Welcome to the second issue of the E-Training Bulletin - a listing of training opportunities and consultation events of interest to voluntary organisations and community groups in the Bedfordshire and Luton area. In order to receive this bulletin straight to you in box click here.

September 2007

Conference: Supporting People

The Bedfordshire Supporting People Programme fund housing services to help people live independently and would value the views of the voluntary sector at this conference looking at the progress and plans for the future of the programme.

Delivered by: Bedfordshire County Council, Thursday 20 September (9.30am - 4.00pm), Shuttleworth Conference Centre, Old Warden Park, email Mike Wright for more info.

Accredited NVQ Level 3 in Management for BME Organisations Induction

BME organisations are invited to send staff on free management training. So if you perform a management role/function as an employee, management committee member, trustee or volunteer in a BME voluntary or community organisation and would like to gain a qualification that acknowledges your experience and skills register your interest before the 24th so that you can attend this induction session.

Delivered by: Voluntary Action Luton , Monday 24 September (11am) Voluntary Action Luton, 15 New Bedford Road, Luton LU1 1SA. Email Jennifer Saunders, for more info.

Every Child Matters (ECM) and Your Service

This course is specifically designed for those organisations that have limited experience of working within the ECM framework. It will explain the background to the ECM agenda, clarify the terminology and help organisations develop a solid understanding of its basic principles, exploring the commissioning framework and related terminology. It is being held at a range of venues across the country, I have given three below. See their website for more information.

Delivered by: VCS Engage, 25-26 September: Peterborough Bull Hotel, 26-27 September: Stansted Manor Hotel, 27-28: September Euston Methodist International Centre... more info

Support and Supervision of Staff

This introductory course is aimed at small or medium-sized voluntary organisations and should give delegates a best-practice framework within which to work, as well as a working knowledge of the issues surrounding support and supervision of staff.

Delivered by: CVS - Mid & North Beds, Wednesday 26th September 2007 (9.45am to 4.30pm) Centre for Voluntary Service, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford... more info

Making Good Funding Applications

The course is for you if you want to develop your understanding of, and skills in, writing good funding applications including the common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Delivered by: CVS - Mid & North Beds, Thursday 27th September 2007 (9.45am to 4.30pm) Centre for Voluntary Service, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford ... more info

October 2007

Introduction to Arts Based Community Development

The day will help you explore the use of the arts as a tool and approach to community engagement.

Delivered by: Inspire East and Rural Action East, Monday 1 October 2007 (10am), The Hat Factory, 65-67 Bute Street, Luton LU1 2EY ... more info

Learning to Drive (E-Learning and Support for Trustees)

Trustees play a vital role in our local voluntary and community sector and without their time and commitment many groups would cease to exist. This series of six free evening networking sessions starting on Tuesday 2 October will give trustees the chance to: sign up for an interactive e-learning programme designed specifically for trustees; get up to speed on legal and policy issues; network with other trustees; share good practice and ideas; problem solve in a friendly and supportive environment; and build your confidence as a trustee.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action, Fortnightly on Tuesdays 2 October to 11 December (7.00pm - 9.00pm), Bossard House, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DA ... more info

The SOUL Record (Soft Outcomes Universal Learning)

The SOUL Record is an effective method of measuring soft outcomes / informal learning in a way which benefits the client. It is useful for the client to help them to see the progress they are making, the worker as an ice breaker and a diagnostic tool; identifying where a client or learner may need some extra help or support, and for an organisation in providing evidence of the fantastic work being undertaken with their clients. This workshop is fully booked - it is worth registering your interest for our next date on Tuesday 15 January 2008.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action, Thursday 4th October (10.00am - 4.00pm), West Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DA ... more info

Criminal Records Bureau Checks

An event for those responsible for ensuring that Criminal Records Bureau checks are undertaken for their staff and volunteers.

Delivered by: Bedfordshire Rurual Communities Charity, Wednesday 5th Oct, 2007 (10.00am - 12.30pm) BRCC Offices, Cardington ... more info

Roles & Responsibilities of Charity Trustees

The aim of this workshop is to increase awareness and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Trustees and show how this relates to the role of staff.

