eNews

The latest issue of the VCS LAA Bulletin has articles on: Funding Forum; The Big Society; Ringing the Changes - The Coalition; Funding Cuts Survey; Countywide Database; The LA headlines; What happened to NI7?; Training; Meeting Andy Burnham MP.

Farming Support Service

The service operates in the High Peak, Hope Valley, Derbyshire Dales and now also in Abmer Valley, provides free, confidential support to farmers and their families by listening to and understanding their problems, signposting to specialist partner agencies and helping them to make life changing decisions.

Led by Agricultural Chaplain Graham Hinds, the service is in its seventh year and is very much an asset to the Derbyshire farming community. The project is sponsored by the Industrial Mission, representing all church denominations, and is hosted by Rural Action Derbyshire.

“I help support farmers and the families through a range of problems, from ill health and bereavement to financial troubles and farm management issues. It is often difficult to know where to turn when times are tough. My role is to offer a non-judgemental ear, lending support in a pastoral capacity,” said Graham. “Being able to extend my reach to the wider farming community is a tremendous boost and I am pleased I will be able help a great deal many more people.”

The service is in total confidence and is available at the Drop-In Surgery at Bakewell Livestock Market or through home visits. Graham also hopes to have a presence at the Derby Livestock Market later in the year.

Graham, the son of a Kent farmer, has a background in farm management and lecturing in agriculture, mainly at the former Broomfield College. He is the county coordinator for the Farm Crisis Network – a national support helpline (Tel: 0845 3679990) – from where a number of referrals to the Chaplaincy come.

You can call Graham in complete confidence on 01332 602124 / 07833 638562 or email him at grahamhinds@hotmail.com. Graham is available at the Drop-In Surgery at the Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell 10am – 2pm Mondays.

Andy Burnham MP Visit to Derby

On Thursday 19 August Andy Burnham MP, Shadow Minister for Health, is visiting Derby, and he wants to speak to voluntary and community groups from the city and county. The main focus of the meeting will be a question and answer session focusing on what did and didn't work well from both the previous Labour and current Coalition administrations.

The meeting will be at YMCA Derby, 770 London Road, Wilmorton, Derby DE24 8UT It will be from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm. Lunch will be provided.

If you would like to book a place please contact Abbi Steanson on 01332 227710 or email abigail.steanson@communityactionderby.org.uk by 1.00 pm on Tuesday 17 August.

Home Access Project

Between now and December there is a national project running that seeks to get free laptops with internet access to disabled children.

Does your child have difficulty using a computer because of a severe disability or a special educational need? If so, they may be eligible for a tailor-made Home Access package based on a simple evaluation of their needs. They may receive items such as screen reading software, specialised access hardware like a head controlled mouse, switch access hardware, symbol software or a mouth controlled joystick.

People can apply for a computer if their family has a low income and their child (aged between seven and 14) has a complex disability.

If you think you are eligible and would like an application pack call 0333 200 1004 or minicom 0121 748 1471. You can find out more about Home Access at www.homeaccess.org.uk

Will the Cloud Save the Sector?

Technology Conference Offers New Opportunities for Efficiency in the Third Sector

Third sector organisations and community groups can harness new technologies to help them deliver their services, cost effectively and efficiently, when they attend The 2010 Lasa European Not-For-Profit Technology Conference on 28 and 29 September.

Lasa, a second tier charity providing organisations with practical support and advice on technology, will be hosting the event (formerly known as the Circuit Rider Conference). This year’s theme is ‘Will the Cloud Save the Sector? Opportunities for Efficiencies and Innovation’. Delegates attending the two-day conference at the Garden Museum in London can book tickets from just £100.

Through a series of debates, presentations and networking and a panel discussion, featuring leading cloud service providers and advocates, people attending the conference will learn how to plan for the cloud; how the cloud can benefit project management and outsourcing; issues related to data protection; and learning and working with volunteers using this new technology.

