Community Change e-Bulletin

1              New Community Change Programme working with older people groups throughout NI

Community Change, through funding to the Charity Bank from Atlantic Philanthropies, will be delivering 20 workshops around keeping simple but effective financial information for older people groups or groups working with older people.  This is part of a three level programme with Community Change delivering these workshops at local level, Sector Matters (NICVA’s Social Enterprise) delivery a sub-regional and University of Ulster delivering a training course.  Watch out for further Community Change communications and updates on the web-site.

2       EYV2011 Small Grants Programme

Volunteer Now is inviting applications for the European Year of Volunteering 2011 Small  Grants Programme.

The Programme is funded by the Department of Social Development and is designed to encourage and support volunteering by funding a wide range of volunteer-involving organisations from across 15 district council areas.  It is targeted specifically at projects with an annual income of less that £100,000 that promote volunteering amongst people not in paid work and other groups who are currently under-represented in the volunteering population.  The Programme makes grants of up to £1,500 available to small, locally based volunteer-involving organisations which address at least one of the objectives of the European Year of Volunteering.

For more information contact Sandra Faulkner at Volunteer Now on 028 9023 2020 or

e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Applications must be returned by Friday 12 August 2011 at 12 noon

3       Free Support for Community & Voluntary Groups to set up new Social Enterprise

The Social Enterprise Programme is now open for applications in the North West area and provides support for community and voluntary groups to evaluate new business ideas, access start-up grants and develop a business plan.  Contact Michelle Clare on 028 7962 8113 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This programme operates throughout NI so groups in other areas ahould contact the Programme Manager, Audrey Murray on 028 2826 9973 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

4        Rural Community Network AGM & Conference

Date for your diary.  RCN’s AGM and Annual Conference will be held on Thursday 20 October 2011.  As it’s their 20^th they will be celebrating.  Lokk out for further details on the RCN website www.ruralcommunitynetwork.org or Rural Brief.

5        Grants from The Nationwide Foundation

The Nationwide Foundation has a small grants orgramme whick makes grants to registered UK charities (including those in NI) which offer financial and/or housing related support to survivors of domesitc of abuse and older people aged over 50.

This small grants programme provides gants of between £500-£5,000 to registered charities and has now increased the income threshold for charities who can apply to£750,000.

To apply visit www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk/grants.asp

6       Youth for Peace

Youth for Peace need old and unwanted bikes to recycle for their up and coming Bicycle Recycling element.  If you have any bikes that you/your family/friends would like to donate to the project, please let them know and they will gladly arrange for them to get collected. Ideally they are looking for bikes that need general maintenance (nothing too major) and preferably teenager/adult size bikes!  Imagine your unwanted bike could be made famous by being spotted on the Youth for Peace – Peace Cycle in August, of which we are also looking for support and volunteers.

If you could spread the word in your areas, clubs and among your young people, you would be helping them out greatly. They need to have 45 bikes recycled so we need all the help we can get.  So do not hesitate to contact me to help/participate: Helen Jamison, Youth For Peace Project Worker, Dee Street Community Centre, 12-16 Dee Street, Belfast BT4 1FT, 07502011583.

7       Belfast Metropolitan College – Community Development Courses

The following courses are available starting in September:

·         Year 1 BSc/Cert HE in Community Development

·         Certificate in Community Development (OCNNI Level 2 – progression Pathway to the BSc/Cert HE)

·         Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (City & Guilds Level 3?7302) This course is suitable for those interested in delivering   OCNNI Community Development courses at levels 1 and 3 in the community.

Information Sessions on August 25^th, Millfield Campus, Lecture Theatre, 1.30-3pm and 5.30 to 7pm.

For further information and advice please contact the admissions officer on 90265 5385 or the tutors on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

8        Centre for Health & Well Being

The Centre for Health & Well Being in the Upper Springfield is offering a special discount to anyone working in the community and voluntary sector on a range of alternative remedies.  For only £10 you can have a one hour holistic therapy usually costing £35-£50.  Therapies can include massage, reflexology, Indian head massage, Swedish massage, reiki, acupuncture, homeopathy and much more.  For more information or to book an appointment contact Kate on 028 9022 3220 and quote ‘community worker.’

9        A 2 B

A  2 B is a not-for-profit organisation working to improve benefit uptake for older people it allows you to find out about benefits you could be entitled to.  All you need to do is contact 028 9075 4070 and they will put you In touch with someone who works in your area.

10    Community Change

Community Change offer facilitation, training and support to community  groups and organisations throughout NI and on a wide range of topics.  If you would like to know what we could do for your group/organisation contact our Director Margaret Ferguson on 028 9023 2587.

If your not on our mailing list and would like to be just contact Áine on 028 9023 2587 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it