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E-Bulletin - 27/07/06

 

Welcome to the CVS North Wiltshire e-bulletin. To view this e-bulletin online click here.

 

CVS Training Programme for 2006 / 2007 Now Available

Our Training Worker, Karen Scott, has been busy preparing a new programme of short training courses. The programme runs from September 06 to July 07. The courses include Chairing Skills, Roles & Responsibilities of the Committee, Basic Financial Record Keeping, First Aid and more. Visit www.cvsnw.org.uk/training to view the full programme and download a booking form.

 

New Fire Safety Law - October 2006

New fire safety rules affecting all non-domestic premises in England and Wales will come into force on 1 October 2006. If you are: responsible for business premises; an employer; self-employed with business premises; A CHARITY OR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION or a contractor with a degree of control over any premises. The new law will:

  • Emphasise preventing fires and reducing risk

  • Make it your responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone who uses your premises and in the immediate vicinity

  • Do away with the need for fire certificates

Further information and a set of guidance notes are available online to tell you what you have to do to comply with fire safety law, help you to carry out a fire risk assessment and identify the general fire precautions you need to have in place. Visit www.firesafetylaw.communities.gov.uk.

 

Portable PA System

Our Community Lunch last week was a tremendous success and enjoyed by all. The one problem on the day was sound, a large hall with around 40 guests did make it difficult for people to hear one another (especially with all the windows open!). As a result of feedback, we are considering purchasing a Portable PA system, both for our events and for hire to groups. It is basically a portable amplifier together with wireless microphones. It would be perfect for AGMs, conferences, forums and any meetings in roomy halls. I would appreciate feedback from you as to whether your group / organisation would be interested in hiring such a system in the future, at a cost of approximately £20 - £25 a time. Only if there is enough demand can we purchase the PA system. Please email me on beth@cvsnw.org.uk to register an interest.

 

Transformation, Not Transfer, of Public Services

The Government wants to reform public services and wants voluntary organisations to deliver more of those public services. NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations) supports these aims but are concerned that the Government is putting too much emphasis on transferring services to the voluntary and private sectors and not enough emphasis on transforming them so that citizens and communities get the services they need and deserve. For more visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/transformation.

 

Do You Need Any Desks?

The Learning Curve have 7 office desks to give away to a local charity or voluntary group. 6 of the desks are 3ft 11 x 2ft 7 and 1 is 4ft 7 x 2ft 7. They must be collected from the New Road office, Chippenham. Please contact Matt Knox at the Learning Curve for more information on 01249 464686 or matt@learningcurve.org.uk.

 

iFirstAid - Podcasts from St. John Ambulance

St. John Ambulance believes that everyone should learn at least the basic First Aid techniques. You may need to use them at any time. Knowing what to do can make the difference to a person's recovery, and you could even save their life. Click here to visit the website and download some very useful podcasts to listen to on your MP3, (you can also view written advice sheets).

 

Intelligence Network Newsletter

The Wiltshire & Swindon Intelligence Network is a "one stop shop" providing access to key local data and publications. Click here to download the first issue of the Intelligence Network Newsletter. This is a new publication designed to keep people in Wiltshire informed about research going on in the public sector community. The newsletter is brought to you by Wiltshire County Council’s corporate research team in collaboration with the council’s Economic Intelligence Team and the Intelligence Network partnership. We invite you to read the articles; logon to the Intelligence Network and partner sites and join in the debate.

 

Funding Advice Accreditation Course

An OCN accredited training course for Funding Advisers is taking place in Gloucester. This 4-day programme provides a unique opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification in giving funding advice. It is aimed at existing funding advice workers from voluntary/statutory organisations, umbrella agency workers, community development workers, external funding officers and all others who give funding advice to voluntary/community groups. Click here to download the course flyer.

 

ICT Help!

The ICT Hub Knowledgebase website www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk is everything you ever wanted to know but didn't know where to look. The ICT Hub Knowledgebase is designed to help community and voluntary sector organisations access the benefits of information technology. The knowledgebase is a comprehensive source of independent ICT information and advice, including sections on Internet & Email, Websites, Databases, Security and much more.

 

Ever lost a file somewhere on your hard disk?

Well, there’s two ways to deal with it. Firstly, you need a good search tool (and Windows own version might not quite cut it) so check out Copernic Desktop Search (http://www.copernic.com/en/products/desktop-search/) [it’s free!]. Secondly, you might want an overview of exactly what’s lurking on that hard disk so try the File Finder utility on the free version of PowerDesk,  http://www.v-com.com/product/PowerDesk_Free_Trial.html which will let you print out the entire contents.

 

Breathing Spaces Programme - the Big Lottery Fund

Constituted community and voluntary organisations, as well as Town and Parish Councils, are being invited to apply for funding under this new fund, which complements the BBC’s ‘Breathing Places’ campaign. The aim of the fund is to: Transform places for people and wildlife; Increase community participation and access to local breathing places, and; Make a lasting improvement to the local environment. £5 million is available in total. Further application details are available at: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/programmes/breathingplaces/. There is also a Big Advice Line where any queries can be answered: 0845 4 10 20 30.

 

Care & Repair - Find Out More

Most people want to stay in their own homes as they get older or if they are disabled.  With the right practical advice and support, they can. By working in partnership with Local Authorities, Social Services and Health Authorities, Care & Repair can help older and disabled home owners to live independent lives by improving their homes and making them more suited to their individual needs. Mick Gilder from Ridgeway Care & Repair North Wiltshire is available to give free talks to community groups and organisations about the services on offer, either during the day or as a lunchtime session, please call (01249) 460701 for more information

 

New Job Opportunities Online

Click here to see job opportunities within the Voluntary Sector. Please let us have your opportunities to advertise on the site!

