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All SMCVS press releases from 2005 - 2007 are available to read here: |
** Please check this page regularly for up-to-date information and news*
City Centre Volunteer Fair Posted July 20 2010
THE benefits of volunteering to both individuals and society will be in the spotlight with a city centre event this weekend. The Volunteer Fair will be staged in Piccadilly, Hanley, with around 40 organisations promoting their volunteering opportunities. These will range from doing conservation work at the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust to volunteering in kitchens, offices and shops, being a carer, working with sports clubs to volunteering as a special constable with Staffordshire Police. There are more than 500 organisations in the area registered with the Volunteer Centres in North Staffordshire which can place people, and in the first quarter of this year more than 850 people put their names down as volunteers through the three centres in Hanley, Newcastle and Leek. The event is being jointly staged by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and North Staffordshire Volunteer Centres. The aim is to encourage people to think about volunteering and take their first step into it by talking to organisations with opportunities and people who are already doing it. Tracy Ellis, project coordinator, said: “This is the first time that we have held a Volunteering Fair like this. Volunteering works on several levels; on the one hand we want to help young people to feel engaged with society so that they feel a part of it. That is good for people’s self-esteem and sense of worth. “You can get qualifications through volunteering such as NVQs in anything from caring to coaching in sports and we know this, and having relevant experience in an area that interests you, helps people’s employment prospects.’’ And she stressed that volunteering should not be seen as just work on the cheap. Tracy said: “This is not cheap labour. Volunteering is about giving something back to society as well as helping yourself, through having a sense of purpose and self-worth, to meeting new people, getting good qualifications and experience. Everyone benefits from volunteering, both society at large and the people doing it.’’ The event will run from 12 to 4 on Saturday July 24. For more details contact Tracy at the North Staffordshire Volunteer Centres on 01538 398240.
Dates set for Moorlands grants roadshow Posted July 7 2010
DATES have now been confirmed for a funding roadshow designed to help community groups and voluntary organizations access grants. We are staging the events throughout July and will draw on the expertise of our grants officers. SMCVS helps groups to access around £250,000 a year in funds. The advice sessions will provide guidance on the best way for groups to apply for funds from the Communities Mean Business scheme which supports environmental projects, village development, rural sustainability as well as training and information. Even though the CMB grants are limited geographically the SMCVS funding expert, Rebecca Breakwell and other colleagues, will be on hand to offer advice on more general grants enquiries as well. CMB funds projects in the following areas; Biddulph Moor; Brown Edge and Endon, Bagnall and Stanley, Cheddleton and Wetley Rocks, Werrington, Cellarhead, Caverswall, Cheadle West, Cheadle North East, Cheadle South East, Forsbrook and Checkley Rebecca said: “This is a chance for groups to come along and get advice on a one-to-one basis about accessing funds for projects which can make a real difference in their communities. There will be four events, all running between 4.30 and 7.30 and the dates and venues will be as follows: Wednesday 14 July, Upper Tean Christ Church Wednesday 20 July, Forsbrook and Blythe Bridge Village Hall Thursday 22 July, Hollington Village Hall Wednesday 28 July, Caverswall Village Hall. For more details call Rebecca on 01538 381356.
Grants Roadshow planned for the Moorlands Posted June 22 2010 A GRANTS roadshow is to be staged in the Moorlands over the summer to help communities access funds that can transform their areas. Grants experts from Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services, Rebecca Breakwell and Lesley Savage, will be on hand at a number of venues to give guidance on how to apply to the Communities Mean Business which funds environmentally-based projects, festivals and other schemes run by voluntary and community organisations and aimed at boosting rural sustainability. In a recent award, Brown Edge Action Group received £16,600 from CMB to help it modernise the village’s playing fields. The first event will be Hollington Village Hall on Thursday July 22 from 4.30 to 7.30 with others planned for Caverswall, Tean and Dilhorne in the following weeks. Rebecca said: “We are doing a series of events to bring this guidance to Moorlands communities so they can get help and advice in applying for funds for projects that can make a real difference in their locality. We are keen to make it as easy as possible for representatives of groups to obtain relevant information which is why we are happy to be out in the villages.’’ Even though the CMB grants are limited geographically the SMCVS team can still offer advice on general grants queries. CMB funds projects in the following areas; Biddulph Moor; Brown Edge and Endon, Bagnall and Stanley, Cheddleton and Wetley Rocks, Werrington, Cellarhead, Caverswall, Cheadle West, Cheadle North East, Cheadle South East, Forsbrook and Checkley Rebecca added: “Even if your project isn't in one of these areas there may be other funding streams that we can advise you on. Come and see us and use our knowledge to the benefit of your community projects and groups. ‘’ For more information contact Rebecca Breakwell on 01538 381356.
