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Friday 15 March 2013
Friday 23 November 2012
Funding & Training Bulletin... Fri 23 November 2012
Please find below the latest funding & training bulletin. Feel free to forward this onto others.
Kind regards,
Rachael
Funding
Staffordshire Local Community Fund
Community Paths Initiative
Community Arts Fund
Village Halls & Community Centres Grant Scheme
Community Wellbeing Fund
Communities mean Business 2009-2013
Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services Start Up Grant
Adult Community Learning Grants 2012/13
Funding Opportunity - Grants for Community Learning
Big Lottery Advice Services Transition Fund
Staffordshire Community Foundation: European Social Fund
Sportivate
Other SCIO links
Healthy Hearts Grants
Buttle UK Funding
British Ecological Society
Community Right to Bid
Community Ownership & Management of Assets Feasibility Grant
The Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities
Coalfields Regeneration Trust - Community Grants Level 1
Big Lottery: Fulfilling Lives in Stoke
Will Charitable Trust
Children in Need
JP Getty Jnr Charitable Trust
Grants for the arts Libraries fund
Santander Foundation Launches Community Plus Fund
Collabor8te Initiative for Short Film-makers - 2013 Round Open
Looking for Funding?
Training
Training: General
Welfare & Benefits Reform... Nov & Dec 2012Training for youth and youth workers
ILM Level 3 Certificate in Management of Volunteers
Do you care for someone who is Vulnerable?
SCIO Training
Training on Life after a Stroke
VAST Training
First Aid CourseExpert, Flexible HR Support
ReCoop - Building capacity for older prisoners
Personal Safety
Vast: Updated Training Information
General Information
Events
Volunteer awards
Voluntary & Community Sector Annual Conference
General Information
Help Keep Staffordshire’s Older People Warm This Winter!
Hospital 2 Home
Patient Transport Service
Council Tax Benefit Reform – Have Your Say!
Debt Benefit and Consumer Advice Service - Soft Market Testing
BBC TV's the One Show Seeks Community Projects in Need of Help Across the UK
Localgiving.com
Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank
ASHA: Christmas 2012 Food Collection
City’s Health and Wellbeing Needs: New Website
Staffordshire Cares: Advice for life
Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme
Church Urban Fund: Joint Ventures
Cross Rhythms: 2 Properties to Let
Property for Rent
Funding
General Funding Opportunities:
Coalfield Regeneration Grant Level 1
Funding Amount: Grants of up to £5000
Purpose: Coalfield Regeneration Trust works closely with partners, promoting and achieving social and economic regeneration in the coalfields of England, Scotland and Wales.
There is funding available through our Level 1 programme, so please contact the regional office if you would like an application pack. If you received Level 1 funding, (previously “Bridging the Gap” funding), over 12 months ago you might be eligible to apply to us again for more funding.
For more information: Please contact the regional office: T: 01782 626584 F: 01782 618906
Programme Support Officers Noelle Hillman & Dora Dean noelle.hillman@coalfields-regen.org.uk dora.dean@coalfields-regen.org.uk
Address: 23 High Street , Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, ST5 6DB
Staffordshire Local Community Fund
Funding Amount: Variable up to £10,000
Deadline: Applications can be submitted to the Member from the 1 April and up to 30th November each year – it is advisable for the applicant to contact the Member in the first instance to see if they have any funding left to allocate.
For information: Visit http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/yourcouncil/slcf or contact Heather Collingwood 01785 276019
Staffordshire County Council Funding Streams
Available to voluntary & community sector organisation in Staffordshire.
Staffordshire Local Community Fund
Deadline: Applications can be submitted to the Member from the 1 April and up to 30 November each year. It is advisable for the applicant to contact the Member in the first instance to see if they have any funding left to allocate.
Funding amount: Variable up to £10,000
For further assistance contact: Heather Collingwood (01785) 276019
Community Paths Initiative
Funding amount: Average grant approx £200 - £1,000
Application: Preference is given to bids that incorporate a voluntary contribution of either local funding, sponsorship or nationally available grants. Parish Councils are eligible to apply.
For information: North Staffordshire Projects contact: Dawn Plant on (01785) 277246 E: dawn.plant@staffordshire.gov.uk
Community Arts Fund
Deadline: For applications is 20 December 2012.
Funding Amount: Up to £800 (maximum)
Applicants: Should focus on running an arts activity or event which benefits the community, widens participation and promotes accessibility. Activities must take place between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013.
For information: Contact Tracie Meredith Art & Project Liaison Officer T: 01785 278571 / 07725 480904 E: tracie.meredith@staffordshire.gov.uk
Website:www.staffordshire.gov.uk/communityartsfund
Village Halls & Community Centres Grant Scheme
Deadline: Deadline for applications is the end of December each year for a decision to be made by the following March panel meeting.
Funding Amount: 50% of total project cost up to £30k maximum
Purpose of grant: For any capital expenditure on the building or its surroundings.
Community Wellbeing Fund
Deadlines: Bidding Round 2 closes: 30 November
Funding amount: Community Chest grants up to £1000
Small grants £1000 up to £10,000
For information: Contact Shelley Brough Health Development Officer T: (01785) 278279 E: shelley.brough@staffordshire.gov.uk Website: Follow this link
Applications should be targeted to one or more older people and vulnerable adult groups. For information about these groups contact Shelley Brough.
Communities mean Business 2009-2013
Funding amount: Grants from £3,000 are available.
Applicants will be expected to fund 25% of the total project cost.
Grant information: The Programme is split into two main areas: creating Sustainable Communities and enhancing Local Heritage and Environment. The funding will only be available to projects based in the certain Staffordshire wards (please contact Ian Jackson for information).
For more information: Contact Ian Jackson - Programme Manager
T: (01785) 242525 ext: 211 M: 07815 827147
Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services Start Up Grant
Funding amount: Applications up to £300.
Application: To apply please request a form from the SCVYS Development Worker for your area:
Lisa Corbett (Stafford & South Staffordshire): T: 07582 937075 / 07429 714242 E:lisa@staffscvys.org.uk
Applications for this grant can only be made by voluntary groups working directly with young people in a personal and social development capacity. Applications can be made for running costs including insurance, rent of premises or purchase of resources for activities. Groups would also need to be working towards membership of SCVYS.
Adult Community Learning Grants 2012/13
Deadline: Any funded activities need to be completed by 31 July 2013
Amount: As required by Project
For information: Julia Staniforth T: 01785 278771 M: 07800 626536 E: julia.staniforth@staffordshire.gov.uk W: Follow this link
Funding Opportunity - Grants for Community Learning
Grants for Community Learning are funding by Staffordshire Skills Funding Agency (SFA) through Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC) funding. The funding is for the delivery and benefit of training for the voluntary and community sector. Application forms are now available for Grants for Community Learning. The Guidance is available here and Application form is available here
SCIO: funding opportunities
Click on the links below for more information about the current funding opportunities available visit the SCIO website
Voluntary and community sector (VCS) funding – new grant programme
Deadline: Proposals should be submitted using the application form and returned by email along with accompanying documents no later than noon on 30 November.
Aim of grant: The Department for Education’s National Prospectus Grants Programme 2013-15 is now open to applications. Applicants are invited to submit proposals to improve outcomes for children, young people and families with a particular emphasis on early intervention and supporting the most disadvantaged.
The funding will provide up to £30 million for each year in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and projects will contribute to policy thinking and delivery on the ground to:
The funding will provide up to £30 million for each year in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and projects will contribute to policy thinking and delivery on the ground to:
· promote excellence in early education and childcare, so enabling all children to achieve success in their early years and later education;
· develop and reform services that support children with SEN, disabilities and other health needs;
· develop and reform safeguarding services that protect and support children at risk of harm;
· develop and reform the care system and speed up the process of adoption; and
· focus and develop local services to improve outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.
Big Lottery: Advice Services Transition Fund
Vital frontline advice services across England will receive a multi-million pound support package as the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) launches the Advice Services Transition Fund today. The Cabinet Office is supporting BIG’s programme by contributing half of the funding.Alongside the launch of the £65 million fund, the Government is today publishing a review the not-for-profit social welfare advice sector in England. It shows that the Government has a role to play in supporting the sector to adapt to the new funding realities, but advice providers will also need to take the initiative and change the way they work. The report recommends that advice organisations should:
· work more collaboratively together to build sustainability and effectiveness
· take early action to prevent the problems which cause people to seek advice
· diversify their funding streams and how they deliver their services so they can be more resilient and sustainable in the long term
· demonstrate their impact more effectively
· use all appropriate channels to reach those in need of support
More details including the application pack and criteria can be found here:
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_advice_services_transition_fund_af.pdf
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/65-million-free-advice-services-help-vulnerable
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/astf
Staffordshire Community Foundation: European Social Fund
Deadline: Closing date for applications is 30 November 2012
Aim of grant: ESF Grants are financed through the European Union and are designed to help people increase their chances of finding work. It isn't used to create new jobs, but to give people who are financially inactive or unemployed new skills and confidence in order to find jobs.
