21 September 2010
VCS Assembly News Update 21 September (Issue 51)In this issue:
1. News
2. Dates for Your Diary
3. Funding News
4. Consultations
5. Compact
6. Career Opportunities
7. Important Reminders
1. News
Shropshire Artists Get New Gallery
The Shropshire Visual Art Network opened a new gallery space on level 2 of the Shrewsbury Market Hall on Saturday 17th July. This exciting new commercial gallery will provide artists, designers, makers and educators from Shropshire and the surrounding counties with space to both exhibit their work and host day workshops. The gallery will also serve as an information centre for artists, other exhibitions and galleries through out Shropshire, Telford and The
Borders. Anyone interested in booking the gallery space for an exhibition or workshop should email admin@vanetwork.co.uk or visit the Market Hall. For more information on the Shropshire Visual Art Network please visit http://www.vanetwork.co.uk/ of visit the gallery.
Help with Your Tax in Citizens Advice Shropshire
TaxAid is pleased to be working with Citizens Advice Shropshire to help your clients deal with their tax. This can range from a relatively simple query about starting work and understanding what tax will be due, to dealing with the crisis for those who can't afford to pay what is due. TaxAid offers all CAS staff and volunteers training in tax awareness to help you recognise what to do with a routine enquiry - and discover any underlying problems
building up. This is available at bureaux throughout the county. Contact Karen to enrol on this course free of charge at training@taxaid.org.uk
Appointments for your clients are now available with TaxAid's professional tax advisers via Telly Talk in Shropshire Bureaux. But initially, if people come forward needing tax advice give them TaxAid's helpline number 0845 120 3779 (open week-day mornings 10am-12 mid-day): professional tax advisers then help them over the phone. The phone line gets busy at times so it is worth telling them to leave a contact number and we will phone them back. Often problems can be sorted out without needing a face-to-face appointment, but the helpline advisers will ensure that people coming to appointments bring all the right paperwork so that appointment time works efficiently for all. Posters and leaflets are available for you to display in your reception area for clients to pick up; contact Karen if you don't have them yet.
Jane Shillaker is TaxAid's Outreach Manager, jane@taxaid.org.uk and Karen Clark is our Outreach Coordinator, karen@taxaid.org.uk. They would be happy to answer any queries you may have. We all look forward to working with you. Rosina Pullman, Director TaxAid (rosina@taxaid.org.uk)
Major official survey of English sector underway (from VolResource)
The government's National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises, first run in 2008, is back for the second outing, aiming to build an accurate picture of the current environment for the sector and assessing the progress made. The previous version had responses from over 49,000 organisation across England. A random sample of organisations will be approached by Ipsos MORI to complete the survey by 27th September. See news release at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2010/100906-survey.aspx
or the survey site at http://www.nscsesurvey.com/
Voluntary sector welcome in Local Enterprise Partnerships (from VolResource)
The government minister for communities and decentralisation has said that they would welcome the involvement of voluntary organisations in the Local Enterprise Partnerships currently being planned. LEPs will replace Regional Development Agencies as a way to boost local economic growth. The original invite to local authorities to consider establishing LEPs had only mentioned local businesses as partners. See news item from local sector support body NAVCA, who had lobbied on this,
at: http://www.navca.org.uk/news/lepdecision.htm
Third Sector news item with some interesting reader comments at: http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/1025689/
Attracting young people as charity trustees (from VolResource)
The Charity Commission has published new research into the experiences of young people as charity trustees and young volunteers' attitudes to and awareness of trusteeship. It finds that only half a per cent of charity trustees are aged 18 to 24, although they are 12% of the adult population. Few young people know about the role, and charities are not doing enough to think creatively about how to attract them, according to the Commission. News release http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/RSS/News/pr_rs23.aspx
or go to 'A Breath of Fresh Air: young people as charity trustees' at http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Publications/rs23.aspx
Help for facilitators of collaborative working (from VolResource)
A guide for anyone supporting collaborative working involving community or voluntary groups, taking them through the several stages involved in supporting a collaborative venture, has been published by bassac. 'How to support ... Collaboration for communities: giving power to partnership' in pdf, 1.71MB, via http://www.bassac.org.uk/node/942
2. Dates for Your Diary
Free Training
....for VCS providers working with families and children under the age of 5
Shropshire Council and Shropshire Primary Care Trust are working in partnership to develop the 'HENRY' in Shropshire programme. HENRY will meet the need for community and health practitioners to develop confidence and skills in working with families of children under 5 to promote a healthy lifestyle and address issues of overweight. The approach introduces ways of working with parents that improve their motivation to change by developing strengths-based and
solution-focused strategies to explore the key lifestyle issues:
™ healthy eating patterns
™ the food children eat
™ being active
™ parenting skills
™ emotional well-being
HENRY training and supplementary training, including a 2 day course on Solution Focused working, are now available. Please refer to the attached documents or contact Kay Smallbone Health Development Manager, Children & Young People's Services Directorate. Phone 01743 254294 or email kay.smallbone@shropshire.gov.uk.