New Volunteer Centre opens Posted June 8 2010 A VOLUNTEER driver who has driven thousands of miles over almost 20 years helping others get to medical and social appointments has officially opened the new Volunteer Centre Staffordshire Moorlands. Olive Bowdery, 81, has been a volunteer since 1992. She was on hand to cut the ribbon at the new premises in High Street, Leek, which also houses the reception for the Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services and its Access team. Civic dignitaries also attended the event and praised the work of SMCVS. Sybil Ralphs, Leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, told the guests: “I have known the SMCVS for many years and admire the work it does here, quietly and efficiently, day in, day out, improving our society. “When I launched a branch of Home Start in the Staffordshire Moorlands we came to SMCVS for help and the advice it gave made our job so much easier. “I have always kept volunteering close to my heart and everyone in the Staffordshire Moorlands should be grateful for the work done by the CVS. We often hear that society is insular and that there is no community spirit but I always say just look at what we have here and the work done by SMCVS. I applaud everyone involved with it.’’ Olive said that volunteering helped her and her husband get to know the local community when they moved to Leek from London. She said: “We didn’t know anyone but we went to a CVS Open Day and found out about volunteering as drivers and it is a wonderful way of meeting new people. We made a lot of friends that way and of course, it is also very rewarding to give something back to society. ‘’I will continue to volunteer for as long as I can drive and I would recommend it to anyone – it’s a wonderful thing to do.’’
£10,000 grants available for youth-focused organisations Posted January 6 2010 VOLUNTARY organisations working with children and young people aged under 18 are being urged to apply for a grant of up to £10,000 a year for three years from Children in Need. It is the first time the organisation has run the scheme across the UK and it is designed to reach organisations that have not previously considered approaching Children in Need for funding. Any not-for-profit group which shows genuine commitment and enthusiasm for improving the lives of youngsters and has a clearly thought-out programme will be eligible. Sheila Jane Malley, director of grants and policy at Children in Need, said the applicants must demonstrate that they can make an improvement. She said: “The first thing we look at is benefit for children and young people. Is the organisation clear about what improvements it wants to bring about and is it clear about how it can do it?’’ There are three more deadlines for applications this year, on April 15, July 15 and October 15. For more details contact Rebecca Breakwell, Grants Officer at Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services, on 01538 381356 or by email at grants@smcvs.co.uk
More reasons for volunteering as recession bites Posted December 16 2009 THE public’s reasons for volunteering are broadening as the recession bites and people turn to it as a way of gaining new skills, experience and contacts. Trac She says the nature of volunteering is changing as people face the challenges of unemployment, either those who have lost their jobs or those who have never had one such as school and college leavers. The latest data reveals that the top three reasons given by people contacting the Volunteer Centres in the Moorlands and Newcastle and looking to volunteer are to gain new skills, get work experience and improve their employment prospects. Volunteering is a great way of developing new skills and contacts as well as demonstrating motivation to do something constructive when faced with being out of work. It’s also good for you as it provides regular activity and company which can be vital for maintaining a positive outlook. Tracey said: “We have noticed a shift as the recession has taken hold and it’s often the case that people want to volunteer for a short time, to take a positive step while they are out of work , without necessarily seeing it as a long term commitment.’’ Volunteer Centres North Staffordshire have nearly 1,800 registered volunteers who operate in every sphere, from computing to sports coaching, from driving a digger to telephone befriending, from office administration to child care. She added: “Volunteering has always been important but many people have even more incentive to get involved and we are pleased to be able to help them find the right opportunity.’’ For those worried about the impact of volunteering on their benefits it is worth noting that volunteers can still claim their benefit entitlement so long as they are still available for job interviews. For more details on volunteering either call the Volunteer Centres North Staffordshire on 01538 381356 or email volunteering@smcvs.co.uk
More reasons for volunteering as recession bites Posted December 16 2009 VOLUNTEERS are being sought who are willing to lend a hand to help give a famous North Staffordshire landmark a spruce-up. Rudyard Lake will be the focus of Moorlands activities for Make a Difference Day, the UK’s biggest volunteering event when thousands of people around the country will take part in schemes aimed at improving their community. The event is scheduled for Saturday October 31, from 10 am, and organisers are appealing for anyone able to lend a hand to do some clearing work. Jobs that need doing include clearing out Japanese knotweed, a non-native species that has to be felled and burned on site, clearing fishing pegs by cutting back trees and shrubs, preparing planters and window boxes for winter and cutting firewood to fuel the log burners in the administrative buildings. Craig Harris, v Youth Advisor at Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services, who is helping to organise the event, said: “There will be some environmental work to clear away growth where trees and shrubs are encroaching, to cut and burn the knotweed and to cut logs for the wood-burning heating system. “Rudyard Lake is a hugely popular tourist destination and a Moorlands landmark and we are asking for people who feel able to give a few hours to help improve this beautiful place.’’ If you think you can help contact the Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre at 15, Sheepmarket, Leek, call 01538 398240 or email at volunteering @smcvs.co.uk Communities mean Business grant application workshop Posted September 18 2009 A GRANTS workshop is being staged to help groups and organisations looking to strengthen and regenerate communities access funding of up to £3,000 of European money. The Communities Mean Business Leader programme is a £1.4 million project running to the end of 2013 that aims to help fund projects that either provide or improve basic services for the economy and rural population, undertake village renewal and development, conserve and upgrade rural heritage or provide training and information. It has two main themes of creating sustainable communities and enhancing local heritage and environment. The first looks at schemes such as community-run shops or renewable energy projects, improving village halls or rural transport services, providing remote access to IT training, supporting community groups to develop their capacity and training young people in traditional rural skills. The second covers the provision of new footpaths, trails and cycle paths, upgrading parks and village approaches, renovation of historic buildings, organising environmental awareness and heritage studies. The money will be available to organisations, charities or groups in the private or public sector working in either parts of the Staffordshire Moorlands or Stafford Borough areas. The areas eligible for support in the Staffordshire Moorlands are: Biddulph Moor, Brown Edge and Endon, Bagnall and Stanley, Cheddleton, Werrington, Cellarhead, Caverswall, Cheadle West, Cheadle North East, Cheadle South East, Forsbrook and Checkley. For Stafford Borough they are: Eccleshall, Milwich, Gnosall and Woodseaves, Chartley, Milford, Seighford. The workshop is being staged between 2 and 5 pm on Wednesday October 7 at The President’s Suite at the Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford. Visitors can talk to advisors to see if their project is eligible for support. To book your place contact Jenny Whiston on 01785 277346 or Julie Evans on 01785 277236 or just drop in on the day.
