COMMUNITY NETWORK FOR MANCHESTER
EMAIL BULLETIN – 21st September 2007

The Community Network for Manchester (CN4M) is part of the Manchester
Partnership (MP) that works specifically on behalf of voluntary and
community groups. CN4M is creating a more powerful voice for the voluntary
and community sectors in Manchester. For more information about the
Community Network for Manchester and to view contact details please visit
our website at www.cn4m.net


1.0 Network News
2.0 Training
3.0 Events
4.0 Information
5.0 Jobs

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1.0 Network News

1.1 Conference on Social Change

16th October 2007 from 9.30am - 1pm at the Geoffrey Manton Building,
Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road.

CN4M, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Manchester City Council are
hosting a conference looking at Social change: the role of Social Capital
and Community Cohesion. Are these just empty concepts or can they be used in
a meaningful way in Manchester?

A wide range of speakers will be taking to the stage to spark debate,
including grass roots community groups. Key note speakers are Robert
Putnam, who was once described as one of the most influential thinkers today
and is currently a visiting professor at the University of Manchester, and
Ed Cox, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Local Government
Information Unit and Commissioner on the Commission for Cohesion and
Intergration.

If you want to learn more about these concepts, find about the latest on
national policy and local action - its not to be missed.

For a place at the conference please fill in the booking form available on
the CN4M website
http://www.cn4m.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=276&Itemid=35

For more information contact Sophie Fosker -
mailto:sophiefosker@googlemail.com, 07816872332

1.2 Women's Network Link Organisation Tender

The Community Network for Manchester is looking for an enthusiastic,
inspiring and well organised group to become the new link organisation for
the Women's Network.

To view the tender specifications and how to apply please visit the CN4M
website:
http://www.cn4m.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=9&i
d=60&Itemid=50

Closing date: 1st October 2007

2.0 Training

2.1 Free training session for staff /volunteers on 'Offender Learning'
Do you work in adult education or support work? Want to find out more about
the issues facing service users who are offenders? This professional
development training session is run by local charity NEARIS which
specialises in education for offenders and other disadvantaged adults.
The course will cover: introduction to the criminal justice system; managing
risk; models of change and motivation; and an overview of services available
in Greater Manchester.
The half day session is repeated on 4 dates across Sept-Nov: 25 Sept
(9.30-12.30), 3 Oct (1.30-4.30), 25 Oct (1.30-4.30), 27 Nov (9.30-12.30).
The course is free but places must be booked - contact Lee Fogarty at NEARIS
on 0161 834 1661 for more details.

2.2 Training for Trainers - Community Education for Social Change

A free accredited course taking place from 5th October to 30th November 2007
on Fridays from 1pm to 3.30pm at Manchester Metropolitan University -
Didsbury
Credits: 10 credit MMU (level5) module, Participants will obtain
certificates of participation

This is an introductory course in adult education and community training
design aimed at practitioners involved in community work with adults across
all sectors. It draws on the workers practice and expects participants to
carry out a group project demonstrating their learning.

For further information or to register your attendance please contact Tanja
or Di on 0161 247 2114/2152 or mailto:nwcitizenship@mmu.ac.uk

2.3 Drugs & Alcohol Awareness Workshops
November 2007 to March 2008

Manchester's Drug & Alcohol Strategy Team and Lifeline Project Ltd. are
offering basic drug and alcohol awareness workshops between November 2007
and March 2008. The workshops are targeted at smaller voluntary and
community organisations that have contact with the public.

Participants will be able to take away a useful range of handouts and other
resources. If your group would like to find out more about a particular
aspect, not covered here, the workshops can be tailored to your needs.
Workshops will be constructed always around the needs of the participants
and the work they do.

For further information contact Roger Bysouth on 0161 219 6930 or
mailto:r.bysouth@manchester.gov.uk

2.4 British Sign Language and Deaf Awareness Short Courses - October 2007 in
Manchester 15th October

Who should attend?
Everyone who comes into contact with the public or with deaf colleagues in
their job role.
People who are looking to continue their professional development and have
fun doing it.

The course costs £110 + vat and numbers are limited. For more details and
online booking click on http://www.hearfirst.org.uk/open_registration.html
or telephone 01706 872816.

Please note: in house courses are also available across the UK.

3.0 Events

3.1 Employers Breakfast Event

We challenge YOU to see the ability NOT the disability - It's time to take
Action!

Action for Blind People would like to invite you to an 'Employers Breakfast'
taking place on Friday 26th October 2007 from 8.30am to 11.00am at
Lancashire County Cricket Club, Talbot Road, Old Trafford, Manchester

You will:

See presentations from employers and visually impaired employees, who have
overcome barriers in the work place.

Have the opportunity to view some of the technology which visually impaired
people use to undertake their work.

Receive information regarding the 'Access to Work' scheme which provides
financial support towards the cost of equipment and other support for
visually impaired people.

