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News Headlines from: VoluntaryNews

Resources for mentoring and befriending programmesResources for mentoring and befriending programmes

Resources for mentoring and befriending programmes on drugs-related issues.
Communicating on health and social care changes in NICommunicating on health and social care changes in NI

E-network for stakeholder involvement around the planned changes for health and social care in Northern Ireland.
Technology examples from other charity regulatorsTechnology examples from other charity regulators

Third Sector reports that the Charity Commission's chief executive Andrew Hind as saying that they could learn a lot from the use of digital media by regulators in other countries.
Accreditation for volunteer youth workers proposedAccreditation for volunteer youth workers proposed

The development of a volunteer youth workers accreditation scheme has been proposed by NCVYS.
Updated working standards for fundraisersUpdated working standards for fundraisers

The updated National Occupational Standards for Fundraising have been approved and published.
Help with accessibilityHelp with accessibility

Guide from deaf charityretail arm on the help and equipment available to comply with disability law.
Community awards for social technologyCommunity awards for social technology

Wanted: inspiring stories of people who help their community by using social technology.
Opening up your building to the publicOpening up your building to the public

The national Heritage Open Days event sees usually closed buildings throw their doors open to the public.
Codes of conduct for trusteesCodes of conduct for trustees

Resources to help management committees develop codes of conduct for trustees for their organisations are being put together by Charity Trustee Networks.
Merger newsMerger news

Two national charities working with young people in deprived communities are to merge.


Source: Voluntary News

News Headlines from: News & Events RSS

CSC Empowerment response CSC Empowerment response

Response to DCLG Empowerment consultation - forthcoming EWP and UTT
CSC new jobs May 2008CSC new jobs May 2008

Administrative Officer & Programme Manager
CSC Letter to Hazel Blears MP (April 2008)CSC Letter to Hazel Blears MP (April 2008)

CSC express concern over recent CLG handling of community programmes / expression of strong support for government championing of community led action
Press release: 3rd Sector Strategic Partners programmePress release: 3rd Sector Strategic Partners programme


bassac's annual conferencebassac's annual conference

Speak Out! Strengthening Community Voices is bassac's cutting-edge conference. It's is for people from community groups, voluntary organisations, the public sector and partnerships. It offers something for everyone who works with communities: we want to hear your voice.
CDF trustee vacancyCDF trustee vacancy

The Community Development Foundation is a non departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government. They are currently recruiting for a new trustee: deadline for applications is 6th December.
Centre for Local Economic Strategies trainingCentre for Local Economic Strategies training

The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) is an independent think-doing organisation involved in regeneration, local economic development and local governance. Their latest series of training courses is designed to: ? Enhance knowledge ? Build understanding ? Develop analytical skills ? Tackle practical problems ? Share best practice.
Campaign for Community DayCampaign for Community Day

The Trades Union Congress, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Community Service Volunteers, Volunteering England and the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action have launched a campaign for a new bank holiday in late October to be called Community Day.
Coalition to undertake research for The Performance HubCoalition to undertake research for The Performance Hub

The Coalition has just won a contract to deliver research on behalf of the Performance Hub into the performance support needs of community organisations and the most successful and effective delivery mechanisms for this performance support to frontline groups.
Hazel Blears Announcement at DTA ConferenceHazel Blears Announcement at DTA Conference

Hazel Blears announced on Monday 17th September "To ensure a joined-up approach, I am delighted to announce the formation of the National Empowerment Partnership, led by the Community Development Foundation and bringing together practitioners including the Community Sector Coalition, IDeA and the Urban Forum - who will play a crucial role in making a difference on the ground in every region."


Source: Community Sector Coalition

News Headlines from:

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Source: Humberside Learning Consortium

News Headlines from: Regional Forum News

Involve appointed to undertake research into effective and innovative consultation with the third sectorInvolve appointed to undertake research into effective and innovative consultation with the third sector

The Office of the Third Sector has appointed a consortium led by Involve and comprising GuideStar and Headshift to undertake a research project looking at effective and innovative consultation with the third sector. The research, jointly funded with NCVCCO, will fulfil a commitment from the Third Sector Review and will build on the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s (BERR) work on Government consultation. It will report in the autumn. The Third Sector Review published in July 2007 highlighted that listening and responding to the views of citizens and communities is a vital part of the policy making process and a thriving democracy. The Office of the Third Sector is therefore investing in research to promote better understanding of effective and innovative methods of consultation with the third sector and a diverse range of third sector organisations. The key questions the project will address are: How can government most effectively consult with third sector organisations? How can it reach organisations normally under-represented in government consultations? Are there specific ways in which consultation with the third sector differs from other government consultation? The research will be England-wide and will cover the whole of the third sector, including voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, co-operatives and mutuals. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies will be employed in the project. It will provide a useful resource to wider government as they seek to consult with third sector organisations, and inform future OTS consultation exercises as it seeks to act as an exemplar of best practice. The research will also generate useful supplementary information as the new Code of Practice on Consultation is implemented across Government, and will input into work the Commission for the Compact is undertaking to review and revise the Compact and its Codes. The final report, interactive on-line toolkit and a dissemination seminar will be delivered by the end of October 2008.
Contract to deliver the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations currently out to tenderContract to deliver the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations currently out to tender

The Office of the Third Sector is commissioning a national survey on the environment for a thriving third sector. It will measure performance at the 149 upper tier local authority district level in England. It will deliver a local government performance indicator (National Indicator 7) and additional evidence on the performance of local partnerships in relation to the third sector as well as intelligence about the issues facing the third sector at a local level. The OTS has now invited tenders following a Contract Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, Expressions of Interest, and assessment of Pre-Qualification Questionnaire process. This pre-qualification process has now closed and no further tenders will be admitted. This survey is being commissioned in two lots: Lot A – sampling frame and associated data Lot B – conducting the survey, analysis and reporting The contracts will be in place in July 2008 and the survey will be conducted in autumn 2008. The first data is scheduled for delivery at the end of January 2009. This second wave of this survey will be conducted in autumn 2010.
Ivan Lewis announces social enterprise fund open for businessIvan Lewis announces social enterprise fund open for business

Care Services Minister, Ivan Lewis has announced the opening of the second round of the Department of Health (DH) Social Enterprise Investment Fund. He also announced that this year, it would include a new element, the 'Innovation for Life Challenge Fund', developed in collaboration with the Social Enterprise Coalition. The Innovation for Life Challenge Fund will encourage Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) and their partners to find collaborative solutions to health and social care needs through social enterprise Speaking at The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) Good Deals conference, the Minister announced that SHAs would be invited to bid for up to £100k revenue each (from the existing Social Enterprise Fund) to support the commissioning of innovative cross-sector social enterprise solutions. Funding from the new 'Innovation for life Challenge Fund' for 2008/9 could be used to support local boroughs to develop social enterprise solutions to health and well-being issues and to provide cross-sector solutions to local problems, for instance the health and housing sectors working together.
Plan for standard measure of social return on investmentPlan for standard measure of social return on investment

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, speaking at a groundbreaking social investment conference, has announced a new programme of work to help standardise and improve how social return on investment (SROI) is measured. The Government is to carry out a project that will bring together the public sector, independent investors and social enterprises to agree a standard methodology for SROI measurement that places a financial value on social benefit. The research aims to be an important driver of the rapidly developing social investment market and is designed to help third sector organisations, including charities and social enterprises, access more sustainable funding and finance. This is an exciting and developing field that may soon see the introduction of a social stock exchange and a social investment wholesaler. It is estimated that ethical business in the UK is worth around £30bn. Increasingly, investors are looking at the impact of their investments on society and the environment. Consistent measurement of social return has the potential to enable investors to put a financial value on the social and environmental benefits derived from their investment. It could also help commissioners of public services take better account of the social value of a service when tendering for a contract. For more information visit: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=366652&NewsAreaID=2
Consultation for the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Integration Strategy in the Yorkshire & Humber region.Consultation for the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Integration Strategy in the Yorkshire & Humber region.

