E-Bulletin

08 April 2009

working to create a genuinely participative democracy

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1	Ritchie launches best practice manual for voluntary and community groups
2	Voluntary but not Amateur - 8th Edition now published
3	Household fuel payments to be made
4	Pensions made fairer and simpler
5	Last chance to book: From Neighbourhood Renewal to Community Planning
6	Cultural Diversity as you have never seen or heard it before
7	Health Impact & Planning Policy
8	Theatre of Witness request tender to compose original score
9	Echo Echo’s bright Spring Programme
10	Void Art School Outreach, Lis Linn Centre, Creggan
11	Get pampered for a fraction of the price
12	Local jobs…
13	Volunteering NI Training

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1	Ritchie launches best practice manual for voluntary and community groups The Department for Social Development has launched a Community Capacity Building Manual for Northern Ireland. The manual is a collection of best practice case studies showcasing the work of voluntary and community groups across Northern Ireland. The Capacity Building Manual is for use by anyone involved in community development - from those just starting out - through to the more experienced organisation. It highlights the diverse achievements of 20 local community groups in the fields of community capacity building, community leadership and organisational development. The manual was funded by the Department’s Voluntary and Community Unit and was produced by a steering group of voluntary and community sector organisations including: Community Change, Stakeholder Development Ltd, Rural Community Network, Learning for Change Consultancy, Foyle Women’s Information Network, and Mount Vernon Community Development Association. The Capacity Building Manual is available to download at www.dsdni.gov.uk/vcni-community-capacity-building.pdf. Hard copies from the Business Support Unit, Voluntary and Community Unit, on 028 9082 9430.
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2	Voluntary but not Amateur - 8th Edition now published The eighth edition of Voluntary But Not Amateur: A guide to the law for voluntary organisations and community groups by Ruth Hayes and Jacki Reason has just been published. This is a basic guide, with 310 pages and costs £35. The chapters in VBNA are: 1. Before you start: Legal structures and charitable status 2. Setting up and running an organisation 3. Employees' and workers' rights 4. Recruiting and paying people 5. Health and safety 6. Premises and environmental concerns 7. Insurance 8. Financial management 9. Services and activities 10. Closing down More information at http://www.fundraising.co.uk/amazon-320
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3	Household fuel payments to be made The Department for Social Development (DSD) will make Household Fuel Payments commencing 6 April 2009. Making the announcement the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie, MLA, said: "I welcome that after all our work through 2008, I am able to announce the Household Fuel Payment of £150 which will be paid to households before Easter. In total £22.5million will be paid to 150,000 low income families and the elderly and will go some way to meeting energy costs, which still remain very high." The payment of £150 will be made to those in receipt of Pension Credit, (excluding those in a nursing home) and those receiving Income Support with housing benefit or housing loan, during the qualifying period. This follows the report of the Minister's Fuel Poverty Task Force and subsequent government decision to help vulnerable people meet fuel costs. Minister Ritchie added: "Payments will be made through the benefits system and eligible households will receive the payment through their bank account, post office card account or by cheque. I know it will be of benefit to many households facing fuel poverty and economic hardship this year."
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4	Pensions made fairer and simpler From April next year, the State Pension will be fairer and simpler, especially for women and carers. This is the start of a one year countdown to the State Pension changes and women over 55 years of age are urged by the Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, to take practical steps to improve their retirement finances. Step one is to request a State Pension forecast to show how many years of National Insurance contributions have already been built up and the amount of State Pension a person can expect. Then, as the State Pension age for women will rise gradually from 2010, step two is to generate a personalised due-date using the pension service online calculator. If a forecast shows missing National Insurance years, the third check is to find out if buying extra contributions would give a bigger State Pension. People can already look into filling the most recent six years, but from