News from CVA Blyth Valley – 22/03/12
Contents
CVA Blyth Valley Outreach Drop-in arrangements (standing item)
CVA Blyth Valley / Fairshares - Training opportunities for VCS groups
CVA Blyth Valley - Room for Hire
What’s on in Blyth, Cramlington & Seaton Valley
Citizens Advice Bureau – Information
New Hartley Community Centre
Newcastle Building Society - Cramlington
Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre (BRIC)
Digital Switchover
Next Step
PPL / PRS for Music
Consortia Support
Community Action Hub
Voluntary Sector Network
Adapt North East – Vacancy
Funding Information
Croft Community First Panel Neighbourhood Match Fund
Community Foundation
Rothley Trust
Architectural Heritage Fund
Sportsmatch
CVA Blyth Valley - contact details
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Standing Item
CVA Blyth Valley Outreach Drop-in Arrangements
We provide outreach services at local venues throughout Blyth Valley as follows:
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Cramlington Concordia (town council office) –
Seaton Delaval & Holywell Community Centre
Seaton Sluice Community Centre
Seghill Community Centre
New Hartley Community Centre
Monday morning
}
} Please phone Gina
} Robson for further
} information on 01670 353623
You can drop in for a full range of our advice and support services or ring our main
office on 01670 353623 to arrange an appointment at any of these venues.
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CVA Blyth Valley / Fairshares Training
Health & Safety incorporating Risk Assessment (half-day course)
The Health & Safety course gives you an increased understanding of the Health &
Safety at Work Act 1974 and European Directives with relevance to working practices
within your organisation. The course will enable you to identify your current knowledge
of health & safety stating your duties under the 1974 Health & Safety at Work Act, carry
out risk assessments and have a good awareness of accident prevention.
Assessing Risks involves identifying hazards in the workplace, deciding who maybe
harmed and how. The course will entail identifying hazards, the harm these hazards can
do and to whom, evaluating the risks arising from the hazards, assessing the controls
already set in place and how they can be improved.
Venue:
Date:
Time:
Trainer:
Cost:
Briardale Community Centre, Blyth
Tuesday 17th April 2012
9.30 am - 12.30 pm (please arrive 9:15 am for a prompt start)
Gerry Hands, Priory Training Services
£10 per person
Introduction to Volunteering
As a potential volunteer there are some things you might want to consider prior to
making a commitment.
Come along and find out what do you need to know from the organisation before you
begin to volunteer?
Venue:
Day / Time:
Facilitator:
Cost:
Seaton Delaval & Holywell Community Centre
Wednesday 18th April 2012, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (arrive 9:45 am)
Ann Broome, Wansbeck CVS
Free
Supporting and Supervising Volunteers
It is acknowledged that all volunteers should have support and supervision, but what
does this mean – to us in our role as co-ordinators/managers and to our volunteers.
Venue:
Day / Time:
Facilitator:
Cost:
New Hartley Community Centre
Wednesday 16th May 2012, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon (arrive 9:45 am)
Ann Broome, Wansbeck CVS
Free
As CVA Blyth Valley have received funding from local trust funders, we are able to offer
some of these training sessions free to VCS groups in Blyth, Cramlington and Seaton
Valley, with some having a minimal cost. For groups outside these areas and statutory
organisations the price is £30 per delegate. Places are limited to 3 places per group
initially, although additional places may become available. If anyone is interested in
attending these courses please contact us on 01670 353623 or email
info@cvabv.org.uk
CVA Blyth Valley - Room for Hire
CVA Blyth Valley has a downstairs small meeting / training room for hire. The room is
fully accessible, holds 8 people comfortably around a boardroom–style table, and
includes the use of a whiteboard, projector, screen, OHP and wi-fi availability.