HENRY leaflet 2011 (257.97KB) Background information for
BRIEF Training (19.75KB) 
HDT Apllication form (27KB) 2 day parents
and Children 2010 (21.92KB)
Social Media Surgery - 20 September
The Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership's 2nd Shropshire Social Media Surgery will take place at the Cafi/bar of the Old Market Hall in the Square in Shrewsbury between 5:30 and 8 pm on Monday 20th September. Please see the attached flyer for details and register your interest via the following link:
http://shropshirevcs.org.uk/ourservices/training/shropshiresocialmediasurgery/
Social Media (57.67KB)
Age Concern Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Annual Conference
Age Concern Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin invites you to attend its Annual Conference. Please find a flyer attached. The Annual conference will take place on the 11 November at the Greenhaus football stadium in Shrewsbury. The event is particularly special because it is the day of Age Concern Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin's 60th Birthday. The theme, in recognitions of the 60th birthday is 'Moving On': a reflection of the last 60 years and what has
changed for older people and a look forward to the future.
Movingon-flyer (43.75KB)
3. Funding News
Epic Awards - IMMINENT DEADLINE
The Epic Awards have been designed to draw attention to work taking place within the voluntary and amateur arts sector. Selected projects will be expected to have something to say, have moved practice forward or approached ways of working differently. Voluntary or amateur art and craft groups/organisations in England are eligible to apply by entering one or more of the following categories:
Engagement.
Partnerships.
Innovation.
Creativity.
The extended deadline for the receipt of applications is 10 October 2010. Visit the following website for more information: http://epicawards.co.uk/
With thanks to Gary Spence, External Funding Officer and Joe Bubb, Team Leader Funding & Programmes
4. Consultations
Promoting Physical Activity in Shropshire - Social Marketing Project
Shropshire Council, Shropshire County Primary Care Trust and Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin County Sports Partnership have been working together on a pilot project aimed at increasing the amount of physical activity that people over 55 in Shropshire do. At the moment, the project group is conducting research with men aged 55-65. This stage of the project looks into the physical activity routines, attitudes and habits of this audience. The findings of
the research will then be used to design a pilot intervention that will encourage and help men in Shropshire to be more active.
Your help and views are needed!
The project group plans to organise focus groups and interviews about physical activity levels, habits and attitudes with local men aged 55-65 to complete the research. As people involved in and working for your local communities, you know best the project could go and who the project group should speak to.
If you have any suggestions about any individuals or groups who could be involved in the research, or if you think you are suitable and would be a willing participant - please contact Social Marketing Project Officer, Marta Gajewska on marta.gajewska@shropshire.gov.uk or on 01743 255045.
Next steps for mental health care in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
Public consultation: 6 September - 6 December 2010
There are a number of ways being proposed to strengthen community mental health services in this area. These include having more community-based staff to support people in or near their homes, to help prevent illness getting worse and to reduce the necessity for hospital admission. The services will also be reshaped to be more responsive to patient needs. The plans also propose to build a more modern and therapeutic mental health village adjacent to the existing
Shelton site in Shrewsbury. This would offer an environment more suited to the needs of those patients who need hospital care. Shropshire County PCT wants to hear your views about these proposals and so launched a 12 week consultation on 6th September 2010. There are many ways to have your say including completing a consultation questionnaire or by attending a drop in session:
21/09/2010 3.30pm-6.30pm Meeting Point House, Telford
27/09/2010 10am-1pm The Cedars, Shelton Hospital, Shrewsbury
06/10/2010 12-3pm Whitchurch Civic Centre
15/10/2010 1pm-4pm Craven Arms Community Centre
The consultation document and questionnaire for you to give your feedback are available at: www.shropshire.nhs.uk/consultations or www.telford.nhs.uk/consultations or http://www.southstaffshealthcare.nhs.uk/ and the questionnaire can also be completed on-line. Alternatively, for more information or a copy of the document, please e-mail consultation@shropshirepct.nhs.uk or consultation@telfordpct.nhs.uk or telephone on: 0800 032 1107 or 01952 580473. The materials are available in different languages and formats.
