Ian Ferguson

From: Mark Waddington [[email protected]] Sent: 14 June 2012 16:01 To: [email protected] Subject: FW: Council for Voluntary Service News - 14 June 2012

Importance: High

Welcome to our weekly roundup of all things Voluntary Community Faith Sector in Central Lancashire!

This email is issued to subscribers and contributors.

Please feel free to circulate (preferably in its entirety) within your own networks. If you are receiving this email through forwarding and wish to subscribe directly, please email [email protected] with "subscribe newsletter" in the subject line.

Before we begin, some good news from the CVS. Since we launched the newsletter in February we have been struggling with a problem which we have now, hopefully, resolved. Organisations appear, very curiously, to go to great lengths to produce eye catching art works promoting their events - and then simply send them out to everyone by email without putting the information on their own websites! This presented us with a problem - if we simply attached the original artwork submitted to us our email would: - a) be a HUGE download; b) quickly become unmanageable as it would arrive with all sorts of equally creatively named attachments, none of which could easily be distinguished from the others.

A downside (from our point of view) was that, if you wanted to help support your members or the event by displaying the poster yourself, you couldn't get it from our newsletter. To solve that, from this edition, we have introduced a new way of doing things. You will still get a brief text summary but a new link "Poster" has appeared.

Click on it if you want the poster and you can download it from OUR website. You can then print it and circulate it among your members or display it on your own notice boards. We will keep documents on our site only until the event has expired. Be warned, after that it's gone.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE however DO consider uploading your own creative works of art to YOUR OWN website to save us the trouble!

And ... an oversight on our part. The newsletter has proved VERY popular and, after only 4 months, we now have 780 subscribers, one of whom quite reasonably asked what we were doing to promote it to others? Umm ....???

If you find the newsletter useful and think others might then please consider downloading and printing the poster (below) and putting it on your noticeboard or window.

Thanks in anticipation

Poster: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/120518%20Newsletter%20Poster.pdf

Also, a big congratulations to the Armed Forces Group, currently hosted by CVS Central Lancashire and our colleague, Sharon Austin, the centre’s Veterans’ Liaison Officer. Read more about the service here: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/veterans-to-seek-help-1-4645669

PLEASE NOTE THAT, DUE TO STAFF LEAVE, THERE WILL BE NO EDITION NEXT WEEK BUT YOU CAN BE SURE THERE WILL BE A BUMPER EDITION THE WEEK AFTER!

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And now, the news …

Guild 2012 On your bike! Some great opportunities for keen cyclists in this edition. Firstly, you can take part in the Preston Sky Ride on Sunday and also subscribe to the Lancashire Cycling Newsletter (see events below) AND take part in the women only Big Breeze Bike Rides on 23 – 24 June. Last but not least there is still the opportunity to sign up to take part in a performance of Bicycle Ballet at the Fist Proclamation of the Guild (18th August) on the Flag Market and at the Opening of the Guild Wheel (19th August). This is a really good opportunity to take part in a memorable Guild event. No specific experience necessary except that participants should be bike owners. You can register through the online link: http://www.prestonguild2012.com/?OBH=413&ID=499 email [email protected] or ring 01772 906193

Flowers celebrate Guild A floral tribute to Preston Guild was unveiled on Saturday. A fuschia was bred to celebrate the 1972 Guild and a mosaic version of the flower has now been created at Ribbleton Library by its Friends Of group. The arts project was put together with £9,700 cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A small garden has also been planted with Guild fuschias.

Mini Guild for eager villagers A village is hosting its own mini version of Guild Week ahead of Preston’s main celebrations. Residents in Grimsargh have put together a packed programme of events to mark the historic festival. Highlights include a family picnic on the village green, a live big band concert and heritage walks around the area. Eileen Murray, chairman of Grimsargh Parish Council, said the village was keen to celebrate the Guild without clashing with the main Guild Week festivities in Preston in September. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/mini-guild-for-eager-villagers-1-4629225

Mayor leads the way as scores join parade Hundreds of people took part in a procession through Preston to welcome the city’s new Mayor. The procession is an annual tradition with an added significance in this Guild year. Sunday's civic procession began at the Guild Hall and headed across the Flag Market and down to St John’s Minster Church for a service of dedication for the forthcoming Mayoral year. Preston’s Guild Mayor, Coun Carl Crompton, was appointed as Mayor in May. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/mayor-leads-the-way-as-scores-join-parade-1-4632518

Call for Guild registration Preston Guild burgesses are being reminded they can now register online for this year’s celebrations. Preston Council is collecting burgesses’ details to help them plan for the Guild Court. People can now update their details and register other family members via the Preston Guild website. Log on to http://www.prestonguild2012.com

Mayor sporting new look for Guild Preston’s Guild mayor swapped his suit for an extra special football shirt. Coun Carl Crompton sported the new look to launch Preston North End’s shirt for the 2012 Guild. He visited the club’s shop at Deepdale on Monday to try on the commemorative shirt. Coun Crompton, who represents University ward, said: “It’s very nice. Preston North End have been involved in the Guild for many, many years. It’s good of them to do that, to dedicate the shirt to the Guild. Despite not being a football fan, Coun Crompton was happy to help launch the shirt, along with wife Coun Linda Crompton, who represents Riversway ward. The short sleeve Puma Guild Retro Shirt costs £39.99 for adults or £29.99 for children. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/mayor-sporting-new-look-for-guild-1-4635097 2

Friends want your tales of Preston to mark city’s historic celebrations “Why do you live in Preston?” That’s the question two women are asking for a project to celebrate the city and Preston Guild 2012. Friends Kailash Parekh and Jane Wignall are launching the “Why Preston?” project to collate, record and showcase stories from people in the area. The project will be launched, during the Guild in September, through a live performance and staging of some of the stories told. The pair want to hear your stories and are holding an event at the Media Factory, University of Central Lancashire, between 1pm and 5pm, on Saturday. Please ring Kailash, on 07958 649814, to confirm your attendance.

Funding and Fundraising Santander Launches UK Award Scheme with up to £50K prizes for Social Enterprises across NW England - Deadline 2 July Social enterprises across the North West of England are being invited to enter the Social Enterprise Development Awards, a new community business support programme from Santander, for the opportunity to win up to £50,000 to help fund business growth. The awards are targeted at established social businesses working in one of the following three areas: improving social inclusion, supporting employment or creating a greener environment. There are three prize levels - £50,000, £30,000 or £15,000 - dependent on turnover, for organisations with the potential to increase their community impact but in need of a financial boost. To enter the competition, social enterprises can complete a short entry form downloadable from http://www.santanderseda.co.uk detailing how an award would be used to grow their business to benefit the community. The deadline for applications is the 2 July 2012 and the winners will be announced in September 2012.

Rural Community Broadband Fund (RCBF) - Deadline 6 July £20 million is available for communities in hard to reach areas to establish superfast broadband. Grants of up to 50% are available. A second round opened on 10 May and is open to a variety of organisations acting on behalf of their local community. Communities interested in applying are advised to work closely with their local authorities. Expressions of interest are required by 6 July. http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-community-broadband-fund

Communitybuilders seeks bids for £2.5m sustainability fund - Deadline 3 August The Communitybuilders Fund is investing a total of £2.5m in community organisations aiming to become more sustainable and independent. Organisations can apply for a minimum of £250,000 and a maximum of £750,000. Eighty per cent of funds will be loans and the remainder will be grants. Funding will be available to community organisations that have operated for at least a year and are trying to build their long-term financial viability and increase their ability to deliver social change. The money can be used for property renovations and refurbishments, land or property purchases and related costs, the purchase of vehicles, IT equipment and fixtures and fittings. http://www.communitybuildersfund.org.uk/

