Welcome to our weekly roundup of all things Voluntary Community Faith Sector in Central Lancashire! (Also attached in a Word document).
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And now, the news …
Funding and Fundraising
The Prince's Countryside Fund Opens for 2012
Organisations across the UK have one month to submit their application for grants of up to £50,000 to support projects that help rural areas become more sustainable. The closing date for this round is 13 April 2012. Applicants will be notified of a decision by July 2012.
http://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/
£8M in grants to help end rough sleeping
From April 2012, homelessness charities will be able to apply for grants of up £200k to invest in new ways of preventing and tackling rough sleeping.
http://homeless.org.uk/transition-fund/news
Co-operative Enterprise Hub Support for Renewable Energy Schemes
The Co-operative Group has set aside £1 million to help community-owned renewable energy schemes in the North West of England.
The Manchester-based mutual hopes the cash, available through the Co-operative Enterprise Hub, will lead to the creation of more community schemes.
The Enterprise Hub has been set up by the Co-operative as a one-stop shop for free advice, training and access to finance for new and existing co-operatives. Services are delivered; free of charge, throughout the UK by experienced co-operative development advisers.
http://www.co-operative.coop/enterprisehub/
Summer Schools Fund
The DfE is providing the Summer Schools Fund to help support up to 100,000 pupils making the transition from primary to secondary school. This transitional period has been identified by Ofsted research as a time where performance can take a significant dip. Secondary schools can sign up for £500 for every disadvantaged pupil taking part in a two-week summer school. The funding applies to all pupils transferring in to Year 7 who:
Are on Free School Meals; or
Have been in care for six months or more.
http://www.education.gov.uk/
Schools will be free to ask third parties, such as voluntary groups, to run the summer schools for them or work together with other schools.
NCVO - Charities hit by triple whammy of financial pressures during the recession
(National Council for Voluntary Organisations)
Charities faced a "toxic mix of circumstances" over the past year, with increased demand for services, rising costs and an unprecedented fall in income, our Chief Executive said today.
New figures from NCVO depict a charity sector struggling with the worst recession for fifty years. The figures, released today for the first time, show that charities were hit by £2.3 billion in rising costs purely as a result of inflation between 2008 and 2010.
Speaking at the NCVO Annual Conference, Sir Stuart Etherington also highlighted the dramatic drop in the voluntary sector workforce, losing over 70,000 staff in the past year.
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/news/civil-society/charities-hit-triple-whammy-financial-pressures-during-recession
NAVCA publishes regeneration report to support Transition Fund campaign
(National Association for Voluntary and Community Action)
NAVCA has published a report to support the recent call made by the leading voluntary and community sector umbrella organisations, including NAVCA, for a second wave of transition funding to help regenerate the most deprived areas. The report evidences the impact of public spending cuts since 2010 on the local voluntary sector. After compiling the evidence in NAVCA's report, NAVCA has written to George Osborne MP to further urge him to use his Budget on 21 March to provide transition funding to help people who are suffering most from public spending cuts.
NAVCA's report says that for the first time since the 1960s there is no government regeneration programme to support areas of deprivation. Since coming to power the Government has ended the Working Neighbourhoods Fund and the Performance Reward Grant. The report provides evidence of how this has adversely affected local voluntary action.
The Government provided Statutory Guidance to local authorities telling them not to make disproportionate cuts to the voluntary sector. However, the report shows that axing these funding programmes has in effect caused a disproportionate cut in funding to the local voluntary sector. Creating the second year of the Transition Fund aimed at deprived areas would begin to correct this. NAVCA also say that the fund should provide support for seaside areas, which are often overlooked by such schemes.
http://navcanews.tumblr.com/post/18998631899/navca-publishes-regeneration-report-to-support
This follows on from last week's article
Charity funding cuts hit deprived areas hardest
Leaked document says funding in affluent parts of Britain has been largely untouched
Charities in the north-west and north-east of England are over-represented in the group of organisations which have appealed for help from a £100m government transition fund.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/mar/03/charity-funding-cuts-deprived-areas
New (plain English) online guide makes social investment simple!
The term 'social investment' covers the different types of financial activity used to create social impact. Here we explore the main investment types available to you as a voluntary sector organisation. We'll help you understand the terms involved so you can decide whether social investment is right for your organisation.
http://www.knowhownonprofit.org/funding/social-investment-1
Cash windfall for Guild year celebrations
Preston's grassroots celebrations to mark Guild year have won a lottery boost.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has handed small groups and organisations awards of up to £10,000 each, to work on schemes linked to the 2012 celebrations.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/cash-windfall-for-guild-year-celebrations-1-4338828
Cash to help abused men
Men who have been victims of domestic violence will be helped by a new grant given to a Preston charity.
Preston Domestic Violence Services (PDVS) has been awarded £15,500 by the Home Office to support men who have suffered from sexual violence or been abused by their partner. (See also Events, below)
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/cash-to-help-abused-men-1-4328020
Vacancies and Employment
Alzheimer's Society - Dementia Advisers x3 (Lancashire)
Location: Central Lancashire
Closing Date: 22 Mar 2012
Salary: £18,441 actual per annum
Hours: 35 per week
x3 posts - Located in Chorley, Bamber Bridge, Preston
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/recruit_details.php?id=3497
Volunteering
Legacy - Rainbow House - Fundraisers Needed - Bucket Collection, Preston City Centre 26 - 30 March
Legacy - Rainbow House are a children's charity based in Mawdesley that help children with Cerebral Palsy and various brain injuries. They teach them everyday life skills that you or I take for granted such as sipping from a cup, tying their shoelaces or sitting unaided for 30 seconds. They help over 90 children per week and receive no statutory government funding.
Legacy - Rainbow House needs pleasant, outgoing personality, chatty and friendly people to help with a bucket fundraising effort one week 26th March to 30th March. If you can spare a few hours or a full day, please contact Mark Waddington at the CVS so that he can put you in touch with Legacy - Rainbow House.
Tel: 01772 251108 email: pcvs4@prestoncvs.org
Guild 2012
Bicycle Ballet comes to Preston - participants required
What is Bicycle Ballet?
Bicycle Ballet is a spectacular dance performance on bicycles which explores the highs and lows of city cycling: the sheer joy of swerving downhill on a bike, the wind behind you and the sun on your face, tempered by the gritty reality of urban cycling - manoeuvering amongst traffic, pollution, theft and vandalism.
Over 100 local people dance and cycle between set formation pieces reminiscent of Busby Berkeley's film choreography, with visual spectacle, humour, poignancy and character based stories inspired by people's cycling experiences - learning to ride, fall off, tricks - and memories.
How to get involved and register your interest
Cyclists and Performers Wanted for the Fabulous Bicycle Ballet
Bicycle Ballet is looking for up to 100 performers from the Preston area to perform the piece as part of the Guild Wheel Opening event on Avenham Park on Sunday 19th August 2012.
Bicycle Ballet is a spectacular, 30 minute dance performance on bicycles, originally conceived and produced by Karen Poley for Car Free Day 2006 and directed by choreographer Virginia Farman.
The show is a celebration of cycling, exploring the highs and lows of cycling: the sheer joy of swerving downhill on a bike, the wind behind you and the sun on your face, tempered by the gritty reality of urban cycling - manoeuvering amongst traffic, pollution, theft and vandalism.
Bicycle Ballet has been a hugely successful project (touring to Brighton, London, Manchester and Lille) and has been funded by Arts Council England and partners to tour as part of the Cultural Olympiad celebrations in 2012, to (Skegness, Edmonton, Hadleigh, Hastings, Preston and Exeter), and WE NEED YOU AND YOUR BICYCLE to take part here.
The show is performed by two distinct groups:
Up to 50 local cyclists and performers in THE CHORUS perform the bulk of the show's choreography - spectacular formation routines, intimate character stories, pastiches and pyrotechnic effects.
You will need to be a competent cyclist and commit to approx 6 x 3 hour weekly, evening sessions and 3 weekend rehearsals in the weeks before the shows, and the performances.
Up to 60 people in THE MASS, punctuate the show by sweeping across the performance space, en mass, in giant formations performing Mass actions - coughing, laughing etc - and making a bit impact.
Mass participants will need to attend 2 x 3 hour session in the week before performances, and a rehearsal and performances on the show day.
No experience necessary. All ages welcome, although a level of cycling proficiency is required - minimum Level 2 Bikeability /National Standard is suggested.
