BOLTON COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES J U M B O May 2010

“We celebrate the diversity of Bolton and unite to create One Bolton, recognising differences, celebrating communities and commit to encouraging harmony”

The Bolton CVS Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Karen Minnitt proudly sign the One Bolton Pledge in support of the Big Bolton Fund

Working together to develop a diverse, strong and effective voluntary and community sector in Bolton. Contents Bolton CVS News

Bolton CVS News 2 The One Bolton Pledge As shown on the front cover, Bolton CVS has proudly Notice Board 3 signed up to the One Bolton Pledge. Community cohesion in Bolton is now stronger than ever (despite the recent visit Group by the English Defence League) and we applaud everyone Development 4 who played a role, however big or small, in keeping Bolton Sustainable Groups safe and strong as the hurricane passed through town. 5 Project (SGP) It isn’t too late for your group to sign up to the One Bolton Funding News 6 - 9 pledge if you haven’t managed to do it so far. You can access the pledge through the Bolton CVS website: The BIG Bolton 10 www.boltoncvs.org.uk. Fund The Big Bolton Fund Successful Grants 10– 13 We are also encouraging everyone to make a donation to the Big Bolton Fund to help fund local groups forever in the Neighbourhood future and a new way of doing this is by texting the word Grants 14 ‘PLEDGE’ to 70007. This costs £3 plus your network charge. Every little helps! Bolton Welcome to Stephen Baker, our Operations Director Community Stephen Baker joined Bolton CVS on 19th April after seven Network years with the Arts Council of England as Head of pages Marketing and Communications. In his current role, 4 page section Stephen worked nationally on the relocation of over 100 Finance IT, HR and Customer Services jobs out of London Group Profile 15 and into a purpose built office in Manchester. A Chartered Training News 16 Marketer, with business planning experience, Stephen’s past employment spans both the public and private sectors Children & Young including: the NHS; National Lottery; Granada Television; People 17 Bolton Octagon Theatre; Manchester City Council and Arts and Business. Stephen currently lives in Bury with his Cleaner Greener 18 partner Laura, and has two daughters, Erin and Forum Madeleine. In his spare time, Stephen is a keen and Winter Warmer regularly published photographer. Feature 19 Welcome back to Shafiqa Ibrahim who has returned from Writing a Funding maternity leave. If your group would like help with setting Application 20 up and getting a constitution, please get in touch with Shafiqa on 01204 546010 or [email protected]. Legal Update 21 Bernie Connor is now the proud mother of Dylan. Safia Health & Care 22 - 23 Shahid and Caroline Arkwright are now both on Together maternity leave so more baby news is imminent…. Volunteering 24 - 26 Pat Stubbs continues to gain in strength and wellness and Matters we are hoping that she will be back with us on a part time Who’s Who at basis soon! 27 Bolton CVS 20th Birthday Event – Thursday 1st July A date for your diary! Bolton CVS is 20 years old this year – a time for Great Celebration! More details following soon.

2 Notice Board

Polls Apart Promote Performance Campaign for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Groups ‘Polls Apart’ is Scope’s campaign to ensure that disabled people have the same access Voice4Change England and Charities to Britain’s democracy as everyone else. Evaluation Services have launched a campaign to encourage BME voluntary This campaign has been running since organisations to evidence the value of their 1992, and although access has improved, work. The campaign targets groups that there is still a long way to go before want to improve what they are doing but disabled people can be confident that they may not be familiar with performance jargon won’t face discrimination at the ballot box. and has been developed with the input of On Election Day 2005, Scope’s campaign ten key BME partners across the country volunteers surveyed over 2,000 polling including frontline BME groups. stations and found that 68% could be Why is performance important? Many inaccessible to a disabled person. organisations might think of ‘performance

During the 2010 General Election, Scope management’ as a new idea but are doing will again be looking at the accessibility of work around managing their performance the voting process, including polling stations already, through reports to management committees, funders, and future planning. and postal voting to make sure that all voting methods take disabled people’s The Campaign has produced a series of needs into account. factsheets to help groups consider ways in which they can measure the difference their For more information about Polls Apart or to work is making, make plans for the future, join Scope’s campaigning activity in general, manage work more effectively, demonstrate please contact the team on 020 7619 7370 the value of their work, respond to changing or [email protected]. You can needs and learn how to build on success. also visit their website at www.scope.org.uk. Go to www.voice4change-england.co.uk or call 0207 843 6130 for more information.

Parent friendly learning at your child’s school

Bolton Literacy Trust has been working in schools throughout Great Lever since April, to allow parents to learn whilst their child learns!

They offer a range of programmes including parenting, family learning, computer skills, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and arts and crafts – so there should be something for everyone. The classes will be relaxed and supportive and delivered by friendly, experienced tutors and you don’t need any qualifications to join the classes.

If you enjoy a family day out, then have a go at their competition! Design a poster on A4 paper to advertise a great place to go for a day out with a family in or around Bolton and you could win a prize worth £50 to pay for a family visit to the attraction. The design can be handmade or designed on a computer and emailed to [email protected] or posted to Great Lever Family Learning Centre, Block H of Essa Academy, Woodvale Avenue, Great Lever, Bolton BL3 3HH. The closing date is 30th June 2010.

For more information about the Bolton Literacy Trust and the work they do call the Centre between 9.30 am - 3.00 pm Tuesday -Thursday on 01204 332760 or visit their websites www.boltonliteracytrust.org.uk or www.learningrevolution4bolton.org.uk.

3 Group Development

Running Effective Meetings

Think about all the different kinds of meetings you have been to or heard about. These might include: management committee meetings, Annual General Meetings (AGM) and public meetings. All these meetings are held for very different reasons and so are managed in different ways. This can change the way people speak to each other (formally or informally) or the way they are recorded (jotted notes or formal minutes).

Here are some useful hints and tips to consider when planning your meetings…

The Management Committee Meeting • Ensure all the relevant papers (minutes of last meeting and agenda) have been circulated so people have had time to read and understand the information before making a decision.

• The Chair must keep control of the meeting and allow equal participation.

• Having an agenda means that you’ll cover all the issues, and means that you will manage the time better.

• Remember minutes must be impartial and factual and should include any decision reached, action required and who will take the action and when.

The Public Meeting • Public meetings are usually held to either inform or consult (or both). Eg, to ask people what they think about something or for gauging opinions.

• Publicity: There is no point having a meeting if no one knows about it! – use shops, newspapers, community centres, libraries, etc, to put up posters and distribute leaflets.

• Take names and addresses of those attending. Take notes of the main points, and distribute afterwards.

• At the end of the meeting, let everyone know what the next steps are.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) • Check your constitution - this will tell you how to conduct your AGM.

• An AGM will usually include a financial report for the year, activities report, election of management committee and appointment of auditors.

• If you are a registered charity you must send an annual return to the Charity Commission. If you are a company limited by guarantee, you must send your accounts to Companies House. If you are not sure what you are, then you really must have a look at your constitution!

Other Considerations when planning meetings Consider the timing of the meeting - what will suit your members best?

Consider people’s childcare arrangements, religion and culture (Friday is an important day for Muslim and Jewish people and they may not wish to participate in meetings on Fridays).

Accessible venue. Get advice on induction loops for hearing impaired people.

For more information, contact the Funding and Development Team on 01204 546010.

4 Sustainable Groups Project

‘Polacy Duzi I Mali’ (‘Poles Big and Small’)

Witamy—Welcome!

Just a few words about us.

We are a relatively new Polish Community Group, formed in September 2009, and active here in Bolton. There has been a Polish presence in Bolton since the end of World War II. Since May 2004, when Poland and seven other Eastern European countries joined the European Union, the number of Poles in Bolton has grown substantially, and there are now about 1500, spread throughout the Borough. Many have said that they want to make the UK their permanent home.

The aim of our Group is to promote Polish Culture and to support the local Polish Community. Our main activity at the moment is a ‘Parent and Toddler’ Group, which meets every Wednesday between 10.00 am and 12 noon, at the New Unity Centre, Johnson Street. In time, we also hope to offer activities for young people from ages 5 to 18. We also help Polish people with everyday things, like employment, accommodation and health care.

If you would like more information please contact – o dalsze informacje, prosze zwrocic sie do:

Krzysztof (Krys) Stankiewicz on 01204 366393 or email [email protected]

I look forward to hearing from you – do uslyszenia!

The New Unity Centre (NUC) BOFAA (Bolton French African Assistance) The NUC aims to encourage and help the ESOL Class development of new and emerging groups. Support provided to groups hiring the NUC Do you want to improve your English skills, include: writing and speaking?

