e-Newsletter Issue 20, March 2014
CVS Brent is the local support and development organisation for the voluntary and community sector in Brent and this is Issue 20 of our newsletter for the sector.
The Newsletter is rolled out on a monthly basis and is also available on the CVS Brent website, together with past issues. If you have any comments or suggestions for our newsletter, please feel free to contact us. Please note, all Google Doc links can be saved to your computer using Ctrl + S or clicking File > Download. If you have any difficulty accessing or downloading documents via Google Doc links, don’t hesitate to contact Charlie at c.fernandes@cvsbrent.org.uk
If you only have a printed copy of this newsletter, you can access the digital e-newsletter version by entering the following address into a web browser.
CVS Brent Resource Centre Launch Report
We would like to thank all member organisations, other groups and local residents who attended the official launch of the CVS Brent Resource Centre. A report has been devised that summarises the events of the day. Click for the report.
CVS Brent Tweets
CVS Brent is now making use of social media via Twitter. We are tweeting on events, training, news, and more, of interest to the voluntary and community sector. Follow our tweets @cvsbrent
Events, Training, Conferences & Workshops
Budget Q&A Session with Brent Council
Monday 31st March, at 7:00pm – 8:30pm (registration from 6:30pm)
Venue: Brent Civic Centre – Conference Hall Council Chamber, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. map
CVS Brent will jointly be holding a session with Brent Council on the proposed budget to give local voluntary & community organisations the opportunity to ask questions to a panel which will include the Leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt. We will also be giving you the opportunity to raise questions ahead of the upcoming event. If you would like to submit a question ahead of the event, please do so by clicking here. To register your attendance, click the link below.
Click here to register attendance.
For any further information, contact Tessa Awe on t.awe@cvsbrent.org.uk / 020 3011 1690.
Income-Generation and Sustainability Workshop
Monday 17th March, at 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: CVS Brent, 5 Rutherford Way, Wembley, HA9 0BP. map
Free workshop on Income Generation and Sustainability. This event is focused on Income Generation, exploring opportunities through partnership working and a case study presentation. The event will also examine how migrant, refugee and community organisations (MCROs) can turn their strengths into income generation opportunities. This event is part of the delivery of the LSMP and London Enriched the Mayor’s Integration Strategy, a Joint initiative between the GLA & Refugee Council. Click to register. For further information, contact Fuad Uddin (Development Manager) at 07825 215 652 / f.uddin@cvsbrent.org.uk.
Business Planning and Governance Workshop
Monday 17th March, at 9:30am – 4pm
Venue: Brent Civic Centre – Members’ Suite Level 4, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. map
This is a free event for voluntary, community and faith organisations that work with children and young people, primarily in the Brent area but also across London.
This one-day workshop provides support and space:
To review further support & development needs around leadership and governance
To develop a framework around effective business planning for your organisation
To review the strengths and priorities for your service delivery in the future
The flyer can be downloaded. Click here for details and to book.
For further information, contact Darren Thomas (Youth Organisations Capacity Building Coordinator), at 020 3011 1695 / d.thomas@cvsbrent.org.uk
Women’s Services Fair
Wednesday 12th March, at 11:00am – 1:30pm
Venue: Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. map
Held in celebration of International Women’s Day, the event will have a range of stalls and start with a panel discussion on Women and Leadership. It provides a unique opportunity to interact directly with services such as the following:
Do you know someone experiencing DV or ‘honour based violence’?
Are you unsure how to support her?
Are you a young person in an unhealthy relationship?
Did you know Brent Council supports a multiagency network of voluntary organisations that provide confidential advocacy to women and girls?
Do you want to find out more about preventing female genital mutilation (FGM)?
Do you know what support is available for those who may have been victims of trafficking?
Are you aware of specialist DV services for diverse groups?
What is the Police’s strategy on violence against women in Brent?
Click for the event poster.
Brent Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum
Thursday 13th March, at 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. map
The Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum meetings are useful for voluntary and community groups to attend. Please confirm attendance by email: reehan.mirza@brent.gov.uk
Brent Connects – Tokyngton Week of Action
Starts Monday 10th March – Saturday 15th March, at 10:00am – 4:00pm each day
Location: Tokyngton Week of Action Marquee, the green, Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 0RJ. map
Weeks of Action are a new way for the council of dealing with the concerns of people about their local area. The rolling programme works with partners like the police, the voluntary sector and community groups. They also give residents more opportunities to meet their elected representatives and discuss local issues face to face.
More information is available at www.brent.gov.uk/weekofaction and in the flyer. Follow the Week of Action on Twitter @Brent_Council or using the hashtag #weekofaction
For further details, call 020 8937 1975.
