FREE training: Supervising volunteers with disabilities and additional support needs

13/06/2014

Better Futures, an accessible volunteering project with Brighton and Hove Impetus have an upcoming free training workshop on: Supervising Volunteers with Disabilities and Additional Support Needs

Date:

Thursday, 26 June 2014 from 10:00 to 16:30

Venue:

Space for Change, 14 Windlesham Avenue, Brighton

Please click below for further details and to book your free place:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supervising-volunteers-with-disabilities-and-additional-support-needs-tickets-11661412599

This is a whole day workshop, which will enable you to gain skills and confidence around accessible volunteering and to learn practical ways to make an inclusive culture for volunteers with disabilities. Throughout the day, you will access resources and fill out an action plan which is tailored for your organisation.

The course meets several standards in the best practice of managing volunteers, including the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation and the city-wide Brighton and Hove Volunteering Strategy.

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for anyone with responsibility for supervising volunteers, who wants to ensure that volunteers with disabilities feel welcome and supported. You may be completely new to the area of volunteering and disability, or wish to refresh your knowledge in the area.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  • Offer volunteers with disabilities an inclusive ‘person-centred’ supervision approach
  •  Create a culture of openness in your volunteering programme, encouraging people to disclose their needs
  • Carry out a joint assessment with your volunteers, to better understand their access needs and to make appropriate adjustments
  • Conduct and review risk assessments
  • Access other examples of best practice and case studies with accessible volunteering around the UK.

If you have any questions about this workshop, please email: betterfutures@bh-impetus.org or telephone 01273 229009

Age UK briefing: Tuesday 17th June, 10am – 12noon

06/06/2014

Are older people part of your client group?  You can  increase your confidence and knowledge around older people’s issues by joining the experts, Age UK, for a morning briefing at Whitehawk Inn.

This session is for community gatekeepers, volunteers and professionals and will provide an introduction to a range of issues including retirement, staying active &  independent and money & benefits, enabling you to provide accurate and up to date information and increase referrals to expert agencies.  To book, phone 01273 682 222

Moneywise for over 50s,  November 2014 – your input please!

Following on from the briefing, Whitehawk Inn will be running a short certificated course with Age UK next term.  This will be for anyone who supports older people and is aimed at increasing financial confidence in the over 50s.  The course will be needs led – so if you support people over 50, what are the key financial issues that you would like to learn more about?  Please let Helen Thomas know (details below) – or register your interest in joining the course.

Helen Thomas

Curriculum and Advice Service Manager
Whitehawk Inn
http://www.whinn.org.uk/

www.facebook.com/TheWhitehawkInn

hthomas@whinn.org.uk

01273 682 222

Free professional photographs of your group in action

06/06/2014

Syd Shelton is an appointed photographer for the One Planet City sustainability initiative. In association with this initiative he is producing one of 10 photographic exhibitions to be displayed in the City – his particular theme is Culture and Community.

Syd is interested to hear from any groups or projects that are available across June to have their pictures taken for display in the Dome Café Bar later in the year.

In particular he is interested to hear from groups or projects that operate on an ‘out and about’ basis e.g.  soup runs, homeless support projects, gardening groups and so forth.

There is the possibility for any material that is produced to be used by the group and Syd is happy to advise around release forms for this to happen. Having up-to-date professional pictures to showcase your group can be a hugely valuable addition to your marketing and comms material.

If you would like to take part please contact Syd directly to talk through the possibility by the 20th June (or the earliest opportunity given that the pictures are taking place in June).

Syd Shelton
One Planet City Photographer
sydshelton@graphicsi.com

01273 206214

07802 735783

Website: www.sydshelton.co.uk

Grassroots Giving fund for small community groups

29/05/2014

For 2014, Skipton Building Society has allocated 161 donations of £500 to help fund development for grassroots organisations in communities.

The idea behind Grassroots Giving campaign is to help community organisations, or groups, who only have access to limited funding from elsewhere. For this reason, registered charities will not be able to request funding via Grassroots Giving.

To summarise, applications to support the following WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING:

  • Rent and/or maintenance of a property
  • Expeditions, holidays or travel programmes
  • UK centres for overseas projects
  • Projects which are normally the responsibility of other organisations such as the NHS or local government
  • Medical research and medical equipment
  • Animal welfare
  • Party political activities
  • Promotion of religious causes
  • Running costs including: rent, insurance, employee wages, expenses and training of volunteers
  • Direct costs of fundraising events, including: paying for food, drink, room hire, promotional goods or other direct elements of a fundraising event or activities
  • Loans or business finance
  • Requests to cover the costs of travel expenses or sponsorship of events
  • Individuals and students not  part of a wider group
  • Groups that have an annual net profit of more than £10,000
  • Activities taking place outside of the UK

Funding round opened 1st May.

Fore more information: http://www.skiptongrg.co.uk/apply-for-funding/

Office space to hire in Hollingdean Community Centre

21/05/2014

This is a rare chance to secure office space in a vibrant community building. You can use the space for basing yourself part-time, full time or for hot-desk use. Monthly rate of £140 to £160 includes Wi-Fi, stationery, copying. Bus service runs every 12 minutes; free on-street parking; disabled access. For more details contact: 01273 236160 or hdtrustees@hotmail.com.

Deadline announced for Summer Pride grants 2014

20/05/2014

Applications are now open for this year’s Summer Pride grants. The deadline is 27th June, with decisions expected in early July.

FREE digital inclusion courses, workshops and drop-ins at Whitehawk Inn

20/05/2014

Whitehawk Inn has a new suite of FREE digital inclusion courses, workshops and drop-ins, aiming to help our communities become more confident and capable using online services and technologies.

The Gadget Surgery is entirely drop in whilst all other training should be booked in advance.

Residents should contact Whitehawk Inn on 01273 682 222 to book an enrolment.

Gadget Surgery

Baffled by your gadget? Frustrated by your phone? Confused by your computer? This fun and friendly introduction to technology will get you up & running and making the most of your gadgets. Drop in

Mondays 9.30am-11.30am

10 weeks: 28 April – 14 July

Moneywise

Become a money saving expert by finding bargains and avoiding scams.  We’ll explore a range of websites and activities including price comparisons, home energy, banking and online shopping.

Mondays 12.30-2.30pm

5 weeks: 16 June – 7 July

Internet Security

New to the net? Just getting used to being online? Are you worried about scams, viruses, identity theft and just don’t know who to trust? Our friendly tutor can help you get things into perspective, show you what to worry about and what not to. Followed by simple practical advice to help you reduce the risks, feel safer, get more done and have more fun!  Drop in.

1 session: 9 June 12.30-2.30pm

1 session: 14 July 12.30-2.30pm

www.whinn.org.uk

www.facebook.com/TheWhitehawkInn

01273 682 222

FREE computer courses at BUCFP

20/05/2014

FREE COURSES at Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project:

Thursday 29th May –  Microsoft Access

Monday 16th June  –  Microsoft Word

Tuesday 17th June –  Introduction to Blogging

Wednesday 18th June  – Social Media

Monday & Tuesday 7th & 8th July – Computing for Beginners

www.facebook.com/bucfp1

 

Community Health Fund (Sussex Community Foundation) – DEADLINE APPROACHING

20/05/2014

More info about Sussex Community Foundation.

  • Does your group help to address a health issue?
  • Do you have an idea for a healthy project or activity?
  • Would you like help to develop your group if you are just starting out?

The Community Health Fund aims to support and fund small community groups (annual income below £35,000) based in Brighton or Hove, addressing a particular health issue or wanting to run a health related activity. We are keen to reach groups who are just getting started and those working in under-represented communities. It can provide your group with:

  • one to one support (before and after your application) to help set up a group, develop your grant application and fulfill the requirements of the fund
  • a grant (between £500 to £1,500) to your group to help achieve your project or activity
  • the chance to meet similar groups to share skills, knowledge and solutions to any problems your group might face.

The next deadline is 5pm on Friday 11th July 2014.

There is an Information Session for groups looking to apply on Wednesday 4th June, 6-8pm at Friends Meeting House, Ship Street.

For more information or to talk through an idea, please call or email Mary Carruthers from Sussex Community Foundation on: Tel: 01273 409440 Email: mary.carruthers@sussexgiving.org.uk

Download guidance notes and the application form:

Guidance Notes

Application Form

Visit www.sussexgiving.org.uk for more information about applying for grants through Sussex Community Foundation.

This fund is run in partnership by: Sussex Community Foundation, the Trust for Developing Communities and Community Works.

Introduction to Campaigning Workshop Tues 3rd June

15/05/2014

‘INTRODUCTION TO CAMPAIGNING’ WORKSHOP 
BRIGHTON: TUESDAY 3RD JUNE 2014, 9.45AM – 4.00PM

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (www.smk.org.uk) will be running an ‘Introduction to Campaigning’ workshop in Brighton on Tuesday 3rd June in partnership with Community Works. The workshop will take place at Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG (http://www.communitybase.org/map/communitybase).

The speakers will be: Harmit Kambo, Learning & Development Manager, SMK (facilitator); Councillor Bill Randall, Brighton & Hove Green Party; Bibi van der Zee, Freelance Journalist (regular contributor to the Guardian, Ecologist and New Statesman) and author of The Protestor’s Handbook. Read more ›