Welcome to VA-L's e-news. It's your newsletter - if you have news, events,
jobs or services that you want to promote to our 800+ subscribers, email
library@val.org.uk or call 0113 297 7948. Information provided in the format
in which it appears below and marked "For e-news" is much appreciated! The
next issue will go out on Thursday 11 December - deadline for submitting
news is Tuesday 9 December.

Spread the Word!
Let others know about VA-L e-news - forward this email to your contacts.
Visit http://www.val.org.uk - it only takes a minute. To unsubscribe please
see the bottom of this email.

********************************************
VA-L NEWS
********************************************

VA-L AGM
VA-L's AGM will be taking place on Tuesday 25 November with guest speakers
Jonathan Crewdson from the Development Trusts Association and Lisa Wright
from Leeds Voice. For more information contact Maxine Woods on
0113 297 7925 or email maxine.woods@val.org.uk. To download a copy of our annual report go to http://www.val.org.uk/framesetGreen.htm

Expanded VA-L training diary & bursary scheme
The Autumn Training diary is out now and has been expanded to cover listings
of courses aimed at the sector from other training providers. Download now
from http://www.val.org.uk/framesettraining.htm or contact Kathy Clark at
kathy.clark@val.org.uk or on 0113 297 7927.

VA-L is also operating a bursary scheme that will offer free places to
staff in organisations which have an annual income below £20,000 on
recognised VA-L and third party courses. Order your copy of VA-L's diary
today to take advantage of the free training.

FORTHCOMING VA-L TRAINING COURSES

NOVEMBER
14 Finding Funding
18 How to Register as a Charity
18 Managing Aggression and Violence

DECEMBER
3 Minute Taking
5 Applying to Small Funders
10 Peer Mentoring

Office space available
VA-L currently has office space available to rent for voluntary, community
or faith organisations. Contact Maxine Woods for more information, Tel 0113
297 7925; email maxine.woods@val.org.uk

*******************************************************************
ADVERTISEMENT

JOB VACANCY AT VA-L
Would you be interested in assisting in designing and producing VA-L's
newsletter, annual report and publicity materials, and in helping to
maintain and develop our website?
If so, we are wishing to recruit a Communications Worker to work closely
with our Communication Manager on our internal and external communications.
Hours: 17.5 hours per week
Salary: Scale SO1: scp 29-31 £24,331-£25,940 pro rata
For an information pack go to http://www.val.org.uk/framesetjobsatval.htm, email
maxine.woods@val.org.uk or call 0113 297 7925. For an informal chat about
the post please call Jane Robinson on 0113 297 7945
Closing date 5pm Monday 1 December, interview date Wednesday 10 December

*******************************************************************

********************************************
NATIONAL NEWS
********************************************

Pay scale increases for 2008/09 agreed (sort of!)
A partial agreement has been reached on this year's settlement on local
government NJC pay rates, widely used or referenced in the voluntary
sector. The National Joint Council, representing local government employers
and staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has agreed to a rise of
2.45% which will be backdated to 1st April 2008, with an extra £100 for the
lowest paid (scale points 4 to 6). However, the trade unions see this
increase as an interim measure pending an arbitration process, but the
employer side sees it as implementing their final offer and separate from
arbitration with ACAS.
For links to pay scales and further updates see http://www.navca.org.uk/localvs/scales

Standard contract for community health services
A new standard contract for community and mental health services is to be
introduced by the Department of Health for April 2009, including those
delivered by the third sector. Local infrastructure body NAVCA, which is to
meet the Department on this, says that organisations receiving funding from
Primary Care Trusts should be aware of the draft contract and implementation
events over the next few months.
http://www.navca.org.uk/news/healthcontract.htm

Feel-good factor of employee volunteering
Volunteer development agency Volunteering England is calling on businesses
to embrace employer supported volunteering schemes as a feel-good tonic for
staff in a time of business and economic uncertainty.
http://www.volunteering.org.uk/News/mediacentre/2008+Press+releases/Volunteering+England+proposes+a+feel+good+factor+for+businesses.htm

Reducing carbon footprint of goods and services
A new standard launched by BSI British Standards, the Carbon Trust and
Defra aims to provide a consistent way of counting the greenhouse gas
emissions embedded in goods and services throughout their entire life
cycle. Although this may be of limited use to smaller voluntary organisations there are possobilities to make a real impact. News item at http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/081029b.htm

