Relevant local and national information
There is a real drive from Government to encourage increased partnership between the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) now often referred to as the Third Sector. In particular the Cabinet Office and Communities and Local Government and the Office of the Third Sector are producing various documents with ideas, recommendations and actions. Whenever possible, for your reference, these will be added as links to this page and will be listed on the publications section of this page.There are also numerous consultation opportunities for Third Sector organisations in circulation at the moment from various government departments. Links to the appropriate government web pages will be set out on the Consultation Page and can be accessed by clicking the link on the left of this page.
Save time by viewing these quick scan headings - full article appears lower down the page....
- LSC - Peer Coaching Programme
- Green Paper - A stronger society: Voluntary Action in 21st Century
- Guidance on CRB Checks for Organisations using Volunteers
- National Survey of Third Sector Organisations
- Health & Health Care Strategy, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin - Latest briefing
- Carers Rights Day - 5th December 2008
- Volunteer Expenses Claim Form
1. Learning and skills Council - Peer Coaching Programme
Learning & Skills Council provide information for Third Sector Organisations interested in participating in a Peer Coaching Programme which will enable them to understand how they might become a provider of Learning and Skills within their own organisation. The programme is open for 12 months from March 2008 - March 2009. It provides up to 2 days Peer Mentoring support from a third sector coach who will help the organisation, on a one to one basis, explore what support it needs
to be able to deliver LSC funded learning programmes. Full information and an application form are available in the Publications list to the right of this page in the document titled Peer Coaching Information
2. Green Paper - A Stronger Society: Voluntary Action in the 21st Century
A Draft Green Paper on the Third Sector has been published by the Conservative Party entitled A Stronger Society: Voluntary Action in the 21st Century. The full document can be viewed by clicking on the link in the Publications list to the right of this page.
3. Guidance on CRB Checks for Organisations that use Volunteers
The Office of the Third Sector has published guidance to help organisations that use volunteers to be clear about when they do and don't need to carry out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on volunteers. The guidance will help cut unnecessary red tape and responds to concerns voiced by the voluntary sector that potential volunteers can be put off if they are asked to undergo a CRB check without good reason. The document can be viewed in the publications list to the right of
this page entitled CRB-Checks-Guidance-Volunteering
4. Office of the Third Sector National Survey of Third Sector Organisations - ensure you contribute if invited.
The Office of the Third Sector has recently announced that the forthcoming National Survey of Third Sector organisations. In September 2008, thousands of Third Sector Orgainsations, including many in Shropshire, will receive this crucial survey which will be conducted by research specialists Ipsos MORI. For the first time, all local authorities are to be judged on their performance in creating an environment for a thriving third sector. To measure this performance, the government is
commissioning the largest ever survey of the third sector.
Results from the survey will be available early in the new year and will drive change locally and nationally by revealing performance against a key local government performance targets (National Indicator 7). It will also provide valuable evidence on the performance of local partnerships, funding relationships, opportunities to campaign and influence and other issues facing the sector at a local level.
The survey will be sent to 97,000 organisations, drawn from data provided by a consortium of BMG Research and GuideStar, who will also provide key information to enable the results of the survey to be fully analysed and understood. To find out more about the National Indicator 7, please see
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/Partnership_working/local_government
5. Health & Health Care Strategy - Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin - latest briefing 4 August 2008
As you will be aware, work is continuing to develop a strategy for Health and Health Care in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. The latest edition of our "Developing Health and Health Care" briefing can be viewed in the Publications list to the right of this page. It describes the recent public engagement events, introduces the summary briefings that have been produced for the eight pathways and directs readers to further information from our website at www.ournhsinshropshireandtelford.nhs.uk.
6. Carers Uk's Carers Rights Day
This will take place this year on Friday 5th December, with hundreds of local groups running events to support, inform and speak up for, nearly 6 million unpaid carers across the country. The theme for 2008 is Making the Most of Your Money - making sure that carers receive all the financial support and benefits they are entitled to. For details, visit www.carersrightsday.org Do you wish to link up with other caring organisations in Shropshire to make this a larger event? Contact the Assembly to discuss ideas and make some links with any organisation interested in participating.
7. Volunteer Expenses Claim Form for Assembly business
now available for those attending meeting on Assembly business and representing the Assembly. Claim Form can be downloaded from the site using the link to the right of this page in Publications.
Peer-Coaching-Information-About-the-Project.pdf (122KB)
voluntary-sector-green-paper-june-08.pdf (406KB)
CRB-checks-guidance-volunteering.pdf (193KB)