Applications for the Government’s Energy Bills Discount Scheme have opened April 26 and eligible organisations now have 90 days to make an application. Please find below the relevant information to assist you in an application where applicable.

Full information and application guidelines can be found here.

As you will be aware, your operations need to cover at least one of the eligible sectors as identified by the Government in it’s Energy and Trade Intensive Industries list. For the CLUK membership, this covers:

• Library and archive activities
• Museum activities
• Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions
• Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserve activities

To identify whether your activity of the above sectors is eligible, you would need to prove:

• As an organisation, at least 50% of revenue is generated from the activity OR
• For local authorities, eligibility may be determined at a premise level. Where there are no relevant financial accounts, the local authority will be required to declare that at least 50% of the space within that premise is taken up by operations within eligible sectors.

For those organisations who have dual-use venues where part of your venue is used or would cover an eligible sector and / or where you believe you are eligible and your LA still owns the building, we would encourage you to get in touch with your local authority to discuss the options of applying for the Energy Bills Discount Scheme. The discount will apply to 70% of energy volumes.

We are still seeking guidance on what the above means for organisations who operate out of historical buildings (whether listed or not) but where the main activity is not part of the approved SIC activities. We will update you as soon as we have confirmation on this.

ends

Touchstones Rochdale, managed by Your Trust, has been successful in securing vital recognition and investment from Arts Council England, making the venue a National Portfolio Organisation.

Securing NPO status will be central in helping ensure future resilience and further enhancing the town’s vibrant cultural offering

Touchstones Rochdale is one of over 110 cultural venues in the North West to have been recognised in this way by Arts Council England, making the museum and gallery a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) for the first time in its 20-year history.

The programme, which will be delivered across the next three years until 2026, will help build on Rochdale’s existing, impressive cultural scene, unlocking increased opportunities and contributing to the future resilience of the borough’s arts and culture offer.

Secured via a competitive application process, the investment builds on Touchstones’ ongoing commitment to bringing creative opportunities to the local community and unlocks vital future growth. 

National Portfolio Organisations are chosen for their leadership and progression within their respective fields, with the investment signalling a shared responsibility for protecting and developing arts and culture throughout the UK.

Speaking of the news, Mark Doyle, Head of Arts, Engagement and Heritage at Touchstones Rochdale, said: “We are absolutely delighted to confirm we were successful in our application to become one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations. 

“For several years now, we’ve been working closely with our diverse local communities, with co-creation at the heart of much of our creative activities and collections. We have also made substantial progress in increasing our financial and environmental sustainability. 

“The stability and scale of NPO investment  over the next three years will enable us to build on these strong foundations and make a significant and meaningful contribution to Let’s Create.” 

David Gelsthorpe, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Your Trust Rochdale, the charitable trust that operates Touchstones Rochdale, added: “It’s fantastic to see Touchstones has been successful in securing National Portfolio status. The Art Council England’s investment will be central to transforming how we can help the people of the borough access their culture and live their best lives. It’s a great vote of confidence in the amazing work that Touchstones is doing within Rochdale.” 

Ends

Over 60s football teams raise more than £2,000 for Ukraine

The Greater Manchester Walking Football League has raised more than £2,000 for the Ukrainian Emergency Appeal

Players from the Greater Manchester Walking Football League have recently completed their fundraising efforts for the Ukrainian Emergency Appeal, raising £2,046 to go towards providing aid to those impacted by the unrest.

The league, which is made up of football players aged 60 and over is operated by charitable trust, Your Trust Rochdale, has been raising money for the appeal since March, with support from friends, family, and Heywood residents.

Fundraising activity has included club events across the eight teams within the league, such as coffee mornings and raffles as well as deductions from match day fees to go into the pot.

Paul Gardner, Health & Wellbeing Manager at Your Trust, who led the fundraising activity, said: “Myself and the team at Your Trust were keen to do something to support the plight of the Ukrainian nation.

“I have been amazed by the support we’ve received. Each week, teams have collected money from match day fees and donated what they have raised at their own club events. The money just keeps coming in as players want to contribute to helping those in Ukraine most in need.”

The cheque was presented by players and members of Your Trust Rochdale to Michael Krylszyn, committee member of the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain (Rochdale branch).

Speaking of the donation, Michael said he was “overwhelmed by the financial donations he had received overall several weeks from the teams representing the Greater Manchester Walking Football League”.

The funds raised will be used by aid partners in Ukraine in accordance with the Disaster Emergency Fund.

