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NWCN Ebulletin 16 February 2022

Quick Links – click to go straight to each article

1 ‌New Training Opportunities with NWCN
2 Keadue Community Grants Fund
3 Foras na Gaeilge Summer Camp Scheme 2022
4 TWN Tampon Tax Small Grants Programme Open for Applications
5 Have your say into the new Good Relations Audit and Strategy for DCSDC 
6 Rail Ambition for the North West Webinar
7 Special Department of Finance Budget Update and Consultation Event
8 What do you want for the future of Northern Ireland?
9 Growing Food, Growing Communities- Food Summit
10 Building Healthy Neighbourhoods
11 d/Deaf and Disabled People's Election Special with the Alliance Party
12 Hate crime OCN
13 Can you spot low health literacy? Training opportunity
14 Would your organisation benefit from a FREE Health & Wellbeing Support Service?
15 FREE First Aid & Loneliness workshops
16 Youth Start - A better start in life and work!
17 Training with Volunteer Now
18 Tender Opportunity - Engaging with Ageing
19 Job Opportunity with St Columb’s Park House
20 Job Opportunity with Verbal Arts
21 Public Appointment Competition
22 
New Dance & Movement Courses for Teens & Kids at Echo Echo 
23 Funding Innovation for Net Zero - DfE E-Zine
24 Love Heritage NI newsletter
25 You’re invited to Burns Supper Night

1 New Training Opportunities with NWCN

Fundraising: Developing a Case for Support

Thursday 24th February 2022
10:00am - 1:00pm
Via Zoom
 
This half day training for NWCN Members will be delivered by NICVA, and will help organisations to:

  • understand the needs of funders and be proposal ready
  • understand the content needed to create a ‘Case for Support’ document to support fundraising efforts and communications. 

Content:

  • The Fundraising Cycle – preparation and communication
  • What are funders looking for?
  • Being Proposal Ready
  • What is a Case for Support?
  • What to include in your Case for Support
  • Preparing a budget for funders
  • Applying the Case for Support to Funding Proposals/Applications
  • Group discussions and Q&A throughout session



Social Media Training

Tuesday 22nd & Thursday 24th March
10:00am-12:00 noon

Facilitated by Suzanne Rodgers 
This will be an in person event taking place at DiverseCity Community Partnership, Bishop Street.
Light lunch & refreshments provided!

Social media can be a cost effective asset to any organisation. If used to full advantage it can reach a wide audience, publicise specific events and attract new volunteers or clients. This is an opportunity to be guided through the process of developing an effective social media plan, creating engaging content while recognising and avoiding the pitfalls.

Over two short sessions develop your social media voice and find the platform that is right for you.
Please note that you must commit to attending both sessions.



If you are interested in attending either event, please email info@nwcn.org to book your place

If you would like to renew your NWCN membership please complete our 
membership form 

2 Keadue Community Grants Fund

Keadue Community Grants Fund was established by a local family to provide support to local organisations tackling the growing social need in Derry~Londonderry and surrounding rural areas including Limavady, Strabane and Dungiven.

For the shortlisting process we will prioritise organisations that:
  • Are embedded in the local community and can evidence knowledge of local issues ;
  • Can provide impact stories of meeting need;
  • Can provide long term support to the people they are helping if needed;
  • Can specify organisational need;
  • Recognises the need to provide skills-building for staff and volunteers;
  • Are well regarded in the local community, and if needed, can provide 2 references
Closing Date: Mar 11, 2022 13:00

Full details available 
here

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 Foras na Gaeilge Summer Camp Scheme 2022

Foras na Gaeilge is providing funding for appropriate Summer Camps through Irish for young people (3 to 18 years of age):

  • which aim to strengthen the Irish language through a mix of activities;
  • that are not residential camps;
  • which will last 5 days;
  • which will run between 20 June and 28 August 2022;
  • which will last at least 4.5 hours each day.

This is a nonprofit scheme to keep the camp fees low for the young people.

Grants are provided out of public funding, and Foras na Gaeilge has statutory duties to ensure value for money for all funded projects.

Foras na Gaeilge recommends applicants to seek joint funding for projects, when appropriate, and to cooperate with other organisations in order to achieve the best value from the Foras na Gaeilge grant.