Cost is £5 per hour / £15 per half day / £25 full day (refreshments will be extra)
To book and check availability please contact CVABV on 01670 353623 or email:
info@cvabv.org.uk
What’s on in Blyth, Cramlington & Seaton Valley
To view what’s on in Blyth, Cramlington and Seaton Valley please click here.
Citizens Advice Bureau - Information
Tax credits changes
From 6 April, there will be a number of changes to the tax credits rules.
There will be new working hours rules for couples with a child who claim working tax
credit. In most cases, you and your partner will need to work at least 24 hours a week
between you in total. One of you will also have to work at least 16 hours a week.
However, there are some exceptions to these rules.
The 50 plus element of working tax credit will be abolished. No-one will be able to get it
on or after 6 April.
From 6 April, if your income goes down by £2,500 or less in the current tax year
compared to the previous tax year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will ignore the
change. They will use your previous year's income to calculate your tax credits. If your
income goes down by more than £2,500 in the current tax year compared to the
previous tax year, HMRC will recalculate your tax credits using your current year's
income but ignore the first £2,500 of the decrease. This means the figure for your
income will only decrease in the current tax year by the amount of the actual decrease
in income minus £2,500. The full amount of a decrease will not affect your tax credits
until the following tax year.
HMRC will only backdate a new tax credits claim for up to one month. Also, if a change
of circumstances means your payments go up, you'll usually get the higher amount
backdated for up to one month.
At present, your maximum tax credits entitlement is reduced by 41 pence for every
pound by which your income exceeds the first income threshold. However, if your
income is less than £40,000, this reduction in your entitlement stops when your
entitlement is reduced to the level of the family element of child tax credit. From 6 April,
the family element is no longer protected in this way. Your maximum tax credits
entitlement will be reduced by 41 pence for every pound by which your income exceeds
the first income threshold until your entitlement is zero, regardless of whether your
income is less than £40,000.
Information about these changes is also on the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk and
on the DirectGov website at www.direct.gov.uk.
Tighter English language test requirement for Tier 1 and Tier 2
Currently, non-EEA workers in the UK under Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and
Tier 2 of the points-based system may apply to extend their stay in the UK (leave to
remain) before they have taken or received the results of an English language test. This
concession was introduced when the English language requirement was introduced to
allow migrants to make a visa application for leave to remain before they had taken an
English language test or received the results at a time when availability of tests was not
known.
From 6 April, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is removing this concession and
applications to extend a visa made on or after this date must be accompanied by
evidence that applicants have passed an approved English language test. Further
information is on the UKBA website at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.
New Hartley Community Centre
All welcome to an open workshop with artists Russ Coleman and Rob Walton on
Monday 26th March 2012 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Pit Disaster of
1862. See attached poster.
Newcastle Building Society - Cramlington
The Cramlington branch of a local building society has launched a community
programme, aimed at supporting local organisations and individuals.
Cornerstone of the Community programme aims to support you and your community
in a number of different ways for example:
Your ‘Cramlington’ Photography Competition
Launching on 28th August 2012, the photography competition is a great way to support
local artistic talent whilst giving them the opportunity to share, through a lens, what they
love about their community. The winning photographs will each receive a prize. All
winning photos will be made into a 2013 calendar which will be sold in your local
branch, all proceeds will be donated to one of your local charities.
Cornerstone of the Community Awards
Launching on 1st August - the highlight of the Cornerstone of the Community
programme. This is an opportunity for local people to be recognised and celebrated for
making a positive difference in their community. Shortlisted nominees will be invited to
a prestigious awards ceremony where the overall winners will be announced.
Community Space / Noticeboard
Charities are being offered the opportunity to use space in their local branches to
promote what they do. This can help raise profile and get more support which can
make a real difference. Noticeboards can be used to display information about local
charities, good causes and community based events.
If you would like further information on the Cornerstone of the Community programme
or would like to get involved please talk to a member of staff at your local Newcastle
Building Society or alternatively visit: Cornerstone.cramlington@newcastle.co.uk
Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre (BRIC)
Are you aged 16+
Do you require free support with Education, Employment and / or career options?
