Wednesday 31 October 2012

Happy Holloween!

So, it is that time of year again where fireworks pop in the night sky and the little ones dressed in all manner of creepy ghouls ask us for a trick or treat! Do you have any community events going on in your area? Let me know if you have, and I can advertise it for you on here!


 There is a variety of information below, however here are a couple of news bulletins I have been sent this week which may be useful to you:


Your North Somerset


North Somerset Council in partnership with sponsors, are running the popular Your North Somerset event at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare on Sunday 27th January 2013.

Whilst the main purpose of the Your North Somerset event is to share information about services, this year we are using the event to promote "building stronger, independent communities". We are asking stand holders to publicise any work your organisation is involved in, out in the community, whether you run:
  • A support group
  • An organised club
  • Community project
  • Programme that supports individuals in becoming more active and involved in the community
The event will also feature a wide range of food-tasting, entertainment, dance and fun activities for both adults and children.

We would be grateful if you could confirm if you would like to support the event, the number of stands you require and any specific requirements you have for the day. This could be internet access, access to power sockets etc.

Please can you provide this information by Friday, 30th November '12, as space is limited and stands will be allocated on a first come basis.

If you have any further enquiries, please contact Lucy Woodham on the details below.

Lucy Woodham, 01275 88 4022 lucy.woodham@n-somerset.gov.uk

You Can Cook


In collaboration with and excellent food tutor, NHS North Somerset has developed You Can Cook, a course to promote healthy cooking skills for practitioners and volunteers.

The course is suitable for anyone who wants to cook with individuals or teach small groups about the simple healthy cooking and healthy eating.
  • Where: Hans Price Academy, Weston super Mare
  • When: 5,12,19, 26 November and 3 December 2012
  • Time: 6.15-8.30pm
This 6 week hands-on course includes:
  • Learning to deliver cookery courses/sessions suitable for a particular client group (adults and/or children)
  • Learning how to produce a range of healthy and simple to follow recipes
  • A take-home resource pack
  • Level 2 CIEH Award in food safety
If you are intrested please get in touch with Carmen, carmen.page@nsomerset-pct.nhs.uk.

Finally, do you know some one or are working with someone who may benefit from this?

SAFER RECRUITMENT AND COMMISSIONING TRAINING

Please don't forget to let us know which of the Safer Recruitment training sessions you wish to attend.

Safer Recruitment and Commissioning Training

We would like to invite a minimum of two representatives from each Local Commissioning Network and from the Positive Activities Network to attend either of the following sessions:

Saturday 10 November 2012
10.00am – 4.30pm
Venue: TBC. 

Mondays26 November and 3 December 2012
7.00pm – 09.30pm
Venue: Castlewood, Clevedon

Delegates will gain an understanding of:
  • Safer Recruitment/Commissioning: in the wider context of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
  • Safer Recruitment/Commissioning Process: focusing on best practice when recruiting or commissioning adults to work with children. The procedures and strategies to help those involved in the recruitment process to deter, identify and reject applicants who are unsuitable to work with children.
  • On-going culture of vigilance: examining the need for ongoing awareness and vigilance and consider how organisations can develop and maintain an environment that deters and prevents abuse and challenges inappropriate behaviour.
To book onto this course please contact Rhiannon Jones, 01934 634758 rhiannon.jones2@n-somerset.gov.uk

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Money, Money, Money

Good afternoon all,

I have lots to share today ICT Youth Hubs, Sports facilities grants, community and heritage projects... you'll see I have had quite a few funding updates of late!

Rhiannon our Project Support Officer is busy compiling all of these opportunities into one database/directory so that we have our finger on the pulse and the most up to date information on funding for community groups such as the Local Commissioning Networks.

Recent opportunities that have caught my eye include:
  • Do you want to become an IT Youth Hub? FREE opportunity for Youth Clubs
  • StreetGames
  • Young Roots- Heritage Lottery Fund
  • Funding for Childrens Outdoor Recreational Activities (UK)
  • Sport England Iconic Facilities Fund
I have given a summary below- don't forget if you are interested in applying for funding, but are not sure where to start, give us a call on 01934 634 758 or positive.activities@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Do you want to be come an IT youth hub?


UK Youth's new programme with Microsoft is NOW OPEN offering 30 youth clubs the chance to become IT Youth Hubs.

Each of the 30 selected clubs will receive a FREE technology makeover, financial support and a Microsoft IT mentor.

Selected Microsoft IT Youth Hub will be run by a group of young people (IT Champions) who will learn IT and take part in a peer education programme, ensuring a wider group of young people benefit from improved IT skills.

IT Champions will be overseen by a youth worker who will receive training and support from a Microsoft volunteer.

"This programme is a fantastic and timely addition to our work.  We want to ensure that as many young people in our network are able to progress in the digital age, especially those who have limited access to IT.  No business is better placed to help us do this than Microsoft." Charlotte Hill, UK Youth Chief Executive.

To apply please download an application form from our website.  If you have any questions please contact Abby@ukyouth.org .

StreetGames


The Sports and Active Lifestyles team have recently recruited two self employed multisport StreetGames coaches for the North Somerset area. The team are now in a position to look at where the demand is for StreetGames delivery and try to fill up the 10 hours allocated to each sports coach.

These coaches will be on a fixed term self employed contact with the Council and as a result there will be no cost incurred by you for their delivery during the initial 6 months.

There is an expectation that demand for their time will be high, therefore if your network is interested in hosting a StreetGames coach/programme, check out the ‘eligibility’ list below which should help you decide if you are eligible to host a StreetGames coach/ programme.

Eligibility
  • StreetGames is about bringing sport straight to the doorstep of young people living in disadvantaged communities.
  • Sport sessions last 1 hour a week.
  • Local volunteers are identified and invested in
Funding
  • Is available for the payment of the sport and/ or physical activity deliverery
  • Can be made available for venue/ facility where the case can be made
  • Is not forever! Sustainability must be considered
Target Groups, Sports and Sessions
  • Must be able to provide evidence of demand/ need
  • Must be within the area of North Somerset
  • Aimed at those aged 11 + (there is some flexibility if need can be demonstrated)
  • All year round activities
  • Must be able to supervise/ support sessions
  • Compliment current youth provision but can not enhance sport/ physical activity already taking place
  • Competition/festival element can be included within the projects
  • Be willing to assist with monitoring and evaluation
  • Be willing to work towards long term sustainability
Please contact Lisa.Perryman@n-somerset.gov.uk for more information.

Young Roots- Heritage Lottery Fund


Young Roots is a grant programme designed to engage young people aged 11-25 with their heritage. Young Roots projects stem directly from the interest and ideas of young people, who are supported by youth and heritage organisations to develop skills, build confidence, and connect with their local communities.

To receive a Young Roots grant, your project must relate to the varied heritage of the UK and:
  • Provide new opportunities for a wider range of young people ages 11 to 25 to learn about their own and others heritage.
  • Allow young people to lead and take part in creative and engaging activities.
  • Develop partnership between youth organisations and heritage organisations and create opportunities to celebrate young people’s achievements in the project and share learning with the wider community.
  • Your project must also create new opportunities for young people to either volunteer in heritage, or gain skills in indentifying, recording, interpreting or caring for heritage.
Please see their website for more details.

Funding for IT Projects Supporting Disadvantaged Groups


Funding is available to organisations with innovative IT related project ideas that can make a positive difference to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

The funding, which is available through the Nominet Trust, aims to fund innovative Internet projects that make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

The Trust is particularly interested in funding projects that can be scaled up and replicated. There is no minimum grant application and applications for over £100,000 require an interview.

Organisations, wishing to apply, initially need to complete an online application form. Those organisations deemed successful will be invited to complete the Stage 2 application form.

Previously projects supported through the Trust include:
  • Pottery Primary School, Belper, which received funding towards the costs of printed material to raise awareness to parents, children and the community of internet risks and safety measures. 
  • Learning for the 4th Age, which received funding to increase the use of IT in care homes to benefit elderly residents and young volunteers alike.
The next closing date for submitting initial Advisory Eligibility Forms is 12th December 2012. Stage 2 applications to be submitted by 31st January 2013. For further information contact Funding for IT Projects Supporting Disadvantaged Groups (UK).