We particularly welcome applications from organisations located in areas recognised in government strategies or legislation.

The application form and supporting documents must be submitted to by email to oideachas@forasnagaeilge.ie before the deadline.

If you have any question on any aspect of the qualifying criteria, contact Foras na Gaeilge before the deadline of Friday 25th Feabhra 2022 at 5.00 pm.

Full details available 
here

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4 TWN Tampon Tax Small Grants Programme Open for Applications

This funding programme aims to improve the lives of vulnerable, disadvantaged and under-represented women and girls in areas of multiple deprivation across Northern Ireland, through education and skills programmes to improve their capacities and create a sense of safety and belonging.

Not-for-profit community based organisations working for the betterment of women are eligible to apply.

There are 2 themes to the programme:

  • Theme 1:
    Education and Employment
  • Theme 2: Skills for the future (such as Leadership and Digital Skills)
You can apply for the programme here.

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5 Have your say into the new Good Relations Audit and Strategy for DCSDC 

Every three years Derry City and Strabane District Council updates its good relations strategy and action plan.  The strategy is supported by The Executive Office who, along with Council, are committed to agree an action plan that tackles the key issues and provides support to communities to work on-the-ground.
 
The action plan will include specific programmes, grant aid, ideas for working with children and young people, promote shared and safer communities, and support cultural expression, in line with the Together: Building a United Community strategy.
 
We do want to make sure what we deliver in the strategy and action plan is aligned with what communities are telling us.
 
Therefore, we are asking you to:

  1. Complete a relatively short on-line survey in total confidence to summarise your views on the issues that need addressed and your ideas for the action plan.  The link to complete the survey is below:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DCSDCGoodRelations
  1. Come along to a special on-line community consultation workshop at 6pm on Thursday 24th February.  The link to register for the workshop is below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/262462661887

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6 Rail Ambition for the North West Webinar

The future of rail in the North West is in the spotlight.

Monday 7th March 2022, 10am, via Zoom

Join Council, Government and transport representatives, and local campaigners as they discuss current rail provision, improvement plans, and how to transform connectivity in the North West.
Hear an update on the All-Island Strategic Rail Review from the ministers who commissioned it, find out how rail can boost employment, the economy and the environment, and discover how one community successfully reopened their railway after decades of closure.

Speakers will include:
Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon MLA; Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD; Derry City and Strabane District Council; Translink; Department for Infrastructure; Into the West campaign group; Jim McBride, Donegal Railway Heritage Centre; Scottish Borders Council.


To register to attend please click here.

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 7 Special Department of Finance Budget Update and Consultation Event

22 February 2022, 9:30 - 10:30am - Online

In the absence of an NI Executive to agree a final Budget for 2022-25, NICVA have organised a special event with the Department of Finance to update the voluntary and community sector on next steps for the NI budget and to provide the chance to put your questions to them on what this may mean for future funding.

NICVA has organised this event with the Minister and his officials from the Department of Finance to provide an update on the mechanisms in place which will allow departments to continue spending to maintain public services.  It will include the opportunity to pose questions and seek clarifcations from the Minister and the Department.  


More information and registration

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8 What do you want for the future of Northern Ireland?

Climate NI are conducting a survey alongside researchers at Cardiff University to gain insight into individual’s views on a range of issues in Northern Ireland. The results will help inform further research and policy priorities and help to improve our knowledge of what the people of Northern Ireland want for their future.    

Take part in the survey: https://tinyurl.com/NISurvey2022 

The survey will only take 10-15 minutes to complete. Upon successful completion of the questionnaire, you will have the chance to enter a draw for a range of ‘Love2shop’ high street vouchers with a value up to £100. 

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9  Growing Food, Growing Communities- Food Summit

Bringing people together through food. An exciting & interactive food event for Derry City & Strabane District Council area.

Thursday, 3rd March 2022
10:00 – 13:30
Main Hall, Guildhall

Whether you are interested in growing, cooking or eating – we are all connected to food in some way or other. Food brings us together whether it’s sharing a meal with your neighbour or donating a tin of beans to your local food bank.

At this event will explore different approaches to changing our food system in order to improve health, reduce food insecurity, build community resilience and reduce our impact on the environment.

Whether you are a local business owner, a keen grower, a volunteer at a local community lunch club, or a parent interested in learning about home cooking on a budget we hope that this event will give you food for thought.