FINAL Summary Consultation Document (1033.44KB) FINAL
Consultation Questionnaire (302.33KB) FINAL Consultation Document (7279.56KB)
5. Compact
National Compact Under Renewal
Consultation is now under way on a draft renewed national Compact. Details can be found on the website for Compact Voice. Visit: http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/renewal
Shropshire Compact Champions Event
A Compact Champions session will be held on the afternoon of the 28 September. The event will take place in Shrewsbury and will allow Compact Champions to get the latest information, raise any issues they may have and discuss common issues and concerns. If you would like to become a Compact Champion or book a place at the event please email me, Sarah Dodds, sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone 01743 252740.
Have you got a Compact story? Email sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk and share it with others.
6. Career Opportunities
Craven Arms Community Centre Manager
The post holder will take overall managerial control and further development of the Centre. This is a challenging opportunity for an enthusiastic and enterprising candidate with skills/experience in public relations, marketing and planning, staff recruitment/motivation, budgeting and financial control, health and safety, knowledge of attracting and monitoring external funding schemes. The Centre is looking for a creative thinker adapt at finding new ways of generating
income. The post demands experience in working with all community groups (including young people), the ability to work on own initiative, a commitment to "equal opportunities" and a genuine interest in developing and merging community and sports use of the Centre. Salary and hours commensurate with qualifications and experience: up to £21,500 p.a.
Further details and application form available from:
Tina Healy, Craven Arms Community Centre, Newington Way, Craven Arms SY7 9PS
Telephone 01588 672847
Closing date Monday 27th September 2010 by 10am
Interviews Thursday 5th October 2010.
Census Co-ordinator posts - REMINDER
The 2011 Census will take place on Sunday 27th March 2011. As part of the process, the Office for National Statistics will be recruiting a range of full and part-time staff in Shropshire. Jobs might involve helping with the organisation of the census, delivering or collecting census questionnaires or carrying out follow up visits. The next round of the recruitment process will begin on 20th September with the recruitment of
Census Co-ordinators. There will be 11 posts in Shropshire and successful applicants will be responsible for organising the Census in a local area. The posts are working up to full-time and will be from early February 2011 until late in May.
The application process is based on the Internet and more information can be found on http://www.censusjobs.co.uk/
More career opportunities are advertised on the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership website. Visit: http://www.shropshirevcs.org.uk/
7. Important Reminders
News Items
VCS Assembly Chair sets off for the Himalayas!
Julia Baron, Chair of the Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly is due to complete an 85 km trek in the Himalayas to raise money for Grassroots Grants. All the money Julia raises will go directly to community groups in Shropshire and will be matched by an equal contribution from the Government. Please sponsor Julia. To find out more email her at: julia.baron@shropshire-rcc.org.uk.
Shropshire Council will try to help with translation
Shropshire Council has offered to work where it can, to provide translation support to local voluntary and community groups. You will need to contact Lorna Hullah, Senior Customer Service Coordinator at Shropshire Council. Tel: 01743 210401 or Email: lorna.hullah@shropshire.gov.uk. Although support can not be guaranteed in all cases, if you clearly explain the support you need and the work you are doing, Lorna will
consider your enquiry and do her best to help.
Do you work with Shropshire's most vulnerable communities? REMINDER
If you are working to support vulnerable communities in the following areas of Shropshire please let me know using the contact details at the end of this bulletin:
- Oswestry
- Market Drayton
- North East Shrewsbury
- Ludlow (East including Sandpitts)
Your group or organisation could benefit from being involved in a partnership project. It could raise your profile, open up potential commissioning opportunities and allow you to make new contacts. Don't miss out! Please contact me as soon as possible with details of where you are working and the type of service, project you are delivering.
