CVSNW aims to
deliver training to the sector that is relevant, interesting, accessible and
affordable. Please help us to meet this aim by spending a few minutes telling us
what training you want, by completing our simple survey. Please ensure to
include your contact details, so that we can let you know when we are running
training relevant to you.
Click here to take the survey.
In a sign of unprecedented support
for local third sector organisations, and in recognition of the invaluable work
they do to strengthen communities and help the disadvantaged, almost two thirds
of Local Authorities (LAs) have decided that having a vibrant and effective
local third sector will be a priority for them over the next three years. Under
a new system in place this year, all top tier local authority areas will be
measured on their performance against 198 new National Indicators (NIs), two of
which focus on the third sector. In addition, each area has had the opportunity
to prioritise 35 NIs that will particularly meet local needs, and will be the
targets that sit at the heart of each council’s Local Area Agreement
93 of England’s top tier 150 LAs – 62 percent of them – have chosen to
prioritise one of the two third sector indicators: NI6 – participation in
regular volunteering; and NI7 – creating an environment for a thriving third
sector. Further information on National Indicators can be found on the
Office of the Third Sector Website.
Room for Hire,
Chippenham
Do you need occasional use of a room for
meetings, interviews, group sessions or training courses? CVSNW has a
pleasant, spacious room for hire in the Wellbeing Centre. It's very
affordable at just £5 per hour to voluntary groups. Please contact Karen
Scott on 01249 654089, or email
karen@cvsnw.org.uk
Wiltshire and
Swindon Working Together to Tackle Domestic Abuse
A social film drama depicting the traumatic
issues surrounding domestic abuse is to be launched on Wednesday 7th
July with the full backing of Wiltshire Police and other statutory and
voluntary organisations. The film, entitled “Leaving”, has been commissioned
by Deputy Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, Stephen Long, as a “call to
action” to employers, professionals and the general public to be conscious
and aware when presented with the signs of domestic abuse. The film will be
delivered to organisations via a DVD and information pack, with details of
supporting materials which will enable it to be used as a training resource
in Wiltshire, Swindon and further afield. Attending the launch will be the
Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Wiltshire as well as representatives
from the public, private and voluntary sector working in the field of
domestic abuse in Swindon and Wiltshire.
Click here to read on...
NHS 60: A
Celebration of Past, Present and Future
This year the National Health Service (NHS)
celebrates its 60th anniversary.
To mark this very special
occasion local NHS trusts and services have planned a variety of events all
over the country, in order to pay tribute to its staff and volunteers and to
look to the future services it provides. Wiltshire
Primary Care Trust organised a
special celebration meal for patients at Chippenham Hospital on Friday 4th
July. Wiltshire-based TV chef Peter Vaughan worked with the hospital
catering team as they prepare a lunch of locally sourced Wiltshire faggots,
home-made pease pudding, carrots and mashed potato with onion gravy, using
authentic recipes from 1948. Peter Vaughan said “The meal is absolutely
typical of its day and is extremely nutritious, just right for people in
recovery”. Patients on the wards and visitors to the hospital cafeteria
will be offered a choice of the 1948 meal or a present-day alternative of
Thai green curry. Spotted Dick - a favourite then and now - will be served
for pudding. Catering Manager at Chippenham Hospital, Ralph Cottrell
commented “Many of our patients and visitors remember the introduction of
the NHS and we’re looking forward to giving them a taste from their past.
The faggots have been sourced locally from a long established, traditional
supplier and we’re confident the meal will be a popular reminder of bygone
times”. Wiltshire Primary Care Trust is also currently developing a library
of photographic images which portray the wide range of services it provides
and commissions for local people. Throughout this 60th
anniversary year, selected images from this library will be displayed in
public communal areas of our hospitals, health centres and some GP
surgeries.
Click here to read about the past, present and future of Wiltshire's NHS.
Writing Effective Press Releases
If you can’t say
your main points on one page of A4 then it isn’t worth saying! You are not
necessarily interesting – what you do, however, might be. Good press
releases are simple – don’t communicate complexity. Good work can be boring
– you have no absolute right to media coverage. In short, is it tempting to
an editor deluged with press releases daily?
Click here to download a free guide on writing an effective press release
courtesy of Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
PQASSO 3rd
Edition Launched
CES
are offering discounts
for recent purchasers of PQASSO 2nd edition, as well as discounts
off training to purchasers of the new 3rd edition. To find out
more, and to order your copy of the new PQASSO 3rd edition, visit
the website now
at
www.ces-vol.org.uk. In winning the 2008
Charity Effectiveness Award, judges said that PQASSO was a model that had
"developed over a period of time to become exceptional", and that
"recognition for PQASSO is well overdue", because it had made "a very
serious impact in terms of raising standards across the sector".
This 3rd edition
of PQASSO is significantly updated. It is built on the success of the first
two editions but, following a major national consultation with the sector,
it rises to the challenges of the current and future voluntary sector
operating environment.
Ladder4Learning
ladder4learning
provides a regional learning and training resource for the
Community and Voluntary sector across the south west of England
and Hampshire. The project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and
is managed by Learning Curve. On the website you will find: A
searchable database of learning opportunities in the region
particularly appropriate to the sector. A Download/Resources
section with Guidance Notes, Hints & Top-Tips. A Message
Board/Chat Forum enabling users to exchange ideas/best practice
and seek advice and lots more. Visit the website now at:
www.ladder4learning.org.uk.
From Nightmare to Nirvana - An ICT
Survival Guide for Trustees
Download the ICT Hub's Guide to
Governance in ICT matters: "ICT Governance has the potential to
impact on everything an organisation does in society. It can
support more effective working, better services and provide
better value for money, and greater impact for beneficiaries.
ICT Governance is at the heart of good ICT planning and
management, and we need trustees to get involved, take on the
challenge and reap the rewards".
Click here to download the guide.
New Guidance
on Trustee Expenses
The Charity Commission has
issued a new version of CC11
Trustee Expenses and Payments.
This document is a complete
revision of the original and is
in a different format. It
explains the rules introduced by
the Charities Act 2006 which
apply to paying trustees to
provide goods or services. You
can read it on the Charity
Commission website at
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc11.asp.
Volunteering
As a Route
to Work
An independent report by the Morgan Inquiry has recommended that voluntary posts are recognised as legitimate job-seeking activities for those claiming Jobseeker's allowance. The report has also recommended that skills gained through volunteering are given as much recognition as previous employment and academic qualifications on CV's. Click here to read on.