April 2009 anyone with 20 or more qualifying years, reaching State Pension age between 6 April 2008 and 5 April 2015, may be able to buy up to 6 more. From 2010, filling gaps in National Insurance records could be worth even more as the pensions reforms reduce the years needed for a full basic State Pension from 44 years for a man and 39 years for a woman, to 30 years for both. The fourth step is to check for forgotten private pensions. An estimated three billion pounds lies unclaimed in pension accounts. Online the free Pension Tracing Service can help uncover any forgotten personal or work pensions. Finally, people approaching retirement should consider whether deferring their State Pension would make financial sense. If they put off their State Pension, they can get a higher weekly amount or a lump sum if they defer for at least a year, when they decide to take the cash. A simple checklist has been drawn up to help people take full advantage of these changes. These changes and further information about services are available online at www.dsdni.gov.uk and from the Pension Service enquiry line Tel: 0845 601 8821 (or Text phone 0808 100 2198).
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5	Last chance to book: From Neighbourhood Renewal to Community Planning On the 17th February 2009 Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie announced a multi-million pound funding package for Neighbourhood Renewal projects in some of Northern Ireland’s most disadvantaged communities. The ‘Neighbourhood Renewal’ experience has been extremely challenging in respect to delivering change at a local area level. The need for inter-departmental co-operation has resulted in a long drawn out developmental period which appears to be ‘process intense’ as opposed to ‘action focused’. The experience in Northern Ireland is similar to experiences elsewhere in the United Kingdom. This one day conference will help to explore the problems and opportunities associated with delivering neighbourhood area change, to learn from others in respect to different approaches and to begin discussions around what ‘Community Planning’ might look like, if and when local authorities are provided with ‘lead responsibility’ The conference format is based upon input from experts and practitioners alike from Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland. Each will bring their own unique understanding of the problems to be addressed and how best to meet local need. Minister Margaret Ritchie, Department for Social Development and Minister Sammy Wilson, Department of Environment will address the Conference on the future of neighbourhood renewal and community planning. The conference is essential for those in the public sector with service delivery responsibilities, local government officials and members who will be taking on ‘Community Planning’ responsibilities under current Review of Public Administration proposals, and key voluntary and community sector organisations with a role in ensuring local needs are met. Please log on to our website at www.cesi.org.uk for full information on how to book on to attend this Conference.
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6	Cultural Diversity as you have never seen or heard it before Following the success of their first double Grammy nominated film & album, What About Me? is the latest offering from 1 Giant Leap. This visionary project took producers, Jamie Catto and Duncan Bridgeman to over 50 worldwide locations as they explore through music, the complexities of human nature on a global scale, and aims to reveal how we are all connected through our creativity and beliefs. Featuring, to name but a few, Michael Stipe, Alanis Morissette, Carlos Santana, Noam Chomsky, Maxi Jazz, Eddi Reader, Billy Connolly, Stephen Fry, Bob Geldof, KD Lang & Michael Franti. As part of Community Relations week 2009 (27th April - 2nd May), the organisation Beyond Skin (established in 2004 as a result of 1 Giant Leap), will be hosting 'what about me?' film screenings & discussions across the province with audio broadcasts from the film through Homely Planet radio. The Northern Ireland website is www.1glni.net SCREENING PLANNED FOR THE SEEDS ONE WORLD CENTRE; MORE DETAILS SOON 'what about me?' trailer 'many thanks to the 1 Giant Leap team for their support towards Community Relations Week 2009'
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7	Health Impact & Planning Policy The Western IFH, in conjunction with the Institute of Public Health are co-hosting a workshop on 28^th April in the Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum to discuss health impact assessments and their role in planning policy. The event is one of a number that are running on a rotational basis throughout the island of Ireland and provides a real opportunity to examine how health is impacted by a broad range of public policy and how we can have greater engagements with the community and other stakeholders. The event starts at 10am – 2pm and registration is through Leah Friend at IPH on leah.friend@publichealth.ie. More details can be found at www.publichealth.ie
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8	Theatre of Witness request tender to compose original score The Playhouse are seeking Tenders to: Compose an Original Music Score for a Theatre of Witness Production in Derry / Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 2009. To receive a Tender specification and documentation or for further information please contact: Mr. Max Beer, Programme Co-ordinator, The Theatre of Witness, The Playhouse 5-7 Artillery Street, Derry/ Londonderry. T +44 (0) 28 7126 8027, F +44 (0) 28 71 26 1884, Email to max@derryplayhouse.co.uk Upon receipt of the documentation please acknowledge receipt of same by contacting the above office. Prices should be stated as an all in price excluding V.A.T but with V.A.T. stated separately, if applicable. Final date for submission of completed tenders is 5.00pm on Friday the 24th April 2009, a hard copy and electronic version of the tender is required. Also required is at least two examples of previous relevant work on CD
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9	Echo Echo’s bright Spring Programme The team at Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company are fresh from their most successful tour to date with Ripple Affect and ready to leap into their exciting spring programme of events- for all ages and abilities! Two of the regular youth courses will be restarting again this April. Children's Dance and Movement is back for an 8-week course starting Tuesday 21st April. The classes are always popular so anyone interested is advised to book a place ASAP. The full course costs just £40 per child and includes a small performance in June. For teenagers, Echo Echo has the Daring Feet Youth Dance Company. The weekly classes start up again on Wednesday 22nd April from 5.30pm - 7.30pm. There is an annual membership of £5 plus £3 per class attended. This group is the ideal place for those with a passion for dance and performance. There are many opportunities to travel and perform. There are also opportunities for adults of all ages, including a project for Over 50s. For full details of the upcoming programme, contact Sarah or Ailbe on 028 7134 2266, visit www.echoechodance.com or email info@echoechodance.com
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10	Void Art School Outreach, Lis Linn Centre, Creggan 9 April – 20 May 2009 Ray Bonner, Mairead Carten, Dearbla McDaid, Dara McGowan, Damien McLaughlin, Rachel Chambers, Grace Anna Hay, Thomas Thompson. Opening 8 April, 7 – 9 pm at Lis Linn Centre, Healthy Living Centre, Old Library Trust, Central Drive, Creggan. All are welcome and admission is free, all works are for sale. Void Art School if now in its third year has entered into partnership with the Lis Linn Healthy Living Centre in Creggan showcasing the work of Derry’s young artists.
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11	Get pampered for a fraction of the price Our trainee beauty therapists at North West Regional College need clients to work on to show their skills and complete their qualification so would warmly welcome all new clients to our salons. The staff and students from the School of Beauty would like to invite you to avail of the following pamper sessions. Tues: 2pm – 4.30 pm, Wed: 2pm – 4.30 pm, Thurs: 2pm – 4.30 pm & Fri: 1pm – 3.30 pm. Starting from 31st of March through to the beginning of June Morning sessions will also be available after Easter holidays starting 20th April. Choose two treatments from the list below for only £10.00 Manicure (including hand and arm massage and nail paint) Pedicure (including foot and leg massage and nail paint ) Waxing ( available for leg, underarm, bikini line, eyebrow, lip, chin ) Eye treatments ( eyelash and eyebrow tinting, eyebrow shaping ) Facial ( specialised to skin type and includes a neck and shoulder massage) Makeup A maximum of 6 clients can be taken for each session, although larger groups may be accommodated with advanced booking. To avoid disappointment please pre book at least one week in advance by ringing 71 276363 or emailing lynsey.mcclelland@nwrc.ac.uk
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12	Local jobs… Please see attached document for jobs…
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13	Volunteering NI Training Please see attached document for Volunteering NI’s training including: Evaluating a Volunteer Programme, University Certificate in the Effective Management of Volunteers, Child Protection Training, Designated Officer Training and more.

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Neola Nelis North-West Community Network 23 Bishop Street Derry~Londonderry BT48 6PR Tel. (028) 7127 9090 Fax (028) 7127 9357 Email neola@nwcn.org Website www.nwcn.org
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