Working for Equality 2009
If you work for an agency that supports Equality organisations or you have an active interest in equalities issues, then Capacitybuilders and HEAR - London’s equalities and human rights network invite you to attend Working for Equality 2009. The free information and networking event is taking place on 12 February 2009 at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in London.
The session will inform, discuss and consult on a number of significant new developments, which will impact on your work and will provide the opportunity to debate, learn from and problem solve with others through interactive workshops. Guest speakers include Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive, Matt Leach; Andrew Little, Chief Executive, London Deaf and Disability Organisations' CIC; Tim Wainwright, Director of Regions, Equality and Human Rights Commission. To find out more about the event and book your place, please visit http://www.rota.org.uk/pages/NetworkEvents.aspx?#H9
‘Planning Places of Worship’
An event that will look at the range of unresolved planning issues faced by hundreds of London faith groups in relation to their place of worship and at what needs to be done to deal with them fairly, is being planned for late March.
Across London hundreds of faith communities are struggling with the lack of clear and workable policies to allow the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services. Planning Aid for London has been dealing with individual cases and cites a range of stop gap measures and perverse outcomes especially for minority churches and for newer faith communities.
Faiths Forum for London is working with Planning Aid for London, Black Neighbourhood Renewal &Regeneration Network and Just Space network to develop a clearer understanding of the issues between planning policy makers, planning implementation personnel and “minority” faith communities. Further information contact Marian Larragy by emailing: marian@londoncivicforum.org.uk or phone 020 8709 9773
BME Third Sector Community Enterprise Roadshow
Are you a BME third sector organisation involved in community enterprise? The Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) and the Development Trusts Association (DTA) are working together to raise awareness and promote the DTA’s Communities of Interest membership to the BME third sector that are setting up or supporting community enterprise activity. BTEG will be hosting a workshop with the DTA to highlight the important role that development trusts play and how they can best support the BME third sector, illustrated with examples of best practice from the movement.
Date: 18 February 2009
Venue: NCVYS, Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street, N1 9LH
To secure your place on this workshop, please fax Angeline Clarke at BTEG on 020 7833
6113 or email angeline@bteg.co.uk by 11 February 2009.
You can also become a member of DTA which is the leading network of community enterprise practitioners dedicated to helping people set up development trusts and helping existing development trusts learn from each other and work effectively. There are a range of benefits of DTA membership. Contact BTEG for more information on 020 7833 6113.
‘Getting 2 know YOUR 5-0’ Youth conference
This conference will be hold on February 18, 12 noon - 5.15pm at Mulberry Sports and Leisure Centre, Richard Street, E1 2JP and is open to the public.
The key - note speaker for the event is Paul Rickett, the Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets Police. The aim of the conference is to break down barriers between young people and the police, encourage discussion and identify areas where young people and the police can improve upon. The event will explore four key areas that affect young people such as: Hate crime, Violent crime, Substance misuse.
If you would like to attend the event please contact Abu Sufian on 020 7364 1613 or email: abu.sufian@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Resources
Defending Local Grants
Is your Local Authority considering scrapping a crucial grant programme?
Is your PCT saying it's contracts or nothing? The Local Grants Forum (of which DSC is a member) has produced Defending Local Grants, a short leaflet to help you make the case for grant funding in your local area. It provides resources you can use to help convince councillors, commissioning officers and procurement professionals that grants should continue to be used to fund local organisations and groups. Download it at http://www.dsc.org.uk/NewsandInformation/PolicyandCampaigning/Policypositions/Fundingissues
Is your Local Authority considering scrapping a crucial grant programme?
Is your PCT saying it's contracts or nothing? The Local Grants Forum (of which DSC is a member) has produced Defending Local Grants, a short leaflet to help you make the case for grant funding in your local area. It provides resources you can use to help convince councillors, commissioning officers and procurement professionals that grants should continue to be used to fund local organisations and groups. Download it at http://www.dsc.org.uk/NewsandInformation/PolicyandCampaigning/Policypositions/Fundingissues
BNRRN Project Updates
BNRRN's Engagement Project, which is aimed at enabling BAMER organisations engage better with their local structures (like the council and the Primary Care Trust, and other local initiatives), continues, with work in the boroughs of Hackney and Ealing. BNRRN will work in these boroughs for the next six months (from February). If you are an organisation local to Hackney and Ealing and would like to find out more about this project, please contact Abul Helal or Gloria Oham on 0208 981 3003.
Questions & Answers
What are some of the necessary insurance policies for my Organisation?
Employer’s Liability
Required by law. All employers must have a minimum insurance cover of £5m for injury or disease suffered by employees. Employers Liability is expensive but unavoidable
Public Liability
Not a legal requirement, but could save charities from paying out millions. It protects a charity from injury or damage to people or property, which can happen on its premises or away from them - at fundraising events, say. Check that volunteers are covered by this policy. It is advisable for most.
Motor Vehicle
For charities that own or operate motor vehicles, it is a legal requirement to have at least third party motor insurance to cover damage to other people or their property. Extras such as personal accident benefits can be included.
Building
Essential for charities that own buildings. Policies should cover fire, lightning, flooding or damage through theft. The insurance should cover costs such as repairs, demolition and fees for professionals such as architects or surveyors. It is expensive but essential
Contents
Covers the contents of a charity's operation, which could be anything from furniture and computers to museum pieces. It is not however legally required.
Legal Expenses
It is advisable for charities to take out this insurance to cover any costs that arise if they have to bring or defend legal cases. This might be needed if a member of staff starts an employment dispute or if there is an occupancy disagreement with a landlord. It is highly recommended
Trustee Indemnity
If a trustee makes a bad decision or breaches the charity's trust, this covers them from personal liability when legal claims are made. This is the only charity insurance that protects an individual trustee rather than the organisation.
Fidelity Guarantee
This insures a charity against any loss of cash or valuables caused by employee fraud or dishonesty. It can be extended to cover fraud and dishonesty by trustees and volunteers.
Loss of Money
Charities often handle cash from say fundraising activities, thus many insurers say this type of insurance is advisable. It covers a charity for loss of money in places such as a safe or in transit, which might not come under contents insurance.
Patron Death
Charities with patrons whose demise could affect their ability to raise funds might want to consider this type of insurance. An insurer might cover a certain amount of lost revenue up to £25,000. This type of insurance is more useful for those with high-profile or celebrity patrons. It is cheap but rarely needed
Kidnap and Ransom
Advisable for any charity sending employees overseas, particularly if they are going to dangerous countries. It will cover the costs of getting employees back, including translators, private investigators and ransoms. It is expensive. It depends on the country and salary of the person concerned. Could cost thousands of pounds. It might be important for some organisations!
Employer’s Liability
Required by law. All employers must have a minimum insurance cover of £5m for injury or disease suffered by employees. Employers Liability is expensive but unavoidable
Public Liability
Not a legal requirement, but could save charities from paying out millions. It protects a charity from injury or damage to people or property, which can happen on its premises or away from them - at fundraising events, say. Check that volunteers are covered by this policy. It is advisable for most.
Motor Vehicle
For charities that own or operate motor vehicles, it is a legal requirement to have at least third party motor insurance to cover damage to other people or their property. Extras such as personal accident benefits can be included.
Building
Essential for charities that own buildings. Policies should cover fire, lightning, flooding or damage through theft. The insurance should cover costs such as repairs, demolition and fees for professionals such as architects or surveyors. It is expensive but essential
Contents
Covers the contents of a charity's operation, which could be anything from furniture and computers to museum pieces. It is not however legally required.
Legal Expenses
It is advisable for charities to take out this insurance to cover any costs that arise if they have to bring or defend legal cases. This might be needed if a member of staff starts an employment dispute or if there is an occupancy disagreement with a landlord. It is highly recommended
Trustee Indemnity
If a trustee makes a bad decision or breaches the charity's trust, this covers them from personal liability when legal claims are made. This is the only charity insurance that protects an individual trustee rather than the organisation.
Fidelity Guarantee
This insures a charity against any loss of cash or valuables caused by employee fraud or dishonesty. It can be extended to cover fraud and dishonesty by trustees and volunteers.
Loss of Money
Charities often handle cash from say fundraising activities, thus many insurers say this type of insurance is advisable. It covers a charity for loss of money in places such as a safe or in transit, which might not come under contents insurance.
Patron Death
Charities with patrons whose demise could affect their ability to raise funds might want to consider this type of insurance. An insurer might cover a certain amount of lost revenue up to £25,000. This type of insurance is more useful for those with high-profile or celebrity patrons. It is cheap but rarely needed
Kidnap and Ransom
Advisable for any charity sending employees overseas, particularly if they are going to dangerous countries. It will cover the costs of getting employees back, including translators, private investigators and ransoms. It is expensive. It depends on the country and salary of the person concerned. Could cost thousands of pounds. It might be important for some organisations!
BNRRN Profiles & Member Notices
Planning Aid
Planning Aid provides free, independent and professional town planning advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay planning consultant fees. It complements the work of local planning authorities, but is wholly independent of them.
Planning Aid was started by the Town and Country Planning Association in 1973. From the beginning, it has been at the forefront of engaging communities in the planning process. Now Planning Aid is working to further widen engagement in the planning process and to give an equal voice to all those involved in planning.
In 2005 the Officer of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) confirmed funding until 2008
Planning Aid is about much more than giving advice. It engages communities positively in the planning process to help them manage changes to their neighbourhood areas. A significant portion of its work in recent years has been supporting minority churches and faith groups in their efforts to secure the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services.
Planning Aid can help people to:
• Understand and use the planning system
• Participate in preparing plans
• Prepare their own plans for the future of their community
• Comment on planning applications
• Apply for planning permission or appeal against refusal of permission
• Represent themselves at public inquiries.
Planning Aid helps to meet one of the key aims of the government's planning reform agenda, which is to place community engagement at the heart of the planning system. Planning Aid website is at www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk
Planning Aid provides free, independent and professional town planning advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay planning consultant fees. It complements the work of local planning authorities, but is wholly independent of them.
Planning Aid was started by the Town and Country Planning Association in 1973. From the beginning, it has been at the forefront of engaging communities in the planning process. Now Planning Aid is working to further widen engagement in the planning process and to give an equal voice to all those involved in planning.
In 2005 the Officer of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) confirmed funding until 2008
Planning Aid is about much more than giving advice. It engages communities positively in the planning process to help them manage changes to their neighbourhood areas. A significant portion of its work in recent years has been supporting minority churches and faith groups in their efforts to secure the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services.
Planning Aid can help people to:
• Understand and use the planning system
• Participate in preparing plans
• Prepare their own plans for the future of their community
• Comment on planning applications
• Apply for planning permission or appeal against refusal of permission
• Represent themselves at public inquiries.
Planning Aid helps to meet one of the key aims of the government's planning reform agenda, which is to place community engagement at the heart of the planning system. Planning Aid website is at www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk
Vacancies, Volunteering & Training
Training: ‘Tender to Win’ Workshop
Date: Tue 24 February 2009
Venue: London Business Development Corporation (LBDC) 312 High Road London N15 4BN
Please email info@lbdc.org.uk or call on 0208 376 6262 to confirm a place as places are limited
Volunteer- Trustee Board Members for London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)
LVSC are looking for new trustee board members to help lead the organisation up to and beyond its centenary celebrations in 2010. This is a great opportunity to contribute to strategic leadership in a regional voluntary sector body. LVSC is the umbrella organisation supporting London’s voluntary and community sector. The vision is for the voluntary and community sector to play a fully empowered and effective role in the diverse life of London.
They are looking for people with a commitment to working with the sector and knowledge of the issues affecting London. High-level skills in finance, premises or media relations would also be useful.
Trustees are expected to attend five meetings a year in North London. Additional opportunities for involvement include events and sub-committees and they would particularly like to appoint trustees to their finance sub-committee. LVSC encourages applications from skilled people of all backgrounds.
To apply please send your cv and completed diversity monitoring form with a covering letter or email to:
Susan George
LVSC
356 Holloway Road
London N7 6PA
susan@lvsc.org.uk
Closing date: 13 February 2009, Interviews: 27 February 2009
Vacancy: Head of Policy vacancy, Race on the Agenda
Head of Policy: 32,119 - 42,602 (NJC scale PO2 - PO5, point 35 - 47), 5% pension
Race on the Agenda (ROTA) is a social policy think-tank focusing on issues affecting Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities and the Third Sector that serves them. ROTA has a vacancy for Head of Policy. This post offers the opportunity to lead on the organisation's policy and research programme working with the experienced and passionate policy team.
Current policy priorities include crime and antisocial behaviour, health inequalities, community cohesion and regional governance. You will need demonstrable knowledge of social policy priorities for the BAME sector and communities. You will also need demonstrable experience of staff and project management as well as experience of fundraising and writing clear and concise reports.
Closing Date for applications: Monday 23rd February 2009 11:00pm (by post or email). Successful candidates will be notified on 27th February to attend an interview on Monday 2nd March 2009. Please contact ROTA on 020 7729 1310 or Email: rota@rota.org.uk.
Training: FREE funding seminars and training for the women's sector
The Women's Resource Centre's (WRC) Building Futures project is supporting women's frontline organisations across London to become financially stronger, resilient and more independent. They will be offering FREE funding training and seminars over the next five years. You will be able to access practical support, tailored to your needs, in areas such as:
How to be more successful in tendering for services, Writing more successful tenders and fundraising bids, How to better engage with funders to ensure more ongoing support, Forming effective partnerships, Social enterprise
The seminars and trainings are FREE and are open to all women's organisations in London (with limited places for those outside of London).
