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

Amnesty Day moves Wiltshire Nearer to Plastic Bag Meltdown
Melksham and Chippenham are to hold a Plastic Bag Amnesty Day on September 20th when shoppers in both towns will be urged to give up their plastic habit in exchange for a free Bag for Life. This move is the latest in a year that saw Tisbury successfully banish plastic bags on New Year’s Day, and the spread of further efforts to curb their use – Bradford on Avon, Purton and Salisbury all have plans in hand to reduce the plastic. The Melksham Climate Friendly Group (MCFG) and Chippenham And Villages Environmentalists (CAVE) group are spearheading the anti-plastic bag drive in these two towns with the support of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Both CAVE and the Trust’s Local Supporter Group headed by Monica Blake wanted to reduce the use of plastic bags and agreed it was better to join forces to maximise their impact. Click here to find out more.

How to Get Free Professional IT Support

Many organisations need some kind of IT help or support but don't know where to get help. Couple that with the budget busting costs of technology projects and voluntary organisations can be quickly left behind. iT4Communities solves this problem. They are a charity that introduces volunteer IT professionals to voluntary organisations in need of IT help. With over 5,000 volunteers registered there's likely to be someone waiting to share their time and talent with you. If your organisation's website is looking weary, your database is out of date, or your network is not working then register for free volunteer IT support at www.it4communities.org.uk. Alternatively contact the team on 020 7796 2144 or email info@it4communities.org.uk.

‘Lease of Life’ Small Grants Fund for Older People in Wiltshire

The aim of the Fund is to provide small grants to groups in Wiltshire for activities or equipment that will both promote and increase physical activity levels among the older people in the county. You can apply for amounts up to £300 and the grant should benefit people over the age of 55. To find out more about the fund please read the fund guidelines. If you would like to apply you can download the application form here. We would be happy to discuss your application over the phone should you need any help. Please Contact Jayne Funnell at Age Concern Wiltshire (contact details can be found in the guidelines and application form).

Through the Maze – A Guide to Buying Property for Charities

An Ethical Property Foundation training course delivered in partnership with Triodos Bank. Thinking about buying a property for your charity to occupy? Not sure where to start? Want to understand the key legal and financial implications of taking on a building?… If so we have the course for you! Wednesday 24^th September – 10:00am till 16:00pm. The Training Suite, 4^th floor, 3-4 New Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1EJ. What are the key outcomes of the course? Understand the key stages of a property purchase. Become an ‘informed client’ and improve your confidence in working with property professionals. Cost: Standard rate: £10 per person, Charity rate: £5 per person (to contribute to our costs – this is a non-profit making event). Includes a buffet lunch. How to book? Please download further details and a booking form and return it to Rachel Cass at the Ethical Property Foundation – mail@ethicalproperty.org.uk.

Free Fatherhood Institute Training - Wiltshire

The Children’s Workforce Learning Network (CWLN) and Concept Training are able to offer a FREE Fatherhood Institute training day entitled ‘Creating Father Inclusive Services’ on 15^th October, from 9.0 – 3.45, in Wiltshire at the: Devizes Corn Exchange. The training is free and is open to staff working with children in the South West – priority will be given to applicants from the voluntary sector. For further details and to apply, please see the attached application form. The deadline for applications is October 3^rd and we are limited to 25 places only which will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis. When we ran this training previously in Plymouth it proved extremely popular and we’re expecting it to fill up very quickly again this time round. Click here for more details and a booking form.

New Training Website - ladder4learning

Who's it for? Anybody working or volunteering in the Voluntary and Community Sector in South West England and parts of the South East. What's it for? To keep you up to date with the latest news on learning and training. There are many opportunities for FREE and SUBSIDISED training in the region and we want to make sure you don't miss out. Take me to the ladder4learning website.

£130m Grassroots Grants Scheme Opens its Doors to Small Local Voluntary and Community Groups

The Government’s groundbreaking £130million Grassroots Grants scheme declared itself open for business today and called on small local voluntary and community groups to come forward and get their hands on essential funding. Whether it’s helping local clubs get hold of new kit, coaching new volunteers or simply giving the village hall a fresh lick of paint, Grassroots Grants aim to make a real and immediate difference to the work of any small and local community groups with annual incomes below £20,000. The programme, funded by the Office of The Third Sector in the Cabinet Office and administered by the Community Development Foundation, offers grants of between £250 and £5,000 to support activities that lie right at the heart of our local communities. Click here to find out more.

Wiltshire Involvement Network for Health and Social Care

Local Involvement Networks have been set up nationally as volunteer-led networks of local people, organisations and groups that want to make their local care services better. All voluntary and community sector organisations are encouraged to join the Wiltshire Involvement Network and attend its launch on Monday 22^nd September at 10.00am at the Devizes Sports Club, London Road SN10 2DL. The Guest Speaker, Mr Tim Lynch, Chief Executive of the Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, will take questions. You can find more information about the Wiltshire Local Involvement Network by checking www.wiltshire-in.org.uk and about LINks nationally by checking www.communityvoicesonline.org. If you require any further information please contact HAP UK Limited (Interim Host - formerly known as The Health Advocacy Partnership), PO Box 3409, Melksham, SN12 7WS. 01225 701121. E-mail: info@wiltshire-in.org.uk.

Free Debt Advice

Do you know someone who is struggling with their debts and/or paying their bills? Are they unable to meet their loan repayments? Do they have rent/ mortgage / council tax arrears etc? Then help is available - Christians Against Poverty is an award winning debt counselling charity that aims to get people out of debt within a reasonable time frame and helps anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs. CAP aims to ensure that help and advice is available to anyone in need, irrespective of race, nationality, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexual preference or disability. Working closely with local utilities and national finance institutions we aim to offer a sustainable solution and real hope for the future - we arrange home visits so the process is that much easier for clients. The service is completely free. So please ask anyone who might need our help to phone our free phone number 0800 328 0006.

Acas Urges Businesses to Avoid Tribunal Claims by Establishing Fair Pay and Grading Systems

Acas, the employment relations service, has launched a new guide to help make businesses less vulnerable to equal pay claims through the use of job evaluation. The guide, which considers the benefits and risks of undertaking job evaluation, explains how a job evaluation risk analysis should be established and implemented. Job evaluation - which determines the relative importance of a number of different jobs whilst avoiding prejudice or discrimination - can be a complex process. This guide will help managers and employee representatives decide whether introducing a job evaluation structure is feasible and appropriate for their business. The new Job Evaluation advice booklet is launched as the 2008 Acas' annual report shows a 25% rise in employment tribunals and potential employment tribunal claims. This rise was partly attributed to equal pay claims. Click here to read on.

Community Cash Awards

Up to £5K grants are available for youth led Community Projects. Prince’s Trust Community Cash Awards are funded by Royal Bank of Scotland, and provide opportunity for young people to make positive changes in their local community and take part in personal development and gain skills. If you want to find out more, contact Shelley Hart at the Prince’s Trust on 07789 111 787 or shelley.hart@princes-trust.org.uk. To find out more about the Prince’s Trust visit the website at www.princes-trust.org.uk

South West Regional Gypsy and Traveller Meeting

Bridgwater Fair on Weds 24th Sept 11-14.00. Equality South West are working with Gypsies and Travellers to organise a regional meeting to discuss how we can all work together at a regional level to address the discrimination experienced by Gypsies and Travellers in the provision of mainstream services, such as accommodation, education and health, as well recognizing local good practice and putting plans in place to celebrate Romany History Month 2009 together. Click here for more details.

A Guide to Microsoft Licensing

How many of us know that we will never ‘own’ a piece of Microsoft software? It is of course Microsoft that own their software. All you – the prospective purchaser - may do, is buy the right (known as a licence) to install and operate it under specific conditions. This guide is intended for voluntary and community sector organisations with less than 250 PC’s and how they can get the best Microsoft Licensing deals. Click here to read on.