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Partners in Derbyshire feel that ‘bringing people together’ in local communities is a vital part of improving overall quality of life in Derbyshire. A key element of the strategy is to strengthen local community events and projects which help to bring people together.

To help more local groups run such events the Bringing People Together Fund is available to provide grants of up to £2000 to local community, faith and voluntary groups across Derbyshire to help deliver community projects taking place before 30 September 2010.

Examples of how the fund could be spent are:

• Activities that bring young people from different backgrounds and areas together
• Older people’s groups sharing experiences with local school children.
• Activities that help neighbours get to know each other better.
• Activities that connect schools with the wider community.

These are just examples, but projects are likely to involve arts, food, heritage or community benefit, and be aimed at promoting a sense of belonging and community.

Applications can be submitted at any time until 16 July 2010.

For more information and the application form see the related documents section on the DCC website page:

Self-Help Group Funding

Grapevine Project is now hosting Mental Health Grants for Community Groups for Derbyshire County PCT and is inviting applications from existing self-help groups for financial support for 2010.

To apply contact Grapevine Project on 01298 72283 or Sarah Males at Corbar View on 01298 22321 for an application form. Closing date for applications is 18 March 2010.

Children in Need Small Grants Programme

The new scheme marks the first time Children in Need have run a UK-wide small grants programme, offering up to £10,000 per year for up to 3 years. It is aimed predominantly at organisations which have not previously considered applying.

The programme is open to any third sector organisation working with children and young people under the age of 18.

www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/smallgrants.shtml

The next funding round deadlines are: 15 April; 15 July; 15 October.

Home Office Funding Opportunity

The Government is investing £250,000 from the Victims Fund to develop support for victims of hate crime for the financial year 2010/11 and is looking to provide core funding to organisations in England and Wales that deliver services and support to hate crime victims. The Home Office is particularly keen to support services or projects that are rooted in increasing expertise of service providers and improving good practice in the provision of high quality support to victims and their families. This section of the Victims Fund is specifically available to organisations that work within the Government’s five hate crime strands (disability, race, religion/belief, sexuality, transgender).

Each organisation can apply for funding up to £50,000.

The funding round is now open and the closing date is noon on Monday 15 March. Any applications received after this date will not be considered.

Application forms:
www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/violentcrime/violentcrime00406.htm

First Steps in Social Enterprise

Are you thinking about starting a social business? Do you run a charity or voluntary group and are you thinking about trading to generate income? Have you heard about social enterprise and wondered what it is and if it might be relevant to you?

If you are considering starting up a social enterprise and are looking for a clear understanding of why it is the business model of choice for socially- and environmentally-minded people, then the ‘First Steps in Social Enterprise’ workshop is for you. It will help you explore the practicalities of starting a social enterprise, providing you with an awareness of the different legal structures available and the management, governance and funding aspects of setting up your business.

The workshops are free to attend and will run from 10am until 4pm. They are being held all over the East Midlands so there will be one near you. Lunch and refreshments are provided.

To book a place telephone 0115 871 4760 or email: events@seem.uk.net

The workshop will help you to understand:
• what social enterprise is.
• the business model, its social aims and objectives.
• the various governance and legal structures that a social enterprise can adopt using a variety of case studies as examples.
• the process of setting up a social enterprise.
• how you write a business plan that incorporates financial, social, environmental and ethical aims.
• finance and sources of income generation.
• what support can be accessed through Business Link and local support networks.

12 February - Voluntary Action Nottingham, 7 Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG1 3FB
3 March - Community Action Derby, 4 Charnwood Street, Derby DE1 2GT
8 March - The Business Exchange, Rockingham Road, Kettering NN16 8JX
11 March - Rutland Volunteer Centre, Barleythorpe Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QH
12 March – The Healthy Hub, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln, LN1 1UW

Social Enterprise Business Master Classes

All are free to attend and run from 9.30am to 4.30pm and will provide social enterprise managers with key information to aid the growth of their organisations. They are being held all over the region. You will also have the opportunity to network with your peers over lunch.

Building on the success of the workshops we held last year and taking into account the feedback we received from those who attended them, we have identified 4 themes which will help social enterprises looking to expand their business.

