Hello everyone and welcome to our edition of South Forum e-newsletter. 

What's featured in this edition.

• The South Forum get new worker

• Friends of Farringdon Primary School Proudly Presents
• Christmas Fayre at Jubilee
• DIAG group Needs You
• Training and Education
• Funding information
• Volunteering Opportunities
• Services

Regards Jackie Nixon South Forum Development Coordinator

If you would like to announce any thing or have a feature please contact me on 0191 5228447 or e-mail me on jackie.nixon@sunderlandcommunitynetwork.org.uk

The South Forum get's new worker

After advertising, shortlisting and interviews we have a new Admin Officer called Sue.  Sue will attend our next forum meeting and everyone will get the opportunity to meet her.  The South Forum would like to welcome Sue on board as our new worker.

Update on Digital Challenge

Earlier this year, Sunderland City Council won the country's digital battle with its digital plans to improve residents' lives through technology.

The council's consultation with residents, community groups and voluntary organisations on how lives could be boosted using IT helped to secure it top spot at the Department of Communities and Local Government's (DCLG) Digital Challenge.

Now it is gearing up to roll the innovative programme out across the city, using the £3.5million cash prize.

Sunderland Mayor Les Scott with one of the briefcase gifts given out at the Digital Award ceremony at the civic centre, watched by some of the guests.

Friends of Farringdon Primary School Proudly Presents

A Night of Live Entertainment in aid of Farringdon, Primary School, The Cystic, Fibrosis Trust & Downs Syndrome in the Memory Of Brandon Wallace Shuttleworth.  29th November 2007, Farringdon Social Club, 7 till 11 pm

Tickets £1.50.  Tickets available from Farringdon Primary School Archer Road Farringdon

Christmas Fayre

At the Jubilee Centre, Allendale Road, Farringdon Tel no 01915228447, Come along and see Santa in his Grotto. £1, Refreshments, Fun and Games, And lots more Free entry, Wed 12th Dec 5-7pm

Tombola, Raffles, Bric a Brac and Fun and Games

DIAG group Needs You

If you have a disability, are a carer or represent a disability group then

We need your help

Come along and help the DIAG select the important issues for the City of Sunderland. The themes will be

• Liveable City,  • Safer and Inclusive City,  • Prosperous City,  • Healthy City,  • Learning
Tuesday 20th November, 10 am – 12 noon, St Mary and St Peters Community Project, Springwell Road, Sunderland.  Please telephone Kim on 0191 522 99 13 to confirm or for further information

Education Business Connections

Is working with New Skills Consulting on an LSC contract to explore new ways of delivering training for the sector. Your staff have the opportunity to take part in achieving a FREE NVQ2 in Community Development that is available to people working for a vol sector organisation in Tyne & Wear.

The qualifying conditions are; (a) The worker must be 25 or older, (b) The worker must not currently hold a recognised NVQ level 2 or higher

Course: NVQ2 in Community Development, Accrediter: City & Guilds, Accreditation: Level 2

Duration: 5 mandatory units plus one optional unit - completion at own pace within 4 to 6 months

Dates: Starting November 2007.  Bookings: Ring 0191 516 6411for more information or ask for Chris or Val when you call the office.

Visit this link for new and exciting courses

http://www.ebcltd.org.uk/httpwww.ebcltd.org.ukfor-community.html

Basic Project Planning
Sunderland CVS are running a two hour session covering the basics of project planning, including assessing the need, aims & objectives, project risk assessment and contingency planning. The training will be held on the 14th November 2007, 9:30am – 11:30am at Sunderland CVS new training facility (134 – 136 High Street West, Sunderland). The course costs £10 (refreshments included).

If you are interested and would like to book a place, or if you simply require additional information please contact Rob Charlton on (0191) 565 1566.

Capacitybuilders Improving Reach Programme
The Capacitybuilders Improving Reach grant programme focuses on increasing access to high quality third sector support services that are appropriate to the needs of frontline organisations working in and with excluded communities; including BME communities, refugee and migrant communities, faith communities and isolated rural communities. The programme also aims to increase capacity and sustainability for smaller third sector providers specialising in delivering support services to frontline organisations working with these excluded communities.
View scheme

TIME TOGETHER Can you speak English? Do you know your way around Sunderland? Do you know how to use public transport, access the Internet or where to play or watch football? Do you know how to apply for jobs? If the answer to any or all of the questions is yes, you could be a friend or mentor in our exciting new project. The Time Together project links local people with refugees so that they can work together to improve community integration, education and employment prospects of the refugee and the image of refugees in the media and local community. We ask you to commit to only five hours a month and you get full training and support and expenses are covered.

NORTH OF ENGLAND REFUGEE SERVICE (NERS) are a ‘One Stop Service’ that gives support and help to refugees and asylum seekers who have settled or are looking to settle in the North East Communities. They utilise a number of volunteers who support this service and currently require a regional Volunteer - Volunteer Co-ordinator to recruit and manage the volunteers and maximise the number of volunteering opportunities available throughout NERS services. To carry out this role the Volunteer - Volunteer Co-ordinator is required to have experience of managing and supporting volunteers, managing budgets, poses good communication skills and an understanding of asylum seekers and refugees.

CEED are a Community Environmental Education Development project that is looking for volunteers to help with their gardening and practical conservation work. If you are interested in Gardening, wildlife or just being outdoors then lend CEED a hand for one or two days a week by joining a team of volunteers from all walks of life. You’ll get fresh air, exercise, expenses, a variety of biscuits and good company!

If you are interested in any of the aabove opportunities please contact the Volunteer Centre Sunderland on (0191) 567 8902 or call into 4 Toward Road, City Centre, Sunderland. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am till 4pm. A postal registration service is also available. Alternatively email us at: sunderlandvc@aol.com or visit www.do-it.org.uk to view these and other volunteering opportunities.

Don't Miss the Bus for your Free Mouth Check

A Red Double Decker Bus will be visiting various locations.  Head and Neck Cancer Nurses along with Dental Professionals are holding FREE mouth screenings to raise awareness about… ORAL CANCER WEEK

November 11th to 17th 2007.  The Bus will be parked at these locations from 9.30am to 4:00pm:

Monday Nov 12th, Southwick Children’s Centre

Tuesday Nov 13th Pennywell Medical Centre

Wednesday Nov 14th Hetton Centre

Thursday Nov 15th Thorney Close Enterprise Centre

Friday Nov 16th Raich Carter Leisure Centre

To receive your free mouth check, advice and also samples from health care professionals e.g. Smoking Cessation, Alcohol Service, Macmillan nurses come along to your nearest location.   Don’t miss the Bus!

Please feel free to distribute to your friends, family and colleague with their permission.