BOFAA is providing a free intensive course • Help with CRB checks in ESOL (English for speakers of other • Public Liability Insurance languages). • Opportunity to network with other

groups Date: Mondays • Training and advice sessions Time: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Venue: The New Unity Centre A small meeting room holding up to 12 Johnson Street, Bolton people and a large meeting room are available for hire. Free admission!

Kitchen facilities are also available. Contact Archbishop G. Mboyo on

07904429688 / 01204 405182 or For more information please Princesse on 07950 469158 contact: Lesley Dunn on 01204 332699 or email [email protected] Email: [email protected]

5 Funding News

Opportunities to learn more about funding at Bolton CVS The Funding & Development Team is committed to enabling voluntary and community organisations in Bolton to find the right source of funding to fit their projects, to be able to complete the forms effectively and to be able to manage the funding in line with funders’ needs. We recognise the importance that funding plays in the sustainability of an organisation, and as a team, we are constantly reviewing the services that we provide to make sure that we are keeping up to date with the needs of the voluntary sector.

Funding Forum—10th June 2010, 10.00 am to 12 noon The Funding Forum provides the opportunity to learn about current funding available and any changes made to funding streams. In the past, the Funding Forum has had speakers from Comic Relief, Charity Bank, and Bolton Area Forums to give presentations about their grants. At the Forum in June, Chris Batten from The Sir James & Lady Scott Trust will be coming to give a presentation on their grant that gives priority to projects which help disadvantaged communities in Bolton. The Grants Team will also be giving an update of all the grants administered by Bolton CVS. For more information about the next Forum, please contact Helen Tomlinson on 01204 546017 or visit www.boltoncvs.org.uk/ funding-forum.

Support Sessions With the new financial year, you will no doubt have lots of projects in mind that you need funding for. If you need support to find the right grant or need help in either filling in the forms or would like a member of the team to look at a completed application form, then you may wish to book on a Support Session. These are held every Tuesday morning from 10 am to 1 pm or on Tuesday evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm. Book your session by telephoning 01204 546010.

Grant Finder Bolton CVS now has full access to an internet funding portal, Grant Finder, which has information about thousands of grants available. If you would like to do a search for funding available which meets the criteria of your project then you can book a 90 minute session on Grant Finder with support of a Funding and Development Team member. Please telephone 01204 546010 to book an appointment.

Appcheck If you would like a member of the Funding & Development Team to look at a completed application form and provide any advice, then email it to [email protected] and we will have a look at it and send you any pointers within a week.

Grants administered by Bolton CVS For information about the grants currently administered by Bolton CVS, please refer to the flyer in your copy of Jumbo or go to www.boltoncvs.org.uk/big-bolton-fund-grants. Application forms and guidelines about these grants are now available online. If you would prefer a paper copy please telephone 01204 546010 and we will send one out to you.

If you have any ideas about how we can make our services more accessible then please come along to the Funding Forum. We will be very happy to hear from you.

6 Funding News

Funding Sources

CSV Action Earth 2010 Action Earth provides grants of up to £50, funded by Morrisons, to assist groups in carrying out environmental projects. These grants are available up to 31st July 2010. Action Earth challenges local communities to identify ways in which they can protect and enhance their built and natural environment to improve the quality of life and safeguard the environment for future generations. Projects must be practical and visual, have an immediate or lasting benefit to the environment, involve volunteers and take place before 31st July 2010. For more information go to www.actionearth.org.uk or telephone on 0121 328 7455.

B&Q One Planet Living Awards Awards are offered between £50 and £250 of B&Q materials to schools, community groups and charitable organisations for long-term sustainable projects. Projects must support at least one of the following themes: save energy; conserve nature; grow your own; or support culture and heritage. Grants are available up to 30th September 2010 and successful projects must collect materials no later than 31st October 2010. For more information go to www.diy.com/diy/jsp/corporate/content/environment_ethics/ethics/community/ grants.jsp.

Lankelly Chase Foundation Summer Activities Small Grants Programme Around 120 grants of up to £500 are available to UK registered charities wishing to run small local summer activity schemes. In 2010, the Foundation will be supporting specific activities for children and young people who are living in refuges for families escaping from domestic violence; or young carers. Preference will be given to applications from organisations with strong volunteer support and clear safeguarding measures in place. The next deadline is 14th May 2010. For more information go to www.lankellychase.org.uk.

Groundswell Small Grant Award Scheme The Scheme offers grants of up to £700 to homeless people to set up their own projects. Applications are welcomed from anyone with experience of homelessness, ie, rough sleepers, travellers, squatters, refugees and asylum seekers, residents of hostels etc. The project you are trying to set up would be a service user group, an arts group, a charity—any kind of self-help initiative. Examples of projects would include setting up a day centre, converting a vehicle into a classroom, setting up an allotment, setting up a market stall. The next deadlines are 15th July and 15th October but forms can be sent in anytime. For more information go to www.groundswell.org.uk or telephone 020 7233 3674.

Hilden Charitable Fund—Summer Play Schemes The Hilden Charitable Fund has allocated a small budget to help community groups run Summer Play Schemes for the benefit of children from refugee and ethnic minority families. The amount you can apply for is around £1000. They support schemes for children aged 5- 18 years, lasting for 2-6 weeks, and that have strong volunteer support. Applications will only be considered from voluntary organisations with an income of less than £150,000. Forms must be submitted as hard copies—they will not accept forms by email or any other electronic means. The next deadline is Friday, 14th May 2010. For more information go to www.hildencharitablefund.org.uk/play.htm or telephone 0207 603 1525.

7 Funding News

Macmillan—Helping You Help Others This programme supports cancer self-help or support groups. The following are available: • Start-up Grants—new groups can apply for up to £500 to help with setting up and promotion of the service, for example, printing, postage, venue hire, refreshments. These are assessed monthly and the final closing date is 1st December 2010. • Developing Grants are available to established groups who offer self-help regularly in the community. Groups can apply for up to £3000 to develop activities, ie, producing a newsletter, for an outing, etc. Closing dates are 2nd July 2010 and 29th October 2010. • Training and Development Costs Grants can also be applied for to cover the associated costs of attending, or hosting, a training event, workshop or conference. For more information or to request a grant application pack, please email [email protected] or telephone 020 7840 4936 or go to www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/CancerSupportGroups/StartYourOwnGroup.

Elephant Trust for the Arts Grants of up to £2000 are available to enable artists and those presenting their work to undertake and complete projects when frustrated by lack of funds. It is committed to helping artists and institutions that depart from the routine and signal new, distinct and imaginative sets of possibilities. Priority is given to artists in the visual arts and to small organisations and galleries working with them. Application is by post only. The next deadline is 28th June 2010. Go to www.elephanttrust.org.uk or telephone 020 7922 1160.

Mini Mediabox Fund—Big Changes The Fund gives disadvantaged young people the chance to create media projects about issues that matter to them, from film and journalism to digital media and campaigns. Grants are available ranging from £1000 to £5000. Changes have been made and now the annual turnover threshold has been increased from £100,000 to £150,000, as well as accepting applications from support branches or umbrella groups. Schools and colleges are also able to apply provided they can demonstrate that a project would provide a new, extracurricular opportunity for their students. The online application process has been redesigned to make it easier and faster for first time applicants to access the funds. It is now open for funding— just go to www.media-box.co.uk for full application forms and guidelines.

Grants administered by Bolton CVS Small Grants—up to £5000 is available within one financial year. The grants will enable organisations to produce benefits for people in Bolton based on one or more of the following themes: healthy lifestyles, learning and skill development, increased employability, safer communities, stronger communities, and cleaner and greener communities.

Creating Cleaner Greener Communities—grants are available up to £5000 for projects that physically benefit the local environment. Projects must be visible to the public, have support from and involve the local community. The criteria has been changed from previous years so please read the guidelines to make sure your project is eligible. This grant focuses on projects in the Neighbourhood Management Target Areas.

For both the above grants, applications are assessed each month and must be submitted to Bolton CVS by 4 pm on the first day of each month. For more information go to www.boltoncvs.org.uk/big-bolton-fund-grants or telephone 01204 546010.

8 Funding News

Hilton in the Community Focusing on children and the community, the Foundation supports activities in education and health to relieve suffering and equip individuals. Hilton in the Community wants to really make a difference to disadvantaged children’s lives in four key areas of need— disabled children, children in hospital, homelessness and life-limited children in hospices. Grant applications of up to £10,000 can be approved by the Committee, and applications for more than £10,000 are recommended to the Trustees for approval. There is no limit on the amount that a charity can request. However, the charity is small and will not make awards of over £30,000 in one year. Funding can be requested for up to two years for one particular project. Applications should be sent by email to [email protected]. The next deadlines are 3rd August and 9th November 2010. For more information go to www.hilton-foundation.org.uk or telephone 020 7605 7733.

Church and Community Fund—Church of England This Fund’s charitable objects are to promote, aid and further the work of the Church of England—to enhance the Church’s mission by promoting spiritual and numerical growth, enabling and supporting the worshipping Church, promoting the ways of the Church, and engaging with issues of social justice and environmental stewardship; to sustain and advance the Church’s work in education, life-long learning and discipleship; and to encourage the maintenance and development of the inherited fabric of the Church buildings for worship and service to the community. The maximum grant is £10,000. Grants may be awarded on a one-off basis, or, for revenue projects, the total may be phased over two or three years. Deadlines are 16th July and 30th September. For full application details go to www.churchandcommunityfund.org.uk or telephone 020 7898 1767 or 020 7898 1541.

The Baily Thomas Charitable Fund The Fund was established primarily to aid the research into learning disability and to aid the care and relief of those affected by learning disability. Funding is normally considered for capital and revenue costs and for both specific projects and for general running/core costs. Normally one-off grants are awarded. The following areas of work fall within their remit— capital building/renovation/refurbishment of residential, nursing and respite care; employment schemes; play schemes and play therapy schemes; day and social activities centres, independent living schemes; support in the community schemes; and swimming and hydro-therapy pools and snoezelen rooms. The next deadline is 1st October. For more information go to www.bailythomas.org.uk or telephone 01582 439225.

Landfill Community Fund—Viridor Credits This Fund is available for funding community and environmental projects, within ten miles of Viridor landfill sites. Three types of project are supported—provision or maintenance of public amenities; conservation or promotion of biological diversity; and maintenance, restoration or renovation of buildings of historical or architectural importance or those used for religious worship, provided they offer public access. They like applications from groups, organisations and projects that may find it difficult to obtain funding from other grant schemes and projects that provide a wide community use. Projects funded include TOFFS Mystical Gardens in Farnworth to develop a community garden, and Kearsley Mount Church and Conference Centre to develop their buildings to encourage more community use. For more information go to www.viridor-credits.co.uk or telephone 01823 624 656.

9 The BIG Bolton Fund

The FIFA 2010 World Cup is just over a month away taking place in South Africa from 11th June 2010 to 11th July 2010. Why not get involved with the World Cup? Although England is the only team from the UK, it doesn’t mean you can’t play along too!

The BIG Bolton Fund sweepstake is a fun and easy way for you to join in with the spirit of the World Cup 2010 whilst also helping to raise funds for Bolton.

How to Play?

We have created a pack that you can download from our website www.boltoncvs.org.uk that explains everything, but here is how you can do it in a nutshell.

There are 32 teams participating. Cut out the team names and place in a container. Your members then pay a participant fee (min £1) and then draw a team. At the end of the competition, the person who picked the World Cup 2010 Champions wins 50% of the pot and the other 50% is donated to The BIG Bolton Fund.

To raise more money, you can raise the stakes or why not run an additional sweepstake as well. For example, guess the total number of goals scored in the competition, including penalties. Pay a fee for each guess you make, the person who get the closest wins the money (with half donated to The BIG Bolton Fund).

Don’t forget - The BIG Bolton Fund receives match-funding so every donation we receive is doubled!

Carers 21- March 2010 Successful List of Applicants

Funding has been provided by Bolton Council’s Adult Services Department and forms part of the Bolton Carers Strategy. Grants have been awarded to carers groups, self-help groups and voluntary groups who support carers, to allow carers to have a short break.

Amount Name of Group Reason for Application Granted £

Bolton Respiratory Costs of tickets to theatre and lunch for people with £507.50 Support Group chronic lung disease and their carers.

Great Lever Carers Costs of pampering session, meal and trip for £750.00 Group carers support group in Great Lever.

Horwich Breakaway Cost for meal out and entertainment for adults with £393.00 Club special needs. Annual insurance.

Support group for disabled children and their carers from ethnic minority backgrounds. Group applying MEGS £750.00 for funding for pampering session and meal out for carers.

Total £2,400.50

10 Successful Grants

Small Grants Programme

The following grants were available to community and voluntary groups in Bolton.

Grassroots Grants The purpose of the grant is to provide a resource that will enable people to make a real difference in their communities. Grants up to £5,000 were available to groups with an income of less than £30,000.

Bolton Vision Grants are funded by Bolton’s Local Strategic Partnership to enable community groups to narrow the gap on inequalities that exist in our town. Grants were available for up to £3,000.

Neighbourhood Grants of up to £500 are available for organisations based or working in Bolton’s most deprived areas to tackle issues that are important to the local community.

Health for Bolton grants were available for up £500 to help groups provide activities that improve physical health, mental health or both of people in Bolton. Successful Small Grants Applications February 2010 Amount Name of Group Reason for Application Granted £ Asian Elders Resource Purchase of two laptops for English with IT classes £500.00 Centre for older people from Rumworth and Great Lever. Bolton Cricket Club Erection of a secure fence around bowling green in £1,000.00 Bowling Section Great Lever. Bolton Deane & Derby Cost of publicity and refreshments for an open day £450.00 Cricket & Social Club to promote club and recruit new members. The Dementia Support Venue hire for weekly games session for support £500.00 Group group for people with dementia and their carers. The Dementia Support Transport costs and lunch for museum trip for £500.00 Group members. Books, stands and promotional display for reading Emmanuel Drop In project for drop-in for people with mental health £500.00 problems in the Rumworth area. League fees and equipment for adult cricket club Gujrat Cricket Club £1,000.00 from Crompton area. Krimmz Girls Youth Costs of venue hire and tutor for self defence £500.00 Club course for young girls from BME communities. Pak Club Bolton Leisure centre hire for weekly training sessions for £1,000.00 Volleyball Team Asian men's volleyball team. Accommodation costs, transport and refreshments Sahara for residential trip for Asian women with mental £500.00 health issues. Venue hire and refreshments for 'Fashion Show' Saheli Friends £500.00 event for women's multicultural group. Total £6,950.00

11 Successful Grants

Successful Small Grants Applications March 2010 Name of Group Reason for Application Amount Substance misuse support group applying for Abstinence Support room hire for weekly drop-in sessions, including £500.00 and Maintenance two Reiki relaxation sessions and cost of counselling training. Costs of pitch and league fees for football team BAND United FC £500.00 for adults with mental health issues. Costs of refreshments and mementos for trail Bolton United Harriers race and fun run for adults and children organised £500.00 by the Bolton United Harriers. Costs for catering, entertainment and decorations Campbell Community for a St George's day celebration event for £455.75 Group residents group in Farnworth. Caribbean Elders Cost of entertainment for multicultural event in £500.00 Association Halliwell in partnership with Bolton Council. Costs of transport for trips, group insurance, Community Friends refreshments for weekly meetings and tutor fees £1,000.00 Group for exercise sessions for people living in the Hulton Lane area. Eldon Street Residents Costs of transport for two day trips for elderly £500.00 Association residents in the Tonge area. Transport and meal costs for trip to Cleveleys and Ellesmere Thursday Blackpool for ballroom and sequence dancing £924.15 Tea Dance group for retired, unemployed or disabled adults. Encompass Hill Cost of various camping and hiking equipment for £500.00 Walking Group walking group who meet on a fortnightly basis. Room hire for weekly training sessions, group’s Farnworth Aces Morris insurance and transport costs to championship £902.80 Dancing Troupe venue for girls dance group. Firwood & Moorfield Costs of lunch and refreshments for five sessions Estates Residents £1,000.00 for local residents group in Tonge Moor. Association Costs for gym membership for residents of Fortalice Ltd £1,000.00 women’s refuge in Farnworth. Costs of plants, pots and equipment to create Friends of Maxton hanging baskets and plant trees in the communal £402.51 House gardens for tenants association in Farnworth. Friends Of Sunnyside Costs of room hire for 12 months, insurance and £787.66 Park stationery for residents group in Great Lever. Insurance, tutor costs, stationery and computer Great Lever Voice equipment for personal safety course for young £1,000.00 people from Great Lever and Farnworth.