Community and voluntary groups can apply for funding to provide services to people to help them with their skills.
Community and voluntary groups can apply for funding to provide services to people to help them with their skills.
Applicants should:
· Be a community or voluntary group that is based in Staffordshire
· Have an average annual income of less than £150,000
· Have been running for at least 12 months
More details: More information on the criteria of the fund or to download an application form please visit our website www.staffsfoundation.org.uk or phone 01782 683000 and ask for the ‘Staffordshire Community Foundation’
Sportivate
Deadline: Friday 21 December 2012.
Aim of grant: Sportivate funding is available to support projects that will run activity targeting 14-25 year olds and who are semi-sporty or not sporty (those who aren't doing any or only doing very small amounts of physical activity).
Activities should run for 6-8 weeks, and must lead to a clearly identified exit route so that participants continue to take part after their initial block of activity has finished.
Projects must be delivered between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014.
More details: You can download the following documents from our Sportivate webpages: http://www.sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk/Sportivate/SportivateFunding - Sportivate briefing note, telling you everything you need to know about Sportivate
- The Application form which is a delivery plan for you project
- A step-by-step guide to completing the questions on the Application form (this is also on the first tab of the application form) Please note the forms have been altered slightly for Year 3. Please delete any old versions of this form that you have. Any applications received on old forms will be returned.
- The Application form which is a delivery plan for you project
- A step-by-step guide to completing the questions on the Application form (this is also on the first tab of the application form) Please note the forms have been altered slightly for Year 3. Please delete any old versions of this form that you have. Any applications received on old forms will be returned.
If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact Claire Greenwood (Physical Activity Development Officer for Sport Across Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent) on 01785 619258
Visit our website: www.sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk/
Other SCIO links:
Vast: Funding Opportunities
Vast provides information regarding the latest funding opportunities. We have selected a few of them to include in this bulletin so we would recommend you visit the website or contact Development Team at VAST on 01782 683030 for more information on funding opportunities.
The Edge Funding
The Edge Fund supports projects that are working for social, economic and environmental justice. Grants up to £5,000 are available and priority will be given to grassroots and unfunded groups. Deadline is 1 December 2012. http://edgefund.org.uk
Healthy Hearts Grant
Deadline: Deadline 28 February 2013
Purpose of grant: Healthy Heart Grants, from Heart Research UK, support innovative projects designed to promote heart health and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to community groups, voluntary organisations and researchers who are spreading the healthy heart message.
For more information contact VAST (contact details above)
If your organisation works with families in crisis but cannot help them financially, Buttle UK may be able to help. Their Small Grants programme provides essential items for children and young people whose development, health and well-being are at risk. It provides a fast response to families who lack basic items such as bedding, a cooker or a washing machine.
More information from www.buttleuk.org
Purpose of grant: Individuals and organisations such as schools, museums, libraries and community groups can apply to the British Ecological Society for grants of up to £2,000 to promote ecological science to a wide audience. The funding is available for projects that: increase public understanding of and engagement with ecology, stimulate discussion about ecology and its implications for society, inspire and enthuse people of all ages about the science of ecology, especially those not previously interested, develop skills in communicating the science of ecology.
Community Right to Bid
The Community Right to Bid will give people the chance to bid to buy and take over the running of assets that are of value to the local community.The new right is expected to come into effect from October 12th 2012 and will be the third right to be made active following on from April’s Right to Challenge & Right to Build.
Your community could use the Right to Bid to buy a local asset like a village shop, community centre, children’s centre, library building, Local pub.
These could be currently owned by the local council or other public body or a private company or person.