BRIC offer support and guidance in:
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Care
Construction
Customer Servcie
Health & Social Care
Administration
Energy Renewables
Childcare
CV/IT support
And much more
For further information please contact BRIC on 01670 353817 or pop into their offices at
the Eric Tolhurst Centre, Blyth.
Digital Switchover
Please find attached the latest information about the Digital Switchover for the Tyne
Tees / North East region.
Next Step
Are you looking for work but unsure where to start?
Are you applying for vacancies but not getting any positive responses?
Join Next Step for an information-packed day to help you get back on track on Friday
30th March 2012, see attached poster.
PPL / PRS for Music
Urgent - Important news for all groups, halls, community centres etc
If you use music within your business, then under the Copyrights, Designs & Patents
Act 1988 this is deemed a public performance. To lawfully perform copyright music in
public whether via radio, CDs, TV, Jukebox or DVDs you require the permission of the
copyright owner for every piece of music being performed.
A PRS for Music Licence allows you to lawfully play millions of songs, written and
published by our members, and those of our affiliated societies throughout the world.
As a not for profit membership organisation, PRS for Music works with published tariffs*
(price lists) and the licence cost is dependent upon the type of premises and music
usage.
Please be made aware that the Joint Licence between PRS for Music and PPL
(Phonographic Performance Limited) would be applied to the community building. PPL
collect on behalf of the record companies and the performers for the use of recorded
music. PRS for Music’s Tariff CB for community buildings is calculated based on 1% of
“Defined Income”.
Defined income in our Tariffs, includes all hire charges, door takings from events run by
the organisation, subscriptions and profits from refreshments sales and other elements
as defined in the tariff document and not purely music related income.
PPL'S tariff for community buildings will be very similar to the existing PRS for Music
tariff. In particular, it applied to the same types of community building as PRS for Music
tariff CB and uses the same definition of income. In summary, the PPL charges will be
calculated as follows:
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For community buildings with an annual income of £10,000 of less: £42 per
annum (subject to annual adjustment for inflation)
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For community buildings with an annual income of over £10,000: 1% of annual
income..
If you do require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact:
Fiona Wardlaw
CVA Blyth Valley
Tel: 01670 353623
or email Fiona.wardlaw@cvabv.org.uk
Consortia Support
Investing in Sector Capacity
Consortia Support is a joint initiative from ACEVO and Neil Coulson Associates to
provide support for consortium development and established consortia. By working
together third sector organisations can access bigger and more complex commissioning
opportunities. Our aim is to work with other organisations to effect a shift in the
commissioning environment that supports the local sector. For further information
please visit: http://consortiasupport.org.uk/
Community Action Hub
What can charities do to engage more young volunteers?
Volunteer managers must target young people and offer opportunities that are right for
them and the beneficiary. For more information visit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/mar/15/how-charitiesengage-young-volunteers
Voluntary Sector Network
Re-branding your charity on a tight budget
Build a strong business case for the re-brand: Do this from the start and involve senior
management closely in it. Set up a steering group of senior staff in your charity to
advise on progress.
More info at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/mar/15/charityrebrand-tight-budget-advice
NCVYS Young Partners Award
The NCVYS Young Partners Award (YPA) is a celebration of voluntary and community
youth organisations or projects who work in partnership with young people, involving
them in the decision-making processes of their work. It provides an opportunity for such
organisations and projects to demonstrate what young people and adults can achieve
through working in partnership, sharing ideas and inspiring each other. Read more at:
http://ncvys.org.uk/Young_Partners_Award.html
Adapt North East – Vacancy
Single Equality Lead
Adapt North East are now recruiting for an experienced person with significant
knowledge of the single equality legislation to work with voluntary groups and
organisations across Northumberland.
This is an exciting time to support and contribute to the work of connect4change and
take forward with VCS organisations, groups and communities the development of a
Single Equality Forum for Northumberland.
