Text overlay reads "We've just awarded £6.2m to 83 small charities across England and Wales

1/ We’ve just awarded £ 6.2 million in unrestricted funding for 83 #SmallButVital charities in England and Wales!
These charities are helping people to rebuild their lives after experiencing homelessness, abuse, persecution, and trauma.

Like Revival – Wiltshire Rape and Sexual abuse centre 👇

Championing Small Charities We’re investing in new approaches, campaigns and research to influence and improve policy and practice for people affected by domestic and sexual abuse and the specialist charities working with them

#SmallButVital charities matter.

Research and evidence help us champion them by showing what is happening, indicating solutions and identifying best practices.

That is why we invest in building the evidence base for their distinctive role and value.

Learn more: ow.ly/kFvw50T4bbt

Charity story: Reducing the Risk Find out how how support from the Foundation has enabled small charity Reducing the Risk to monetise and franchise their domestic abuse awareness training, boosting their reach and income.

Can development support enable #SmallButVital charities to build sustainable income streams?

The answer is yes.

Find out how small #DomesticAbuse charity Reducing the Risk did just that.
bit.ly/44IAc3C

We are currently investing in 12 #SmallButVital Deaf charities in England and Wales, totalling £900,000 in funding! #DeafAwarenessWeek

How local collaborations led by small charities are influencing change Deborah Knight, CEO of Quetzal, shares how they are partnering with other local organisations to improve the social security system for people who have experienced trauma and the experience of being p...

The power of local collaborations 💪

Read our blog to find out how #SmallButVital Quetzal and other charities are driving meaningful change through local partnerships.

Have a similar idea? Our funding for local collaborations closes on 30 April.
www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/our-impact/n...

Charity expands refuge services for domestic abuse victims A charity has expanded its refuge services for domestic abuse victims with a new property in Ipswich.

It's so great to read how our funding has supported #SmallButVital P.H.O.E.B.E to expand its services and purchase a second building, boosting the charity’s ability to offer safe refuge and 'essential support services' to Black and minoritised women! www.eadt.co.uk/news/2505374...

Our regional manager Neil Shashoua with CEO of Family Help Darligton, Emily Cox and Sarah Legg from Lloyds Banking Group and Lola McEvoy MP. They are standing side by side against a brick wall, looking at the camera and smiling.

Great to bring together our #SmallButVital partner Family Help Darlington and Darlington MP @lolamcevoymp.bsky.social to hear about their services to support domestic and economic abuse survivors.

They were also joined by Lloyds Banking Group's Emily Cox and Sarah Legg, who is our trustee!

£2 billion new investment to support biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation Hard working families to get safe and secure homes as Chancellor announces £2 billion injection of new grant funding to deliver up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes.

Many of the #SmallButVital charities we partner with are reporting an increase in the no. of people they support who are homeless or threatened with it, so we really welcome yesterday's Govt announcement of an extra £2 billion for 18,000 new social/affordable homes.
www.gov.uk/government/n...

Equipping neurodivergent and disabled people to turn their passions into businesses Logan, a young person supported by our charity partner SAMEE, shares how he has been supported to set up his own business and gain more independence.

An estimated 15-20% of the UK population are neurodivergent. Many face challenges in the workplace.

In this blog, #SmallButVital charity SAMME share how they supported more than 900 disabled and neurodivergent people to develop the skills to start self-employment ow.ly/HGtI50Vma7j

Apply for funding under the racial equity programme This programme is for small charities and CIOs led by and working with people are experiencing economic inequity because of their race or ethnicity. Eligible charities can apply for funding of £75,000...

We are now accepting applications from #SmallButVital charities and CIOs led by and work with people experiencing economic inequity because of their race or ethnicity.

Eligible charities can apply for a three-year grant of £75,000 alongside development support. Find out more bit.ly/3XOAhOF

And this is just a tiny snapshot of the impact #SmallButVital charities like these have by their rootedness in communities, providing this right information at the right time, and making life a life changing difference for women and the opportunities they have for a better future

An image of a group of women. The fous is on a lady holding a microphone. Text overlay read: "we always encourage women to not let life get in the way of their learning. Learning digital skills helps people build confidence, skills, connections and independence. Many women use these skills to start their own businesses or progress in their careers and increase their income"

WODIN are a #SmallButVital charity based in Liverpool, run by-and-for migrant women. They provide valuable digital skills to women from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds where these skills are lacking. They have helped women get better jobs, make new friends, or even start new businesses.

Currently, we are investing nearly £6.5 million reaching more than 95 community organisation working with women.

Right now, we are investing in 93 #SmallButVital charities that support women or are women-allies, totalling £6,049,446 in funding!

As we look towards #InternationalWomensDay tomorrow, read our thread to learn about some of our charity partners who advocate for a better future for women and girls 💪

Apply for funding under our local collaborations programme. Under this programme, we will support collaborations led by small charities seeking to influence and achieve local or regional change. Eligible collaborations can apply to a grant of £100,000 over two...

Funding is now open for local collaborations led by #SmallButVital charities working in social security, accommodation, and support for asylum seekers and refugees!

Successful applicants will receive a flexible grant of £100,000 over two years.

