FUNDING

Coalfields Communities Level 2

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has announced that its level two grants programme is now closed to further applications due to demand. Grants of up to £5,000 are still available through the Trust’s Level 1 grants programme. 

www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/englandgrantinformation/default.asp

Source: FINE

First Light works with young people from all over the UK to develop filmmaking skills has teamed up with YouTube to give young people aged 18-25 the opportunity to win £1,000 towards future filmmaking projects. 

First Light are asking for submissions of short films, 3 minutes or under, that could be described as ‘digitally innovative’. Films submitted will be judged by YouTube and the three shortlisted filmmakers will be invited to attend the First Light Awards where the winner will be announced. 

For more information and to apply visit www.firstlightonline.co.uk/news/youtube-digital-innovation-award/

Eaga Charitable Trust supports projects that promote a better understanding of fuel poverty and more effective means of tackling it. This includes understanding the causes of fuel poverty, how to prevent it and which groups are most likely to suffer fuel poverty. It also includes how best to target assistance to those in fuel poverty or at risk of it.

They do not support physical energy efficiency measures but they can fund evaluation and promotion of targeted energy efficiency strategies.

As well as funding work that fits their general programme, in 2012 the Trust will also be prioritising applications which address one or more of the following themes:

• Fuel poverty and disability
• Fuel poverty and young children
• The links between fuel poverty and migrant communities
• Real and perceived barriers to the take-up of assistance
• Fuel poverty and the climate change agenda
• Fuel poverty definition and target

The Trust gives priority to funding proposals that have the potential to inform or influence national perceptions and policies and have a wide geographic focus. A project that operates at a local level will only be considered for a grant if it: clearly demonstrates innovation; identifies the policy relevance of the project; has wide applicability; and has well developed evaluation and dissemination plans.

For more information and to access application material visit www.eagacharitabletrust.org/home or contact on 01539 736 477 / eagact@aol.com

Thursday 23 February 2012 - 10:00 am — 4:00 pm (registration from 9:30am)
Northumbria Police HQ, Ponteland, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE20 0BL

Volunteering can act as a powerful force for change, creating real improvements in police effectiveness, engagement and public confidence.

The ACPO Citizenship in Policing portfolio is sponsoring a 1-day programme for Northumbria and Durham police which will be cost neutral to forces, to explore the many ways in which effective use of volunteers can help the police to tackle crime. This event will help you explore:
How to develop appropriate volunteering opportunities
How volunteers can help to strengthen links with the public and develop new networks within communities;
How to enhance the management of volunteers to make the most of their skills and expertise
Who is volunteering both within the Police Service and within communities, and what new thinking and perspective they can bring.

This is a fast-developing area, at the forefront of the Government’s agenda for police and wider public service reform. This event will be facilitated by experts in the field, who will help you build up a better understanding of the potential of volunteers and communities and how you might overcome barriers and harness that potential. It is aimed at those working with volunteers—in force or in communities — or those who are responsible for developing policy and practice in this area.

For further information about this event, please contact cjlp@npia.pnn.police.uk
 

Local Involvement Networks or 'LINks' were set up by the Government in April 2008 to give local people a stronger voice in how their health and social care services are delivered. All LINks are be managed by local groups and individuals who will decide what their priorities are and how they will work.

The LINk represenatives for the East Durham area are David Taylor-Gooby and Janet Walls

The reprentatives will  be available on: Wednesday 7th March 2011 10am till 12 noon
NEW VENUE Blackhall Community Centre

For further information about County Durham LINk visit http://linkcountydurham.co.uk/index.htm

Thursday 8th March, 11am-2pm
Seaham Youth Centre, Strangford Road, Seaham, SR7 8QE

Including displays, inspirational women for the North East, free gifts, local women acheivers plus much more
To book your place contact Jane Burlinson on 0191 5815556 or email info@newwomens.net

March 12th, 9.30 – 16.15, Durham City Town Hall

This is the first of several gatherings that will contribute towards the creation of a Sustainable Local Food Strategy for County Durham and the establishment of a Food Partnership. The project, which is hosted by Durham Rural Community Council, aims to deliver a Strategy that supports production and supply chains of sustainable, healthy local produce. This will be achieved through a participatory process of development involving a wide range of stakeholders.

During the morning you can hear some inspirational speakers including Lord Curry of Kirkharle and Molly Clear (Incredible Edible Todmorden). The afternoon will be more informal with a choice of mini workshops show casing some diverse examples of local food activities. Please find attached a draft Programme and Speaker Profiles.

To register your place,go to:  www.durhamlocalfood.eventbrite.co.uk (registration is only available online). Early registration is advised as places are limited and registration will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

At this event, you will have the opportunity to gain a broader insight into some of the issues around food systems and policy, and see some examples of how these are being actively responded to. In addition, you will also be invited to put forward some initial ideas about what might be relevant in County Durham, based upon your responses to what you hear and learn about. These will then be developed further at subsequent workshops. Download a copy of the programme for further details.

One Voice Network are running a series of FREE training sessions looking at various aspects of commissioning and procurement. 

The sessions available are as follows:

14th March, 2D Offices, Crook. – An Introduction to Commissioning and Procurement

21st March, Durham County Cricket Club, Chester le Street – TUPE and the Legal Implications for VCS Organisations

28th March, Durham County Cricket Club, Chester le Street – Contract Law and the Implications for VCS Organisations

25th April, Bullion Hall, Chester le Street – Tendering in a Consortium, Session 1

2nd May, Bullion Hall, Chester le Street – Tendering in a Consortium, Session 2

Further details about the sessions and the course content are available on the booking form.

To book please return completed booking forms to Sue Graham:
Email:    sue@onevoice.co.uk
Post:      Sue Graham, One Voice Network, FREEPOST DU389, Lanchester, DH7 0BR (No stamp required)
Or alternatively call: 01207 529 621

20th March 2012, Durham (Venue TBC)

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector organisations need to be well prepared to influence Police and Crime Commissioners’ local community safety priorities and to access funding, service delivery and partnership opportunities.

Clinks are holding a series of regional briefing events for VCSE organisations working on community safety to explore the opportunities and challenges presented by this new landscape and provide further information about the support available through the project. The events are open to all VCSE organisations working on community safety and statutory stakeholders.

If your organisation has an interest in or works to address issues such as crime & reoffending, antisocial behaviour, equalities and diversity, substance misuse, violence against women and girls or youth crime, Clinks want to encourage you to attend.

For more information or to book your place visit the Clinks website
 

Funding Information North East (FINE), One Voice Network and Durham Rural Community Council have organised a one day conference focusing on asset transfer on Friday 23 March from 10.00am – 3.00pm at Bowburn Community Centre.

The agenda includes presentations on Durham County Council’s asset transfer of community buildings, legal considerations for organisations undertaking asset transfer, funding for community buildings and sharing experiences of being an enterprising community building.

Numbers are restricted and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis; a maximum of TWO representatives per organisation is permitted. The deadline for bookings is Friday 9 March.

To book a place please email helen.brown@durhamrcc.org.uk or telephone 01207 529621
 

TRAINING

Are you interested in becoming a sport leader or coach in your local community? 

If so the Mentorship Programme is running a course which may just be what you’re looking for to help you get started.
We are running a FREE Day Certificate in Sports Leadership will be held on Tuesday 28th Feb and Tuesday 6th March 6pm – 9.30pm at Blackhall Community Centre. 
It is a practical course aimed to help participants develop and become a more confident Sports Leader and aims to help develop knowledge and understanding to deliver sport sessions in a variety of different settings (including community groups, schools and sports groups / clubs).  It is the first step into sports leadership and it is hoped that from attending this course you will look to want to develop further and support the sustainability of the groups you are currently involved in or any new ones that you may be interested in developing. 
For further information please contact Karen Williams, Mentorship Coordinator on 0191 569 3511 or email karen.williams@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk
 

Wheatley Hill Angling Club
Thursday 22nd March 2012 9.15am-4.30pm

This course will give you the resources and confidence to take your group on woodland visits. It is suitable for youth workers, community group leaders, volunteers and organisations working with children and young people.
The course will include: Building your confidence in planning woodland visits Inspiring and useful activities you could do Introduction to free resources and downloadable activity sheets.

For more information download the event flyer or booking form.

Volunteers are required to help out with this year’s Sport Relief event at The Pavilion, Peterlee.

The event is taking place on Sunday 25th March 10.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. with the 3 fun runs (1,3 and 6 miles) starting from 10.30 a.m.

Have you got any volunteers from your team/group who would be willing to help out on the day? Various roles including Registration point, volunteer co-ordinator, water station, goody bag and medal distribution, route marshal, map distributor and assistance with the Sport relief Mini Games competition

For more information or to offer your support contact Abby Thompson at East Durham Trust on 0191 5693511 or email abby.thompson@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk

Durham County Council are developing a new library strategy in Durham.    
 
This consultation exercise has now opened and will conclude on 4th May 2012.  A dedicated webpage is available at www.durham.gov.uk/consultation which includes detail of the strategy and how to respond.

Final proposals will be taken to Cabinet in July, 2012 reflecting the feedback and recommending actions to shape the future library service.  

The service is working with local AAPs in order to involve local people in the formal consultation process.  A presentation will be given at the East Durham AAP meeting on the 15th March and East Durham Rural Corridor AAP meeting on 7th March 2012 , in order to ensure everyone is aware of how to feed into the formal consultation process and hear the key messages of the report.

The Department for Work and Pensions has published its draft proposals on entitlement levels for PIP Mobility and Daily Living Allowance  The Department is keen to hear views from all interested parties but in particular from disabled people and disability organisations. 

Visit the DWP website to take part in the consultation. Deadline 30th April

The Digital Durham project aims to bring superfast broadband to all areas of County Durham. In support of funding, they need to demonstrate that there’s the demand to improve broadband in the region, which they’re doing by way of a survey. The survey closes on 31st March 2012.
It’s available via the following methods: Online on the Durham County Council website, In paper format and electronically.

One Voice Network are running VONNE's Surviving not Thriving survey for third sector organisations in the County Durham area. This will contribute to the third sector strategy being developed in the area. They are aiming to capture a ‘snapshot’ of the state of the sector twice a year, once in March and again in December.
 
Take the survey 
 

RESOURCES

Voluntary Arts, the national development agency for the voluntary and amateur arts, has launched a web-based resource designed to give people all the tools they need to start up, fund, market and manage their organisation. There a four levels of subscription for Running Your Group (which uses the Learning Pool platform), with a basic no-cost option although it still requires going through a registration process. Visit http://www.runningyourgroup.org.
 

The Big Lottery Fund has produced seven good practice guides for organisations working with young people, based on projects it has supported. Titles include Encouraging active citizenship, Actively involving young people and Working with young carers. Visit the Big Lottery website for more information or to download the guides.
 

Thank you for taking time to read the East Durham Trust e-newsletter. If your community group or voluntary organisation have any good news to share or events to promote email  lindsey.wood@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk