E-Bulletin

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

The community lunch planned for the 4th December has been cancelled. We are however planning the schedule of Community Lunches for 2008 with an emphasis on Community Areas. Keep an eye out for the new programme... Were you interested in coming along to speak to our Funding Advisor, Mary? If so Mary is available to meet with groups at the CVS office on Tuesdays, please email beth@cvsnw.org.uk or call 01249 654089 to book an appointment.

The Wellbeing Centre, based at the CVS NW premises in Chippenham, is continuing to expand the range of services provided. The vision of the Centre is to make complementary therapies available and affordable to all. It offers evening and weekend, as well as daytime appointments, and has disabled access and facilities. All practitioners are fully qualified and insured, and committed to the Centre’s vision of giving something back to those who work in the third sector. Midwinter Promotion - Why not buy a gift voucher for a loved one and treat them to some TLC this Christmas? Some practitioners are offering mid-winter promotions with further discounts on their fees, or three for two offers. Call Karen Scott on 01249 654089 to find out more, without obligation.

Bereavement Counselling - through Bath & District Cruse Bereavement Care on Monday evenings. FREE one-to-one confidential counselling sessions. Call 01761 417 250 (Mon- Fri 10am -1pm). Crystal Healing - strengthens the body and resolves issues and patterns, using natural crystals. The theory is that crystals carry energy vibrations which affect the energy system of the body, bringing about healing and positive changes in the mind and body. Parenting Classes - for parents of children and young people (aged between 8 and 17) and run by Parenting Wiltshire, based at Ask. Classes begin on Wednesday evenings from January 23^rd 2008 and are FREE of charge. Call 08457 585072. Sound Healing Meditations - using crystal and Tibetan bowls and gongs, elicits a profound sense of wellbeing. Stress and pain are eased and soothed with a resulting deep relaxation.

These are in addition to the current services which are: Aromatherapy Massage, Body Massage, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Holistic Facial, Hypnotherapy, Indian Head Massage, Life Coaching, NLP, Reflexology, Reiki and Tai Chi/Chi Kung. If you would like to speak to a particular practitioner, to find out more, or book an appointment, please look at the website for contact details: www.wellbeing-centre.org.uk. Alternatively, call Karen Scott in the first instance, on 01249 654089 or email her, karen@cvsnw.org.uk.

3^rd December 2007 is International Day for Disabled People. We are going to be celebrating this across Wiltshire under the name of ‘no barriers’ in order to break down the barriers faced by disabled people and promote disability equality. The day is being coordinated by Wiltshire County Council and activities and events are being planned by numerous organisations, including local councils, schools, libraries and community and voluntary groups. There are events taking place right across Wiltshire and details of these can be found at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/no-barriers-2007.htm. Events include open days, leisure and health sessions, talks, information sessions, art displays and theatre performances and workshops. To find out what is going on in your local area and to get involved, please contact Rhian Bennett (Wiltshire County Council) on 01225 718061 or rhianbennett@wiltshire.gov.uk or visit the website mentioned above.

The Castlefields Park Project will be competing head-to-head on November 26th for an award of up to £80,000 in the regional People’s Millions TV contest to be shown on ITV News West. The Canal & River Park Association (CARP) hope to restore Castle Mound, an underused area close to the town centre. This will provide a venue for outdoor events, and become a safer environment for local people to enjoy. You can help… WATCH ITV NEWS - at 6PM on Monday 26TH Nov. PHONE - the number that will be broadcast during the programme. VOTE - for the Calne Castlefields Canal & River Park Project.

The Wellbeing Centre still has a few slots available for room hire by suitably qualified practitioners and would particularly welcome those who have additional treatments to offer. We also let the room to voluntary groups, for occasional meetings, classes, or small training events for just £10 per two-hour session, or £5 per hour. The room has a lovely, peaceful ambience and is well worth a visit! For further details, contact Karen Scott at CVS on 01249 654089, or email her, karen@cvsnw.org.uk.

Make your own Xmas Cards - Ever wanted to send cards with that personal feel? Photos / images and your own ideas are all you’ll need for this fun-filled 1/2 day session designed to help you turn ideas into fabulous xmas cards. Budgeting for Xmas - Like to know if you can afford to buy that computer game or those funky slippers? Then join our half-day session and take control of your finances over the festive period. Using your address book for envelopes and labels - Join us for a half-day session and save time sending out your xmas cards this year by getting your PC to print your envelopes / labels for you. Click here to find out the dates etc for these courses.

