SDVS Headlines

ADSiS still have plenty of free office furniture on offer. Click here for details: http://sdvs.org.uk/headlines/?p=1371.

Autumn/Winter programme (flyer information on www.communitiestogether.org.uk)

• 6/9 Parish Planning - 1 place left -  Fully subsidised for CCS members
• 11/9 Principles of Manual Handling with Objects
• 20/9 Emergency Aid - SOLD OUT
• 24/9 Energy Auditing for Community Buildings funder has stated a minimum of 8 places max 24 and course fully subsidised for 3^rd sector groups and parish councils
• 29/9 Effective record keeping and accountability - SOLD OUT
• 6/10 Emergency Aid
• 13/10 Child protection
• 18/10 Mediation
• 20/10 Vetting and Barring of Volunteers
• 22/10 Sage Line 50 Basic Principles - Fully subsidised for 3^rd sector groups in Staffordshire  
• 28/10 End of Life Care - SOLD OUT
• 11/11 Assertiveness and Confidence Building. In house training for a group. If you are interested in attending this type of training, please contact SkillBase re setting up a new workshop.
• 20/11 Regulations and Legislation relating to charities and community interest companies - 8 places left. Possibility of free places for trustees of 3^rd sector groups in Staffordshire
• 10/11 Food Safety in Catering
• 1/12 Lone Working
• OCN Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations 20/1, 3/2, 17/2, 3/3, 17/3, 31/3 14/4, 28/4, 12/5, 19/5 with follow up date tbc. 

Workshops coming soon   (flyer yet to be produced)

• PQASSO Implementation 16/10, 6/11, and 27/1 fully subsidised
• Mental Health Awareness Fully subsidised for 3^rd sector groups 18/11
• Asdan Certificate in Community Volunteering Introduction for hosting organisations 17/10
• Accredited course starts 5/11, 19/11, 3/12, 17/12, 14/1, 4/2,

Potential workshops

• 4 potential delegates have requested a Paediatric First Aid 2 day accredited course.  SkillBase is trying to assess viability to run this workshop, please let SkillBase know your interest. 
• Fully subsidised training on Trustee Recruitment. For more info contact SkillBase
• Fully subsidised training on Governance training for trustees. For more info contact SkillBase
• Fully subsidised training on Contract Readiness. For more info contact SkillBase

Please note Barbara is on annual leave until 18/9, please direct any correspondence to Helen on 01785 279938 or skillbase@sdvs.org.uk

Details of SkillBase training and other services can be found on www.communitiestogether.org.uk click on training.

Skill Base Team

Helen Oparinde, Training Co-coordinator, 01785 279938, skillbase@sdvs.org.uk

Barbara Alexander Training Administrator, 01785 279930 sbadmin@sdvs.org.uk

Friends of Riverway are planning a day of fun and games on the Riverway Field, opposite Adsa on Sunday, 21^st September 11 am to 4pm. The aim is for the community to enjoy the field, and to raise awareness of the environment and green spaces generally. The area used to be a school playing field and to celebrate the Olympics, we want to hold our own Riverway Games –but with a more old fashioned/ unusual flavour!

We are inviting many local groups and businesses to bring a stall with some kind of game, and at the same time publicise their organisation. We’d like to have a range of games from traditional coconut shy, hoopla, hooking fish, welly throwing etc. to puzzles, quizzes and any other crazy inventions you may think up! If the game is linked to the work you do or to the environment, even better; we’d also like a variety that can be enjoyed by different ages and abilities. There will also of course be refreshments, and a book and plant stalls, a raffle etc.

Entrants will be charged on the gate and receive a card listing all the games –at each stall they will get a stamp for having a go, or for completing the game … at the end of the day we will award medals for the most completed, and of course some prizes for the runners up!

Please let us know if you would like to get involved as soon as you can, and at the latest by Monday 8^th September. This is what you would need:

• A game that can be completed, e.g. hooking all the objects, finishing in a certain time, ideally not taking more than 5 minutes a go
• Information/ display/ leaflets about your organisation
• Table/ chair/ gazebo if you have these
• A stamp or marker to mark cards
• Two people to man your stall from 11 am -4 pm so you can have breaks
• A risk assessment of your game (we can provide a sheet)

If you would like to donate a prize to the raffle, some refreshments or prizes for competitors, this would be very welcome if you cannot attend, or even if you can!

If you would like to attend or to support the event in any way, please contact either Kate Dewey, Chair on 07813 6500007 or k.dewey@staffs-wildlife.org.uk

Andrew Baker, Secretary on 01785 245450

Or our hotmail account friendsofriverway@hotmail.co.uk

• Do you use a local hospital or health service?
• Do you care for someone?
• Do you have a long term illness or disability?
• Do you want to have a say in how your health and social care services are
  provided?