Creating effective local Compacts
The Commission for the Compact has published 'What Makes a Successful Local
Compact?', based on research identifying practical approaches to increase
the effectiveness of Local Compacts (agreements between councils and the
voluntary sector) and partnership working. Key findings include that a lack
of trust and communication between partners is a barrier and that ownership
of the Compact at senior levels within local authorities is vital. The
Commission hopes that this practical guide containing real life examples
and case studies will be used as a basis of "healthy discussion in Local
Strategic Partnerships, local authorities, Primary Care Trusts, community
and voluntary sector organisations and in Compact implementation groups".
http://www.thecompact.org.uk/information/100016/102333/commissionidentifieskeyfactorsbehindsuccessfu/

********************************************
LOCAL NEWS
********************************************

Three board vacancies at Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation
BITMO is specifically seeking applicants with the following skills and
experience: finance and audit, HR and organisational change management,
strategic business planning, property management and development
For an application pack please contact Karen Hoole, Senior Administrator on
0113 214 1832 or email karen.hoole@belleisletmo.co.uk
Closing date: Friday 28 November

Women's Support Groups
Run in partnership by S.T.O.P., Leeds Women's Aid and Chapeltown and Armley
Moor Childrens Centres.
These groups are for women who are experiencing domestic violence, or who
have been through it in the past.
Tuesdays 10am-12 noon in Chapeltown
Wednesdays 5.30pm-7.30pm in the city centre
Fridays 10am-12 noon in Armley
If you are interested in the groups, please contact them on 0113 246 0401
(24 hours) or 07776 228196 (Monday - Wednesday)

********************************************
FUNDRAISING
********************************************

Children in Need grant giving page up and running
For information on how to apply to Children in Need go to
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/apply.shtml
Within this site you will find the new online application form (online only
from now on) as well as the application guidance. It is recommended that you
read through the guidance before you apply. The next application deadline is
15 January and there will be a further three deadlines in 2009 in April,
July and October.

Changes in Awards for All programme
The Big Lottery Fund (BLF) has announced that the Awards for All programme
will close in England but equivalent levels of funding will be available
through Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Sport England and
BLF, which administer the current scheme. In Scotland, Awards for All will
continue via the Big Lottery Fund and Sportscotland, but with Heritage
Lottery Fund separate - a decision by Scottish Arts Council is pending it
becoming part of new body Creative Scotland.
In addition, following the review of the Awards for All England programme,
changes are to be made to the small grants scheme's existing format when it
comes to an end in March 2009. From 1 April 2009 each of the lottery
distributors supporting the scheme will have their own small grants
programmes up and running. Applications can still be made under the current
arrangements until 31 March 2009. http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/england

Sector strategy and fund from Environment Department
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has
signalled its commitment to working with the third sector with the launch
of a Third Sector Strategy, alongside a £6 million fund to support and
develop environmental projects throughout England. The Greener Living Fund
is targeted at helping national voluntary organisations promote positive
environmental changes to individuals and communities, helping them reduce
their carbon footprints, make greener lifestyle choices and find new ways
to rely less on natural resources. DEFRA news item at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/081103b.htm

********************************************
TRAINING
********************************************

17 November: pREParation Training consisting of four units on Community
Development & Involvement; Decision making Structures and Leeds Strategic
Plan; Representation and Compact Implementation
Organised by Leeds Voice
Venue: St Matthias Church Centre
Cost: £10 per unit per person
To book call 0113 277 2227

19 November: Everything You Wanted To Know About Section 106
Section 106 funding is levied by local authorities in order to mitigate the impact of new developments on communities
Organised by Development Trusts Association in partnership with Yorkshire
Planning Aid
Venue: Hillside, Beeston Road
Cost: Free
To book call Jonathan Crewdson on 07515 576369 or email j.crewdson@dta.org.uk

19 November: Protecting women from persecution: claiming asylum in the UK
and financial support through the process (Women only)
Organised by Rights of Women
Venue: Commerce House, Wade Lane, LS2 8NJ
Cost: FREE places to Refugee Community Organisations
To book contact Malinda Mukuma, Training Officer, Rights of
Women, 020 7251 6575 or email malinda@row.org.uk

24 November: PQASSO: An Overview
Organised by Holistic Partnerships
Venue: Cardigan Centre
Cost: Free but require £50 returnable deposit
To book call 07745 764789

25 November: Leeds BME Network Open Day
Venue: St George's Centre
Further details at:
http://www.leedsconnectingcommunities.org/news/events/?month=11&year=2008&id=57