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust - Deadline 3 September The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust has announced that its grant making programme is open for applications. Within the UK, the Trust makes grants to both organisations and individuals for activities that relate to Peace and conflict resolution; Promoting racial justice; Power and responsibility; and Quaker concerns. The Trust tends to fund work that is on a national level and there are no maximum grant limits although the Trust does stress that costings need to be realistic. Previously supported projects include Asylum Aid, which assists people seeking refuge in the UK . Asylum Aid received a grant of £203,170 from the Trust to support a project that enables women fleeing serious human rights violations to gain protection in the UK and The University of Liverpool received a grant of £75,000 from the Trust to undertake an audit of local democracy in Burnley and Harrogate. http://www.jrct.org.uk/

Nominet Trust Launches New £2 Million Digital Edge Programme (UK) - Deadline 5 September 3 The Nominet Trust has announced that it is inviting applications for funding through its new £2 million Digital Edge programme. Through the programme organisation can apply for grants to fund projects that address key challenges faced by young people through the innovative uses of digital technologies. Challenges such as high unemployment, social exclusion and low political engagement etc. Organisations that can apply for funding include not-for-profits organisation; schools, PTAs, universities or other educational establishments; statutory bodies e.g. local authorities; social enterprises; and other grant-making bodies to make awards on behalf of the Nominet Trust. There is no upper or lower funding limit as the Trust like to encourage applicants to be realistic about what they need to achieve their project objectives. http://www.nominettrust.org.uk/how-to-apply/areas-investment/digital-edge

Comic Relief Local Communities programme - Panels meet in September 2012 and 2013 There are still many communities in the UK that suffer from economic and social deprivation and the current economic climate may make this situation worse. For this reason, Comic Relief has decided that £4.5 million should be available to fund projects across the UK which are addressing these issues through a second phase of the 'Local Communities' programme. Comic Relief is pleased to be working with the Community Foundation Network (CFN) and Community Foundations across the UK, to deliver this Local Communities programme. Community Foundation for Merseyside is one of the delivery partners and the Local Communities programme will run for two years and during this time, grants of between £1000 and £10,000 will be available. For Lancashire visit: http://www.lancsfoundation.org.uk/index.php?p=78

Educational Endowment Fund - Deadline 5 October The Education Endowment Fund (EEF) has announced that it is seeking applications from schools and other not for profit organisations such as local authorities, universities, colleges, academy chains, mutuals and co-operatives for projects that address educational disadvantage. In particular, the Foundation is seeking to support projects that focus on innovations and on scaling up projects succ essful projects. As part of the EEF's grant funding agreement with the Department for Education they are required to target their funds for the first two years at children entitled to free school meals attending those schools which are not meeting the Government's floor targets for attainment and progression. The Foundations would typically expect their smallest grant to be in the order of £50,000 a year and to reach at least 100 students. http://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-funding/timeline-and-process/

The Ashden Awards - Deadline 30 October The Ashden Awards are now open for applications. Through the awards, non-governmental organisations, schools and businesses in the UK and internationally are able to compete for prizes that reward and recognise practical and innovative sustainable energy schemes. In 2013 four Awards will be available. One Gold Award will have a prize fund of £20,000 and the others will win prize funds of £10,000 each. Separate Awards will be given for UK schools, for Sustainable Travel and for international organisations. Please note that a separate application form is available for schools. Previous winners have ranged from an enterprise bringing clean stoves to rural Africa to a Cornish school embracing energy-saving across its learning and practice. http://www.ashden.org/

Funding to Celebrate UK German School Partnerships - Deadline 31 October Schools, FE Colleges and youth organisations that have an established partnership with a similar organisation in Germany can apply for a grant of up to £3,000 to help fund celebrations of their partnership. Grants provided through the Celebratory Fund can be used towards activity-related costs, e.g. materials, resources, dissemination activities; and travel, accommodation and subsistence costs related to the celebratory activity. The Celebratory Fund provides grants of normally 50% towards the overall fundable costs. In exceptional circumstances up to 75% can be provided. Applications from clusters of schools or youth groups or cross-sector clusters are also welcome. Priority will be given to schools and groups who have not previously received funding from UK- German Connection. Activities funded can cover a wide range of themes. For example Science and 4 technology; Business and enterprise; Citizenship; Energy and the environment; Multimedia and ICT etc. http://www.ukgermanconnection.org/schools-celebratory-fund

Think Big with O2 - No Deadline In partnership with the National Youth Agency and UK Youth, O2 has launched its Think Big social action programme to support young people in the UK. It’s designed to empower young people (aged between 13 and 25) who want to make positive changes to their communities. Initially funding of £300 is available to get the project off the ground. If your £300 project is completed successfully O2 may invite you to apply for the second level of the programme - Think Bigger where O2 could give you up to £2500. The programme is open to individuals and groups of young people and the money can be used to cover project related costs such as materials & equipment, cost of renting space, transportation, advertising, etc. In addition, O2 offers young people involved in Think Big the opportunity to apply for an O2 apprenticeship. http://www.o2thinkbig.co.uk/ Applications can be submitted at any time.

Social Enterprise Investment Fund The Department of Health's Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF), which is managed on its behalf by The Social Investment Business (SIB) working with Local Partnerships, will re-open this year with a further £19 million to invest in health and social care social enterprises, which are delivering exceptional care and driving innovation through their services. Meet the funder events are being held. Register your interest by visiting: http://www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org/category/news/2012/the-social-enterprise- investment-fund-to-invest-a-further-pound19-million-in-health-and-social-care-social-enterprises/

Olympic underspend 'must go back to the Big Lottery Fund' Fresh from narrowly avoiding being referred to the Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has found the time to report the Olympic Games could come in half a billion pounds under budget. The response from the sector, fresh from successfully lobbying to reverse the budget decision to curb tax relief on charitable donations, was immediate and clear 'Give the money back!'. A Dept. for Culture, Media and Sport statement said £476m of contingency funds remained in the Olympic budget thanks to savings made by the Olympic Delivery Authority. In 2007 £675m was diverted from lottery good causes income to support the games, including £425m from the Big Lottery Fund. "With only 44 days to go before the Olympics, it is fantastic news that there is still £476m of contingency funds left," said Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary. The overall funding package for the games stands at just under £9.3bn, with £476m of uncommitted contingency funds available, the statement said. Jay Kennedy, head of policy at the Directory of Social Change, said that the money should go straight to the Big Lottery Fund. The training and publishing charity has been spearheading a campaign for the government to reimburse the fund as soon as possible. "It will be an utter outrage – and verging on money laundering – if lottery revenues raided by the government to fund the Olympics go back to the Treasury," he said. "This money was taken away from supporting vulnerable people and communities across this country at a time when they needed it most. Government needs to keep its promises and do the right thing – any underspend must be used to refund the lottery as soon as possible." A DCMS spokeswoman said the funds would be repaid from the resale of land from the Olympic Park after the games. But John Penrose, the minister for tourism and heritage, said in February that money from land sales was unlikely to begin to return to distributors until the mid 2020s. The DCMS spokeswoman said: "The amount we have announced today is not a fait accompli. That money is still available to be used as cont ingency and will not go back until after the games. We believe, however, that we are on course for an underspend." DCMS Statement http://www.culture.gov.uk/

Citizens Advice get £1 million donation

5 Citizens Advice is to receive a £1 million donation from personal finance commentator and journalist Martin Lewis following the sale of his MoneySavingExpert.com website for around £87 million. The site, set up in 2003, is being sold to online price comparison service MoneySupermarket.com, with Lewis staying on as editor-in-chief. Martin said "In keeping with the site's aims, when the deal completes, £10 million will go to charity, including £1 million to Citizens Advice, which is facing terrible funding cuts." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18295587

Suzi Leather asks in final speech if charities will remain special Dame Suzi Leather, the outgoing chair of the Charity Commission, has used her final speech in the role to voice her concerns at a "blurring of the boundaries" between charities and other social organisations. Leather, who will leave the role at the end of July, told the Almshouse Association’s annual general meeting in London that "a plethora of new organisations" such as social enterprises, mutuals and cooperatives now existed to offer social benefit but had only "rather hazy" definitions. She said that charities had at the same time become much more involved in service delivery and that these two developments made the charity form much less distinct, adding that "charity as a concept is not well understood" by the general public. "What really concerns me is a less tangible, less visible and longer-term challenge to charities’ future," she said. "Namely, whether charities will continue to be able to demonstrate that they are fundamentally different from other types of organisations. Will charity continue to mean something special and sufficiently unique to earn the trust the public places in charities and the privileges they enjoy?" Leather said that public benefit rules were a major reason why a difference existed between charities and other forms. "There’s been a lot of nonsense said and written about the commission’s work on public benefit since the Charities Act 2006 was passed," she said. "You may have seen some of the more lurid headlines and newspaper articles yourself. Much of the reporting was distorted and, in my view, often involved wilful misrepresentation of the commission’s work." Leather said another worry was that the commission itself would not be able to absorb any further cuts to its funding if it was to continue with its job as a regulator. "Something would have to give," she said. "We, like you, must be realistic." Leather also warned that financial difficulties could "bring pain for many charities and for many beneficiaries" over the next few years. She said a recent review conducted jointly by the commission and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales found that "future income is a major preoccupation and concern" for the sector.

