NWCN Ebulletin 07 December 2022

1 NWCN AGM

You are invited to attend our AGM at 10:00am on Friday 16^th December 2022, at the Holywell DiverseCity Partnership Building, Bishop Street where we will outline our achievements of the past year and set out our priorities for the year ahead. 

Following the AGM we will have the pleasure of hearing from Marie Dunne, Hope Ambassador and facilitator of the Hopeful Minds Programme. 

Refreshments provided.  For catering purposes, let us know if you are planning to attend – info@nwcn.org or call Roisin on 028 7126 1941

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2 DCSDC - Emergency Fuel Support Programme

Derry City and Strabane District Council in response to the ongoing cost of living crisis has agreed to establish a Hardship Fund which will support a Discretionary Emergency Fuel Support Programme and the provision of additional Advice Services. The purpose of this programme is to provide a one-off emergency fuel payment of £100 to a household in a financial emergency and requiring support to make a fuel payment of electricity or oil. This is not a general fuel support programme. Only those who are in an emergency situation are advised to apply for the scheme, as it is specifically designed for households who are unable to pay their most recent fuel bill or to get a fuel top up.

For further details and referral form click here

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3  BBC Children In Need Funding

At BBC Children in Need, children and young people are at the heart of what we do. After the events of the last few years, we have developed a new charitable ambition and grantmaking strategy. This strategy focusses on our principles of:

• Sharing power with children and young people
• Acting flexibly
• Using our voice to build awareness and empathy around issues
• Building partnerships to bring communities and investors together

Project Costs - no deadline

Project Costs support the aims and delivery of a specific piece of work. This work will usually be time-limited, and based on a defined set of activities.

Our Project Costs Funding Stream is for charities and not-for-profit organisations. Applicants to this programme can apply for grants for up to three years. We aim to give quicker decisions for grants of £15,000 or less per year.

Core Costs - no deadline

Core Costs support essential organisational and administrative spending. These are the key expenses required to keep your organisation running.

Our Core Costs funding can be spent on your organisation’s central day-to-day operations. 

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4 Community Solutions to Housing and Homelessness

Exploring community solutions to the root causes of housing and homelessness in Northern Ireland.

Expressions of interest are now open!

This programme is seeking to support collaboration to address the root causes of Housing & Homelessness in NI. Project teams are encouraged to register for a place on the programme.

The programme will provide the opportunity for groups to work through a creative problem-solving process, to support the design of new services or solutions that address the challenge areas.

Each team will then have the opportunity to apply for Seed Funding of up to £25,000 to bring their idea to reality. The programme will commence in Spring 2023, but we are seeking expression of interest now for those who are interested in this opportunity and want to learn more. To register your interest in this programme please complete this short form. 

Further details available here

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5 The Fore Spring 2023 Funding Round

Our Spring 2023 Funding Round opens for registrations at 10:00am on Monday 12th December.

• Are small (under <£500k in revenue)  
• Work with marginalised groups  
• Are led by people in the community  
• Have previously found it hard to access trust and foundation funding

Registration is run on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the cap is reached, the round is closed, so please register early (Registrations open at 10am). We will next be open for registrations for our Spring 2023 funding round at 10am on Monday 12th December 2022.

Further details available here

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 7 Have you ever received a disappointing or poor public service in NI?

You could complain to help prevent the situation from happening again to you or to others.
 
THIS QUICK GUIDE SHOWS YOU HOW TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ABOUT A PUBLIC SERVICE:

1. Go to the Public Body First 
Make your complaint directly to the organisation.
Tell the public body (in-person/by phone/email) you want to make a complaint and ask about their complaints procedure.  You may wish to ask someone to support you with this

What happens next:

• The organisation should try to resolve your complaint.
• They should acknowledge your complaint within a few days and should examine the matter you have complained about, responding to you within 20 working days.

2. Go to the Northern Ireland Public Service Ombudsman (NIPSO) if you’re still unhappy with the public body’s response

• NIPSO is an independent body providing a free and impartial service to investigate unresolved complaints about public services.
• NIPSO takes the findings from complaint investigations to help drive improvements in complaints standards and share learning more widely.
• NIPSO is happy to help with any questions you may have about how to submit your complaint.  To find out more:

https://nipso.org.uk / 0800 34 34 24 / nipso_comms / @NIPSO_Comms

8 NSPCC – Board for Change

The NSPCC are looking for 15 young people, aged 13-16 from across the UK to join our Young People’s Board for Change. The new Board will share their views and ideas with decision-makers like NSPCC trustees, staff and politicians. Members will get involved in fun projects, take part in residentials, meetings, and workshops to share what matters most to them. 

The young people must be: 

• Between 13 and 16 years old 
• Committed to being a member of the Young People’s Board for Change for 2 years 
• Want to change the lives of other children and young people that might be having a hard time 
• Committed to attending all online and in-person sessions and other events 
• Willing to share their ideas and opinions to the board to the best of their ability 
• Prepared to listen to others and respect their views 

This is a great opportunity for children and young people to influence our work. We are committed to offering support to young people to ensure that they play an active part in the work of the Board.  

