Council For Voluntary ServicesCentral Lancashire

Welcome to our weekly roundup of all things Voluntary Community Faith Sector in Central Lancashire!

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Sections: (click to go, press "Home" to come back)Funding Opportunities; Vacancies and Employment; Volunteering; Fundraising News;Training; Events; Public Notices; Appeals; Consultations; Health; 

And now, the news …

 Funding Opportunities

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales: Invest and Enable Programmes - opened 2 April 2014  Launched on 2nd April 2014, the Foundation’s new grant programmes - INVEST and ENABLE are now open for applications.  The new funding programmes invest in charities supporting people to break out of disadvantage at critical points in their lives, and promote practical approaches to lasting change. Support will be adapted to the needs of small and medium sized charities (income between £25,000 and £1 million) that are committed to delivering work which breaks or prevents cycles of disadvantage.Flexible and Responsive Grant Making:

INVEST – A flexible, long term core funding programme for organisations delivering clear, targeted outcomes for disadvantaged people (Grants up to £25k per annum and up to six years);ENABLE – A smaller and shorter grants programme for organisations that have identified clear development needs (Grants up to a total of £15k over two years);ENHANCE –provides an option of tailored in-kind support to strengthen and develop charities. If you are successful in applying for anInvest or Enable grant, we will work with you to identify whether support under the Enhance programme is right for you.How to apply:We operate an online application process and encourage applicants to find further information on our new programmes and strategy at:http://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk

British Council: School Partnerships Grants Programme - opens 14 April 2014  Through the programme funding is available for UK schools to develop partnerships with schools in specific other countries. An annual grant of £1,500 for each school in the partnership is available. The funding offers young people the chance to collaborate directly with their international peers, bringing challenging global issues to life and creating cross-cultural relationships. The grant must be spent on visits from at least one teacher from each of the schools in the partnership. It should be used to: Cover the cost of flights; Accommodation; Travel insurance; Local transport; Visas; Vaccinations; Food; etc. The funding is available to all educational institutions with students aged from 3 to 18. The British Council accepts applications for schools from across the Middle East, Sub-Saharan and North Africa, South and East Asia, Central and South America, and the UK. Schools need to be able to show how the Connecting Classrooms partnership will: Increase global citizenship; Enrich education; Develop equitable and sustainable partnerships between schools.http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/programmes-and-funding/linking-programmes-worldwide/connecting-classrooms/partnerships

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): Research into Tackling Poverty - 24 April 2014  The maximum grant available is £250,000, for up to 100% of the project's full cost, and the ESRC expects to fund between three and five projects for 24 months. A meeting for prospective applicants and other stakeholders will take place at Cardiff University from 9.30-12.00 on 8th April 2014 to provide further information and networking opportunities for interested parties from the research, policy and practice communities. Participation in the meeting is not mandatory for the submission of proposals.  The closing date for applications is 4pm on 24th April 2014. Decisions will be announced in July 2014 and

projects are expected to commence by 1st October 2014.http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/29793/what-works-centre-for-poverty-reduction.aspx

Creative Employment Programme - deadline 25 April 2014  The £15 million, National Lottery funded programme aims to increase work and training opportunities for unemployed young people within the creative sector. The programme will provide funding for 6,500 new traineeships, apprenticeships and paid internship opportunities to help young unemployed people enter the arts and cultural workforce. Employment created will be in a wide range of disciplines, from technical to administrative roles, provided they are located in England and fall within the Arts Council England's footprint of: Music; Dance; Theatre; Literature; Visual Arts; Contemporary Craft; Combined Arts; Carnival; Circus; Galleries; Museums; Libraries. The programme will provide part wage grants to employers who create new apprenticeship and internship job opportunities for young unemployed people aged 16-24. Employers will need to make an application for funding in order to access a part wage grant.http://creative-employment.co.uk/the-creative-employment-programme

European Commission: Erasmus + Programme: Funding for Schools Staff to Teach or Train in Europe - deadline 30 April 2014  This is the Commission's new programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport for 2014-2020. Under this call for proposals, schools in the UK can apply for funding to allow education staff to teach or work at a partner within the EU and or to undertake professional development activities within the EU. This can include: The participation in structured courses or training events; Or job shadowing in a partner school or another relevant organisation active in the field of school education. Activities can last from 2 days to 2 months, excluding travel time and is available to School based education staff (teaching and non-teaching, including school managers, heads, etc). The funding available covers travel and subsistence costs, course fees, organisational costs and any special needs costs. http://www.erasmusplus.org.uk./how-to-apply

Law Society Charity - deadline 30 May 2014 The Law Society Charity has announced that the next application closing date for its grant making programme is the 30th May 2014. The Law Society Charity was set up in 1974 by the Law Society as a charitable fund. The Charity provides grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 to voluntary sector organisations for projects that: Promote Human Rights; Access to Justice; Legal Education. http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/about-us/law-society-charity/apply/

Church of England: Church and Community Fund - deadline 30 June 2014 The overall aim of the fund is to grow the Church of England and develop its capacity to engage with the whole community. Parish churches, deaneries, dioceses and other bodies connected to or working in partnership with the Church of England can apply for funding for projects that: Significantly expand the Church's engagement with neighbourhood renewal; Seek innovative ways of developing established community projects so that they either grow existing or evolve into new communities of Christian Faith; Replicate models of successful community engagement across the wider church. The level of grants available range from £10,000 to £20,000; except for the theme relating to the replication of projects where grants awarded can be up to £60,000.http://www.ccfund.org.uk/apply/meetingdeadline-dates

£320 Million Transformation Challenge Award Opens for Applications - deadline 1 July 2014 The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that its new £320 million Transformation Challenge Award has opened for applications.  The fund is open to bids from Local Authorities with plans to redesign public services in a way that works for users, as well as efforts to reduce long-term costs to the taxpayer by making public bodies both more efficient and more effective. The Transformation Challenge Award is a challenge fund which makes £120 million grant (£15 million in 2014 to 2015 and £105 million in 2015 to 2016) and a £200 million facility to use the capital receipts from asset sales. During the 2014 - 15 bidding round awards of up to £400,000 are available to facilitate small district councils (with a spending power of £15 million or less) to share a senior management team to support a small number of places which, by working with other public sector partners, can utilise funds in 2014-15 to reform services and make a return in 2014-15. The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 1st July 2014.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transformation-challenge-award-and-capital-receipt-flexibility-2014-to-2016-prospectus

£2,500 Prize for DepicT! Short Film Competition (UK / International) - deadline 7 July 2014 The Watershed in Bristol has launched the 2014 DepicT! competition for short films and animations of just 1.5 minutes.  Running for the nineteenth year, the competition is free to enter. The overall winner will get a cash prize of £2,500 and all of the shortlisted entrants will be invited to network at the Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival in September. Open to filmmakers across the globe, films can be on any subject and in any genre and previous winners have had their work screened at international film festivals.

The deadline for submitting films is 5pm on Monday 7th July 2014.http://www.depict.org/

Carnegie UK Trust: Carnegie Challenge - deadline 14 July 2014 The Carnegie UK Trust has announced that it is offering up to ten not-for-profit organisations from the UK and Ireland the opportunity to win grants worth £3,000 to hold inspiring debates on how to improve people’s wellbeing.   The Carnegie UK Trust has been arguing that focusing on delivering economic growth as the sole indicator of social prosperity is flawed. Instead, the Trust believes the time is right for the UK and Ireland to shift its emphasis from economic production to improving people’s lives more broadly. The Carnegie Challenge aims to support events around the UK and Ireland that will deepen understanding of what influences individual and societal wellbeing; explore how best to measure wellbeing and how this can be used to shape policy and practice; or examine what practical steps can be taken by third sector organisations and governments to improve wellbeing.  There will be three funding rounds in 2014 and the next closing date for applications is the 14th July 2014.http://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/changing-minds/carnegie-challenge

Sita Trust's Enhancing Communities Programme Core Fund - deadline 21 July 2014 Under the Sita Trust's Enhancing Communities Programme Core Fund, grants of up to £60,000 are available to not for profit organisations, community groups, schools, parish councils, local authorities and charities for projects that make physical improvements to community facilities and historic buildings / structures. SITA will accept applications from projects which are within 3 miles of qualifying SITA UK waste processing sites. Grants of up to £20,000 are also available through their Fast Track Fund for projects with an overall cost of no more than £40,000. Projects on school or pre-school sites where the facilities will primarily benefit the school are not eligible. However, an application may be considered from a school if it can be clearly demonstrated that the wider community has significant opportunities to use the facility and the facility is run by an organisation that is separate from the school (although the school may be represented); and access to the facility for community use must be via an entrance that is separate from the school.  The next closing date for applications is 10 am on the 14th April 2014 for the Fast Track Fund and 5 pm on the 21st July 2014 for the Core Fund.http://www.sitatrust.org.uk/community-funding

Daiwa Foundation: Funding for Links with Japan - deadline 30 September 2014 The Daiwa Foundation which supports closer links between Britain and Japan is seeking applications under its small grants programme. Grants of £3,000 - £7,000 are available to individuals, societies, associations or other bodies in the UK or Japan to promote and

support interaction between the two countries. Daiwa Foundation Small Grants can cover all fields of activity, including educational and grassroots exchanges, research travel, the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and other projects and events that fulfill this broad objective. New initiatives are especially encouraged. http://www.dajf.org.uk/grants-awards-prizes/daiwa-foundation-small-grants  

£170m Funding for Small Firm Apprenticeships - available until 31 December 2014 The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (AGE) scheme will receive additional funding of £170 million over the next two years, in order to encourage small firms to take on apprentices aged 16-24.  From January 2015, AGE will focus entirely on small firms with fewer than 50 employees. Funding available includes a £1,500 grant per apprentice for employers who have not taken on an apprentice in the previous year. Up to 10 apprenticeships can be funded through these grants. A further £20 million funding is available for firms taking on degree-level or postgraduate apprentices. This investment will part-fund the training of degree level or postgraduate apprentices, with the rest of the cost of the training met by the employer. AGE 16 to 24 is available until 31 December 2014, subject to eligibility and availability.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/funding-for-apprenticeships-helps-small-business-and-post-graduates

Prince's Regeneration Trust (PRT) - no stated deadlineThe Prince's Regeneration Trust (PRT) has been awarded a £200,000 by the Big Lottery Fund to set up a new social enterprise fund to enable deprived communities across the UK reuse locally important at-risk buildings. The fund is aimed at the growing number of investors seeking to use their capital to generate social impact as well as financial return. It will invest in social enterprises based in deprived locations to enable them to acquire empty or neglected important local assets before they fall further into disrepair. These buildings will then be redeveloped in partnership with their local community to once again become relevant, engaging and accessible spaces, restoring a sense of purpose, pride and possibility to an area. In the next six months PRT will develop its concept into a detailed business case for investors, demonstrating the financial viability of the fund, how its social impact will be assessed and how PRT will work in partnership with other organisations to maximise the fund's effectiveness.http://www.princes-regeneration.org/news/prt-awarded-200k-big-lottery-grant-establish-first-of-its-kind-social-enterprise-fund

Wilko gives community boostTeam members at the Wilko store on Friargate, Preston, are offering a helping hand to community groups and charities in the area. Whether the project benefits young people,

families or the elderly, Wilko is appealing to anyone who is passionate about their local community to get involved and apply for a donation from the store’s Helping Hands budget. People living within Preston and the surrounding area can apply to the store for a monetary donation, Wilko products, or team members’ time. Nathan Morrow, Wilko store manager, said: “The Helping Hands scheme is all about supporting local projects and directly benefitting the lives of people who live and work close to our store. As a company, it’s great to be able to help local groups and charities".http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/wilko-gives-community-boost-1-6544269More:http://www.focusonfunding.org.uk/funding-news/wilkinson-helping-hands

How to make the most of charity auctionsIf you're thinking of holding an auction to raise money for your charity, check out this really useful guide from fundraising technology specialists Bidtech, which is designed to help you maximise the success of your event.http://www.charitydigitalnews.co.uk/2014/04/07/how-to-make-the-most-of-charity-auctions/

Conduct your own funding searches at Funding Centralhttp://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/default.aspx

Vacancies and Employment

Age Concern Central Lancashire: Day Support Assistants - closing date 24 April 2014  3 x 18 hour positions (3 days out of 5)1 x 24 hour position (4 days out of 5)Based at Withy TreesQualified with NVQ 2 – £7.39 per hour. Unqualified – £7.03 per hourMore: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2014/04/10/ACCL.pdf

National InsuranceFrom 6 April 2014 employers can claim the Employment Allowance and reduce their employer Class 1 contributions (NICs). Charities (including Community Amateur Sports Clubs) that pay employer Class 1 NICs on their employees' or directors' earnings can claim the Employment Allowance.https://www.gov.uk/employment-allowance-up-to-2000-off-your-class-1-nics

Volunteering

Preston FMPreston FM is the People's Community Radio station for Preston and South Ribble. We have recently been awarded a 5 year licence extension by Ofcom for hitting all our targets and providing a valuable service to the community. We provide a 24/7 on air and internet service to over 27,000 in the area (recent survey figures) and are run entirely by volunteers. We are not a commercial or Government funded station. Would you like to come and join us?  We are always looking for new presenters,producers, admin support staff, music librarians, local journalists, and a host of other people who wish to get involved in your radio station. Free, yes free training courses are being organised now and if you wish to get involved then either call us on 01772 881001 (after 10am) or email stationmanager@preston.fm or studiomanager@ preston.fmCourses will be run from the end of April through May, and will consist of 3 weekend days or 8 weekday evenings, to be held locally, and there are no barriers to entry on the course. You could be the next voice of Preston FM. 

 Fundraising News

Preston Caribbean Carnival Preston Caribbean Carnival is delighted to announce its latest sponsor: Community Gateway Association, Preston's largest social housing provider.   More: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2014/04/10/CCCGA.doc

Organisers ‘delighted’ after hundreds sign up for Race for LifeMore than 700 women have already signed up to this year’s Race for Life event in Preston. The charity 5k event will take place in Moor Park on June 15 and organisers say they are delighted with the response from people so far. Last year, 1,907 women took part in Race for Life in Moor Park, Preston and raised a fantastic £94,616. To enter visit http://www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050

The entry fee is £14.99 for adults and £10 for girls under 16. This covers the costs of staging the event series and means that money raised in sponsorship can go to help beat cancer.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/organisers-delighted-after-hundreds-sign-up-for-race-for-life-1-6551084

Peter Jackson Jewellers: Bid to raise moneyCharities are set to receive a boost thanks to an initiative being run by a jeweller. Peter Jackson, who has a store in the St George’s Centre in Preston has set his employees a challenge to raise the cash for their chosen charities. Each of the five Peter Jackson the Jeweller stores in the North West and head office will receive a £500 to start their fundraising. The store raising the most money will have its total doubled the firm.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/bid-to-raise-money-1-6551876

Bounce for charitySchools, businesses and community groups are being urged to get behind a Preston charity’s ‘The Big Bounce.’ Heartbeat’s Big Bounce will take place in June and aims to raise the money and awareness.  Lisa Riding Heartbeat Fundraiser said: “The Big Bounce takes place over a week which commences on Monday June 30. Within this week we ask that you take part in some bouncing activities, this doesn’t have to be trampoline based it could be hop scotch, skipping or bouncing a ball, the possibilities are endless! This then leads up to the final ‘Big Bounce’ on Sunday July 6 at Preston City’s Trampoline Club.” For more information about the event and to register please contact Heartbeat on 01772 717147 or email lisa.riding@heartbeat-nwcc.org.uk Full sponsorship packs will be issued upon registration.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/bounce-for-charity-1-6550928

Friends gear up for charity trekTwo pals are set to embark on a gruelling challenge across the Sahara Desert to raise vital funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Sophie Bashall from Preston and Alli Croft from Clitheroe will take part in the week long trek across the world’s largest hot desert between November 2 and 9 and are hoping to raise £1,900 each for local Marie Curie nurses.  To help raise the funds for the pair have organised a Midsummer Ball on Friday June 13 at The Inn at Whitewell in Clitheroe, the event will include a four course dinner, pre-dinner drinks and entertainment. For ticket sales and information call the Lancashire Fundraising office on 01254 855042.http://www.justgiving.com/teams/AlliandSophie

Charity fraudsters use Help for Heroes’ popularity to help themselvesCriminals are profiting from people’s sympathy for the plight of wounded soldiers, with a dramatic rise in the number of reported frauds by “charities” trading on the reputation of Help for Heroes and similar organisations, police have warned. There has been a 14-fold increase in the number of cases exploiting variations of the “heroes” theme, according to new figures. The data shows that the number of such cases reported to forces across England and Wales soared from two during the last quarter of 2012 to 29 for the same period last year.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/charity-fraudsters-use-help-for-heroes-popularityto-help-themselves-9242465.html