Government-funded third sector jobs programme launched Posted September 8 2009 THE voluntary sector is being invited to join a Government-funded programme aimed at getting long-term unemployed younger people on to the jobs ladder. Up to 40 jobs could be created and supported over the next two years in voluntary and community organisations in Staffordshire through the Future Jobs Fund. This is a £7 million scheme to create almost 1,000 jobs overall for 18 to 24 year olds. There are more than 8,300 unemployed people in this age range across the county. Employers will get funding for wages, based on the minimum wage, and related NI and pension contribution for six months plus funding for CRB checks, training, management and supervision and support to write a job description and related HR advice. They will need to offer a job for at least 25 hours a week for six months in a post that is reasonably expected to last for longer, provide a training opportunity either in-house or external and keep clear records on the employee and all related payments in a way that can be evidenced. Support for setting up simple systems is available if needed. Suitable candidates for the job will be identified by Jobcentre Plus and matched closely to organisation’s requirements before being sent for interview. If a group already has a volunteer they would like to employ, the Job Centre will help determine if they qualify under the scheme. The voluntary sector jobs drive is being co-ordinated by SCIO, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Consortium of Infrastructure Organisations. Jill Norman, Chief Officer of Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services and SCIO Lead Officer for the project, said: “Young people need the chance to get onto the jobs ladder and gain experience and skills. Through the Future Jobs Fund we want to create 40 jobs in voluntary and community organisations and would hope that at least half of them will become permanent positions. “It is also an opportunity for groups to benefit from having new blood and an enthusiastic younger member of staff helping their activities.’’ If you think you may be able to offer a job to a young person (or more than one!), then please contact Jill Norman at SMCVS by email – jillnorman@smcvs.co.uk – giving an idea of what type of work it would be, how many hours a week, and when the job would available.
Door to door hospital bus service launched Posted June 12 2009 Elderly or infirm Leek residents who
are unable to use public transport and who don’t have their own car will
be able to visit sick friends and relatives in hospital thanks to the
launch of a new door-to-door minibus scheme. The service that collects and
delivers users from and to their homes will run on Tuesday afternoons and
offers a vital link to residents worried about their friends and family in
the The minibus will have wheelchair
access and the scheme will run initially for a six-month trial period
before being reviewed. There will be a charge to users. The scheme starts next week on
Tuesday 16. Bookings can be made through the Transport Booking Line 01538
386888 between 9am – 1pm Monday to Friday For more details contact
25th Anniversary of Volunteers' Week celebrated Posted 29th May 2009 A
VOLUNTEERING road show gets underway next week celebrating the vast range
of voluntary work done in North Staffordshire and highlighting the
potential health and employment benefits volunteering can offer. The
event is being staged by the Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle Under
Lyme Volunteer Centres’, to mark the 25th anniversary of
Volunteers’ Week - with a focus on the three Rs – recognising,
rewarding and recruiting volunteers. The
road show will visit Biddulph Library on Tuesday 2nd June,
followed by Leek Market the day after and finishing at Newcastle Library
on Thursday 4th. From 10am – 2pm, the Volunteer Centre will be serving
refreshments and on hand to chat about volunteering.
Nationally
22 million people volunteer their time while in the
She
said there has been a noticeable rise in the number of people volunteering
to develop new skills and to show initiative in a bid to boost their job
prospects. She
said: “Last year we saw an almost 50 per cent rise in the number of
people registering with us who were unable to work or unemployed and we
have also seen a big rise in the number of younger people too, with 550
under the age of 25. “There
is absolutely no doubt that volunteering is a very good way of gaining new
skills and experience which helps employment chances. It has other
benefits too, often improving physical or mental health and at the end of
the day it is good to put something back into society.’’ One
organisation which relies on volunteers is the Moorlands-based Farm2Grow
scheme, a not-for-profit social enterprise growing healthy produce and
working with people who want a closer link to nature. Helen
Bailey who runs it, said the volunteers benefit from their work there. She
said: “We have a number of volunteers ranging from their 30’s to
50’s who do one day a week here on general farm maintenance and we have
also had help from businesswomen who have helped us get it off the ground,
organise meetings and so on. One
volunteer, Catherine Windsor, 25, who helps with administrative duties at
both the Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre and the Caudwell
Children’s charity in Catherine
said: ``Volunteering has allowed me to develop more skills and to grow in
confidence and it is very rewarding to know that what I do helps other
people. I will look for paid work soon but it will be in the health or
social welfare sector because I enjoy it so much.’’ Visit the
road shows for more details on volunteering or contact the Volunteer
Centre at volunteering@smcvs.co.uk
or call 01538 398240 BENEFITS ADVICE AT NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUMS Posted February 12 2009 PENSIONERS will be given advice on making sure they are claiming all
their benefit entitlements and residents given the chance to air opinions
on a variety of topics affecting their neighbourhood in a series of forums
being staged throughout the Staffordshire Moorlands. There will be eight Neighbourhood Forums run throughout March giving
people living in the district the opportunity to voice their thoughts on
topics such as policing and security issues, parking and highways-related
problems or any other community topics that concern them. In addition, most of the forums will be given a talk from NHS North
Staffordshire staff on stopping smoking and advice on healthier
lifestyles. There will also be a talk on recycling
services explaining how residents can responsibly get rid of waste such as
old mobile phones, printer cartridges, electrical items, textiles and
scrap metal. Refreshments will be provided at all the meetings.
