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

What's featured in this edition.

• South Forum have Hexagon -free online chat room tool
• 2nd Consultation for Community Development Plan
• October Celebrating older people - Age Concern
• BBC RAW campaign in Sunderland
• Site Administrator job at Jubilee Centre
• Photo Competition
• Wearside Family Cycling group

• Cardiovascular Suite opens on Monday 17th September 2007

• DETACHED YOUTH WORKERS - A690 youth Initiative
• Any Spare Office Furniture
• Local Actions for Global Issues - What you can do to save the Planet 

• Pentagon Partnership Event - Economic regeneration - Employability - Enterprise:

• Training

• Funding information
• Services - The ARCH system is now live!

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

South Forum have Hexagon - Free Online Chat Room Tool
Looking for a way to meet up and chat using text and voice with others in your community? This tool will offer you a technically secure way of texting or voice chatting over the internet without the need to install any software. Hexagon will work safely through a firewall.  This is now available on our website on the homepage click here to view www.southforum.org.uk   If you are interested in using this tool just give me a call on 0191 522 8447.

Community Development Plan

In November 2006 the Sunderland Partnership began the process of developing a Community Development Plan for the City. This process included community consultations in February and March 2007. I am pleased to inform you that the draft Community Development Plan is now ready for further consultation before the document is presented to the Sunderland Partnership.

Further consultation events have been planned for September 2007 at Crowtree Leisure Centre, Crowtree Road, Sunderland, SR1 3EL. To ensure everyone has an opportunity to attend an event they have been scheduled as follows:

• 6pm – 9pm on Thursday 6th September
• 9.30am – 1.00pm on Friday 7th September
• 9.30am – 1.00pm on Saturday 8th September

If you are interested in attending one of the events please complete and return the booking form, stating any special requirements you may have, to Community Development Team, South Hylton House, Hylton Bank, Sunderland, SR4 0JL or e-mail community.development@sunderland.gov.uk

Further information on this consultation can be found at www.sunderland.gov.uk/communitydevelopment

In October Sunderland is having its first ever Celebrating Age Month for older people (50+)

Older People play a very important part in the life of Sunderland and they should be valued and respected

Celebrating Age Month will help to do this and it also aims to let older people know what is happening every day around the City that may be of interest to them and which will help them live active, healthy and independent lives. A directory will be produced listing what’s on every day and several special events, including a Conference at the National Glass Centre, will be organised.  Further information and publicity materials will be circulated at a later date.  If you want to promote any event during October which you think may be of interest to older people, want to get involved or can help by promoting the month to older people in your groups, please get in touch with Julie Connaughton at Age Concern Sunderland on 5141131.

BBC RAW campaign in Sunderland

As you may be aware, Sunderland will play host to Max and Lara’s Travelling Space Circus (part of the BBC RaW Campaign) on the weekend of the 28th and 29th October. There will be jugglers, clowns, magicians and face-painters present at the event, and a host of activities will be available to try, including story-writing workshops, animation and puppetry. The event will be publicised on local radio and news programmes, as well as through local networks.  The BBC are looking for family learning professionals to get involved in the day by providing fun, interactive family learning activities in satellite tents surrounding the main circus. There is also an information tent where local organisations can have a stand.  If you would like further information, please read the attached documents. The deadline for submissions to run activities is 17th September. If you have any queries, please contact Lynn Cuthbert at the BBC – her details is on the attached forms. If you do not wish to take part in the event but would like more information about the campaign (there are free resources available if you sign up as a RaW Centre), you should read the ‘RAW UPDATE’ attachment.  We are fortunate to have such an event in Sunderland, and I hope that we can make it a success.     RAW Update             Background and useful information                   Submission Form

Farringdon Jubilee Centre

An Education Centre within Sunderland south, providing learning opportunities and activities to the community.  Require a Site Administrator £11,445 pa, 35hrs per week, 25 holidays per year.

You will be required to maintain the project building, ensuring it is clean and tidy and equipment is available as required, you will also be a key holder and be expected to lock up on an evening.  This post requires basic administration skills and the use of a computer is necessary, data input, word processing, email and internet.  You will manage the community office ensuring office supplies are ordered as required, you will be responsible for reception duties, answering the telephone and greeting people into the centre, customer service skills are vital to this post.  On occasion you may be asked to assist in training and activity sessions which may require working with children and vulnerable adults.  Hours will be flexible between 9am to 9pm (occasional weekend working), minimum of 3 evenings per week.  Closing Date: 7th September 2007.  For an application pack call 0191 5228447 or email jemmacolejubileecentre@yahoo.co.uk, Successful applicants will be reference and CRB checked prior to commencing the position.

Picture a world without CO2 emissions - PHOTO COMPETITION
Sunderland City Council needs your help in raising awareness about global warming and climate change. The Council has launched a campaign to help people in Sunderland understand what causes climate change, and what we can all do to address it. 

Click here to find out more.

The Wearside Family Cycling Group

Are looking for interested cyclists – singles / couples / families / young riders with a parent or carer – to join our Cycling Group.  Most importantly the bike rides are free , guided and marshalled. The pace of the ride is comfortably paced and nobody will be left behind. All you need, is to be able to cycle and have a bike in good working order.  The rides are generally on a Sunday and start at 10am.   Ring or email for information or to confirm that you would like to join us.

Dave Willcock (Sustrans Liaison Ranger Wearside) 0794 680 3629, or email saiadave@yahoo.co.uk

Clive Greenwood (Sunderland Council Officer) 0191 553 1535, or email clive.greenwood@sunderland.gov.uk

Cardiovascular Suite opens on Monday 17th September 2007

Farringdon Community Sports College is opening its Cardiovascular Suite to the public. The Cardiovascular Suite is based in the Sports Pavilion on the school site.

Types of Membership
All members receive a membership card when they join which they must hand in to reception before using the facility.
All members must have an induction before using the facility.

There are two types of Membership Available
Casual Use £2.50 per session (up to one hour), Monthly Membership For £10.00 per month you get unlimited access to the Cardiovascular Suite.  Induction Cost £5.00 (one off payment)

Payments can be made either by cash or cheque's made payable to Farringdon Community Sports College

Opening Times – Term Time Monday – Friday 5.00 – 9.00pm, Saturday 9.00 – 1.00pm

Opening Times – School Holidays Monday – Saturday 9.00 – 1.00pm

For Application Forms and Further Information Contact Maureen Wilkins on 5536013 Extn.165

DETACHED YOUTH WORKERS - 10hrs a week

We are looking to employ a team of qualified detached youth workers who have experience working with young people. You will be required to work evenings and weekends, in the south and west area of Sunderland.

You will be required to undertake a CRB clearance check and further training.   Ring: 0191 5227925 for an application pack.   Closing date 17th August 2007.

Any Spare Office Furniture

Any youth/community projects have any spare furniture they don’t require anymore. Lisa Welch, FareShare North East Manager, is in desperate need of any types of office/training furniture as the project has just started.  All projects have started off with nothing and I would be really grateful if anybody could help in anyway possible?

Could you please get in contact if you have anything? David.McCreedy@sunderlandymca.co.uk or Lisa.Welch@sunderlandymca.co.uk

Local Actions for Global Issues - What you can do to save the planet

A free practical one day conference full of ideas and inspiration for voluntary and community groups in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland Wednesday 19 September, 2007

Going green made simple
• Find out why saving the planet is not just for green groups
• Easy to understand workshops led by our team of expert speakers
• Lively seminars full of top tips on how your group can go green and save money
• Advice, information and displays from funders and ‘green’ organisations
Guest speakers
• Pooran Desai, Bio Regional
• Ian Gregg, Chair, Eden Rivers Trust and the National Association of Rivers Trusts
Specialist Workshops Include
• Eco auditing your office or building
• Make sure your project doesn't cost the earth
• Easy steps to save energy and money
Time: 9.30am - 4.45pm including lunch, Place: Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP
For further details and to book a place, please visit our website

http://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/specialprojects/local_actions_for_global_issues_conference.php

This conference is free of charge thanks to generous sponsorship from eaga plc

Pentagon Partnership Event - Economic regeneration - Employability - Enterprise

Come along and help shape the future role of the Pentagon Partnership at one of our 'Next Steps' roadshow events.  We need YOUR experience and expertise to tailor our services and projects to fit the needs of the sector in your local area. The VCS makes an enormous impact in the economic regeneration of Tyne and Wear. Together we can amplify this impact, spread the word and influence policy!   Why not come along and have your say on how Pentagon can help the sector build for the future?  Join us in your local area or if you can't make it, come along to another 'Next Steps' event.  Details of the events: Sunderland - Wearmouth Development Trust - Tuesday 11th
September.  All events run from 10.00am to 12 noon, with registration and refreshments from 9.30am.

To book a place on one of these events, phone Christine on 0191 200
1805 or complete the attached booking form and email to christine.obrien@pentagonpartnership.org.uk

Please click to view training available, programme provided from Rob Charlton at SCVS

September training programme

A Quick A - Z of Funding Sources
The Quick A-Z of Funding Sources gives an updated account of the grants available in the Sunderland area. This information is entered into a brief accessible spreadsheet form, which contains four columns. The first gives the name of the organisation that awards the grant. The second gives the details of the appropriate website. The third column gives details of what the grant funds and the closing date is given in the fourth column.

Click her to view spreadsheet

Children, Young People and Families Grant Programme
The Children, Young People and Families Grant Programme is a national grant programme managed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF - formerly the Department for Education and Skills) to fund work to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families (parenting and couple relationships) in England. The programme funds voluntary organisations doing work of national significance that supports the Government's Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme. The Every Child Matters outcomes are: ensuring children and young people stay safe; are healthy; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; and achieve economic well being. The programme is open to charities and other non-profit-making organisations set up and run on similar lines to a charity.  View scheme

The ARCH Reporting System - a quick reminder!
ARCH is an innovative web-based IT system specifically designed to record, monitor and report on racist incidents. Pioneered by the ARCH Partnership in Newcastle, the system will enable people in Sunderland to report race crime through a variety of sources and agencies. The rationale behind ARCH is that it will ensure there is a quick and efficient way of reporting racist incidents and will enable a range of agencies to work in a more coordinated way.  Victims of racist crime will be able to gain access to appropriate support mechanisms and the system will also help to ensure that effective action is taken against perpetrators.

The ARCH system is now live!
On Monday 9th July the ARCH system went live across Sunderland.  The free phone number is 08000 778 378.  Calls to this number will go directly to the Council's Care Alarm Team. This will ensure that racist incidents can be reported on a 24-hour basis, in addition to face to face reporting at partner locations across the city.  Places where people can report are: City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; City of Sunderland College; North of England Refugee Service; Northumbria Police; Sunderland City Council; Gentoo Sunderland; University of Sunderland; Victim Support Sunderland.  Front-line staff at all the partner agencies are being trained on the ARCH IT system over the summer, ready for the launch of ARCH in autumn.  People can report incidents at the minute, however it should be noted that some staff have yet to be trained.

Website
The Sunderland ARCH website can be found at www.sunderland-arch.org.uk  It is going live in the next few weeks and will contain information on all the ARCH partner agencies; explain how to report a racist incident to ARCH; as well as news, events and good practice.  If your organisation would like to have a link on our website then please email sunderlandarch@sunderland.gov.uk

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