Any groups working to develop and promote local voluntary and community activity in Mid or North Bedfordshire can post notices on this page. This may include your upcoming events, items for sale, details of room hire and training.

Please email details to mark@yourcvs.org

Events

Bedford Borough Third Sector Assembly

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
9.30am-1pm (followed by lunch)

Corn Exchange, Bedford
Get this date in your diary!

More information, including a registration form, to follow in late February or contact CVS on 01234 354366 or email assembly@yourcvs.org

Teas & Cakes & Volunteering

Thursday 1st April 2010

2pm - 5.30pm

Volunteer Centre, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford

Come and meet 12 of our local organisations who are looking for volunteers

Enjoy a cup of tea and a cake

Have a Chat with them. Sign up with them if you choose.

or

Chat to Volunteer Centre Staff and we can suggest where you volunteer. YOU tell us what you are interested in and WE will find the perfect opportunity for you.

For more details Rebecca Baber on 01234 213 100 or Email: rebecca@bedfordvb.org.uk

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Samaritans

The first Monday of every month your local Samaritans are having an Open Evening devoted to recruiting volunteers. All are Welcome! Join in at 7.30pm until 8.30pm at Bedford Samaritans, 23 Foster Hill Road, Bedford. Tel: 01234 211211.

Items For Sale or For Free

Computer Monitor

17" screen (not a flat screen). To arrange collection from Houghton Conquest please phone 01234 742450 or mobile 07706994039

Printer Cartridges need good homes

We have a number of black toner cartridges that are available for FREE. They are: 5 x Sharp 226T (suitable for Sharp Printers SF2216, 2218, 2220 and 2320); 3 x Sharp AR-400T; 2 x Brother TN200 suitable for Brother Printers HL720, 730, 730 Plus, 760 or Fax 8000P, 8200P). Again, the only proviso is that you will have to collect them from our offices.

We also have a number of Epson Printer Cartridges. Type: Black TO511 x 2, Black TO611, Cyan TO612, Magenta TO613, Yellow TO614. Again FREE!

Please contact Mark Smith on 01234 354366 or at mark@yourcvs.org in both instances.

Roomsfor Hire

St Thomas More Theatre and Activity Centre

Following a multi million pound development at St Thomas More School we now have a state of the art, fully equipped theatre and a large multi purpose activity centre and gym in school.

Whilst being used for PE, Drama and Performing Arts lessons, we are anxious to make these new spaces available to local community and voluntary groups.

The theatre seats 200 and is equipped with excellent sound and light systems. As it has a quality data projection system it would also be a venue suitable for meetings and conferences.

The Activity centre boasts a new gym area with treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines and weights and the hall space has specialist cushioned flooring as well as a mirrored area suitable for Dance lessons. There are brand new changing/showering facilities and a large welcoming entrance hall.

Both facilities are suitable for wheelchair access

The school is centrally situated in Brickhill with good public transport links and parking facilities.

If you wish to make a further enquiries about our new facility please contact the school on 01234 400222 and we can discuss your requirements.

Stables Christian Centre

Bolnhurst

Meeting rooms for hire, in tranquil rural setting, with use of kitchen and access to 5 acres of grounds, including woodland and meadow. Ideal for planning days, small youth events etc. 15 minutes’ drive from Bedford. Please see our website: www.stableschristiancentre.co.uk , phone: 01234 376237 and/or call in to view the facilities.

Project 229

229 Bedford Road, Kempston

Office to rent - We have an office to rent on the first floor of Project 229. Includes fixed office furniture (desk with drawers, cupboards and shelves). Broadband access available.

We are looking for a community group or organisation who would like to be based in the heart of our pro-active community resource in Kempston. As well as access to high quality room hire facilities, you would have access to community resources and information as well as networking opportunities and the potential to develop partnership working. This is an ideal opportunity for a group who want to be more visible within the community. For more information contact 01234 840880 or comments@project229.org.

Rooms to rent - If you want to run a community activity, group or drop-in session or hold a meeting or conference we would love to talk to you!

• Hall@229 (up to 50 people) - Community Rate: £10ph and Business Rate: £17ph - Ideal for meetings, conference or group activities. PA system, projector for laptops and TV / DVD and video facilities available.
• Cafe@229 (15-20 people) -Community Rate: £8ph and Business Rate: £15ph - Available for hire in the evenings and late afternoons. Relaxed environment ideal for small groups and courses.
• Hotdesk@229 - Community Rate: £7ph and Business Rate: £12ph. Discount for regular use…

For more information contact 01234 840880 or bookings@project229.org

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The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre

155 Barkers Lane, Bedford, MK41 9RX

Conference Room (Seats 30 People)

£15 Per Hour

 Refreshments available on request

 Parking Nearby 

Book now by calling Val or Jenny on 01234 325781

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Bedford Creative Arts (BCA)

Special Room Hire Rates for Charitable and Voluntary Sector Organisations

Bedford Creative Arts (BCA) has a prime location on Bedford's busy High Street.  As well as providing a light and airy home for Bedford's only professional, contemporary art venue, BCA Gallery, it is also an excellent choice for meetings and small functions. Depending on when your activity would take place and the number of people you would like to invite, you have the choice of two spaces on our ground floor. The education room can accommodate up to 15 people offering quiet and privacy. Alternatively the gallery has greater capacity, seating upto 30 people, and offers a suitable space for talks and discussion forums.

Each space has tea and coffee making facilities and requests for technical equipment can be made. The entire ground floor of the building is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs and guide dogs are welcome throughout. There is a hire charge for each space of £15 per hour. Day rates can be negotiated on a case by case basis.   

BCA is just half a mile from the bus and rail stations. Short stay parking (for 2 hours) is available on the Embankment and Long Stay parking is available on Lurke Street. Both are about 150 metres from gallery. A map detailing our location can be downloaded from our website or sent to you.

If you are interested in hiring BCA Gallery or our education room for a meeting or function, or would just like more information, please contact Katie Walton on 01234 818670 or email katiew@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk

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Bedford Foyer

Conduit Road, Bedford

Need a place to host your meeting? Then look no further!

Bedford Foyer has a café and meeting room available for hire, with tea and coffee making facilities. Situated on Conduit Road close to both the town centre and the train station, with parking, the Foyer can offer the ideal solution to your meeting venue problems! £15 per hour.

Please contact Helen Murfitt at Bedford Foyer for more information or to book a meeting on (01234) 221270 or helenm@bpha.org.uk

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Bedford i-kan

38 Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3HD

Bedford i-kan offers town centre office space and services for fledgling businesses from all sectors, including the voluntary sector. Housed in a period property with dedicated parking and easy access to all public transport options, i-kan provides a mixture of virtual, hot-desk and permanent space, latest IT infrastructure (hardware/software) and phones/lines, meeting spaces, networking opportunities and on-site business support and events. All this is backed by the credibility and track record of Bedford Development Agency through Bedford Borough Council. For information contact Alan Levy, Manager, on 0845 888 4526 or find more information at www.bedfordi-kan.com

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Nooria Mission Hall

1B Brereton Road, Bedford, MK40 1HU

Small Hall Room that comfortably seats up to 70 people

£30 first two hours, then £10 per hour

Book now by calling 01234 359700 or by emailing nooriamission@hotmail.co.uk

Website: www.nooriamission.org

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The Studio Club
32 Alexander Road, Bedford, Mk40 1ja

The Studio Club is available from 10pm-5pm weekdays. Community group are welcome to hold weekly meetings, private functions and parties.

We have three main areas:

• The main bar with a big screen and a projector, a CD player is available to provide background music and of course we have a fully stocked bar if you choose to make use of it. two fruit machines and a quiz machine for your entertainment.
• A games area with two full size pool tables, ample seating, card packs and dominoes available on request.
• Function room holds about 50 people, can be cleared for dance or exercise classes, also has its own bar.

Any reasonable request will be considered.

Stephen Jones, The Studio Club. Tel . 01234262665. Mob. 07918148283

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Also visit CVS Meeting Room Hire for details of available rooms at 43 Bromham Road, Bedford

Training

Relate Bedfordshire & Luton

Basic Counselling Skills Course

OCN Accredited - £225 per place 

Calling all Staff and Volunteers who have contact with colleagues and clients on a daily basis and those who line manage staff

We all use counselling skills on a day-to-day basis when we communicate with others, but if we refine our skills we will achieve so much more

Join us for 4.5 days of experiential and invaluable learning, in a safe and caring environment, where you’ll hone your talents to be even more effective in your working and personal life

Previous Course Members’ Evaluations:

“I would like to say that this is one of the best courses that I have ever attended and has provided me with some transferable skills that fit into my everyday activities and not just counselling!”

“The Relate Trainer was great, lots of role plays which made learning fun and retainable.  I would definitely recommend to friends and colleagues and look forward to receiving information on other funded programmes. Excellent course, thanks.

Dates: 4.5 x Wednesdays, 22nd April to 20th May 2009 (half day optional)

Venue: CVS, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford

Cost: £225.00 per place

For more information and a booking form, please contact: lifeskills.relate@btopenworld.com or phone (01234) 342503