RAISE e-Bulletin 9th April 2009
HEADLINES
---
RAISE
‘Skills Third Sector’ Event 27th April Guildford – Speaker Announces
Thank You For Your Economic Downturn Responses
Case Studies Welcome
EQUALITIES
Health Inequalities To Be Prioritised In The South East
Equality And Diversity Volunteering Event
Refugee Week 15th – 22nd June
Black Mental Health Conference 28th April
Introduction To Islam And Muslim Culture
FUNDING
Save The Children Increase Grant Scheme After 1 Million Calls
Inspiring Communities £10 Million Fund
Big Lottery Fund To Relaunch Awards For All
High Hopes For The Budget
£6 Million Crime Safety Grants
Tudor Trust Announces New Funding Guidelines
The 2010 IMPACT Awards To Be Launched In July
TSEN Survey
LEARNING AND SKILLS
Ready Steady Change Course
Building A Culture Of Participation
ACEVO Running A One Day Workshop
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
CAF Venturesome
POLICY AND CONSULTATION
Regional Compact Launched
Migrant Impacts Fund
Call For £30 Billion Sustainable New Deal
VOLUNTEERING
New Rules Make It Easier For Charities To Calculate VAT
Empowering The Voluntary Sector Programme
Charities Reviewing Banking Arrangements
Doorstep Collection Threatens Charity Shop Sales
More Say Over Services
Red Tape May Be A Good Thing
SECTOR JOBS
---
RAISE
---
‘Skills Third Sector’ Event 27th April Guildford – Speaker Announced
---
RAISE is pleased to be hosting a regional event to introduce the new 'Skills - Third Sector' body to local and regional Voluntary/Community Organisations in the South East. This free event will span from 10.00am - 3.30pm and will include lunch and refreshments. Speakers will include Janet Fleming, Interim Project Director for the new 'Skills - Third Sector' body, who will talk about the remit of the new body and its plans so far. There will be round table discussions to give you the opportunity to have your say on how 'Skills - Third Sector' should operate to deliver its remit. Also speaking will be the Third Sector National Learning Alliance (TSNLA), the voice for Third Sector learning and skills providers.
For further information on this event contact Abigail Lee on 01483 885271 or email Abigail@raise-networks.org.uk
To book a place on this event click here
Thank You For Your Economic Downturn Responses
---
Thank you to those who responded to our economic downturn survey it really helps us to monitor the impact of the recession on the Voluntary/Community Sector. The data is now being processed, as well as distributing the results to key individuals we will be producing a briefing sheet outlining the results so far.
Case Studies Welcome
---
If you feel there has been a particular moment when RAISE or one of our events has really had a wider impact on your organisation or the Voluntary/Community Sector. Please fill out our RAISE case study form and return to becky@raise-networks.org.uk
To fill out the RAISE case study template please click here
EQUALITIES
---
Health Inequalities To Be Prioritised In The South East
---
According to the first joint report of the South East England Regional Directors of Public Health, health inequalities across the region must be a priority. Professor Yvonne Doyle said the picture of health in the South East looked good but there is ‘no room for complacency. The picture is a mixed one with areas of very good health, but also evidence of the diseased of affluence and pockets of real deprivation.’ The 2008 annual report aims to explain recent changes in health and act as a progress report/data compendium on the 6 themes of the South East Health Strategy.
For the full article please click here
For a copy of the 2008 annual report click here
To comment on the report or to request a hard copy of the report please email health@gose.gsi.gov.uk
Equality And Diversity Volunteering Event
---
On the 29th April in Pacific House, Reading an event is being held to share good practice regarding equality and diversity. The event spans a full day and aims to introduce a Single Equalities approach and the South East Support Programme. The event will also explain current and upcoming legislations along with sharing the experience of an Action Research Site.
For further information on this event or to book a place contact Matthew Stevens at matthew.stevens@lsc.gov.uk
Refugee Week 15th – 22nd June
---
A series of events will take place across the South East Region as a result of refugee week. To find out more about these events please contact the Regional Refugee Week Co-ordinator Rob Guile at SESPM@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Black Mental Health Conference 28th April
---
Black and Minority Ethnic people often have difficulty accessing information about services because the information is inappropriate or not distributed in ways that reach certain communities. In light of this Nesta Support and the UNI networks have teamed together to hold a Black Mental Health Conference in Reading Town Hall on April 28th from 9am until 1pm.
For more information on the event or to book a place email info@nestacare.co.uk or call 0118 953 3713
Introduction To Islam And Muslim Culture
---
An event is being held at the Central Mosque, Cowley Rd, Oxford. The event will introduce delegates to the Muslim and Islam culture. For more information on this event and to book a place email info@educationislam.org
FUNDING
---
Save The Children Increase Grant Scheme After 1 Million Calls
---
Save the children plans to extend a new scheme to give cash grants to struggling UK families after an influx of calls. The organisation is working with charity Family Action to give grants of between £100 and £200 to families hit by what it calls a "crisis scenario".
