eNews

It remains unclear in what way and to what extent the 'swine' flu virus will develop and spread. However the World Heath Organisation pandemic alert status remains at 5, indicating the need to 'finalise the organisation, communication, and implementation of planned mitigation measures'. At this alert level, businesses and organisations have a responsibility to plan the policies and actions they will implement in the event that infection becomes widespread.

High Peak CVS is in the process of developing its own risk assessment and action plan, which may be of use to other similar organisations.

The following links provide useful information and guidance:

Department of Health main Pandemic site -
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/PandemicFlu/index.htm

Department of Health Guidance for Businesses

Business Link advice page

Legal considerations

Senior Youth Volunteer Development Manager

Based in Cromford Derbyshire
35 hours per week - Salary: £22,733 per annum

BTCV is the UK’s leading practical conservation charity working with people from all sectors of the community in positive action to improve the environment. It is important to be aware that this position is not an environmental post.

vinvolved Derbyshire is a partnership between BTCV and the Volunteer Centres Derbyshire network. Part of a national programme, its aim is to develop a broad range and high quality volunteering opportunities available to young people aged 16-25.

They are recruiting a Senior Youth Volunteering Development Manager, whose key roles will include managing the partnership and its team of committed staff. You will need to maximise the capacity of volunteering involving organisations through developing partnerships, linking in to existing volunteering infrastructure and provide training and support. You will create short-term, part time & full time volunteering opportunities. You will manage and support a committed team of Youth Volunteer Advisors to place young people into volunteering opportunities, and will provide project management towards targets.

Representing BTCV as lead organisation, the Senior post will have responsibility for managing vinvolved Derbyshire and the partnership between BTCV and Volunteer Centres Derbyshire.

A full driving licence is required as the post holder has use of a company vehicle.

This post is subject to an enhanced CRB check/ a CRB check.

For further information and to apply, please visit www.btcv.org. Alternatively, email recruitment@btcv.org.uk or call 01302 388844.

Closing date for completed applications: 5pm 12th May 2009

Interview date: 19th May at: Cromford Mill, Cromford, Derbyshire

Return completed application form to Andy Duncan, Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Area Manager, BTCV, Cromford Mill, Mill Lane, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3RQ

Trainer Co-ordinator Delivering Race Equality at SDVSMHF

Salary: £20,122 - £21,452 per annum (30 hours per week)

The post will support and co-ordinate the work of the team of Community Development
Workers employed by Black and Minority Ethnic agencies across Derbyshire. The
postholder will work closely with the employing organisations to develop and deliver
training for the Community Development Workers, support them to raise awareness of
mental health in BME communities and help them to influence staff in partner agencies
to improve and develop practice in mental health service delivery to people from BME
communities.

The successful candidate will be an experienced trainer and will also have operational
experience of community development work. Able to communicate effectively and
confidently within organisational guidelines, the worker will have excellent awareness of
cultural, social and health issues and services relating to the area of work and will be
able to influence positive change.

The post will be based in Belper, but it is important that the post-holder can travel to
various locations across Derbyshire.

For an application pack please ring 01773 599995 or e-mail frances.roberts@sdvsmhf.org.uk

Closing date: Friday 29 May 2009.
Interviews: Thurs 18 June 2009

Project / Policy Officer at Rural Community Action EM

Full time, 35 hours per week. Fixed term contract to 31 March 20011 (extension possible but subject to funding)

Rural Community Action East Midlands (RCA EM) needs an experienced project / policy officer to help deliver a challenging work programme up to 31 March 2011.

RCA EM is the regional body of the five local Rural Community Councils based in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire. Key strategic aims are to represent rural communities’ interests, needs and aspirations and support the development and sustainability of the region’s Rural Community Action Network.

Additionally, RCA EM coordinates and supports the East Midlands Rural Affairs Forum (EMRAF), a key government consultee on rural matters with members from regional and local government, the private and voluntary sectors. This wide range of interest groups aims to influence policy development, represent rural interests and share good practice. It also manages delivery of a Rural Action Plan with key priorities for statutory and non-statutory members.

The Project / Policy Officer’s role will include support to the Regional Director in delivering RCA East Midlands Business Plan and coordinating EMRAF activities. This varied role needs an experienced, self-motivated officer who knows rural issues and the policies and programmes which influence rural development.

The post is full time (35 hours per week). The office base is flexible within the region (located at one of the Rural Community Action network offices).

For a preliminary discussion, please contact Angie Essom, Regional Director, on 01623 727600 or email aessom@rcan.org.uk.

An application pack is available to download at www.rcan.org.uk or by telephoning 01623 727600.

Closing date for application is Thursday 4 June 2009
I nterviews will be held in Leicester on 18 and 19 June 2009.

Research from Women’s Resource Centre

The Women’s Research Centre has recently completed some research mapping the women’s sector in England which has a specific section on the East Midlands which can be downloaded from their website at
www.wrc.org.uk/resources/wrcs_research_and_reports.aspx

Volunteers and the Law

This free one day lecture style session will look at some of the legal aspects of working with volunteers including volunteers and contracts, insurance, equalities, CRB, Health and Safety and lots of other relevant and topical issues. Information will be up to date and look at some of the difficulties of interpreting the law relating to volunteering. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and get help and support.

The sessions will be delivered by Jo Ward who has wide experience of similar work both across the North West and nationally and is now the CEO of Glossop Volunteering Centre. The sessions run from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm on 27 May at the Dome, Buxton and 24 June at Chesterfield Library.

For more information contact lee@erewashcvs.org.uk
To download a booking form Vols and the law booking form

Summer Words Programme

Derbyshire Libraries would like to promote a series of events in our High Peak Libraries during the summer of 2009.

These events include:

Creme de La Crime evening at New Mills Library on Thursday 11 June at 7.30 pm where teams compete to solve a murder at the local leisure centre;

Crime writing workshop at Hadfield Library on Wednesday 8 July from 2.00 to 4.30 pm with crime writer Rod Duncan; and

Finally on Saturday 6 June there is the launch of the Peak Dale Farm series with children’s writer Berlie Doherty at Buxton Library and painting and writing competitions for children to enter before that date. The winners will be announced by Berlie and the prizes presented at the launch event.

Status of Community Amateur Sports Clubs

From Sandy Adirondack's Legal Update: From 1 April 2009, sports clubs registered with HM Revenue and Customs under the community amateur sports club (CASC) scheme are not charitable even if their objects are charitable. CASCs will continue to have some of the same tax advantages charities have.
See www.sandy-a.co.uk/managing.htm#cascs

Gift Aid Reclaims Time Limit to be Reduced

The limit for making Gift Aid tax reclaims is to change from six years to four from April 2010. HM Revenue and Customs says this is to remove inconsistencies in their powers and processes, rather than to target charities (Plaza Publishing news alert at www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2776). Note that this does not impact on the two year limit for the current transitional relief arrangements. The information should be available via www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/gift_aid/basics.htm

Don't Miss the Early-Bird Discount for CES and Idea National Third Sector Quality Conference

Demonstrating Quality in Challenging Times - 25 June, Central London
Book by 8 May to Get Your Early-Bird Discount of Just £120!

The 2009 National Quality Conference is a unique partnership event from CES and the IDeA, the first time the third sector and local government have joined forces for a conference on quality.

Speakers include the Minister for the Third Sector, Kevin Brennan MP and the Chair of the Charity Commission, Dame Suzi Leather.

Further information and booking.

NCVO Manifesto for Local Elections

A one page manifesto for the local elections in England (4 June) has been published by umbrella body NCVO. 'Working Together to Strengthen Local Communities' outlines five key principles to strengthen relationships between voluntary and community organisations and local councils. These include: "Sign up to the Sustainable Communities Act", and "Respect and support the role of voluntary and community organisations as advocates and campaigners for their local community". See NCVO news release, with link to manifesto, at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=13696

Brown's Plans for Community Youth Service

Further information has been given on the Prime Minister's ambition to see "every young person getting involved in and making a difference to their communities". A programme starting this September will see 20,000 school leavers a year undertake full time community service alongside training, as part of an Entry to Employment course. And "a set of intensive pilots will also be launched to test ways of significantly increasing the proportions of young people within a given area participating in community service, involving over 14,000 14 to 16 years olds in the next two years."

Volunteering England has welcomed the pilot schemes "as a great way to open up the experience and satisfaction that helping others and getting involved in their communities can bring to a younger generation". Podcast from Gordon Brown at www.number10.gov.uk/Page19106 transcript at www.number10.gov.uk/Page19111 or see Cabinet Office news item.

Reflecting the Downturn Across the UK

England umbrella body NCVO has found that organisations are now expecting to reduce or maintain staff numbers, according to its latest quarterly Charity Forecast Survey. This is in contrast to the previous quarter (October to December 2008) where over half of those surveyed planned to increase paid staff numbers, and despite a growing demand for essential services provided by the sector. More from the survey at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=13706.

Targeted Support Fund for Small Charities Open

As of 29 April, the Government's £15 million Real Help for Communities: Targeted Support Fund (grants element) is open for applications. This aims to help small charities offering vital local services to those most in need during the recession, in one (or more?) of the fifty areas of England that are most at risk of increased deprivation. See news release go to the website of CDF, the grant administrators, www.cdf.org.uk/practice/grants/default.asp?xsl_argx=5 or download the guidance notes (pdf, 246KB).

Voluntary Sector Ideas Invited to Create Jobs from Budget Funds

Voluntary organisations are being encouraged to bid for funding to create jobs from the Future Jobs Fund, announced in the Budget. While the money is targeted at providing those aged 18 to 24 with jobs for six months, there will also be funding for older people from disadvantaged groups and areas worst hit by unemployment. National sports organisations have pledged to create at least 5,000 jobs through the fund for young people as sports coaches, swimming and fitness instructors and other leisure posts.

Details of the formal bidding process will be announced shortly, but in the meantime "large organisations ... such as social enterprises and voluntary sector bodies" are invited to come forward with their initial ideas for new jobs which will benefit the community. See Department for Works and Pensions news release at www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2009/apr/149-09-280409.asp, or go direct to www.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/futurejobsfund/

The Case for Investing in Performance Management

As part of chief executives body Acevo's involvement in the National Performance Programme they are launching a Valuing Performance Campaign. This is pushing the case for local infrastructure organisations to invest in performance management support for front-line organisations. The report 'Valuing Performance: Making the case for investing in performance management' can be downloaded, with the usual caveat on lack of accessibility compliance for the 'captcha' process involved.

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