State funding for lobbying charities creates 'sock puppet version of civil society', think tank says State funding for voluntary organisations that lobby government creates a "sock puppet version of civil society" which "subverts democracy and debases the concept of charity", according to a report published today by the think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs. The publication, Sock Puppets: How the Government Lobbies Itself and Why, says charities are effectively given funding by government in order to build support for policies that are not in public interest but which the government itself wants to implement, and to lobby for higher taxes to pay for those policies. http://www.iea.org.uk/publications/research/sock-puppets-how-the-government-lobbies-itself- and-why But a response from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations said the report was "woefully short-sighted" and misunderstood the work that charities do. Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the NCVO, said: "This report is woefully short-sighted and ignores the fact that campaigning is a legitimate activity central to the work of many charities and voluntary organisations, regardless of whether they receive money from the state. This activity is also well understood and supported; a recent poll showed that the vast majority of the public think campaigning and lobbying is the most cost-effective activity that charities engage in. The independence of the sector is paramount in bringing major social issues to public attention. Who would question the efficacy and need for recent campaigns such as the London Living Wage Campaign and End Child Poverty? Rather than being dragged through the mire, this work should be protected, promoted and celebrated."

No foreign organisations recognised as charitable for tax purposes in the past year, HMRC figures reveal

6 Not one foreign organisation had been recognised as charitable for tax purposes in the past year, according to new figures released by HM Revenue & Customs. According to a reply to a Freedom of Information request from Nick Aldridge, chief executive of MissionFish UK, the charitable arm of the auction website eBay, HMRC received 40 applications in the year up to 10 May. Most of these have been rejected, while a few are still being considered. An HMRC spokesman told Third Sector that "a very small number" of foreign charities had been granted the right to receive tax relief in the UK since it became possible for them to register in April 2010. Aldridge said the government had on several occasions used the fraud threat from foreign charities as a justification for new legislation, including the "fit and proper persons" test, which he said had cost charities "many millions" of pounds in extra paperwork. In April, a spokesman for the Prime Minister, David Cameron, defended the proposed introduction of a tax cap for major donors, which was scrapped last month, by suggesting it was needed to regulate large donations to foreign charities, saying the tax relief "does not just apply to charitable organisations that operate here".

Big Lottery Fund backs think tank's impact measurement scheme with £280,000 The Big Lottery Fund has given a £280,000 grant to the think tank New Philanthropy Capital to support a scheme aimed at improving impact measurement in the voluntary sector. The grant, which will be given over three years, will support NPC’s Inspiring Impact initiative, a 10-year scheme intended to bring together practitioners, policymakers, funders and support providers to improve the way impact measurement is carried out and communicated. The scheme’s aims include developing affordable tools that organisations can use to measure impact and providing support for organisations to advise them on the right level of and approach to impact measurement. The BLF also announced that it had given a share of £11.5m of funding to 45 organisations under its Reaching Communities programme, which offers grants of between £10,000 and £500,000 to organisations that help to build stronger communities and help people in need. http://www.philanthropycapital.org/

Tesco uses gold exchange website to boost donations to Cancer Research UK The supermarket chain Tesco has set up a scheme to allow members of the public to use their unwanted gold to make donations to its charity of the year, Cancer Research UK. The initiative enables customers to donate a percentage of the proceeds to the charity when they exchange their gold for cash through the Tesco Gold Exchange. This is a website where people register, post their unwanted gold to Tesco, and receive cash in return. Tesco will top up donations by 30p per gram of gold exchanged. The website currently buys gold for around £10 per gram of nine carat gold, with customers, on average, receiving £308 for the gold jewellery they exchange.

Macmillan Cancer Support opens online greetings card shop Macmillan Cancer Support has opened an online greeting card shop enabling supporters and the general public to buy greeting cards for occasions throughout the year. The online platform has been provided at no charge by fundraising company Charity Greetings. While UK charities raise around £50 million each year through the sales of Christmas cards, according to the UK Greeting Card Association, that only accounts for about a quarter of cards sold throughout the year. Annual greeting card sales in the UK are worth £1.39 billion according to Mintel. http://www.charitygreetings.com/thecardshop/macmillan

Panel from voluntary sector will choose charities to benefit from ATM giving A high-profile panel of voluntary sector experts has been appointed to select the 30 charities that will benefit from donations made through cash machines operated by the ATM provider Bank Machine. The panel will be chaired by Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, and will select the charities from more than 550 registrations of interest. The group will choose 30 charities in all - six for each of five regions across the UK. After a year more expressions of interest will be sought and another selection made. Bank Machine, which operates 4,000 ATMs in the UK, said the emphasis would be on selecting charities whose work directly affected the different regions. Bank Machine said it expected its cash machines would be able to start processing charitable donations in July. The ATM giving initiative was announced by the Cabinet Office in May. It will involve the 65,000 cash machines operated by the Link network, 7 starting with those owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Ron Delnevo, managing director of Bank Machine, said: "We have not rushed to launch with a small number of big charities. Our measured and thoughtful approach has allowed us to support 30 charities, both national and local. ATM giving could bring in millions of pounds in donations, and it is crucial the public has a good choice of charities. We want to ensure that every part of the UK sees some benefit."

Fund reopens to support healthcare social enterprises The Social Enterprise Investment Fund, which invests in social enterprises in the health and social care sector, will reopen with £19m of new funding in the summer. Seif is managed by the Social Investment Business, working with the public sector advisory body Local Partnerships, using funds provided by the Department of Health. Investment criteria for the current year have yet to be finalised, but the fund has previously offered grants of between £50,000 and £150,000 and loans of up to £1m. The Department of Health will contribute about £17.4m of the fund's capital. The remainder will come from repayments and interest on loans from previous years. http://www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org/seif/

Victim Support: Prisoners pay back victims Money deducted from prisoners’ pay packets to fund victim support services as part of a new Government scheme has raised £383,724 in its first six months, Justice Minister Crispin Blunt announced today. Under the Prisoners’ Earnings Act up to 40 per cent of the wages earned by low- risk prisoners who work outside of prison to prepare for their release go to national charity Victim Support. This money is used to provide support such as professional counselling and enhancing home security – helping victims to recover from the trauma of crime. http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/features/prisoners-pay-back-victims

British Heart Foundation: Brave Rosanna is face of campaign An inspirational toddler who had open heart surgery at just six weeks old is the face of a campaign to help others. Rosanna Ogden, two, from Adlington, and her family launched the British Heart Foundation (BHF) ‘Little Hearts’ fund-raising campaign. Rosanna was introduced to swimming after an operation to remove a rare form of tumour from her heart. Teresa Utley, area manager for the BHF shop, Market Walk, Chorley, said: “We want as many people as possible to wear a badge this year to help us continue our life-saving work and urge everyone in the local area to visit the shop and make a donation for a Little Hearts badge.” The badges will be available in BHF Shops during June, for a £1 donation. Last year the charity raised £550,000 through the campaign and this year it aims to beat that figure with a target of £580,000. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/brave-rosanna-is-face-of-campaign-1-4620918

Umbrella Group residents’ forum in Preston: Residents will invest lottery cash in new food co-operative A resident’s group has landed a cash injection from the National Lottery. The Umbrella Group residents’ forum in Preston received £9,633 to deliver computer skills training, a job shop and food co-op to support tenants living in Community Gateway Association housing in the city. In total, 88 projects across the North West have been awarded a share of more than £740,000 from the Big Lottery’s Awards for All programme.

