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Derbyshire County PCT is holding four events across the county focusing on mental health in primary care, looking at “New Horizons” – A Shared Vision for Mental Health and Health Related Activity.

This event is aimed at all workers and volunteers who have a role in supporting the well being of members of the public at a community level – it is NOT aimed particularly at mental health practitioners - but rather at what all of us can do within the course of our work to support the positive mental health of all of the population. 1 in 4 people will have a “common” mental health related issue at some stage in their lives, so this is a conference that helps you to understand, recognise and signpost when needed.

Workshops will include:

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
Promoting Social Prescribing
Shaping Memory Services
Raising Mental Health Awareness

If you would like to attend this event contact Lynn Lunn, Mental Health Commissioning Team Administrator, Derbyshire County PCT, Park Hill, Hilton Road, Egginton, Derbyshire, DE65 6GU. Email: lynn.lunn@derbyshirecountypct.nhs.uk

Keeping Safe Pilot Workshop

1 March 2010 10am – 2.30pm at Bakewell Agricultural Centre

For people with a Learning Disability

What is Hate Crime?
What is Bullying?
What is Harassment?
What the Law says!
How to keep yourself safe!
Who can help!

Tel: 07900 134230, Email: neil.abdy@macintyrecharity.org

Good Practice on Environmental Responsibility for Charities

The Charity Commission has updated both its 'Hallmarks of an Effective Charity' and 'The Essential Trustee' guidance to include a new good practice recommendation for all charities on environmental responsibility and sustainability. Links to the relevant sections and more material via Commission news item at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/hallmarks_update.asp

Using The Compact for the New Financial Year

Compact Voice has produced a factsheet 'Approaching a new financial year - use your Compact!‘(pdf) around public sector funding and planning. It looks at three scenarios that organisations have already experienced and how Compact principles can be applied.

Employer Annual Returns are now Online Only

Employers are being reminded by HM Revenue and Customs that all Employer Annual Returns must be filed online this year, by 19 May. There is no longer a paper filing option for small employers with fewer than 50 staff, but they can use HMRC's own software by registering for the PAYE Online service at www.hmrc.gov.uk/paye There are also new penalties for late payment of PAYE from May. Info from Croners.

When Does a Fundraising "Adventure Activity" Need a HSE License?

The Health and Safety Executive has issued an 'Inspector Guidance Note' under its Adventure Activities licensing remit which tries to answer the question "When does a fundraising event become a licensable situation?” A common fundraising activity such as "zip wire" is not in scope of licensing, while hill walking can be in some circumstances, so anyone doing this type of fundraising may wish to check, www.hse.gov.uk/aala/guidance/203-fund-raising.htm

Studying Local Action on Poverty, Jobs and the Environment

The Institute for Public Policy Research has a new project studying work at a local level to tackle poverty, discrimination and disadvantage, improve job opportunities and protect the environment. They would like to hear from volunteers, trustees and paid employees involved in organisations already doing such work. An online 'Green Jobs' survey should take about 10 minutes to complete, at www.surveymonkey.com/s/MXRWRQC, by 26 February. (Source: DEFRA Third Sector blog)

Trade Union Takes Action on "Contract Culture" Impact on Sector Workforce

Trade union Unite is having a day of action over what it sees as the debilitating effects of the "short-term contract culture" on voluntary sector staff, reports Third Sector. On 9 March a mass meeting in Parliament will be addressed by the Minister for the Third Sector as well as sector bodies NAVCA and NCVO. More at www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/984387/ or see Unite's pages for the sector, at www.unitetheunion.com/sectors/community_youth_workers.aspx

Government Promotes Benefits of Sector Contracts and Community Enterprise

On 10 March the Communities Minister, John Denham, highlighted the need for councils not to overlook the unique skills and community benefits of the third sector "In the quest for leaner more efficient services", www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1463783 He also urged voluntary organisations to collaborate and improve their technical skills to win more council contracts (reported by Third Sector, www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/983243/).

On the same day, a Community Enterprise Strategic Framework was announced by fellow minister Barbara Follett at the Funding the Future conference. This sets out the government's commitments to support the community enterprise sector through improving business support, tackling the barriers to accessing finance, enabling social enterprises to work effectively with Government and fostering a culture of social enterprise. Skills training and advice could cover how to set up consortiums or franchises to increase competitive clout when bidding for council contracts.

Next Steps for Skills Development for Volunteer Managers

Strand C of Capacitybuilders Volunteer Management Programme, where individuals with volunteer management responsibilities can apply to take part in a bursary funded skills development programme, will open for applications in April. Details of the application process will appear in March. Capacitybuilders has just announced the programme providers it has selected, www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/node/343

Charity to Manage Staff Expenses Online

National charity Scope is to use an automated online system to manage its employee expenses. Staff will be able to log onto the GlobalExpense website to complete a two-stage claim before the receipts are sent in by post. See Civil Society Finance article at www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/6042/

Charity Campaigns and Elections

Third Sector has a good article on 'Campaigning in the run-up to an election' from a partner in the charity team at Russell Cooke Solicitors, giving a helpful steer round some tricky issues for charities. He does also state that an election period could be "the most effective time" to campaign.

At www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/983699/ and also see updated Charity Commission guidance www.charitycommission.gov.uk/supportingcharities/elect.asp

Volunteering May Improve Time at Paid Work

'Volunteer work as a valuable leisure-time activity: A day-level study on volunteer work, non-work experiences, and well-being at work' has been published online in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. The study finds that volunteering has many psychological benefits and may improve people's enjoyment of work.

J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust Winding Up Process

Since 1986 J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust has awarded nearly £38 million to over 3,000 charities across the United Kingdom. In accordance with the expressed wishes of Sir Paul, the trustees have now decided to wind down the Trust over a period of between five and ten years. This means that they will be increasing the level of annual spend and will be looking for opportunities to award a number of more substantial grants that will have an enduring impact.

The Trust is currently focusing its support on registered charities in England, although applications may sometimes be considered from other parts of the United Kingdom if the project is likely to be of nationwide significance. The Trust will only consider applications for work in one or more of the following areas:

Reducing Reoffending: projects aiming to improve the lot of people in prison and smooth the transition for those leaving prison, maximising their chances of successful resettlement
Improving Prospects: projects providing meaningful occupation for young people aged 14-19 to improve their employability and diminish the risk of social exclusion; work to improve the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers
Repairing Communities: projects led from within the community with the aim of integrating different social and ethnic groups in pursuit of worthwhile goals
Repairing Lives: projects making a lasting impact on the lives of people with substance misuse problems; projects helping people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
Preserving Heritage: conserving or restoring buildings and landscapes which are of national value and accessible to the public; saving from export art and manuscripts of national importance; developing conservation skills, especially among disadvantaged groups
Sustaining the Arts: nurturing and developing artistic endeavour of the highest quality

The Trust awards grants towards both revenue and capital costs. However, the trustees will not normally approve grants to cover more than 20% of a charity's entire annual running costs, as they feel it is important for organisations to develop a range of income sources and not become dependent on any single funder. Main grants are between £10,000 and £250,000 over a period of 1 to 3 years, and it usually takes between three and six months for the Trust to reach a decision if your application is taken forward to the final stage. Small grants of up to £5,000 are also available for smaller charities, and these may be awarded in as little as two to three months.

In September 2009, the Trust launched a new online application process, and all applications must now be submitted using the online form available via the website at www.jpgettytrust.org.uk There are no closing dates, and you should hear within 6 weeks if they are able to take your application forward.

If you have a question that is not answered on the website, you are welcome to contact the Trust for advice on 020 7486 1859.

All other correspondence should be addressed to their director, Elizabeth Rantzen at J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, 1 Park Square West, London NW1 4LJ
Website: www.jpgettytrust.org.uk/funding.html

Third Sector Online Conference on the Recession

Between 10-12 March the Third Sector Community of Practice will be hosting an online conference focused on learning more about the third sector’s experiences of the economic downturn and the local responses to them. The conference will feature expert contributions from both the third sector and government.

They want as many people as possible to be involved in the conference, sharing knowledge and ideas with other Community of Practice members. If you are interested in visit the Communities of Practice website to join in.

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