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Preparing for Community Planning: NWCN and Community Places

Community and Voluntary Sector Workshop

St Columb’s Park House 25 June 08, 10.30 – 1.30

Preparing for Community Planning Community & Voluntary Sector Workshop

10.30 – 1.30, 25 June 08 St. Columb’s Park House, (NWCN & Community Places) As part of the Review of Public Administration, it has now been agreed that, from 2011, the twenty-six local

Councils in Northern Ireland will reconfigure to become eleven. Under current plans, this will see Derry City and Strabane District Councils form one new “supercouncil.” Also in the West/North-West, Omagh and Fermanagh will join, as will Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney and Moyle.

Community Planning, as well as the devolution of a range of powers that are at present centralised, will be a key element in the delivery role of these new councils. Community Planning is linked to a clear demand from local communities for joined up working through the planning, co-ordination and improvement of services for their areas.

Consequently, this workshop will:

• look at the background to Community Planning and its potential for local communities;

• describe details of the proposals for giving new local councils here a power of Community Planning;

• outline how it operates in Scotland which is seen as a model for here;

• identify how community groups can begin to prepare for Community Planning;

• provide details of tried and tested methods of community consultation and engagement;

• provide information on the new structures for Health, Education and the administration of the European Rural Development and Peace III Programmes.

This workshop will be facilitated by Community Places’ staff who have many years' experience of

supporting local community planning. They also have an in-depth understanding of both how it

operates elsewhere and what is currently proposed for our own new local councils.

The workshop will be participative and will include materials on community planning and consultation

methods.

To register for this workshop (25 places), contact the Network on:

Tel: (028) 71 279090 or email: info@nwcn.org

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Citizens Information Board Funding Information Bulletin May 2008

Up to date information on the funding schemes included here

Funding Sources

Anti-Sectarianism Fund – Department of Foreign Affairs

The Fund will assist local efforts to tackle sectarianism, supporting communities seeking new and more effective ways of addressing division. Grants will be given to develop new projects that challenge intolerance and sectarianism and break down barriers between people caused by religious and cultural differences. Information is available on line at www.dfa.ie or by email to antisectarianism@dfa.ie. Deadline - none advertised.

Medium Grants 2008 - The Irish Youth Foundation

The foundation is currently inviting pre-registered community and voluntary groups working in preventative and educational ways with children and young people who are marginalised or at risk to apply for medium grants (up to €15,000). Information is available by phone at (01) 8584520, email kate@iyf.ie and online at www.iyf.ie. Deadline - 29 May 2008.

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust aims to fund work which will contribute to the ongoing development of a just and peaceful society in the island of Ireland. It is interested in supporting work in either jurisdiction, or on a cross-border basis, or at an all-Ireland level. Details from (0044) 1 904 627810 and http://www.jrct.org.uk. Deadline - 26 August.

Small Grants Scheme - Community Foundation for Ireland

Many community or voluntary groups qualify for grant support, including those providing support for carers, social networks, local respite initiatives, networks and structures for sexual and ethnic minorities, initiatives involving parents and children at risk of exclusion. Information is at www.communityfoundation.ie contact hbeatty@foundation.ie, or (01) 874 7354. Deadlines - 29 August, 31 October 2008.

Other Information

Citizens Information Board's - National Calendar of Training Events

The latest programme contains a range of training aimed at those providing information, advice and advocacy services to the public. The courses/events will help to develop knowledge, interpersonal skills and management/ organisational skills. Details at www.citizensinformationboard.ie. For information on all of the courses on offer contact the Training and Development Service on (01) 605 90 00, email michael.obrien@ciboard.ie

Ireland Donates: a new online exchange portal

Ireland Donates is a new online exchange portal for charities and NGO’s. This new service can be used to request or donate items/services to help others such as furniture, computers, software, equipment, expertise, transport, advertising etc. This service is free. Visit www.irelanddonates.com to enter details or request the loan of items/help. Contact admin@irelanddonates.com for information.

Please visit the following site for any more information www.citizensinformationboard.ie

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Ulster People’s College launches new training calendar

UPC has launched a new training calendar for summer 2008 offering a wide range of courses at no charge including Community Group Work Skills, Women and Communication, Getting to Grips with the Media and an Introduction to Community Relations. 

To find out more visit www.ulsterpeoplescollege.org.uk or email: info@upclearn.org.

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Sessions for “NEET” (young people Not in Education, Employment or Training)

The Citizens Advice Bureau is running a number of financial capability training sessions for staff who work with “NEET” young people (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

Sessions are free, last a full day, and can be booked directly with the Citizens Advice Bureau by contacting Tel: 028 9023 1120.

Dates are as follows:

10^th June – Belfast

17^th June – Derry

18^th June – Armagh

24^th June – Ballymena

If you require any further information please contact Maria NCH Family Support Co-ordinator

Office:   02871342286

Mobile:  077 02098980

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Lone parents and employment conference: Turning possibilities into realities

19 June 2008, Park Avenue Hotel Belfast 

This conference aims to bring employers, policy makers education and training providers together with lone parents to discuss what helps or hinders lone parents who decide to move into paid employment.  The conference would be of particular interest to lone parents, support organisations, employers, childcare organisations and child welfare organisations to name but a few.  For further details or to complete a booking form phone: 028 9023 1417 or go online to www.gingerbreadni.org

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‘The Lady of Burma’ – Local Protest At Ongoing House Arrest

Open Invitation from Gemma Harkin, Holywell Trust:

On Thursday 19^th June 2008 Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi will pass another Birthday denied her liberty. The Nobel Laureate will be in her 13^th year under arrest and imprisonment of one kind or another. Just last week the ruling military junta in Burma imposed another year of detention upon Suu Kyi.

