Welcome everyone to the latest edition of the South Forum Newsletter

Featured in this edition:

• Sunderland South Forum October Monthly Meeting
• St Cuthbert's Care Bonanza Bus
• Local Police Surgeries
• SSAFA Coffee Morning
• Sunderland CVS Workshops
• World Mental Health Day
• Fairbridge Training
• ETEC - Get Plastered this Autumn!
• Job Start Mentoring Project
• FISCUS
• No Time for Boredom - Update
• Autumn Program at D'ArtE in Sunderland

Presenting at a future South Forum Meeting

If you are interested in presenting at one of our future meetings please contact Lorna on 0191 522 8447 or via email Lorna@southforum.org.uk. Dates are given on a first come, first serve basis so please don't hesitate.

If you require any information to be shared or circulated to our members please contact me on 0191 5228447 or via email lorna@southforum.org.uk

Sunderland South Forum October Monthly Meeting

Is to be held

Wednesday 21st October 2009

Plains Farm & Humbledon Community Initiative, Grounds of Plains Farm School, Tudor Grove, Sunderland, SR3 1SU

1.00pm start (12.30pm Buffet)

The forthcoming October meeting Tony Railton form Mental Health Facilities who is going talk about the PRIDE project which stands for Providing Improvement Mental Health and Learning Disability Environments in Sunderland and South Tyneside. The project will provide new purpose built accommodation to replace ageing facilities currently available.

Also we have a representative from Digital Challenge, David Hughes who will be talking about DC Portal and the aims and functionality of the project

And lastly we are having a brief introduction to Spark FM a community based radio station.

As always local Community Police Officers will also be updating members on local issues and answering any questions members may have.

If you are unable to attend to attend the meeting on the 16th September but would like to express an interest contact me via email lorna@southforum.org.uk or on 0191 522 8447.

Did you know that you can become a member of the South Forum as an individual, a worker or as a representative of a group?

Why should you join the South Forum?

We can offer you the opportunity to share good practice and experience. We can also offer you the opportunity to build positive relationships with other South Forum members. There is a good mix of attendees from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors as well as individuals. This provides an effective forum for networking and information sharing. South Forum members are able to promote their group or service and meet informally with others.

Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly meetings so please come along.

St Cuthberts Care has, for over 60 years, provided help and support to the region's most vulnerable and needy.

Their work spans the length and breadth of the region, from Tynedale in the west to Tyneside in the east, and from Berwick in the north to Teesside in the south. We operate over 40 projects, offering much needed help, support and care to those most disadvantaged in society.

As part of the service they offer a charity bus which can come to a venue near you, the South Forum has arranged three venues across the three wards. Most items on the bus are 5p or less and all proceeds go directly to St Cuthbert's Care. The bus will be in attendance at the following venues:

Silksworth CA - Thursday 5th November 2009 between 10.30am - 12.00noon

Lakeside Village - Thursday 5th November 2009 between 12.30pm - 2.00pm

Doxford Park CA - Wednesday 9th December 2009 between 12.00noon - 2.00pm

For more information about St Cuthbert's Care please click here

Local Police Surgeries

Morrisons Car Park, Doxford Park - Wednesday 14th October 5.00pm - 6.00pm

Sainsbury's Car Park, Silksworth - Wednesday 14th October 6.00pm - 7.00pm

A coffee morning has been organised on behalf of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help. It is the national charity helping and supporting those who serve in our Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

The money raised will go towards the local branch that works with people across Sunderland. The branch secretary will be coming along to speak briefly about their work in the area.

The coffee morning is taking place on:

Friday 9th October
10am until 12noon
at St Chad's Church Hall, Charter Drive, Sunderland, SR3 3PG.

Coalfield Regeneration Trust Application Workshop

Tuesday 6th October
10.30am - 1.00pm
Sunderland CVS, Riverview House, West Wear Street, Sunderland

The Coalfield Regeneration Trust is promoting applications to the Bridging the Gap Fund. Small and Medium sized Community and Voluntary Organisations are encouraged to apply for Revenue and Capital Grants between £500 and £5000. The grant can be used for:
Recreational projects, older people, sessional work, play groups, healthy eating, informal learning, interest groups, dance groups, physical activities, disability groups, crafty groups, to name but a few.

If you want to express an interest in the Bridging the Gap Fund or

require help completing the application form then why not attend the

CRT workshop ran by Anna White.

For more information or to book a place please contact Mary Pattinson

on 0191 5651566 or via email mary.pattinson@sunderlandcvs.co.uk

Sunderland CVS

Sunderland CVS provides a comprehensive range of services to support, grow and develop the voluntary and community sector in Sunderland.

Developmental Support
A range of advice and support to help you develop your organisation including charitable status, management committees, constitutions and policy and procedures.

Financial Management
Can offer help with Budgeting, Payroll, Intermediate Financial Advice, Independent financial examinations and Financial health checks.

Workforce Development
Training workshops on topics relevant for staff, volunteers, management and committee members.

Funding
Advice and support on funding and grant applications.

For more information contact Sunderland CVS, Riverview House, West Wear

Street, Sunderland, SR1 1XD, 0191 5651566.
www.sunderlandcvs.co.uk
reception@sunderlandcvs.co.uk

Fairbridge Training

Young People and Money is a FREE one-day training workshop for those working with young people not in education, employment or training. The training has been designed to develop your skills so you have the confidence to start the conversation around money. The next opportunity in our area is:

Wednesday 21st October 2009
Young People and Money
Argent Centre
21/26 Norfolk Street
Sunniside
Sunderland
SR1 1EE

9.30am - 4.30pm

Refreshments and Lunch provided

The training covers:
Understanding the psychology of young people and money
Ideas on helping young people make the most of their money
Tools to enable young people to make informed choices
Skills to engage young people in financial matters
Help young people manage debt
For more information or to book a place visit www.ypam.org/bookingform

select Fairbridge Training as the training provider and select the date you wish to attend.

Get Plastered with ETEC this Autumn

ETEC Development Trust is running a series of do-it-yourself courses for people; in Sunderland this Autumn.

The first course - Using Power Tools - starts on October 6th and runs on Tuesdays between 9.30am - 12.15pm.

Painting; the Roller Brush or Spray? starts on October 8th and runs from 10.00am - 12.45pm on Thursdays.

How to get Plastered! starts on 10th November. It runs from 9.30am - 12.15pm on Tuesdays.

The eight-week Home Improvement to DIY for course starts on 27 October 2009.

Sessions take place on Tuesdays between 1pm and 3pm. Topics covered include basic joinery, how to assemble flat pack furniture, painting and decorating and use of portable power tools.

The four-week Get that Shelf Straight starts on 4 November 2009. Sessions take place on Wednesdays between 9.30am and 12.15pm Topics covered include basic joinery and use of portable power tools

The four-week Your Guide to Using a Hammer course starts on 6 November 2009.

Sessions take place on Tuesdays between 9.30am and 12.15pm. Topics covered include basic joinery, use of portable manual and power tools and tool selection.

Learners must be over-18 to take part in all of the courses. Courses cost £1.80 per hour but are free to people on certain benefits. Classes are half price to the over-60s.

Courses are run by ETEC and funded by Sunderland City Council.

For further information, contact Jim Nesbitt on 0191 5656414 or jim.nesbitt@etec.gov.uk

Job Start Mentoring Project

Every Tuesday (commenced on 22/09/09) at Gentoo Housing Office -

Cornished Centre.

Facilities available:
Internet access for job search and online applications
One-to-One advice and guidance
Local job papers and bulletins
Assistance with CV's and job Application forms

and much more!!!

For further information contact Lisa or Margy at the Jubilee Centre on 0191 5228447.

FISCUS - it's your money

FREE and CONFIDENTIAL advice

Returning to work?
Thinking of starting your own business?

Ask the advisors for a FREE: 'BETTER OFF' Calculation

FISCUS is an independent organisation with 15 outreach sites covering all areas of Sunderland, Washington, Hetton and Houghton.If you need advice on any of the following FISCUS can help you:

Debt and Money Advice
Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
Job Seekers Allowance & Job Grants
Income Support
Housing and Council Tax Benefit
New Employment & Support Allowance
Incapacity Benefit
Disability Living Allowance & Carers Allowance

The Farringdon Jubilee Centre offers a session which is booked by appointment only on Friday mornings between 9.00am - 12.00pm. To book an appointment please contact the Jubilee Centre on 0191 5228447 or contact FISCUS direct on 0191 534 8192 for other outreach venues which may be closer to you.

You may be able to recall the South Forum telling you about John Wilson a resident of East Herrington who produced a book about his life living in and around the South area. The book covered personal experiences and pictures from 1926 to the present day.

With help from the South Forum the book was funded by the City of Sunderland Community Chest Initiative.

John has recently updated the South Forum of the sales from the book, the proceeds of which have been donated to the Donna Clare Venture. 323 books have been sold to date John has donated £1304.44 to the Donna Clare Venture.

To order a copy please contact Lorna@southforum.org.uk or telephone 0191 522 8447.

Autumn program at D’ArtE in Sunderland

Please find attached information of our new courses taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays am 9:45 – 12:45, pm 1:15 – 4:15, at North Sands Business Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland SR6 0QA (next to the Glass Centre).

All courses are accessible and designed for people with disabilities and mental health issues from any community. We want people to engage on their own terms with new learning opportunities, so there is some scope for one-to-one work and a full agreement of what is expected as outcomes.

Courses commence Wednesday 7th October 2009
Activities including Art, Creative Writing and optional Computing, Work Related Skills (what job do you want, how to get it, how to keep it) also health and well-being, living and eating on a budget, coping with stress and depression.

MONDAY 5th October from 10.30 to 4.30
D’ArtE is holding a ‘Learners Welcome Day’, where we explain the courses and you can chose the ones for you.

Director of D’ArtE Irene Lindsay says “Our current funding means we can provide these courses free of charge with a £15 admin/certification fee and we can focus on personal development and life-skills in a novel and fun way.”

For All Enquiries - Phone NOW
Ron: 0191 5675931

D’ArtE ( Disability Arts Empowerment) is a community interest company based in Sunderland, run by disabled people with experience of mental health and carer services. We are all professionally qualified with many years of experience in training, media, education, advocacy, and diversity. If you can’t find what you want on this poster, get in touch and we’ll help figure out some options for you. You may have some suggestions of your own, so get in touch….

For course information please click here