COMMUNITY NETWORK FOR MANCHESTER
EMAIL BULLETIN – 14th December 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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------

1.0 Network News

1.1 CN4M Away Day - Tuesday 29th January 2008

On reflection from concerns raised by the Strategy Group re: consultation
and timely delivery of papers, the Executive of CN4M are sensitive to those
concerns and would wish to allow the fullest opportunity for participation
and consideration of the paperwork for the Away Day by postponing the event
until the Tuesday the 29th January 2008.

Paperwork will be circulated by the 21st Dec, this should allow participants
from networks to consult with their membership to fully contribute at the
Away Day.
For more information about the Away Day please contact the Core Team on 0161
234 2916

2.0 Training

2.1 Free training!
The North West Citizenship / Take Part Network has secured funding to
deliver free accredited community based active citizenship courses across
the North West.
1.Training the Trainers
2. Community based courses e.g. Community Audit, Schools for Participation

The next Training theTrainers course is going to be in Jan/Feb 08 in
Preston. The lunch and refreshments are provided.

There are a variety of courses accredited by MMU which include conflict
resolution, community audit and evaluation, and community based active
learning. There may be other institutions which have other suitable
courses. The course content will be tailored to the group.

Approach: The courses will be delivered with the Take Part approach
(www.takepart.org), which is based on community development principles and
is informal and participative.

Venues: Courses can be delivered across the North West at local venues The
courses involve 20 hours teaching time.

Are you part of a group within the North West wanting to participate in some
active learning to be more active citizens. Courses can develop -
confidence, understanding of community development, critical analysis
skills, actions for change and more.

If you are interested or would like to know more then please get in touch
with Tanja Loncar on 0161 247 2114

3.0 Events

3.1 Respect Meeting

The last open-forum Respect meeting of the year will be held on: Wednesday
19th December 2007 from 10:30am to 12pm (lunch served at 12pm) at the
Friends Meeting House.

Agenda:
1) Imtiaz Shah (Community Safety Co-ordinator) will be on hand to discuss
your issues and to take them to the next level.
2) We will also be discussing key individual networks which will be the new
way the Crime and Disorder Team will link to your communities.
3) The CSN is looking for your comments on how you think they should
function next year- what do you think works/ doesn't work? They have an
important meeting at the end of January and need to consult you!

The event is *booking only*- please confirm your place by emailing Steph
Jones mailto:stephanie.jones@c-i-c.org.uk

3.2 How do we get there?
9.30am -2pm, 15/01/08, Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess St, Manchester

Access:A means of approaching, entering, exiting, or making use of; passage.

Transport:To transfer, move or convey from one place to another.

These are inextricably linked and affect everyone to a greater or lesser
degree. There are five main destinations, or reasons for travel that may
have access related issues. These are:

Health services: Doctors, dentists, hospitals etc.
Fresh food: On the local high street, market or retail centre.
Education: From nursery to night school.
Employment: Full time, part time, shift work and nights.
Leisure: Parks, swimming pools, cinemas, pubs, clubs etc.

These are in no specific order, nor should they be, they are all
interdependent. Miss out on one and this will impact on the others. There
are also five categories that transport could fit into:

Walking / Pedestrian
Cycling / Human powered
Specialised transport (Ring and Ride, Mobility needs etc)
Public Transport
Private Transport

These are in some order based on the Road Users Hierarchy, which considers
sustainability and vulnerability. The full journey also needs to be
considered i.e. from the bus stop to final destination. Addressing all the
issue and concerns in these combined categories is not an easy task.

There are umpteen different agencies, organisations and departments all
trying to make things better, from large bodies like the council down to
small community groups like residents associations. This causes a few
problems along the way, from communication to implementation.

We do not claim to have the answers, YOU have those!

That is why we are providing a space, and some facilitation, for planners,
engineers, service providers, and you, the users and those most affected, to
get together to look at how we can, by working together, improve access
across the city.

Free to community and voluntary groups. Places are limited, please book by
4th January 08. For more information contact Bill or Julie at 0161 273 1736
or email transport@ transportpool.co.uk or visit:
www.transportpool.co.uk and look in the events section.