The Right to Bid will be able to be used by:
· a local voluntary or community group that is incorporated – this means it has a separate legal status from its members
· a local voluntary or community group that is not incorporated but has at least 21 members who are locally registered to vote
· a parish council
· a neighbourhood forum
For further information please click here
Community Ownership & Management of Assets Feasibility Grant
This £16.7m scheme, including the Right to Bid grant programme is now open. It aims to help community groups to use both the Community Right to Bid, which comes into force on 12th October, and the existing Community Asset Transfer powers to buy and manage local community assets such as village shops, pubs, community centres, heritage buildings, allotments and libraries.Groups in England, including registered charities, CICs and Parish councils can apply for feasibility grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 to develop investment proposals and carry out feasibility studies that will equip them to take on asset ownership and management. Interested organisations should contact the Community Rights Ad-vice Service in the first instance to assess their suitability for the grant programme.
For more information please click here
The Big Lottery Fund Reaching Communities
Funding Amount: Funding from £10,000 to £500,000 for revenue projects lasting up to five years where the total cost of the project, including money from other sources, is not more than £750,000. Smaller capital projects up to £50,000.
Purpose: The Big Lottery Fund supports charities and the voluntary sector, health, education, the environment, and regenerative projects to regenerate and revitalise communities. Reaching Communities supports projects that improve the quality of life of communities across England, offering help where it is most needed.
Criteria: Projects must:
· Respond to need - this is a problem, issue or situation where something needs to change to make things better for a person, group of people or environment.
· Involve the people who will benefit from the project in planning and running the project.
· Achieve one or more of the following four outcomes: People having better chances in life, Stronger communities, Improved rural and urban environments, Healthier and more active people and communities.
Coalfields Regeneration Trust - Community Grants Level 1
Financial assistance is available to encourage social and economic regeneration in coalfield communities. For information please click here
Big Lottery: Fulfilling Lives in Stoke
The Big Lottery Fund is investing up to £100 million over up to 8 years, in up to 15 targeted areas in England, to improve the lives of people with multiple and complex needs. The Fulfilling Lives programme aims to change the lives of people who experience substance abuse, reoffending, homelessness and mental ill-health. The top priority is to change the lives of the people who experience all of these but people with at least two may benefit. The focus is on adults but a local partnership may choose to include younger people.
For further information please click here
Will Charitable Trust
The Will Charitable Trust is accepting applications for projects providing services for blind people, and projects working on the prevention and/or cure for blindness. The Trust is also currently funding the long-term care of people with learning disabilities.Applications should be sent from November and by 31st January 2013 at the latest.
Children In Need
Children in Need are making changes to their grant making, which they say will make the application process more accessible. The next Small Grants application deadline will be April 2013.
For further information please click here
JP Getty Jnr Charitable Trust
The JP Getty Jnr Charitable Trust supports projects that promote social welfare or arts and heritage. Grants are between £10,000 and £250,000 over a period of one to three years. Small grants up to £5,000 are also available.
For further information please click here
Grant for the Arts Libraries Trust
The Grants for the arts Libraries fund will invest £6 million of the Arts Council's Grants for the Arts National Lottery money in projects delivered by public libraries or library authorities working in partnership with cultural organisations across all art forms. It is hoped the fund will inspire ambitious, innovative partnerships between libraries and arts organisations. Public libraries can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £100,000 covering activities lasting up to three years.
The fund opened to applications on 27 September 2012 and will run until March 2015.
For further information please click here
Santander Foundation: Community Plus Fund
The Santander Foundation has launched a new £1.23 million fund.Grants of up to £5,000 are available to help with specific costs, such as the cost of salaries, equipment or materials, for projects that directly benefit disadvantaged people within the UK.
The scheme is open to small local UK registered charities. National charities can also apply for local projects.
Nomination forms may be submitted at any time.
Looking for Funding
Are you a voluntary or community group and looking for funding to help towards a project you are hoping to run? Are you in the North of the city? Are you meeting the needs of the local community?Have you been active for at least 6 months? Do you have an income of less than £30,000 p.a? If so, you are in the right place!
For further information please click here
For other funding opportunities please contact VAST at development@vast.org.uk or call 01782 683030
Training
General Training
Welfare Benefits Reform & Social Fund Awareness... Nov & Dec
This event will take place on the following two dates:Date: Thursday 29 November
Time: 9.30am -1.00pm
Venue: The Bridge Centre, Birches Head, Stoke on Trent, ST2 8DD
Includes a buffet lunch
Date: Wednesday 5 December
Time: 9.30am -1.00pm
Venue: The Rose Theatre, Taylors Lane, Rugeley, WS15 2AA
Including buffet lunch
By the end of the event attendees will have:
· Improved understanding on the latest thinking around how the Welfare Reform Bill will be implemented next year.
