Crisis and Resilience Fund Summit
Organisations, community groups and partners are invited to attend the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Summit on Tuesday 13 October, from 9am to 1pm at the Shell Store, Hereford. The event will bring together people working across sectors to share learning, strengthen partnerships and explore how we can better support individuals and communities facing hardship.
The summit will provide an opportunity to hear about the impact of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, discuss local challenges and opportunities, and help shape future approaches to building stronger, more resilient communities. It is a valuable chance to connect with others, exchange ideas and contribute to the ongoing development of support across the county.
To book a place, visit the Eventbrite registration page, or to find out more about the Crisis and Resilience Fund, visit the Talk Community Directory.
Stoptober 2026
Stoptober is back, encouraging smokers across Herefordshire to take the first step towards quitting for good. Research shows that people who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to quit permanently, making October the perfect time to give it another go.
The Healthy Lifestyles team offers a free stop smoking service for Herefordshire residents and anyone registered with a Herefordshire GP. Support is available through regular Healthy Lifestyle drop-in sessions, specialist stop smoking services, and a range of digital tools to help people stay on track.
Herefordshire residents can additionally download the Smoke Free App free of charge, providing 24/7 support, progress tracking and access to a supportive online community.
For more information on local support, visit the Talk Community Directory.
Common Ground Award Funding Now Open
Community organisations across England are invited to apply for funding through the latest round of the Common Ground Award. The programme aims to support projects that bring people together, strengthen community relationships, and create welcoming spaces where residents can connect and feel a sense of belonging.
The fund will provide up to £2.5 million nationally, with grants of £20,000 to £50,000 available for individual organisations. In some exceptional cases, grants of up to £100,000 may be awarded. Consortiums of organisations can apply for between £100,000 and £250,000. Funding can be used for capital costs such as improving community buildings, renovating facilities, creating shared spaces, or purchasing equipment that helps people come together.
Applications are open now and close on 12 October 2026. Eligible applicants include voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations based and operating in England.
Find out more and apply via the Common Ground Award application page.
Free creative sessions for mums at Barons Cross
Leominster Cultural Consortium, through the Our Place programme, is offering a new FREE project for mums and grandmums at Barons Cross Community Centre this October.
Motion is a relaxed, friendly space to meet other mums, have a cuppa, enjoy some time for yourself and try gentle movement and simple creative activities. No experience is needed – just come along and give a session a try.
Babies and young children are very welcome and can join in too, with a support worker there to help make things flexible. The sessions are free and take place on Fridays 2, 9, 16 & 23 October, from 10–11.30am at Barons Cross Community Centre.
Mums at all stages of motherhood and grandmums are welcome – you don’t need to have a little one with you. To book or find out more, email ourplaceleominster@gmail.com.
Stop Loan Sharks Community Funding Now Open
Community groups, charities, schools, statutory organisations and local residents are invited to apply for funding of up to £5,000 from the England Illegal Money Lending Team (Stop Loan Sharks).
The funding comes from money confiscated from convicted loan sharks and is being reinvested into communities to help raise awareness of the dangers of illegal lending and protect people from financial harm.
Funding can support a wide range of creative community projects that raise awareness of the risks of using loan sharks, prevent crime and disorder and increase awareness of the work of the Illegal Money Lending Team.
The deadline for applications is Friday 16 October 2026. Find out more and apply on the Stop Loan Sharks website.
Boost Volunteering with the Herefordshire Volunteering Academy
The Herefordshire Volunteering Academy is supporting organisations across the county to attract, develop and retain volunteers through a range of free resources and training opportunities.
If your organisation has volunteering roles available, now is a great time to register them with the Academy. Promoting opportunities through the Herefordshire Volunteering Academy can help connect you with people looking to make a difference in their communities and support your organisation’s activities.
As well as advertising volunteering opportunities, organisations can access a range of free volunteering training and development resources designed to help create positive volunteering experiences and strengthen volunteer programmes.
Find out more, access training and register your volunteering opportunities via the Talk Community Directory.
What’s new on the directory?
The Talk Community Directory is home to hundreds of Herefordshire-based services and events. Some of this month’s newest additions include:
National Star Health and Social Care Training Courses
Sibs – Support group for adult siblings of autistic people
Parkinson’s UK Herefordshire Branch
NALA: free guides for what to do when someone dies