Summer promises a number of changes locally May has been a busy time for everyone – do you remember the scorching first weekend when temperatures hit the high twenties, we all rushed out to sort out our summer bedding and were bidding goodbye to what felt like an interminable autumn/winter/spring rolled into one! For CommUNITY Barnet we started to deliver a new Healthwatch and NHS Complaints Advocacy in Newham from the start of the month - Mike and I with the wider Healthwatch team have been working hard together across three disparate and unique London boroughs. It has been stimulating to say the least and our successful public meeting in Brent in mid-May confirmed the strength of our partnership model. Darlington Solicitors delivered their first legal briefing on end of life care planning to local voluntary and community organisations and residents to plan for their future and end-of-life and to signpost them to further help and support. We hope this will be the first of a series of legal seminars that we can offer to local voluntary, community and charity organisations. Consultation on the Children and Young People’s Plan is drawing to a close on 26 May and I would urge you all to have a look at this document and make your comments through the online survey which can be accessed here. Finally, London has a new Mayor - little is known about his commitment to the voluntary and community sector – but he has said that he wants to be a mayor for all Londoners – but his story of success, tenacity and hard work is one that resonates with many Barnet residents and is evident in the continued vibrancy displayed in our sector. Best wishes Julie 5th June “Danny, The Champion of the World”. Illyria join the celebrations of Roald Dahl’s Centenary, as part of East Barnet Festival’s Theatre in the Park in this adventurous tale of Danny, the poachers and the pheasants. 3pm in Oak Hill Park, gate opens 2.30pm in the woodland arena. Blue badge holders should assemble by 2pm at the car park off Parkside Gardens EN4 8JS to be escorted. Bring a rug or low back chair. Light refreshments available Tickets in advance from Illyria.uk.com (£1.95 fee per transaction or at the gate £12 (£10 conc. £6 4-16s, under 4s free). Enquiries 07071 781 745 07071 781 745 more on www.eastbasrnetfestival.org.uk Finchley Community Toy Library. Everyone is welcome to Finchley Community Toy Library! We have a big hall so there’s plenty of room for children to run around whilst you choose some lovely toys to take home. We have a good stock of high quality, educational toys for your children to enjo y. We have all the big brand names such as VTech, ELC, Galt, Bright Minds and many more. All our toys are brand new and selected to maximise fun whilst enhancing your child’s development. Psychologists have proved that play helps children to have enhanced thinking power, good mental fitness and practical skills. It’s also a great way for you to bond with your children as you play with them. It’s easy to join the library. Just pop along and our friendly volunteers will tell you how it all works. Our most fabulous toys cost only 50p for two weeks hire so your child can have a constant supply of new and interesting toys. We are open on Tuesdays between 9 and 10.30am at the Green Man Community Centre, Strawberry Vale, East Finchley, N2 9BA. Finchley Community Toy Library is open to everyone and is run by Barnet Lone Parent Centre. If you are a lone parent and want help with other issues we have a qualified money and benefits adviser available. Contact us at the Greenman Centre on 020 3828 4834 020 3828 4834. A Boy and a Bear in a Boat Sun 5 Jun, 11am & 2pm Come aboard and join our heroes all at sea with just a suitcase, a ukulele and a teapot to help them. Dark clouds are looming, the ocean is full of dangers, there's only one sandwich left and it's nearly teatime. When all seems lost, can their friendship survive? And where exactly are they heading? Will they ever get there? Adapted from the award-winning novel by Dave Shelton and featuring live music and movement, A Boy and a Bear in a Boat is a funny, thoughtful and thrilling adventure. Age Guidance 5 – 9 (Under 3s cannot be admitted.). Tickets £7 Box office: 020 8369 5454 020 8369 5454 Online bookings: http://www.artsdepot.co.uk/family/boy-and-bear-boat HOPE Harrow Parenting Courses and Workshops Anger Management for Parents & Teens Together Do you feel you are your teenager are constantly arguing? Would you both like to learn how to reduce the tensions in the home? This course is designed for Parents and Teens to attend together. The aim of the course is