Please note that since the announcement of a national funding cuts survey, and to avoid duplication, our Cuts Watch Survey is now closed. In order to take part in the national survey visit the voluntary sector cuts website.  Please note that any responses already received will be fed into the national survey.

Funded by the Big Lottery, the Empowering the Voluntary Sector Project is running workshops with the aim of equipping voluntary and community organisations wit the knowledge to use the principles of public law and the Compact to negotiate effectively with public bodies.  Issues covered in the workshop include how to deal with unfair funding cuts and consultation and how to identify if a public body's decision-making processes are lawful.

 

These intensive and enjoyable workshops are open to staff and volunteers from all third sector organisations who are funded by, or seeking funding from, public bodies.  The workshops include sessions on:

• Public law and the Compact.
• Equality legislation.
• Things that can go wrong.
• What you can do when faced with these problems.

The next workshop in the region takes place on 28 February in Nottingham.  For more information and to book a place visit the NAVCA website.  The cost is £40 which includes lunch.   

The Big Offer is a FREE programme of practical learning for community groups and individuals who want to get involved in their neighbourhood or who are already involved and want to meet others to share ideas and gain more knowledge.  

A reminder that the DLA consultation closes on Monday 14 February. To have your say and to read the full document visit the DWP website.

What does full cost recovery mean to your organisation?  Do you know how to analyse your performance and contribute to improving your outcomes?  If so, this half-day workshop will enable you to answer these questions and more!

 

By the end of this session, learners will:

 

Understand what Full Cost Recovery is and its importance in determining the costs of service delivery;

Recognise the importance of determining unit costs, ensuring organisations are better placed to argue the true costs of the delivery of their services ; and

Have the knowledge to assess their impact - ensuring financial data contributes in various ways so that organisations can assess their impact and secure their share of increasingly scarce resources.

 

Date and Time: Wednesday 2 February 2011

                              9:30 am to 12.30 pm

  

Venue:                Community Action, 4 Charnwood Street, Derby

Cost:                   Free - voluntary and community sector

                             £50 - statutory organisations

  

For more information or to book a place email Liz Gumbley or call 01332 227738

by Friday 28 January 2011.                                

 

We'd just like to remind you that you have access to your own section of our website.  You can update your details and also add your news and events to our listings.  It's a great way to let the world know what you are doing!  So if you have any upcoming events or news that you would like to share with Derby - and the world - visit the Community Action website, log in with your details and get started!

If you would like to be part of Community Action Derby please email Angie Baines or call 01332 227731.  You will have FREE access to funding information, help and support for your group and the opportunity to take part in workshops and forums throughout the year.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Do you find that you are not too confident when filling in application forms or aren't too sure where to apply for funding?  If so, this course is for you!

 

By the end of this session, learners will be able to:

 

• Recognise what funders are looking for in an application
• Understand the importance of meeting funders criteria
• Identify possible funding sources which match their organisation's objectives

Date and Time:   Thursday 10 February 

                               10:00 am to 1:00 pm

 

Venue:                  Community Action, 4 Charnwood Street, Derby

 

Cost :                     FREE - voluntary and community sector

                                £50 - statutory organisations

 

How to book:      email Liz Gumbley or call 01332 227738 by 4 February. 

 

Come and find out about the history of tea and what goes with it - usually cake!

 

Derby Women's Centre are holding a tea/coffee morning on Wednesday 9 February from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at 4 Leopold Street in Derby.  Donations of £1.00 appreciated.

 

For more information email Elaine or call 01332 341633.

 

Come and have your say about how Derby Hospitals can improve services for the communities it serves.

 

This event takes place on 10 February with two sessions: 2:00 to 4:00 pm or 5:00 to 7:00 pm at St James Centre, Malcolm Street in Derby.  For information or to book a place email Alison Hickson or call 01332 783401.  

 

Derbyshire Chronic Pain Support Group, Coping, hold their next meetings on Tuesday 8 and Tuesday 22 February. from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm in the Guinness Trust Community Room, Sidney Street in Derby.  Refreshments are provided and everyone is welcome.

The Provider Network Forum takes place on 16 February from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at St James Centre, Malcolm Street, Derby, DE23 8LU.

 

The forum is for organisations who receive financial support, either through grants or contracts, from Derby City Council.  DCC representatives will be at the forum to talk about outcomes relating to specific areas of work, for example, carers, older people etc.  There will also be an opportunity for organisations to give their views on the suggested outcomes and consider how they might link in to their services.

 

For more information or to book a place email Abbi Steanson or call 01332 227710.

 

Do you need professional assistance to help your organisation through difficult times?  Can ProHelp or Business Champions provide you with the professional support you need?  If your organisation is changing as a result of funding cuts and you are you having to make redundancies or merge organisations together then you may need TUPE or other specialist HR advice.  You can also get financial advice on the sustainability of your organisation.

 

For friendly help and advice on any of the above topics email Lezli Hall or call 0115 924 7404.

 

Homelessness Sunday is part of Poverty and Homelessness Action Week.  The national theme in 2011 is 'Who Counts?' and to raise awareness of homelessness in our area Have a Heart for Homelessness is holding a service at Derby Cathedral on Sunday 30 January - this Sunday - at 2:45 pm.  The service will look at why everyone matters in society, and will be held in aid of homeless people. 

Everyone is welcome to attend.  For more information call Jackie Carpenter on 01332 642167.

Last  Friday - 21 January - Derby South MP Margaret Beckett visited Community Action to hear how the cuts will affect voluntary and community groups in the region. 

 

Language and Immigration Services provide advice and consultation on topics such as housing; legal; education; debt; employment; family and relationship; welfare benefits; and health care.  Their primary function is to provide translation for people from a non-English speaking background and they are hoping to start a recruitment service to help people from non-English speaking communities into work.

 

For more information call Emilia on 01332 540683.  The offices are based at the Polish Club on Kedleston Road every Wednesday between 1:00 and 5:00 pm and at Working Links, St Peter's House, Gower Street in Derby every Friday between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. 

The Allen Lane Foundation, a grant-making trust set up in 1966 by the founder of Penguin Books to support general charitable causes, makes grants to UK groups of between £500 and £15,000 for upto a three year period. The Foundation funds work that benefits people in the following groups:

Asylum-seekers and refugees (but not groups working with a single nationality);
Gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender people;

Gypsies and travellers;
Migrant workers;
Offenders and ex-offenders;
Older people;
People experiencing mental health problems; and/or
People experiencing violence or abuse.

For further information, including how to apply, visit the Allen Lane website

The Arts 4 Health project at Quad is gathering information on the time people spend on leisure activities, particularly the arts, and whether taking part supports positive wellbeing.  Results from the survey will support the planning of future activities at Quad as well as support research into participation of those aged 50+.

 

The survey is for people aged 50 and over.  Please pass on to anyone you think would be interested.  To take part in the survey click here. 

 

Splashfit, the community gym, are holding a fund raising championship boxing event in aid of the British Heart Foundation on Sunday 6 February at The Waterfall, Railway Terrace in Derby.  Tickets are priced at £10 and £15 and the boxing starts at 3:30 pm.

For more information call Splashfit on 07791665141 or 01332 203081 or visit the Splashfit website.

SDVSMHF is holding a one day training event which will take place at the Arena Church Conference Room in Ilkeston on Friday 11 March.

 

The topics covered include:

the  nature of mental health problems;

the facts and myths surrounding mental health;

tips on managing distress;

good mental health in your own life and your organisation; and 

signposts to help and support.

 

NHS Derbyshire County PCT has funded the venue for this event therefore this training is being offered at a reduced rate of just £50 per person including lunch.

 

To find out more and to book your place email Cheryl Mason or call 01773 599995.

 



Jayne Williams
Community Action Derby