Community Network for Manchester Full Text Bulletin - 20 Feb 09
About Community Network for Manchester Bulletin:

This bulletin provides a round-up of all the information uploaded to the Community Network for Manchester website over the last week. It covers the following key areas:

News
Events
Opportunities (including employment, volunteering, training, tender and consultation opportunities)

Network News
"Better Together: Annual Partnership Conference of the Learning, Skills and Employment Network (LSEN)

Better Together, the Annual Partnership Conference of the Learning, Skills and Employment Network (LSEN) for Manchester will take place on:
Date/ Time: Thursday 19th March 2009, 9:30am - 4:00pm
Venue: The Mechanics Institute, Princess Street, Manchester,
M1 6DD

The event will focus on the role that Adult Informal Learning (Community Based Learning) can play in building Social Capital and Resilience in enabling individuals and communities to combat more effectively the impact of the Economic Downturn.

The event will be of significant interest to any public, private or third sector organisation or City Council Department with a role to play in community engagement, community development or community based learning.

For further information, see below.
To booke a place, please email info@lsen.org.uk or call 0161 226 7204.

Attachment Size
Better Together LSEN Conference, March 09.pdf 442.7 KB

Printer-friendly version
Reminder from the Executive Group - Community Network for Manchester Strategy Group meeting and Executive Group Elections

The Community Network for Manchester Executive Group would like to remind network members that elections to the Executive Group will take place at the next Strategy Group meeting on Tuesday 10th March. The meeting will be held at Green Fish Resource Centre, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm (refreshments available from 5:30pm).

If your network wishes to nominate a member, or if you would like to recommend a potential co-optee, please fill in the registration form (which will be available on the website from the 24th February), and return it to Chiara Mallia no later than Monday 9th March.

During this meeting, the nomination forms for network participants to the Community Network for Manchester Strategy Group will also be approved. To renew the nomination for your existing network participant, or to make a new nomination, please fill in the nomination form (which will be available on the website from the 24th February), and return it to Estelle Worthington no later than Monday 9th March.

If you would like more information about the election process or the nomination process, please contact John Wareham.

Printer-friendly version


Local/Regional News
Headline findings from the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations

Headline findings from the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations, conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Office of the Third Sector, are now available to read.

The survey was commissioned so that all local authorities can be judged on their performance in creating an environment for a thriving third sector.
For further information and to read the Headline Report for Manchester, visit: http://www.cn4m.net/node/864

Printer-friendly version
North Manchester Social Networks Project - Seeking Research Participants

What is the study about?
Social networks are the connections between ourselves and the people that we know. Social network contacts can be friends, family, work mates, neighbours, people we see at the pub, at the gym or at the school gates.

Researchers at the Manchester Social Networks Project want to learn about the social networks of North Manchester residents and how these connections are arranged in and across neighbourhoods. The study will explore how who we know (social networks) and where we live (neighbourhoods) affects people's personal opportunities and well-being.

How can I get involved?
Anyone over the age of 16 living in North Manchester can take part in the study. The researchers want to hear from people with all sorts of network types, and they need lots of people to get involved in order to make the project findings realistic.

All you need to do is complete a short 5-10 minute questionnaire.
Click here to take the survey.

For further information, or to get in touch with the research team, please see below.

Attachment Size
North Manchester Social Networks Project info 1.pdf 616.32 KB
North Manchester Social Networks Project info 2.pdf 757.98 KB

Printer-friendly version


National News
Third Sector Taskforce's report on the role of the Third Sector in welfare to work reform

The Third Sector Taskforce was set up with the support of Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell, to explore the potential role for the third sector in welfare to work
reform. A report of their findings has now been published.

To read the report, visit: http://www.cn4m.net/node/868

Printer-friendly version
Changes to Local Area Agreement targets vetoed

The government has indicated it will veto radical changes to local area agreements despite warnings that house-building and worklessness targets will prove impossible to hit during the downturn.

The Local Government Association has called for councils to be able to renegotiate targets during the previously planned 'refresh period', designed to tidy up original agreements.

Click here to read the full story.

Printer-friendly version
Grassroots Grants - change to eligibility criteria

Last week Office of the Third Sector announced that they are amending the eligibility criteria of Grassroots Grants with immediate effect.

Originally the fund would only consider applications from organisations with an average income of £20,000 or less. This has now been increased to £30,000 as a way of increasing the reach of the fund.

The press release which explains these changes can be found at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/090210_gr...

Printer-friendly version


Latest Events
Children in Need funding workshop
Posted February 16th, 2009 by estellew
Type of Event:
Community Event
The Gio Project at VAM will be holding two Children in Need funding workshops in April for organisations that are thinking of applying to the fund.

Date/ Time(s): Wednesday 1st April, from 10:00 - 12:30 and 2:00 - 4:30.

The workshop is designed to help increase your understanding of Children in Need and its funding principles. You will also learn how to prepare an application and receive hints and tips that might increase your chances of being successful.

For further information, visit: www.vamanchester.org.uk

Printer-friendly version
Cheetham United Project - Art & Craft Sessions
Posted February 16th, 2009 by estellew
Cheetham United Project is running Art and Craft Sessions at St. John’s Waterloo Road (Cheethm Hill) on Wednesdays from 10:30am – 12:30pm up until Easter.

These sessions will be run by Tamzin Forster, a gifted local artist who will be exhibiting at Manchester Art Gallery from the end of the month as part of the exhibition HELD.

See below for further details.

Type of Event:
Community Event
Attachment Size
Art and Craft Session flyer.doc 2.51 MB

Printer-friendly version
FASD Conference: "What is it ? How it Happens, It's impact on Education".
Posted February 16th, 2009 by stan ousby
Type of Event:
Conference/ Seminar
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Manchester University Hospitals Education and Research Centre. Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester.
This conference will give delegates an overview of problems of FASD experienced by clients.

Date/ Time: Thursday 19th March, 9:00am - 1:30pm

The need for a stable, secure and structured environment to prevent secondary disabilities.

Mental health problems;
Disruptive school experience;
Trouble with the law;
Confinement;
Alcohol/drug problems;
Problems with employment;
Problems with parenting.
The workshop will help identify the need of more information and awareness.

Address:
FasawareUK,
45 Lake Side Avenue,
Billinge,
WA5 7JB

Contact for more info:
fasawareuk@blueyonde.co.uk
Website:
http://www.fasaware.co.uk
Printer-friendly version
Youth Offer Volunteering meeting
Posted February 17th, 2009 by estellew
Type of Event:
Meeting
The next Youth Offer Volunteering meeting will take place on:
Date/ Time: Friday 27th February, 2:30pm - 4:00pm.
Venue: GMYN, Ardwick Green, (M12 6FZ)

If you or your organisation has an interest in young people and volunteering you are invited to come along.

For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Alex Fairweather on 0161 274 3299 or email: alex.fairweather@gmyn.co.uk

Printer-friendly version
Developing A Regional Strategy Consultation Event
Posted February 19th, 2009 by estellew
What does a Regional Strategy mean for the Greater Manchester voluntary sector?

Date/ Time: Wednesday 25th March 2009, 9:30am – 1:00pm (including lunch)
Venue: St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FZ

The Regional Strategy for the North West provides a unique opportunity to bring together its spatial, economic, social and environmental strategies and build a new long term vision for the region.

At this free event partners from the key regional agencies will give a brief overview on the Regional Strategy proposals and a presentation on the key points in the Principles and Issues paper. As well as feeding back to regional partners this offers an opportunity to discuss the shared priorities important to Greater Manchester’s development.

See below for further information, or contact Tanya Coutts on 0161 277 1002, or email: tanya.coutts@gmcvo.org.uk

Click here for further information about the Consultation.

Type of Event:
Conference/ Seminar
Attachment Size
Developing A Regional Strategy Event flyer.ppt 2.02 MB
Developing a Regional Strategy Consultation Event, GMCVO Booking Form.doc 1.41 MB

Printer-friendly version
Multi-Agency Forum Meeting
Posted February 19th, 2009 by estellew
Type of Event:
Community Event
The next MAF (Multi-Agency Forum) will be held on:
Date/ Time: Thursday 12 March, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Venue: Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street.

Keynote Speakers will give presentations on recent studies on Supporting Disabled Refugees and on Health and Migration. Workshops will cover topics of interest including placement and training opportunities for refugees in the Housing Sector, Home Energy Efficiency and Housing Support, Advice for Migrant workers and Museum's support for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrant Workers.

To register, please contact MARIM on 0161 868 0857, or email: elaine.dunne@manchester.gov.uk

Printer-friendly version
Social Enterprise network and collaboration meeting
Posted February 19th, 2009 by estellew
Date/ Time: Thursday 19 March, 9:30am - 2:00pm
Venue: Innospace at the Centre for Enterprise, MMU Business School, Aytoun Street, Manchester M1 3GH

Manchester Development Education Project (DEP) and the Centre for
Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School would like to invite you to a social enterprise network meeting.
The aim of the meeting is to encourage creative collaboration between social eterprises leading to joint projects or services. The format of the session will be participative groupwork.

For further information, please see below.
Places are limited. To book please apply to Anne Strachan, Programme Development Manager, on 0161 921 8020 or email: anne@dep.org.uk.

Type of Event:
Meeting
Attachment Size
Social Enteprise Network meeting 19 March.pdf 175.35 KB

Printer-friendly version
Free Train to Gain "Meet A Broker Event"
Posted February 19th, 2009 by estellew
Are you interested in finding out more about what Train to Gain can do for you and your organisation? Interested in signing the Skills Pledge? Would you like to find out how to get some free training for your organisation?

Then why not come and along discuss your needs with a Train to Gain Skills Broker?

Three Meet A Broker Events will be taking place over the next month:

Tuesday 24th February, 14:30 - 16:30, Salford
Thursday 27th February, 12:30 - 15:20, Rochdale (Buffet Lunch at 12:30)
Friday 13th March, 13:30 - 15:30, Wigan

See below for further information. To book a place at one of these events, please complete the attached booking form and return it to: Gill Dixon, GMCVO, St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ.

Type of Event:
Community Event
Attachment Size
Meet a Broker Booking Form.doc 470.5 KB

Printer-friendly version
Sustainability and the Built Environment Event
Posted February 20th, 2009 by Michelle F
Type of Event:
Community Event
Date: Tuesday 24 February

NW Planning Aid is organising a free event for community activists and community support workers in the Greater Manchester area.

With the emergence of sustainable development and its influence on planning policies and development applications, voluntary and community organisations need to be aware of the sustainability agenda if they are to be effective in supporting or challenging local developments in their areas in the interests of their members.

The information session will be led and facilitated by professional and experienced planners who work as volunteers for the Planning Aid service.

For further information visit www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk, or contact Jackie Dibley, on 01254 820996 or email nwcp@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk.

Printer-friendly version
Getting Money from Government Seminar
Posted February 20th, 2009 by Michelle F
Type of Event:
Conference/ Seminar
Date: Friday 27 February or Tuesday 28 April

This one-day seminar will enable you to understand how to develop relationships with statutory agencies. It will look at some of the key changes in how statutory agencies operate, focusing on the implications and issues involved in the move to commissioning, contract procurement and an increased emphasis on partnership working. Organised by the Directory of Social Change.

For further information visit: www.dsc.org.uk/Training/TopicalSeminars, or contact DSC Training, on 0845 077 7707 or email training@dsc.org.uk.

Printer-friendly version
Sustainable Spaces Event
Posted February 20th, 2009 by Michelle F
Date / Time: Friday 20 March, 10.30am – 3.30pm
Venue: Bridge-5 Mill, Centre for Sustainable Living, Ancoats, Manchester

A free event for volunteers and workers from Greater Manchester community hubs – places of neighbourhood activity such as community centres and other facilities run by not-for-profit groups.

The session will look at how to make community hubs more environmentally friendly and how money can be saved through energy saving and waste reduction. Participants will be eligible to receive a free environmental audit for their organisation (so long as it operates out of premises and employs at least one member of staff). Event organised by COMBINE – the Community Buildings Information Network.

For further details, see the event flyer and booking form below.

For further information, contact Morag Rose, on 0161 277 1039, or email morag.rose@gmcvo.org.uk.

Type of Event:
Community Event
Attachment Size
Sustaianble Spaces flyer.ppt 1.89 MB
Sustaianble Spaces Booking Form.doc 43.5 KB

Printer-friendly version
Young RAPAR launch event
Posted February 20th, 2009 by estellew
Date/ Time: Sunday 1st March, 3:30pm
Venue: RAPAR, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS, (under the Quaker Meeting House).

Refreshments, music, games, face painting and more! This is a family event, please bring the whole family along!

If you would like to attend, please let the organisers know on 07877892932 or email: ben.hickman@rapar.org.uk so they can organise refreshments.

Type of Event:
Community Event
Attachment Size
YoungRAPAR Launch, Sunday 1st March.doc 29 KB

Printer-friendly version
Yes We Can - Free Campaiging and Advocacy Roadshow
Posted February 20th, 2009 by estellew
Bookings are now being taken for the free Yes We Can – Improving support for campaigning and advocacy in the North West Roadshow.

Date/ Time: Monday 9th March 2009, 9:30am - 4:00pm
Venue: Manchester Town Hall.

The aim of the event is to share expertise and experience in order to identify what the support needs in the region are for Campaigning and Advocacy.

There will be a wide range of workshops to choose from with experts from national, regional and local organisations sharing their experience and expertise.

For further information, see below. To book a place, go to: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/campaignroadshows or contact Tanja Canning on 020 7520 2505.

Type of Event:
Community Event
Attachment Size
Yes We Can Campaign Roadshow poster.pdf 882.83 KB
YES We Can Campaign Roadshow Draft Programme.doc 97.5 KB

Printer-friendly version


Latest Employment Opportunities
Employment Opportunities with Irish Community Care
Posted February 17th, 2009 by estellew
Irish Community Care is seeking suitable applicants for the following positions:

X 2 Advice and Information Workers (part time), Salary: £10,475 p.a, Hours: 22 per week

Development Worker (Irish Travellers Life Skills and Education) (full time), Salary: £17,925 p.a., Hours: 37.5 per week

For further information, see below.

Application forms and detailed job descriptions are available from the Manager, Deirdre Carroll on 0161 205 9105, email: dcarroll1@live.co.uk

Deadline for application:
23 Feb 2009
Attachment Size
Irish Community Care Manchester, Job Adverts, Feb 09.doc 34 KB

Printer-friendly version
Employment Opportunities - North Manchester Home Start
Posted February 20th, 2009 by estellew
North Manchester Home Start is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under 5 years of age. Volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.

They are currently recruiting for the following posts:

2 x Coordinator posts (18 hour and 37 hour post) NJC Scale 22-27 £19,370 (pro rata).

Senior Administrator/finance officer (37 hour post) NJC Scale 21-25 £18,907.

For an informal chat about these vacancies or to receive an application pack, please call Shelley Byrne on 0161 203 4229, or email: info@homestartmcrnorth.org.uk

Deadline for application:
27 Feb 2009
Attachment Size
North Manchester Home Start, Feb 09.doc 25 KB

Printer-friendly version
Employment Opportunity - Office Administrator - YPAC
Posted February 20th, 2009 by estellew
Deadline for application:
25 Feb 2009
Salary: to be agreed, Hours: up to 16 hrs/wk.

YPAC (Youth Project at Apostles and Cuthberts), a dynamic youth project in Miles Platting, is looking for an administrator to run its busy office including statistical monitoring and financial record keeping.

For further information visit: www.ypacmanchester.org.uk, or contact Paul Hobbs on 0161 205 0880 or email: ypac@eastserve.com.

Printer-friendly version


Latest Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities At Independent Choices
Posted February 20th, 2009 by estellew
Interested in volunteering?
The Women's Domestic Abuse Helpline (WDAH) is seeking to recruit volunteers for the Helpline including the Community Helpline Language Service (CHLS)

For further information, see below or visit: www.wdvh.org.uk.

If you are interested in getting involved, please fill in the form below and return it to: Volunteer Recruitment, WDAH, PO Box 390, Manchester, M16 7WE or telephone 0161 636 7525 or email: admin@independentchoices.org.uk

Attachment Size
Independent Choices volunteering opportunities flyer.DOC 106 KB

Printer-friendly version


Latest Training Opportunities
Free Training for Refugee Community Organisations - Understanding and using an outcomes focus
Posted February 16th, 2009 by estellew
How much do you know about the effects of your organisation's work? Would you like to know more about outcomes? Are your funders asking about outcomes monitoring?