The event promises to be both informative and interesting and we look
forward to hopefully meeting you on the day.
For more information or to book your place, please call Emma Dickinson on
0161 787 9252 or mailto:angela.mclaughlin@actionforblindpeople.org.uk


3.2 Contribute to Manchester's Climate Change Strategy

Manchester is developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan looking
at what action the city can take to reduce our impact on the climate, and
adapt to climate change.

On Wednesday 26th September, 5.45pm - 8.30pm, Bridge 5 Mill, Ancoats
there'll be a focus group for community and voluntary groups looking at:
what are the priorities for the strategy?
what actions should be taken?
what role can community and voluntary groups play?

For more information contact Julie or Tricia on 0161 273 1736 or
mailto:sustainable@merci.org.uk

Jointly organised by the Environment Network for Manchester, Sustainable
Neighbourhoods Pool and the Green City Team at Manchester City Council.

3.3 The Future of Neighbourhood Management - Sustainability and Succession
Wednesday 17th October 2007 - Central London
Chaired by: Sue Charteris¸ Founding Director, Shared Intelligence
Benefits of Attending:
• Hear about the latest developments in neighbourhood management policy and
strategy
• Understand how local funding will affect neighbourhood management
• Learn more about LAAs and the future of neighbourhood management
Book online at www.capitaconferences.co.uk using booking ref code: TSDE. If
you have any questions please call Dave Eastman on 0207 808 5309.

3.4 Open Spaces: protection, preservation, participation

Saturday 20th October, 11am - 4pm, Manchester Grammar School

A free event for community and voluntary groups looking at Manchester's Open
Spaces.
Workshops on topics around protecting open spaces, good practice in managing
open spaces (including working with the local authority) ...and more...
A chance to give your views on open spaces to feed into planning policies
being developed this Autumn. Also networking and sharing skills & ideas!

For more information contact Julie or Tricia on 0161 273 1736 or
mailto:sustainable@merci.org.uk

3.5 Are you interested in Manchester's Open Spaces?

Open Spaces Assessment consultation workshop on Thursday 11th October, 6pm -
8pm at the Town Hall

The Open Spaces Assessment is being carried out to identify the needs around
open spaces in Manchester and use this to create standards around quality
and quantity of open space.

Existing open spaces are then compared to this standard so that the council
can work out what needs to be done to bring them all up to standard (which
could include creating more space, if a need is identified).

This information will then form the basis of a 15 year investment programme,
and policies that go in the Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework
(LDF), a planning document being consulted on this Autumn.

The workshop will ask people for their views on the quantity and quality of
Open Spaces in Manchester, accessibility, strengths and weaknesses and good
and bad practice.

For more information contact Julie or Tricia on 0161 273 1736 or
mailto:sustainable@merci.org.uk

4.0 Information

4.1 Have your say on the future of East Manchester

New East Manchester has worked hard over the past seven years to regenerate
East Manchester and have made progress in tackling crime; improving how
clean the streets are; making sure services meet your needs; raising the
standards of education; and getting people into work.

But, there is still a lot more to do. Over the next ten years they want to
develop plans that will continue to improve the areas of Beswick, Openshaw,
Clayton, Gorton, Newton Heath, Miles Platting and Ancoats.

For more information about having your say visit their website
www.eastmanchesterconsultation.com

4.2 Recruitment and Information Day

The Manchester Neighbourhood Care Groups Association is organising a
recruitment and information day to take place at the Britannia Hotel on
Palatine Road in Northenden on Wednesday 31st October.

This event aims to promote caring for older people in the Manchester area
and recruit volunteers in order to enable the Care Groups to help more older
people in the community.

They are holding a small exhibition with approximately ten stands for
organisations who wish to attend. They are asking those organisations who
are able to make a small donation of £50 towards the running costs of the
event.

If a representative from your organisation would like to hold a stand at
our event, please contact Sarah Parry
Volunteer Recruitment Worker on 07934 498 848 in order to make the necessary
preparations.

4.3 Coming Off, Staying Off

The Drug & Alcohol Strategy Team has just published 'Coming off, Staying
off.' This is a comprehensive directory of drugs services for adults in the
city of Manchester.

Coming Off: Getting into treatment; what if you're pregnant/ arrested/ in
prison/ using stimulants; blood-borne virus testing and vaccinations; needle
exchanges; detoxification
Staying Off: Rehabilitation; Structured Day Care
Support: Advice on benefits etc.; housing and homelessness; carers; mental
health; general healthcare from GPs; other useful information

For more information or to obtain a copy please contact Roger Bysouth,
Community Action Officer
0161 219 6930 mailto:r.bysouth@manchester.gov.uk

4.4 Capacity Building Surgeries

These are aimed at voluntary and community groups working with children and
young people. There is a range of support available including advice on
fundraising, action planning training and organisational development. The
consultant is also happy to discuss any other issues where s/he may be able
to help. And it's all free!

South Manchester Regeneration Team are pleased to offer capacity building
support surgeries if your organisation is based in one of the following
wards or provides services to residents in these areas: Ardwick, Longsight,
Moss Side, Hulme, Rusholme, Burnage, Old Moat, Withington, Fallowfield,
Levenshulme, Chorlton Park, Chorlton, WhalleyRange, Didsbury East, Didsbury
West

These half day surgeries will be an opportunity for any voluntary
organisation that works with Children or Young People in Central and South
Manchester to look at any aspect of their organisations work and receive
FREE
specialist advice and support.