To find out more about any of the events listed below, or about the project in general, please visit the website at www.wrc.org.uk/buildingfutures. In addition, one-to-one support is available for WRC members, so why not join WRC?
Date: Tue 24 February 2009
Venue: London Business Development Corporation (LBDC) 312 High Road London N15 4BN
Please email info@lbdc.org.uk or call on 0208 376 6262 to confirm a place as places are limited
Volunteer- Trustee Board Members for London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)
LVSC are looking for new trustee board members to help lead the organisation up to and beyond its centenary celebrations in 2010. This is a great opportunity to contribute to strategic leadership in a regional voluntary sector body. LVSC is the umbrella organisation supporting London’s voluntary and community sector. The vision is for the voluntary and community sector to play a fully empowered and effective role in the diverse life of London.
They are looking for people with a commitment to working with the sector and knowledge of the issues affecting London. High-level skills in finance, premises or media relations would also be useful.
Trustees are expected to attend five meetings a year in North London. Additional opportunities for involvement include events and sub-committees and they would particularly like to appoint trustees to their finance sub-committee. LVSC encourages applications from skilled people of all backgrounds.
To apply please send your cv and completed diversity monitoring form with a covering letter or email to:
Susan George
LVSC
356 Holloway Road
London N7 6PA
susan@lvsc.org.uk
Closing date: 13 February 2009, Interviews: 27 February 2009
Vacancy: Head of Policy vacancy, Race on the Agenda
Head of Policy: 32,119 - 42,602 (NJC scale PO2 - PO5, point 35 - 47), 5% pension
Race on the Agenda (ROTA) is a social policy think-tank focusing on issues affecting Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities and the Third Sector that serves them. ROTA has a vacancy for Head of Policy. This post offers the opportunity to lead on the organisation's policy and research programme working with the experienced and passionate policy team.
Current policy priorities include crime and antisocial behaviour, health inequalities, community cohesion and regional governance. You will need demonstrable knowledge of social policy priorities for the BAME sector and communities. You will also need demonstrable experience of staff and project management as well as experience of fundraising and writing clear and concise reports.
Closing Date for applications: Monday 23rd February 2009 11:00pm (by post or email). Successful candidates will be notified on 27th February to attend an interview on Monday 2nd March 2009. Please contact ROTA on 020 7729 1310 or Email: rota@rota.org.uk.
Training: FREE funding seminars and training for the women's sector
The Women's Resource Centre's (WRC) Building Futures project is supporting women's frontline organisations across London to become financially stronger, resilient and more independent. They will be offering FREE funding training and seminars over the next five years. You will be able to access practical support, tailored to your needs, in areas such as:
How to be more successful in tendering for services, Writing more successful tenders and fundraising bids, How to better engage with funders to ensure more ongoing support, Forming effective partnerships, Social enterprise
The seminars and trainings are FREE and are open to all women's organisations in London (with limited places for those outside of London).
To find out more about any of the events listed below, or about the project in general, please visit the website at www.wrc.org.uk/buildingfutures. In addition, one-to-one support is available for WRC members, so why not join WRC?
Get Funding!
Voluntary organisations can double their funding with V
The V Match Fund can give your charity the funding and the profile you need to create volunteering projects for 16-25 year olds.
As a v Match Fund delivery partner, you’ll have the opportunity to develop innovative volunteering opportunities that support your work and allow a new generation of supporters to get involved. If you can find a private sector funder to fund half of your project, V will do the rest and double the value of the funding.
For more information, please call or email: Tammy McCann on Tel: 02079607019 or Tammy.McCann@wearev.com
New fund launched for community relations projects
The Barrow Cadbury Trust fund will typically provide voluntary and community projects with grants worth £30,000 over a two-year period. Funding will be offered to projects that promote solidarity between people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
They have consolidated their funding into three programme areas:
• Young Adults and Criminal Justice: Helping young adults who are in, or at risk of being in the criminal justice system, to make a successful transition to adulthood and improve their life chances.
• Inclusive Communities: Alleviating poverty and exclusion among marginalised groups.
• Global Exchange: Exchanging good practice across boundaries and using it to reinvigorate debates taking place in the UK.
Capacity Builders Launches Capital Funding Stream for Resource Centres
As part of their drive to increase the access that voluntary and community organisations have to high quality, relevant and affordable shared facilities and services, Capacity Builders have launched a programme of funding aimed at increasing the quality and availability of local resource centres across England.
Full details of the Capacity Builders Capital Funding programme which will run from January 2009 to March 2011 can be found at
http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/content/WhoWeFund/Funding200811/Capitalprogramme1.aspx
Volant Charitable Trust
This trust was set up by children's author J K Rowling to support charitable organisations to alleviate poverty and social deprivation with particular emphasis on children's and women's issues. It distributes about £5 million per year, mainly in large grants of more than £100,000 to large national charities but some smaller grants are given to local and regional charities. There is no stated minimum or maximum grant size
Deadline: Friday, 27 February 2009
Contact: The Trust Administrator, The Volant Charitable Trust, Box 8 196 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AT or visit www.volanttrust.com for more info.
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
The Fund distributed over £4 million last year with grants ranging from £500 to £150,000. Meetings of the Trustees are usually held in June and early December each year and applications should be submitted no later than 1 May or 1 October for consideration at the next meeting.
The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund’s area of interest is learning disability. By the term ‘learning disability’, the Fund means the conditions generally referred to as severe learning difficulties, together with autism. In this area, they consider projects concerning children or adults. They do not give grants for research into, or care of, those with mental illness or dyslexia.
For more information please contact The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
c/o TMF Management UK Limited, 400 Capability Green, Luton, Beds, LU1 3AE, Telephone: 01582 439 225 or Email: info@ bailythomas. org.uk
John Laing Charitable Trust
Gives money to charities that support homeless people, disadvantaged young people, the regeneration of local communities, education and environmental organisations.
Grant size available: Donations range from £250 to £25,000 with up to 12 charities receiving more than £10,000. Usually, charities receive one-off donations, but a small number are supported for an agreed period, often up to three years.
Donations towards revenue and capital costs can be made. There is no deadline for receipt of applications. The Trustees meet formally several times throughout the year
How to apply: Applications should be made in writing to the Trust Secretary. Initial telephone enquiries are welcome to discuss likely eligibility. The Trust does not have an application form and applicants are asked to keep the initial request as brief as possible. A copy of the charity's latest accounts should be included.
Please contact: Trust Secretary, John Laing Charitable Trust 33 Bunns Lane London NW7
2DX Telephone: 020 8959 9013
Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme
The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme provides one-off donations of between £1,000 and £4,000. The funding they give goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities, living in the local communities around their stores in the UK.
Applications can be made via their Website: www.tescocharitytrustcommunityawards-applications.co.uk
Please note charities can only make one application each year.
Decisions are made by the Tesco Charity Trustees in conjunction with the regional Community Co-ordinators who are based across the UK.
Contact Details: Tesco Charity Trust, New Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, Herts, EN8 9SL Tel: 01992 646768 Website: http://www.tescocorporate.com/charitiesandfundraising.htm
The V Match Fund can give your charity the funding and the profile you need to create volunteering projects for 16-25 year olds.
As a v Match Fund delivery partner, you’ll have the opportunity to develop innovative volunteering opportunities that support your work and allow a new generation of supporters to get involved. If you can find a private sector funder to fund half of your project, V will do the rest and double the value of the funding.
For more information, please call or email: Tammy McCann on Tel: 02079607019 or Tammy.McCann@wearev.com
New fund launched for community relations projects
The Barrow Cadbury Trust fund will typically provide voluntary and community projects with grants worth £30,000 over a two-year period. Funding will be offered to projects that promote solidarity between people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
They have consolidated their funding into three programme areas:
• Young Adults and Criminal Justice: Helping young adults who are in, or at risk of being in the criminal justice system, to make a successful transition to adulthood and improve their life chances.
• Inclusive Communities: Alleviating poverty and exclusion among marginalised groups.
• Global Exchange: Exchanging good practice across boundaries and using it to reinvigorate debates taking place in the UK.
Capacity Builders Launches Capital Funding Stream for Resource Centres
As part of their drive to increase the access that voluntary and community organisations have to high quality, relevant and affordable shared facilities and services, Capacity Builders have launched a programme of funding aimed at increasing the quality and availability of local resource centres across England.
Full details of the Capacity Builders Capital Funding programme which will run from January 2009 to March 2011 can be found at
http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/content/WhoWeFund/Funding200811/Capitalprogramme1.aspx
Volant Charitable Trust
This trust was set up by children's author J K Rowling to support charitable organisations to alleviate poverty and social deprivation with particular emphasis on children's and women's issues. It distributes about £5 million per year, mainly in large grants of more than £100,000 to large national charities but some smaller grants are given to local and regional charities. There is no stated minimum or maximum grant size
Deadline: Friday, 27 February 2009
Contact: The Trust Administrator, The Volant Charitable Trust, Box 8 196 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AT or visit www.volanttrust.com for more info.
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
The Fund distributed over £4 million last year with grants ranging from £500 to £150,000. Meetings of the Trustees are usually held in June and early December each year and applications should be submitted no later than 1 May or 1 October for consideration at the next meeting.
The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund’s area of interest is learning disability. By the term ‘learning disability’, the Fund means the conditions generally referred to as severe learning difficulties, together with autism. In this area, they consider projects concerning children or adults. They do not give grants for research into, or care of, those with mental illness or dyslexia.
For more information please contact The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
c/o TMF Management UK Limited, 400 Capability Green, Luton, Beds, LU1 3AE, Telephone: 01582 439 225 or Email: info@ bailythomas. org.uk
John Laing Charitable Trust
Gives money to charities that support homeless people, disadvantaged young people, the regeneration of local communities, education and environmental organisations.
Grant size available: Donations range from £250 to £25,000 with up to 12 charities receiving more than £10,000. Usually, charities receive one-off donations, but a small number are supported for an agreed period, often up to three years.
Donations towards revenue and capital costs can be made. There is no deadline for receipt of applications. The Trustees meet formally several times throughout the year
How to apply: Applications should be made in writing to the Trust Secretary. Initial telephone enquiries are welcome to discuss likely eligibility. The Trust does not have an application form and applicants are asked to keep the initial request as brief as possible. A copy of the charity's latest accounts should be included.
Please contact: Trust Secretary, John Laing Charitable Trust 33 Bunns Lane London NW7
2DX Telephone: 020 8959 9013
Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme
The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme provides one-off donations of between £1,000 and £4,000. The funding they give goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities, living in the local communities around their stores in the UK.
Applications can be made via their Website: www.tescocharitytrustcommunityawards-applications.co.uk
Please note charities can only make one application each year.
Decisions are made by the Tesco Charity Trustees in conjunction with the regional Community Co-ordinators who are based across the UK.
Contact Details: Tesco Charity Trust, New Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, Herts, EN8 9SL Tel: 01992 646768 Website: http://www.tescocorporate.com/charitiesandfundraising.htm
News & Information Roundup
Free confidential advice for charities in financial difficulty
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a free crisis helpline for charities that are worried about their finances. Charity leaders will be able to talk in confidence to CAF advisers and get advice on the steps they can take.
CAF will also refer charities to the sector's main umbrella bodies if they need further advice. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo), the Charity Finance Directors' Group and the Institute of Fundraising have all offered their support.
The helpline number is 0800 980 2000.
Nominations now open for The Charity Awards 2009
Entries are now being accepted for The Charity Awards 2009, the charity sector’s prestigious celebration of management excellence, organised by Plaza Publishing with support from overall sponsors CAF and The Leadership Trust Foundation and national media partner The Times.
The Charity Awards are open to charities of all sizes from throughout the UK and recognise exceptional leadership and management across ten broad categories of charitable activity, with one charity going on to receive the prestigious Overall Award. There is also an award made to an exceptional individual for Outstanding Achievement.
The closing date for nominations is 9 March and the winners will be announced at a gala presentation dinner in London for 1,000 prominent sector figures on Thursday 11 June 2009. Visit www.charityawards.co.uk for details on how to submit an entry.
Potential funding for work on FGM
The Women's Resource Centre (WRC) has been asked by a group of independent charitable funders to conduct an assessment of voluntary and community organisations and projects in the UK which are currently working in the FGM (female genital mutilation) field or supporting women and girls affected, or which are interested in, or have the potential to work in this area. The group of charitable funders is looking at possibly funding this area in the future.
If you want to help shape decisions about possible future funding, simply complete their brief survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=heD_2b1Ie7rizxAYvGESBMgA_3d_3d
or contact Tania Pouwhare at tania@wrc.org.uk or 020 7324 3030. The survey closes on Tuesday 17 February at 3pm.
Greener planning: A New Web Guidance
Communities and Local Government , the Homes and Communities Agency Academy and the Planning Advisory Service, are working together on new web-based guidance on planning and climate change. The new guidance will cover areas such as the delivery of local renewable energy and community power schemes like combined heat and power, as well as climate proofing new development.
