|
Below is a calendar of events taking place locally.
This page is regularly updated so keep an eye out for
new events happening in your area!
If you have an event that you would like to promote, please contact
linda@voc-ypf.org
VOCypf
VOCypf Sub-Group Counselling Collective
Click here for the minutes from the last Counselling Collective meeting (1.6.11).
Previous minutes from the meeting on 8.2.11 can be found here.
Local
1) The Fountain @ Costa
The Fountain @ Costa is being launched! This new event will run weekly on a Thursday and is a joint partnership between The Fountain and Costa Coffee seeking to create a young provision whilst we continue to look for a building. If your aged 15-18 and in town on a Thursday evening, pop into the brand new ‘The Fountain at Costa’ events, every Thursday. We’ll have consoles, competitions, challenges and prizes. It’s free to get in, but bring some dosh for discount Costa drinks, snacks and our tuck shop.
If you would like more info, get in touch by emailing hello@fountainbedford.co.uk or calling for a chat on 07732 069561. See you there!
2) Volunteer Centre Bedford Recruitment Sessions
Are you interested in volunteering? If so, why not drop in at the Volunteer Centre Bedford, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford. Come and chat to Volunteer Centre Staff and who can suggest where you volunteer. YOU tell us what you are interested in and WE will find the perfect opportunity for you.
- Date: Thursday 2 February 2012
- Time: 10.00am-1.30pm
- Venue: CVS, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford
- Date: Monday 6 February 2012
- Time: 10.00am-1.30pm
- Venue: CVS, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford
- Date: Tuesday 14 February 2012
- Time: 10.00am-1.30pm
- Venue: CVS, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford
For more details call the Volunteer Centre Bedford on 01234 213100.
3) 123 Create FREE launch event - A new creative community space in Bedford!
Join Bedford Creative Arts for music, food and art as they celebrate the launch a new creative space for the communities of Bedford. The launch event is FREE to attend and there will be hot food, music and dance. The event will then process to 123 Midland Road to open and celebrate the new space at 123 Midland Road. The aim of this new partnership project is for Bedford Creative Arts and their partners to provide a community space for people of all ages to take part in creative projects and to champion the diverse cultures of the area.
123 CREATE will provide a creative space for local people to meet and take part in community programmes of arts, music and food culture. We are launching the space with two creative projects, a weekly youth group every Tuesday night and a weekly creativity and wellbeing group every Wednesday afternoon.
At the launch event Bedford Creative Arts will be presenting 7 young people who have come together to run the weekly youth group with their ASDAN achievement award in social and community involvement. There will also be an exhibition of visual art by our weekly creativity and wellbeing residents Infinite29 and this also includes a presentation of four new animations made by local young people for the Olympic programme Film Nation. This initiative has been made possible by Bedford Borough Council Ward Fund and is a partnership between Bedford Creative Arts, Taste Real Food and Bedford Borough Council. Hot food will be provided by Taste Real Food.
- Date: Saturday 21 January 2012
- Time: 12.00pm-4.00pm
- Venue: Bedford Creative Arts, 104 Midland Road, Bedford
For more information please contact either Dawn at DawnG@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk or Gareth at garethb@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk or pop along to 123 create on the day!
3) Positive Parenting Network
This event is for professionals and practitioners working with parents, directly or indirectly, through parenting programmes, support groups & parenting support, from all sectors: statutory, voluntary, health, education, childcare, prevention, Youth Offending. The Network offers the chance to gain an integrated understanding of the support being offered to parents and carers across your region, and to be part of that shared, joined up approach. Come and meet others helping parents parent. Confirmed Presentations include:
- Parenting groups and information - Debi Murdoch - Senior Parenting Early Intervention Practitioner
- Family Group Meeting: When do you use a Family Group Meeting, who attends and where does it take place? - Gill Wall -Deputy Family Group Meeting Manager
- The VOCypf database for commissioning- Linda Bulled - VOCypf Officer
- Date: Thursday 2 February 2012
- Time: 10.00am-12.30pm
- Venue: Flitwick Baptist Church, King Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire. (parking behind church or on Station Road)
Please send confirmation of planned attendance to Peter Barras -Senior Parenting Advisor at peter.barras@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
4) Apprenticeship Week Launch Event
Apprenticeships are good for business. They provide real, measurable benefits for employers and our recent business survey told us that a growing number of Bedford Borough employers are now considering apprenticeships as part of their overall business development. National Apprenticeship Week is the time when all eyes are on apprenticeships so, to kick off the week’s activities locally, this networking session is aimed at any employer with an interest in apprenticeships.