St Catherine's Hospice: Help shine hope on darkest hours A hospice is urging people to sponsor ribbons ahead of its annual Yellow Day, after revealing donations are lower than usual just a week before the event. Last year, St Catherine’s Hospice, Lostock Hall, raised £15,000 thanks to the fundraising drive which sees people sponsoring a yellow ribbon in memory of loved ones and a fete held in June each year. Organisers are unsure why figures are down but suggestions include a problem with the charity’s mail-out regarding the event, which is being looked into, or the economic downturn. Organisers are unsure why figures are down but suggestions include a problem with the charity’s mail-out regarding the event, which is being looked into, or the economic downturn. Around £5,000 has been raised so far in advance of the Yellow Day, which is next Sunday, June 17, between 12pm and 4.30pm. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/help-shine-hope-on-darkest-hours-1-4629221

8 Friends of Withy Grove Park, Bamber Bridge: Donation to friends of park The Friends of Withy Grove Park, Bamber Bridge, have received a donation of £70 to replace plants that were stolen from their jubilee garden last month. The group will meet with staff from the Co- operative FuneralCare who donated the money on Thursday.

Bike pals help for hospice Keen cyclists Alan House and Jonathan Eighteen are hoping to use pedal power to raise money for Derian House Children’s Hospice. On Friday the duo will set off from Bridlington on the east coast and aim to travel across the country before landing at Morecambe on Sunday. The pair, who both work at the Lancashire Evening Post – Alan is a creation supervisor while Jonathan is a field sales representative - also plan to donate some of the proceeds to Chorley FC. http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/bike-pals-help-for-hospice-1-4635092

LEP Lifesaver Appeal: Motorists getting in a lather to help appeal Drivers whose cars have lost their sparkle are being urged to help save lives - by giving their car a spruce up. Excalibur Car Wash owner Salim Amanji has arranged for the charity car wash from today until Sunday and hopes people will make donations instead of paying the usual £5 to have their vehicle cleaned. Business advisor Zeesh Ahmed, who is organising the event for the Egbert Street business in Deepdale, said: “I used to own the business and always supported charities such as Derian House and so on with a big event every year and this is a cause which we thought was well worth supporting. “We are hoping that, rather than pay £5 for the car wash, people will be more generous as all the proceeds for the four days will be going to the charity.” http://www.lep.co.uk/community/lep-lifesaver-appeal/motorists-getting-in-a-lather-to-help- appeal-1-4635144

Cap to raise cash for sculpture An England cap belonging to Preston’s sporting son is to be auctioned off to help raise money to honour another of the city’s famous faces. Fundraiser Tony Slater and businessman Wilf Boardman have launched a campaign to raise £50,000 to erect a sculpture to honour industrialist Richard Arkwright. And they are now planning to auction off one of Sir Tom Finney’s England caps to help the fund. http://www.lep.co.uk/news/cap-to-raise-cash-for-sculpture-1-4638094

Katy Holmes Trust: Pub in mission for tragic Katy - Fundraising dinner, 20 June A popular pub is using its grand re-opening to raise funds for the Katy Holmes Trust. The relaunch of The Highgate, on Blackpool Road, Newton with Scales, near Kirkham, takes place later this month and will see the new restaurant side of the business open its doors. Ruth is hoping to sell 100 tickets for the charity dinner at The Manzil Indian Restaurant at The Highgate. There will be a set menu priced at £17 per head as well as entertainment from DJ Des Grant and vocalist Michael Cosgrove from Bamber Bridge. Des, who is a huge supporter of the Katy Holmes Trust, hosts a Singles Night at the pub every week. The Katy Holmes Trust was launched the trust after 10-year-old Katy, of Margaret Road, Penwortham, lost her fight against an inoperable brain tumour only three months after her sudden diagnosis. Visitors to the dinner at 7pm on Wednesday June 20 can pay on the door or alternatively register an interest by calling 01772 673231. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/pub-in-mission-for-tragic-katy-1-4638122

Vacancies and Employment Reminder - One Lancashire Positive Change Development Officer - Closing date 18 June One Lancashire is looking to recruit a Positive Change Development Officer (£22,221, 37 hours per week). They are looking for someone with experience and knowledge of support and development work within an infrastructure organisation and who can work alongside partners. To apply please email [email protected] who will send you the application pack.

Opportunity at Barnardo's - Lancashire This role is being recruited through Barnardo's - Moving On Project but you could be asked to work in any of our projects in Lancashire. 9 Moving On works with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or have housing problems. Project Worker 1 (as and when) Job Ref: NW525 Based: Moving On, Lytham Road, Preston PR2 8JF Salary: £9 - £11.66 per hour Part Time As and when required You can find further information about this job and everything you need to apply on our website at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk Closing Date: 2nd July 2012 Interview Date(s): 12th July 2012 If you wish to discuss the role further please feel free to call Hannah Barton or Donna Alexander on 01772 788993

There are more sector staff than was thought More people are working in the voluntary sector than was previously thought, according to new research. The UK Civil Society Almanac 2010 estimated that the sector’s workforce was 668,000 in 2008. But research from the Third Sector Research Centre, released today, estimates that there were more than 1.1 million full-time-equivalent employees in England in the same year. This equated to just over 5 per cent of the workforce. According to the new research, the largest proportion of voluntary sector employees is based in London - 26.7 per cent - with the south east on 17 per cent. In areas generally considered to be more disadvantaged – the north east, Yorkshire and Humber and the north west – the proportion of people employed in the voluntary sector as a percentage of the overall workforce is lower than the national average of 5.6 per cent.

Training Thinking of starting a Social Enterprise? - Various dates 19 - 29 June across Lancashire What is a Social Enterprise? If you want to know more, come to our FREE (funded by Lancashire County Council Central Gateway Grants) Introduction to Social Enterprise workshops: learn more about what Social Enterprise is, and whether it is for you; hear from someone who has successfully started a social enterprise themselves; meet other people who are thinking about social enterprise; led by Liz Tapner from Selnet, the Social Enterprise Lancashire Network, a friendly informal event Chorley - Tuesday 19 June (5pm-7.30pm) St Annes - Thursday 21 June (10am-12.30pm) Garstang - Wednesday 27 June (10am-12.30pm) Skelmersdale - Thursday 28 June (5pm - 7.30pm) Lancaster / Morecambe - Friday 29 June (1-3pm) The events are free, but you do need to book To book phone the Selnet office on 01772 200690, email [email protected] or visit our Eventbrite site: http://selnetltd.eventbrite.co.uk Poster: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Thinking%20of%20starting%20a%20Social%20Enterprise%20cr oss%20county%20list.docx

Level 3 Diploma in Managing Volunteers Do you or your colleagues "Manage Volunteers"? If you do there is an opportunity to gain the level 3 Diploma in Managing Volunteers as part of an Advanced Apprenticeship available for a very limited period of time...... There are no entry requirements but you must be employed for more than 16 hours (preferably 30)...

10 The Apprenticeship also includes functional skill sin Maths, English & ICT (unless you have an equivalent GCSE/GCE) and a unit around employment practice, and is available through an electronic portfolio. There is no cost attached...but limited availability To apply please download and complete the form below or, for more details, please ring (01772 642261)or email Pat Hastings [email protected] at the Via Partnership. Application Form: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Application%20Form.doc The Via Partnership, Chorley House, Centurion Way, Leyland, Lancashire, PR26 6TT. Telephone 01772 642393

PQASSO, CVS Central Lancashire Training - 4 July Learn more about PQASSO, the quality management sys tem developed specifically for Civil Society organisations (Third Sector).