The Consultation has begun for the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Integration Strategy in the Yorkshire & Humber region. The formal written consultation paper is now available on the refugeeaccess website, by clicking on this link: http://www.refugeeaccess.info/default.asp?step=4&pid=529 This consultation is for organisations and individuals including: policy makers, service providers, front-line staff, volunteers, researchers, politicians, community organisation and any other organisation or individual in the Yorkshire and Humber region. The consultation will form the basis of the regional integration strategy and will also feed into other regional and local strategies. There is a separate consultation (June 2008) aimed specifically for refugees and asylum seekers which will be more accessible to increase their participation an input into the process. Therefore the current written consultation is not aimed at refugees and asylum seekers although they are welcome to fill it in. Other ongoing consultation includes focus groups around the region and a 'culture and integration' consultation. The closing date for this consultation is 23rd May 2008, so please fill it in as soon as possible. To take part follow the link below: http://www.refugeeaccess.info/default.asp?step=4&pid=529
Leeds on of 15 local areas to lead pathfinder projects supporting vulnerable familiesLeeds on of 15 local areas to lead pathfinder projects supporting vulnerable families

Children and Families Minister, Beverley Hughes has announced the details of a £16m 'Family Pathfinder' programme - naming 15 local areas where disadvantaged families will be offered intensive help and support. Each of the 15 areas has successfully bid to lead the way in testing and developing a ground-breaking 'think family' approach to help their most vulnerable families. 'Think Family' - an approach developed by the Cabinet Office's Social Exclusion Task Force - aims to ensure that adults' and children's services join up to respond to the needs of whole families. Six of the Family Pathfinders will also receive additional funding to deliver services for families with young carers. The aim is to help ensure that children in these families do not have to take on inappropriate caring roles. The successful areas are Blackpool, Bolton, Brighton and Hove, Durham, Gateshead, Islington, Leeds, Salford, Somerset, Walsall, Warrington, Southampton, Southend, Sunderland and Westminster. The six areas who will receive additional funds for young carers services are Islington, Gateshead, Sunderland, Bolton, Somerset and Leeds.
OPPORTUNITY: VCS Equality and Human Rights Network Steering Group MembershipOPPORTUNITY: VCS Equality and Human Rights Network Steering Group Membership

We are seeking up to 6 experienced team players to supplement the Steering Group for the Network. The Steering Group is made up of the regional thematic networks in Yorkshire and the Humber and we are now seeking additional members to bring additional perspectives on equality and human rights. You will find links to the following documents below: An information sheet outlining the role of the network and its steering group. A short application form for these positions on the steering group. A leaflet about the network. The deadline for completed applications is Wednesday 28th May at 5pm. Completed applications should be send to Ruth Beattie, at the address below or emailed to: ruth.beattie@regionalforum.org.uk If you have any queries please contact Ruth Beattie on 0113 394 2300.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation - Consultation on today's social evils reveals deep unease about greed, individualism and decline of communityJoseph Rowntree Foundation - Consultation on today's social evils reveals deep unease about greed, individualism and decline of community

People feel a deep sense of unease about some of the changes shaping British society. This is according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's (JRF) consultation on modern-day social evils, released last week. Respondents said that they felt our society has become more greedy and selfish, at a cost to our sense of community. They said that we no longer share a set of common values and that we have lost our 'moral compass'. Over 100 years after Joseph Rowntree named his evils as poverty, war, slavery, intemperance, the opium trade, impurity and gambling, the JRF held a consultation to find out what people thought were today's social evils. More than 3,500 people contributed to the consultation, which took place between July and September last year. They spoke to a wide range of people, from opinion-formers to people whose voices are not normally heard. The JRF found people are concerned about how we seem to live our lives. For more information visit: http://www.socialevils.org.uk/
Consultation: Human rights inquiryConsultation: Human rights inquiry

