EMAIL BULLETIN 8th February 2008
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
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 EN4M- A series of three funding workshops aimed at environmental
groups
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY FOOD... an introduction to funding and planning for
community groups
Are you a community group interested in making locally grown food accessible
and affordable to local communities? Then come along and find out from Marc
Lupson from the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts about their new Big Lottery
funding scheme which has £50 million to give away.
Eligible projects could include:
- growing, processing, marketing and distributing local food;
- awareness raising and education about cultural food diversity and growing
of exotic foods from other regions of the world;
- creation of opportunities for learning and the development of skills
through voluntary training and job creation;
- composting and raising awareness of the benefits of such activities.
Also the opportunity to attend a funding workshop with Lynsey Cottle from
the Scarman Trust and get support regarding specific projects and ideas from
Tricia from the Environment Network for Manchester (EN4M).
Methodist Central Hall, Oldham Street, Thursday 21 February, 6 - 8 pm
For further details and to book a place contact Tricia at
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE ... action planning and funding information for
Manchester's environmental groups
As a follow up to the 'Sustainable Community Food' event and if you can't
make that one, two workshops are being run; one in Cheetham Hill and one in
Wythenshawe.
These will give:
- an overview of the Big Lottery Local Food Programme and general
support on making a good application;
- an insight into planning effective environmental projects
- advice on how to recognise the assets your group has and an overview
of available funds
Venue: Cheetham and Crumpsall Welcome Centre, Trinity Church, corner of
Cheetham Hill Road and Green Hill Road, M8 9LE
Date and time: Thursday 28 February, 6pm - 8pm
Venue: St Marks URC Church Hall,Tree of Life Centre, Oatlands Road,
Wythenshawe M22 1AH
Date and time: Thursday 6th March, 6pm - 8pm
For further details and to book a place contact Tricia at
2.0 Training
2.1 Free Mentoring Training- FAO East Manchester residents
Experience Volunteering are running a Mentoring Training Course. This will
be useful for anyone who is currently involved in a caring role or would
like to pursue a career in Health and social care. This is a one day short
course staring at 9.30am and finishing at 3.30pm and will be facilitated by
Di McIntyre. Lunch will be provided.
Date: Tuesday 26th Feb
Venue: Mill Street Venture Centre
If you know of anyone who may benefit from this course please contact
Experience Volunteering on 0161 220 8600
Due to limited places, the course is only available for residents of East
Manchester (M11)
2.2 New Training dates from Centre for Local Economic Strategies
A new date has been added to the CLES training programme:
Using Evidence in Policy and Project Development- Tuesday 4th March,
Manchester
Topics include understanding the importance of evidence; sources of
evidence; overcoming gaps in evidence and using evidence to design and
deliver interventions.
Other courses in March and early April include:
* Successfully Evaluating Projects and Programmes 3rd March, Leeds
* Introduction to Local Economic Development 17th and 18th March,
London
* How to Engage the Community 8th April, Manchester
More details on CLES courses can be found on their website: www.cles.org.uk
.
All courses are delivered in small groups and are designed to enhance
knowledge, build understanding, develop skills and share best practice.
Course fees are £200 plus VAT per day with a discounted rate for voluntary
groups and charities of £105 plus VAT per day.
For further information, contact Lyn Stacey (Events and Services
Co-ordinator) on 0161 236 7036, or email: mailto:lynstacey@cles.org.uk
2.3 ACM Training Workshops- Discounted Places
'Last minute places' available on three workshops at ACM Training,
Workplace Communication Skills, Tuesday, February 12th. £99 plus VAT per
person
If you, or your colleagues, ever have to deal with difficult communication
issues at work or perhaps need to provide constructive, yet effective
feedback & performance appraisals and from time to time, must create and
confidently deliver memorable presentations, then this workshop is a cost
effective and ideal way to learn, or brush up on the skills required. To
view this programme, locations & dates, please visit
Writing Press Releases, Wednesday, February 13th. £99 plus VAT per person
A press release is one of the best techniques for publicising an event or
calling attention to an issue. If you want to know how to construct a
well-written, well-distributed and well-timed press release, which is not
difficult or expensive to produce, yet effective and useful, then this
workshop is for you. This is a low cost and practical way to learn how to
write an effective press release, which will be read and, more importantly,
published. To view this programme, locations & dates, please visit
Train the Trainer, a 2-day programme, Tuesday/Wednesday, February 12th/13th.
£199 plus VAT per person.
If you are required to effectively train employees, colleagues or clients in
an interesting, engaging and confident manner, then this two-day foundation
workshop is a cost effective, practical and ideal way to help them gain new
skills, knowledge and understanding. To view the programme or book a place,
please visit
Each workshop runs daily from 10 am to 5pm and the price is inclusive of the
venue, lunch, refreshments and workshop materials and a certificate of
completion.
For more information on venues and times for all of the workshops, please
visit:
To book places, quote the discount code LMMANCHFEB08 in the 'subject line'
for bookings made by email to
'additional information line' for bookings made online at
www.acmtraining.co.uk . Only bookings for these three workshops in
Manchester next week and quoting the code LMMANCHFEB08 will qualify for the
discounted rate. All discounted bookings are non-refundable and
non-transferable.
2.4 Free Training Courses for volunteers and staff interested in
improving their communities
Trafford Hall is offering some FREE residential training (including single
en-suite accommodation and meals) for members of voluntary and community
groups in 2008 (there is a £10 admin fee).
(1) Sharing Our Community- 14th to 15th February 2008
(2) Monitoring & Evaluating the Work of Your Group- 3rd to 5th March 2008
(3) An Introduction to Neighbourhood Regeneration- 4th to 6th February 2008
(This course is for individual volunteers)
(4) Spaces by Design- 17th to 19th March 2008 (This course is for groups of
community volunteers)
To book a place, please contact Claire Lawton on 01244 300246, or email
2.5 Free Chair Skills Training- FAO Northwards Housing Tenant or
Resident of North Manchester
Are you a Chair or a member of a Committee of a Tenant and Resident
Group/community group or are you thinking about setting up a Tenant and
Resident Group/community group? Would you like to learn new skills and meet
people to share ideas and experiences?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions then you should come along
to the FREE Chairs Training Session. The session will be delivered by the
Resident Involvement Team at Northwards Housing and explains the skills
necessary to be a Chair. It will also advise you how to carry out Chair
duties effectively.
Date/ Time: Thursday 14th February 2008, 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Venue: Northwards Housing, 6th Floor Hexagon Tower
For more information, contact Sharon McBride (Resident Involvement Officer),
Email:
2.6 Free ICT Courses
The Skills to Enable Community Learning Programme aims to develop the skills
of staff and volunteers working in community and voluntary organisations in
Greater Manchester. These community groups must work with disadvantaged
groups to deliver skills for life and key skills training.
These IT Courses will be delivered through accredited learning opportunities
in the areas of Management, ICT skills and tutor training. These courses
lead to a level 2 or 3 eDCC qualification. Please go to
New courses scheduled for January 2008, due to high demand:
* Intro/Intermediate Word (MS Word): 20th, 27th Feb & 5th Mar 2008
* Intro/Intermediate Database (MS Access): 21st, 28th Feb & 6th Mar
2008
* Advanced Word Processing (MS Word): 21st, 28th Feb & 6th March 2008
* Intro to Web design Using WORDPRESS: 3rd, 10th & 17th March 2008
* Intro/Intermediate Presentations (PowerPoint): 12th, 19th & 26th Mar
2008
All courses run 9.30am - 3pm, 3 x sessions, 15 hours in total - students
must attend all 3 sessions to gain the certificate. Fees: Free to women/men
working or volunteering in the voluntary or community sector. A £30 deposit
is required to secure your place, refundable on completion of the training
course.
For more information or to request an application form please contact the
Admin Team on 0161 833 8800 or email
3.0 Events
3.1 Children and Young People Wellbeing Conference - Friday 22nd Feb
08
The Wellbeing Project CIC and North West Regional Youth Work Unit are
working in partnership to deliver a conference that hears from inspirational
speakers. Lively workshops will give participants the opportunity to share
ideas and move the agenda on. The aim of the second annual conference is to
promote awareness of the issues affecting the wellbeing of children and
young people aged 0-19, and what we can do to promote their positive mental
health.
Cost: £110 per delegate from 1st Feb 2008 (discounts available for group
bookings).
For more information, and to request a booking form and workshop selection
form, contact Carolyn Meadowcroft-Loughlin: email
For more information and discounts available for group bookings contact:
Paula Gamester conference coordinator, Connector Media CIC on 01744 26444
email:
www.wellbeingproject.co.uk
Closing date for bookings is Friday 8th Feb 2008.
3.2 MERCi Stress Busters Day and AGM notification
Stressed out? Jaded? Funding nightmares? Then what you need is a day and
evening of events designed with YOU in mind!
MERCi, in partnership with EN4M and Herbie, are pleased to announce a day of
events focussed on the Third Sector (voluntary organisations, community
groups and social enterprises- other sectors are more than welcome to attend
too). The event will begin with a morning of food and mood information and
activities, in the afternoon there will be a relaxation and fitness taster
sessions featuring Pilates and NIA dance. In the evening a delicious and
healthy supper will be served and then a brief but insightful AGM will be
followed by a speaker on the trials and tribulations of funding and social
enterprise.
The evening will be rounded off with the launch of their successful BASIS
Big lottery bid - *Sustaining Change* - MERCi we will be looking for
interested partners from Greater Manchester to help them deliver this
exciting project about helping the VCS to become more sustainable (and save
money and generate income!!).
Funds are aviailable to pay for your involvement as they recognise your time
is not 'free'. Finally, there will be more refreshments and a chance to
network.
MERCi is also actively seeking more trustees to help guide them through
these exciting times. If you are interested in becoming a trustee then
please email Caroline Downey at mailto:carolined@merci.org.uk and she will
explain what being a trustee entails.
Date/ Time: 10.00am- 9.00pm, Thursday 15 March
Venue: At Bridge 5 Mill, Ancoats
Booking is ESSENTIAL and will be on a first come first served basis. Please
contact Jemma on 0161 273 1736 to reserve your place.
3.3 Invitation to Manchester Health Watchdog's AGM
This will be the final Health Watchdog meeting - at which an Annual Report
outlining all the work which has been done over the last few years will be
celebrated, and ideas for things that the new Local Involvement Network on
health and care will need to take up will be discussed.
Date/Time: Monday 25th February 2008 6.00 - 8.00pm
Venue: The mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester (entrance on
Major Street).
Refreshments will be provided.
If you plan to attend, please email:
3.4 Manchester BME network Conference
"Celebrating Progress and Strengthening our Future"
The Manchester BME Network conference programme will cover the following
topics:
Strengthening & Developing the BME VCS; Improving Community Reach: A
Celebration; Roundtable-Information Sharing (involving sessions on Local
Area Agreements, Manchester Partnership & Agenda 2010, Commissioning &
Procurement, Funding, Developing Partnerships & Consortiums); and the Future
Priorities for the BME VCS
FREE for Voluntary/ Community Sector, £75 for all Public and Private Sector
organizations.
Date/ Time: 19th February 2008, 10.00am- 3.00pm
Venue: Manchester Town Hall
For further information, and to request a booking form, contact MCCR on:
(0)161 227 8708, or email
3.5 A Woman's Place, Exhibition and Events: March 2008, Urbis,
Manchester
Examining the role of women in conflict, A Woman's Place will empower people
across Manchester to stand up and fight for what they believe in. This
exciting programme of activities includes school workshops, a celebration
day, a city centre tour and an exhibition.
Everyone involved in A Woman's Place will become empowered to stand up and
fight for what they believe in, by learning from key figures in history such
as mothers in World War II, women at the forefront of the Suffragette
Movement and the parents and children in Greater Manchester who have pledged
their support for Mothers Against Violence.
A Woman's Place celebration day on International Women's Day (Saturday 8th
March 2008) will see a high profile event being staged at Urbis; women,
their families and friends will be invited to make placards to celebrate the
causes they support. They will then take these placards on a march through
Manchester city centre.
The A Woman's Place tour will be delivered on Saturday 8th March 2008, and
is free. Using the city as a backdrop, a member of the Urbis Tour Programme
will reveal stories, and raise questions, about the struggles women faced in
the past century as well as those they face in this one.
In addition, an exhibition in The Social space in Urbis will aim to capture
the essence of A Woman's Place. Materials exhibited will include the
placards made during the celebration day, student work produced in the
school workshops, as well as interactive resources to which members of the
public can add their own thoughts and experiences.
4.0 Information
4.1 WREN Communities Challenge 2008
Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN) has announced that its annual
Communities Challenge Fund is now open to applications. Through the
Communities Challenge WREN will be working with Local Authorities and
organisations to support the best community regeneration projects by
providing £2 million of funding for capital projects which breathe new life
into tired or rundown facilities or provide much needed new amenities.
Organisations and groups are invited to bid for funding of between £75,000
and £250,000 for capital projects that will make a real difference to their
community. Projects could include; recreational areas such as parks,
community gardens or open green spaces; community centres, village halls or
youth centres; play areas, skate parks or multi-use games areas; nature
reserves or community woodlands; sports centres or recreation grounds;
museums and visitors centres; or a combination of facilities.
To be eligible projects need to be within 10 miles of a WREN landfill site.
The closing date for applications is the 30th May 2008. For more
information, visit: http://www.wren.org.uk/how-to-apply/WRG-Challenge
4.2 Consultations
Core Strategy Issues and Options Consultation
Please go to the following link to have your say on the future development
of Manchester:
http://manchester-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal
or contact Tim on 0161 273 1736 or mailto:sustainable@merci.org.uk for more
information
Closing Date is now 25th February 2008.
Affordable Housing Consultation:
The council is consulting on planning policies to "widen the housing mix in
Manchester in order to enhance regeneration by creating greater choice,
diversity and affordability in the housing stock". Documents are available
on the council's website (where comments can be made online):
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=856&
documentID=3381
Closing Date: 20th February
Alternatively comments can be made by email to:
Options for strengthening bus passenger representation:
The consultation paper outlines four options for delivering a bus passenger
champion, and we welcome your views on them. Consultation paper available
at:
Closing date: 17 March 2008
The City Centre Strategic Plan:
This is an ambitious plan to propel Manchester forward, continuing to
enhance its status as a world class city. Consultation paper available at:
Closing date: 31 January 2008
The Regional Centre Transport Strategy:
or, how can transport play a part in achieving the aims and objectives in
the above City Centre Strategic Plan document. Available at:
Closing date: 31 January 2007
Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities Statutory Guidance: Draft
for Consultation:
The draft document, which is subject to consultation, provides guidance to
local authorities and their partners on creating strong safe and prosperous
communities, specifically relating to new legislation introduced in the
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. The guidance
covers, Local Strategic Partnerships, Sustainable Community Strategies, the
new duty to involve, Local Area Agreements, the revised best value regime
and commissioning:
Closing date: 12th February
Towards a Defra Third Sector Strategy:
This document invites views and suggestions about the way in which Defra can
improve the way it engages with the third sector. The results of this
consultation will help Defra prepare its Third Sector Strategy which they
aim to publish in spring 2008. The document covers a range of issues. It
asks about ways in which the third sector can make an even bigger difference
in tackling climate change, protecting the environment and supporting strong
rural communities. It also asks about the way in which Defra can create a
level playing field for third sector organisations in the way they do
business.
Closing date: 22nd February
4.3 Would You Like to Start a Social Enterprise? Free Support
Available
Business Support Solutions (BSS) Start up Programme is aimed at individuals
or groups who wish to set up a social enterprise and require support with
developing their vision and plan their project. The programme has been
designed to give you the practical skills needed to develop and start a
social enterprise business.
This series of four workshops will take you on a structured journey from
developing your initial business idea, constituting a working group,
planning for action, identifying practical solutions for finance and
marketing right through to formalising your business proposition.
One to One support is also provided to equip you with the necessary skills
and knowledge to develop your idea into a robust social enterprise . One to
one business advice meetings are an important part of the process to ensure
progress is achieved.
Note : The Start up programme is currently funded by the NWDA and delivered
in association with other key support agencies.
The next programme starts on 27th of February - Places are still available.
If you want to discuss your ideas, please contact Isabelle Farquhar on 0161
976 4243 or email :
4.4 New addition to CN4M publications library- 'Manchester Sense
of Place'
Sense of Place is a concept and a tool to engage with communities and
individuals in different ways.
The Sense of Place work is designed to:
* Inspire community engagement
* Offer Council officers, professionals, partners and people working with
communities and individuals a challenge; to look at the city in a different
way through the concept and tools of Sense of Place; examine new (and old)
ways of working and ask ourselves - is this the best way?
For more information, please see the CN4M website:
http://www.cn4m.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&Itemid=
28
5.0 Jobs
Please see the CN4M website:
http://www.cn4m.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=9&i
d=31&Itemid=50 for more detailed information on each of these posts,
alternatively, use the contact details at the bottom of each entry.
5.1 Voluntary Sector North West- Chief Executive
Job Title: Chief Executive, Salary: NJC point 49 (£40,101)
Voluntary Sector North West: 'ensuring that the VCS, in all its diversity,
takes its place in shaping the future of the North West'
VSNW is recruiting a new Chief Executive to continue the development of the
organisation and ensure the Sector is fully engaged with the North West
regional agencies.
You will be responsible for a growing, highly skilled team and for VSNW's
financial management; you will also oversee the continuing development of
VCS strategic networks, and further the interests of the Sector in regional
arenas. You will need experience of senior management and leadership,
strategic planning and policy development, and successful fundraising. You
will need broad understanding and experience of the VCS, regional
structures, collaborative working within and across sectors, and project
management. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills,
and experience and understanding of embedding strategies to combat
disadvantage. The post will involve travel across the North West and
occasionally elsewhere.
Deadline for applications: midday on 6th March 2008.
For further details and an application form, please contact Anna Sevink on
0161 276 9300 or
5.2 Evaluator Required National Empowermet Partnership
The Community Development Foundation (CDF) as the managing agent for the
National Empowerment Partnership (NEP) is inviting individuals and
organisations to apply for a contract to be an associate evaluator to work
on the evaluation of NEP in year 1 and the development of an evaluation
framework for NEP in years 2-4. Please note that funding for NEP is not yet
secured for years 2-4.
Closing date for proposals: 5pm, 14th February 2008
For further details, please see the CN4M website:
http://www.cn4m.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=435&Itemid=50
5.3 MCIN- recruiting for two posts
Job title: Media Community Producer, Salary: £28-29,000, full time (Job
share or Part Time will also be Considered), Organisation: MCIN
Job title: Media Community Worker, Salary: £23-25,000, 4 days a week
For more information, and to download an application form, please go to the
MCIN websitehttp://www.mcin.net/home/pages/192 or contact Gary Copitch on:
0161 230 1430, or email: mailto:gary@mcin.net
Closing date for applications: 5.00 pm on the 20th February 2008
5.4 Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW) - Policy & Communications
Officer recruitment
Job Title: Policy and Communications Officer, Salary: NJC Salary Scale PO2,
£28,172 - £30,598 (+ 7% Pension), Organisation: Voluntary Sector North West,
Funded by The National Lottery through Big Lottery Fund.
Deadline for applications: 12 noon on Thursday February 28th 2008.
Interviews will be held on 14th March 2008
For further details and to request an application form, please contact Anna
Sevink on 0161 276 9300 or mailto:anna.sevink@vsnw.org.uk
For more information on VSNW, see their website:
5.5 Burnage Multi-Agency Group (BMAG)- Project Manager recruitment
Title: Project Manager, Salary: £26,187 per annum, Full Time 35 hours per
week (may include some unsocial hours & Bank Holidays). This is a one year
appointment.
Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Wednesday February 20th 2008. No
applications can be accepted after this time.
Interviews: Monday February 25th 2008
To obtain an application form (they are not available electronically) please
send an A4 44p stamped self addressed envelope to:
The Project Manager, Burnage Multi-Agency Group, 345 Burnage Lane, Burnage,
Manchester M19 1EW
5.6 Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) are recruiting for nine
new posts in their vinvolved Teams (Full and part time)
GMYN and partners are seeking to recruit 3 dedicated and enthusiastic
"vinvolved" teams to develop, promote and support youth volunteering
opportunities in Bury, Manchester and Oldham through the new National Youth
Volunteering Programme funded by v. The posts are funded from April 2008 -
April 2011.
Youth Volunteer Development Manager (YVDM) £26,835 - £28,172
Youth Volunteering Adviser (YVA) £22,122 - £23,749
Closing date: Monday 18th February 2008
For application information please contact GMYN on 0161 274 3299.
5.7 Emerge Recycling- recruiting for five posts
Emerge recycling is a fast growing and dynamic Manchester-based social
enterprise that exists to promote the practice of the '3Rs' of waste
reduction.
They currently have 5 employment opportunities available.
Supported by the Big Lottery Fund- 3 posts available:
REAL Skills Education Liaison Worker (5-14 year olds). £15,000 to £18,000
pro rata17.5 hours a week
REAL Skills Education Liaison Worker (14-19 year olds). £15,000 to £18,000
35 hours a week
REAL Skills Enviro-Volunteer Co-ordinator. £15,000 to £18,000 35 hours a
week
Application deadline: 18th February (interviews held the following week)
In partnership with FareShare the national food charity and supported by the
Big Lottery Fund:
Development Manager - FareShare Central, Salary £19,000-£22,000 35hours a
week
Application deadline: Monday 25th February 10am (interviews held later the
same week)
In Partnership with Trafford Council and supported by ERDF:
Community Liaison Worker - Trafford Kerbside, £14,500 - £17,500 pro rata 21
hours a week
Application deadline: 3rd March
To request an application pack and full job description for any of these
posts, contact
5.8 The Alzheimer's Society- Branch Development Manager recruitment
Title: Branch Development Manager, Salary: £24,660 per annum, 35 hours per
week, Based in Stockport, covering Stockport and Tameside
Closing date: Thursday 14 February 2008. Interviews: Thursday 21 February
2008
For an application pack please telephone Alzheimer's Society, North West
Area Office, 01925 572239 or Email mailto:hazel.kelly@alzheimers.org.uk
5.9 NESTA tender opportunity
Invitation to Tender: Studies on 14-19 Work-Related Learning Opportunities
in the Third Sector and Rural Economy
The deadline for proposals is 13 February 2008. They would like the research
to be completed by the end April 2008.
For more information, go to:
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