12 Successful Grants

Costs of artist fees and resources for weekly arts and craft sessions for children and young Harmony Group £804.42 people from BME communities living in Rumworth and Great Lever. Costs of instructor fees and equipment for weekly sports sessions for children and Harmony Group £804.43 young people from BME communities living in Great Lever and Farnworth. Sports trophies, kit and equipment for Hulton Lane Clubroom children and young people's rounders and £918.74 (Wally's) football clubs from the Hulton Lane estate. John Holt Parent and Costs for children's arts and crafts sessions in £453.50 Child Group Washacre. Start up costs of cultural awareness group LMHR Bolton Collective including cost of organising multicultural £750.00 event in partnership with other groups. Moorgate Court & George Costs of trip for older people living in the £476.75 Barton Street Flats Assoc Tonge area including group insurance. Start up costs and insurance for group which Motiv8 2 Activ8 provides sports and social activities for £500.00 women and girls. Costs of refreshments, transport and first aid Rotary Club Of services for St George’s day celebration £400.00 Westhoughton event for older people. Kosovan and Albanian support group applying for costs of room hire and costumes SHPRESA (Hope) £500.00 for children’s dance performance at a multicultural event held in Halliwell. St Andrew’s Methodist Cost of freezer to store food for luncheon £479.99 Church Luncheon Club club. Costs towards replacement of boiler and St Matthew’s PCC £500.00 heating system of church in Halliwell. To purchase two computers for basic IT Sunnyside Residents sessions and refreshments for residents £900.00 Association association in Great Lever. Super XI Cricket Club Equipment and league fees for team. £1,000.00 Costs of transport, meals and barge hire for Young at Heart £485.00 day trip for social group for older people. Your Travel Shop Cricket League fees, equipment and venue hire. £1,000.00 Club Costs of group insurance and tutor fees for Willows Community dance sessions for young people in the £1,000.00 Support Group Willows area. Total £21,445.70

13 Neighbourhood Grants

Bolton CVS has been working in partnership with Bolton Council to run a small grants programme in the Great Lever area since 2003. However in 2009, this scheme was expanded to offer grants to the 11 “neighbourhood renewal” areas of Bolton. We are just coming up to 12 months since the first grants were awarded and wanted to use this page to share with you some of the activities that are happening.

Breightmet Wanderers is a football club in the Top O’th’ Brow area. It has entered Under 6 and under 10s teams in the Bolton and Bury Junior League. The team is bringing people together in a positive activity. It is encouraging children to develop friendships in a safe environment and playing twice a week is ensuring they get plenty of exercise. Also parents are getting involved, which is encouraging local people to get to know each other.

Darbishire Park Vets Bowling Club in the Crompton area has been able to organise several social activities and also buy new indoor games for the clubhouse. This has encouraged more older people to attend the club in winter months rather than being isolated at home and has helped people to get to know each other in the area.

Pukaar Group enabled Asian parents and children from the Halliwell area to enjoy a day out at Drayton Manor Theme Park. Young people were able to have fun in an environment that they would not normally go to due to cost and distance to travel. They developed new friendships with young people as well as spending time with their families. Some were scared of the rides but many overcame these fears.

Farnworth Baptist Church have set up a counselling service that has worked with clients to directly address issues including anger, relationship difficulties and low self esteem, supporting them to overcome such issues and avoid more serious mental health problems or substance dependency. The service has helped clients break the cycle of negativity and re-engage in community life. For example, one has become a volunteer at the church.

Eldon Street Residents and Firwood and Moorfield Residents, Tonge Moor, have organised several social outings which have enabled large sections of the community to get together and visit places they otherwise may not be able to. There has been a family pantomime trip, a trip to the Lowry Theatre at Salford, outings to Cleveleys and St Annes and a Christmas party. Having the chance to socialise encourages people to get to know their neighbours and build friendships with people they otherwise may not know. They also find out more about other local activities and are more likely to get involved in them, such as the fortnightly coffee morning and chairobics organised by Eldon Street Residents.

United Homework Club meets after school and at weekends at the Al Zahra Centre to offer support with coursework and homework to children from families where English is not a first language from Great Lever and Rumworth areas. This is helping them have a better chance at school of getting good grades. They also have parents volunteering at the club to increase their involvement where possible.

Neighbourhood grants continue to be available through the BIG Bolton Fund. Visit Above: Residents from Tonge Moor www.boltoncvs.org.uk or contact Bolton CVS enjoying a day at Cleveleys on 01204 546010 for more details.

14

The Bolton Hub Bolton BL1 1LS Tel: 01204 546040 Fax: 01204 546041 Email: [email protected] Website: www.boltoncvs.org.uk/bolton-community-network

In Jumbo this month:

• Listen Value Invest • Neighbourhood Networks update • Update on our health projects: more awards for our work • Dates for your diary

At the last Third Sector Forum Hannah Horton from Voluntary Sector North West gave a presentation on the Listen Value Invest campaign, which was launched recently.

Listen Value Invest is a campaign run for and by community and voluntary groups across the North West.

We know that the work of these groups is vital to building the health, wellbeing and future of people, communities and society in general. Reducing their funding would have a serious effect on individuals and communities, but in the wake of the recession it is likely that funding to these groups will fall. We want to show government and decision-makers how valuable this work is, and ask them to listen to, value and invest in these groups.

The campaign is co-ordinated by Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW), an infrastructure organisation working across the region to support the voluntary and community sector. VSNW aims to help the sector to have a greater influence on the politicians and decision-makers who make the choices about our communities and services.

Listen Value Invest will be based on a series of stories (known as case studies) which will feature different people who are involved with voluntary and community groups. These may be people who use the services, volunteers who help run them or other people who have in some way benefited from them. The campaign was launched in a special event at the Houses of Parliament on 2nd March 2010.

Hannah’s presentation encouraged Forum members to think of stories they could contribute to the campaign, so that together we can demonstrate to the government and our local partners that the Third Sector is worth investing in.

Bolton Community Network 1

How you can get involved:

The Third Sector Forum has decided it wants to support the campaign by producing a Bolton Storybook. We would love to hear from you if your group has a story it would like to contribute about an individual you have helped and the wider benefits to Bolton of that support. Contact Diane Craddock on 01204 546040 or [email protected] for further details or visit our website www.boltoncvs.org.uk/bolton-community-network.

Visit the Listen Value Invest website to check out their recourses, sign up to the campaign or contribute your story www.listenvalueinvest.org.uk.

Use the Listen Value Invest logo and message when you are communicating with your MP, councillors or other decision makers.

Have your stories made up into postcards and other promotional materials.

Encourage other groups to get involved.

Please get involved so we can show the value of voluntary and community groups in Bolton.

The next Third Sector Forum will be on Wednesday 19th May. The agenda is yet to be confirmed but it will include a story in the form of a presentation of how Shpresa, a local Kosovan community group, has developed in Bolton, a story well worth attending for. For further information please contact Farzana Patel or Michael Carroll on 01204 546040 or email [email protected].

Neighbourhood Renewal Update

One of the main aims of the Community Network is to enable communities to make a positive contribution to the renewal of their area. In this issue of Jumbo we would like to update you about some of the work we have been doing to achieve that aim.

Breightmet

Vicky Urmston was recently appointed as our new Neighbourhoods Participation Development Worker. She will be organising and running all our Neighbourhood Networks. She ran her first meeting in Breightmet on 17th March and it was a welcoming and enjoyable evening.

There was a full agenda with presentations on the RECLAIM project, www.reclaimproject.org.uk, which has been working with young people from East Bolton (we hope to hear more about their work in coming months) and on a local person’s experience of volunteering and the benefits they have gained from this. This was followed by Hava from the Volunteer Centre telling everyone about the volunteer champions project. We ran an activity to develop the idea of holding more community events in Breightmet and local groups and people working in the area had the opportunity to share information with each other.

Vicky is looking forward to the next meeting to see how Breightmet, as a community, will develop future events. The Network gives anyone living and working in the area a chance to come and share their ideas and activities so please come along to our next meeting.

Bolton Community Network 2

… Continued Neighbourhood Renewal Update

Also in Breightmet, Community Engagement Workers, Chris and Jolene, supported Bolton At Home with a new project, "Taxi Rides", on New Lane on Monday 22nd February and Thursday 25th February. The idea was that free taxi rides would be offered to residents in exchange for information. Chris and Jolene got into the taxis along with the residents and tried to find out what services they used in the local area, such as shops, housing offices, UCAN centres etc.

They found it a great way to meet people in the area and Bolton at Home got valuable information on what services were used most often and, if services were not being utilised, the reasons behind this. The project will be repeated again soon in the Leverhulme area, with Bolton Community Network supporting once again.

Farnworth In February we helped to run a consultation on behalf of Farnworth Neighbourhood Management on the proposed Farnworth Health Centre.

24 residents gave us their views. Our Community Engagement Worker, Chris, is pictured with Farnworth Local History Group, who took part on the day.

At the event we were also able to add 19 residents to the Farnworth Neighbourhood Network mailing list and 18 residents have signed up to the Smoke Free Homes Promise.