2 December: Media Trust marketing and communications courses for support
organisations
10am-1pm: Understanding Media Relations
2pm-5pm: Understanding Marketing
Venue: St George's Centre
Cost: Price: £50 per session (standard cost £120)
To book email supportproviders@mediatrust.org, call 020 7217 3780 or go to
http://www.mediatrust.org/training-events

2 December: Directory of Social Change - Winterfair
Workshops cover a wide range of subjects, based around five themes: Fundraising, Management, Marketing and Communication, Finance and Law and Skills Development.
Venue: Macdonald Hotel, Manchester
Cost: Workshops are priced at £25 each
To book go to http://www.dscwinterfair.org.uk

5 December: Mental Capacity Act training - The Legal Framework and Practical
Implications
Organised by Social Services Department
Venue: Team Talk - Torre Road
To book call 0113 224 3521

Pyramid of Arts' Making It Happen Artsworker training is due to start in
January 2009. This is a practical course aimed at arts practioners working
in community settings.
To book call Sarah on 0113 234 6040 or email info@pyramid-of-arts.org.uk

Introductory course to Sustainable Communities (online)
Academy for Sustainable Communities (ASC) learning portal.
Cost: Free (the course cost of £100 per participant is being fully funded by the ASC)
To book call Kelly Brewell on 0113 394 4574, email k.brewell@ascskills.org.uk, or go to
http://www.ascskills.org.uk/pages/learning-and-skills/nutshell

********************************************
LEGAL
********************************************

Hillside Legal Advice Service
FREE initial legal advice for community groups
Every Wednesday, 6pm-8pm, the former Hillside Primary School, Beeston Road,
Leeds, LS11 8ND (drop in)

********************************************
RESOURCES
********************************************

Concise guide to The Compact
The Commission for the Compact has published a 'Concise Compact Guide'
offering "a quick, user-friendly summary of Compact undertakings for both
the public and the third sector" on the national agreement between
government and the voluntary and community sector. News item at
http://www.thecompact.org.uk/information/100016/102400/commission_develops_u
ser_friendly_compact_guide/, including how to order a print version,
or download the Guide (pdf, 494KB) from
http://www.thecompact.org.uk/files/102396/FileName/TheConciseCompactGuide.pd
f.

********************************************
EVENTS
********************************************

14 November: Working in difficult times - financial failure and the merits
of asset sharing, collaborative working, partnerships and mergers
Organised by West Yorkshire Pro Help
Venue: The Civic Hall, Room 4, Portland Crescent, Leeds, LS1 1UR
For more information or to book a place please contact Jo Crossley on 0113
205 8202 or email jo.crossley@bitc.org.uk

25 November: Sexual Violence is Domestic Violence. This will be an
opportunity to discuss what is happening in Leeds and elsewhere.
Featuring Claire Mooney, singer-songwriter and Julie Bindel, Guardian
Journalist
Email Sandra.McNeill@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 395 0031

26 November: arts@leeds new applicants funding seminar
Venue: Leeds Art Gallery
Booking essential: contact 0113 395 0678, mags.mcleary@leeds.gov.uk,
www.leeds.gov.uk/arts
The arts@leeds funding scheme aims to promote access to the arts in Leeds.
Non-profit making groups and organisations involved in arts activities in
the community in Leeds can apply.

27 November: Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Yorkshire
Branch
Winter Festivity Event
Venue: Children and Family Unit (East Tier 3 CAMHS), St James's Hospital,
Leeds
For more information phone 0141 445 4350 or visit http://www.acamh.org.uk/

Week commencing Monday 1 December: events to celebrate International Day of
Disabled People (IDDP):
Monday 1 December, 1.30pm-3.30pm: D.R.E.A.M, St John's Church Hall, Barcroft
Grove, Yeadon (contact: Brenda on 07780 245 425, or Janette on 07811 094551,
email: dreamnwleeds@hotmail.co.uk)
Tuesday 2 December, 11am-3pm: Mariners Involvement Group, Mariners Resource
Centre, Northcote Crescent, LS10 6NN
Wednesday 3 December, 10am-3pm: PSI Network, St. Chad’s Parish Centre
(contact: Linda Boadle, VA-L, 0113 297 7942, linda.boadle@val.org.uk)
Wednesday 3 December: Arts To Share (Leeds), Horsforth Village Museum (to
book a place phone 0113 268 3045 on Monday-Thursday between 11am and 5pm,
and ask to speak to Susan Dales)
Wednesday 3 December, 1pm-4pm: Caring Together in Woodhouse and Little
London, Woodhouse Community Centre, 197 Woodhouse Street, LS6 2NY
Wednesday 3 December: Churwell New Venture Social Club, Churwell Community
Centre
Thursday 4 December: Leeds Federated Housing Association, Arthington Hall,
Arthington House, 30 Westfield Road, LS3 1DE