For further information please contact David Rogerson on: 0161 277 1880.

5.0 Jobs

5.1 VCS Sector Skills Coordinator (Adult Social Care)
£27,492-£29,859 (+ 7% Pension) (Pay Award Pending) 12-Month Contract
Voluntary Sector North West, the regional VCS infrastructure body, has been
successful in securing a contract with Skills for Care for the delivery of a
regional strategic engagement project with VCS employers and organisations
active in the field of adult social care.
The project is focussed on research and development activities in support of
VCS engagement in Skills for Care programmes and structures. Further details
including a Person Specification, Job Description & Application Form are
available at our website at: www.vsnw.org.uk
For an informal discussion on the post please contact Jonathan Gilbert,
Regional VCS Workforce & Skills Coordinator on 07932 757 474 (office hours)
Closing Date: Friday 28th September 12 Noon Interview Date: Friday 5th
October
5.2 Members Needed for the National Community Forum
The National Community Forum (NCF) brings community voices into national
government. Board members tell Ministers and civil servants what it's really
like to live and/or work in deprived areas and work together to find
solutions to the very real issues in the community. They provide feedback on
initiatives and policies to help ensure they work for everyone and, with
their unique perspectives, fresh ideas and passion for the community, they
help narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of the country.
This is a fantastic opportunity to work with those in power to make a
positive impact on quality of life for years to come.
NCF board members will be required to contribute twelve days of their time
per year, being paid £163 per day plus expenses. The 'Chair' will need to be
able to lead the group of 24, keeping them focused and on track. The Chair
will work twenty days a year, being paid £213 per day plus expenses.
If you feel you have what it takes to be part of the NCF then visit
www.communities.gov.uk/vacancies or call 0870 1699721 for more information.
The closing date for applications is October 4th.

5.3 I don't know about Community Networks, but I know what I like!
Expressions of interest are invited from Contemporary Visual Artists based
in the North West, interested in making work that examines how communities
contribute to local decision making processes.
The work will be inspired by the artists' individual responses to the
networks and one or more themes of the network pools
Fees £1,800 per artist + materials. Work between Nov 07 - April 08
To receive further info + details of how to apply contact Sue Robinson:
mailto:sue@can.uk.com
For queries about the project contact curator Alison Kershaw
mailto:alison.sl-arts@good.co.uk 07767356302
Deadline for submissions: Monday 15th October.
Project led by Artsnet, supported by CN4M and funded by Arts Council England
North West and Safer Stronger Communities Fund (via cn4m)

5.4 New Start Trust - Substance Misuse Worker

APT&C Scale Point 24: £20,192. 30 hours Pro rata

New Start Trust is a fully funded DAAT Crime Prevention Project specialising
in Substance Misuse. The project is based in South Manchester.

The post holder will be working in our Wythenshawe Needle Exchange and
Daycare Project. This is a current user's project offering advice &
support, counselling, lunchtime project and diversionary activities.
You will have had experience of working with illicit drug users
Be motivated and enthusiastic
Committed to encouraging positive behavioural changes

For information pack and application forms please contact: - New Start
Trust, 1st Floor Alderman Downward House, The Birtles, Wythenshawe,
Manchester M22 5RF Tel: 0161 498 0615 mailto:info@newstarttrust.org

Closing Date: 17th October 2007 Interview Date: 31st October 2007 - 1st
November 2007

5.5 Roby - BME Development / Group Worker (male)

This is initially an 8 month appointment (continuation funding will be
sought)
NJC point 27 : £21,588 pro rata part-time 0.5

The post holder will be responsible for initiating a South Asian Men's
activity-therapeutic group for elderly people (over 50's) from the BME
community to improve their capacity to identify their own health needs,
address them appropriately and improve well-being. The work is preventative
and will address issues relating to social exclusion, awareness of mental
health problems and access to statutory and community based health services.

The post was initially funded for one year through the POPP Programme
(Manchester's Partnership for Older People Projects). There is a research
element to the post that is linked to a National Evaluation of the quality
of life for Older Citizens.

Development and / or Group Work experience is essential. Community languages
Urdu and Punjabi are required.

Closing dates Friday 5th October 2007 5.00 pm Interview date: Monday 15th
October 2007

All enquiries for an application pack to: The Roby, Roby Church, Dickenson
Road, Longsight, Manchester, M13 ONG Telephone: 0161-257-2653 E
mail request to mailto:roby@mcr13.freeserve.co.uk

The Roby strives to be an equal opportunities employer positively
encouraging applications from all sections of the community. Section 7(2) of
the Sex Discrimination Act applies to this post.

If you have any information you would like to circulate in a future email
bulletin, please email mailto:catht@cn4m.net by Thursday 12.00pm the day
before. If you have any comments or suggestions about the email bulletin,
please email mailto:catht@cn4m.net.