Hello everyone and welcome to our third edition of South Forum's

e-newsletter.  We have this week

What's on in the community

Training

Funding information

Volunteering opportunities

Services

Regards

Jackie Noonan

South Forum Development Coordinator

If you would like to announce any thing or have a feature please contact me on 0191 5228447 or e-mail me on jackie.noonan@sunderlandcommunitynetwork.org.uk

WHAT'S ON IN THE COMMUNITY

South Forum meeting

Our next meeting will be at Silksworth CA, Vicarage Road, Silksworth.  Wednesday 25th October 2006, meeting starts at 1pm, light buffet from 12.30pm.

click here for agenda

TRAINING

Taster Sessions in Community Development Learning

Looking for ways to improve your community?  Looking for ways to make the most of your talents?  Looking to learn?  Then look what we have to offer!

3-hour taster session on various subjects to help you set up a group in your community or improve your role in groups you are already involved in.

for more information and advice contact CWACNEE on 0191 514 6157 or e-mail diane@cwacnee.org.uk

NCFE Intermediate Certificate in Equality and Diversity

To enhance understanding in relation to equality and diversity this short FREE course is designed to inform learners of the issues and anti-discrimination laws that relate to equality and diversity.

Upon completion of the course, learners will achieve an NCFE level 2 Certificate.  All learning resources will be provided and learners will work through these resources during a series of arranged workshops delivered at convenient times.  For further information contact Michelle Elliott on 0191 5116831 or 07759561342 or by e-mail to michelle.elliott@citysun.ac.uk

FUNDING INFORMATION

Housing Challenge Fund

The Housing Strategy for Sunderland was agreed by Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 13 September 2006 and a copy is available through the website www.sunderland.gov.uk

The Partnership has been allocated £250,000 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund for 2006/7 and £250,000 for 2007/8 and this allocation has been called the ‘Housing Challenge Fund’. The Partnership would, therefore, like to invite you to make an ‘expression of interest’ for utilising these funds through the completion of the Project Application Form, a copy of which is attached with the guidance notes for completion.   Members of the Partnership are looking to fund up to 5 strategic projects over the period 2006 – 2008 that will support the delivery of the 3 aspirations of Sunderland’s Housing Strategy.

Click here for more details

Click here for application form

Click here for guidance notes

Community Champions

Want to help your community?  Got a great idea?  Not sure how to start?

You may have no experience of managing a project but if you think you can do something that will benefit your community you can apply for a Community Champions Award for up to £2'000.

Want to know more call Ian Gardner 0808 100 2553

The Big Boost

Are you between 11 - 25 years old?  Do you want to improve your community? 

They give awards to young people in England of between £250 and £1000 (11-16) and £500 and £5000 (16-25), plus support, to make young people's community-focused ideas a reality.  For more details visit the website www.thebigboost.org.uk or phone Linda Ford 01642 598321

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Sunderland Countryside Rangers

Conservation volunteers are urgently needed to get involved in conservation and management tasks in the countryside around the whole of the Sunderland area. No special skills are required. There are also opportunities for people who want to get involved in our publicity campaigns.

OXFAM CHARITY SHOP

in Sunderland urgently require volunteer shop assistants with some retail experience to help sort clothing and bric-a-brac, price and hang clothes and operate the cash and switch machine. Volunteers need to cover shop opening times from Monday to Saturday 9.30 – 5.00. If you are friendly, trustworthy, reliable and able to work as part of a team and have an hour or two to spare they would love to hear from you.

YOUNG TIMEBANK

Volunteer facilitators are needed to encourage and motivate young people in Sunderland schools and colleges to create and manage their own community projects. Examples could range from setting up student radio stations to campaigning against racism.
You will be required to give 2 hours a week during school hours. Full training, expenses and on-going support will be provided.

If you are interested in any of the above opportunities please contact the Volunteer Centre Sunderland on (0191) 567 8902 or call into 4 Toward Road, City Centre, Sunderland. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm. A postal application service is also available. Alternatively email us at: sunderlandvc@aol.com or visit www.do-it.org.uk

SERVICES

South Forum

We promote the use of computers and offer the opportunity for anyone to visit our office in the South and can offer advice on how to start learning about them.

If your organising an event or Annual General meeting (AGM) we can support with laptop, projector and screen.  We offer support, internet access, scanner, digital camera, computer and printer.

If anyone is interested please feel free to contact us on 0191 522 8447 and speak to Jackie Development Coordinator and arrange a time you would like to come in.

This email is distributed to all South Forum Members in the South area. Feel free to forward this to friends and colleagues with their permission.