VAWF News
New local volunteering service launched during
National Volunteers Week (1-7 June).
Volunteers’ Week is an annual event which celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. The week plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to get involved too.
A new volunteering service is now available in Waltham Forest hosted by Voluntary Action Waltham Forest, and we are pleased to intruduce Diana Leary, the new Volunteer Development Officer, who started June 2nd. Diana works Wednesday to Friday, and if you would like to meet her, she will be with our Volunteers Week display stand in Walthamstow Library foyer from 2pm to 4pm, Friday 4th June, where you can also complete forms to register to volunteer, or submit a volunteering opportunity.
If you can't make it down to the library on Friday, you can register as a volunteer or submit a volunteering opportunity via the website: www.vagateway.org.uk/volunteering or you can call Diana at the Volunteering Service on 020 8521 0377 x 239 or email her at: volunteering@voluntaryaction.net
‘’Volunteering is a really good way to put something back into society, but you also get something in return. Helping others gives you a great feeling of satisfaction and you are learn new skills and meet new people at the same time."
Enrique Saenz, director Voluntary Action Waltham Forest.
Meet the Funder sessions
These sessions bring you face to face with funders so you can get your questions answered directly.
Meet the Funder: Comic Relief
Tuesday 8 June, 1-3.30pm at the Epicentre in Leytonstone.
To book a place on any of these events, please contact Mutmahim on 0208 521 0377 X 224, or email him on: mutmahim@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk
VAWF Website Re-commissioned
It's been a while coming (because we want to get it right), but we have now signed the contract to replace our website.
 The company doing the work is Circle Interactive, and they have lots of experience with websites for CVS organisations.
The new website is going to contain lots of information on the local and national voluntary sector, but it will also centre around the local groups and people who make up the Voluntary Sector here in Waltham Forest.
There will be lots if sections, including:
- local events and news
- the different local networks,
- directories of groups and suppliers
- venues for hire
- the Voluntary Sector Resource Pack
and local voluntary groups will be able to signup for a free mini website, packed with lots of features to enable them to run their groups: features like a message board, news system, mailing lists... and loads more.
If your group would be interested in taking part in the testing phase, and being one of the first to get a free mini website, please contact Cris.
Job Opportunity with VAWF:
Purpose of the post
Deadline for applications: mid-day, Tuesday 11th May 2010.
full details and application pack
'Meet the Funder' - LloydsTSB Foundation
10am-12noon, Thursday 25 March
at the Jubilee Centre, 2 Cathall Road, E11 4LA.
(in the grounds of Cathall Leisure Centre).
The Lloyds TSB Foundation funds local, regional and national charities working to tackle disadvantage across England and Wales. T
heir focus is on supporting small and medium underfunded charities that can make a significant difference to the lives of disadvantaged people by helping them to play a fuller role in the community.
Come and hear what they are looking for and have your questions answered directly.
For further details contact Mutmahim Roaf: mutmahim@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk
Please complete our survey of Children and Young people services and you could win a camera!
As part of our contribution to the Children’s Trust ‘Children and Young People’s Plan 2010 – 2013’ we are trying to establish the resources the Third Sector (including charities, voluntary, and community groups) bring to services for Children and Young People in Waltham Forest.
We would really appreciate it if you took the time to do this for us.
To go to a copy of the survey please click here.
Every organisation that completes and returns a survey will automatically be entered into a prize draw for a Flip Camera worth £119.99.
Meeting Room For Hire
At VAWF's Office: Upper Floor, 6 Church Hill, Walthamstow, London E17 3RY (on the corner of Hoe Street and Church Hill).
Close to Walthamstow’s tube, bus and train stations.
Room Capacity: 20 people.
Free hire of projector screen and flipboard available for our members. Expandable table seats up to 14 people
Rates:
Full rate: £20.00 per hour.
Member organisations with paid staff: £10.00 per hour.
Member organisations without paid staff: £10.00 per session.
Launch events FREE
(for those wishing to launch a voluntary sector group).
Kitchen facitities: £6.00 per session.
Unfortunately the meeting room is not yet fully accessible and we are working with our landlord to upgrade the building.
