At the Heart of Our Community
July/August 2004
DIRECTOR’S
UPDATE
projects, which make a difference to our
communities and help break down the barriers
to employment.
It doesn’t seem like five minutes ago that we
held the meeting to plan this year’s Alive &
Kicking and already it’s come and gone. Thanks
to an amazing day of sunshine and terrific help
from so many people the community event on
the 24th was a great success. Walpole Park
turned out to be a very good venue and there
was a steady stream of visitors throughout the
day. The carnival walk also proved to be very
successful, enjoyed by both those who took part
and people around the town centre. I would like
to thank all of you who supported the event, and
would welcome any feedback that you may have
regarding the content and organisation of the
day. This would help with future planning of
events.
For further information on all of these funds,
look in the newsletter or contact us here at
GVA, so that when you get that good idea you
may be able to find the funding to put it into
practice. Good luck!
I realise that at this time of the year you are
probably thinking more of holidays or other
summer activities, but I would briefly like to
mention some useful sources of funding that are
available.
With best wishes
Firstly, I am very pleased to be able to launch
the Community Champions Fund in Gosport.
This is a new scheme for Gosport which
provides easily accessible grants of up to
£2,000. These are available to individuals who
have an idea that would involve and benefit
people in their community. The grants will
support a wide range of ideas, activities and
projects. The over 50’s and individuals from
ethnic minorities are particularly encouraged to
apply.
The Excellence in Volunteer Management
Programme (EVPM) is a holistic programme of
support and profile raising for those who
manage volunteers. The programme aims to
build their leadership, management and
learning capacity; this in turn will maximise the
contribution that volunteers make to their
organisations and ensure they enjoy a quality
experience of volunteering.
I would also like to remind you of the Local
Network Fund for Children & Young People.
The LNF offers grants of between £250 and
£7,000 to small, local voluntary groups to fund
activities that benefit disadvantaged children or
young people.
Last but definitely not least, Global Grants
provides grants of up to £10,000 to local
organisations or individuals for a wide range of
Ending on a somewhat sad note, I would like to
take this opportunity to say thank you and
farewell to Traci Haynes. Traci, many of you
will know, has been a stalwart of GVA over
many years, managing and developing
Dustbusters along with other duties.
She has moved to a new post in Portsmouth
and we wish her all the best in this new and
challenging position.
David Miles
EXCELLENCE IN VOLUNTEER
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
The Excellence in Volunteer Management
programme has five strands that will run over
the next three years. To read more about the
programme visit www.volunteering.org.uk. We
would appreciate your feedback on the EVMP
programme.
For more information about the
programme please contact
Rebecca Davison, Training and
Development Consultant
on 020 7520 8900 or e-mail
Rebecca.Davison@volunteeringengland.org
HELP IN BEREAVEMENT
Help in Bereavement is a small local charity.
We offer immediate help to anyone seeking
bereavement support. Our visitors are fully
trained in counselling skills and in understanding
the many needs of bereaved people.
We are currently looking for more volunteers to
train as visitors. All visitors need to be able to
maintain confidentiality, have good listening
skills and empathy. Full training, by the hospice
staff, will be given and training starts in
September.
If you are interested please contact Help
in Bereavement, PO Box 617, Portsmouth,
Hampshire
PO6 2ZR or telephone 023
9266884.
WALKING STICKS
Using a walking stick as a tool for health and
fitness, in the form of isometrics, gentle
stretching and joint mobility exercises to help
tone and strengthen muscles and joints.
Also used as a method for self-defence and aids
self confidence and self awareness. Would also
help in an independent lifestyle.
If you are interested please contact Chris Bird on
023 92 520494 or 07766903188.
Volunteers and paid staff who work alone in
remote locations or are at risk of physical and
verbal abuse can now enjoy improved security,
thanks to Charity SafetyNet, a new service
launched by Charity Logistics in partnership with
personal security specialists Cranzon Systems
Ltd. A help desk will answer all distress calls
and use the latest GIS technology to identify the
caller’s location; appropriate action can then be
taken, be it calling the emergency services,
accessing CCTV cameras or giving the caller
step-by-step instructions.
Details on 01892
544035 or www.charitylogistics.org
Do you enjoy reading?
Do you like children?
Do you have a few hours
a week to spare?
If you do, then your local Volunteer Reading
Help would like to hear from you. We recruit
volunteers to give individual support to primary
school children who are finding reading a
challenge.
We have volunteers in local primary schools in
Southampton, Eastleigh, Portsmouth and
Hayling Island and are currently looking for
people to work in Gosport Schools.
Volunteers help three children (aged 5-11)
individually twice a week. The sessions are
informal and friendly and spent sharing books,
playing games and chatting. The emphasis is
on being a friend and making the child feel
relaxed, successful and confident.
Volunteers are welcomed from all sectors of
the community, men and women, the young
and the not so young. No formal qualifications
are needed, just patience and understanding.
We offer a short training course, ongoing
support and resources, all we need from you is
your time.
If you would like to be a volunteer or more
details about Volunteer Reading Help,
please contact Jane Thicknesse on 023
80653237.
Did you know? Intelligent people have
more zinc and copper in their hair.
Did you know? The expression “to get
fired” comes from long, long ago. When
clans wanted to get rid of their unwanted
people without killing them they used to
burn their houses down.
SUMMER
EVENING
GUIDED WALK
GRANGE FARM,
ROWNER
7th SEPTEMBER
7.00-8.30pm
A walk in the Alver Valley.
Farm, Howe Road, Rowner.
Meet at Grange
Summer evening guided walks are free, but
should you wish to contribute, a donation box for
the RSPB will be available.
If you are interested please contact Grange
Farm on 023 9258 8666.
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
10 TO 13th SEPTEMBER 2004
AT EXPLOSION! MUSEUM
th
Go behind the scenes for one weekend only visit the reserve gun collection and a Victorian
explosives vault at The Museum of Naval
Firepower.
Tours are every 2 hours from 10.15pm at the
Coffee Shop at Explosion!
Telephone 023 9250 5604 or e-mail
info@explosion.org.uk for further information.
WILD HARVEST FESTIVAL
GRANGE FARM, ROWNER
th
19 SEPTEMBER 2004 1.00-4.00pm
An introduction to some
really
‘wild’
recipes.
Jam and pickle making
demonstrations and
locally
grown
entertainment.
Come along
and try nettle
soup,
a
tasty
alternative to the usual!
ALVERSTOKE MICHAELMAS FAYRE
ST MARY’S CHURCH, ALVERSTOKE
25th SEPTEMBER 2004
This year it is being organised by Adrian Edgar
and St Mary’s Church, Alverstoke who are
celebrating the centenary of the building of the
clock tower, and the fayre will be part of
Gosport 800 celebrations.
There will be bands, entertainment, stalls and
children’s fun fair in the village and the Church
will be decorated for Harvest Festival with a full
musical programme in the afternoon and host
“Not the Last Night of the Proms” in the
evening.
During the afternoon there will be a craft
exhibition and demonstrations by local people.
All proceeds will be shared with St Mary’s
Church and the Mayor’s charities – League of
Friends War Memorial Hospital, League of
Friends Haslar Hospital and GADSAD
(Gosport and District Sports for the Disabled).
If any person or organisation would like to take
part and/or have a stall at the fayre please
contact St Mary’s Parish Office on 023 9258
0551 or Adrian Edgar on 023 9258 2277.
FUN WORKSHOPS FOR
ALL THE FAMILY
AT SEARCH HANDS-ON MUSEUM
Every Tuesday to Thursday throughout August
fun workshops for all the family at SEARCH
hands-on Museum in Gosport town centre will
take place.
Dressing up, science, natural history,
technology, art, archaeology and history.