Tonge with the Haulgh The Castle Hill Centre in Tonge Moor held an Open Day on Saturday 6th March. Samim, one of our Community Engagement Workers, took five young people to the event from the Haulgh area.

The young people spent most of the day taking part in different activities such as football, hair and beauty sessions, arts, street dance, cheerleading, BMX biking, cooking sessions, multimedia suite, DJ skills and movie making. They had a great day out and they felt that young people in Tonge were very lucky to have such a facility in their local vicinity and would like to see something similar in the Haulgh. The open day was a successful, positive event recording 245 visitors and 30 workers/volunteers.

Community Engagement Workers are also currently involved supporting the South Haulgh group in a process of consultation with young people and hope to have the results in a few months time.

Neighbourhood Networks Breightmet Crompton Farnworth Tuesday 22nd June 2010 Tuesday 11th May 2010 Tuesday 25th May 2010 10.00 am – 12 noon 10.00 am – 12.00 noon 10.00 am – 12 noon Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Crompton Children’s Centre Trinity Church Bury Road Johnson Fold Haulgh Tonge & Hall I’th Wood Thursday 20th May 2010 Tuesday 8th June 2010 Wednesday 30th June 2010 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm St James Church Bolton Sea Cadets Tonge Children’s Centre

Bolton Community Network 3

Update on our Health Projects

Upsy Downsy supports pupils to take positive steps forward

Upsy Downsy continues to be a very popular workshop. Primary schools in Bolton are now benefiting from the board game, which encourages individuals to take small steps to improve their mental wellbeing. 110 Year 6 pupils have played the game in three different schools. Pikes Lane and Eatock Primary School will be undertaking the workshop in the near future. Pupils have really enjoyed the workshop and have commented on how much they have benefited from it.

Schools that have taken part so far recognise how this workshop can be used as an interactive tool as part of the young people’s personal and social development programme. This joint approach demonstrates the impact we can have by working together.

‘The role-play with Lazy Downsy and Active Upsy was really funny’

‘We all learnt a lot’

‘The ladies made it fun and they helped us’

Comments from Year 6 pupils at The Valley School after their Upsy Downsy workshop.

Breathe Easy Success!

Breathe Easy is our newest project, targeting men over 35 to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COPD). Our Community Engagement Workers are now delivering this project to individuals as well as in small groups to pass the information on to those most difficult to reach. Although we have only delivered this workshop to small numbers, those that have taken part have gained a great deal. From a recent workshop delivered in March, out of seven participants, three made a decision to quit smoking. One of the participants thought that he might have COPD and plans to go to see his GP for a test.

To take part in any of our health projects call the Community Network on 01204 546040.

Dates for Your Diary

Cleaner Greener Forum Third Sector Forum Thursday 20th May 2010 Wednesday 19th May 2010 12 noon – 2.30 pm at The Bolton Hub, 12.30 pm – 3.00 pm at The Bolton Hub, Bold Street Bold Street

Link & Think Bolton Women’s Networking Forum Wednesday 30th June 2010 Wednesday 2nd June 2010 12 noon – 2.30 pm at The Bolton Hub, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm at The Bolton Hub, Bold Street Bold Street

For further information please contact Farzana Patel on 01204 546040.

Bolton Community Network 4 Group Profile

My name is Stuart Barnes and as the manager of The Sycamore Project (Zac’s Youth Bars), it is a fantastic privilege to provide much needed services and support to the hundreds of young people we work with. At the same time there is a never ending responsibility to raise funds to maintain and develop our growing work; especially in a time of recession. I decided that I needed to do something more adventurous in order to attract support and signed up for a 500k cycle challenge across the Yucatan region of Mexico.

I climbed onto an exercise bike in January 2009, after hardly sitting on a bike for ten years. Ten minutes later, I was out of breath and could barely walk! Gradually, my time and distance increased and by Autumn I was cycling about 125k per week with some 50k rides.

Training completed and padded shorts packed, I set off in November, meeting 31 cyclists at Heathrow. Just over 24 hours later, we reached the colonial city of Merida, capital city of the state of Yucatan, where the challenge began.

Over the next six days we would cycle 500k covering distances of between 65k and 125k per day, based on terrain and suitable places to stay. It was definitely no holiday, with 5.30 am wake up calls, 6.15 am breakfast and on the road before 7.00 am. Cycling was not easy with temperatures up to 90 degrees, 80% humidity, long straight roads that seemed to go uphill forever, potholes, torrential tropical rain and floods, and sore backsides! Close encounters with a boa constrictor, tarantula and crocodiles added to the excitement.

At the same time it was the most amazing experience. There were opportunities to stop off at cultural sites, including “Chichen Itza”, one of the new “Seven Wonders of the World” as well as time to cool down and relax, for example swimming in a “cenote” or underground lake. Particularly wonderful for me was experiencing the sights, sounds, smells and atmosphere of the rural villages we cycled through. Most of the people are unaccustomed to seeing Europeans, let alone 30 of them cycling through their villages dressed in lycra. They would come into the street waving and cheering us on and when we stopped the children would run and gather round the bikes.

The experience was also the better for sharing it with 30 of the most amazing people, with everyone taking the time to encourage each other when the hills were too long or the sun too hot. Only one other worked for their charity but everyone had stories behind their challenge and the charities they were supporting, some heart wrenching.

After six days we reached the Caribbean coast and crossed the finish line! The event raised thousands of pounds for charities and I personally raised about £5,000, which will make a massive difference as we endeavour to maintain and develop our work.

The event organiser, Classic Tours, specialises in organising and leading fund raising expeditions. Since 1992, their challenges have inspired 42,000 people to raise £60million for over 300 charities. I found it to be an extremely effective way of raising funds and would encourage other people to consider taking part. However, don’t underestimate the extent of the challenge. The experience of a lifetime it may be, but a holiday it isn’t. Alternatively, I wonder if there is sufficient interest for a group of Bolton charities to commission our own challenge. If anyone is interested, please get in touch with me on 01204 706200 or [email protected].

15 Training News

Representing your Community Training

There have been two taster workshops that have taken place. The first was held at The Friends Meeting House on Thursday 11th March and the second on Tuesday 16th March at Great Lever Community Centre.

The workshops were the first stage of a new and exciting programme of training aimed at people wishing to actively and effectively represent their community.

The aims of the sessions were:

To become more actively involved in your community Make a difference in your area Represent the views of your community Influence how decisions are made Develop skills and knowledge

Feedback from the participants was very positive and we are looking at ways of ensuring that suggestions and training needs identified will be met by our future training package.

Feedback from the workshops:

‘I learnt about self investment’ ‘Everything I heard today had meaning in my life’ ‘If I am in a group, it helps me learn’ ‘Bring ideas to life’ ‘Gained confidence, knowledge and information’ ‘More workshops like today, we really had fun and enjoyed it’

For further details of the above courses or any other training matters, queries or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01204 546024 or email [email protected].

Look for the new Training Programme in this month’s Jumbo or read it online at www.boltoncvs.org.uk/learning-and-development.

16 Children and Young People

Hi again. I’m writing to update you on how the Children and Young People’s Strategic Forum has carried on its work in this quarter.

The Strategic Forum held a launch event on 22nd April 2010 at Mere Hall. The agenda for the event included the following:

The commissioning support programme - Amanda Kilroy Working together, change for children in Bolton - David Reid Involving the Third Sector in the change for children agenda - Dave Packwood The Third Sector’s strategic engagement in integrated children’s services - Dr John Livesy Getting involved, a provider’s perspective - Tracy Hopkins

Attendance at this event provided a real opportunity for all Third Sector services working with children and young people to become involved and keep up to date with where the Forum is at and what this might mean for their organisation.

Also, work has been ongoing in the development and publication of ‘The Third Sector’s Strategic Engagement in Integrated Children’s Services’. This document outlines the aims of the Forum, membership arrangements, representation and communication. Work is ongoing by members of the Forum for this document, which will soon be published and circulated.

If you have any questions about the work of the Forum or want to know how you can become more actively involved, you can either contact The Chair, David Reid, at [email protected], or the Vice Chair, Inayat Omarji, at [email protected].

If you wish for me to add anything in the next edition of Jumbo relating to children and young people’s services or developments in the Sector, please email me at [email protected].

The communications team at the Vetting and Barring Scheme has announced that full guidance about the Scheme is available for free download now on http:// www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=402. This document contains details on: The scope of the Scheme; Barring arrangements; Responsibilities and duties for both employers and volunteer organisers, and the duties for those individuals you take on; Timescales for the phased implementations of the Scheme; Explanation of transitional arrangements around Scheme introduction.

In response to interest in the subject, the guidance makes special mention of those areas where the Scheme does not apply and discusses the points raised by Sir Roger Singleton when he reported on the boundaries of the Scheme in December 2009.

