Contents 1. Forum 2. Open House 3. LCVYS Update 4. Electronic Lolly 5. Meetings Room Available 6. Thought for the Day 7. DIY SOS 8. Changing the World 9. HCVYS has Moved 10. Website 11. Free Guide on CD-ROM 12. VAT Guide 13. Keeping Computers Safe 14. Lancashire Outdoor Education 15. Training Provider Guide 16. NYA 17. Volunteers' Week 18. Green Partnership Awards Road Show 19. Deepdale Arts, Craft and Poetry Exhibition and Festival 20. Employment Rights 21. Threatening Youth Revised 22. Money Gremlins Dissemination Event 23. The British Red Cross' Humanitarian Citizen Awards 24. Employment Opportunity 25. InKindDirect 26. Charity Commission 27. Resources 28. Employment Opportunity 29. North West Annual Conference 2005 30. Charities' Online Accounts Awards 2005 31. Lolly Submissions 32. Hanson Environment Fund 33. Funderfinder 34. Children's Fund Local Network 35. Comic Relief 36. Crimebeat 37. Charity InKindDirect Relaunches Website following In Kind Giving Rise 38. Funding for Local Heritage Projects 39. Faithworks Awards 40. Grants to Improve Your Local Environment 41. Arts Council England - Budget to 2008 LANCASHIRE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY YOUTH SERVICES FORUM Lancashire Voluntary & Community Faith Sector Consortium Venue - County Hall on Wednesday 29th June 2005, 7 pm for 7.30 pm start You may reserve your free place by contacting the office on 01772 250001 Tea and coffee will be available. OPEN HOUSE LCVYS Open Evening Friday 10 June 5 pm to 7 pm Wednesday 13 July 6 pm to 8 pm If you want to practise using the resources, utilise the funding desk, use the Funderfinder software, look through the InKindDirect catalogue or get general support and advice, contact the LCVYS office and reserve your free place. LCVYS UPDATE Lancashire Voluntary and Community Faith Sector Consortium The VCFS Consortium is involved in providing an opportunity for the strengthening and capacity building of infrastructure organisations in Lancashire through the Change Up programme funded by the Home Office Active Communities Unit. Plans have been submitted to Government Office North West and once approved, infrastructure organisations will be able to draw down £1.2million to deliver the plan by March 2006. LCVYS has been involved in these negotiations and will continue to keep voluntary youth organisations informed as to how this funding can be accessed once details are available. Every Child Matters Update Work is continuing within the County Council and with partners to put into practice the Government’s proposals and vision for children and young people. LCVYS has representation on a number of committees and aims to ensure that the voice of the voluntary youth sector is heard. A new Children’s Services Board has been set up on which Margaret Leather, LCVYS Deputy Chair, represents the Voluntary Youth Sector and Fu’ad Sabour the Faith Sector. Dave Metcalfe, NCH, represents the Sector on the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership. Margaret Leather also sits on the Every Child Matters Sub Group of the LCC Compact Working Group. Multi Agency Workshop LCC is holding a Multi Agency Workshop for Engaging Children and Young People in June. Participation, consultation and engagement of children and young people is a central theme of the national and local service agenda and a Charter, produced by a group of Lancashire’s young people, will be presented at this event. LPSA Target 11A - Lancashire Accreditation Network Funding for the Voluntary Sector – April 2005 to March 2006 Funding for the support of Young People’s Accreditation To access this funding your group must be signed up with the Accreditation Network in their own right or be a member of an umbrella organisation, the money is available to develop and/or record the accredited outcomes of young people aged 13 to 19 living in Lancashire. Funding is available for: • Leader training – necessary training for leaders to be able to deliver accredited out comes – e.g. BCU awards etc • Young People’s accreditation – to support the delivery of work leading to accredited out comes – e.g. the additional cost to a residential to offer accreditation, award booklets etc • *Young People to access subsidised places on LCVYS training courses leading to an accredited outcome • Data collection e.g. umbrella organisation licences, administration of data collection where numbers are large and the data is from different sources i.e. Girlguiding, Scouts, LACYP etc For an application form contact: Tracy Cowle, Training & Development Manager, Lancashire, Youth Association, 10 Fishergate Hill, Preston PR1 8JB Tel: 01772 208597 Fax: 01772 251334 Email: tracyc@lya.org.uk * For subsidised places for young people to attend LCVYS training courses, please call Val at LCVYS on 01772 250001 for an application form Consultation Documents A number of documents, both from Government and the County Council are out for consultation and responses are invited from interested parties. Developing a Vision for Social Inclusion – the County Council is developing a corporate cross-cutting policy framework for social inclusion and requests help in the shaping of a definition and vision. A questionnaire is available on the County Council’s website at www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/consultation Strengthening Partnerships: Next Steps for Compact – the