From: North-West Community Network [neola@nwcn.org]
Sent: 09 February 2010 14:30
Subject: NWCN E-Bulletin - 09 February 2010

NWCN

E-Bulletin

09 February 2010

working to create a genuinely participative democracy


Quick Links:

1

What Does The Charities Act (NI) 2008 Mean For Community Groups?

2

Are you a voluntary/community organisation or Social Economy business?  

3

UnLtd awards programmes for 2010

4

Building The Community Pharmacy Partnership Funding Programme

5

Association of Charity Shops’ Northern Ireland conference

6

Publicise your events during Community Relations Week 2010

7

Tender for Training Courses

8

Council for the Homeless seeks independent session trainers

9

Calling all Businesses

10

How's this for Value?

11

Clubs for Young People

12

Fall in Love with Tango this Valentine’s

13

Solar Panel Cooperative Workshop Creggan Country Park and Transition Derry  

14

Winter Waders: Wildlife Volunteering & Information Event

15

Free Information Day

16

The North West's Own Multicultural Band 'Harmonicity'

 

 

 

Use this link to submit an article for inclusion in E-Bulletin

 

Unsubscribe


 

1

What Does The Charities Act (NI) 2008 Mean For Community Groups?

 

Friday 19 Feb 2010, The Junction, 9.45am – 12.30pm

 

Northern Ireland’s charities and not for profit organisations are facing major changes as the new provisions of the Charities Act (NI) 2008 are implemented.

 

NWCN has teamed up with accountancy firm, Moore Stephens, to deliver a customised session for the Community & Voluntary sector to help develop understanding of what practical implications will flow from the Charities Act.

Under the Act, a new charities regulator, the charity Commission for Northern Ireland, has been established. The Commission will play a key role in how the charitable sector is organised and will establish a compulsory charity register of all charities operating in Northern Ireland which will go live in April 2010.

 

To register for this event please contact the Network on 028 7127 9090 or email info@nwcn.org

 

Top

2

Are you a voluntary/community organisation or Social Economy business?  Want to get a Step Ahead?

 

The Department for Employment and Learning has provided funding for up to 1,000 fixed-term jobs within the Voluntary and Community Sector or Social Economy businesses across Northern Ireland through its Step Ahead initiative.   

What is Step Ahead? Step Ahead was introduced by the Department for Employment and Learning  in direct response to the economic downturn, giving the Voluntary and Community Sector and Social Economy businesses an opportunity to help long-term unemployed people move back into work.

There has been an encouraging response by the third sector in creating exciting, genuine employment opportunities for those who have been long-term unemployed and wish to take the first steps back into employment.  It is hoped that many more organisations will join in and avail of the opportunity this initiative brings to the sector.   

How can my organisation help?  Your organisation can provide valuable practical work experience in the work place to someone who has not worked for over 30 months by offering them a fixed-term job opportunity which could in turn deliver much needed services to your local community.  Many of the jobs have focused on community projects such as childcare and youth work or provided valuable administrative support to local community organisations and non-profit organisations that deal with vulnerable groups such as the homeless and elderly.

 

There is scope for more jobs in a wider variety of organisations such as environmental, sporting, cultural, charitable and not-for-profit businesses as well as a wider geographical spread, particularly in the following areas:

-Southern Region (including Lurgan, Portadown, Armagh and Newry)

-North Down (including Newtownards and Bangor)

-South Eastern (including Lisburn, Banbridge, Kilkeel, Ballynahinch, Downpatrick and Newcastle)

-North Western (including Limavady, Coleraine, Magherafelt and Cookstown)

-East and South Belfast

-Antrim (including Ballymoney, Ballymena, Antrim, Carrickfergus and Larne)

 

If we can’t afford to employ anyone can we still help?  The funding support available is equivalent to the National Minimum Wage and the Weekly Employer’s National Insurance Contribution.  Whilst it is understood that payroll can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly if you don’t already have this in place, if it is a issue you should discuss this with your local Steps to Work Lead Contractor as they may be able to provide payroll assistance.  

 

We can’t afford to train new staff – can we still participate? The good news is that funding is provided to undertake at least one short course while on Step Ahead.  These can include courses such as IT Skills to Basic Food Hygiene. 

 

What kinds of jobs can Step Ahead participants perform? To date, over 100 jobs have been advertised in various occupational areas including administration, environmental work, catering, childcare, youth work and maintenance positions. Remember - it doesn’t have to end there.

 

Who can I contact for more information? The Step Ahead programme is for a limited time. If you are interested contact your local Steps to Work Lead Contractor:

 

Strabane, Omagh, Enniskillen, Dungannon - South West College - 028 8224 5433

Foyle, Lisnagelvin * - Rutledge Joblink - 028 7137 0300

Coleraine, Limavady, Magherafelt, Cookstown - Network Personnel - 028 7963 1032

Ballymoney, Ballymena, Antrim, Carrickfergus, Larne - TWL Training - 028 9446 7791

Lurgan, Portadown, Armagh, Newry - Wade Training - 028 3833 7000

Lisburn, Banbridge, Kilkeel, Ballynahinch, Downpatrick, Newcastle - People 1st - 028 9030 3986

Bangor, Newtownards - South Eastern Regional College - 028 9127 6827

Holywood Road, Knockbreda, Shaftesbury Square - TWL Training - 028 9031 5919

Falls Road, Shankill, Andersonstown - Springvale Learning - 028 9024 2362

North Belfast, Newtownabbey - North City Training - 028 9074 5408

*New Deal in Foyle contract area

 

Top

3

UnLtd awards programmes for 2010


UnLtd have released details of new and reopening social enterprise awards programmes for 2010.

The UnLtd Level 1 awards programme is open for applications on a monthly basis with up to £5,000 on offer plus a tailored package of support for individuals who want to get a new social impact project off the ground. Application deadlines are always the 2nd last Friday of every month with applicants getting a decision to them in 4-6 weeks. If you have a new idea for 2010 get in touch with the UnLtd team on 02890 244 007.

UnLtd’s £15,000 Awards Competition for Social Innovators Opens 26 February 2010. The UnLtd team have supported previous winners with replication strategies, governance reviews and financial modelling. The support will begin with a diagnostic session to ascertain the real needs of the individual and the organisation and around 10 days of support is provided to work on areas of need. Expressions of interest will be taken form the UnLtd website www.unltd.org.uk from
26 February 2010 at 9.30 am. Full criteria, processes and dates can also be found at the website. Potential applicants can discuss their ideas with Development Managers Ciara Brennan or Geraldine Wilkins on 02890 244007.

UnLtd have also launched a number of new initiatives; Impact, a £20,000 scholarship fund to support young people across Northern Ireland who have an entrepreneurial solution to a social problem; Aging Awards, a £607,000 3 year awards programme for people over fifty will see 115 awards made through the period to older social entrepreneurs.

Young people should sign up for Impact at www.advantage-ni.com/impact

 

Top

4

Building The Community Pharmacy Partnership Funding Programme

 

New round of Level 2 funding now open

 

The Community Development and Health Network have opened their latest round of Level 2 funding through the BCPP programme.

 

Level 2 application forms and guidance notes are available on our website at www.cdhn.org/bcpp.

 

In addition, you will be able to access information on other groups that have been supported through the programme, information on our toolkit for evaluation and valuable advice on how to fill out your application. 

 

If you require any help or want to talk to us about your idea, please feel free to talk to our staff at 028 3026 4606 for advice, support or guidance with your application. 

 

The deadline for applications is Thursday 22nd April 2010.

 

Top

5

Association of Charity Shops’ Northern Ireland Conference

 

Following the success of the first Belfast conference in 2008, the second Association of Charity Shops’ Northern Ireland charity retail conference will be on Thursday 11 March 2010 at NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

 

The conference, sponsored by Cookstown Textile Recyclers, will be an excellent opportunity for members with shops in Northern Ireland to network, build local contacts and learn about how charity shops can come out of the recession strongly.

 

With the title of Building Future Success, the conference is aimed at area and shop managers and senior volunteers, but will also be attractive to anyone interested in the charity retail sector.  Delegates will benefit from four groups of focus sessions, covering 13 topics, all of which can make the essential difference between success and failure.

 

A flyer and booking form are available on the Association’s website at: www.charityshops.org  

Registration is open to association members, other voluntary and charitable organisation and others form outside the sector.  Prices are being held at the 2008 level, so please book early to take advantage of these. 

For information, please contact Susan Meridith on 020 7255 4470 or susan@charityshops.org.uk

 

Top

6

Publicise your events during Community Relations Week 2010


For the last seven years, the Community Relations Council (CRC) has co-ordinated Community Relations Week with events of a community relations nature. Last April’s Community Relations Week was highly successful, containing a programme of 150 events across every part of Northern Ireland ranging from public discussions and debates to cultural events, publications, launches and award ceremonies.

The Community Relations Week for 2010 is to take place during the week 26th April to
1st May 2010. This year, the Community Relations Council particularly wish to highlight the need to engage the next generation in building a peaceful, open and shared society.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) has funded a number of awards to organisations that support and deliver community relations work. If you intend to have any community relations events taking place during 26th April to
1st May 2010, ACNI would like you to send information on the planned event/s by Friday 12th February 2010. ACNI will then inform the Community Relations Council and highlight.

 

Top

7

Tender for Training Courses

 

Cross Border Connections is a PEACE III funded project managed by Donegal Youth Service through the Donegal Community Based Youth Work Consortium. 

The 1 year Project will focus on delivering programmes and activities that will explore issues around prejudice, sectarianism, diversity and racism for young people aged 8 -25 and the adult volunteers that support them in their communities.

All of these issues will be explored using fun, interactive programmes and activities with some programmes being formally accredited through the Open College Network.

The programme will run across Donegal and the border Counties.

We are currently inviting reputable organisations to submit details of training courses which they can offer in the following areas:

OCN Level II Conflict Resolution

Non accredited Facilitation skills

Non accredited Mediation skills

 

Non accredited activities which may use sport, music, art, drama etc to explore issues around Prejudice, Diversity, Sectarianism, Racism & Ethnicity.

 

If you feel that your organisation can meet any of these requirements please return submission by email enclosing CV's of qualified individuals who will deliver the training and a breakdown of costs.

 

Julie McGrory, Team Leader, Cross Border Connections Project, Lifford Clonleigh Resource Centre

Email: julie.mcgrory@donegalyouthservice.ie  / Tel: (00353)(0)867829260

 

Top

8

Council for the Homeless seeks independent session trainers

 

Council for the Homeless (CHNI) trains around 600 people per year.

It is seeking to recruit independent session trainers on an ad hoc basis to deliver training to a variety of organisations in the following areas:

 

Developing and Implementing Support Plans

Exploring Mental Health

Finance for Non-Financial Managers

First Aid

Health and Safety in Supported Housing

Interpersonal Skills

Introduction - Personality Disorders

Introduction - Self Harm and Suicide

Introduction - Schizophrenia

Lone Working

Maintaining Professional Boundaries

Managing Risk and Risk Assessment

Measuring the Severity of Mental Health - Rating Skills

Motivational Interviewing

Protection of Children in Supported Housing

Protection of Vulnerable Adults

Record Keeping and Report Writing

Recruitment and Selection

Resettlement and Moving On

Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Young People

Working with survivors of sexual abuse

 

You must have experience of training delivery and of having worked within a relevant field.

A fee of £275 (including VAT, travel and incidental expenses) will be paid per training day.

 

If you are interested, please send your C.V. to: Yvonne Beggs, Training Officer, CHNI, Andras House

60 Great Victoria Street, Belfast  BT2 7BB Or email yvonne@chni.org.uk before 28 February 2010

W: www.chni.org.uk 

 

Top

9

Calling all Businesses

 

Would you like to take your business to the next level?

Does your business have the potential to increase production, workforce or sales?

Has your business reached VAT turnover?

 

If you have answered YES you are eligible to take part in the Invest Northern Ireland Growth Programme.

You will receive access to experts in the areas of your business where you have less experience.  A range of seminars is offered including trading online, customer care and managing finances.

You will make new contacts and be given more opportunities to network.

You will be assigned a dedicated Business Advisor to guide you through every step.

Your business may also qualify for one-to-one mentoring specific to needs, with an end objective of becoming an Invest NI client after a 12 month period.

 

And it’s FREE.  All you have to do is email claire@north-westmarketing.com or phone 02871 352693.

You will then be assigned a personal Business Advisor who will meet you to discuss your plans and the areas where you need support.

 

The Growth Programme – providing business support when you need it.  W: www.north-westmarketing.com 

 

Top

10

How's this for Value?

 

You could spend 6 days in the Big Apple for a Tenner - In the 4 star hotel Fitzgerald Hotel Manhattan

Take in a show on Broadway, Enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 

 

And there's more..... You could take your partner/friend/mucker with you!

And even more.....you will also have $1000 to spend……  

Honestly ALL for only a tenner:

Buy a £10 ticket in the Changaro Trust Raffle

The winner will be informed on the 28th February 2010 after the open draw in Foyleside Shopping Centre

 

For further information and tickets available at Cafe Del Mondo and Changaro Trust Members

Phone The Changaro Trust at the One World Centre 02871-370989 or email eddie@seeds.ie and we'll get the ticket to you....

All profits will be donated to help build The Changaro Refuge in Kenya

 

Top

11

Clubs for Young People

 

Some time back I started some part-time hours with Clubs for Young People. I do have a remit for the North West but Clubs for Young People being a regional headquarter organisation I'm happy to talk with anyone across the country. 
 
Like any good headquarter organisation we offer a variety of benefits to organisations working with young people.  I want to draw your attention to these but also with a view to meeting up to discuss how we might support your work.  Among the main benefits are:
Low cost insurance
Keystone awards scheme
Quarterly mail shot of events
Annual Youth Sports Programme
Access to training - leadership skills, sports and activity programme (SAP Pack)
Access to UK events and facilities
European and international projects

If you're interested in registering or just meeting to chat about possibilities you can mail Fergal Barr at thekingisalive@hotmail.com or call me on 079 4459 5864.
 
Even if you may feel you're not in a position to decide for your club or organisation if you provide me with details of your club or unit leader I can make contact with him or her direct.  Perhaps your club is already registered with one of the
Education Boards or another headquarter organisation - this is ok of course but we could be look at the possibility of linking up in other ways.
Perhaps you're delivering youth work in a community setting....registration with Clubs for Young People could mean cheaper insurance as well as access to among other things accredited training for young people and annual sporting events.
Anyway, it would be really good to hear from you....

 

Top

12

Fall in Love with Tango this Valentine’s

 

Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company invites people to do something different this Valentine’s weekend and learn to dance the Tango- partner is optional!

The local dance company, based in The Waterside Theatre, welcomes back Chilean dancer, Leilani Weis for her forth workshop in the city teaching her popular style of Authentic Tango on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th February.

 

During the workshop, Leilani will continue to cover some introductory groundwork for newcomers and as a refresher for those who attended before. Leilani hopes to do some deeper Tango work in the afternoon sessions.

Each day will be split in two - 11am to 1pm then a long lunch before restarting at 2.30pm to 4.30pm.  The workshop is open to all abilities but will be especially interesting for people with some movement experience in Salsa, modern dance, Contact Improvisation, ballroom dance.

 

The previous workshop was very busy so if you would like to book a place, contact Sarah or Ailbe in the Echo Echo office on 028 7134 2266 or email info@echoechodance.com as soon as possible. Leilani Weis will return to Derry in May to perform with the company’s production of Ripple Affect. For more information, visit www.echoechodance.com

 

Top

13

Solar Panel Cooperative Workshop Creggan Country Park and Transition Derry 

 

Saturday 13th March, 9.30 – 11.30am, Creggan Country Park, Westway, Derry, Admission £5

 

Have you thought about installing solar panels but felt daunted about finding the most suitable system for your house, by the cost and the installation process?             

Cye Bannon has recently installed a solar evacuated tube setup at his own house in Belfast, and has trained in the other main solar thermal technologies. He is keen to share his knowledge and experience. In this workshop he will be explaining his idea for a NI solar co-operative aimed at supporting DIY installation of solar thermal (domestic water heating).            

If enough people in Derry are interested, Cye will help them get the process started.

 

To book your place phone Karen Healy, Creggan Country Park 028 7136 3133 or e-mail: karen.healy@creggancountrypark.com

To read more about Cye’s thinking on a solar panel cooperative have at look at: www.transitionderry.ning.com  

 

Top

14

Winter Waders: Wildlife Volunteering & Information Event

 

Winter Waders, Bay Road Park, Local Nature Reserve, Saturday 13th February

11.00 - 1.30pm - Do One Thing! Volunteer Morning

2.00pm - 4.30pm - Winter Waders Event

This is a free event, with no alcohol permitted.  Everyone is welcome…

 

Do One Thing!  Volunteer Morning:

The birds at Bay Road Park Local Nature Reserve need your help.  Come along and get stuck in helping to manage the willow woodland through coppicing and clearing litter from the shoreline.  Tools and guidance will be given but please dress appropriate to the weather and for walking on wet ground.  Lunch will be provided.  Stay on then for the afternoon event.

 

Winter Waders Event:

Did you know that the Foyle plays host to winter visitors from the Arctic regions each year? The shoreline at Bay Road Park is a good spot to view these wading birds as they feed on the mudflats there. Come along to this event to learn how to spot the different birds, learn more about their lives and the wildlife habitats of the river. 

Information stalls, Bird of Prey display and craft activities will be taking place in the marquees from 2.00pm.  A guided walk will start at 2.30pm.

Meet at the marquee. Binoculars and spotting scopes will be available to use but please bring your own if possible. Please wear suitable footwear.

Sustainable transport options: Bay Road Park is part of the National Cycle Network on the Inis Eoghain Cycleway. Take bus route 13 to Culmore Road. Entrance is located behind Da Vincis Hotel.

For further details contact Annie Mullan, Wildlife Education Officer, Tel: 028 71365151, email: annie.mullan@derrycity.gov.uk

 

Top

15

Free Information Day

 

Wednesday 24th February 2010, 11am to 1pm in the Newtownstewart 2000 Centre

 

Free Advice and Information on:

Energy Efficiency, Health and Well Being, Access 2 Benefits Checks, Controlling costs, Transport, Childcare

and Pensions

 

To book a place contact Karen on 028 71 883102 or Brenda on 028 816 62588.

Free Lunch and Refreshments and live entertainment with local performer ‘Marion’

 

Top

16

The North West's Own Multicultural Band 'Harmonicity'

 

Open rehearsals in Cafe Del Mondo, Guildhall Square, Thursday night from 7pm - 9pm

Everyone welcome experienced or not.....

 

First public performances: Chinese New Year, Waterfoot Hotel, 28th February and at the St Patrick's day festival at Victoria market.

Come along and enjoy the music…

 


 

Submit an article - Use this link to submit an article for inclusion in E-Bulletin.

When submitting an article for inclusion in this E-Bulletin, please conform to the following guidelines to ensure not only inclusion but clear understanding of the information you wish to convey:

Use only the Times New Roman or Arial Fonts, size 10 or 12

Use single-line spacing

As far as possible, do not use images or include attachments - information is best received when it is concise and straightforward.
Include reliable contact
information: named contact, organisation, telephone number, email address &, where appropriate, web address

Please do not reply directly to this email, use one of the links above to feedback or to submit an article. For general enquiries, email info@nwcn.org

The information in this E-Bulletin has been collated from a range of sources. NWCN does not however accept responsibility for any third party content or for any of the opinions expressed. 

P please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to. 


 

Neola Nelis McCrossan

North-West Community Network

10-12 Bishop Street

Derry~Londonderry
BT48 6PW

Tel. (028) 7127 9090

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 2009-10.

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

 

 


I am using the Free version of SPAMfighter.
We are a community of 6 million users fighting spam.
SPAMfighter has removed 21819 of my spam emails to date.
The Professional version does not have this message.

 

 



I am using the Free version of SPAMfighter.
We are a community of 6 million users fighting spam.
SPAMfighter has removed 24003 of my spam emails to date.
The Professional version does not have this message.