Voluntary Action Lewisham

Trustees' Week will celebrate the work done by trustees and aims to increase awareness and understanding of the work they do. It is estimated that almost half of the charities in England and Wales have vacancies on their management committees.

Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission, says:

During Trustees’ Week we want to celebrate trustees’ huge contribution to society. We would also like to raise awareness beyond the charity sector of just what trusteeship is all about. Many people have skills and experience that they could bring to being a charity trustee, but our research shows that often people do not know what the role entails. Talking to trustees I’m always struck by the thing they have in common – a desire to live a life beyond themselves.

More details about Trustees’ Week are available at www.trusteesweek.org.uk Other organisations involved in Trustees' Week (many of which also offer trustee matching services) include:

• Charity Trustee Network (CTN)
• Getting on Board
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)
• NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations)
• Reach Volunteering

Arrangements for this event are being put in place currently, but please book the date and join us for what is always an important event in our calendar. For further information contact:

Martin Howie
020 8314 8876
martin@valewisham.org.uk

The Media Skills Centre and other voluntary sector organisations will be launching ‘Save our world’, a series of games designed by young people to educate the public on the issue of climate change.

Media Skills Centre has been working with twenty young people to produce a number of adventure games, quizzes, e-books and simulations on the issue of climate change. The games are designed by the young people and their voices feature in the games.

The launch is an opportunity for the wider community to learn more about climate change in a new way. There will be opportunities to try out the games and to meet the young people who came up with the ideas for the games.

Media Skills Centre is hosting the event to create awareness about how we ALL can achieve a lasting and sustained decrease in emissions of CO2 through-reduced demand for energy, increased energy efficiency, increased use of renewable sources of energy and poverty alleviation.

Representatives from Envirowork Lewisham will also be on hand to offer tips and advice on how everyone can contribute to tackling climate change.

Mr. Olu Ojuroye – the centre programme director – said:

It is our hope that this project achieves its aim of influencing children and families to have a more positive outlook on life and their environment in general by contributing towards reducing their carbon footprint.

Local assembly meetings schedule September-October 2010

Local assembly meetings in September and October 2010 (except Blackheath) will host special ‘Our Lewisham, Our Say’ budget consultation workshops. This will be your chance to have your say on how the Council deals with the budget challenges facing local government.

The Neighbourhood Engagement project can support Lewisham groups on how they participate and put their views effectively in this consultation or other situations that required it. Our contact details:
Luisa Ares, VAL Neighbourhood Engagement Officer Tel. No. 020 8314 7072

For Local Assemblies information, contact:
Local Assemblies Team Tel. No. 020 8314 7034

The schedule: (times and location to be confirmed soon)

VAL Neighbourhood Engagement project can support Lewisham groups with information or support participating, putting your organisation views to the consultation. Contact details:
Luisa Ares, VAL Neighbourhood Engagement Officer (Tel. No. 020 8314 7072)

For Local Assemblies information, contact:
Local Assemblies Team (Tel. No. 020 8314 7034)

Our Local Lewisham

Lewisham Children and Young People’s Forum
Wednesday 9th June 2010, 1.30 – 4.30pm – including lunch!
Stephen Lawrence Centre, 38 Brookmill Road, Deptford SE8 4HU

This event will focus on getting the most out of partnerships and networks at a local level.

• Network with other VCS organisations across Lewisham
• Explore locally-based resources, networks and other support
• Updates on Local Assemblies (Lewisham Council), Ward Panels (Lewisham Police), and local youth engagement networks
• Olympics 2012: plans for Lewisham
• Elect your new Steering Group for 2010!
• And much more…

To reserve your place, please email kate@valewisham.org.uk or call 020 8314 7018 with your name, organisation and any special dietary requirements.

Location Map

View Larger Map

You are warmly invited to attend the next Voluntary Action Lewisham (VAL) Community Health and Social Care Forum (CHSC)

Community Engagement – Working in Partnership to address Health Inequalities

Monday 24th May 2010, 1.30 – 4.30pm – includes lunch!
Leemore Centre Community Hub, entrance Bonfield Road, Lewisham, SE13 5EU

Agenda:

The forum is an excellent way to continue to develop links both with colleagues from other voluntary and community groups AND statutory organisations interested in buildiing partnership and commissioning services, including Lewisham Council and NHS Lewisham. We positively welcome personnel from both the VCFS and statutory sector to join us at our partnership forum events.

To book a place

To reserve your place at the CHSC Forum, and to let me know if you will be sharing with us your planned community engagement event in June / July please email or call Rosalind on 020 8314 9841 stating your name, organisation, and phone number.

How to find us…

Map: http://www.multimap.com/maps/?lat=51.45957&lon=-0.00688&zoomFactor=16&moveMap=-125,83&;redCircle=on

Buses: 47, 54, 75, 136, 185, 199, 208, P4, Rail: 10 minutes walk from Lewisham DLR Station

Cars: Pay & Display Car Park in Clarendon Rise, and limited meter parking in Bonfield Road, we strongly encourage you to use public transport!

