voice - winter 2010

VOICENews and information for community and voluntary groups in Kirklees

Celebrate the achievements of your local centre in 2010Community buildings are the vibrant and adaptable hearts of many communities. In March 2010 the ‘I♥MY Community Centre’ campaign offers a chance for local centres to tell the world how brilliant they are and what they have to offer.

VAK and Kirklees Council will be supporting centres to promote what they already do and to encourage more people to explore new ways of using them.

The campaign will launch on Valentine ’s Day and culminate on Saturday 20 March with ‘I♥MY Community Centre’ Day. Seven centres from across Kirklees will be linked making it a Kirklees-wide event, but many more will be throwing open their doors to let everyone know what they have to offer.

There’ll be a campaign pack with ideas on how to join in with this exciting opportunity to let people know that community centres are the places to make things happen.

To find out more or to register for a campaign pack email [email protected]

I♥MYCommunity Centre

Voluntary Action Kirklees, 15 Lord Street, Huddersfield HD1 1QB

What’s inside:Page 5 The race to embrace Fairtrade

Page 9 Local food awards - get nominating

0 Dewsbury groups ‘re-gain’ cash

2 Winter 2010 www.voluntaryactionkirklees.co.uk VOICE

In October Liz Morrison came to Kirklees to answer questions about the new system for preventing unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. ISA stands for the Independent Safeguarding Authority, and Liz is a member of the Home Office team responsible for explaining how the system will work.

Do we have to do police checks on everyone?

How long will it take to become ISA-registered?

Will I still need to get a CRB check?

Over 130 people from voluntary and community groups came to the VAK event, which aimed to demystify the controversial new legislation. Many questions were answered on the day, but there were so many the VAK team have collated them all and developed a ‘Q and A’ document that will be sent to everyone that attended. If you didn’t attend the event at Brian Jackson House in Huddersfield and would like a copy please email us at [email protected]

ISA: your questions answeredHome Office expert helps groups understanding of new vetting and barring scheme

“ ”Home Office expert Liz Morrison helps groups in Kirklees to get to grips with the new Independent Safeguarding Authority

More equal than others…“Without certain groups represented in the room, we miss out on the voices we need to hear in order to change.” Laura Chapman, EQuality Training.

People who attended VAK and the Kirklees Equality and Human Rights half-day meeting in November were given an overview of what organisations can do to meet the challenges of the new Equality Bill. The Bill is likely to come into force in autumn 2010, it will require organisations to consider all types of inequality when designing and delivering activities. The main message was that organisations that can demonstrate making reasonable efforts to include everyone in their activities will remain within the law.

At the event Ange Jones from the National Equalities Partnership ran through details of the Bill. Resources from the Partnership’s are available on the web*, these include practical guides on how to make information accessible for people with learning difficulties and how to manage potential problems between religion and sexuality in the workplace.

The second speaker was Laura Chapman from EQuality Training who gave an inspiring presentation on the benefits of developing truly inclusive organisations. Laura suggested that equality legislation provided an opportunity for us all to develop our personal and organisational happiness by reaching out, valuing individuals and developing our understanding of difference.

VAK will be providing FREE TRAINING on How to carry out an Equality Impact Assessment. This is a six step tool that you can use to identify whether your organisations activities might have a negative or discriminatory impact on a particular group or sector of the community. To register email [email protected]

*www.improvingsupport.org.uk/equalityanddiversity

Commissioning, personalisation and market forces are all going to have an impact on voluntary and community organisations.

The Kirklees Civic Partnership is offering a one-off training programme to help organisations plan so that their systems, processes, staff and services are able to respond. The training runs from 13 January to 24 February.

‘Making it Personal’ has been built around seven key themes that are relevant to all organisations, large or small, new or old:

evidencing outcomes and your 1. impactcommissioning for results – not 2. just outcomesservice transformation – 3. personalisation and implications for VCOsdeveloping strong financial 4. managementbuilding your organisation’s 5. business and capacity in a changing worlddeveloping an enterprising 6. Kirklees mentoring and 1:1 support.7.

Eminent trainers and speakers from across the country will lead key sessions. These include ACEVO (the professional body for third sector chief executives), the new economics foundation, In-Control and DEMOS – all leaders in their field – pioneering work on personalisation and measuring outcomes.

Full details and booking information is available on the VAK website www.voluntaryactionkirklees.co.uk

For further information please contact Trudi Wright, at the Civic Partnership [email protected]

or Michelle Richardson at VAK [email protected]

Are you futureproof?Making it personal: FREE top-quality training to help your organisation face the future

VOICE www.voluntaryactionkirklees.co.uk Winter 2010 3

What is personalisation?Personalisation is the umbrella term that describes current changes in the way public services are funded and delivered.

Government policy is that services need to be designed from the starting point of service users needs and wishes, instead of individuals having to fit into existing services.

Local authorities will deliver the changes at a local level, in partnership with other agencies. The first steps in fundamental system-wide change are due by March 2011 - only a year away!

Personalisation itself is not a new idea – it has its origins in the disability and independent living movements of the 1970s and 80s, which campaigned for greater choice and control and empowerment for service users.

Other drivers behind the government’s agenda are:

Criticism of prescriptive, top-down services1. Personalisation is proposed as a means to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach, towards meeting the individual needs and requirements of users.

Rising expectations of public services2. Generally people expect more from public services, both in terms of quality and convenience. There is also greater cultural diversity, which public services must meet.

Pressures on the current system3. An ageing population and a growing number of people with severe and complex needs means there are high demands on the current social care system.


A diverse group of young people from Kirklees are gearing up to design, import, market and sell their own Fairtrade product. Young Ethical Pioneers are a dynamic group from different ethnic backgrounds who have come together to learn about business at the sharp end. They will be linking up with young people in Kenya to source a Fairtrade product that will hopefully be on its way to the shops by the end of this year.

This ambitious project is a partnership between the Pakistani Youth Forum, Kirklees Young People’s Service and the Lorna Young Foundation.

“The aim is to establish direct community to community links,” explains Mumtaz Ali from the Pakistani Youth Forum, “in a way we are taking the young people to an extreme; this is about establishing a business, internationally. If they commit to it long term, we hope it will bring them out of their shells and give them very valuable skills.”

The group launched themselves in at the deep end, in the lead up to Christmas they decided to get trading. With a budget of £250.00 they created a hundred Fairtrade giftpacks, containing coffee, chocolate and fruit bars and sold them at events in Holmfirth, Slaithwaite and an Eid Fair Trade Party that attracted 300 people and helped to raise awareness of Fairtrade amongst the Muslim community.

“Unfortunately, despite a great deal of effort, the group found that they’d made a loss,” reports Mumtaz. “They were surprised, but it’s taught them about the importance of getting pricing right and ensuring a profit margin.

The Young Ethical Pioneers are now busy developing their formal structure. Their experience of trading has helped them to realise their individual strengths and weaknesses. They have plans to pick the brains of established retailers such as Taylor’s of Harrogate and Red or Dead founder Wayne Hemingway. The project is hoping to end the year with an educational visit to Kenya, which will also give the entrepreneurs a chance to meet their suppliers, a group of young people in that country. “This is all about giving young people the chance to be more active citizens,” concludes Mumtaz.

You’re hired!Young ethical entrepreneurs embrace Fairtrade

The Fairtrade Mark, now in its 16th year this is the mark that guarantees a fairer deal for producers in the developing world.

The Young Ethical Pioneers get ready to do business


The clock’s ticking to make Kirklees a Fairtrade borough by October 2010. What does this mean and how can you get involved?

The people who grow many things that we enjoy, such as tea, coffee, chocolate or fruit can be let down by normal trade. Fairtrade is an alternative way of doing things that guarantees a better deal for farmers and workers.

By taking action locally we can have a real and lasting impact on communities thousands of miles away. The campaign to make Kirklees a Fairtrade borough by October 2010 needs the support of community organisations.

A flying startEstablished Fairtrade areas such as Mirfield, Holme Valley and Batley and Spen (and the university!) have given the campaign a flying start. The race is now on to fill in the gaps.

Five goals to qualifyTo become a Fairtrade borough an area needs to meet five goals, these are:

Local council passes a resolution 1. supporting Fairtrade, and agrees to serve Fairtrade products (for example, in meetings, offices and canteens). A range of Fairtrade products 2. are readily available in the area’s retail outlets (shops, supermarkets, newsagents and petrol stations) and served in local catering outlets (cafés, restaurants, pubs).Local workplaces and community 3. organisations (places of worship, schools, universities, colleges and other community organisations) support Fairtrade and use Fairtrade products whenever possible. A flagship employer is required for populations over 100,000. Media coverage and events raise 4. awareness and understanding of Fairtrade across the community. A local Fairtrade steering group is 5. convened to ensure the Fairtrade Town campaign continues to develop and gain new support.

How to helpIf you are already using and promoting Fairtrade products in your organisation, please let Carol Gilchrist know by emailing [email protected]

More than coffee and chocolate! Did you know that you can now buy Fairtrade footballs and rugby balls? Guaranteed NOT to be stitched together by children.

There are now over 300 Fairtrade products including wine, beer, cotton, flowers, jam, sweets, fresh fruit, dried fruit...the list goes on.

To find out more The best place to start is the Fairtrade Foundation website www.fairtrade.org.uk

Fairtrade: choosing to make a difference

22 february-7 march

BRITAIN!SWAPYOURCUPPAFOR A FAIRTRADE CUPPAFor this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight we want one million and one

people to join us in The Big Swap. Get involved by swapping

your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff, starting with your cuppa.

Each swap will be proof that the UK wants developing world

producers to get a better deal. Visit thebigswap.org.uk to fi nd

out more, get inspired and register your swap.

This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight is going to be the most ambitious two weeks yet. The aim is for one million

and one people to join in The Big Swap: swapping their usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff; your usual wine, sugar, or

oranges for Fairtrade wine, sugar or oranges. Each swap will be proof that the UK wants developing world producers to get a better deal. You can register your swap on the Fairtrade Foundation website where there are loads of ideas for how you can join in the Big Swap, including a Swap It Guide.

The Big Swap wants to turn us into a nation of Fairtrade tea drinkers, that’s everyone from your Nan to your workplace!

The Big Swap Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 22 February – 7 March


“Our new ‘Introduction to Volunteering’ workshops are going down well with groups and individuals,” reports Sharron Wilkinson from Volunteering Kirklees. “They are for people who are thinking about volunteering and also for volunteers who have signed up with an organisation, but are waiting for an opportunity, or for CRB or reference checks to go through. The workshops build people’s interest and will hopefully keep them motivated until they can volunteer. We’ve developed them in response to requests from local organisations and they’re very popular.”

The free workshops will continue in 2010 with events planned for Dewsbury and Huddersfield. There are also plans for taster sessions offering people practical experience of voluntary youth work, sports coaching and administrative tasks. Feedback is helping the team to tailor the sessions to meet the needs of new volunteers. As one person recently put it, ‘it was good to have the chance to ask about my misconceptions.’

To find out more contact [email protected]

A warm welcome to volunteeringWorkshops offer info and reassurance

Volunteering: booming through the recessionVolunteering Kirklees has had a 95% increase in the number of people enquiring about volunteering in 2009 compared to 2008.

This trend is in line with national statistics and the tradition that volunteering increases during a recession.

Of course it does: increased unemployment means there are more people with time on their hands and greater enthusiasm from everyone for gaining extra skills and experience.

The irony is that this welcome boom in volunteering could itself become a victim of the recession as financially squeezed organisations lose the funding that enables them to recruit and support volunteers.

Volunteering Kirklees is dealing with this increased demand with fewer resources. As part of Volunteering England we are also working with the Department for Work and Pensions to provide jobseekers with volunteer placements.

Helping out: volunteers improve the local environment

Thanks to support from the Big Lottery, West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service are able to offer a full-range of support services for a number of community organisations in Kirklees.

New funding means that Kirklees Community Accountant Alison Wolfenden is able to provide free one to one help for groups, with a turnover of less than £100,000, who want to improve how they organise their money. As she explains, “The most common problem is how exactly to record transactions. People who run organisations in the voluntary sector are passionate about what they do, rather than the ins and outs of accountancy. Plus it can be difficult to find the confidence to deal with money that isn’t yours.” Alison has years of experience in financial management, but she also understands the realities of the sector, “My aim is to help groups to find a system that suits them.”

WYCAS’s evaluations have shown that getting the finances right can help groups to develop and grow. Having a good visible track record in handling public money often makes funders and potential partners feel more confident about groups’ abilities.

As well as recording where the money has gone Alison can offer assistance for organisations working on other areas such as preparing budgets, projecting cashflow, reporting to the committee, costing for bids and preparing year-end accounts.

WYCAS also offers regular group training sessions, for example on 2 February you can find out how to get ready to have your year-end accounts prepared in a session from 10am to 1pm at VAK, see our website for details. They are also offering some FREE training as part of the Making it Personal programme, see page 3 for details.

And finally don’t miss their FREE good practice guides: step-by-step help on many subjects from making your petty cash tin balance to registering as a company.

Contacts:WYCAS advice line: 0113 270 6269WYCAS website: wycas.org.ukContact Alison on 01484 716590 or [email protected]

Pounds, shillings and sense:WYCAS are here to help with the books


WYCAS offers expert advice on sorting those accounts

Practical training to get ready for Year End10.00 - 1.00 on 2 February at VAKFind out how to get ready to have your year-end accounts prepared.Practical, helpful training from WYCAS.Paying expenses: getting it right10 - 1.00 10 March at VAKTraining to help you stay within the law when paying expenses to staff, trustees or volunteers.

Full cost recovery10.00 - 4.00 5 May at VAKA full day to help you understand how to share overheads (core costs) between different projects. This practical course can help to demystify the process of determining the amount of income that needs to be ‘recovered’ to be able to finance a project within an organisation.

Low cost course, fee dependent on size of your organisation.Call Michelle on 01484 518457 to find out more.

Incredible Edible Huddersfield is a grassroots group that encourages people to grow food and work together. Norah Hamill firmly believes that’s the best way to make a difference to the big problems of climate change, oil depletion, social isolation and much more.

The group has grown strawberries and onions on a grass verge in Holmfirth, developed a course in permaculture design at Holmfirth High School and stood back and watched as the people of Honley went clucking crazy for chickens.

“Food is fundamental to us all,” explains Norah, “so it’s a great catalyst for all kinds of change.” The Huddersfield group, which was launched a year ago, has been inspired by Incredible Edible Todmorden (in Calderdale) who have featured on Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage television programme.

The aim is to promote locally produced food through community action, whether it’s fruit planted in town-centre tubs, veg patches on community centre land or back gardens full to the brim with crops. Norah believes that this type of action makes economic and environmental sense, but that having space to grow is also good for everybody’s physical and mental health. “It’s about showing people their potential,” says Norah, “that’s why we use the word incredible.”

Incredible Edible are happy to help anyone in Kirklees that wants to grow food locally, they can offer ideas, expertise and contacts to make it happen. Their philosophy is that you can only do what you can, but it’s important to do what you can. They believe in direct action. The hope is that when people start growing and promoting local food they will inspire others, until this is a genuine national movement.

Norah has been delighted that the group’s ideas have received support from all local political parties. There has also been a positive response from local farmers and businesses. To find out more see the group’s website (just Google their wonderful name!).

Local food – a growing issueGrassroots group offers help and adviceMayor launches Local Food Awards

Strawberries growing in the heart of Holmfirth

Incredible Edible Huddersfield’s plans and projects:

A six mile ‘edible corridor’ •riverside walk from Honley to HolmeA community orchard in •HolmfirthHinchliffe Mill – establish a •growing space for the schoolArtists in Mind – exploring the •creativity of growing Urban planting – herbs by the •bus stop, onions under the hedgeProviding seeds for Lifeline’s •clients to grow at home

Living within our means

The way that we live is using •up resources and damaging the environment. Sustainable development is about living within our means. Locally produced food means •low transportation costs.Replanting helps lock carbon •dioxide into the soil, where it belongs.Eating seasonally reduces •demands on resources in other parts of the world.

Contact [email protected]


VAK is delighted to be part of the team promoting this celebration of the achievements of local people producing and promoting local food. That includes businesses, community groups, schools and individuals. We need you to make your nominations by 12 February 2010.

The community category gives the chance for a local food project to shine. There are also awards for education projects, businesses that use and promote local food and also an individual local food hero.

“The categories are broad because I didn’t want to limit people’s imagination or creativity,” says Mayor Cllr Julie Stewart-Turner. “I know of projects where people are sharing gardens, developing allotments, growing food in window boxes and then there are community kitchens.”

“Even if it’s a very small project it might be unique, it might be something that could inspire others, it might be an idea or initiative that’s worth developing. I would encourage everybody to come forward.”

Nomination packs and more information are available online at www.kirklees.gov.uk/localfood or email [email protected] or call 07776 003461.

The awards ceremony will take place at Huddersfield Town Hall on 22 March 2010.

The awards are part of the Mayor’s year-long campaign to support and promote local farming and food production.

The Mayor’s Local Food Awards


Jams made from Incredible Edible fruit on sale at Holmfirth Country Markets

Everyone can find some space to grow Gardening is good for wildlife


Community ‘re-gains’ cash in DewsburyTwenty three community groups in Dewsbury and Mirfield have taken a share of ten thousand pounds made available by the police after it was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The ‘Re-gain’ scheme routes some of the money confiscated from criminals back to the local community. It’s a local initiative that is part of the wider ‘Why Should They?’ campaign.

The Dewsbury and Mirfield Neighbourhood Policing Team joined forces with the Dewsbury Reporter and VAK to launch ‘Re-gain’. After receiving almost a hundred applications the successful grants were announced at a ceremony at Dewsbury Town Hall at the end of December. Women First, Moorside Minors, St John’s Under 5’s Playgroup, Dewsbury District Women’s Health Group and the Society for the Blind of Dewsbury were amongst the organisations awarded £500 each, smaller grants were also available.

VAK was delighted to be part of this innovative partnership that made such positive use of the money. “We were very keen to support this scheme because it had a light touch and quickly got the money out to people that can make things happen,” concluded Val Johnson, Director of VAK. It’s hoped that funds will become available to run the scheme again and extend it to different areas.The successful applicants who benefitted from the long

arm of the law.

THURSDAY 25 MARCH 2010: MEDIA CENTRE HUDDERSFIELD : 8.45am - 4.30pmTwitter? Facebook? Blogging? You Tube? This major conference, sponsored by Voluntary Action Kirklees, will help you find the best way to make current technologies work for you.

With more and more ways to communicate, how can we make sure that how we say things is meaningful, practical and delivers what we need? Voluntary Action Kirklees are offering you the chance find out from people who’ve tried and tested current communication tools how you can make them work for you. This is about helping you to do what you do best: delivering vital

services, campaigning for change and supporting communities. Come and join the debate with colleagues from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors and meet organisations and people who are already using them with remarkable results.

For further information and to book a place at this conference contact VAK on 01484 518457.

VAK have secured funding to deliver this conference therefore delegate places are free and allocated on a first come first served basis. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Creating ConnectionsCONFERENCE

Community centres:Ravensthorpe Community Centre job search support and benefits helpPakistani and Kashmiri Welfare Association

money management skills, assistance to access benefits, understanding credit etc

Chickenley Community Centre temporary employment for local people to deliver a range of services including free meals, access to second hand clothing etc

Thornhill Lees Community Centre community café project offering healthy subsidised low cost meals, snacks and drinks

Advice services: Crossroads Project CAB outreach service in MelthamCultures United advice to migrants; people from new communities; job search supportServices for people with disabilities: HOOT creative groups and activities geared toward the promotion of positive

mental and physical health and wellbeingArtists in Mind (AIM) various arts media (visual arts, writing, video, sound/music, live

performance) to benefit the wellbeing of long-term service users and those whose mental health is at risk

The Nerve Centre support into volunteering and work placements for people with neurological conditions

North Kirklees MIND support project for long-term mental health service users to reduce hospital admissions

Support services: KRASSAC (Kirklees Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre)

expansion of service provision by recruiting volunteers to assist with helpline/support roles

Methodist Mission Café extended opening hours to meet increased demand for servicesMediation Yorkshire extra resoucres to enable rapid response/eliminate waiting timesWork with children and young people: Huddersfield Plus Point range of activities for disadvantaged young people

Community Learning: Pecket Learning Community numeracy programme

Many community and voluntary sector organisations have seen increased demands on their services because of the recent economic downturn. Fifteen of them have received money from the Targeted Support Fund to enable them to meet this demand and work to decrease levels of deprivation.

The fund is part of the Office of the Third Sector’s ‘Real Help for Communities’ package and all of the £406,001 that was available to Kirklees has been allocated.

It’s gone to a wide range of small to medium sized organisations who are all working to deliver relevant, tailored services to people in need. Although the voluntary and community sector is itself affected by the downturn this set of grants shows how the sector can respond to need and deliver the goods.

Delivering the goodsTargeted Support Fund: responding to the recession in Kirklees


Healthy optionsFree training from NHS Kirklees

Lots of people resolve to be healthier in the New Year, but what’s the best way to support them or provide them with information to keep them motivated?

NHS Kirklees is running a half-day Introduction to Health Promotion at Dewsbury Health Centre on 5 February. If you’re involved in trying to help change health behaviour, this could be a good place to get some training under your belt.

On 3 March there is a half-day course on basic alcohol awareness that explores attitudes towards drinking and guidance about safe drinking recommendations.

This training is free and part of their ongoing Public Health Training Programme, which is available to people working in community and voluntary organisations who have a role in promoting health.

To find out more contact [email protected]

Simon Perfitt is now the Acting Chair of VAN (Voluntary Action Network). He’s stepped into the role as Lyz McKenna has taken up a temporary post with VAK. Bridget Rowe Sykes remains as Deputy Chair. “It’s business as usual,” explains Simon, “VAN forums are meeting regularly to enable organisations to air views, share information and find common ground.” VAN is the

network that represents the voluntary and community sector to policy and decision-makers across Kirklees.

To find out more about VAN email [email protected]

Simon is Area Manager with St Anne’s Community Services.


Get a skill boostComing up in the VAK training programme:Media interview training – If the thought of a media interview makes your knees knock, come along and find out how to prepare and practise being interviewed. At the end of this practical course you’ll come away with an audio or video clip that you can use to promote your organisation.Free course, 3 February, 10.00 – 4.00, Beaumont Street Studios, Huddersfield.

Changing images – learn how to make your leaflets, posters and newsletter stand out by getting to grips with photo manipulation skills. You’ll be provided with a free software CD and taught how to use your own photos and stock images to create brilliant publicity.Free course, 8 February, Northern Centre for Digital Imagery, Dewsbury.

Safe and Sound – a course for people working with children (no matter how infrequently). Covers Behaviour Management, Managing Volunteers, Promoting Diversity, Risk Assessment and Child Protection.Free course 9 & 10 February and 23 & 24 February, 9.30 – 4.00 at VAK, Huddersfield.

These are just three of the any courses we provide, to find out more or book call Michelle on 01484 518457

New Acting Chair of VAN


VAK has teamed up with local papers to let more people know about Grassroots Grants. You have until 27 February to apply for the Huddersfield Examiner’s Community Cash Giveaway and the Dewsbury Reporter series will be launching their campaigns soon.

Groups can apply for up to £900. The grants are available to groups with an annual income of £30,000 or less that have been running for 12 months or more and are mostly run by volunteers. Decisions will be made in early April.

As VAK Development Worker Sam Lofts explains, “This is a great source of funding for groups that want to build up their capacity to carry out new or current activities.”

Last year’s successful applicants included sports organisations, older people’s groups and disability organisations.

You can apply online at www.examiner.co.uk/news/campaigns/community-cash-giveaway

Look for the link that says “enter here”.

Grassroots Grants is a pot of government money that is made available to groups in Kirklees by the Community Foundation for Calderdale (working with VAK).

If you have any queries about the scheme get in touch with Sam Lofts at VAK on 01484 518457 or email [email protected]

Emley Millennium Green Trust received £600 last year – and the money has helped the village to go greener and also continue to honour its coal-mining heritage.

The money was used to plant 100 trees on the Millennium Green and also to restore and paint an old underground excavator in gleaming white. It had got rusty and a team of volunteers from the Trust restored it using special weatherproof paint.

Community Cash Giveaway 2010


V6 Vision – a quick correctionIn the last issue of VOICE we stated that the V6 Vision project was working with 16 to 18 year olds, it’s actually working with the wider range of 13-19 year olds. For more information see the V6 section on the SHAP website www.shapkirklees.org.uk.

Future support services for the sector in KirkleesVAK is hopeful that 2010 will contain certainty about what future support services for community and voluntary sector groups in Kirklees will look like. We have been working with a range of other organisations to develop a consortium that will be able to supply the support and expertise that front-line services will need in the testing times ahead.

Kirklees Council are finalising the details of the budget and commissioning procedure that will fund this work.

The organisations that have been working together are:

Voluntary Action Kirklees•WYCAS (West Yorkshire Community Accountancy •Service)PERS (Pay and Employment Rights)•Fit4funding •KFTRA (Kirklees Federation of •Tenants and Residents Associations)Electroville•Artimedia•Fresh Horizons•National Children’s Centre•Voluntary Action Network•

The intention is for the consortium to be formally constituted with an independent legal status. It will be able to:

Sub-contract the delivery of services to individual •infrastructure organisationsSub-contract specialist services where needed.•

Val Johnson, Director of VAK said, “We think that the changes are very positive and believe that increased collaboration will lead to an improved access to services. By sharing resources and working cooperatively we hope to fully meet the service and support needs of frontline groups.”

Contracts? Sick pay? Holidays and benefits?Free employment rights advice

The Pay & Employment Rights Service (PERS) telephone helpline is available to all voluntary and community sector groups (and employees) in West Yorkshire. We’re open:

Monday: 10am to 1pmTuesday: 10am to 4pm & 5.30pm to 7.30pmWednesday: 10am to 4pmThursday: 10am to 4pmFriday: 10am to 1pm01924 428030or email [email protected] can offer your organisation a HR Health check to make sure you are in line with the law and following best practice.

PERS also provides free expert guides on all kinds of issues as well as model policies and step by step HR toolkits.

Contact us on 01924 428033, [email protected] see www.pers.org.uk


Meeting the needs of new communitiesMigration Impact Fund adds flexibility to services

WomenCentre keen to hear about gaps in provisionThree Kirklees voluntary sector organisations have received support from a new fund that supports communities in managing local pressures from migration. WomenCentre, Kirklees Refugees and Friends Together (KRAFT) and Cultures United in Kirklees all received grants to deliver services for new arrivals and emerging communities. The long term benefit of migration to the UK economy and society is vital. However, the government recognises that migration can place short term pressures on local public services including councils, schools, NHS and the police.

“The aim of the fund is to reduce the pressure on public services caused by migration for the benefit of the whole community. This means that migrants are being asked to pay an additional contribution to that which they already make through taxes, to support the communities in which they live. It will also help ensure that migrants learn English so they can work to support themselves, get to know their neighbours and participate fully in society,” explains Sarli Sardou-Nana, Kirklees Migration Impacts Fund Project Manager.

The funding has enabled WomenCentre extend its Women in Exile service, offering comprehensive support in meeting the needs of women seeking asylum and refugees offering support and social contact.

Women from the so-called A8 countries that joined the European Union (EU) in May 2004 (including Poland, Hungary and Latvia) often have no access to public funds to provide a safety net for them should they lose their job or get evicted from their home, etc.

WomenCentre’s Louisa Ahmed explained that women from EU countries can end up being as vulnerable as women seeking asylum. Some of the new funding is enabling her to research what gaps there are in current services and she’s keen to hear from groups working with EU migrant women who have information about where the gaps are and the support needs that they have identified.

Louisa is compiling a condensed information leaflet that will give clear-cut advice on subjects such as benefits, education and housing as well as details of sources of help in a range of languages.

Overall Kirklees Council has received £450,000 from the Department for Communities for 2009-2011. The funding has been allocated to nine projects through a bidding process. The money comes from a levy paid by economic migrants and students coming to the UK from outside the EU, in addition to their normal visa application fee.

KRAFT and Cultures United’s work is focussing on offering advice, guidance and support to refugees, asylum seekers. The Northern Refugee Centre and VAK are working with the three voluntary organisations to promote joint-working on migration and other areas.

Kirklees Early Years Service, Kirklees Asylum Support Service, Children & Young People’s Service, Library and Information Centres, Children Centres, NHS Kirklees and Kirklees College are involved in delivering six other projects to meet the needs of new arrivals and try to reduce short term pressures on local public services.

Two regional projects on EU advice/information and translation and interpretation are partly being delivered in Kirklees by the Northern Refugee Centre and West Yorkshire Police respectively. Kirklees Council is working along side the Regional Migration Partnership and the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber to share best practice and maximise the impact of the fund.

To contact Louisa at Womencentre [email protected]

Who’s who at Voluntary Action KirkleesAdministration and Finance Manager:

Susan Thompson• : payroll and accounts services; contracts and governance

Community Media Matters Journalist:Caroline Bradley:• advice and support for publicising activities and organisations

Development Workers:Elaine Peake• r and Sam Lofts: strategic support for organisations (eg funding information; strategic planning; financial management, governance and legal structures).

Sharron Wilkinson• : Volunteering Kirklees: promoting volunteering to the public; advice and support on managing volunteers

Pete Hulse• : Volunteer Centre; VAK Bulletin, website and database

Lyz McKenna• : networks (eg VAN) also health and social care partnerships; best practice information; policy development.

Director: Val Johnson• : voluntary and community sector strategic issues

Learning Coordinator:Helen Crabtree• : design and content of training courses; accreditation.

Reception staff and administrative support:Angela Chard•Janice Myzak•Michelle Richardson• (training course bookings)

Emails are: [email protected]

Our website is www.voluntaryactionkirklees.co.uk

Our offices are at 15 Lord Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1QB

Are you in the loop?Stay up to date with our weekly bulletin of bite-sized information. VAK Bulletin is a short, sweet and neat summary of the news you need to know. From local grants, events and training to national news and reports.To receive your copy email [email protected]

If you’d like to receive VOICE, our quarterly magazine that features news and views in greater depth please send an email to [email protected]

Voluntary Action Kirklees promotes and supports the development of an active and effective voluntary community sector in Kirklees by:

Providing support, guidance, information and training•Developing links between voluntary and •community organisations and other agencies

You can contact Voluntary Action Kirklees on 01484 518457, [email protected] or log on to our website at www.voluntaryactionkirklees.co.uk


communityMEDIAmatters

Want to promote volunteering?

Our DVD captures a rich range of volunteers’ experiences and motives.For a free copy email info:voluntaryactionkirklees.co.uk

2009

Be the DifferenceVolunteering in Kirklees

Be the DifferenceVolunteering in Kirklees

This DVD was produced by VAK (Voluntary Action Kirklees) to capture the rich range of local voluntary action.It was supported by Kirklees Council on behalf of the Kirklees Partnership.

www.volunteeringkirklees.co.uk

A communityMEDIAmatters production, supported by The National Lottery

voice - winter 2010

Documents