Two-hour workshops will be held at £2 per
head. Please telephone 023 9250 1957 for a
full programme and to book places. Children
under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
SAVE ENERGY, MONEY
AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Are you looking for a FREE Speaker?
The Solent Energy Efficiency Advice Centre is
offering a range of free presentations that may
be of interest to your group. Saving energy
doesn’t mean sitting in a cave wearing 7
blankets!
Often our homes are behaving badly, leaking
heat and mounting up large fuel bills. We know
how to save households up to £200 off their
annual bills – choose from the following:
(1)
A 30 minute “Energy Talk” to show how
stopping these leaks can save energy, help
the environment, save you money and keep
you warm and healthy. With props and
pictures, very informative. (Focus of talk
can be tailored to your groups interests.)
(2) Energy Efficiency Bingo: A fun way to hear
about energy saving measures that save
you money – a traditional game of bingo is
played with energy. Saving tips built into
the game. “On it’s own, number 4, get
some draughtproofing round your door!”
Energy saving prizes available for winners.
(3) Can you save £100?
A workshop
competition to see who can save the most
money off their fuel bill.
The winner
receives an energy saving prize.
To book our speaker or to talk more about
presentations call Angela Munn on 02380
336209.
On Wednesday 25th August, Gosport
Borough Council is organising a ceremony to
mark the town’s 800th Birthday.
A Civic Procession, led by the Mayor, will
parade from the Town Hall to the Timespace,
on the Millennium Promenade. Here, at
11.30am, a short service will take place and
children representing Newtown School will
bury a time capsule to celebrate Gosport’s
800th Birthday.
ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY
MEMORY WALK
th
26 SEPTEMBER 2004
The year 2004 marks the 25th Anniversary of
the Alzheimer’s Society. The Society is a
leading care and research charity for people
with all forms of dementia, their carers and
families in the UK.
Over the last 25 years we have done much to
improve the situation for people with dementia
and carers and have provided help and
support to thousands of people. However, with
over 750,000 families affected by dementia we
still have much to do and need more people to
know that we are here so that we can offer
them practical help.
On 26th September we will be holding a
sponsored Memory Walk to raise funds and
awareness for the Portsmouth and District
branch of the Alzheimer’s Society. The event
will take place at St James’ Hospital in Milton
at 12 noon and walks of up to three and a
quarter miles are available.
If you would like more information about the
event please see
www.alzheimers.org.uk/memorywalk/branch or
contact Joe Hider, Branch Manager
On 023 9273 0088
Do you want to receive
up-to-date information about
NEW SOURCES OF FUNDING?
The Charities Information Bureau produces
an excellent monthly funding newsletter,
which
contains
up-to-date
information
about
grant-giving
trusts
and
new
publications, which may help you with
obtaining funding. If you would like a copy of
this bulletin e-mailed to you please contact
Claire Coxwell on: development@vaeh.org.uk
and she will add your organisation to the email mailing list. E-mail is the cheapest and
most efficient way for us to distribute
information but if you cannot access the
internet, call us to discuss other options.
TRAINING IN COMMUNITY WORK
ACTIVE COMMUNITIES COURSE
LEVEL 1 & 2
24th September 2004-3rd December 204
(Break for Half Term)
9.30am-12.30pm
Who is the course for?
Anyone in Fareham or Gosport who is involved
in community projects in a paid or unpaid
capacity.
Do I need any qualifications?
No, you only need to be based or have
experience of working in a community setting,
so you can gather information to build a
portfolio.
Does it cost anything?
No
Will I get a qualification?
Yes, the course is OCN Accredited to NVQ
Level 2.
This is based on the National
Occupation
Standards
in
Community
Development Work.
What’s in the course?
An introduction to some of the issues in which
community workers are involved and the skills
they need. The course will also include a
project visit.
Interested – Want to know more?
