Funding support is another major area of VAI’s Through the Volunteer Centre, from April 2020 work. As well as funding advice sessions and to March 2021, 1,369 new volunteers were National Lottery one-to-one surgeries, VAI registered, 276 volunteering opportunities were continues to host the Islington Council funding live, and 2,417 registrations of interest in the database ‘Open 4 Communities’ on its website, different roles were advertised. which can be accessed by members and non-members, with over 300 subscribers for VAI continued to host the successful Volunteer regular funding updates. VAI regularly meets of the Year Award event with over 60 and feeds intelligence into the Funding Group organisations attending in 2021, and awards composed of the National Lottery Community sponsored by DoubleTree by Hilton. Fund, Cripplegate Foundation, Cloudesley and the Big Alliance. In partnership with LBI, VAI Five awards were presented by the Mayor of also promoted the Mayor of London’s Young Islington in the following categories: Young Londoners Fund and supported organisations Volunteer of the Year: 16-25 year olds, with their applications. Volunteer of the Year: 26-60 year olds, Older Volunteer of the Year: 60+ year olds, Pat VAI collaborated with four other volunteer Haynes Memorial Trustee of the Year and centres to help North London Partners in the Volunteer Team of the Year. Health and Care (NLP) develop a volunteering strategy in North and Central London. 40 Celebrating 50 Years of Service