News

Showcasing Opportunity for Organisations Working with Children Do you work with children, young people or families? Would you like to showcase your organisation to Doncaster’s public services and at the same time demonstrate some of the good work and services being provided by the voluntary and community sector? more

For One Night Only "It's All About Me" The amateur cast of Identities, a group of South Yorkshire women, present a contemporary fairy tale and an eclectic portrayal of woman's lost identity. Life themes will be explored through Eve’s story, which will take you on a journey of conditioning, challenge and progression that will make you smile, ache, believe and remember. more

Third Sector on Climate Change A brand new website has been launched that’s designed to help Third sector organisations like yours save money and work smarter towards a more sustainable business ethos. Read on for more info and for the website address… more

Early Warning Meeting End September/Early October 2010 About Personal Budgets The Doncaster Direct Payments Peer Support Group, which is a small independent voluntary group that supports people on or with an interest in Direct Payments/Personal Budgets, is organising an informal afternoon meeting for anyone interested more

Your guide to organising a street party or fete Organising a street party or fete has never been easier according to the Department for Communities & Local Government, thanks to a new, simple, easy-to-use form. more

Big ‘Thank You’ as Almost £2500 Raised for Flood Relief Local residents, charities and businesses have donated almost £2500 for victims of the Pakistan floods at a local fundraising event. more

IOSH Managing Safely Training Course Ideal for managers and supervisors, this four day course is highly recommended by CHAS (Contractors Health And Safety). Delegates will receive an internationally recognised health and safety qualification upon completion of this course. more

IOSH Working Safely Learn the basics of health and safety, and environmental issues in a 1 day, very informative course. more

Volunteer Management Portal Do you work with Volunteers? Volunteering England’s Volunteer Management Portal acts as a gateway to the world of volunteer management with links to over a thousand resources and information on support, training and development opportunities for people managing volunteers. more

Health Fitness Sessions - Tom Hill ClubTool Box Tom Hill Club Tool Box has been awarded grant funding through Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities to deliver a programme of Health and Fitness sessions. Sessions include General Fitness, Boxercise, Taekwondo and Self Defence. There is a Women only session on Friday. more

Enjoy a Wide Range of Courses at Edlington Hill Top Centre The Edlington Hill Top Centre offers numerous courses starting in September 2010, ranging from English & Maths to Health & Beauty, Computing and Family History. more

Doncaster Fibromyalgia Support Group Awareness Stall and Event As part of the National Fibromylagia Awareness Week, Doncaster Fibromyalgia Support Group is holding an information stall and event in Doncaster market place. more

Free Gym Now Open in Askern! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your First Steps 2 Fitness. North Doncaster Development Trust is delivering a project to offer a free mobile gym at Askern’s ‘Alexander House’ for 12 weeks! The gym is for anyone over 16 years old in the Greater Askern area, to help the people who exercise less than 30 minutes a week to get active! more

We’re Aiming Higher! Independent Local Solutions CIC would like the chance to work with local voluntary sector organisations in Doncaster to submit a consortium bid to deliver short breaks for disabled children and young people, funded through Aiming High for Disabled Children. Please contact ILS if you’re interested in working collaboratively on this. more

Charity Bank Preferential Loan Rate Charity Bank has introduced a preferential rate for new loans drawn before 31 December 2010. The preferential rate is available to charities, social enterprises and other third sector organisations that meet Charity Bank's standard lending criteria. more

Contract Opportunity: Provision of ESF Enterprise Activities/Qualifications Doncaster Council wishes to appoint a provider to deliver ESF Enterprise Activities to 14 to 16 year olds referred into the programme. more

Community Project Officer, Conisbrough Castle - Freelance Brief Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and English Heritage are working in partnership on a project to make Conisbrough Castle a focal point for the local community and to revitalise the visiting experience, creating a sustainable future for the site as a tourism attraction for the region. more