For the full article click here
Inspiring Communities £10 Million Fund
---
Community groups have been invited to form partnerships with local authorities and secondary schools to apply for a share of £10m from a new government fund designed to improve the life chances of disadvantaged young people. Applications are now open for neighbourhood partnerships. The deadline for applications is 3rd June.
For the full article click here
Big Lottery Fund To Relaunch Awards For All
---
The Big Lottery Fund has announced the launch of its own version of the Awards For All programme. A total of £45 million is available in grants of between £300 to £10,000 to grassroots groups in the Voluntary/Community Sector (VCS).
For more information on this programme click here
High Hopes For The Budget
---
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, speaking at a pre-G20 debate in St Paul's Cathedral said he wanted to boost the efforts of charities and voluntary organisations to help with problems caused by the recession. With the next budget imminent Gordon Brown may be indicating increased funding for the Voluntary/Community Sector (VCS). Keith Hickey, chief executive of the Charity Finance Directors' Group, said: "We're really pleased to hear Gordon Brown say this. There are a number of measures he could take that would help the sector."
To read the full article click here
£6 Million Crime Safety Grants
---
Community organisations throughout the UK will be able to apply for grants of up to £100,000 to improve safety in their local areas as part of a scheme launched this week by the Home Office. The funding can be used to help vulnerable people protect themselves from burglars.
For the full article click here
Tudor Trust Announces New Funding Guidelines
---
The Tudor Trust, has announced new funding guidelines. Under the new guidelines, the Trust will continue to make grants across their established funding areas. These are; youth, older people, community, relationships, housing, mental health, substance misuse, learning, financial security and criminal justice. The Trust makes grants in the region of £19 million per year and aims to support smaller community, voluntary and charitable organisations and is looking to make around 350 projects per year for up to three years. Grants can take the form of core funding (including salaries and running costs), development funding, project grants or capital grants for buildings and equipment. There is no maximum or minimum grant amount and applications can be submitted at any time.
For more information click here
The 2010 IMPACT Awards To Be Launched In July
---
The King's Fund has announced that the 2010 GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards will be launched on the 1st July 2009. The IMPACT Awards are open to registered charities that are at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with a total annual income between £10,000 and £1 million. The awards recognise and reward charities that are doing excellent work to improve people's health. The overall winner will receive £35,000, nine other winners receive £25,000 and up to ten organisations that are highly commended or runners up receive £5,000 or £3,000.
For more information click here
TSEN Survey
---
TSEN is the representative body for the Third Sector on the National programme managing committee for the European Social Fund. Later this year TSEN will have the chance to feed in the experience of the Sector of tendering in the current ESF programme (2007 - 2013). The information you provide will help to record good practice and problems, enabling improvements in the remainder of the programme.
This survey is to assess how widely the Sector can engage with the LSC procurement system for ESF activity, and if it tries to engage how it finds that experience.
To fill out the survey click here
To find out more about TSEN click here
LEARNING AND SKILLS
---
Ready Steady Change Course
---
Ready Steady Change is a one-day course that introduces participants to a selection of training methods and tools to enhance their skills and knowledge in increasing children and young people’s effective participation in decision-making. The course focuses on values, change and action. Ready Steady Change approaches participation from a children’s rights framework and is suitable for all individuals involved in participation work. The course is in London on the 28th April and the 25th June.
To find out more about this course click here or call the Enquiry Line on 0845 603 6725
Building A Culture Of Participation
---
Building a culture of participation explores how an organisation’s culture can be established and embedded to support children and young people’s active and meaningful participation within the organisational infrastructure. The course is available in Brighton on the 12th May and in London on the 19th May.
To find out more about this course click here or call the Enquiry Line on 0845 603 6725
ACEVO Workshop – Improving Budgets For Individual Budgets
---
Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) are running a one day workshop looking at how chief executives and senior managers can adapt their organisations in preparation for the introduction of individual budgets in 2011. Individual budgets will change the way many frontline organisations work and will subsequently produce new challenges for VCS infrastructure. As part of the Capacitybuilders funded Income Generation workstream, ACEVO is offering a limited number of bursary places to chief executives and senior managers from support providers. A workshop is available in London on 24th April.
To register your interest in taking up a bursary place please contact liam.cranley@acevo.org.uk
POLICY AND CONSULTATION
---
Regional Compact Launched
---
The Compact is an agreement between the Government and the Voluntary/Community Sector outlining key guidelines on how both parties can work together. The Regional Minister, Jonathan Shaw stated: "I am really pleased to announce the launch of 'Our South East Regional Compact', particularly relevant in these challenging times when we need to work together. It is a real demonstration of our strengths in partnership working in this region."