The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme


...has announced that its funding programme for children’s education and children’s welfare will re-open for applications on the 1st December 2012. The scheme awards one-off donations of between £500 and £4,000 to registered charities, schools and not for profit organisations. The funding goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children living in the local communities around Tesco stores in the UK.

Projects previously supported include:
  • Playground equipment in schools and local communities
  • Sensory garden or room projects
  • Outdoor classrooms
  • Breakfast and after school clubs
  • Holiday play-schemes
  • Part funding to purchase minibuses
The closing date for applications will be 30th January 2013. For further information contact Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards (UK).

Tesco Charity Trust - Large Grants Programme (UK)


The Tesco Charity Trust has announced that its large grants programme is open for applications.  The Trust gives one-off donations ranging between £4,000 and £25,000 to charities working in the areas of:
  • Children’s welfare and education
  • Elderly people’s welfare
  • Adults and children with disabilities.
The funding is available to charities working on an international, national or regional basis in areas where Tesco have a presence. 

The closing date for applications is the 2nd November 2012.

Funding for Childrens Outdoor Recreational Activities (UK)


The Outdoor clothing company "North Face" has announced the launch of a new funding round of its Explore Fund.

The Explore Fund supports not for profit organisations that encourage youth outdoor participation. Grants of up to €2,500 are available for projects that:
  • encourage community involvement
  • focus on breaking down barriers to getting youth outdoors
  • projects that reach out to a specific community or place of interest.
Only one Explore Fund financial support package will be given to an organisation in each calendar year and applications that can provide match funding will be viewed favourably.

The closing date for applications is the 28th February 2013.

Sport England Iconic Facilities Fund Re-Opens for Applications (England)


Sport England has announced that although the Iconic Facilities Fund has re-opened for applications.

The Iconic Facilities fund is part of the £135m Places People Play initiative which will transform the places where people play sport and contribute to an increase in mass participation in sport across England. The fund will support the building and improvement of strategic new sports facilities used by at least two National Governing Bodies of Sport.

A key criteria of the fund will be to support facility projects that are sustainable in the long-term. Bids can be submitted by organisation entitled to receive public funding such as:
  • Sports clubs
  • Voluntary or community organizations
  • Local authorities and education establishments such as schools, colleges and universities.
Priority will be given to projects with a collaborative or consortia approach between public, private and commercial organisations.

An example of a previous project funded by the Fund is:

Birtley Young People’s Club received £573,610 for a new state-of-the-art multi-sports hub. The new facility includes two gyms, three boxing rings, two junior grass pitches, an education/conference room and office and classroom space. 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 17th December 2012.

I hope you find something useful!

Heather,

FREE opportunities for networks...

Hello all

There are limited spaces left on two exciting training courses here at the Council. Safer recruitment and commissioning training and Day Certificate in Sports leadership. If you or someone you know are interested in this free opportunity to grow your knowledge, please see below...

Did I mention that they are free???

Safer Recruitment and Commissioning Training

We would like to invite a minimum of two representatives from each Local Commissioning Network and from the Positive Activities Network to attend either of the following sessions:

Saturday 10 November 2012
10.00am – 4.30pm
Venue: TBC. 

Mondays26 November and 3 December 2012
7.00pm – 09.30pm
Venue: Castlewood, Clevedon

Delegates will gain an understanding of:
  • Safer Recruitment/Commissioning: in the wider context of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
  • Safer Recruitment/Commissioning Process: focusing on best practice when recruiting or commissioning adults to work with children. The procedures and strategies to help those involved in the recruitment process to deter, identify and reject applicants who are unsuitable to work with children.
  • On-going culture of vigilance: examining the need for ongoing awareness and vigilance and consider how organisations can develop and maintain an environment that deters and prevents abuse and challenges inappropriate behaviour.
To book onto this course please contact Rhiannon Jones, 01934 634758 rhiannon.jones2@n-somerset.gov.uk

Day Certificate in Sports Leadership

FREE spaces still available on the Day Certificate in Sports Leadership

Date: Saturday 27 October
Time: 9am – 5pm
Venue: Hutton Moor Sports Centre, Weston super Mare

This has been designed to support adults (16+)  in a variety of different settings including community groups, schools, uniformed organisations and sports clubs.

