Membership Renewal is due on 1st April. Forms were sent out at the end of February. If you did not receive one and would like to become a member please contact Sue

The People's Millions 2009. - This is the fifth year that the Big Lottery Fund has teamed up with ITV, giving viewers the chance to vote on projects that provide opportunities for people to enjoy their local area, whether indoors or out, and improve local facilities for all to enjoy.

The People's Millions has funded a wide range of projects over the past few years including wildlife gardens, play areas, community halls and even an outdoor gym.

Since it began in 2005, The People's Millions has given out 50 grants across Scotland totalling just over £3m. This year, a total budget of £3.5m is available across the UK with 14 grants of up to £50,000 including VAT available in Scotland.
To find out more about visit http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_peoples_millions

Launch date announced for BT Community Connections (UK) - British Telecom has announced that it will be launching the 2009 Community Connections Awards on the 17th March 2009. BT Community Connections has been run by BT's Corporate Responsibility Unit since 2000. The scheme targets community and voluntary groups that could benefit from internet access and ICT but don't necessarily have the resources.

Through the scheme, community groups can apply for the award's package that consists of a multi-media internet-ready computer; a contribution towards one year's broadband internet access through BT Total Broadband; and a Community website. The package is valued at £1,300. Since the launch of the awards, it is estimated that Community Connections has enabled over 5,000 groups to get online including silver surfers, playgroups, out of school clubs, pre-schools, cultural groups, local environmental initiatives and youth sports organisations....

http://www.btcommunityconnections.com/page.php?id=1

Have Your Say About Mental Health Stigma! - 'see me' is keen to hear from you if you have experienced mental ill-health.

Following our first ever national survey of stigma in 2007, 'see me' has launched its second such survey and we want it to be just as big and just as informative. In 2007, over 1200 people took part and told 'see me' if and how mental ill-health had affected your lives, where you experienced stigma and whether or not you thought that things were getting better. Those answers helped to shape 'see me's recent campaign work and now we need to know more!

The questionnaire is easy to complete and can be filled in online at www.seemescotland.org/hearme2 or in paper copy. Call 0131 554 0218 if you would like a paper copy of the questionnaire and maybe you can help us to get the survey out to even more people!

The questionnaire will be open for completion until May 2009 with results available from the summer.

Thank you for promoting this, kind regards

Annemarie Smith - Healthy Working Lives fife - 01592 226888

The Henry Smith Charity
New Guidelines for work taking place in Scotland
Revenue and Capital Grants

The Henry Smith Charity is a UK-wide grant maker distributing approximately £25 million each year.

From 1st March 2009, the Henry Smith Charity is piloting a new application process for eligible projects in Scotland.

Applicants must use the new guidelines and application form if they wish to apply for a grant towards a Revenue or Capital project taking place in Scotland, regardless of whether or not the organisation is based there.

If the grant being applied for is UK-wide or is regional but involves some work in Scotland, please refer to the Henry Smith Charity’s Main Grants Programme guidelines.

Please look at the website for further details and the application form. These will be available towards the end of February.

www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk

Free Training Opportunity
As part of its Community Chest grant programme the Voluntary Action Fund will be providing the following free workshop:

Making Successful Funding Applications
6.00pm on Thursday 7 May 2009
Rothes Halls, Glenrothes

The workshop will be suitable for people who are new to making funding applications or people who want to improve the applications they make. It will provide participants with an understanding of what grant giving bodies and funders look for in a successful application and explain some of the jargon they use.
The workshop is being provided to voluntary organisations and community groups that applied for a Community Chest grant from the Voluntary Action Fund last year. However, there are a number of additional places available which we would like to offer to other organisations or community groups with an annual income of under £25,000.
If your organisation has an income under £25,000 and you are interested in attending this workshop please complete the attached application form and return it by Friday, 17 April to:
The Voluntary Action Fund
Unit 14
Dunfermline Business Centre
Izatt Avenue
Dunfermline KY11 3BZ

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Successful applicants will be notified after the 17 April. If you would like an applicationn form please contact Sue

£200,000 boost for local community safety

Local community safety projects received a major boost yesterday (Thursday 12th March), with £200,000 available for initiatives over the next year.

Members of Fife’s Police, Fire and Safety Committee approved plans for the new Local Community Safety Fund, which from 1st April 2009 will replace the Local Action Fund and smaller grants programmes currently provided by Fife Community Safety Partnership.

The funding is split between Fife’s seven local committee areas, and will be open to projects which aim to improve safety for the whole community. Applications up to £10,000 are invited from all community planning partners, including community groups and voluntary organisations.

Chair of Fife Council Police, Fire and Safety Committee, Councillor George Kay, welcomed the new fund: “Over recent years, Fife Community Safety Partnership grant funding has helped to provide a range of services, equipment and facilities across the Kingdom. These projects help improve feelings of safety amongst residents, and can reduce antisocial behaviour, for example by providing positive activities for young people. I welcome this new scheme to both build on existing success and provide new, innovative projects.”

The first deadline for applications is Friday 1st May, with forms and full criteria available at www.fifedirect.org.uk/communitysafety or by contacting Lyndsey Maricic at Fife Community Safety Partnership. A second round for applications will be held in the autumn for any funding remaining.

Fife Partnership Manager Tim Kendrick urged community groups to apply. “The Local Community Safety Fund can make a real difference to your local area, and give a head-start to new, ground-breaking ways of improving community safety. Contact us for more information, and an application form.”

Contact: Lyndsey Maricic, Fife Community Safety Partnership
tel. 08451 55 55 55 ext 446138
email. Lyndsey.maricic@fife.gov.uk
Issued: local media
Website: www.fifedirect.org.uk/communitysafety

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland - Surgery Tour 2009 - As part of its ongoing commitment to investing in the Scottish community, Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland holds a series of surgeries throughout Scotland for local recognised charities. The surgery is an opportunity for you to have one-to-onne session with one of our Assessors, and to discuss how to go abut ptting an application to the Foundation.

If you wish to attend one of the surgeries detailed below, please call 0870 902 1201

The full list of Surgery 09 Tour dates can be found on our website.

Youth Scotland will be delivering an Accreditation Training Day in Inverness on 9 April 2009 at the Spectrum Centre, 1 Margaret Street, Inverness, IV1 1LS from 10.30am to 4.30pm

The Accreditation Training Day will consist of Youth Achievement Awards Induction Training and will also include an introduction to Dynamic Youth Awards.

Youth Achievement Awards Induction Training is for anyone that would like to learn more about recognising and accrediting young people's achievements and non formal learning or who are looking to support young people working towards their Youth Achievement or Dynamic Youth Awards. Youth Scotland will also provide an update on the levelling and credit rating of the Youth Achievement Awards against the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework.

This event is open to ALL and is charged on a per head basis. The cost of attending this training is £75. A discounted rate of £50 will apply to groups registered for Youth Achievement Awards or Affiliated to Youth Scotland.

Refreshments and lunch will be supplied.

To book places please complete and return the booking form which can be found on our website www.youthscotland.org.uk I will confirm your booking by email or telephone. If you have any queries or require any further information or assistance please email at awards@youthscotland.org.uk or call me on 0131 554 2561.

Alcohol Focus Scotland are holding a series of Spring Workshops - for a better understanding of alcohol and alcohol problems - for further information on course contact VONEF

Fit for Purpose Training - THE NEXT CHAPTER

Charity Law - 29 April 2009 - Course Outline - A few place still available - Important information for Trustees - Last Chance to book this course

Managing Money - 27 May 2009 - Course Outline - STILL PLACES AVAILABLE

All courses run from 10 am to 1pm at cost £25 per person. For a booking form or further information please contact Sue