Healthwatch Brent Public Meeting
Monday 17th March, at 6:30pm – 8:30pm (registration from 6:00pm)
Venue: Bridge Park Leisure Centre, Brentfield, Harrow Road, Stonebridge, NW10 0RG. map
Healthwatch Brent exists to make sure your views on local health and social care services are heard. So they are always looking for your voice, new members, and volunteers. At the meeting they will:
Let you know what Healthwatch Brent has done so far.
Elect one new Community Director, Ella Jackson*.
Ask for your views on the priorities for the next 6 months.
You can just turn up on the day, but it would help them to know if you plan to attend by booking online. Or register by phone on 0800 996 1839 (lines are open Monday 10am-1pm and Wednesday 2pm-5pm).
*to participate in the election, you will need to register as a member of Healthwatch Brent.
1 Voice Community – Family Fun & Information Day
Saturday 22nd March, at 10am – 4pm
Venue: The Village School, Grove Park, Kingsbury, NW9 0JY. map
1 Voice Community and Children with Disability team have collaborated to organise this Family Fun & Information Event, which is free and open to all parents and carers living in Brent. The purpose of the event is to gather information from the families with children who have a disability and additional needs. They are trying to inform and establish awareness of the struggles of these families in Brent. They aim to make it an enjoyable day for the whole family whilst gathering data. Please see the event poster for details.
They would like your organisation to attend and display and promote the service you provide. If you would like a table in their information market place, fill in the Reply Slip ASAP to 1 Voice Community, 379-381 High Road, Willesden, London NW10 2JR.
For further information, contact Judy Miller on 020 3556 0983 / 079 7225 3339 or email 1voicecommunity@gmail.com
Volunteers’ Fair & Celebration of Volunteering
Thursday 27th March, at 2:00pm
Venue: Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ. map
Volunteers Fair (2pm)
If you need volunteers to help your organisation, then this annual Volunteers Match-Making event will enable you to meet many potential volunteers in a ‘Speed-Dating’ format. Please use this registration form to be able attend the fair and meet many local volunteers.
Celebration of Volunteering (5pm)
To commemorate 10 years of Brent Active Citizens, there will be a celebration evening including entertainment from local performers, food and refreshment.
Brent Dance Month
Brent Dance Month returns in July 2014, with three ways to get involved:
Dance artists, organisations and health and fitness instructors are invited to send listings of dance events and classes taking place between Tuesday 1st until Thursday 31st July for inclusion in the programme.
Take part in Brent Celebrates Dance – they are seeking high quality performances from professionals, community groups and schools to perform in Brent Celebrates Dance, their showcase of international dance, on Friday 25th July. This is an excellent opportunity to reach new audiences and show what you can offer.
Brent Dance Blast, the annual youth dance competition open to 10-25 year olds, is a way to celebrate, encourage and promote the achievements of Brent’s burgeoning dancers. Dance Blast is open to groups, schools or individuals and is judged by professional dancers with a chance to win some great prizes. This year Brent Dance Blast is also linked with the Big Dance Youth Platforms offering a programme of exciting, high quality performances and taster workshops by London and local dance groups.
For more information and to download the relevant application forms visit Brent Dance Month or email arts@brent.gov.uk
Taking the Pulse of the Sector – Engage London Regional Learning Event
Monday 24th March
Venue: Resource for London, 365 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA. map
Join Children England for a free cross-sector regional learning event bringing together funders, local authorities and voluntary sector providers in London to review the challenges and needs are for children, young people and families and the organisations who support them.
Through speakers and roundtable discussions the event will address cross-sector priorities and key issues. The afternoon provides an opportunity to try out taster workshops from the events Engage London has been running over the last year.
Speakers include:
Yvette Stanley, Director of Children’s Services LB Merton
Kathy Evans, Chief Executive Children England
David Warner, London Funders
Neeraj Sharma, London Councils
Jabeer Butt, Race Equality Foundation
Click here to book a free place
LCRB Partnership Anti-Gangs Strategy Consultation Event & Survey
The Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) is coordinating the revision of the London Crime Reduction Board (LCRB) Partnership Anti-Gangs Strategy. The LCRB is chaired by the Mayor and brings together key stakeholders to address priority issues across London. One of these priorities is Gangs and Serious Youth Violence. The strategy refresh is being informed by a comprehensive consultation and engagement programme.