For further details and to book please contact Barbara on 020 8521 0377 or at barbara@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk
Voluntary Action's 2010 Training List
January 2010 to April 2010 is now available. Click here
Waltham Forest Council decision on commissioning services.
Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet discussed the local voluntary and community sector when they met at the Town Hall on 10 December. At the meeting the cabinet confirmed that the council will:
- Conduct a review of its approach to the Third Sector,
- Extend two existing contracts with voluntary sector groups for one year using a waiver,
- Extend the contracts of 43 voluntary sector groups for one year,
- Not extend the contracts with 12 groups but recommission these services.
For more details on the council's website click here
Local Community Activist wins award
Neil Collins received a London Compact award at an award ceremony at Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Tuesday 24 November.
More details
VAWF Conference and AGM
Voluntary Action Waltham Forest re-elected its board of trustees at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 17 November. The trustees are:
Chairperson - Valentine Molisho Yombo-Djema of African Foundation Stone.
Vice-Chairperson - Dr Jasmine Taylor of Nexus Supplementary School.
Treasurer – Sidney Milambo.
Tim Bennett-Goodman
Neil Collins
Dr Stella Creasy
Dr Melvyn Evans
Brian Kapp
Mohammad Khan
Kay Watmough
Steve Williams
Leading local councillors questioned by charities and voluntary groups in 'Question Time' style debate.
At Voluntary Action's AGM on 17 November, Cllrs Jenny Gray, John Macklin and Matt Davies represented Labour, the Liberal Democracts and the Conservatives.
They were asked why the council's commissioning system is so complicated and why groups have to fill in a 12 page form and attend six meeting before they can apply for Community Council Funding.
All three councillors pledged to make the funding system simpler.
More on the Waltham Forest Guardian website here.
VAWF Training - our list for January 2010 to April 2010 is now available. Click here
Create 09
The five host boroughs for London 2012 are home to the largest cultural quarter in Europe. These unique creative landscapes will come together each summer as we approach 2012. The aim is to develop the UK’s next major international arts festival – a legacy for the Olympic and Paralympic Games that will have a lasting impact on the cultural life of London and the UK.
Read more
Community Cashback - New Government Fund
Communities in London could benefit from ‘cashback’ from criminals as millions of pounds in seized assets are to be spent on worthwhile projects nominated by members of the public.
Read more
New Service - Help-line for women survivors of violence
Women and Girls Network has, for over 21 years, provided telephone advice, information and support to women who have experienced any form of gendered violence. We are delighted to announce the re-launch of the help-line, with extended opening hours, including Saturdays.
See flyer for more details
Tour the Olympic Park
The Olympic Delivery Authority offers free bus tours of the Olympic Park to give members of the public the opportunity to see first hand the work that is progressing for the 2012 Games.
Read more
Helping you to keep children safe
NSPCC and Children England have launched a new service aimed at protecting the eight million children taking part in voluntary activities. Safe Network will help organisations put policies and procedures in place to prevent abuse within their services, help staff recognise children who are at risk, advise on safer recruitment practices, and provide information for parents so they will know if organisations their children are involved in have sound safeguarding arrangements in place.
Read more
My Place in Waltham Forest
Welcome to My Place service - a new way to find out about local services. Enter your postcode or address in the search box above, click Find address and details of local services and facilities in your area will be displayed on the home page or on our new interactive map.
Read more
The Advice Providers Forum
... is a forum for both Voluntary Sector and Statutory organisations who deliver services in the area of advice. The Forum is chaired by the Leytonstone Citizens Advice Bureau and facilitated by Voluntary Action Waltham Forest. Regular attendees include the two CABs, Kiran Asian Women's Aid, WF Mencap , CBHA, VAWF, Ilford and Hackney Benefits Centres, Job Centre Plus Agencies, Housing Benefits and various other people are invited along to cover specific areas of concern or to present on any new services coming on line - for example Employment Support Allowance.
If you are an advice agency - voluntary or statutory sector - and think you might be interested in attending please contact barbara@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk or call 0208 521 0377.
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