Welcome to the latest edition of the South Forum e-newsletter. 

Featured in this edition:

• Anthony Joins The South Forum
• South Forum Directory
• Sunderland Volunteer Forum Meeting
• Sunderland Community Network Members' Meeting
• Free Art Funding and Project Support Clinic
• Plainsy Purlers Need You
• Family, Adult and Community Learning Need Your Help
• Training and Education
• Job Vacancies
• Funding Information
• Volunteering Opportunities
• Services

If you would like to announce anything or have a feature, please contact me on 0191 5228447 or e-mail sue.lowe@sunderlandcommunitynetwork.org.uk

Anthony joins the South Forum

Anthony Gonzalez joined the South Forum as Development Co-ordinator on 11th February.  He writes ....

Hello everyone!

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new South Forum Development Co-ordinator. Previously I have worked within Sunderland Juvenile Service, Volunteer Centre Sunderland, Job Linkage and the University of Sunderland.  The South Forum will continue to build stronger communities, with residents, workers and organisations working together to tackle local issues. I am very excited and proud to be involved and will be listening carefully to the views of the South Forum membership and in particular what members want the South Forum to achieve in future.  I would like to thank the previous Development Co-ordinator, Jackie Nixon, for all her effort and support in ensuring such a smooth transition, it’s very much appreciated! I know how much Jackie will be missed and am well aware that she will be a very difficult act to follow.

I look forward to meeting everyone.

Anthony Gonzalez

Development Co-ordinator

Sunderland South Forum

You can contact Anthony on 0191 5228447 or anthony.gonzalez@sunderlandcommunitynetwork.org.uk

South Forum Directory of Members/Services

I am in the process of producing the final draft of the South Forum Directory which will include details of service providers in the South Area, as well as our Members.  This directory will be circulated throughout the area.  If you wish to be included in it and haven't yet forwarded your details to me, could you please do so by 29th February.

Email sue.lowe@sunderlandcommunitynetwork.org.uk with details of your Group, including contact details, telephone number, fax number, address, email address, website details and information on what your Group provides, how people can get involved and anything else you would like included.

Your details can be posted to Sue Lowe, South Forum, Jubilee Centre, Allendale Road, Sunderland SR3  3EL.

Sunderland Volunteer Forum Meeting
The Sunderland Volunteer Forum was established in 2001 as a way for local statutory, community and voluntary sector groups to come together, share good practice and information on volunteering issues, and plan related training and events. Now co-ordinated by the Sunderland Volunteer Centre, membership has grown over the past seven years to approximately 100 members from various organisations across the City. Informal meetings are held quarterly and open to anyone who recruits and supervises volunteers. The date for the next Sunderland Volunteer Forum meeting is Tuesday 11th March, 10.30am - 12.30pm at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Education Centre.

If you wish to attend the meeting or would like further information, please contact Anna Jones at the Volunteer Centre Sunderland on 0191 5678902 or email sunderlandvcg@aol.com.

Sunderland Community Network Members' Meeting – 28th February

The next meeting for Sunderland Community Network Members will be held on Thursday 28th February at Angel House, Borough Road, Sunderland SR1 1HW.  Three presentations from members of Sunderland City Council about the Sunderland Strategy (draft); Local Area Agreements and the Sunderland Compact have been arranged.   This is a great opportunity for members of the voluntary and community sector to be able to ask questions about these important areas.  The meeting will begin promptly at 10.30am and will end at 12.10pm.

Please contact Niki Mackay on 0191 565 1566 for further information.

Free Art Funding and Project Support Clinic at Sunderland City Library and Arts Centre
AIDA  (Access, Inclusion and Development in Arts) CIC will be delivering free 1-to-1 clinics to assist artists, arts organisations, charities and community groups with project development, fundraising and support at the City Library and Arts Centre, Sunderland on Friday 7th March.

AIDA offer free bid writing services for arts projects and have helped support a wide variety of projects in the region from international street festivals to historical arts and crafts community projects. Other services offered include core and capital fundraising, evaluation, consultation, brand development and marketing. If you need assistance with fundraising for your arts project, or need advice and guidance on how to make your project idea turn into an event, come along to the clinics see how AIDA CIC can help.

Clinics are free of charge, but spaces are limited. To book your slot please contact Susan Snaith on 0191 514 846

Plainsy Purlers Need You

Can you knit, crochet or cross stitch??? Would you like to learn any of these skills???  Could you share your skills and knowledge with someone else???  Do you have odd balls of wool, knitting needles or patterns you would like to donate???

Knitting and crocheting are a dying art and we are losing these skills.  We need to pass these skills on to the next generation as they help keep the body and mind active, are a form of recycling and could help raise money for charities by producing gifts for raffles.  Or you may just want to produce knitted items for your friends and families.

Plains Farm & Humbledon Community Initiative are starting a group on Wednesday 12th March 1pm-3pm - refreshments will be provided.  If you would like to find out more call 0191 5250007 or just pop in on the day.

Family, Adult and Community Learning Need Your Help

PCDL is learning for personal development, cultural enrichment, intellectual or creative stimulation and for enjoyment. It is also learning developed with local residents and other learners to build the skills, knowledge and understanding for social and community action. It is learning at or below level 2, and can include both accredited and non-accredited provision. PCDL includes leisure courses and informal learning programmes.

In order to complete the prospectus, Family, Adult and Learning are trying to get a picture of the PCDL activity that will take place in Sunderland in 2008/09 that will not be funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). If you run any programmes on behalf of Family, Adult and Community Learning, these are LSC-funded and there is no need to submit this information. If your organisation is involved with delivering this kind of learning and you do not receive LSC funding for it, please forward the following information :to carol.reid@sunderland.gov.uk. by 5pm on Wednesday 27th February.

1. Percentage type of provision
Please can you complete the table with an approximation of the % you will deliver in each of the categories listed below:

type of provision % of your delivery
individual/personal development

health and wellbeing
supporting families
strengthening communities
preparation for life and work
provision for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities

2. Learner numbers - approximately how many learners will you engage with this provision in 2008/09?

3. Funding
What is your funding source for this provision?
How much funding will you spend on this provision?
How much funding will be collected from learner fees?

Community Development Principles - 4th March

This course will be held at Sunderland CVS, Riverview House, West Wear Street, Sunderland, from 9.30am-3.00pm.  

Sunderland Community Network members can attend the course listed below for FREE. Places will be offered to other people from the voluntary and community sector at a nominal charge.

Sign up now by calling either Rob Charlton or Niki Mackay on (0191) 565 1566

Free Music Tuition

Greenhouse Music are currently offering a number of 10-week music based training programmes as part of the City of Sunderland’s Adult & Community Learning programme.  Courses, which are free of charge and are open to anyone over the age of 19, include beginners guitar, basic DJ skills, beginners music technology.  A range of continuation programmes are also available.

For further information please contact 0191-5678700

The following courses are being offered by Karen Routledge Ltd.

- Face Painting OCN Level 2 - Thursday 20th March 9.30am-3.30pm

This course provides the theory and background to face painting, but is mainly a practical based course providing exercises in the art itself and proving that everyone can face paint successfully and have fun too.

- Achievable Summer and Holiday Schools OCN Level 2 - Friday 4th April 9.30am-3.30pm

This course is designed to take you through the planning and delivering of a successful summer/holiday school in easy steps.

- Nail Art OCN Level 2 - Thursday 10th April 9.30am-3.30pm

This is a mainly practical based course providing exercises in the art itself and proving that everyone can produce successful nail art and have fun too.

 - K'NEX for Hands on Learning for Tutors - ONC Level 2 - Tuesday 15th April 9.30am-3.30pm

This accreditation will train teachers, tutors and other educators how to use the K'NEX construction kit to help children to develop a better understanding of technology, science and improve their creativity and problem solving skills.

-Successful Breakfast Clubs OCN Level 2 - Wednesday 23rd April 9.30am-3.30pm

This course looks at how to set up a successful breakfast club, what works and how to get the maximum benefits for schools and pupils.

For further information go to www.karenroutledge.co.uk/index.html

Train 2 Gain Presentation

You have probably heard much talk recently of Train 2 Gain, the Government-backed service that provides free training for employees to gain their first full level 2 or Skills for Life qualification. A considerable amount of Learning and Skills Council funding (and associated targets) will be routed through Train 2 Gain in coming years, and so it is important that colleagues in the sector are aware of what Train 2 Gain is, and how local organisations can benefit from it. In addition, developments within Train 2 Gain are happening all the time - for example new allowances for volunteers to benefit from the service.

A representative from the LSC has kindly agreed to speak about Train 2 Gain at the East Lifelong Learning Forum, which takes place at 2pm on Thursday 28th February at Age Concern's Bradbury Centre on Stockton Road. The presentation will contain an overview of the Train 2 Gain Service, latest developments, and information on how to get involved (as both a beneficiary and a delivery partner). You are cordially invited to attend, subject to availability. Please confirm your attendance by emailing carol.reid@sunderland.gov.uk.  by Tuesday 26th February.

For further information click here: www.traintogain.gov.uk 

Local Automotive Companies Are Ready To Talk To You

Find out about full time manufacturing jobs with Nissan Sunderland and their supply organisations at a recruitment open day on Thursday 28th February 10am to 7pm at The Stadium of Light, Sunderland.   For further information call 0191 514 7142

Youth Worker
Flexible Working hours up to a maximum 30 hours

(Monday – Friday between 8.30 am – 3.30 pm).

Funded until end March 2009. Salary £18,507 (pro rata)

Herrington Burn YMCA require a youth worker to work as part of a team responsible for the delivery of youth/learning sessions that are planned, evaluated, and which meet contractors requirements and those of the young people themselves. The successful candidate will be a dynamic, enthusiastic person able to empathise with young people and appreciate equality and diversity.  They will also be qualified to a minimum of NVQ Level 2 training in Youth Work or allied profession working at Level 3.  Previous experience of a similar nature is also desirable.

Please contact YMCA, Herrington Burn, Houghton-le-Spring,Tyne and Wear. DH4 4JW or

telephone 0191 3852822 for a job description and application pack.

You will be asked to complete a Criminal Record Bureau Enhanced Disclosure, which is required with this position.  

Digital Challenge Community ICT Officers - two posts - Technical and Engagement
18 month Fixed Term - S2/S6 - £14,197 - £22,845 - 37 Hours per week

Working in a team responsible for the delivery of the Digital Challenge Programme, the post holders will be responsible to the Community Engagement Team Leader for delivering Community Engagement and Support.

Both roles demand an ICT professional with at least 4 years practical experience of working within IT, 2 of which will have been working in a Community based cross sector support and capacity building role. Experience of supporting, mentoring and training in plain English and inclusive manner in order to build technical capacity within non-technical organisations. Prince2 project management methodology would be an advantage.

For an application pack, phone the Sunderland Council Contact Centre on 0191 5205504 or email askrecruitment@sunderland.gov.uk

Qualified Sessional Staff
The Box Youth Project is currently looking for qualified sessional staff for evening and weekend youth work. Applicants must have a youth work qualification and will be subject to enhanced disclosure checking. For further information contact Lisa on 0191 5225031 or email theboxyouthproject@hotmail.com.  To apply send your current CV with references to:

Lisa Wilson - Project Manager
THE BOX YOUTH PROJECT
Hall Farm Road Hall Farm
Sunderland SR3 2UY

Children’s Essential Services Worker
A Children’s Essential Services Worker is required by ETEC. The vacancy will be based at ETEC's Lombard Street premises but the successful candidate will be administering services in the Coalfield area of Sunderland. Extensive travel throughout the Coalfield area will be expected as a routine part of the job.

The vacancy is 18.5 hours per week and the salary is £14,064 pro rata. The hours of work are Monday and Tuesday (8.30am to 4.30pm) and Wednesday morning (8.30am to 12.30pm.)

Application packs are available in the first instance from ETEC's admin team on admin@etec.org.uk or by calling 0191 5656414

Northern Rock Foundation Funding Event - Tuesday 4 March

2pm-4.30pm at The Lower Ballroom, The Assembly Rooms, Fenkle Street, Newcastle

Your opportunity to meet the team managing the Northern Rock Foundation’s 2008 grant programmes:
• Building Positive Lives: help for disadvantaged young people, homeless people, substance misusers and people affected by prejudice and discrimination. Budget: £2.25m
• Independence and Choice: services for older people, carers, people with mental health problems and learning disabilities. Budget: £2m
• Safety and Justice: support for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and exploitation, child abuse and hate crimes. Budget: £2m
To reserve a place call: 0191 284 8412 or email: generaloffice@nr-foundation.org.uk

Booking deadline: 25th February 2008

B&Q – One Planet Living Awards 2008 (UK)

B&Q has launched a new awards scheme as part of its community programme, called the One Planet Living Awards. (This scheme replaces B&Q’s previous scheme, the “You Can Do It” awards.) The scheme supports B&Q’s partnership with environmental impact experts BioRegional which aims to help B&Q reduce its ecological footprint and help their customers do the same.

The scheme will make awards of between £1,000 and £10,000 worth of B&Q products to environmental, community, charitable and sporting organisations across the UK and Ireland. In addition, B&Q is offering two awards of £5,000 combined cash and products to schools which submit innovative science-based proposals, showing a real understanding about the environment and the importance of tackling climate change.

Award winners need to be able to demonstrate how their project supports one or more of the following “One Planet Living” principles: environment, bio diversity, natural habitats, wildlife, local culture or local heritage.

You can download an application form from: www.diy.com/awards.  Alternatively, telephone B&Q’s 24-hour application phone line: 0845 300 1001.

The closing date for applications is Friday 28th March

BBC Children in Need / The Hunter Foundation – Positive Destinations (UK)
Positive Destinations is a new £2 million grants programme delivered jointly by BBC Children in Need and The Hunter Foundation. The programme is aimed at organisations working with the most vulnerable children and young people (from early years up to and including age 18).  Funding is available for innovative projects working to ensure that children and young people achieve a positive and sustained future in terms of education, employment or training.

Applications must be made online at: www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/charity/positive_destinations.shtml

The deadline for submitting applications is 30 March. Shortlisted organisations will undergo a further assessment, with grants awarded by the end of July.

For information and enquiries contact: Tel: 020 8576 7788 Email: pudsey@bbc.co.uk (put “Positive Destinations” in the subject line) www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/charity/positive_destinations.shtml

Travel Guide for the Civic Centre and other City Centre Offices.

A guide has been produced in partnership with Nexus as part of the Council's Travel Plan in order to outline all travel options to the city centre offices and encourage more sustainable travel. The guide could be used for planning journeys from home to work; sent to visitors or potential employees for interviews to plan their journey to city centre offices; or given to new employees as part of their starter pack.  Hard copies have been distributed to the city centre offices, customer service centres, tourist information centres and leisure centres and libraries. 

If you would like further information, contact Laura Kerry, Travel Plan Officer at Sunderland City Council on

0191 553 7964 or email travelplans@sunderland.gov.uk.  The guide can be viewed by clicking here.

Caring About Carers

If you are a carer and caring for someone who suffers with mental ill health, and you feel you need some extra support, Caring about Carers might be able to help you.  

Contact: Joyce Jukes at the Wellfield Clinic on 0191 5699450 or call The Grange Park Clinic on 0191 5699096

Sunderland Centre for Volunteer Service (SCVS) provides a range of services to the voluntary and community sector. 

If you would like to know more, or receive details on membership contact:

Sunderland Centre for Voluntary Services, Riverview House, West Wear Street, Sunderland  SR1  1XD - 0191 565 1566  - printroom@sunderlandcvs.co.uk - www.sunderlandcvs.co.uk

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