How it is…………………………Evidence based

How it will……………………….Guide your organisation to a good Quality Standard throughout

How it can……………………….Help develop more useful procedures during the process

CVS Lancashire are hosting ' Introduction to PQASSO ' throughout the year.

Next Workshop: Wednesday 4 July 2012 9.30 - 12.30 Please contact Jane Cooke on 07966 045627 for more details.

Social Media Courses at CVS - 23 and 30 July An introduction to Social Media - 23 July 2 - 5 p.m. This course is a must for any community Organisation which wants to connect with their online audience. Social media is as easy as you make it, and on this course we will talk you through the terminology used, some practical examples of how community based Organisations have engaged new audiences and start you on the road to developing a social media strategy for your Organisation. Advanced Social Media - 30 July 2 - 5 p.m. The second course would be a follow on to this, or for those with a basic knowledge who would like to take it a step further. On this course we will let you in to some of the secrets of Organisations who use Social Media to their advantage. We will give you all the free to use tools that exist to manage your Social Media in a way that will be strategic, and also take less of your time. We will also show you how you can measure your online impact in the click of a few buttons. Both courses cost £20 each. To book ring us on 01772 251108 or email [email protected]

Volunteering Mentoring and Befriending Foundation - 500 volunteers needed across the UK The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation is searching for volunteers to be part of their new "Mentoring for Success" programme, to support hundreds of disabled individuals across the UK to achieve greater independence in their lives and help them find employment. Apply online. Mentoring and Befriending Foundation http://www.mandbf.org/ Apply online http://equalapproach.com/news/mentoringintro.php

Lab in a Lorry - Volunteers URGENTLY needed for Chorley, 20 June Are you interested in communicating science to a young audience? Lab in a Lorry needs volunteers with a scientific background for events across the North West during school term time.

11 I've got a good number of people coming along in the next few weeks. But you will see that next week we are taking part in the Lancashire Science Festival and I am in particular need of a couple more volunteers on Wednesday 20 June for the event at Holy Cross High School, Chorley, otherwise I will struggle to run that event. So if anyone would like to come along to that please let me know asap. Since we are in desperate need we will be paying travel expenses/train ticket, for that one to anyone coming within a 40 mile radius. Also if you click the link to the festival you will be able to find out about their public events at the end of June. Thanks as ever for all your support, it is massively appreciated and if anyone ever wishes to come along and see the Lab in action do please feel free to get in touch with me and come along if we are nearby. For details of the schedule and how you can volunteer: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Lab%20in%20a%20Lorry%20- %20Volunteer%20Flyer%20and%20NW%20Tour%20Schedule.pdf

James Bamford Operations Coordinator - Lab in a Lorry (North West England) Institute of Physics 76 Portland Place London W1B 1NT E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: 07920 118673 http://www.iop.org http://www.labinalorry.org.uk http://www.physics.org

Communion help needed A Leyland church has sent out an SOS for people who help prepare the communion bread. The town’s United Reformed Church in Turpin Green Lane, wants two people to cut slices of bread and pour grape juice into the communion cups on a mo nthly basis, as well as volunteers to serve tea and coffee after services. http://leyland.urc.org.uk/

Moor Nook Guild Event Urgent call all volunteers for an event next weekend! Preston FM events coordinator Vicky Bradley is looking for people to come and do a DJ set and help out over the Moor Nook Guild Event on this Saturday 16th June. It's a fun filled activity day for families and people to get involved with. Preston FM will be proving the music for the day. Please get in touch if you are interested - [email protected]

Canal blitzed in mass clean-up Keen volunteers took part in a canal clean up ahead of this summer’s Preston Guild Canal Festival. The clean-up was held along a stretch of the Lancaster Canal which runs behind Haslam Park, Ashton. Volunteers, armed with bin liners and litter pickers, took to the route, from Bridge 15 South to Ashton Basin on Sunday morning. Around 30 people took part to ensure the canal is looking its best for the festival in August. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/canal-blitzed-in-mass-clean-up-1-4632024

How unemployment and the recession is affecting volunteering Despite the continuing recession, in recent weeks unemployment figures have thankfully started to recover. However, there are still more unemployed young people than since records began in 1992. For a sector that relies on volunteers, there is a temptation to imagine that this increase in supply makes it a buyer’s market. Surely, with more people looking for jobs and volunteer opportunities the more selective charities can be, and the less attractive they need to make themselves? Read on ...

12 http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/jun/07/unemployment-charities- volunteering

Events City’s greenest delights are captured on canvas Paintings inspired by Preston’s parks and environmental topics such as conservation and recycling are on display in a new art exhibition. ‘Green Preston’, hosted by the Museum of Lancashire and organised by Preston Art Society, runs until July 16. Charlotte Steels, Lancashire County Council’s museum manager, said: “The arts society held painting days at local allotments and this exhibition will bring together a range of paintings and 3D creations from these events. The exhibition runs from 10.30am to 5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and from noon to 5pm on Sundays.

Event to target disability crime, Preston - 16 June Care bosses are set to launch a campaign to crack down on crimes committed against disabled people. Social care provider Living Ambitions will hold a ‘Disability Hate Crime’ event on the Flag Market in Preston city centre from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, in a bid to stamp out such offences. The event is part of Learning Disability Week which gets underway next Monday with a series of events and activities led by learning disability charity Mencap. Robin Bush, managing director of Living Ambitions, said: “Our aim is to make the general public aware of exactly what Disability Hate Crime is. The care provider based in Brownedge Road, Lostock Hall, will host a range of events including stalls, information and videos, as well as a ‘Video Bike’ which will travel the city centre.

Cancer Research UK: Run for your lives - 17 June Thousands of runners of all ages and fitness levels will be descending on Preston’s Moor Park on Sunday as the Race for Life comes to our city. The national charity event, co-ordinated by Cancer Research UK, gives people the chance to help raise cash to beat the disease. Many runners complete the race as a tribute to a loved one lost to cancer or despite suffering from the disease themselves. Thousands also dress up to take part in the run, particularly in the cancer awareness campaign colours of pink. Last year, Preston’s Race For Life moved to a city centre route but this year, the event is back in its old home of Moor Park, off Garstang Road (Making way for Preston Sky Ride - see below). And the day is likely to be even more emotional for some this year as the date of the race coincides with Father’s Day. Runners can either register on the field on the day or preferably in advance online at the charity’s website http://www.raceforlife.org or calling 0871 641111 There is a £15 registration fee which goes to Cancer Research UK, a charity entirely funded by the public and runners can also raise more cash by gathering sponsorship beforehand. And, if anyone would like to clear out their closets and bring some old clot hes along to help stock up the Cancer Research shop in Preston, staff will have a Donation Station up and running at the Moor Park event on Sunday. For more information on the event, see either the website (above) or contact Preston Council on 01772 906471.

