April, 2009 News

A Dingle Opportunities service
The Liv-IT bus is a community resource designed to engage communities in gaining access
to I.T (computers) and the internet. It has freedom of mobility so it can deliver I.T. services in any location and engage with groups who may not otherwise have access to computer facilities or training.

It supports and develops I.T. skills and knowledge and can also provide the potential
for further progression to I.T. qualifcations.

Organised by Liverpool Vision, Merseyside Social Enterprise Network, Merseyside Expanding Horizons and Liverpool Charitable & Voluntary Service

To be held on Wednesday May 13th, 7.30am-9.30am, at Novas Contemporary Urban Centre, Greenfield Street, Liverpool L1

A morning masterclass in how social enterprises can survive and take advantage of adverse events within and without – becoming ‘futureproof – delivered by:

Organised by Liverpool Vision, Merseyside Social Enterprise Network, Merseyside Expanding Horizons and Liverpool Charitable & Voluntary Service

To be held on Wednesday May 13th, 5.30pm-7.30pm, at Novas Contemporary Urban Centre, Greenfield Street, Liverpool L1

A early evening masterclass in how social enterprises can rebuild civic society, renew community and sociability and create alternative economies meeting human needs  – delivered by:

By Kirsty McGregor, Third Sector Online, 20 April 2009

Social enterprises 'will shape post-recession Britain', says Cabinet Office minister

Key figures from the social enterprise sector will join senior government officials at a ‘summit' in London next month to examine the role of social enterprise in the recession.

The Social Enterprise Summit, co-hosted by Cabinet Office minister Liam Byrne and business secretary Lord Mandelson on 12 May, will be attended by social entrepreneurs, policymakers and regional development agency leaders.

Futurebuilders, 14/04/2009

One of the Government’s flagship funds to help voluntary and community groups overcome the impact of the recession is open for business.

Although not officially set to start until later this month, interested organisations are invited to register an interest in securing interest-free loans worth up to £500,000 from the £16.5 million Modernisation Fund.

By Adrian Roberts Times On-line

Contrary to popular belief, organisations that produce a social return are not the sole preserve of the chattering classes

Social enterprise is viewed by some minority groups as a predominantly white very middle class affair but a conference in Luton last month sought to break down those misconceptions and show that social entrepreneurialism is actually growing amongst the UK’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities (BAME).

Robert Booth The Guardian
 
Hazel Blears, the communities secretary, and Andy Burnham, the culture secretary, will announce a £3m plan to make thousands of small grants of up to £1,000 to people who find creative reuse for vacant shops.

Planning rules will be relaxed to allow changes of use which go against local guidelines. For example, a disused clothes shop could become an art gallery or an empty Woolworths an NHS drop-in centre.

Social Enterprise London (SEL) has been awarded the prestigious Olympic ‘inspire' mark.

The mark is given to a small number of exceptional projects and events to celebrate their contribution to the spirit of London 2012 and its legacy.

SEL have been awarded the mark in recognition of the work they have been doing to encourage social enterprises to compete to deliver Olympic contracts before, during and after the games.

Take a closer look at EUCLID’s Cultur€uro Seminar, Liverpool, Wednesday 6 May 2pm
 
"Excellent presenter, very enjoyable & informative"
 
The Cultureuro Seminar is the perfect way to learn about the funding opportunities available to the cultural sector.  This half day seminar will provide detailed information on the Culture Programme, the latest programmes for education, training, young people, the environment, research & development programmes, Structural Funds, and possible new opportunities for rural areas from changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budgets.  And as the UK's official Cultural Contact Point, EUCLID has the very latest news on the programmes for 2009-2013.

Blackburne House are an approved provider delivering NVQs through the Train to Gain contract. 

Work based learning NVQs are delivered in the following areas:
 
Team Leading
Management
Advice and Guidance
Housing
IT
Business Administration
Customer Services

Is your elevator pitch up to scratch?

Venue: The Leaf Tea Shop & Bar, Elevator Building, 27.Parliament Street, Liverpool, L8 5RN.
Date: Tuesday, 21st April 2009.
Time: 6pm - 8.30pm.

It's so important to get across who you are and what you do in the first 5 seconds for effective networking and sales!

To give you some top tips on pitching we've invited:-

Business Link Northwest brings you 'Survive and Thrive' - a series of free, local events in association with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Let a team of experts help you on your journey through this economic downturn and attend an event where you can:

    * Be inspired by talks from key business leaders to guide you on your way
    * Pick up tips to motivate you to take action,
       improve - and grow
    * Access business support, to steer you in the
       right direction
    * Shift up a gear by networking with business advisers
    * Visit an exhibition area for easy access to business information relevant to you
    * Earn a CPD certificate for CIM workshops

Liverpool based social enterprise Brava Design has expanded their team with the appointment of Graphic Designer Hayley Jones, following a number of new contract wins.

Hayley graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a degree in Graphic Arts in the summer of 2008 and secured the position after a short work placement with Brava Design. Hayley said:

South Sefton Development Trust are looking to add to their existing pool of experienced mentors.

They are seeking people who work in, or are on the board of, social enterprises who are willing to provide up to 12 months support to our new Stepclever social entrepreneurs.

For further detail see the attached flyer or contact:

By Hannah Jordan, Third Sector, 14 April 2009

Entrepreneur networking site hopes to take advantage of recession.

A new online application that will help the public to find out about and support social enterprises is being developed by the social entrepreneur networking site UnLtdWorld.

In Business for Good  

Kevin Brennan MP Minister for the Third Sector has now been confirmed as a key note speaker for the SENW Trade Fair at Aintree Race Course 16th June 2009  

20 years ago, 96 men, women and children went to a football match and never returned.

In memory of those who lost their lives on that tragic day, the bereaved families, and those who endure the painful memories of that day, music stars from across the city, along with some Liverpool legends, have come together to release a single in their honour.

Notice to Providers

As you may know the Ministry of Justice National Offender Management Services (NOMS) is now a European Social Fund co-financing organisation. In order to facilitate the significant procurement programme it is intented to publish the contact details of organisations who have given consent to publish their details on a website to help promote interested Prime Contractors, Sub contractors and third sector organisations to network with each other and formalise potential subcontracting arrangements within their potential proposals to deliver the ESF programme. Information is being sought on the professional expertise and current/future delivery locations of potential providers. This information will be used to create a networking data base. For more information follow link

TSEN wants to develop a comprehensive picture of the experience of Third Sector organisations who have considered engaging and/or have engaged in LSC tendering rounds to run European Social Fund (2007-2013) activity in
2008 and/or 2009.

The survey assesses:

How widely the sector has and can engage with the LSC procurement system for European Social Fund activity, and how it finds the experience of engaging

By Gemma Hampson Social Enterprise Magazine 2 April 2009

Community interest company applications are ‘snowballing' in the economic downturn, according to the regulator of the legal structure.

Social Enterprise revealed earlier this year that CIC regulator Sara Burgess would be carrying out a review of the structure, with particular focus on the 35 per cent cap on dividends.

Between July 2005 and March 2009, 2,781 applications were approved for CIC status and there are a further 100 applications pending.

Nominations are now open for the women's social leadership awards 2009.

The awards are designed to recognise and celebrate women who are demonstrating genuine social leadership and working to change peoples lives for the better.

Social enterprises which invest in training can compete to win a National Training Award.

The Awards, which have been running since 1986, celebrate organisations and individuals that demonstrate outstanding business and personal success through investment in training.

By Kaye Wiggins, Third Sector Online, 2 April 2009

Financial exclusion, housing and homelessness projects can apply

The Nationwide Foundation has launched a £3.2m grants programme for charities dealing with financial exclusion, housing issues and homelessness.

The fund will be split between a small grants programme and an investor programme.

Apr 1 2009 Midweek Visiter

ADULTS with learning disabilities in Southport have been planting more than 900 trees.

The Growing Business, based on Rotten Row, is a work training project catering for adults with learning disabilities.

It is a partnership venture involving Sefton Council’s Health and Social Care Directorate, New Directions Ltd and the Big Lottery.

Students have teamed up with the Leisure Services, Coast and Countryside Service as part of the Biodiversity and Access Project (BAP) to plant trees near the Sands pub and Pontins in Ainsdale.

Communities and Local Government 1st Apr 2009

UK - Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced successful third sector organisations - charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises - which are to share multi million funding for projects helping to give people a real say in their communities.

Twenty-one projects will receive a £9.25million Empowerment Fund to deliver on the key themes of the Communities in Control White paper which include being active in your community; access to information; standing for office and ownership and control.