More informationallan.bogle@derrystrabane.com

Call/ text/ Whatsapp- 07592103820

Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.

Register here

We look forward to meeting you!

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10 Building Healthy Neighbourhoods

Wednesday 9 March, 12-1pm
Via Zoom 

When you're trying to create the conditions that make it easier for people to live healthy lives it makes sense to think local. Life expectancy in the Western Trust’s most deprived areas is 4.4 years less than the trust area average for men, and 2.8 years less for women.

The Neighbourhood Health Improvement Project (NHIP) brings together representatives from the community, voluntary and statutory sectors to improve health and well being and reduce health inequalities in six neighbourhood renewal areas in the north west.

Join us on Zoom to hear public health experts and those working on the ground in Derry City, Strabane and Limavady discuss what really works when it comes to neighbourhood health.


Register online

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11 d/Deaf and Disabled People's Election Special with the Alliance Party

Friday, 18 February 2022
15:30 – 16:30

Disability Action, North West Forum of People with Disabilities and RNID will host the d/Deaf and Disabled People's Election Special with the Alliance Party.

Featuring:
Kellie Armstrong, Champion for d/Deaf and Disabled People
Ross McMullan Belfast City Councillor
Chaired by Andrew Hamilton, A-Level Student and Disability Rights Campaigner.


BSL and ISL Interpreters and live captioning will be available
All welcome


Register here

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12 Hate crime OCN

BCRC are offering a FREE ACCREDITATED COURSE in Hate Crime Awareness.  
This OCN LEVEL 2 Course is open to anyone over the age of 16.  

The Course will be held over 5 sessions in BCRC offices from 10am-12.30pm on Thursday 17th & 24th February, Thursday 3rd & 10th March & Wednesday 16th March. 

The course is being face to face in a room and via Zoom.

Participants will learn how to be an advocate in Hate Crime and receive a Certificate on completion.  

Contact Terry to register on 
terry@theresourcecentre.org / 02827665068 / 07905978497

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13 Can you spot low health literacy? Training opportunity

Health Literacy Training
Facilitated by Community Development & Health Network (CDHN)

Health literacy is about our knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence to be able to use health and care information and services to make good health decisions (Western Health Literacy Delivery Partnership 2019)

This is a 2.5hr facilitated and interactive online training session. It will help participants to become more aware of the health literacy needs of the people they support, identify low health literacy levels, and equip them with practical tools and techniques to develop their health literacy practice.  Content will be developed to ensure activities, break out room discussions and examples have a focus on mental health, emotional wellbeing, and suicide prevention.

Is this training useful? Just ask our staff
The Clear Project and Developing Healthy Communities teams recently completed this course and they have been raving about how informative and enlightening it was. We would recommend it for anybody who is new to health issues and trying to build their understanding of health and wellbeing as well as those with more experience who are looking to develop their skills and add new strings to their bow.

All sessions will be delivered online via Zoom  

Please select one of the courses below
Thursday 3rd March 2022 6 pm to – 8:30 pm (Evening session)
Tuesday 15th March 2022 10:30am to 1pm

Health Literacy Flyer
Booking Form

14 Would your organisation benefit from a FREE Health & Wellbeing Support Service? 

Due to a fantastic, funded initiative (supported by the Public Health Agency) your organisation may be able to avail of a free Workplace Health & Wellbeing support. 
 
The aim of the initiative is to mentor and support businesses through a structured four stage process to improve the health, safety and well-being of their employees within the workplace setting. 
 
This is currently year 5 and the programme has been a resounding success with over 950 business in Northern Ireland having availed with huge benefits to employee health being realised. Businesses range from large multinationals to small micro businesses. 
 
Registration is now open for new workplaces, for a limited time only and best of all it is completely funded by the Public Health Agency. 
 
An overview of what is provided: 
  • An opportunity to complete an evidence-based and employee wide health &  wellbeing survey to identify areas of priority;   
  • A comprehensive and informative report outlining the health of employees; 
  • Health Champions online training
  • FREE Mental Health First Aid Training 
  • Networking Opportunities 
Complete a Registration of Interest Form attached and your area provider will be in touch. 
Alternatively, please contact your area provider via email: 
Western Trust area: Sabrina Moore Health@Work NI 
sabrina@dhcni.com

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15 FREE First Aid & Loneliness workshops

Please find details on the flyer below of our free workshops. These are available face to face within a 50 mile radius of Derry/Londonderry or digitally on Zoom or Microsoft teams if you prefer.