Preston SKY Ride, Preston - 17 June The Preston SKY Ride is coming to Avenham Park on Sunday 17th June. Cycling Projects - Wheels for All are working in partnership to offer Wheels for All sessions at a number of Sky Ride across the country with one being at Preston. During the event there will be the opportunity for Wheels for All users to take part in a section of the ride through Avenham Park. Cycling Projects will provide a wide range of adapted cycles for people to try out. The Wheels for All try out session will be between 11 am and 3pm and the meeting point for the Wheels for All try out will be at Miller Park (next to the fountain). Parking for the Wheels for All session will be on South Meadow Lane entrance (near the bridge) Preston, PR1 8JP. It would be really good if we could have good representation of Wheels for All from across the Lancashire centres. so please feel free to pass this email onto all your users/partners and we very much look forward to seeing you on the 17th June. If you would like to book a place for someone or for further information please contact Charlotte Tompkins on 07971476698 or email [email protected] 13 If you are a keen cyclist please don't overlook the bicycle ballet opportunity listed above under Guild 2012 and you might also be interested in subscribing to the Lancashire Cycling Newsletter! Bicycle Ballet http://www.prestonguild2012.com/?OBH=413&ID=499 Lancashire Cycling Newsletter (June 2012 edition) http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/June%202012%20newletter.pdf%20final%20final.pdf

Libraries to host carers advice events - 18 - 24 June Libraries will host a series of events in support of Carers Week, June 18 to 24. They include arts workshops, music workshops, computer sessions and courses. On June 20, between 10am and 12pm, a coffee morning will be held at Ingol Library. County Coun Mike Calvert, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “By holding these events in libraries across the county and by working in partnership with many organisations and services, I very much hope carers will gain access to the help, advice and support they need.” For details, visit http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries

Women’s bike ride a breeze, Lancashire - 23 - 24 June Women have been invited to join Big Breeze Bike Rides across Lancashire on the weekend of June 23 and 24. To take part in the UK’s biggest initiative to boost female cycling, upload your ride on to the Breeze Facebook app or visit http://www.facebook.com/BreezeNetwork for more details

‘Compassionate Capitalism in an Age of Austerity - can social responsibility be a strategy against recession?’ - public debate, Lancaster University, 26 June Business heavyweights and thinkers from Lancashire will debate the future of ‘compassionate capitalism’ in an era of budget cuts. It’s an open debate and people including Edwin Booth and Steve Jackson, from Preston-based Recycling Lives, will be giving their personal views. Honorary graduate Edwin Booth, who is chairman of the supermarket chain and chairman of Business on the Community’s North West Advisory Board, will be joining award-winning Preston-based social entrepreneur Jackson, an historian and a political economist in a public debate about compassionate capitalism on Tuesday, June 26 at Lancaster University’s Institute for Contemporary Arts. The event ‘Compassionate Capitalism in an Age of Austerity - can social responsibility be a strategy against recession?’ marks the first year of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Enterprise Centre. To book a place and get more information contact FASS Enterprise Officer Joe Buglass: [email protected]

Free internet lessons on bus, Preston - 19 through 28 June An award-winning service helping to get people online will tour Preston this month. The CitizenZone bus will offer free sessions explaining how the inte rnet works at the Ribble Pilot car park in Mariners Way and at Preston North End stadium car park. The Ribble Pilot sessions will be held on June 19 and 26 and the Deepdale events on June 21 and 28.

One Voice Choir - Preston FM Fundraiser - 20 June Preston FM, the Museum of Lancashire and One Voice Community Choir are joining together to present a ‘Summer Evening Concert’ at this iconic jewel in Preston’s cultural crown. This promises to be a great night of contemporary Gospel classics fused with acoustic Soul/Funk. All proceeds from tonight’s concert will go to Preston FM. This is also an opportunity to get to know the Museum of Lancashire, who are kindly hosting the concert. One Voice Community Choir is always seeking to reach a wider audience, and this is the perfect opportunity to do that, alongside raising money for local community projects. Please come along and support your community, your Preston FM. Tickets are limited so early booking is recommended. Tickets can be purchased directly from the Museum of Lancashire or from Preston FM (check opening hours before visiting). As this event is taking place in the Museum, there will be some seating available but it will be mainly standing room only. Ticket Price: £5.00 14 More details at http://www.preston.fm http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/museumoflancashire Contact boxoffice on: 01772 534075 or From Preston FM: 01772 880791 and Hughie Parr on [email protected]

Discussion: Robotic Shoes! - 6 July Come and join a Comensus focus group to discuss using technology to enhance quality of life as a pedestrian in the UK! 14:00-16:00 HA207, Harrington Building, University of Central, Lancashire, Preston PR1 7BE Come and have a chat on Fri 6 July 2012, 14:00-16:00 Travel expenses and refreshments will be provided. For more information and to book a place please contact: Barry Piorkowski T: 01772 8931060 [email protected] Lisa Malihi-shoja 01772 893818 [email protected] Download the poster here: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/comensus-poster-6-july.pdf

Pageant show in aid of Cancer Research UK and Claire House Children’s Hospice, Preston - 27 July A fundraiser has organised a drag queen pageant to raise money for charity. Jahmayne Morrison is hosting The Queen Bee Pageant on July 27 at Rumes Nightclub, Preston, to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Claire House Children’s Hospice. Email: [email protected]

Lancashire Witches 400 Walk - 11 - 19 August, Book by 30 July A long-distance walk has been created to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch trials. The 51-mile Lancashire Witches 400 Walk will take walkers from Barrowford to Lancaster Castle, which is believed to be the route the witches took. It will be launched during the Ribble Valley Walking Week from August 11 to August 19 with bus services provided to take walkers for the day’s starting points. Bookings must be made by July 30 by calling 01200 444829.

Public Notices Mitt Romney's Mormon roots in Preston OK - not really a sector story but thought it was too interesting to miss! It's well-known that Republican contender for the US presidency Mitt Romney is a Mormon - but no t that his family was converted in England. He doesn't mention it on the campaign trail, but his great- great-grandfather, a Preston carpenter, became one of the first British Mormons, 175 years ago. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18422949

Preston Environmental Forum Preston Environmental Forum (PEF) is a great way to find out what is happening environmentally in Preston and to let others know what you or your group are doing. It is also a way for everyone to work together to put Preston on the map as a place where people really do care about their local environment. Don’t worry if you are not in a community group, if you are interested in your local environment this could still be for you. http://www.preston.gov.uk/blogs/communities-blog/2012/4/preston-environmental-forum/ Check out the May edition of the PEF newsletter, with details of how you can subscribe, below: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/PEF%20may%20update.pdf

Internet radio service offers royalty-free music broadcasts to charity shops IMSRadio.net is offering charity shops the opportunity to provide background music at no ongoing cost, representing an alternative to the royalty fees that charity shops have to pay to the Performing Society (PRS) and PPL to feature 'mainstream' music. The company features unsigned bands and 15 artists and offers pre-recorded shows broadcast over the internet or through a standalone unit where no broadband service is available. Charities do not have to pay to use the s ervice. Instead, the broadcast includes occasional charity announcements and commercial advertisements. IMSRadio.net say that the only cost to the charity is a one off purchase of a pre-configured wi-fi/LAN radio, which cost just under £100. The company broadcasts more than 20 different radio streams to over 250 outlets. Clients include local shops let pet shops and large franchises such as Subway and KFC. http://www.charityshopradio.co.uk/

Methodist Action North West: Help for people needing a home, South Ribble A new service helping people needing a home to find private rented accommodation has been launched in South Ribble. Charity, Methodist Action North West is running a social lettings agency, called A Place To Live, in partnership with South Ribble Borough Council. They will be working with private sector landlords in the area by offering a fully managed lettings service, including long leases lasting at least two years and a guaranteed rental income during this period. "I would urge landlords and anyone considering letting a property, to come along to the drop-in evening to find out how the new service can help them." The Drop-in Evening will be hel d in the Wheel Room at the Civic Centre on Tuesday 19 June from 5.30pmto 7.30pm. Tea and coffee will be available. http://www.southribble.gov.uk/Section.asp?sectiontype=listseparate&catid=301264&docid=3208

Sanctuary scheme helps over 500 people An initiative to help victims of domestic abuse and repeat burglaries in South Ribble and Chorley has assisted more than 500 people since being launched four years ago. The Sanctuary scheme aims to ensure vulnerable people and families can feel safe and secure in their own homes. A wide range of help is available, from offering advice, installing panic alarms and securing ground floor doors and windows, to creating a 'sanctuary room' within the home in the most serious cases. South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Council jointly fund the Sanctuary scheme, which has enabled people to carry on living at home, rather than being forced to move out because of their circumstances. Now seven housing associations in the area - New Progress, Chorley Community Housing, Accent, Your Housing group, Great Places, Places for People and Adactus - have signed up to the scheme and in future they will arrange for security measures recommended by Sanctuary to be carried out in tenants' homes. A relaunch of the scheme was held to mark the new partnership between the councils and the housing associations, and to celebrate the success stories of Sanctuary over the past four years. People wanting to seek help from Sanctuary scheme can contact the scheme by calling 07824 597234 or emailing [email protected] http://www.southribble.gov.uk/Section.asp?sectiontype=listseparate&catid=301264&docid=3209