The conference will start at 9.30 am on Tuesday 28 September and finish at 4.45 pm. Wednesday’s session will begin at 9.30 am and finish at 1.00 pm. Details about the event and booking forms are available at: ukriders.lasa.org.uk/conferences/conference-2010

Adult Rate for Minimum Wage Starts at 21

The qualifying age for the adult minimum wage drops to 21 from 1 October, the Government has confirmed – previously it was 22. People Management news item.

Impact of Charity Commission Online Strategy

The Charity Commission is seeking views on the potential impact of aiming to have all of its services online by 2012.

News item at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/RSS/News/pr_eqia.aspx or go direct. Runs to 29 October.

Give Your Views on Proposed Poverty Impact Fund

The Department for International Development is inviting views on a new Poverty Impact Fund to be launched later this year, for UK civil society organisations focusing on delivering the Millennium Development Goals. DFID news release or direct to consultation. Closing date 22 September.

Changes to Virgin Trains Charity Fares

Virgin Trains is changing its Charity Line fares concession. The arrangement of allowing charities to travel during peak periods with saver tickets disappears, with the last date for such ticket purchases being 20 August. Instead, from 13 August, there is a 20 per cent discount for charity work-related journeys on its advance train tickets booked online. Third Sector news item at www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/1016504/ has some more detail, Association
News is more critical at assocnews.netxtra.net/archive/view.jsp?ref=703&cmr=2371043

To qualify, organisations must get at least 10 per cent of their annual income from voluntary sources – if income is over £500,000 in the last accounting year, a link to your Charity Commission entry will be needed as part of confirming this.
Sign up at https://www.sme.thetrainline.com/Corporates/SME_selfreg_corporate.asp, selecting 'charity' as business type.

Online Membership for Community Development Organisation

Community Development Exchange, the membership organisation for community development, has a new e-membership category "for the princely sum of nowt". This provides a monthly e-zine, policy updates and occasional CDX news. See www.cdx.org.uk/news/become-e-member-cdx

National Funds for Health and Social Care Projects

Details about the Department of Health's Third Sector Investment Programme's Innovation, Excellence and Service Development Fund for 2011/12 are available on the DH website. Applications close 1 November, although funding awards will be subject to the autumn spending review.

Understanding Power to Achieve Social Change

New from NCVO, 'Power and social change' aims to help voluntary organisations think strategically about how to bring about change, complementing practical guides about how to do a power analysis or design and implement a campaign, drawing on both theory and practice. One reviewer says that it is "A brilliant survey and explanation of a massive and complex issue". It can be downloaded in pdf (2.28MB, 111 pages) via www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/influencingsocialchange or direct link.

Sector Information on Health Commissioning Changes

The Public Service Delivery Network of NCVO has new web pages dedicated to the reform, commissioning and delivery of health services in England, to provide up-to-date information and stimulate debate - www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/health

Empowering Communities to Improve Their Neighbourhoods

The results of the Sustainable Development Commission’s work on enabling local communities to lead neighbourhood renewal projects have been published as 'The Future is Local: Empowering communities to improve their neighbourhoods'. They see this approach as the most cost-effective way to ensure villages, towns and cities are fit for the future and create the conditions for people to thrive. From www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/the-future-is-local.html

Data Protection and Communications for the Voluntary Sector

NCVO training on 6 September in London

This seminar will give you all the information you need to make sure your organisation is Data Protection compliant in your marketing and communications. Learn about the rules that apply to email, direct marketing, telemarketing, websites and more. Ensure your organisation does not fall foul of the law and find out how to apply best practice in your marketing and communication channels.

For more and to book visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/dataprotection/sep2010 or call Matt on 020 7520 3160.

Social Enterprise Inter-trading Network on Facebook

The Social Enterprise Inter-trading Network (SEIN) is a facebook group to promote inter-trading between social enterprises. It can be found at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=115536951832148

Social Enterprises can join the group to post information about their services, activities and social mission, and other SE’s and fans of SE’s will see.

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