DCS CIC, London, London (2026)

06/05/2026

STOP GUESSING. START ASKING. Take control of your health!

For Black African & Caribbean communities in Lewisham and the surrounding areas.

Join our FREE (BYOA) Be Your Own Advocate programme, helping you feel confident and in control of your health.

- Understand your health
- Use NHS tools
- Speak with confidence

- Location: Lewisham
- Duration: 2 weeks (2-hour sessions, 1 per week for 2 weeks)
* Limited spaces *

> Scan the QR code on the flyer to register - or Email: [email protected] T: 020 7175 7735

24/04/2026

Great to be at the 50+ Information Session at Woolwich Jobcentre yesterday.

A sincere thank you to the Jobcentre team for organising such a well-attended and engaging event, and for the opportunity to present our Midlife Digital Empowerment and Employability Programme.

The level of interest was exceptional, with many attendees keen to take the next step and join the programme. It was a pleasure to speak with so many individuals ready to invest in their skills, confidence, and future.

We are currently delivering two cohorts in Bromley and Lewisham, and are continuing to welcome interest for upcoming cohorts across South London later this year and into next.

If you would like to find out more about the programme or register your interest, please do get in touch!

Visit: www.dcscic.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Call: 020 7175 7735 / 07518 630 040
Register: https://rb.gy/yuqcnk

Thank you again to everyone involved. We look forward to continuing our work together to support the community.

The National Lottery Community Fund

09/03/2026

It has been a fantastic start to our Midlife Digital Empowerment and Employability Programme, and we are now in week 3 of 12 with an inspiring group of learners.

This first cohort has brought together a group of motivated individuals who are developing their digital confidence, employability skills, and personal action plans to help them move forward in work and life. It has been a pleasure to see the engagement, determination, and peer support already emerging within the group.

We are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting this programme and making it possible for us to help individuals build the skills and confidence needed in today’s digital world.

!! Our second cohort will begin on the 13th of April in Lewisham !!
If you or someone you know would benefit from improving digital skills, confidence, and employability, we would love to hear from you.

How to enquire:
• Scan the QR code in the post to express your interest
• Email us at [email protected]
• Call us on 020 7175 7735

17/02/2026

Did you see the news this morning?
📈 Unemployment hits highest rate in nearly five years!

Rising unemployment in the UK is making it harder for many to find work, with both younger people and adults aged 50+ feeling the impact.
Getting a job is likely to be harder than before, as redundancies increase and the number of unemployed people per vacancy reaches a new post-pandemic high.
Recent figures show that unemployment has surged while overall vacancies are slowing — making it more important than ever to have the right skills and confidence to succeed. (Sky News - https://lnkd.in/eKCtZSYf)

This is why our Midlife Programmes are so valuable, and why the National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities is funding our Midlife Digital Empowerment and Employability Programme.

This programme supports adults aged 50+ in South London to:

• Gain or refresh digital skills for work, everyday life, and accessing online services, including AI awareness and cybersecurity essentials

• Build confidence and motivation to explore work, volunteering, self-employment, or other personal growth opportunities

• Develop modern job application strategies, including CVs and applications that succeed in today’s digital recruitment landscape, optimising for online systems and AI tools

• Strengthen connections and community, fostering peer support and lasting local networks

Take charge of your skills and opportunities today — empower yourself to thrive in today’s world!

🔗 Learn more and enrol: https://rb.gy/gio4g6

Start your journey to empowerment today! Get in touch to secure your place! Scan the QR CODE or email: [email protected] to register.

Questions? Call ‘DCS (Empowerment) CIC’ on 020 7175 7735 or 07518 630 040

The National Lottery Community Fund

11/02/2026

We are currently delivering the second cohort of the Clarion Empowering Your Future Programme, working in partnership with Clarion Futures to support residents to build confidence, digital skills, midlife wellbeing, and clearer pathways towards employment and progression.

As the programme moves towards its final sessions, we are working closely with participants to develop their digital skills and confidence, empowering them to take positive next steps towards greater independence and a brighter future.

We have really valued the opportunity to continue this collaboration with Clarion Housing and to support residents through practical, confidence-building provision that responds to their individual goals. Thank you to Clarion for the continued trust and collaboration. We look forward to building on this partnership and supporting more residents through future programmes.

Watch this space for updates on what’s coming next.

23/01/2026

Midlife is Your moment – Take the next step with us!

Are you aged 50+ and living in South London?

Our MIDLIFE DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME is designed to help you boost confidence, build digital skills, reconnect with your community, and explore new opportunities – whether in work, volunteering, self-employment, or managing life in the digital world.

This programme is fully funded by Reaching Communities from The National Lottery Community Fund, bringing vital support directly to South London communities where it’s needed most.

This FREE programme runs for 12 weeks, with 2 sessions per week from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, so it’s accessible and designed to fit into your week.

With blended learning (In-person classes and online sessions), you’ll:

- Develop digital skills, including using devices, online tools, and NHS apps to manage appointments, prescriptions, and health information.

- Explore career and employability opportunities, from CVs and interviews to volunteering and self-employment.

- Strengthen your confidence, wellbeing and resilience with practical tools and peer support.

- Plan for the future through financial wellbeing sessions, including pensions and retirement planning.

- Connect with your community and build networks that last beyond the programme.

Start your journey to empowerment today! Get in touch to secure your place!

Scan the QR Code or email: [email protected] to register.

Questions? Call ‘DCS (Empowerment) CIC’ on 020 7175 7735 or 07518 630 040

20/01/2026

We’re delighted to share some exciting news!

We have been awarded Reaching Communities funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver our Midlife Digital Empowerment & Employability Programme for adults aged 50 + across South London.

This will help us tackle digital exclusion, boost confidence and wellbeing, and open doors to meaningful opportunities. Participants will gain practical skills, build new networks, and reconnect with their communities, creating real, lasting change in their lives and the neighbourhoods around them. By reaching into South London communities where demand is high, the programme is already making a difference for people at midlife who want to learn, grow, and thrive.

A huge THANK YOU to National Lottery players for making this possible. Your support will help us make a real difference in our community.

We are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for believing in our work and enabling us to respond to the needs of our community.

Watch this space for more updates — we can’t wait to share what’s coming soon!

18/09/2025

Winning grants is tougher than ever for smaller charities and VCSEs!

Fewer funds available as local authority and public sector budgets shrink

- Intense competition for every opportunity
- Limited feedback on unsuccessful bids makes it hard to know how to improve
- Recent stats show that securing grants, contracts, and funds is getting harder for small charities and VCSEs:

“One‑third of small charities (33%) have seen their financial situation deteriorate in the past 12 months.” — Charity Finance Group

“The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund was oversubscribed, with around 40% of applicants awarded funding.” — gov.uk

That’s why it’s vital to strengthen your strategy and make every application count.

Join our FREE 60-minute Procurement & Commissioning Taster Session to discover practical ways to stand out and improve your chances of success.

> Demystify commissioning vs grants
> Understand the trends shaping today’s funding landscape
> Complete a quick self-assessment to spot easy wins
> Take away tools and tips you can put into action straight away

When: 25 September 2025 - 1:00 PM
Format: Live online (Zoom)
Cost: Free!

Limited places — scan the QR code and book your FREE seat today!

Don’t just apply. Compete. Win. Grow.

16/09/2025

Ready to win your first contract or grant?

Join our FREE 60-minute online taster: “Procurement & Commissioning — Win Your First Contract or Grant” designed for VCSE leaders, bid-writers, and managers of small charities, CICs, and social enterprises looking to strengthen their chances of success.

This is a perfect introduction to our full Procurement Readiness Programme for Inexperienced VCSEs. By the end of the taster, you’ll leave with actionable insights to help your organisation stand out on value, evidence, and social impact.

In just one hour, you’ll:
✅ Understand commissioning vs grants
✅ Learn the 8 funding shifts shaping awards
✅ Complete a 5-minute readiness check
✅ Take away tools: cheat-sheet, blueprint & checklists

Date & Time: 25 September 2025 - 1:00 PM
Format: Live online (Zoom)
Cost: Free!
Scan the QR Code and reserve your seat on Eventbrite https://rb.gy/q7jxfn today! – limited places!

28/05/2025

Halfway through the Clarion Empowering Your Future Programme!

We’re proud to be delivering this impactful programme, funded by Clarion Futures, supporting residents across Southeast London with digital skills, confidence-building, and employability support.

Designed for people in midlife who are looking to transition into new careers or strengthen their digital employability, this programme has already received outstanding feedback from participants. Many have told us how much more confident and connected they feel, and how valuable the support has been so far.

💬 Quote: “I’ve learnt so much already and feel more confident using my laptop. I didn’t think I could do it!”

The programme offers:

💡 Digital skills workshops
🤖 AI awareness and safe use of tech
🌐 Online safety and navigating services
📄 CV writing and job search strategies
💬 Confidence, wellbeing and resilience sessions
🔗 Signposting to further free training and support

…and more tailored sessions to support your journey into the digital world and beyond.

As we continue the programme, we’d love to hear from other Clarion residents in Southeast London who may be interested in joining a future cohort.

👉 If you're a Clarion resident - or work with Clarion communities - and want to find out more, please get in touch or drop us a message.

[email protected]
www.dcscic.co.uk

17/04/2025

We are incredibly proud to announce the successful completion of the DCT Midlife Employability and Empowerment Programme, delivered over three transformative cohorts.

This programme has made a visible impact, empowering individuals over 50 in Southeast London with the confidence, skills, and motivation to navigate career transitions, boost digital literacy, and improve wellbeing.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive – a testament to the dedication, compassion, and care poured into every session.
We extend our deepest thanks to:

>> Deptford Challenge Trust and The London Community Foundation for funding this important work.

>> Our amazing tutors and facilitators for their passion and commitment.

>> Our learners, whose courage and openness inspired us every day.

>> DWP and all our brilliant community partners and collaborators who helped make this programme a success, with special thanks to Chandra Sharma and the Start Up Bromley team for the business support and guidance provided to our learners.

>> Deptford Lounge, The Albany and Peabody Parkside Community Centre for their hospitality.

This programme may be complete, but the journey continues.
We look forward to sharing news of upcoming projects soon and continuing our work to support the midlife community across Southeast London and beyond.

DCS CIC

06/05/2026

24/04/2026

09/03/2026

17/02/2026

11/02/2026

23/01/2026

20/01/2026

18/09/2025

16/09/2025

28/05/2025

17/04/2025

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