Most workshops last between 1½ to 2 hours and are delivered by a qualified trainer.

To book your place please click on the link below:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/CommunityEducationNorthwestNI@brcsbrms.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

If you have any problems just drop me an email/call and I will get back to you as soon as possible on gfitzpatrick@redcross.org.uk / 02871863760 / 07808243707

Workshop Flyer

16 Youth Start - A better start in life and work!

Recruiting now! NEW youth leadership & volunteering programme in Derry~Londonderry

YouthAction NI are recruiting 15 local young people aged 18-25 years, who are not in work, to start on an exciting new youth programme running March to June 2022

Programme includes:

  • OCNNI Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice
  • First Aid training
  • Outdoor & team activities
  • Personal development
  • Volunteering & social action projects
  • CV building & interview skills
  • Plus lots more!!!

Commitment:
1 day training per week, 10am-4pm for 15 weeks from March to June
Be volunteering or willing to volunteer 3-6 hours per week in a local youth group

FREE programme! All costs covered:

  • All training & course fees
  • All activities
  • Lunch & travel costs

This is a great programme for 15 local young people who are not in work and who are especially keen to start a career in youth & community work and looking to gain the skills and qualifications to achieve this. YouthStart will provide young people with a great ‘ready to go’ package to build life, learning and work skills.
The training will take place on a Thursday and we will be using Strand Foyer training room and BYTES.

To express an interest please email 
dominic@youthaction.org

17 Training with Volunteer Now

Volunteer Now have a variety of training courses on our website now.  We have Keeping Children Safe: An Introduction, Befriending Training Workshop, The New Environment: Recruit, Retain, Reward Volunteers, VOLT Session: Safeguarding Q&A and Keeping Children Safe: Training for Staff & Volunteers to name just a few!
 
Take a look at our Courses Scheduled page here for the full list - 
https://www.volunteernow.co.uk/training/courses-scheduled/
 
We will be launching our new Training Calendar for the forthcoming year at the end of February, so watch this space!
18 Tender Opportunity - Engaging with Ageing

Engaging with ageing is an early-stage project that is intended to reframe how we think of and react to ageing. This means our own ageing, societal response to ageing and the effects of ageing particularly in the older stages of the life course. It is intended to promote radical change in terms of long-term outcome and impacts in line with the principles and objectives.

The tender process will close at 4pm on Wednesday 23 February 2022

Please find all further information 
here 

19 Job Opportunity with St Columb’s Park House

St Columb’s Park House is a Peace Centre located in the heart of a beautiful historic park in the Waterside area of Derry/Londonderry. St Columb’s Park House offers conference, event and group residential facilities.

We wish to appoint a Caretaker, 30 hours per week on a permanent contract, £15,000 per annum.  The hours are flexible 5 out of 7 days per week and may include evening and weekend work, with occasional requirement for overtime.

The Caretaker will be responsible for the housekeeping and maintenance requirements of the conference and accommodation facilities.  They will be the public face of the organisation, meeting and greeting our customers and centre users.

Essential criteria include but are not limited to:

  • A minimum of 2 years experience of working in a similar role.
  • A general level of Maintenance and Repair skills

Shortlisting criteria may be enhanced in the instance of large numbers of applications.
 
Further information and application packs are available from Sharon Doherty St Columb’s Park House, 4 Limavady Road, Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT47 6JY.  Telephone: 028 71 343080. Packs can also be requested using email; 
sharon@stcolumbsparkhouse.org
 
Completed Applications must be returned to the Operations Manager in an envelope clearly marked “JOB APPLICATION” no later than 12noon on Wednesday 23rd February 2022.  We will only accept completed and signed application forms issued with the job information. We do not accept CVs. Applications received after the closing date / time will not be considered. Interviews for short-listed applicants will be held on the week beginning 28th February 2022.

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20 Job Opportunity with Verbal Arts

Reading Rooms  

Verbal’s vision is a world in which ‘Every Story Matters’.   

