VAL E-Briefing 7 February 2012

What do you think about VAL's services?

The VAL Annual Survey for Voluntary and Communty Groups is an important opportunity for you to tell us;

  • what you think we are doing well and what we can improve on
  • what has been happening with your group over the past year and what support you need in the future

Findings from last year's survey have been used to shape and develop our services to you, and also in our campaign work with funders to protect communities and VCS groups from the impact of spending cuts.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey online before 24 February. All responses will be entered into a prize draw to win vouchers for your organisation.

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VAL and partners successful in Transforming Local Infrastructure fund

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire has been awarded £941,996 by the Office for Civil Society's Transforming Local Infrastructure fund. The successful bid will radically improve the support available to local community groups across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

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Policy update - Leicestershire Together challenge process

The first Leicestershire Together challenge process meeting was held on the 4 February and focused on the theme of economic growth. Voluntary Action LeicesterShire and VCS representatives attended and will continue to highlight areas where the VCS can add value to commissioning throughout the challenge process.

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More news

 

Funding & Sustainability

Healthy Heart Grant - Deadline 28/02/2012

Grants of up to £10,000 for new and innovative projects to improve heart health and to reduce risk of heart disease. Next deadline is 28 February 2012. There are only two rounds per year.

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Football Foundation - Grow the Game Deadline - 06/03/2012

This programme is offering funding of up to £5,000 to projects that increase participation by both players and volunteers within the game. Funding is for new activities. Potential applicants are advised to contact their County Football Development Officer to discuss an application.

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£100 million fund to help VCS revive neighbourhoods - Deadline 17/04/2011

Communities Minister Andrew Stunell has invited VCS organisations to apply for a share of £100million to help revitalise communities, provide opportunities for employment and training, and create more affordable houses by tackling the problem of empty homes.

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Help a Heart Grants - Deadline 20/04/2012

Healthy Hearts Grants supports innovative projects designed to promote heart health and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities by offering grants of £300 - £2,000.

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PRS for Music Foundation - Deadline 23/04/2012

Open to any individual or not-for-profit organisation whose project or programme meets their funding priorities: to support the creation and performance of outstanding new music in any genre, to develop artists to their full potential, to inspire audiences UK-wide.

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Pfizer Funding - Deadline 30/05/2012

The Pfizer UK Foundation gives £1million each year to local community projects addressing health inequalities resulting from social, economic, cultural and demographic factors.

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More funding updates

 

Training & Development

Free training – Certificate in Community Fundraising for your Volunteers

Do you have volunteers who might like to study towards a basic certificate in fundraising?

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Bidding for County Council Contracts

Date: Thursday 9 February 2012
Time: 10:00-12:00pm
Venue: Gorse Covert Community Centre, Loughborough

Find out more about how to bid successfully for County Council contracts. We still have five spaces left on this free course for voluntary groups.

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Train the Trainer (2 Day Accredited Course)

Date: Thursday 22 and 29 March 2012
Time: 9:30am - 4:00pm
Venue: Kings Centre, Wigston

Are you using more of your own staff to deliver your training? Would you like these staff to have an accreditation for the training they provide?

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Child Sexual Exploitation

New Futures are offering training courses on child sexual exploitation. The learning experience is targeted to all who are currently working with vulnerable young people both in the statutory and voluntary sector.

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More training information

 

Upcoming Events

Champions Against Violence Workshop

Date: Tuesday 6 March 2012
Time: 10.30am to 3.30pm
Venue: 73 Churchgate, Leicester, LE1 3AN

Champions Against Violence is an experiential learning programme for young people, tackling issues of bullying and domestic violence.

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Volunteering network: how to involve a more diverse range of volunteers

Date: Wednesday 22 February 2012
Time: 11am- 2.30pm
Venue: Voluntary Action LeicesterShire

VAL is holding its quarterly Volunteering Network event, providing space for Volunteer Managers and Co-ordinators to come together to reflect on practices, share learning and develop skills.

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WISE Festival of Entrepreneurship Competition

Working in Social Enterprise (WISE) is a programme of support for new and existing social enterprises and voluntary and community groups in Leicester.

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More events

 

Job Opportunities

Young Carers Youth Worker

Terms: 1 year fixed term
Salary: £20, 858 pro rata (£4,172 actual) 7 hours per week
Closing date: 24 February 2012, 5pm

Creative, dynamic and professional worker sought for an exciting project working with Young Carers in the Harborough District. Role includes co-ordinating a fortnightly evening activity group for young carers aged 11-17yrs.

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Involvement officer (Sure Start) - Blaby district, Oadby and Wigston Sure Start programme

Hours: 27 hours per week for one year
Salary: £20,000 per annum pro rata
Closing date: Friday 24 February 2012

Community Action Partnership (Leicestershire) is looking to recruit a committed person to develop and implement an involvement strategy across Blaby District, Oadby and Wigston.

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NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland News