GET INVOLVED - Shropshire Day for Older People. In celebration of UK Day for Older People, older people, their families and friends are invited to come along and join in the exciting range of activities at our events. Wednesday 8th October at the Shrewsbury Sports Village Sundorn, Shrewsbury & Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Wednesday 22nd October 08 both events will run from 10am - 3pm, for more information click here

GET QUALIFIED IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - AT FIRCROFT COLLEGE

The NOCN Certificate in Community Development at Fircroft College has been developed for anyone who is directly engaged, or is becoming engaged, in community development work.

Midweek programmes start 3rd November 2008, week-end programmes start 23rd January 2009. To download the flyer click here

LAWWORKS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

A project of national charity, the Solicitors Pro Bono Group, operating under the LawWorks name was set up 6 years ago to match small not-for-profit organisations, including social enterprises, in need of free legal advice with a network of volunteer lawyers. To date we have helped around 1000 organisations receive free advice in all areas of law including company law, employment, property law and intellectual property. Over 80 law firms and companies participate in this national scheme and we regularly evaluate the project to make sure we provide an efficient service. For more information click here

HEART START TRAINING

Thursday 13th November 10.30am - 12.30pm Click here to download flyer

CIVIL SERVICE BENEVOLENT FUND PRESS RELEASE

Do you know of anyone affected by the flooding ? CSBF can provide help and free financial assistance to current and former Civil Servants throughout the U.K, that may be in difficulty at this time. Click here for press release, or visit their website www.csbf.org.uk

CHURCH STRETTON FOOD FAYRE SUCCESS

The 2008 Church Stretton Food Fayre is over for another year and it was another successful event . Read more by clicking here Important Press Release from Church Stretton Food Fayre click here. For press release from Church Stretton Town Council click here

LEGAL ISSUES FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE - 3rd, 10th & 17th October 08

To be held at the Bishop Mascall Centre, Ludlow. For more information click here

SHROPSHIRE VCS ASSEMBLY AUGUST 2008 NEWSLETTER

To download their latest newsletter click here

EMPLOYMENT LAW BREAKFAST BRIEFING - TUESDAY 21st OCTOBER - BIRMINGHAM

For more information click here

NATIONAL COMPACT WEEK - WEDNESDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2008

For more details and booking form click here

FIRCROFT COLLEGE OF ADULT EDUCATION - Preparing to Teach the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)

PTLLS is a new course at Fircroft College, developed in conjunction with the University of Warwick. It will be delivered in two parts both of which will run over four days. First part starting Monday 20th October. Click here for more information, or to visit Fircroft College website www.fircroft.ac.uk

A4U Welfare Benefits Service

A4U formerly DIAL Shropshire., Telford & Wrekin offers a specialist service in benefits law, click here for more details

Training sessions for voluntary and community organisations

Digbeth Trust are holding a series of training sessions specifically designed for small voluntary and community organisations.

Are you confused by legal structures and governance issues?

Want to manage and plan your services more efficiently?

Do you want to improve the health of your organisation and its fundraising ability?

If your answer to any of these is ‘yes’ our training programme can help.

We are running a series of half-day training sessions from October to December 2008 focusing on

a number of key areas of organisational management.

All sessions start from £45.00 per half-day session (including lunch), with concessions for very small organisations; and are user-friendly with follow-up advice and support offered in the topics covered. For more information click here.

Village by Village need more men to volunteer !!

International development charity is looking for men to make a meaningful contribution and come out to Africa on..... 18th Oct 08. Only £850 to fund raise.
So far we have had a great response from women but sadly the lads have let the side down.

Do you know any real men? We need 20 young male turks to step up and come to Africa to build, coach sports and generally be manly in the sun whilst being surrounded by women!

We are asking for volunteers to spend two or four weeks in remote rural villages in Ghana, West Africa. 100% of the money they raise goes directly to the charity. This is an experience of a life time and an opportunity that should not be missed please contact Neil on on 07887 8700 90.

Village by Village, The Old Sweet Shop, Teme Street, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire WR15 8BB Tel: 0845 057 3014 website

Business Planning - Wednesday 26th November 2008

For more details download flyer here

Funding Applications - Tuesday 14th October 2008

For more details download flyer here

First Aid - 4 day course, November 2008

For more information download flyer here.

Looking for funding of up to £500 for community Projects?

Marches Housing and Charitable Trust has a ‘community purse’ which can fund small projects that help people to be socially or economically active. For more details click here.

Knit 'n' Natter Ludlow

The Knit 'n' Natter group will be held in South Shropshire Voluntary Actions office the last Wednesday of each month between 6.00pm - 8.00pm. Everyone welcome. For more details contact: Lynda Lynne on 01584 877756 or Gloria Thomas on 01584 872207 or email: lyndalynne@ssva.org.uk

Gift Aid Seminar coming soon

To register your interest contact Linda Monteith Tel: 01584 877756 or email: lindamonteith@ssva.org.uk

ACEVO Events

ACEVO organise events & Professional Development Courses for third sector organisations throughout the year, they organize events all over the UK, and are current hosting a few events around the WEST MIDLANDS REGION.

Acevo is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations. They connect, develop and represent the third sector's leaders and have over 2000 members. They have been providing support and advice to their members for 20 years.

If you want to read more and book online please visit: : www.acevo.org.uk

Contact: Daisy Bermudez, Events and PD Assistant Tel: 0845 345 8497 Email: daisy.bermudez@acevo.org.uk

Switchboard: 0845 345 8481 Fax: 0845 345 8482 ACEVO, 1 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1NU

Courses at Fircroft College

Fircroft College in Birmingham is an adult education provider recently rated ‘OUTSTANDING’ in all areas by Ofsted. Based in a former Cadbury family home set in 6 acres of gardens, Fircroft College offers a unique learning experience in attractive and peaceful surroundings. There are over 150 different short courses to choose from, many of which are aimed at the voluntary and community sectors. For the latest courses visit their website click on the link www.fircroft.ac.uk

Developing Health and Health Care brief - a strategy for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

The latest edition of our “Developing Health and Health Care” briefing provides an overview of the regional report and directs readers to further information from our website at www.ournhsinshropshireandtelford.nhs.uk.

This briefing is issued on behalf of Telford and Wrekin PCT, Shropshire County PCT, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopedic and District Hospital NHS Trust and The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

Ludlow Cycling Support Group Autumn events

Click here to download the events which have been organised for the autumn.

Funding Lunch was a great success

Compliments came flooding in after a very successful event held in conjunction with Herefordshire Voluntary Action on Wednesday 16th April 2008 at The Salwey Arms, Woofferton. 62 people from South Shropshire and North Herefordshire listened to talks from Heritage Lottery Fund, Nexus and Awards for All, and also from Jean Jarvis the new Social Enterprise Ambassador for the West Midlands.

tART, Transport for Art

This is an exciting new project that will enable more people to experience and enjoy a wide range of arts events throughout Bridgnorth and South Shropshire Districts. To read more click here

New Finance Support Service from SSVA

SSVA have set up a Finance Support Service to help individuals, groups or organisations to manage their finances better.

We are offering:

Tailor made sessions for individuals, groups or organisations in receipt of monies,
Help set up basic budgeting systems, to meet the needs of the group/organisation /individual.
Support for Treasurers with the production of a toolkit and other practical materials.
Written, CD & Website material explaining clearly and simply how to prepare for year-end and, how to manage your grant and where to go for help.
Payroll Service.
Full Cost Recovery Guidance

For further details contactLynda Lynne - Finance Support Officer for SSVA Tel: 01584 988856

NSVA Volunteer Management Training 2008

The Shropshire CVS partnership have organised FREE one-day workshops in Shrewsbury for community groups, voluntary organisations and public sector bodies, from across the county interested in Good Volunteer Management. Click here to download Training Programme and here for the booking form.

Hearing Loop available for hire

South Shropshire Access Group has kindly offered to loan out their portable hearing loop and 5 neck loop receivers. Any group can loan this equipment when they want to hold a public meeting. The Access Group is asking for a voluntary contribution towards admin costs when you hire out this equipment. To hire this equipment call SSVA on 01584 877756.

Food Hygiene Training Course for Food Handlers

13th January 2009, Advantage West Midlands office on the Ludlow Eco Park 9.30am – 4pm.

This is an accredited course for anyone who handles food and provides catering Services either professionally or in the voluntary and community sector. The course is delivered to local voluntary and community groups and small businesses. For members - £ 44.50 non members - £49.50. Telephone Linda Monteith 01584 877756.

CAB NEW NUMBER, ONE NUMBER – ONE COMMUNITY - 08444 99 11 00

Citizens Advice Shropshire (CAS) will be launching its new telephone advice line on 10 September 2007.

The four Citizens Advice Bureaux currently under the CAS umbrella (North Shropshire, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and South Shropshire) will all be linked with a new telephone system and one number: 08444 99 11 00. Bridgnorth CAB will also be joining CAS within the next few months.

Liz Warren, Director of CAS, is delighted with the new arrangements which will contribute to the organisation’s ongoing work to improve access to the CAB service in Shropshire.

“We have already expanded our service to include advice via Webcam in Cleobury Mortimer and Llanymynech, and a kiosk in Wem library as well as the more well-known face-to-face advice at our Bureaux and outreaches together with self help information from www.adviceguide.org.uk

The new CAS website www.citizensadviceshropshire.org will also come online soon. The new phone number is the icing on the cake which we hope will enable clients to get hold of us even quicker and easier.”

Citizens Advice is currently looking for new volunteers, particularly people willing to train as advisers, although there are also opportunities in administration. Anyone interested is welcome to spend a morning in one of the Bureaux before deciding whether to apply. Please contact Cris Willis on 07910 872592 for further details.

The Management Board is also seeking an Honorary Treasurer to give strategic financial advice and help with business planning.

Environmental Funding Guide

This Environmental Funding Guide has been produced by the Environment Ambition Group of the South Shropshire Partnership to assist local environmental groups in their work. There are direct links from the document to the relevant funding source website, just hover over the web address and left click the mouse.

If you would like a paper copy or you have any feedback on the list, please contact Lisa Bedford on 01584 813181 or e-mail lisa.bedford@southshropshire.gov.uk .

Funding information sheets

Download Funding information sheets here: Funding checklist; What makes a good application; Getting started; Putting together a budget and Funding factsheet - general

South Shropshire Compact

Click here to see the South Shropshire Compact with the Voluntary & Community Sector - October 2006.

Organisations who provide CRB Checks

Homeless in Oswestry Action Partnership (HOAP) offer a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure Umbrella Service. The cost of registration is £25, Volunteer Disclosure Check £5, Standard Employee Disclosure Check £36 and Enhanced Employee Disclosure Check £41. If you are interested in accessing the service please contact Vicky Huelin at HOAP either by phone 01692 679817, email vickhuelin@hoap.org.uk or from Centre North West, Oak Street, Oswestry SY11 1LW.

South Shropshire Housing Association, The Gateway, Craven Arms Tel: 01588 676257.

Shrewsbury Voluntary Action Tel: 01743 341700

Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trust, West Lodge, Shelton Hospital Tel: 01743 492219

Main CRB Office - 0870 90 90 811

OPTIONS (Ludlow) Pregnancy Crisis Centre

Unexpectedly Pregnant? Need to talk to an impartial friend? Then call Options on FREEPHONE: 0800 848 8024 or call into their centre at: Wesley Mews, Broad Street, Ludlow SY8 1NH. Mondays 3 - 5pm or Thursday 7 - 9pm and speak in confidence to one of their trained advisors. Free pregnancy testing also available.

Grantfinder Programme

The Grantfinder programme is available at the SSVA office for any group/club/project looking for grants/funds. Please contact SSVA to make an appointment to use it in our office or download a Grant Finder Form post or email the completed form to us and we will do the search for you.

Guide to: Volunteers and the Law

Volunteer Centre South Shropshire has available for loan a copy of the new book "Volunteers and the Law" by Mark Restall and produced by Volunteering England. It is a comprehensive guide to the legal considerations involved when using volunteers within your organisation.

South Shropshire Care Information Provider - Health & Care Information

Do you want to know....

- where your nearest NHS densits is?

- if there is a local cancer support group?

- where you can find a counsellor?

We can help you by. ...

- finding up to date information on health & care issues

- dealing with your enquiries by telephone

- providing training for you and your colleagues on how to use the "Community Directory" on the Shropshire County Councils website www.shropshire.gov.uk/community.nsf where you will find a host of information on groups and clubs in your area, care information and national telephone helplines. If you know of a group or club which is not on the site and you feel should be, please let me know.

The South Shropshire Care Information Provider (SSCIP) also covers the Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury area and is based in the SSVA office in Ludlow contact:

Elaine Duggan Tel: 01584 877756 or email: elaineduggan@ssva.org.uk

Shropshire Care Information Providers are based in three locations around the county the other contact numbers are: Oswestry (OSCIP) : 01691 656882; North Shropshire (NORSCIP) : 01948 667650

South Shropshire Domestic Violence Network

South Shropshire Domestic Violence Network meets approximately every other month at The Rockspring Community Centre, and is open to anyone interested in attending. Contact The Chair, PC David Coffey Tel: 08457 444888 or Claire Jackson at the Multi Agency Team Tel: 01743 251470

South Shropshire Voluntary Action

Useful Links

News

UK DAY FOR OLDER PEOPLE - SHREWSBURY - 8th OCTOBER 08