With the launch this week of the three main political party's manifestos the NCVO has responded in terms of each party's commitment to the voluntary and community sector.

 

 

A commitment to protect free speech and the right to protest, they intend to reform the Public Order Act to safeguard lawful, non-violent protest;

NCVO Response to Conservative Party Manifesto 

 

The BBC Children in Need Small Grants Programme marks the first time Children in Need have run a UK wide small grants scheme, offering up to £10,000 per year for up to 3 years aimed predominantly at organisations that have not previously considered applying.
 
The programme is open to any third sector organisation working with children and young people under the age of 18.
 
The next funding round deadlines are 15 July and 15 October.  

For further details visit the BBC website 

 

First Steps Derbyshire provide support for anyone affected by an eating disorder or associated difficulty. They offer live chats on their website three times a week for sufferers, parents, carers, family, friends, partners, professionals and volunteers.  

 
The sessions run on: Mondays 6:00 to 7:00 pm
                               Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:00 pm
                               Sundays 2:00 to 4:00 pm 
 
To access the service visit the First Steps Derby website and once you have signed up for a password go to the Sufferers tab, select Live Chat and start typing!
 
If you have any feedback about the service please email Danielle or call First Steps on 01332 367571
 

Thanks to a grant from Derby City Health and Care Development Fund, Relate have some new promotional leaflets and posters about the services they offer. The current available items are:
 
A4 poster - relationship counselling
A4 poster - family counselling
A4 poster - domestic violence awareness
A4 poster - sex therapy
Domestic violence awareness - business cards
Relationship counselling leaflet

Family counselling leaflet
Sex therapy leaflet
 
Relate's services are available to everyone and people can be seen individually or as part of a couple. All leaflets and posters prominently display the rainbow flag to signify Relate as a LGBT friendly organisation and their counsellors are trained to be aware of the role of cultural background in relationships.
  
Relate operates a telephone helpline every Tuesday from 10:30 am until 4:30 pm on 01332 345678 during which people can call and speak directly to a counsellor.
 
If you would like further information or would like to request a supply of leaflets or posters please email Bev Miller or call 01332 349177. For more information visit the Relate website. 

 

Derby City Council's Grants to Older and Disabled People's Groups programme is now open for applications.  The closing date for submissions is Friday 14 May 2010.
 

For further information email the Voluntary Sector Team or call 01332 255669. 
 
Full details of the grant programme, application forms and guidance notes are available on the Derby City Council website.  

Entries are now being invited for the sixth annual Third Sector Excellence Awards. The awards are a chance for the whole sector to have its achievements and successes recognised. There are a total of 24 awards, 23 of which are open to entries. They cover a whole range of third sector activities, from finance, fundraising and communications to management, governance and projects. The awards recognise the talent of voluntary organisations in all their forms, regardless of size.

For information on the awards categories and the entry process visit the awards website where you can also submit your application. The deadline for entries is 3 June. The entries shortlisted by the panel of judges, all high-profile figures in the sector, will be published in Third Sector on 27 July.

The awards dinner and ceremony will take place on Thursday 23 September at the Lancaster London Hotel in central London.

The Regional BME Third Sector Network want to know your priorities for the communities of the East Midlands.
 
Why should I get involved? Your views and experience are essential to influence key decision makers across the region and will help to shape an informed, influential and involved BME third sector, working to raise the profile and voice of the communities you serve and work with.
 
Network members will receive briefings and information relevant to their areas of interest: news, opportunities, resources and policy changes which impact on the sector in the region.
 
FREE Events
As part of the launch activities, One East Midlands is planning a series of nine free events around the region. Each event will look at a different area of interest from a BME perspective and provide you with an opportunity to network, influence and obtain practical support.
 
To join the network and sign up for regular e-bulletins email One East Midlands with your your email address, name, organisation and job title.

 

The vinvolved Derby city Youth Action Team celebrated the successful second year of the project by going out and doing what they do best....... volunteering, followed by an afternoon of Quad Biking in Brailsford.
 
The YAT started the day by painting the main hall at the Sinfin Community Enterprise Centre. After new radiators were fitted in the hall the walls were looking tired and in need of freshening up so 11 YAT members got to work applying 2 coats of paint in the morning and transforming it into a much cleaner and brighter space. They were kept motivated by plenty of tea, biscuits, Haribos and the talk of the quad biking in afternoon! 
 
Once they had finished at the centre, the YAT grabbed a quick bite to eat before going on to Wildpark Leisure in Brailsford for a Quad Bike Trek. After getting kitted out with all the equipment it was off for a safety talk before starting the 10 mile trek. The trek was an amazing

experience as most hadn't done it before. It included going through fields, streams and woods on the estate. It was a great end to a great day for all the YAT members who attended.