Age No Barrier events in October 2011

Details of the events are shown on the WSUN website.

Please get involved and advertise your events on the WSUN site via info.wsun@btconnect.com and this webpage

Wiltshire Directory of Voluntary Organisations – Make Sure Your Group is included FREE Entry

GROW has been busy compiling a one-stop directory of all voluntary and community groups within Wiltshire. This directory is available for anyone to access via our website. We often have members of the public contacting us regarding what services are available in their local area and now you have the opportunity to list your group in the directory so that people can find you instantly!

TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW DIRECTORY NOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR GROUP IS INCLUDED. Listing is completely FREE OF CHARGE to all voluntary and community groups in Wiltshire. GROW Enhancing Community Support (GROW) is charitable service commissioned by Wiltshire Council. GROW offers support & information to voluntary organisations and community groups across Wiltshire. IF YOUR GROUP IS NOT IN THE CURRENT VERSION YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THIS FORM.

Wiltshire Funding Information

The following funding information is provided by Charities Information Bureau – South & West (CIB). We are Wiltshire's Funding Advice Service and are here to help you to raise money for your group or organisation. So please give us a call and speak to a funding advisor on (01380) 729279 or email: enquiries@cibwilts.org.uk. For groups in the South West of England, you can register for access to our FREE funding database, please visit: www.cibsouthandwest.org.uk.

SPORT ENGLAND - PLACES PEOPLE PLAY- PROTECTING PLAYING FIELDS
The Protecting Playing Fields (PFF) scheme will fund capital projects to establish, develop and improve playing fields for community and sporting use.

THE NATIONWIDE FOUNDATION - SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME
To tackle financial exclusion affecting disadvantaged groups and to address housing issues & homelessness among vulnerable groups across the UK.

Big Lottery Fund - Consultation on Proposed Policy Directions (UK)

The Government has opened a 12-week consultation on proposed new policy directions for the Big Lottery Fund. The Big Lottery Fund, which was set up in 2004, is the largest distributor of funding from the National Lottery to good causes and aims to bring real improvements to communities, and to the lives of people most in need. The consultation invites views from a wide range of stakeholders which include the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector and other government departments. The consultation closes at midnight on Friday 18 November 2011.

Click here to see the consultation documents.

New Bowerhill Picnic Area

A short video detailing how a grant of £2500 from Wiltshire Council helped Bowerhill Residents in the Melksham area create a picnic area for the local community.

New '101' non emergency phone no. for Police

From 19 September as part of the National roll out, communities across Wiltshire will be able to dial 101, a new national non-emergency telephone number for the police service. Our current non emergency number 0845 408 7000 will be phased out.

While 999 is a well recognised number to report emergencies, the 2010 British Crime Survey found that only 54 per cent of the public knew which telephone number to call if they wanted to speak to their local police about policing, non urgent crime and anti-social behaviour issues.

Why is 101 being introduced?

The introduction of the 101 number will give local communities one easy way to speak directly with their local police to report and discuss all non urgent police-related issues. It is being introduced as part of the Government’s wider work to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999 and help the police efficiently and effectively tackle crime and disorder.  This new number will not change the way we respond to non-urgent calls. These will still be received by the call handlers in our own control rooms.

How does 101 work?

101 will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When someone calls 101, they will hear a recorded message announcing that they are being connected to their local police force. The system will determine the caller’s location and connect them to the relevant police force. If a caller is on a boundary between two or more forces, the recorded message will give them a choice of which force to be connected to. The message will also give the caller the option to select an alternative police force if the incident they are calling about took place in another force area.

When should callers use 101?

Callers should use 101 to report less urgent crime or disorder, to contact the police with a general enquiry or to speak to a local officer.  For example: if their car has been stolen; if their property has been damaged; where they suspect drug use or dealing; if they want to report a minor traffic collision; if they want to give the police information about crime in their area; or simply if they’d like to speak to a local police officer. Can people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, use 101? People who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can text-phone 18001 101.

Will it be more expensive for the public to contact the police on 101?

Individual telephony companies currently decide on the cost of dialling an 0845 number so it depends on the contract a force is on as to how much it costs to dial an 0845 number. With 101 it has been nationally agreed that a flat rate of 15p will be charged whether a member of public is calling from a landline or mobile, irrespective of how long their call lasts.

How will 101 be promoted to the public?

We will be running an awareness raising campaign in the run up to 19 September, including the distribution of posters, flyers, contact cards, information on our website, media, internal comms etc. If you would like any further information about the campaign, please contact Clare Mills, Head of Internal Comms and PR on ext 720 4687.

What will happen to the current 0845 408 7000 number?

