Contents Child Protection Information Evening Thought for the day Guiding your Volunteers Participation Website Employment Opportunity Employment Opportunity Free Sunday Art Day Multilateral Study Visit to Estonia Treasury Guidance Re: funding to the Voluntary and Community Sector Web Site Employment Opportunity Information Scheme Suspended Free Online Finance Service Drug Laws Charity Commission Waddecar’s 50th Anniversary Quickbooks For Not For Profits What now? Safety Information Pack Youth Work The British Youth Council (Byc) Bank Top Youth Forum Data Protection Act Living Spaces Think About The Place Where You Live The Eventhall Family Charitable Trust Children’s Fund Local Network The Camelot Foundation BBC Children In Need 2003 The Thomas Sivewright Catto Charitable Settlement Funderfinder The Earl Of Derby’s Charitable Trust The Dalmia Charitable Foundation Peter De Haan Charitable Trust Cumberland Building Society Charitable Foundation Country Land and Business Association The Co-op Charitable Foundation The Baring Foundation Accessing Government Funds Made Easier CHILD PROTECTION INFORMATION EVENING Wednesday 26th November 2003 6.15 pm for a 6.30 pm start until 9 pm In the Assembly Room, County Hall, Preston This information evening will cover issues surrounding Child Protection procedures, good practice and Criminal Records Bureau clearance, application forms and developing, understanding and using your Child Protection policy. For more information contact Mushtaq Khan at LCVYS on 01772 250001 x 23 or email mushtaq@lcvys.org.uk THOUGHT FOR THE DAY If you have a penny and I have a penny and we exchange pennies, you still have one penny and I still have one penny. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange ideas, you now have two ideas and I now have two ideas GUIDING YOUR VOLUNTEERS The National Centre for Volunteering has produced three guides with information on good practice with volunteers. They cover: making your organisation accessible, risk management and safe involvement of volunteers with vulnerable clients. They are available from: www.volunteering.org.uk/workwith and click on publications. There is also a new qualification for people who manage volunteers. For information on the Advanced Certificate in Volunteer Management contact Lantra Awards on 024 7641 9703 PARTICIPATION WEB SITE A web site to help groups involve young people in the decision making process went live this month. The site, www.youthagenda2.org gives advice on how to avoid tokenism when asking young people’s opinion. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Full-time Connexions Development Worker (Temporary for 1 year) Youth Worker Job Ref: Ys/328 Locally Qualified Coordinator JNC Level 2 points 7-11 £16,416- £19,629 p.a. Nationally Qualified Coordinator JNC points 3-7 - £18,672 - £21,597 p.a. Stockport Council for Voluntary Youth Service has been awarded funds from Greater Manchester Connexions to create this exciting new opportunity to develop and move forward within the Stockport Connexions Partnership frame work. You will work with a range of agencies to promote SCVYS, Connexions and the Corporate Youth Strategy to new and emerging voluntary youth groups across Stockport. SCVYS represents over 90 voluntary youth organisations in Stockport and is involved in new and innovative initiatives in a range of areas. Application forms and job descriptions are available from and returnable to: Jean Woodward, Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport. SK1 3XE (0161474 4438) Closing date for applications: 8 Dec. 2003 Shortlist will take place: 9 Dec. 2003 Interviews will take place on: 16 Dec. 2003 For more information contact Robin Tryon, or Geoff Dodd, 0161 477 3257 / 476 1338. Email; robin@scvys.org.uk EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Assistant Director Children's Services - 12 months time limited to end March 2005 (extension may be possible) Secondment Considered £35,181 - £43,446 Barnardos has a strong presence in the North West and is looking for a new Assistant Director to join the management team. Developing existing and new initiatives in collaboration with users, statutory bodies and community groups, you will ensure the ongoing relevance and effectiveness our services and influencing activity. You will also contribute to planning and policy implementation across the Region as a whole and will take lead responsibility for several policy and practice issues. The focus of the post will be to take responsibility for identified services in the Manchester/Greater Manchester area, including Sure Start programmes. Base negotiable. You will need a DipSW or qualification of equivalent level and relevance. You will also need a minimum of seven years post qualification experience with at least three years as a manager in a social setting. For an informal discussion, please contact Paul Wilcox or Julie Dugdale on 0151 488 1100. This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure check via the CRB. For an application pack please contact Human Resources on 0151 487 5193 Closing date: 4 December 2003 Assessment Centre date: 16 December 2003 Interview date: 17 December 2003 Barnardos positively welcomes people from diverse backgrounds FREE SUNDAY ART DAY Are you 13 or over? If so you are invited to come to A FREE Sunday Art Workshop at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery (Market Square, Preston) on Sunday 7th December. You can drop in any time between 11am and 3pm to get creative with the help of a professional artist. For more information, ring 01772 258248 and ask for Peter Rix. www.visitpreston.com/harris www.followtheyarn.net Tel: 01772 258248 Fax: 01772 886764 MULTILATERAL STUDY VISIT TO ESTONIA 9 - 14 MARCH 2004 We will be having the fourth and final leg of this multilateral study visit between, UK, Finland, Greece, and Estonia. Place of this visit: Estonia Date: 9 - 14 March 2004 Theme: Youth for Europe exchanges as a tool in the work of youth centres, with stress on youth participation. The participants should not have a lot of experience in the youth programme. We are looking for three such youth workers to participate in this study visit. Any interested youth worker should contact me for a Profile form. Contact Sarah Nicholas at Connect Youth. Sarah.nicholas@britishcouncil.org TREASURY GUIDANCE RE: FUNDING TO THE VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR The cross cutting review of the Role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Service Delivery recommended that the Treasury publish Guidance to Funders, to clarify what is and is not permitted under Government Accounting as it applies to the voluntary and community sector (VCS). The cross cutting review found that often there is a lack of consistency in the interpretation of Government Accounting Rules, and a widespread perception that so-called “Treasury rules” are inflexible. The Government realises that getting the funding relationship right is increasingly important if the financial stability of service delivery organisations is to be assured, and if government can look confidently to the voluntary and community sector to deliver services. Guidance to Funders document - The guidance is intended to help government departments, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), other funding bodies themselves distributing public money to voluntary and community organisations. It will also be of interest to the VCS, who as recipients of funding, can be able to better understand the considerations that funding bodies need to bear in mind during the funding process. The document addresses two specific issues: It clarifies what Government Accounting says about the timing of payments by funders to voluntary and community organisations (responding to recommendation 19 of the cross cutting review). It explains the opportunities for moving to more stable funding relationships between funders and voluntary and community organisations (responding to recommendation 21 of the cross cutting review). Website: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spending_review/spend_ccr/spend_ccr_guidance.cfm WEB SITE The range of online tax calculators from the Inland Revenue is gradually expanding. At www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/menus/calcs.htm you will now find a Company Car and Fuel calculator, as well as Statutory Maternity Pay and others which may be useful. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Lancashire Youth Association Project Co-ordinator - £21,282 Dynamic leader required for this full time post to develop a new youth action point in Nelson as part of a community cohesion project in east Lancashire. This innovative project has been devised in response to local needs to cultivate voluntary action by young people in the community. It aims to bring young people together from across different communities, and to provide them with a stake and voice in society. Essential: you will have experience of community engagement, working with disaffected youths, project development, managing group work, the motivation and management of volunteers, and the ability to develop and deliver training events. Desirable: A relevant professional qualification e.g. a Youth & Community qualification Project Administrator - £13,375 A responsive and self-motivated individual required to provide administrative support to the project, based in Burnley. Essential: You will have at least 2 years administration experience, a high level of IT skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Access, and good word-processing skills. You will possess excellent communication skills and be able to develop and maintain effective records. Application forms: Lancashire Youth Association, 10 Fishergate Hill, Preston, PR1 8JB. Tel: (01772) 556127. Email: mail@lya.org.uk Closing date: 26th Nov. (noon) Interview date: 3rd December 2003 All posts are: supported by the Community Fund; part financed by the European Regional Development Fund; subject to an enhanced disclosure check via the CRB; offered initially on a two-year fixed contract. Registered charity number 518147, company number 2059160 INFORMATION SCHEME SUSPENDED Legal fears have forced Connexions and Jobcentre Plus to suspend the sharing of information about young people. The agencies had been sharing information about unemployed teenagers but concerns about the legality of this activity prompted Jobcentre Plus to suspend the scheme. A review is now being carried out by the Department for Work and Pensions. Connexions said a “consent based system” would be the likely outcome. The Department for Education and Skills denied this would impact on plans to increase levels of information sharing. FREE ONLINE FINANCE SERVICE The NCVO is producing a free online resource for finance managers that provides practical information and advice on how to manage a charity’s finances. The microsite on the NCVO website will include model policies and procedures, best practice guidance, links to other information sites and job descriptions. The online service will also contain a guide to financial management software, with pricing information and advice as to which systems are appropriate for which type or size of charity. There will be advice on how to work with an auditor, how to change your bank account and what to do if you find yourself in financial difficulty. The resource is aimed at office managers or heads of finance in charities that have an income of up to £5 million. The site is being created as a result of an online survey of 2,000 charities last year about the gaps in information available to those with responsibility for financial management. The NVCO microsite will go live on 21st November. DRUG LAWS Young people under 18 found in possession of cannabis will receive a formal warning, according to guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers. Reclassification of the drug to class C is likely next year. CHARITY COMMISSION The Charity Commission has issued new guidance on insurance, covering a wide range of insurance issues and risk management. The revised guidance (CC49) includes a change in attitude at the Commission to Trustee Indemnity Insurance, announced earlier this year. Instead of rigorously vetting charities’ applications for trustee indemnity cover, the Commission is now accepting self-certification by charities. Part 1 recognises the increasing costs of insurance cover and seeks to offer practical guidance to charities to help them decide what cover they actually need. It aims to clarify the duties and powers of trustees with regard to insurance cover and to set out what types of insurance are required by the general law. It also stresses the need for robust risk management to ensure that charity trustees can assess potential liabilities and losses and, where insurance is not obligatory, choose the most effective way of mitigating those risks. The second part lists the most common types of insurance cover that a charity might need. This list has been generally up-dated and takes into account any changes in legislation (for example, Employers' Liability Insurance). Trustee Indemnity Insurance is now described in part 3 as one of the types of insurance that a charity might wish to purchase. The Commission's new streamlined procedure for authorising this type of insurance is available on their website (OG 100). Part 4 describes connected issues that do not fall into the other 3 parts and also includes sources of further information. Visit www.charity-commission.gov.uk for information. Waddecar’s 50th Anniversary A warm invitation to friends old and new to join us in celebrating Waddecar’s 50th Anniversary at Red Rose 2004 International Camp 7 – 14 August 2004 For information / booking form contact Red Rose 2004, West Lancs Scout Office, Waddecar, Goosnargh, Preston PR3 2EU www.westlancashiresocuts.org.uk email rr2004@westlancashirescouts.org.uk QUICKBOOKS FOR NOT FOR PROFITS Because running your own business can be incredibly hard work, you probably need all the help and support you can get. Which is why it's good to know there's a range of specially customised editions of Quickbooks 2003, with one that's just right for your business. Specially created to make managing your finances fast and easy, each Customised Edition of Quickbooks 2003 is much more than an ultra-powerful accountancy tool. In fact, with a full range of enhancements and features designed for your specific sector, including comprehensive Tracking, Reports, Charts of Accounts and Form Customisation and Design, Quickbooks 2003 brings everything you need within incredibly easy reach. Not-for-Profit - Whether you're running a charity or any kind of Not-for-Profit organisation, there's a customised edition of Quickbooks 2003 that's just for you. Specially created for the Not-for-Profit sector this