The post is 28 hours per week initially pro rata £27,849 salary per annum. Application
forms are available from www.adapt-ne.org.uk
If you are interested in the post and wish to have an initial discussion please contact Liz
Prudhoe at Adapt 01434 600599 or email [lisp@adapt-tynedale.org.uk]
Connect4change
Are you a volunteer, trustee or member of a managment group in Northumberland?
If you answered yes, then we would like to invite you to our focus group in April to hear
how the VCS Assembly should work for, and with you. We recognise that volunteers,
trustees and members of Management groups will have important perspectives and
need a strong voices in the VCS Assembly.
The focus group details are:
Date:
Time:
Venue:
Tuesday 17th April, 2012
6pm - 7.30 pm
Voices, 1st Floor, The Fourways, Bridge Street, Amble, NE65 0DR
To register your interest in attending, please contact Lynne on: 0800 023 5023
or email: contact@connect4change.co.uk
For further information about the VCS Assembly, please visit the connect4change
website www.connect4change.co.uk
FUNDING INFORMATION
Croft Community First Panel Neighbourhood Match Fund
Are you a community group or organisation working for the benefit of residents of Croft
and Cowpen Quay?
Would you like help to start or run existing activities which:
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Support activities for children and young people including family learning
and parental support
Help keep Croft and Cowpen Quay a clean and pleasant place to live
Provide community activities including those that encourage volunteering
Then Croft Community First Panel may be able to help with a small grant. Please visit:
www.iccq.info and click onto the Community First page.
Community Foundation
Call for applications from Northumberland
John D Fund at the Community Foundation - Funding for Artistic Projects
The John D Fund, which is managed by the Community Foundation, awards grants to
projects in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland for out-of-school artistic activities that
offer young people the opportunity to explore various artistic mediums in a nonacademic setting.
The project must encourage young people to spend their free time constructively and to
take part in artistic activities that could encourage them to take up new hobbies or
interests.
Some of the projects previously supported include an outdoor arts activity programme, a
photography project for visually impaired young people and a graffiti project.
Grants from £500 to £2,000 are available for pieces of artistic equipment, artistic
resources, external support, and inspirational trips or visits.
Apply online at www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply please mark the application
JOHN D. Applications should be received by 18 May 2012.
P&G Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation Guidelines
The P&G charitable fund at the Community Foundation makes grants to support
community groups on Tyneside and in Northumberland to provide children, aged 0 – 13,
with opportunities under their funding themes of live, learn and thrive.
Groups can apply for up to £2,000 to support their work with children including:
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Equipment for activities, for example, play resources, camping equipment and
sports equipment.
Learning resources, for example, books and IT software.
Learning experiences such as workshops, educational trips and outings.
Children’s club resources, such as nursery and baby equipment.
All applications must include a breakdown of costs including hourly rates and costs per
unit and where possible provide quotes. (for example: 6 footballs @ £5 per unit; £20 for
tutor costs @ £10 per hour x 2 hours). Please note: The fund does not contribute
towards general running costs or management overheads; to individuals; sponsorship
or towards large project costs.
How to Apply - Application forms can be accessed on online at
www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply . Please mark the application for P&G.
To apply by post, please call 0191 2220945 for an application form or download from
the Community Foundation website as above. Applications should be sent direct to
Community Foundation, 9th Floor, Cale Cross, 156 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle Upon
Tyne, NE1 6SU. Closing date for the next round is Friday 25 May 2012
The Ted Weeks Fund for Children and Young People.
The Ted Weekes Fund at the Community Foundation is now open for grant applications
for 2012. The Ted Weekes Fund makes grants to organisations based in New Hartley
and Seaton Sluice working with children and young people. Since 2002 it has awarded
over £71,000 for children’s and young people’s projects.
Grant amounts range from £250 to £2,000 and in the past have supported costs of new
equipment, activities, trips and expeditions.
How to apply
Applications can be completed online at www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply or
please call 0191 2220945 to request an application form. Please write ‘Ted Weekes
Fund’ on or in the application.
The grants committee meet in late April / May and applications need to reach the
Community Foundation by 4pm on Thursday 5 April 2012.
Rothley Trust
Grants of £100 to £1,000 available
The Rothley Trustees want to help small charities and voluntary groups operating in the
North East, to reduce their energy bills. They are setting aside £20,000 in their budget
for 2012/13 for small energy saving items e.g. roof insulation, radiator thermostats,
blinds and curtains, energy efficient equipment, double glazing, timer switches etc. (It is
not for large projects such as solar panels and wind turbines.)
Organisations must be able to answer yes to the following:
 Does your organisation actively work in the North East?
 Do you require a contribution towards capital costs?
 Do you have charitable purposes?
 Do you have written constitution?
 Do you have audited accounts and an annual report? (Newly formed groups –
evidence of bank/building society account and names of key people)
 Does your project help any of the following; children and young people, disability,
community, education, ex-services, and world in need?
Grants will be awarded at their quarterly meetings in May, August, November and
February. Hard copy appeal letter to be sent with latest accounts to Mrs Diane Lennon,
Trust Secretary, The Rothley Trust, MEA House, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8XS. http://www.rothleytrust.org.uk/eligible.htm
Architectural Heritage Fund
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is a registered charity that promotes the
conservation and regeneration of historic buildings in the UK and is now open to
applications. Grants and low interest working capital loans are available to regenerate
historic buildings in order to create community and education facilities, workspace and
homes. To be eligible to apply for financial assistance organisations must have a
charitable status.
The project must also involve a change of ownership and/or a change of use.
Examples of previously funded projects which have turned run-down historic buildings
into; community use are: Community theatres; Resource centres; Community learning
centres; Workspaces; Places to live; and Community meeting places, etc.
The next deadline for applications is 9th May 2012. For more information please visit:
www.ahfund.org.uk/index.html
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Sportsmatch
Sportsmatch encourages new sponsorship of grassroots community sport. They are
accepting applications for projects starting from April 2012, although no awards will be
made between now and 31st March.
Sportsmatch makes awards to not-for-profit organisations that have secured
sponsorship to deliver new community projects to grow or sustain participation in sport.
Priority is given to applications seeking to match sponsorship from the commercial
sector but donations from private individuals or charitable trusts are also acceptable
provided they meet the sponsorship eligibility criteria:
Sportsmatch particularly wants to fund projects which engage groups that are currently
underrepresented within sport, for example women and girls, people with disabilities,
and black and minority ethnic communities.
Activity / items that will NOT be supported include the following:
 Projects involving building or refurbishing property, land improvement or any
projects that require planning permission
 General running costs
 Items which mainly benefit an individual (team kit is acceptable for new teams
only)
 Used road vehicles
 Salaries, except for coaching costs or fixed term positions needed to meet a
specific project requirement
A dummy application form is available on the website. Funding: £1,000 - £100,000
match funding (matching funding from no more than five sponsors, with each sponsor
contributing a minimum of £1,000)
For more information please visit:
www.sportengland.org/funding/sportsmatch.aspx
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CVA Blyth Valley
22 Beaconsfield Street
Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 2DP
Tel: 01670 353623 / Email: info@cvabv.org.uk
Website: www.cvabv.org.uk
Registered Company No: 5860971
Registered Charity No: 1116430
Thom Bradley - thom.bradley@cvabv.org.uk
Pauline Blake - pauline.blake@cvabv.org.uk
Sybil Pattie - sybil.pattie@cvabv.org.uk
Gina Robson - gina.robson@cvabv.org.uk
Jill Oxnard - jill.oxnard@cvabv.org.uk
Fiona Wardlaw - fiona.wardlaw@cvabv.org.uk