The 0845 number will be phased out over the next six months. If a person calls it during the ‘phase out’ period, they will still get through to Wiltshire Police.

What will happen to all the information / signage etc that currently details the 0845 number?

The Project Lead, Bob Tofield, is currently working with the relevant departments (comms, stores, estates, fleet) to develop a phased timetable to change all the things that currently show the 0845 number. Clearly, the changing of 0845 to 101 on things such as police station signs, stationery etc will take a longer time due to cost implication and not wanting to waste current stock.

What are the timescales for the rollout?

The first Region that went ‘live’ with 101 was the South East region (Metropolitan, Surrey, Herts, Essex) on Monday 11 July.  Wiltshire will be part of the ‘Region Two’ roll-out on Monday 19 September, alongside the other South West forces (Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Avon and Somerset).  It is anticipated that 101 will be live cross all forces in England and Wales by January 2012.

One million tonnes recycling milestone reached

Figures just released show that a million tonnes of household waste has been diverted from landfill. To mark the milestone there is a competition for young people.


The competition is open to school children in years 1-11 who attend a school located within the geographic region served by Wiltshire Council. Entrants can pick any of the many items people can recycle in their kerbside black box or at Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) as a theme. They can find details on these items at www.recycleforwiltshire.com.
 
Full details and rules on the competition can be found at www.hills-group.co.uk, on Facebook (Hills Group), via email competition@hills-group.co.uk or by telephoning 01672 518941. 


One hundred bags of Hills’ compost will also be given away to residents at each HRC on Saturday 20 August from 9am (one bag per vehicle on a first come, first served basis).

Residents have a chance to say what matters to them and to nominate a torchbearer to carry the Olympic flame

Wiltshire Council is holding road shows around the county to hear residents’ views on what matters to them as well as giving people a chance to nominate a local hero to carry the Olympic Torch.

From 30 August  Wiltshire Council will be touring eight sites around the county. Local people can come along and fill in a nomination form for a special person they believe should carry the iconic flame as it passes through Wiltshire next year.

The road shows will also be an opportunity for local people to talk to council staff about what matters to them and how they view their local council. 

You could be an Olympic torchbearer...

Community Grant Programme f or the South West

South West Foundation in Partnership with the Learning Curve and the Skills Funding Agency, will shortly be opening a new grant programme for the South West. The Community Grants programme, funded by the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency, is aimed at supporting voluntary and community organisations with charitable aims, to deliver projects that will help and support people furthest removed from the labour market to pick up the skills and confidence that will enable them to move toward employment. This particular programme covers all of the South West (excluding Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – these areas are being handled by a different agency).

Grants up to £12,000 will be available although it is envisaged that most grants will be in the region of £6,000 to £8,000.

In connection with this programme the South West Foundation is holding a number of information seminars throughout the region.

This is a notification about the first sessions to be held in August and September. We will be organising seminars in Bristol and South Devon in early October and will send these details out later on.

All those organisations that would like to find out more about this programme are welcome to attend. If you would like to discuss the programme prior to signing up for the seminar please do ring the Foundation on 01275 333666.

Dates of Seminars

Session 1:    Wednesday 24^th August

Trowbridge County Hall, Old Building, Committee Room 3, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN

10 a.m. to 12 noon

Session 2:   Thursday 25^th August

Jubilee Hall, 49 Slade Road, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6BU

10 a.m. to 12 noon

Session 3:   Thursday 25^th August

The For All Healthy Living Centre, 68 Lonsdale Avenue, Weston Super Mare, BS23 3SJ

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Session 4:   Friday 26^th August

South West Foundation offices at Westway Farm, Bishop Sutton – please ring to book an appointment.

Session 5:   Monday 19^th September

Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road, Churchdown, Gloucestershire, GL3 2JH

10 a.m. – 12 noon

Session 6:    Tuesday, 20^th September

Forches Community Centre, Barton Road, Barnstaple, EX32 8NG

10 a.m. to 12 noon

Session 7:    Tuesday, 20^th September        

Stonham Housing, First Floor, Hi Point, Thomas Street, Taunton, TA2 6HB

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Session 8:    Friday, 23^rd September

Loders Village Hall, Near Bridport, DT6 3SA

10 a.m. to 12 noon

Session 9:    Friday, 23^rd September

Balsam Centre, Balsam Park, Wincanton, BA9 9HB

2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

If you have any queries about this programme or the seminars or what to book a place please contact South West Foundation on 01275 333666 or e-mail info@southwestfoundation.org.uk, South West Foundation, The Stables, Westway Farm, Bishop Sutton, BS39 5XP

Natwest Community Force

As part of the Natwest Customer Charter, the bank have made a commitment to help the communities in which we live and work. 


The result is CommunityForce – a platform that empowers local projects and charities to raise awareness of their work and make their plans a reality with the support of NatWest and their local community. For more information see their website: http://communityforce.natwest.com/

Art Project Grants Available

Voluntary and community organisations in Wiltshire are being encouraged to apply for grants to support local arts projects taking place between November 2011 and October 2012

The Wiltshire Council Arts Project Grant Scheme aims to support the Wiltshire arts sector, which covers a wide range of creative opportunities, including visual arts, crafts, media and digital forms, literature and performing arts.

                                               

The deadlines for applications is midnight on 30 September 2011, with notification of decisions by 18 November 2011. Groups can apply for up to £1,000 towards their project costs. The project should be able to demonstrate evidence of community need, partnership working and a legacy for the community.

Further information including the full criteria for the scheme and an application form can be obtained from contacting Wiltshire Council’s arts team at arts@wiltshire.gov.uk or details can be viewed on our website www.wiltshire.gov.uk/arts  

If you wish to discuss your project with an arts officer before sending in an application please ring: Faye Bradley on 07827  081039 faye.bradley@wiltshire.gov.uk for projects in South and East Wiltshire and Meril Morgan on 01249 705531 meril.morgan@wiltshire.gov.uk  for projects in North and West Wiltshire

Do you volunteer? Tell us about it....

Volunteer Centre Wiltshire is undertaking a survey of volunteering across Wiltshire. They aim to get a clearer picture of who volunteers, who for and what they do.  

The survey is online HERE. Paper copies of the survey are also available on request.

Every volunteer who completes it has the opportunity to enter a prize draw with some excellent prizes.

Safeguard a playing field for the future

A scheme to protect playing fields or recreational spaces across the UK is being set up to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee in 2012. 

Wiltshire Council can put forward two sites which are owned by the council within the Melksham area. 

Melksham community area partnership were collecting people’s views on which sites should be nominated at the Party in the Park and are now looking for more people’s input through an online survey.   

Please see the link to select two fields you would like to be nominated.  Unfortunately I cannot upload the map which shows where the fields are located so please email me on abbi.gutierrez@wiltshire.gov.uk for the map if you haven't got it via the email bulletin.  The survey will close on 19 August 2011.

Screen Me: A celebration of story telling in film

White Horse Pictures in association with Wiltshire Council is developing a new festival of film. Screen Me will launch in October 2011 and will run for six months, showing a diverse range of films in venues across Wiltshire.

The festival will culminate in March 2012 with a rich programme of films, talks and other participatory events. If you would like to know more please click on this link http://www.whitehorsepictures.co.uk/community/screen-me

Voluntary Sector Forum

The Wiltshire Infrastructure Consortium invites members of the Wiltshire voluntary and community sector to a meeting of the Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Assembly.  This will take place on  Tuesday 27th September 2011 at Lackham House, Lacock, 10am (9.30am registration) – 3.30pm. 

The Morning session will include: The Big Society: Localism in Wiltshire with Guest Speakers Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change and Cllr Jane Scott OBE, Leader of Wiltshire Council as well as WIC Members—Who’s Who.

The Afternoon Session will include a session called "Many Voices—One Vision" Creating Wiltshire’s First Voluntary Sector Vision Statement.                                                               CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW   A buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided.  Please contact Jo Croston for more information: 0845 034 5250 /info@wiltshireinfrastructureconsortium.org.uk / 3-4 New Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1EJ

Free home insulation scheme

There are an estimated 30,000 people in fuel poverty in Wiltshire, who cannot afford to heat their homes adequately.  Cold homes impact on health and wellbeing.

The new Wiltshire Warm and Well scheme is open to all home owners and private tenants, and enables residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes through installing loft and cavity wall insulation – saving money on bills and making homes warmer.

Please follow this link for more details.

Older People’s Day – join in by running a local event

Wiltshire & Swindon Users Network, Age UK Wiltshire and Age UK Salisbury District, in association with Wiltshire Council, are organising an ‘Age No Barrier’ week, across Wiltshire, to coincide with National UK Older Peoples Day. This will take place between Saturday 1st October and Friday 7^th October 2011.

They are looking for organisations to participate, by asking them to arrange an event, at some time during that week. The theme of UK Older Peoples Day is ‘Full of Life.’ It is hoped that organisations across Wiltshire will arrange an event that interprets the UK Older Peoples Day theme and bring together all ages for a fun and informative meeting.

A poster and letter with further information is attached.  For further information and to give details of your event please contact Nick Crane at the Wiltshire & Swindon Users’ Network, at the address below. We do hope that you will support this special week for older people. Nick Crane, Tel: 01380 871800, nickcrane.wsun@btconnect.com