See: www.hcaacademy.co.uk/planning-and-climate-change
Progress report on young black people and criminal justice published
As part of their response to the Home Affairs Select Committee’s inquiry into ‘young black people and the criminal justice system’, the government committed to report annually on progress. Their first annual report looks at the strategy and activities they are using to tackle the over-representation of young black people in the criminal justice system.
See: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/young-black-people-cjs-dec-08.htm
Guide to retaining funding
The Local Grants Forum, has launched a free guide to help voluntary groups keep their public sector funding. ‘Defending Local Grants’ is intended to provide local groups with advice to help them negotiate with councillors, commissioners and procurement officers over funding for local communities. See http://www.navca.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/0C1A3369-C77C-4E77-8A27-8C23AD0BC37E/0/Defendinglocalgrantsrevised.pdf
Events
Working for Equality 2009
If you work for an agency that supports Equality organisations or you have an active interest in equalities issues, then Capacitybuilders and HEAR - London’s equalities and human rights network invite you to attend Working for Equality 2009. The free information and networking event is taking place on 12 February 2009 at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in London.
The session will inform, discuss and consult on a number of significant new developments, which will impact on your work and will provide the opportunity to debate, learn from and problem solve with others through interactive workshops. Guest speakers include Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive, Matt Leach; Andrew Little, Chief Executive, London Deaf and Disability Organisations' CIC; Tim Wainwright, Director of Regions, Equality and Human Rights Commission. To find out more about the event and book your place, please visit http://www.rota.org.uk/pages/NetworkEvents.aspx?#H9
‘Planning Places of Worship’
An event that will look at the range of unresolved planning issues faced by hundreds of London faith groups in relation to their place of worship and at what needs to be done to deal with them fairly, is being planned for late March.
Across London hundreds of faith communities are struggling with the lack of clear and workable policies to allow the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services. Planning Aid for London has been dealing with individual cases and cites a range of stop gap measures and perverse outcomes especially for minority churches and for newer faith communities.
Faiths Forum for London is working with Planning Aid for London, Black Neighbourhood Renewal &Regeneration Network and Just Space network to develop a clearer understanding of the issues between planning policy makers, planning implementation personnel and “minority” faith communities. Further information contact Marian Larragy by emailing: marian@londoncivicforum.org.uk or phone 020 8709 9773
BME Third Sector Community Enterprise Roadshow
Are you a BME third sector organisation involved in community enterprise? The Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) and the Development Trusts Association (DTA) are working together to raise awareness and promote the DTA’s Communities of Interest membership to the BME third sector that are setting up or supporting community enterprise activity. BTEG will be hosting a workshop with the DTA to highlight the important role that development trusts play and how they can best support the BME third sector, illustrated with examples of best practice from the movement.
Date: 18 February 2009
Venue: NCVYS, Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street, N1 9LH
To secure your place on this workshop, please fax Angeline Clarke at BTEG on 020 7833
6113 or email angeline@bteg.co.uk by 11 February 2009.
You can also become a member of DTA which is the leading network of community enterprise practitioners dedicated to helping people set up development trusts and helping existing development trusts learn from each other and work effectively. There are a range of benefits of DTA membership. Contact BTEG for more information on 020 7833 6113.
‘Getting 2 know YOUR 5-0’ Youth conference
This conference will be hold on February 18, 12 noon - 5.15pm at Mulberry Sports and Leisure Centre, Richard Street, E1 2JP and is open to the public.
The key - note speaker for the event is Paul Rickett, the Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets Police. The aim of the conference is to break down barriers between young people and the police, encourage discussion and identify areas where young people and the police can improve upon. The event will explore four key areas that affect young people such as: Hate crime, Violent crime, Substance misuse.
If you would like to attend the event please contact Abu Sufian on 020 7364 1613 or email: abu.sufian@towerhamlets.gov.uk
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a free crisis helpline for charities that are worried about their finances. Charity leaders will be able to talk in confidence to CAF advisers and get advice on the steps they can take.
CAF will also refer charities to the sector's main umbrella bodies if they need further advice. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo), the Charity Finance Directors' Group and the Institute of Fundraising have all offered their support.
The helpline number is 0800 980 2000.
Nominations now open for The Charity Awards 2009
Entries are now being accepted for The Charity Awards 2009, the charity sector’s prestigious celebration of management excellence, organised by Plaza Publishing with support from overall sponsors CAF and The Leadership Trust Foundation and national media partner The Times.
The Charity Awards are open to charities of all sizes from throughout the UK and recognise exceptional leadership and management across ten broad categories of charitable activity, with one charity going on to receive the prestigious Overall Award. There is also an award made to an exceptional individual for Outstanding Achievement.
The closing date for nominations is 9 March and the winners will be announced at a gala presentation dinner in London for 1,000 prominent sector figures on Thursday 11 June 2009. Visit www.charityawards.co.uk for details on how to submit an entry.
Potential funding for work on FGM
The Women's Resource Centre (WRC) has been asked by a group of independent charitable funders to conduct an assessment of voluntary and community organisations and projects in the UK which are currently working in the FGM (female genital mutilation) field or supporting women and girls affected, or which are interested in, or have the potential to work in this area. The group of charitable funders is looking at possibly funding this area in the future.
If you want to help shape decisions about possible future funding, simply complete their brief survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=heD_2b1Ie7rizxAYvGESBMgA_3d_3d
or contact Tania Pouwhare at tania@wrc.org.uk or 020 7324 3030. The survey closes on Tuesday 17 February at 3pm.
Greener planning: A New Web Guidance
Communities and Local Government , the Homes and Communities Agency Academy and the Planning Advisory Service, are working together on new web-based guidance on planning and climate change. The new guidance will cover areas such as the delivery of local renewable energy and community power schemes like combined heat and power, as well as climate proofing new development.
See: www.hcaacademy.co.uk/planning-and-climate-change
Progress report on young black people and criminal justice published
As part of their response to the Home Affairs Select Committee’s inquiry into ‘young black people and the criminal justice system’, the government committed to report annually on progress. Their first annual report looks at the strategy and activities they are using to tackle the over-representation of young black people in the criminal justice system.
See: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/young-black-people-cjs-dec-08.htm
Guide to retaining funding
The Local Grants Forum, has launched a free guide to help voluntary groups keep their public sector funding. ‘Defending Local Grants’ is intended to provide local groups with advice to help them negotiate with councillors, commissioners and procurement officers over funding for local communities. See http://www.navca.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/0C1A3369-C77C-4E77-8A27-8C23AD0BC37E/0/Defendinglocalgrantsrevised.pdf
Events
Working for Equality 2009
If you work for an agency that supports Equality organisations or you have an active interest in equalities issues, then Capacitybuilders and HEAR - London’s equalities and human rights network invite you to attend Working for Equality 2009. The free information and networking event is taking place on 12 February 2009 at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in London.
The session will inform, discuss and consult on a number of significant new developments, which will impact on your work and will provide the opportunity to debate, learn from and problem solve with others through interactive workshops. Guest speakers include Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive, Matt Leach; Andrew Little, Chief Executive, London Deaf and Disability Organisations' CIC; Tim Wainwright, Director of Regions, Equality and Human Rights Commission. To find out more about the event and book your place, please visit http://www.rota.org.uk/pages/NetworkEvents.aspx?#H9
‘Planning Places of Worship’
An event that will look at the range of unresolved planning issues faced by hundreds of London faith groups in relation to their place of worship and at what needs to be done to deal with them fairly, is being planned for late March.
Across London hundreds of faith communities are struggling with the lack of clear and workable policies to allow the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services. Planning Aid for London has been dealing with individual cases and cites a range of stop gap measures and perverse outcomes especially for minority churches and for newer faith communities.
Faiths Forum for London is working with Planning Aid for London, Black Neighbourhood Renewal &Regeneration Network and Just Space network to develop a clearer understanding of the issues between planning policy makers, planning implementation personnel and “minority” faith communities. Further information contact Marian Larragy by emailing: marian@londoncivicforum.org.uk or phone 020 8709 9773
BME Third Sector Community Enterprise Roadshow
Are you a BME third sector organisation involved in community enterprise? The Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) and the Development Trusts Association (DTA) are working together to raise awareness and promote the DTA’s Communities of Interest membership to the BME third sector that are setting up or supporting community enterprise activity. BTEG will be hosting a workshop with the DTA to highlight the important role that development trusts play and how they can best support the BME third sector, illustrated with examples of best practice from the movement.
Date: 18 February 2009
Venue: NCVYS, Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street, N1 9LH
To secure your place on this workshop, please fax Angeline Clarke at BTEG on 020 7833
6113 or email angeline@bteg.co.uk by 11 February 2009.
You can also become a member of DTA which is the leading network of community enterprise practitioners dedicated to helping people set up development trusts and helping existing development trusts learn from each other and work effectively. There are a range of benefits of DTA membership. Contact BTEG for more information on 020 7833 6113.
‘Getting 2 know YOUR 5-0’ Youth conference
This conference will be hold on February 18, 12 noon - 5.15pm at Mulberry Sports and Leisure Centre, Richard Street, E1 2JP and is open to the public.
The key - note speaker for the event is Paul Rickett, the Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets Police. The aim of the conference is to break down barriers between young people and the police, encourage discussion and identify areas where young people and the police can improve upon. The event will explore four key areas that affect young people such as: Hate crime, Violent crime, Substance misuse.
If you would like to attend the event please contact Abu Sufian on 020 7364 1613 or email: abu.sufian@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Policy Updates & Briefing
Political Support from MPs for BAMER Community Groups
MPs have backed the campaign by ‘ Voice4Change’ for political support and recognition of the role of black and minority ethnic organisations in promoting equality and community cohesion. An early day motion, signed by seven MPs also calls on the Government to ensure councils continue to fund black and minority ethnic organisations. This is in response to draft guidelines on community cohesion issued by the Communities and Local Government department last February which instructed local authorities to focus grants on schemes that benefited the entire community, a recommendation widely believed to be instructions against BAMER type work funding.
Hazel Blears, the communities secretary recently said that she had decided to scrap the guidelines and leave decisions on funding priorities to local authorities. But the signatories to the Early Day Motion, tabled by Alun Michael, the Labour MP and former Welsh First Minister, "consider it wrong that funders are being encouraged to have a presumption against single group funding" and accept that BME-specific organisations "have grown out of a recognition that many of the needs of diverse communities have not been adequately met by mainstream services".
Vandna Gohil, director of Voice4Change, said that high-level political backing was necessary if the BME third sector was to overcome its current "lack of visibility" and secure the funding it needed.
Impact of the Recession on BAMER Organisations
ROTA (Race on the Agenda), is conducting a survey, to gather evidence on the impact of the recession on London’s BAMER voluntary and community sector organizations. Any organization wishing to participate can do so by 5pm Wednesday 25th of February by contacting rota on 0207 729 1310 or email nwadio@rota.org.uk. There is some payment for returning completed questionnaires.
Meanwhile London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) has conducted the ‘Big Squeeze’ survey which is a survey to assess the impact of the recession on the work of generic voluntary and community sector organisations. The survey has so far yielded a picture and of those who responded:
• 92% believe the recession is already affecting communities you work with;
• 67% say your workload has already increased as a result;
• 82% of you are not confident you'll be able to meet the demand for your services in the future; but
• 73% are already taking positive steps to help your organisation cope and continue to deliver vital services
If you are a voluntary or community organisation and want to participate in this survey you can still do so, visit www.lvsc.org.uk/bigsqueeze
Also contact LVSC if you have any questions, speak to Gethyn Williams on Telephone: 020 7700 8107.
The Sustainable Communities Plan
The Deputy Prime Minister launched a £38-billion ‘Sustainable Communities’ Plan in February 2003. The plan set out the Government’s vision and a long-term programme of action for delivering sustainable communities in both urban and rural areas.
Contained within the plan were proposals for a significant increase in resources and major reforms of housing and planning, even a new approach to how we build and what we build.
Sustainable communities can be seen as the residential and workplace surroundings in which people live and thrive, where there is a balance and integration of the social, economic and environmental components that define a community area. It is a place where people want to live and work, now and in the future.
In short, these communities are likely to be:
• safe and inclusive
• well planned, built and run
• offering equality and opportunity for all
A host of guidance, plans and funding streams followed the launch of the ‘Sustainable Communities’ Plan in order to prompt action. The Sustainable Communities Act has received Royal Assent and has become law ( October 2007). It also enjoys full cross party support. The process in the Act has begun and on Tuesday 14th October 2008 Hazel Blears the Communities secretary, invited all principal councils to submit proposals to government for action and assistance in promoting sustainable communities, as defined in the Act.
See link below for the description of the Act and next steps.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/sustainablecommunitiesact
The Act’s potential is extensive, it will provide key opportunities for Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities to meet their community needs because communities and councils could use it to do such things as protect local services, increase renewable energy, public transport or local food, change the planning rules, change government policy and even force new legislation.
Central government is now working with councils, partner agencies and local people to achieve sustainable communities’ aims. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), and other key departments like the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), are providing both the funding and the policy framework for promoting the development of sustainable communities.
Local government is expected to play a lead role in the delivery of this vision, tackling the practical challenges of the policy framework. These challenges can include:
• the provision of decent homes
• creating access to employment
• protecting the environment
• regenerating community spirit
Further recommendations for sustainable communities were published in the Egan Review of Skills for Sustainable Communities, published in April 2004.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/152086.pdf
The DCLG has set up a new Academy for Sustainable Communities aimed at inspiring change, supporting innovation and promoting the generic skills required to make the vision a reality.