Apply by 30 April.
bit.ly/41ae8eI

What’s in a name? Are you campaigning without realising It? Our Policy and National Programmes Manager Caroline Howe writes on how small charities are doing great work campaigning and influencing in their communities

Are #SmallButVital charities campaigning or influencing without realising it?

We often see charities push for change on issues affecting the people they support; they just might not call it campaigning.

Take a look back at this blog with five examples of campaigning work ow.ly/5vjt50V4eZx

What the Government’s new Procurement Policy Statement means for small charities The Government has issued a new statement that encourages contracting authorities to prioritise working flexibly with local organisations.

Last week, the Government published a new Procurement Policy Statement. While adjacent to the Procurement Act, it is guidance that relevant contracting authorities should follow.

Our latest blog looks at what this means for #SmallButVital charities ow.ly/65WB50V48sx

This is something we and others have long called for to ensure there is a level playing field for #SmallButVital charities in commissioning processes.

Congratulations to Locality and NCVO and all those who have been lobbying for this change

Supporting Charities to Influence We are committed to supporting charities to develop their ability to influence change on the issues that matter to them. We offer a range of support designed to strengthen their confidence, competenc...

We have a range of free resources for all #SmallButVital charities to help them influence change and engage in conversations with decision makers.

Browse and download for free: ow.ly/2NHs50UYlBm

Youth Shedz: helping young people thrive Youth Shedz provides a safe place for young people who have been in care, or experienced other challenges, to explore who they are, develop relationships with positive role models, learn new skills an...

Every single #SmallButVital charity we fund can access development support to grow more resilient.

For charity Youth Shedz, this support helped them open up opportunities to generate sustainable income through services they were already offering to other organisations

Learn more ow.ly/Fnjl50UTQRk

The Value of Small The report presents original research showing that small and local charities offer a range of economic and social benefits and play a vital role in their communities when addressing complex social iss...

#SmallButVital charities play a vital role in local communities that is often overlooked.

Our #ValueOfSmall research clearly demonstrates this value, showing how they are distinctive in what they do, how they do it and where they do it.

Read more www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/influencing/...

Our Research We are championing the value of small charities nationally, regionally and locally, using research and the evidence we gather from those we work with

We know #SmallButVital charities matter.

But how can we make sure the government, funders, charities and others know that, too?

We have built a robust evidence base through our research to demonstrate the #ValueOfSmall, issues faced and solutions.

Find them all here ow.ly/cGLW50UOwye

A new age of social media moderation Meta is ditching fact-checkers and now, it’s up to us. Corinne Clark offers four things you need to put in place.

Important blog from our friends @charitycomms.bsky.social with actionable tips for social media managers or those managing #SmallButVital charity social media platforms, and the importance of moderators in the age of misinformation
www.charitycomms.org.uk/a-new-age-of...

Voices of the Exploited- Link to Change YouTube video by Link to Change

Last year, we piloted a programme with The Saltways to support some #SmallButVital charities to produce a film about their work. Watch one of the productions from @linktochange.bsky.social, who work with people across Bedfordshire avoid and escape child exploitation www.youtube.com/watch?si=7HP...

How to choose the right social media channels for your charity | StrawberrySocial No more spreading social media talent too thin. Find out how to choose the right social media platforms for more impact >

Great article from @strawberrysocialuk.bsky.social on evaluating your social media presence and helping you to decide where to concentrate your efforts. Some good pointers for #SmallButVital charities with small teams! www.strawberrysocial.com/how-to-choos...

Our #SmallButVital charity partner, Maa Shanti have provided culturally appropriate #DomesticAbuseSupport for South Asian women since 1998.

Learn more about their work and how they support women to become independent and make life changing difference to the community they support #ValueOfSmall

Justlife: Supporting people with lived experience of homelessness to influence national policy

Getting someone off the streets and into temp accommodation is seen as a win by the local authority.

But people can end up staying in there for a long time.

Read how #SmallButVital Justlife used lived experience to influence national change in policy

ow.ly/XYss50UHu0o

Text based graphic. Large 9, with text at the bottom. The full sentence is '9 days left to submit your application for unrestricted funding'

Our funding for specialist #SmallButVital charities closes in....

9 days!

Send through your applications by 5pm 23 January to be considered for an unrestricted grant of £75,00 over three years alongside developmental support

ow.ly/21W150UgBGN

Job opportunity: Charity Relationship Manager We are seeking expressions of Interest from people who may be interested in joining us as a part-time (3 days per week) secondment to cover Merseyside, Cheshire, Halton and Warrington until December 2...

New year, new role?

We have an exciting secondment opportunity to work directly with our #SmallButVital charity partners as a Charity Relationship Manager.

Deadline: 20 Jan
P/T, 3 days a week
£45,000 to £50,000 per annum (FTE)

ow.ly/NUn550UyPU6

UK celebrates unsung heroes and community champions in HM The King's New Year Honours list HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2025 recognises unsung heroes who have made outstanding contributions to their communities across the UK.

Congratulations to everyone recognised in the #NewYearsHonoursList, including our former chief executive Paul Streets for his CBE!

During his time as our chief executive Paul championed the role and value of all the #SmallButVital charities www.gov.uk/government/n...