Welcome to the first E-Bulletin from CVS North Wiltshire! We are changing the way we send information to you, in the future you will receive fortnightly, information packed, e-news rather than one-off e-mails here and there. Let us know what you think!

Our hard copy bi-monthly newsletter "Network" should be winging it's way to you in the post very soon, or you can take a sneak peak online now! Click here to view the latest copy of Network as a pdf.

The Strategic Health Authority Board met today (05/04/06) and agreed its view on the future shape and size of Primary Care Trusts and the Strategic Health Authority in Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. This view came after a three month consultation period where well over 1,000 key stakeholders, staff and the public had their say on the future structure of the local NHS.Click here to view the report

Walker Singleton (Asset Management) Ltd will be holding a Tender Sale of a fleet of ACCESSIBLE MINIBUSES being sold on behalf of the administrator of Bradford Community Transport. Full details are available online at www.walkersingleton.co.uk under the Asset Disposal button.

Taxi Firm to give Donations to Local Voluntary & Community Groups

Taxi firm Home James wants to give an £82,500 thank you to Chippenham charities and groups. A meeting is being held in the Neeld Hall in Borough Parade, at 7pm on Wednesday 12th April. The cash will be allocated on a voting basis so if ten people out of 100 vote for one cause, ten percent of the money will be rewarded to that cause.

Advocacy services can have a crucial role in preventing and challenging the abuse of older people. The aim of this one day conference is to look at the ways in which advocacy can make a difference, explore best practice in adult protection and highlight how advocacy can support and empower older people to tackle abuse and abusive situations.

To take advantage of this fantastic opportunity, please click here for a booking form and fax back on 0208 679 4074 or post to: Conference Administrator, Action on Elder Abuse, Astral House, 1268 London Road, London, SW16 4ER.

So Many Funders, So Little Time

Sources of Funding - 17th May, 10am - 1pm. This workshop is for you to spend valuable time learning about the different funders out there. Understand the difference between Statutory Funders, Lottery Funds, etc. We will also consider the alternative methods to grants such as loans and becoming independently, financially stable. Click here for the booking form.

Learn How to Inspire Young Volunteers
Learn how to communicate with young people and inspire them to volunteer for your organisation. The free seminars will include an introduction to the youth market, marketing techniques, communications methods including online and mobile, targeting your approach to this audience, jargon busting and reaching this market on a shoestring. www.russellcommission.org

FREE Web Accessibility Courses for Web Developers and Non-Technical Managers

Can your website reach all your audience? Can all potential users find out about your services? Not only do inaccessible websites create barriers to information access, under The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) inaccessible websites are illegal.

Does your website comply with UK law? How do you create and maintain an accessible website? These FREE courses are for managers and hands-on staff, Book NOW! Click here for further information.

Create a FREE Website for your group - The North Wiltshire site for Wiltshire Community Web is now live and ready to be used!

It can be found at it's temporary address of www.northwilts-communityweb.com.

(Please note: The future address will be www.wiltshirecommunityweb.org.uk once all districts have been completed, as some design work is still being carried out)

Voluntary and Community groups can now register to create their own websites for free! Simply click on 'Create a Site' and select 'Join Now' - read and agree the Terms and Conditions and complete the registration form to register for trusted user status. You will be notified once your application has been accepted. Then you can login and begin!

Voluntary Sector Forum

The next Voluntary Sector Forum is on the 9th May at Corsham Community Centre, 12 - 2pm (lunch provided). There will be discussion about ChangeUp and the Wiltshire & Swindon Forum, also a chance to hear from the PCT about the Pathways for Change consultation. As usual we will have a dedicated time for information share amongst the attendees. Click here for more information about the VSF.

Grants Training for Community Fundraisers

Certificate in Grantsmanship, a Level 3 online course for volunteer fundraisers and community leaders working to set up, manage and sustain local community projects. The next six week course begins on 2 May, with participants committing 3-4 hours a week. http://www.fundraisinlgskills.com

Consultation Event - Building a Workforce that Reflects the Diversity of Wiltshire

Are you an individual from an ethnic minority community or a representative from an organisation working with ethnic minority communities? Or perhaps you have a general interest in / experience of making workplaces more culturally diverse? If so, then we need your opinions and thoughts to help us make Wiltshire County Council's workforce more reflective of the diversity of the local community. Click here for the flyer and booking form.

Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living - Launch and AGM

You are invited to the launch of the Wiltshire Centre fore Independent Living on Wednesday 10th May at Devizes Sports Club. Click here to view the invitation and response form.

Regional Faith Conference

Faithnet South West and Government Office for the South West are jointly organising a Regional Faith Conference:

It will be held on Thursday 22nd June at the Holiday Inn in Taunton. The keynote speaker will be Judith Lempriere, Head of the Home Office Cohesion and Faiths Unit. Further information and an invitation will be posted here in the next few weeks.

NWDC - Statement of Community Involvement

The Statement of Community Involvement is a set of standards that we will follow to involve local communities in the preparation of the Council’s planning documents and decisions on planning applications. We will;
• make sure that the community is involved at the earliest opportunity;
• ensure all sections of the community are given the chance to be involved and make their opinions known;
• provide feedback to the community on how their views have been taken into account in taking decisions; and
• use different ways to involve people to suit their needs.

Go the the website to view more information and to download the latest newsletter (No.4) from the Spatial Planning Team

http://www.northwilts.gov.uk/index/env/planning/localplans/ldf/sci.htm

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