CCVS

Learn new skills as a springboard for employment

Posted on: April 23rd, 2013 by CCVS Admin

Colchester Community Voluntary Services is pleased to be offering FREE training courses in Health and Safety, Food Safety, Emergency Life Support and many other areas of self-development.

The Neighbourhood Fund Training Programme 2013 is funded by the Skills Funding Agency and aims to equip people with useful qualifications to help them boost their skills to find employment or adopt voluntary roles in their communities.

Colchester Community Voluntary Services has been enlisted to deliver these courses for the sixth year in a row.

Learners often express a huge sense of reward after taking part in these courses, as you can see from the mixture of anonymous responses below:

-       The tutor was sympathetic and made learning fun.
-       Most of us felt a real sense of comradeship through working as a team.
-       Self-confidence grew.
-       The courses were a good foundation for further personal development. Very enjoyable – I learnt a lot.
-       The lecturer was very good and informative.”

The following courses are planned for May:

Health and Safety for Volunteers
Winsley’s House, Thursday, May 16^th, between 9.30am and 4pm.

This course is aimed at volunteers, to make them aware of key health and safety issues and the part they can play in keeping themselves and others free from harm in the work place, at events and when assessing risks.

Good Governance and Financial Management

Winsley’s House, Thursday, May 23^rd, between 9.30am and 4pm.

This full day course has been designed to explore the roles and responsibilities of committee members, as well as budgeting and reporting of finances to the management committee. The session is suitable for people who are already trustees or committee members and people who are thinking about becoming trustees or committee members.

CCVS also organises tailor made courses to meet the needs of different people and voluntary organisations.

The training programmes are available free of charge to anyone who is over 19 years of age; has fewer than 5 GCSE’s or O levels (A-C); or less than an NVQ2 qualification and is EITHER unemployed OR has not attended any college, University or Neighbourhood Fund courses in the last three years.

Spaces are also available to ineligible candidates at a cost of £15 for a half day course or £30 for a full day course.

To find out more, please contact the CCVS main office on: 01206 505250, or email: information@ccvs.org.

CCVS Volunteer Celebration Lunch and AGM

Posted on: April 19th, 2013 by CCVS Admin

Come and join us at our annual CCVS Volunteer Celebration Lunch and AGM, which is an ideal place to network and catch-up on a number of achievements over the last year.

It will take place at:

Moot Hall, Town Hall, Colchester

Wednesday 5th June, 2013

10.30 am – 2.00 pm

Please find below a letter of invitation and booking form for the event.

Invitation letter 2013

booking form 2013

If any staff and volunteers from your organisation would like to join us to take this opportunity to acknowledge the importance of volunteering, please complete the attached form.

If you have any questions, please contact us at information@ccvs.org or call 01206 505250.

New Funding available for Anglia to become Heart Healthy

Posted on: April 19th, 2013 by CCVS Admin

Communities in Anglia are being encouraged to apply for new funding for projects that aim to improve heart health by helping people to be fitter and healthier.

Heart Research UK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grants are being run by national heart charity, Heart Research UK, and are the result of a partnership between the charity and the high street sandwich brand. Money for the grants has been raised through in-store fundraising across SUBWAY® stores in Anglia, and organisations have between 1 May and 31 May to apply for this funding.

Funding of up to £10,000 is available for community groups across Anglia for original, innovative projects that promote heart health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Projects can address a variety of issues like healthy eating, physical activity and smoking cessation but the key focus must be heart health.

Barbara Harpham, National Director at Heart Research UK, says: “The aim of our partnership with the SUBWAY® brand is to encourage people to make good healthy choices and give practical help in living healthier lifestyles. This funding will help even more people learn how to look after their heart health and lead healthier, happier, longer lives. It’s great that so many customers and staff have raised the money to get this up and running. Thanks to everyone who has made these grants possible. Apply now.”

Manaaz Akhtar, Head of Marketing for the SUBWAY® brand in the UK and Ireland, says: “The SUBWAY® brand is delighted that through our partnership with Heart Research UK this funding is now available. SUBWAY® stores in the region have enjoyed fundraising and combined with money generously donated by our customers in store, we’re proud to be able to offer this grant in Anglia.

“We have worked hard to spread the Healthy Heart message through SUBWAY® stores and to be able to take this to the next level by supporting community projects that also place heart health at the top of their agenda, is wonderful. We really appreciate the fact that this initiative reaches out to people from all walks of life, in all manner of ways, to help improve lifestyles and educate people on keeping their hearts healthy.”

To find out if you are located in SUBWAY®’s Anglia region and would like to apply for the HRUK and SUBWAY® Healthy Heart Grant visit
www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants/subwayhhg to download application materials.

The deadline for applying is 31 May 2013.

Helping the third sector to thrive with sustainable business skills

Posted on: April 19th, 2013 by CCVS Admin

Anglia Ruskin University’s specialist course in Charity and Social Enterprise Management is one of the best ways to develop a solid base from which to build a long-term sustainable organisation.

Whether you have years of experience or are new to the sector, you can join hundreds of colleagues already benefiting from this ground-breaking course.

The Cert HE in Charity and Social Enterprise Management can be studied entirely online and with optional workshops in Cambridge, Chelmsford or Manchester. Through this two-year course you will learn key skills for managing a third sector organisation, including Leadership & Management, Marketing, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Social Impact Measurement and much more.

Perhaps the secret to the course’s popularity is the way it focuses on real life issues. “No one starts work in the third sector because they want to take up business planning or write a marketing strategy – but when they move into management they are expected to do just that,” says Course Leader Andy Brady. “Our course aims to provide the right blend of cutting edge theory and practical application, benefitting individuals and organisations working in the sector.”

Milly Gaskin from Leading Lives says “The timing of the course has been perfect. We have really benefitted from the specialist support that Anglia Ruskin has provided, as well as the chance to meet people from other organisations who are facing similar challenges. We have now left local authority control and established Leading Lives as a co-operative employing 450 people. We have a very clear Vision and Mission, branding, a business plan and we know how to manage our finances, so we are confident about the future. The Cert HE Charity and Social Enterprise Management has been crucial in helping us achieve that.”

As the third sector continues to evolve, management skills will become increasingly important for organisations, their employees and stakeholders. So now could be a very good time to develop your skills with a university course.

Whether studying online or at our workshops, students are supported by Anglia Ruskin’s specialist team of tutors and support staff.

For more information on the course, please call 0845 196 6707 or visit www.anglia.ac.uk/3rdsector.

CCVS Gazette story about funding boost

Posted on: April 15th, 2013 by CCVS Admin

An article appeared in the Colchester Gazette on Monday, April 15th, which we need to expand upon because it is factually inaccurate in regards to some of its technical detail – such as the statement about CCVS supporting Southend Borough Council with its Essential Living Fund.

In the fourth paragraph of the story, it states: “A further £46,000 will go into helping people access Southend Borough Council’s Essential Living Fund, which offers items, such as furniture or white goods, to families in crisis.”

We would like to make it clear that our Community Accounts Service, an Essex-wide service provider, has been awarded this money solely so that we can provide back-office support to process the claims and invoices for Voluntary Sector organisations across Essex.

We will not be supporting Southend Borough Council with the delivery of frontline services and our involvement is to ensure that people who find themselves in crisis are able to access what they need immediately.

In the second paragraph of the Gazette article, it mentions that Colchester Community Voluntary Services has been awarded £45,000 to buy a new mini-bus for elderly, infirm or socially isolated people. We would like to clarify that some of this money will also be used to create an administrative booking system, which will make it easier in the future for us to manage trips made by people in the area who are unable to access public transport.

Over the last few years, we have experienced a growing need to provide transport for people living in isolated areas, so that they can visit friends; go shopping; join their peers on excursions and attend important doctor/hospital appointments. This funding is very important because it will enable us to manage the delivery of this growing service.

Finally, not all of these funds have been awarded by Essex County Council. In regards to our Time Bank project, over the last year £10,000 has been awarded to us from Timebanking U.K. and £40,000 has been awarded to CCVS by the Department of Health, through their Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund, which has enabled us to expand the scheme.

Recently, an additional £50,000 has been proposed to CCVS to roll out our Time Bank initiative throughout other areas of Essex, depending on the approval of a forthcoming delivery model.

Additionally, CCVS has been awarded £20,000 by Colchester Borough Council’s Youth Strategy Fund to set up a new Youth Time Bank in the Colchester area.

We are grateful for the Gazette’s support for the community and voluntary sector, but we considered it was important that we correct and expand upon the information that was reported in the paper today. This is to make it clear that the services we are going to provide and are facilitating are on behalf of our growing membership and the citizens of The Borough of Colchester.

Thank you to all who attended Safer Future Communities Event

Posted on: March 1st, 2013 by CCVS Admin

On Tuesday 26th February, more than 50 voluntary and community groups, a number of County, Unitary and District councillors, as well as Police Authority representatives gathered at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester.

All took part in the ‘Safer Future Communities Event’ which was designed to enable people from across Essex, Southend and Thurrock to talk about community safety and identify how organisations, the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Police Authority can work together for an improved future.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Nick Alston was present, providing a key note speech alongside Jess Mullen from national charity Clinks (which supports organisations working with offenders) and Paul Warren, Chair of Safer Essex, a partnership of organisations working to improve community safety in the county.

In additon, all attendees took part in workshops discussing three themes:

Addressing the causes of crime
Engagement within communities to improve community safety
Victims of crime

The day was characterised by lively discussion and partnership building between organisations. A report will be issued highlighting information gathered and outcomes achieved.

The organisers would like to thank all who attended and participated, contributing to the success of the event.

In additon, all organisations with an interest in community safety in Essex are advised to read the Draft Police and Crime Plan dated 21/02/2013 The plan can currently be viewed online at:

http://www.essex.pcc.police.uk/scrunity/pcc-publications/

The plan will be adopted at the end of March but is still open for consultation.

Call out for charities to meet potential new funders

Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by CCVS Admin

Voluntary and community organisations in Colchester have been invited to meet funders face-to-face, so they can find out about local funding opportunities.

Speakers from The BIG Lottery Fund, Colne Housing and Job Centre Plus, are looking forward to meeting local groups at the Fundraiser’s Network Group on February 28^th, which will be held at the Salvation Army HQ on Butt Road in Colchester. The meeting will begin at 8.30am.

Organised by Colchester Community Voluntary Services, this event is open to non-profit groups working in the Colchester Borough. The speakers will explain how applicants can put together strong funding bids, which could enable them to achieve their long-term goals.

In the past, many groups have submitted successful applications following these meetings, which have allowed them to deliver community services to local people.

The BIG Lottery Fund operates a number of funding streams, supporting small and large projects, one-off initiatives and running costs. Colne Housing’s Community Builder’s scheme favours pilot projects that can eventually go on to be self-sustainable in the future. A representative from Job Centre Plus will talk about how voluntary and community groups can link up with the statutory sector, to support people into paid employment.

A speaker from the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre will also provide a presentation on the day about how the Centre attracted funding from a number of different sources last year, offering peer support to those present.

Since the therapy centre opened it last year, it has helped over 80 MS sufferers to stand-up for the first time, walk further than ever before and feel much more independent at home.

If you or a representative from your organisation would like to attend the Fundraiser’s Network Group meeting, please contact Colchester Community Voluntary Services on 01206 505250, or email: information@ccvs.org.

Essex County Council Community Computing Scheme

Posted on: January 18th, 2013 by CCVS Admin

As part of a Modernisation Programme Essex County Council are replacing most of its ICT user equipment (laptops and PCs) with newer devices that meet the council’s business needs. As a result we are disposing of a large number of old devices, some of which can be re-used by voluntary bodies once all data has been cleansed they have been refurbished and charity licenced software loaded ready for re-use, all at no additional cost to the Council.

The scheme offers the opportunity to support our voluntary bodies through the use of equipment which is still very much in demand for social and general lighter use than that required in a business environment. Examples include pre and after school clubs, older people’s schemes for ICT literacy, digital access for those currently excluded and access to the Internet through local groups.

A number of charities have been identified to have existing links with Essex County Council and have been invited to apply for Community Computers. On fulfilling the requests received, the scheme will be opened up to all charities in Essex.

Information Services has established a Community Computing website under the Essex County Council web presence. It hosts all information about the scheme, type of equipment and documentation. Voluntary sector organisations will be able to make requests for computers by way of a web form and a generic email address, community.computing@essex.gov.uk, will be published for enquiries. The scheme offers the opportunity to request up to a maximum 5 PC’s.

Desktops and laptops over 4 years old and out of warranty are managed through the disposal process and wiped to an approved UK government security standard to ensure no data is compromised. The PCs are then refurbished and rebuilt with an operating system, antivirus and an office suite of applications, ensuring there is no cost to the council.

This commitment will also be very useful in building community resilience through supporting local service provision in a far more cost efficient way than funding the purchase of new ICT equipment.

For more information please visit: http://www.essex.gov.uk/Business-Partners/Partners/Community-Computing/Pages/Default.aspx

Essex Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (EACVS) welcomes the Police and Crime Commissioner to voluntary sector event

Posted on: January 18th, 2013 by CCVS Admin

On Tuesday 26th February 2013, charities, social enterprises, voluntary and community groups and representatives from statutory agencies from across Essex will be gathering at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester to talk about community safety and identify how organisations and the local police authority can work together for an improved future.

Our newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner, Nick Alston will be present and will address the audience. Appointed by the public in November, Nick Alston has cited partnership and cooperation as a priority for Essex whilst openly referencing the role that the voluntary and community sector can play in this.

Representatives from several voluntary and community groups, including Essex Offender Services, Clinks and Chelmsford and Colchester YMCA will be present to help lead discussion on key issues of community safety and what more could be done.

There will also be an exhibition and workshops designed to link organisations, whilst identifying key concerns for the future as well as ways in which groups can work together to address them.

The ‘Safer Future Communities Stakeholder Event’ begins at 9.30 am and runs until 1.30 pm. Voluntary and Community groups, as well as statutory sector representatives are invited to attend. To book your free place, please contact Colchester Community Voluntary Services who are co-ordinating bookings on behalf of EACVS. Call 01206 505250 or email information@ccvs.org for further information.

Update – Advice Services Transition Fund

Posted on: January 8th, 2013 by CCVS Admin

Further to our survey duringDecember 2012, we have received enquiries from a number of organisations interested in becoming partners in an application to the Advice Services Transition Fund.

The fund is being administered by the BIG Lottery Fund and has been created to support transformation of advice services in local authority areas.

We would like to thank everyone who has replied and highlighted gaps in service provision, needs within the community and how they believe a partnership approach may improve access to information, produce positive outcomes and create sustainability.

We would invited all potential partners to a meeting on the 8^th January at the Friends Meeting House. The meeting was very positive and thought provoking. We are now asking all potential partners to provide us with more information to begin to frame the bid and formalise the partnership. The questionnaire was issued by email and included questions, such as:

What gaps are there in advice provision in Colchester?
How do you know this?
Who have you consulted with?
Do you have any statistics to support this?
What advice services do you currently provide?
What can you bring to a partnership?
What are your organisations strengths?

A lead organisation was established at the meeting but all partners will be asked to respond to the following questions by Friday 11^th January in order to be eligible for involvement in the partnership bid. Contributions will then be reviewed ahead of formulation of the bid for the 28^th January deadline by the lead organisation. All organisations that submit information will be contacted regarding status of the bid and their role relating to any delivery.

Please contact information@ccvs.org or call 01206 505250 to receive a full copy of the questionnaire.

Learn new skills as a springboard for employment

CCVS Volunteer Celebration Lunch and AGM

New Funding available for Anglia to become Heart Healthy

Helping the third sector to thrive with sustainable business skills

CCVS Gazette story about funding boost

Thank you to all who attended Safer Future Communities Event

Call out for charities to meet potential new funders

Essex County Council Community Computing Scheme

Essex Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (EACVS) welcomes the Police and Crime Commissioner to voluntary sector event

Update – Advice Services Transition Fund

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