Doncaster's Local Economic Assessment: Consultation Doncaster Council has been working on the development of the Doncaster's Local Economic Assessment since April 2010. A draft document has now been produced and the Council is keen to hear your views. more

More Community Grants Funding Released More Community Grants delivery money has been made available in South Yorkshire. Grants of £2000-£12000 are available to small community groups and social enterprises to put on learning activities that move disadvantaged and hard-to-reach workless adults closer to the labour market. more

Vox Pop Event – The Dome Doncaster - 25 September 2010 from 11am to 4pm Vox Pop is a consultation event that will provide the opportunity for children and young people (aged 13-19) to raise a wide range of issues, with a selection of relevant professionals and agencies. The Forum and the Conference room will be used as a market place area for organisations/agencies to share information and consult with children and young people aged 13 to 19. more

Big Society red tape purge Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts will lead a new cutting red-tape taskforce to flush out burdens on the voluntary sector. more

Fast Support for Pakistan Floods Doncaster CVS, in conjunction with Islamic Relief and Doncaster’s Muslim community, is organising a sponsored fast and charity event to support victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan. Please come along to support the cause. more

Have Your Say on Police Priorities South Yorkshire Police Authority are seeking the views of local residents and organisations on policing priorities for the next 12 months. more

Disability Awareness Day Disability Awareness Day is a family fun day to share information, meet others, have a break and also to find out more about services available supporting disabled people in Doncaster. With special guests Ben Parkinson and David Blunkett MP. more

Government Abolishes Audit Commission The Audit Commission, which recently undertook a Corporate Governance Inspection at Doncaster Council, is to be disbanded by the government. more

Department of Health Third Sector Investment Programme: Innovation, Excellence and Service Development Fund 2011-12 The Department of Health is making funding available to the Third Sector through the Innovation, Excellence and Service Development Fund. Applications must not be for service delivery and must have national significance. Currently funding is available for one year and there is no limit to the amount that can be applied for. more

New Date for Music In the Park After having to cancel the Proms in the Park concert on 13th June due to bad weather, the Doncaster Concert Band is pleased to announce they will play again in the park on Sunday 12th September. more

National Survey to Go Ahead The National Survey of Third Sector Organisations will still go ahead this year under its new name the Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises. more

Doncaster Tobacco Strategy Consultation Comments are being invited on the draft Tobacco Control Strategy for Doncaster. more

Diabetes UK Northern & Yorkshire Marketing Intern The intern placement will have a key role to play in helping to develop an effective media strategy for the region and will write news releases and news stories for the Diabetes UK website as needed. more

Doncaster Taxi Consultation Halcrow are working with Doncaster Council carrying out an independent review of taxi services in the borough. As part of this review we are consulting with stakeholders including groups who use taxi services and / or represent the wider community. more

Doncaster and District Deaf Society Newsletter The August edition of the Doncaster and District Deaf Society Newsletter is now available to download. more

Health White Paper Consultation Event: 20th September 2010, Leeds The event will give you the opportunity to learn more about the proposed changes through the White Paper as well as having the chance to attend three interactive consultation workshops during the day to discuss issues in depth and to provide feedback directly to those leading on the consultations from the Department of Health. more

Big Society Unplugged Please join us to make the most of this opportunity to promote the sector to Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society and influence government thinking. The Minister will spend the morning visiting some VCS/Empowerment Partnership projects in South Yorkshire, and will speak at our conference in the afternoon. more

Understanding Personalisation This research project was developed in response to concerns about the impact the personalisation agenda will have on frontline third sector organisations (TSOs) and how Local Infrastructure Organisations could support organisations through the period of transition. more

Campaign over Private Foster Caring Doncaster Council’s Children and Young People’s Service is alerting families to recognise and understand the role and responsibilities of Private Foster Care in Doncaster. more

Community Group Exhibitions at Doncaster Museum Doncaster Museum is hosting two exhibitions by local community organisations: Doncaster Art Club and Doncaster Camera Club. more

