Earlier this week, the Prime Minister launched the Big Society Bank and four ‘vanguard’ areas where Big Society is to be piloted. Here are links to some of the key developments in the programme:
Changes to current legislation will be in force from October. It’s important we all understand what the changes are and put in place any required amendments to policies and working practices. Do you, your staff, and volunteers understand what the changes will really mean?
Changes which are important to note are:
There will now be nine Equality Strands in total along with a public duty on socio-economics.
Discrimination also has new additions which are association, perception and arising from disability.
Who has responsibility for the above has also been clearly defined down to charity shops, clubs and internet-based services.
This means that it is even more important for third sector organisations to be more inclusive and to recognise that difference should not be excluded.
SUSTAiN will be offering support and guidance throughout the coming months but in the meantime, if you want more details about the legislation or specific support with changing your Equality practices please contact Gulbag Singh on 0121 711 3148 or email gulbags@solihull-sustain.org.uk.
Individuals can walk on behalf of Solihull Together – a small grants fund made available to charities and voluntary organisations that help the people of Solihull.
The full 12 mile walk will take in the entire borough from Babbs Mill Park to Knowle. Alternatively, you can walk shorter routes of 2.5, 3.5 or 6 miles, with stopping points at Grace Academy (Chelmsley Wood) and Elmdon Park.
For those of you who took part last year – we hope to have a couple more twists and turns in the Elmdon to Knowle stretch.
Registration
Registration fees cover the cost of staging the event. Any surplus will go into the Solihull Together Fund.
Questions?
If you have any questions or comments please contact Claire Milican on 0121 711 3148 or email her at clairem@solihull-sustain.org.uk
The government announced in May that the Vetting and Barring Scheme was to be halted, suspending the requirement for individuals working with children and vulnerable adults to be registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority, which was due to come into force on 26th July.
Crucially, the requirements introduced during the first phase of the scheme in October 2009 remain in place. These are outlined in the briefing and include:
The definitions of ‘Regulated Activity’ and ‘Controlled Activity’ (which itself is subject to ongoing consultation)
The role of the Independent Safeguarding Authority in making barring decisions and maintaining the barred lists
The prohibition of certain persons from undertaking regulated activity, and from undertaking controlled activity without safeguards being in place
We are all hearing about the “Big Society” and “Civil Society” but what does it mean and how does it affect us all?
Come to this event and hear first hand from two key note speakers what effect they predict the change in government and public spending will have on the Voluntary and Community Sector.
Date: Monday 4th October
Time: 17.30 to 20.30
Venue: Ramada Hotel, New Road, Solihull B91 3RF
To book your free place, register online or download a booking form and send to: Events, SUSTAiN, The Priory, Church Hill Road, Solihull B91 3LF
Programme
Time
Item
17.30
Arrivals, Buffet and Networking Meet Funders, Procurement Managers, I-SE and Network Representatives
18.30
Introduction
18.40
Keynote Speech – Sir Stuart Etherington, CEO, National Council for Voluntary Organisations “What impact Big Society will have on Voluntary Groups and Charities”
19.10
Questions and Answers
19.25
Introducing the 3rd Sector Representatives Group
19.40
Keynote Speech – Councillor Ian Hedley (Leader of Council) “What Big Society means to us in Solihull”
20.10
Questions and Answers
20.25
Closing Comments and Departure
Terms and Conditions: Please note that, whilst the event is free, if you book a place and cancel within 10 days of the event, or fail to attend/send a suitable substitute, your organisation will be charged a cancellation fee of £25.
Thanks to the kind support from both Ramada Hotel and Exoserve, SUSTAiN is pleased to announce that the Solihull Together fund is now available for small grants.
If you are a voluntary organisation or charity with an annual income of less than £100,000 and are in need of some financial support in delivering your services to Solihull residents, then you can apply for a small grant of between £100 and £500.
(Any group that has previously applied for Solihull Together funds in the last 12 months will not be able to re-apply)
If you have any questions, please call Claire Milican on 0121 711 3148.
See also: Solihull Together sponsored walk - Saturday 11th September 2010. An opportunity for all charities and voluntary groups in Solihull to raise unrestricted funds for their organisation, regardless of whether they have applied for a Solihull Together small grant.
126 people turned out in support of the first ever Solihull Together Magic Charity Ball, held at Solihull Ramada on Friday 16th July. The event raised nearly six thousand pounds for local charities and voluntary groups that provide essential support to the people of Solihull.
Guests enjoyed a champagne reception and a delicious 3 course dinner in the Courtyard Suite, followed by a stunning performance from Solihull-based close-up magician Ben Hanlin. Everyone was amazed by his superb showmanship and just could not fathom how during one trick he appeared to swallow nails and then pull them out of his mouth again one by one!
Thanks to the many tremendous prizes donated by local businesses, both the auction and raffle excited much interest, raising £1400. The star raffle prize was a Samsung Flat Screen TV which was donated by Gemma Smith of Blue Dog Electric Company. Auction prizes included a signed Birmingham City Football Shirt and a wheelbarrow filled with wine.
Local resident Sheila Stansbie commented: “I thought it was an excellent evening. Well organised, good food and great entertainment”.
The evening was generously hosted by Ramada, led by general manager Andy Cole, as part of their on-going contribution to the Solihull Together campaign.
Solihull Together is a charity set up in 2009 to support local charities and voluntary groups in the borough, badly hit by the recession. Last year’s fundraising events, including the Solihull Together Walk, saw £10k raised – a target it aims to double during 2010.
To be added to the mailing list for notification of next year’s charity ball, or make contributions to Solihull Together please contact SUSTAiN on 0121 711 3148.
Sunday 26th September will be an “Open Day” for the Solihull Partnership and there is an opportunity for the Third Sector to get involved. Solihull Town Centre premises, including the Police Station, Courts and Civic Suite will be opening their doors to the public and giving them a glimpse of what goes on – as well as an idea of how working together is proving successful. The key objective will be community engagement, especially with hard to reach groups, and showcasing the work that makes Solihull borough a better and safer place.
It will be a highly interactive day. Details are still be worked out, but some of the ideas in gestation are mock trials, breathalyzer demonstrations and visits to the Police Operations Control Room.
As partners, the Third Sector has been asked to use our renowned imagination skills to plan our participation in imaginative and innovative ways. Space in the Civic Suite will be set aside for us. This is a promotional opportunity for organisations throughout the borough, where the real value that we bring to Solihull can be show-cased in a creative and interactive way.
Please make a note of the date now, and, if you are interested in helping to plan our involvement or in taking part, please let Tina know on 0121 711 3148 or tinab@solihull-sustain.org.uk.
The Women’s Resource Centre has an online network for the women’s voluntary and community sector. The Women’s Cafe can help you make connections, find information and help support each other. They are also offering free membership to organisations with an annual income below £100,000. For more information visit the WRC website.
The taskforce works with community groups, charities and social enterprises to save historic churches at risk by exploring additional uses that will keep them in community ownership.