 Training

Intact: Dementia Awareness  - 16 April 2014  9.45am to 12pmPoster. Please download, print and display. http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2014/04/10/Dementia.pdf

Lancashire Adult Learning: Raising Confidence and Motivation - 8 week course starting 28 April 2014  10.00am – 12.00pm ( 8 weeks) at Cotton Court, Church Street, Preston PR1 3BYThis FREE course will help you to develop personal self confidence and increase your levels of motivation. You will also have the opportunity to overcome barriers, and learn how to set easy goals to help you achieve your potential. You dont need to book in advance to attend this course, just turn up on the day. If you would like more information about the course, please call Debra Bradshaw on 01257 276719 or 07825 931316.Poster. Please download, print and display. http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2014/04/10/LAL.pdf

Intact: English Study and Learn - 6 week course starting 29 April 2014  5.30pm to 6.30pmPoster. Please download, print and display. http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2014/04/10/English.pdf

TED (Training Education & Development) is an ethical company, whose main aim is to help people who are experiencing knock backs in life due to adverse circumstances. We offer free English and Maths classes in a

friendly environment at Kingsfold Communitiy Centre every Monday evening 6.30 til 8.30 and Free Creative Writing Classes every Wednesday evening at the centre 6.30 til 8.30. (we will be closed for Easter hols and start up again 23rd of April). We do deliver anAWARD IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING (formerly PTLLS) - 28 April - 1 May 2014 course and our next 4 day course for this is: 28th April - 1st May. The cost is £230 (credit facilities available). We also do a L2 food hygiene course (a bespoke course especially designed for those who are not comfortable with computers and online courses) £59 for a full day course. Anyone can email: tednorthwest @yahoo.co.ukfor information in the first instance.

Preston FMSee training opportunities listed in "Volunteering" (above).

 Events

Preston: Salsa North West: Culture Workshop - 5 April - 10 May 2014 As part of a scheme to offer activity to all community groups in the area, Salsa Northwest will be presenting a number of FREE workshops for you to take part in.  The workshops will run every Saturday from 5th April through to 10th May with the final Showcase on 17th May.  If you would like to take part in the Showcase, we will hold rehearsals between 6-7 pm after the workshops. Please feel free to share this invitation to your groups, colleagues and friends.  The events will be an experience into the mixed cultures which we share our community with.  Each workshop will be presented by someone who has worked to be amongst the best in their area and who will deliver the workshop for you to gain a memorable experience. Our teachers are coming from around the region and we will also be joined by the Salsa Twins, all the way from Cyprus.  The Salsa Twins have gained worldwide recognition in their dancing and have appeared on TV shows and taken part in numerous dance events around the world.  I have attached the timetable so you can select all of the workshops that you are able to attend. Don’t forget, these are FREE. FREE to you the community, your friends, work colleagues, family and the guy next door. If you would like any further information, please get back to me. alternatively please just turn up.  No booking or advance notice is required to attend.Sandra Kinder, Salsa North Westsandra@salsanorthwestMore:http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2014/04/10/SalsaNW.pdf

British Commercial Vehicle Museum: Meccano & Model Builder Exhibition - 12 - 13 April 2014  This weekend the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, in Leyland will host the annual Meccano & Model Builder Exhibition, a two-day event for all ages featuring an enormous collection of full-size model replicas. From Meccano trains, model fairground rides and construction equipment to boats and planes, there’s plenty to see this weekend throughout both the museum and the exhibition. Many of the vehicles are fully functional models, displayed among 60 full size operational vehicles. There will also be a photographic display and screening of a short film of the world’s only full size Meccano bridge.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/model-behaviour-at-museum-1-6551629

Leyland Lions: 10th Anniversary Events - from 14 April 2014  A junior sports club will be celebrating its 10th anniversary next week. Leyland Lions junior squash and racketball will be marking the occasion with a week of activities from Monday to Friday. Laura Massaro from Chorley, currently number two ranked squash player in the world, will open the events on Monday at 11.30am. John Gibson said the programme was an opportunity for youngsters who have never played the support to take part in the free sessions.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/week-of-events-to-mark-10th-anniversary-of-sports-club-1-6554185

Preston & District Dyslexia Association (PADDA): Assistive Technology Event - 26 April 2014  Hi please find attached Preston & District Dyslexia Association event for Assistive Technology on Saturday 26th April 9:15-3pm cost includes lunch and is at County Hall Preston. Also on the leaflet are the opening times for the resource centre at Galloway’s Penwortham. Please forward this information on to other parents, carers support groups and teaching staff who may benefit. Hope to see you there. Kind Regards Jenny Tillotsonhttp://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2014/04/10/padda.pdf

National Forum for Health and Wellbeing: 13th Annual Health Mela 2014 - 3 May 2014 Preston Guild Hall11 a.m. - 4 p.m.More: http://www.nfhw.org.uk/events/event/2014-preston-health-mela/Poster. Please download, print and display. 

http://www.nfhw.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/preston-health-mela-2014-poster-2.pdf

 Public Notices

Preston: St Walburge's: Landmark church future 'secured'A Preston landmark and Grade I listed building threatened with possible closure has had its future secured. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster said St Walburge's Church would get a new lease of life in the autumn. The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest will run the church which was facing being decommissioned. The religious order, which specialises in celebrating Mass in Latin, also saved Saints Peter, Paul & Philomena Church, in New Brighton two years ago.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-26913208

Preston: Spring in full swing on Guild WheelThe number of walkers and cyclists using Preston’s Guild Wheel is rapidly growing as the better weather arrives, according to chairman of the Guild Wheel Project, Peter Ward. Mr Ward said he expects that 2014 will see more than last year’s 8,000 people per month using the 21-mile circuit. He claims this is partly down to natural wild flower bulbs and seeds now beginning to bloom along the route. Last autumn and this spring, groups of students from Myerscough College and apprentices from Preston Council’s Parks Department gave a hand to volunteers carrying out planting work.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/spring-in-full-swing-on-guild-wheel-1-6548792

Preston: Town Hall move for advice servicesFrom 7 April 2014, people needing the services of housing advice, welfare benefits advice and debt advice teams must visit the Contact Centre at Preston Town Hall. Council bosses said saving money by moving services would improve the overall service to customers, in a better and more accessible environment. As part of budget savings for 2014 to 2015, council offices at Birley Street are set to be closed.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/town-hall-move-for-advice-services-1-6542306

Preston: Turf disappears twice from community green spaceA community has been left disappointed after newly-laid turf disappeared from a green space. An area of Tanterton Hall Road in Ingol had been landscaped by Preston Council twice within a week, but each time the grass was removed. Now police are investigating, and residents’ groups are asking neighbours to look out for lawns which have “appeared

overnight”.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/turf-disappears-twice-from-community-green-space-1-6551661

Penwortham: Upset after vandals strike at town’s war memorial“Mindless vandals” have desecrated a war memorial, months before centenary commemorations of the First World War. Ron Drakeford, chairman of the Friends of Penwortham War Memorial, said it “looked like a bomb had gone off” at the site in Liverpool Road, Penwortham. The Friends of Penwortham War Memorial meet once a month to carry out maintenance work and to attract funding. New members are always welcome. Anyone who interested in joining the group should email Ron on:  rondrakeford@btinternet.comor visit the group’s Facebook page.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/upset-after-vandals-strike-at-town-s-war-memorial-1-6548784

South Ribble: Royal seal of approval for green spacesParks across South Ribble have won royal protection for the future. Six parks were given the royal seal of approval as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and will now display plaques to show their achievements. The plaques, due to be mounted on sandstone, will soon be displayed at Much Hoole Playing Fields, Middleforth Green Park, Farington Park, Croston Manor, Gregson Lane Playing Field and Withy Grove Park.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/environment/royal-seal-of-approval-for-green-spaces-1-6541967

Ex-hospice nurse could be struck offThe former head of care at a Lancashire children’s hospice is facing a medical misconduct hearing next week. Nurse Susan Allen, who was employed at Derian House in Astley Village, near Chorley, for around a decade, is set to appear before a disciplinary board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in London on Monday for a two-day hearing.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/ex-hospice-nurse-could-be-struck-off-1-6544256

Anger at political snub on domestic abuse successSenior policing figures have hit out at the Home Secretary Theresa May after she sent a letter to police forces blasting the way they tackled domestic abuse - when Lancashire police had been praised for its work days earlier. Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw has voiced anger and criticised the Home Secretary after she failed to recognise the Constabulary’s excellent performance on domestic abuse.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/anger-at-political-snub-on-domestic-abuse-success-1-