We want to encourage as many young people as possible to apply, so please share this with your networks. You can find a recruitment pack with an A5 flyer, information sheets, application form and parent/carer consent form on the NSPCC website.  

The deadline for completed applications is 23^rd January and interviews will be held in February or March. We will be happy to pay all reasonable expenses for travel and subsistence for successful board members. 

Help us to spread the word: 

• Nominate a young person that you know and support them to apply here  
• Share on social media to spread the word with your networks #NSPCCBoardforChange 

For more information about the board and an informal chat please contact participationteam@nspcc.org.uk

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9  Latest Offers from Salto Youth

Please see attached document for current opportunities with Salto Youth:

• From Argentina to Europe: Solidarity and service learning
• Celebration of solidarity in the International Human Solidarity Day!
• Discover the essentials of project management, and event planning & organisation
• ActionBound Gamification Workshop
• Fostering Youth Engagement for a Safer Environment and Responsible Use of ICT
• YOCOMO - be(come) civically engaged

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10 Competition to appoint a Commissioner for Children and Young People for NI

The Executive Office launched a competition to appoint a Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland.
 
This is a vital role in safeguarding and promoting the rights and best interests of our children and young people.
 
There are no specific qualifications required to apply for this position. However, we are looking for an individual who can use their skills and experience to fulfil this role to maximum impact.  
 
Information about the post and how to apply is available under reference IRC284540 at www.nicsrecruitment.gov.uk or by contacting HRConnect, PO Box 1089, Beacon House, 27 Clarendon Rd, Belfast, BT1 9EX.  Telephone:  0800 1 300 330.  Email:  recruitment@hrconnect.nigov.net.   
 
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 12.00 noon (UK time) on 6 January 2023.

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11 Coming up at An Chultúrlann

SCRÚG - 'A Christmas Carol' as Gaeilge!
This festive bit of family-friendly, Irish-language theatre will be available to the public for one night only on Monday the 19th of December at 7pm! Tickets are £5 plus booking fee and are available in the link below. 
Tickets Here
 

Tráth na gceist Na Nollag // Christmas Quiz!
Join us on Thursday the 15th of December from 8.30pm for a fun, free, and bilingual pop quiz with prizes for the winners, the best Christmas jumper, and the chance to bring home a hamper of Christmas treats with our £1 raffle on the night (with all proceeds going towards Irish language teaching)!Mince pies and other light refreshments will be on the go, along with a late-night bar opening.
As the bar will be open, this event is 18+. No need to book.

IMBOLC 2023 Programme
With a jam-packed programme of music, arts, and culture, there’s something for everyone at this year’s IMBOLC festival - bígí linn!
Full programme here!

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12 Millennium Forum - Access Newsletter - December

Access Newsletter - Coming up at the Millennium Forum:
Dirty Dancing returns to Derry! Captioned Performance on Thursday 21st September at 8pm

MOVES & MELODIES Moves & Melodies is an age friendly project for adults which involves song & dance workshops. It is open to all and is also dementia friendly. Thursday 8 December 2pm - 3.30pm

FEEL GOOD FORUM - THE POSITIVE VIBE SESSION Come along and be part of our ‘Positive Vibe Session’. The purpose of this W orkshop/Session is to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in a fun and iis event is suitable for everyone aged 15+. Admission: Free Wed 7th Dec – Studio Theatre Time: 1.30pm – 2.30pm

The Buddy Holly Story There will be a Relaxed & Dementia Friendly performance of this show on Thursday 10 August @ 2pm. Tickets are priced at £21.50 each

CHRISTMAS JUMPER ENERGY OF LIGHT DISCOS Our next 15+ Energy of Light disco is on Friday 16 December @8.30pm. Our next Kids (0-8yrs 4-5pm) and Juniors (9-14yrs 5-6pm) discos are on Saturday 17 December. Our discos are aimed at those experiencing limited physical, sensory and or learning disability. Tickets are £3 with Carers & Parents going free.

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY TEA DANCE Our next Dementia Friendly Tea Dance will take place in the Studio Theatre on Thursday 26 January @ 2pm - 3.30pm

PANTO TIME IS HERE!!!! WHICH MEANS IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS, WE'RE VERY EXCITED!!!! Signed Performance - ISL & BSL Thursday 8 December @ 7pm Foyle Deaf Association Choir will perform in the Piazza 6.15pm-6.45pm Relaxed & Dementia Friendly Performance - Saturday 10 December @ 2pm Stage Beyond will perform on stage during the interval. Captioned Performance - Sunday 18 December @ 2pm Makaton. As part of our inclusive programme, we are going to be signing "Jingle Bells" at every Cinderella performance.

To book or any questions - 02871 264455 (option 1) or
www.millenniumforum.co.uk or
email lisah@millenniumforum.co.uk

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13 Family Christmas Activities 

The Consumer Council have designed a series of games, quizzes and activities for all the family to get involved with this Christmas. You’ll learn about scams, consumer rights and budgeting alongside our mascot, Peanut the Squirrel.
 
These activities will keep you and the family busy and entertained during the holidays. They have been designed to have a learning element for young people too. In fact, you may learn something new yourself!
 
The Christmas-themed activities are available using the link below.
Christmas activities at home