New Gay-Friendly Venue to Open in Doncaster Doncaster Pride has confirmed that the old Camelot's club in Wood Street will be re-opened as a gay-friendly venue under the new name of Trinity in the next few weeks. more

Huhne Ends Local Authority Power Struggle The Energy Secretary has overturned a law banning councils from selling renewable electricity and they are now able to undertake projects on their own or in partnerships. Government also working on proposals to benefit similar community schemes. more

Contract Opportunity: Homes and Jobs for Vulnerable Adults Programme This invitation to tender is for up to seven small projects which: support people with mental health problems and/or a learning disability into paid employment; support people with mental health problems and/or a learning disability into settled accommodation; and help to share, spread and mainstream initiatives and best practice in relation to the accommodation and employment needs of people with mental health problems and/or a learning disability. more

Free learning materials and information for individuals who work in Health and Social Care within Doncaster The Social Care Information and Learning Services (Scils) provides a wide range of learning and development solutions for staff throughout social care, health and children/young people's services. Many of the services are available on-line and can be accessed when needed. Doncaster Local Authority has subscribed to Scils and all Private and Voluntary Sector organisations can access the information for free. more

Your Help is Needed to Develop Doncaster's Children and Young People's Plan The Doncaster Children's Trust must produce a Doncaster Children & Young People’s Plan by February, and it will be a 5 year plan, to cover 2011-16. We need YOUR help!! more

Join in Rossington Neighbourhood Alliance Neighbourhood Alliance is a multi-agency programme of activities that aims to give a boost to local areas; it will be coming to Rossington in September and local VCS organisations are invited to take part. more

Woodlands Neighbourhood Alliance Celebration Come and celebrate the achievements of Woodlands Neighbourhood Alliance! The day will include face painting, bouncy castles, sporting activities, fun bus and more! more

Update on Developing the 2011-14 Housing Strategy Work is under way to develop a new Doncaster Housing Strategy for 2011-14. more

Consultation on the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Preferred Options The first document to be produced as part of the Local Development Framework is the Core Strategy, which will set out where approximate amounts of new housing and different types of jobs will be located. It will also contain policies on other important issues such as transport infrastructure, the historic and natural environment and flood risk. You are invited to comment on the draft plan. more

VCS reliant on invitation from councils and businesses to join Local Enterprise Partnership Voluntary sector umbrella organisations have expressed disappointment at the government’s decision not to invite voluntary sector bodies to take part in negotiations over setting up new public-private partnerships to boost local economies. more

DIY Courses – Are They For You? We would like to find out how you feel about learning DIY skills. Would you use these skills in your every day life and how you would like to learn them? more

Free HR & Legal Advice Surgeries for Community & Voluntary Groups - Next Session on 9th September 2010 Doncaster CVS is pleased to announce additional dates for our free legal advice surgeries for third sector organisations, in partnership with Jane Waring from Waring Associates LLP Solicitors. more

Government Announces Intention to Abolish Government Office for Yorkshire & the Humber Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has today announced the Government's intention in principle to abolish the remaining eight Government Offices for the Regions across England, subject to using the Spending Review to resolve consequential issues. more

Prime Minister 'Kick Starts Big Society' David Cameron this week travelled to Liverpool in the first of a series of public events on the Big Society and announced the creation of a Big Society Bank which will be financed using dormant bank and building society account money. more

New Courses at Cantley Community Centre In addition to the twenty plus activities that take place at Cantley Community Centre on a regular basis, the centre is pleased to announce an additional five courses that will start in the first week in September. more

Government Announces Health Consultations The Government is asking for views from the public, health professionals, and anyone else with an interest in local health issues, on two public consultations launched today: 'Commissioning for Patients' and 'Local Democratic Legitimacy in Health'. more

SmithCraven Join in the Dragon Boat Challenge Local Chartered Accountants Smith Craven have entered themselves into the Doncaster Dragon Boat Challenge to be held this Saturday 24th July 2010 at Doncaster Lakeside and would really appreciate your support in raising funds for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. more

Community Groups - Are you in need of some free support in decorating, gardening and building? Doncaster College Academy of Workforce Development is urgently seeking appropriate projects that a team of unemployed people can carry out on your behalf. They are available to work on projects in gardening, painting and decorating and general building/grounds maintenance and are supervised throughout. more

What Positive Changes Do You Think Doncaster Needs? Are you proud to live or work in Doncaster? What do you think we need to do to improve Doncaster? We need to know what positive changes there needs to be in services to make life better for everyone in the borough. more

Getting Involved in the Work of Select Committees The vast majority of Select Committees in The House of Commons and The House of Lords have now been populated. You can get involved in the work of Select Committees by submitting evidence to their inquiries. more

CEN Election Result Maddie O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of South Yorkshire Centre for Inclusive Living (SYCIL) has been elected as the third sector representative on Doncaster's Local Strategic Partnership Board (DtS Board). more

The Out Hand About Club Are you bored or fed up? Do you want to socialise? New members are welcome at the Out Hand About Club, which offers the opportunity to meet with fellow mental health service users in a relaxed environment. more

Government Plans Major Overhaul to NHS The Government this week launched a new White Paper which will see a radical overhaul of the NHS and see the abolition of the Strategic Health Authorities (SHA) and Primary Care Trusts (PCT). more

Personalisation Forum To help meet the challenges of personalisation and share ideas a number of Voluntary and Community organisations have come together to form the ‘Personalisation Forum’. more

DPFC Coffee Mornings Doncaster Partnership for Carers coffee mornings provide a relaxed atmosphere to have a break away from home, with or without the person you support and care for. more

Government to look again at VAT treatment for charities At Prime Minister's Questions this week, David Cameron made a commitment to discuss the refunding of VAT for voluntary and community sector organisations with the Treasury. more

Carer’s Emergency Contact Scheme Do you care for an adult? What would happen if you had an accident or emergency? The Carer’s Emergency Contact Scheme can help. more

Doncaster Partnership for Carers Newsletter DPFC produces a quarterly newsletter, which is emailed or posted out to all carers, statutory and voluntary agencies on our mailing list and distributed in public places in and around Doncaster, such as libraries and health centres. more

More Dates Announced For Alcohol Awareness and Brief Intervention Training DrugTrain has announced more dates through August and September for their Free 2 day Alcohol Awareness and Brief Intervention Training Courses in Doncaster. more

Council to Consider Introducing Measures to Reduce Alcohol Related Anti-Social Behaviour The Mayor and his Cabinet are being asked to support the introduction of a Designated Public Place Order within the Conisbrough and Denaby Neighbourhood as part of a Partnership approach to tackling alcohol-related Anti-Social Behaviour effectively in the locality. The final decision will need to be taken by Full Council and is proposed to be discussed in early September. more

Womens Café and the Womens Resource Centre WRC (Womens Resource Centre) are keen for all women working in the women’s sector to join us online at the Women’s Café! more

Equalities in Doncaster: Public Meeting Earlier this year Doncaster Council undertook an Equality Impact Assessment on the Borough Calendar of Events; it will be holding a feedback session to the communities of Doncaster on Monday 12th July. more

Be part of the show! As part of the website and E-learning platform for women project that we hope to have in place by September, we are planning a launch event, which will take the form of a performance. We are looking for volunteers to get involved? more

Spirit of the Community 2010: Arksey, Bentley, Scawthorpe & Toll Bar These are the third annual “Spirit of the Community” awards celebrating the people who contribute so much to our communities, the unsung heroes, the people who are always striving to improve the community. more

Equality and Human Rights Commission calls in evidence on disability-related harassment in Britain Responses sought from disabled people, public bodies and public transport providers. more

Cash 4 Clubs Cash 4 Clubs, funded by Betfair and supported by SportsAid, offers grants of £250 - £1,000 to supports grassroots sports clubs. more

