Free healthy eating courses

16/07/2014

The Big Fig Catering Project (run by Care Coops) has funding to deliver free outreach healthy eating courses to disadvantaged groups. If you are working with disadvantaged groups, they can deliver a course to your groups at your venue.

The aim of these courses are to promote the benefits of healthy eating and to create a better understanding of how to prepare healthy food. The courses are delivered in a way that seeks to provide both practical work in the kitchen and classroom-based exercises. During the course the learners will be able to create a nutritionally balanced meal plan as well as have the opportunity to help prepare a healthy meal. At the end of each course, learners will receive photos of their meals, a copy of their meal plan and a certificate of achievement. Each course will run for a total 6 hours over one or two days depending on your requirements.

The Big Fig is a social enterprise catering business funded by the Big Lottery Fund which also provides unemployed people with catering training.

Please contact Tim Jones on 01273 468200 if you would like further information on the outreach cookery training  or e-mail [email protected].

Applying for grants workshop

02/07/2014

Places available on Applying For Grants Workshop

Want to find money for your artistic development, to put on an exhibition or run a creative group? Learn the basics of applying for grants and tips on where to look in this one day workshop. This workshop will cover what funders are looking for, points to cover in your application and a one to one consultation to discuss ideas you want to seek funding for.

Fee: £7/£15 per workshop for individuals. £35 if attending on behalf of an organisation.

Date & Time: Wednesday 9 July 2014 10-5pm

Venue: Conference Room, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG

These workshops are for marginalised people or those who are trying to raise funds to work with marginalised groups.

Our funders define marginalised as: Those who feel their opportunities are limited as a result of mental health issues, physical or learning disabilities, homelessness, substance misuse, being an offender, ex-offender, refugee, long term unemployed, elderly, carer or are from a BME or LGBT background.

Please call Dominique De-Light on the following numbers 01273 234 780 / 07866 677950 or email [email protected] to book.

FREE training: Supervising volunteers with disabilities and additional support needs

13/06/2014

Better Futures, an accessible volunteering project with Brighton and Hove Impetus have an upcoming free training workshop on: Supervising Volunteers with Disabilities and Additional Support Needs

Date:

Thursday, 26 June 2014 from 10:00 to 16:30

Venue:

Space for Change, 14 Windlesham Avenue, Brighton

Please click below for further details and to book your free place:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supervising-volunteers-with-disabilities-and-additional-support-needs-tickets-11661412599

This is a whole day workshop, which will enable you to gain skills and confidence around accessible volunteering and to learn practical ways to make an inclusive culture for volunteers with disabilities. Throughout the day, you will access resources and fill out an action plan which is tailored for your organisation.

The course meets several standards in the best practice of managing volunteers, including the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation and the city-wide Brighton and Hove Volunteering Strategy.

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for anyone with responsibility for supervising volunteers, who wants to ensure that volunteers with disabilities feel welcome and supported. You may be completely new to the area of volunteering and disability, or wish to refresh your knowledge in the area.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  • Offer volunteers with disabilities an inclusive ‘person-centred’ supervision approach
  •  Create a culture of openness in your volunteering programme, encouraging people to disclose their needs
  • Carry out a joint assessment with your volunteers, to better understand their access needs and to make appropriate adjustments
  • Conduct and review risk assessments
  • Access other examples of best practice and case studies with accessible volunteering around the UK.

If you have any questions about this workshop, please email: [email protected] or telephone 01273 229009

Age UK briefing: Tuesday 17th June, 10am – 12noon

06/06/2014

Are older people part of your client group?  You can  increase your confidence and knowledge around older people’s issues by joining the experts, Age UK, for a morning briefing at Whitehawk Inn.

This session is for community gatekeepers, volunteers and professionals and will provide an introduction to a range of issues including retirement, staying active &  independent and money & benefits, enabling you to provide accurate and up to date information and increase referrals to expert agencies.  To book, phone 01273 682 222

Moneywise for over 50s,  November 2014 – your input please!

Following on from the briefing, Whitehawk Inn will be running a short certificated course with Age UK next term.  This will be for anyone who supports older people and is aimed at increasing financial confidence in the over 50s.  The course will be needs led – so if you support people over 50, what are the key financial issues that you would like to learn more about?  Please let Helen Thomas know (details below) – or register your interest in joining the course.

Helen Thomas

Curriculum and Advice Service Manager
Whitehawk Inn
http://www.whinn.org.uk/

www.facebook.com/TheWhitehawkInn

[email protected]

01273 682 222

FREE digital inclusion courses, workshops and drop-ins at Whitehawk Inn

20/05/2014

Whitehawk Inn has a new suite of FREE digital inclusion courses, workshops and drop-ins, aiming to help our communities become more confident and capable using online services and technologies.

The Gadget Surgery is entirely drop in whilst all other training should be booked in advance.

Residents should contact Whitehawk Inn on 01273 682 222 to book an enrolment.

Gadget Surgery

Baffled by your gadget? Frustrated by your phone? Confused by your computer? This fun and friendly introduction to technology will get you up & running and making the most of your gadgets. Drop in

Mondays 9.30am-11.30am

10 weeks: 28 April – 14 July

Moneywise

Become a money saving expert by finding bargains and avoiding scams.  We’ll explore a range of websites and activities including price comparisons, home energy, banking and online shopping.

Mondays 12.30-2.30pm

5 weeks: 16 June – 7 July

Internet Security

New to the net? Just getting used to being online? Are you worried about scams, viruses, identity theft and just don’t know who to trust? Our friendly tutor can help you get things into perspective, show you what to worry about and what not to. Followed by simple practical advice to help you reduce the risks, feel safer, get more done and have more fun!  Drop in.

1 session: 9 June 12.30-2.30pm

1 session: 14 July 12.30-2.30pm

www.whinn.org.uk

www.facebook.com/TheWhitehawkInn

01273 682 222

FREE computer courses at BUCFP

20/05/2014

FREE COURSES at Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project:

Thursday 29th May –  Microsoft Access

Monday 16th June  –  Microsoft Word

Tuesday 17th June –  Introduction to Blogging

Wednesday 18th June  – Social Media

Monday & Tuesday 7th & 8th July – Computing for Beginners

www.facebook.com/bucfp1

 

Free Courses with Safety-Net Summer 2014

24/04/2014

‘Our Decision’ Safer Recruitment with Safe Network

Tues 29th April   9:30am – 12:30pm at the  Brighthelm Centre

BOOK YOUR PLACE<http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/safety-net-906180167>

Aim of course: To support VCS organisations with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application process and effective decision-making related to the level of supervision and DBS checking required for different roles.

 

‘Online Safety’ with Safe Network

Tues 29th April   12:45am – 3:30pm at the Brighthelm Centre.

BOOK YOUR PLACE<http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/safety-net-906180167>

Aim of course: To increase organisational awareness of e-safety and access to resources

 

Community Group Child Protection Training

This course is an introduction to safeguarding and child protection issues for those working in small community groups. You will gain a basic understanding of your role in establishing a safe environment and safe working practices in protecting children and young people from harm and abuse.

Thursday 15th May        6pm – 9pm     Safety Net Portslade
Wednesday 28th May   1pm – 4pm     Safety Net Portslade
Wednesday 9th July      6pm – 9pm    Safety Net Portslade

BOOK YOUR PLACE<http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/safety-net-906180167>

Safeguarding for Summer activities

Wed 18th June                10am – 1pm Safety Net Portslade

BOOK YOUR PLACE<http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/safety-net-906180167>

Will you be working with children and young people this summer?

Make sure that you know how to keep children and young people safe during your activities.

You will gain a basic understanding of your role in establishing a safe environment and safe working practices in protecting children and young people from harm and abuse.

 

Protective Behaviours

Tues 6th and Tues 12th May     10am  – 4pm Kings House,  Hove.

Book with B & H Core Skills<http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/children-and-education/childrens-services/childrens-services-training>

*   Children’s Services staff, school staff, foster carers and CVS groups working in Brighton & Hove – FREE

Protective Behaviours (PBs) is a safety and life skills programme which starts from the belief that we cannot be scared into feeling safe.  It therefore avoids a focus on scary scenarios and rigid sets of rules for how to deal with unsafe situations (which tend to induce fear and guilt).  Instead it teaches an ability to recognise when we are not feeling safe and provides skills and tools to enable individuals to take action and get help when they need it. The approach encourages everyone to develop their personal networks of support, to explore letting people know when we need to talk to them and building problem-solving skills. PBs also recognises that life is also about taking risks and trying new things and that this is part of our development and an important life.

This two day course teaches an ability to recognise when we are not feeling safe and provides skills and tools to enable individuals to take action and get help when they need it. It also recognises that life is about taking risks and trying new things and that this is part of our personal development and an important life skill

 

Safeguarding and Child Protection

One day Wed 11th June 10 – 4pm Brighton *£50 per person*

BOOK HERE<http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/safety-net-906180167>

Please note that this course was previously titled CHILD PROTECTION LEVEL 1.

This 1 day course covers issues relating to all age groups up to 18.

Participants will gain an understanding of their role in establishing a safe environment and safe working practices in protecting children and young people from harm and abuse. The course will also look at identifying signs that a child might be at risk and responding to keep the child and themselves safe. It will also cover background information about the law and child protection.

 

Safeguarding children with Disabilities

Tues 24th June     10am – 4pm Safety Net Portslade *£50 per person*

BOOK HERE<http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/safety-net-906180167>

This course is for those who are involved with working with children and young people (2-25 years) with disabilities and who want to increase their awareness in this area.

It is also a suitable alternative for anyone undertaking their three-yearly safeguarding update.

Helping Teenagers to Keep Themselves Safe Thursday 12th June 10 -4pm Safety Net, Portslade *£50 per person* BOOK HERE<http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/safety-net-906180167>

Protective Behaviours is a life skills, assertiveness and safety awareness programme. It is about building confidence in exploring what safety means and what can get in the way of us acting for our own safety. The programme looks at ways of understanding our personal response to risk and safety and helps develop tools and resources to keep ourselves safe.

This course looks in more detail at risk taking behaviour in teenagers as a part of their transition to adulthood and how Protective Behaviours can be used to increase young people’s understanding of personal safety and emotional literacy.

Suitable for those working or volunteering with young people aged 12 – 19yrs

 

 

 

Community Works Mentoring Programme

23/04/2014

Are you involved in a community group and would like some help to increase your skills and confidence?

 

Would you like someone independent to be a sounding board for your ideas?

 

Would you like help over a 6 month period?

 

Community Works is launching a new Mentoring Programme which will run from May to October this year. The types of things you could ask for help with might include:

  • Setting up a formal structure for a small community group
  • How to survive in the long-term
  • How to manage volunteers or work more collaboratively with them
  • Finding funding
  • Improving the governance of your group
  • Forward planning and looking to the future
  • Refining your group’s objectives

The purpose is to support individuals to improve day to day practice, develop leadership skills or tackle challenging project management issues through one-to-one mentoring.

They aim to match around 12 individuals (mentees) to experienced mentors who will meet regularly over a 6 month period to tackle an identified support need. They have already signed up 12 highly experienced mentors who are waiting to meet you!

If you are interested you must:

  • Be working or volunteering for a community group, charity, or voluntary organisation in Brighton and Hove
  • Have a particular project, issue, or skill development need that you can identify as needing support with
  • Be able to get the approval of your management committee (or chair of the group), supervisor or line manager to participate
  • Be able to ensure your management committee (or chair of the group), supervisor or line manager can actively input to the evaluation process.

To apply, please return the following to Community Works by Tuesday 29th April:

For more information or an informal chat:

Organisations who took part last year:

  • Cascade Creative Recovery
  • Do One Good Thing
  • Forward Facing
  • Grace Eyre
  • Homeopathy in the Sussex Community
  • Lunch Positive
  • Starling housing Co-op
  • Trailer Trashed

“A fantastic experience, with benefits which will make a huge impact and be long lasting. The initial goals agreed between myself and mentor were met effectively, with unexpected and additional impact on other areas of my own work, the delivery of the project, and the management of the organisation” previous mentee.

 

Skills Exchange inviting applications for support

15/04/2014

What is Skills Exchange?

Skills Exchange is a network of professional firms, each of which has offered to provide their professional skills free of charge to voluntary and community organisations across Brighton and Hove who cannot afford to pay for these services. Support is offered for clearly defined, time-limited projects.

What sorts of firms are involved?

Members include architects, surveyors, accountants, solicitors, IT consultants and those who specialise in public relations, marketing, HR and design.

How is it managed?

Each firm is affiliated to Skills Exchange. The Skills Exchange Board meets bi-monthly to respond to requests for help from voluntary and community organisations. If a match cannot be made immediately, effort is made to find a suitable match. The process is supported by Community Works and the next deadline is Monday 12th May.

Examples of expertise available:

Legal advice, including but not restricted to Employment Law, Landlord/Tenant issues and Charity Law, Architectural advice; drawing of plans, gaining planning permission, surveying, building management, HR, Graphic Design, for example design of a logo, Website development, PR and Marketing, Strategy development and business planning, Organisational change, Financial management, Event Planning, Change management.

Is your organisation eligible to apply for support?

Skills Exchange will consider your application if:

  • You represent a not‐for‐profit organisation including charities, community groups and social enterprises, whose benefit is primarily within Brighton and Hove.
  • You do not have the funds to pay for the services you are requesting.
  • You can demonstrate the benefit to the organisation, staff, volunteers or service users.
  • You are able to demonstrate that the organisation has the resources to follow advice through.
  • You can nominate a contact/liaison person to ensure the project runs smoothly.
  • You are happy to take part in feedback, case studies and other evaluation.

Apply for support

The Skills Exchange Board next meets on Tues 20th May.

To make an initial application visit: http://www.skillsxchange.org.uk/apply/

Contact Lisa Mytton on [email protected], 01273 234031 if you would like to chat through an idea.

Skills Exchange is a project of Brighton and Hove Community Works.

Small Charities Week Big Advice Day

15/04/2014

As part of Small Charities Week 2014, small charities across the UK will be able to access free advice from a range of specialists on 17th June 2014.

Advice will be available over Skype or on the phone from anywhere in the UK, as well as face to face in central London.

For more information, and to sign up, go to smallcharityweek.com/big-advice-day/