“It is also the ideal opportunity for people to raise any issues they
have with things happening in their community. It is not possible to have
representatives from every sector of local government but we can forward
ideas and concerns to the relevant authorities on behalf of
residents.’’ If you cannot make the meeting in your area but want to raise a concern
you can contact Andy at andyboys@smcvs.co.uk
or by calling on 01538 381356. The timetable of meetings, all in March, is as follows: Monday 2 Cheddleton Community Centre, Tuesday 3 Wednesday 4 Tean Christ Church Hall, 12.30 Thursday 5 Leek Red Cross Centre 12 Monday 9 Endon Village Hall 12 Tuesday 10 Blythe Bridge Village Hall Wednesday 11 Werrington Village Hall 12 Wednesday 18 Cheadle Methodist Church 12
DEADLINE LOOMS FOR GROUPS TO APPLY FOR UP TO £500 Posted February 4, 2009 GROUPS are being urged to apply for grants of up to £500 before a deadline towards the end of February. There is £7,200 left in the Staffordshire Moorlands Community Chest to
be distributed among groups that can demonstrate some benefit to their
community but applications have to be in by February 20. Numerous groups have received money in the past for a variety of
projects. One is the Cheddleton and Leek Chess Club which had £500 last year. It
is one of the biggest chess clubs in the country with around 70 active
members, ranging in age from eight to 91, and competes both locally and at
national level. It needed money to buy digital clocks costing £55 each which are used to
time matches. Robert Milner, Club Chairman, said: “You need clocks to play chess and
everyone has been moving from analogue to digital clocks which cost £55
each. We had £500 last year from the Community Chest and with the help of
this grant were able to buy 10 digital clocks. “We play in the Stoke League but also in the second division of the
national league and the clocks are an essential piece of equipment so the
Community Chest grant was vital.’’
The meeting to allocate grants will be on March 17. To contact Heather either call on 01538 381356 or by email at grants@smcvs.co.uk
or in writing to SMCVS, Bank House, 20, St Edward Street, Leek, ST13 5DS.
You can download an application form from the website, www.smcvs.co.uk WORKSHOP TO BRUSH UP YOUR RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION SKILLS Posted Jan 12 09 ANYONE who recruits and selects staff is being offered a one-day advice and refresher course to help them get the best from the process. The workshop is being staged on Thursday February 19
at Rudyard Lake Activity
Centre and although some of the topics might sound a little dry, the
expert trainers, People Mechanics, are skilled at making it interesting
and very participative, even fun at times, so don't be put off. The
topics to be covered include: ·
Understanding the legislation surrounding
recruitment o
Getting
it right o
What
not to ask ·
Attracting the right candidate o
Defining
a recruitment process o
Methods
of recruitment o
Knowing
the recruitment market o
Job
descriptions and person specifications o
Interview
objectives o
Style
of interview – one-to-one, board, panel, formal, informal o
Roles
and responsibilities o
Evaluation
and comparison of candidates o
Overcoming
barriers to effective communication o
Non
verbal communication o
Effective
listening & questioning o
Note
taking o
Deal
Breakers
ARE YOU LEGALLY PROTECTED? Posted 5th January 2009 VOLUNTARY groups are being warned to
make sure they are protected against court action and that they have the
proper legal status to carry out their activities. Members of management committees and
trustees of some groups which have recently closed or tripped over a law
have found themselves personally liable for claims running into thousands
of pounds. The warning comes from
She said: “In today’s world a
community or voluntary group without the correct legal protection can be
left very exposed if something goes wrong, such as someone taking part in
an activity getting injured or where an employee has a grievance. “Those on the management committee
need to make sure they have a suitable status for their activities. That
might be a company limited by guarantee or a community interest company. “Nowadays it can be a problem
getting people to join groups in a management or trustee capacity because
of the legal risk but there is absolutely no need to fear if there is the
proper legal framework in place.’’ Any group wanting a health check to
see if they are open to risk of litigation should contact Carol Rodgers at
SMCVS on 01538 381356. VOLUNTEER TO HELP OTHERS OR YOURSELF Posted 18th December 2008 PEOPLE who want to learn new skills
to make them more employable, who have experience they want to pass on to
others or who simply have some spare time on their hands and want to help
are being urged to consider volunteering. Volunteering should cost you nothing
but your time, effort and knowledge but can add considerably to your life. Volunteers are needed for a wide
range of areas; anything from working out of doors, driving vehicles to
mentoring young people leaving care, or helping raise funds for local
charities. You may want to become a trustee and help with decision making,
or help with administration and clerical tasks. A spokeswoman for Staffordshire
Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services, said: “We get people of all
ages and from every walk of life approaching us. Some have experience from
their work they want to use to help others, some want to learn new skills
which can help them secure a job. “We have a database of volunteering
opportunities and can help guide people to the most suitable areas.
Volunteers will almost always be reimbursed for expenses so there is no
cost element and you don’t have to commit to a certain number of hours. “It can be a rewarding and enriching experience and we urge anyone who is interested in finding out to contact us.’’ People in the Moorlands district can
contact SMCVS at 15, Sheepmarket, Leek, between 9.00 am and 2.00pm, Monday
to Friday, or telephone us on 01538 398240. For those in the
MINIBUS HELP FOR STROKE CLUB Posted 17th December 2008 STROKE
victims and their carers have had a financial burden taken off them and
saved a couple of thousand pounds a year thanks to a tie up with
Staffordshire Moorlands Community Transport. Leek
Stroke Club had been struggling to pay for the upkeep of its 12-seater
Renault minibus and was advised to sell it. But when members approached
Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Volunteer Services (SMCVS) for help
they found they could sell the vehicle to it and still make their
twice-weekly trips to Haregate Community Centre thanks to the SMCVS which
runs a pool of minibuses for groups through its Community Transport. Under
the deal the SMCVS will provide a vehicle and a driver to take the group
twice a week up to 50 miles for the next nine months free of charge. The
Renault replaces an elderly Ford Transit which had an unsuitable seating
layout. Malcolm
Beardmore, the SMCVS’s Rural Access team manager, said: “The Club
approached us because they were having trouble finding the money to keep
the minibus on the road. “We
agreed a price and are giving them the value of the vehicle with free
transport for nine months. “We
are delighted to be able to help the Leek Stroke Club and would appeal to
any more groups having trouble paying for their own transport to approach
us. We have a pool of four minibuses and approved volunteer drivers which
groups can use, giving them cost-effective transport.’’ Moyra
Chadwick, Club Secretary, added: “We were struggling to pay for the
insurance, the fuel and all the other running costs and this arrangement
has saved us a couple of thousand pounds a year. “In
addition it takes away another worry in that we were dependent on our
wonderful driver, Eric, who has done sterling work but if ever he was ill
we would have been stuck. Now we can use the SMCVS’s drivers.’’ If
you think your group could benefit from a similar arrangement, contact the
SMCVS Community Transport team on 01538 381356 or e-mail leek@smcvs.co.uk Neighbourhood Forums offer platform for Beat The Cold advice Posted 13th October 2008 STAFFORDSHIRE Moorlands residents worried about the rising cost of heating their homes have been urged to contact Beat the Cold for independent local advice. Beat
the Cold offers a free telephone advice service Monday to Friday, 8.30am
to 4.30pm, with an answering facility at other times. A third concern was the premium paid by customers who used a pre-payment meter and were often the least able to afford the extra amount. Lasting around an hour and preceded by a sandwich lunch, the neighbourhood forums are taking place as follows: Monday, November 3, Cheddleton Community Centre, 12 noon; Tuesday, November 4, Biddulph Town Hall, 12 noon; Wednesday, November 5, Christ Church Hall, Tean, 12.30pm; Thursday, November 6, Leek Red Cross Centre, 12 noon; Monday, November 10, Endon Village Hall, 12 noon; Tuesday, November 11, Blythe Bridge Village Hall, 7pm; Wednesday, November 12, Cheadle Methodist Hall, 12 noon; Wednesday, November 19, Werrington Village Hall, 12.30pm. For
more information on the Neighbourhood Forums, visit our webpage
or call Working with Children and Young People? Posted 13th October 2008 Would
you like to help set the agenda of priorities for children and young
people in the Moorlands? If the answer is YES - then you need to be
at the next Children and Young Peoples meeting to be held on Thursday
30th October to have your say. The
meeting is being held at Longsdon
Memorial Hall from 7.00pm
and is a real opportunity for local voluntary and community groups to discuss
the priorities for children and young people in the Staffordshire
Moorlands. Representatives
from the Staffordshire Moorlands District Children's Trust Board and the
local Community and Learning Partnerships, will be there for you to talk
to and discuss future ideas and priorities with. Staff from Staffordshire
Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services will also be available to
discuss with you any funding requirements that your organisation may have. You
really need to be at this meeting if you want your views to be heard. Carol
Rodgers, Deputy Chief Officer at SMCVS on 01538 381356 email: carolrodgers@smcvs.co.uk All are invited to attend the SMCVS Annual General Meeting Posted 17th July 2008 SMCVS - Annual General Meeting: Tuesday 9th September - 7:15pm for 7:30pm at 6th Form Diner, Westwood College, Leek The theme of the evening will be children and young people with presentations on the Staffordshire Moorlands Children’s Trust and local action groups set up by young people. As usual, it will be a great opportunity for networking. Information on offering support to your volunteers and local grant information will also be available. The evening has been planned with elements of interest for both small and large voluntary and community groups. It is open to everyone regardless of whether you are a CVS member or not. The only difference is that formal invitations have been sent to all member groups and partners and only members will be able to vote on AGM business. Please contact Jean Dale at SMCVS on 01538 381356 to reserve a place. Volunteers Week Raffle raises £375 for Cheadle Charities Posted 20th June 2008 The Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre will be presenting cheques totaling £375 to local Cheadle groups on Wednesday 2nd July. The money was raised by the sale of raffle tickets and plants potted by local volunteers during Volunteers’ Week, a national week at the beginning of June where volunteers are recognised, rewarded and recruited across the UK. Cheadle’s Town Mayor Ivor Lucas took part in the celebrations and drew the lucky winners of the raffle where prizes ranging from The Regent Theatre tickets to gardening vouchers and hanging baskets and shrubs were available to win. The Volunteer Centre was delighted with the total money raised and the number of local organisations that supported the event. Jo Phillips, Volunteer Centre Coordinator said, “The whole week was very successful and it was great to see local volunteers involved in and recognised for all the time and effort they put into the local community. None of the celebrations would have been able to go ahead though without the kind support of many local Cheadle businesses’ including Forget Me Not Florists, Draycott Nurseries, Moorlands Waste and Alton Towers and all those individuals who donated time, pots and plants to the event”. The Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre will be presenting cheques to Cheadle Rethink, Cheadle and District Home Link Scheme, Cheadle Breast Cancer Support Group and the Douglas MacMillan and Cancer Research Charity Shops in Cheadle. All the groups were involved in selling the Volunteers’ Week raffle tickets and supporting the celebrations. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Volunteer Centre should contact: 01538 398240, email: volunteering@smcvs.co.uk or visit www.smcvs.co.uk for further information. Help for Moorlands Villages Posted 12th June 2008 A new pot of money is likely to be available to help rural communities in the west and south of the Moorlands improve local services and develop community projects over the next 4 years. “Taking the Lead” is the name of the funding that comes from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through Advantage West Midlands. A bid to gain a share of this money for Staffordshire is being led by a public / voluntary sector partnership including Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services (SMCVS); the Community Council of Staffordshire; Staffordshire Moorlands District Council; Staffordshire County Council and Stafford Borough Council. Having successfully passed the first stage, the next step is to get local communities involved to find out more about local needs and see what ideas people have got that could be built up into projects for the plan that has to be submitted to secure the funding. The Staffordshire bid is called “Communities Mean Business” and initial thoughts focused on the common “business” needs of both small rural service businesses, like shops and pubs, and community activities, like well dressing festivals or village halls. The idea is that there is much potential for creativity and enterprise in rural communities that could be harnessed, enhanced and supported to improve rural services, support village renewal and upgrade rural heritage. Up to £1.4m could be available for the identified area which includes rural parts of Stafford Borough as well as Moorlands villages and the market town of Cheadle. The most important aspect of the programme is that the local community is at the heart of it – only ideas that have community support will be included and representatives from the local community will be key members of the decision making process. To find out more about the programme and contribute your ideas, come to one of the community workshops being organized by Staffordshire Moorlands CVS: · 6pm to 8pm Monday 23rd June – Blythe Bridge Village Hall – for the wards of Forsbrook and Checkley · 6pm to 8pm Tuesday 24th June – Endon Methodist Chapel – for the wards of Endon, Brown Edge, Biddulph Moor, and Bagnall and Stanley · 6pm to 8pm Tuesday 1st July – Moorside High School, Werrington – for the wards of Cheddleton, Werrington, Cellarhead and Caverswall · 6.30pm to 8.30pm Wednesday 2nd July – Cheadle Methodist Church Hall – for Cheadle wards Don’t worry about being there at the start if that is too early – you can drop in and participate at any time during the evening. You can also come to any of the meetings if the one for your patch is on an inconvenient day for you. Barry Shuttleworth, Chair of the Rural Partnership Board in the Moorlands and active residents of Ipstones urges people to get involved: “Ipstones has benefited from earlier rounds of European funding and this helped us carry out many of our ideas. Today we have a busy, vibrant village including a thriving shop and an excellent children’s nursery as well as lots of community activities including the famous Ipstones Christmas Lights. “Taking the Lead” is a chance for villages that haven’t had regeneration money before to get funding for their ideas and I would encourage people to go along to the community workshops to find out more.” New bus for Biddulph Posted 1st May 2008 Voluntary and Community groups in Biddulph will soon have the opportunity to use a Staffordshire Moorlands Community Transport minibus to be based in the town. Hollinshead Coaches have very kindly agreed to garage the 16 seat minibus with effect from 1st May 2008. The opportunity to retain the bus in Biddulph means there will be no additional mileage included for the journeys from Leek, and will be a real benefit to users. Sally Bentley, Community Transport Officer for Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services says “We do hope groups will use this new facility. The minibus is available for use by all voluntary and community groups in the local area.” SMCVS has a small team of volunteer minibus drivers, including local residents from the Biddulph area, who came forward following a recruitment day in Biddulph. The service is reliant on such volunteers to drive the minibus, so groups are asked to book one-off or regular usage in advance. To book the minibus or for further details please contact SMCVS Community Transport on 01538 371544 £750,000 to turn young people's passions into community action Posted 1st May 2008 A Voluntary Sector Consortium led by Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services (SCVYS) that was awarded £750,000 by v, the youth volunteering charity, to get young people positively involved in their communities, has now been launched across Staffordshire. The project aims to get 1,000 young people a year aged 16-25 into volunteering placements and, in partnership with Staffordshire Youth Service, 100 young people assisting in youth groups across the county. This is one of 152 projects across the country who will be funded by v as part of vinvolved, a new national youth volunteering programme backed by £75 million funding, which aims to inspire half a million more young people to volunteer in England. Project Leader, Barry Halls says: “We are very excited to be part of the vinvolved programme. The funding has enabled us to employ four full time Youth Volunteer Advisers based in local Volunteer Centres, who will work directly with young people to create exciting and relevant volunteering opportunities. “ Craig Harris is the new Youth Volunteer Advisor based at the Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre in Leek – and is covering the whole of the Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle Under Lyme area. Craig is already working with local young people to make volunteering a compelling choice by tapping into their passions and concerns. Craig and v aim to change the image of volunteering and make it a ‘must-have’ part of young people’s