Relationship between the Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector – a consultation document from the Home Office Active Communities Unit. Responses are due by 12 July 2005 and the document can be downloaded from www.activecommunities.homeoffice.gov.uk Children and Young People’s Plan – this is an important element of the reforms underpinned by the Children Act 2004 which should support more integrated and effective services to secure the outcomes for children as set out in Every Child Matters: Change for Children. Guidance on the Plan is available from www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1294 The closing date for the consultation is 6 June 2005. The DfES has published a draft children and young people's workforce strategy for consultation. It proposes the creation of a single qualifications framework covering six areas of common expertise. A further consultation has been published on a vetting scheme in response to recommendations of the Bichard report. www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations Inspection of children's services - consultation A consultation has been launched on draft regulations for new inspection arrangements for children's services, including joint area reviews, which are due to start in autumn 2005. www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1293 THE ELECTRONIC LOLLY Free subscription is available to all for the electronic version of this newsletter which is published monthly. Send an email with the words “subscribe lolly” in the main body of the email to: majordomo@lcvys.org.uk and you will be added to our list and receive confirmation by return email. To receive the latest copy of the Lolly by email at any time, send a blank email to: latestlolly@lcvys.org.uk within a few seconds the latest edition will be emailed back to you. MEETING ROOMS AVAILABLE LCVYS have 2 meeting rooms available for use. Based in the centre of Preston on Guildhall Street, it is an ideal venue for groups, of up to 30 people (large room) or up to 8 (small room), wishing to meet in professional surroundings away from their normal venue. Hot and cold drinks facilities are available. LCVYS also has a range of resources and office facilities available at a cost (free to LCVYS member organisations). The rooms are available during office hours, weekdays but may also be booked at weekends and evenings by prior appointment. Contact LCVYS for rates and availability. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Every child is capable of greatness - Philip Lawrence DIY SOS BBC One's DIY SOS has started a new series. They are looking for community projects with an SOS. If you think your community centre could do with some help from the team, please contact luke.lovell@bbc.co.uk as soon possible but definitely by the end of June. CHANGING THE WORLD International Voluntary Service has published a brochure of short-term projects for summer 2005. Visit www.ivs-gb.org.uk HCVYS HAS MOVED Please note that Hampshire CVYS has now moved to: St Thomas Centre, 20 Southgate Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9EF Telephone: 01962 843543 Email: hcvys@btopenworld.com WEBSITE www.get2thepoint.co.uk/insuranceandrisk gives details of the new Home Office project looking at volunteer recruitment and insurance within voluntary and community organisations which engage in sporting, recreational and adventurous activities. FREE GUIDE ON CD-ROM The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has produced ‘Racial Equality and the Smaller Business - a Practical Guide’. This free guide offers clear, practical advice to help you develop policies and procedures that avoid unlawful discrimination and ensure equality and fair treatment for everyone. To order ‘Racial Equality and the Smaller Business - a Practical Guide’ on CD-ROM, call TSO on 0870 240 3697. Alternatively, you can download a PDF version of the guide. VAT GUIDE The NCVO has published a step by step guide to the VAT for voluntary organisations. VAT for Voluntary Organisations, the revised edition, explains how groups can reduce their VAT liability but stay within the law. Charities pay out some £400 million in irrecoverable VAT each year. Some are losing over 10% of their voluntary income in this way. The book is a user friendly guide offering help in negotiating the VAT minefield, including the basics of VAT, a comprehensive question and answer section, planning points for charities and a handy registration checklist. The sector’s irrecoverable VAT burden is unlikely to be relieved by government. Visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk KEEPING COMPUTERS SAFE Computer security issues can be costly (in time, effort and money) for the VCS. ITsafe is a government website designed to provide you with plain English advice to help protect computers, mobiles and other devices from malicious attack. Information is on the website: www.itsafe.gov.uk You can sign up to receive the latest information of threats by email. LANCASHIRE OUTDOOR EDUCATION Lancashire Outdoor Education is one of the largest and most experienced providers of outdoor activities in the country. Our activities encourage children to develop a sense of responsibility, to share and co-operate and communicate more effectively. A visit to one of our centres can prove to be the formative experience of a lifetime. We are part of Lancashire County Council. All our centres are safe and secure. All our staff are police cleared, fully trained and qualified for the activities they deliver. Our equipment and facilities are maintained to the highest standards. Our locations are unique and easily accessible. What you can expect from us: Safe and exciting activities linked to the national curriculum A wide range of activities Emphasis on group and individual development Comfortable and secure accommodation with good food Friendly, caring staff, who are professional and fully qualified. TRAINING PROVIDER GUIDE The LSC has produced a regional training provider guide. Aimed at employers, the Employer’s Guide to Training Providers will help you choose the most suitable training. The guide provides you with questions to ask and things to consider when you are looking for training provision. It also allows you to search for providers who offer courses on a subject of your choice. Visit www.lsc.gov.uk/national/employer/goodtraining.html for a national list. NATIONAL YOUTH AGENCY The NYA has a limited number of copies of the booklet Making Your Neighbourhood Family Friendly to give away on a first come first served basis. The booklet written by the Family and Parenting Institute with the support of the LGA explores what a family friendly neighbourhood is according to a recent poll, and offers information on who does what locally, where to find out about services on offer and how to go about having your say. It includes a section on activities for teenagers. To request a copy email helenafr@nya.org.uk VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK 1st to 7th June Volunteers’ Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1st to 7th June of each year. The week aims to promote innovative ways to thank, recruit and involve volunteers and raises the profile of the work of the UK’s 22 million volunteers. Now in its 21st year, Volunteers' Week is a major event in the UK’s volunteering calendar. Throughout the Week there is a burst of activity as volunteer managers publicly thank their volunteers and highlight their contribution to the organisation and the wider community. The publicity also means that it’s also a great time to recruit new volunteers and recruitment will be the major theme for 2005 with a particular focus on employee volunteering and young people. Groups and organisations of all kinds and sizes take part in Volunteers' Week – from private sector companies, to hospitals and schools, and major charities and small community groups, as well as individuals. The Volunteers' Week website has a page allowing you to add details of your own Volunteers' Week events. Visit www.volunteersweek.org/add_event.asp GREEN PARTNERSHIP AWARDS ROADSHOW Saturday 4 June Yarrow Valley Country Park The Green Partnership Awards aim to assist groups and individuals from across Lancashire to participate in and carry out projects that improve their local environment. Details of these awards are on page 15 of this newsletter. The Road Show will be a drop in event, so feel free to come along at any time and stay for as long as you need. There will be information about the Green Partnership Awards on hand, together with details of how to apply, what will happen to your application once you have made it and examples of the sorts of projects that have already received an award. You will also be able to speak to one of the Green Partnership Awards team, should you need any further information, or advice on getting your project off the ground. For more information contact Rosemary Pritchard on 01772 534197 email rosemary.pritchard@env.lancscc.gov.uk DEEPDALE ARTS, CRAFTS AND POETRY EXHIBITION AND FESTIVAL Saturday 12th July 12 pm to 4 pm Catherine Becketts Centre Another chance for the men, women and children of Preston to show off their talents as artist, poet, craftsperson, photographer, painter, writer. To enter your work, please complete an entry form available from Preston Muslim Forum or Catherine Beckett Centre or call 01772 889000 for further information. EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has launched a website advising young people of their employment rights. If you are aged 14 to 18 and you have a job or are looking for one then you should visit www.youngncb.org.uk/yourrights Whether it is a Saturday job or the daily grind of office life the law has plenty to say to make sure you’re treated fairly, paid fairly and looked after by your employer. Legal rights are no use unless you know about them, just remember - knowledge is power. THREATENING YOUTH REVISED Thursday 7th July 6 pm Bernard Davies speaks on 'Threatening Youth Revised' at Didsbury, Campus, MMU. Bernard Davies is among the most important advocates of a developmental approach to youth and community work and a longstanding critic of the control agenda in youth policy. He is the author of a number of important works including ‘Threatening Youth’ and ‘A History of Youth and Community’ work. In the climate of the current restrictions on civil liberties, of ASBOs and Teenage Pregnancy Strategies, you are invited to come and hear Bernard’s reflections and to join in a discussion on contemporary youth policy. To reserve a place please contact: Janet Batsleer, Head of Youth and Community Work, MMU, 799 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2RR. Or email: J.Batsleer@mmu.ac.uk Please state your Name, Position and Contact Details. MONEY GREMLINS DISSEMINATION EVENT Thursday 16th June 9 am to 1 pm, The Swallow Hotel, Preston This event will give participants an opportunity to Learn about the examples of best practice from the Money Gremlins Campaign Explore opportunities to develop collaborative partnerships Focus on learner progression Identify ways to progress the Financial Literacy Agenda If you would like more information contact Susan Liptrot, Administration Officer for N W Lancashire Learning Partnership on 01257 516345. The deadline for applications is 3rd June. THE BRITISH RED CROSS’ HUMANITARIAN CITIZEN AWARDS The British Red Cross’ Humanitarian Citizen Awards have been set up to recognise the achievements of young people and celebrate the contribution they make within their communities. We would like to invite young people to nominate their peers who have taken part in a worthwhile activity or made a contribution to helping others. Do you know someone, or a group who has played a significant role in a humanitarian project in your area? Have they made a real impact in their community or encouraged others to get involved? If so, then please get in touch and let us know. All winners will receive rewards, a trophy and some will have the chance to participate in a fun and informative residential weekend. You can nominate young people for the following categories: Silver Level – 16 years or under Gold Level – 16-25 years Group Award – for all ages Application closes on 15 July. Winners announced 31st August. Autumn half term - Residential and prize giving Visit www.redcross.org.uk/theaward to download the forms or for information contact Zuhra Bahman, British Red Cross, 44 Moorfields, London EC2Y 9AL Tel: 020 7877 7240 Email: theaward@redcross.org.uk EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Secretary/Receptionist - £6.00 per hour - 16 hrs pw – 3 yr contract Following a successful bid to the Community Fund, INTAG is looking for a committed and flexible person for the above post. Reporting to the Project Manager you will be responsible for a wide range of secretarial and reception duties. The successful candidate will have: Excellent Communication Skills both written and verbal, Good Minute Taking and other secretarial skills, Good Computer skills with experience of Microsoft Office, A warm, friendly but professional manner, some experience of dealing with finance, An ability to work on your own initiative You will be an enthusiastic, self motivated person with plenty of drive to join our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. You will be committed to excellence and a participative approach to service delivery. For details and an application pack contact Vanda Gulsher at INTAG on Tel: 01772 760760 Closing Date for Receipt of Applications: Monday 6th June 2005 Proposed Interview Date: Tuesday 14th June 2005 Proposed Start Date: Monday 20th June 2005 INKINDDIRECT Below is a list of items that have been available in recent catalogues. 17 inch (refurbished) monitor @ £50.00, 3 Berghaus rucksacks @ £20.00, 4 foldable aluminium skate scooters @ £15.00, 2 Braun steam irons @ £15.00, 36 Disney character cuddly toys @ £15.00, 3 Berghaus fleece jackets size 8, 10 and 12 @ £15.00, 2000 food bags @ £15.00, 5 Battery operated shaver pack @ £12.00, 5 Kids musical electric toothbrushes @ £15.00. From household names such as Bodyshop, Gillette, Braun, Mothercare, Scholl, Bosch, HP, Brother, Panasonic and many more. Also - software, stationery, sportswear, toiletries, rolls of material, laptop cases, batteries, power tools, computer games, duvet sets, plastic plates and much more. The catalogue is available to browse by prior arrangement at the LCVYS office in Preston between 10 am and 4 pm every weekday or we can arrange a time suitable to you. More details about In Kind Direct are on page 14 of this newsletter or visit the website www.inkinddirect.org CHARITY COMMISSION The Charity Commission has published the results of its strategic review. This will shape a radical reorganisation including a new logo and head of innovation post. www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/detail.asp?ReleaseID=153046&NewsAreaID=2&N avigatedFromDepartment=True RESOURCES LCVYS is able to support its members by loaning out resources that many organisations simply cannot afford to buy themselves. Through the Transforming Youth Work Development Fund in association with Lancashire County Council Youth & Community Service, Connexions Lancashire, Local Network Fund we have been able to purchase additional equipment. Available to our member organisations, are: Combined TV and Video player, OHP, Laptops, Thermal Binder, Flip Chart Board, Laminator, Projectors, screens, VCR, Digital Camcorders, Digital Cameras, access to an interactive whiteboard, PA Systems. Within the office a scanner and CD/DVD writer, a colour laser printer, duplex black and white printer. Contact the office on 01772 250001 or visit the website www.lcvys.org and click on resources. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER – Voluntary Youth Sector Salary: JNC points 23 – 26 (£26,811 - £29,142) Available either full-time, job share or as a secondment opportunity for 12 months from appointment. Based at the Unit’s offices, near St Helens you will be responsible with the NWRYSU Team, for developing and extending the Unit’s work with the voluntary youth work sector across the region. The successful candidate will be an appropriately qualified and experienced youth worker, committed to involving young people and to improving opportunities available to them. You will have both youth work and youth work management skills and experience, and an understanding of the current context and issues affecting young people and youth work. In addition, you will have excellent verbal, written and IT skills, be well organised, able to cope under pressure, be able to work using your own initiative but also as part of a team. The Unit’s work is at an exciting stage with an expanding role and developing programme. The post-holder will work specifically with key local and regional partners to coordinate and develop the work of a regional forum for Voluntary Youth Organisations. The Unit is committed to the principles and practices of equal opportunities and positively welcomes applications from suitably experienced individuals from all sections of the community. Start date -ASAP Closing date – 20th June 2005 Interview Date – 6th July 2005 Email info@nwrysu.org.uk or ring 01925 295837 for an application pack NORTH WEST ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2005 CHALLENGE AND CHANGE Friday 15 July, Wigan A Fresh Focus for the Region This conference is free of charge. There are only a limited number of places available and demand is sure to be high. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis - so book early to avoid disappointment. This conference is one of a very small number of events which are held within our region which offer delegates from both the public and private sectors a real opportunity for engagement and interaction on issues which directly affect our future. For a booking form call 01942 737928. Unfortunately we are unable to accept telephone bookings. CHARITIES’ ONLINE ACCOUNTS AWARDS 2005 The 2005 Charities' Online Accounts Awards are open with increased prize money for the winners, a whole new entry category and, for the first time, rewards for the runners-up. Sponsored by CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) and the Institute for Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the Awards are open to all charities across the UK and celebrate the best online report and accounts within the sector. The biggest change to the Awards is to the prize money, with the winners in each category receiving £5,000. Prize money will also now be available to the runners up, with charities in second place each receiving £750 and those in third place receiving £250. As well as the four existing entry categories, CAF and the ICAEW have chosen to include automatically the online accounts of the UK's top 100 fundraising charities. 2005 will see Charity Finance magazine lending its support to the Awards, while the Charity Finance Director's Group are stepping up their support. Entry categories: charities with an income below £100,000; with an income between £100k and £500k; with an income between £500k and £2million; with an income over £2 million and automatic entry for the Top 100 charities as listed in CAF's Charity Trends. The competition closes on 18 July 2005. Visit www.cafonline.org/onlineawards or Email: events@cafonline.org for information about the awards Wendy Green, CAF on 01732 520 120 Email: pressoffice@cafonline.org Website: www.cafonline.org Heidi Ancell, ICAEW on 020 7920 8617 Email: heidi.ancell@icaew.co.uk Website: www.icaew.co.uk LOLLY SUBMISSIONS Do you have an event in the future you wish to publicise? Has your group had an event you want to tell others about? Have you recently been successful in a funding application and want to tell other members what you have achieved with the funding? Do you have any employment opportunities? If you would like to submit an article for inclusion in the next edition of the Lolly Newsletter, the deadline is Friday 17th June. It’s simple enough to submit an article . Just email the item (with a picture if possible) to val@lcvys.org.uk. We are also happy to accept articles by fax or post. Contact details are on the front page of this newsletter. The newsletter is circulated to over 1300 readers in either hard copy or by email. It’s also available on the LCVYS website: www.lcvys.org.uk. Details of how to receive a copy of the electronic newsletter, free of charge are on page 3. Alternatively to receive a hard copy at a cost of £15.00 per annum email val@lcvys.org.uk or call 01772 250001 or fax 01772 250042 HANSON ENVIRONMENT FUND Hanson set up its environment fund in 1997, using landfill tax credits accumulated by the building materials company, to support environmental and community initiatives from not-for-profit organisations. The Hanson Environment Fund has distributed more than £15 million in the last seven years, to support more than 760 projects across the UK. The aim of the fund is to provide lasting environmental benefits by improving community amenities, both natural and built, and to improve biodiversity, in areas where Hanson is operational. Hanson is the world's largest producer of aggregates - crushed rock, sand and gravel - and the third largest producer of ready-mixed concrete. Its other principal products are precast concrete, clay bricks and concrete roof tiles. Hanson has operations in N