For full course details or to book a place
contact:
Sandy Bennett or Anne Myles
Brunel Accredited Centre,
Brunel Annex, Wymering Road
Portsmouth PO2 7HX
Tele No: 023 9289 2409 or 7769936378
Or e-mail: sandy.bennett@phagroup.org.uk
or amy.crunchley@phagroup.org.uk
Closing date for applications is the 27th August
TEAM AWAY DAYS
WHY NOT ‘KICK START' YOUR
TEAMS CREATIVITY?
So that you can





Communicate effectively
Work together as a team
Stimulate innovation in individuals
Challenge the norm
Increase confidence in
implementing new ideas
 Build trust
 Add value to your organisation
Talk to us about our wide variety of unique
Team Days on 01285885194
or e-mailing team@reallycreative.com
OPEN COURSES
PRESENTATION SKILLS
WORKSHOP
‘Brush up your presentation skills’
For all levels of experience
Winchester, Friday 15th October
ASSERTIVENESS WORKSHOP
‘Improve your assertion skills
and build your confidence’
Winchester, Wednesday 17th November
£120 per person
(includes: delegate workbook, attendance
certificates, lunch and refreshments)
Places limited to 12 so please book early by
e-mail Reserve@reallycreative.com
or telephone 01285885194
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS FUND
The fund has been set up to help support and develop the work of local
people who want to be involved in changing their communities for the
better. All applications for funding should demonstrate the potential
benefit to the community and training for individuals should be linked to
the development of community based projects. Grants of up to £2000 are available.
Who is a Community Champion?
A Community Champion is someone with insight into what is needed in their community and is
committed to helping their community by taking forward ideas and encouraging others to become
involved in community activities. Community Champions are keen to develop their own skills and
experience and willing to network and share ideas for the benefit of their communities.
If you would like to find out more about Community Champions or have an idea that you would like
to discuss, please contact Gosport Voluntary Action, telephone 023 9258 3836.
GLOBAL GRANTS
The Partnership for Portsmouth & South East Hampshire, which is based in Portsmouth, manages
the Global Grants Fund. Grants from £100 to a maximum of £10,000 are available to local
organisations or individuals for a wide range of community projects which will make a difference to
the community and help to break down barriers to employment. Projects should have the overall
aim of helping people progress into employment but grants can be awarded to activities that raise
confidence, increase self esteem and motivation, as well as to more formal activities that could
involve training, for example.
Applications can be submitted to The Partnership at any time and awards are made in March,
June, September and December. Application forms, which are straightforward to complete, and
advice on whether your project would be eligible, can be obtained from The Partnership,
telephone 023 9289 9731. You can also contact Gosport Voluntary Action, telephone 023 9258
3836, for more information.
THE LOCAL NETWORK FUND FOR
CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
The Local Network Fund provides grants between £250 and £7,000 for
activities which will benefit children and young people up to 19 years old.
To be eligible, your group must be a small voluntary, community or self help group that is
managed at a local level, not nationally, and should involve volunteers.
The sorts of groups that the Local Network Fund helps include:
Neighbourhood and community groups; disability and health support groups; family and parenting
groups; youth organisations; pre-school groups; faith groups; arts groups; cultural minority groups.
The Local Network Fund has funded activities such as:
A recycling centre for toys, clothes and baby equipment; out of school activities for special needs
children; parenting courses; play schemes; setting up youth forums; counselling services
for young carers and bereaved children; breakfast and after school clubs.
→
continued on next page
Gosport Voluntary Action, telephone 023 9258 3836, provides advice and support on making an
application to the Local Network Fund. Applications are considered by an assessment panel
which usually meets on a monthly basis. If you would like to obtain an information/application
pack, you should telephone 0845 113 0161 or visit the web site, www.cypu.gov.uk
AWARDS FOR ALL ENGLAND
Awards for All is a Lottery grants programme aimed at local communities. Grants of between
£500 and £5,000 are available. Awards for All funds a wide range of projects and activities which
enable people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, as well as those that
promote education, the environment and health in the community.