· Understand the role of DWP and what local support they will be providing
· An opportunity for discussions about what the changes will mean to organisation’s service users and to the organisations themselves.
· Understand the changes to the administration of the Social Fund
· An opportunity to input into the planning process for the future administration of the Social Fund in Staffordshire.
· An opportunity to consider how the voluntary sector can raise these issues within the wider local partnership e.g. Staffordshire Strategic Partnership and the Health & Well Being Board.
Spaces are now very limited for these events so if you have not already booked, please contact Jane at Janeswindall@ldcvs.org.uk or telephone 01543 303030.
Training for youth and youth workersThe British Council is inviting organisations with extensive experience in delivering intercultural training and/or training for youth and youth worker development to submit expressions of capacity to work in partnership with them to develop and deliver training projects in the UK under Action 4.3 - Training and Co-operation Plan of the Youth in Action programme funded by the European Union.
The deadline for applications is 1 November 2012.
For further information please click here
The deadline for applications is 1 November 2012.
For further information please click here
ILM Level 3 Certificate in Management of Volunteers
This qualification has been developed to equip first line managers working within the third sector with the professional skills and knowledge they need to successfully manage their team of volunteers.You will cover key areas such as supporting diversity and equality, managing conflict and boosting your personal leadership skills, as well as essentials such as health and safety, quality issues and relevant legislation.
· The course will run in 11 Half day sessions including induction Light Refreshments will be provided.
· The CRT will pay for the course, you would need to cover any additional costs e.g. travel.
· The course will most likely take place at a venue in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.
Entry requirements: There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification. Assignments are workplace based.
Barbara Alexander, Skillbase Administrator T: 01785 279930 E: sbadmin@sdvs.org.uk
Do you care for someone who is Vulnerable?
These free workshops From Staffordshire Fire and Rescue could save their Life.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue are offering a series of FREE training across the county to highlight of the risks and dangers fires can cause. The sessions will be held at Community Fire Stations across the county. Further details and how to book can be found here
Alternatively email either olivebranch@staffordshirefire.gov.uk or sbadmin@sdvs.org.uk ensuring that your contact details are fully shown.
SCIO Training
Life after Stroke Training
Our stand alone training courses are delivered at your venue by an experienced Stroke Trainer for up to 20 people: Stroke is a Medical Emergency (half day): Identify the signs of stroke and know what to do if you suspect someone is having a stroke and understand the importance of treating stroke as a medical emergency
Active Communication (full day or half day): Be able to support someone with communication difficulties after stroke or other neurological problems thereby reducing the frustrations on both sides
Informal carers training (half day): Caregivers of stroke survivors need to attend this course for knowledge and information about stroke from onset to long term care, to discuss their needs and know about support available
Training in a care setting (half day): Ideal for those working in nursing or residential care homes; includes What is a stroke? Effects of stroke including continence, mobility, cognition, vision and communication.
We have created a suggested training programme where all 15 of our training modules are covered in just three days. Each day of training offers a varying level of knowledge and awareness. More information on our suggested training format is found on our website
Download our Life After Stroke Training programme or contact us about our training please by clicking here.
VAST Training
First Aid Course
Qualified first aiders who hold a "First Aid at Work" certificate wishing to maintain the qualification can attend a two day workshop instead of the full 3 day workshop up to 3 months before and up to 28 days after the expiry date of their current "First Aid at Work" certificateThis saves an extra day of your time and works out as a saving of £55!!
At this point in time have no dates booked in for June or July. If there are any groups out there who are close to their renewal date and would like to share the training with this other group, we'd be happy to put the course on for all parties before the end of July!