Delivered by: CVS - Mid & North Beds, Tuesday 9th October 2007 (9.45am to 4.30pm) ... more info

Community Development Training Day and Networking Event

The aim of the event is to promote good community development practice. The day will: define a common understanding of what community development is; establish community development principles and values; identify good practice; look at the benefits of community development; and establish what members have in common and what support is available.

Delivered by: Bedfordshire & Luton Community Development Network, Wednesday 17th October 2007 (9.30am - 3.30pm), The Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square, Bedford. Email Rob Burton for more info (please add Community Development Network in the subject box).

November 2007

Making ‘Every Action Count’

An environmentally themed Networking Event incorporating the Annual General Meeting of Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire. Guest speakers include Jeremy Fennell, from the ‘Every Action Counts’ programme, Richard Woolnough, Director from The Greensand Trust, Victoria Harvey, Joint Co-ordinator from South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth, Hazel Goldman, Associate Director from FreeForm (environmental arts project).

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community, Thursday 1 November 2007 (12.00 noon - 3.00 pm) St Augustine's Church, Oakwood Avenue, Dunstable LU5 4AR ... more info

Environmental Funders Briefing

Following straight on from the 'Making Every Action Count' networking event (above) is a funders briefing with presentations from The Landfill Communities Fund (WREN) and Biffa Waste Services Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. You can book for the both events at the same time on one booking form!

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action, Thursday 1 November 2007 (3.00pm - 4.00 pm) St Augustine's Church, Oakwood Avenue, Dunstable LU5 4AR ... more info

Making Heritage Sustainable

The event is run by Inspire East as part of English Heritage’s HELM program. It provides examples of good practice that demonstrate the role of heritage in delivering Sustainable Communities.

Delivered by: Inspire East/Suzy Howes, Thursday 01 November 2007 (Start Time: 9.30), The Papertrail, Hemel Hempstead ... more info

Managing Your Environment

This is a one-day training designed to examine working environments in the context of Children's Trusts arrangements. The course is designed to help organisations with varying degrees of knowledge about the ECM agenda, to deliver services within the changing environment. It will examine what makes partnerships work, provide tools for promoting effective representation and examine how to manage change and resolve conflict. It is being held at a range of venues across the country, I have given three below. See their website for more information.

Delivered by: VCS Engage, 6 November, Westminster Abbey Community Centre, or 8 November, Cover Offices,  Rectory Farm Barns (near Duxford), Essex ... more info

Child Protection Awareness

What would you do if you regularly saw a young child arriving covered in bruises or dirty and smelly? You might think its none of your business or you may not be sure what to do. Signs of abuse are rarely obvious, but there may be signs which make you concerned. This workshop will highlight indicators that a child may need help and what you can do to make a difference.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community, Wednesday 7 November (10.00am - 4.00pm), Delta House, Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EZ ... more info

Conference: A Chance for Every Child
Special Needs - Understanding and Responding

This conference is intended to inform and to raise awareness of some of the special needs of children and their families in Bedfordshire. If you have a child with special needs, work with or for children, then this conference is for you. Speakers include Professor J Dockrell, Institute of Education and Ms A Dyer, Senior Educational Psychologist.

Delivered by: Patient and Public Involvement in Health Bedfordshire Forum, Saturday 10th November 2007 (9.30am - 12.30pm), Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick
For more info email Charlotte Bonser

Domestic Abuse Awareness

This course is suitable for any practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of domestic abuse in order to feel more able to support victims and families more effectively. The course particularly focuses on the impact of domestic abuse on victims and how this may affect how you are able to work with them. This workshop is also running on 26/11/07 and 03/12/07.

Delivered by: Bedfordshire Domestic Violence Partnership, Monday 2 July and Tuesday 17 July (10.00am - 4.00pm), Victim Support, Saxon Centre, Kempston email bdvp for more info.

Basic First Aid (Certified)

This workshop will provide you with a British Red Cross certificate in Basic First Aid, valid for three years, as a nominated person to take charge in an emergency. It is suitable for small organisations that require a member of staff or volunteer to have basic lifesaving skills.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action, Tuesday 13 November (10.00am - 4.00pm), Bossard House, West Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DA ... more info

Equality Impact Assessment Training

Provides delegates with an overview of relevant equalities legislation enabling them to conduct and Equalities Impact Assessment on policies and procedures.