This full guidance release will be followed by a suite of ‘sector specific’ guidance documents, which will show how the Scheme will be applied in different areas of work and volunteering activities.

Printed copies of this full guidance document are available on request by calling 0300 123 1111.

17 Cleaner Greener Forum

The Cleaner Greener Forum in March 2010 welcomed 36 members from a total of 21 organisations in Bolton. It was great to have so many organisations present that have an active interest in what is happening around cleaner greener priorities in Bolton.

The focus of this month’s Forum was how organisations can become involved with improving local areas. It kicked off with a motivating presentation by Carol Atkinson and Julie Curtis from St James’ Breightmet Parish Centre who, with the support of local grants and the local community, have transformed a neglected and overgrown space into a beautiful garden that not only will provide a valuable community resource but also incorporates flora and other features to benefit wildlife and promote biodiversity.

Lisa Cubbage, Behavioural Change Co-ordinator at Bolton Council, informed the Forum about the current campaign to reduce dog fouling in the Borough and provided an update of previous consultations on reducing the amount of cigarette litter in Bolton.

Evaluation of the Forum has shown that members want to be more than a “talking shop” and be actively involved in cleaner greener issues. Lisa Cubbage and Kairen Smith, Cleaner Greener Development Worker at Bolton CVS, presented an interactive workshop around litter in Bolton culminating in identifying areas for a Cleaner Greener Forum Clean- Up. Since the Forum, the areas identified have been visited and the open space adjacent to Milnethorpe Road in Breightmet has been selected for a Clean-Up on Saturday, 8th May. Please get involved and join us on the day—we will provide all the equipment and a hearty lunch afterwards to reward you for all your hard work. We hope to take the project forwards with support from the Community Network to encourage the local community to become involved in keeping the area cleaner and greener and have a bulb planting day in the autumn.

Cleaner Greener Forum Clean-Up Cleaner Greener Forum Come and join us for the Clean-Up on The next Forum will be held on Saturday, 8th May, 10 am to 1 pm Monday, 20th May, 12 noon to 2.30 pm If you are interested, we would be very at the Bolton Hub, Bold Street. Lunch is pleased to hear from you. Telephone provided. For more information go to Kairen Smith on 01204 546018 or email www.boltoncvs.org.uk. [email protected] for more details.

18 Winter Warmer Feature

Winter Warmers Fifteen organisations and schools took advantage of the chance to bring some warmth and colour to their area by applying for up to £250 through the Winter Warmer grant as part of the Creating Cleaner Greener Communities grants pot, which is funded by Bolton Council.

Kairen Smith and Sharon Bolus from the Funding & Development Team visited some of the projects to see the impact they had on local communities. Sharon was amazed by how the money was used to create visions of colour and warmth and the difference it made.

Halliwell UCAN Centre involved local people to brighten up the Centre’s entrance, digging out and planting beds with winter bulbs, flowers and shrubs. They also placed barrels in alcoves and fixed wall troughs to the side of the building creating splashes of colour and giving a warm welcome to the building. The Centre has now embarked on their Veg-In Out project and volunteers who discovered their green fingers with the Winter Warmer project are now learning how to grow vegetables.

Rose Morris and Nikki Gregson with Gavin Ivan Leigh at St Paul’s Church in Astley Isherwood from the UCAN Centre Bridge welcomed the roving reporters and took them on a grand tour and introduced them to all the volunteers who were involved with the project. The group had worked really hard to create a positive impact. They had cleared the grounds of debris and found swathes of bluebells which were previously unknown, created insect habitats, and planted bulbs donated by Bolton Council throughout, which contributed to the overall impression. The grant had funded hanging baskets filled with colourful plants along the path to the entrance and the effect of all their hard work was striking.

Kearsley Mount Methodist Church used the Winter Warmer funding to purchase hanging baskets and plants for the front and sides of the building. Members of the local community and the local school were involved with the planting up of the baskets and it is hoped that these will be replenished throughout the seasons. The baskets are very eye-catching and lend an attractive display of warming colour on your approach to the Church.

High Lawn Primary School held their gardening club on a wet winter evening and planted up tubs, hanging baskets and pots to cheer up corners of the school. The result is patches of bright colour and a feeling that spring has arrived.

All of the projects funded showed that a small amount of money can go a long, long way and that just by filling containers and flower beds with colourful winter plants can help you to shake off the winter chill and bring a feeling of warmth to any area. Sarah Perkin, Teacher, (left) and Sharon Bolus at High Lawn Primary School.

19 Writing a Funding Application

How NOT to write a funding application Seven easy steps

Did you know that on average ONLY 10% of applications received by the BIG Bolton Fund are of a high enough standard to go to panel? That is just three applications in every 30!

Did you know that more time is spent helping groups improve their applications than is spent making sure that money is spent properly? Those 27 out of 30 applications eat up a lot of staff time!

The BIG Bolton Fund top seven DON’Ts

DO NOT leave any questions blank even if you think we should know the answer. We receive over 250 applications each year and cannot fill in details for you. The panels change regularly and grant assessors may never have heard of your group.

DO NOT send additional information and then complete your application form using ‘see attached’. The panel will not consider applications where the information we require is not detailed within the form.

DO NOT scribble answers. If you feel your handwriting is not so good, type your form or ask a friend to copy out your answers. Where this is a major problem, staff within Bolton CVS may be able to help.

DO NOT expect Bolton CVS staff to complete applications for you. We do not offer this service and expect any applications submitted to be completed by the group. Doing the work yourself will mean you develop the skills to do bids in the future.

DO NOT submit rushed or incomplete applications. If you do not submit a quality bid then be prepared for your bid to be rejected.

DO NOT waste time arguing about the requirements for information such as insurance, child protection, CRB checks etc. These are statutory requirements (required by law) and all good funders will expect you to have them.

DO NOT submit a bid that has no budget or has rounded up figures. We need to see accurate costs for your proposed activity.

The more effort you put in the more likely your bid is to succeed.

Good Luck!

20 Legal Update

New resources available to aid understanding of Data Protection Laws

In February 2010, the Alzheimer’s Society was found to be in breach of the Data Protection Act by the Information Commissioner. Laptops were not locked away and one contained unencrypted details of 1000 staff, including addresses and national insurance numbers.

ICT security is important, not just in relation to data protection, but to protect all of your organisation’s information. The Lasa ICT Security guide, published in October 2009, is essential reading for all organisations. It aims to provide practical advice for voluntary sector staff who have a responsibility for managing and securing ICT systems. It covers how to assess the risks and policies needed, how computer security is affected by people and the environment in which it is used (including public access and homeworking), specific steps to secure assets and checklists for assessing and dealing with risks. Visit www.boltoncvs.org.uk/resources to download a copy or contact Heather on 01204 546010 to request a paper version.

For an even better understanding of Data Protection laws, read the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) plain English guide to data protection, which was published in December 2009. It has an explanation about each of the eight data protection principles and practical examples of how they apply in practice. Visit the ICO’s website at http:// www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection_guide.aspx to download the guide and find out more information. Alternately, contact Heather on 01204 546010 for a paper copy of the guide.

Reporting Serious Incidents

The Charity Commission requires trustees of charities with an annual income over £25,000 to confirm in their annual return that no serious incidents have occurred during the year which have not been reported to the Commission. It is an offence to make a false statement.

The Commission recommends that trustees report incidents when they occur, not at the end of the year. It also recommends, as best practice, that trustees of charities with an annual income of under £25,000 report incidents, but they are not required to make the statement in their annual return.

Incidents that should be reported include fraud, theft or significant loss of funds or other property; significant donations from an unknown or unverified source; any known or alleged links to a banned organisation or to terrorist or other unlawful activity; someone who is disqualified from acting as a trustee serving in that role; charities not having adequate policies and procedures in place to comply with the law on safeguarding and to protect vulnerable beneficiaries; and suspicions, allegations and incidents of abuse or mistreatment of beneficiaries.

The Commission's guidance on reporting serious incidents is at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/investigations/rsi.asp.

21 Health & Care Together

Equality Target Action Group News… The Equality Target Action Groups are now meeting on a regular basis and we now have over 50 volunteers representing the seven equality strands; age, carers, disability, gender, race, religion/belief and sexual orientation. The Equality Target Action Groups are a way for individuals, groups and organisations to inform and guide equality and diversity within local health services and also to feed back information and good practice to the wider community and other partner agencies.

One of the groups recently found out more about the policy of phasing out analogue hearing aids to be replaced by digital hearing aids at the Royal Bolton Hospital. Did you know that analogue aids have now been phased out and are obsolete? This is as per national policy. If any patients still have analogue aids and want to change to digital then they need to contact Audiology and make an appointment to be fitted for a new digital aid. Appointments are normally within the week and digital aids usually take six weeks before they are available for the patient.