To view the Compact click here
For more information about the compact including the five codes of practice which underpin it click here
Migrant Impacts Fund
---
The Migration Impacts Fund will come into effect from April. The South East’s share of the Fund will be £3.269 million in 2009-11, with a similar amount available in 2010-11. All local service providers are eligible to apply for the fund, as are regional and sub regional bodies with the approval of the relevant top tier Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs).
For guidance on accessing the Fund click here
For more information concerning the fund please email tony.odonnell@gose.gsi.gov.uk or clare.marett@gose.gsi.gov.uk
Call For £30 Billion Sustainable New Deal
---
A Government watchdog has urged the government to channel £30 billion a year of investment into low carbon measures to create a green New Deal.
For the full article click here
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
---
CAF Venturesome
---
The scheme provides loans and investment support that fills the gap between grants and bank loans – to charities and other social enterprises. The scheme cannot be used to finance start-up organisations or those based overseas. Support ranges in value from £20,000 to £250,000 and can be provided in the form of underwriting, unsecured loans or equity-type investments. The type of finance available includes bridging finance for capital projects, working capital to ease cash flow concerns and Development capital for projects to help build income generation capacity. Applications can be made at any time.
For more information please click here
VOLUNTEERING
---
New Rules Make It Easier For Charities To Calculate VAT
---
The new partial exemption rules, which came into effect from 1st April, allow charities to calculate VAT based on estimates from the previous year, then make an adjustment at the end, rather than having to make exact calculations in each VAT return.
For the full article click here
Empowering The Voluntary Sector Programme
---
An advice and advocacy service to help Voluntary Organisations challenge decisions by public bodies has been launched. The Empowering the Voluntary Sector programme will deal with issues such as breaches of the Compact, complaints procedures and judicial reviews.
For more information click here
Charities Reviewing Banking Arrangements
---
More than half of charities have reviewed their banking arrangements in the past year and two in five spread their money between two or more banks, according to Charity Finance’s annual survey of charity banking relationships. Some 52 per cent of the 233 charities that took part in the Charity Finance Banking Survey 2009 said they have reviewed all their banking arrangements in the last 12 months, and 40 per cent took action to mitigate their risk by spreading their deposits.
For the full article click here
Doorstep Collection Threatens Charity Shop Sales
---
The Association of Charity Shops has told charities that use commercial agents to carry out doorstep clothing collections that their activities are a significant threat to fundraising.
For the full article click here
More Say Over Services
---
Ten councils across England are to be given a share of £620,000 to pilot new online schemes giving people better information on public services.
For more information click here
Red Tape May Be A Good Thing
---
National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) has expressed concern over government plans to cut bureaucracy for charities. NAVCA worries that by cutting bureaucracy there is a danger that confidence will be lost in the Voluntary/Community Sector.
For the full article click here
SECTOR JOBS
---
Non Executive Director - Government Office South East
---
The appointment is for a term of three years and is non-salaried but reasonable travel and subsistence costs will be met as appropriate.
The Government Office for the South East is looking for 2 Non-Executive Directors. Applicants must be able to demonstrate at least 3 years experience as a Board member or senior manager. Along with proven strategic leadership skills, an understanding of key Government initiatives and how they impact on regional policy development. You will also need experience of finance, in terms of internal financial reporting and management of resources. Additionally a good understanding of risk management, internal control, governance issues and effective communications skills are essential.
The successful candidates will be required to attend meetings of the Government Office Board, approximately 12 times per annum. They will advise on the full remit of Government Office work and participate in discussions on the formulation of strategic development, business planning and risk management.
Due to the nature of the business undertaken by Government Office, applications from applicants who hold any political office or are an elected political representative will not be considered. The closing date for applications is the 6th May with interviews being held on 13th May 2009.
For an application form or more information concerning this role contact Kate Cudlip by emailing kate.cudlip@gose.gsi.gov.uk or call 01483 882261.
---
Opinions expressed in pages signposted in RAISE e-Bulletins are not necessarily those of RAISE.
Becky Ashley
Communications Manager
RAISE
Bridge House
1 Walnut Tree Close
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4UA
Phone 01483 885268
Fax 01483 301269
www.raise-networks.org.uk
RAISE is a registered Charity No 1080583 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England No 3932854.
RAISE is hosting a regional event on the new 'Skills - Third Sector' body on the 27th April at Mandolay Hotel, Guildford. This new body will identify skills gaps and shortages within the Voluntary/Community Sector, opening up key learning opportunities.
This free event will span a whole day with lunch included. To download a booking form for this event please click here
RAISE exists to champion the Third Sector’s unique contribution to making South East England socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.
|
