News & Developments

The Church Urban Fund is especially interested in funding projects that tackle the underlying causes of poverty. Applications to fund short term activities such as one off events or initiatives that only meet people's immediate needs are considered low priority.

Applicants should work in partnership with one other organisations. This partnering organisation does not need to be Christian. Applications can be submitted at any time.

Read more at: www.cuf.org.uk/act/cuf-funding

If you were there last year you'll know what a fantastic day was had in 2013. The whole of the town was filled with stalls, music and entertainment. So by popular demand, Buxton Town Team are doing it all over again, but it looks like this time it will be bigger and even better.

Whether you are a trader, club, charity, or entertainer, you won't want to miss the busiest day in the Buxton year.

The rates are very affordable at just £5 to £10 for charities and not-for-profit societies, £10 for sole traders, and a minimum of £20 for businesses with employees. Entertainers can take part for free.

If you have any queries,or want to know how you can book a slot contact Buxton Town Team  at townteam@buxtontownteam.org or telephone 01298 71041.  There are booking forms available and the closing date is Monday April 7th.

Oxfam is currently supporting the Fawcett Society to deliver a 'Women and Welfare inquiry', to be launched later in the year. This will focus on the impact on women of the increasing conditions of claiming benefits, to include both the Claimant Commitment and the increased sanctions regime. 

Fawcett are recruiting five high profile people to make up the inquiry panel, which will take evidence in various forms and then produce a report, to be disseminated widely and act as focus for advocacy and lobbying work. The panel will have hearings, which will take place in June, and then it will debate the issues and publish a report, to be launched in September 2015. 

As part of this process, in March to early April five focus groups will be set up with different groups of 8-12 women, who are claiming job seeking benefits and have had experience of the Claimant Commitment and/or increased sanctions introduced in October 2013, in different parts of the UK.

There will also be some capacity for follow up interviews with individual women who would prefer to speak about their experiences on a one-to-one basis, and possibly also scope for Oxfam's communications worker to produce a DVD, to enable any women that wanted to, to speak directly to the panel members. 

We'd like to hear from women of differing ethnicities and ages.  

There is a small budget to cover the women's local travel expenses, child care, refreshments. 

Please let me know whether this is something you'd be able to support us on, and/or get back to me with any questions. 

Carol Evans – Trustee High Peak CVS – Carol.evens@phonecoop.coop 

The purpose of the workshops is to support the VCSE sector through the new commissioning landscape of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) being responsible for commissioning the majority of victims’ services locally through funding from the Ministry of Justice, as well as increasing the capability and capacity of the VCSE sector to deliver services including those commissioned by PCCs.

The workshops are free and will be delivered in each of the PCC areas across England and Wales, including Derbyshire on Wednesday 12th March from 9:30am to 4pm. 

What You Will Receive:

• An intensive one day workshop
• A mixture of technical training, together with group exercises
• Peer-to-peer learning, including time for reflection and consideration
• Examples of good and bad practice
• Bite-sized modules, concluding with a full Q&A
• Opportunity to learn from a guest speaker
• A variety of resources and materials

The workshops are aimed primarily at those VCSE sector organisations that deliver or are intending to deliver victims’ services, and are planning to bid to the public sector, including PCC in order to obtain contracts to deliver local services.

Places are limited; to find out more about the workshops including delivery dates and how to register your interest visit: www.vcseworkshops.co.uk

Starting and running an enterprise is challenging, so HMRC provide a wide range of support to help you run your business including videos, emails, e-learning, record keeping apps and online presentations (webinars).

This webinar on Wednesday 12th March at 3pm will show you how to access and make the most of this help to improve your tax knowledge and give you more confidence to get things done correctly first time.

Register for the webinar at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/611897182 

The open days will be on Wed 30 April, Wed 24 Sept and Wed 28 Jan 2015.  Venues and times to be arranged.

You will be able to join them throughout the day. Staff will be on hand to talk to you about services and new developments in your area.

If you would like to attend one of these open days please reserve a place by contacting gwa@f2s,com or ring 01457 8656675.

Grapevine Newsletter Issue 2 - download

• National #TimetoTalk Day
• An update on the sessions and forthcoming happenings
• Grapevine appoints A new trustee and new volunteers
• Allotment Blog - Memoirs from one of our volunteers
• Heard it off the Grapevine - Contributions from our service users
• Guest Article - How should we talk about mental health
• Calendar Dates

Not just for women! - the funding will enable New Mills Women’s Group to run weekly community art workshops, providing Ollersett residents of all ages (grandparents through to their grandchildren) with a safe space to plan, design and make pieces of artwork.  Workshops will be facilitated by local artist Claire Parker and local volunteers, with the aim of celebrating achievements through permanent artwork displays and exhibitions within the community. 

Creating Spaces artist says "You don’t need to be good at art to join in, it’s about having fun and trying out new things. Bring a neighbour, a granddad or just come on your own. We will provide a variety of art skills to try including felt making, textile work, collage, drawing and clay work."

Creating Spaces Art Project launches on 23rd February 2.30-4.30pm at Low Leighton Community Methodist Church with its Crafternoon tea and fun day.

For more information contact Rachel on 07756 247398 or email: creating spacesnewmillseast@gmail.com,  www.facebook.com/creatingspacesnewmillseast  

Applications to the Fund will be invited between 4th February 2014 and 13th June 2014 with a value range between £10,000 and £10,000,000.

The MOD plans to host a briefing and networking event about the Fund at the beginning of March 2014.

Further details about the Fund, including criteria and application form, can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-accommodation-fund

Adult social care has the largest share of the overall county council budget and currently £206 million is spent on services for older and vulnerable people and adults with disabilities.

The consultations have been officially launched on 28 January and last for 12 weeks, during which time Derbyshire residents will get the chance to give their views before final decisions are made later this year.

Consultation online:   www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/news_events/news-updates/2014/january/council_agrees_adult_care_budget_proposal_consultations.asp

It is important that people give feedback on the impact of the 4 main proposals:

• Changing who qualifies for adult care
• Increasing the amount that people contribute to their care package
• Introduce a flat rate charge of £5 per journey to services 
• Substantially reducing housing related support