- Date: Monday 6 February 2012
- Time: 9.00am-10.30am
- Venue: Bedford i-Lab, Priory Business Park, Stannard Way, Bedford MK44 3RZ
If you are interested in taking on a new apprentice, it will be an ideal opportunity to learn the business benefits it can bring and what support is available for you. If you are an existing apprenticeship employer, it will offer you a chance to raise your profile as a supporter of apprenticeships, share experiences and learn what’s new. For more information or to book a place, please email Lindsay.Mitton@bedford.gov.uk or call 01234 276918.
5) LSCB Briefing Event ‘Safeguarding Children – A Police Perspective’
These events are facilitated by: Bedfordshire Police Child Abuse Investigation Unit and Workforce Development Team. These briefings include information on the Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) – Who is where and type of staff; What type of crimes Child Abuse Units deal with, Managing Disclosures; How to manage a disclosure to obtain & retain best evidence and the outline of how an allegation is investigated. There will also be a case Study which is a chance to be a detective (This is very light & informal).
- Date: Thursday 9 February 2012
- Time: 2.00pm-4.30pm
- Venue: Lecture Theatre, Bedfordshire Police Headquarters, Kempston, Bedford, MK43 9AX
- Date: Thursday 26 April 2012
- Time: 9.30am-12.00pm
- Venue: Lecture Theatre, Bedfordshire Police Headquarters, Kempston, Bedford, MK43 9AX
As parking is limited please car share where possible. Disabled facilities (including disabled parking bays) are available. Further details are provided 2-3 weeks prior to each seminar for those with a confirmed booking. Click here for a booking form.
6) SNAP Dance Nights
Bedfordshire Police is looking for organisations and groups who would like to promote their message to Young People to join them at the next Bedford SNAP dance. SNAP dance nights are aimed at school years 9 -11 and offer young people all the atmosphere and excitement of clubbing without them being subjected to the pressures of alcohol and drugs.
SNAP stands for Say No and Phone and is a scheme alerting young people to the dangers of crime and encouraging youngsters to call it free phone crimestoppers number (0800 555111) to report crime related incidents anonymously. Volunteer Police Special Constables and Cadets attend to oversee the event inside and outside the venue, there are also a number of SIA (Security Industry Authority) licensed door staff who complete searches and cover in the venue. As part of the events there is an opportunity for groups and organisations to attend to promote their messages or opportunities to a captive audience of between 300 – 600 young people.
- Date: Tuesday 14 February 2012
- Time: Starting from 7.30pm
- Venue: Elements nightclub, Mill Street, Bedford
If your organisation is interested in attending to promote their message or opportunity please email Richard.denton@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk.
7) Young Carers Network -
New for 2012
Young Carers Network is a new network that is aimed at professionals who work with or may come into contact with young carers. The network will be running on a quarterly basis and will be responsible for a number of initiatives to help raise awareness and provide support to the young carers living in Central Bedfordshire.
- Date: Wednesday 15 February 2012
- Time: 10.00am-12.30pm
- Venue: Dunstable Council Offices
If you would like more information about Young Carers Network or would like to attend this meeting, please call Katy Stafferton on 0300 300 4008 or email katy.stafferton@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
8) BIG Funders Briefing
The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of Lottery money. In 2011 they have handed out over £600 million to voluntary organisations and community groups and to projects for health, education and the environment. Come and find out how you can get a share of the pie. This briefing will be interactive and give you a chance to discuss your project and ask specific questions. You will also be able to discuss programmes suitable for your group and find out how to make a good application to the Big Lottery fund.
- Date: Thursday 16 February 2012
- Time: 10.00am-12.30pm
- Venue: Voluntary and Community Action, Bossard House, Leighton Buzzard
This event is FREE to attend. To book your place. please email Kim Mead at Kim@action-centralbeds.org.uk.
9) Parent Conference
This year’s conference has been organised based around feedback received at the last conference and improving our focus on Parent Participation. The aim is to offer parents\carers the opportunity to learn about changes to services, to contribute their knowledge and experiences and to learn about specific topics to support the family. They will be offering a selection of FREE workshops including: Sleep, Wills & Trusts, Puberty & Adolescence and Managing Anger. Click here and see page 2 for details. All of these workshops have been carefully selected from the last conference evaluation.
Ken Harvey (Head of Service, Children with Disabilities & Children’s Health, Central Bedfordshire Council) will be giving an update on Services. Karen Wooddissee (Eastern Region Representative on the National Network of Parent\Carer Forums) will join the conference to de-mystify, in a parent\carer-friendly way, what the SEN Green Paper really means to families. A wide range of organisations will be marketing their services and throughout the day you will have the opportunity to talk to a variety of professionals about your individual needs.
- Date: Saturday 25 February 2012
- Time: 9.00am-2.30pm (Light lunch and refreshments provided)
- Venue: The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, MK45 1AH
Please see above leaflet for registration details. The closing date for registration is Tuesday 14 February.
10) FREE Cultural Awareness Workshop
ACCM (UK) in partnership with the East of England Local Government Association is delivering a free workshop to raise awareness about illegal harmful traditional practices, sensitise professionals so that they are able to tackle, ask questions and respond to cultural issues that impact on the health of third country women in Bedford.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of:
- which third country women reside in Bedford
- different cultures and religions that impact on the health of third country women
- what constitutes good and bad or harmful culture, how to indentify victims and those at risk
- the human rights and legal implications of harmful traditional cultures
- appropriate terminology to use when dealing with third country women
- Knowledge of referral contacts and improved partnership working with other organisations
- Date: Saturday 25 February 2012
- Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
- Venue: Harpur Room, CVS, Bromham Road, Bedford
For further information contact Louise Gooch, Strategic Migration Partnership, East of England LGA via email at louise.gooch@eelga.gov.uk or call 01284 729438. Click here to book online.
11) An evening with Geraldine
Come join Geraldine for an evening of autobiographical talk, exhibition and sale of personal art. Click here to read her story.
- Date: Thursday 1 March 2012
- Time: 7.30pm-11.30pm
- Venue: Corn Exchange, Harpur Suite, Bedford
Tickets are £10 in advance. If you would llike to purchase a ticket, please contact Jenni Keay on 01234 264101.
12) YMCA Bedfordshire Sleep Easy Event
Bedfordshire YMCA are pleased to announce that they will be doing a 12 hour Sleep Easy event which is aimed at raising awareness of homelessness within our local community. YMCA Sleep Easy challenges people to think about the issues affecting young homeless people by asking them to give up one night to sleep out in their local community. This will be held over a 48 hour period giving people the opportunity to take part for a period of time that best suits them. On Saturday between 11.00am and 5.00pm, they will be hosting a fundraising event with entertainment, art and craft stalls, games and activities for all the family. This will be followed by individuals taking part in a 12 hour Sleep Easy - sleeping rough so others don’t have to- from 7.00pm to raise money for the YMCA Bedfordshire.
- Date: Friday 2 - Sunday 4 March 2012
- Time: 7.30pm-11.30pm
- Venue: Bedford High School for Girls, Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2BS
For further information, please contact the Youth Participation Co-ordinator, Dele Johnson on 01234 264107/ 07508 807440 or email dele@ymcabedfordshire.org.uk.
13) What is leadership? UpRising Mid Term Launch Event
The UpRising Leadership Programme invites you to a thought provoking evening; What is Leadership? The event will celebrate the achievements of many of Bedford’s future leaders, who are taking part in the UpRising programme, and showcase how they are making a positive change in Bedford through their
Social Action Campaigns.
- Date: Monday 12 March 2012
- Time: 6.00pm-8.00pm
- Venue: Harpur Suite, Bedford Corn Exchange, St Paul's Square, Bedford MK40 1SL
Confirmed speakers include Dave Hodgson, Mayor Bedford Borough; Simon Tucker, Chief Executive of The Young Foundation; David Russell, Chief Executive of The Bedford Charity (The Harpur Trust) and Eve Burt, Chair of Trustees Home Start
The event will celebrate the achievements of many of Bedford’s future leaders Places are limited so to secure entry, please RSVP to bedford@uprising.org.uk.
14) 2012 Bedford Borough Assembly Conference
Following the Partnership Board meeting on 13 September 2011, Bedford Borough Council are delighted to announce the provisional arrangements for the 2012 Borough Assembly conference.
- Date: Wednesday 16 May 2012
- Time: TBC
- Venue: Corn Exchange, Bedford
The balance of evidence and feedback has led the Council to revert back to a daytime event. Please take a moment now to pencil in this event. You can follow this link to the Bedford Borough Partnership website for all the presentations and feedback / evaluation of the 2011 Borough Assembly conference.
15) Charity Olympic Summer Ball
This event is to support and help raise funds for Families United Network
(Supporting children with disabilities and their families). There will be a 3 course meal, a live band ('The Blue Rinse'), an auction and raffle and a photographer. Tickets are selling fast so please book early to avoid disappointment. Tables are for 8 people you can buy a table or individual tickets. Ticket prices are £45 per person or Table bookings are £320. A great night is guaranteed for all so dress to impress.
- Date: Friday 22 June 2012
- Time: 7.00pm-late
- Venue: Horwood House, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK17 0PH
For further information and tickets please contact Diane on 01525 636680 or e-mail diane.fun@ntlworld.com.
|
