Charity Commission Information Day - 25th March 2009

On 25th March 2009 Hastings Voluntary Action are hosting an important training event for local voluntary and community groups at The Magnet Centre, St. Leonards-on-Sea. We are pleased to welcome Ken Brew from the Charities Commission who is giving you the opportunity to find out more about changes made under the 2006 Charities Act, and how they will affect all voluntary and community groups whether you have charitable status or not. Issues covered will include: Trustee duties and responsibilities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) - what are they and how will they work, and the implications of the economic downturn

The event is divided into a morning and an afternoon session, both of which are free. You are welcome to attend either or both of the sessions but pre-booking is required. The event is free and you can reserve your place by contacting Sue, Cheryl or Mary at Hastings Voluntary Action on 01424-444010 or e-mail admin@hvauk.org

More information is available in PDF format at

http://www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org/CC_infoday.pdf

A booking form in MS Word can be downloaded at:

http://www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org/CC_infoday_booking.doc

Volunteering Opportunities - Feb / March 09

The February / March 09 list of volunteering opportunities available at our Volunteer Centre have just gone up on the Currrent Volunteering Opportunities page of the Hastings Voluntary Action website.

HVA Step in To Save Small Grants

The Councils Small Grants budget – which was listed to be cut – was preserved as a result of a last minute intervention by HVA and some sensible partnership working on the part of Councillors. HVA agreed to administer the grants without charge for the next 2 years if the Council restored the cut in their budget setting process. Our intervention received cross party support and £10,000 budget was restored at last nights Full Council meeting.

Speaking after the meeting HVAs Director Steve Manwaring welcomed the Councils change of position “Whilst the amount involved is relatively modest these small grants do represent exceptional value and enables the work of small community groups – who tend to be excluded from complex commissioning processes – to be eligible for financial support from the Council. We are pleased that the Council have taken a sensible view and accepted our proposal.”

Free training for non-statutory organisations working with children and young people

The Voluntary Sector Reference Group has gained funding from the Children's Workforce Development Council to deliver the Workforce Stragegy Partners Programme in East Sussex. The Programme aims to improve the lives of children and young people. It will do this by enabling community, voluntary, independent and private organisations to develop its workforce so that it has appropriate skills and knowledge to work effectively with children and young people

To book a place please contact Liz on 01622 741887 or email l.abiaad@btinternet.com

Dealing with Challenging Behaviour
Monday 9th March 5pm - 7pm Eastbourne

Appraisal
Wednesday 18 March 4.30pm - 7pm Lewes

Supervision
Tuesday 10th March 4.30pm - 7pm Lewes

Child Protection Level 1
Thursday 19th March 5pm - 7pm Hastings

First Aid - Appointed Person
Saturday 14th March 10am - 1.30pm Hastings

Equality & Diversity Awareness
Thursday 26th March 5pm - 7pm Hastings

First Aid - Appointed Person
Wednesday 18th March 4pm - 7.30pm Eastbourne

Record Keeping & Report Writing
Monday 30th March 4.30pm - 7pm Lewes

Big Event - post event report

'The Big Event - post-event report and useful resources', consists of information from the speakers, notes and comments from the workshops and a lot of useful names, links and addresses related to the discussions . It is in Adobe Acrobat PDF file format and may take between a few seconds and a couple of minutes to download (aprox 650K)

http://www.askcasper.org.uk/sites/askcasper.org.uk/files/BigEventReportColour.pdf

Govt Help for VCS During Economic Downturn

On 9th February the Govt launched its strategy ("Real Help for Communities") to support Voluntary and Community Organisations during the economic downturn. HVA have produced a briefing paper setting out its main proposals which will be available on our website soon. For an advanced copy please e-mail steve@hvauk.org A copy of the full document is available from the following weblink http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/real_help_for_communities.aspx

Win £100 voucher for your organisation

HBC are working with private landlords, housing associations, developers and other partners on a new housing strategy for the town. By answering just one question - "What can we do to make sure that everyone in Hastings & St Leonards has a decent home to live in?" - you will be entered into our free draw to win a £100 voucher of your choice.