Your group can apply if it is:


A not for profit group with a constitution or set of rules and a bank or building society
account, or
A parish or town council, school or health body.
A
The Application Pack contains more detailed information. To get yours, contact Awards for All,
telephone 0845 600 2040, or log on to the website at www.awardsforall.org.uk. Applications can
be submitted at any time and the outcome is notified within three months.
Draft Guidance on Checking the Eligibility of Charity Trustees
Ensuring that individuals are eligible to act as charity trustees goes to the heart of the proper
management of a charity and is something that charity trustees should not neglect. This is
especially important for charities that are dealing with vulnerable beneficiaries.
The Charity Commission has prepared draft guidance for charities setting out the legal
requirements for charity trustees to consider when they are appointing new trustees, as well as
giving advice on best practice.
Summary of Guidance
As a minimum, all charities should ask new trustees to sign a declaration to confirm that they
are not disqualified from acting as a trustee. Charities working with children or vulnerable adults
are strongly recommended to carry out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on trustees,
even where it is not a legal requirement.
The Commission intend to include the guidance in a new publication, Recruitment, selection
and appointment of charity trustees (CC30). For the purposes of this consultation they are only
seeking comments on their policy about the way in which charities should check the eligibility of
trustee, (paragraphs 42 to 47 and in “Annex – The Criminal Records Bureau and Disclosures”).
Responses should be sent to Sue Smith, Charity Commission, Harmsworth House, 13-15
Bouverie Street, London EC4Y 8DP by 20 th August 2004. See www.charitycommission.gov.uk
for more details.
THE BEACON PRIZE
Befriending Scheme Co-ordinator
£17,034 pro rata
2.5 year Fixed Term Contract
15 hours per week
The Beacon Fellowship launched its search
for this year’s winner of the Beacon Prize
earlier this month. Beacon is asking the
public to nominate a person they feel has
made a significant contribution to charity,
whether through resources, time or specialist
skills. The winner will receive £20,000 to
donate to the charity of their choice.
Would you enjoy the challenge of
developing a new Telephone Befriending
Service whilst supporting our existing
volunteer visiting scheme for older people in
Gosport?
This year, as well as the main prize, there
will be regional shortlists to honour the most
inspiring givers from Scotland, Wales,
Northern Ireland and England. For further
details visit www.beaconfellowhip.org.uk
You will need to have enthusiasm about
improving the quality of life for older people,
excellent communication skills, experience
of project/budget/volunteer management
and
good
organisational/IT
skills.
Knowledge of local social care and health
agencies and the use of a car is desirable.
VOLUNTEER TRANSLATORS
WANTED FOR SULTAN WARD,
GOSPORT WAR MEMORIAL
HOSPITAL
For an application pack, please call 023
9258 8347 or write to us at GVA, Bury
House, Bury Road, Gosport, Hampshire
PO12 3PX.
The closing date for applications is 13th September.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 21st September.
GVA strives to be an Equal Opportunities
Employer
Sultan Ward in Gosport War Memorial
Hospital is mainly a GP led ward with some
elderly services beds and provides hospital
care for a wide range of patients from the
Gosport area.
However, we occasionally have patients
come to us whose first language is not
English and who would greatly benefit from
the help of a translator.
If you can speak a foreign language and
would like to help please contact SSN Yong
Pease or HCSW Mary Carter-White at Sultan
Ward on 023 92 524611 or by letter to Sultan
Ward, Gosport War Memorial Hospital,
Gosport, Hampshire.
Gosport Voluntary Action is a company limited by guarantee, Registered in England & Wales Number 4191320
Registered Charity Number 1087177
The views in our NEWS may not be shared by us.
 Gosport Voluntary Action, Bury House, Bury Road, Gosport PO12 3PX
 023 9258 3836  023 9260 2505
 mail@gva.org.uk  www.gva.org.uk
We are grateful for the support of Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council
and all our Volunteers