Then join Staffordshire LINk – we need you!

What are LINk’s?
LINk stands for “Local Involvement Network”. LINks have been set up around England to make  sure  local people  can  bring  their  local  knowledge  to  local  health and  social care services they receive. 

We need you!
A LINk  is only as strong as  the number of people who  join  it. We need people  to add their  voice  to  Staffordshire  LINk.  You  can  join  one  of  8  District  Groups  with  16 members and help elect  the Staffordshire LINk County Board which will manage  the Staffordshire LINk.

How to get involved
Nominate  yourself  to  join  a  District  Group  in:    Staffordshire  Moorlands,  Tamworth, East  Staffordshire,  Newcastle-Under-Lyme,  Cannock  Chase,  Lichfield,  Stafford,  or South Staffordshire.  Elections will be held in each District in September.
In your nomination tell us (1) who you are, (2) which District Group you want to join (3) why  you would  like  to  serve as  part  of Staffordshire  LINk, and  (4)  if  you already work or volunteer in health or social care.

Send your nomination to:
Staffordshire LINk, Staffordshire University, FREEPOST ST655, Beaconside, STAFFORD, ST18 0BR
Or email: staffordshireLINk@staffs.ac.uk

University Hospital North Staffordshire is planning to become a Foundation Hospital in 2009, and are now at the stage where plans are being shared with the public, patients, staff and stakeholders as part of a public consultation process, taking place from 1^st September to 30^th November 2008. 

Click here to read the introductory letter and here to read an electronic version of the full consultation document. Please send any comments and responses to the questions before the close of the consultation period.

The DVD is appropriate for use with groups of parents and carers or with individuals, and offers examples of practical ways in which parents and carers can support their children’s learning. The DVD is divided into five short sections and each section works by itself so that practitioners can decide how much of the DVD they use in any one session.

Talking, Listening, Learning - describes how parents, carers and practitioners can get involved in children’s early learning, both at home and in the local community.

Learning with Dad - shows how fathers and male carers can get involved with their children’s learning right from the beginning.

Places To Go - provides examples of places where children can have fun and learn outside their own home, and how parents and practitioners can work together.

Parents Talk - is about the real, everyday challenges of bringing up young families, and how getting more involved has made a difference.

Where Can I Find Out More? - is a resource showing where parents and carers can go to find out more about early learning and caring for young children.

The DVD is available in 20 community language versions. In each language version, the DVD commentary is dubbed and practitioners can choose whether or not to have subtitles displayed.

To find out more and order this free DVD follow this link: http://tinyurl.com/5c9msz.

The UK Workforce Hub has published a new set of standards for the management of volunteers.

The UK Workorce Hub – based at umbrella body the NCVO – says the new National Occupational Standards will improve the quality of volunteer management.
The 151-page document lists things managers should do to promote volunteering, recruit and manage volunteers and manage themselves. People taking a National Vocational Qualification in volunteer management will have to show that they have met the standards.

A group of volunteers and volunteer management experts wrote the guidelines after volunteers and managers submitted their views online and at touring events.

Janet Fleming, head of the UK Workforce Hub, said volunteers and their managers would benefit enormously from the new standards.
Justin Davis Smith, chief executive of Volunteering England, said the standards would help volunteer managers develop their own skills and professionalism.

You can access the document by following this link: http://tinyurl.com/66e2lt.

Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS)  is a registered charity providing free and confidential advice and support to carers of all ages. The following vacancies are exciting opportunities to become an integral part of a respected and expanding service.

ALZHEIMER CAFÉ CO-ORDINATOR (37hpw)

Fixed term contract until 31 January 2010

Job share considered

To maintain the smooth running of the six Alzheimer Cafes throughout southern Staffordshire and to undertake any follow-up work required, ensuring that the cafes are operated within the true philosophy of Alzheimer Café UK. To look at the potential for further developments for this client group, with a focus on partnership working. Job ref: ACC/01

Salary: NJC Scale SO1 point 29 £23,749 per annum

CARERS LINK WORKER – BASED AT STAFFORD DGH (15hpw)

Fixed term contract for 12 months

To raise awareness, in the hospital setting, of carers and their needs; assist in developing ways, within the hospital setting, of improving carer support and information; scope the needs of hospital employees who are carers and encourage the development of carer-friendly working policies and practices based on these needs. Job ref: CLW/02

Salary: pro rata to NJC Scale 5, point 22, £18,907 (actual salary £7,665)

ADMIN ASSISTANT (25hpw)

(worked Monday and Thursday 9 - 5, Tuesday and Friday 9 - 2)

Fixed term contract until 31 March 2009,

To provide administrative support to CASS staff; deal with basic telephone enquiries to the office on a day to day basis; maintain the stocks required for day to day running of the building; assist in the maintenance of CASS databases ; deal with incoming and outgoing mail. Job ref: AA/03

Salary: pro rata to NJC scale 3, point 14, £15,143 (actual salary £10,231)

PUBLICITY AND COMMUNICATIONS WORKER (37hpw)

Fixed term contract until 31 March 2009

To design and produce CASS’ quarterly newsletter, publicity material and other information as required and liaise with printers to ensure high quality publications are produced; update and maintain information and publications libraries and assist in maintaining and developing the CASS database; identify and promote new ways of publicising the organisation, evaluating their effectiveness and arranging the supply of promotional materials to all outlets. Job ref: PCW/04

Salary: NJC Scale 5, point 22, £18,907

N.B. All posts are offered on a fixed term basis, however these may be extended at the end of the contract period, funding permitting.

An application forms, job descriptions and supporting information can be downloaded from www.carersinformation.org.uk . Completed applications should be returned to CASS, The Carers Centre, Austin Friars, Stafford ST17 4AP (CVs will not be accepted)

Closing date for applications: 5pm on 24^th September Interviews : October 2008

Access to Nature is a £25 million grant scheme to encourage people from all backgrounds to understand, access and enjoy our natural environment.  It is funded by the BIG Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme and Natural England.  The scheme will focus on three broad themes:-

• Community awareness and active participation.
• Education, learning and volunteering.
• Welcoming, well-managed and wildlife-rich places.

Access to Nature can fund projects in urban, rural and coastal communities across England.  The priority will be to fund projects that make a lasting change in areas of high social, economic and/or environmental deprivation. The aims are to encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors, particularly those who face social exclusion or those that currently have little or no contact with the natural environment – perhaps because they lack the confidence to get out and enjoy natural places or have few opportunities to do so.

Access to Nature Grant Scheme is now open to applications. For further information about the Access to Nature Grant Scheme please visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature.

If you have any further questions about the Access to Nature Grant Scheme please contact the West Mildands Access to Nature Adviser:

Peter Loat, Access to Nature Adviser for the West Midlands
Communities Team for the West Midlands -Northern Area
Block A, Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton WV6 8TQ
Tel: 01902 693173 Fax: 01902 693185  Mobile: 07769 641550

You can read the latest S3SN E-bulletin in Microsoft Word format by following this link: http://tinyurl.com/5hmfnc.

Leonard Cheshire Disability is trialling a one-stop-shop for disability related information and advice on the web, the Disability Information Portal. Interested parties can help shape the final site at www.dip-online.org.

A SPECIAL inquiry is to investgate the government’s handling of plans to close 2,500 post offices.

The National Audit Office investigation will examine the Post Office’s controversial Network Change Programme.

The programme is part of a government plan aimed at making the post office network profitable.

It will examine whether communities have been adequately consulted over the closure of hundreds of post office branches.

In particular, the inquiry will look at the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s oversight of the closure programme.

It will assesss the government’s role in:

• Selecting the closure programme;
• Setting the criteria;
• Reviewing the programme plan to see if it would meet its overall objectives;
• Monitoring the progress of the closure programme; and
• Responding to issues discovered during the monitoring.

The NAO study contact is Charles Nancarrow. He can be emailed through the NAO enquiries desk at enquiries@nao.gsi.gov.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , with email marked for his attention.

The closure programme is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008.

Some 500 outreach services - including mobile branches and part-time post office counters in village halls - will replace closed post offices in some areas.

This will leave a post office network of approximately 11,700 post office branches once the closure programme is finished.

The National Audit Office aims to publish its report in Spring 2009.

The report presents fndings from a major survey of the experiences and views of separated parents, in relation to child maintenance. Included in the survey were parents with care (PWCs) and non-resident parents (NRPs), parents who had never been involved with the Child Support Agency (CSA) and CSA clients. Early fndings were published in an interim report in late 20072

The research aimed to gather the views of separated parents on, and their possible reactions to, the Government’s plans for the redesign of the child support system3

Just  under  2,000  interviews were  carried  out with  a  nationally  representative sample  by  the  National  Centre  for  Social  Research  (NatCen)  on  behalf  of  the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) during 2007. Parents were sampled in four groups:
•     CSA    PWCs    (i.e.    PWCs    who    were    clients    of    the    CSA);
•     CSA    NRPs    (i.e.    NRPs    who    were    clients    of    the    CSA);
•     non-CSA    PWCs    (i.e.    PWCs    who    were    not clients of the CSA);
•     non-CSA    NRPs    (i.e.    NRPs    who    were    not clients of the CSA).

You can read this report from the Department for Works and Pensions by following this link: http://tinyurl.com/6b98sx (PDF file).

New research on the experiences of disabled people in rates of family formation, break up, re-partnering and having children was published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) on 20 August. The research, carried out by the University of Birmingham, also provides findings on consequences for employment and poverty for families with a disabled adult or child.

The project involved assessing available literature and conducting new analysis of major UK longitudinal datasets over different time periods.

Key Findings:

Having a long term limiting illness, impairment, health problem or disability is generally associated with:

• A higher proportion remaining single.
• A lower proportion in their first marriage.
• A slightly lower proportion cohabiting.
• A higher proportion of disabled people are divorced or separated.
• A higher proportion experiencing bereavement
• There is considerable variation in the ‘marriage gap’ between disabled and non-disabled people according to age group, gender and impairment type.

Among families with children, 11 per cent became lone parent households after a two year period where a disabled child was present, compared to 8 per cent where there was no disabled child. 

Risk of Poverty

The risk that a family had ever> been in poverty was greater, the more years during which either a child or adult respondent said that they had a longstanding illness or disability.

In families where child disability was reported over five consecutive years (2001 to 2005), 52 per cent had experienced poverty in at least one year over that period.  In families where no child disability was reported, over the same time period, 40 per cent had experienced poverty. 

Employment outcomes

Among those working 30+ hours, where the child experienced onset of impairment over the 5 year period, 22 per cent reduced working hours or stopped working, compared to 14 per cent where the child did not experience an impairment.

The report is DWP Research Report No.514. A free summary is available from Paul Noakes at the DWP Social Research Branch (4th Floor, Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT, 020 7962 8557). The report and summary are available free on the DWP website; http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5

Older people are being urged to claim their Winter Fuel Payments, increased for this winter, to help them with higher energy costs. For households with someone aged 60-79 it will increase from £200 to £250 and for those with someone aged 80 and over, it will increase from £300 to £400. Those already in receipt of the payment will receive it automatically and do not need to contact the department unless their circumstances have changed. But those who have not received a payment before should get their  applications in as quickly as possible, to make sure they receive the payment before Christmas.

People over 60 who are newly eligible and who need to claim, and have not already received a claim form, can get one by visiting the Winter Fuel Payment website – www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel, by calling the helpline on 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users).
The final deadline for completed Winter Fuel Payment claim forms for this winter is 30 March 2009.

If you are considering applying for funding from the £25 million Access to Nature Grant Scheme with a community project that will bring lasting change to the following target groups in terms of their opportunity to access, enjoy and engage with the natural environment.

• People currently under-represented in terms of contact with the natural environment. By this we include disabled people, the young, black and minority ethnic communities and older people.
• Communities and individuals experiencing social exclusion through disability, unemployment, age or economic and social disadvantage.
• People disadvantaged by where they live through a lack of accessible natural environments.

Then you may benefit from attending one of our friendly and informative workshops.

Workshop Topics will include

• Introduction to Access To Nature
• Access to Nature Outcomes
• Partnership Working
• What we are looking for in an Application
• Priorities for Funding
• Opportunity for discussion and networking

13th October 2008

9:30 am for 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, Ashley Building, Leek Road Campus, Stoke-on-Trent. Booking contact Tel no 0121 352 5384 or 07900608421

1:30 pm for 2:00 pm– 4:30 pm, Ashley Building, Leek Road Campus, Stoke-on-Trent. Booking contact Tel no 0121 352 5384 or 07900608421

For more information on the Access to Nature Grant Scheme go to: www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature

Direct payments are crucial to achieving the Government’s aim to increase independence, choice and control for service users and their carers through allowing them the opportunity to arrange their own personalised care. The Health and Social Care Act 2008 extends the availability of direct payments to those people who lack the capacity to consent to their receipt. In addition, the government is also reviewing the current exclusions to receiving direct payments for those people who are subject to various provisions of mental health legislation in light of the modernisation of mental health law brought about by the Mental Health Act 2007. The Government is now consulting on regulations relating to these two changes.

For more details, to read the consultation document and to find out how to respond to the consultation, follow this link: http://tinyurl.com/6pfo88.

You can read the latest Drugs E-bulletin from the Home Office by following this link: http://tinyurl.com/6ofebo.

This month’s news includes:

• Reminder: Tackling Drugs Awards 2008
• Action against steroid abuse and GHB type drugs
• Overall drug use is down
• Youth Crime Action Plan

NCVO has launched a web page specifically for smaller organisations, bringing together their information on areas such as funding and finance, employment, health and safety, ICT and governance. To celebrate the launch of its new consultancy service, NCVO members with an annual income of less than £100,000 are being offered the chance to win up to £1,700 worth of support from NCVO consultants. Deadline for entries is 12 September. www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/smallorganisations.