Access…

The venue is wheelchair accessible.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest Regards

Rosalind


Rosalind John
Health Inequalities & Social Care Officer

The voluntary sector has effectively worked collaboratively in different ways for sometime. However, the sector is now required to develop closer collaborative work with other organisations and institutions. partly to ensure its survival, but one which may bring new opportunities and more integrated ways of working. If you are a development worker, you may have observed the positive outcomes collaboration can bring, as well as the challenges and potential difficulties that can be encountered facilitating collaboration.

If you facilitate collaboration or you are going to, you may be interested in this forthcoming free two-day collaboration training. Limited spaces may also be available for public sector colleagues.

The sessions will focus on:

• Good practice in collaboration working
• Joint tendering and consortia building
• Critical success factors in collaborative working
• Cross-sector collaboration
• The policy context for collaborative working

Please see attached flyer and booking form. Please note that you need to send your form back to us by 1st March 2010 to ensure a place.

For more information, you can contact Luisa Ares on 020 8314 7072 or luisa@valewisham.org.uk

Running Community Activities and Events Safely: What are our Needs?
6 – 8pm, Wednesday 3rd February 2009
Venue: Main Hall, Leemore Resource Centre, Clarendon Rise, London, SE13 5ES

Location Map:

This meeting is for staff and volunteers from all voluntary and community organisations working in Lewisham.

It will be led by Voluntary Action Lewisham, Lewisham Council and Lewisham Metropolitan Police.

We will:

• Discuss issues around safety for the young people, adults and communities we work with
• Share experiences and ideas
• Identify the support needed to help organisations plan safe events and activities
• Agree a way forward

Kate English
Development Officer for Children and Young People

Fairtrade Fortnight takes place from 22 February – 7 March.

This year’s theme is “The Big Swap” and the Fairtrade Foundation is encouraging people to substitute a favourite food, like a preferred brand of tea or chocolate, for a Fairtrade equivalent for the whole two week period.

Fairtrade Fortnight is very much about raising awareness. The Council is keen to help support local people and organisations wishing to hold their own Fairtrade events.

If you are thinking of organising an event for Fairtrade then a good place to start is Lewisham Council’s website www.lewisham.gov.uk  or pick up a leaflet at your local library.

You can advertise your event on the events page of the Council website. The arts service also offer an events listing service which can be found at: www.creativelewisham.org

For further information contact the Lewisham Town Centre Management team on 020 8314 8246.

We’re pleased to invite you to our next CYP Forum meeting

Support from the Start

6 – 9pm, Tuesday 2nd March 2010
Leemore Centre Community Hub, Clarendon Rise, London, SE13 5ES

Click here for a location map

As ever, the meeting will be packed with updates on key developments in Lewisham, and offers excellent networking opportunities with both VCS and statutory colleagues.

• Focus on early intervention and preventative work supporting children, young people and families
• Updates and discussion with colleagues from Lewisham’s Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS), Children’s Centres, Extended Services, Play and Recreation, and Youth Offending Service
• Meet your new VCS Reps on Lewisham’s CYP Strategic Partnership – get feedback and feed in to local decision making
• Share opportunities, information and ideas in the Open Mic session

Hope to see you there! Best wishes,
Kate

To register

To register, please:

• email Kate;
• phone 020 8314 7018; or
• register online

We will need your name, organisation and contact details.

We are delighted to invite you to the re-launch of the new quarterly VAL Community Health & Social Care Forum at our themed event:

Building Partnerships & Healthier Communities
1.00pm – 4.30pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010
Venue: Lady Florence Hall, 21 Deptford Broadway, London SE8 4PA

Agenda

1.00 pm - Registration, Lunch and Networking from 1.00pm

1.25 pm - Introductions & Icebreakers

1.35 pm - Presentation: Working Together Towards a Healthier Community

•         Rosalind John, Health Inequalities & Social Care Officer VAL

•         Martin Howie, Director of VAL

•         Aileen Buckton, Executive Director for Community Services, LB Lewisham

•         Dr. Danny Ruta, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS Lewisham and LB Lewisham

2.10 pm - Q & A – a chance to ask questions and put your views forward

2.30 pm - BREAK: REFRESHMENTS and DISPLAY MARKETPLACE

2.40 pm - Reducing the Health Inequalities Gap: Working in partnership to engage communities to access health services and improve health outcomes

          Workshops (led by voluntary sector representatives) – choose from:

•         Asylum Seekers’ & Refugees’ Health

•         BME Communities’ Health

•         Carers’ Health

•         Disabled People’s Health

•         Men’s Health

•         Older Adults’ Health

•         Women’s Health

Together, we will brainstorm and identify the challenges faced by these particular communities to access health services and then move on to focus on the perceived solutions to those challenges.

4.00 pm -Summary and Closing Comments

This partnership event commences at 1.00pm with lunch and networking opportunities among representatives from many of the local VCS groups and organisations working in the arena of Health & Social Care.

There’s the chance to display posters or a small stand: display space is very limited and must be booked in advance, so contact me to secure yours.

The forum will be an excellent chance to develop links both with colleagues from other voluntary and community groups AND from statutory organisations interested in building partnerships and commissioning services, including L B Lewisham and NHS Lewisham.

The VCS voice in Lewisham really does count!

After the event your views, concerns and comments from the Q & A session and workshops will be collated and used to inform the new post 2010 Health Inequalities Strategy being undertaken jointly by LB Lewisham and NHS Lewisham.  Your views will also be used to set priorities and agendas for future Community Health & Social Care Forum meetings.

To attend, you MUST register in advance by calling 0208 314 9841 or emailing rosalind@valewisham.org.uk:

• Your name,
• The name of your organisation,
• Your 1st choice of workshop
• Your 2nd choice of workshop

Or why not register online

We look forward to meeting you!
Rosalind

Rosalind John
Health Inequalities & Social Care Officer

Between 18 and 24 January, Lewisham residents, faith groups and primary school and secondary school pupils will take part in several events to mark the borough’s remembrance of all atrocities and genocides.

From Monday 18 - Friday 22 January at 7.30pm in the Broadway Studio, Catford pupils from Lewisham schools will host an evening of drama, poetry readings and monologues based on this year’s theme – ‘Legacy of Hope’.

On Saturday 23 January at 12 noon, a multi-faith service will take place at Catford Synagogue on Crantock Road. Tickets for this service are free and can be obtained by calling 020 8314 8636

Sunday 24 January is the culmination of Lewisham’s commemoration. There will be a rededication of the Tree of Hope in the grounds of the Town Hall at 2pm. Later, at 3.00pm at the Broadway Theatre, there will be performances by Lewisham school pupils.

Tickets to all performances are free and are available from the theatre box office on 020 8690 0002

I’m pleased to invite you to our next Children and Young People’s Forum Meeting:

Safe in our Society
9.30am – 12.30pm, 9^th December 2009
The Albany Theatre, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8

As ever, our meeting will be packed with essential local updates, useful discussions and excellent networking opportunities. It will be followed by a sandwich lunch at 12.30pm.

Agenda:

• Focus: Children and Young People’s Community Safety – presentations and discussion with LBL’s Community Safety Team, Lewisham Police and a range of voluntary-led projects
• Update: Lewisham’s NEW Integrated Youth Support Service
• Ballot: Election of VCS Reps to the CYP Strategic Partnership (see separate webpage – deadline for nominations is 23^rd November)
• Networking:: with voluntary sector colleagues and statutory sector guests from Lewisham Council and the Metropolitan Police
• Open Mic: Your chance to share news and opportunities

We hope to see you there! Please register in advance by sending your name, organisation and contact details to kate@valewisham.org.uk or calling 020 8314 7018.

The old Chinese saying that "we live in interesting times" is apposite for VCS organisations as we look at the current economic and political situation. The delivery of public services is the subject of much review and debate and the changes that result will affect us all. This will be the theme of our Compact Week event, to be held on 4th November, 2.00-4.30pm at the Civic Suite.

Lewisham’s Mayor, Sir Steve Bullock, has suggested previously that there are likely to be more opportunities for VCS organisations to be involved in public service delivery, and he is one of our main speakers at the event. Our other speaker is Michael Richardson, Chair of NHS Lewisham, who will talk about the many changes in the delivery of health services and opportunities for VCS involvement.

The event will include opportunity to ask questions of our two speakers, and to discuss issues with both VCS colleagues and Council and NHS Lewisham staff.

Pre-registration

Pre-registration is not essential but it would be helpful to us for organisational purposes to know if you are planning to attend. Please phone or email Sheila at VAL.

Tel: 020 8314 9411, sheila@valewisham.org.uk

This promises to be an important event for VCS, Council and NHS staff. Can you afford not to be there?

VAL's AGM (7.00-9.00pm) will be followed by a presentation by Elaine Sammarco on her experience of spending a year working in Tanzania. Elaine will be known to many as VAL's previous Chair of Trustees.

Alongside the brief business agenda, which will include adoption of VAL's Strategic Plan for 2010-2012, we will be having a short address from the Bishop of Woolwich, who is visiting Catford.

Before the AGM (1.45-5.30pm) VAL will be hosting a FREE event on Facing the Recession with confidence.  To find out more about this event click here: http://www.valewisham.org.uk/content/facing-recession-confidence

We would appreciate it if you could confirm your attendance for the AGM for catering purposes (a hot buffet will be served on the day).

To confirm your attendance please contact Sheila on:

020 8314 9411 sheila@valewisham.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you on the 15th!