Threat to Funding for the Local VCS from the National Lottery - Online Petition

As reported in the last e-bulletin it is important to take action immediately to defend funding for local voluntary organisations and community groups in our area. The threat is very real but there is scope for the voluntary and community sector to influence national policy if we act quickly. The Government is short of a least £900m for the Olympics. Ministers are fighting over how to fund the Olympics. The Chancellor wants the National Lottery to provide the money. If this happens the Big Lottery Fund, Sport England, the Arts Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund will all lose large amounts of money, much of which would otherwise go to the local voluntary and community sector. A VCS organisation in South Lincolnshire has started an online petition on the 10 Downing Street website: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Defend-funding/

 

Directory of Voluntary & Community Groups in North Wiltshire

New 2007 Directory of Voluntary & Community groups in North Wiltshire is now available! There are 250 groups in the directory, The directory is organised into various headings to enable you to search for the particular service you require. Option One: PDF Version of the Directory (FREE). Option Two: Hard Copy of the Directory. The cost is £9.90; this is for a fully bound booklet. If you would like a copy of the 2007 updated directory please email: beth@cvsnw.org.uk stating your name, job title (if applicable) organisation details and whether you would like an electronic or hard copy.

 

Board Agrees to Enhance Community Health Services Across Wiltshire

Wiltshire Primary Care Trust’s Board has agreed to a new style health service across the county which aims to keep older people out of hospital in a safe and caring home environment. Neighbourhood teams providing 24-hour healthcare to patients across Wiltshire, complemented by a network of new-style NHS primary care centres and improved community hospitals will provide enhanced clinical care across the county. Click here to read the full press release.

 

Do you Have a Service or Event to Advertise?

The next edition of Network, CVS North Wiltshire's newsletter will be published at the beginning of March. Now is the time to think about your advertising. The newsletter has a circulation of around 400 people, groups and statutory agencies across the district. We can include an A4 flyer with the newsletter at a charge of just £50 (and you provide the flyers). We can also print your flyers for you at our normal printing rates. Please email beth@cvsnw.org.uk if you would like to book your space!

 

Free Financial Literacy Training for Support Workers and Service Users

North Wiltshire Citizens Advice Bureau is taking part in a financial skills for life programme funded by Citizens Advice.  We offer basic training in managing money, getting debt advice, choosing credit and dealing with bills.  The training is suitable for both support workers and small groups of service users.  Each session lasts approximately 2 hours and is hands on and practical.  For further information please contact Barbara Oatley on 01249 443054 or email boatley@northwiltscab.org.uk.

 

MPs Should Do More Charity Work, Says Poll

The public wants politicians to devote more time to charities, according to a poll. Voters thought MPs should spend around seven hours a week working with voluntary organisations, but estimated that they only spent around four hours doing so - correctly, according to an allied poll of politicians. The findings, from a Populus survey of more than 1,000 adults, come as all parties increasingly focus on the role of the "third sector" - voluntary and non-profit groups - as a way of providing services, particularly to parts of the community that can be suspicious of government agencies or hard to reach for other reasons. David Cameron has been particularly keen to promote the role of charities and grassroots bodies in providing crucial services, repeatedly promoting the importance of "social responsibility". But parties also see active involvement in charity work as a way of dispelling cynicism, proving to voters that they can match actions with words and make a difference in the real world. Click to read the full article.

 

Free Making Connections Guide

 

 

Wiltshire Market Towns Partnership Newsletter No 51

 

Wiltshire Local Area Agreement Newsletter - Issue 6

Since the last newsletter in November 2006 a huge amount of work has been undertaken by the block leads and their respective working groups to develop the Local Area Agreement. Alongside this has been the consultation process for both the Sustainable Community Strategy and the Local Area Agreement. Click here to read the newsletter.

 

 

Special Educational Needs Forum

Do you want to find out more about SEN issues from Local Authority officers? Come to our district forums to raise the issues with other parents and create questions for the officers. 

Day	Date	Time	Place
Monday	05/02/07	9.30-12.30	Pewsey
Wednesday	07/02/07	9.30-12.30	Chippenham
Friday	09/02/07	9.30-12.30	Trowbridge
Thursday	15/02/07	9.30-12.30	Salisbury

To sign up for these or get more information please contact SENSS, ask on 01380 871200 or SENSS@askwiltshire.org. www.askwiltshire.org.