to help with managing difficult, often destructive behaviours and emotions, through a better understanding of anger, helping to create a happy, cooperative, cohesive home environment. Date: Monday 13 June – 18 July 2016; Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm; Venue: 64 Pinner Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 4HZ; Cost: £40.00 or £20.00 concession; To register call 020 8863 7319 020 8863 7319 or email [email protected] Sibling Rivalry: Tired of your children fighting! Are you constantly trying to keep the peace? Topics include: Understanding the needs of siblings; strategies to help our children communicate effectively, encourage cooperation and reduce conflict. Date: Wednesday 22 June 2016; Time: 7.00-9.00pm; Venue: 64 Pinner Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 4HZ Cost: £15.00/£7.50 concession (with proof); To register call 0208 863 7319 0208 863 7319 or Email: [email protected] Information Officer wanted by Barnet Parent Carer Forum Barnet Parent Carer Forum are looking for an Information Officer to help us promote our activities. They will be responsible for keeping the website updated and using social media to advertise upcoming events and relevant news. If you are interested please contact us at [email protected]" Barnet Diabetes Group Quiz The Barnet diabetes group is the only voluntary group supporting people with diabetes in the area. All money raised on the evening will go to Diabetes UK – Barnet Details: Date/time: Sunday 3 July at 4pm Venue: Manor Drive Methodist Church, Junction of Manor Drive and York Way, Whetstone, N20 0DZ Admission: £10 which includes refreshments, snacks and a great time for friends and family! Book your place now by: contacting Martin or Fiona Phone 020 8205 0668 020 8205 0668 e-mail: [email protected] Noah's Ark Children's Hospice - Job Opportunity Owing to maternity leave we are able to offer an exciting opportunity to join Noah’s Ark’s People Development Team. This role will suit an experienced HR Generalist who is looking for a short term appointment with a clear focus on developing and implementing key HR functions; ensuring Noah’s Ark has a strong and sustainable HR structure in place. The most immediate focus will be to establish a suitable database for our HR needs. The People Development Project Manager will bring their skills, knowledge and experience of setting up an HR function to ensure NACH is able to provide a high quality and robust HR service as the charity grows. In return we can offer the opportunity to shape and influence the HR culture at a young charity, flexibility, and a fun and welcoming environment. This is a 6 month 0.6FTE (days and hours to be agreed) fixed term contract. For more information about the role please visit our website: http://www.noahsarkhospice.org.uk/employment-opportunities. If you would like to speak to someone about the vacancy please contact 020 8449 8877 020 8449 8877 or email [email protected] Finding funding opportunities as they arise The j4bCommunity Twitter Account - Finding Funding Just Got Easier! Are you on the search for funding but don't always have the time? The @j4bCommunity Twitter account is dedicated to providing followers with bite-sized chunks of the very latest funding news. Updated in real time and with links to the full news story on the j4bCommunity site, our tweets allow our community-driven audience to select with ease the new and updated funding opportunities most relevant to them. Put simply – as soon as we know about new funding opportunities so do our followers. In addition to funding news, we also cover the latest issues and developments affecting the community and voluntary sector so that you can keep up to date with what's happening across the UK. Join the hundreds of people already accessing community funding information and follow @j4bCommunity today! artsdepot Open 2016 Wed 13 Jul – Thu 1 Sep FREE ENTRY Artsdepot’s annual Open exhibition is a celebration of art, artists and creativity. A diverse range of artworks by emerging and established artists from Barnet, London and the rest of the UK are exhibited in the Artsdepot’s Apthorp Gallery. Many of the artworks in this vibrant exhibition are available to purchase. Submissions are invited, closing date Mon 6 Jun. Open daily 10am – 4pm Box Office: 020 8369 5455 020 8369 5455 Website: http://www.artsdepot.co.uk/exhibition/artsdepot-open-2016 BUZZING BUSINESS CLUB – FSB WOMEN NORTH LONDON Women entrepreneurs, Join us every 3d Monday of the month at 6:00pm in Café Buzz, 783 High Road, London N12 8JY for great networking and business connections.