E-Bulletin

10 July 2009

working to create a genuinely participative democracy

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1	Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007 – 2013
2	Ministers announce funding package for community festivals
3	New research into older people and volunteering available
4	Employers For Childcare
5	Toasty Homes Scheme
6	Job opportunity with Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum
7	Working with Diversity website
8	New Look For NI Direct website
9	Children & Teenagers Art Festival – Last Call
10	Story sharing residentials
11	Conference Room For Hire at the Strand Foyer

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1	Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007 – 2013 Call for applications for axis - Rural life ARC north west is the delivery mechanism for Axis 3 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013 in the Council areas of Derry, Limavady, Omagh and Strabane. ARC north west will open a call for applications under: Measure 3.1 - Diversification into Non Agricultural Activities Measure 3.2 - Business Creation & Development Please note this call will close at 12 noon on Friday 7 August 2009. Applications received after the deadline will NOT be accepted. Interested parties are invited to submit applications for projects within the cluster area www.eugrants.org or by visiting www.arcnorthwest.com or if you wish to speak to a member of staff you can do so by contacting ARC north west, I Market Street, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 1EE. Tel: 028 8225 0202 Please note: This is a competitive programme. The submission of an application for financial assistance DOES NOT indicate that your application is eligible for consideration or that the project will be awarded financial assistance.
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2	Ministers announce funding package for community festivals First Minister Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MP, MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA have confirmed plans to make £85,000 available to promote good relations in Derry/Londonderry. The funding package will be delivered through a pilot scheme designed to promote dialogue, good relations and rights by means of a number of community festivals in the city. Among the festivals which will benefit from funding are the Maiden City Festival, the Gasyard Wall Féile, Shantallow Area Partnership and the Top of Hill Féile. The Department’s Community Relations Unit will be liaising with Derry City Council and festival organisers to fine-tune the pilot programme details and determine appropriate funding packages. Unveiling the funding package First Minister Peter Robinson said: "This is a very worthwhile initiative and I have no doubt that it can provide a major boost to the local economy whilst offering everyone in Londonderry an opportunity to celebrate the unique cultural tradition and history of the city.” Mr McGuinness welcoming the pilot scheme said: “The acceptance and appreciation of the cultural diversity is an important dimension of a shared and better future. Derry has been giving a lead in turning cultural events from being divisive to reflecting the diversity which exists in the city and provides a means by which we can promote dialogue, rights and good relations across all sectors. “I am hopeful that the pilot programme will provide a blueprint and act as a good practice model which can be shared in other areas.”
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3	New research into older people and volunteering available The ‘Making the Connection’ report is now available for download. It has produced one of the most comprehensive pictures of the lifestyle, attitudes and experiences of volunteering for the 50+ age group in Northern Ireland. A mixed method approach using both a telephone survey (n=350) and six focus groups were used to investigate the under researched area of older people volunteering with both volunteers and non volunteers. The report concludes by outlining the practical implications of the findings on the selection and management of volunteers of this age group. Copy of the report can be found at http://www.volunteering-ni.org/what_we__do/Unlocking_Potential/
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4	Employers For Childcare Employers For Childcare Vouchers Ltd is a very successful and thriving social enterprise and not for profit organisation. It trades for a social purpose and it has one function: to administer childcare vouchers. 100% of the profit it makes is gifted to Employers For Childcare which is a registered charity. Employers For Childcare Vouchers Ltd is the only UK social enterprise which provides childcare vouchers. Childcare vouchers are a government work-life balance scheme, supported by HRMC, allowing both businesses and parents to make savings based on Tax and National Insurance exemptions. Parents can order tax-free and national insurance exempt childcare vouchers up to the value of £243 per month with Employers For Childcare. It is available for all types of registered childcare including after school clubs and holiday schemes. The aim of the charity Employers For Childcare is to provide advice and guidance on all aspects of childcare and work related issues. Our service does not cost any benefactor money but in fact saves them money. Employers For Childcare assists parents by helping get them back to work; employers, by encouraging them to invest in childcare; and childcare providers, by enhancing the childcare providers business. Free phone helpline: 0800 028 3008 / Website: www.employersforchildcare.org
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5	Toasty Homes Scheme £1500 discount for natural gas heating system & up to £800 for insulation levy funded scheme (100 households) available to owner occupiers and private tenants only must have existing oil, solid fuel, E7, LPG or no heating Criteria: over 65 (irrespective of income) OR single person household – income/pension of up to £20K gross OR couple (inc couple parent families) or single parent family – income/pension of up to £35K gross Must confirm natural gas is available within Firmus energy area For any further details about the scheme please do not hesitate to contact Paula Simpson, Scheme Project Manager, Firmus Energy. Tel: 028 9442 7818 / mob: 07824636221 / web: www.firmusenergy.co.uk
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6	Job opportunity with Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum has received funding from the Big Lottery ‘Safe & Well’ programme to establish the Neighbourhood Alcohol Safety Partnership within the Derry City area. We are seeking applications for the full-time position of PARTNERSHIP MANAGER whose key task will be to animate and manage the activities of the Neighbourhood Alcohol Safety Partnership, promoting a community development approach to all activities that leads to community mobilisation in relation to alcohol and works to protect the next generation of children from alcohol-related harm. Applicants should have: Relevant third level qualification (e.g. social/behavioural sciences, health, education, business studies, youth & community). And 2 years’ recent experience (within past 5 years) of organising and co-ordinating community-based interventions and actions, one year of which should involve project management responsibility. Hours of duty: 35 per week Rate of pay: £28,172 gross (NJC Scale: PO 35) Duration of contract: five years, subject to appropriate review Full job description, personnel specification and application form can be obtained by contacting Séamus on 028 71365330. Application forms should be returned, marked ‘NASP Manager’, to: Health Forum Manager, Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum, The Gasyard Centre, Lecky Road, Brandywell, Derry BT48 6NP by Thursday 23rd July at 12.00 noon. Interviews will take place on Wednesday 29th July. Bogside & Brandywell Health Forum is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of society.
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7	Working with Diversity website The Working With Diversity web site provides information about the real differences which exist among people within our increasingly diverse society in Northern Ireland. The site highlights health and social care issues for particular groups, examples of good practice, practical advice, contact information for representative organisations, links to other sites and references to additional material under Section 75 legislation. It is designed primarily for use by health and social services staff working at all levels - though a good deal of the information is generally useful. See: www.workingwithdiversity.org
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8	New Look For NI Direct website There are changes to the look and content of www.nidirect.gov.uk - the new government website designed for the citizen. The homepage has been redesigned to feature the newsroom, making it easier for you to access the latest news and public information campaigns. Selected online transactions have been highlighted across the bottom and themes devoted to people have been moved up the page. For summer, there are new pages about hayfever in the Health and well-being section, offering useful information and advice for sufferers. You can also find out about attractions and events taking place across Northern Ireland this summer. Or, you can watch online videos, highlighting some of the wonderful places to visit locally. You can also get things done online at a time that suits you. For example, you can book your car in for an MOT, apply for or renew your passport or order a birth, death or marriage certificate. With www.nidirect.gov.uk no-one needs to know how government works to find the information they need, as it is organised by easily recognisable themes. You can also use the search facility to get directly to what you’re after – from online transactions, news, public information videos and useful advice on a range of topics. www.nidirect.gov.uk – government information and services on one site.
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9	Children & Teenagers Art Festival – Last Call This summer preparations are being made at the Playhouse, to host NI’s first and original Children’s Summer Arts Festival. This year will mark the 17th year of The Playhouse annual celebration, of Arts, Creativity, Children and young people. It will be the First Children’s Arts Festival in our newly restored, awarding-winning, building. The Playhouse is thrilled to be home at 5-7 Artillery Street. We have a special program called, The Playhouse Children’s Arts Festival Tots, 4-6 year old. Due to popular demand, we have made arrangements to make more places available. There are now a few places available for the 11.30am-1.00pm Art session, with our highly engaging and extremely talented facilitator. Here at the Playhouse, We have challenging yet enjoyable Summer Teenage Arts Festival Also, The Playhouse, “Teenage-Kicks”, Visual Arts Fest is geared towards12-14 yr olds. This innovative and cool 2-Week Programme, runs parallel to the Children’s Arts Festival during the last two weeks of July. We have two excellent facilitators who will guide our Teenagers though an array of advanced and Alternative fine Arts, and Digital Arts. Together, with help and guidance with our partners, Amnesty and Unicef, we have developed an exciting theme thriving to be brought to Life. The Theme of the Playhouse, Children’s & Teenage-Kicks Arts Festival 2009, is The Rights of a child & Young People, “Right-On!” For 2 weeks in July (20th-31st), we will be exploring Young Peoples Rights in a fun, safe, and creative environment through Visual Arts, Drama, and Dance. There are only a few coveted places left for this Our Teenage-Kicks Arts Festival and a few for our Tot’s Programme so booking is essential. So avoid disappointment and book your place today. This event is supported by the North West Carnival Group. To book and for further information please contact, The Playhouse on (0)28 71268027.
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10	Story sharing residentials The Conflict Trauma Resource Centre is hosting a series of weekend story sharing residential workshops to be held from September 2009 to May 2011. These workshops are aimed at all those who have been affected by our 40 years of violent conflict and the Centre is actively seeking both participants and facilitators for the workshops. The project is supported by the Peace III Programme managed for the SEUPB by the Community Relations Council and Pobal Consortium. For more information please contact Gwen Johnstone on 028 9092 6060.
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11	Conference Room For Hire at the Strand Foyer We have a spacious, comfortable and fully accessible meeting room at the Strand Foyer for hire. Training Room Facilities: Suitable for 15 people Includes flip chart and Easel Overhead projector and Screen Tea/coffee facilities available Fees inclusive of above facilities Cost: - £50.00 / ½ day – £25.00 - 9am to 5pm Smaller meeting rooms are also available on request. For further information or to book a room telephone 028 71281155.

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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
NWCN is a membership organisation for community & voluntary groups in the North-West, click here for a membership form for 2009-2010.
North-West Community Network receives core funding through the Community Investment Fund (DSD).

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