News
Launch of Sustainable Communities Fund 2008-09 for VCS organisations in Wansbeck
Bidding is now open for funding for voluntary or community groups in Wansbeck from the Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF). In the last 2 years this fund has enabled community groups and organisations in the area to benefit from grants totalling £375,000. These grants have ranged from small grants of £100, to larger grants of £15,000. The Sustainable Communities Fund aims to help develop the community and voluntary sector in Wansbeck and enable these organisations become healthier and stronger.
The fund is available to all ‘not for profit’ constituted organisations operating within, and providing services in Wansbeck.
Funding is available to support small to medium sized projects which fall into one of three areas:
- Projects that can demonstrate how they can maintain and develop services for the local community. An example might be developing or extending the life of a community building or facility, or enhancing a service.
- Projects that build the abilities and skills of the Voluntary and Community sector. Examples of this are IT equipment to improve services; training; or the development and management of volunteering.
- Projects that improve the environment. For example, energy efficiency measures for a community facility, or training in environmental activities.
Grants of £100 to £5,000 are administered by Wansbeck Centre for Voluntary Service. If you wish to apply application forms for the small grants are available from Wansbeck Centre for Voluntary Service on 01670 858 688
Grants of £5,000 to £15,000 are administered by Wansbeck District Council. The application forms and guidance for the larger grants are available from the Wansbeck Online website www.wansbeckonline.com (Click on the icon on the left hand side of the homepage to access all the information relating to the fund and to view or download the application form and guidance). Deadlines for these larger grant applications are 11 July 2008, 12 September 2008 and 07 November 2008). Alternatively, call Karen Dent to ask for an application form (see contact details below). These grants are appraised and decisions made by a panel of community representatives, supported by Karen Dent.
Potential applicants are invited to talk over their ideas with the Project Co-ordinator, Karen Dent, prior to making an application. Karen can be contacted on 01670 843 499 or e-mailed on k.dent@wansbeck.gov.uk
NOTES: The funding is part of the Investing in Communities Programme, which is a capacity building programme for communities, hosted by Wansbeck CVS on behalf of Wansbeck Initiative Partnership. The programme also includes support for our six Community Area Partnerships, Wansbeck Online, a new Participatory Budgeting pilot and Voluntary Sector Health Checks. It is delivered by joint working between Wansbeck CVS and Network, Wansbeck District Council and Wansbeck Initiative Executive Team. Close working with Northumberland County Council staff is also undertaken as part of supporting communities through the transition of local government in Northumberland to one council. 250 Community Area Partnership members have received this information through the post, as have all the community venues in Wansbeck (libraries, community centres etc). Further information and regular updates on this programme will be provided in the Wansbeck Initiative Activity Updates, which can be viewed or downloaded at the weblink below:
http://www.wansbeckonline.com/index.cfm?page=single.cfm§ionid=949
VCS contracting arrangements for skills and employability
NCDN is participating in a series of meetings about setting up a regional 'hub' to support the VCS in successfully bidding for large contracts for work in the skills and employability field. VONNE has set up a dedicated page - skills & employability contracting hub where you can find out more about the process.
The minutes of the last meeting of the task group are here -
Notes of 1st meeting of TF group (04-06-08).doc 188.50 KB 10.06.2008
Celebrating CDX’s past; exploring CD’s future
Keep Monday 13 to Tuesday 14 October free, as CDX will be holding its annual conference and AGM in Sheffield. The event, which includes an overnight residency, will also feature some birthday celebrations as CDX is 21 this year! Expect plenty of opportunities to reflect on community development’s influence over the past two decades, as well as consider challenges for the future. We’ll keep you posted as more details are confirmed.
Community Development in the North East
On 30 January there was a conference at the Old Assembly Rooms Newcastle to explore the next steps in creating a new regional infrastructure for community development based on what has gone on before and the feedback received in the various workshops. We recognise Community Development covers a wide variety of activity taking place in a very diverse range of settings, frequently very localised with groups that feel marginalised. Throughout this process we have been emphasising the Values and Roles outlined in the National Occupational Standards for Community Development as the basis for the activity we are generally talking about.
If you would like to play a role in helping the proposed Network to get established please consider joing the task group that came out of the conference, by contacting:
Steve Lancashire
Development Director
CWACNEE
Hudson House
! Moor Street
Sunderland
Tel: 0191 514 6157, 07793 750 653
Email: steve@cwacnee.org.uk
SR1 2JH
Latest Social Policy Bulletin
This newsletter focusses on social policy and inclusion, and is compiled by Rachel Turnbull for the Citizens Advice Bureaux of Northumberland.
You can download the latest newsletter here
SPB Feb2008.doc 361.00 KB 09.04.2008 18:24
To subscribe to the newsletter please contact Rachel Turnbull at spdo@alnwickcab.cabnet.org.uk
Health Improvement Update Newsletter Feb 08
You can download the latest update on Health Improvement activity here.
Feb 08.doc 188.50 KB 06.02.2008 23:14
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