You can download the booking form here:
http://www.transportpool.co.uk/files/accessevent/booking%20form.rtf

3.3 Breakfast Seminar: Business Continuity Testing and Pandemic Flu - How
would your organisation cope?
9th January 2008, 8.30am -11am Manchester Town Hall

You may not be aware but, Pandemic Flu is currently the top threat to UK
organisations. You may have already developed a plan to deal with its
effects on your organisation, or you may only have just started thinking
about how you would cope. Whatever stage you are at, we are sure you'll find
this event useful.

Join us for a light breakfast and learn more about the importance of testing
your business continuity plan using Pandemic Flu as a scenario. As well as
providing you with general information about different types of plan tests,
we will work through a desktop exercise using a Flu Pandemic scenario.

It doesn't matter if you don't already have a business continuity plan - you
'll still find the event valuable; as well as finding out about Pandemic Flu
and plan testing, by recording your responses to the scenario questions you
could have the basis of your plan by the time you leave!

This event will examine how to respond to a loss of staff and how your
organisation's plans can support this. Although not essential, organisations
are encouraged to send several delegates to gain maximum benefit from the
event by being able to work with colleagues in the group discussions.

To register for this FREE event (places limited), please
mailto:business.continuity@manchester.gov.uk


3.4 Breakfast Seminar: Emergency Planning: Protecting Your Business
31st January 2008, 8.30-11.00 Manchester Town Hall

We are holding this breakfast event in response to delegate feedback at the
launch of the Manchester Business Continuity Forum. A number of speakers
will cover a range of issues including: Hostile Reconnaissance, City Centre
Evacuation and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear) issues.

The Council's Emergency Planning Team will outline the emergency planning
measures in place in Manchester, including the city centre evacuation
arrangements. You'll have the chance to hear about hostile reconnaissance:
Find out how your vigilance can have a direct role in the safety of your
business and the city.

The impact a CBRN attack could have on Manchester and the decontamination
response that would follow will also be covered.

To register for this FREE event (places limited), please
mailto:business.continuity@manchester.gov.uk

3.5 Manchester gets ready for the 13th Annual Irish Festival
Manchester will be turned GREEN again for the city's thirteenth annual Irish
Festival in March. The Manchester Irish Festival is launched on Friday 7th
March and runs through to Monday 17 March. An action packed ten days of
Irish Art, Comedy, Dance, Music, Sport and Theatre will be staged throughout
the city with Levenshulme being one of the main areas of focus.
The village is home to the biggest Irish community outside of London and has
been one of the major supporters of the Manchester's Irish festival from the
very beginning. This year the suburb will be once again staging a
traditional Irish Fleadh involving a host of live Irish acts. Any venue or
organisation in Levenshulme is more than welcome to stage its own event and
have it promoted on the Manchester Irish Festival website.
For further information they can contact the Levenshulme Fleadh or other
events during the festival on 0161 225 0706, or
mailto:info@manchesteririshfestival.co.uk
Over one hundred events will be staged during the celebration, full festival
listings are available on the official website at
www.manchesteririshfestival.co.uk


4.0 Information

4.1 Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Programme

A computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme called 'Beating the
Blues' is now available at East City Library at MANCAT (Openshaw campus) on
Tuesdays from 2.30pm to 6.30pm. 'Beating the Blues' has been approved by the
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for the
treatment of mild to moderate depression. Furthermore, there is evidence to
show that it benefits those who are experiencing stress, low mood and
anxiety.

There is no charge for this service and you do not need to know how to use a
computer. It is not necessary to be referred to this service by a GP or
mental health professional as we accept self-referrals although your
GP/mental health professional can also refer you to the service if this is
easier for you. If you would like more information about this service or
would like a referral form, please contact Nic Seccombe, cCBT Services
Manager at Self Help Services cCBT Service on 0161 232 7854 or
mailto:ccbt@selfhelpservices.org.uk.

This project has been funded by New Deal for Communities in East Manchester
and supported by Manchester Public Health Development Service - part of
Manchester Primary Care Trust.

