NWCN

E-Bulletin

21 June 2011

working to create a genuinely participative democracy

1.          

Scenario Planning Event – Hoping for the Best, preparing for the Worst

2.          

Taking The North-West Forward…Same Old Paths Or Pastures New?

3.          

Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership – Current Vacancies

4.          

Rebranding of the Centre of Creative Energy to Aurora Counselling

5.          

From The Heart 3

6.          

Book Launch of A Pitying of Doves

7.          

Make A Difference To Your Community

8.          

Volunteer Treasurer - Guide Dogs Maiden City Branch

9.          

Ecoventi - Innovative Energy Solutions

10.     

Young Men and Suicide Research - Your Help is Needed

11.     

Waterside Community Links Festival – Needs you!

12.     

EGSA - Neighbourhood Renewal / F&HE Resources

1.          

Scenario Planning Event – Hoping for the Best, preparing for the Worst

(A Collaborative Event between NWCN and CO3)

9.30pm – 1pm, Tue, 28th June 2011

Verbal Arts Centre, Stable Lane and Mall Wall, Bishop Street Within, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 6PU

Most Community & Voluntary sector organisations these days have strategic plans, but many small and medium voluntary and community organisations have made little or no plans for a worse case scenario – such as a major cut in funding. 

According to the Research and Library Service of the NI Assembly the outlook remains challenging for the NI Economy, to say the least. The Government’s spending cuts are yet to hit the economy; these equate to some £4bn for NI between 2011 and 2015 and are likely to have a disproportionate impact locally. NI might also be particularly vulnerable to increases in interest rates, which are looking increasingly probable in the short to medium term.

This is a very real threat to many voluntary and community organisations.  Have you thought about what you would do if your organisation suffered a cut of 8%, 20% or worse?

This half-day seminar is designed to help small and medium-sized voluntary and community organisations prepare for forthcoming public expenditure cuts.  It is presented by Niamh Goggin, Northern Ireland Regional Manager for Charity Bank. 

The seminar is suitable for the most senior manager or the head of finance and looks at the following issues:

o        An update on the economic situation we are facing;

o        Helping organisations to refocus on their mission and core activities;

o        A range of different approaches to the crisis;

o        A practical exercise on scenario-planning and coping with cuts. 

About the Speaker:

Niamh Goggin is regional manager of Charity Bank in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with responsibilities for raising capital and deposits, lending, social finance policy development and developing Charity Bank’s consultancy services. 

From 2005 to 2007, she was Director of Small Change (N.I.) Ltd, a social finance consultancy based in Northern Ireland.  From 1999 to 2005, she was Chief Executive of Aspire Microfinance, the UK’s first dedicated micro finance organisation and recognised as one of the best in Western Europe. 

In 2002, she became the first Chair of the UK Community Development Finance Association, the UK’s trade association for social finance.

When:

Cost:

£15 for CO3/ NWCN members (membership must be valid for 2011-12, see link at end of bulletin for membership form)

£25 for Non member

(light lunch included)

Contact CO3:

Tel: 9024 5356 / Fax : 9024 1061 / E-mail:  tracey@co3.bzHIS

Please include full contact details and any dietary or access requirements.

2.          

Taking The North-West Forward…Same Old Paths Or Pastures New?

12.30pm, Thursday 23 June 2011

St. Augustine’s Hall, Palace Street, Derry~Londonderry (adjacent to Society Street Car Park)

In many ways, the North-West is a dynamic place right now – the advent of regeneration, a new administration with new local representation, renewed focus on the North-West as a region, City of Culture around the corner!

But…amidst all this, questions continue to bubble up on what really is the way forward for us, the inhabitants of this City Region:

o        Does the Regeneration Plan give promise or can it actually deliver?

o        Are we providing the best for our young people’s educational and skills needs?  Could a more radical approach work better?

o        Who will take forward the task of healing divisions in our society?  Do we still need Community Relations? If so, how? Do we have a leadership role to play?

o        How will a Community Development approach survive in times of hardship and uncertainty?

o        Longer-term, is there more we could do to grow and sustain our ability to respond to our own needs? Are there options to consider under social enterprise?

This discussion aims to provoke thinking, challenge inertia and begin charting a future course – do you have something to say in terms of what this might be?

Key Speakers:

Eamonn Deane, Holywell Trust / Maureen Hetherington, The Junction / Conal McFeely, Creggan Enterprises Limited

If you wish to attend this exploratory and purposeful discussion (plus we‘ll feed you too…) contact NWCN by telephone or email by: Tuesday 21 June.

Numbers are limited so early contact is advisable.

3.          

Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership – Current Vacancies

WNP seeks applications for the following positions:

Health Development Worker (part-time)

Whose key task will be to deliver on the action plan for the Neighbourhood Health Improvement Project in the Waterside Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

Programming Officer (part-time)

Whose key task will be to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the service delivery element of the DERRY 2020 Project, and to facilitate, support, and lead the strategic development of training / educational programmes.  DERRY 2020 is a skills and training programme.

Employment and Mentoring Officer (full-time)

Whose key task will be to provide appropriate and responsive person-centred mentoring & employment services to DERRY 2020 programme participants, enabling them to progress into sustainable jobs.  DERRY 2020 is a skills and training programme.

Full job description, personnel specification and application form for each of these posts can be obtained by contacting 028-7130-1662 or emailing lderry@ymca-ireland.org.

All completed applications should be returned to the Strategy Manager, Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership, Old Clondermot High School, Irish Street, Derry~Londonderry~Doire, BT47 2DB by 4pm on Friday 8 July.

Interviews will take place in the week commencing 18 July 2011.

4.          

Rebranding of the Centre of Creative Energy to Aurora Counselling

The Centre of Creative Energy, based in Racecourse Road, Derry has rebranded to Aurora Counselling. For over 15 years the centre has been providing a much needed adult counselling service to the local community. Services are tailored to meet the individual needs of clients, offering flexibility and choice keeping the client informed and consulted throughout their time at the Centre.

The services offered include:-

·         Adult Counselling

·         Child Counselling

·         Relationship Coaching

·         Life Coaching

·         Complementary Therapies

·         Workshops and group programmes

All of the above services are offered under the one roof so clients can, as they feel ready, move from one service to the next within the comfortable and secure surroundings of our premises. Whether you want a non-judgemental space to work through your issues, a calming space to aid relaxation, or a welcoming space to meet other people with similar life experiences Aurora Counselling has a service to meet your needs.

Aurora Counselling are committed to the promotion of personal and community wellbeing, and seek to offer a low cost, affordable and accessible counselling service. Aurora Counselling is a not for profit charity and relies on the financial contributions from those that use their services to keep the centre running.

If you would like further information or to book an appointment, please contact Aurora Counselling at the following:-

Aurora Counselling
46b Racecourse Road
Derry
BT48 8DS
Tel: 02871 350407
Email: info@auroracounselling.org
Web: www.auroracounselling.org

5.          

From The Heart 3

Millennium Forum, 8pm Sat 8 July 2011

(Tickets from Millennium Forum - can also be booked online.)

A special tribute concert celebrating the lives of those we lost to suicide.
Almost everyone is touched by suicide need it be a friend,neighbour or
relative and this is a night where people can come together and forget
just for a little while and have a good nights entertainment.

All profits go to Youthlife a much deserved charity which offers assistance
to anyone who has lost a loved one.

A Great Night Of Entertainment Featuring...

Frances Black

Damian McGinty

‘All Ireland Talent Show’ Finalists...Niamh Mcglinchey And Keelan Mcdermott

Plus Ben Kelly, Stephen Barr

Mickey Coleman & Plunkett McGartland

Keelan Mcdermott & His Grandad as...Derry's answer to Stavros Flatley

Compered by the hugely popular Michael Doherty who will also perform with his band ‘UPBEAT’

Ticket Prices:

£12.50, £15.00, £16.50

Family Ticket:

(4 seats): £55.00

6.          

