Seminars on Collaboration Benefits

Bookings are now being taken for free seminars on Collaboration Benefits organised by BASSAC and VSNW.

By collaborating effectively we can challenge the resource and power inequalities facing our sector and our users.

The seminars are part of the awareness raising element of the Collaboration Benefits programme. They provide the key opportunity for infrastructure, community development or other support organisations to learn more about Collaboration Benefits and register their interest in the Train the Trainer programme. Your organisation could be eligible for free training and get paid to cascade support for collaboration within your area.

A draft Programme for the Seminars is available. More information about Collaboration Benefits, a Capacity Builders’ National Support Service programme run by BASSAC is available from www.bassac.org.uk/our-programmes/collaboration.

The seminar dates are:

· Tuesday 3rd February 2009 – Gujarat Hindu Society, Preston: 10.30 – 12.30 followed by lunch – closing date for bookings is 27th January

· Friday 20th February 2009 – Friends Meeting House, Manchester: 10.30 – 12.30 followed by lunch – closing date for bookings is 13th February

The seminars are free.  Places are limited so book as soon as possible – see closing dates above.

Source: Voluntary Sector North West

National Compact Workshop – Preston

National Compact Workshop

Wednesday 21st January 2009, 1pm – 3.30pm

Gujarat Centre, Preston, PR1 8JN

A free half-day workshop providing a general introduction about the Compact, organised by VSNW (Voluntary Sector North West) and the Commission for the Compact. Please come prepared to discuss your views!

This is your chance to find out more about the Compact, the partnership agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England. The Compact is all about better partnership working and creating better outcomes for individuals and local communities. It recognises shared values, principles and commitments, and sets out guidelines for how both parties should work together, consult and make decisions.

What’s in it for you? Find out more about the Compact and how it can help you. The Compact can help voluntary and community organisations ensure they are treated fairly in any relationships they have with government bodies.

Who should attend? This workshop is designed for those working in small organisations in the North West. We are hoping for some lively discussions and participation from attendees.

1.00pm Registration and Lunch

1.30pm Workshop: An introduction to the Compact together with discussion sessions.

For more information and to book, please contact:

E-mail: events@thecompact.org.uk

Tel: 0121 237 5900 (Ruth Fennemore or Fiona Coulson).

Calling neighbourhood practitioners – survey!

Voluntary Sector North West have circulated information about the following survey which they hope those who work at a neighbourhood level – from across the region – will complete . However, time is short – the survey will only be online until 5.00pm, Wednesday 17th December. It will take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. Please alert and pass this on to other colleagues who are working in neighbourhoods.

The results of the survey will help the Neighbourhoods Northwest Gateway to facilitate better information sharing amongst neighbourhood workers across the region and inform the type of activities delivered by the Gateway.

The Centre for Local Economic Strategies has been commissioned by the Neighbourhoods Northwest Gateway to conduct a survey of Neighbourhood Practitioners from across the region. The aim of the survey is to help to develop a better understanding of neighbourhood working and the support needs of people working at a neighbourhood level.

You can access the survey by clicking on the link below.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=OzS4iWz8o0lj7wKZeRnyAA_3d_3d

Thank you very much for your time. If you have any questions please contact Paul or Micaela at CLES on 0161 236 7036

Lancashire Training Skills Service

Lancashire Learning Consortium has been funded by the Learning and Skills Council to pilot a new advice and support package to help community, voluntary and third sector organisations access and participate in the government’s ‘Train To Gain’ service, which has been advertised on TV.

Working in close partnership with Business Link, the service can offer the following key benefits to your organisation:

• A free & independent assessment of the skills and training needs of your organisation, your staff and your volunteers;
• Free & independent advice on the most appropriate skills training available – matching your identified needs to quality training providers;
• Access to funding for training of your staff & volunteers from basic skills through to leadership & management, in some cases covering 100% of costs, and;
• Access to wider business support services.

For more details on the benefits of the service, the following information road show events are being staged:

11th December (1pm-3.30pm) Burnley Football Club

17th December (10am-12:30pm) – Lancaster Town Hall

7th January (10am-12:30pm) – Midstream, Skelmersdale

If you would like to attend one of the events please complete the attached form and return to us at info@llccic.org.uk as soon as possible as places will be limited.

Resources: Letter about Train to Gain and Referral and Booking Form.

Source: VSNW

VSNW – Notice Board

Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW) is the regional forum for the voluntary, community and faith sector. It has a membership of over 140 organisations – national, regional and local, front line and infrastructure – with interests across the full range of the third sector.

It aims to ensure that the third sector in the region, in all its diversity, takes its place in shaping the future of the North West.

Find out more at www.vsnw.org.uk and sign up for the organisation’s e-newsletter.

REMINDER: Promoting 3rd Sector involvement in Local Area Agreements

Voluntary Sector North West and Government Office North West present

Local Area Agreements “How to increase the involvement of the local third sector in the North West in negotiating and delivering Local Area Agreements”

Thursday 16th October 2008 – 10.15 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

Gujarat Hindu Society Centre

Preston

click for : final-laa-workshop-programme

VSNW in conjunction with Government Office North West is holding a half day event on 16^th October in Preston to promote the involvement of the third sector in the negotiation and delivery of Local Area Agreements.

The aims of the day are to look at examples of good practice and identify ways of improving the level of involvement of the third sector so it can be more effective in its impact.

Chair for the day is Jacquie O’Neill, Head of Diversity, Community Cohesion and the Third Sector, Government Office North West, and speakers include:

Voluntary Norfolk.

Claire Collen  who is the LAA VCS Coordinator will speak about how the LAA is building the capacity of the third sector

Sefton CVS and Sefton Borough Council

This will be a joint presentation about delivery of the Equalities and Diversity Agenda across the borough.

Audit Commission

Tricia Kilsby, who is the national lead for culture, which includes the third sector, at the Audit Commission will speak about the impact of the third sector on Comprehensive Area Assessments.

Booking is essential and booking forms are available laa-workshop-booking-form.