December 2009 e-bulletin
Local News
Outcomes of last week's Cabinet meeting on the Voluntary Sector
Fundraising News
LINk
Network News
Members News
Regional and National News
2010 Training Courses - BOOK NOW!!
Consultations
NEW - 2010 Training courses - BOOK NOW! Click Here
NEW Resource Pack for YOU!
Voluntary Action Waltham Forest is developing an online guide to setting up, and running a charity, community or voluntary group. Our draft version is now available here: http://www.vagateway.org.uk/resourcepack/
We welcome your suggestions on how it can be improved. Please contact Sarah Kinson at sarah.kinson@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk or 020 8521 0377 (Mon-Wed).
Voluntary Action offers a free one-to-one community accountancy service to our members.
More details on our website here.
Voluntary Action Re-elects Board of Trustees
Eleven trustees were elected to the board at Voluntary Action at our AGM in November. The Chair is Valentine Molisho Yombo-Djema of African Foundation Stone and the Vice-Chair is Dr Jasmine Taylor of Nexus Supplementary School. A list of the other trustees can be found here on our website.
Senior Councillors Face questions from local Voluntary Sector
Voluntary groups questioned senior councillors at Voluntary Action's recent 'Question Time' style event. More details to follow in the next edition of 'Voluntary Views'.
Local Community Activist Wins Award
Neil Collins, who has been a community active in Waltham Forest for 40 years has won an award for his work with the Voluntary Sector. More here.
Office Opening Times
Our office closes at 2pm on Thursday 24 December and it re-opens at 9am on Monday 4th January.
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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
How are public services in Waltham Forest performing?
A new website has been launched to monitor the standard of local services. Waltham Forest has not been awarded any green flags for exceptional performance, or any red flags for serious concern. For more details about the borough's performance visit the 'One Place' website here
Crime and Grime
Waltham Forest Community Safety Board meet on 20 January at 6.30 pm in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, Forest Road, London E17 4JF. Items for consideration include Crime and Grime.
Contact: davidj.knight@walthamforest.gov.uk or see the website: www.walthamforest.gov.uk/wfcsb
Living with Cancer?
Whipps Cross Cancer Support Group meet on the third Monday of the month (2pm-4pm) at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Centre, Cambridge Park Road, Wanstead London, E11 2PY. Contact Anita Justice on 0208 535 6790 or e-mail cancerinfo@whippsx.nhs.uk
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Grants for premises
Applications to Capital Investment Programme Local resource centres for charities and voluntary groups in England can apply for grants of up to £30,000 to make improvements to their premises under the latest round of small awards from infrastructure body Capacitybuilders.
More information here: http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/capital
Grass Root Grants
Grants for local community groups in Waltham Forest with a turnover of up to £30k from to O-Regen. Read more
Community Council Funding
Residents and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to put forward bids for ward-based projects.
More information here: http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/council/community-councils/community-councils-annual-fund.htm
Supporting and managing volunteers - Application Deadline: 08/01/2010.
Capacitybuilders are seeking expressions of interest to provide two distinct types of programme. The first will support those coordinating volunteering activity day to day; the second will focus more on those with management and strategic responsibilities.
More at: http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/node/223
Youth Offer Easter / Annual Programme 2010-11 - Application Deadline: Noon, 11/01/2010
For more information contact: Lorraine.AdjayeKwofie@walthamforest.gov.uk
Youth Sector Development Fund (YSDF)
Briefing on the YSDF will take place on 15th December at CBI, Conference Centre, Centre Point Tower, Oxford Street from 10am to 2pm. Nearest tube Tottenham Court Road . Third sector organisations applying for funding should attend this briefing. Agencies can book a place by e-mailing ysdf@ecotec.com .
Deadline is 4pm, 4th February 2010. More at: http://ysdf.ecotec.com/
Hardship Fund grant funding still available
This £16.7 million grant programme for third sector organisations in England who are delivering front-line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our society has recently been extended. To apply for a grant tel: 01223 406 546, email: hardshipfund@cdf.org.uk or visit www.cdf.org.uk
Last chance to apply for loans at 0% interest
The 'Real Help for Communities: Modernisation Fund' provides loans at 0% interest to help charities, community groups and social enterprises be more resilient to the impact of the recession. Loans of between £30,000 and £500,000 are available, but the fund is only here for a limited time – all investments must be agreed by the end of December 2009 and drawn down by the end of March 2010. Find out more by calling The Social Investment Business on 0191 269 2277, emailing enquiries@socialinvestmentbusiness.org or visit the Modernisation Fund website at:http://http:/www.modernisationfund.org.uk/loans/index.aspx
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Health Service Users - Have your Say
Waltham Forest LINk is holding its next membership meeting from 6 – 8.30pm on Wednesday 27 January 2010 at Vestry House Museum, Vestry Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9NH. Contact the LINk staff on 020 8521 0377 or visit www.wflink.org.uk to find out more
Want to know more about Voluntary Sector Commissioning and Community Engagement?
Come to the next Voluntary Sector Forum at 7pm on Tuesday 19th January at Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow E17.
This is an important forum discussing issues vital to the Voluntary and Community Sector as well as the Council. Don’t miss it! The agenda will include items from:
Claire Witney, Head of Community Engagement, LBWF
Connie Mante, Voluntary Sector Development Manager, LBWF, giving an update on Voluntary Sector Commissioning.
The Voluntary Sector Forum is open to all members of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in Waltham Forest and is a unique opportunity to attend a meeting with other members of the VCS, Councillors and Council officers. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us on 0208 521 0377 or barbara@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk
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The Walthamstow Calendar is a fundraising calendar being sold locally...
You can find out all about it here: http://www.e17arttrail.co.uk/index.php?page=114
Friends of Lloyd Park 'Festive Singalong' on 20 Dec 12-3pm. Near Horizon cafe.
Send Us Your News
Please send your news and events to Sarah Kinson at sarah.kinson@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk
The deadline for our next e-bulletin is 8 January.
The deadline for our next printed newsletter ("Voluntary Views") is 22 January.
Advertise Here
Members can advertise here. Send details to sarah.kinson@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk
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Regional and National News
How London Health Commission works - 11th January 2010 at City Hall
The London Health Commission is cross-sector partnership that works to reduce health inequalities and promote health in London. London Civic Forum is working with LVSC to explain the London Health Commission to members of London's voluntary and community sector. We also want to provide voluntary and community sector organisations with a chance to explain how their work could be useful to the Commission in delivering its aims. If you would like to know more or wish to book a place, e-mail events@londoncivicforum.org.uk or call Deirdre on 0208 709 9774
Social Enterprises and the Community and Voluntary Sector: myths and realities
London Civic Forum and Social Enterprise Coalition are establishing a group of up to 12 people from the third sector and the public service sector in London to meet over 2½ days from early February to March 2010. These workshops are aimed at community and voluntary sector organisations, social entrepreneurs, and local decision makers who have views on how these groups can work together to break down barriers between them. If you would like to know more or wish to book a place, please e-mail events@londoncivicforum.org.uk or call Deirdre on 0208 709 9774. Please respond by 10th January 2010
Health Issues, Policy and Solutions: A focus on health equality
19th January 2010 - 9:30am till 12:30pm
This is A FaithAction and Race Equality Foundation event for any organisation working with black and minority ethnic communities. For further information, please call 0845 094 6350
London Culture and 2012
London Cultural Strategy Group (LCSG) held a public meeting for approximately 400 cultural organisations and individuals in November. If you were unable to attend you can review some of the presentations from the day, and you can watch the webcast at http://www.london.gov.uk/webcasts.jsp. The presentations from the meeting and the London Culture and 2012 guide can also be accessed here http://www.london.gov.uk/lcsg/events/.
A Guide to Giving for Businesses details the measures in place to promote giving amongst the business community.
From shares and equipment donation, to raising money and partnership working, to employee volunteering and secondments this handy guide sets out how businesses can kick start or further develop community involvement programmes. The guide is also highly recommended for charities seeking to develop stronger relations with the business sector
Free CEMVO Seminars mark organisations 10th anniversary
CEMVO the Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations and one of the Office of the Third sector’s strategic partners is currently running a seminar series on a range of topics including multiculturalism versus integration, equalities and social cohesion and social justice and globalisation.
Please email holly.davey@cemvo.org.uk to reserve your place at one of these seminars.
Green Up! Guide
CDF has just published a free guide, Green Up! which provides community and volunteer groups with everything they need to work productively with their councils on environment and sustainability issues. http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/publication?id=142955
Compact Voice will back 'refreshed' version of the agreement
By John Plummer, Third Sector Online, 11 December 2009.
But third sector minister Angela Smith has not given the assurance it wanted that the Government will not break the Compact again. More at the Third Sector Magazine here.
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Please click on a title for more details and a booking form or see the training page on our website here
12 January
Preparing Financial Accounts for Charities and Companies Limited by Guarantee
For those who are responsible for preparing end of year accounts, Treasurers and Management Committees Members who need to understand them.
7 January, 3 February and 10th February (three day course).
First Aid at Work
Accredited by the Health & Safety Executive and valid for 3 years 24 February, 3 March and 10 March (three day course)
Funding Strategies & Bid Writing For Voluntary & Community Organisations
Accredited by the National Open College Network 16, 23 and 30 March (three day course)
Financial Planning for Voluntary and Community Organisations
Accredited by the National Open College Network at level 2 and 3. 17 March
Emergency First Aid at Work
Accredited course by the Health & Safety Execuitive and valid for three years. 27 April, 4, 11 May (three day course)
The Tendering and Commissioning Process
Accredited by the National Open College Network at level 3.
Qualifications, recruitment & retention and benefits of Olympics
Skills for Care London will be running this FREE workshop on 26th January 2010. The workshop will explore how the 2012 Olympics and its legacy can aid the social care sector. More here
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If you are responding to a consultation, please copy us in: enrique@voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk
Waltham Forest children and young people plan 2010-2013
Consultation on draft plan closing date: 18 December.
http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/education/strategies-plans/cypp/cypp-2010-13.htm
Waltham Forest Open Space Strategy
The Council is consulting on its draft Open Space Strategy until 31 December. Using data gathered through surveys and consultation with residents, the strategy reports on the amount, location and quality of open space in the borough.
More details on the council's website click here.
The Future of Health Services in north east London
A major public consultation on the future of health services in north east London was launched on the 30 November and will continue for 14 weeks. You can download the consultation document and complete the online questionnaire here.
Paper copies (in Word format) of the consultation document are now available from PCTs.
Public meetings and roadshows will be held in every borough, to give members of the public the opportunity to find out about the proposals, ask questions and have their say.
The consultation will close on 8 March 2010.
London Assembly Consultations
The GLA has published for consultation the London Plan, Economic Development Strategy and
the Transport Strategy. To view the strategies: http://www.london.gov.uk/shaping-london
Mayor's draft strategy to tackle health inequalities
The Mayor recently released his draft strategy to tackle health inequalities in London, The London Health Inequalities Strategy. The strategy is currently out for consultation, with a due date for responses by the 10 January 2010. The strategy is available here: http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/priorities/health/health-strategy.jsp
London Councils consults on commissioning programme 2011-2015.
The vision for this programme is: "Londoners enabled to live better and healthier lives, enjoying economic, housing educational and cultural opportunities in a safer and more sustainable environment; through improved services delivered by the voluntary sector working in partnership with London's local authorities".
You can find more information on responding to this survey here or take the survey online here
Voluntary Action Waltham
Forest
If you would like to know more about VAWF services, including details on becoming
a member, see our website.
www.voluntaryaction-wf.org.uk | 