Our Reading Room programme is a unique bibliotherapy programme designed by our own research team of psychologists and literature specialists. Our shared reading sessions use short stories as a tool to facilitate meaningful conversations amongst participants and have been proven to increase wellbeing and improve mental health.   

We have a variety of programmes that work with both children and adults: 

Prevention & Intervention – in these programmes we focus on turning challenges into opportunities for learning and growth. By exploring healthy ways to cope with setbacks using simple and effective Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (CBT), these programmes aim to contribute to a brighter future where participants can continue to grow and flourish.  

Recovery- in this programme we aim to empower individuals to regain control over their lives and emotions. Our Recovery programme is a journey that provides participants with the tools and support to cope with, and manage, their mental health challenges in healthier ways.  

We are currently recruiting Reading Room Facilitators to bring our stories to life for participants in local communities

For further information and to register your interest please contact Yolanda on 
yolanda@theverbal.co 
Closing date: Monday 28th February

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21 Public Appointment Competition

The Department for the Economy are advertising an open competition to recruit ten new members to the Board of the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland.

There are five employer and five employee member posts. It is planned to make the appointments by 1 July 2022 for an initial three year term.

The posts currently attract remuneration of £77.50 for under 4 hours per day and £155.00 for over 4 hours per day which is under review. The estimated total time commitment is approximately 15 days per year.

The process involves an application form, eligibility sift and interview process. Appointments are made on merit and applications are welcome from all sections of society. Applications from women, young people, people with a disability and those from minority ethnic communities would be particularly welcome.

An application pack with full details and guidance may be obtained from the 
Department's website or from:
The Public Appointments Unit,
Netherleigh,
Massey Avenue,
Belfast
BT4 2JP
Email: 
pau@economy-ni.gov.uk 

Telephone: (Yvonne Green) 028 9052 9282 TextRelay: 18001 028 9052 9282.
Application packs can be made available in other formats upon request.

Applications close noon on Friday 4 March 2022.

Equality of Opportunity: The Department is committed to the principles of public appointments based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. The Department is also committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes application forms from all suitably qualified applicants irrespective of religious belief, gender, race, political opinion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or whether or not they have dependants.

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22 New Dance & Movement Courses for Teens & Kids at Echo Echo 

Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company are so happy to be opening their doors again for public classes after 2 long years. At the end of February/ beginning of March they will be starting a new programme of creative movement for children and young adults. Their classes are non-competative and suited to all levels of experience. The main focus is for the participants to find their own unique style of dance and to ultimately have fun moving together. All classes are held in Echo Echo’s Studios situated on the City Walls on Magazine Street. Details of class times below:

Echo Echo Kids Classes | 26th February - 9th April | Saturday Mornings | 6 week course | £40 advance payment

  • 4-7 years | 11am - 12noon
  • 7-11 years | 11am - 12.30pm

Echo Echo Youth Dance | 2nd March - 6th April | Wednesday evenings | 6 week course | £40 advance payment

  • 12 - 18 years | 6.30pm - 8pm

To find out more and to book classes please go to www.echoechodance.com or contact us on 028 713 08883 or info@echoechodance.com We would love to see you!

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23 Funding Innovation for Net Zero - DfE E-Zine

The Department for the Economy is pleased to publish Issue 3 of the ‘Funding Innovation for Net Zero’ E-zine. The aim of the E-zine is to keep you informed of funding opportunities available in the Clean tech and green innovation space.
 
As always, we would be keen to receive feedback as to whether you believe the E-Zine is useful and if you feel it can be improved. If you have any comments, please contact us at: 
HydrogenAdvancedTechnologiesBranch@economy-ni.gov.uk

E-Zine Issue 3

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24 Love Heritage NI newsletter

Welcome to the second edition of the LoveHeritageNI newsletter. During 2022 this newsletter will provide you with the very latest news, events, resources, tools, tips and helpful information about the historic environment in Northern Ireland.
 
LoveHeritageNI raises awareness of the work of the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division, including managing in Northern Ireland. 

Read the newsletter in full 
here

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25 You’re invited to Burns Supper Night

Let’s get together

Monreagh Heritage Centre are hosting a new event, and we’d love to see you there. Join us for Burns Supper Night, February 24, 2022 at 19:30.

Register soon because space is limited.

We hope you’re able to join us!
Register

 

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