Consultation Event
Monday 31st March, at 6:30pm
Venue: City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London, SE1 2AA. map
This final session will be led by Stephen Greenhalgh, the Deputy Mayor for Policing And Crime, who will be joined by Commander Steve Rodhouse, the Head of Trident Central Command. The purpose of this final event is threefold:
Highlights from the consultation findings to date will be shared with participants for their consideration
The potential direction of travel in regards to the new strategy will be outlined to participants for their consideration
An additional opportunity to identify any key gaps or issues for inclusion in the revised strategy
If you are interested in attending this final consultation event, or want to learn more about the other events and how to take part then please contact LCRBgangsStrategy@mopac.london.gov.uk
There is also a short online survey. Although the survey states that it closes 14th March, the deadline has been extended to Friday 21st March.
Vacancies
P3 client seeks Office Admin Apprentice
This Office Admin Apprenticeship opportunity is available to young people aged between 19 – 24. The role involves providing effective administrative support and assistance to the Head Office departments including reception duties. 30 hours a week. £4.76 per hour.
Further details, including role responsibilities and applicant requirements, are in the advert.
To apply please contact Syreeta Augustine on 020 7328 7172 or 07958 514 835.
Stanmore College seeks Work Experience Placements for Students
Stanmore College is looking for work experience opportunities for their students. They would welcome the opportunity for the students to be involved in voluntary organisations where they can support the community and gain valuable work experience. Details are in the placement requirements sheet.
To discuss further, contact Ruth Korel, Employment Engagement Manager at r.korel@stanmore.ac.uk or 020 8420 7891.
CVS Brent Services
Development Support
As your local CVS, we are on hand to provide development support to organisations operating locally in Brent. We can offer support in a range of areas, as listed below:
Bespoke Fundraising
Networking and Representation
Capacity Building
Partnership Development
Governance Support
Assistance can be provided in person or over the phone. If you would like to access support from CVS Brent, contact us on:
Ms. Tessa Awe, Chief Executive
020 3011 1690
Mr. Fuad Uddin, Development Manager
07825 215 652
Mr. Darren Thomas, Youth Organisations Capacity Building Coordinator
020 3011 1695
Mr. Charlie Fernandes, General Enquiries
020 3011 1690
Funding & Awards
Well London – Commissioned Projects
Well London is pleased to announce funding for commissioned projects around employment, volunteering, healthy cooking and mental health. Well London is a health and wellbeing initiative and all projects are to benefit residents of Chalkhill in Wembley. Funding varies from £20,000 for employment to £4,000.
Anyone interested in applying for this funding will need to contact the Well London Chalkhill co-ordinator, Michael Stuart on 07568 575580 to informally discuss their tender. The closing date for applications is Sunday 16th March (midnight).
Click the following links for:
Big Local Youth Awards
Big Local is an exciting opportunity for residents in Wembley Central to use at least £1m to make a massive and lasting positive difference to their communities. It’s about bringing together all the local talent, ambitions, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make this area an even better place to live. We have two small programs to invest in engagement of Young People from the Big Local Wembley Central Area.
Award applications are now open. Closing date Monday 17th March (midnight).
1. BLWC Young People Activities Fund – The total available is £300 per activity (total of 6 awards). We are initially looking to award funding for one activity per organisation. (Discretion will be used in the event of an insufficient number of providers).
2. Video Project – Big Local Wembley Central (BLWC) is also looking for 1 provider for its young people’s video project, to help us document views of young people on camera and showcase BLWC, as well as the local area. Total available is £400.
For more details, please see links below:
For all enquiries, contact Katharine Harrison, BLWC Co-ordinator, 07702 021883. k.harrison@cvsbrent.org.uk www.biglocalwembleycentral.org
Play Wembley – Partnership Opportunity
Play Wembley is a modern indoor play centre for children from toddlers to 12 year olds. They would like to partner with a local children’s charity offering support through the following:
Donation included within the admission charge
Promotion of charity’s own fundraising activities via on site advertising boards
Website link on our valued partner page
This partnership agreement is proposed to last for 12 months. Click here for the charity proposal.
Biffa Award
Biffa Award provides funding to community projects under these four themes:
Rebuilding biodiversity
Community buildings
Cultural facilities
Recreation
The Small Grants Scheme provides grants of £250 to £10,000 for projects costing up to £30,000. The Main Grants Scheme provides funding of between £10,000- £50,000. There are no deadlines. Details are available at Biffa Award.
Comic Relief – Local Communities Programme
The programme aims to empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities. Projects should be run by local people directly affected by the issues they are dealing with. Priority will be given to small, locally based groups and organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community. Funding of between £1,000 and £10,000 can be applied for, to:
increase local services
build skills of local people
increase community cohesion
respond to local economic needs
Further details are in the grant guidelines document. To apply, fill in the online application form. The deadline for applications is Monday 24th March (5pm). For enquiries about the programme, email enquiries@londoncf.org.uk or call 020 7582 5117.
City Bridge Trust – Improving London’s Environment
London has some of the finest green spaces in any major city; nevertheless many areas suffer from an under-provision of open space and poor air quality. Environmental education plays a vital role in introducing many Londoners to the benefits and value of conserving and improving the ‘green’ environment. At a time of growing childhood obesity, many children are unaware of where their food comes from and its nutritional value. School gardens and growing projects can help address healthy eating at the same time improving London’s Environment.
City Bridge Trust are looking to fund:
work to support the environmental education of Londoners
outdoor learning initiatives, including city farms, wildlife centres, and river and canal initiatives
food-growing projects in schools, delivered by established environmental organisations
For more information visit the City Bridge Trust website.
John Lyon’s Charity
John Lyon’s Charity gives grants to registered charities for the benefit of children and young people. Grants are restricted to the nine London boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea and the Cities of London and Westminster. Since 1992 John Lyon’s Charity has distributed over £65 million to a large range of services including youth clubs, arts projects, counselling, child care and parental support schemes, sports programmes and academic bursaries. They accept first stage proposals at any time. Please have a look at www.johnlyonscharity.org.uk for further details.
Further Funding
Here you can find some additional funding streams (courtesy of All Direction Ltd)
[For individual documents, click the download button when it appears at the bottom-right of your web browser]
Brent 4 Community (courtesy of Brent Council)
You can also set up a free account to search NCVO Funding Central – Register here
Other Items of Interest
Work Ready Programme – Volunteer Placements
The Work Ready Programme has resumed, to be delivered by Newman Catholic College in cooperation with businesses across London. To celebrate the occasion, students, business mentors and participating organisations will be invited to a function at the House of Commons, with a date to be confirmed. 45 BTEC business students aged 16-18 are enrolled on the programme and eagerly awaiting placements in order to gain an insight into life in the work place through practical experience, at no financial cost to employers. Click for more information or contact Julian Dore on 07733 895 408 / jdore@ncc.brent.sch.uk
Brent Health Partners Forum – February Presentation
Brent CCG has shared documents, including a report from the previous Health Partners Forum, for interested stakeholders. If you would like to review, please use the links below.
Brent LSCB Safeguarding Children Training Programme 2014/15
If you work with or support children, young people and families in Brent, you can now access FREE Brent LSCB multiagency safeguarding children training courses online at brentlscb.learningpool.com
Through the site you can access face to face courses on topics that include:
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Child Sexual Exploitation
Understanding gang culture
Female Genital Mutilation
Learning from Serious Case Reviews
The impact of substance misuse
Working with sexually active young people
Managing allegations made against staff/volunteers
Safeguarding in the context of digital technology
Visit the site regularly to access relevant and topical Elearning and Face to Face courses as they become available to you. Individuals are responsible for creating their own learningpool account. (If you have not done so already, go to brentlscb.learningpool.com and select ‘Create New Account’).
If anyone has difficulties using this website, the dedicated LearningPool Support Team are available on 0845 543 6033 or by email support@learningpool.com. To learn more about Brent Local Safeguarding Children Board Website, visit www.brentlscb.org.uk
Brent Advice Matters Stakeholder Survey
Brent Advice Matters (BAM) is a new consortium made up of local advice agencies in Brent. BAM is lead by Brent Citizen’s Advice Bureau, who are undertaking a stakeholder mapping exercise to collect basic information of the different agencies in the borough and your key client groups. To help out, please complete this short form. The BAM programme is here to transform the way advice services are being delivered to local residents and includes Advice4Renters, Ashford Place, Age UK Brent, Brent Mencap, Brent Community Law Centre and CVS Brent. To find out more, contact Liz Moxon on 020 8438 1214 / liz.moxon@brentcab.co.uk or Fuad Uddin on 07825 215 652 / f.uddin@cvsbrent.org.uk
DBS (previously CRB) Check Service Available
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks service is available for people working with children or vulnerable adults. DBS checks were previously known as CRB checks. A DBS check service is provided by Empowering Families. You can contact them via
info@empoweringfamilies.org.uk / 020 3632 2344 / www.empoweringfamilies.org.uk /
Room 5, the Grange, Neasden Lane, NW10 1QB.