To submit your comments and be entered in the free prize draw to win £100, please visit the following link - http://www.hastings.gov.uk/housing_advice/feedback.aspx

You can also provide your comments by completing a postcard available at the following locations:

Renaissance House, The Old Christchurch School, London Road, St Leonards on Sea
Hastings Information Centre, Priory Meadow, Queen's Road, Hastings
Queensbury House, Havelock Road, Hastings
Closing date for comments: Friday 6th March 2009

Further details -

Alan Sheppard - 01424 451369
Housing Policy Officer
Hastings Borough Council
Renaissance House
The Old Christchurch School
London Road
ST. LEONARDS ON-SEA
TN37 6AN

Suicide and Young People Free Conference Places Available

SOS (Survivors of Suicide) East Sussex Coastal Service in partnership with Grassroots Training CIC are holding a
FREE 1 day conference
‘Preventing Suicide in Young People’
Conference aims:
To raise awareness of suicide with a particular focus on how it affects young people
To provide information on the range of support that currently exists for any young person experiencing thoughts of suicide and their friends and families
To explore the idea of establishing a young person’s suicide prevention forum for workers in East Sussex
To offer some time for networking including sharing good practice and support

Who is it for?
· Statutory and voluntary sector workers
· Service users
· Carers

When?
20th March 2009
9.30am til 4pm

Where?
The conference is being held in a venue in Hastings

Costs:
The conference is FREE to anyone using or working in services in Eastbourne, Hastings, Newhaven and Seaford. Late cancellation/non attendance charges will apply.

How do I book a place?
Contact:
Jenny Pickup (Grassroots Training)
Telephone: 01273 675764
or
Email office@grassrootstraining.org.uk and ask for a booking form

East Sussex Youth Homelessness Strategy Stakeholder Event

East Sussex Youth Homelessness Strategy Stakeholder Workshop
Monday 9th March 2009
2.00 pm
Assembly Rooms, Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UG

Preventing youth homelessness is a key priority within the East Sussex Children and Young People’s Plan. It is also top of the agenda for the government. The reasons for this are simple and stark. Homelessness reduces life chances. If young people become homeless they are far more likely than their peers to experience:
*A high risk of long term unemployment
*Inappropriate Housing
*Extreme Poverty
*Mental health problems
*Exclusion from mainstream education
*A far greater risk of involvement with drug and alcohol misuse and crime

As partners in the East Sussex Children and Young People’s Trust, the county council and all the districts and boroughs in East Sussex have therefore been working together to develop a strategy for tackling youth homelessness. As key local stakeholders your contribution is vital to ensure East Sussex succeeds in preventing vulnerable young people from becoming homeless. You are therefore warmly invited to this workshop where you will be able to find out about more the work that has been done to date and contribute to the final strategy and action plan.

Click on email address to book your place ssteele@hastings.gov.uk.

Contact: Sophie Steele on 01424 451308 for more info.

OFSTED Exemptions - Don't Forget!

The Childcare Act 2006 obliges most childcare providers - including charities working with children under the age of 8 - to register with OFSTED. There are exemptions. Many Churches and charities run short term activities like a holiday club or summer scheme lasting 14 days or less. In these circumstances an exemption can be obtained BUT it must be obtained in advance (and at least 14 days before the activity is due to commence). As groups may be thinking about planning for the summer this reminder has been posted to ensure that proper steps are taken. Further details are available from www.ofsted.gov.uk

Finding the Funds workshop

A one day free workshop for Hastings Voluntary Action members. You can attend on either the 19th, 23rd or 24th March. The session will include: * Where you can get funding for your voluntary and community group * How to complete an application form for funding * Planning your funding in the future This workshop is aimed at staff, volunteers or trustees of voluntary and community groups who are relatively new or who have little fundraising experience. It will be most relevant for small groups or projects looking for funding up to £10,000. This workshop is FREE for up to 2 representatives of HVA member organisations, and £10 per person for other voluntary and community groups. Further details on the main training page of HVA website
http://www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org/training/default.html

Google map for venue available on relevant dates in our googlecalendar
http://www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org/googlecalendar.html

The Third Sector National Learning Alliance (TSNLA) website

TSNLA is a voice for all Third Sector learning and skills providers. It is made up of organisations from the Third Sector, speaking on behalf of the Third Sector and using its website to share information on learning and skills. More information is available on its website at:

http://www.tsnla.org.uk/

Online Survey on the Effects of the Economic Downturn

Hastings Voluntary Action is using Survey Monkey to gather information about the impact of economic recession on the voluntary and community sector in Hastings and St Leonards.

This work is also being carried out by other Councils for Voluntary Service in East Sussex - so please only answer this survey on behalf of voluntary or community organisations active in the Hastings & St Leonards area.

The survey consists of 7 questions and will take roughly 5 minutes to complete


Click here to take the survey