Many participants who engage with this course now feel far more confident and assertive in their role as a Sports Leader, and have embarked upon the Level 2 Award in Community Sports Leadership in order to progress their skills.

For more information and to reserve a place please contact me Lisa Perryman on 01275 882 732 or Lisa.perryman@n-somerset.gov.uk

Wednesday 17 October 2012

PRESS RELEASE

INNOVATION FUNDING AWARDED

Almost £300,000 of funding has been distributed by North Somerset Council.
This money has been awarded to 11 networks covering North Somerset to enable them to commission positive activities for young people.
North Somerset Council's executive member for children and young people's services, Cllr Jeremy Blatchford, said: "This series of networks will deliver sustainable, positive activities for children and young people.
"It is a departure from the 'one size fits all' approach previously adopted and already we are seeing the benefits with a much wider range of activities being offered and a much greater take up by the young people these activities are aimed at."

He added that 'enabling grants' from the council totalling £75,000 had already been distributed to youth management committees which had helped them in the planning and the transition to the positive activity network model.
"These local commissioning networks have demonstrated how they will implement their local programme and shown that it is viable; what is very important is that by setting up these networks they can respond to the needs of many of the 19,200 young people who found the previous youth service arrangements didn't work for them; setting up something new responds to local needs and involves children and young people."

A 'positive activity provider forum' has also been set up and already more than 30 organisations which deliver activities are members.

And North Somerset Youth Parliament has been getting in on the act too. They put together a survey which was sent to every secondary school in the district to find out which facilities and activities young people would like to be accessible most, and when, where and how they would like these to be delivered.

Cllr Blatchford said that the targeted service which works with the most vulnerable young people, those at risk of offending, as well as disabled and special needs groups, would continue its work.

"The work we are doing will offer a wide range of activities which will be more in tune with our young people," concluded Cllr Blatchford.
The funding sums awarded are:
  • In The Grove (Weston Central) £27,700
  • 5-25 (Weston South) £28,000
  • We Can (Worle and surrounding area) £41,000
  • COIN (Nailsea) £21,500
  • Pill and district £29,169
  • Portishead £29,250
  • South Rural £21,500
  • Mid Rural £27,000
  • North Rural £17,000
  • Clevedon £32,348
  • Long Ashton £16,550

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Grants of up to £500 available for people aged 30 and under...

The Alec Dickson Trust

Grants are available to help young people to run a project in their local area anywhere in the UK that involves local volunteers.

Grants of up to £500 are available for individuals aged 30 and under and small groups of young people.

Applications may be submitted at any time and will be considered twice a year.

Monday 8 October 2012

ATTENTION all providers

Do you, your organisation or anyone you know have the skills and capacity to take on a ICT project for a local commissioning network?

Outcomes will include
  • Working with a group of NEET (not in employment, education or training) young people
  • Training the young people up with the tools and skills needed to help them go into employment or further training
  • End product of a area focused activity directory and communication website for all residents
Computers and equipment could be provided.. Please let me know if you think you could offer you skills for this exciting project. heather.brumby@n-somerset.gov.uk

Thanks!

Friday 5 October 2012

Friday blog time!

Good Friday to you all. Autumn is finally here I see, however it hardly feels like it has left us this year!

It is a busy time at the moment, for Networks, providers and us here in the team. Contents of the post today include:
  • FREE business skills for early years and childcare providers
  • How to become a volunteer investor partner
  • Safer internet and social media workshop
  • BBC One Show are looking for community projects to help
  • FREE Funding advice event in Clevedon
  • Street play for children

Few... there is a lot here- I hope you find some of it of interest.

THANK YOU! to all contributers to this edition of PLANS Sue Youde of VANS, Lisa Perryman of Sports and Active Lifestyles North Somerset Council, Liz Lansley from NHS PCT and Gail Smith from the Strategic Commissioning Team.

