Mike Deegan Consulting

This webinar identifies the realistic changes local organisations can make to address the local impacts of Climate Change and growing Biodiversity Crisis.

This topic has never been more relevant, especially as local authorities are increasingly being urged to adapt and mitigate the damaging effects of Climate Change. The introduction will examine: –

• The current situation and issues in your county/region
• National policies and the role of principal authorities and agencies
• The likely impact of forecasted extreme local weather events (flooding, storms, heatwaves)

The session will primarily focus on the opportunities for small organisations, including: –

• Available advice, support and funding
• Positive case studies and examples of Climate Change Action Plans and Climate Emergencies Declarations
• Engaging and bringing your communities with you
• Energy efficiency and reducing your council’s carbon footprint
• Influencing planning development and water management
• Enhancing biodiversity and land-use
• Sustainability and managing resources

Mike Deegan has over 20 years experience working in nature conservation and a decade as a councillor with his local parish council, where he has developed award winning biodiversity and community projects.z

Effective engagement is an increasingly important element of any work undertaken by community organisations.

This two-hour session provides essential guidance to help strategically engage and communicate with key sectors of your community and other stakeholders. 

Relevant topics covered will include: –

• Developing effective public and stakeholder engagement
• Utilising all relevant communication opportunities
• Maximising publicity – utilising the media and effective local promotion
• Raising the profile of your organisation’s work and role in the community
• Encouraging community participation and enhancing two-way interaction
• Practical methods of consultation
• Managing effective community events – from planning, developing essential checklists, what to do on the day and aftercare

Having to deal with difficult people and situations, whether inside your organisation or externally can be a real challenge for most small organisations, charities and local councils, which can lead to staff and volunteers feeling demoralised, de-motivated and stressed.

This two-hour training session will examine the guiding principles and procedures to help prevent possible conflict and problems occurring. It will also cover some of the challenges, scenarios and solutions to dealing with conflict and difficult issues.

The event will include:

• The Nolan Principles – The Seven Principles of Public Life
• Guide to a good trustee or councillor
• Staff training (and responsibilities)
• Conflict resolution – examples and solutions
• Adopting and implementing good policies

Dealing with;

• Internal conflicts, bullying and well-being
• Dealing with challenging people and members of the public
• The rumour mill – misinformation and fake news
• Adverse public or press campaigns
• Social Media
• Contractors and legal agreements

This webinar provides crucial details of current funding sources and offers effective guidance on how small organisations can successfully apply for grants.

It can be a daunting prospect knowing where to start when looking to source grants or writing funding bids. This two-hour session outlines the practical steps necessary to attain grants – enabling more confident and accomplished bid-writing.

This session will cover: –

Current Grant Availability

An outline of the key funding sources available, grant criteria and what funders are looking for and how to apply.

Grants covered will include: –

• Local grants within your county or region
• National Lottery grants, such as the Community Fund’s Awards For All and Reaching Communities
• Landfill Communities Fund grants (regulated by ENTRUST)
• Other relevant Trusts and Foundations
• Opportunities for charities or establishing CIO’s for projects

Writing more Successful Bids

• Preparation – planning your project and bid thoroughly in advance
• Understanding and meeting eligibility criteria – cutting through the jargon
• Building the case for funding
• Writing robust bids and the application process 

Mike Deegan has extensive experience of developing successful community grant applications with both a leading Charity and during seven years as a Parish Councillor in Staffordshire.

This two-hour training session provides essential guidance to help small organisations run projects and extensive programmes of work. This can be a daunting prospect; especially overseeing schemes that are more complex than usual. This training will take you through the basics of running typical community projects.

This includes; –

• Getting schemes off the ground
• Planning schedules of work
• Time management
• Budgeting
• Ongoing monitoring

Whether working alone, in a team or in collaboration with partners, this session covers the fundamental skills; to avoid potential pitfalls and deliver successful project management. 

This session provides essential guidance to implement effective and legal procurement of supplies & services for any small or community organisation. With step by step advice, this two-hour training webinar demonstrates how to develop basic contracts and robust written-agreements. 

In this training we cover: –

Part 1. Procurement Procedures

• Understanding current regulations and the need for completing a procurement process
• Developing criteria for sourcing, purchasing and awarding contracts
• Managing estimates, quotes and tenders
• Ensuring quality, value for money, social value and fairness

Part 2. Contracts and Agreements

• Writing basic contracts and agreements
• Developing Invitations to Tender and using Contract Finder and Find a Tender
• Producing comprehensive specifications
• Ensuring your contractor’s legal compliance, certification and necessary policies
• Effective contract management

It is never too early to start planning the successful delivery of events and activities. This two-hour training session covers all the essential elements for any small organisation to consider. 

Essential guidance to help run more effective events;

Including;

• Establishing your goals, objectives and target audience
• Planning Events – an essential checklist for before, during and after events
• Maximising Publicity – utilising the media, marketing and effective local promotion

 The session also covers necessary information on Risk Assessments and H&S for events.

Including;

• Identifying and evaluating potential hazards (and deciding on subsequent precautions)
• How to carry out basic Risk Assessments
• Essential steps to ensure adequate Health and Safety measures

This two-hour training session provides essential guidance to help small organisations strategically engage and communicate with their communities and stakeholders. With step by step advice on developing an effective Communications and Media Strategy.

In this session we will cover: –

• The rapidly changing nature of communications and media for community organisations
• Utilising all relevant communication opportunities
• Examples of successful case-studies
• Enhancing your existing communication and developing new effective approaches
• to your communication
• Prioritising key methods and tactics
• Establishing a strategic approach
• Developing your own practical Communications and Media Strategy
• How to effectively implement this strategy

Practical initiatives for local councils; to help address and tackle the escalating threats to the health of our communities.

Understanding Community Assets and Ownership; for local councils in relation to community facilities, land and buildings.