To find out more about the course click First Aid Training and if you're interested in sharing this course please contact Val Lewis VAST's Training Co-ordinator on 01782 683030
Expert, Flexible HR Support
Whether you need an audit of your HR policies or procedures, training for line managers and executives, or help dealing with specific employee issues, our expert and flexible HR services can provide all the support you need.For further information please click here
ReCoop - Building capacity for older prisoners
Older people are the fastest growing minority group within the prison estate, currently making up about10% of the overall prison population. Recent research has highlighted that prisons are designed to target younger people of working age. As a consequence, there are often very few resources for older people, particularly at retirement age, and little available in the way of activity and mental stimulation.Recoop - have been commissioned by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) to help prisons and probation trusts build capacity for older prisoners by increasing voluntary and community sector involvement to support this client group
If your organisation has an interest in working with offenders, ex-offenders and/or older people in the areas of physical and mental health, mentoring, befriending and general well-being then please get in touch to see if Staffordshire prisons are included in the programme. They’re not seeking a huge commitment as a couple of hours a week can have a significant impact on the well-being of older people in prison.
Contact Jane Wilkes, Midlands Regional Capacity Building Consultant on 07966 800200 or janewilkes@recoop.org.uk
Recoop can provide assistance with understanding the needs of older offenders, support with establishing a service within the prison, support with developing local partnerships, resources for working with older people and best practice information.
More information about Recoop is available at www.recoop.org.uk
Personal Safety
This course is about managing violence and aggression in the workplace and focuses on the principles which support the individual when faced with a threat. It’s about being able to identify potential conflict and ensuring personal safety by using coping strategies and recognising when to remove oneself from a situation.Topics Include:
· Avoiding or managing a potentially violent incident until the incident is resolved or a fully trained intervention team (security, police etc) can arrive and take proper control
· Basic physical skill include stance, positioning, movement and breakaway
· Additional simple control skills are taught to those staff who may find themselves subject to crisis intervention
· These skills are very much principle based and rely on instinctive reactions and gross motor movements
This course is idea for those who are not expected to physically intervene out of choice, but whose role may expose them to conflict. Essential for those dealing with clients who may become emotional, distressed or physically aggressive during contact time with professional support.
Date: Monday 26 November 2012
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Fee: £80 (voluntary & community groups, charities) *£120 (others)
Booking: Please complete our online booking form be clicking here. Alternatively please contact training@vast.org.uk to receive it by email or by post.
We can only accept provisional bookings by telephone, all of which must be followed up with a completed booking form. Once this has been received we will confirm your booking by e-mail as soon as possible. If you have not heard from us seven days before the event, you should contact us on 01782 683030.
VAST: Updated Training Information
Other Information
Events
Volunteer awards
Volunteers make a big difference to people’s lives, and the Volunteer Staffordshire awards give local residents and organisations that work with volunteers a chance to say thank you. Volunteer Staffordshire is a partnership initiative between Staffordshire County Council and Volunteer Centres Staffordshire.
Nominations for the Volunteer Staffordshire Awards 2013 are now open. There are ten categories:
- Volunteer of the Year Award
- Young Volunteer of the Year Award
- Volunteer Team of the Year Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sporting Volunteer of the Year
- Cultural Volunteer of the Year
- Outstanding Leadership Award
- Environmental Volunteer of the Year Award
- Unsung Hero Award
- Business Contribution to the Community Award
People can make as many nominations as they wish and they can be for either individuals or groups of volunteers. You can nominate either by completing the online form at www.volunteerstaffordshire.org.uk or by telephoning 0300 111 8000. Nominations close on 4 January 2013.
Voluntary and Community Sector Annual Conference
This year’s Annual Conference for the Voluntary and Community Sector will be hosted at Keele Hall. The theme for next year’s event will be around Social Value and the format for the day will take on a similar feel to previous years with guest speakers, exhibition stands and workshops on a variety of topics.We are delighted to announce that Kevin Curley, Voluntary Sector Advisor and former CEO of NAVCA will be the guest speaker of the day.
For further information please click here
General Information
Help keep Staffordshire’s older people warm this Winter
Staffordshire Community Foundation has teamed up with local charity donation website, www.localgiving.com, for this year’s Surviving Winter Appeal.
If you’re over 60 and receive the Winter Fuel Payment but don’t really need it, you can donate it to someone who does. Or if you’re a little bit younger but still want to help, you can bring warmth, security and mobility to a person in need this winter by going to the Staffordshire Community Foundation donation page at localgiving.com/staffordshirecf. With several energy companies abandoning their cheapest tariffs and five of the six big energy suppliers increasing gas and electricity prices by between 6% and 11% this autumn, some of Staffordshire’s most vulnerable citizens could be in for a cold winter. Localgiving.com Chief Executive, Marcelle Speller OBE, says: “Fuel poverty can be life threatening. All donations to Surviving Winter will go to help vulnerable and older people in Staffordshire to make it through the coldest time of year. Think of it as an early Christmas present that will make a real difference to someone’s life!”