lives. Hundreds of volunteering opportunities are now available to choose from. For more information visit www.wearev.com or the young people’s portal www.vinspired.com. To speak to Craig Harris direct about volunteering in the Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle area, please call the Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre on 01538 398240. Indoor Table Top Sale Posted 10th April 2008 Regardless of the weather, Haregate Community Centre will be offering bargains galore on Saturday 26th April as the doors open for an Indoor Table Top Sale. Whether you are on the hunt for a glorious find, or looking to make money from your own unwanted items, doors will be open to the public from 10am - 1pm at the Community Centre on Haregate Road, Leek. Individuals, community groups and charities are welcome to pile their stalls high for just £5 per table – but all will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so booking early is advisable. To book a table, please call Julie at SMCVS on 01538 381356. Need transport? We may be able to help? Posted 8th April 2008 Doctor and Hospital appointments often seem to be at a time when it is difficult to arrange transport. The stress of having to attend in the first place is difficult enough but the worry of how to get there can cause unnecessary anxiety. The Biddulph Voluntary Car Scheme may be able to help you. The service is provided by Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services and a dedicated team of voluntary drivers use their own cars to provide a friendly and helpful service. The service can also be used for shopping, personal business appointments and for visiting friends or relations who may welcome your visit if they are in hospital or a nursing home. However priority is given to medical appointments. The service is open to residents in Staffordshire Moorlands who have no other transport available to them and are unable to use public transport. Due to demand it may not always be possible to assist you but with adequate notice your request may be met. A new fare structure is now in place and you will be asked to make a contribution towards the driver’s expenses based on mileage. As a guide, for a journey of up to 6 miles you would be asked to pay £3.35. A longer journey of up to 16 miles would cost £6.75. A journey of 35 miles would incur a charge of £13.65. For all bookings and further information on the scheme please contact the local booking office on: Tel: 01782 511659. The phone lines are manned by Biddulph Voluntary Car Scheme, Tues to Fri from 10am –12 noon. Volunteering Weekend Helpers Required Posted 20th March 2008 The Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre, in conjunction with Alton Castle, requires volunteers to take part in a volunteering weekend on 19th / 20th April 2008. Volunteers are invited to be a resident of the Castle for the weekend and help out with painting and decorating work and hands-on activities around the grounds over the two days. Established as a residential youth centre by the Archdiocese of Birmingham, Alton Castle opened in September 1996. It has had a highly successful first 10 years with over 7,000 children visiting the Castle each year. It's popularity can be put down to the fact that the Castle is offering a unique experience that meets a real need within schools and community youth groups within the Midlands. Registered as a charity (no. 234216), the voluntary nature of some of the staff’s work helps keep costs low, but there is always help that can be given and maintenance work that needs doing – and this is where your help is needed! The Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre are asking for local volunteers to help over the weekend in hands-on activity day at the castle - cleaning, painting dormitories, gardening and generally helping to spruce up the castle wherever it is needed. Accommodation, food and transport are all free of charge and volunteers can choose to stay for the whole weekend - or if preferred - stay for a full day on Saturday the 19th April and leave after the evening meal. Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to join in the fun - but booking is essential to ensure there are enough tools and equipment for everyone on the day. For further information please call: The Staffordshire Moorlands Volunteer Centre on 01538 398240 or call into the Volunteer Centre at 15 Sheepmarket, Leek. Alternatively, please email: volunteering@smcvs.co.uk or download a booking form here. Opportunity to have your say Posted 11th February 2008 If you would like the opportunity to have your say on the issues affecting you and your neighbourhood, then the spring round of the Neighbourhood Forums is fast approaching. The first of the meetings held across the Staffordshire Moorlands is to be held on Monday 25th February at Endon Village Hall, with meetings in Tean, Leek, Cheddleton, Biddulph, Cheadle, Blythe Bridge and Werrington to follow. The Forums are, as always, an opportunity to hear from and speak to your Village or Neighbourhood Agent to find out more about what is happening in your local area and to put forward any ideas or concerns. For example, Biddulph residents will be able to hear about the ideas generated by the local community concerning Newpool Recreation Ground and similarly, Werrington residents will be able to hear an update of what came out of the recent Youth Consultation event that took place in the village regarding the siting of a new youth shelter. Leek residents will have the opportunity to hear about the developments taking place on the Westwood Road recreation ground and at Haregate Community Centre, whilst the Endon forum will be discussing the Endon Environmental Project. A representative from the Primary Care Trust will be joining all of the meetings to update residents on the out of hours service consultation that is currently underway and the Patients Advice Liaison Service (PALS) will also be on hand to discuss any individual concerns that residents may have with relation to health care services. At the last round of Forums, local residents saw a short presentation on the Local Development Framework - a document asking what local residents would like the district to look like in 2026. The 4 draft development options will once again be available to view and the Forums will be an opportunity for any member of the public to have their say on the broad principles behind development in their area for the next few years. Following feedback from the local community, the Cheddleton Forum will once again take place at both 12 noon and again at 7pm on Monday 3rd March. As usual, each of the meetings across the district, is designed to last no longer