B&NES News & Updates - 07 April 2010

Welcome to your local E-bulletin for Bath & North East Somerset where you will find information, news and events specifically of interest to those in the B&NES area. National and regional news is found in the weekly General E-bulletin covering all service areas in B&NES and Wiltshire.  Click here for the most recent issue.

Focus Group on VCS Representation and Commissioning – Wednesday 19 May, 2:00 – 3.30pm. BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath. The Care Forum is organising a discussion group to consider issues of voluntary sector representation and good practice in commissioning to feed in to the Voluntary Sector Forum and the local Compact Board. This will help in reviewing the existing codes of good practice within the Compact relating to involvement and funding. If you would like to contribute by being part of this group please put the date in your diary – more information to follow at the end of April.

Advance notice: Reaching Out-Linking In 'How to get everybody involved in local life!' 11 June 9:00 - 1:00pm (including lunch) at Bishop Sutton & Stowey Village Hall. A free half-day event designed to help Village Hall Committees, Parish Clerks, Community Transport Groups as well as representatives of organisations who offer help and advice to groups and individuals -and anyone else mainly living and working in rural Bath & North East Somerset. More information and Booking Form.

Residential and Sheltered Care - Find Out More at the Community Resource Centre Open Days:

	Keynsham 14th April, 10.30am-3.30p
	Bath (Twerton) 21st April, 10.30am-3.30pm
	Midsomer Norton (Greenacres) 28th April,10.30am-3.30pm

Professionals, including Care Home Managers, Extra Care Managers and staff, Social Workers, District Nurses, the Care Home Support Service, Housing Associations, Age Concern, Alzheimer's Support Group, a Financial Advisor and Mental Health Services will be on hand to talk through the options. At Bath, Carswood Day Service staff will also be available to talk about the services they offer to adults with learning difficulties. For information call 01225396049 or email carol_richards@bathnes.gov.uk .

Arts Skills Training Day - Saturday 24 April 9.30am - 3.15pm at Peasedown St John Youth Centre, Bath Road, Peasedown St John, Bath, BA2 8DH. This event has been jointly organised by the Youth Service and Bath and North East Somerset Council Arts Development Team. The purpose of the day is

	To assist people to develop new and existing arts skills, to stimulate creative thinking and ideas that can be used with the young people you work with
	To allow people to try out new or different arts activities
	To contribute to team-building

During the day, you will have the chance to attend two, one-hour workshops in the particulararts skills. Workshop information.

Please contact  sue_davis@bathnes.gov.uk  for a booking form.

Keynsham show us what yer made of! Open Exhibition - 14 - 16 May. Have you some artwork or a performance you would like to share?  This exhibition is open to anyone who would like to share their creativity. Something you have made in the past; something made just for this exhibition; music; a performance, a painting or some photos. Contact Lucy Rosewarne telephone 0117 939 1768/ 07933763010, or email lucyr@createxchange.co.uk  with questions about the exhibition

Healthy Living Week 27 May - 3 June. If you are interested in taking part, running an event or having a stall, or if you would like to find out more, contact Viv & Martin, Timebank Plus, telephone 01225 442813 email timebankplus@googlemail.com
 

I Can Do That! Wednesday, 26 May, 10am-3pm. This event will introduce sports and leisure opportunities for disabled people. Local and regional organisations will exhibit throughout the day and there will be information seminars on topics including: adaptations and accommodation, direct payments and special educational needs: statements, appeals and tribunals.  'Taster' therapy sessions, sporting demonstrations and hands-on interactive workshops are being organised to  give an informative information and practical day for disabled people and their families. Contact Karin Gray ( 01453 843280 or email karin.gray@scope.org.uk
 

Mad Hatters of Bath Networking Group - meeting weekly on Thursdays 12:00 - 2pm in basement of Hay Hill Baptist Church, The Paragon, Bath. A friendly, independent group which challenges the dominant view of 'mental illness'. Events, discussions, information, signposting and networking. If you are interested and/or would like to go to a meeting contact: Bathmadhatters@hotmail.co.uk  or phone Clare 01225 337787 or Vanessa 07940 444893. You can also find Mad Hatters on YouTube and Facebook

The Charitable Incorporated Organisation –The long awaited new legal form for charities, the Charitable Incorporated Organisation ('CIO'), is not now expected until late this year or early 2011. What should your charity do if you have been waiting for the CIO format to become an option? Michelmores' Legal Firm based in Exeter and London offer the following advice- click here.  View their full listing of articles for charities.