FREE business skills seminars


Outcomes of the seminars will include
  • Provide training and networking opportunities to improve business sustainability
  • Update delegates regarding policy developments and ways to prepare
  • Learn from good practice and share information on business skills support services
Places are limited so if your business could benefit book on now!

Volunteer Investment Partners


The national council for voluntary youth services (NCVYS) have open applications to run Volunteer Investment Partners.

"Are you a voluntary youth organisation considering investing in your volunteer workforce? Are you interested in doing so using the support structures of the Six Million Strong project? If so, great! You can find some guidance and an expression of interest form here."

The project brieing sheet can be found here.

Safer internet and social working workshop in Taunton


Children England, as part of the DfE Overarching Strategic Programme invite you to free workshops on Safer Internet and Social Media. The outline programme for the sessions are:

Safer Internet workshop – 10am-12.45 (followed by networking lunch). Facilitated by Safer Internet UK this workshop will focus on safeguarding children in the digital world. The workshop objectives will include:
  • To review children and young people’s behaviour online, understanding risk and the impact of online activities
  • How to enable dialogue with the children, young people and their families about their online experiences
  • To understand online identity, use of social media and its implications for social and professional life
  • To provide self review tools and resources to support online safety in your organisation for the children, young people and adults.
Social Media Masterclass – 1.30-4pm (networking lunch included). A social media masterclass facilitated by Beat Bullying on how to boost your organisation’s reach and value through social media and networking. The workshop will cover:
  • Developing a Strategy
  • Raising awareness, campaigning and income generation
  • Successful brand integration
  • Identifying and working with different sets of stakeholders
  • Researching your sector and learning from successful campaigns
  • Understanign the different tools on the market
The sessions will be held at Bishop's Hull House in Taunton. Please book for either or both sessions using the following links:

BBC TV's The One Show


... is looking for community projects across the UK that need a helping hand.

"We want to use our influence to galvanise volunteer efforts in different schemes for a new weekly feature on the programme in the coming months. For example - perhaps you have a community hall that needs a lick of paint and a good tidy up but haven't been able to organise a volunteer day to sort it out. Has your local fireworks display/concert been forced to cancel? Maybe we can help. Is your community bus service at risk unless more volunteers are found? Let the One Show spearhead the search to keep it going. Or maybe you have a dedicated community stalwart who deserves a big thank you - let the One Show organise a suitable celebration. We are currently at the early stages of planning this but please get in touch as soon as possible if you think you have suitable project or idea." Email Richard Park and mark your emails 'One Show Community Action'.

FREE funding advice event led by Sported in Clevedon


Any community group, voluntary organisation or sports club can attend. The session will be at Castlewood, Clevedon BS21 6BD. New membership registration will be at 5.30pm with the session "How to successed in securing funding for my club" at 6.30pm.

Sported are the leading UK sport for development charity. They aim to empower community groups to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people through sport. They also provide business support and grant funding to voluntary and community organisations through a network of regional managers and volunteers.

Book a free place with Julian Wills.

Are you interested in safe street play for your children?


September saw North Somerset’s first street closure for play and 35 children were out despite the rain enjoying the kind of play that their grandparents took for granted.  The first ‘Playing Out’ session took place in Byron Close Locking village and as parent organizer Lenna Harris said, “It was an unbelievable success that we must repeat!  The street closure took place for just a couple of hours and it wasn’t just the children who had fun.  Often we just don’t see our neighbours so it was good to have a street gathering while the children did what comes natural and just played out.”

Byron Close is the first street in North Somerset to take out a temporary street closure order so that children can play safely for a couple of hours after school. The ‘Playing Out’ project started up in Bristol where two neighbours who shared an interest in free play, wanted their children to have some of the same freedom growing up, and to be active, healthy, happy, socially aware and independent.

If you would like to activate street play in your community and want to find out more about ‘Playing Out’ visit: www.playingout.net or contact Liz Lansley at NHS North Somerset 01275 885143.

Quote of the day


"Reality is the mirror of your thoughts. Choose well what you put in front of the mirror." author unknown