MRSN is running free two-day courses (you need to attend both days):

Date/ Time: Thursday 12th March and Thursday 16th July 2009, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Venue: MRSN, 95a Princess Road, Moss Side, M15 4DS

For further information and a booking form, see below. Applications must reach MRSN, 95a Princess Road, Moss Side, M14, 4TH by 5th March 2009.

Type of course:
One off training event
Attachment Size
MRSN Outcomes Training application form.doc 107 KB
MRSN Outcomes Training further information.doc 29.5 KB

Printer-friendly version
Training Opportunity - Future Leadership Programme
Posted February 19th, 2009 by estellew
IDeA is offering five free places for community groups on a high-profile future leadership programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for leaders from the third sector and local government to work together and develop practical solutions for their organisations.

The Future Leadership Programme addresses the role of leadership in changing organisational cultures. Its main principle - to ensure that local government and partner organisations can create sustainable solutions for sustainable communities - is brought to life through group and individual work over a six-month period.

For further details, visit the IDeA website: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=5689683#contents-7

Type of course:
Training course
Printer-friendly version
Creating Sustainable Excellence Training
Posted February 20th, 2009 by Michelle F
Date / Time: Tuesday 3 March, 9.45am - 4.30pm
Venue: St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ

Manage innovation, responsiveness, quality and culture in ways that are appropriate for the organisation’s mission, resources, business environment, life stage and growth potential. Create excellence and advantage that is sustainable. The course explores quality management and how to embed quality and innovation throughout the organisation.

The course is relevant for senior Managers, people responsible for developing strategy within the organisation and people running small organisations wanting to achieve long-term growth, people aspiring to the above. It costs £45 to attend.

For further details, see the booking form below.

For further information, contact Gill Dixon gill.dixon@gmcvo.org.uk

Type of course:
One off training event
Attachment Size
Creating Sustaianble Excellence Training Application Form.doc 109 KB

Printer-friendly version
Free Management Training for Women
Posted February 20th, 2009 by Michelle F
Date: February 2009

Venue: Women’s Electronic Village Hall (WEVH)

A work-based first management qualification, aimed at women who are in management roles across all occupations and sectors, is being offered by the Women’s Electronic Village Hall. Training is delivered through a combination of one-to-one support in the workplace (approximately 8 hours) and a series of evening workshops (minimum of 4 to be attended).

The programme is free to all women over the age of 19 who have not completed an NVQ Level 4 qualification (or its equivalent). It is suitable for women who are already working in a management role (as an employee, as the manager of a small business or as a volunteer), who have opportunities for decision-making and/or responsibilities for managing resources, allocating work or project management within their job role.

For further information contact Sarah Keeler on 0161 833 8800 or email sarah.keeler@wevh.org.uk.

Type of course:
Training course
Printer-friendly version



Latest Consultations
North West Regional Strategy Consultation
Posted February 19th, 2009 by estellew
The North West Development Agency is consulting on the North West regional strategy.

The new regional strategy will integrate the region’s economic, spatial and housing strategies. It will also link local priorities and local potential to a regional framework.

The new strategy will be highly relevant to the voluntary and community sector, and the paper picks up on a number of areas relevant to many VCS groups, including: health and health inequalities, sustainable rural communities, climate change and other environmental concerns, tackling worklessness, skills, social enterprise, disability, housing, and even, briefly, local public sector procurement practice.

An Issues and Principles Paper has now been published and is open for consultation until 30 April 2009.

For further information, please see below.
Click here for information about a consultation event being run by VSNW and GMCVO.

Consultation end date:
30 April, 2009
Attachment Size
North West Regional Strategy, Principles and Issues Paper.pdf 327.08 KB

Printer-friendly version

For further information on the Community Network for Manchester, or if you missed last weeks bulletin and would like to find out more about the news, events and opportunities added over the last few weeks, please visit our website: www.cn4m.net

What do you think of our bulletin and website? We aim to continually develop and improve our communications resources, so your feedback is always welcome! If you have any comments about the bulletin or website please contact us at: info@cn4m.net.

Community Network for Manchester is committed to the principles and codes of practice contained in Working Together: a Compact for Manchester.



--
Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter