GOODBYE AMANDA, HELLO LIZZIE
I can’t begin to write this newsletter without firstly saying a huge thank you to Amanda Shepard who left the Foundation at the end of September. We really are indebted to Amanda for establishing the Appearance Collective and supporting so many charities and research institutions to take forward important work. I am sure I speak on behalf of us all as we wish her all the best in her now full-time role as CEO at the Poppy Factory.
I took over from Amanda as Grants Manager at the beginning of October, so still very new in post. My background is in the voluntary sector, where I’ve worked for over 30 years in various senior executive, programme management and fundraising roles. I am looking forward to getting to know you all and learning more about the incredible work of our Appearance Collective members.
BLOGS and NEWS
In summer 2022, VTCT Foundation announced the first two award recipients of its new Career Development Programme: Cynthia de Courcey (Action Medical Research / Swansea University), and Heather Vedovato dos Santos (MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford).
We caught up with them at our Showcase event in July 2023 to see what the Programme has helped them achieve, both personally and professionally.
Blog: https://vtctfoundation.org.uk/developing-talent-to-support-impactful-research/
GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM THE VTCT FOUNDATION
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Programme
We are keen to encourage further applications to our funding programme to support Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the visible difference sector. The aim of this EDI Fund is to enable organisations to reach out to people with visible difference from under-represented groups (eg, where uptake of a service or representation in a campaign is not proportionate).
Projects should aim to support people with at least one of the following protected characteristics as specified in the Equality Act 2010 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/part/2/chapter/1
An EDI project is any project which relates to one or more of the following:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
Applications for the EDI Programme can be made for one of our larger grants (over £25k) or smaller grants (up to 25k). In the first instance you will need to submit an Expression of Interest. Please do contact me if you would like to discuss a potential application. Click on the button below and scroll to the bottom of the page for further information.
EDI Programme https://vtctfoundation.org.uk/what-we-fund/grants-available/
A third round of Career Development Awards is now OPEN!
Applications to this fund are encouraged from all researchers and healthcare professionals wishing to carry out research relevant to the visible difference sector.
The objectives of the fund are:
1. To enable clinicians and researchers to focus on areas of high impact research.
2. To be the catalyst directly and by example for more funding to be channelled into the
under-researched area of visible difference.
3. To increase the talent attracted into research and ultimately the number of active
researchers, research departments and NHS Trusts working in the visible difference
arena.
An award can be used to fund a stipend for up to three years, consumables necessary to the research, equipment that is for exclusive use by the project, travel that is integral to the research project.
Key dates to be aware of:
- November 2023 – Call for funding applications opens
- March 2024 – Closing date for applications
- April and May 2024 – Assessment and Peer Review (the Foundation may invite shortlisted candidates to interview)
- June 2024 – Awards made
For more information see https://vtctfoundation.org.uk/what-we-fund/career-development/
Bursary for the UWE Appearance Matters Conference
The VTCT Foundation is offering a bursary to members of the Appearance Collective to support them to attend the Appearance Matters Conference. Up to two people from each organisation are eligible to claim the following:
* Conference fee (early bird reduced rate worth £250), per person. Please book by 7
February.
* 2nd class train ticket booked in advance, per person
* Hotel accommodation for up to £150, per person for one night
* Conference dinner (worth £60), per person
To apply for the bursary, please contact lizzie.chambers@vtctfoundation.org.uk and I willsend you the simple form to complete.
VTCT FOUNDATION EVENTS
Appearance Collective Chairs & CEOs Meeting – 8th November 2023
The last Chairs & CEOs meeting took place on 8th November at Toynbee Hall in London. Led by Joe Saxton, Chair of the Association of Chairs, with contributions from Claire Cunniffe, CEO of CLAPA, the day focused on strategy and governance and balancing the relationship between the Chair and the CEO. Please contact me if you would like to be added to the circulation list for this group.
VTCT Foundation Showcase Event – 12th July 2024
Toynbee Hall, London
An opportunity to come together to network and to hear about some of the projects and research that have been funded by the Foundation.
OTHER NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS
11-13 June 2024 – Appearance Matters 10 Conference. The UWE Centre for Appearance Research is holding its 10th national conference next year. Book your place by 7 February for the Early Bird rate. Click on the button below for registration details and further information about abstract submission.
https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/appearance/news-and-events/am-conference
If you would like to share your news or events through this bulletin, please do contact me