CVSCouncil for Voluntary Service • North West Kent

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In This Issue:News 2Events 3News 4Training 5Announcements 6CVSNWK 7

JANUARY FEBRUARY

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for more news and the latest eventswww.cvsnwk.org

You can publicise your events, news and announcements in our

newsletter by contacting us by telephone on

01474 354479 or by email:

editor@cvsnwk.org

Please note that material for our next issue should

reach us before 15th March

Our thanks to everyone who came along to our Annual Annual General Meeting, which was held at Northfleet’s Granby Hotel. As usual it was a star studded affair - this year we had Mayoral representatives from Dartford, Sevenoaks, Swanscombe and Gravesend councils. Andrew Upsill was elected as our new Chairperson, with Martin Regan stepping into the Vice Chair role. Many of our member organisations attended and enjoyed the opportunity to meet and network.

There was an informative talk about KCC’s STAMP programme, which helps frontline VCSE

organisations with tendering, accessing alternative grant funding, consortium working, setting up social enterprises and diversifying income to help them become more financially robust in a commissioning-driven landscape. No Walls Gardens gave a presentation on their progress over the past year, and local historian Christoph Bull finished the day with a series of spooky stories of the ghosts reputed to haunt the area.

Thank you to everyone that helped make the event such a success.

Putting the Bling in Annual General Meeting

Front row: Cllr Avtar Sandhu MBE - Mayor of Dartford, Andrew Upstill - Chair CVSNWK, Marilyn Keating Cllr Jill Davison - Chairman of Sevenoaks District Council, Sue Caller - Mayoress of Gravesham, Cllr Sue Butterfill - Mayoress of Swanscombe Back row: Martin Regan - Vice Chair CVSNWK, Cllr John Caller - Mayor of Gravesham, Cllr R Davison - Escort to Chairman Sevenoaks District Council (SDC)

CVSNWK will be holding a full programme of events and workshops throughout the coming year.

Dates are still to confirmed, but planned highlights include:

Collaborative Working Workshop Big Lottery 1:1 surgeries

Social Impact Explained DaySetting up a Trading Arm

STAMP Programme 1:1 surgeries

For more information or to register your interest, please call 01474 354479 or email: jaki@cvsnwk.org

NEWS2

KCF Themed FundsChildren, Young People & Families

Grants of up to £7,500 are available for local projects that are making a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Kent and Medway. For example, the Foundation would like hear from projects that:

Provide opportunities for young people to participate in enriching activities they might otherwise be excluded from

Encourage early intervention work with vulnerable children and families

Work with at-risk children and young people to prevent problems developing at a later stage, such as offending behaviour or teenage pregnancy

Support disadvantaged young people to raise their aspirations and achievement

Help disadvantaged young people on a pathway into further education, training or employment

Elderly & Vulnerable Adults

Grants up to £7,500 are available for local projects that address the challenges faced by elderly and other vulnerable adults and support people to stay well, healthy and independent and, most importantly, combat social isolation. For example, the Foundation would like to hear from projects that:

Give elderly and vulnerable adults the opportunity to have regular social interaction

Provide practical support to individuals living alone, such as one-to-one befriending schemes or transport services

Provide intergenerational activities

Enable older and other vulnerable people to use their skills and experience to make a contribution to their communities

Offer activities that encourage participation in sport and physical activity or opportunities to participate in arts

Deadline: 28th February 2015 and 29th May 2015

http://www.kentcf.org.uk/apply/funding-round

Childcare New Business Grants

The Childcare New Business Grants Scheme has been introduced to boost the provision of childcare in England and to incentivise entrepreneurship. The Government are extending the scheme which was due to run until April 2015, for another year and with double the funds available.

It will encourage and support the starting up of new childcare businesses by providing a flat rate start-up grant of:

£250 for new childminding businesses setting up in England (those who are looking after one or more children to whom they are not related, on domestic premises, for reward and for a total of more than 2 hours in any day)

£500 for new childminding businesses, as above, that will provide care for disabled children (applicants will need to demonstrate that they have incurred additional expenditure in setting up their business as a result of this)

£500 for new nursery, out of school club, or childcare on domestic premises setting up in England

All costs incurred through the setting up of a childcare business will be considered as eligible. Only applications from claimants who can demonstrate their intent to start a new childcare business will be accepted.