Employment Law Update Workshop "Employee Administration" 13 May in Bath An interactive workshop, with Rachel Wooddisse of Stone King Sewell LLP, which will discuss the background and give an update on the law surrounding all aspects of Employee Administration. The key issues and topics will include: Recruitment; Employment Contracts; Staff Handbooks; Employment Policies and Procedures; Dealing with Grievance and Disciplinary Meetings. Registration is from 2.15pm with the presentation starting at 2.30pm and finishing at approx 4.30pm.
Fee per delegate £25 plus VAT. Please book online on the Stone King Sewell website.

Thinking of Taking Part in a Charity Bike Ride? Bath & North East Council's Somer Valley Wheels community cycling scheme, based in Radstock, is running a series of training rides, offering cyclists the chance to improve their fitness and their bike-handling skills.  The training rides take place on April 17, May 1 and May 29 (all Saturdays) and lead up to the 27 mile British Heart Foundation Somerset Levels Cycle Ride on Sunday June 6. All rides start at 10am from Tea and Trade Tearooms, Church Street, Radstock. The rides will be lead by experienced cycle leaders and instructors. More information
 

Get Set Collaborate - Two FREE workshops on collaborative working:  Session 1 - Wednesday 19 May 9.30 – 2.00. Session 2 - Tuesday 8 June 9.30 – 2.00 Elwin Room, BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath. The Care Forum, Develop enhancing community support and the West of England Consortium have worked with Social Enterprise Works to develop these free workshops for those organisations wanting to explore collaboration as a response, amongst other issues, to the expected re-commissioning of community services. Further details and booking information.

B&NES LINk Event "Linking Up, Moving Forward" 20 April 6:00 - 9:00pm at the Frys Club, Keynsham. Come and give your views about the best ways of improving services in three priority areas that were highlighted by the people of B&NES in a recent survey:

	Care of the elderly
	Support for people with disabilities
	Awareness of/access to services

A number of expert speakers will be available to tell you about how these services are currently provided, and about plans for the future. Booking by Friday 9 April 2010 at the latest. If you have any queries, please telephone  0117 923 2288 or email: contact@baneslink.co.uk 
Futher details and booking form.

Health & Wellbeing Network - Healthy Conversations 'Choosing Well'  21 April, 9.30 – 2.00 (including lunch). Partnership Board for Health and Wellbeing. Public meeting from 2.00 - 4.00 at Frys Club, Keynsham. On the agenda: What can we do to make sure urgent care services can help the people who really need them as quickly as possible? Fairer Contributions for Non-Residential Social Care Services, Safeguarding Vulnerable People. More information.

Free Seminar: A charity's guide to donor and event fundraising – how to maximise your income 27th April, Bath.
Charities are now more than ever dependent on the income from donors and fundraising activity. This seminar, which is being presented by Stone King Sewell jointly with accountants Moore Stephens, will give advice on how to minimise the tax liabilities of donors and charities, ensure legal compliance and provide practical guidance to help donors and charities save money and avoid major pitfalls.
Topics will include:

	Communicating with donors
	Attracting high value donors - a mutually beneficial relationship
	Hosting a major fundraising event

Speakers: Alexandra Whittaker, Associate Solicitor at Stone King Sewell LLP and Sue Carter, Head of Charities at Moore Stephens.
Timings: Registration is at 2.15pm with the Seminar starting at 2.30pm and finishing at approx 4.00pm. Refreshments will be provided.
Please contact Annette Kirby on 01225 324413 or e-mail ak@skslaw.co.uk  if you have any queries. More information and booking.

Digital TV Switchover Information Points - Open from 10am - 4pm on 24 and 25 March and 7 and 8 April at Bath Central Library and at Community Cafe Keynsham  For advice and support over the switchover period just drop in. For those who cannot attend these locations find help on: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/

Sandy Adirondack's legal update website for voluntary organisations at www.sandy-a.co.uk/legal.htm has been recently updated. Sign up for the email updates - recent updates are all about employment law.

 If there is anyone else in your organisation who would like to receive this bulletin please contact Sue Evans sue@developecs.org.uk or

Tel: 01225 33 00 90.

DEVELOP Enhancing Community Support is a Company Limited By Guarantee registered in England and Wales 01986363.

Registered Office 3-4 New Road, Chippenham, SN15 1EJ. Registered Charity1096008.

DEVELOP Enhancing Community Support is a member of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA).