On 24 May the Chancellor announced huge public spending cuts. Just under £1.2 billion of the overall total of £6.2 billion fell on the Department for Communities and Local Government.  These cuts  will soon start to have an impact on local groups but it may be possible, on a case by case basis, to challenge some of these actions and decisions using public law and/or Compact.

 

 

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.

 

Less than 2 weeks to go! 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.

Come along to the CamTAD (Campaign for Tackling Acquired Deafness) support group at Morleston Day Centre every second Thursday in the month from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. You will be able to meet friendly and supportive people, share experiences and make new friends over a cup of tea or coffee.
 
Guest speakers are invited to the meetings to talk about topics that may affect you, meetings are also arranged with other social groups to share ideas and give you the chance to have your say in what activities you would like to be involved in.
 
The next support group meeting is on Thursday 8 July from 1:00 to 3:00 pm as above. Please feel free to bring a partner, friend, neighbour or invite anybody who has a hearing difficulty to join us and have fun.
 
Please drop in and see us or if you would like further information please call CamTAD on 01332 258143
 
We look forward to seeing you there. 
 

Derby LINk are conducting a new survey called 'City-wide Research'. The survey has been designed to measure people's perceptions of  Health and Social Care Services in Derby city.  The questions have been developed from 'Better Health, Better Care', the NHS East Midlands Strategic Plan 2009/10, focusing on 5 of their proposed promises:
 
 
This survey will be running until 6 October, with the assistance of RAM FM and the Thunder Crew. All entries will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win a £50 Westfield Shopping Voucher. To take part in the survey visit the Community Action website. 

'Stay well on life's journey, open the windows to your heart' is the message being conveyed by the Delivering Race Equality Mental Wellbeing Roadshow. 

 
Roadshow events invite different cultural communities to come together in one setting and to share in activities that promote wellbeing as well as awareness and celebration of different cultures.  They have been designed to enable people of black and culturally diverse origins to feel more able to access and have confidence in mental health services.
 
The DRE Roadshow will be at the following events:
 
Gypsy and Traveller History Month event on 1 July, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Butterfly Project, Old Bowling Green, 75A Rosehill Street, Derby DE23 8FZ; and
 
Derby Caribbean Carnival on 18 July at Osmaston Park, Osmaston Park Road, Derby. This is an all day event.
 
There will be traditional cooking, music, dance, arts, crafts and information stalls. 
 
There is no need to book just come along and bring service users, carers or anyone you think would benefit.  For more information email Cheryl Mason 01773 599995.
 

We all know that there are difficult times ahead so now is the time to start planning campaigns, putting together action plans and speaking to local and national decision makers about the issues that matter to you and your community.

Democracy Day, an event organised by the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action in association with Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service, will cover topics such as:

How you can engage with local MPs and national ministers;

How the local public sector engages with voluntary groups and communities; and 

How to run a media campaign.

 

During the afternoon you will have an opportunity to explore some of the topics in more detail and work on individual action plans for your group.

Democracy Day takes place on 1 July from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at NVAC Nottingham, NG1 3FB. The event is FREE but places are limited so book your place today!  Email NAVCA or call 0114 278 6636.

 

 

 

 

The BME Funding Expo is a FREE funding fair with practical support workshops for black and minority ethnic organisations in the East Midlands region.

Hosted by the BME Network for the East Midlands and supported by East Midlands Funding Advice Network, this is your opportunity to

 

The Hadhari Project, a charity that supports older people, mainly from (but not limited to) the African and Caribbean community, is running a pilot programme based on Skilled for Health (SfH) and Skills for Life (SfL).
 
It is aimed at people aged 50 and over from black Asian and minority ethnic communities who are economically inactive but looking for work.  The programme runs from June to September on Wednesdays at The Hadhari Project, 350 Burton Road in Derby starting at 10:00 am and finishing at 3:00 pm.
 
The programme will involve:
gentle physical activity;
numeracy/ literacy - based on health issues;
IT/ basic computing;
confidence/ self esteem building activities; and
help with work experience.
 
To find out more email the Hadhari Project  or call 01332 384379.

The Institute of Leadership and Community Management (ILCM) has launched a new online capability assessment system for voluntary and community organisations.
 
The assessment will help organisations focus on the central principles for operating their organisation and it is free to everyone who uses it.
 
The assessment should take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete and will give groups a printed record of their current capability.  This can be used as an action plan to prioritise and improve your organisation's processes.

 

To access the assessment tool visit the ICLM website. 

 

This is a very good tool for organisations to check that they are meeting legal requirements and can also be used as evidence of good practice, for funders and commissioners.

 

 

The next Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum will be held on Wednesday 7 July and will cover the following topics:

 

Involving younger volunteers - looking at recruiting and supporting volunteers over 16 and under 16 yrs of age;

Developing volunteering opportunities for younger volunteers;

Focusing on best practice and the volunteer management process; and

Learning about other volunteer co-ordinators experiences and how to facilitate networking.

 
The forum will be held at Voicebox Arts Centre, Foreman Street, Derby, DE1 1JQ from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Light refreshments will be provided (no lunch).
 
If you would like to attend please email Simon Hancox or call 01332 227718.