Students fly across the globe to help fight fires Fire experts and students from Preston’s university have set off on a charity mission with a difference. Four students and a lecturer from the University of Central Lancashire are in Zimbabwe training the southern African republic’s firefighters. The trip is run by Operation Florian, a fire service humanitarian charity providing equipment and training to improve firefighting and rescue capabilities around the world. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/students-fly-across-the-globe-to-help-fight-fires-1-4635140

New Community Engagement Centre - HMP Preston In April 2012 Preston Prison opened a Community Engagement Centre. The centre is to be found on the ground floor of the building which is situated just outside the prison main gates. It has had many previous uses including a staff mess and visits 'booking in' centre. The New visits centre opened in spring 2009 so this left the ground floor empty and disused. Preston Prison is a busy local prison and we hold prisoners from across Lancashire and further afield. A bid was made to the Safer Lancashire Board and a small budget was secured to open the ground floor of the building as a community Advice and Guidance centre for prisoners being released, Families and Children of prisoners and the local community. A Community 'payback' team completed the refurbishment of the building and we are now ready to receive our first clients. Preston Prison works with many Partner Agencies including CAB and Caritas 16 Care. Many have expressed willingness to join Preston Prison in this venture and negotiations are under way to organise drop in sessions/events and surgeries that cover our Reducing Reoffending pathways. The pathways cover, Accommodation, Finance and Debt, Families and Children, Drugs and Alcohol, Employment, Training and Education, Health and Wellbeing. The Centre will be opened in three phases. Phases one will include providing support for prisoners being released from prison and require through the gate advice/guidance on any of the above pathways. Mentors, Revolution Staff, family and other professional can meet with ex-offenders on the day of release and use the centre as a meeting place. The Centre will be open every morning. In phase two we plan to open all day and include support for Families and children of prisoners. We also plan to hold a Family Forum where families of visitors can have a 'Question Time' with a Prison Governor and raise any issues that are causing them concern while a member of their family is in prison. Families of prisoners suffer in many ways when a member of their family/significant other is imprisoned. Phase Three is the final part to the venture and we hope to offer support, advice and guidance to the local community. . We are also delighted that we have had many offers from willing volunteers who would like to support ex-offenders and their families. We are working with many organisations that have a vested interest in supporting the Reducing Reoffending agenda and we hope that Preston Prison can play a valuable part in making our communities a safer place. Please contact Janet Jackson on 01772 444898 for further information.

Thief strikes at charity Staff at a Preston charity shop today told of their upset after a thief walked into the store and snatched £150 of jewellery. The stolen items had only recently been put on display at the British Heart Foundation shop in Orchard Street, Preston. Staff were in the store, which sells items to raise vital funds for research into heart disease, at around 2.20pm on Thursday, when a man walked in posing as a customer. http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/thief-strikes-at-charity-1-4635170

‘People’s flag’ to be unveiled A new flag is set to be unveiled in Prest on to celebrate its people and history. The Preston and South Ribble Civic Trust has designed a ‘Citizen Flag’, which will be hoisted at Preston Minster in Church Street, later this month. The flag has been registered with the Flag Institute and will be free of any copyright to enable people across the city to use it. The flags can be bought from http://mrflag.com http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/people-s-flag-to-be-unveiled-1-4632516

NSPCC sees record calls about neglect A record number of calls about child neglect were made to the NSPCC last year, which is a "worrying trend", the charity has said. Between April 2011 and March 2012, it handled more than 12,000 contacts about neglect - the biggest number since its helpline was launched. Some 8,600 led to the involvement of police or social services. The NSPCC report said neglect calls had doubled in the past two years, and were up by a third in the last year alone. It said the rise was placing additional pressure on already stretched children's services, with more children being taken into care and families being affected by cuts. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18390667

Church spire the ‘best nest’ Precariously perched up an enormous church spire may not seem the obvious place for Peregrine Falcons to nest. But volunteers at St Walburge’s Church in Ashton, Preston, are celebrating the most productive nest in the area. While this year’s hatch across the county has struggled with most nests only spawning one chick, St Walburge’s has two new arrivals. http://www.lep.co.uk/community/church-spire-the-best-nest-1-4638160

Coalition budget risks worst child poverty record, report says Reductions in child poverty may be reversed by changes to UK welfare policy, a report claims. The authors say the last government cut child poverty at a scale and pace unmatched by other industrial 17 nations - although it did miss targets. The Child Poverty Action Group suggests coalition changes to tax and benefits may hit low income families hardest. The Department for Work and Pensions said the Labour government "failed to address the root causes of poverty". A spokesman said it had introduced measures to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18374710

Grassroots Family Support Project, South Ribble: Mayor invited meet 100 families The Mayor of South Ribble, Coun Colin Clark, was invited to meet with a group of families at Bamber Bridge Methodist Church yesterday The 100 families had been helped by the Grassroots Family Support Project in Bamber Bridge which supports families and children via funding.

Food and films prove a big hit, South Ribble A community cinema plans to extend its film and food nights after a trial proved a success. South Ribble Council sold out of tickets for a screening of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Civic Centre, which was accompanied by a meal from its Coppice restaurant. Coun Phil Smith said they will look at running more of the evening events.

Entries in snapper contest Nature lovers are being invited to enter the fourth and final heat of Martin Mere’s 2011-2012 photography competition. It follows the success of the spring heat which received nearly 10,000 entries and 55,000 votes in the ‘People’s Choice’ category. Martin Mere, near Ormskirk, is calling on nature lovers and photographers to submit their most prized pictures before August 31 when the summer heat and the entire photography competition will close for this year. The main categories are Wetland Wildlife, Wetland Landscapes, Wildlife and People, and Junior Photographer of the Year for under 18s. The competition is being held in association with Canon. For more information and details on how to enter, visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/photo

Policy Child poverty figures "fall" by 2%??? The number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year, official figures have revealed. In 2010-11, 18% of children (2.3 million) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The measure is based on median incomes - which also went down. The level of household income which defines "in poverty" fell from £259 a week, in 2009-2010, to £251 the following year. The BBC's Mark Easton said that drop explained why 300,000 fewer children were classed as living in poverty. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18436795

Child poverty gains at risk, says study Reductions in child poverty may be reversed by changes to UK welfare policy, a report claims. The authors say the last government cut child poverty at a scale and pace unmatched by other industrial nations - although it did miss targets. The Child Poverty Action Group suggests coalition changes to tax and benefits may hit low income families hardest. Alison Garnham, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, commented: "The verdict is clear that prioritising child poverty across government improved the childhoods and life chances of millions of children and strengthened our economy but even so much more needed to be done given the size of the challenge. The warnings for the current government are crystal clear. Under current policies they risk wiping out all these hard-won gains. Unless their strategy improves, their legacy threatens to be the worst child poverty record of any government for a generation." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18374710

Child protection bureaucracy in England is cut Social workers in England are to be "freed from pointless bureaucracy", the government has promised. Ministers plan to overhaul the child protection system by replacing more than 700 pages of instruction manuals with three short documents. Children's Minister Tim Loughton said social workers would be "free" to do their best for vulnerable children. 18 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18410197

Disclosure and Barring Service to be launched on 1 December The new national organisation responsible for carrying out security checks on volunteers and others in the charitable sector will be launched on 1 December, the Home Office announced today. The department said that the Disclosure and Barring Service was part of the government’s continuing shake-up of the screening systems used to prevent unsuitable people from gaining access to children or vulnerable people. The new organisation will replace the existing Criminal Records Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority. The Home Office announced today that Adrienne Kelbie, deputy chief executive of Hull City Council, would become chief executive of the DBS and Bill Griffiths, the former chair of the Forensic Science Service, would become its chair. The new body, introduced under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which gained royal assent in May, will bring in a number of changes and reforms to the existing system. One will be a reduction in the number of positions requiring checks, from 9.3 million to five million; another will be portable record checks, designed to put an end to applying for repeat disclosures. Lynne Featherstone, criminal information and equalities minister, said that the "common-sense" approach of the DBS would involve sending criminal records certificates directly to applicants rather than potential employers, and allow people for the first time to challenge information on their disclosures for the first time. Lynne Featherstone felt the reduction in bureaucracy in the current system would help encourage more people to become volunteers, she said she hoped the move would prove "incredibly helpful to everyone" relying on the checks.