6544235

North West charities failing to see benefits of digital technologyAccording to the new UK Business Digital Index, published by Lloyds Bank, in association with Accenture and Go ON UK, businesses and charities across the North West are risking their future growth prospects because they fail to see the benefits of digital technology and are not doing enough to develop their digital skills.http://www.charitydigitalnews.co.uk/2014/04/07/north-west-charities-failing-to-see-benefits-of-digital-technology/

Crackdown to stop bailiffs using aggressive tacticsSweeping changes to the way bailiffs can enforce the repayment of debts came into force on 6 April 2014. The new laws include a ban on bailiffs entering homes at night and from using physical force against debtors. Bailiffs will also be prevented from entering homes when only children are present, and from taking household essentials such as washing machines. Citizens' Advice Bureau said the rules needed to go further, and called for greater accountability in the industry.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26876432

Parenting scheme dubbed a 'flop' by LabourA government parenting class pilot scheme has been dubbed a "flop" after just 4% of eligible parents took part. The CanParent scheme which saw parents given £100 to spend on classes ended up costing £1,088 per parent, figures obtained by Labour suggest. Shadow children and families minister Lucy Powell described the scheme which attracted just 2,000 out of a possible 55,200 as an "embarrassing failure". The government said it would continue to work closely with CanParent.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-26875470

Iain Duncan Smith defends welfare reformsThe work and pensions secretary has defended changes to the welfare system, including disability benefit reforms. Iain Duncan Smith has said the raft of changes should save the taxpayer £50bn by the end of this Parliament. Among them are new tougher criteria that disabled people must meet to be granted allowances, which have been criticised as harsh and unfair. But Mr Duncan Smith said the changes would "help and benefit" those who were well enough to get back into work.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26909658

Need for food banks is caused by welfare cuts, research showsReport warns that as social security safety nets become weaker, charity provision could

replace state-funded schemesThe government's welfare reforms, including benefit sanctions and the bedroom tax, are a central factor in the explosion in the numbers of impoverished people turning to charity food banks, an academic study has said. The study, part of a three-year investigation into emergency food provision, was carried out by Hannah Lambie-Mumford, a Sheffield University researcher who co-authored a recently published government report into the extent of food aid in the UK. That report concluded there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate a clear causal link between welfare reform and food bank demand in the UK. But Lambie-Mumford's new study, to be published on Wednesday, says the rise in demand for charity food is a clear signal "of the inadequacy of both social security provision and the processes by which it is delivered".http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/08/food-banks-welfare-cuts-research

Millions are living on the edge, charity saysAround 15 million people are “living on the edge” despite the improving economy, a report by a debt charity has warned. Stepchange said that these people are either falling behind on bills or are trying to plug gaps in their income by using credit to pay for essential outgoings.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/business/millions-are-living-on-the-edge-charity-says-1-6552509

David Cameron: 'Jesus invented the Big Society – I'm just continuing God's work'David Cameron has claimed divine inspiration was at work when it came to drafting a key concept for Conservative Party policy. Speaking last night at his Easter reception in Downing Street, the Prime Minister reportedly said he was simply doing God’s work when he launched the “Big Society” initiative of volunteering and civic responsibility.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-claims-jesus-invented-the-big-society--he-is-just-continuing-gods-work-9250449.html

Annual return changesThe Charity Commission has made changes to the annual return for 2014 that all charities who are required to submit an annual return should know about. This includes all charities with an income over £10,000 and CIOs. There are 7 new question areas on the annual form including whether the charity pays its trustees, raises money from the public and owns a trading subsidiary. In addition the Summary Information Return, previously compulsory for charities with an annual income of £1million or more has been discontinued.http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/media/603480/ar14_guidancenotes.pdf

Herigate Lottery Fund: The need for Polli:Nation education‘Free’ pollination by bees and other insects is worth £400million to UK agriculture each year. But these vital pollinators are in severe decline. That’s why we’re supporting Learning through Landscapes (LtL) to inspire the next generation of conservationists. The charity is set to transform school grounds into pollinator-friendly habitats and teach youngsters about the threats faced by bugs and bees. Does your school want to get involved?http://www.ltl.org.uk/Long left school, but still love bees? Protect them by helping the Bumblebee Conservation Trust – another HLF grantee.http://bumblebeeconservation.org/

