Community Action Derby are holding the World's Biggest Networking Event on Wednesday 30 June at the Carriage Shop Theatre, Derby College, Roundhouse Road, Derby, DE24 8JE from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
 
Come along and exchange your news, views and ideas with other voluntary organisations and community groups. We have over 30 groups confirmed as attending so far including The Prince's Trust, Derbyshire Friend, The Wildlife Trust and Forum of Faiths.  Drop in for a short time or stay a while but please let us know that you are coming, email Abbi Steanson or call 01332 227710.

  
Tea and coffee will be available.  We look forward to seeing you there!
 
This event is being held as part of Derby City Partnership's 'Inspiring Derby 2010' week.

Are you a Derby city based voluntary or community organisation requiring FREE professional services?  If so, Pro-Help need your applications - their service relies on you!  Use it or lose it. 
 
ProHelp is a group of professional firms who provide FREE professional services to voluntary and community organisations in their local area. 
 
The professional firms undertake one-off projects, which include feasibility studies, structural surveys, developing PR and marketing strategies and business plans, legal and accountancy advice and property valuations.
 
Members of ProHelp approach the work in the same way as they would any other fee paying customer, the only difference is that the community client is not charged for the work undertaken.
 
If you are a community based, not-for-profit group working for the social regeneration of your local area and need some professional help call Lezli Hall at Business in the Community on 0115 924 7404.  For more information visit the Pro-Help website.  

 

The Forum of Faiths are holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 15 June from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the St James Centre, Malcolm Street, Normanton in Derby.

 

The theme of the evening is 'Keeping Families Safe in Your Faith Community' and will focus on adult and child safeguarding.

 

Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information call 01332 604067.

 

Come along to the next Self Help Forum on Monday 28 June at Oddfellows, 32 Charnwood Street in Derby from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.
 
The Self Help Forums are very beneficial for voluntary and community groups as updates are given on current issues happening in the sector, including policy change and funding availability.
 
The agenda for the session includes:
 
 
If you would like to come along email Liz Gumbley or call 01332 227738. 
 
We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Surtal Asian Arts in partnership with the Multi Faith Centre are hosting an evening celebrating 'Islam in Arts'.  Ulfah Arts will present a talk about how increased understanding of Islamic culture can break down barriers and create a more harmonised society.  Local artist, Mazhar Hussain, will be showcasing some of his collection at the event and there will also be a calligraphy workshop.
 

The event will be of interest to teachers, youth workers, artists, arts organisations, statutory and voluntary sector service providers working with children, vulnerable adults and disabled people.  

 

The event takes place on Monday 28 June from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Multi Faith Centre, University of Derby, Kedleston Road in Derby. Tickets cost £10 or £8 for members of South Asian Arts in Education Forum.  Please note that booking is essential.

 

To book a place email Surtal Asian Arts or call 01332 720730.

 

 

 

Derby Health Forum was formed two years ago by a group of volunteers.

Funded by Derbyshire Community Foundation the group gets involved in many initiatives relating to health with the aim of improving the experience and service of health care for patients and carers in Derby and Derbyshire.

 

Since the group formed in 2008 they have been involved with: the diabetic retinopathy patient information service; 

Derbyshire out of hours service;

aseptic non-touch technique training and assessment;

patient participation groups;

the provision of new dental practices in Derby;

pain management clinics; and

the discharge strategy of in-patients.

 

For more information about the Derby Health Forum email Sandra Harrison. 

 
 

Voluntary Arts England supported by Arts Council England present The Epic Awards, an award scheme designed to recognise and shine a spotlight on the excellent work taking place within the 50,000 voluntary and amateur art and craft groups throughout the country.  

 
The epic awards invite voluntary and amateur art and craft groups to nominate themselves in four categories; engagement; partnerships; innovation; and creativity.  The winners will receive a package of benefits including training, equipment and publicity as well as being invited to a reception towards the end of the year.

 

For more information and a nomination form visit the Epic Awards website. 

 

 

NCVO are holding an event to explain the new fit note which replaced the sick note on 6 April this year.

 

The event entitled 'Managing Capability With the Fit Note' will be held on Wednesday 16 June, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at The Riverside Centre in Derby.  It is aimed at human resources staff, managers, advisors, chief executives and trustees working in the voluntary sector.
 
The session will cover topics such as: 
What kinds of tasks are suitable for people coming back to work?

How do you make a 'reasonable' adjustment to working arrangements?

How does the fit note work?
 
On 6 April, the new fit note was introduced to replace the traditional doctors' sick note.  It allows doctors to state that an employee is fit to work if changes to working arrangements are made.
 
Lin Hinson from HR Solicitor will take you through the nuts and bolts of managing capability using the fit note.  You will cover the note's key features and implications and how to effectively incorporate it into your absence management process. 

 

For more information or to reserve a place email Emma Allford.

Light refreshments will be provided.   

The Big Lottery Fund has launched the Community Wildlife funding programme. It will offer grants of between £300 and £10,000 to projects that bring communities together to improve or protect the natural environment by raising awareness of threatened wildlife or places.

 

Derby City Council are holding a workshop on sight loss which is designed to focus on the rehabilitation and support required from a social care point of view.  The aim of the workshop is to find a 

sensible rehabilitation and support pathway for people who have suffered sensory loss and then compare it with what is currently on offer within Derby.

  
The workshop will be on Friday 30 July from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  If you would like to attend this workshop email Helen Buxton or call 01332 255196. 
 

As part of Derby City Partnership's 'Inspiring Derby 2010' week, Derby City Council are holding an event to launch the Children and Young People's Action Plan, Parenting Strategy and Participation Strategy.
 
The event will be a celebration of children and young people's achievements and all the fantastic work that is done across the partnership in the city. 

 

The event takes place on Thursday 1 July from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

in the Darwin Suite at the Assembly Rooms in Derby
 
For more information email Arshie Mushtaq or call 01332 711268.

  

 

 

Throughout July, Derby City Partnership will be asking people who live and work in Derby to think about what life may be like in 15 years time and to let them know their 3 wishes - one for themselves, one for their neighbourhood and one for Derby.

They are asking all of their partners to help, by telling them their own aspirations and by encouraging local people and employees to make their 3 wishes. There are lots of ways your voluntary or community group can get involved: 

Put up a 3 wishes display with wish cards and a collection sack;
Distribute wish cards and posters around your organisation; 
Put an article in your organisation's next newsletter or bulletin;
Talk to your group about 3 Wishes for Derby; or

Run a stall at any events you hold.
 

Toolkits with all the materials and information you need to help your organisation get involved in the consultation will be made available over the next few weeks. If you don't receive one by the end of June,  email Jane Harrison or call 01332 256906 and you will be sent one personally.

 

For more information or to let DCP know how you want to be involved contact Jane Harrison as above. 

 

 

The 3D Equalities Toolkit is aimed at groups wanting to consider the accessibility of their organisation's activities and services. The toolkit will help groups identify any barriers thay may unknowingly have.  It includes a simple checklist, as well as information about local and national sources of further help and support around each of the different equality issues.

To download the toolkit visit the 3D Support website