Derby City Council's Your City, Your Say consultation on the Corporate Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Process closes on
8 April. DCC are consulting on the corporate application form, general guidance, information sheets, monitoring intentions, commissioning and decommissioning, challenges and funding agreements - in short the grant journey.

 

If you require a paper copy of the consultation email Ian Chennery or call 01332 711203.

 

To take part in the consultation visit the DCC website and don't forget that the consultation closes on 8 April.  

The next Voluntary Sector Forum takes place on 14 April at St James Centre, Malcolm Street in Derby.

  

Derby City Council will be launching the VCS grant aid strategy including funding rounds and workshop dates.  There will also be the latest news on current funding and support opportunities together with an update from Derby City Partnership.

  

The VSF runs from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with fringe meetings taking place from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Booking is essential.  To book a place email Abigail Steanson or call 01332 227710. 

Your Sector, Your Say 2011 took place on 23 March.  The theme of this year's event was 'Planning for Success in Uncertain Times'.  The views expressed at the event will form the basis of the Strategic Action Plan for the Voluntary Sector in Derby, which will be available from early May 2011.  For more information visit the Community Action Derby website.   

  

We'd like to thank everyone who came along and took part in the event, we know how precious your time is! 

Age UK Derby and Derbyshire are offering help with filling in census forms to anyone aged over 50.  The help sessions will be held on 28, 29 and 30 March at  the Age UK 50+ Centre in the Eagle Market Derby.

 

For more information call Ray Gumbley on 01332 343232. 

Do you have any services or resources that you would like to share with other voluntary and community groups? Spare furniture or equipment? Training or advice?  Or is there something you need? Or would like to swap?

 

We have created a Community Classifieds section on our website as one-stop shop to offer and request support and services, resources and equipment.

 

As the community classifieds section grows we will have sections for 'we want', 'we've got' and 'let's swap'. So, if you have anything you would like to share, swap or give away email Jayne Williams or call 01332 227749. 

 

We look forward to matching up groups and services! 

Do you find that you are not very 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 that match their organisation's objectives

The course will be held on Tuesday 19 April from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm - registration is at 9:45 am - at Community Action, Charnwood Street in Derby.

 

The cost of the course is:

 

£10 for community groups - with a turnover of less than £10k

£25 for voluntary  groups - with a turnover of more than £10k

£50 for statutory partners 

 

To book a place email Liz Gumbley or call 01332 227738 by Friday 1 April.

 

• Introduce a Gift Aid small donations scheme; . 
• Move to a new online filing system for Gift Aid claims;
• Change Gift Aid rules to allow an increased limit for 'thank you' gifts.
• Reduce the rate of inheritance tax by 10% moving from 40% to 36% for estates that leave 10% or more of the estate to charity;
• Increase payments to volunteer drivers - Government will increase the Approved Mileage Allowance Payments rate to 45p per mile;
• Retain the Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR);
• There will be a consultation on reduced tax to incentivise the gift of 'pre-eminent works of art or historical objects to the nation'.
• Government will examine ways to promote the take-up of payroll giving, which has been disappointing and has potential to increase the rates of giving. 

For more information on all of the above measures visit the Community Action website.

Want to keep up to date with events, training, fun days, workshops - in fact anything that's happening in the voluntary and community sector?  Then visit the Community Action website!

  

We have recently created an interactive calendar of events that you can add your own events to.  We hope that the Voluntary Sector Calendar will become the place to go to find out about what's going on and when.  It will also be useful as a planning aid and hopefully prevent large events being scheduled for the same day.  So to get started click here.    

   

Derby Al-Anon has been active in Derby for over 20 years. The group meets every Monday - except bank holidays - at the Salvation Army Citadel, Back Sitwell Street from 7:30 to 9:15 pm.

  

The PIRAMID Project comes to an end this month, ending three years of supporting older people to remain independent in their own homes.  The PIRAMID team have assisted service users to access information and services, and volunteers have visited others to encourage them to take part in local activities.

 

It is hoped that an application for funding from the Big Lottery will be successful and the project will begin again, this time city-wide. In the meantime if you need information about services and activities for older people you can contact Age UK on 01332 343232 or visit their offices in The Morledge or the Eagle Centre Market.  Kath Cawdell and Glenys Long would like to thank everyone who has supported the project over the last three years. 

National Volunteers Week is creeping up fast!  The annual celebration takes place at the same time every year - from the 1 to 7 June.  Volunteers Week celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK.  The week plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to get involved too.

 

Community Action has supported Volunteers Week for many years.  This year the Volunteer Centre team based at Community Action will be holding a Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum (VCF) with a difference! 

 

We will be holding a 'shining stars' event at DEDA on Wednesday 1 June from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  The aim is to recognise the fantastic commitment and contribution made by some of your project volunteers while also setting the scene for some shared learning about volunteering in Derby.  The newly elected Mayor will also be involved in the celebrations by presenting certificates to recognise the fantastic contribution and commitment made by volunteers.

 

We hope that  you and some of your volunteers will be able to come and take part in a celebration of local people all keen to help out within the community.  Events like this can really help to raise the profile of volunteering and inspire more people to get involved. 

 

To book a place at the event email Simon Hancox or call 01332 227718 by 18 May. 

The Government Equalities Office has launched a consultation document, setting out the Government's proposals for a new approach for engaging and listening to women.  For more information visit the Government Equalities website.    

The Multi-Faith Centre are holding a one day workshop on religious diversity.  The workshop is open to people of all faiths and beliefs whether religious or non-religious at the Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby on Thursday 14 April from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Refreshments and buffet lunch included.

Come along and:

• Increase your understanding of the issues related to religious diversity
• Share experiences of religion and culture
• Learn to recognise stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination related to religion
• Increase your skills in order to help to create a more inclusive diverse environment
• Gain desirable personal and career develoment in today's multi-cultural society

Everyone will receive an attendance certificate and a copy of the Religions in the UK Directory (worth £25).  For more information or to book a place email the Multi-Faith Centre or call 01332 591285. 

A new collection of case studies that highlight some recent examples of effective Compact working, demonstrating where partnership working has delivered positive outcomes, has been published by Compact Voice.  To read the article in full visit the Compact website.

For more information visit the Insitute for Public Policy Research website  

 

For more information or to book a place please contact Elaine at Derby Women's Centre on 01332 341633. 

We all hear about health and wellbeing but what does it really mean?  Wellbeing Works are holding an awareness session to explore what 'health and wellbeing' means to you, and how to develop skills to improve it.

 

The session will be held on Thursday 7 April from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Enterprise Centre, 20 Royal Scot Road, Pride Park in Derby.

 

The session  will cover information on Wellbeing Works programmes and a workshop on wellness and recovery. The cost is £30 per person.  Parking is available on site and the venue is fully accessible.

 

For more information email Natalie or call 07922 618526.    

Derby 50K Club are holding two afternoons of lively discussions and presentations.  The first one is on Saturday 16 April at 2:00 pm entitled: 

'Alice Wheeldon: poisoner or patriot?' at Derby Theatre Studio. 

 

The second is on Saturday 30 April at 2:00 pm and is entitled:

'The Derby Silk Mill: strike, lockout or revolution?' with author Bill Whitehead at The

Brewery Tap Pub in Derby.

 

For more information email Keith Venables.  

  

 



Jayne Williams
Community Action Derby