A ‘Sustainable Communities Act’ Public meeting holds on Tuesday 10th February 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, Parliament, Victoria Embankment, Westminster SW1A 3LW. This is an open meeting, and no booking is required.
New Opportunities White Paper
The Government has published it’s ‘New Opportunities’ White Paper, setting out plans to improve the life chances of people from less-privileged backgrounds. The white paper is about putting in place the right foundation for both a richer and fairer society. Government has adopted a dual approach for achieving it New Opportunities aims; to safeguard people within the current economic conditions and lay adequate foundations for opportunities of the future.
In line with the first aspect of the dual approach, the paper highlights Government’s increased support for those who have lost their jobs with personalised help to find new employment and to meet mortgage payments. It highlights governments efforts to improve the credit flow for businesses, the introduction of a range of tax cuts and extra support for families, children and pensioners, the bringing forward of £3 billion worth of capital projects to improve infrastructure, create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Considering the second aspect of laying adequate foundations for opportunities of the future, the white paper looks at economic forecasts, to the predicted doubling of the world’s economies in 20 years along with the likely creation of 1 billion new skilled jobs, expansion of wealth and increase in disposable incomes, all these creating immense opportunities for business growth and individual success. Considering the global world economy of the future, the White Paper states:
‘The countries which succeed will be those which make the most of the talents and potential of all their citizens. So if we make the right decisions in the downturn and continue to invest in skills and people, we can provide better jobs, wages and prospects for our citizens in the years to come. This means stepping up our efforts to unlock the talents of every child and young person from their earliest years, and supporting adults right through their working lives, so that we can build a more prosperous economy and a stronger, fairer society.’
The paper then goes on to discuss strategic economic positioning for the future under the following themes: An upwardly mobile society, Looking to the future, positioning our economy, investing to build up everyone’s capabilities throughout their lives, Supporting the families and communities in which people develop.
Alongside the social mobility White Paper, plans to establish a new ‘Inspiring Communities’ network have been announced. Communities and Local government will provide £10m of funding to support young people in 15 local communities. The funding comes in response to a Social Exclusion Task Force study into the aspirations and attainment of young people in deprived communities
For more on the Social Exclusion Task Force Study: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion_task_force/short_studies/aspirations.aspx
Or for details of the ‘Inspiring Communities Network’ see: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1117420
The New Local Government Performance Framework and the National Indicator 7 (NI 7) for a thriving Voluntary and Community Sector (also referred to as the ‘Third Sector’)
The local government has a new performance framework for Local Strategic Partnerships and the Local Area Agreements (LAA) that they produce, and it includes a single set of 198 National Indicators. These indicators will be used to measure LAA performance nationally over the next three years. These indicators cover all the national priority outcomes which local authorities will be responsible for delivering, either on their own or in partnership with others.
See list of indicators:http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/nationalindicator
Local area agreements (LAAs) form the heart of the performance framework. They are the agreement between central government, local authorities and their partners to improve services and the quality of life in a place. Although LAA performance will be measured in an area against all 198 indicators, LAAs will agree up to 35 national priority targets with specific improvement targets set for each with central government.
More information on the new local government performance framework can be found on the Communities and Local Government (CLG) website: www.communities.gov.uk
NI 7 has been included in the 198 National Indicators. It will measure the contribution that local government and its partners make to the environment in which independent third sector organisations can operate successfully. This indicator has been included as a government priority in the National Indicator set in recognition of:
• The importance of the third sector to strong, active and empowered
local communities
• The value of the third sector to responsive and effective local government
• The value of local government to the third sector
It is recommended that LSPs choose this indicator for inclusion as one in their the 35 National Indicators that they can agree with Central Government. This is because a stronger third sector particularly Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Voluntary and Community Sector, would be an asset to every local authority area and enable a range of targets against which LAA’s are monitored to be achieved. Achieving a thriving Voluntary and Community sector (Third Sector) would be greatly enhanced if NI 7 is made a specific LAA priority.
More information available at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/third_sector/assets/ni7_briefing_note_final.pdf
The legacy of 2012 Olympics for local people
In summer 2012, London will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The sporting events, and the cultural festivals that accompany them, will be an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike. But the impact doesn't stop in 2012
There is a legacy of hosting the Games and this is essentially the difference the games will make to the lives of people across London and the UK even long after the end of the games.
Government has made a commitment of a lasting legacy of social, physical and economic regeneration and this was at the heart of London's bid for the Games, and has underpinned the design of the Olympic Park and the Olympic venues.
The London Development Agency (LDA) is leading the partnership planning this legacy. This partnership already includes all the key public sector bodies, the five host boroughs, the Mayor of London, the Olympic Delivery Authority, UK government departments, the London Organising Committe of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. But success can only be guaranteed with the participation of local residents, local businesses, investors and other stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The legacy of the 2012 Games has already started with training programmes, business support initiatives, access to jobs and planning for the post-Games physical transformation of the Olympic Park. ‘Legacy Now’ is the identity for this work, and between now and 2012 there will be a number of publications and events discussing the legacy of the 2012 Games. Please visit the link below for upcoming legacy events.
http://www.legacy-now.co.uk/events/calendar/?month=2&year=2009
MPs have backed the campaign by ‘ Voice4Change’ for political support and recognition of the role of black and minority ethnic organisations in promoting equality and community cohesion. An early day motion, signed by seven MPs also calls on the Government to ensure councils continue to fund black and minority ethnic organisations. This is in response to draft guidelines on community cohesion issued by the Communities and Local Government department last February which instructed local authorities to focus grants on schemes that benefited the entire community, a recommendation widely believed to be instructions against BAMER type work funding.
Hazel Blears, the communities secretary recently said that she had decided to scrap the guidelines and leave decisions on funding priorities to local authorities. But the signatories to the Early Day Motion, tabled by Alun Michael, the Labour MP and former Welsh First Minister, "consider it wrong that funders are being encouraged to have a presumption against single group funding" and accept that BME-specific organisations "have grown out of a recognition that many of the needs of diverse communities have not been adequately met by mainstream services".
Vandna Gohil, director of Voice4Change, said that high-level political backing was necessary if the BME third sector was to overcome its current "lack of visibility" and secure the funding it needed.
Impact of the Recession on BAMER Organisations
ROTA (Race on the Agenda), is conducting a survey, to gather evidence on the impact of the recession on London’s BAMER voluntary and community sector organizations. Any organization wishing to participate can do so by 5pm Wednesday 25th of February by contacting rota on 0207 729 1310 or email nwadio@rota.org.uk. There is some payment for returning completed questionnaires.
Meanwhile London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) has conducted the ‘Big Squeeze’ survey which is a survey to assess the impact of the recession on the work of generic voluntary and community sector organisations. The survey has so far yielded a picture and of those who responded:
• 92% believe the recession is already affecting communities you work with;
• 67% say your workload has already increased as a result;
• 82% of you are not confident you'll be able to meet the demand for your services in the future; but
• 73% are already taking positive steps to help your organisation cope and continue to deliver vital services
If you are a voluntary or community organisation and want to participate in this survey you can still do so, visit www.lvsc.org.uk/bigsqueeze
Also contact LVSC if you have any questions, speak to Gethyn Williams on Telephone: 020 7700 8107.
The Sustainable Communities Plan
The Deputy Prime Minister launched a £38-billion ‘Sustainable Communities’ Plan in February 2003. The plan set out the Government’s vision and a long-term programme of action for delivering sustainable communities in both urban and rural areas.
Contained within the plan were proposals for a significant increase in resources and major reforms of housing and planning, even a new approach to how we build and what we build.
Sustainable communities can be seen as the residential and workplace surroundings in which people live and thrive, where there is a balance and integration of the social, economic and environmental components that define a community area. It is a place where people want to live and work, now and in the future.
In short, these communities are likely to be:
• safe and inclusive
• well planned, built and run
• offering equality and opportunity for all
A host of guidance, plans and funding streams followed the launch of the ‘Sustainable Communities’ Plan in order to prompt action. The Sustainable Communities Act has received Royal Assent and has become law ( October 2007). It also enjoys full cross party support. The process in the Act has begun and on Tuesday 14th October 2008 Hazel Blears the Communities secretary, invited all principal councils to submit proposals to government for action and assistance in promoting sustainable communities, as defined in the Act.
See link below for the description of the Act and next steps.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/sustainablecommunitiesact
The Act’s potential is extensive, it will provide key opportunities for Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities to meet their community needs because communities and councils could use it to do such things as protect local services, increase renewable energy, public transport or local food, change the planning rules, change government policy and even force new legislation.
Central government is now working with councils, partner agencies and local people to achieve sustainable communities’ aims. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), and other key departments like the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), are providing both the funding and the policy framework for promoting the development of sustainable communities.
Local government is expected to play a lead role in the delivery of this vision, tackling the practical challenges of the policy framework. These challenges can include:
• the provision of decent homes
• creating access to employment
• protecting the environment
• regenerating community spirit
Further recommendations for sustainable communities were published in the Egan Review of Skills for Sustainable Communities, published in April 2004.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/152086.pdf
The DCLG has set up a new Academy for Sustainable Communities aimed at inspiring change, supporting innovation and promoting the generic skills required to make the vision a reality.
A ‘Sustainable Communities Act’ Public meeting holds on Tuesday 10th February 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, Parliament, Victoria Embankment, Westminster SW1A 3LW. This is an open meeting, and no booking is required.
New Opportunities White Paper
The Government has published it’s ‘New Opportunities’ White Paper, setting out plans to improve the life chances of people from less-privileged backgrounds. The white paper is about putting in place the right foundation for both a richer and fairer society. Government has adopted a dual approach for achieving it New Opportunities aims; to safeguard people within the current economic conditions and lay adequate foundations for opportunities of the future.
In line with the first aspect of the dual approach, the paper highlights Government’s increased support for those who have lost their jobs with personalised help to find new employment and to meet mortgage payments. It highlights governments efforts to improve the credit flow for businesses, the introduction of a range of tax cuts and extra support for families, children and pensioners, the bringing forward of £3 billion worth of capital projects to improve infrastructure, create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Considering the second aspect of laying adequate foundations for opportunities of the future, the white paper looks at economic forecasts, to the predicted doubling of the world’s economies in 20 years along with the likely creation of 1 billion new skilled jobs, expansion of wealth and increase in disposable incomes, all these creating immense opportunities for business growth and individual success. Considering the global world economy of the future, the White Paper states:
‘The countries which succeed will be those which make the most of the talents and potential of all their citizens. So if we make the right decisions in the downturn and continue to invest in skills and people, we can provide better jobs, wages and prospects for our citizens in the years to come. This means stepping up our efforts to unlock the talents of every child and young person from their earliest years, and supporting adults right through their working lives, so that we can build a more prosperous economy and a stronger, fairer society.’
The paper then goes on to discuss strategic economic positioning for the future under the following themes: An upwardly mobile society, Looking to the future, positioning our economy, investing to build up everyone’s capabilities throughout their lives, Supporting the families and communities in which people develop.
Alongside the social mobility White Paper, plans to establish a new ‘Inspiring Communities’ network have been announced. Communities and Local government will provide £10m of funding to support young people in 15 local communities. The funding comes in response to a Social Exclusion Task Force study into the aspirations and attainment of young people in deprived communities
For more on the Social Exclusion Task Force Study: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion_task_force/short_studies/aspirations.aspx
Or for details of the ‘Inspiring Communities Network’ see: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1117420
The New Local Government Performance Framework and the National Indicator 7 (NI 7) for a thriving Voluntary and Community Sector (also referred to as the ‘Third Sector’)
The local government has a new performance framework for Local Strategic Partnerships and the Local Area Agreements (LAA) that they produce, and it includes a single set of 198 National Indicators. These indicators will be used to measure LAA performance nationally over the next three years. These indicators cover all the national priority outcomes which local authorities will be responsible for delivering, either on their own or in partnership with others.
See list of indicators:http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/nationalindicator
Local area agreements (LAAs) form the heart of the performance framework. They are the agreement between central government, local authorities and their partners to improve services and the quality of life in a place. Although LAA performance will be measured in an area against all 198 indicators, LAAs will agree up to 35 national priority targets with specific improvement targets set for each with central government.
More information on the new local government performance framework can be found on the Communities and Local Government (CLG) website: www.communities.gov.uk
NI 7 has been included in the 198 National Indicators. It will measure the contribution that local government and its partners make to the environment in which independent third sector organisations can operate successfully. This indicator has been included as a government priority in the National Indicator set in recognition of:
• The importance of the third sector to strong, active and empowered
local communities
• The value of the third sector to responsive and effective local government
• The value of local government to the third sector
It is recommended that LSPs choose this indicator for inclusion as one in their the 35 National Indicators that they can agree with Central Government. This is because a stronger third sector particularly Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Voluntary and Community Sector, would be an asset to every local authority area and enable a range of targets against which LAA’s are monitored to be achieved. Achieving a thriving Voluntary and Community sector (Third Sector) would be greatly enhanced if NI 7 is made a specific LAA priority.
More information available at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/third_sector/assets/ni7_briefing_note_final.pdf
The legacy of 2012 Olympics for local people
In summer 2012, London will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The sporting events, and the cultural festivals that accompany them, will be an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike. But the impact doesn't stop in 2012
There is a legacy of hosting the Games and this is essentially the difference the games will make to the lives of people across London and the UK even long after the end of the games.
Government has made a commitment of a lasting legacy of social, physical and economic regeneration and this was at the heart of London's bid for the Games, and has underpinned the design of the Olympic Park and the Olympic venues.
The London Development Agency (LDA) is leading the partnership planning this legacy. This partnership already includes all the key public sector bodies, the five host boroughs, the Mayor of London, the Olympic Delivery Authority, UK government departments, the London Organising Committe of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. But success can only be guaranteed with the participation of local residents, local businesses, investors and other stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The legacy of the 2012 Games has already started with training programmes, business support initiatives, access to jobs and planning for the post-Games physical transformation of the Olympic Park. ‘Legacy Now’ is the identity for this work, and between now and 2012 there will be a number of publications and events discussing the legacy of the 2012 Games. Please visit the link below for upcoming legacy events.
http://www.legacy-now.co.uk/events/calendar/?month=2&year=2009
BNRRN Policy E-Bulletin 10th Feb 09
Policy Updates & Briefing
Political Support from MPs for BAMER Community Groups
MPs have backed the campaign by ‘ Voice4Change’ for political support and recognition of the role of black and minority ethnic organisations in promoting equality and community cohesion. An early day motion, signed by seven MPs also calls on the Government to ensure councils continue to fund black and minority ethnic organisations. This is in response to draft guidelines on community cohesion issued by the Communities and Local Government department last February which instructed local authorities to focus grants on schemes that benefited the entire community, a recommendation widely believed to be instructions against BAMER type work funding.
Hazel Blears, the communities secretary recently said that she had decided to scrap the guidelines and leave decisions on funding priorities to local authorities. But the signatories to the Early Day Motion, tabled by Alun Michael, the Labour MP and former Welsh First Minister, "consider it wrong that funders are being encouraged to have a presumption against single group funding" and accept that BME-specific organisations "have grown out of a recognition that many of the needs of diverse communities have not been adequately met by mainstream services".
Vandna Gohil, director of Voice4Change, said that high-level political backing was necessary if the BME third sector was to overcome its current "lack of visibility" and secure the funding it needed.
Impact of the Recession on BAMER Organisations
ROTA (Race on the Agenda), is conducting a survey, to gather evidence on the impact of the recession on London’s BAMER voluntary and community sector organizations. Any organization wishing to participate can do so by 5pm Wednesday 25th of February by contacting rota on 0207 729 1310 or email nwadio@rota.org.uk. There is some payment for returning completed questionnaires.
Meanwhile London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) has conducted the ‘Big Squeeze’ survey which is a survey to assess the impact of the recession on the work of generic voluntary and community sector organisations. The survey has so far yielded a picture and of those who responded:
• 92% believe the recession is already affecting communities you work with;
• 67% say your workload has already increased as a result;
• 82% of you are not confident you'll be able to meet the demand for your services in the future; but
• 73% are already taking positive steps to help your organisation cope and continue to deliver vital services
If you are a voluntary or community organisation and want to participate in this survey you can still do so, visit www.lvsc.org.uk/bigsqueeze
Also contact LVSC if you have any questions, speak to Gethyn Williams on Telephone: 020 7700 8107.
The Sustainable Communities Plan
The Deputy Prime Minister launched a £38-billion ‘Sustainable Communities’ Plan in February 2003. The plan set out the Government’s vision and a long-term programme of action for delivering sustainable communities in both urban and rural areas.
Contained within the plan were proposals for a significant increase in resources and major reforms of housing and planning, even a new approach to how we build and what we build.
Sustainable communities can be seen as the residential and workplace surroundings in which people live and thrive, where there is a balance and integration of the social, economic and environmental components that define a community area. It is a place where people want to live and work, now and in the future.
In short, these communities are likely to be:
• safe and inclusive
• well planned, built and run
• offering equality and opportunity for all
A host of guidance, plans and funding streams followed the launch of the ‘Sustainable Communities’ Plan in order to prompt action. The Sustainable Communities Act has received Royal Assent and has become law ( October 2007). It also enjoys full cross party support. The process in the Act has begun and on Tuesday 14th October 2008 Hazel Blears the Communities secretary, invited all principal councils to submit proposals to government for action and assistance in promoting sustainable communities, as defined in the Act.
See link below for the description of the Act and next steps.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/sustainablecommunitiesact
The Act’s potential is extensive, it will provide key opportunities for Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities to meet their community needs because communities and councils could use it to do such things as protect local services, increase renewable energy, public transport or local food, change the planning rules, change government policy and even force new legislation.
Central government is now working with councils, partner agencies and local people to achieve sustainable communities’ aims. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), and other key departments like the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), are providing both the funding and the policy framework for promoting the development of sustainable communities.
Local government is expected to play a lead role in the delivery of this vision, tackling the practical challenges of the policy framework. These challenges can include:
• the provision of decent homes
• creating access to employment
• protecting the environment
• regenerating community spirit
Further recommendations for sustainable communities were published in the Egan Review of Skills for Sustainable Communities, published in April 2004.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/152086.pdf
The DCLG has set up a new Academy for Sustainable Communities aimed at inspiring change, supporting innovation and promoting the generic skills required to make the vision a reality.
A ‘Sustainable Communities Act’ Public meeting holds on Tuesday 10th February 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, Parliament, Victoria Embankment, Westminster SW1A 3LW. This is an open meeting, and no booking is required.
New Opportunities White Paper
The Government has published it’s ‘New Opportunities’ White Paper, setting out plans to improve the life chances of people from less-privileged backgrounds. The white paper is about putting in place the right foundation for both a richer and fairer society. Government has adopted a dual approach for achieving it New Opportunities aims; to safeguard people within the current economic conditions and lay adequate foundations for opportunities of the future.
In line with the first aspect of the dual approach, the paper highlights Government’s increased support for those who have lost their jobs with personalised help to find new employment and to meet mortgage payments. It highlights governments efforts to improve the credit flow for businesses, the introduction of a range of tax cuts and extra support for families, children and pensioners, the bringing forward of £3 billion worth of capital projects to improve infrastructure, create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Considering the second aspect of laying adequate foundations for opportunities of the future, the white paper looks at economic forecasts, to the predicted doubling of the world’s economies in 20 years along with the likely creation of 1 billion new skilled jobs, expansion of wealth and increase in disposable incomes, all these creating immense opportunities for business growth and individual success. Considering the global world economy of the future, the White Paper states:
‘The countries which succeed will be those which make the most of the talents and potential of all their citizens. So if we make the right decisions in the downturn and continue to invest in skills and people, we can provide better jobs, wages and prospects for our citizens in the years to come. This means stepping up our efforts to unlock the talents of every child and young person from their earliest years, and supporting adults right through their working lives, so that we can build a more prosperous economy and a stronger, fairer society.’
The paper then goes on to discuss strategic economic positioning for the future under the following themes: An upwardly mobile society, Looking to the future, positioning our economy, investing to build up everyone’s capabilities throughout their lives, Supporting the families and communities in which people develop.
Alongside the social mobility White Paper, plans to establish a new ‘Inspiring Communities’ network have been announced. Communities and Local government will provide £10m of funding to support young people in 15 local communities. The funding comes in response to a Social Exclusion Task Force study into the aspirations and attainment of young people in deprived communities
For more on the Social Exclusion Task Force Study: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion_task_force/short_studies/aspirations.aspx
Or for details of the ‘Inspiring Communities Network’ see: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1117420
The New Local Government Performance Framework and the National Indicator 7 (NI 7) for a thriving Voluntary and Community Sector (also referred to as the ‘Third Sector’)
The local government has a new performance framework for Local Strategic Partnerships and the Local Area Agreements (LAA) that they produce, and it includes a single set of 198 National Indicators. These indicators will be used to measure LAA performance nationally over the next three years. These indicators cover all the national priority outcomes which local authorities will be responsible for delivering, either on their own or in partnership with others.
See list of indicators:http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/nationalindicator
Local area agreements (LAAs) form the heart of the performance framework. They are the agreement between central government, local authorities and their partners to improve services and the quality of life in a place. Although LAA performance will be measured in an area against all 198 indicators, LAAs will agree up to 35 national priority targets with specific improvement targets set for each with central government.
More information on the new local government performance framework can be found on the Communities and Local Government (CLG) website: www.communities.gov.uk
NI 7 has been included in the 198 National Indicators. It will measure the contribution that local government and its partners make to the environment in which independent third sector organisations can operate successfully. This indicator has been included as a government priority in the National Indicator set in recognition of:
• The importance of the third sector to strong, active and empowered
local communities
• The value of the third sector to responsive and effective local government
• The value of local government to the third sector
It is recommended that LSPs choose this indicator for inclusion as one in their the 35 National Indicators that they can agree with Central Government. This is because a stronger third sector particularly Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Voluntary and Community Sector, would be an asset to every local authority area and enable a range of targets against which LAA’s are monitored to be achieved. Achieving a thriving Voluntary and Community sector (Third Sector) would be greatly enhanced if NI 7 is made a specific LAA priority.
More information available at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/third_sector/assets/ni7_briefing_note_final.pdf
The legacy of 2012 Olympics for local people
In summer 2012, London will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The sporting events, and the cultural festivals that accompany them, will be an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike. But the impact doesn't stop in 2012
There is a legacy of hosting the Games and this is essentially the difference the games will make to the lives of people across London and the UK even long after the end of the games.
Government has made a commitment of a lasting legacy of social, physical and economic regeneration and this was at the heart of London's bid for the Games, and has underpinned the design of the Olympic Park and the Olympic venues.
The London Development Agency (LDA) is leading the partnership planning this legacy. This partnership already includes all the key public sector bodies, the five host boroughs, the Mayor of London, the Olympic Delivery Authority, UK government departments, the London Organising Committe of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. But success can only be guaranteed with the participation of local residents, local businesses, investors and other stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The legacy of the 2012 Games has already started with training programmes, business support initiatives, access to jobs and planning for the post-Games physical transformation of the Olympic Park. ‘Legacy Now’ is the identity for this work, and between now and 2012 there will be a number of publications and events discussing the legacy of the 2012 Games. Please visit the link below for upcoming legacy events.
http://www.legacy-now.co.uk/events/calendar/?month=2&year=2009
News & Information Roundup
Free confidential advice for charities in financial difficulty
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a free crisis helpline for charities that are worried about their finances. Charity leaders will be able to talk in confidence to CAF advisers and get advice on the steps they can take.
CAF will also refer charities to the sector's main umbrella bodies if they need further advice. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo), the Charity Finance Directors' Group and the Institute of Fundraising have all offered their support.
The helpline number is 0800 980 2000.
Nominations now open for The Charity Awards 2009
Entries are now being accepted for The Charity Awards 2009, the charity sector’s prestigious celebration of management excellence, organised by Plaza Publishing with support from overall sponsors CAF and The Leadership Trust Foundation and national media partner The Times.
The Charity Awards are open to charities of all sizes from throughout the UK and recognise exceptional leadership and management across ten broad categories of charitable activity, with one charity going on to receive the prestigious Overall Award. There is also an award made to an exceptional individual for Outstanding Achievement.
The closing date for nominations is 9 March and the winners will be announced at a gala presentation dinner in London for 1,000 prominent sector figures on Thursday 11 June 2009. Visit www.charityawards.co.uk for details on how to submit an entry.
Potential funding for work on FGM
The Women's Resource Centre (WRC) has been asked by a group of independent charitable funders to conduct an assessment of voluntary and community organisations and projects in the UK which are currently working in the FGM (female genital mutilation) field or supporting women and girls affected, or which are interested in, or have the potential to work in this area. The group of charitable funders is looking at possibly funding this area in the future.
If you want to help shape decisions about possible future funding, simply complete their brief survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=heD_2b1Ie7rizxAYvGESBMgA_3d_3d
or contact Tania Pouwhare at tania@wrc.org.uk or 020 7324 3030. The survey closes on Tuesday 17 February at 3pm.
Greener planning: A New Web Guidance
Communities and Local Government , the Homes and Communities Agency Academy and the Planning Advisory Service, are working together on new web-based guidance on planning and climate change. The new guidance will cover areas such as the delivery of local renewable energy and community power schemes like combined heat and power, as well as climate proofing new development.
See: www.hcaacademy.co.uk/planning-and-climate-change
Progress report on young black people and criminal justice published
As part of their response to the Home Affairs Select Committee’s inquiry into ‘young black people and the criminal justice system’, the government committed to report annually on progress. Their first annual report looks at the strategy and activities they are using to tackle the over-representation of young black people in the criminal justice system.
See: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/young-black-people-cjs-dec-08.htm
Guide to retaining funding
The Local Grants Forum, has launched a free guide to help voluntary groups keep their public sector funding. ‘Defending Local Grants’ is intended to provide local groups with advice to help them negotiate with councillors, commissioners and procurement officers over funding for local communities. See http://www.navca.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/0C1A3369-C77C-4E77-8A27-8C23AD0BC37E/0/Defendinglocalgrantsrevised.pdf
Events
Working for Equality 2009
If you work for an agency that supports Equality organisations or you have an active interest in equalities issues, then Capacitybuilders and HEAR - London’s equalities and human rights network invite you to attend Working for Equality 2009. The free information and networking event is taking place on 12 February 2009 at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in London.