Classes:

• Exploring Finance for Social Enterprise

• Understanding, Measuring & Reporting Your Impact

• Selling to the Public and Private Sectors

• The Business Environment for Social Enterprise

See SEEM website for details - www.seem.uk.net/Templates/events.asp?NodeID=89441

Measuring Social Value Social Return on Investment Workshop

Tuesday 16 February, 10am – 1pm at T3SC, Ashton

Social Return on Investment (SROI) is a way to measure and demonstrate the wider impacts of a project, service or organisation including the social, environmental and economic impacts. Come along to this one-off special workshop to find out more about SROI and how you can use it in your work – whether you’re a voluntary organisation seeking a new powerful way to measure the difference you make, or a commissioner looking for new ways to demonstrate the value of services. To book a place on this workshop, contact Naomi Creed on 0161 339 4985 or email naomi.creed@t3sc.org

Increase Your Organisation’s Influence

Monday 1 March, Manchester - full day free interactive workshop

This workshop is based on the Voice tool. A discussion-based tool specifically designed to help community groups and networks: explore what ‘influence’ is; discuss and record how influential they feel; plot and evidence how influential they are; and plan how to increase their influence. To express interest, and for further information, please contact Anton at bassac; email anton@bassac.org.uk or telephone 07955 364193.

Stand and Deliver: People, Power and Politics

bassac Annual Conference
Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 March
at Marriott Renaissance Hotel and Manchester Town Hall

With cuts in public spending and people feeling the pinch, councillors, communities and local authorities must find new ways of working together. We want to hear your ideas about how this could be done and your experience of innovative partnerships. Delegate fees vary according to size and type of organisation from £100 see www.bassac.org.uk

Greater Manchester Community Development Workers Network

This is a new initiative to help anyone involved in community development through information sharing, training and peer support. Following a very well attended first meeting they are conducting a survey to direct future work.

Take part here www.surveymonkey.com/s/SM7TPCW and for more information email morag.rose@gmcvo.org.uk

Stopping Slips and Trips at Work

The Health and Safety Executive has revamped the Slips and Trips area of its website with more resources and easier navigation, as it launches phase 3 of its Shattered Lives campaign. Slips and trips are the most common workplace hazards, making up over a third of all major injuries, www.hse.gov.uk/slips/index.htm

Introducing the Fit Note

The new ‘fit note’ is due to come into operation from 6 April, replacing the doctor's sick note, assuming parliament approves the changes. An explanation for employees, with link to an example note, is at www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_184645 on Directgov.

Stopping Employment Issues Going to Tribunal

Employment advisory service ACAS now has a pre-claim conciliation service (PCC) which aims to help save time, money and stress by tackling workplace issues early and preventing the cost of Employment Tribunals. To stop an employment problem escalating, see information at www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2744 or phone 08457 47 47 47. (Source: Community Matters)

Official Round Up of Charity Law and Regulation

The Government's Office of the Third Sector has created a new 'Law and regulation' web section. The law section is specifically for charities (what about other types of third sector organisations?), while the 'cutting red tape' section has pointers to subjects such as volunteering issues and commissioning from the third sector. OTS news item or go direct to www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/law_and_regulation.aspx

Consolidation of Charity Law Delayed

Plans to make charity law easier to follow have been shelved for the time being, due to lack of parliamentary time before the general election. A draft bill consolidating most of Charities Acts 2006 and 1993 and the Recreational Charities Act 1958 was issued for consultation in September.

See Third Sector news item at www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/980891/

Environmental Responsibility and Climate Change for All Charities

The Charity Commission board has agreed to add the issue of environmental responsibility to core guidance documents for charities (Hallmarks of an Effective Charity and the Essential Trustee), according to Civil Society Governance, www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/news/content/5981/ Climate change is not to be explicitly included, leaving any response down to the individual charity. Meanwhile NCVO, along with Green Alliance and Global Action Plan, have completed a pilot project with four major UK charities on how the changing climate could directly affect their beneficiaries and what they need to do now to protect services and people in future, see NCVO news item.

Round Up of Charity Awards to Enter

The Centre for Social Justice Awards recognise and reward effective poverty fighting groups from across the UK, with awards of up to £10,000. Applications require a description in 500 words or fewer of how your organisation makes an exceptional contribution to tackling poverty and turning lives around. Apply by 22 February, www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk

The Beacon Prize aims to highlight and showcase exceptional individual contributions to charitable and social causes in the UK. Categories include Community Builder, Young Philanthropist and New Initiatives. Nominations by 16 April, www.beaconfellowship.org.uk

The new Business Charity Awards from the Institute of Fundraising and Third Sector magazine aim to "recognise the outstanding contribution to charities by the corporate world". Deadline 11 March, www.businesscharityawards.com

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