Windows XP users face end to Microsoft supportSupport for the venerable Windows XP operating ended last Tuesday. It means that there will be no more official security updates and bug fixes for the operating system from Microsoft. Some governments have negotiated extended support contracts for the OS in a bid to keep users protected. Security firms said anyone else using the 13-year-old software would be at increased risk of infection and compromise by cyber-thieves. Statistics suggest 20-25% of all users have stuck with XP despite the fact that there have been three major releases of Windows since its debut in 2001. Anyone currently running Windows XP already faced a disproportionate risk of falling victim to malware, said Dave Emm, a senior research analyst at security firm Kaspersky. That exposure ratio was only going to get worse after 8 April, he said, once the last security patch for Windows XP had been released.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26884167

 Appeals

RSPB put out call for hungry hedgehogsThe RSPB is urging people to give hedgehogs a helping hand by providing some extra nourishment. As the weather warms up, most hedgehogs will have woken from their winter hibernation. However, with fat reserves running low and having lost a third of their bodyweight, they’ll be on a desperate hunt for food in our gardens to fatten themselves up before the breeding season begins.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/rspb-put-out-call-for-hungry-hedgehogs-1-6550869

 

Consultations

NCVO: Welfare ReformsNCVO are researching the impact of welfare changes. They would like to hear from you welfare reforms have affected your beneficiaries, changes have you made to your services as a direct result and factors affecting your capacity to respond to changing demands.http://www.ncvo.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=554

 Health

National Forum for Health and Wellbeing: 13th Annual Health Mela 2014 - 3 May 2014 Preston (see events above)

64.7 per cent of Lancashire adults classed as overweightHealth experts today admitted that tough action is needed to tackle Lancashire’s burgeoning weight problems. Figures from Public Health England shows that 64.7 per cent of adults in Lancashire are now classed as overweight or obese. In Preston the figure is 56.2 per cent, in South Ribble it is 66.1 per cent, and in Chorley it’s 69.1 per cent.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/64-7-per-cent-of-lancashire-adults-classed-as-overweight-1-6545993

UK law passes sales of HIV home tests before they existKits allowing people to test themselves for HIV at home can be bought over the counter in the UK for the first time - but no kits exist yet in Britain. The change in the law means it is now legal for people to test and diagnose themselves at home. Previously, people could carry out tests they ordered online at home and send away their results, but were diagnosed over the phone.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26888272

Lung cancer survival stats reveal poor outlookHalf of people with lung cancer die within six months of diagnosis, says a report from Macmillan Cancer Support which looked at variations in cancer survival rates. While breast cancer and prostate cancer have a five-year survival rate of more than 80%, lung cancer's is around 10%. Those who survive lung cancer for five years are then 10 times

more likely to get another cancer. Macmillan said improving early diagnosis was key.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26871259

The drugs don't work: Britain wasted £600m of taxpayers' money on useless flu pills stockpiled by Government in case of pandemicBritain has spent £600m on a stockpile of influenza drugs that are no better than paracetamol in relieving flu symptoms and are next to useless in preventing a pandemic, a major study has found. The companies behind the two main anti-influenza drugs Tamiflu and Relenza held back crucial information that would have shown just how ineffective their drugs were in clinical trials, according to the independent scientists who compiled the report. In a searing indictment of the opacity of the pharmaceuticals industry, the ineffectiveness of the drug-regulatory process and the gullibility of politicians and government scientific advisers, the report delivers an excoriating account of one of the biggest drug scandals of the century.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/britain-wasted-600m-of-taxpayers-money-on-useless-flu-drugs-stockpiled-by-government-in-case-of-pandemic-9249396.html Call for items Do you have any items of interest for the sector? Please feel free to email details to info@cvscentrallancashire.org.ukto have them circulated through YOUR CVS network. Comments?, Suggestions? Please email them to the same address. To subscribe please visit our web site http://www.cvscentrallancashire.org.uk/ and follow the newsletters link.  Previous issues can be found on the same page in both portable document format (pdf) and microsoft word formats. This email is circulated by:Council for Voluntary Service Central Lancashire, Units  23/27 Guild Hall Arcade, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1HRTelephone: 01772 251108 Fax: 01772 561264email: info@cvscentrallancashire.org.ukWebsite: http://www.cvscentrallancashire.org.uk/(Registered Charity No: 222247)

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