Employment Law Update - June 2010 This Employment Law update has been produced by Andrew Monroe, Employment Advice Manager at CA Plus. Doncaster CVS uses this as a source of information for its Human Resources Advice and Support project. more

UKDPC Launches Manifesto for 2010 United Kingdom Disabled People's Council (UKDPC) has launched its new manifesto for 2010, focussing on equal rights and justice, independent living and the role of disabled people in the co-production of policies and placing disability at the top of the political agenda. more

Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC) Grants This fund is now open to receive applications for funding. Application packs are available from Clapham, Roslyn by email Roslyn.Clapham@doncaster.gov.uk or can be downloaded from the CVS website (please see the link by clicking on more at the end of this summary). The closing date is Friday 18th June 2010, however if emailing please send on the 17th June 2010. more

Eco-Innovation Projects within Europe The European Commission has announced a call for proposals for the Eco-Innovation Projects within Europe. Organisations, including social enterprises and other not for profit organisations, that have developed an environmental product, service, management practice or process that has a proven track record yet has not been fully marketed due to remaining risks are eligible to apply. Around €35 million of funding is available overall, with grants available to cover up to 50% of eligible costs to help projects overcome risks and reach the market fully. Projects can last up to 36 months. more

Registration with the Care Quality Commission Are you a Voluntary Sector provider of residential home care, nursing care or a home care agency for adults? Are you thinking of providing the above services? If the answer is yes then you need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission by 1st October 2010? Go to www.cqc.org.uk for further information or contact Joanne Kelsall at Doncaster CVS on 01032 343300 x246 or jkelsall@doncastercvs.org.uk if you need advice support and training. more

Northern Rock Foundation The foundation's trustees have agreed to increase the amount of funds available for grants in 2010 by £1m to £12m and have created two new programmes Managing Money and Having a Home for financial inclusion and homelessness projects. more

Community Spaces Community Spaces is a £50m open grants programme funded through the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces initiative. more

B&Q Waste Donation Scheme B&Q operates a waste donation scheme through all stores. This scheme allows donation of waste materials, for example slightly damaged tins of paint, off-cuts of timber, and end of range materials, to community groups, charities and schools. more

Young Peoples Activities run by U CHOOZ Free young peoples activities for ages 13-18yrs. Activities include Football, Cricket and Rugby. more

Health and Social Care Fund The Health and Social Care Fund is now available for community groups to apply. The money has been allocated for this financial year April 2010 - March 2011. NHS Doncaster would like to welcome applications from the community. more

CVS Announces New Training Course Calendar for May 2010 Through to September 2010 CVS is excited to announce the release of its new training course programme covering a wide range of quality training courses running from May 2010 through to September 2010. more

Doncaster Infrastructure Network - North Doncaster Roadshow (Askern) Doncaster Infrastructure Network (DIN) is a new network set up to bring together Third Sector organisations in Doncaster who support and help other community groups, voluntary sector organisations and social enterprises to run and develop. more

The BIG Religion Chart Many Third Sector groups ask about different religious needs and how different religions operate etc. This website lists 42 religions / system beliefs in a simple, comparative easy to understand chart. more

B&Q One Planet Living Awards The B&Q One Planet Living (OPL) Grant offers between £50 and £250 of B&Q materials to schools, community groups and charitable organisations for long-term sustainable projects. more

Ecominds Fund Announces Closing Dates Like Access to Nature, this Lottery funded programme has also announced that, due to the large number of applications, it is now introducing closing dates for its remaining unallocated funds. more

Big Lottery Fund Announces Details of a 'Lighter Touch' Version of the Reaching Communities Programme for England The Big Lottery Fund has announced that at least £100 million a year is to be invested across England, in an improved version of its Reaching Communities programme, for each of the next five years. more

Doncaster Infrastructure Network (DIN) Doncaster Infrastructure Network is a new network set up to bring together any Third Sector organisations in Doncaster who deliver infrastructure support to other Third Sector frontline service delivery organisations. more