Invitation to attend a partnership event in relation to the future delivery of Youth Services

Central Bedfordshire Council will be hosting a partnership event on 2nd March 2011 at 6pm in the Council Chamber, Dunstable Offices, High Street North, Dunstable LU6 1LF. 

The purpose of the event is to share and involve interested parties in helping to shape the future delivery of services to young people in Central Bedfordshire.  The Council budget contains Early Intervention Grant to help them deliver services to youth in line with the Big Society initiative.  However, the budget proposals (subject to confirmation on 24th February) do not contain Youth Service core funding.  Therefore, they have to do things differently.

They would like to invite you to this important event and would welcome your participation in the discussion.

To register your intention to attend and for further information please contact Ketan Gandhi on 0300 300 4821 – email: - ketan.gandhi@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk [18 February 2011]

‘What would you do if..?’

As we head into autumn and the weather worsens, the risk of accidents and emergencies increase – are you prepared?

The ‘What would you do if...?’ campaign, supported by the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum, aims to help everybody living or working within Bedfordshire and Luton to get prepared and consider what they would do if faced with an emergency.

BLLRF was formed in 2004, bringing together the key agencies required to respond to emergencies. Comprising local agencies including the emergency services, local authorities, National Health Service (NHS) and the voluntary and community sector the forum was created to ensure the best possible plans are in place should a major emergency occur. Through the ‘What would you do if…?’ campaign, the forum aims to promote the importance of being prepared and ensure people living and working within the county feel safe.  For more information visit www.whatwouldyoudoif.co.uk

Here are a few easy things you could do today:

• Enter the ‘What would you do if...?’ competition to win prizes money can’t buy
• Create an emergency kit – or get 25 per cent off the ‘What would you do if...?’ kit
• Stick a ‘What would you do if...?’ postcard on your fridge and fill in your emergency numbers
• Join an emergency training session or become an emergency volunteer
• Visit the ‘What would you do if...?’ website and find out more about the campaign, the risks in your area, and how you can be prepared for anything
• Encourage your employer to enter the ‘What would you do if...?’ competition.

By spending just a few minutes you could help turn Bedfordshire and Luton into the best prepared area in the country, and feel confident you know what to do, no matter what happens.

‘What would you do if...?’ competition

Win prizes money can’t buy such as, or, in the ‘What would you do if...?’ competition by answering an easy multiple-choice question and 100-word tiebreaker.

Prizes include:

• a day out training with the police dog unit
• an off-road adventure with a 4x4 voluntary response group
• a day at a local fire station
• five emergency kits with a three-month lifestyles@midbeds leisure centre pass
• a police experience session with Bedfordshire Police.

To enter, go to www.whatwouldyoudoif.co.uk The closing date for all entries is Friday 10 December 2010. 

Promotional postcards are available at Voluntary and Community Action or can be downloaded here, and What would you do if...?’ posters can be downloaded here. [5 November 2010]

DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH ROADSHOW

The Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership, has organised a number of workshops and events to raise awareness of domestic abuse during October, National Domestic Abuse Month.  Organised in partnership with other statutory and voluntary and community sector organisations, the events and workshops will be held across Bedfordshire and Luton. 

• The Freedom Programme is aimed at women who have previously experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse and is designed to build confidence and self-esteem.  These events are being held a number of venues in Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Henlow, Biggleswade, Kempston and Bedford over the first two-week period of October.
• Come and Play Sessions, Yong Parent Groups and Tiny Times are aimed at children and new and young parents.  These will provide an opportunity to have fun, receive advice and support, and make new friends.  These events take place on an on-going basis at the same time of week, each week in Kempston.
• The Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership will be on-the-road during the latter two weeks of October, to promote awareness of domestic abuse.  The Partnership will visit Luton, Kempston, Flitwick, Bedford, Biggleswade and Dunstable and organise fun activities such as face-painting and raffles.
• A Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adult Conference will take place Monday 11 October 2010.  The morning workshop, Abuse is Everyone's Business, is aimed at anyone who might come into contact with vulnerable adults in their professional and personal lives.  The afternoon workshop, Safeguarding is Our Responsibility, is aimed at care professionals. 
• Finally, the Domestic Abuse Partnership will be attending a number of Neighbourhood Watch events at various venues throughout the month.

Further details of the venues and dates, and contact details can be found by following the link to the leaflet. [25 September 2010]

Consultation on a New Compact for Bedfordshire and Luton

A Consultation Draft of a new Compact for Bedfordshire and Luton is now available.

The Bedfordshire and Luton Compact is the agreement between local statutory organisations and the voluntary and community sector to improve and develop their relationship for the benefit of the communities they serve...more info [18 June 2010]

Survey Shows Volunteering Target was Exceeded

The final survey for Local Area Agreement 1 covering Bedfordshire, which sought to measure residents’ participation in formal volunteering (defined as giving unpaid help through groups, clubs or organisations that support social, cultural or sporting objectives), was undertaken in March 2010 and returned an overall figure of 21%, exceeding the target of 18.5%.  

The headline results showed that:

• two in five of Central Bedfordshire residents undertake regular volunteering
• one third of those who volunteer do so through family or friends

For further information download the full report. [19 May 2010]

Draft Assembly Framework and Terms of Reference Published for Consultation

An outline of the proposed framework was presented at the inaugural meeting of the Central Bedfordshire Third Sector Assembly meeting held on 3 February 2010, when those attending contributed their views and suggestions. These have now been incorporated into this framework document, along with good practice from other Assemblies across England and from a meeting of Assembly Coordinators held in Bristol on the 23-24 February 2010.

The draft framework sets out the Assembly’s values and approach; its membership, purpose and activities; and explains how Assembly representatives will be appointed to local partnerships and supported in their role. It also sets out the role of the Coordinating Body and includes draft terms of reference for the Assembly.

Please let us have your views on what do you think to the proposed framework for the Assembly, including its terms of reference and the arrangements for Assembly Representatives, by Tuesday 30 March 2010 [this will enable us to report back to funders at the conclusion of a Capacitybuilders funded project]. Thereafter the document will be amended and published, and we will move forward with its implementation. Please send your views to Helen Nottingham, Partnerships Officer, by email to partnerships@action-centralbeds.org.uk. If you would like to receive the document in word format, please request this by email to the same address.

If you would like to get involved with the Assembly, please ensure you register with the Partnerships Team at Voluntary and Community Action so that you receive future communications. You can also check out opportunities here on our website – we are currently seeking to appoint representatives to various local partnerships. Contact Helen Nottingham, Partnerships Officer, by email to partnerships@action-centralbeds.org.uk or by telephone on 01525 850559. [25 February 2010]

Cash for carers – the forgotten workforce

National Carers Rights Day takes place on 4th December 2009 and Central Bedfordshire Council are supporting several local events providing information, advice and support to local carers.

• 3rd December, 1.30-3.30pm at Linslade Community Hall, Leighton Buzzard.  Call 0800 039 1234 for more information.
• 4th December, 1.30-3.30pm at Moggerhanger Park, Moggerhanger.  Call 01234 214914 for more information.
• 4th December, 1.30-5.30pm at Luton & Dunstable Hospital

One in eight adults is currently a carer yet research by national charity Carers UK found that nearly 60 per cent of carers missed out on benefits because they did not know they were entitled to them. 

That is why, at each event for Carers Rights Day 2009, staff from Central Bedfordshire Council - along with partners from the Pension Service, NHS Bedfordshire and local Carers Organisations - will be on hand to provide information and speak directly to carers.

Central Bedfordshire Council offers information, advice and support to carers all the year round.  Call the Carers Helpline on 0300 300 8036 to find out more.  [23 November 2009]

Invitation to Tender - Production of Business Case for Bedfordshire Third Sector Health & Social Care Network

You are invited by the VoluntaryWorks Consortium to tender for the production of a business case for a Bedfordshire Third Sector Health & Social Care Network, to be completed by end March 2010.

Our two-year project entitled Representation and the Impact of Local Government Reorganisation, funded by Capacitybuilders, draws to a close in March 2010.  During that time we have represented and promoted the interests of the Third Sector throughout the reorganisation of local government into two new unitary authorities covering the area of the previous Bedfordshire County Council, which came into force in April 2009, and are now aiming to set up structures that will facilitate representation in the future.  For further details download the full Invitation to Tender. [20 November 2009]

“Just helping out” is volunteering

A recent survey revealed that just 24 per cent of people volunteer at least once a month but the Volunteer Centre Central Bedfordshire believes the true figure is much higher.

Lucy Crayk, Volunteer Centre Manager, and her team have been out and about in Leighton Buzzard, talking to local residents.

“We’ve found that many people don’t think of themselves as volunteers but when you get to talking, it turns out they help at their children’s school, with the football club, or at church. They see it as just helping out as and when they can, but they are in fact volunteering,” says Lucy...more info [17 November 2009]

Consultation of Code of Good Practice on Consultation and Partnerships
Local government re-organisation; the creation of new partnerships; the introduction of new legislation that places a duty on statutory bodies to inform, consult and involve representatives of local communities (including voluntary and community organisations) and work around National Indicator 7 on an environment for a thriving third sector have all contributed to a review of the current Code of Good Practice on Consultation and Partnerships.  

With input and comments from a wide range of stakeholders from the statutory and voluntary and community sectors in Bedfordshire and Luton, this consultation aims to produce Codes of Good Practice that:

• meet the needs of both sectors
• are relevant, usable documents
• ensure effective and positive working relationships between the sectors
• ensure involvement and cooperation in shaping policy, delivering services and building strong communities. 

For more information and to download the documentation click here.

The closing date for receipt of your views and comments is 21st January 2010. [5 November 2009]

Launch Event of the Central Bedfordshire Third Sector Assembly
Work to establish the Assembly began following the feedback received from the local voluntary and community sector. The Assembly will provide voluntary groups and community organisations operating within Central Bedfordshire with a sound mechanism to communicate and organise themselves effectively, address the issues above and shape their future and that of the communities they work with.

Date: Wednesday 3 February 2010 Venue: Rufus Centre, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1AH  

Attendance of the event is free of charge. Book your place early to ensure your voice is heard and your views help shape the future of the voluntary and community sector in Central Bedfordshire. [30 October 2009]

Central Bedfordshire Third Sector Assembly

The move to unitary government in Bedfordshire has provided an opportunity for the third sector to establish effective mechanisms for how it wishes to organise itself and ensure that its knowledge and expertise influence the design and delivery of local public services.  Comments, to be submitted by 18th September 2009 are being invited on the proposal ……more info [31 July 2009]

Representation of Central Bedfordshire’s Thematic Partnerships

Partnership arrangements for the Central Bedfordshire Local Strategic Partnership are now in place and frontline voluntary, community and other third sector organisations are to be represented on each of the Thematic Partnerships.  Expressions of interest, to be received by end of September 2009, are being invited…… more info [31 July 2009]

Volunteers required for anti-viral delivery service

Volunteers with their own transport are needed to help with a home delivery service to people who do not have 'flu friends' able collect anti-viral medication on their behalf...more info [22 July 2009]

Swine flu - Contingency planning

Depending on the complexity of your organisation, contingency plans may be prepared in detail or in outline only, whichever works for your organisation. In the case of swine flu it is a good idea to have a well developed contingency plan which would have enormous value for your organisation, helping to identify risks and their possible impact....more info [23 July 2009]

Volunteer Centre celebrates Volunteers’ Week with Open Day on Thursday

Next week, 1-7 June, is Volunteers’ Week. Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering and this year is the 25th anniversary.

Events are taking place around the country and staff and volunteers from the local Volunteer Centre will be out and about all week...more info [04 June 2009]

Pandemic Influenza - Supplementary information for the Voluntary and Community Sector and Faith Communities

As part of the Government’s flu pandemic preparations we are providing supplementary information to voluntary and community organisations and faith communities….more info [18 May 2009]

Walk with Me – keep me active

Walk with Me is a project that encourages and motivates older people (60+ years) who have become physically inactive due to age related physical and mental health issues...more info [16 April 2009]

F.U.N. volunteers needed over Easter

Families United Network (F.U.N) helps for families who have children aged 0–19 years with special needs or disabilities and is looking to recruit enthusiastic volunteers....more info [16 March 2009]

Volunteers Needed to Help Young Carers Have Fun

Being a carer and taking responsibility for a family member is a tough undertaking for anyone, but especially for a child or young person. Caring for others can lead to isolation and feelings that no-one understands, a lack of time for play and leisure, and problems at school...more info [27 February 2009]

Afternoon tea?

Would you like to volunteer but aren’t able to commit to helping very often? Well, there are lots of organisations that need volunteers only once a month or even less regularly....more info [19 December 2008]

Voluntary and Community Action

Voluntary and Community Action has been based at Bossard House, Leighton Buzzard since it was established on 5th November 1998.  Last week they held their AGM and since this year also marked their 10th Birthday, it was a great opportunity to celebrate with their members and trustees and share their birthday cake....more info [26 November 2008]

ASDAN Certificate in Community Volunteering (CCV)

Places available on free and accredited training course for volunteers.

Are you a volunteer, or do you help out on a regular basis at a local community group? Would you like your skills and contribution accredited with a nationally recognised qualification?

If so, the ASDAN Certificate in Community Volunteering (CCV) could be perfect for you – a new course starts in January 2009 and it’s free to individuals...more info [24 November 2008]

Voluntary and Community Action's 10th Brithday Celebrations

Voluntary and Community Action held their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 5 November 2008 at their base in Bossard House, Leighton Buzzard. Following the meeting we celebrated Voluntary and Community Action’s 10th birthday with a cake after a short speech made by Liz Bagshaw, one of our trustees...more info [5 November 2008]