edition has a full range of enhancements and customised features that include membership and donation tracking, advanced budgeting and Fund Accounting. Helping you to help others more efficiently and effectively than ever before. Website: www.quickbooks.co.uk It is currently available at discount from Amazon website: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000BY7X7/ref=ase_219/026-6967755-8039605 for 179.99 NEW ARRIVAL What Now? LCVYS has copies of the 2004 edition of Lancashire County Council’s publication What Now? It contains information and advice about education, work and training, money, benefits, housing, relationships, health, leisure, travel and transport, religion etc. We have enough copies for one for every group working with year 11 (15–16 years). The publication is free but postage will have to be charged if you would like any copies posted to your organisation. Alternatively they can be collected from the: LCVYS office in Preston between 9.00 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Telephone LCVYS for information. SAFETY INFORMATION PACK Make your organisation a safer place for children. To help you do this, Child-Safe have prepared a safety information pack for everyone involved in young people’s sport and group activities. Seen as Good Practice by The Lancashire Constabulary, this fully comprehensive safety pack gives you all the information your organisation needs to develop an effective child protection scheme. The pack contains Organiser’s Guidebook Parents’ Guide Booklet A3 Scheme Display Poster A4 Certificate Display Poster Set of Display Stickers Child Protection Policy Statement Staff and Volunteers’ Declaration Volunteer Support Sheet Letter to parents Acceptance of Child-Safe Guidelines To order your Child-Safe information pack, (£24.99 + £1.60 p+p) or to reserve additional copies of individual items within it, call 01772 618733. Income from the sale of the Child-Safe pack goes to Lancashire Partnership Against Crime to fund child protection schemes. YOUTH WORK The multi stranded research project Evaluating the Impact of Youth Work being undertaken for the DfES by the Youth Affairs Unit at De Montfort University reports that it is making good progress. The documentary survey which includes the youth service plans for 50 local authorities in England is complete and analysis is under way. All but two of the 15 local youth service reviews have been completed, yielding factors that contribute to impact and those that seem to impede it. Through these reviews the research team is also identifying interesting practice examples. Sufficient evidence has been gathered to begin drafting the report that the DfES requested to inform its submission to the 2004 Spending Review. A range of key themes have been identified. Plans are also being laid for an international dimension to the project so that lessons about impact can be learned from research, policy and practice in northern and western European countries and in north America. This strand is to include a conference in 2004 that will be chaired by the National Youth Agency and supported by the British Youth Council. An independent evaluation of the Transforming Youth Work Management Programme will also take place. Visit www.dmu.ac.uk/faculties/hls/research/youthaffairsunit/youthaffairs.jsp THE BRITISH YOUTH COUNCIL (BYC) The BYC has launched a new lobbying guide, Young People Influencing Decisions, published in partnership with BT. The guide provides young people with advice on how to run a successful lobbying campaign, explaining the UK political process and how to influence it. Download your copy at www.biglisten.co.uk/byclobbyingguide.htm The BYC provides a channel for elected representatives and public decision makers to consult with young people at a national level and also support local youth councils around the country. For more information, including training and advice, contact the British Youth Council 020 7422 8640 or email: mail@byc.org.uk BANK TOP YOUTH FORUM YOUTH TACKLE RACISM Young people from Bank Top Youth Forum in Blackburn participated in this years’ ‘Kick Racism out of Football’ Week 2003 working in partnership with Blackburn Rovers. The event during the Rovers v Charlton match on Monday 20 October saw over 25 young people from various cultures and ethnicities participating in the parading of several banners about kicking racism out of football across the pitch just before kick off. This was in front of a stadium audience of 25,000 and millions more as it was being transmitted live on Sky Sports. The event at Ewood Park was part of two month long project by the young people looking at the issues of racism, its sources and what positive actions they could do to rid our society of it. Bank Top Youth Forum is a local youth-led voluntary organisation, working to tackle youth issues including tackling social exclusion, promoting community cohesion and youth advocacy across the area, and are always on the look out for working in partnership with others.  