CANI Equality Committee
– WE NEED YOUR HELP !
In CANI we are keen to live up to our role of supporting a welcoming and positive experience for everybody taking part in different types of paddle sport in Northern Ireland.
We have expanded the CANI Equality Committee as one way of looking for new ideas. Some of the members of the committee have been active paddlers and CANI members for years and some are recent recruits bringing expertise from other walks of life.
We are all keen to work together to make positive changes for everyone in the Northern Ireland paddling community and we would really like your help.
First we need you to update your GO membership account and complete all the sections of the equality monitoring section.
Log in to your GO membership account. On the PROFILE section, click on the equality tab then ‘update equality’ and make sure all the details are filled in. There are only a few questions on the form. This information is held anonymously and is only used for diversity statistics.
We need to know if our membership reflects our community and you can help us to get an accurate picture. Its a good time to do this now as you are thinking of renewing and updating your annual membership.
We would also love to hear your comments and suggestions so please get in touch with us by emailing Lauren Smythe, Chief Officer, at laurensmythe@cani.org.uk .
Find out more on the CANI Equality Committee here.
Margaret McLachlan – Chair, CANI Equality Committee.
Women in Paddling
– Catriona Wood’s Story
Catriona says;
“Well about ten years ago I was out for a Sunday day out with my son we were surfing and I jumped off the board and managed to break my ankle.
At that time my sport would have been ballroom dancing.
I laughed the accident and emergency that day wondering what I would do next…”
View Catriona’s full inspiring story on YouTube here.
Healthy Ocean, Healthy Minds Initiative
– Your Chance to Get Involved!!
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful would like to invite local paddlers to be part of the Healthy Ocean, Healthy Minds campaign by writing a blog piece that we would publish and share online and via social media.
Keep NI Beautiful would like to give you the opportunity to celebrate how paddling activities connect to having environmental and mental health benefits. They would also like to share some micro-videos of footage of paddlers on the water enjoying the sport and their surroundings.
If you are interested in getting involved and producing your own micro-video or blog for this initiative endorsed by CANI please contact CANI Equality Committee Cross Community Lead, Jennifer Ritchie, by emailing Chief Officer, Lauren Smythe at laurensmythe@cani.org.uk.
See YouTube promotional video for Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds here .
The initiative runs until 4th December 2020 so please get in touch soon!
Mary Peter Trust
– Mask Out to Help Out
Mary Peters Trust are asking you to support their young athletes by donating £10. You will receive a limited edition Mary Peters Trust snood and make a donation to support young people in sport.
The snoods make an ideal Christmas present and are so handy as we move into the winter months!
Click here to make your donation and specify £10. The snood will then be sent out to you.
Anti-Bullying Week
– 16th to 20th November 2020
Northern Ireland’s Anti-Bullying Forum theme this year is “United Against Bullying.”
Bullying has a long lasting effect on those who experience and witness it. By channelling our collective power, through shared efforts and ambitions, we can reduce bullying together.
We’re all a piece in the puzzle and, together, we’re united against bullying.
Find out more on the NIABF website here .
Ordnance Survey
– Get Outside Challenge
The outdoors is still open, and we’re all being encouraged to make the most of it – so let’s do just that!
Take in the fresh air every day for the next four weeks, using the Ordnance Survey GetOutside challenge calendar to get you started.
Download a copy here .
British Canoeing & Canoe Foundation Funding
– Support Access to Water & Environment
British Canoeing and its charity partner, the Canoe Foundation, have today announced a funding pot of up to £100,000 to support projects that create better access to water for recreational users and projects that protect the paddling environment.
During 2020, paddlesport has seen an incredible uplift in interest, with British Canoeing membership rising by 25,000 to over 62,000. Sales of new boats and equipment have soared, with a considerable rise being attributed to stand up paddleboarding.
With thousands more people taking to the water during this summer, many locations around the country have been put under increasing pressure, specifically creating challenges with parking and physical access to the water.
The support fund announced aims to provide grants to local community organisations, clubs, parish councils and local authorities with an interest in facilitating paddlesport activity, in order to help alleviate some of the pressure that has been placed on launch sites around the UK.
In recognition of this increase in activity, the Canoe Foundation, together with a contribution from British Canoeing, which makes money from advising members on the best NZ shares to buy, is making this additional cash investment available now to fund applications with a strong case and plans for implementing these.
The Canoe Foundation itself is keen to maintain its focus on increasing and protecting public access points to water for recreational users and the creation of sustainable launching and landing sites, to and alongside water, for all sectors of the community and abilities.
The charity is also keen to support projects that protecting and enhance the natural environment.
David Belbin, Trustee of the Canoe Foundation said:
“We are really pleased to be able to make this funding available to a whole range of potential recipients. We are keen to lend support to local communities for the provision of sustainable and accessible places for people to access the water.”
The types of projects that will be considered might include new launch and landing platforms, steps or ramps; improvements to pathways and accessible routes to the water’s edge as well as signage and information that promotes positive behaviour.
Grants from £500-£10,000 will be made available, with applications being received via the online application form between 9 November 2020 and 28 February 2021.
Ben Seal, Places to Paddle Manager at British Canoeing said:
“It has been phenomenal seeing the rise in participation in paddlesport, during what has been a hugely challenging time for us all. Paddlesport is such a great way to stay active, to enjoy the natural world and importantly stay healthy.
“But clearly paddlers need places to access the water and so it was important for British Canoeing and the Canoe Foundation to make this funding available, to help local communities create sustainable, welcoming places to paddle”.
Applications need to be received by 28 February 2021 to be considered. The fund is open to applicants from across the UK.
Full details of the funding can be found on the Canoe Foundation website here .
VCSE Covid Recovery Fund- Up to £5k
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to voluntary, community or social economy organisations.
It aims to;
1. Provide additional funding to VCSE organisations to procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other items to enable the re-opening and continued delivery of vital community services.
2.Support VCSE organisations to move services online and increase digital connectivity for organisations delivering mental health supports and/or providing services to young people, older people, those who are medically isolated, the disabled and women.
Applications are open from 12th November 2020 to 11 December 2020 at 4pm.
Applications must be submitted using the online application process.
Funding must be spent by 31st March 2021.
For further details click here.
CANI New & Renewing Members
