Figures relate to Coventry and Warwickshire combined unless stated otherwise. Please contact the Observatory using the links at the foot of this page if you have any queries.

Please click on link below for the full report:

Latest news affecting the West Midlands VCS

Email: rawm@rawm.co.uk

Web: www.rawm.org.uk

Tel: 0121 237 5813

Meet the Commissioners Event

31st October 2011, BVSC Centre for Voluntary Action, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6DR

RAWM would like to invite you to attend an Inter Professional Public Health Stakeholder Event being hosted by RAWM, Learning for Public Health and BVSC.

The event will be an opportunity to meet and network with Health Commissioners and to find out more about the health commissioning process.

Third sector organisations are being encouraged to bring promotional materials/case studies/information about their organisations and the work they do that supports delivery against the wider public health agenda. (No stands).

Download the flyer [340kB, PDF] for more details about the event.

Register for a free place by completing the online booking form – places are strictly limited

New Challenges, New Chances consultation

Closing date for responses is 21st October 2011

New consultation launches setting out proposals that will promote high quality teaching and learning for adults and strengthen the skills system.

Go to the consultation website for more information.

Demonstrating value in tough times: training workshops in evaluation and Social Return on Investment

27th October 2011, GHK, 30 St Paul’s Square, Birmingham, B3 1QZ

At some point in their career nearly everyone involved in public services will hear the (often dreaded) questions: “…but was it worth it?”, and “…was it good value for money?”  In the course of their work GHK have addressed the questions of impact and value for money for commissioners / funders and providers – supporting those asking the questions and those providing the answers.

As part of this work, GHK have developed two workshops, which they are opening to a wider audience by offering them as training sessions.

Go to the RAWM events page for more information about this training.

RAWM is a registered charity no. 1083908 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England no. 3934208.

RAWM is funded by several organisations including Advantage West Midlands, Sport England, and the Department of Health.

VAC has produced a summary of the achievements of the organisation against the aims and objectives of the business plan for 2008-2011. The report highlights key activity during the period including the decision by members to rename the organisation during 2008, the subsequent rebrand and the opening of the shop unit in the City Arcade. The report details the numbers of groups in Coventry that have benefitted from funding advice and development support as well as those groups and individuals who through networks and forums have influenced decision making in the City.

To download the report click here.

Click on the categories below to view the relevant news stories:

• VAC News
• Policy News
• Training News
• Funding Advice & Group Support News
• Third Sector Assembly News
• Community Based Champions News
• Volunteering News
• Coventry Local Involvement Network (LINk) News
• Other News

If you would like to see something specific featured or have any suggestions please email your ideas to info@vacoventry.org.uk. All the information below and more can be found at www.vacoventry.org.uk. Please forward this on to other members of your organisation, or colleagues in other organisations.

Voluntary Action Coventry News

Summary of VAC achievement 2008-11
The report highlights key activity during the period including the decision by members to rename the organisation during 2008, the subsequent rebrand and the opening of the shop unit in the City Arcade.
Click here for more information

Partnership Informer Summer edition out now
Latest edition of the newsletter connecting Health and Social Care networks.
Click here for more information

Cook and Eat Well Development Fund update
From 1^st August 2011 the fund has reviewed its priorities and is now looking for projects that benefit people from 5 disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
Click here for more information

Policy News

Government consults on funding allocation options for HealthWatch
A new consultation on the options for allocating additional funding for local authorities for Local HealthWatch, NHS complaints advocacy and PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards has been published.
Click here for more information

New NHS listening exercise launched
The NHS Future Forum has launched a second listening exercise.
Click here for more information

New Compact ICI code – consultation closes 20 September
Coventry Partnership Inform, Consult & Involve Framework embedded into Coventry Compact
Click here for more information

Training News

Writing Effective Funding Applications- 7^th September 2011
Covering the key elements in funding application bid writing as well as putting policies and procedures in place.
Click here for more information

First Steps in PQASSO – Managing the Quality Process and Continuous Improvement- 22^nd September 2011
This session is aimed at groups who are implementing their chosen QAS.
Click here for more information

Trustees Roles and Responsibilities- 27^th September 2011
Covering the legalities and the responsibilities of being a trustee and managing a voluntary organisation.
Click here for more information

Funding Advice and Group Support News

Social Enterprises and PQASSO – Does it work for you?
CES have written an article in their newsletter about the PQASSO system and Social Enterprises
Click here for more information

What are the Risks of Becoming a Charity Trustee?
Anyone considering taking up the role will want to know what legal duties, responsibilities and potential liabilities are involved.
Click here for further information

Have you got the right legal structure?
Community Matters have developed a range of resources on different legal structures.
Click here for more information

VAC’s Quality Mark Experience
VAC achieved the PQASSO Quality Mark (level 2) in November 2010 and we have detailed our experience for your reference.
For further details click here

Coventry Community Games Fund
Programme aiming to help local communities in Coventry to celebrate London 2012 at grassroots level.
Click here for more information

Third Sector Assembly News

Third Sector Assembly Summit
Meeting to discuss what impact public expenditure cuts have had on the voluntary and community sector and vulnerable people in Coventry so far.
Click here for more information

Take Part
Information on new Government initiatives that are of particular interest to the voluntary and community sector can now be viewed via the number 10 website.
Click here for more information

Community Based Champions News

Community Health Fair- 22^nd September 2011
In partnership with NHS Coventry and Queens Road Baptist Church, the aim of the event is to bring health and social care providers and communities together.
Click here for more information

Volunteering News

V release evaluation report of the impact of the project nationally
Voluntary Action Coventry worked with v to lead on the vinvolved project in Coventry.
Click here for more information

Coventry Local Involvement Network (LINk) News

HealthWatch Pathfinder Success
Coventry has been successful in its application to be a HealthWatch Pathfinder
Click here for more information

Feedback on Coventry LINk
LINk has launched an online survey asking for feedback on Coventry LINk’s approach and work.
Click here for more information

Government consults on funding allocation options for HealthWatch
A new consultation on the options for allocating additional funding for local authorities for Local HealthWatch, NHS complaints advocacy and PCT Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards has been published.
Click here for more information

Next LINk work programme out for comment
Coventry LINk recently held its annual work planning session to consider the different suggestions and intelligence LINk receives regarding areas LINk could look at in its work programme.
Click here for more information

Kidney dialysis patient transport
LINk has received a second response from NHS Coventry to recommendations for the improvement of patient transport for renal patients.
Click here for more information

Other News

Healthy Living Collaborative: Communication Skills Workshop
Workshop designed for carers to be able to recognize both good and bad practices when communicating with users of their services and their families/carers.
Click here for more information

Take-A-Break Warwickshire launch their new website
Take a look at the new website for information and the latest news.
Click here for more information

Regional Voices Update
Regional Voices feeds “voice” from the voluntary sector, and its beneficiaries, across England, into policy makers around health and social care.
Click here for more information

Urban Forum’s popular magazine is now online!
The first issue of Infomail in its new format is out now.
Click here for more information

Sahil Project Update
Sahil is supporting various activities such as support groups, befriending, drop-in advice, information and advocacy services
Click here for more information

International Day of Disabled People
The Council of Disabled People are celebrating International Day of Disabled People, on Thursday 1st of December at St Peters Centre

Click here for more information

Coventry Community Games Fund
Programme aiming to help local communities in Coventry to celebrate London 2012 at grassroots level.
Click here for more information

Home

FREE Family Disco for Children with Disabilities & their Families
1st Saturday of every month starting Saturday October 1st 2011
Click here for more information

Women’s Annual Health & Social Event Friday 23rd September 2011

The aim of the evening is to encourage and bring women from all backgrounds together, to access a fun packed evening of information, entertainment and food.
Click here for more information

Godiva Sisters 2011 Celebration event
The Godiva Sisters project celebrates the lives of women regarded as heroines in their own cultural, ethnic or religious traditions, but not well known in the wider community.
Click here for more information

Give your views on crime, policing and public safety at ‘Your opinion matters’
Your Opinion Matters roadshow with West Midlands Police and Coventry Community Safety Partnership on Thursday 22^nd September 2011.
Click here for more information

We love to hear from you. Please send us your updates and we can include them in our e-bulletin and post them on our website.
Please send your updates to info@vacoventry.org.uk to feature in the next e-bulletin.

Are you using the new Compact codes? Click here for all Coventry’s Compact materials

The views expressed in this e-bulletin are not necessarily those of Voluntary Action Coventry.
We cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or consequences arising there from – readers are advised to check important information at source.

Articles are welcome – we reserve the right to refuse or edit any copy.

Since the change in government since our last conference and with all that is going on in the economy at the moment, our selection of speakers are well worth hearing as each one will give their expert views on what lies ahead –

Conference sponsor, Tony Whitehorn, Managing Director, Hyundai UK

Tom Vosa, Chief Economist, Yorkshire Bank

David Frost CBE

The Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, Secretary of State for Environment

Sir Peter Rigby, CEO, Specialist Computer Holdings plc

Madeleine Atkins, Vice-Chancellor, Coventry University

To book your place at this event please click here

All paying attendees will receive a signed copy of Lord Digby Jones Book – “Fixing Britain”

]]> http://recruitmentnetwork.org.uk/2011/09/06/economic-and-business-conference/feed/ 0 rach2202 http://recruitmentnetwork.org.uk/2011/08/31/the-age-and-employment-network/ http://recruitmentnetwork.org.uk/2011/08/31/the-age-and-employment-network/#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:16:21 +0000 rach2202 http://recruitmentnetwork.org.uk/?p=2457 ]]> 50+ Matters Supporting European Social Fund programmes involving older workers August 2011 | Issue 26

To support the growth of Higher Apprenticeships, the Government have announced £25million of additional funding. The funding will be used to support a whole range of activities, including initiatives to support small to medium size employers take on more Higher apprentices.

Further information including the Higher Apprenticeship Fund Prospectus and funding application information is available on BRAVO. Please note that if this is your first time using BRAVO, you will need to register on the system before being able to apply for the funding.

Access BRAVO (prospectus and application form will be available shortly) »
Alternatively, you can also download the Prospectus and Application form below;

View/download the Higher Apprenticeship Fund Prospectus (PDF 850kb) »

View/download the Higher Apprenticeship Fund Application Form (Word 103kb) »

• The Coventry De Vere Academy of Hospitality will be the 6^th Academy the De Vere Group has set up. The other academies are based in Milton Keynes, Stockport  Crewe, Liverpool & London

• The Coventry Academy will be launched in October 2011
  ·       It will offer 160 Chef apprenticeships over 12 months (lasting for 4 months) and 320 Customer Service/Hospitality Personnel over 12 months (lasting for 3 months)

• The learners work towards gaining a work-based qualifications: Intermediate Apprenticeship in Customer Service or in Professional Cookery

• The apprenticeship wage will be approx £104 per week
  ·       The age range is aimed at 16 – 24 year olds
  ·       Their funding stream will attract 85% of apprenticeship for 16-18 year olds and 15% of apprenticeships for 19- 24 year olds.

• The 3 and 4 month apprenticeships will be delivered on a rolling program. Chef positions will incorporate a placement activity as it is a longer duration

• Current results from the 5 other academies are as follows:-

ü       100% of students completing the course achieve the full level 2 qualification ( 85% complete the course)
ü       15% of candidates secure full time employment with De Vere Group
ü       38% secure a permanent position with De Vere’s competitors or other hospitality organisation
ü       14% move to further education
ü       5% move into permanent work outside the hospitality industry
ü       28% of candidates continue to work with De Vere advisors over the next 6 months to sue their new skills & qualification to find permanent work

Click here to view the Apprenticeship Opportunities

London 2012 is coming to Coventry….  Be Part of it!

Coventry Community Games is a grants programme aiming to help local communities in Coventry to celebrate London 2012 at grassroots level.   Click here for further information 

If you are interested in the fund please visit www.coventry.gov.uk/coventrycommunitygamesfund 

*Please note that unfortumately schools are not eligible to apply for this fund

This summer WMEN will be running a series of workshops designed to help you apply for European funding and, once you’ve secured your funding, to manage it successfully.  Based on feedback from members, workshops have been planned for Birmingham, Black Country and Stoke.  Each workshop will address a different aspect of managing of European funding, from writing successful bids and requirements for record keeping to planning your succession strategy.  Please find a list of workshops below. For full details and to access the booking form please click here  

!!THE DEADLINE FOR BOOKINGS IS 15TH JULY!!

Writing Better Bids

With scarce resources it is important to be able to write high quality funding bids. This workshop will help you to understand what is required when putting your proposal together.

General EU Record Keeping

This workshop is an introduction to managing EU projects and will help you identify which records to keep and how they should be presented.

EU Record Keeping for Audit

This workshop will help you understand who audits your project for ERDF and why.

Succession Planning

Succession planning is a vital part of a healthy effective organisation and this workshop will help you to look to the future and plan accordingly.

If you any have queries contact Sian McClure, Membership Development Officer, sian@wmeuronet.org