Bank Top Youth Forum’s Aqib Ishtiaq said “it was a very interesting project. We learnt a lot about the topic of racism and the Ewood event was something we had been looking forward to, it allowed us to tell other people how bad racism was and also for us to meet Premier League football players and managers. It was excellent”. Amar Abass, the Forum’s spokesperson said “It was particularly challenging for us as we had so many ideas and only one event in which to convey them all, but it was fantastic. I would like to thank the young people at Bank Top Youth Forum, Blackburn Rovers, Kick It Out Campaign and the F.A.R.E. organisation for their generous help and support it making it possible.” YOUNG PEOPLE QUIZ LEADERS Young people from Bank Top Youth Forum in Blackburn took part in this year’s Local Democracy Week, with a ‘question & answer’ session with leaders in their community. Over sixty young people quizzed Sir Bill Taylor and Mr Phil Watson, the Leader and Chief Executive respectively of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, in the Town Hall Council Chamber. The project is part of a Community Champions grant, supported by the Council, Bank Top Youth Forum and the local community. Janied Inayat, a youth forum member asked the leaders about the provision for young people in the New Bank Road area of Blackburn, which has recently seen a dramatic rise in crime levels such as drugs, vandalism etc. Currently there is no provision at all in this area, but Sir Taylor and Mr Watson did give an undertaking to the young people that they would look into this and report back to them. Other issues were raised during the two hour session from the cost of transport for young people, housing needs, the environment and crime. The young people demonstrated to the leaders that they have a sound understanding of all issues and not just ones that have relevance to them. Riffat Numan, the Forum’s spokesperson said “It was a really successful event, with young people from various backgrounds participating. There are due to be a further five more ‘discussions’ with other leading people for example education, local democracy etc. and Bank Top Youth Forum will be launching these in early 2004. Bank Top Youth Forum is looking for new partners to continue these innovative pieces of work, and would like to work in partnership with other community groups.” For information please contact Amar Abass, Bank Top Youth Forum on 07763900191, 909968819 or email amarabass@hotmail.com DATA PROTECTION ACT You have until the end of the year to ensure that your accident book complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. This requires that personal details must be kept confidential. The Health and Safety Executive have published a suitable version, with individual record sheets that can be removed and stored securely. See www.hse.gov.uk/flist/may.htm. Cost of the HSE Accident Book is £5.58p LIVING SPACES THINK ABOUT THE PLACE WHERE YOU LIVE Does it lift your spirits or make your heart sink? Is your environment scruffy, neglected, overgrown, dirty, dangerous or just plain boring? Do you have an idea that will help improve your surroundings? Do you need some help to make things happen? Living Spaces is about giving people the money, advice and practical support to change your environment for the better and for good. How much money can I apply for? We want to support projects of all shapes and sizes, from small to large scale improvements. You can apply for any amount between £1,000 and £100,000 Who can apply for grants? Grants are available to any existing neighbourhood group anywhere in England. You don’t have to be a registered charity. What kind of spaces can I get help to improve? Any kind of outdoor space can be considered for a grant as long as it is open to the public most of the time, within two miles of a residential area and not a formal sports pitch What other help will I get? If your project is eligible for a grant you will be allocated a local Living Spaces Enabler. This is a person who has been trained to help you think through your project and provide expert advice on how best to carry it out. Your Living Spaces Enabler will also put you in touch with local organisations who can help ensure your project is a success. We want to help as many people as we can create their own Living Spaces. To receive an application pack email info@living-spaces.org.uk or call 0845 600 3190 or write to Living Spaces, PO Box 2014, Reading RG4 7XU Visit www.living-spaces.org.uk for more information THE EVENTHALL FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST Beneficial area:  Preference for north west England. No grants to students. Applications:  In writing to the correspondent, L H Eventhall, Chair, PO Box 194, Sale, M33 5XA. Please note, the trust stated it only has a very limited amount of funds available. Telephone calls are not received by the trust. Trustees meet monthly to consider grants. A pre-addressed envelope is appreciated (stamp not necessary). Unsuccessful applicants will not receive a reply. CHILDREN’S FUND LOCAL NETWORK This fund is currently being directly administered by the Children and Young People's Unit (CYPU) while discussions are continuing on appointing a new administrating body within the County.  As a result, previously circulated dates for deadlines and panel meetings no longer apply.  Applications are still being invited however and applicants will be kept informed of progress by the CYPU. 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. It will provide grants for small community projects working with 0 - 19 year olds. 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 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 CAMELOT FOUNDATION The Foundation’s main grants programme ‘Transforming Lives’, aims to support organisations working with young people between the ages of 11 and 25. The foundation’s objectives for the period 2002 – 2009 are to help small and medium-sized organisations to enable young people engage in community life through imaginative and innovative projects. The foundation has an income of around £2 million each year. During 2002 the ‘Transforming Lives’ programme gave about £1 million in grants to organisations, ranging from £10,000 to £90,000 each. Exclusions  The foundation will not fund work with children under 11 or people over 25; large national charities; projects where funding from local or central government has run out; work that is the responsibility of local authorities; capital projects; academic research that is not linked to a development project; overseas travel; play schemes; holidays; after school clubs; individuals; general appeals or any well-established or routine approaches. Applications  For guidelines and a project proposal form send an A4 sae with 33p postage. Different formats, large print and audiotape are also available. There are usually four deadlines per year. Decisions usually take three months. University House, 11–13 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1W 0EX Tel  020 7828 6085 Fax  020 7828 6087 email  info@camelotfoundation.org.uk Website  www.camelotfoundation.org.uk DEADLINE APPROACHING BBC CHILDREN IN NEED 2003 BBC Children in Need welcomes applications for good quality, carefully planned, projects which show a clear focus on children in order to make a positive difference to their lives. These applications can be from: Self-help groups; Voluntary organisations; or Registered charities. Applicants should be properly constituted, non-profit organisations. The children they help are aged 18 years and under, and live in the UK. You should apply for a grant if it will benefit children who are disadvantaged by: mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological problems; living in poverty or situations of deprivation; illness, distress, abuse or neglect. Next Closing Date is November 30th 2003 - answers in April 2004. The Grant Guidelines and Application Forms for the BBC Children in Need Appeal are available for download from the BBC web-site at: www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/apply If you require an Application Form & Guidelines, or you require advice on completing the application form please contact your local BBC Children in Need Office for your area: North West Tel: 0161 2443439; BBC Children in Need Appeal, PO Box 76, London W3 6FS Email: pudsey@bbc.co.uk THE THOMAS SIVEWRIGHT CATTO CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT This trust has general charitable purposes, making a large number of smaller grants to a wide range of organisations and a few larger grants of up to £20,000. Despite the large number of grants made, there appears to be no strong preference for any causes or geographical areas. Exclusions:  The trust does not support non-registered charities, expeditions, travel bursaries and so on, or unsolicited applications from churches of any denomination. Grants are unlikely to be considered in the areas of community care, play schemes and drug abuse, or for local branches of national organisations such as scout groups. Applications  in writing to Miss Ann Uwins, Clarebell House, 5–6 Cork Street, London, W1S 3NX including an sae. FUNDERFINDER Funderfinder is a software programme that assists organisations to source trusts and grant giving organisations that may be able to support them. It is available at the LCVYS office to all member organisations during office hours. For more information contact the office on 01772 250001 or email lcvys@lcvys.org.uk Also available is free access to the internet, printer, photocopier and fundraising resources including software, manuals, cd roms etc. THE EARL OF DERBY’S CHARITABLE TRUST Beneficial area  north west England, predominantly Merseyside. The trust supports mainly local charities in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, and secondarily UK organisations with which the Earl of Derby is associated. Grants generally range from £50 to £500. No grants to individuals. Applications:  In writing to the correspondent, Chris Allan. Trustees meet twice a year in January and July; applicants should apply two months before the meetings. Contact: The Estate Office, Thornton Hough, Wirral, CH63 1JD Tel  0151 336 4828 email  chris.allan@leverhulmeesates.co.uk THE DALMIA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION Beneficial area  UK, with some preference for north west England. No grants to individuals. The trust has general charitable purposes. Applications in writing to the correspondent, Mr Gubda, Unit 1 - 6 Garton Street, Cambridge Industrial Area, Manchester, M7 1UR PETER DE HAAN CHARITABLE TRUST As well as having general charitable purposes, this trust makes a number of grants to charities connected with children and young people. Applications in writing to Peter Charles De Haan, 3 Eurogate Business Park, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8XW Tel  01233 652010 CUMBERLAND BUILDING SOCIETY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION This trust has general charitable purposes in Cumbria, Dumfriesshire, Lancashire and Northumberland, giving grants of up to £1,000. Applications in writing to Judy Thomson, Cumberland House, Castle Street, Carlisle, CA3 8RX Tel  01228 541341, Fax  01228 403111 including a description of your organisation, what it does, what the grant will be used for and the size of grant requested. Trustees meet about every three months. COUNTRY LAND AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION A fund has been set up to provide education about the countryside for disabled and disadvantaged people, particularly young people from towns and cities. The fund will help provide facilities to allow people with disabilities to enjoy the countryside and education in agriculture and horticulture for those with learning or physical difficulties. Notably, awards of up to £2,500 are for projects, not core funding or for individuals. For further information contact Peter Geldert, the CLA Charitable Trust, Caunton Grange, Caunton, Newark NG23 6AB. Tel: 01636 636171 THE CO-OP CHARITABLE FOUNDATION Beneficial area:  Predominantly the north Midlands and throughout the north of England promoting 'co-operative solutions to community challenges' in United Co-op's trading area. This charity was established in 2000 by United Co-op, the UK's second largest co-operative society. It welcomes applications especially, but not exclusively, from employees, members and their families and co-op groups linked to the society. The foundation is funded soley by United Co-op. As the foundation's resources grow, it is hoped that it will become self-sustaining, ensuring that it does not become dependent on United Co-op's level of profitability. There are 3 grant-making programmes under which applications can be made: The Opportunity Support Programme aims to fund projects which will improve the quality of life for people experiencing difficulties or disadvantage. Examples of the type of work that may be funded include: health care projects housing services and homelessness projects learning and employment opportunities for young people training and education childcare projects for parents wishing to return to work clubs, community centres and transport schemes. The Community Support Programme aims to encourage community involvement through supporting voluntary and community groups and organisations in line with co-operative principles. The type of projects that may be funded are: support and development of new and existing community groups providing technical support or IT services developing out-reach work work with minority or special needs groups encouraging people to work with others who have similar needs and problems providing and improving community facilities. The Lifelong Learning Programme was established to offer support to employees and active members of United Co-op who wish to undertake a vocational or non-vocational education or training course including those related to counselling and support, new skills, languages, arts, career training, IT, social skills development and advocacy training. The programme provides up to 250 grants of £50 each per year. Donations to organisations have been made for amounts up to £30,000 each. Application forms can be downloaded from the foundation's website. Preliminary enquiries are welcome. Contact details and other information: The Charity Coordinator, Co-operative House, Civic Centre, Wythenshawe, M22 5UN Tel  0161 493 4582 Fax  0161 437 0989 Website  www.coop.co.uk THE BARING FOUNDATION The Baring Foundation was set up in 1969 to give money to charities and voluntary organisations pursuing charitable purposes. In 34 years we have given over £83 million in grants. Our present annual budget for grant-making is just over £3 million. Their grant programmes are: Strengthening the Voluntary Sector - This programme is for national voluntary organisations working in England and Wales and local organisations working in London, Merseyside, Devon or Cornwall. Arts - This programme is for constituted, not-for-profit arts organisations based anywhere in England or Wales. Schools, youth or community groups, sports clubs and local authority departments are not eligible to apply. International - This programme is for UK charities working to improve the capacity and enhance the effectiveness of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. The programme is under review and new guidelines will be available from mid November. Full details are on their website: www.baringfoundation.org.uk The Baring Foundation, 60 London Wall, London EC2M 5TQ Tel: 020 7767 1348 Email: baring.foundation@uk.ing.com ACCESSING GOVERNMENT FUNDS MADE EASIER Finding sources of government funding for voluntary and community organisations has just become easier. A new free access web portal containing up-to-date information on funding from four key central government departments is now operating at www.governmentfunding.org.uk Developed and managed by national charity, the Directory of Social Change, the site has been funded by a grant from the Government's Active Community Unit. The site contains searchable information and downloadable application forms for grants available to the sector from the Department for Education and Skills, the Department of Health, the Home Office and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. There is also a facility to allow registered organisations to receive email updates, notifying them of new programmes and updated schemes that may fund their work. In 2004, the site will enable registered organisations to apply for grants online. A directory of users will encourage networking by enabling groups to find details of other organisations that have registered with the site. The website will enable Government departments to co-ordinate information, reduce complication and communicate very directly with the sector. Voluntary Sector Cross County Survey Forms Members of Organisations operating in the Lancashire County Council area should by now have received a Voluntary Sector Cross County Survey Form through their own Organisations and should be recording their activity with young people this week (17 - 23 November 2003). To ensure ongoing Local Authority support it is vital that the Voluntary Youth Service provides accurate and reliable information demonstrating the number of young people engaged within the Voluntary and Community Sectors. Information recorded this year will be particularly valuable as the Local Authority will be OfSTED'd in February 2004 and the inspection will encompass their support for Voluntary Youth Service Organisations and what, in return, is achieved in terms of the support provided to young people by Voluntary Youth Service Organisations. All forms MUST be returned to LCVYS by no later than Friday 19 December 2003. If you haven't received one then please contact the office and we will send on to you. Alternatively, you can complete a virtual form on http://www.lcvys.org.uk/survey.htm If you have received one then please make sure you complete it and return it to us. An important part of the good work we do is taking that little bit of extra time to let other people know it’s being done. RENEW - Regeneration Excellence in England’s Northwest  As a key member of the regeneration sector, we would like to invite you to participate in a Focus Group to discuss the formation of a Centre for Excellence for Regeneration - RENEW.   Government Office Northwest and the North West Development Agency, along with regional partners, are leading the development of RENEW, the Northwest’s contribution towards providing the regeneration skills needed for the renaissance of the region. RENEW will be the catalyst for driving forward regeneration excellence across the North West, addressing the issue of a shortage of suitably skilled practitioners and improving the skills of individuals involved in regeneration from the public sector to the community. RENEW is actively seeking to engage partners involved in regeneration to agree its future identity and direction. Through a series of focus groups, it is hoped that a cross-section of ideas and views will be gathered which will influence the development of this Centre for Excellence. There are 2 Focus Groups for Voluntary and Community groups in Lancashire and these will take place on 27th November at 12noon and 2.30pm at the Community Network Offices, Preston (map attached) and will last for approximately 2 hours.  If you or a colleague are able to take part in one of these focus groups, please contact Community Concepts on 0151 222 0330 or email theteam@communityconcepts.uk.com as soon as possible.  Many thanks Anna Wallis, Development Officer, Community Concepts, 0151 222 0330