Working with Children - can you be a VCS representative? REMINDER
Members of the VCS Assembly are invited to come forward to sit as representatives on Shropshire's five Children's Centre Advisory Boards (AB's) that are developing across Shropshire. If you work to deliver services for children or have links to extended schools services and children's centres please consider getting more involved. Public services face a considerable time of change and VCS input and leadership will be vital in working in partnership to
ensure we have the best quality services for local people. Please contact me (Sarah Dodds) using the details at the end of this bulletin.
CRB checks - do you need support?
Shropshire Housing Alliance is looking to expand its group of organisations currently within its CRB Umbrella. If you know of any groups or organisations who might be looking for a CRB processing service please contact Linda Boulton, CRB Processing/Admin/Finance, Shropshire Housing Alliance. Direct Line: 01691 672689 Fax: 01691659656 Email: l.boulton@shalliance.org.uk
Funding
Final round of Grassroots Grants for 2010/11
Shropshire Grassroots Grants provides grants of between £250 and £5000 to voluntary and community groups with an average income of less than £30,000 per annum. The deadline for applications is 4pm on Friday 24th September. For further information on Grassroots Grants including the current application form and guidance notes, please visit http://www.grassrootsshropshire.org.uk or call Jan Dodd on 01743 342171.
My Life My Choice - Stronger Communities Funding
Shropshire is part of the Department of Health (DoH) Building Community Capacity project. The DoH and Shropshire Council have made funding available (£20,000) to the Stronger Communities Project Group to support activity that demonstrates how we can strengthen communities and enhance current service users' capacity to take part in the things going on around them that they are interested in. Please see the attached document for details. Contact Jenny Pitts,
the Transformation Lead for My Life My Choice on 01743 254631 or 07545 413417 or jenny.pitts@shropshire.gov.uk.
Growing Business Awards
Follow the link for more information: http://gba.realbusiness.co.uk/how_to_enter/
Philpotts Fund: Working with older people
The Philpotts Fund is still available for groups working to improve the lives of older people (with particular emphasis on the Monkmoor area). Contact Age Concern Shropshire Telford & Wrekin on (01743) 233123 and ask for an application pack.
Shropshire Museums Development Project, Small Grants Scheme
To find out more email the Museums Development Officer at Shropshire Council. Email:judith.karena@shropshire.gov.uk
Grants available through Shropshire Community Recycling Network 2010-2011
Please contact Rosemary Collie, SCRL Co-ordinator. Telephone. 07792 687903. Email: rosemary@furniturescheme.co.uk.
Events
Courses at the Gateway
Three courses are being held at the Gateway that offer to provide some valuable skills. Information on each of the following courses is attached:
Introduction to Project Management - 1 day 20 October
Introduction to Public Speaking and Presentations - 2 days 24 Nov & 1 Dec
2010 MAT Development Days - Book now
Multi-Agency Team (MAT) Development Days are local events bringing together a wide variety of agencies and schools within a MAT area. Each MAT Development Day is different; they are developed locally to explore and provide information about local, county-wide and national topics.
The event includes presentations, interactive activities, updates on local and national developments and opportunities to network with local practitioners.
MAT Area: Shrewsbury
Thursday 30 September 2010, Guildhall, Shrewsbury
MAT Area: Market Drayton
Friday 8 October 2010, Bradbury Hall, Tilstock
MAT Area: Bridgnorth and Craven Arms
Wednesday 13 October 2010, Westgate, Bridgnorth
MAT Area: Oswestry
Monday 18 October 2010, West Felton Village Hall, Oswestry
To book a place call 01743 254419 or email mapadmin@shropshire.gov.uk
Consultations
Homelessness Strategy Consultation
Consultation will close at 5pm on Friday 15 October 2010.
http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/housing.nsf/open/A3A044B0E61AC0708025750F004FD2E3
Department of Health Consultation
This is the first of 5 consultation documents expected from the Department of Health. The closing date for is 11 October. Visit:http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_117583
Back issues of newsletters can be accessed from: www.2shrop.net/shropvcsassembly
Got a good news story, job advert or idea you want to share with others? Let me know!
With best wishes
Sarah Dodds
VCS Assembly Coordinator and Compact Officer
Telephone 01743 252740