Resource Centre AGM 2017

27/10/2017

Thank you so much to everybody who came along to our Annual General Meeting on 25th October 2017.

The AGM was attended by our member groups, who help give the Resource Centre its unique grassroots focus and direction.

We heard about the work done by the Centre in 2016-17, including A Day in the Life of the Resource Centre: a report on all the groups that used the Centre on a single day.

Nine representatives were elected to our management committee. A big thank you to them for volunteering to support the work of the Centre over the coming year.

Free First Aid training for Adults

26/10/2017

This one day course at the Friends Centre will help you to respond to an emergency situation. You will learn how to deal with unconsciousness, bleeding, choking, shock, seizures, provide CPR, and recognise signs of a heart attack or stroke.

This is a half day course.

Course date: Saturday 11th November

Time: 10.30am –1.30pm

Venue: Brighton Junction, Isetta Square, 35 New England St,

Brighton  BN1 4GQ

Tutor: Agnes Munday

Cost: Free/£15.00

To be offered a free place you will need to be:

  • 19 and over
  • Living in the EU for at least 3 years
  • Living in Brighton and Hove area

AND be unemployed (or working less than 16 hours) or on a low income (less than £13,500 for a single income or less than £18,500 for a combined household income)

  • Or have no qualifications (no Level 2 or above qualification)
  • Or you volunteer and are unemployed

If you’re interested in enrolling for this course please contact Friends Centre on 01273-810210 or visit our reception at Brighton Junction, Isetta Square,

35 New England St, Brighton  BN1 4GQ or email us on info@friendscentre.org

Free tours of the Amex stadium

25/10/2017

Speak Up Against Cancer, Albion in the Community’s cancer awareness programme are offering FREE tours of the fantastic American Express Community Stadium and museum.  This invitation is extended to anyone over the age of 18,  living in Brighton and Hove and has not done one of our free tours before.  

For this round of tours we are delivering 2 sessions for people who identify as men and 2 for people who identify as women..  

Speak Up Against Cancer will be combining the tour with a short workshop with some positive messages about spotting the signs and symptoms of early cancer and what to do next.  The tour and session will last approximately 2 hours.  There is parking available at the stadium and it is very easy to access by train, as the stadium is next to Falmer station.  There are also buses that run regularly to Falmer from around the city http://www.buses.co.uk/..

  • Tuesday 7 November – women only 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
  • Thursday 9 November – men only 2 pm to 4 pm
  • Thursday 23 November – men only 10.30 am  to 12.30 pm
  • Tuesday 5 December  – women only 2 pm to 4 pm

Please call 01273 878269 to book your place or email speakup@albioninthecommunity.org.uk.

Edge Fund open for applications

25/10/2017

Deadline 12 November.

Apply here: edgefund.org.uk/apply/

The Edge Fund will be giving around £40,000 to about 30 grassroots groups campaigning for effective social change.

They fund small grassroots groups that challenge abuses of power and aim to bring an end to the systems that cause injustice.

 

Free workshops for small groups at Community Works conference

12/10/2017

FREE workshop sessions for small groups (income below £35k per annum)

These following sessions are part of the Community Works conference being held in Brighton and Hove on 9 November 2017

For full information on the day download the programme

Book your place now!

Session 1: How to cover your costs in a small group

So-called ‘hidden’ costs such as administration and management are essential for any voluntary and community sector organisation, but not always easy to get funded by grants and contracts. This workshop led by fundraising consultant Katie Rabone will look at how using a full cost recovery model can help to secure core costs for your organisation.

A toolkit for success will be shared during the session, to ensure that your organisation can move beyond chasing short-term project funding and look to a more sustainable and confident future.

Session 2: Are you the only paid member of staff in your group? Or is this a situation you anticipate being in in the near future?

Being the only paid member of staff in an organisation can often feel daunting; with a unique set of challenges and circumstances. This interactive session led by Kaye Duerdoth will explore some of the issues that a sole member of staff encounters along with the opportunity to hear from people who have been in this very situation. The time will then be used to share different methods for problem-solving and overcoming the challenges of being the only paid member of staff which typically relate to the following areas:

  • Delegating effectively
  • Managing volunteers
  • Staying well and avoiding burnout
  • Succession planning – ensuring sustainability
  • Balancing delivery and development
  • Managing growth
  • Working with trustees and/or committee members

PA system available to give away

05/10/2017

THIS HAS NOW BEEN OFFERED TO BRIGHTON SOUP, WHO RUN FUNDRAISING EVENTS FOR LOCAL PROJECTS

We are giving away one of our old PA systems for free.

It is an 80W single unit system. The reason we are giving it away is that the volume control is broken, so it can no longer be hired out. However, it still works fine if you use it with an external device, such as a phone, laptop or MP3 player, because you can control the volume on the external device.

It would suit a group that needs a PA for use at community parties to simply play music through.

It will need to be collected from the Resource Centre. If you are interested please get in touch. Priority will be given to volunteer-run community groups.

Community Works conference

28/09/2017

Members of Community Works are invided to their next member’s conference on Thursday 9 November 2017, which is themed around ensuring sustainability and financial robustness.

Sessions include:

  • How to cover your costs in a small group
  • Is your organisation ready for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
  • Making partnerships work for your organisations
  • Volunteer Coordinators Forum
  • Tools for navigating growth
  • Leading with one paid member of staff
  • Turning values into behaviour

Date: Thursday 9 November 2017
Time: 9.15 – 16.00
Venue: Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1YD
Cost: Free

In addition to the sessions detailed above there will also be a welcome presentation and keynote speech from a representative from The Information Commissioner’s Office between 9.45 and 10.50. The keynote will present an overview of General Data Protection Regulation, talk about what community & voluntary sector organisations should be doing now and in the future, highlight the responsibilities of staff, trustees and volunteers and signpost to available support and resources.

A networking lunch and marketplace will take place between 13.00 – 14.00. This is an opportunity to network and meet a range of support organisations.

A full programme with session descriptions and details on how to secure your place is available on the Community Works website.

Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Please note that, to enable as many organisations to have the chance to attend, places are limited to 1 person per organisation in each session, unless spaces are still available nearer the day.

For more information, assistance with booking or for accessibility get in touch with Community Works on info@bhcommunityworks.org.uk  or 01273 234023.

Information session on setting up a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) (Worthing)

27/09/2017

Is your community organisation considering adapting its legal structure as the next stage in its development? One of the options to consider is the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

This session will provide the opportunity to learn more about the CIO, including the differences between a CIO and a Community Interest Company (CIC), and how to convert to a CIO from a CIC. It is being organised by Community Works, and will be led by Tim Smith of GSFW Solicitors.

It will look at issues such as

  • what is a CIO and the requirements
  • the main reasons for choosing a CIO structure
  • reasons not to chose a CIO structure
  • association ‘v’ foundation model
  • how to go about setting up a CIO and demonstrating your charitable objectives effectively
  • what the challenges of adopting a CIO structure are
  • the process for converting to a CIO from another structure eg CIC
  • the differences between a CIO and CIC

Thursday 5th October, 18:00 – 20:30

Gordon Room, Worthing Town HallChapel Road

Worthing

BN11 1HA

The session is free to attend. You can register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/governance-briefing-legal-structures-for-small-organisations-adur-and-worthing-thursday-5-october-tickets-37273540162

Crowdfunding workshop

27/09/2017

Donation-based crowdfunding is a new way of raising funds and allows you to source money for a project by asking a large number of contributors to donate a small amount, and asking a small number of contributors to donate a large amount. In return, backers may receive token rewards that increase in prestige as the size of the donation increases.

Chuffed.org, a global crowdfunding platform, is hosting a workshop in Brighton.  The workshop will include:

  • Find your crowd (figure out who is going to support your project and why)
  • Tell a specific, inspiring story that your supporters care about
  • Set an achievable target and blow it out of the park
  • Create a marketing and promotion plan for your campaign

Tue 10 October 2017, 13:30 – 17:00
The Platform, 9 Russell Place, Brighton, BN1 2RG

The workshop costs £20 for Charities, Chuffed campaigners and Impact Hub members, and £40 for others.

For more information and to book tickets see eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chuffedorg-crowdfunding-for-social-causes-workshop-brighton-tickets-37801437116

Low-cost meeting space available in central Brighton

27/09/2017

Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage has space available to rent in its’ Brighton’s Open Market based studio (mezzanine level) between 9am-6pm throughout the year.

The space is big enough for up to 8 people, and is currently available for £6 per hour for a minimum of two hours per session.

The studio offers broadband, a disability access lift, WC, heating, tables and chairs as well as a kitchen area with microwave, sink with running hot and cold water, and kettle etc for refreshments. Refreshments can also be provided as an extra cost.

If you would like to find out more about this facility or view the space, please contact the Creative Director of Strike a Light – Arts & Heritage: strikealight@rocketmail.com / 07727006538