CN4M Bulletin 260106

COMMUNITY NETWORK FOR MANCHESTER

EMAIL BULLETIN - 26th January 2007

The Community Network for Manchester (CN4M) is part of the ManchesterPartnership (MP) that works specifically on behalf of voluntary andcommunity groups. CN4M is creating a more powerful voice for the voluntaryand community sectors in Manchester. For more information about the Community Network for Manchester and to view contact details please visit our website at http://www.cn4m.net/

1.0 Network News
2.0 Training
3.0 Events
4.0 Information
5.0 Jobs


1.0 Network News

1.1 Community Network for Manchester Strategy Group Meeting

The next CN4M Strategy Group meeting will take place on Tuesday 13th February 2007.The papers for the meeting will be sent out by email. If you require the papers in a different format please contact Clare Vermes 0161 234 2916 or mail t:clare@cn4m.net.

1.2 Managing Knowledge Questionnaire

Reminder - a questionnaire has been sent out to members of CN4M that has been designed to improve our understanding of how information, knowledge and experience are shared and managed within CN4M. Please complete the questionnaire and return it in the envelope provided.The information will be used to identify gaps in how knowledge is managed and to produce recommendations for future action. All questionnaires returned are confidential. If you have any queries about the research, or you would like further information please contact Cath Taylor 0161 234 2920 or mailto:catht@cn4m.net.

Thank-you for taking part.

2.0 Training

2.1 Every Action Counts - FREE Training Courses

Our training programme aims to equip community development workers,activists and trainers with the confidence and knowledge needed to raise environmental issues with communities and support them to decide whatactions they want to take.To book your place, please visit the website to download a booking form www.fcdl.org.uk/projects/defra/documents/EAC_courses.htm or mailto:admin@fcdl.org.uk

Find out how to get involved in other areas of the Every Action Counts programme at http://www.everyactioncounts.org.uk/

Course titles:

A1: Delivering environmental sustainable development taster sessions

A2: Delivering environmental sustainable development taster sessions:exploring local policies and strategies

B: Informal learning to promote environmental sustainable development within communities

D: Delivering the NOCN 'Sustainable (Environmental) Development' Unit

2.2 Free Workshops on Project Evaluation

The Manchester Institute of Sport and Physical Activity (MISPA), part of the Manchester Metropolitan University, has organised a free one day workshop on project evaluation.The workshop is entitled: 'Evaluation: What can it do for me?' and will be run on Wednesday 7th February 2007 from 10.00am - 3.00pm at Manchester Leisure Sports Development Centre, Denmark Road, Manchester, M15 6FG.The day will be practical in emphasis and will require participants to bring questions, case studies and a desire to share their experiences of evaluation. Participants on the day will learn more about the what, who, why, when, where and how of evaluation, and be provided with a practical,straightforward evaluation template to use.The workshop is part of a series of activities and information MISPA are providing in response to feedback from its June 2006 conference entitled:'Transforming communities through physical activity: What do we need to become more effective?'. Future events will be published shortly, including workshops on how to undertake an organisational skills audit and a second community focused conference in June 2007.For more information contact Anna Pumfrey on (0161) 247 6020mailto:mispa@mmu.ac.uk or view our website www.mmu.ac.uk/mispa

2.3 Date Change for ILM Introductory Certificate in Starting Your Own Business

Please note that the dates for the course ILM Introductory Certificate inStarting Your Own Business have been changed. This course will now run on the following dates:2nd, 5th, 9th, 14th and 23rd February and 13th March 2007 There are still some last minute places left for this course! Please contact mailto:ben.warren@gmcvo.org.uk to reserve your place.Please click on the link below for further information.

Course Advert <http://www.gmcvo.org.uk/uploaded/TC_AdSYB.pdf>

2.4 Regeneration Design Workshops

There are two courses coming up in February and March that might be of interest to tenant & resident or community groups who would like to get involved in improving their neighbourhoods.

Buildings by Design, 23rd - 25th February 2007

A course for groups who want to get involved in planning, designing and building a community facility in their neighbourhood. This course is designed for groups of between 3-6 working on a single project.

Neighbourhood Regeneration: An Introduction, 26th - 28th March 2007

An introductory course, open to both individuals and groups, that looks at how the design of our built environment affects our quality of life. This course is open for individuals to attend. The workshops are free to tenant & resident and community groups, and they take place in Chester at Trafford Hall. The only cost implications would be a £10 admin fee and travel costs to Chester.

For more information visit the website - http://www.theglasshouse.org.uk/

3.0 Events

3.1 Irwell City Park: What's your opinion?

Monday 12th February 2007 10am - 1pm

"It is the forgotten piece of the regeneration jigsaw and can't continue to be overlooked" "It will unite our two cities and greatly enhance the quality of life of residents" "The Irwell should be Manchester's Seine!"

What's your vision for the Irwell?

What activities & events could run in it, on it, and along its banks?

Manchester Residents Association and the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Pool are holding a free consultation event on the project to create a new park along the River Irwell

People's History Museum, The Pump House, Bridge Street, Manchester.

To book phone Tina on 0161 238 4920 or mailto:murphy@manchester.gov.uk ormailto:mra.city@btconnect.com

3.2 Manchester Business Continuity Forum Launch Event:

'Business Continuity,Whatever the Disruption'

6th February 2007, Manchester Town Hall 9am - 1pm

Want to know more about how you can protect your organisation against the effects of emergencies or disruption, whilst continuing to offer business as usual to your customers and service users........?

Interested in finding out more about how the new Manchester Business Continuity Forum can help your organisation be better prepared to cope with the effects of emergencies or other disruptions..?

Manchester Council is hosting a free, introduction to business continuity event for local businesses and voluntary organisations on the 6th February2007.There will be information and speakers on issues such as Pandemic Fluplanning, the role of the Manchester Business Continuity Forum, and the potential effects of emergencies on businesses and voluntary organisations.

For further information and to reserve a place, please contact Max Lawton at mailto:m.lawton1@manchester.gov.uk or telephone: 0161 234 4423.

Lunch is provided, so please let us know any dietary needs/preferences. Places are limited and will be reserved on a 'first come, first served'basis

3.3 Selling on the Web 2007

Is your business online? Do you want to build a website to expand your global reach?

On Monday 5th February 2007 we are running a FREE and updated "Selling on the Web" event at the City of Manchester Stadium for businesses in East andNorth Manchester. This is repeated for businesses in Central and South Manchester on Thursday 8th February 2007 at the Indus5 Restaurant, 587Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester, M13 0RX.

A hot buffet is provided and it's an excellent networking opportunity.

At this event you will find out how to use the web to meet and exceed your customers' expectations, what makes a good website, and the importance of integrating your website with your business. This will help you to improve or start an on-line business.This FREE series of hands-on workshops and seminars helps you develop e-business and profitability.

Further details and booking forms are available atwww.manchester-business.co.uk/existing-business-ebusiness-development.phpor mailto:Carol@manchester-business.co.uk or call Carol on 0161-236-1168

3.4 NCVCCO North West Regional Group Development Day

Friday 16th February 2007 10am - 3pm

The National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations North West Regional Group would like to invite you to their development day. The event is open to all voluntary and community sector organisation working with children across the North West.

Places are free but there are only a limited number available which will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Please contact Anna Lucas formore information or to book your place 0161 283 4795 or mailto:anna@togethertrust.org.uk

3.5 Take a FEW Small Steps into the future for Hulme

HELP HULME - YOUR ACTIONS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Action For Sustainable Living is a local community organisation, working with Hulme residents, and the Green Party, on a new project called 'A FEW Small Steps For Hulme'. The project is working with local people to tackle issues including Food, Energy and Waste.

A campaign is planned for Saturday February 3rd, during which volunteers will be knocking on doors, talking about the issues, giving away low energy light bulbs, obtaining pledges, and signing homes up to the renewable energy company Ecotricity.The combined effects of climate change, and ever increasing oil and gas prices, threaten the security and quality of life of inner city communities.The door-knocking event aims to raise awareness about climate change, and energy issues within the Hulme community and student population, and to encourage people to take action and plan for the future.

Volunteer doorknockers are meeting for the event from 9.30 am till lunch on Saturday 3rd,at Hulme Library on Stretford Road. So if you hear us knocking on your front door, then please open up to a sustainable new Hulme!

Green Party Councillor Vanessa Hall says, "This kind of project is special in that it brings together health, poverty and green issues, and is driven by and for the community".

In addition to the Door Knocking event, local people are encouraged to attend a FEW Small Steps launch meeting at the Zion Arts Centre, from 6.00 -8.00 on Wednesday 21st February, during which we will be working out a plan for the transition of Hulme into a low energy, sustainable neighbourhood.

For more information about the campaign, or to volunteer as a door knocker on the 3rd, contact Josh Steiner, the Action For Sustainable Living community consultant: mailto:josh.steiner@afsl.org.uk, phone 0845 634 4510, http://www.afsl.org.uk/.

3.6 The SUST Fashion Show - SUST07

Another eco/ethical fashion show as part of World Co-op day will take place at The Lowry Centre in Salford.This is your chance to get involved in SUST07! The show needs; managers, models, photographers, schools, community groups,designers, displayers, stylists, choreographers, lighting and technical people, DJs, publicists, event managers - basically people who want to help make ethical fashion main stream.

Last year's show had over 100 volunteers involved and wouldn't have happened without the support of Manchester's fantastic ethical, environmental and community sectors. We want this year's to be even bigger and better - but this will only happen with the right people getting involved. Is this you?

Two dates for your diary.....

Monday 5th February 6.30 - 8.00 at The Eighth Day Cafe, 111 Oxford Road, M17DU
First meeting for anyone who wants to commit to coordinating this event - please come along with an idea of what you can offer.

Sunday 8th July SUST07 at The Lowry Centre as part of world Co-op day.

Get in touch before the 5th February to let us know you want to be involved!

Joshua Steiner 0161 227 0377 mailto:josh.steiner@afsl.org.uk http://www.afsl.org.uk/

3.7 East Manchester Refugee Integration Forum

For agencies working in East Manchester and committed to working towards community integration and accessible services.The event will take place at Manchester City Football Club on Tuesday 20th February 2007, 9am - 4:30pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

To book or for more information please contact Rachel Foakes on 07950 374362

4.0 Information

4.1 Threat to funding for the Local VCS from the National Lottery

The Chief Executive of the National Association for Voluntary and CommunityAction (NAVCA) has written to VCS groups to urge them to take action to defend funding for local voluntary organisations and community groups in their area.The Government is short of at least £900m for the Olympics. Ministers arefighting over how to fund the Olympics. The Chancellor wants the National Lottery to provide the money. If this happens the Big Lottery Fund, SportEngland, the Arts Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund will all lose large amounts of money, much of which would otherwise go to the local voluntary and community sector.For a copy of the letter and more information about what you can do pleasevisit the news section of the CN4M website http://www.cn4m.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=35

4.2 Oxfam Live 2007

Oxfam Live will be touring the country throughout April and May, giving you the chance to hear about their work to end poverty and suffering. Inspiring international speakers and fun workshops, where you can develop new and practical skills, will be coming to a city near you.The roadshow gives you the chance to hear about how they work around the world and how you can get involved. Directors will be on hand to answer yourquestions. So don't miss these exciting events. Find out where your nearest Oxfam Live is and register today.

Oxfam live is coming to Manchester on Tuesday 1st May 2007 at The Urbis, Manchester

Shop volunteers' session will start at 4:30pm.

Main session will start at 6:30pm - finishing at 9:20pm

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfamlive/

See how you make things happen.

5.0 Jobs

5.1 Manchester People First are recruiting 2 Development Workers

2 Development Worker posts p/t 16 Hours per week

Up to Scale 5 pt 25(£20,235) pro rata Until March 2008 in the first instance

Post 1 - To set up, support and develop a self advocacy group for Asian adults with Learning Disabilities.

Post 2 - To set up, support and develop a self advocacy group for Black adults with Learning Disabilities.

A good understanding of cultural diversity in Manchester is essential for both posts.

For an application pack please call and state which post you are applying for on 0161 205 0800 ansa 24 hour.

Closing date for applications 15th February 2007 12 noon.

5.2 Fairer Enterprise: Social Enterprises and Schools Seeking an active scientist or engineer working in a social enterprise/ThirdSector organisation

There is a grant for schools to run a project with active scientists or engineers. Most schools link with traditional business concerns but I would like to see if I could develop a project or projects with someone working ina social enterprise.The project would cover hospitality and expenses for the scientist. The grant would cover equipment and other project costs up to £3,000.

Ideas could be around recycling, waste, climate change, biodiversity etc

If you would like further information please contact Anne Strachan, Project Manager, DEP, Laurel Cottage, c/o Manchester Metropolitan University, 799 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2RR.

Tel: 0161 921 8013 or mailto:anne@dep.org.uk http://www.dep.org.uk/

5.3 Police Community Support Officer Vacancies

Unemployed and Bored? Fancy Something Completely Different? Fed up with that mundane 9 to 5 job? Put something back into the community? Why not become a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)?

At £19,686 to £21,979 pa including shift allowance it has to be worth a look at.

Work Solutions in partnership with Greater Manchester Police will be running a number of four week pre recruitment courses. To find out more call 0161 828 3270 and speak to Neil Robinson or mailto:neil.robinson@work-solutions.org.uk

5.4 The Media Foundation Placement Scheme

The Scheme is now recruiting for 20 individuals from the North West who will participate in a year long paid trainingscheme under supervision by industry professionals. The roles are varied ranging from HR assistant to production runner. This Positive Action scheme is aimed at giving individuals from an ethnic minority background theopportunity to gain skills and experience within the media industry, whichin turn will help individuals compete fairly for that first foot on thecareer ladder!For further information please visit the website http://www.mtnw.co.uk/ or contact Michele Bentham on mailto:michele.bentham@itv.com or 0161 827 2734

If you have any information you would like to circulate in a future email bulletin, please email mailto:catht@cn4m.net by Thursday 12.00pm the daybefore.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the email bulletin, please email mailto:catht@cn4m.net.