The session will inform, discuss and consult on a number of significant new developments, which will impact on your work and will provide the opportunity to debate, learn from and problem solve with others through interactive workshops. Guest speakers include Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive, Matt Leach; Andrew Little, Chief Executive, London Deaf and Disability Organisations' CIC; Tim Wainwright, Director of Regions, Equality and Human Rights Commission. To find out more about the event and book your place, please visit http://www.rota.org.uk/pages/NetworkEvents.aspx?#H9
‘Planning Places of Worship’
An event that will look at the range of unresolved planning issues faced by hundreds of London faith groups in relation to their place of worship and at what needs to be done to deal with them fairly, is being planned for late March.
Across London hundreds of faith communities are struggling with the lack of clear and workable policies to allow the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services. Planning Aid for London has been dealing with individual cases and cites a range of stop gap measures and perverse outcomes especially for minority churches and for newer faith communities.
Faiths Forum for London is working with Planning Aid for London, Black Neighbourhood Renewal &Regeneration Network and Just Space network to develop a clearer understanding of the issues between planning policy makers, planning implementation personnel and “minority” faith communities. Further information contact Marian Larragy by emailing: marian@londoncivicforum.org.uk or phone 020 8709 9773
BME Third Sector Community Enterprise Roadshow
Are you a BME third sector organisation involved in community enterprise? The Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) and the Development Trusts Association (DTA) are working together to raise awareness and promote the DTA’s Communities of Interest membership to the BME third sector that are setting up or supporting community enterprise activity. BTEG will be hosting a workshop with the DTA to highlight the important role that development trusts play and how they can best support the BME third sector, illustrated with examples of best practice from the movement.
Date: 18 February 2009
Venue: NCVYS, Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street, N1 9LH
To secure your place on this workshop, please fax Angeline Clarke at BTEG on 020 7833
6113 or email angeline@bteg.co.uk by 11 February 2009.
You can also become a member of DTA which is the leading network of community enterprise practitioners dedicated to helping people set up development trusts and helping existing development trusts learn from each other and work effectively. There are a range of benefits of DTA membership. Contact BTEG for more information on 020 7833 6113.
‘Getting 2 know YOUR 5-0’ Youth conference
This conference will be hold on February 18, 12 noon - 5.15pm at Mulberry Sports and Leisure Centre, Richard Street, E1 2JP and is open to the public.
The key - note speaker for the event is Paul Rickett, the Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets Police. The aim of the conference is to break down barriers between young people and the police, encourage discussion and identify areas where young people and the police can improve upon. The event will explore four key areas that affect young people such as: Hate crime, Violent crime, Substance misuse.
If you would like to attend the event please contact Abu Sufian on 020 7364 1613 or email: abu.sufian@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Get Funding!
Voluntary organisations can double their funding with V
The V Match Fund can give your charity the funding and the profile you need to create volunteering projects for 16-25 year olds.
As a v Match Fund delivery partner, you’ll have the opportunity to develop innovative volunteering opportunities that support your work and allow a new generation of supporters to get involved. If you can find a private sector funder to fund half of your project, V will do the rest and double the value of the funding.
For more information, please call or email: Tammy McCann on Tel: 02079607019 or Tammy.McCann@wearev.com
New fund launched for community relations projects
The Barrow Cadbury Trust fund will typically provide voluntary and community projects with grants worth £30,000 over a two-year period. Funding will be offered to projects that promote solidarity between people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
They have consolidated their funding into three programme areas:
• Young Adults and Criminal Justice: Helping young adults who are in, or at risk of being in the criminal justice system, to make a successful transition to adulthood and improve their life chances.
• Inclusive Communities: Alleviating poverty and exclusion among marginalised groups.
• Global Exchange: Exchanging good practice across boundaries and using it to reinvigorate debates taking place in the UK.
Capacity Builders Launches Capital Funding Stream for Resource Centres
As part of their drive to increase the access that voluntary and community organisations have to high quality, relevant and affordable shared facilities and services, Capacity Builders have launched a programme of funding aimed at increasing the quality and availability of local resource centres across England.
Full details of the Capacity Builders Capital Funding programme which will run from January 2009 to March 2011 can be found at
http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/content/WhoWeFund/Funding200811/Capitalprogramme1.aspx
Volant Charitable Trust
This trust was set up by children's author J K Rowling to support charitable organisations to alleviate poverty and social deprivation with particular emphasis on children's and women's issues. It distributes about £5 million per year, mainly in large grants of more than £100,000 to large national charities but some smaller grants are given to local and regional charities. There is no stated minimum or maximum grant size
Deadline: Friday, 27 February 2009
Contact: The Trust Administrator, The Volant Charitable Trust, Box 8 196 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AT or visit www.volanttrust.com for more info.
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
The Fund distributed over £4 million last year with grants ranging from £500 to £150,000. Meetings of the Trustees are usually held in June and early December each year and applications should be submitted no later than 1 May or 1 October for consideration at the next meeting.
The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund’s area of interest is learning disability. By the term ‘learning disability’, the Fund means the conditions generally referred to as severe learning difficulties, together with autism. In this area, they consider projects concerning children or adults. They do not give grants for research into, or care of, those with mental illness or dyslexia.
For more information please contact The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
c/o TMF Management UK Limited, 400 Capability Green, Luton, Beds, LU1 3AE, Telephone: 01582 439 225 or Email: info@ bailythomas. org.uk
John Laing Charitable Trust
Gives money to charities that support homeless people, disadvantaged young people, the regeneration of local communities, education and environmental organisations.
Grant size available: Donations range from £250 to £25,000 with up to 12 charities receiving more than £10,000. Usually, charities receive one-off donations, but a small number are supported for an agreed period, often up to three years.
Donations towards revenue and capital costs can be made. There is no deadline for receipt of applications. The Trustees meet formally several times throughout the year
How to apply: Applications should be made in writing to the Trust Secretary. Initial telephone enquiries are welcome to discuss likely eligibility. The Trust does not have an application form and applicants are asked to keep the initial request as brief as possible. A copy of the charity's latest accounts should be included.
Please contact: Trust Secretary, John Laing Charitable Trust 33 Bunns Lane London NW7
2DX Telephone: 020 8959 9013
Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme
The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme provides one-off donations of between £1,000 and £4,000. The funding they give goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities, living in the local communities around their stores in the UK.
Applications can be made via their Website: www.tescocharitytrustcommunityawards-applications.co.uk
Please note charities can only make one application each year.
Decisions are made by the Tesco Charity Trustees in conjunction with the regional Community Co-ordinators who are based across the UK.
Contact Details: Tesco Charity Trust, New Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, Herts, EN8 9SL Tel: 01992 646768 Website: http://www.tescocorporate.com/charitiesandfundraising.htm
Vacancies, Volunteering & Training
Training: ‘Tender to Win’ Workshop
Date: Tue 24 February 2009
Venue: London Business Development Corporation (LBDC) 312 High Road London N15 4BN
Please email info@lbdc.org.uk or call on 0208 376 6262 to confirm a place as places are limited
Volunteer- Trustee Board Members for London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)
LVSC are looking for new trustee board members to help lead the organisation up to and beyond its centenary celebrations in 2010. This is a great opportunity to contribute to strategic leadership in a regional voluntary sector body. LVSC is the umbrella organisation supporting London’s voluntary and community sector. The vision is for the voluntary and community sector to play a fully empowered and effective role in the diverse life of London.
They are looking for people with a commitment to working with the sector and knowledge of the issues affecting London. High-level skills in finance, premises or media relations would also be useful.
Trustees are expected to attend five meetings a year in North London. Additional opportunities for involvement include events and sub-committees and they would particularly like to appoint trustees to their finance sub-committee. LVSC encourages applications from skilled people of all backgrounds.
To apply please send your cv and completed diversity monitoring form with a covering letter or email to:
Susan George
LVSC
356 Holloway Road
London N7 6PA
susan@lvsc.org.uk
Closing date: 13 February 2009, Interviews: 27 February 2009
Vacancy: Head of Policy vacancy, Race on the Agenda
Head of Policy: 32,119 - 42,602 (NJC scale PO2 - PO5, point 35 - 47), 5% pension
Race on the Agenda (ROTA) is a social policy think-tank focusing on issues affecting Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities and the Third Sector that serves them. ROTA has a vacancy for Head of Policy. This post offers the opportunity to lead on the organisation's policy and research programme working with the experienced and passionate policy team.
Current policy priorities include crime and antisocial behaviour, health inequalities, community cohesion and regional governance. You will need demonstrable knowledge of social policy priorities for the BAME sector and communities. You will also need demonstrable experience of staff and project management as well as experience of fundraising and writing clear and concise reports.
Closing Date for applications: Monday 23rd February 2009 11:00pm (by post or email). Successful candidates will be notified on 27th February to attend an interview on Monday 2nd March 2009. Please contact ROTA on 020 7729 1310 or Email: rota@rota.org.uk.
FREE funding seminars and training for the women's sector
The Women's Resource Centre's (WRC) Building Futures project is supporting women's frontline organisations across London to become financially stronger, resilient and more independent. They will be offering FREE funding training and seminars over the next five years. You will be able to access practical support, tailored to your needs, in areas such as:
How to be more successful in tendering for services, Writing more successful tenders and fundraising bids, How to better engage with funders to ensure more ongoing support, Forming effective partnerships, Social enterprise
The seminars and trainings are FREE and are open to all women's organisations in London (with limited places for those outside of London).
To find out more about any of the events listed below, or about the project in general, please visit the website at www.wrc.org.uk/buildingfutures. In addition, one-to-one support is available for WRC members, so why not join WRC?
BNRRN Profiles & Member Notices
Planning Aid
Planning Aid provides free, independent and professional town planning advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay planning consultant fees. It complements the work of local planning authorities, but is wholly independent of them.
Planning Aid was started by the Town and Country Planning Association in 1973. From the beginning, it has been at the forefront of engaging communities in the planning process. Now Planning Aid is working to further widen engagement in the planning process and to give an equal voice to all those involved in planning.
In 2005 the Officer of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) confirmed funding until 2008
Planning Aid is about much more than giving advice. It engages communities positively in the planning process to help them manage changes to their neighbourhood areas. A significant portion of its work in recent years has been supporting minority churches and faith groups in their efforts to secure the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services.
Planning Aid can help people to:
• Understand and use the planning system
• Participate in preparing plans
• Prepare their own plans for the future of their community
• Comment on planning applications
• Apply for planning permission or appeal against refusal of permission
• Represent themselves at public inquiries.
Planning Aid helps to meet one of the key aims of the government's planning reform agenda, which is to place community engagement at the heart of the planning system. Planning Aid website is at www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk
Questions & Answers
What are some of the necessary insurance policies for my Organisation?
Employer’s Liability
Required by law. All employers must have a minimum insurance cover of £5m for injury or disease suffered by employees. Employers Liability is expensive but unavoidable
Public Liability
Not a legal requirement, but could save charities from paying out millions. It protects a charity from injury or damage to people or property, which can happen on its premises or away from them - at fundraising events, say. Check that volunteers are covered by this policy. It is advisable for most.
Motor Vehicle
For charities that own or operate motor vehicles, it is a legal requirement to have at least third party motor insurance to cover damage to other people or their property. Extras such as personal accident benefits can be included.
Building
Essential for charities that own buildings. Policies should cover fire, lightning, flooding or damage through theft. The insurance should cover costs such as repairs, demolition and fees for professionals such as architects or surveyors. It is expensive but essential
Contents
Covers the contents of a charity's operation, which could be anything from furniture and computers to museum pieces. It is not however legally required.
Legal Expenses
It is advisable for charities to take out this insurance to cover any costs that arise if they have to bring or defend legal cases. This might be needed if a member of staff starts an employment dispute or if there is an occupancy disagreement with a landlord. It is highly recommended
Trustee Indemnity
If a trustee makes a bad decision or breaches the charity's trust, this covers them from personal liability when legal claims are made. This is the only charity insurance that protects an individual trustee rather than the organisation.
Fidelity Guarantee
This insures a charity against any loss of cash or valuables caused by employee fraud or dishonesty. It can be extended to cover fraud and dishonesty by trustees and volunteers.
Loss of Money
Charities often handle cash from say fundraising activities, thus many insurers say this type of insurance is advisable. It covers a charity for loss of money in places such as a safe or in transit, which might not come under contents insurance.
Patron Death
Charities with patrons whose demise could affect their ability to raise funds might want to consider this type of insurance. An insurer might cover a certain amount of lost revenue up to £25,000. This type of insurance is more useful for those with high-profile or celebrity patrons. It is cheap but rarely needed
Kidnap and Ransom
Advisable for any charity sending employees overseas, particularly if they are going to dangerous countries. It will cover the costs of getting employees back, including translators, private investigators and ransoms. It is expensive. It depends on the country and salary of the person concerned. Could cost thousands of pounds. It might be important for some organisations!
BNRRN Project Updates
BNRRN's Engagement Project, which is aimed at enabling BAMER organisations engage better with their local structures (like the council and the Primary Care Trust, and other local initiatives), continues, with work in the boroughs of Hackney and Ealing. BNRRN will work in these boroughs for the next six months (from February). If you are an organisation local to Hackney and Ealing and would like to find out more about this project, please contact Abul Helal or Gloria Oham on 0208 981 3003.