Deadline: Continuous rolling programme

http://www.childcarebusinessgrants.dcms.gov.uk/

NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

Charitable groups and organisations can apply for between £1,000 and £20-30,000 for projects which focus on the education of young people in rural areas and the relief of poverty in rural are-as. The fund has recently decided to make awards to larger initiatives which would have a significant impact on the rural economy.

Deadline: 29th May 2015

http://tinyurl.com/qh8txbb

Good Luck!

The new year brings a new career for two of CVSNWK’s favourite people.

John Britt (pictured above) formerly Gravesham Borough Council’s Service Manager (Communities) has gone on to a new job as the Head of Better Care Fund, Child and Adult Services at Medway Council. His role is to lead a programme of work that will deliver the requirements of the joint Medway Clinical Commissioning Group and Council BCF plan.

And with tears in our eyes we say a fond farewell to Jodie Barrett. Jodie was our Project Support Worker here at CVSNWK, and worked in Community Development for Northfleet Big Local. We’re really sorry to see Jodie go - she is a lively young lady who was a real asset to our organisation - but we’re sure that she will excel in her new job as a Teaching Assistant at a local school.

The best of luck to you both!

NEWS 3

The Mayor of Dartford visited MCCH’s Tuck by Truck enterprise in Erith this month. He met the staff and volunteers and was shown how the enterprise operates. He praised the service that Tuck by Truck provides and the great work that they do in the local community.

Tuck by Truck provides self-service snack trays for the workplace. This enterprise is innovative and successful – both in supporting people and in creating a thriving business in the local community.

Find out more at:

http://www.mcch.org.uk/our-services/enterprises/tuck-by-truck.aspx

The next meeting of the Northfleet and Gravesend West Neighbourhood Forum is on Thursday 5 February 2015, at Northfleet School for Girls, Hall Road, Northfleet, Kent, DA11 8AQ.

The meeting will start at 7pm, doors open from 6.30pm for refreshments.

The subject of this meeting are the proposals for the London Paramount Entertainment Resort.

There will also be a chance to ask your local KCC and Gravesham Councillors any questions. All are welcome to attend.

We look forward to seeing you on the 5th Feb if you can make the meeting.

yourChoiceDGSM

Unwanted Xmas Gift?If you received an unwanted gift this Christmas we would be thrilled if you would consider giving it to us.

If you receive a gift that you will not use (or does not fit!) we would be delighted to sell it in our Charity Shops or use as a raffle prize to raise funds for DGSMyourChoice.

Please contact fundraising on 01322 425984 if you have any items to donate.

Neighbourhood Forum

Henry Smith’s Charity - Holiday Grants for

ChildrenGrants of up to £2,500 are available to schools, youth groups and not for profit organisations can towards holidays or day trips within the UK for children aged 13 and under who are from deprived areas or have a disability.

Grants are normally limited to a maximum of two-thirds of the total cost

Deadline: 19th March 2015

http://tinyurl.com/bomdyc2

GALAXY Hot Chocolate Fund

Until the 23rd February the fund will make five awards of £300 per week to help small, local community based projects and community minded people. The Fund is open to individuals aged 18 or over and organisations/clubs. Unsuccessful applications submitted in any week will be carried forward to be re-considered in subsequent weeks whilst the Fund is open.

Deadline: 23rd February 2015

http://www.galaxyhotchocolate.com/

NEWS4

No Walls Gardens, the Northfleet based Community Interest Company, are delighted to announce that they have been accepted as a “Hub Shed” by the Kent Sheds initiative. The scheme, which is administrated by Groundwork South and funded by Kent County Council Public Health, offers people the opportunity to socialise, find friendship, share and learn skills and support each other.

