Communities and Voluntary Sector Support NEWSLETTER
Volunteering Week 2011
August 2011 Issue 12
Wiltshire Community Bank
The Volunteer Centre Wiltshire team were out in force in Chippenham High Street to celebrate Volunteers‟ Week 2011 and to promote exciting volunteering opportunities to members of the public.
Wiltshire Community Bank is now up and running! The credit unions in the county have been working closely together to design the new single service. Since 1 July 2011 customers can access the same financial products and the same levels of service no matter There was a burst where they live in Wiltshire. This new venture is of activity during 1 supported by Wiltshire Council‟s Voluntary and - 7 June when Community Sector Support Unit through the Action for organisations Wiltshire programme. across the country held Wiltshire Community Bank will have an important role to events and play in tackling financial exclusion by providing banking activities to and financial services to people who are not able to highlight their access such services from main-stream providers volunteers and (including affordable loans). This work features as a the volunteering opportunities available. key part of the delivery plan for Wiltshire Money which is the financial inclusion partnership. An official launch Volunteer Centre Wiltshire, together with Wiltshire for Wiltshire Community Bank is being planned for Council‟s Communities and Voluntary Sector Support October 2011. For more information contact Emma team, were out all day showcasing the different Cooper. volunteering roles on offer, meeting members of the th public to talk about the volunteering in their local community, and to hand out volunteering goody bags! A Wiltshire Council scheme that provides carers with emergency support has reached a new milestone – its For more information call 0845 521 6224 or visit 1,000th registered user. www.volunteercentrewiltshire.org.uk.
1000 Carer
Wiltshire Assembly The Wiltshire Assembly met on 9 June for its first conference of 2011 to discuss how we can create a lasting legacy for the people and places of Wiltshire. Presentation and workshop topics included the local impact and opportunities of the celebratory events of 2012 (the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Diamond Jubilee) and important county-wide projects (including Wiltshire Digital Inclusion Programme, Action for Wiltshire and the Military Civilian Integration programme). The next meeting of the Assembly will be held on 30 November 2011.
On Thursday, 23 June 2011 the council issued its 1,000th carers emergency card to Claire Cutler from Salisbury who cares for her husband Jason who has Multiple Sclerosis. Claire said: “I never heard of the scheme until I read about it in the council's magazine “Your Wiltshire” and I thought it sounded like a really good idea. I have been caring full time for my husband since 2009 and it is in the back of my mind what would happen if I was out and about and had an accident”. The Carers‟ Emergency Card was launched in 2008 and is available free to all carers of all ages, including parents and foster carers. For more information call Mary Baker on 0800 066 5068.
Wiltshire passport
The Voluntary and Community Sector Support Unit is working in partnership with the Army, Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and a range of other organisations to help ensure that exemplary services are offered at Tedworth House.
To celebrate Carers Week (June 13-19) Wiltshire Council officially launched its new discount scheme called the Wiltshire Passport, which benefits people who care for a friend or relative as well as young people with disabilities. Not only will it provide facilities for the wounded but will also develop services for Veterans. Wiltshire Council is The Wiltshire Passport is a discount card that is being developing a Veteran‟s Charter in partnership with a given as an incentive for carers who sign up to the number of organisations including those based at Carers Emergency Card and to young people with Tedworth House to help ensure that our Veterans are disabilities who register with the “The Key” - an online not disadvantaged in accessing services. For more register that keeps young people and their parents up to information contact Emma Cooper. date on services in the area. Already all Wiltshire Council and DC leisure centres have signed up to the scheme as well as 32 businesses from across Wiltshire. Holders of Wiltshire Passport will automatically be eligible for the council‟s Leisurecard, a 'show and go' discount scheme that enables people to access their leisure centres at discounted prices.
Help for Heroes Tesco Fundraising On Friday 1 and Saturday 2 July the team undertook some fundraising with Tesco
More information can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirepassport or contact Mary Baker.
Good Neighbour Scheme Launch – 5 July 2011 The official launch of Wiltshire Good Neighbours took place at an event held at and sponsored by Bishopstrow House, Warminster. The scheme helps people living in rural communities to maintain an independent and fulfilling life. This is an exciting new service that is being funded by Wiltshire Council and provided by Community First in partnership with Age UK Wiltshire and Age Concern Salisbury.
Tedworth House Opening Wiltshire Council is pleased to be supporting the new flagship Recovery Centre for wounded servicemen and women at Tedworth House which opened its door to residents in July.
for Help for heroes. This was a national fundraiser and over both days we raised £1,635 at Tesco, Trowbridge. Well done team!
Equalities Network Lunch The Equality Network Lunch (ENL), hosted by the staff forums, was definitely the place to be on 23 June. Our first guest speaker, Kate Pratt of Equality South West, gave a reflective presentation on issues arising from the new Equality Act including key points from the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). She explained the value of equality impact assessments and equality monitoring, not only as good practice, but also for evidence that the PSED is making a real difference. Our second guest speaker, Samantha Jones from Bath & North East Somerset talked about their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGB&T) staff forum. BANES staff benefitted as a positive action programme was put in place to enhance opportunities for career progression.
We ended on a high point with a list of actions to take forward that will improve access and opportunities for all. These include setting up more staff forums such as The Wiltshire VCS Awards scheme has been designed to recognize good for LGB&T staff and staff who are carers. practice, good performance and to celebrate the many Wiltshire & Swindon Users Network and Age UK excellent and Wiltshire, in association with Wiltshire Council CVS innovative initiatives team, are organising an „Age No Barrier‟ week, across the county. Saturday 1 October to Friday 7 October 2011, to coincide Those people with UK shortlisted have been Older invited to the evening People‟s awards ceremony on 4 October. For more information Day. contact Leanne Homewood.
VCS Awards 2011
Age No Barrier Week
The objective of „Age No Barrier‟ week is to celebrate the contribution older people make to their communities. We are asking organisations across Wiltshire to arrange an event during the week that interprets the theme „Full of Life‟ and brings together all ages for a fun and informative occasion. For more information please contact Audrey Ekstrom.
Network Lunches – Wednesday 7 September 2011 So far the Communities and Voluntary Sector support team have run two network lunches which have been open only to DCS Staff as a trial. We are now opening these to all Council staff and Councillors. Our next lunch will be on Wednesday 7 September 2011, 12.30 – 2.00 at Browfort, Devizes. The subject will be partnership working with a focus on military/ civilian integration. More details will follow via the Electric Wire, but if you would like to book a place now please email vcs@wiltshire.gov.uk The full programme of dates and topics can be found on our intranet page.
Spice Time Credits Update On 13 October the Spice working group will be holding workshops during the day and evening in Chippenham to discuss the project, how it can be taken forward and benefit those in the Chippenham area. Timings and venue details are yet to be finalised but will be publicised nearer the time, however, if you would like to take part please contact Sue Jeffreys.
Focus on…..Leanne Homewood I joined the council in 2003 and spent 4 years working in DCE. I moved to DCS and worked as PA to Niki Lewis in 2007 before moving over to work closely with Sandie Lewis and the newly formed VCS Support Unit in 2009, shortly after “unitary”. Being in the role I am in allows me to be involved in all aspects of the Communities and Voluntary Sector Support Team including support to other managers in the team. A Bristol girl at heart, I now live in Westbury with my husband of 11 years and two cats, Alexander and Sydney.
Communities and Voluntary Sector Support NEWSLETTER
August 2011 Issue 12
Team News With Big Society having a large impact on the work we do, our agenda and workplan is forever changing and evolving. We hope that this newsletter will keep you up-to-date as much as possible with what is going on in Communities and Voluntary Sector Support. The Communities & Voluntary Sector Support team are: o Sandie Lewis – Head of Community Strategy and Voluntary Sector Support o Leanne Homewood – Team Support Administrator o David Crisfield – VCS Business Relationship Manager o Sue Jeffreys – VCS Funding Co-ordinator o Bernie Fitzmaurice – VCS Commissioning & Contracts Officer o Emma Cooper – Partnership Development Manager o Rhian Bennett – Programme Lead – Carers o Mary Baker – Carers Coordinator o Karen Scott – Community Manager (Volunteering Development) o Sharon Brookes – Lead Officer - Equality and Inclusion o Audrey Ekstrom – Equality and Inclusion Officer o Kamalita Kinshasa – Equality and Inclusion Officer You can contact the team via individual emails or generic team emails as below: vcs@wiltshire.gov.uk equalities@wiltshire.gov.uk carersemergencycard@wiltshire.gov.uk key@wiltshire.gov.uk Further information about the team can be found on our webpage: http://thewire.wiltshire.council/index/dcs-homepage/corporate-voluntary-and-community-sector-support-unit.htm
Forthcoming Seminars DCS Network Lunches – DCS Staff Events only Wednesday 7 September, 12.30 – 2pm @ Browfort, Devizes – Theme: Partnership working with a focus on military/civilian integration Wednesday 5 October, 12.30 – 2pm @ Dewey House, Warminster – Theme: Carers Wednesday2 November, 12.30 – 2pm @ Council Chamber, Bradley Road hub, Trowbridge– Theme: Compact To book on any of the above please email: vcs@wiltshire.gov.uk
Job Vacancies in the sector Job Vacancy with DEVELOP: Volunteer Centre Manager Sought Are you a great communicator and highly motivated? DEVELOP is a local development agency providing support for the voluntary and community sector in Wiltshire. Volunteer Centre Wiltshire is one of the services we provide and we are currently recruiting for an experienced person to manage and develop our Volunteer Centre. Click here for more details.