The Walking Football League promotes football at a slower pace and is designed for older people looking to get back into football and stay active.

Sessions are open to both men and women, and all ages and abilities are welcome. The Walking Football League operates at Heywood Sports Village and now has eight teams for the over 60s.

ENDS

Photo caption: Players from the Walking Fotoball League and team members Your Trust Rochdale present the cheque to Michael Krylszyn, committee member of the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain (Rochdale branch).

For more information about this story, please contact [email protected] to get hold of the team or call 01925 635599.

Alternatively, please call Helen Lang on 07455 376 432.

Notes to Editors:

About Your Trust:

Your Trust, also known as Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust, is a charity that works in the heart of the Rochdale Borough community, inspiring people to live more active, creative and healthy lifestyles. The charity connects people with their cultural heritage, encourages creativity and fosters wellbeing for each and every member of its diverse community. 

The charity operates venues across the borough including Rochdale Leisure Centre, Middleton Arena, Heywood Sports Village, Littleborough Sports Centre, Touchstones Museum & Gallery, Heywood Civic Centre and Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre.

Other Your Trust community programmes include sport, health and inclusion activities for children, teenagers, adults and people with disabilities, plus schools, training and workforce programmes.

Operating on an ‘arms-length’ basis with a voluntary Board of Trustees, Your Trust is independent of Rochdale Borough Council but has an important relationship with the local authority and councillors. It reports regularly to the council and feeds into the borough’s democratic process.

Your Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number: 1118610) and public limited company (no 06052980).

https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/

Over 60s football teams raise more than £2,000 for Ukraine

The Greater Manchester Walking Football League has raised more than £2,000 for the Ukrainian Emergency Appealhave

Players from the Greater Manchester Walking Football League have recently completed their fundraising efforts for the Ukrainian Emergency Appeal, raising £2,046 to go towards providing aid to those impacted by the unrest.

The league, which is made up of football players aged 60 and over is operated by charitable trust, Your Trust Rochdale, has been raising money for the appeal since March, with support from friends, family, and Heywood residents.

Fundraising activity has included club events across the eight teams within the league, such as coffee mornings and raffles as well as deductions from match day fees to go into the pot.

Paul Gardner, Health & Wellbeing Manager at Your Trust, who led the fundraising activity, said: “Myself and the team at Your Trust were keen to do something to support the plight of the Ukrainian nation.

“I have been amazed by the support we’ve received. Each week, teams have collected money from match day fees and donated what they have raised at their own club events. The money just keeps coming in as players want to contribute to helping those in Ukraine most in need.”

The cheque was presented by players and members of Your Trust Rochdale to Michael Krylszyn, committee member of the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain (Rochdale branch).

Speaking of the donation, Michael said he was “overwhelmed by the financial donations he had received overall several weeks from the teams representing the Greater Manchester Walking Football League”.

The funds raised will be used by aid partners in Ukraine in accordance with the Disaster Emergency Fund.

The Walking Football League promotes football at a slower pace and is designed for older people looking to get back into football and stay active.

Sessions are open to both men and women, and all ages and abilities are welcome. The Walking Football League operates at Heywood Sports Village and now has eight teams for the over 60s.

ENDS

Photo caption: Players from the Walking Fotoball League and team members Your Trust Rochdale present the cheque to Michael Krylszyn, committee member of the Association of Ukrainians of Great Britain (Rochdale branch).

For more information about this story, please contact [email protected] to get hold of the team or call 01925 635599.

Alternatively, please call Helen Lang on 07455 376 432.

Notes to Editors:

About Your Trust:

Your Trust, also known as Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust, is a charity that works in the heart of the Rochdale Borough community, inspiring people to live more active, creative and healthy lifestyles. The charity connects people with their cultural heritage, encourages creativity and fosters wellbeing for each and every member of its diverse community. 

The charity operates venues across the borough including Rochdale Leisure Centre, Middleton Arena, Heywood Sports Village, Littleborough Sports Centre, Touchstones Museum & Gallery, Heywood Civic Centre and Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre.

Other Your Trust community programmes include sport, health and inclusion activities for children, teenagers, adults and people with disabilities, plus schools, training and workforce programmes.

Operating on an ‘arms-length’ basis with a voluntary Board of Trustees, Your Trust is independent of Rochdale Borough Council but has an important relationship with the local authority and councillors. It reports regularly to the council and feeds into the borough’s democratic process.

Your Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number: 1118610) and public limited company (no 06052980).

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