News & Developments

Local firms can apply individually or as a group to connect bigger or more complicated premises such as an office block. If their application is successful, businesses would need to pay for the line rental and VAT.

The broadband Connection Vouchers scheme will be administered locally on behalf of central Government by Derby City Council.  To check whether your business is eligible or for more information visit  the Connection Vouchers website and enter the postcode of your business or go to Superconnected Derby, tel: 01332 742 540 or email: shane.chaddha@derby.gov.uk. Please note that currently (as of 3rd September 2015) the Superconnected Derby website states that this is available within Derby City.  However, it is available across all of Derbyshire, until March 2016.

See www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/gth/?page_id=201

The event is free to enter and the winning team will receive a £10,000 bursary from Sport England. Each team, with the help of mentors, will create their app with the last hour of the Hackathon seeing them present their concept to a judging panel. Three finalists will be selected with the winning team announced at the Sports Technology Awards in April 2016.

Anyone based in the UK over the age of 18 can create a team and enter but each team must include at least one woman. Applications to participate close at 5pm on 7 September 2015, with successful teams having their place on the Hackathon confirmed on 11 September 2015.

Find out more about the event at www.sportengland.org/media-centre/news/2015/july/31/hackathon-call-for-entries/ 

Full information at www.thepowertochange.org.uk/programmes/funding/

The contents of the report won’t be surprising – it highlights the sheer scale and number of challenges that small and medium sized charities are facing as well as identifying help that could support them in these tough times. Throughout the report the charities’ own compelling words are used to paint the picture of what they’re going through. They tell of the increases and growing complexity of demand, the difficulty of attracting funds and the disadvantages they face when it comes to commissioning. They also describe how they are rising to these challenges, often with little support and even fewer resources.

Some highlights include:

• 81% of small and medium sized charities (income £25,000 - £1M) are struggling to raise the funds they need to survive and 63% are seriously worried about their ongoing funding over the next two years.
• Many do not have the capacity or capability to be able to add other income streams and some are simply not viable, such as charging vulnerable clients for services, or social investment. 63% of charities therefore predict that their ability to secure funding will get harder over the next two years.
• The funding problem is exacerbated the changing needs of the people charities help. 88% reported a changed in the requirements of those they serve, and 72% of these stated that needs are increasing and becoming more complex, often as a result of other services closing, increased poverty and welfare reform.
• Where money is available for charities, the commissioning processes of central and local government are deepening the challenges faced by small and medium-sized charities because they favour larger and often commercial providers. 61% of those surveyed have bid for contracts yet half (49%) said that they found the process difficult or impossible. Among the obstacles they experienced were: commissioning processes incentivising competition, not collaboration; complex, secretive and burdensome processes; being undercut by larger organisations or used as ‘bid candy’ by them as they plunder the smaller charities’ local knowledge but exclude them when actually rolling out services.

See the report at www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/publications/stakeholder-report

Monday 21 Sept 2-7pm at Blythe House Hospice

www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/derbyshirecyclingplan

The consultation period closes on 30 September 2015.

One East Midlands (formerly Engage East Midlands) has existed since 2001... However, following the 2010 general election and the subsequent loss of many regional structures and policy, the purpose has consistently been questioned. Consultation with members continued to support the need for an ‘impartial intermediary at sub national level’ but the impact of national austerity measures and changing attitudes towards the role of VCS infrastructure has made this very difficult to sustain.

Alcohol Awareness and Brief Interventions

15 September and 13 October

This one day course covers:

• Facts about alcohol, myths, units and safe limits
• The physical effects of alcohol both short term and long term
• Definitions such as binge drinking, high risk and dependency
• Brief Interventions
• Support available and how to refer

Working With Change Resistant Drinker

29 September, 4 November

This one day training looks at how to work with change resistant drinkers with the aims of assessing and managing risk, encouraging change and minimising harm.

Topics covered will include:

• Denial
• Promoting self belief and self efficacy
• Recognising  and responding to health concerns
• Dual diagnosis
• Containment

Working With Families Affected by Alcohol Misuse

8 & 9 September, 6 & 7 October

This two day course is beneficial for professionals wanting to build practical skills for working with complex needs families affected by alcohol.

The aim of DAY ONE is to help build practical skills in order to effectively intervene with the adult members of families where alcohol misuse is problematic. The aim of DAY TWO is to build practical skills to effectively intervene where family issues are complex due to the reluctance of the ‘problem drinker’ to change.

DAAS can also deliver short service talks and brief sessions in Alcohol Awareness. If you would like us to come to your organisation please contact the training team on training@daas.uk.com

The survey link is: www.surveymonkey.com/r/TellEMAS15