To mark her Birthday, I will simulate a 24 hour “House Arrest” whereby I will not leave my house at all that day. I will however open my house and garden to all who wish to call in between 10am-10pm in order to raise awareness on some of the issues Burma faces, and to raise funds for Cyclone Nargis relief efforts, through donations and plant sales, and food.

Home grown & homemade food will be available at lunch and evening tea times. So why not join me for a while and eat out with a conscious: Below are some of the scheduled events during the day; All money raised will go directly to ease the suffering caused by Cyclone Nargis

10am Open Garden & plant sales. (All day except during meal times). Information about Burma available indoors.

12-2pm Lunch: from home-grown and wild foods e.g. Elderflower fritters; Cream of Asparagus Soup, homemade Breads, Spinach Quiche, Salads.

3pm DVD Audio: ‘The Lady of Burma’ drama by Richard Shannon with Liana Mau Tan Gould as Aung San Suu Kyi. Listen to the audio version of the recently performed drama of the inspiring true story of Burma’s Leader Aung San Suu Kyi told in a compelling solo performance about the life of the only Nobel Peace Prize winner who is also a political prisoner. 

5pm-7pm Tea/Dinner: Various dishes

7.30pm Film (TBA).

As I will need an estimate for food preparations please let me know at contact details below if you intend calling at either Lunch or Dinner times.

Gemma Harkin

Work: 71261941

gemma@holywelltrust.com 

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Contact Improvisation Weekend Workshop with Echo Echo

Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company is offering an amazing opportunity to learn Contact Improvisation from an experienced and respected teacher, Steve Batts, in an intensive weekend workshop on 7^th and 8^th June.

This unique form of dance is a wonderful chance to meet and communicate with other people in a very special way. It offers benefits to athletes, dancers and those wishing to try something new.

In Contact Improvisation, participants will experiment with movement as they support another’s weight, exploring rolling, falling, leaning and encouraging awareness of one’s own body to extend physical possibilities. It can help to improve balance, concentration and fitness levels, as well as flexibility and strength.

The workshop will take place at Echo Echo’s dance studio in the Waterside Theatre, Derry.

Saturday 7^th and Sunday 8^th June from 11am- 6pm with a one-hour break for lunch. 

Cost: £40 for the full two days with £20 concession

Limited places available.

For more information/video clips of this dance technique, visit www.echoechodance.com or to book a place contact Echo Echo on +44 (0) 28 7134 2266 or info@echoechodance.com

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Day of Private Reflection  

Saturday 21 June 2008 will be the second Day of Private Reflection, when people from Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and further afield are invited to reflect, individually and privately, upon the conflict in and about Northern Ireland and the future us.

The Day is intended to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain caused by the conflict, to allow us reflect on our own attitudes, on what more we might have done or might still do, and to make a personal commitment that such loss should never be allowed to happen again.

Find out more at www.dayofreflection.com.

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Western Investing for Health – May 2008 Update

Please find attached May 2008 Update for Western Investing for Health; it includes information regarding funding opportunities, fuel poverty and various other programmes available. 

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Search for quiz teams for a BBC quiz competition

Shine is in Production with a new quiz series for the BBC and are currently looking for people to take part. They are in the process of casting 40 teams of 7 expert quizzers to take part in 'Battle of the Brains'.

Every show two teams will face each other in a tense and exciting battle of wits. The team captain chooses six of their friends to form their team, sending them into battle against an opponent's team in a series of exciting one on one rounds. It's down to the skill and judgement of the captain to cleverly assemble an intellectual fighting force to win the game. Teams will be challenged in a range of subjects, such as the Arts, Entertainment, History, Sport and Culture.  If you have an existing quiz team who you think would like to be considered for the series, or would like to assemble a group of keen and informed colleagues, friends or family then we would like to speak to you further - email battleofthebrains@shinelimited.com or tel: +44 (0)161 233 2114

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Message from the Ambulance Service

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory. If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.
 
The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As mobile phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency). The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones with patients but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognised name for this purpose.
In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE'. Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards'> before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
 
For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc.

N.B. Please note and forward to any family/friends, work mates for their own info also.

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Understanding Health Improvement

Please find attached information for the above named accredited course new to Northern Ireland and to be facilitated by Beth Gibb Associates - to date, the only registered centre in NI.

The programmes' aim is to encourage health and wellbeing within the workplace by training a selection of personnel on a variety of issues pertinent to health whom can then signpost others towards adopting a healthier lifestyle.  Each participant is given a working resource file on completion of the course and will be forwarded a certificate, worth 8 hours of CPD on passing the end of day assessment.

Due to the imminent holiday season, one definite course has been programmed in for Wednesday 11th June 2008 at the Lagan Valley Island Centre, Lisburn, though please note that numbers are limited to enhance learning.  However if there is sufficient demand, another course can be accommodated before the end of June.  Alternatively, you may wish a programme to be run within your own organisation - please contact Beth Gibbs using info below for further details.

For any further information please contact:

Beth Gibb - Associates Training & Consultancy
Member of the International Stress Management Association (ISMA)

Mobile: 07790 240795

www.bethgibbassociates.co.uk

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