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission is inquiring about establishing how public authorities, such as hospitals, schools or local and national government offices, make sure they treat people well and in line with legal requirements under the Human Rights Act. Although the Human Rights Act directly applies to public authorities, we are also interested in looking at private and voluntary organisations that carry out public functions such as private or voluntary care homes financed by public bodies. They need you to help them build up an accurate picture of how well things are working now so that they can recommend improvements for the future. The inquiry is currently covering England and Wales but they are discussing options for similar or parallel work to be carried out in Scotland with the newly formed Scottish Human Rights Commission. For more information and to take part visit: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/projects/humanrightsinquiry/Pages/Gatheringevidence.aspx The consultation closes 21 June 2008.
ThirdSector Excellence AwardsThirdSector Excellence Awards

It's impossible not to be impressed by the quality of the work done by the voluntary sector. It lobbies politicians, runs vivid and moving campaigns and acts as a reservoir of expertise. And it often does all this on a shoestring. The Third Sector Excellence Awards are now in their fourth year, and there are 24 categories covering everything from direct mail to employee innovation. So please think back over the past twelve months, tell us about the best things you've done, and we'll put them in front of our teams of specialist judges. Visit: http://www.thirdsectorexcellenceawards.com to download an entry form or contact Steven Lewis on 020 8267 4042 mailto:steven.lewis@haymarket.com Entry deadline: Friday 18 July 2008


Source: Regional Forum

News Headlines from: ruralnet|uk

ruralnet|uk to deliver Web 2.0 website for AMTruralnet|uk to deliver Web 2.0 website for AMT

ruralnet|uk is delighted to announce that it has won the tender to deliver the Action for Market Towns (AMT) website. A central feature of the bid was in utilising cutting edge web 2.0 technologies which will ultimately allow AMT to pull information in from other sites via RSS feeds and also take control of managing [...]
net:gain wins funding to continue market-based innovation in ICT supportnet:gain wins funding to continue market-based innovation in ICT support

ruralnet|uk is delighted with Capacitybuilders? announcement today awarding funding to continue the highly innovative net:gain programme until 2011.
Improving the reach of rural regenerationImproving the reach of rural regeneration

Rural VCO?s are benefiting from the ruralnet|uk managed ?Improving Reach? project, supported by Capacity Builders. As part of this project, rural VCO?s are being invited to adopt a widget for their website.
Bike-to-work scheme sees Company Secretary cut emissionsBike-to-work scheme sees Company Secretary cut emissions

Cycling to work and back saves just under half kilo of CO² per mile and employees are being encouraged to take to the pedals through Bike-to-work scheme.
Rural Service Support (RSSupport)Rural Service Support (RSSupport)

What is Rural Service Support? Rural Service Support (RSSupport) is delivered in partnership by a consortium of national organisations led by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC). Recognising that decisions arising from the Post Office Network Change programme may change the way post office counter services are provided for certain communities, RSSupport is designed to [...]
Improving ReachImproving Reach

What is Improving Reach? The current initiative is a pilot (through to Mar’08) funded by Capacity Builders with aims built around identifying ways to provide isolated rural groups with face-to-face training and access to online advice and support services to enable them to use ICT more effectively to manage their organisations and deliver their services.This Capacitybuilders [...]
ruralnet|online needs you!ruralnet|online needs you!

ruralnet|online co-design site goes live! Join the consultation and help shape the future of ruralnet|online 2.0.


ruralnet|uk and its trading subsidiary RNUK Ltd, are currently delivering several projects and services and have supported and managed numerous projects over the years ? resulting in a wide and varied portfolio of work.
A unique snapshot of rural BritainA unique snapshot of rural Britain

Buy Now with PayPal. ruralnet|uk are the proud publishers of a unique book which captures the collective anecdotes of over 100 people, offering a distinct insight into rural Britain: past and future. Read a review here.
RCCN receives funding boost from Esmée Fairbairn FoundationRCCN receives funding boost from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

ruralnet|uk is delighted to announce that the Rural Community Carbon Network (RCCN) has been awarded a £7,530 grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation ? a fantastic start to the New Year!


Source: Ruralnet