Dear Colleagues,
In addition to starting and setting up groups, charities and social enterprises, a part of our core offer to the VCSEF sector, is to ensure that when groups get off to a good start, they are then able to move to the next level in terms of development, growth and sustainability.
We know that groups value support with applying for funding and over the summer WVCA delivered three Bid Writing Workshops designed to help beginners navigate the world of grant funding.
Here’s a snapshot from Olatz Ojinaga-Alfageme, WVCA’s Community and Voluntary Sector Support Officer:
The sessions brought together 41 participants representing 36 VCSEF organisations. Each workshop provided practical tools, real-life examples, and hands-on exercises to help participants understand what funders are looking for and how to write stronger, more confident applications.
Impact and Participant Feedback
Feedback from 37 attendees highlighted the strong impact of the workshops. Whilst 89% reported increased confidence about applying for grant funding, 100% said they now feel better prepared to write a funding application.
“Before today’s workshop I had no idea where to start.”
“I feel more confident in knowing what to include in a bid.”
“Made writing bids less scary!”
Participants rated the usefulness of the content 4.27 out of 5, with many praising the practical exercises and examples:
“The entire workshop had benefits — couldn’t isolate a point.”
“The exercise was helpful as we don’t often get to see ‘bad’ applications and how to make a better one.”
“The breakdown of the application process was really clear.”
“The exercise was very useful — being able to ask questions.”
Workshop Delivery
The delivery of the workshop received excellent feedback, with 88% rating it as excellent or very good. Participants particularly valued the interactive format and the facilitator’s approach:
“The facilitator was very knowledgeable and enabled participants to ask questions.”
“Clear, friendly, and beneficial to a learner.”
“Great energy, very easy-to-understand breakdown.”
“Very interactive and dived into current topics raised by both audience and facilitators.”
Overall, the Bid Writing Workshops have built confidence and practical skills among local organisations, helping them take their first steps toward successful funding applications.
As always, please remember to check out our website and newsletter regularly – there is always new information, and opportunities are always presenting themselves.
If there are any issues that you would like to raise or anything that you would like to hear more about, please contact me.
Thank you,
Sharon Nanan-Sen
Chief Executive Officer