New law against forced marriage is ‘overdue’ Lancashire’s Asian community has welcomed government plans to ban forced marriages. Representatives of the Lancashire Council of Mosques are jubilant after members campaigned for years for the crackdown. As Home Secretary Theresa May unveiled tough new laws, which will include jail sentences, a spokesman for the council said: “ About time too.” http://www.lep.co.uk/community/new-law-is-overdue-1-4625381

‘Privatising’ probation could put public at risk’ Public safety could be compromised by moves to privatise probation work, the service’s Lancashire leader has warned. Kevin Robinson, chief executive of Lancashire Probation Trust, fears plans to outsource offender management could put the public at greater risk by “fragmenting” the service. The Government is looking at commissioning probation work involving low-risk offenders to the private and voluntary sector. Justice Secretary Ken Clarke argues this would cut costs and reduce reoffending rates. http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/privatising-probation-could-put-public-at-risk-1-4630106

Celebrating their recovery People recovering from drug or alcohol misuse have celebrated their achievements with an evening of performance. A group who attended treatment at Discover services in Preston put on a night of poetry, storytelling and performance at the St Peter’s Arts Centre in the city. Discover was commissioned by Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

New Universal Credit benefit to be tested in North West The new single benefit, which the government claims will simplify the welfare system, is to be introduced six months earlier than planned. The streamlined Universal Credit, which replaces a range of existing benefits, will be trialled in Tameside, Oldham, Wigan and Warrington from next April. Up to 1,500 new claimants are expected to take up the benefit in those areas. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said that this will be followed by a roll-out in October 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-18183511

Band joins forces with police to urge voters to make a mark A comedy band has joined forces with Lancashire Police Authority to urge people to vote in an election. The Lancashire Hotpots have recorded a song and music video in support of ‘Be Part of It!’, the authority’s campaign to make people more aware of this year’s vote to elect a Police and Crime 19 Commissioner for Lancashire. The election will take place on November 15. The song and video can be downloaded, for free, on iTunes and via Facebook, at www.facebook.com/Lancspcc from Friday. http://www.lep.co.uk/lifestyle/what-women-want/band-joins-forces-with-police-to-urge-voters- to-make-a-mark-1-4635127

Timely reminder to get on electoral register Householders were today reminded to make sure they are on the electoral register ahead of the police commissioner elections. Forms are landing on doormats across Lancashire earlier than usual this year, to ensure people can vote for a new Police and Crime Commissioner in November. Coun Margaret Smith, leader of South Ribble Council, said: “Registration forms are going out earlier than normal this year because the Police and Crime Commissioner elections are being held in November. It is important that residents act promptly once their forms have arrived. We need to hear from you even if your details are the same as last year.” Consultations

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Volunteers get their say on how regulations are enforced Volunteers all over the country are being urged to speak out against uncaring officialdom – but also to give credit where credit is due if someone has been really helpful. The Government is urging anyone involved in volunteering – from a jumble sale, to organising a Jubilee party, to a three-peaks challenge – can feed in their experiences, good and bad, of dealing with local authorities and other regulators as part of the Focus on Enforcement campaign. http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/focusonenforcement/your-experiences-of-dealing-with- regulators/#share

REACT Project (Caritas Care): Staying Up Late questionnaire REACT wants to find out if people with learning disabilities get to go out at night and do evening and night time activities. Tell us what you do by completing the questionnaire, which is available for download here: http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Staying%20Up%20Late%20Questionnaire.docx You can complete it yourself or get someone to help you. You do not have to fill in your name, address and telephone number if you do not want to. You can return the filled in questionnaires to: Helen McCondichie, REACT Project, Bannister House, 23 Sedgewick Street, Preston, PR1 1TP or email it to [email protected] More about REACT here: http://www.caritascare.org.uk/learning-disability/react/ Appeals Preston Nightstop / Barnardo's North West: Do you have a spare room? Live in the Preston, South Ribble or Chorley area? If so we need you! PRESTON NIGHTSTOP…. Needs volunteer hosts who can offer short term accommodation to vulnerable young people. If you can provide….. A bedroom; Evening meal & breakfast; Bathing and Laundry facilities; A safe environment. We want to hear from you In return we offer expenses SUPPORTED LODGINGS SCHEME…. Needs providers who can offer young people…… Somewhere to live for up to two years. Support to help young people develop their independent living skills. A safe environment In return you will receive a weekly payment. We provide training, support and an on-call service for your peace of mind and is part of Barnardo's Moving On Project. INTERESTED? Contact us for further information Phone : 01772 788775 20 or email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Blood hounds wanted Furry heroes are being sought for the area’s first blood bank donor sessions for dogs. Pet Blood Bank UK, a charity which provides a national canine blood bank, is holding the sessions at Oakhill Veterinary Centre in Goosnargh, near Preston, next month. It is the first time the sessions have been held in the area and Judith Lee, a vet at Oakhill Veterinary Centre, said she is delighted to take part. The session takes place on Saturday, July 7, at the Oakhill Veterinary Centre on Langley Lane, Goosnargh, PR3 2JQ. To book your dog an appointment, ring Pet Blood Bank UK on 01509 232222. http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/blood-hounds-wanted-1-4642564

Health Elderly denied NHS care 'can sue' Age discrimination by NHS hospitals is to be outlawed, ministers have announced. From October, elderly patients will have the right to sue if they have been denied care based on age alone, says Care Minister Paul Burstow. This will not mean patients can demand any treatment they want. Care decisions will still be judged according to clinical need by doctors. But NHS staff will have a legal duty to consider wellbeing and dignity. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18407768

Learn more about diabetes People across central Lancashire are being urged to learn about the symptoms of diabetes, and visit their GP to take a test if they have any concerns. This week is Diabetes Week and health experts from the PCT say thousands of people in the region could have the condition without even realising it. For more information about Diabetes visit: http://www.centrallancashire.nhs.uk/your-health/Nutrition-and-dietetics/Diabetes.aspx

Dementia help scheme live A new service supporting the carers and families of those with dementia has been launched in Lancashire. The Royal British Legion’s Admiral Nurse Service will provide support for family carers and to those with dementia within the Armed Forces community. For more info call LegionLine on 08457 725 725

Preston Council’s Sport and Health Development Team: Shape up for summer fun A new healthy lifestyle programme combining healthy eating and physical activity launches today. Shape up for Summer is a new scheme from Preston Council’s Sport and Health Development Team. The programme, at Fulwood Leisure Centre, will run for 10 sessions starting at 5.30-7pm tonight. For more information call 01772 906951.

People 'taking more food risks' People are taking more risks with their food as finances become tighter, a Food Standards Agency survey suggests. It said its research showed that people were trying to save money by making their food go further. An FSA survey of nearly 2,000 people across the UK suggested more than half were trying to make better use of leftover food. This included ignoring use-by dates, as well as keeping leftovers in the fridge for long periods of time. "Using leftover food is a good way of making our meals go further. However, unless we're careful, there's a chance we can risk food poisoning by not storing or handling them properly." Mr Martin said: "It's tempting to just give your food a sniff to see if you think it's gone 'off', but food bugs like E.coli and Salmonella don't cause food to smell off, even when they may have grown to dangerous levels. So food could look and smell fine but still be harmful." The FSA said leftovers should be put in the fridge as soon as possible and then eaten within two days and should be cooked until they are steaming hot. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18370939

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