E-Bulletin

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

NEW! Indian Head Massage Now Available at Wellbeing Centre

We are delighted to have a new therapist joining us at the Wellbeing Centre. Janet Frost is a qualified Indian Head Massage therapist (and also the Chippenham volunteer coordinator for the Blood Donor Scheme). Indian Head Massage is a profoundly calming and enjoyable treatment, working on the muscles and pressure points of the upper back, shoulders, head and face. It is non-invasive, performed on a fully clothed client, with benefits including relief of muscle tension, reduction of stress and detoxification of the body. Janet will be at the centre on Monday lunch times from 1 until 2 pm for the time being and treatments, which last about 40 minutes, cost £12 for unwaged and £18 for waged individuals. To find out more about Indian Head Massage, or book a session with Janet, please contact her on 01249 461786. Click here to visit the website.

Doorway Urgent Appeal for Clothing

Doorway, the North Wiltshire charity for single people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or have complex needs, are urgently appealing for donations of clothing to be distributed to guests. We are currently in desperate need of essentials such as boxer shorts and socks, mens jeans and pairs of trainers in good condition. If you are able to donate any of these items, please call 01249 445385 or email info@doorwayproject.org.uk to arrange a suitable time for delivery.

Voluntary Sector Forum for Wiltshire and Swindon

Tuesday 10th July 2007 1 - 3pm, at the Salvation Army Hall, Foghamshire, Chippenham. Guest speaker: Ann Blackmore, Head of Policy at NCVO. Followed by a networking lunch & a discussion on how we can make the Forum work for you. For more information and to book your place download the event booking form here.

Friday 8th June - Communities and Partnerships Drop-in Event

Come along to meet local groups working in the community, at Corsham Community Centre tomorrow from 10:30am - 2pm, just drop in anytime. Lunch will be served from 12:30. Please call Esther Lim, Westlea on 01249 466163 to let us know you'll be there! Vanessa Wells from the Volunteer Centre will be having a stand at the event, so if you're looking to recruit more volunteers or know someone who would like to volunteer please stop by the Volunteer Centre stand!

North Wiltshire Partnership Update

The NWP has recently undergone an evaluation. The main areas to be addressed were: role and purpose, structure and mechanisms, positioning and delivering on outcomes. A theme that cuts across the whole evaluation is working smarter and better together, and by way of starting this prcoess the NWP will be holding a conference on Tuesday 3rd July 2007, 9.30am - 2.30pm at Chippenham Town Hall. At the conference NWP will be asking people to put their names forward to work closely with them on projects to achieve specific outcomes set against their priorities, this is a fantastic opportunity for us to share the experience and expertise that we all have in the voluntary sector while making a real difference to the communities that we work/live in, so please come along and put your name down. To reserve your space please contact Tracy: TDaszkiewicz@northwilts.gov.uk. However if you are unable to attend but would still like to be involved or would like to comment on the evaluation you can download the document here and please email me: katieford@redcross.org.uk and I will be happy to take your comments forward to the next meeting. Katie Ford, Voluntary Sector Forum representative on the NWP.

Homeopathy and Stress

STRESS is the number one cause of illness these days. Our lives are busier, more demanding and complicated than in previous generations and we may rely on the kindness of our family and friends for the support and encouragement we need to stay buoyant. There are times when we may need more help than they can offer and visiting a homeopath is a great way to look after your health and find the professional help of an impartial observer to off-load the tension and receive help in the form of a remedy that can support you through difficult times. Click here to read the full article. Reduced rates for volunteers, charity workers and associates. (£25 a session). Available @ the Wellbeing Centre 3/4 New Road Chippenham. Call 07712797621 to speak to Jess and arrange an appointment.

Wiltshire Strategy for Older People

The very latest draft of the Wiltshire Strategy for Older people is available to download from here. Thank you to all those who have at one, some or all of the stages so far, sent me your comments. We have attempted to incorporate those views, suggestions and amendments into the document. However, we still acknowledge that it is not complete - and perhaps still not in the format which best highlights and harnesses the collaborative approach which will be needed to achieve 'the Vision'. Would you again focus on any omissions, bias, vagueness and ambiguities as well as advise on whether you believe that it represents the views of your organisation. Comment has already been noted that there is little on community safety and we will be addressing that omission with the assistance of our appropriate colleagues, but other contributions on this specifically would be welcome. The consultation period is scheduled to end in time for the June meeting of the SGOPI Group. Please send your comments in anytime up to the 21st June 2007 to rachelbailey@wiltshire.gov.uk.

New - Volunteer Drivers Handbook

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) published on 10 April 2007 a new Volunteer driver's handbook, highlighting the duties and responsibilities of volunteer drivers. It is clearly written, explains the law and good practice, and each section includes space for the volunteer, or the organisation for which the volunteer is carrying out the driving, to add the organisation's policy on that aspect of road safety. The free booklet can be downloaded at www.rospa.org.uk/roadsafety/info/volunteer_drivers.pdf, or hard copies can be ordered from dvernon@rospa.com.

Calling all Performing Artists and Groups in Chippenham and the Villages
Calling all community cultural groups in the Chippenham and Villages Area to send a representative to a meeting on 20th June at 7pm at Wiltshire College in Chippenham. We shall receive a professional technical report and advice commissioned specifically to assist groups wishing to hire the Neeld Hall in Chippenham. We received the full cooperation of Chippenham Town Council, but the work was undertaken at no cost to the Council Tax Payer. We now need your help to gather evidence about all of the "arts" groups in our area, what they need to sustain success and growth, and how they help each other. If you area Choir, Orchestra, Dance School, Arts Group,Operatic Group, Panto, Musical Society, Drama or Youth Theatre company or festival Association, PLEASE make sure your group sends a representative to this gathering of evidence event. If your group closed down, come and tell us why. To book a place telephone me, Jane Clark on 01249 721 171, or e-mail me on john@seagry39.wanadoo.co.uk.

Calling all South West Community & Voluntary Groups... ££ on offer!

£125 on offer for any voluntary or community groups who can attend some focus groups ... next week.. to help the SW forum do research into this sector - are they supported enough? What else could be done? What groups are out there & doing what? This information will feed into future plans on investing in this sector so could have a real impact. Click to download 3 documents giving all the details. Introduction to the Research Work. Focus Groups Information. Rewarding Research.

South West Rural Affairs Forum is Looking for New Members

The South West Rural Affairs Forum is looking for new members to use their expertise and experience in planning for the region’s rural future. The South West Rural Affairs Forum brings together a representative group of rural stakeholders to influence and monitor the delivery of Government policy in the rural areas of the South West. In the past five years the South West Rural Affairs Forum has made an important contribution to helping ensure a rural dimension is reflected in regional and national policy-making on a wide range of issues, including housing, planning, sustainable food and farming, climate change and environmental issues. It has also contributed to a wide range of consultations including rural post offices, woodland and forestry framework, affordable rural housing and the regional spatial strategy. The Forum is keen to have members from all sectors of society and all ages. It is particularly looking for members with experience or expertise in one, or ideally more than one, of the following areas: Black and minority ethnic, Faith communities, Health, Support and/or advice to rural communities, Young people, Education, learning and skills, and Tourism. For more information, please go to: http://www.gosw.gov.uk/gosw/envrural/rrpolicy/swraf or contact Lynne Bell by email: lynne.bell@gosw.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning her at 0117 900 1924. To put forward a suggested name or to register an interest in becoming a member please complete the expression of interest form attached and return to the above email address before 22nd June 2007.

May '07 Childrens Workforce Learning Network Newsletter

The latest version of the CWLN newsletter can be downloaded here. This month’s edition includes a news of voluntary sector funding from CWDC; Social work degree funding information facilitated by CWLN and for those of you who haven’t already seen it, a booking form and agenda for the VCS Engage national conference.

Wiltshire & Swindon Community Transport News

The latest edition of Wiltshire & Swindon Community Transport News is now available to download from here and it can also be found on the Community Transport web site - http://www.wiltshirecommunitytransport.org.uk. Compiled by the Community First Community Transport Team the latest newsletter includes: Details about the new Malmesbury Transport Hub service, Updates about Wiltshire Wheels to Work and concessionary fares lobbying, Information about Help the Aged's community car and vehicle purchasing services, News about the link between community minibuses and Extended Schools. If you would like a particular article or advertisement featured in the next edition please contact Liam Tatton-Bennett on (01380) 722475 ext 243.

Changes to Legal Forms for Social Enterprise, 20 June, Swindon

Co-operative Futures is pleased to announce the forthcoming seminar “Changes to Legal Forms for Social Enterprises” which is being held in Swindon on Wednesday 20^th June 2007. Click here for a leaflet about the seminar, which incorporates an e-booking form for your convenience (act quickly; there are only about 20 places available). This is a not to be missed opportunity for business advisers and other professionals working with social enterprises to make sure they are up to speed on recent and future legislative changes to legal forms for social enterprises. The seminar features the soon to be introduced Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), will look at key provisions of the new Charities Act 2006 and how the Companies Act 2006 is changing the way limited companies are set up and run. There will also be opportunities to look at what’s happening with Community Interest Companies (CICs) and learn about future changes to existing popular legal forms such as industrial and provident societies.

Calling all Misers, Misanthropes, Penny-pinchers, Skin-flints and Scrooges!

Please DO NOT come to the Refugee Council’s hilarious comedy night, No Laughing Matter! We DO NOT think you’ll enjoy our newly confirmed act, 8 out of 10 cat’s brilliant Frankie Boyle; nor the wit, charm and talent of Alistair Barrie, Shappi Khorsandi, Jeff Innocent, Paul Thorne and Joe K. If, on the other hand, you are kind, generous, warm-hearted and open-handed then why haven’t you booked your ticket yet?? 18 June 2007, London’s Comedy Store. Pick up a pen, dust off your credit card, then complete and return the attached form to: nolaughingmatter@refugeecouncil.org.uk. Alternatively, book in person on 020 7346 6737, or visit: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/nolaughingmatter (if you really need some further convincing about just how much fun it’s going to be!)

Public Involvement in the NHS - is LINKs the Way Forward?

Friends Meeting House Hill Street, Coventry CV1 4AN 25th June 10am - 4pm. This meeting is intended to review the progress of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill and the work of the Local Involvement Network early adopter sites. It will provide opportunity for members of the National Association of Patient Forums to talk about their plans and for the early adopter sites to tell us how they are getting on. We hope that the event will be interactive, encourage questions and the sharing of information and concerns. The aim is to facilitate independent conclusions in the light of the evidence presented. Main speakers: Jonathan Tritter Chief Executive, NHS Centre for Involvement Dr Richard Taylor MP Ruth Marsden, and Malcolm Alexander, Chair and Vice Chair, National Association of Patients' Forums Sally Brearley, Healthlink Nik Barstow, Black Health Agency. Cost: £60 for commercial and statutory organisations, £30 for charities, voluntary organisations and patient forums, £15 for members of the Association and affiliated organisations (which includes both Amicus and Unison). People and organisations without funding please contact us. Please use our booking form http://www.sochealth.co.uk/confs/Booking.htm.

Alexandra Rose Day Joint Charities Raffle 2007

The Joint Charities Raffle is another simple way that Alexandra Rose Day helps small, local, people-caring charities raise funds for their work. By joining in the Joint Charities Raffle, charities can raise money through selling raffle tickets to their supporters without the headache of registering with the Gambling Commission as a ‘promoter’ and organising and recording numbered tickets, as required by the Commission. Charities keep 80% of ticket income, returning ticket stubs and 20% of sales income to Alexandra Rose Day to help towards our costs. Tickets, price 50p are sold in books of 5. The National Prize Draw will be held on Thursday 1^st November 2007. To take part in Joint Charities Raffle, please call Alexandra Rose Day on 0252 726 171. Or email us at enquiries@alexandraroseday.org.uk. Or download a registration form from our website: www.alexandraroseday.org.uk