2 December, 10.30am-3pm: Mental Capacity Act Carer and Service User
Conference
Venue: The Carriageworks, Millennium Square, Leeds
This Conference is aimed at all Carers and Services Users and will give
information about the Mental Capacity Act and how it will affect you.
For further information contact the conference organiser: Lisa Simms on
0113 247 8599 or email lisa.simms@leeds.gov.uk

13 December, 2pm-4pm: Breast Buddies would like to invite you to a
Maternity/ breastfeeding wear fashion show
Venue: Manston St. James Church Hall, Church Lane, LS15 8JB
Come along and see the latest in maternity and breastfeeding lingerie and
fashion. There will be opportunities to purchase items on the day so why not
treat yourself!
For more information call Kathryn on 0113 260 4187 or at
director@breastbuddies.org

********************************************
JOBS
********************************************

Database Management and Admin Officer
Aireborough Voluntary Services to the Elderly with Disabilities
Salary: £6,240 for 15 hours a week
Closing Date: 14 November
For further details call 0113 250 1702 or email avsed@btconnect.com

Manager
Carers Leeds
Salary: PO3 Point 38-41 £31,677 - £34,465 for 35 hours a week
Closing Date: 17 November
For further details call 0113 246 8338 or go to
http://www.carersleeds.org.uk

Housing Support Worker (Winrose Project)
Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation
Salary: £18,907 to £22,845
Closing date: 20 November
For an application pack please contact Karen Hoole on 0113 214 1833/32 or
email Karen.hoole@belleisletmo.co.uk

Arts and Minds Development Worker
Artlink
Salary: NJC Scale 6 £21,412 - £22,845 for 21 hours a week pro rata
Closing Date: 21 November
For further details call Sylvie Fourcin on 0113 243 1005, email
info@artlinkwestyorks.org or go to http://www.artlinkwestyorks.org

School Counsellor
Leeds Counselling
35 hours per week, immediate start preferred
Fixed term contract to July 2009
Salary: awaits finalisation
Closing date: 21 November
Please send your CV to info@leedscounselling.org.uk or to Lisa Ellis, Office
Manager, Leeds Counselling, Leeds Bridge House, Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10
1JN.

Web Services Manager
Electroville
Location: Dewsbury
Salary: £27,000 to £29,000
Closing date: 24 November
Go to http://www.electroville.org.uk/about-us/vacancies/

Welfare Rights Team Supervisor
Leeds CAB
Salary: £23,749 - £25,320 pa for 35 hours pw (open to job share)
Closing Date: 28 November
For further details email jobs@leedscab.org.uk

Specialist Casework Team Administrator
Leeds CAB
Salary: £16,536 to £18,430 pa for 17.5 hours (6 months temporary cover)
Closing Date: 28 November
For further details email jobs@leedscab.org.uk

Children’s Centres Outreach Team Administrator
Leeds CAB
Salary: £16,536 to £18,430 pa for 28 hours
Closing Date: 28 November
For further details email jobs@leedscab.org.uk

Parent and Carers Support Co-ordinator
Leeds Mencap
Salary: Scale c25,000 for 37 hours a week
Closing Date: 30 November
For further details call Dee on 0113 235 1331 or email
info@leedsmencap.org.uk

Communications Worker
Voluntary Action-Leeds
Hours: 17.5 hours per week
Salary: Scale SO1: scp 29-31 £24,331-£25,940 pro rata
Closing date: 1 December
For an information pack call 0113 297 7925, email maxine.woods@val.org.uk or
go to http://www.val.org.uk.
For an informal chat about the post please call Jane Robinson on 0113 297
7945

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
VA-L e-news is produced by Voluntary Action-Leeds

We make every effort to make sure that the material covered in this
newsletter is accurate. However, occasionally we may make a mistake so we
would encourage you to check the details before entering into any
commitment. We also accept no liability for the content any of the sites we
reference.

You can unsubscribe at any time by going to http://www.val.org.uk

Please do not reply to this email as this comes from an unmonitored email
address. Please send any emails regarding e-news to
library@val.org.uk.

Registered charity No. 225863 Registered Company No. 555150 Registered in
England and Wales

Back to top