SSBC IDEAS FUND – 3 YEAR PROGRAMME

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SSBC IDEAS FUND – 3 YEAR PROGRAMME

Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC) is a £45m programme, supported by Big Lottery’s 10 year ‘A Better Start’ funding programme designed to improve the lives of Nottingham’s young children.  The SSBC programme covers the areas of Aspley, Bulwell, Hyson Green & Arboretum and St Ann’s and seeks to deliver successful child development outcomes and give every child the best start in life.  Working with our partners we offer activities for every 0-4-year-old child living within our four wards.

In partnership with Nottinghamshire Community Foundation we are now seeking applications for a 3 year programme.

What is the SSBC Ideas Fund?

The Ideas Fund offers a great opportunity for local community groups and local organisations to test new and existing ideas to help us achieve our programme outcomes; for expectant parents and children aged 0 up until their 4th birthday, who live in SSBC wards to grow happy, healthy and confident!

SSBC has now reached it’s halfway milestone, and it’s time to reflect on how far we have come but also the legacy we want to leave behind. In that spirit, the Idea’s fund is now offering an opportunity for 3 years of funding ! Rather than just one year!

The ‘Big Change’ is an active reflection of our approach going forward, with focus on long lasting impact, beyond the term of the SSBC programme.

What can it be used for?

Ideas that will help local children and their families to:

• Eat well and be healthy
• Talk and communicate
• Be confident and understand their emotions

Projects will also be considered if they:

• give parents and families an equal voice in decision making for the SSBC programme and create system change.

This year, we would particularly welcome applications which support:

• fathers;
• families during pregnancy;
• creative ideas of how to eat well and be healthy;
• improving access to diverse communities e.g Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), Ethnic Minority Groups and others.

Who can apply?

The Ideas Fund is open to the following, provided they meet the basic quality assurance checks and proposed activity add value to and/or enhances the programme and does not replace or replicate already funded provision:

• Local Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations (VCS) organisations and groups
• New and emerging groups
• Any other groups or teams prepared to work in partnership with SSBC

How much is available?

We will offer individual awards of up to £30,000 over three years.
Closing date for applications is 30th September 2021

What are the rules?

Applications are welcome from organisations and groups for new initiatives that meet the following requirements:

• Activities must be delivered within at least one of the SSBC wards (Aspley, Bulwell, Hyson Green & Arboretum and St Ann’s).
• Targeted at expectant parents and children aged between 0-4 years.
• Contribute to at least one of the SSBC outcomes (Listed above).
• Show awareness of our diverse community.
• Projects must show how they will be evaluated and evidence of impact.
• Projects should complement not duplicate existing services or SSBC commissioned services.

Your planned approach should:

• Align to the SSBC brand and values.
• Show growth and planning beyond the term of the funding.
• Work in partnership with parents, workforce, partners and the local community.

Application Process:

Stage 1
Applications open on the 1st of September 2021. The closing date for applications is the 30th of September 2021 12:00pm.

Stage 2
The application is initially screened by NCF to ensure it meets the SSBC criteria and due diligence checks are completed.

Your application will then be assessed and scored by the idea’s fund partnership panel and a decision will be made. This will take place week beginning 25th of October 2021.

NCF will be in touch with groups if any queries or further clarification is needed for panel members at this point.

Stage 3
You will be informed of the Panel’s decision week beginning 1st November 2021. Selected projects will then be presented to the SSBC Board for final approval. This is due to take place on the 9th of November 2021.

Next Steps
If successful, you will be required to attend a Learning and Networking Day (exact date, time and location to be confirmed).

This will include an opportunity to meet your fellow successful counterparts. This workshop will facilitate conversations amongst groups about lessons learnt as well as helpful hints and tips going forward.

You will also meet key members of the SSBC team who will be available to answer any queries you may have and provide you with feedback and guidance.

The SSBC team will also facilitate an information workshop on the day to clarify key topics and Terms & Conditions you need to be aware of throughout the duration of your funding award. Such as consent forms, registers, evaluations and more. In addition to explaining SSBC’s role throughout your Idea’s fund journey.

# Please Note -Year 2 and Year 3 funding is subject to submission of a satisfactory annual impact monitoring and evaluation report.

Award Expectations:

The successful applicants will be expected to (this is not an exhaustive list):

• Attend Learning and Networking Days
• Collect participant data
• Complete monitoring and evaluation reports

For more information please read the SSBC Application Process and Award Expectations and SSBC Ways of Working and Contract Managment Approach.

Should you have any queries please contact us by email enquiries@nottscf.org.uk

To apply to the Small Steps Big Changes Ideas Fund please click here.

For more information on Small Steps Big Changes visit www.smallstepsbigchanges.org.uk