Resources
Defending Local Grants
Is your Local Authority considering scrapping a crucial grant programme?
Is your PCT saying it's contracts or nothing? The Local Grants Forum (of which DSC is a member) has produced Defending Local Grants, a short leaflet to help you make the case for grant funding in your local area. It provides resources you can use to help convince councillors, commissioning officers and procurement professionals that grants should continue to be used to fund local organisations and groups. Download it at http://www.dsc.org.uk/NewsandInformation/PolicyandCampaigning/Policypositions/Fundingissues
Political Support from MPs for BAMER Community Groups
MPs have backed the campaign by ‘ Voice4Change’ for political support and recognition of the role of black and minority ethnic organisations in promoting equality and community cohesion. An early day motion, signed by seven MPs also calls on the Government to ensure councils continue to fund black and minority ethnic organisations. This is in response to draft guidelines on community cohesion issued by the Communities and Local Government department last February which instructed local authorities to focus grants on schemes that benefited the entire community, a recommendation widely believed to be instructions against BAMER type work funding.
Hazel Blears, the communities secretary recently said that she had decided to scrap the guidelines and leave decisions on funding priorities to local authorities. But the signatories to the Early Day Motion, tabled by Alun Michael, the Labour MP and former Welsh First Minister, "consider it wrong that funders are being encouraged to have a presumption against single group funding" and accept that BME-specific organisations "have grown out of a recognition that many of the needs of diverse communities have not been adequately met by mainstream services".
Vandna Gohil, director of Voice4Change, said that high-level political backing was necessary if the BME third sector was to overcome its current "lack of visibility" and secure the funding it needed.
Impact of the Recession on BAMER Organisations
ROTA (Race on the Agenda), is conducting a survey, to gather evidence on the impact of the recession on London’s BAMER voluntary and community sector organizations. Any organization wishing to participate can do so by 5pm Wednesday 25th of February by contacting rota on 0207 729 1310 or email nwadio@rota.org.uk. There is some payment for returning completed questionnaires.
Meanwhile London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) has conducted the ‘Big Squeeze’ survey which is a survey to assess the impact of the recession on the work of generic voluntary and community sector organisations. The survey has so far yielded a picture and of those who responded:
• 92% believe the recession is already affecting communities you work with;
• 67% say your workload has already increased as a result;
• 82% of you are not confident you'll be able to meet the demand for your services in the future; but
• 73% are already taking positive steps to help your organisation cope and continue to deliver vital services
If you are a voluntary or community organisation and want to participate in this survey you can still do so, visit www.lvsc.org.uk/bigsqueeze
Also contact LVSC if you have any questions, speak to Gethyn Williams on Telephone: 020 7700 8107.
The Sustainable Communities Plan
The Deputy Prime Minister launched a £38-billion ‘Sustainable Communities’ Plan in February 2003. The plan set out the Government’s vision and a long-term programme of action for delivering sustainable communities in both urban and rural areas.
Contained within the plan were proposals for a significant increase in resources and major reforms of housing and planning, even a new approach to how we build and what we build.
Sustainable communities can be seen as the residential and workplace surroundings in which people live and thrive, where there is a balance and integration of the social, economic and environmental components that define a community area. It is a place where people want to live and work, now and in the future.
In short, these communities are likely to be:
• safe and inclusive
• well planned, built and run
• offering equality and opportunity for all
A host of guidance, plans and funding streams followed the launch of the ‘Sustainable Communities’ Plan in order to prompt action. The Sustainable Communities Act has received Royal Assent and has become law ( October 2007). It also enjoys full cross party support. The process in the Act has begun and on Tuesday 14th October 2008 Hazel Blears the Communities secretary, invited all principal councils to submit proposals to government for action and assistance in promoting sustainable communities, as defined in the Act.
See link below for the description of the Act and next steps.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/sustainablecommunitiesact
The Act’s potential is extensive, it will provide key opportunities for Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities to meet their community needs because communities and councils could use it to do such things as protect local services, increase renewable energy, public transport or local food, change the planning rules, change government policy and even force new legislation.
Central government is now working with councils, partner agencies and local people to achieve sustainable communities’ aims. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), and other key departments like the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), are providing both the funding and the policy framework for promoting the development of sustainable communities.
Local government is expected to play a lead role in the delivery of this vision, tackling the practical challenges of the policy framework. These challenges can include:
• the provision of decent homes
• creating access to employment
• protecting the environment
• regenerating community spirit
Further recommendations for sustainable communities were published in the Egan Review of Skills for Sustainable Communities, published in April 2004.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/152086.pdf
The DCLG has set up a new Academy for Sustainable Communities aimed at inspiring change, supporting innovation and promoting the generic skills required to make the vision a reality.
A ‘Sustainable Communities Act’ Public meeting holds on Tuesday 10th February 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, Parliament, Victoria Embankment, Westminster SW1A 3LW. This is an open meeting, and no booking is required.
New Opportunities White Paper
The Government has published it’s ‘New Opportunities’ White Paper, setting out plans to improve the life chances of people from less-privileged backgrounds. The white paper is about putting in place the right foundation for both a richer and fairer society. Government has adopted a dual approach for achieving it New Opportunities aims; to safeguard people within the current economic conditions and lay adequate foundations for opportunities of the future.
In line with the first aspect of the dual approach, the paper highlights Government’s increased support for those who have lost their jobs with personalised help to find new employment and to meet mortgage payments. It highlights governments efforts to improve the credit flow for businesses, the introduction of a range of tax cuts and extra support for families, children and pensioners, the bringing forward of £3 billion worth of capital projects to improve infrastructure, create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Considering the second aspect of laying adequate foundations for opportunities of the future, the white paper looks at economic forecasts, to the predicted doubling of the world’s economies in 20 years along with the likely creation of 1 billion new skilled jobs, expansion of wealth and increase in disposable incomes, all these creating immense opportunities for business growth and individual success. Considering the global world economy of the future, the White Paper states:
‘The countries which succeed will be those which make the most of the talents and potential of all their citizens. So if we make the right decisions in the downturn and continue to invest in skills and people, we can provide better jobs, wages and prospects for our citizens in the years to come. This means stepping up our efforts to unlock the talents of every child and young person from their earliest years, and supporting adults right through their working lives, so that we can build a more prosperous economy and a stronger, fairer society.’
The paper then goes on to discuss strategic economic positioning for the future under the following themes: An upwardly mobile society, Looking to the future, positioning our economy, investing to build up everyone’s capabilities throughout their lives, Supporting the families and communities in which people develop.
Alongside the social mobility White Paper, plans to establish a new ‘Inspiring Communities’ network have been announced. Communities and Local government will provide £10m of funding to support young people in 15 local communities. The funding comes in response to a Social Exclusion Task Force study into the aspirations and attainment of young people in deprived communities
For more on the Social Exclusion Task Force Study: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion_task_force/short_studies/aspirations.aspx
Or for details of the ‘Inspiring Communities Network’ see: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1117420
The New Local Government Performance Framework and the National Indicator 7 (NI 7) for a thriving Voluntary and Community Sector (also referred to as the ‘Third Sector’)
The local government has a new performance framework for Local Strategic Partnerships and the Local Area Agreements (LAA) that they produce, and it includes a single set of 198 National Indicators. These indicators will be used to measure LAA performance nationally over the next three years. These indicators cover all the national priority outcomes which local authorities will be responsible for delivering, either on their own or in partnership with others.
See list of indicators:http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/nationalindicator
Local area agreements (LAAs) form the heart of the performance framework. They are the agreement between central government, local authorities and their partners to improve services and the quality of life in a place. Although LAA performance will be measured in an area against all 198 indicators, LAAs will agree up to 35 national priority targets with specific improvement targets set for each with central government.
More information on the new local government performance framework can be found on the Communities and Local Government (CLG) website: www.communities.gov.uk
NI 7 has been included in the 198 National Indicators. It will measure the contribution that local government and its partners make to the environment in which independent third sector organisations can operate successfully. This indicator has been included as a government priority in the National Indicator set in recognition of:
• The importance of the third sector to strong, active and empowered
local communities
• The value of the third sector to responsive and effective local government
• The value of local government to the third sector
It is recommended that LSPs choose this indicator for inclusion as one in their the 35 National Indicators that they can agree with Central Government. This is because a stronger third sector particularly Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Voluntary and Community Sector, would be an asset to every local authority area and enable a range of targets against which LAA’s are monitored to be achieved. Achieving a thriving Voluntary and Community sector (Third Sector) would be greatly enhanced if NI 7 is made a specific LAA priority.
More information available at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/third_sector/assets/ni7_briefing_note_final.pdf
The legacy of 2012 Olympics for local people
In summer 2012, London will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The sporting events, and the cultural festivals that accompany them, will be an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike. But the impact doesn't stop in 2012
There is a legacy of hosting the Games and this is essentially the difference the games will make to the lives of people across London and the UK even long after the end of the games.
Government has made a commitment of a lasting legacy of social, physical and economic regeneration and this was at the heart of London's bid for the Games, and has underpinned the design of the Olympic Park and the Olympic venues.
The London Development Agency (LDA) is leading the partnership planning this legacy. This partnership already includes all the key public sector bodies, the five host boroughs, the Mayor of London, the Olympic Delivery Authority, UK government departments, the London Organising Committe of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. But success can only be guaranteed with the participation of local residents, local businesses, investors and other stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The legacy of the 2012 Games has already started with training programmes, business support initiatives, access to jobs and planning for the post-Games physical transformation of the Olympic Park. ‘Legacy Now’ is the identity for this work, and between now and 2012 there will be a number of publications and events discussing the legacy of the 2012 Games. Please visit the link below for upcoming legacy events.
http://www.legacy-now.co.uk/events/calendar/?month=2&year=2009
News & Information Roundup
Free confidential advice for charities in financial difficulty
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a free crisis helpline for charities that are worried about their finances. Charity leaders will be able to talk in confidence to CAF advisers and get advice on the steps they can take.
CAF will also refer charities to the sector's main umbrella bodies if they need further advice. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo), the Charity Finance Directors' Group and the Institute of Fundraising have all offered their support.
The helpline number is 0800 980 2000.
Nominations now open for The Charity Awards 2009
Entries are now being accepted for The Charity Awards 2009, the charity sector’s prestigious celebration of management excellence, organised by Plaza Publishing with support from overall sponsors CAF and The Leadership Trust Foundation and national media partner The Times.
The Charity Awards are open to charities of all sizes from throughout the UK and recognise exceptional leadership and management across ten broad categories of charitable activity, with one charity going on to receive the prestigious Overall Award. There is also an award made to an exceptional individual for Outstanding Achievement.
The closing date for nominations is 9 March and the winners will be announced at a gala presentation dinner in London for 1,000 prominent sector figures on Thursday 11 June 2009. Visit www.charityawards.co.uk for details on how to submit an entry.
Potential funding for work on FGM
The Women's Resource Centre (WRC) has been asked by a group of independent charitable funders to conduct an assessment of voluntary and community organisations and projects in the UK which are currently working in the FGM (female genital mutilation) field or supporting women and girls affected, or which are interested in, or have the potential to work in this area. The group of charitable funders is looking at possibly funding this area in the future.
If you want to help shape decisions about possible future funding, simply complete their brief survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=heD_2b1Ie7rizxAYvGESBMgA_3d_3d
or contact Tania Pouwhare at tania@wrc.org.uk or 020 7324 3030. The survey closes on Tuesday 17 February at 3pm.
Greener planning: A New Web Guidance
Communities and Local Government , the Homes and Communities Agency Academy and the Planning Advisory Service, are working together on new web-based guidance on planning and climate change. The new guidance will cover areas such as the delivery of local renewable energy and community power schemes like combined heat and power, as well as climate proofing new development.
See: www.hcaacademy.co.uk/planning-and-climate-change
Progress report on young black people and criminal justice published
As part of their response to the Home Affairs Select Committee’s inquiry into ‘young black people and the criminal justice system’, the government committed to report annually on progress. Their first annual report looks at the strategy and activities they are using to tackle the over-representation of young black people in the criminal justice system.
See: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/young-black-people-cjs-dec-08.htm
Guide to retaining funding
The Local Grants Forum, has launched a free guide to help voluntary groups keep their public sector funding. ‘Defending Local Grants’ is intended to provide local groups with advice to help them negotiate with councillors, commissioners and procurement officers over funding for local communities. See http://www.navca.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/0C1A3369-C77C-4E77-8A27-8C23AD0BC37E/0/Defendinglocalgrantsrevised.pdf
Events
Working for Equality 2009
If you work for an agency that supports Equality organisations or you have an active interest in equalities issues, then Capacitybuilders and HEAR - London’s equalities and human rights network invite you to attend Working for Equality 2009. The free information and networking event is taking place on 12 February 2009 at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in London.
The session will inform, discuss and consult on a number of significant new developments, which will impact on your work and will provide the opportunity to debate, learn from and problem solve with others through interactive workshops. Guest speakers include Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive, Matt Leach; Andrew Little, Chief Executive, London Deaf and Disability Organisations' CIC; Tim Wainwright, Director of Regions, Equality and Human Rights Commission. To find out more about the event and book your place, please visit http://www.rota.org.uk/pages/NetworkEvents.aspx?#H9
‘Planning Places of Worship’
An event that will look at the range of unresolved planning issues faced by hundreds of London faith groups in relation to their place of worship and at what needs to be done to deal with them fairly, is being planned for late March.