 

New Website! The Glass-House Community Led Design

The Glass-House is a national charity offering design advice, training and project support to community, tenant and resident groups and professionals throughout Britain who are effected or involved in neighbourhoods undergoing change and renewal. This is particular to the areas of the design of neighbourhoods, housing, public space and public buildings. For more information visit the new website: www.theglasshouse.org.uk.

 

Wiltshire Community Buildings Evening

Co-operative Futures delivers specialist support to social enterprises and co-operatives across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Swindon.  Through our work we have noticed the benefits social enterprises gain from meeting and sharing good practice with like-minded colleagues. As such, we warmly invite people from across Wiltshire and Swindon to a special evening for organisations looking to redevelop a community building for full time use. This event is aimed specifically at those who have ambitious ideas to transform their buildings into enterprising centres of activity for the local community. It takes place on Thursday 28th September, 2006 at Malmesbury Town Hall. Please click here to download an invitation and programme.

 

“Let’s talk to each other before we shout at Government” - Third Sector Networking Meeting

SAVAGE in partnership with L-Power are please to present a free networking event across the West of England. The day will provide an opportunity for local voluntary sector and community groups to discuss their concerns and put forward their ideas about how they would like to be involved in Social Inclusion activities in the future. This event will be held at The CREATE Centre, Bristol, on Friday 11th August 2006 10.45am – 4.00pm and a buffet lunch will be provided. Please click here for more details and a booking form.

 

Preparing to Trade

Voluntary Action Kennet with Learning Curve’s EnAct invite you to join ‘Preparing to Trade’ for the voluntary sector. Preparing to Trade is a programme of support and training aiming to enable the Voluntary and Community Sector to unlock their hidden income potential and make money from trading. Preparing to Trade consists of 4 manageable sessions.  At each session we will give you information, easy to use tools and the time and support to use the tools for your own organisation. At the end of this programme we want you to have an idea on how to take your trading ideas forward and not just have another pile of paper! Click here to download more information.

 

"How to Win Tenders" – Autumn Programme of Workshops

Is your organisation now faced with tendering for contracts? Do you need to know how the tendering process works and the legal structure which drives it? Would you like to know how tenders are appraised and procurement priorities in order to improve the quality of your tenders as well as your tendering success? The TfC (Tendering for Care) Autumn Workshop Programme will answer these and many other questions. Click here for more information.

 

Awards for All: a 1-in-2 chance of success!

Awards for All awards grants of £300 - £10,000 for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community. Awards for All is still very keen to receive applications - the upper limit for applications is now £10k. (Capital OR Revenue.) Bids can’t be made for existing staff/running costs. You must be a constituted group and have a bank account that has 2 or more signatories. You must use the grant within one year. For an application form go to: www.awardsforall.org.uk.

 

Disability Rights Commission / Equality South West Event

Please click here for a flyer/ booking form for the forthcoming Disability Rights Commission/ ESW event on Thursday 28th September 2006, Lyngford House, Taunton.  The event is aimed at disabled people who are: Active members of disability organisations; Local activists who are currently (or might want to be involved) with local or national public bodies and their Disability Equality Schemes. The event is free of charge and so will operate on a first come, first served basis (maximum number 55 delegates).  Please book early to avoid disappointment.

 

Warming News This Winter

The sun may be shining this summer, For millions of people who struggle to heat their homes, central heating is a luxury they cannot afford and the cold can be a killer. But there is help at hand and the Government's Warm Front scheme provides grants to help people keep warm this winter. Under the scheme, which is funded by Defra, grants of up to £2,700 are available to help people on a low income, affordably heat and insulate their home. Homeowners and private tenants who receive certain income or disability related benefits could be eligible for a package of measures including loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, central heating, boiler repairs and replacement boilers.  Some households may also qualify for up to £4,000 if they require oil central heating.

Those likely to be eligible for a grant include older people, families with children under 16, expectant mothers, disabled people and people suffering from a long-term illness. Householders who think they might be eligible for the scheme can call the Warm Front helpline free on: 0800 316 2814 (quoting reference MK 541). To date, over 1 million homes have received assistance under the scheme since it launched in June 2000. But there are many more vulnerable people who could be eligible for help. If you would like to work with us to help promote the scheme to your members, or organisation, please email Sue Dewberry, Partnership Development Officer at sue.dewberry@eaga.co.uk

 

A New Opportunity for Parents of Children with SEN

A new SEN Forum is being held after the summer holidays. The aim of this is to encourage parents and support groups to have some influence on the direction of future SEN strategy within Wiltshire. The meetings will be organised and facilitated by the Special Educational Needs Support Service (SENSS) which is the statutory provider of Parent Partnership services for Wiltshire Local Authority and a part of the charity ask (advice and services for kids and young people). Click here for further details.

 

Join the Alzheimer's Society for a Memory Walk

The North Wiltshire Branch of the Alzheimer's Society is holding it's second Memory Walk on Sunday 24th September at Westonbirt Arboretum, starting at 1pm. There are two walks this year - the first being the one-mile circular walk and for the more energetic participants, a second longer walk of 2.2 miles. You can select to solely raise sponsorship for the branch, receive back 50% of the sponsorship that you or your group raise, or if you are not in position to raise sponsorship you can opt to pay a registration fee of £5 to take part in the walk. If you would like more information please call 01249 4434698 and request an enrolment pack.

 

 

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