Brent Data
Brent Council has published open data on the Brent Data site. The site brings together a wide range of datasets, statistics and other documents about the London Borough of Brent. You can browse the popular datasets, or use the search to find what you’re looking for. For any queries, contact reehan.mirza@brent.gov.uk. Local data is vital for devising services, including writing funding applications. For assistance with your fundraising, contact f.uddin@cvsbrent.org.uk.
Incubator Space
CVS Brent in collaboration with Ashford Place is delighted to announce the launch of a new business incubator service providing support for people who want to set up their own business, Carmen Llorente from Ashford Place who leads on this project said ‘ This extension to our current work means that more people in Brent who want to start their own business will have access to quality time limited office space and resources, feasibility studies and business support throughout their stay at the new incubator space at CVS Brent. This collaboration is an excellent opportunity for Brent residents to become self-employed and ultimately provide employment to others. Anyone interested in having a discussion about this project should email Carmen.Llorente@ashfordplace.org.uk
Other Newsletters and Updates
The following links contain information streams provided by other organisations.
London Sharing Network – Updates relevant to Greater London, including information on events, grants, vacancies, research (courtesy of the Diversity & Social Policy Team, Greater London Authority) – London Sharing Network – [For individual documents, click the download button when it appears at the bottom-right of your web browser]
Members’ Items
Elders Voice – Space to Let in Kensal Green
Elders Voice are offering office space to let next to Kensal Green station. Rates are from £275 per desk per month. Details are in the flyer. Please ring Jenny on 020 8206 7507 if you would
like to know more, or email jennyd@eldersvoice.org.uk
Relate – Children’s Art Competition
Budding artist children of age 0-16 have a chance to win prizes including family days out and signed children’s books in Relate’s Children’s Art Competition. For a child to be in with a chance of winning, all they have to do is send a drawing or painting of their favourite family moment. Families come in all shapes and sizes, but we all have moments that are special to us so it’s great to share them. Winners will be invited to receive their prizes at a prestigious award event in London in April 2014.
For details, including the age categories, prizes, and how to apply, visit the art competition page. If you have questions about the competition, please email communications@relate.org.uk
The closing date for entries is Wednesday 19th March.
ICIC – Easter Revision for GCSE Science and Maths
The Iraqi Centre for Integration & Cohesion (ICIC) is providing group and private lessons to assist revision for GCSE and A-Level, in Science, Maths, and IT. The Easter revision will be two lessons per week (90 minutes each lesson) for 4 weeks starting on Friday 4th April. See the leaflet.
To register, call ICIC on 020 8970 2145 or 0771 971 8877 or email ICIC@hotmail.co.uk
InLondon Counselling
A new counselling and psychotherapy service has been introduced by BBS, offering the opportunity to refer clients who need counselling at affordable rates. The service is based at Willesden Centre for Health & Care, Robson Avenue, NW10 3RY.
Details are in the flyer.
For referrals or more information, call 020 3697 1187 or email info@inlondoncounselling.org
Help4LiPs – Articles
There is a process used by many for accessing information from a public body and (in some environmental cases) from private bodies performing a public function. To learn about it, click here.
Help4LiPs is grateful to David Rosen of Darlingtons for the following article, which will be of interest to many Litigants in Person.
A Criminal Claim brought by the CPS or by Private Prosecution?
NCS with The Challenge
NCS with The Challenge is a four-part summer programme for 16 and 17 year olds. Its aim is to engage young people in their local communities whilst breaking down barriers and building trust between different parts of the community. This year, they will be working with over 18,000 young people nationally – 300 of which will be in Brent.
In order to build a successful programme, they need a whole range of partners to make this happen. Below are the types of partners they are looking for:
- any charity that has a base within the borough of Brent
- any professional organisation / corporate body in Brent
- any environmental projects/organisations
- any community group that meets regularly over the summer (for e.g., play schemes, elderly day centres, care homes, women’s groups, lunch clubs, group sessions for people who have a particular condition, etc.)
- any organisation that could benefit from 60 pairs of helping hands (for e.g., big canal clean ups, allotment clear ups, painting of big community centres, etc.)
If you fit one of these criteria or are interested in contributing to the programme as an individual, email kavina.upadhyay@the-challenge.org
Please see programme overview for more details on specific partner requirements and dates.
Membership
CVS Brent is ready to offer support to civil society organisations operating in Brent, with assistance in group development, planning, governance, fundraising and so on. To access this support, please register your organisation as a member of CVS Brent, to ensure you receive the latest information, updates and support. Membership is free to civil society organisations that operate in Brent and forms will only take a few minutes to complete.
If you would like to join CVS Brent, please complete a membership application, which you can access from the following link.