Across London hundreds of faith communities are struggling with the lack of clear and workable policies to allow the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services. Planning Aid for London has been dealing with individual cases and cites a range of stop gap measures and perverse outcomes especially for minority churches and for newer faith communities.
Faiths Forum for London is working with Planning Aid for London, Black Neighbourhood Renewal &Regeneration Network and Just Space network to develop a clearer understanding of the issues between planning policy makers, planning implementation personnel and “minority” faith communities. Further information contact Marian Larragy by emailing: marian@londoncivicforum.org.uk or phone 020 8709 9773
BME Third Sector Community Enterprise Roadshow
Are you a BME third sector organisation involved in community enterprise? The Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) and the Development Trusts Association (DTA) are working together to raise awareness and promote the DTA’s Communities of Interest membership to the BME third sector that are setting up or supporting community enterprise activity. BTEG will be hosting a workshop with the DTA to highlight the important role that development trusts play and how they can best support the BME third sector, illustrated with examples of best practice from the movement.
Date: 18 February 2009
Venue: NCVYS, Lancaster House, 33 Islington High Street, N1 9LH
To secure your place on this workshop, please fax Angeline Clarke at BTEG on 020 7833
6113 or email angeline@bteg.co.uk by 11 February 2009.
You can also become a member of DTA which is the leading network of community enterprise practitioners dedicated to helping people set up development trusts and helping existing development trusts learn from each other and work effectively. There are a range of benefits of DTA membership. Contact BTEG for more information on 020 7833 6113.
‘Getting 2 know YOUR 5-0’ Youth conference
This conference will be hold on February 18, 12 noon - 5.15pm at Mulberry Sports and Leisure Centre, Richard Street, E1 2JP and is open to the public.
The key - note speaker for the event is Paul Rickett, the Borough Commander for Tower Hamlets Police. The aim of the conference is to break down barriers between young people and the police, encourage discussion and identify areas where young people and the police can improve upon. The event will explore four key areas that affect young people such as: Hate crime, Violent crime, Substance misuse.
If you would like to attend the event please contact Abu Sufian on 020 7364 1613 or email: abu.sufian@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Get Funding!
Voluntary organisations can double their funding with V
The V Match Fund can give your charity the funding and the profile you need to create volunteering projects for 16-25 year olds.
As a v Match Fund delivery partner, you’ll have the opportunity to develop innovative volunteering opportunities that support your work and allow a new generation of supporters to get involved. If you can find a private sector funder to fund half of your project, V will do the rest and double the value of the funding.
For more information, please call or email: Tammy McCann on Tel: 02079607019 or Tammy.McCann@wearev.com
New fund launched for community relations projects
The Barrow Cadbury Trust fund will typically provide voluntary and community projects with grants worth £30,000 over a two-year period. Funding will be offered to projects that promote solidarity between people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
They have consolidated their funding into three programme areas:
• Young Adults and Criminal Justice: Helping young adults who are in, or at risk of being in the criminal justice system, to make a successful transition to adulthood and improve their life chances.
• Inclusive Communities: Alleviating poverty and exclusion among marginalised groups.
• Global Exchange: Exchanging good practice across boundaries and using it to reinvigorate debates taking place in the UK.
Capacity Builders Launches Capital Funding Stream for Resource Centres
As part of their drive to increase the access that voluntary and community organisations have to high quality, relevant and affordable shared facilities and services, Capacity Builders have launched a programme of funding aimed at increasing the quality and availability of local resource centres across England.
Full details of the Capacity Builders Capital Funding programme which will run from January 2009 to March 2011 can be found at
http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/content/WhoWeFund/Funding200811/Capitalprogramme1.aspx
Volant Charitable Trust
This trust was set up by children's author J K Rowling to support charitable organisations to alleviate poverty and social deprivation with particular emphasis on children's and women's issues. It distributes about £5 million per year, mainly in large grants of more than £100,000 to large national charities but some smaller grants are given to local and regional charities. There is no stated minimum or maximum grant size
Deadline: Friday, 27 February 2009
Contact: The Trust Administrator, The Volant Charitable Trust, Box 8 196 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AT or visit www.volanttrust.com for more info.
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
The Fund distributed over £4 million last year with grants ranging from £500 to £150,000. Meetings of the Trustees are usually held in June and early December each year and applications should be submitted no later than 1 May or 1 October for consideration at the next meeting.
The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund’s area of interest is learning disability. By the term ‘learning disability’, the Fund means the conditions generally referred to as severe learning difficulties, together with autism. In this area, they consider projects concerning children or adults. They do not give grants for research into, or care of, those with mental illness or dyslexia.
For more information please contact The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
c/o TMF Management UK Limited, 400 Capability Green, Luton, Beds, LU1 3AE, Telephone: 01582 439 225 or Email: info@ bailythomas. org.uk
John Laing Charitable Trust
Gives money to charities that support homeless people, disadvantaged young people, the regeneration of local communities, education and environmental organisations.
Grant size available: Donations range from £250 to £25,000 with up to 12 charities receiving more than £10,000. Usually, charities receive one-off donations, but a small number are supported for an agreed period, often up to three years.
Donations towards revenue and capital costs can be made. There is no deadline for receipt of applications. The Trustees meet formally several times throughout the year
How to apply: Applications should be made in writing to the Trust Secretary. Initial telephone enquiries are welcome to discuss likely eligibility. The Trust does not have an application form and applicants are asked to keep the initial request as brief as possible. A copy of the charity's latest accounts should be included.
Please contact: Trust Secretary, John Laing Charitable Trust 33 Bunns Lane London NW7
2DX Telephone: 020 8959 9013
Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme
The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme provides one-off donations of between £1,000 and £4,000. The funding they give goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and adults and children with disabilities, living in the local communities around their stores in the UK.
Applications can be made via their Website: www.tescocharitytrustcommunityawards-applications.co.uk
Please note charities can only make one application each year.
Decisions are made by the Tesco Charity Trustees in conjunction with the regional Community Co-ordinators who are based across the UK.
Contact Details: Tesco Charity Trust, New Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, Herts, EN8 9SL Tel: 01992 646768 Website: http://www.tescocorporate.com/charitiesandfundraising.htm
Vacancies, Volunteering & Training
Training: ‘Tender to Win’ Workshop
Date: Tue 24 February 2009
Venue: London Business Development Corporation (LBDC) 312 High Road London N15 4BN
Please email info@lbdc.org.uk or call on 0208 376 6262 to confirm a place as places are limited
Volunteer- Trustee Board Members for London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC)
LVSC are looking for new trustee board members to help lead the organisation up to and beyond its centenary celebrations in 2010. This is a great opportunity to contribute to strategic leadership in a regional voluntary sector body. LVSC is the umbrella organisation supporting London’s voluntary and community sector. The vision is for the voluntary and community sector to play a fully empowered and effective role in the diverse life of London.
They are looking for people with a commitment to working with the sector and knowledge of the issues affecting London. High-level skills in finance, premises or media relations would also be useful.
Trustees are expected to attend five meetings a year in North London. Additional opportunities for involvement include events and sub-committees and they would particularly like to appoint trustees to their finance sub-committee. LVSC encourages applications from skilled people of all backgrounds.
To apply please send your cv and completed diversity monitoring form with a covering letter or email to:
Susan George
LVSC
356 Holloway Road
London N7 6PA
susan@lvsc.org.uk
Closing date: 13 February 2009, Interviews: 27 February 2009
Vacancy: Head of Policy vacancy, Race on the Agenda
Head of Policy: 32,119 - 42,602 (NJC scale PO2 - PO5, point 35 - 47), 5% pension
Race on the Agenda (ROTA) is a social policy think-tank focusing on issues affecting Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities and the Third Sector that serves them. ROTA has a vacancy for Head of Policy. This post offers the opportunity to lead on the organisation's policy and research programme working with the experienced and passionate policy team.
Current policy priorities include crime and antisocial behaviour, health inequalities, community cohesion and regional governance. You will need demonstrable knowledge of social policy priorities for the BAME sector and communities. You will also need demonstrable experience of staff and project management as well as experience of fundraising and writing clear and concise reports.
Closing Date for applications: Monday 23rd February 2009 11:00pm (by post or email). Successful candidates will be notified on 27th February to attend an interview on Monday 2nd March 2009. Please contact ROTA on 020 7729 1310 or Email: rota@rota.org.uk.
FREE funding seminars and training for the women's sector
The Women's Resource Centre's (WRC) Building Futures project is supporting women's frontline organisations across London to become financially stronger, resilient and more independent. They will be offering FREE funding training and seminars over the next five years. You will be able to access practical support, tailored to your needs, in areas such as:
How to be more successful in tendering for services, Writing more successful tenders and fundraising bids, How to better engage with funders to ensure more ongoing support, Forming effective partnerships, Social enterprise
The seminars and trainings are FREE and are open to all women's organisations in London (with limited places for those outside of London).
To find out more about any of the events listed below, or about the project in general, please visit the website at www.wrc.org.uk/buildingfutures. In addition, one-to-one support is available for WRC members, so why not join WRC?
BNRRN Profiles & Member Notices
Planning Aid
Planning Aid provides free, independent and professional town planning advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay planning consultant fees. It complements the work of local planning authorities, but is wholly independent of them.
Planning Aid was started by the Town and Country Planning Association in 1973. From the beginning, it has been at the forefront of engaging communities in the planning process. Now Planning Aid is working to further widen engagement in the planning process and to give an equal voice to all those involved in planning.
In 2005 the Officer of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) confirmed funding until 2008
Planning Aid is about much more than giving advice. It engages communities positively in the planning process to help them manage changes to their neighbourhood areas. A significant portion of its work in recent years has been supporting minority churches and faith groups in their efforts to secure the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services.
Planning Aid can help people to:
• Understand and use the planning system
• Participate in preparing plans
• Prepare their own plans for the future of their community
• Comment on planning applications
• Apply for planning permission or appeal against refusal of permission
• Represent themselves at public inquiries.
Planning Aid helps to meet one of the key aims of the government's planning reform agenda, which is to place community engagement at the heart of the planning system. Planning Aid website is at www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk
Questions & Answers
What are some of the necessary insurance policies for my Organisation?
Employer’s Liability
Required by law. All employers must have a minimum insurance cover of £5m for injury or disease suffered by employees. Employers Liability is expensive but unavoidable
Public Liability
Not a legal requirement, but could save charities from paying out millions. It protects a charity from injury or damage to people or property, which can happen on its premises or away from them - at fundraising events, say. Check that volunteers are covered by this policy. It is advisable for most.
Motor Vehicle
For charities that own or operate motor vehicles, it is a legal requirement to have at least third party motor insurance to cover damage to other people or their property. Extras such as personal accident benefits can be included.
Building
Essential for charities that own buildings. Policies should cover fire, lightning, flooding or damage through theft. The insurance should cover costs such as repairs, demolition and fees for professionals such as architects or surveyors. It is expensive but essential
Contents
Covers the contents of a charity's operation, which could be anything from furniture and computers to museum pieces. It is not however legally required.
Legal Expenses
It is advisable for charities to take out this insurance to cover any costs that arise if they have to bring or defend legal cases. This might be needed if a member of staff starts an employment dispute or if there is an occupancy disagreement with a landlord. It is highly recommended
Trustee Indemnity
If a trustee makes a bad decision or breaches the charity's trust, this covers them from personal liability when legal claims are made. This is the only charity insurance that protects an individual trustee rather than the organisation.
Fidelity Guarantee
This insures a charity against any loss of cash or valuables caused by employee fraud or dishonesty. It can be extended to cover fraud and dishonesty by trustees and volunteers.
Loss of Money
Charities often handle cash from say fundraising activities, thus many insurers say this type of insurance is advisable. It covers a charity for loss of money in places such as a safe or in transit, which might not come under contents insurance.
Patron Death
Charities with patrons whose demise could affect their ability to raise funds might want to consider this type of insurance. An insurer might cover a certain amount of lost revenue up to £25,000. This type of insurance is more useful for those with high-profile or celebrity patrons. It is cheap but rarely needed
Kidnap and Ransom
Advisable for any charity sending employees overseas, particularly if they are going to dangerous countries. It will cover the costs of getting employees back, including translators, private investigators and ransoms. It is expensive. It depends on the country and salary of the person concerned. Could cost thousands of pounds. It might be important for some organisations!
BNRRN Project Updates
BNRRN's Engagement Project, which is aimed at enabling BAMER organisations engage better with their local structures (like the council and the Primary Care Trust, and other local initiatives), continues, with work in the boroughs of Hackney and Ealing. BNRRN will work in these boroughs for the next six months (from February). If you are an organisation local to Hackney and Ealing and would like to find out more about this project, please contact Abul Helal or Gloria Oham on 0208 981 3003.
Resources
Defending Local Grants
Is your Local Authority considering scrapping a crucial grant programme?
Is your PCT saying it's contracts or nothing? The Local Grants Forum (of which DSC is a member) has produced Defending Local Grants, a short leaflet to help you make the case for grant funding in your local area. It provides resources you can use to help convince councillors, commissioning officers and procurement professionals that grants should continue to be used to fund local organisations and groups. Download it at http://www.dsc.org.uk/NewsandInformation/PolicyandCampaigning/Policypositions/Fundingissues
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