Voluntary Action North Somerset

Voluntary Action North Somerset are pleased to announce the launch of a new two year programme of activities designed to further enhance the support we currently give to the voluntary  and community sector.  The programme is called In-Step and is funded by Capacity Builders.

In-Step is designed to make life easier for voluntary and community groups.  It will do this by working alongside them to help them realise their full potential, removing barriers that are impeding progress and arranging opportunities to share ideas and learning with similar groups.

The programme is aimed at those who have a leadership or managerial role within their organisation, so you could be a Chair (or other board or committee member), or perhaps you are a CEO, Director or Manager.  Your title is not important, only the desire to look for new ways of achieving even better results for you and your group.

The extent of your participation is down to you.  You may be seeking specific training opportunities, or you may just wish to be kept up to date with news and events that are of interest, or you may just be looking for the opportunity to network and meet new people.  Whatever your needs, please let us know.

If you would like your group, or a part of its membership to take part in the programme, or you would like just to have an introductory chat, then please contact Justin Parsons on 01934 410196, or by email - see vans-email-addresses Or write to us at VANS, The Badger Centre, 3-6 Wadham Street, Weston-s-Mare, BS23 1JY.

Pam Lacy has joined Voluntary Action North Somerset as CEO, replacing Linda Shaw, who left in April.

Pam said   “I am thrilled to have been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Voluntary Action North Somerset.  I have worked in the Third Sector since 1995 in a variety of roles, all based in the South West.

I am really looking forward to working alongside the VANS Board of Trustees, volunteers and staff as we continue to build on all that has been achieved so far in North Somerset.

It is going to be a very busy time for us over the next few months but I am confident that we will continue to give excellent support and help to the Voluntary and Community Sector in North Somerset and work in partnership with our colleagues in the statutory sector.”

The board of trustees expressed their appreciation of Linda’s hard work, commitment and support for VANS during her tenure as manager and director.

The TravelSmart programme offers free travel information and support to people who wish to find out more about walking, cycling and using public transport more often. TravelSmart is delivered by Sustrans and partners Socialdata with support from North Somerset Council and other partners.

TravelSmart is looking for:

• Field office team leader, up to £15,000 pa, 37.5 hours per week from 1 September to 31October
  Ref: NCN549, closing date for applications is Friday 18 July.
• a team of part time staff to carry out the following roles
  - Delivery £6.00 p/h
  - Packing £6.00 p/h office based
  - Data entry £6.50 p/h office based
  - Cycling and Walking advisors (£15/£10 per visits respectively)

Contact Lyn Collins for an information pack on 0117 9268893
or email jobs@sustrans.org.uk quoting Ref:NCN5491

Grants of up to £1,000 are available in the latest round of the Help Yourselves! Awards Scheme. The programme, provided by Save the Children in partnership with British Gas, supports community-based projects that can make a real difference to young people’s lives, particularly those who live in poverty.

The latest funding round in Phase Three of the Awards has been launched, with an application deadline of 11 July. Upcoming rounds to be held later in 2008 are expected to offer larger grants of £5,000 and £10,000 to communities suffering from severe poverty.

The scheme is open to all UK-based, fully constituted voluntary and community groups. Applications can come either from a young person linked to an organisation, or from an organisation that works with children and young people. Statutory organisations can also apply, providing they do not already receive funding to carry out the proposed activity.
Eligible projects must have a positive impact on the circumstances and experiences of young people and fulfil the following criteria:

• Improve the life chances for young people.
• Are led by young people at all stages, including planning and delivery.
• Benefit the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society.

Grants will usually be paid upfront in a single instalment. For more information about the programme, and to download application forms, visit the Help Yourselves! Award Scheme website at www.helpyourselves.org.uk

The For All Healthy Living Company, based at the Health Living Centre in Weston super Mare’s South Ward are advertising three new posts:

• Community Learning Co-Ordinator
  £18,450 - £22,845 pro rata  22 hours per week
• Mental Health For All Project Worker
  £21,412 - £22,845 pro rata 4 days per week
• Mental Health For All Activities Co-Ordinator/Administrator
  £15,153 - £16,217 pro rata 3 days per week

For application forms please contact Sarah Wood, For All Health Living Centre, 68 Lonsdale Ave, Weston super Mare BS23 3SJ Tel 01934 427426
email info@forallhlc.org or visit www.forallhlc.org and go to the jobs tab or download more information here.

GlaxoSmithKline’s Community Health IMPACT Awards in partnership with The King’s Fund.

Would you like to receive an award of up to £35,000 in unrestricted funding plus high – level recognition for your work?

• The Awards are open o registered charities that are at least 3 years old, working in a health related field in the UK, with a total annual income between £10,000 and £1 million.
• You do not need to present a new project. The Awards are designed to recognise success and achievements for existing work.
• Up to 20 awards will be made and you decide how to use the money.

You can apply by downloading an application form and guidelines from:

www.kingsfund.org.uk/gskimpactawards.

For a hard copy of the guidelines and brochure please send an A4 SAE to:

GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards, Funding and Development, The King’s Fund, 11 – 13 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN

Tel 020 7307 2400

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 26th September 2008

The Environmental Network of North Somerset and Weston Civic Society are holding a Green Festival on Saturday 30th August, 12 noon til 8 pm, at Weston Old Town Quarry on South Road.

At least 20 local Environmental groups will be there, along with celebrities Chris Sperring of Hawk & Owl Trust and BBC nature presenter Sanjida O’Connell.

Events include competitions, children’s activities, refreshments, pig roast and a Ceilidh in the evening.

For more information go to www.tenons.org.uk or phone 01934 623000/424675

IBM recently announced a new version of their Lotus Symphony office software which can be downloaded free here .  You can create documents, presentations and spreadsheets in Lotus Symphony which are fully compatible with Microsoft Office.

Lotus Symphony was voted Product of the Year for 2008 for office productivity, beating Microsoft Office, Open Office and ThinkFree Office.

Would you like to be able to communicate with people who have hearing problems?

Would you like to learn sign language to communicate with your Friends?

Come along and make new friends and learn a great new skill.

Thursday’s 10.00 - 12.00

Starting September 2008 at the Fire Station, Weston - super - Mare.

FREE Activity and FREE refreshments!!

Places are limited so please contact Vicky on 01275 884420