Delivered by Bedford Race Equality Council, Wednesday 14 November (9.30am - 4.30pm), Bedford Swan Hotel. Email brec for more info.

Social Enterprise Awareness Event

If you are involved with a voluntary organisation, community group or a charity considering social enterprise activities, this event endeavours to clear confusions around the term and get you thinking about how your voluntary organisation, community group or charity activities fit with the social enterprise agenda.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action, Thursday 15 November 2007 or Tuesday 4 December 2007 (9.30am - 12.30pm), Bossard House, West Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DA more info

Empowering the Voluntary Sector to Influence Public Bodies

Did you know? If a public body tells you that it is going to act in a certain way, the courts interpret this as a promise, and may regard it as an abuse of power (and therefore unlawful) for the body to subsequently change its mind or break its promise to you. This is one of the basic principles of public law, the rules that govern how public bodies should behave. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, this workshop brings together Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire, NAVCA and the Public Law Project (PLP) in an innovative venture to support the voluntary and community sector in understanding the principles and framework of public law.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action, Wednesday 28 November(10.00am - 4.00pm), Bossard House, West Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DA ... more info

December 2007

Child Poverty in Bedfordshire

A seminar on the scale & impact of child poverty in the county
This ½ day seminar aims to raise awareness of the poverty issues relating to children, young people and their families in Bedfordshire; raise awareness of, and identify gaps in the support services available for children, young people and families experiencing financial exclusion; and facilitate networking, information exchange and partnership working between agencies involved in tackling child poverty.

Delivered by: Tackling Poverty Together Group , 4th December (10.00am - 1.00pm), County Hall, Bedford more info

Volunteer Co-ordinators Networking Event

A further opportunity for volunteer managers and co-ordinators to share ideas and good practice. The theme for this networking event will be focussed on the recruitment of volunteers and the need to encourage diversity.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action, Thursday 6 December (12.00pm - 3.00pm), Delta House, Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EZ ... more info

Introduction to Islam & the Muslim Culture Course

The course is specifically designed for non-Muslim public sector professionals who work with Muslims from diverse communities. It incorporates a visit to a local mosque and aims to provide participants with: a better understanding of basic beliefs & practices; information regarding the background to Muslims in Britain & public sector development issues for Muslim communities.

Delivered by: AKSAA Ltd - Education Islam Project, Thursday 6th December 2007 9:30am to 4:00pm, Luton Central Mosque ... more info

Fundraisers Networking Event

Funders often want groups to provide them with evidence that they have spent the money appropriately and that the project has been successful. This event is for fundraisers, treasurers and others responsible for funding to meet, share ideas and experiences and to explore ways to ‘outcomes’ monitoring. Check out the latest funding resources and toolkits designed to help you raise funds successfully.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action, Wednesday 12 December  (6.30pm - 9.00pm), Bossard House, West Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DA ... more info

Introduction to Sustainable Communities

The day will provide you with a holistic understanding of sustainable communities: governance, transport and connectivity, services, the environment, equity, the economy, housing and the built environment and social and cultural aspects.

Delivered by: Inspire East, Friday 14 December 2007 (starts at 10.00am) Marston Vale Forest Centre ... more info

 General

Become an Every Action Counts Community Champion

EAC is looking for over 1,000 local community activists to lead change in their neighbourhoods. Community Champions will help community groups in their area to take stock of their current environmental impact and to create their own sustainable development action plans. A free accredited two-day training course is available to anyone over 18 who is interested in creating a cleaner, greener, fairer and safer community.

If you register please say you heard about the training via NAVCA (our national body)... more info

Developing a Personal Skills Qualification

If you are an employee, trustee or volunteer in a voluntary or community sector organisation in the East of England region, you have the chance, through COVER’s ‘Empower’ project, to gain the Open College Network unit ‘Developing Personal Development Skills’ at Level One AND earn money for your organisation! The unit would be useful to you if you want to improve your performance in your personal and working life. It is also an ideal preparation for starting on the Investing in People standard Quality Assurance system.  £20 for everyone who signs up for the course, £30 for everyone who completes the course. That’s £200 for 10 staff members signing up for the course and £500 for your organisation if they complete the unit!

Email Jean Loveday for more info.

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