CSV - MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY - 28th October 2006 - CSV Make a difference day is Scotland's biggest single day of volunteering and direct social action. If you would like to participate you should register at www.csv.org.uk/difference or Freephone 0800 284 533.

National Youth Work Strategy Consultation: “Youth Work – Opportunities for all”
Ministers have launched a consultation document which represents the first stage in fulfilling their commitment to develop a youth work strategy for Scotland. We are looking for views from youth workers, volunteers, other professionals who work with young people and of course from young people themselves.

A copy is available in VONEF office; alternatively you can get copies from youthworkstrategy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk and responses are required by Wednesday, 1st November 2006.

Health Rights Information Scotland - On line leaflets on health rights information are available at www.scotconsumer.org.uk/hris. Or you can request copies from your local health board or by phoning the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88.

Advanced Notice - The VONEF office will be closed on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th of October due to staff attending the CVS National Conference.

LINK Scotland Support and Opportunities Conference
University of Edinburgh, Pollock Halls of Residence
Tuesday, 26th September 2006, 9.30 am – 3 pm.
Contact: LINK Scotland, The Eric Liddell Centre, 15 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4DP.
Khayrun.khan@linkdp.org. Tel: 0131 447 9420
Booking form to be returned by 1st September 2006.

The 3rd Scottish Mediation Conference: The Craft of Communication
Learn about how mediation can help resolve conflicts, eg within the community, family, workplace and schools.
5th and 6th September 2006
Perth Concert Hall
Perth
Contact: www.angelfish.co.uk/smn-conference

Race Equality in Regeneration and Community Planning - Tuesday 19th september 2006, St Andrews in the Square, Glasgow. For information and booking form contact Ingrid McClemments, Glasgow anti Racist Alliance 30 Bell Street, Glasgow tel: 0141 5721140

EVENTS

Event for Older People
Rothes Halls, Glenrothes
22nd September 2006, anytime between 10am to 2pm
Information on Support at Home, Daycare Centres, Care Home, Benefits Agency, Voluntary Agencies, Meals on Wheels, Health
To book, call 01592 411616 before 31st August 2006, places limited. Transport can be provided.

NEWS FLASH

Call 0845 600 5555 now to check your hearing
Leading charity, RNID, and the TUC are teaming up to ask businesses and employees to Break the Sound Barrier and take the charity’s telephone hearing check on 0845 600 55 55.

The hearing check is part of RNID's Breaking the Sound Barrier campaign, aimed at the 4 million people in the UK who could benefit from wearing a hearing aid, but currently do nothing about it. MORI research shows that almost half of Britain’s adults believe that embarrassment prevents people with hearing difficulties seeking help.

More than 40 per cent of the over 50s have some level of hearing loss, which happens to many people naturally as they get older. With life expectancy increasing and pension provisions becoming less certain, more people than before will continue to work into their 60s and 70s. It is important that they are not frustrated by communication barriers at work because of hearing loss.

RNID is therefore offering a 5 minute telephone hearing check on the above number. The charity is hoping this will be the first step for many people in realising they may have a hearing loss and making the necessary adjustments to continue living life to the full, such as getting fitted with a hearing aid.
Calls to take the check are charged at local rate and cost a maximum of 3p per minute for a call from a BT landline. The hearing check itself is free.
If you want to hear more, call now on 0845 600 55 55.
For more information on the causes of hearing loss and what can be done to counter it, visit www.breakingthesoundbarrier.org.uk

UK Villages Community Kitty
The UK Villages Community Kitty provides grants of between £50-£500 to a range of community based projects. In the past, the fund has awarded grants for projects ranging from a knitting circle, to a playgroup needing toys, sports equipment for cubs, and support for several village halls and playing field committees - as well as a number of Heritage projects. This funding round is open until the 10th October 2006. Click here for more information.
BT Community Connections Awards - Launched 16th august. The scheme is targeted at community groups to whom internet access is vital and reflects the massive developments in internet technology. Groups interested in apply are able to request an application form from www.btcommunityconnections.com

The Voluntary Sector Development Fund and Post Qualifying Bursaries
This year the VSDF will distribute £1 Million to support organisations required to meet Scottish Social Services Council’s registration requirements. Priority will be to assist organisations registering staff as part of phase two – primarily adult residential care workers, support workers in adult residential care and adult residential care staff with supervisory responsibilities.
The Scottish Social Services Council is seeking applications for Post Qualifying bursaries for candidates who are fully registered with the PQ Consortium.
Further information at www.ccpsscotland.org/workforceunit.
Contact: Laura Weir on 01786 849752 or vswu.admin@ccpsscotland.org.

QUICK TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL FUNDING BIDS

Excerpt from "Workforce News"

"What makes a good funding bid? The following tips for funding applications may sound simple, but we think they are worth reiterating.

1. Make sure you really are eligible to apply - there's nothing worse than spending days on a fantastic application, if you then find out you're not actually eligible. Highlighting exactly why you are eligible in the application can also save the funder from having to ask questions later.

2. Read the Instructions! It may sound obvious, but make sure you answer all the questions as fully as possible, and give evidence where necessary. Avoiding the difficult questions will only lower your changes of success.

3. Make sure you demonstrate clearly how your application relates to the funder's priorities and objectives, and, for VSDF, don't forget to include a copy of your Annual Report and most recent set of accounts.

There are three places left on each of the undernoted training course. Please book your place as soon as possible.
Age Discrimination : Legal Position and Practical Solutions
A one day training course for Managers and Employers across all sectors
15th or 26th September 2006
Maclay Murray & Spens Offices, Glasgow
Giles Woolfson, Senior Solicitor with Maclay Murray and Spens
Valerie Crookston, Freelance Trainer, Equality, Training and Consultancy
Full details and booking form at www.jarcs.co.uk/training/html

IT Training Day Courses
September – December 2006
Word Processing, Databases, Spreadsheets, Web Design and Graphics, Presentations, Housekeeping for your PC, Introduction to Computers, Internet and Email, Making the most of your Microsoft, Project Management.
View course outlines and book online at www.nisusscotland.co.uk/daycourses or call Martin on 0131 554 5656.

ESF Training Project
New ESF training project is now available.
To view online go to www.cvsfife.org.
There are courses available under the headings of Finance, ICT, Legislative, Organisational Development, Personal Development, Working with Volunteers.

Health Training:
Choosing & Using Health Promotion Resources
Thomson House, Harbour View, Methil. Wednesday, 27th September 2006, 9.15 am – 1.00 pm.
Evaluation – Simple Steps to Make it Work for You
Cardenden Health Centre. Tuesday, 19th September 2006, 9.15 am – 1.00 pm.
Ladybank Clinic. Thursday, 30th November 2006, 9.15 am – 1.00 pm.
Contact: Karen Stirling, Team Administrator, Learning & Communication Service, Haig House, Cameron Hospital, Leven, KY8 5RA. Forms to be returned by Monday, 28th August 2006.
mailto:KarenStirling@fife-pct.scot.nhs.uk.

Fife Domestic and Sexual Abuse Partnership
Multi-agency training seminars for domestic and sexual abuse, August – November 2006.
Contact: Mary MacIntyre, Auchterderran Centre, Woodend Road, Cardenden, KY5 0NE
Contact: mailto:mary.macintyre@fife.gov.uk.

Kubernesis Seminars on Charity Accounting & Law

Autumn training events:
Edinburgh – Friday, 20th October 2006
York, Wednesday, 4th October 2006, Wednesday, 1st November 2006, Wednesday, 6th December 2006
Contact: mailto:training@kubernesis.co.uk
The Kubernesis Partnership, 36 Acomb Drive, York, YO24 2XN. Tel: 01904 788885