NORTH-WEST COMMUNITY NETWORK – MEMBERSHIP 2009/10
NWCN invites all Community & Voluntary groups in the North-West to renew or take up Network membership for 2009/10. Annual subscription has been retained at £10/€12 to allow as many groups as possible to access membership benefits.
Network membership entitles your group to a range of practical services such as:
• regular e-bulletins and newsletters, with updates on policy, consultation, training, events and comment on sectoral issues;
• access to the most up-to-date contact database for community & voluntary sector organisations in the North-West;
• invites to all Network events including workshops, seminars and conferences;
• voting rights on Network policy;
• election rights to the Network's Executive Committee (see enclosed Membership Invoice).
Strategically, membership of North-West Community Network contributes to:
• a strong signal that the community & voluntary sector will represent itself lucidly and eloquently;
• a strong mandate in advocating on behalf of the sector;
• a significant lobby in bringing about social change where inequality and exclusion are barriers to participation and full engagement;
• relationship development with strategic bodies and other sectors;
• clear identification of issues and themes for collective action and response.
Below, you can read a brief description of the strategic and policy activity of NWCN in the last period - giving your local Network a strong mandate is instrumental in supporting the continuation of this work.
We very much look forward to seeing you continue or resume your Network membership for the year ahead.
Members 2008/09:
Action Inishowen
ALLY Foyle
Amma Ireland
Baha'i Community
Banagher Play Group
Bob Harte Memorial Trust
Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum
Bridge Accessible Transport/Shop Mobility
CALMS
Carnhill Community Association
CDLi
Childline NI
Churchtown Community Association
Citizens Online
Clooney Family Centre
Clooney Hall Centre
Columba Community
Community Foundation NI
Cresco Trust Ltd
Culmore Area Forum
Cumann Gaelach Chnoc na Rós Doire
Cúnamh
Customised Training Services Ltd
Dennett Interchange
Derry Healthy Cities
Derry North West Civil Rights Network
Derry Well Women
Derry Youth & Community Workshop
Donegal Education Centre
Drumahoe Community Playgroup
Dry Arch Centre
Dunnalong Development Association
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company
Eglinton Community Ltd
First Housing Aid & Support Services
Foyle Downs Syndrome Trust
Foyle Haven
Foyle Hospice
Foyle Womens Aid
Foyle Women's Information Network
Galliagh Community Development Group
Galliagh Women's Group
Gasyard Development Trust
Glenshane Care Association
Greater Shantallow Area P'ship
Greater Shantallow Community Arts
Groundwork NI
Guildhall Press
Harpurs Hill EYP
Headliners Foyle
Holywell Consultancy
Holywell Trust
Inishowen Womens Outreach
Irish Street Community & Youth Association
Lifestart Foundation Ltd
Lincoln Courts Youth & Community Association
Londonderry YMCA
Men's Action Network
MENCAP
Methodist City Mission - Men's Hostel
Multiple Selcrosis Society ( Donegal )
Nexus InstituteNWCN - Strategic Activity in 2008-09
North-West Community Network puts significant effort into providing community groups across the North-West with a wide range of relevant info rmation - through regular e-bulletins, Network Update and use of the website.
On matters of public policy, NWCN also organises regular local events that not only info rm communities but provides the opportunity to feed back and influence thinking on these matters.
Alongside this, NWCN plays a key role working alongside a variety of agencies from the C&V and other sectors in promoting a community development approach to decision-making. Below is a summary of this less visible aspect of the Network's activity:
Social Regeneration:
• Civic Regeneration Forum - consistent participation and submission of discussion papers; advocated for and secured additional community representation on Civic Regeneration Forum (now known as Strategy Board);
• Member of Futuresearch Working Group - contributed to organisation of three-day conference in February 2009; facilitated recruitment and event attendance for Citizens' and Young Persons' Stakeholder Groups;
• Advisory role on community engagement.
Joint Government / Voluntary & Community Sector Forum
• Policy-led platform to support positive working relationships between C&V sector and government departments.
Community Planning:
• Workshops to raise awareness of developments around Community Planning, and policy updates provided via NWCN communication channels.
Community & Public Engagement:
• Events organised on - New NI Health Structures, Autism NI Strategy, Review of Civic Forum, Access NI, “Media & Community”.
Community Development
• Successfully advocated for relaunch of BSc. Community Development at Magee Campus.
Social Partnership:
• Facilitated selection of new C&V representatives for Derry LSP Board, NWCN itself becoming a member.