To make a donation go to Localgiving.com/staffordshirecf. November 19, 2012
For more information contact Staffordshire Community Foundation on 01782 683000 or
Hospital 2 Home
If you/ your organisation support people when leaving hospital look at the latest information pack and advice from Hospital 2 Home. Follow this link
Patient Transport Service
Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group are procuring a Patient Transport Service for implementation during August 2013.
Over 100,000 journeys take place each year and we would value your input and opinion into the standards we are requesting from potential transport service providers.
If you would like to help us by providing your opinion, please complete the short electronic questionnaire by following the link below. The closing date for completing the questionnaire is 29th November 2012.
http://www.keysurvey.com/f/470446/142e/
Council Tax Benefit Consultation – Have your Say!
As part of major changes to the Welfare Benefits system, the Government is abolishing Council Tax Benefit. From 1st April 2013 it will be replaced with a Local Council Tax Support Scheme in your local area. This is a major change decided by Government that will have a significant impact on both the Council’s budget, and, potentially, on residents. Government rules state that there will be no changes for pensioners. This means it is very likely that most people of working age will have to pay something towards their Council Tax bill. How much depends on individual circumstances. Consultation information has been produced for each area to help people understand the proposed changes and how they could be affected.
Consultation in each district/Stoke on Trent is currently underway and dates for responding to these vary dependent on the area in which people live – please refer to individual consultation information provided. Residents, people in receipt of benefits, community groups and organisations and anyone else interested in the proposals are currently being invited to share views on their proposed Council Tax Support Scheme.
No decisions have been made about the new scheme and people’s views and feedback will be used to inform the final scheme for implementation. All local schemes must be approved by each Local Authority by 31 January 2013.
If you would like more information or to discuss this matter further with someone from your local district authority, please click this link here, following the link for Council Tax Benefit consultation.
Debt Benefit and Consumer Advice Service - Soft Market Testing
The Public Sector Commissioning Partnership (PSCiP), which is comprised of representatives from public sector organisations across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, will be jointly commissioning a Debt, Benefit and Consumer Advice Service to be delivered across Staffordshire.
The Service will provide a free, confidential, specialist information and advice service in Staffordshire and will cover areas such as debt, benefits, housing and employment to improve the quality of life of local people. It is anticipated that the service will be delivered in a number of ways including face to face contact at a range of locations (for example, outreach centres), telephone advice line, and online resources.
This soft market test is to seek the views and opinions of potential providers within the market to inform the commissioning process.
How to have your say:
Should your organisation be interested in providing this service or have any views on how the service can be provided we would welcome the opportunity in hearing from you. More information (including online questionnaire) is available on the PSCiP webpages:
The closing date for responses is 9 December 2012.
BBC TV's The One Show Seeks Community Projects in Need of Help Across the UK
GRANTfinder has been asked by the BBC TV's the One Show to draw your attention to a proposed initiative for community projects.The show is looking for community projects across the UK that need a helping hand. It wants to use its influence to galvanise volunteer efforts in different schemes for a new weekly feature on the programme in the coming months.
E.g. Perhaps you have a community hall that needs a lick of paint and a good tidy up but haven't been able to organise a volunteer day to sort it out - Let The One Show see what it can do. Has your local fireworks display/concert been forced to cancel? Maybe The One Show can help. Is your community bus service at risk unless more volunteers are found? Let the One Show spearhead the search to keep it going. Or maybe you have a dedicated community stalwart who deserves a big thank you? Let the One Show organise a suitable celebration.
Planning is currently at an early stage but please get in touch as soon as possible if you think you have suitable project or idea.
For more information email Richard.park@bbc.co.uk
Localgiving.com
Localgiving.com is a new website which strengthens local communities by providing charities and community groups with the tools needed to raise money, awareness and support online. For further information and to visit the website please click here. To find out more contact Steve Adams at the Staffordshire Community Foundation on 01782 683030.
Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank
This exciting new interdenominational project is based out of Wesley Hall Methodist, Sneyd Green and is working with seven churches across the city to support people in crisis with food boxes.
Professionals, such as Health Visitors, Project Workers and Social Care, are able to refer families or individuals into the service, provide them with a voucher that they are able to exchange at any one of the seven distribution point Churches across the city. Food is donated through Churches, Schools, supermarkets, businesses and from individuals.
So how can you and your church get involved?
· Donating food and doing food drives within your church
· Volunteering at supermarkets to raise awareness and collect food
· Volunteer at the food bank hub in food sorting, weighing and distribution
· Volunteer at the various food distribution sites
There are plenty of volunteering opportunities for as little or as much time as you have and we are always looking to churches to raise funds and for food.
Please get in touch with us for more information:
ASHA - Christmas 2012 Food Collection
ASHA - African Social Health Agency work to support men, women and families seeking asylum. Please click here to find out more information about their 2012 Christmas Food Collection.
City’s Health and Wellbeing Needs: New Website
A detailed document showing health and wellbeing needs of Stoke-on-Trent residents for now and the future has been turned into an easily accessible website. For further information please click here
Staffordshire Cares: Advice for life
The ground breaking partnership of Staffordshire councils, public, private and voluntary sector organisations has already helped 50,000 people through its original online and phone based advice service.
It’s also now expanded to open eight drop-in local advice points across the county. These advice points offer an excellent opportunity for anyone who needs support but prefers to speak with someone face to face. It’s also great for those without access to the internet.
All are set up to offer the same high standard of confidential advice you’d expect but now with a more personal touch. Friendly trained advisors are on hand to offer free practical help and advice for any age, health or disability related issues. Their expertise can guide you toward better ways to live a better life and plan for the future.
There’s a wealth of advice on offer including dealing with day to day hassles, home and garden, living at home, money, healthy living, transport and much more. For more information or for contact details of your local centre visit this link
Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme
Starting in April 2013 is the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS), this will enable charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) to claim a gift aid on small cash donations up to £20 where it is often difficult to obtain a gift aid declaration. In general, eligible charities and CASCs will be able to claim top-up payments on up to £5,000 small donations each year. The new scheme does not require individual donors to complete a gift aid declaration, nor does the charity have to provide the donor’s details with their repayment claim. Where the basic rate of income tax is 20%, small donation income of £5,000 will entitle the charity to a top-up payment of £1,250.For further info contact VAST’s Community Accounts Team on 01782 683030 or visit our website at www.vast.org.uk
Church Urban Fund: Joint Ventures
Church Urban Fund is forming a series of joint ventures with local dioceses as a way of resourcing churches and faith groups that are tackling poverty in the dioceses. Joint ventures bring people together in the diocese so that skills, opportunities, resources and networks can be shared, making local work more effective and giving workers a national voice. So far, we have created joint ventures in Cornwall, Birmingham, Newcastle, Lancashire, Bradford and Liverpool, and more are in the process of being formed. Find out about our joint ventures.
Cross Rhythms: 2 Properties to Let
As part of the Cross Rhythms building, we have the following spaces available to let:
1) Office Space:
Situated in Conway House above La Bella Napoli Restaurant and the Cross Rhythms radio station reception.
Office Unit (self contained) 1803 square feet of prime office space comprising; large open plan office, 3 more offices, studio/ sound proof room and toilet facilities. Access via stairway or lift and keypad doors. Internet and Phone already connected.
Part-let may be considered.
Office Unit (self contained) 1803 square feet of prime office space comprising; large open plan office, 3 more offices, studio/ sound proof room and toilet facilities. Access via stairway or lift and keypad doors. Internet and Phone already connected.
Part-let may be considered.
2) Shop Unit:
The property is situated in a parade of shops in the Cultural Quarter, close to the Regent Theatre. The property is between La Bella Napoli, a long standing Italian Restaurant, and the Cross Rhythms Community Radio Station reception. There is a ground floor and first floor (approx 1,200 square feet).
For more information please click here: Contact: Rob Thompson 01782 877303
For more information please click here: Contact: Rob Thompson 01782 877303
Property for Sale or to Let suitable for the Voluntary and Community Sector
Situated in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. A property suitable for the Voluntary and Community Sector.
Flexible terms offered. Follow this link
Flexible terms offered. Follow this link
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