Did you know that if you need replacement batteries for a hearing aid that you can get them from Bolton Sensory Centre? On Thursday mornings an audiologist from Royal Bolton is available at the Sensory Centre from 10.00 am – 12.30 pm and is available on a drop-in basis.

The Sensory Centre is based at Brinks Place, Chorley Street, Bolton BL1 4AL. Telephone 01204 337 900. Open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday - Friday. If you would like to find out more about the Equality Target Action Groups or get involved contact Carol Hayden on 01204 546054 or email [email protected].

Health Care & Wellbeing Forum The next Health Care & Wellbeing Forum meeting will be on 11th May 2010 and is being held at the Bolton Hub from 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm. For further information and agenda papers please contact Farzana on 01204 564050 or email [email protected].

Skills for Care Accolades 2010 Entries are now open for the Skills for Care Accolades 2010 celebrating the very best practice in social care workforce development by employers across England.

The Accolades reward commitment from social care employers and organisations to workforce development and innovation.

For the third year running, the Accolades will be presented in partnership with the Department of Health and category winners will be invited to an awards ceremony, usually attended by the Social Care minister in office, to be held at London’s Dorchester Hotel in November 2010.

Skills for Care want to hear from organisations that provide a high quality service and invest in training, qualifications and development for staff. Anyone can nominate an organisation or employer that they feel would be a worthy winner. Contact 01772 459401 for information or email [email protected]. Entry details can be found at www.skillsforcare.org.uk/accolades2010 The closing date for entries is 21st May 2010.

22 Health & Care Together

Winifred Mainon is in her 80s and lives in Bolton. For the past eight years she has been living with age related and vascular dementia coupled with anaemia and thyroid problems. She has suffered a series of mini strokes which combined with her other conditions, has left her with limited mobility, unable to learn new skills, and she can become difficult and aggressive.

Due to her illnesses, Winifred is unable to look after herself and needs someone to care for her. Since 2006 that person has been her 58 year old daughter, Viv Casstles, who now runs her own house as well as her mum’s ten minutes away. Viv is the eldest of four and moved closer to her mum to care for her. Caring for Winifred can be difficult for Viv, not just because of her mum’s health but also her own. Viv explains: “I suffer from cluster headaches which can last from a few minutes to up to a couple of months and I also have a slipped disc in my back that at times can be very uncomfortable. If I have one of my headaches I am unable to do anything so I have had to put a care plan in place to ensure mum gets the help she needs. Fortunately my brother and sisters are also able to help.

“It can be very tiring looking after one person but when I get ill as well it can really take it out of me. My conditions do slow me down and when mum is having one of her ‘difficult’ days it makes it all the more exhausting. When I saw the information about the Caring with Confidence programme in the Bolton Crossroads newsletter it made me think that maybe as a carer I needed some support too.”

Viv has attended five of the seven sessions in the Caring with Confidence programme and has noticed a positive difference in her self-esteem, is using tips and advice to help her and Winifred’s quality of life and has started to think about her future after her caring role. “I have also negotiated support and respite care based on direct payments I receive, as I am on incapacity benefit and can’t afford to pay for breaks myself.”

Viv said: “The Caring with Confidence sessions have been brilliant! It was great to get tips from other carers many of which I have applied to my caring role. I have now bought a slow cooker so that mum’s food can be cooking whilst I am at hers doing the house work. This saves me time and gives mum a bit of independence as she can dish her own food up when it is ready. From the information given at the Caring with Confidence sessions I have also organised a carer’s assessment through the local authority. Once this has been done I will be able to get the counselling I need to help me deal with the emotions I have built up because of my caring role.

“It has really helped to feel a part of a group and not isolated any more. I am more positive about my situation and I have realised that at times I need to put myself first. I managed to persuade mum to let me get a cleaner to come in every other Tuesday so I can spend time with my daughter, which has been limited recently due to mum being a priority. I have also joined Facebook and Friends Reunited in order to get some sort of a social life back and it has been great to see some of my old friends again.

“After attending the Caring with Confidence programme I was able to put my life and caring role into perspective. It made me think about the future and looking beyond being a carer. This encouraged me to look into a Psychology degree at Bolton University, something I have always had an interest in, and I have an interview lined up.”

For more information please call Scott at Bolton Crossroads on 01204 365025. You do not need to have had a carer’s assessment to attend and the sessions are free. We may also be able to help with travel and alternative care if needed while attending.

23 Volunteering Matters

Contact Details:

The Bolton Hub Bolton BL1 1LS Tel: 01204 546060 Fax: 01204 546061 Email: [email protected] Website: www.boltoncvs.org.uk/volunteer-centre

Saying Thank You to Volunteers

Volunteers Week, 1st - 7th June is a time to recognise and value the contribution made by your volunteers. For many local voluntary and community groups, volunteers are their lifeblood, and in some cases organisations simply wouldn’t be able to function without the tireless support they receive from their volunteers. So how can these efforts be acknowledged, and what are the best ways to reward volunteers for their contributions?

Saying ‘thank you’ Saying ‘thank you’ is easy, especially if you get into the habit of saying it at the end of every session that the volunteer attends. By thanking volunteers individually, you are acknowledging their contribution and recognising that they are making a difference, not just to your organisation, but to your clients and participants as well. There are a number of other ways you can thank volunteers for the contribution they make.

Events Some organisations thank their volunteers by arranging special events that may be specifically for volunteers, or may include staff. Such activities can include meals, lunches, coffee mornings, fun days, drinks receptions, sporting activities such as bowling or skittles, or maybe a visit to the organisation’s head office, so that volunteers can get a sense of how they fit in to the overall structure of the organisation. Funding for such events should be included in the budget for the volunteer programme. After all, volunteers give their time for free, and the least an organisation can do is to recognise this by demonstrating how much their volunteers are appreciated.

Awards Nominating volunteers for external awards can be a good way of saying ‘thank you’, especially for particularly dedicated volunteers. There are some awards organised on a national or local basis to celebrate achievements and recognise outstanding volunteers or voluntary organisations. These include major national events such as the Justice Awards (organised by the Ministry of Justice), The Guardian Charity Awards and the Women of the Year Awards, but there are other more specific and local schemes you could identify with, such as Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year Awards.

Here is a list of some of the award schemes:

The Justice Awards recognise exceptional achievement among staff and volunteers working in criminal justice http://justiceawards.cjsonline.gov.uk/.

The Guardian Public Service Awards honour the contribution that individuals make to a team that makes the critical difference between providing a good service and an outstanding one http://www.guardian.co.uk/publicservicesawards

24 Volunteering Matters

The Guardian Charity Awards recognises community achievements http:// www.guardian.co.uk/charity-awards.

The Women of the Year Awards aim to celebrate the achievements of women http:// www.womenoftheyear.co.uk/.

The Young Achievers Award recognises volunteers in arts, community, environment and sport http://www.youngachievers.co.uk/.

The League of Mercy invites voluntary organisations to nominate individuals who have given seven or more years of 'outstanding service' http://www.leagueofmercy.co.uk/.

The Beacon Fellowship awards six annual Prizes to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to charitable causes or to organisations that benefit the public. http://www.beaconfellowship.org.uk/.

Some organisations organise their own award ceremonies. Volunteers can be presented with a certificate, and some organisations give each volunteer a lapel pin/badge or a T- shirt that has the organisation’s name on. Such items can then be worn in the course of volunteering, and can be especially effective when worn by volunteers who are in a public-facing role, such as raising awareness or fundraising.

Other ideas If you’re planning to hold an event to celebrate your volunteers, you could write a letter to your local newspaper, or invite a journalist along to report on the occasion. Some people like to have their photograph in the local newspaper because it means that they have been recognised for their volunteering efforts. They can also show the article to friends and family, and keep it as a souvenir. However, some volunteers may not like such publicity, so it is always best to check first if they’re happy to be included in any media coverage, or have their photograph taken.

For many volunteers, the most important part of volunteering is working alongside a client group. If a client or service user compliments a particular volunteer, then you could include these comments in a ‘thank you’ card to the volunteer. Alternatively, you could design a ‘Thank you’ notice board, where clients or service users can show their appreciation by adding comments about volunteers.

Volunteers can sometimes be such a source of inspiration to clients and service users that they in turn may decide to ‘give something back’ to the organisation, possibly by becoming volunteers themselves. If your volunteers inspire members of your client group, acknowledge this and let the volunteer know how they have helped change someone’s life in some way. For some volunteers, this is the biggest reward of all.