America, UK, Australia, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific and employs over 28,000 people in 15 countries. The fund is administered by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which handles all applications and grants. A management board meets quarterly to consider applications for the main grants scheme and monthly for the small grants scheme. The fund offers two levels of support: Small Grants Scheme - grants between £250 and £4,000 for community amenities, and wildlife and habitat conservation. Applicants do not need to be enrolled with ENTRUST. Main Grants Scheme - grants between £4,001 and £25,000 for the creation and improvement of parks and public amenities and the creation, restoration and management of areas specifically to safeguard and/or enhance biodiversity. Applicants must be enrolled with ENTRUST. All projects must take place within 10 miles of a Hanson operation. Projects must be located within 10 miles of registered landfill site in addition to a Hanson operation. This is a requirement of the Landfill Tax Regulations. If you do not know the location of your nearest registered landfill site, visit the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme website at www.ltcs.org.uk and click on ‘landfill operators’. Alternatively, contact ENTRUST, the regulatory body of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme on 0161 972 0044 or your local authority, who will be able to provide you with a list of all landfill sites in your area. Projects that are not eligible for funding include: Improvements inside schools/within school grounds; Core costs of an organisation; Retrospective funding - work that has already taken place before any grant has been awarded; Events; Repair or restoration to places of worship or structures of historic or architectural interest; Car parks; Allotments. For full details, please visit the fund's website: www.hansonenvfund.org, and before you submit an application, please contact us to discuss your project: Hanson Environment Fund, RSWT, The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1WT. Tel: 0870 036 1000 Fax: 0870 036 0101 Email: grants@rswt.org THE CAMELOT FOUNDATION The Camelot Foundation is looking for small to medium sized organisations across the UK that work with its priority groups for their Transforming Lives Fund: Young parents or those at risk of becoming young parents, Young asylum seekers, Young people with mental health problems, Young disabled people. The deadline date is 11 July 2005 www.camelotfoundation.org.uk/translives/translives.cfm FUNDERFINDER Funderfinder is available at the LCVYS office to all member organisations during office hours. To arrange a convenient time call 01772 250001 or email enquiries@lcvys.org.uk CHILDREN’S FUND LOCAL NETWORK Do you need between £250 and £7,000? Are you a small community group in the Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen or Blackpool areas? Can you organise projects or activities that directly benefit disadvantaged children or young people? If the answer to these questions is yes, then the Children’s Fund Local Network may be able to help. For an application pack telephone 0845 113 0161 The Local Network Fund covers the Lancashire area including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen and targets children and young people aged 0 – 19 years who are recognised as facing disadvantage. The next deadlines for application are: Friday 15 July 2005 Friday 30 September 2005 This fund is currently being directly administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, with outreach and support provided by LCVYS. Funding is available to help improve children’s lives in Lancashire, through the Children’s Fund Local Network. The Children’s Fund Local Network has been set up by the Department of Education to help tackle child poverty. The four main themes are: Aspirations and experiences, Economic disadvantage, Isolation and access, Children’s voices The priorities of the Fund are: First time applications, Disadvantaged wards, Minority ethnic groups For help with any aspect of the application procedure please call the LCVYS office on 01772 250001 COMIC RELIEF Comic Relief wants to make the biggest and best difference it possibly can, with the money you raise. To make sure we continue to do this, we recently reviewed all of our grants and are now putting together a revised version of our guidelines. This will mean some changes in what we fund, like The Small Grants Fund for Gypsy & Traveller Projects closing and our work with older people expanding. In Africa it will see us building on our work with families affected by HIV/Aids, as well as helping more children living on the streets in towns and cities. The UK grants guidelines will be available to download from the website www.comicrelief.org.uk from June 13th. The International guidelines will be published in early summer - date TBC. CRIMEBEAT Thanks to the sterling work of the High Sheriff of Lancashire for 2004-05, Mrs Gail Stanley MBE, Crimebeat www.lancashire-crimebeat.org.uk has gone from strength to strength. Also, thanks to the generous sponsorship from LANPAC member Transco www.transco.uk.com the coffers have been boosted by £6,000. The new High Sheriff, Jimmy Armfield OBE, can award grants of up to £500 to initiatives run by young people that enhance community safety and prevent