Book Launch of A Pitying of Doves

Central Library, Foyle Street, Derry

Thursday 30 June at 7:00pm

GUILDHALL PRESS is delighted to invite you and guest to the book launch of Pitying of Doves by Felicity McCall with Guest Speaker Damian Smyth ACNI)

Light refreshments available

Guildhall Press are pleased to announce the launch of A Pitying Of Doves, the debut collection of short stories from Felicity McCall which was developed with the assistance of the Arts Council NI and produced under the organisation’s new Eve imprint.

Paul Hippsley, Guildhall Press Manager, congratulated Felicity on her new volume. ‘A Pitying Of Doves is the first in a series of new publications by female authors planned for the coming months under our dedicated Eve imprint. We are delighted to have a writer of Felicity’s stature to launch the new imprint and are confident it will enhance her well-deserved reputation as a compelling and insightful story-teller.’

Set against the backdrop of the author’s native South Armagh, the stories reflect the symbiotic relationship between people and environment and explore how the circumstances of time and place may define our life far more than external politics.

A BBC staff journalist for twenty years, Felicity McCall began the millennium as a full-time writer as well as an occasional broadcaster, arts facilitator and actress. She has published over twelve books that include fiction, non-fiction and drama plus a graphic novel as well as contributing to three anthologies. The co-founder and director of two theatre companies, she has also had a dozen plays staged professionally and has four screenplay credits. Awards include the Tyrone Guthrie for stage and screenplay, and several ACNI SIAP awards; nominations include two Meyer Whitworth and two IPSG for best new play also. Felicity is the current holder of Local Woman magazine’s Woman of the Year in Arts Award for 2011 and lives in Derry.

A Pitying of Doves by Felicity McCall is published by Guildhall Press. Available from local bookshops and www.ghpress.com priced at £5.95.

7.          

Make A Difference To Your Community

We are inviting people who work with the community in the Derry~Londonderry area to come along and hear how they can learn about entitlements and services that the most vulnerable can avail of.  If you are a community worker, health worker, home visitor, member of the clergy or if you organise a club or society please come along to:

Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Limavady - Wednesday 22^nd June, 10am - 12 noon

OR

Irish Street Community Centre - Wednesday 29th June, 1pm to 3 pm

OR

Shantallow Community Centre - Wednesday 6th July, 10 Am To 12 Noon

OR

Alley Theatre, Strabane – Wednesday 17^th Aug, 9.30am – 2pm

Where you can learn about help with rates, access to benefits, warm homes, fuel poverty and keeping safe at home.  Tea and coffee will be provided. Please give two hours of your time to learn how you can help your friends and neighbours.

To confirm your attendance please contact:

Barbara Bryan  - barbara.bryan@dfpni.gov.uk / 028 90543948

8.          

Volunteer Treasurer - Guide Dogs Maiden City Branch

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Maiden City Branch) has an urgent need of a Treasurer for our Maiden City Branch and welcomes contact with anyone in the North-West who might be interested.

The role would be to account for and bank branch funds as part of a local management committee that meets once a month.  Though the role is vital it will not be too time consuming and would be ideal for someone who is looking to cut their teeth on such a role.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Unit 17, 18 Heron Road

Belfast BT3 9LE

Joe.Hider@guidedogs.org.uk

Tel: 07785 907059

www.guidedogs.org.uk

9.          

Ecoventi - Innovative Energy Solutions

Ecoventi is an energy efficiency company with a difference.  Working with the client we are confident that we have the ability to provide a solution for any premises, enabling your group to save money and benefit from renewable energy.

We would like to take the opportunity in helping your local community group avail from grants that are available from The Big Lottery.  Ecoventi will help guide the local community group through the application process and also make suitable recommendations to help reduce the running costs within the building.