No Walls’ Shed, which is currently being established at premises on Northfleet Industrial Estate, will offer woodworking and Arts & Crafts activities - as well as the opportunity to take part in other NWG community gardening projects.

Director Gary Moy said “We are delighted to be taking part in this programme. We know that there are a great many people for whom the chance to get out and share their skills - or to learn new ones - will be a tremendous benefit. There’s a wealth of talent and knowledge going to waste, and at the same time social isolation is a very real problem - there’s too many people of all kinds and ages, sitting at home with limited opportunities; nothing to do, and nowhere to go. We want this project to provide a friendly and supportive environment; to give people the chance to meet and share. We will be providing a diverse range of activities and we have already had a lot of interest from very skilled people who are eager to take part. We are hoping that The Shed will be up and running in early February - providing resources to make a real difference to people’s situation and wellbeing.”

If you - or your clients - would like to get involved; or if you would like more information - please contact Gary on 07895 876 170 or email gary@nowallsgardens.org

Ebbsfleet United Football Club will be hosting a Community Day at their PHB Stadium Ground, Stonebridge Road, Northfleet on Saturday 28th February 2015.

As part of their commitment to reaching out and engaging with local people the club are offering free match tickets on their Community Day to Gravesham voluntary organisations and their service users.

As well as the match between EUFC and Hemel Hempstead Town FC, and the usual thrills of going to a League football game there will be live music and dancing, pre-match exhibitions and half-time entertainment.

In addition to the traditional football fare there will be food from Gravesend’s Bench Cafe, a specialist

“Street Food” area and a community marquee featuring local organisations such as: The Gr@nd, MiddletonMurray, The Fleet Trust, No Walls Gardens CiC/Kent Sheds, Northfleet Harbour Trust, MAPS, Walk Tall, Hive Hope Foodbank, Northfleet Job Club/CAS, Northfleet Big Local, and KickKent,

This promises to be an enjoyable day out for people of all ages but unfortunately the numbers

of free places are limited.

To apply for tickets on behalf of your organisation, please contact:

dave.archer@eufc.co.uk

Community Day at EUFC

Northfleet Big Local’s Christmas CrackerNorthfleet Big Local hosted a magical Christmas Market on 13th December - featuring stalls from local organisations, a brass band, carol service, a hog roast in the NWG Secret Garden - and of course a special guest appearance from Santa himself. The day was a great success attracting over 400 local people to celebrate the festive season with Big Local. More events are planned in the coming year and Community Development Worker, Keir Wilson says: “I hope we can build on this momentum and keep on creating such events for the whole community to engage with and enjoy.”

TRAINING 5

To become a member of CVSNWK, please visit our website www.cvsnwk.org

to download a membership form

CVSNWK COMMUNITY MINIBUSDon’t forget that the Community Minibus is available for hire to CVSNWK members at very reasonable rates. It has 17 seats (16 passengers and the driver) and a rear lift making it accessible to wheelchair users.

We can also offer a driver and a variety of optional extras, so please see our website or contact us for more details.

http://www.cvsnwk.org/2/index.php/services/minibus/

Hilton Foundation Central Grants Programme

Grants of up to £30,000 per year for up to 2 years are available to registered charities that working in the areas of education or health with one of the Foundation’ four chosen focus groups:

Children and young people with disabilities

Children and young people who are sick in hospital

Children and young people who are homeless

Children and young people who are life limited (requiring palliative care)

There is approximately £150,000 available to distribute each quarter. Grant applications for up to £10,000 can be approved by the Committee, and applications for more than £10,000 are recommended to the Trustees for final approval.

Deadline: 10th February 2015

https://www.hilton-foundation.org.uk/

Course Date Venue

Manual Handling Level 2 24th February Northfleet Veterans Club

How to be a Volunteer Chair Based Instructor 3rd March Northfleet Veterans Club

How to be a Volunteer Chair Based Instructor 10th March Northfleet Veterans Club

Visual Impairment Awareness 10th February Dartford Adult Education Centre

Emergency First Aid at Work 23rd February Dartford Adult Education Centre

Intro to Business Admin 11th February Northfleet Veterans Club

Chinese New Year Crafts 27th February Dartford Adult Education Centre

Health and Safety Level 2 4th March Northfleet Veterans Club

COSHH 17th March Northfleet Veterans Club

Easter Cupcakes 18th March Northfleet Veterans Club

Food Safety Level 2 24th March Northfleet Veterans Club

TRAINING CALENDAR We are currently taking bookings for these training courses

Our courses are FREE to people over 19 and who are unwaged or in low paid work. We provide similar courses throughout the year for people living in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and their surrounding areas. We also offer competitive and discounted in-house training for charities and community

groups. Contact us to find out what support and help we offer and receive a quote for training.

01474 354479training@cvsnwk.orgwww.cvsnwk.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS6

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year begins on 19 February, 2015. Celebrations can normally last for up to 2 weeks.

PARADE STARTS 11am. The Lion will be ‘woken’ on the Community Square, before receiving traditional Chinese leaves from the Mayor of Gravesham. The Lion will parade across the square and visit local businesses, again to receive leaves. The lion will then return to the Woodville where you are invited to join us for some traditional Chinese entertainment.

The LionStreet celebrations often include a traditional lion dance which is thought to bring good luck. There are usually two dancers. One acts as the head and the other the body. They dance to a drum, cymbals and a gong. As the lion moves from place to place he looks for some green vegetables such as lettuce which are hung above the doors of houses or businesses. Hidden in the leaves is a red packet of money. The lion eats the lettuce and red packet. He then scatters lettuce leaves to symbolize a fresh start for the new year and the spreading of good luck.

2015CHINESE NEW YEAR

The LionStreet celebrations often include a traditional lion dance which is thought to bring good luck. There are usually two dancers. One acts as the head and the other the body. They dance to a drum, cymbals and a gong. As the lion moves from place to place he looks for some green vegetables such as lettuce which are hung above the doors of houses or businesses. Hidden in the leaves is a red packet of money. The lion eats the lettuce and red packet. He then scatters lettuce leaves to symbolize a fresh start for the new year and the spreading of good luck.

GRAVESEND COMMUNITY SQUARE and THE WOODVILLE

Wednesday, 25 FebruaryFrom 11am

Ying Tao Chinese Association

Connecting withthe Community

E m p i r e R a d i owith

B r andyn S haw& H I S R H Y T H M M A K E R S

VintageValentine Evening

VintageValentine Evening

• S W A N S C O M B E L E I S U R E C E N T R E • C R AY L A N D S L A N E •• S W A N S C O M B E • K E N T • D A 1 0 0 L F •

S a t u r d a y 1 4 t h F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5

M a yo r ’ s C h a r i t y F u n d E v e n t

E : s u e b u t t e r f i l l@ n t l w o r l d . co m - T e l : 0 1 3 2 2 4 0 1 7 6 5 - M : 0 7 7 5 7 4 9 4 6 2 1

7 . 3 0 - 1 1 p m

T h eM a y o r o f

S w a n s c o m b e& G r e e n h i t h e

C o u n c i l l o r

S u e B u t t e r f i l l

featuring

i n v i t e s y o u t o h e r

T i c k e t s £ 1 5 e a c h

Ever fancied taking part in a games show? Now is your chance to join in with friends, family and colleagues for an evening of trivia and fun. It’s a new spin on the traditional quiz night!

Princes Park Banqueting Suite, Dartford Football Club, DA1 1RTArrive 7pm for 7.30pm start

All proceeds raised will go directly to supporting local disabled children and their families through Parents Consortium.

Contact Fundraising on 01322 668501 ext 5 or fundraising@parentsconsortium.co.uk

Thursday5th

February2015

Charity No: 1054129

Featuring allof your

favourite TVshows!

Games Show Challenge

Tables of 8 available£15.00 per head

includes a Curry Buffet

CVSNWK 7

CVS Staff list:

Marilyn Keating - CEO

Gemma Howard - Office/Finance Manager

Denese Osborne - Management Support Officer

Jaki Farrugia - Lead Administrator

Peter Magnin - IT & Website

Joyce Crouch – Housekeeper

Gordon Shumway - Editor At Large

Home Support Scheme Staff list:

Sue Lorkins - Senior HSS Co-ordinator

Natalie Sutton - HSS Co-ordinator

& 38 Home assistants.

The CVSNWK newsletter is produced bi-monthly, and is sent to over 350 local voluntary and community organisations. All newsletters will be sent via email unless you have requested otherwise, so please ensure that we have your correct email address.

You can publicise your events, news and announcements by sending material to the editor@cvsnwk.org If you’re not comfortable with sending material digitally, give us a ring on 01474 354479 and we’ll try to help you out.

We will always endeavour to include as much as possible, but we may have to edit due to space, layout etc.

Please note that material for inclusion in our next issue should reach us before 15th March for our April/May edition.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading this issue, and please - get involved and let us help advertise your work, events and achievements to other local organisations and members of CVSNWK.

Thanks for reading - see you next time!

Alchemy Charitable Trust (ACT)

This Trust supports those living in West Kent and Sussex who are facing an exceptional need, have tried to do everything for themselves and have looked but been able to find funding from other sources. Situations that may give rise to exceptional need are (e.g.) : disability or chronic sickness, a breakdown of relationships, a serious problem with your accommodation or unforeseen calamities such as house fire, flooding or other disaster

Applicants must be supported by someone who knows the applicant in a professional capacity

Support from the Trust can be through the gift of equipment or financial grant.

Deadline: Continuous rolling programme

http://alchemyct.org/about-us

Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) - Project Development Grants

Grants of up to £25,000 are available to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations in the UK to cover some of the costs of developing and co-ordinating a building project and taking it towards the start of work on site. The building must be listed or in a conservation area, be at risk (structurally, financially, functionally etc), and be capable of being used again. The fund particularly favours supporting those responsible for buildings who have been unable to find via-ble new use for the building. The funding may support professional fees and go towards project organiser fees.

Deadline: 11th February 2015

For more information:

http://www.ahfund.org.uk/grants.php

Would you like to meet new people, learn new skills, give back to the community, make friends, develop your confidence and

self esteem and feel valued as part of a team?

CVSNWK are looking for an Admin Volunteer to work with us here in our offices in Northfleet. The role wil give you the opportunity to interact with a great team of friendly people, and help third sector organisations across the region by providing an efficient and organised service. You will need to have basic office skills (filing, etc) and be comfortable using a computer with Microsoft Office software (Word).

This role would be perfect for someone looking to sharpen their skills before returning to work, or someone looking to widen their experience of working with the voluntary sector.

We offer:

• A full Induction Programme

• Support, Training and Supervision to enable you to complete a task

• Flexibility and scope for Personal Development

• Fun and friendly team

• Pleasant customers, clients and suppliers

We believe that this is a real opportunity for the right person to help the community, gain a valuable insight into the work of a third sector organisation, and have an enriching and entertaining life experience.

For an informal chat to find out more, please ring Jaki on

01474 354479 jaki@cvsnwk.org

CVSNWK is a company limited by guarantee • Registered Charity No. 1102160 • Registered Company No. 5020016 • Member of NAVCA

CVSNWKNorthfleet Veterans Club

The Hill • NorthfleetKent • DA11 9EUtel: 01474 354 479

email: main@cvsnwk.orgwww.cvsnwk.org

Thanks to our funders for their continued support

We offer a whole range of information, advice, resources, training and support to assist organisations to operate more effectively

We work in partnership with many other Voluntary Organisations and Statutory bodies to deliver services to the community

We provide groups and organisations with forums for networking enabling them to share good practice and expertise. We encourage them to work together to help build a stronger community

We provide information, support advice and training on topics from funding and legal issues to basic skills.

We also offer a full range of financial services

We represent local organisations, groups and agencies and work in partnership to identify and address unmet needs.We maintain a database of all the Voluntary groups in the DS&G area

Contact us to see how CVS can help you

What do we do?

We help people!

CVSCouncil for Voluntary Service • North West Kent

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