crime. If you know of young people involved in such projects, visit the Crimebeat website and download an application form, or for more details contact Julie Parkinson, LANPAC, Management Support Team on Tel: 01772 618372 Fax: 01772 618129 Email: julie@lanpac.co.uk Website: www.lanpac.co.uk CHARITY INKINDDIRECT RELAUNCHES WEBSITE FOLLOWING IN KIND GIVING RISE In kind giving is one of the fastest growing ways UK companies are helping the community and the environment. In response, www.inkinddirect.org, the only website dedicated to UK in kind giving, has been relaunched. The site is full of information about how good causes benefit, which companies give in kind, the business reasons why and which funders support the work of charity In Kind Direct. Last year In Kind Direct received over £9 million worth of high quality new surplus from over a hundred companies, including many household names such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Microsoft, The Disney Store and Early Learning Centre for distribution to its network of more than a thousand UK voluntary organisations working at home and abroad. There has been a year on year increase in goods donations since HRH The Prince of Wales founded the charity in 1996. Developed by netXtra and maintained in-house, the site has been designed to be quick and simple to use. It reflects the charity's strapline "The best ideas are often the simplest", making information about In Kind Direct's work and supporters readily available and encouraging visitor feedback. There are illustrated biographies of the charity's trustees, a staff contact page with product-linked photographs and a page with information and links to The Prince of Wales's other charities. The site is intended to be readily adaptable, able to reflect in kind giving trends and issues and to respond swiftly to events. It aims to develop a knowledge centre on the social, business and environmental benefits of in kind giving. There are case studies on all aspects of the charity's work illustrating the benefits of working with In Kind Direct to prospective users and supporters. It will link to In Kind Direct's e-commerce site when the monthly catalogue of goods available goes online later this year. For more information on how charities can benefit from In Kind Direct and details of the subsidised registrations currently available please contact Tasha Procter on www.inkinddirect.org. FUNDING FOR LOCAL HERITAGE PROJECTS Local community groups in England wishing to develop heritage projects are able to apply for grants of between £3,000 and £25,000 from the Local Heritage Initiative. As the Local Heritage Initiative provides grants of 100% there is no requirement for groups to provide any of their own finance to contribute to projects. Local Heritage is a partnership initiative which is due to run until 2010. The Countryside Agency administers the scheme, and the grants are provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Additional funding comes from the Nationwide Building Society. The £10 million Initiative currently covers England but similar schemes will soon be developed for communities in Scotland, Wales and possibly Northern Ireland. To be eligible for a grant, local groups must actively involve the local community. The type of activities supported range from promoting public access, enjoyment and appreciation of heritage assets and their cultural or historic associations to training of local volunteers. Groups wishing to apply are encouraged to discuss their projects with a Regional Adviser before completing the application form. Visit the website for information: www.lhi.org.uk/grants/index.html FAITHWORKS AWARDS Since its launch in February 2001, Faithworks has been working towards empowering and inspiring individual Christians and every local church to develop their role at the hub of their community. The CRE Faithworks Community Resource Award 2005 consists of a £5,000 development grant from CRE and ongoing strategic support from Faithworks. This Award will be given to a project that has modelled best practice in serving a community over the course of three or more years. The Spring Harvest Faithworks Community Innovation Award 2005 (two awards) will be presented to a project that has been in existence and delivering services for less than three years and is demonstrating innovation in its local community. It comprises of a £5,000 development grant from the Spring Harvest Charitable Trust and strategic support from Faithworks. You can register your interest in these awards from their website www.faithworks.info or contact Faithworks, 115 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0AX Tel: 020 7450 9031 Fax: 020 7450 9001 Email: info@faithworks.info The deadline for applications is 31 July 2005. GRANTS TO IMPROVE YOUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT The Green Partnership Awards (GPA) is a community partnership between Lancashire County Council, United Utilities, Environment Agency, Burnley Community Network and individually the borough councils of Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble, and Wyre; the city councils of Lancaster and Preston and the district council of West Lancashire. The Partnership is committed to supporting local, community based initiatives. This is because we believe that by encouraging people to act locally in their own community we can improve Lancashire not only for today but also for the future. GPA assists groups and individuals to carry out projects to improve their local environment by providing funding and professional advice. Grants are available to all groups and organisations, as well as individuals in Lancashire and are awarded in the area of £500. To be eligible for a grant, a project should aim to make a lasting contribution to improving the local neighbourhood and not just be a quick fix. Your project should meet one of the following objectives: develop and result in practical environmental improvements; raise awareness of environmental issues; promote environmental projects and events; celebrate environmental actions. Your project should also try to: benefit your community and/or enhance the environment; make a lasting improvement to your neighbourhood and have the support of local people in your area. We particularly welcome applications from schools. Reducing the amount of rubbish produced in Lancashire is a big part of improving our local environment. To help achieve this, GPA has specifically set aside funding for projects that help reduce, recycle or reuse rubbish. Projects might include: Collection of materials for recycling, Real nappy promotions, Community composting schemes, Recycling arts projects, Scrap stores, Can collections ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND - BUDGET TO 2008 Arts Council England has announced its budget strategy up to March 2008 and its funding for over 1,100 arts organisations during this 3 year period. The Arts Council’s grant-in-aid remains at £412m between 2005/06 and 2007/08. In the context of that standstill settlement, the Arts Council has developed a tough financial strategy to support four key priorities. The priorities are: to provide financial stability for the majority of arts organisations; to ensure that organisations with major capital developments have the revenue funding to reach their potential; •to develop the infrastructure for black and minority ethnic artists; to review the range of organisations receiving regular funding and redirect funding to priority areas. In order to deliver those priorities the Arts Council, among other things, is cutting back its budgets to develop new opportunities for the arts and its budget for the Creative Partnerships programme for young people, and reducing the number of organisations receiving regular funding. The Arts Council has also frozen its administration budget over the 3 years. This rigorous financial strategy has meant that the Arts Council is able to increase its budget for regular funding to organisations from £300,797,000 in 2005/06 to £325,802,000 in 2007/08. This strategy allows it to give 60% of all regularly funded arts organisations (645 organisations) a standard annual increase of 2.75% in 2006/07 and 2007/08. In addition, 20% (232 organisations) will receive an annual increase of above 2.75%, including significant increases for arts organisations with major capital developments to ensure that they have the revenue to fulfil their potential. 34 new organisations will be given regular funding for the first time. By 2007/08, 14% of regularly funded organisations will be led by black and minority ethnic artists or key to the infrastructure that supports their work. Allocations for a small number of organisations remain under review and will be announced over the coming months. The budgets to organisations for 2005/06, which have already been announced, are confirmed. The Council has chosen to fund fewer organisations better, as a result, by March 2008, a total of 121 organisations will have ceased to receive regular funding. 54 organisations will receive annual increases of below 2.75% or no increase at all. The Arts Council’s budgets to develop new opportunities in the arts and new partnerships will reduce by £13 million and the guaranteed financial allocation to support work with children and young people through the Creative Partnerships programme will drop from the budgeted £45 million a year to £32 million in 2005/06, rising to £35 million in 2007/08. Grants for the arts - organisations and national touring are funded by the National Lottery. These are for activities that benefit people in England or that help artists and arts organisations from England to carry out their work. You can apply at any time until 31 August 05. You will be able to apply to the new Grants for the arts programme from 1 October 05, and application packs will be available in the late summer. The new programme will broadly be the same as the existing one, and the changes they make will improve the programme. There is no need to rush to make an application by 31 August. To find out more about all their funding schemes look at their website. For enquiries, Tel: 0845 300 6200 Textphone: 020 7973 6564 or email form from their website: www.artscouncil.org.uk DISCLAIMER While LCVYS and its Members use their best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein, LCVYS hereby disclaims any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence or other causes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, LCVYS does not in any way vouch for the information supplied by Members about their organisations, or for the quality of their youth work. 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