Self Help Services is part of The Big Life group of social businesses and
charities. Tel: 0161 232 7854
mailto:ccbt@selfhelpservices.org.uk www.selfhelpservices.org.uk

5.0 Jobs

5.1 Community Pride Support Worker
£15,153 to £16,217 pro rata, 13 hours per week

Community Pride, in partnership with faith and voluntary groups in
Manchester and Salford, enables local people to have a greater voice in
regeneration and social exclusion programmes both at neighbourhood and city
level.

Responsible for supporting a staff member who is a registered blind person,
your work will include assisting with reading documents and general
administration, and accompanying the worker to meetings and events in
Manchester and Salford.
The post comes with 25 days annual leave pro rata and a generous employers'
pension contribution.
Further details are available from: Church Action on Poverty, Central
Buildings, Oldham St, Manchester, M1 1JQ. Tel: 0161 236 9321
Closing date: 10 January 2008

Registered Charity No: 1110996

5.2 Community Engagement Manager

Full Time, Grade PO3 Fixed term initially - January 2008 - 31st March 2008
(looking toward continuation)

Help Voluntary Action Oldham to make sure that the voice of the Voluntary,
Community and Faith Sector is heard across Oldham's Local Strategic
Partnership.

Help them to develop a framework of influence that will improve the quality
of life for Oldham people and inform the way that services are planned and
delivered.

You really can make a difference and gain new skills and experience.
Interested?
Download application packs from www.vaoldham.co.uk
Or telephone: 0161 633 6222 Closing date for applications:- 19th December
2007, 12noon
Interviews to be held: 21st December

5.3 Secondment Opportunities - Community Engagement Officer & Senior
Administrative Officer

Do you want to make a difference by helping make sure that the voice of the
Voluntary, Community & Faith Sector is heard across Oldham?

Voluntary Action Oldham are looking for two key individuals who can support
the Community Engagement Manager to strategically manage the Voluntary,
Community and Faith Partnership in Oldham.

They promise you will find the roles challenging, exciting and most of all
you will get the chance to make a difference in the voluntary sector.

Fixed term initially Jan - March '08

Community Engagement Officer, Full Time, Grade SO1

The primary focus of this role will be to assist the Community Engagement
Manager in the development of a framework of influence in the Voluntary
Community and Faith Sector that will improve quality of life for Oldham
people and inform the way that services are planned and delivered.


Senior Administrative Officer, Full Time, Scale 5
We are looking for a real team player!!! The key aspects of this role will
be to ensure the smooth and effective administrative running of the
Community Engagement Team. Key areas of work will include developing and
maintaining central information systems, organising
meetings/activities/events and supporting the Community Engagement Manager
and Officer in their day to day work.

Interested? Download application packs from www.vaoldham.co.uk or telephone:
0161 633 6222
Closing date for applications:- 19th December 2007, 12noon Interviews to be
held: 4th January 2008

5.4 Temporary post for a Sessional Worker to promote Fairtrade in Bolton
Schools

Fairtrade in Bolton has secured funding for the post of a Sessional Worker
to work in 10 Bolton schools. Applications are invited for this post.

The aim of this project is to increase awareness and understanding of
Fairtrade issues in Bolton schools, and to increase the number of schools
with Fairtrade Status in Bolton through a scaling up of the existing schools
work done by the Fairtrade in Bolton Group.

The post will involve a self-employed sessional worker for the equivalent of
3 four hour sessions per week for 20 weeks between February/March 2008 until
June/July 2008 in:

The post requires a person who has up to date knowledge of and commitment to
Fairtrade, with good organisational, communication and IT skills. The
appointee will need to be able to work independently, and have the ability
to make links with other partners to enable delivery of the work.

Fairtrade in Bolton has a Child Protection Policy (available on request or
at www.boltonfairtrade.org.uk) which requires that all those who work with
children and young people shall be CRB checked.

The hourly rate of pay offered is £31.Travel expenses will be paid. Office
space with computer, phone and photocopying facilities will be provided at
The Hub, Bold Street, Bolton.

Closing time and date for applications is: 6pm Wednesday 9th January 2008.

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.