Midlands Youth on behalf of G:up are holding two free training sessions designed to increase and improve techniques for working with children and young people. These training events are aimed at voluntary and paid youth and children’s workers, and will give practical tips and resources that you can use with your groups to improve children and young people’s participation.

Both events are being held at bayc, 581 Pershore Road, Selly Park, Birmingham, B29 7EL, and will take place from 9.30am-1.00pm. Lunch is not provided, but there will be time to eat together and share ideas, so bring yours with you!

Friday 15^th June 2012 - Creative Ways of Engaging Children and Young People - delivered by Sue Thomas, Common Sense Solutions
A fun and informal training session, with opportunities for people to try out activities, and a space for shared learning on the best methods of working with children and young people.

For further details contact Tracy Hayes or Cath Errington on 01926 450 156.

Friday 13th July 2012 - Engaging hard to reach young people
A fun and informal training session, with opportunities for people to try out activities and a space for shared learning on the best methods of engaging hard to reach young people.

Contact Marcia Springer on 01926 450156

Solihull’s Local Safeguarding Children Board is conducting a survey of the whole workforce working with children, young people and their families, as well as their managers.

The questions are to look at the understanding staff and volunteers have in respect of their responsibilities, and when necessary action to be taken to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children and young people.

Can you please ask your staff and volunteers to participate in this.

The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday 29^th June 2012

Go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/safeguardsurvey

Any questions, contact Paul Nash on 0121 788 4470 or Email: pnash@solihull.gov.uk

The Big Lunch in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund proudly supports The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on Sunday 3^rd June, and we are encouraging as many people as possible to get involved across the region.

The aim is to get communities in the UK to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun.  Big lunches can be big or small and take place in the street, garden, park or community venue;  just about anywhere you can get together to share lunch and conversation.

Further information and free starter packs can be found on the website www.biglunch.com

Solihull Autistic Spectrum Support and Information (SASSI). A support group for parents/guardians of children or young people with an autistic spectrum disorder.

The next meeting is on Saturday 26th May – Solihull Methodist Church. Talks by John Simpson & Kevin Baskerville. 9.30am – 4pm. Cost £7, to include lunch.

Please book in advance and pay on the day.

For details go to www.solihullsassi.co.uk or phone Jan Bradshaw on 0121 770 6267.

Capital Grants to provide Short Breaks for Children and Young People aged 0-24 years.

Solihull Council invites applications for Solihull’s Short Breaks one off small capital investment grant.

Short Breaks’ are any service outside school hours, which give a disabled child or young person enjoyable and meaningful experiences away from their home.  This could be either with or without their family to provide a break from carer responsibilities.

An application for funding of between £500 and £5000 is open to those providing or seeking to provide or develop further capacity around innovative, sustainable and quality short breaks for children and families in Solihull.

Solihull Council Website provides further information about Short Breaks, including Solihull’s Short Breaks Statement (October, 2011).

Short Breaks Capital Application form

Or contact jatongue@solihull .gov.uk

The closing date for completed applications is 4 pm on 15 June 2012. 

Whether you enjoy walking or cycling, why not join them for a great day out and help raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care or British Heart Foundation.

On Sunday 8^th July, starting from Baddesley Clinton National Trust House, the Lions offer you the choice of walking 4, 7.5 or 11 miles or cycling 13, 19 or 31 miles to raise funds for these very worthy causes.

The Lions chose the new charities from a shortlist earlier this year and hope that the event will become as established and popular as their Festive Walk and Knowle Fun Run.

‘We hope that families, companies, clubs and individual walkers and cyclists will want to enjoy a great day out in the Warwickshire countryside whilst getting their efforts sponsored for two of the country’s most well known and worthy charities. As usual the Lions will be retaining 20% of funds raised for local causes,’ says organising Lion Dave Carter. ‘There will be sign-posted circular routes to follow via the Heart of England Way which runs through Baddesley Clinton grounds, walks along country footpaths and towpaths & cycle routes along the lanes with plenty of places to stop for refreshment along the way.’

Please visit www.knowleanddorridgelions.com/summerwalk or www.knowleanddorridgelions.com/bikeride where you can find out how to register online for what is bound to be an excellent day out in the countryside with the option of visiting Baddesley Clinton house and gardens free and having a picnic from the Lions BBQ.

Enquiries to Dave Carter 01564 770749

‘Safeguarding Adults Domestic Abuse’ training is scheduled for Tuesday 12^th June 2012 at The Learning and Development Centre. If you are interested in attending, please see the attached flyer and booking form below.

Safeguarding Adults Domestic Abuse – 12.6.12

Safeguarding Adults Booking Form

The Solihull Safeguarding Adults Training Brochure 2012-2013 is now ready to view. You can download the brochure and a booking form below

If you require any further information, please visit the Solihull Safeguarding Adults website www.solihull.gov.uk/adultabuse.

Safeguarding Adults Training Brochure 2012-13

Safeguarding Adults Booking Form

Do you work with young people who have innovative, creative and exciting ideas for projects that will make their area a better place?

Live UnLtd provide the money and one-to-one support to make their ideas a reality through their Summer of Great Ideas Campaign.

The deadline for applications is 11^th June 2012.

They back people aged 11-21 with cash and support to launch projects that can change their world for the better. Projects can be around any topic/issues that young people are interested in from the arts and sport to the environment or bullying.

Support is available in the form of cash Awards starting at around £500 which is used to start projects and pay for equipment etc. You’ll also be given a dedicated Development Manager to help you with your project planning and budgeting.

All support is free of charge.

Who can apply?

• 11+ yrs of age
• Living in theUK
• Applying as an individual or informal group, with your own idea. This means that you cannot apply on behalf of an organisation. For example your school, youth club or youth centre.

Applications to UnLtd must meet the following criteria:

• Have a positive social impact on your community
• Demonstrate that you have identified a problem and can explain how your project would tackle the problem
• Tell us what specific activities your project/enterprise includes and what you hope to achieve
• Provide a learning experience or opportunity for you the applicant

Applicants between 11-21 years old need to fill in an enquiry form. This can be found at www.liveunltd.com

If you’d like more information on what we do or would like us to come and talk to colleagues/young people you work with please get in touch.
Sarah Brent or Eva Fryc
sarahbrent@unltd.org.uk
evafryc@unltd.org.uk
07540 413 909 or 0121 766 4570

Social Welfare Training issues a very useful poster detailing benefits available. You can download the poster below:

2012-13 Benefit Rates Poster