than an hour and complimentary refreshments are available to all who attend. Dates of all the meetings, full Forum agendas and minutes from previous meetings are available on the Neighbourhood Forums page. Young People lead the way Posted 25th January 2008 Young people in Werrington will be involved in running a community consultation day at the Village Hall, on Saturday 9th February to ask local residents about the potential options for the siting of a much needed youth shelter. Taking place from 10am - 5pm, the consultation event is being held in partnership with Moorside High School Youth Forum, Staffordshire Police and SMCVS. Werrington Parish Council fully supports the young people in their quest to have somewhere to go in the village. Back in June 2007, a number of young people from the village attended a parish council meeting to give a presentation on the young people of Werrington and their aspirations to build a stronger relationship with the local community. Since then, they have been working closely with the local Councillors to build a line of communication between the community and all of the young people of Werrington. Since the formation of the Moorside High Youth Forum, just over 12 months ago, anti-social behaviour by young people in the village has fallen by 44% in comparison to the same period last year. The event on the 9th February will be hosted by SMCVS and local police officers. Local young people from the Youth Forum and local Parish Councillors will be on hand throughout the day to talk to residents about their concerns. There will be maps of the village available to look at, showing places that may be suitable to site a youth shelter. Lots of information regarding youth shelters and their successful use in other locations across the North Staffordshire area will also be available to view. For further information on the Consultation event please contact the SMCVS Community Development Team on 01538 381356. Act now on new laws to protect the vulnerable Posted 18th January 2008 Charities and voluntary or community groups need to act now on new laws to protect children and vulnerable adults. The new laws come into force during 2008 with the aim of protecting the vulnerable in our communities. Currently such organisations have a ‘duty of care’ to ensure that all children under 18 years and vulnerable adults, who access their services in any way, are adequately protected and that their staff and volunteers are appropriate people to undertake such work. A new law, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, will soon make it a criminal offence for any organisation not to check that any worker or volunteer has the appropriate registration in place before allowing them to work with the vulnerable. Similarly, any worker or volunteer who wishes to work with children or vulnerable adults will have to apply for registration before they can start their work. Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services (SMCVS) is well aware that this new law will have enormous implications for groups working in our communities, presenting challenges in terms of the cost and the complexities of the registration process. The Independent Safeguarding Authority estimate that over 11 million people will need to register with the new scheme between Spring 2008 and Autumn 2010. Mike Smith of SMCVS said “This new law is going to impact on almost all of our voluntary and community groups, all those who work with children and the vulnerable will have to register. Organisations need to start thinking about this now and ensure they are ready to comply with the law by Spring this year as it is rolled out by government”. But don’t panic - help is on hand! SMCVS is organising a series of free workshops around the Moorlands to help groups understand what is involved. These will be held: Monday 3 March 2008 Werrington Village Hall - 7-9 pm Thursday 6 March 2008 Biddulph Town Hall - 7-9 pm Monday 10 March 2008 Butterton Village Hall - 7-9 pm SMCVS is a registered body with the Criminal Records Bureau and, as well as offering advice and guidance on the requirements of this new law and process, it can also offer access to registration for voluntary and community groups and those individuals seeking to work or volunteer in the voluntary and community sector, when it is required. (There is a charge for this service.) To book a place at one of the workshops, or for further advice on CRB, please contact Mike Smith on 01538 381356 and take a look at our CRB page. SMCVS Open Day - Wednesday 23rd January Posted 11th January 2008 Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services is opening its doors on Wednesday 23rd January and calling for Moorlanders to drop in, enjoy a coffee and cake and find out what SMCVS can do to help and support voluntary and community groups across the Staffordshire Moorlands. SMCVS offers a wide variety of support services to local groups – from the moment of set up when sorting out aims and objectives and management committees is of utmost importance – through to how to recruit and support volunteers to help run your group on a week to week basis. Most local groups rely heavily on grants and fundraising to even open their doors and SMCVS can offer one-to-one advice to any group in the Staffordshire Moorlands on ideas from where to secure funding, the timescales involved, help with completing applications and developing your project ideas. The Open Day will also be the first opportunity for local groups to pick up the 2008 Funding Guide produced by SMCVS – an invaluable tool for any local group. If your group offers weekly meetings or events and you would like to support your clients in being able to attend, then SMCVS’s Community Transport minibuses could help solve the practicalities of your transport problems. 4 wheelchair accessible minibuses are available to hire to provide transport on a regular or ad-hoc basis for voluntary, community and non-profit making groups across the Moorlands. If you need a meeting room for volunteer training sessions or help in producing publicity material to advertise your projects, then SMCVS can also help. Whatever your requirements, this is a great opportunity to find out what is on offer for voluntary and community groups in the Moorlands and the Open Day will be an opportunity to meet the SMCVS staff face to face in its new Reception at 15 Sheepmarket, Leek. Open from 3pm until 7pm on 23rd January, groups old and new are welcome to call in to ask questions, pick up information and find out how SMCVS can help and support them in the coming months. For further information - please contact the office on 01538 381356. |
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