Providing support and supervision, relevant training and offering extra responsibility shows that your organisation is committed to its volunteers, and these tasks usually form part of a volunteer management strategy that takes place all year round. Whilst celebrating volunteers’ achievements may take a bit more planning, it is well worth putting in the time and effort to do this because the rewards can be substantial. Volunteers need to feel valued and respected, and showing your appreciation with a small event or gesture can really boost a volunteer’s morale, self confidence and sense of self-worth. It can also help staff and volunteers to ‘bond’. In addition, such events and gestures will also help maintain volunteer loyalty and increase retention levels, which in turn benefits the organisation and the people it is there to serve; its clients.

(Reproduced by kind permission of Volunteering England)

25 Volunteering Matters

Volunteering Event – “Helping Bolton To Help Itself” There has been a terrific response to our appeal for voluntary groups to have a stand at this exciting event which is being organised by Soroptimist International of Bolton (SI Bolton). “Helping Bolton To Help Itself” is an event to be held in Bolton which aims to raise the profile of our local voluntary groups and to highlight the work they do for the local community and to attract new volunteers. It will be held on Saturday 22nd May in the Town Hall Square and will be opened by the Mayor of Bolton.

A marquee will be set up and groups will be able to organise displays and activities to encourage members of the public to find out more about their particular group.

Soroptimist and local businesswoman, Sue Tonks, who is helping to organise the event, said, “We want people to see the wide range of voluntary groups in Bolton and let people know how they can help. SI Bolton would like to thank all the groups who have responded and we are pleased to announce that the following groups have been nominated for a stand: Barnado’s Fusion Service, Big Bolton Fund, Bolton Little Theatre, Bolton Phoenix, Bolton Society for Blind People, Bolton Sport Health Inclusion, Bury Speakeasy, CVS Volunteer Centre, Eileen Hulmes Dance Troupe, GMPA Volunteers, Homestart – Harvey St. Children’s Centre, Iron Man Challenge, Jigsaw Group/Stroke Association, Macular Degeneration, Mediation Service, Nexus Community Links, Paws For Kids, Samaritans, Soroptimist International of Bolton, Samaritans, University of the Third Age, Urban Soccer, Victim Support, V-Involved Youth Network, Wildlife Trust, WVS Delivery Service.

If you are a voluntary group, we hope you will come to support other local groups and to see what we are “up to.” You will be most welcome. If you would like further information about this event, please contact Sue Whitter on email [email protected].

Volunteering Forum Meeting Our next Forum is on Monday 24th May from 12.30 pm - 3.00 pm at The Bolton Hub. Discussion: Are you ready for the Independent Safeguarding Authority? To book your place please contact Shahenaz on 01204 546 060.

You say you need volunteers - You must be joking! Here is an experience of someone who recently tried to volunteer. This is one of four organisations they tried to volunteer with and had a similar experience with each. Look at your practices. Could this have been your organisation?

“I phoned. A young girl answered, was told (co-ordinator) was unavailable – she was in a meeting. She asked for my details but I felt I needed to push the point that I was ringing about volunteering. I had a feeling that I wouldn’t get a return call. I waited for a return call but none came that day. I gave her until mid-morning next day to get back to me. She didn’t call back so I rang again. A male answered, muttering, he handed phone to (co-ordinator) then she spoke to me. She seemed confused as to who I was or why I needed to speak to her. So I explained. She struggled - taking details from me particularly my email address. Before the end of the call she said that if I didn’t receive the email application would I ring her again. I did (eventually) receive the email but the confusion on my part and disorganisation on theirs left me concerned as to their competence as an organisation and if I would benefit by investing my time and energy. In summary – I was chasing them up for two days. I had to make a second call. Why couldn’t the girl who first answered my enquiry have arranged to email the application to me? Or better still I should have been referred to another team member if only to feel heard and understood; to know my interest in volunteering was being taken seriously.”

26 Who’s Who at Bolton CVS Central Management & Company Bolton Community Network

Support Community Network and Partnerships

Manager: Carol Latham Chief Executive: Karen Minnitt

Operations Director: Stephen Baker Community Engagement Co-ordinator (Neighbourhood Renewal): Company Administrator: Jackie Gildert Michael Carroll

Finance & Administration Community Engagement Co-ordinator (Health): Sarah Lever Finance Manager: Jane Rushmore Systems and Information Development Finance Assistant: Dawn Brindle Worker: Diane Craddock Finance Assistant: Julie Fletcher Community Engagement Development

Admin Support Worker: Lynette Worker: Louise McDade

Rushmore Neighbourhoods Participation

Relief Admin Support Workers Team Development Worker: Victoria Urmston

Leader: Gill Upham Community Engagement Workers:

Relief Admin Support Workers: Zahida Abbas, Monica Ballani, Caroline Arkwright, Sam Armstrong, Hema Chevli, Jolene Dodd, Denise Benyon, Anne Burt, Brenda Yasmin Ghanchi, Rehana Makkan, Grinstead, Chris Hayden, Pam Livesey, Tracey McCue, Razia Mohamed, Anne Newton, Wendy Houghton, Kirsty Christopher Oliver, Samim Vali

Upham Bolton Volunteer Centre

Training Co-ordinator: Peter Sloan

Training Co-ordinator: Joan Manville Co-ordinator: Heather Potter (Maternity

Training Admin Support Worker: Leave) Safia Shahid (Maternity Leave) Volunteering Support Worker: Hava Yakub Funding & Development Administrative Support Worker:

Funding & Development Manager: Shahenazbanu Patel

Saskia Ritchie Health & Care Together Development Co-ordinator: Co-ordinator: Thaira Qureshi Helen Tomlinson Health Development Worker: Development Worker: Kairen Smith Carol Hayden

Information & Support Worker: Shafiqa Administrative Support Worker: Ibrahim Farzana Patel Information & Communication Worker: Heather Oliver The Bolton Hub

Grants Co-ordinator: Mark Grundy Co-ordinator: Brian Stubbs

Grants Support Worker: Pat Stubbs (On Hub Receptionist Volunteers: Simone Leave) Ahktar, Bianca Atherton, Lorna Black,

Grants Support Worker: Sharon Bolus Heather Collings, Maggie Fretwell, Denise Harrison, Yvonne Hewitt, Tracy Hopgood, Grants Admin Support Worker: Shamila Hussain, Razia Ikhlaq, Chris Judd, Sumaiya Kazi Shamaela Khan, Sharlaben Kikabhai, Judith Leach, Tracey MacLellan, Shupikai You can email any of the staff Nyakurwa, Kiron Payne, Lynn Pooley, using their first name: Joanne Rimmer, Kelly Whittle, Andrea Wilson [email protected] Hub Caretakers/Cleaners: Bharat Patel, Sarla Patel, Harry Hubert

27 Bolton CVS, The Bolton Community Network, Health and Care Together, and Bolton Volunteer Centre are all based at

The Bolton Hub, Bold Street, Bolton, BL1 1LS

Our FREEPOST address is FREEPOST RRRZ-SXZB-LTAY Bolton CVS, Bolton BL1 1LS.

Bolton CVS Your contribution is needed... Tel: 01204 546010 Fax:01204 546011 Over 1800 copies of JUMBO are produced and www.boltoncvs.org.uk distributed throughout the Borough in January, March, May, July, September and November. Bolton Community Network Tel: 01204 546040 We are keen to include your articles, information, Fax:01204 546041 experiences, diary dates, training events, inserts. www.boltoncvs.org.uk/bolton-community-network

Ways in which you can contribute to this newsletter: Bolton Volunteer Centre • Send your contribution to the Editor at Bolton Tel: 01204 546060 CVS (address above) or by email to: Fax:01204 546041 [email protected]. www.boltoncvs.org.uk/volunteer-centre • If posting, please save the text in Microsoft Word, please also include a paper copy. • We reserve the right to edit articles or not to Health and Care Together publish. Tel: 01204 546050 • The views expressed in JUMBO do not Fax:01204 546051 represent the policy or views of Bolton CVS, www.boltoncvs.org.uk/health-and- the Executive Committee, staff or volunteers care-together

of Bolton CVS. • Contact Heather if you need support or The Bolton Hub assistance in writing your article or even in Tel: 01204 546000 starting or developing your own group Fax:01204 546001 newsletter. www.boltoncvs.org.uk/the-bolton-hub • We may also place articles on the CVS website.

COPY DEADLINE FOR THE JULY 2010 ISSUE Wednesday 26th May 2010 DEADLINE FOR INSERTS Friday 11th June 2010

Bolton CVS is registered in England as a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2615057 Registered Charity No. 1003123

Funded and supported by Bolton Council