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Grants will pay for professional support to help you explore how you can increase your impact and become more resilient, including through working more closely with others. There will be two phases of funding, bursaries of £1,000 followed by grants of £10,000.

The funding will be targeted at third sector organisations with an annual turnover of between £150,000 and £750,000, which are wholly or primarily engaged in recession-related services under the themes of:

• wellbeing and health


• advice, information and guidance


• loss of income, training and skills

If you are unsure if your organisation meets this criteria, please visit the Modernisation Fund web site to see some examples of the services referred to.

Phase one: know your needs

Between now and 17 July, Capacitybuilders is offering £1,000 bursaries enabling third sector organisations to receive advice and support with the aim of identifying the options they have to improve their resilience, including collaboration or merger

If you can answer yes to the following four questions, then you may be eligible to apply for a £1,000 bursary.

1. Does your organisation benefit people affected by the recession?


2. Could you work more closely with other organisations to:
   
   
   
   • increase your impact?
   
   
   • extend your reach?
   
   
   • generate more income?
   
   
   • reduce your overhead costs?
   
   
   
   


3. Would you benefit from FREE advice to help you explore whether collaboration or merger is right for your organisation?


4. Do you primarily work in England?

Apply online now

With a £1,000 bursary from the Modernisation Fund Grants Programme you could buy at least two days of advice and support to explore how you can become more resilient and work more closely with others, including through collaboration and merger.

Phase two: grow together

From the Autumn, grants of up to £10,000 will be available for organisations who received a phase one bursary and as a result want to make further progress towards collaboration or merger.

Grants will help organisations buy the professional and specialist support and advice they need.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls today confirmed the appointments of Les Walton, as the Chair of the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) committee, and Peter Lauener, who will be the first Chief Executive of the YPLA, dependent on the successful passage of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning (ASCL) Bill.

The ASCL Bill, currently before Parliament, sets out to create a more efficient, integrated and locally accountable post-16 education system - supported by the YPLA and the new Skills Funding Agency. And today's White Paper, Your Child, Your Schools, Our Future sets out the major next steps in reforming the schools system with a new Pupil Guarantee and Parent Guarantee, which gives every young person at 16 or 17 a legal entitlement to an education or training place every September.

These appointments are a clear step towards making the YPLA a reality and ensuring a smooth transition to the new arrangements. The YPLA will play a key role in 16-19 provision, working with Government and local authorities to help develop and deliver their vision and plans for young people's learning.

As a new non-departmental public body, the YPLA will support local authorities to commission high quality provision for all young people, whilst ensuring budgetary control. It will also have responsibility for the funding, support and challenge of open academies, which will transfer from DSCF to the YPLA through an agency-type agreement with the Secretary of State.

LSC National Council Chair, Chris Banks said:

"Les and Peter's appointments mark an important milestone in the transition to the new organisation and in realising our ambitions for young people. Les will be a member of the LSC National Council and I'm sure we will benefit from his skills and expertise. I and other members of the Board very much look forward to working with him during this interim period."

Les Walton said:

"I am delighted with this appointment. I look forward to leading the YPLA Committee through its transition period and potentially beyond to ensure that we deliver the best possible education to all young people."

Peter Lauener said:

"I am very excited to be given this opportunity to help shape this key new body that will have such an important role in helping to deliver excellent education for young people. I look forward to working closely with local authorities as well as with academies, other schools, colleges and independent training providers so that together we can improve opportunities for all our young people."

Department for Children, Schools and Families - 30 June 2009

Thirty members of the new Council will be elected from within the constituent members of The Single Voice. Each member has an allocation of council places to ensure a broad representation of the sector itself. Each constituent group will conduct its own election and appointments procedure, before putting forward a final selection for appointment by LSIS.

The Council, whose members are drawn from the sector, comprises the members of the charity. In this role, its members approve the corporate plan and have the ability to direct the LSIS Board, whose members are trustees of the charity. They also form a performance review panel to evaluate the work of LSIS on a quarterly basis.

A further 10 council places have been set aside and will be appointed by LSIS once the initial members have been elected, these places will be allocated in ways to support the post MoG (Machinery of Government) changes in the sector.

Nominations for the Council closed on 8 June 2009 and on 11 June 2009 nominated candidates for each constituent member of The Single Voice will be posted on the LSIS web site, www.lsis.org.uk/CouncilElections.  Voting commenced on 12 June 2009 and closed on 2 July 2009, the Council of newly elected members will be announced by LSIS week commencing Monday 6 July 2009.

In its second year, the Council will continue to be chaired jointly by Dame Ruth Silver (chair of LSIS and principal of Lewisham College) and Graham Hoyle (OBE), chief executive of the Association of Learning Providers.

To find out more about the elections visit www.lsis.org.uk/CouncilElections

A number of new, innovative and stimulating resource releases will be available this summer. The Learning and Skills Improvement Service's (LSIS) Teaching and Learning Programme aims to support providers to improve the quality of teaching and learning by linking organisational strategies for quality improvement, continuing professional development (CPD) and the Subject Learning Coach model. The emphasis is on helping the sector help itself, knowledge transfer and building on what is already there.

The new releases include:

• Gold dust: Resources for teacher educators


• Supporting learner progression: Exploring progression


• Listening to learners: Managers' guide to learner representation


• Customer care


• Supporting your CPD tool

These new resources will be distributed through a variety of routes including:

• this summer's subject coaching networks


• directly to providers in scope


• downloading from LSIS's Excellence Gateway www.excellencegateway.org.uk

These resources will benefit teachers, tutors and trainers in the learning and skills sector who work with a wide range of learners - in work-based learning, in adult learning, in colleges, in prisons, in voluntary and community organisations and in the workplace. These resources were developed in consultation with them and their learners as well as other subject and national experts. The resources have also been designed to support the aims of the Institute for Learning (IFL) and the requirements for Professional Formation. As the professional body for teachers, trainers and assessors across the learning and skills sector, IFL's key priority is to support individual teachers' and trainers' learning so that they can maintain their high professional status and have long-term CPD interests as career teachers.

The findings were revealed in a survey by Capacitybuilders of local consortia that provide support to other sector groups - the first of four such surveys which will be conducted every six months. They aim to establish how the economic climate is affecting support bodies and whether government funding programmes are targeting the right areas.

The first study, carried out in April 2009, was completed by 289 support groups, representing around a third of the UK's total infrastructure contingent. Most are funded either by ChangeUp or by their local authority, or both.

Some 78 per cent said demand for their services had risen in the last 12 months. Most enquiries were about funding advice, grants or loans (59 per cent); partnership building (56 per cent), and income generation (56 per cent).

The increasing willingness of people to volunteer was also reflected in the results, with 54 per cent of respondents seeing heightened demand for help in recruiting and placing volunteers and 49 per cent fielding more calls for support to manage and develop volunteers.

Some 46 per cent also saw more charities wanting to develop contracting skills.

Capacitybuilders chief executive Matt Leach, who was to present the findings at the NCVO's Value of Infrastructure event today, said they showed that funding streams and initiatives recently launched by Capacitybuilders and the Office of the Third Sector were hitting the right spot. He cited the Modernisation Fund, which aims to help charities merge or collaborate; the OTS-funded Funding Central website just launched by NCVO, and Capacityuilders' Volunteer Management Programme.

Nearly half of respondents expected their overall income would fall over the next three years, but for now 53 per cent said they were coping fairly or very well with the recession. Just 12 per cent felt they were coping ‘not very well' and 1 per cent ‘not at all well'.

Tania Mason, Charity Finance, 1 July 2009

The University of Hull really has something to suit everyone, whether you choose to study at our Scarborough or Hull campuses - why not visit and see for yourself?

What can I do at an Open Day?

• Meet teaching staff and ask questions


• Find out more about our support services


• Attend talks on subjects you're interested in


• Talk to current students


• Visit our halls of residence and learning facilities


• Visit the Students' Union


• Take a tour of the city

If you've already applied to the University of Hull, you may be invited to an Open Day or interview with your department on another date.

There will be an information area dedicated to short and part-time courses, as well as information on the many other learning opportunities available at the university.

The evnet is FREE and informal.

For more information phone 01482 465666 or visit the website at http://www2.hull.ac.uk/Student/srs/open_days.aspx

Across our region, voluntary and community groups are facing the challenge of integrating and involving an increasingly diverse population. There is a desire amongst us to serve all of those in need, regardless of age, race, disability, sexuality or religion.

We believe we can better tackle this challenge together, and so we invite you to a half day event at which you can contribute to a discussion on how we move our equality and diversity work forward.

These events are for all voluntary and community groups or organisations (large or small) that provide services or facilities in the community, and is an opportunity for you to identify your training and support needs so that HEREN can help you become more accessible and welcoming to all users.

Thursday 16th July 2009
9:30am - 1pm including networking buffet lunch
Juniper Room, Community Enterprise Centre, Cottingham Road, Hull

Wednesday 22nd July 2009
12:30pm - 4pm - including networking buffet lunch
The Courtyard, Boothferry Road, Goole

To confirm your attendance please contact Sharon Clay at ERVAS on 01482 871077, email sharon@ervas.org.uk  by Monday 6th July 2009.

But the cost of producing this information must be proportionate to the risks and benefits involved. Cutting unnecessary red tape can free up time and money that would be better spent focusing on the key services charities and others provide. The term for achieving this balance and avoiding poor practice is ‘intelligent monitoring'.

The NAO guidance, Intelligent Monitoring - an element of Financial relationships with third sector organisations, provides practical, step-by-step help for government funders.

Alongside this, OTS has launched its Principles of proportionate monitoring and reporting. The aim of the principles and guidance is to lessen the unnecessary burden of monitoring on charities and voluntary organisations. The OTS' principles commit Government departments to understanding the cost of reporting for third sector organisations and to working closely with them when establishing monitoring requirements. The principles will apply to all new funding streams.

Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, said:

"Across public services, we are sweeping aside the barriers that hold back the third sector's potential to play a central role in modern public services that respond to the needs of individuals. The new monitoring principles and guidance will save charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises time and money that can be spent on doing more good for those who need support.

Charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises have particular strengths like reaching out to the most disadvantaged people, taking risks and finding new innovative ways of doing things. This announcement is one step in a programme of reform to bring the third sector's strengths into public services."

The Principles of proportionate monitoring and reporting were produced as a response to a report by New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), funded by OTS, called Turning the Tables: Putting Charities in Control of Reporting in September 2008.

Download Intelligent Monitoring - an element of Financial relationships with third sector organisations

Download Principles of Proportionate Monitoring - [PDF 64kb, 2 pages]

"Since money was taken from the Big Lottery Fund for the 2012 Olympics, voluntary and community groups will receive 80 per cent of a smaller pot. I would have liked to see 100 per cent, but this is better than no change at all."

"The sector is going through a difficult time and it needs all the help it can get. We welcome the increase, and now is not the time to be pernickety about the percentage."

Does your organisation carry out observations of teaching & learning for quality assurance purposes?

Would you like to assure the standard of observations through training and accreditation?

WHAT?
The Hull University Level 4, 10 credit module, involves 20 guided learning hours of study delivered through a blend of taught sessions and work based practice and assessment. This accredited programme will support a provider's quality improvement process and provide useful evidence for those moving towards inspection or self regulation.

WHO?
HLC in partnership with the University of Hull is offering training and accreditation for observers of teaching and learning within the learning and skills sector. This programme is aimed at teachers and managers who carry out observations to assess the standard and quality of the learning experience in line with Ofsted's Common Inspection Framework and will be delivered by registered Ofsted inspectors.

WHEN?
A pilot programme is due to start in September 2009

HOW MUCH?
The pilot programme is being offered at a discounted rate of £450 per delegate- including assessment and accreditation fees.
Some organisations may be eligible for a fee subsidy via the Train to Gain Enhancement Fund. Eligibility for the subsidy will be discussed with each delegate after an expression of interest form has been received.

For further information contact:

Helen Groves, CEO, Humber Learning Consortium.

Tel: 01482 327438

Good Governance

We believe good governance is at the heart of an effective organisation. Good Governance: A Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector
('the Code') sets out the principles to achieve excellence in governance

What?

Cracking the Code is a bursary scheme for infrastructure organisations to improve their governance based on all, or any of the principles of 'the Code'

How?

We will provide up to £500 for your infrastructure organisation to improve its governance based on 'the Code'. This could be anything from board training on roles and responsibilities to legal advice on a governing document. What action you take depends on the needs of your organisation.

Who?

This scheme is only open to organisations whose principal purpose is to help voluntary and community organisations do their job by playing a supporting, co-ordinating or development role. You may work locally or regionally (such as a Council for Voluntary Service), or provide specialist sub-sector support.

Next steps

To find out more, check your eligibility or make an application go to www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/crackingthecode

Governance and Leadership Home

The Charity Commission has teamed up with the Confederation of British Industry to urge charity boards to ask themselves 15 key questions about how well placed they are to cope during the recession.

The questions, which cover strategy, governance, financial health and making best use of resources, were compiled following a series of focus groups with charities last month.

They are contained in the document Big Board Talk: The Conversation All Charities Need to Have, launched today.

Andrew Hind, chief executive of the commission, said charities' survival depended on their having the courage to address fundamental issues. "Asking these key questions will help boards review their options, make the hard decisions and gain a clear understanding of the challenges they face and the best ways to tackle them," he said.

A Charity Commission spokeswoman added that the commission had asked the CBI to endorse the questions to emphasise their urgency.

Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, said: "Businesses up and down the country are having to make tough decisions about the measures they need to take to ensure they survive the recession and emerge from it stronger. That means stripping out the nice-to-haves and focusing on core activities. Charities are no different in this sense."

The document will be sent in this week's commission newsletter to every registered charity and will also be available on its website.

By Paul Jump, Third Sector Online, 16 June 2009

The programme has been designed by the Office of the Third Sector and Capacitybuilders and will be delivered via three inter-connected 'strands':

Strand A (£1.6 million to March 2011) - grants targeted at around 25 local volunteering development organisations, to help them provide outreach and other direct support services to people who manage volunteers.

Strand B grant (£200,000 to March 2011) - directed at the national strategic support of volunteer management.

Strand C (approx. £1 million, available from April 2010) - bursary fund to help support training for people managing volunteers.

To find out more about the programme, please visit our website.

There will be 3 events in September around the local region:

• 23rd September 2009 ‐ Town Hall, Grimsby


• 25th September 2009 ‐ Central Community Centre, Scunthorpe


• 30th September 2009 ‐ City Hall, Hull

The same event took place in February 2009 and attracted thousands of people. We expect the same again in September. It may be valuable to you, your organisation, and quite likely to be valuable to your clients. It is for people of all ages and all areas of the community are welcome. Entry is free of charge to anyone wanting to pay a visit.

If you are an organisation that focuses on getting people ready for employment and into training, then please recommend it to your client group. It's a great chance to get them to meet potential employers face to face, on neutral ground, without the need for an interview and without the nervousness involved!

Looking at it from an employer point of view, it is a chance to show the community what you do,the services you offer, and how they could be involved. Get your message across in a professional but relaxed setting.

The exhibitions are being organised by Lynne Hope Communications. For more information, please call Lynne Hope on 01482 632218, or visit the website at: www.thisisyourfuture.co.uk

Over the weekend there will be an excellent choice of over 40 workshops covering a wide range of practical and theoretical themes for both new and experienced teachers, teacher trainers, researchers and managers.

The keynote address on the Friday will be given by Clive Upton, Professor of Modern English Language at the University of Leeds and on Sunday morning an ESOL Question time panel, chaired by Helen Casey from NRDC will answer questions posed by delegates.

You can get involved in the 'Voice of the conference' debate and feedback session, network with colleagues, attend the exhibition and its special events, hear local MP Ann Cryer and join in with the Community Languages event and finally enjoy the planned Saturday evening entertainment.

Attendance at NATECLA conferences can count towards your continuing professional development requirement.

Personal members of NATECLA who do not get fees covered by their organisation may apply for a part or full bursary (subject to availability).

Download a Booking Form

National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults
NATECLA National Centre
South Birmingham College
Hall Green Campus
Cole Bank Road
Birmingham B28 8ES

www.natecla.org.uk

Tel/fax: 0121 688 8121

This event provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business / organisation and challenge for the prestigious Award in one of the 5 categories. The overall business of the year will then be chosen from the 5 category winners. The categories are:

• Best start up business (under 2 years old)


• Best Small Business (up to 20 employees)


• Best medium / large business (21+ employees)


• Best Social enterprise (charity, CIC, social enterprise)


• Business that has done something special for Bridlington & Wolds

Chamber members are invited to enter your business into the competition, as well as forwarding the entry form, should you wish, to your clients and suppliers (whether Chamber members or not) for their businesses to enter.

Tickets and corporate tables can now be reserved, and sponsors are also sought to support the event. All sponsors will receive copious amounts of advertising and other initiatives in return for their support, before, during and after the event.

There will be a champagne reception, black tie dinner, lots of entertainment as well as the Awards ceremony including showcasing of the finalists.

The event will be compered by BBC Broadcaster Helen Philpot, and the guest speaker will be Mark Herman, international Film Producer and scriptwriter who has worked on major film productions with stars such as Dudley Moore, Michael Caine, etc.

Download an entry form

Closing Date for entries: Wednesday 9th September 2009 at 4.30pm

Further information and reservations should be made by contacting Geof Humphrey on 01262 603777 / 07753 824624

Email: geof@nexusproficient.co.uk

• Concepts and Values in Volunteering (5 days) starting 9^th September


• Social Policy for Managing Voluntary and Community Groups (4 days) starting 5^th November 09


• Valuing Your Volunteers (5 days) starting 12^th January 2010

Exact dates are:

Concepts & Values in Volunteering

Wednesday 9th & 16th, Tuesday 22nd September, Thursday 1st & 8th October 2009

Objectives & outcomes: 

Identify the nature of volunteering.
Describe the roles and responsibilities of volunteers.
Describe and evaluate organisational practice in respect to volunteers.

Social Policy for Managing

Thursday 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th November 2009

Objectives and outcomes: 

Develop an understanding of the impact of social policy on an organisation.
Identify how organisations may influence the development of social policy.

Valuing your Volunteers

Tuesday 12th, 19th & 26th January, Tuesday 2nd & 9th February 2010

Objectives and outcomes: 

Identify good practice in recreating volunteers.
Identify good practice when working with and managing volunteers.
Evaluate organisational procedures and policies in terms of their impact on volunteers.

Venue will be confirmed later

Each unit cost is £100 i.e. £300 for the full award.

Please note we are unable to provide meals on these courses. You are welcome to bring along your own packed lunch. Tea/coffee biscuits will be provided throughout the day.

If you are interested in any of the above or would like an informal chat or indeed would like to secure a place please call Vickie at HLC on 01482 327438 alternatively you can email walkerv@hlc-vol.org