You will need to: bring your own bike and wear a black top, trousers and shoes for the performances
If you are interested in a taster session at 6.30 - 9pm on Thursday 26th April (venue to be confirmed) or to register an interest please indicate on the 'I WANT TO' box on the Home Page at www.prestonguild2012.com.
Two Preston based Rehearsals Directors wanted for Bicycle Ballet - rsvp midday 19 March
We are looking for two Preston based rehearsal directors to work with the Choreographer and Creative Team on the development of the performance with local participants. Work will take place during June, July and August 2012, and form part of a National tour.
For further details see the attached PDF.
Gay pride festival planned for city
Preston's first gay pride festival will be held as part of the city's Guild celebrations in September, it has been confirmed.
Organisers have confirmed a major club night is coming to a venue in the city and there will be a day of events on a stage on the Flag Market during the day-long event on Saturday, September 29.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/gay-pride-festival-planned-for-city-1-4336069
Be part of Preston Passion
Tickets have now been released for a huge live production to mark Easter and Preston Guild.
People can request free passes for the Preston Passion, a live BBC show which will be beamed from Preston Bus Station on Good Friday.
http://www.lep.co.uk/community/be-part-of-preston-passion-1-4332041
Pride in the Passion
When the big events happen in Preston, the Evening Post always aims to be in the thick of the action.
But when the Preston Passion is televised to millions at Easter, not only will we be bringing our readers unrivalled coverage of proceedings, we will also be taking part in the event itself.
http://www.lep.co.uk/community/pride-in-the-passion-1-4335979
Events
40 years of fun and adventure
Scouts past and present celebrated 40 years of being prepared and having fun.
More than 200 young and old members of 8th Fulwood Scout Group came together to share stories of fun and adventures over an anniversary hotpot lunch.
http://www.lep.co.uk/community/40-years-of-fun-and-adventure-1-4346664
18 March - 'Reel' treat for Mother's Day', Leyland
Mums are being offered a special deal to mark Mother's Day when Leyland Cinema screens its latest movie.
Mothers can watch Alvin and the Chipmunks 3: Chipwrecked for half price when the film is shown on Sunday 18 March. The latest installment in the series follows the furry friends' adventures after they're marooned on a tropical paradise
http://www.southribble.gov.uk/Section.asp?sectiontype=listseparate&catid=301252&docid=3157
19 and 29 March - Events to raise awareness of male victims of domestic and sexual violence, Preston
We are holding two launch events – one for agencies with whom we work and one for the general public.
Preston Domestic Violence Services & Preston Police Invite you to attend a public event to raise awareness of male victims of domestic and sexual violence
Agency Event:
Monday 19th March 10.00am— 12.00 noon
To be held at The Guild Lounge, Preston North End Football Club
Lunch and refreshments will be provided
Please email hayley.sumner@pdvs.org.uk to book your place or call 01772 201301 for more information
Aims of the event:
To introduce the new service
To explore the difficulties and barriers faced by male victims of domestic and sexual violence
Discuss how we can encourage male victims to come forward and access specialist support
Promote discussion about how we can all work together to support victims
Public Event
Thursday 29th March 5.30pm — 7.30pm
To be held at The Guild Lounge, Preston North End Football Club
A light buffet and refreshments will be provided at the start
Aims of the event:
To introduce the new service
To highlight the difficulties and barriers faced by male victims of domestic and sexual violence
Encourage male victims to come forward and access specialist support
Prevent the issues from remaining hidden
Please call 01772 201301 for more information
If you have any queries please contact Kelly who has been appointed as the support worker for males. Her email address is kelly.bracewell@pdvs.org.uk or the public email address is men2@pdvs.org.uk and her telephone number is 01772 201301
24th March: Harris Museum and Art Gallery invites you to the unveiling of Street Art: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Preston
The event will take place at St Matthew's Mission on Acregate Lane on 24th March between 1pm and 3pm. Refreshments will be served from 1pm at St Matthews - RSVP for catering purposes and for more information to: abdul.logde@lancashire.gov.uk or k.milnes@preston.gov.uk (the paintings are amazing, definitely worth seeing!)
31st March: Friends of Fishwick and St Matthews (FOFS) Table Top Sale and Cake baking competition, Preston
The event will take place at St Matthew's School on New Hall Lane between 10am - 2pm. Please email fofspreston@gmail.com if you would like to book a table or if you would like to enter the cake baking competition (limited number of tables available).
Refreshments and items for sale
FOFS will use this event as a fundraising opportunity. We will gratefully accept donations for the table top sale; all proceeds will go to help the group's sustainability.
2 April - Museum of Lancashire Community Engagement Network (CEN), Preston
The event will take place at the Museum of Lancashire, Stanley Street, Preston, PR1 4YP between 16.30 - 18.30. If you would like more information, to book for this event or to arrange to give a presentation on your group/activities, please contact Stephen.Miller@lancashire.gov.uk
7th April: Ribbleton Park Community Gardening
Submitted by Friends of Fishwick and St Matthews (FOFS). From 10am until we finish
This will be the second session with Lancashire Wildlife Trust help. Not much digging involved this time, we will be planting onions and potatoes.
3 May - Heartbeat Hearts& Flowers Ladies Floral Luncheon, Chipping
Ladies Floral Luncheon at The Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Chipping, 12.00 noon for 12.30pm, (Hats or Fascinators required)
In Aid of Heartbeat - Bucks Fizz Reception, 2 Course Luncheon, Chocolates and Coffee, Tour of the Gardens available, (Donation to Heartbeat), Ticket per place £30. Table of 10 £270.
Guest Speaker: Roger Borrell (Editor of Lancashire Life)
Floral Demonstration by Linda Hardman of The Flower Shop, Clitheroe
Auction and Prize Draw
To reserve your place or table please contact
Beverley Taylor
01772 717147
beverley.taylor@heartbeat-nwcc.org.uk
7 and 8 July - Leyland Festival in Worden Park
Floats will feature in this year's Leyland Festival procession - back by popular demand.
The Leyland Festival Committee carried out a survey with members of the public after last year's event to see how they could make improvements.
http://www.lep.co.uk/lifestyle/culture/festival-floats-return-due-to-public-demand-1-4342239
Training
Child Protection Training - CVS Central Lancashire 22 March - Reminder
Thursday 22nd March 2012 10am to 3.00pm
£30.00 per person.
The Aim of the day is to look at:
Personal and professional responsibility
Historical perspective
What is child abuse?
The Social Service response
What should I do if I suspect a child is being abused.
The training is facilitated by Paul Sanford and is a popular and well received workshop.
To book contact the CVS using the details at the bottom of this email.
PG Certificate In Voluntary Sector Management
Due to high demand for funded places on the 'PG Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management' additional course dates have now been released. These are filling fast with only a few places now remain
http://www.learningconsortium.co.uk/PGCertVolSectorManagement.aspx?LevelID=94
Globe e-learning
Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Capacitybuilders, Globe is an e-learning system delivering a range of online management courses for new, aspiring and experienced managers working in the voluntary sector.
Globe currently offers courses on such management-related topics as managing conflict, project management, recruitment and selection, and managing volunteers, and many other courses are currently in development.
http://www.globelearning.org/
Public Notices
2,000 NHS staff move, remainder face losses
An NHS organisation which lost more than 2,000 staff in the last two years insists only 34 lost their jobs - but there will be redundancies among those left.
NHS Central Lancashire, the primary care trust (PCT) covering Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, employed 2,716 staff in 2009, but most were transferred to Lancashire Care Trust and Southport Hospitals Trust which manage the services the PCT used to run.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/health/2-000-nhs-staff-move-remainder-face-losses-1-4336014
Shisha warning on No Smoking Day, 14 March
Environmental health experts have backed up a charity's concerns about the rise in shisha cafes.
A British Heart Foundation (BHF) study last week said the number of shisha houses in Preston had tripled in the last five years, with three currently known to the city council.
http://www.lep.co.uk/community/shisha-warning-on-no-smoking-day-1-4342222
Home insulation sales calls warning - South Ribble
South Ribble residents have been advised to be on their guard against salespeople who cold call offering to carry out loft and cavity wall insulation work in their homes.
Under South Ribble Borough Council's neighbourhood energy efficiency scheme, residents in the borough are currently eligible for loft and cavity wall insulation free of charge. The scheme is open to all residents and you don't need to be on any benefits to apply.
But some residents, who agreed to have home insulation work carried out after being approached by salespeople, have told the council that they received a bill afterwards.
http://www.southribble.gov.uk/Section.asp?sectiontype=listseparate&catid=301252&docid=3160
Bishop speaks out on gay marriage
The Bishop of Lancaster has defended the Catholic church's opposition to gay marriage.
Bishop Michael Campbell, head of the Diocese of Lancaster which covers from the Scottish border to the River Ribble in Preston, said that marriage being between a man and a woman was "non-negotiable."
But, he insisted that the church was "not in the business of condemning" homosexuals.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/bishop-speaks-out-on-gay-marriage-1-4335252
Fury as vandals target plants at flagship park
Thousands of pounds will have to be spent by Town Hall bosses to replace plants which have been stolen and destroyed at a landmark city park, it was revealed.
Community leaders today told of their disappointment after it emerged hundreds of expensive plants at Avenham and Miller Parks have been stolen or trampled by vandals.
http://www.lep.co.uk/community/fury-as-vandals-target-plants-at-flagship-park-1-4332026
Land deal of the decade
Dozens of public buildings are facing a sell-off as the county council reviews £280m worth of its property.
Lancashire County Council has revealed it is looking for property experts to regenerate its ageing portfolio of nearly 100 properties.
This includes the former Park Hotel, a pair of empty offices on Winckley Square in Preston city centre, Lancashire Business Park, Leyland, which was hit by a huge fire last year, and other properties and land across Lancashire, half of which it said will be redundant within a decade.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/lep-business/land-deal-of-the-decade-1-4338937
Youth zone set for Preston city centre
Lancashire County Council today announced it will put £3m towards a Youth Zone Plus centre on the corner of Bow Lane and Ringway, where homes and shops once stood.
http://www.lep.co.uk/lifestyle/places-to-visit-2-1869/youth-zone-set-for-city-centre-1-4338992
The Chorley Smile Campaign
People in Chorley are being invited to sign up for a borough-wide civic pride 'Chorley Smile' campaign to make residents feel good and encourage them to get involved in making a difference to their neighbourhood.
Make a date in your diary for this year's event - it's on Sunday, May 15, 2011, in Chorley's fantastic Astley Park.
http://www.chorley.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2518
People can pick up their free copy of the new Chorley Smile magazine after the 2012 spring edition hit the streets this week
The magazine, which is produced by Chorley Council, contains information about how Chorley plans to mark some of the big occasions taking place in 2012, information about services in Chorley and a full events guide to what's on in March, April, May and June.
http://www.chorley.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3814
Preston Sports Awards
The City's sporting achievements of the last 12 months were celebrated on a glittering night at the Guild Hall last Friday.
The seventh annual MWR Preston Sports Awards were testament to the hard work of local athletes, coaches and volunteers in this spectacular year of the Olympics, Preston Guild and the European City of Sport.
http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/preston-sports-awards-1-4336103
Charity shop window break thug is chased down by bar staff and customers
A thug who booted a glass pane in the door of a charity shop was chased down by furious customers and staff at a nearby pub, and locked inside until police came. The offender walked out of the Golden Cross pub, in Lancaster Road, Preston, and kicked the glass in the door of the St Catherine's Hospice shop.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/window-break-thug-is-chased-down-by-staff-1-4342347
Call for items
Do you have any items of interest for the sector? Please feel free to email details to info@prestoncvs.org to have them circulated through YOUR CVS network. Comments?, suggestions? Please email them to the same address.
Circulated by:
Council for Voluntary Service Central Lancashire,
Units 23/27 Guild Hall Arcade, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1HR
Telephone: 01772 251108 Fax: 01772 561264email: info@prestoncvs.org
Website: http://www.prestoncvs.org/
(Registered Charity No: 222247)
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The theme of thanksgiving is a big thing for us this year. Psalm 95:2 encourages us to come before Him with thanksgiving and we have some significant moments when we can be thankful and missional at the same time. We have opportunity to be thankful for what Jesus has done, particularly at Easter; the opportunity to give thanks for the Queen, for food and for each other as we use the Grace at our Big Jubilee Lunches, and this weekend we give thanks for our Mothers, whether here or not. Some of the stories this month relate to ministries building connections with mothers and young families in the community. We all have a ministry and a part to play in sharing hope.