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The dates and venues for our new training programme have been posted on the Training Page of our website (click here). Topics include: First Aid, Food Hygiene, Manual Handling, Minute Taking, Recruiting and Supporting Volunteers, Marketing and Producing Promotional Materials, Business Planning, Legal Responsibilities of Trustees and Legal Update (the latter two with the highly acclaimed Sandy Adirondack, author of 'The Voluntary Sector Legal Handbook' and 'Just About Managing'). Further details are being added to the website in the coming weeks, so please check back regularly, or contact Karen Scott for further information: karen@cvsnw.org.uk 01249 654089.

12 noon – 2pm (Buffet lunch) at Selwyn Hall, Box. Our Guest Speakers: Judy Seager, Acting Chair of Corsham Area Community Partnership will talk about the role of the partnership and what’s in the community plan & Jacky Thomas of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust will talk about how we as organisations can reduce our impact on the environment and our carbon footprint. Organised by CVS North Wiltshire, Community Lunches offer a chance for voluntary organisations, community groups and other representatives from the community to network over a good lunch with other people in the area and share information about their organisation, project or local event. Lunch is £2 per person (payable on the day). To book your place please email beth@cvsnw.org.uk or call 01249 654089 by the 22nd August.

If you are an organisation holding an event over the next three months where volunteers are involved then BBC Radio Wiltshire would like to hear from you. It would be great advertising for your event, your organisation and volunteering in general. If you are interested please contact the CSV Action Desk with your details. Tel: 0845 3000 789 or email actiondesk.wiltshire@bbc.co.uk.

Chippenham River Conducted Walk
Richard Vivash who has a lifetime's expertise of Chippenham's River Avon will take a 3 hour (approx) conducted walk of the river starting from the sluice gate near Borough Parade, at 6.30 pm on Monday August 11th. This is intended for all those who are interested in developing the usage of the river and keeping it in a good condition. For more information contact John Clark, ChAP, 01249 721171.

Westlea Housing located in Chippenham are looking to dispose of a fully functional Philips phone system due to a recent upgrade to VoIP. The system was used by 190 office based staff and handsets range from the SOPHO Ergoline E320 to the E340-4 with expansion modules. The system is fully scaleable and includes a reception console and a few new handsets that have never left the box. We are looking for bids to secure a fully featured phone system that is suitable for organisations of less than 200 members of staff. Please express any interest to Steve Carwithen, Westlea Housing. Tel: 01249466082, email: steve.carwithen@greensquaregroup.com.

MicroChipps Youth Theatre is staging 'Our Day Out' at the Cove Theatre, Wiltshire College, Chippenham (opposite the station) at 2.30 and 7.30 pm on Saturday August 23rd. What happens when Mrs Kay's Liverpool 'progress' class is let loose on the unsuspecting countryside?! Tickets £5, ticket hotline 01249 721199.

Futurebuilders England today launched a new interest-free loan fund for third sector organisations struggling to meet the cost of tendering for public sector contracts. The £1m Tender Fund is intended to help third sector providers win contracts where prohibitive tendering costs would otherwise make it difficult for them to bid. Jonathan Lewis, Chief Executive of Futurebuilders England said: "We know there are organisations with the skills to bid for and win public sector contracts who simply can’t afford the costs involved in preparing competitive bids. To find out more about the Tender Fund, or to apply for a Tender Fund loan, call 0191 261 5200 or email info@futurebuilders-england.org.uk. There is no closing date for applications, and the Fund will be available on a first come, first served basis until the £1m runs out.

In 2009 St Monica Trust will be seeking to fund organisations working with older people living with a long-term physical disability, impairment, or physical health problem where substance misuse is, or has been, a contributing factor. In our definition of substance misuse we include prescribed or illicit drugs and alcohol. Preference will be given to applications which benefit people over the age of 55. However consideration will be given to projects working with people younger that this if their substance misuse can be shown to have aged them prematurely. We will consider applications from organisations which provide direct services or undertake research to enhance understanding of the issue. We particularly welcome applications from organisations working in collaboration with others which are innovative and have dissemination potential. Applications are welcome from organisations and projects operating in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset. Preference will be given to smaller, local projects and organisations. Grants will typically be in the range of £500 - £10,000. Larger grants will be considered only if substantial impact can be shown. Application forms will be available from the Community Fund Office on 0117 949 4003 or to download at www.communityfund.stmonicatrust.org.uk from 1^st June 2008. The closing date for applications is the 30^th September 2008. Successful applicants will be notified in January 2009. Please contact Kate Stobie, Community Fund Manager, if you require any further information at this stage.

NCVO and Media Trust to Run Joint Data Protection Event
Media Trust and NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) have partnered to run a conference focusing on Data Protection issues important to the voluntary sector. "Data Protection and Communications for the Voluntary Sector" Monday 8 September 2008, 10.00am-4.00pm, London. Make sure your organisation, and those that you work with and support, are compliant with Data Protection legislation. Join us at this Data Protection seminar to learn about: * the most recent developments in Data Protection legislation, * the rules that apply to email, text, telemarketing, postal campaigns and fax, *how to ensure your organisations communications are lawful and how legacy databases and purchased lists can be used for marketing purposes data protection and website privacy statements. (Please note the seminar focuses on fundraising, marketing and communications. HR and financial Data Protection issues will not be covered).To find out more or book your place call Matt at NCVO on 020 7520 3160, or visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/dataprotectionsep08.

Do you have an idea for a business that could benefit your community but don’t know where to start? Maybe you are in the early stages of developing a social enterprise business. If so, here’s an opportunity to develop your idea into reality. Free half-day workshop for people starting out in social enterprise. Come prepared for a working session at any of these venues. Dates in the region, 17 July – Cheltenham, 29 July – Totnes, 5 Sept – Taunton, 9 Sept – Bristol, 12 Sept – Portland and 22 Sept - Bodmin. Places are free but limited so to book your place, or for more detailscall 01752 500888 ext 229 or email socialenterprise@businesslinksw.co.uk.

The 2008 Summer edition of First News has now been printed; please find the link for you to access the electronic copy – www.communityfirst.org.uk.

Snap Your Energy Project and Win a Camera Worth Over £250
Nothing helps tell a story better than a strong photo. So to help CAfE (Community Action for Engergy) tell the story of energy in the community - and encourage network members to get snapping - they're launching a photo competition and two lucky winners will receive a digital camera worth over £250. Click here for more information.

This course is designed principally for non-accountants in the Voluntary & Community Sector to help them understand the key elements of Financial Management. As the title implies, it will not be technical and requires delegates to have limited or no knowledge of the subject. Trainer: David Hancock. The course will cover: Financial Management – what is it and why do we need it? Understanding the language. The difference between Income & Expenditure and Receipts & Payments. Balance Sheets. Preparing and using budgets. Cash Flow forecasts. Basic Management Accounts, An introduction to Full Cost Recovery. Key elements of Risk Management. To find out more or book a place call 01278 455830 or email lindy.booth2@virgin.net.

Race for Justice
If you would like to pledge your organisation’s support for Race for Justice, the campaign to end the inequalities faced by black and minority ethnic (BME) groups and strengthen the voice and role of the voluntary sector in the criminal justice system, visit http://www.raceforjustice.net/sign-up.html. In England and Wales, one in four prisoners is from a minority ethnic group - compared to one in eleven of the general population. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the inequalities faced by black and minority ethnic men and women within the criminal justice system and the positive role that can be played by the voluntary and community sector in addressing this. The campaign will engage with policy makers, commissioners, opinion formers and influencers within the criminal justice system and the BME community through a programme of consultation, research and other activity, including events and publications. It will be launched in September 2008. Race for Justice was set up by Clinks and the National Body of Black Prisoner Support Groups (NBBPSG), with support from Nacro and a coalition of voluntary sector organisations.