Welcome to the September Wakefield Social Enterprise Link e-newsletter. This provides you with up to date, local and national news for people interested in the ever growing, changing world of social enterprise.
If you have received this newsletter from a third party and you would like to sign up yourself, please do so online or contact your area adviser.
If you have any information or news that you think should feature in the next newsletter please email info@sesc.info
News
Microsoft Community Learning Awards – Nominations now open
This year they are making grants of £2,500 plus essential IT software to 30 winning entrants. The deadline for applications is 27th September and winners will be notified in mid-November.
Community groups and registered charities throughout the UK that are seeking funding for IT skills projects for disadvantaged young people and adults in their area are eligible to apply.
Application forms available from the Community Awards website at: www.ukcommunityawards.com
Would you like to join the 40 organisations in the Voluntary, Community & faith Sector in West Yorkshire who became recognised Investors in People in June this year?
The Learning & Skills Council West Yorkshire funded CMS Consultancy to provide a programme of guidance and support for organisations in the voluntary, community and faith sector who wished to become recognised Investors in People
Organisations join the programme by registering their commitment to become a recognised Investor in People. On joining the programme each organisation is entitled to:
- 3 ½ days consultancy/advisor support – fully funded. This enables each organisation to develop an approach to fit their unique requirements
- £750.00 subsidy towards the costs of assessments
If you would like to find out more about Investors in People and the support programme please contact Auriel Le Pla, CMS Consultancy, 01422 836606 or auriel@cmsconsult.co.uk
Big Boost
The Big Boost is an awards programme which has been created to encourage more young people in England to set up projects that will make a real difference. Through the Big Boost awards, we will help young people start up projects that we hope will make a lasting difference to them as well as to their communities. The programme will support more than 12,000 young people over two years. We are particularly keen to reach young people from less well-off backgrounds.
The Big Boost awards programme is funded by the Big Lottery Fund[1] and is part of their Young People’s Fund, Grants to Individuals programme, which aims to offer more opportunities to young people and help them improve local communities.
The Big Boost programme is run in partnership by:
UnLtd, Changemakers, The Scarman Trust and The Prince’s Trust
A Big Boost award is cash plus the support needed to help young people, make their ideas a reality. The awards are for individuals or for small informal groups of people, living in England. There are two kinds of awards; one for 11 – 16 year olds and one for 16 – 25 year olds.
11-16 year old-
Awards of between £250 and £1,000 (expected average of £750). These awards are for groups of young people and are led by a nominated advisor.
16-25 year old -
Awards can be from £500 to £5,000 (expected average of £2,500). These awards are for individuals or small groups of young people.
Contact Details
Phone: 0845 410 2030
Text: 07624 803 312
Email: info@thebigboost.org.uk
Web: http://www.thebigboost.org.uk/
Supplier & Contract Management System Launched
Wakefield Council is one of the key authorities that was involved in the launch of the Supplier & Contract Management System (SCMS) in June.
The SCMS is a collaborative, regional web based system that allows companies to register an interest in supplying goods, services or works to Wakefield and any of the participating authorities within the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
The SCMS has replaced the electronic tendering web site and also incorporated the Council’s approved lists. By using the inbuilt functionality of the system, a registered company will be able to download tender documents electronically. Quotation and tender responses can then be submitted electronically, saving valuable time.
The system offers security and probity for both supplier and authority by providing a safe environment for accessing and retuning contract documentation.
For more information please visit the SCMS website at http;//scms.alito.co.uk . For any queries or questions on the SCMS, please contact the strategic procurement team on 01924 306781.
The Wakefield District Compact
The Wakefield District Compact is a written agreement between the statutory sector and the Voluntary and community sectors. It aims to improve relationships so that everyone works together more effectively.
It aims to provide a framework for enhancing the relationship between these sectors, encouraging common approaches and systems. This Compact will be used as a starting point to develop more detailed agreements between particular agencies and organisations.
The main objectives of the Compact are:
- To develop realistic and sustainable solutions for the future
- To develop[p open and transparent funding processes, and ensure that services are funded according to best value principles
- To build the capacity of the voluntary and community sectors
- To develop the workforces of the voluntary, community and statutory sectors to enable us to work together effectively
- To develop and share good practice between the partners
- To complement and link in with the districts other strategies and policies
To find out more please contact Voluntary Action Wakefield Districts on 01924 367418 or email enquiri4es@vawd.org.uk
Funding
The second round of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) Innovation Fund has been announced.
The closing date for applications is 5 pm on Friday 17 November 2006.
Applications should be from voluntary organisations with projects that aim
to help people understand financial issues.
The FSA will make available a minimum of £200,000 for projects running up to
31 March 2008. Most awards are likely to be between £10,000 and £40,000 but larger awards will be considered too.
The projects will help people with:
· Making ends meet
· keeping track of finances
· Planning ahead
· choosing financial products; and
· staying informed about financial matters.
Successful projects in the last round included Sacar, Bradford, working with people with autism and Asperger's syndrome. Their project provided group and individual sessions on financial capability including video and role play sessions.
Application form and guidance from the FSA website at:
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/financial_capability/innovation/who.html
Rate Reliefs
There are a number of rate reliefs businesses can apply for in order to ease the impact of their business rates bill. The following types of rate relief are available:
Small Business Rate Relief
This is a new scheme to assist small businesses that was introduced on 1 April 2005. The amount of mandatory rate relief will be 50% for business properties up to a rateable value of £5,000. The relief available then decreases on a sliding scale for business properties with a rateable value of up to £9,999.
In addition to this relief on liability, eligible businesses whose properties have rateable values of between £10,000 and £14,999 (or between £10,000 and £21,499 in London) will have their liability calculated using the small business multiplier of £0.415.
You must apply for the relief each year and be eligible on 1 April of each year. The application for the relief should be submitted to your local authority within six months of the end of the financial year to which it relates.
Charities and charity shops
Charities qualify for 80% rate relief. Authorities may actually cancel all or part of the rate bill for properties occupied by not-for-profit organisations although this is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Rural village of population under 3000
General stores and post offices that appear on the rural settlement list qualify for 50% relief provided they are the only such service in the area and their rateable value is £7,000 or less. Relief is also available for new, non-agricultural businesses on agricultural land or buildings.
If your local authority feels your business is of great benefit to the rural or village community, and it has a rateable value of less than £14,000, it may grant 100% rate relief.
Other types are of relief are:
- Not a charity, but another type of non-profit-making organisation
- Property empty and unused
- Non-agricultural business on agricultural land or former agricultural buildings
- Part of your property is not not being used and is completely unoccupied for a short time
- You are suffering severe hardship and cannot pay your bill
For more information please visit www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk or contact your local authority Business Rates Department.
What’s On
Launch of the Community Arts Enterprise Network
4th October 2006 9.30am till 1pm
The Carlisle Business Centre, Carlisle Road, Bradford, BD8 8BD
Social Enterprises working in the cultural and arts sector is a fast growing industry with over 100 registered organisations in West Yorkshire alone. The enterprise networks are a series of industry specific clusters aimed at supporting individual social enterprises, and developing the sector as a whole.
The launch event will look at some potential opportunities for the sector as well as providing a platform for you to discuss issues affecting the industry and network with other social enterprises from West Yorkshire. . Hear from supporting agencies and experienced practitioners from a variety of community arts organisations.
During the event we will be covering:
- What’s happening in the region?
- Funding
- Working abroad
- Engaging with the community
- Working with young people
There will also be an open session, which will be an opportunity for you to discuss, industry related issues with other delegates. If you would like to nominate a topic for discussion, please give details on the booking form.
There will also be the opportunity to learn more about the Community Arts Network, the benefits for your organisation, and how it will affect the sector.
The event is free of charge. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. For a booking form or more information contact Lucy Piatkowski on 01924 241330 or email lucy.p@sesc.info
Driving into Sustainability
Do you provide a community transport service or do you have a minibus and would like to maximise its usage?
The Community Transport Network event to be held on 2nd November will cover major aspects of the industry including procurement, funding, marketing and legislation. For further information or to book onto the event please contact Rachel Oddie at SESC on 01924 241330 or email Rachel.oddie@sesc.info
Tender Readiness Tool Kit
These sessions will be held monthly; the next session will be 22nd September, 10am-12.30 pm at the Social Enterprise Support Centre.
Workshops thereafter will be held on: October 27th, November 30th & December 15th
If you need an organisational health check before seeking contracts this is probably the most useful DVD you can get your hands on. View a demonstration of the toolkit and seek professional advice about your organisation’s capacity to deliver new contracts.
An organisational checklist shows how you identify full cost recovery, staff skills, equipment needs and policy requirements. Organise your project information to see at a glance what your capacity might be in the short, mid and long term.
A service development tool indicates the elements of a product or service you need to have developed to sell it successfully on a contract basis.
A staff skills checklist enables you to measure your staff’s capability to call on the skills needed to operate in a growing organisation with new contracts coming in and all that entails.
Where to look for contracts, who to speak to and what to do are also covered.
For further information or to book on the event please contact Lucy Piatkowski on 01924 241330 or email lucy.p@sesc.info
Motivating the Team
12th October, 2pm - 4pm at Business Link Suit, New Commerce House, 168 Westgate, Wakefield, WH2 9SR
Understand what Motivates People
Motivational Techniques
-
Style Awareness
To book your FREE place please contact the Business Link Team on 0845 833 6000
Regional Fair Trade Project – Yorkshire and the Humber
Monday 6th November, 12pm – 2pm
Grange Interlink Community Centre, Summerville Road, Bradford, BD7 1XP. Free, registration only event
- - Learn about fair trade and why it matters
- - Find out where to source Fairtrade products
- - How your business can benefit from this growing market
Speakers include:
- Martin Hill, Commercial Director, for the national co-ordination body for Fairtrade in the UK,
- Marsha Singh MP Invited
- Lord Majors of Bradford & Leeds invited
- Paul Moore, Community Foods Ltd
To register contact Dina Greenwood at Bradford Metrpolitan District Council on 01274 438849 or email Diana.greenwood@bradford.gov.uk
Would you like to know how to build a strong brand for your business?
If so join us for our next WIN meeting on the 17th October, 11.30am-2.30pm at The Rock Inn Hotel, Holywell Green, Halifax, HX4 9BS
Guest Speaker: Joy Naylor from Affinity Marketing will talk about: ‘Building a strong brand for a small business’.
Cost: £10
Lunch will be provided and there will be structured networking to help you make those all-important contacts to help you in your business. There will be a prize draw and an expert on hand to give business advice and information.
To book to attend the next meeting please send a cheque for £10 per place booked (made payable to WYEA) FAO: Lynn Pearson, Business Link West Yorkshire, Croft Myl, West Parade, Halifax, HX1 2EQ
Please ensure that your booking and cheque reach us by Tuesday 10th October
CSV Make a Difference Day: 28th October 2006
CSV Make a Difference Day campaign weeks: 21st October 2006- 4th November 2006
Not every campaign can help you tackle local issues, help you work with neighbouring organisations, and help you recruit long-term volunteers. Infact, only this one does.
CSV Make a Difference Day is the biggest day of community action for the UK Volunteering and voluntary organisations get a share of some £2m worth of media limelight, and a chance to recruit more than 100,000 volunteers.
That’s the bigger picture – we can also help with the practical aspects.
Not sure what type of activity you would like to do?
We have four free, celebrity-endorsed How-To Guides to take you throughfour themed activities. We also have a website packed with activity ideas.
Don’t really know how to organise an activity?
For every group that registers, we send out a FREE Action Pack, whichcontains an activity organisers guide and media toolkit, health and safety information, plus balloons, certificates, pens, and chocolate.
Want to promote your activity and get local publicity?
Over 35 local BBC radtion stations support CSV Make a Difference Day. Your registered CSV Make a Difference Day activity could receive some valuable air-time!
What are you waiting for? Log on now to www.csv.org.uk/difference to get registered, and get your hands on some early registration freebies!
This course will introduce you to PQASSO and advise you on how to get started on the road to implementing a quality assurance system.
Training
Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MSc
Msc Social Entrepreneurship
The social enterprise sector is one of the fastest-growing, most creative and dynamic parts of the economy. It offers employment opportunities that give you the chance to make a real difference in society.
This programme is specifically designed to help those wishing to be involved in creating and sustaining social enterprises. It is also ideal for existing social entrepreneurs and there enablers working for support agencies. The courses are offered in collaboration with the Social Enterprise Support Centre.
Key benefits to students include:
The acquisition of a range of management skills that are essential in social enterprise and are highly transferable to other contexts
The opportunity to explore and develop social enterprise ideas in a supportive environment
Access to social enterprise networks
Bursaries available for certificate and diploma options the MSc has bursaries available to cover 75% of the tuition fees
£50,000.00 in student bursaries available. You could receive money towards the cost of your course!
Modules taken include:
- Entrepreneurship
- The social enterprise environment
- Experiencing entrepreneurship
- Managing social enterprise
- Social enterprise planning
Entry Requirements
If you have a prior degree or other academic qualifications or have relevant work experience you could be eligible to join the programme.
Email business-studies@hud.ac.uk or call 01484 472024
Net;gain
Do you fully understand the importance and value ICT has within your organisation?
Net:gain is a 12 month membership programme for senior managers to help you understand, plan, produce and implement an IT business strategy for your organisation.
On becoming a member you can expect to receive:
- £100 voucher for electroville services
- Free access to “Experts Online” worth £60
- Free ICT consultancy worth £325
- Free seminars on modem technology worth £75
- 92% of CISCO equipments up to a retail value of £5000 worth up to £4600
- IT strategy to use in funding bids : PRICELESS
For further information on rates and the programme please call 0845 337 2732 or email vihinglee@electroville.org.uk.
Vacancies
Community Arts Manager £ 23,175 per annum
3 year contract subject to funding and following probationary period
Kirkgate Studios and Workshops is a lively community art workshop delivering a range of art and craft activities at its site in Shipley and in the community.
Our present project manager is retiring.
We require a manager to oversee all aspects of our activities including development of new projects, fundraising, partnership working, support for our sessional tutors and managing our building.
Current CRB check will be required
CVs alone will not be accepted.
For further information and an application form please contact :
Kirkgate_studios_and_workshops@hotmail.com
Or
01274 598928
Or Kirkgate Studios and Workshops, Kirkgate, Shipley BD18 3EH
CLOSING DATE OCTOBER 6th
Fit4Funding (The Charities Information Bureau) is looking to add to their team of trainers and associate trainers to support training delivery on fundraising and related issues.
Scale SO1 - SO2 (£23,175 - 26,928 f/t)
plus non-contributory pension and health scheme
Associates will be required to have strong training skills, a knowledge of funding issues, and be able to deliver both short courses and accredited training programmes on an "as required" basis. Hours by agreement.
Trainer (full time) Experience in funding or related management training for community and voluntary groups required.
For both posts knowledge of voluntary organisations, preferably in a training environment, and experience in funding or related management training for community and voluntary groups is essential. The work will take place within West Yorkshire and occasionally further a field.
Closing date 20th September.
fit4funding, 93 Lawefield Lane, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF2 8SU. For a
form download from www.fit4funding.org.uk Flexible hours and holidays. CV's
will not be considered.
Tel: 01924 239063 E-mail: info@fit4funding.org.uk
Links
West Yorkshire Social Enterprise Link: http://www.wyselink.co.uk/
Social Enterprise Support Centre: http://www.sesc.info/
Social Enterprise Yorkshire & Humber http://www.seyh.org.uk/
Bfunded http://www.bfunded.org.uk/
Supplier route to government http://www.supply2.gov.uk/
Local Info
Wakefield Market
Wakefield Market is the largest of the District’s eight Markets, with a Market Hall, Fish and Meat Hall and an Open Market.
The Market Halls open Monday to Saturday with half day closing on Wednesday.
- The Open Market is held on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Second hand is every Tuesday.
- Car bootless sale is held every Sunday on the Open Market.