We have the capability to deliver solutions in a number of areas including:

·       Wind Turbine (Domestic)

·       Solar Thermal (40% off hot water costs)

·       Solar Photovoltaic (8 Year payback period)

·       Energy Monitoring (assess your building)

·       Energy Audits

·       Insulation (2 year payback)

·       Savalight (20 - 40% light savings)

·       Savacontrol (15 - 30% air con savings)

·       Ecovista (10% - 25% electrical savings)

·       LED lighting (up to 80% savings on lights)

·       Air source heat pumps (completely replaces heating costs from Oil/Gas)

·       Octopus Ice Sticks heat pump system (completely replaces heating costs from Oil/Gas)

As a total solutions provider you need never search anywhere else for the best possible answer to your energy needs and you can rest assured of saving money and reducing your overall carbon footprint.

Applications for funding from The Big Lottery Fund must be submitted before 30th August 2011. This is between £2,000 and £10,000 available to make groups like yourselves more energy efficient. There is also a second grant available on completion of the first grant which can fund projects between £15,000 and £50,000.

Contact: Vinny Edwards - v.edwards@ecoventi.co.uk

10.     

Young Men and Suicide Research - Your Help is Needed

The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) is, currently, undertaking research into the high rate of suicide among boys and young men on the island of Ireland.  The research is being jointly funded by the Public Health Agency and the National Office for Suicide Prevention.  The purpose of the research is to develop and share best practice on how to promote positive models of mental health and to prevent suicide in this target group.

MHFI is asking for your help with this initiative, and invites you to take part in a short (5-10 minute) online survey.  For more details, please visit:  www.mhfi.org/help-needed-with-young-men-and-suicide-research.html  

We hope that you might be willing and able to participate in this study, and would appreciate it if you would forward this email to anyone else who you think would be interested.

11.     

Waterside Community Links Festival – Needs you!

Saturday 23rd July from 12.00pm- 4.00pm

Clooney Park West, Waterside Londonderry

Following the success of the first Waterside Community Links Festival last July in Clooney Park West, Waterside Area Partnership are  delighted to announce that  the Festival will be held again this year!

This festival is open to everyone and is to promote the projects key message of breaking down the boundaries and segregation to bring the communities and individuals together for a fun day that the whole family will enjoy.

 Last year most communities got involved but this year we want everyone to be involved!

The Community Liaison Officer, Louise Moore is hoping that communities and individuals will participate in the event by organising their own stalls for the event – this can be cake, craft, bric-a-brac – anything that they would enjoy making and running on the day.

Louise Moore added:

“The Festival is about making a mark on the Waterside area. Last year it was fantastic to see so many people coming together and having a great day full of laughter and fun. Some communities didn’t get involved but we are hoping this year that every community will take part.  If any individuals or group that are not community based want to get involved – the more the merrier!”

Waterside links project has been running since January last year and brings together all communities in the Waterside with events and trips for all ages. If you are interested in becoming involved please ring Louise on 028 713 49594.

For further information please contact Louise Moore on 028 713 49594 or email louise@watersideareapartnership.co.uk

12.     

EGSA - Neighbourhood Renewal / F&HE Resources

EGSA's Guidance Advisers have been working in Neighbourhood Renewal areas across NI, delivering a free programme to individuals and groups.  Supported by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), the programme offers a range of workshops, including opportunity and skills awareness, as well as jobsearch and action planning.  Free, confidential 1-2-1 guidance is also an integral part of the programme. 

If your organisation is in a Neighbourhood Renewal area, or you support people living in Neighbourhood Renewal areas, and would like to know more about what we offer, please contact Nikki Sullivan on T: 028 9024 4274 or E: nikki.sullivan@egsa.org.uk. 

EGSA Finance Factsheets
EGSA has updated its part time and full time Finance factsheets to reflect changes for 2011 entry into Higher Education.  Copies can be downloaded from EGSA’s website at http://tinyurl.com/428y85u.

Further Education Funding
Applications for further education funding 2011/12 are now available from the Western Education and Library Board website www.welbni.org click on ‘students and young people’.   The following useful resources are also downloadable from this website;

• A guide to financial support for further education student in 2011/12
• Are you studying a Full Time or Part Time Further Education Course?
• Would help with Childcare Costs make life easier?

NWCN is a membership organisation for community & voluntary groups in the North-West, click here for a membership form for 2011-12.

North-West Community Network receives core funding through the Community Investment Fund (DSD).