1 Free workshops for Older Peoples Groups or groups working with older people

Community Change has received funded through the Building Financial Capability in the Age Sector programme ran by Charity Bank and funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, to run 20 workshops throughout NI which assist small volunteer ran older peoples groups to ensure they have good, practical sets of finance records which will meet Charity Commission legislation and keep committee members ‘safe’ by having sound systems in place.

The workshops will be informal, practical and provide templates etc for use on a daily basis.  The focus will be on keeping it simple but effective.  Workshops are free and Community Change is keen to hear from any groups who would be interested in attending a workshop and/or willing to host a workshop (for which room hire and hospitality costs will be paid).

To register an interest to attend a workshop or host one contact Áine on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 028 9023 2587.

The schedule of workshops will be situated in due course.

2          Money Advice Service offers impartial financial advice

The Money Advice Service has officially been launched in N.I.  Funded by the Financial Services Authority, the Service provides face to face sessions within organisations free of charge. All information is impartial and sales free and independent from the Financial Services Industry. The aim of the service is to help prevent financial difficulties and address the underlying root causes of poor financial decision making, including knowledge, financial literacy and money management skills.

To arrange an initial information session, or for more information, please contact the main office on 0333 321 2424 (Belfast) or contact Patrick McLean directly on 07423 458 379 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit the website for further details at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

3          Voluntary Arts launches EPIC Awards

The EPIC Awards 2011 are designed to shine a spotlight on the excellent work taking place within more than 70,000 voluntary and amateur art and craft groups around the UK and Ireland.  The Awards give groups an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of their work as well as the chance to win a package of prizes including training, equipment and publicity. There will also be a winner’s reception in early 2012.

The awards are open for entries now at www.epicawards.co.uk. Deadline for entries is 5.00pm on 11 November 2011.

4          Think Social Networking isn’t for you, think again!

Have you ever seriously considered how free technology such as Twitter, Facebook, cloud computing etc – it’s expensive, I don’t understand it, it’s not for me.

Advantage Solutions is currently registering interest in a training programme exploring this concept.  The workshop which is equally beneficial to both large and small community and voluntary organisations will introduce you to a broad range of social network tools and will explore how your organisation can access them in order to improve the efficiency of your work and organisation.

The one day workshop costs £50 per participant and is limited to a maximum of 16 people.  For more details and to register an expression of interest contact Kevin McCaughan on 07990 690 900 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

5         Volunteer Now Training

Volunteer Now is offering free training to groups which are volunteer-led or who rely mainly on volunteers to deliver their service.  Group needs to provide the venue and people.  The content of these courses is decided by you.  When you call a Volunteer Now adviser will talk through your development and training needs and a course will be designed to meet these.

The courses provide frameworks for groups to consider, clarifies responsibilities in a volunteer environment and focuses on formal practice but with an informal approach.  Please contact Lizanne Frawley on 028 9081 8308 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

6          Community Change call for 3 Voluntary Board Members

To help us meet our mission statement of “Fair, equitable and resilient communities” Community Change is seeking to recruit up to four new Board members.  We are particularly interested in people with expertise in the following areas:

Human Resources, Business Planning, Public Relations/Communication, Social Enterprise and Information Technology.

Commitment required:  One 2 hour meeting every 6 weeks.  Attendance at A.G.M.  Occasional input re recruitment, training events, etc.

Whilst the role is as a voluntary member travel expenses incurred are re-imbursed.

To receive further information or arrange an informal meeting with the Community Change Director Margaret Ferguson telephone on 028 9023 2587 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

7          Money Advice – Helping people to manage their finances

Citizens Advice MoneyActive volunteers run free financial skills training sessions for groups and individuals.  They can deliver direct to your clients and service users, or run sessions for your staff to build their capacity to support clients on money issues in the future.

The financial capability reaches a diverse range of groups such as lone parents, social housing tenants, job seekers, ex-offenders, and adults with learning disabilities.  They can tailor sessions to cover topics relevant to your group dealing with bills to choosing credit.  Our trainers make sure sessions are fun, engaging, and full of practical tips.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact Nichola MacDougall, Project Coordinator on 028 9026 2525 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

8          Equity in Health Masterclass

We live in a world where public problems require shared understanding and collective solutions.  This masterclass will explore a framework for leadership that participants can use to better understand their own leadership challenges that participants can use to can use to better understand their own leadership challenges and begin to map out strategies for working in a shared power world.

For further information contact Caroline Scott on 028 9032 8811 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

9          Centre for Economic Empowerment Masterclass Series

The following two workshops are available from NICVA’s CEEM.  These and are open to voluntary and community organisations and free of charge.  To book a place contact Cathy Breslin on 028 9087 7777 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Understanding Government’s Economic levers

Date: Friday 23^rd September 2011 (TBC)   Venue: NICVA  Time: 10.30am – 12.00noon

What caused the financial crisis? And where do we go from here?

Date: Friday 21^st October 2011  Venue: NICVA  Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm

10        ConsumerLine

ConsumerLine have a telephone advice line which offers consumers clear, practical and impartial advice on problems and disagreements with traders.  It is run by the Trading Standards Service of Northern Ireland.  Whatever your query – we’re here to help

Contact us by telephone:  0300 123 62 62 or (028) 9025 3900

Click on www.consumerline.org .

You can also use text phone on: 028 9052 9304

11         Friends of the Earth

Friend of the Earth is undertaking a survey to find out what people think of the planning system.  It wants to hear about people's experiences of the system - both good and bad.   We are again urging our members to complete the survey  http://www.foe.co.uk/northern_ireland/news/planning_questionnaire_31000.html for more information and to complete the survey online (or download a paper copy).  The deadline for completing the survey is 31 August 2011.

12         Patient & Client Council Roadshows

The Patient and Client Council is hosting a series of roadshows across Northern Ireland to give people the opportunity to share their views with key decision makers on future spending plans in health and social care.  The panel for each event will include leaders from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Health and Social Care Board, Public Health Agency, local Health and Social Care Trust and the Patient and Client Council.

Six events have been organised across Northern Ireland and the dates and times for each are listed below.  Places are limited and RSVP is essential.  To book your place please call us on 0800 917 0222.  Alternatively you can email us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it stating your name and the roadshow you wish to attend.

13        Have Your Say on Draft Strategic Framework for Community Development for NI

Rural Community Network (RCN) is working closely with other organisations in developing a new Strategic Framework for Community Development for NI.

They are now hosting a morning event on Wednesday 5^th October at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island, Craigavon.  This event is free of charge and lunch will be provided.

Please register your interest in this event by contacting Sarah Christie at RCN on 028 8676 6670 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you are unable to attend this event, but would like to respond to the draft Framework, contact Fergal O’Donnell at RCN or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

14         Working with Fathers presentation morning

Is your organisation interested in developing work with fathers? If so, then the Parenting Forum NI within Parents Advice Centre would like to invite you to a presentation morning, which will showcase some of the learning arising for the “Kick Start 2011” project – a seven month package of training, support, networking, reflection and practical action for groups that are trying to, or wishing to, engage with fathers.

Get a sense of what Kick Start offers, hear about the practical experience of a number of trainees, meet Kick Start participants and find out about the hands-on things involved in running an activity for fathers.

This FREE event will take place on Thursday 15^th September in Grosvenor House Conference Centre, Belfast.  To register contact Pauline on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 028 9031 0891.