How Can You Work Together To Promote Cyber-Safety, Combat Cyberbullying And Empower Parents And Carers To Keep Children & Young People Safe Online? A One-Day Conference | 28 January 2008 | Ibis Earls Court | London. www.cybersafetyconference.com. Children & Young People Now present a conference that will ensure you are working together to promote cyber-safety, address cyberbullying and empower parents and carers to keep children and young people safe online. Book your place before 6 December @ www.cybersafetyconference.com and save up to £50.

Migrant workers have become an immerging issue for both the statutory and voluntary sections in Wiltshire. Research was carried out in 2006 to examine this issue by the Transparency Research. Findings showed that Polish workers formed the majority (75.5%) of the several thousand workers throughout the county, though other A8 countries and non EU nationalities are also present. A8 workers are obliged by law to sign on to the Workers Registration Scheme, but only for the first year, and not all worked legally. To read on click to download the report.

Please click here to view the latest report from the Wiltshire Carers’ Voice Survey. This questionnaire went out during September, ’07. The topics covered by this survey are: Emergency planning, Mental health and Carers’ break services.

1,000 sites on Wiltshire Community Web!

We are pleased to announce that over 1000 sites have now been set up upon Wiltshire Community Web. Continued interest and support from the local community has led to Village Halls, Parish Councils, Sports Clubs, Voluntary Organisations, Community Groups... and more... populating the site. Take a look at the websites already been set up by visiting www.wiltshirecommunityweb.org.uk. All content is added and managed by registered users. As well as setting up a website, you can also add events, news articles, and job vacancies. The website is managed by Community First, and support and training is offered. Further training sessions will be organised for the new year.

HMRC Grant in Aid Funding Programme

The aim of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is to administer tax and customs systems fairly and efficiently, and make it as easy as possible for individuals and businesses to understand and comply with their obligations and receive their tax credits and other entitlements. HMRC has £2 million per annum available for the next three financial years, aimed at funding Third Sector organisations. HMRC is committed to building its funding relationship with Third Sector organisations so that they play an increased role in public service delivery, particularly socially inclusive services to those who are hard to reach or who do not engage directly with them. The funds are available in the form of grants in aid to help with the costs of activity contributing to the HMRC's key aims, outcomes and priorities. http://www.governmentfunding.org.uk/VCSLaunch.aspx?SCHEME_ID=12-S89.

Domestic Violence Consultation Workshops, Chippenham, Devizes, Salisbury

Outline Business Case – Services for Domestic Violence Victims and Perpetrators. I have been commissioned by the Safer Wiltshire Executive to produce an Outline Business Case, which I have done with financial inputs from Barbara Smith. A period of some eight weeks consultation is included as part of the project. This consultation is not a repeat of previous events as they focused on the operational components of a service model for limited aspects of the services. This consultation builds on earlier consultations, whilst at the same time seeks the views of key partners on the strategic direction of services for victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. Three Workshops have been arranged during the consultation period. These are: Lackham College, Lacock, Chippenham, Friday 23^rd November from 09.30 to 13.00. Grist Group Building, Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes, Friday 30^th November from 09.30 to 13.00. And Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street, Salisbury, Friday 7^th December from 09.30 to 13.00. Click here to read the full invitation.

Involving your Service Users - Book Now!

Do you know what your users really think of your project? Would you like to involve your users more in the development of your project? Would you like to look at new methods that could help you involve people more? then Voscur's Involving your Service Users is for you! We still have a few places left so book now When? Tuesday 27 November (10am - 1pm). Where? The Black Development Agency, Russell Town Avenue, Redfield, Bristol. How much? Full Voscur Members £30* / Associate Members £50* / Non-members £75* If you have limited resources or live in a Neighbourhood Renewal area of Bristol, you may be eligible for a free place on this course. To find out more or to book a place, please go to our website www.voscur.org/training if you would like to speak to someone regarding FREE places, please contact Rebekah Hacker on 0117 909 9949.

Homeshare Information

Homeshare is a simple way of helping people to help each other. A Homeshare involves two people with different sets of needs, both whom also have something to offer. Homeshare is an equal partnership between a Householder and a Homesharer. Are you a Householder? Do you have a home that you would be willing to share in return for some help each week? (This would not include personal care). Could you be a Homesharer? Do you want a place to call home? Key workers, professionals, students and others who would like rent free accommodation in return for a small amount of help each week. Both people gain from the arrangement as everyone has something to give. Click to download some Homeshare posters, or here for a leaflet about Homeshare.

Faithnetsouthwest Bulletin November 2007

Welcome to the faithnetsouthwest e-bulletin: news and events for faith groups and those with an interest in faith issues across the South West. Click here to view the bulletin.