On behalf of the Department for Communities (DfC), Co-operation Ireland in partnership with Rural Community Network announces the opening of the VCSE Covid Recovery Fund.
The Covid 19 Pandemic has impacted Voluntary, Community and Social Economy (VCSE) organisations across Northern Ireland - a high proportion of these organisations have refocused their objectives to reduce the impact of Covid‑19 on the most vulnerable in our society. At the same time, the pandemic also demonstrated the value and contribution of VCSE organisations in the delivery of services provided to those most in need.
The VCSE Covid Recovery Fund Fund has a total value of over £3 million and aims to:
Provide additional funding to VCSE organisations to procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other items to enable the re-opening and continued delivery of vital community services.
Support VCSE organisations to move services online and increase digital connectivity for organisations delivering mental health supports and/or providing services to young people, older people, those who are medically isolated, the disabled and women.
The Key Features of the Fund are:
Total Value - over £3 million
Grants of up to £5,000 are available to voluntary, community or social economy organisations
Open for applications between 12 November and 11 December 2020 (4.00 p.m.)
Applications must be submitted using the online application process
Funding must be spent by 31 March 2021
The Fund will be open to applications from Thursday 12th November to Friday 11th December 2020 (4.00p.m.)
To make an application to the VCSE Covid Recovery Fund or for further information on what support is available, please click the following link: https://cooperationireland.org/projects/covid-recovery-application/
2Applications now open for the Community Heritage Fund Northern Ireland
£200,000 funding is now available to support small-scale projects which help to connect communities to the heritage on their doorstep.
Through the Community Heritage Fund, we are offering grants of £3,000-£10,000 for projects in Northern Ireland that encourage engagement with local heritage, such as a local park, building or monument.
The experience of lockdown has been a powerful reminder of just how much we value our local places. The Community Heritage Fund aims to help strengthen those connections with the heritage around us.
We encourage groups to check their eligibility and apply as soon as possible for this fund before it closes.
Full eligibility criteria and application guidance is available on The National Lottery Heritage Fund website.
Key dates
apply by noon on 18 December 2020
projects must be delivered between 15 February 2021 and 31 March 2021
If you are interested in applying, and you’ve read the application guidance but still have questions, then please join us for this one-hour webinar.
Monday 23 November, 2-3pm
Thursday 26 November, 11am – 12noon
These one-hour webinars will include a brief overview of the fund followed by a Q&A session.
Book your place here
The Clear Project, in conjunction with the Public Health Agency, are offering constituted, voluntary sector sports clubs in the Western Trust area the opportunity to avail of training which will help them support their members and get £300 worth of relevant sports equipment for the club.
In order to receive this aid, clubs must:
Be a constituted voluntary sector sports clubs and enclose copy of this document and a list of committee members
Have a bank or building society account in the name of the club
Be appropriately insured or prepared to obtain appropriate insurance if awarded
Enclose the most recent annual accounts or statement of income and expenditure which must be approved and signed by an officeholder
Operate within the Western Trust area
Have a significant impact upon or involvement from their local community
Have at least one member (two optional) attend Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. Please note: This must be a member who has a significant input / involvement / role within the club. The same member must attend all four sessions to complete training.
Equipment requested should help the club develop activities that meet the needs of the local community and support the delivery of the PHA's ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’. programme These are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing through the themes of ‘Connect’, ‘Be active’, ‘Take Notice’, ‘Keep Learning’ and ‘Give’.
Clubs will be asked to seek out a quote for the equipment, pay the chosen supplier directly and then submit original invoices relating to the purchase of the equipment to claim back the finance. If the club does not have the finances, then requests for advance payment will be considered on a case by case basis.
Any relevant sports club within the Western Trust area can apply for the funding however preference will be given to:
4The Hobson Looked After Children and Young People Funds
Applications are invited from community and voluntary sector organisations who are supporting looked after children and young people in Northern Ireland.
Funding will be focused on those organisations who can find innovative ways to meet the needs of looked after children and young people, particularly at this time, when usual events and activities may not be able to take place, and mental health issues have been further exacerbated.
We will have two funding programmes;
Fund 1 – A programme of support that focuses on provision of mentoring and befriending support, and individual bursaries for looked after young people, and those transitioning from care, aged 16 and over. The bursaries will be distributed to eligible applicants through a support organisation. We expect the applicant organisation to apply with a programme of support in mind, which must include provision to manage a bursary application process. The focus of this will be on those young people most in need, and not in receipt of high levels of support from other organisations.
There will be one award of £30,000 made to one organisation to develop a Hobson Bursary Scheme, and mentoring and befriending programme, which reaches those most in need, and those who do not have access to other levels of support.
Fund 2 – A programme of activities, which might include training and building skills, social activities, and other activities which support looked after children and young people, to ensure they have access to the same opportunities in life and thrive as best as possible.
Six grants of up to £10,000 will be offered to six different organisations for programme activity.
The applications will be invited through an online application on the Community Foundation’s website www.communityfoundationni.org and will follow two stages:
Stage One: Initial online application via the Community Foundation’s website by 1:00pm on 7 December 2020. Stage Two: Shortlisted applications will be invited to present their project to the Hobson Fund panel representatives, and other sector leaders, on 13 Jan 2021
At S3 Solutions, we have supported over 500 charities, community associations, PTA's and social enterprises to avail of a range of grant opportunities and public funding. But that's not all. We also advise on a range of areas including gift aid, strategic planning, evaluations, business planning, club development, capital development and much much more.
Over the past 7 years, we have developed a close relationship with the organisations operating throughout the third sector. We understand the unique challenges and pressures they experience and that in the midst of the ongoing pandemic these issues have been exacerbated.
As we move towards Christmas and the end of 2020, we would like to take this opportunity to invite your organisation to avail of a free, 30-45 minute, funding workshop with one of our experienced funding advisors.
To find out more and express your interest, please here: Sign Up
La Dolce Vita Project in association with conference partners Parental Alienation Europe are hosting an International Online Parental Alienation Conference on Thursday 26th November 2020. We are delighted that IACP have, accredited this conference with 8 CPT points.
Attending this online conference is a fabulous opportunity for professionals to hear from world experts in the field of parental alienation, to explore your own views on parental alienation, to gain insight and raise awareness of the devastating impact on children, why this is a serious child protection issue and what we can do to support the protection of children from the harm caused by parental alienation.
Opening the online conference :
1. Donna Maria Logue (Founder & Director of Services of La Dolce Vita Project.
2. Brian O'Sullivan, (Co Founder Parental Alienation Europe). Speakers:
1. Professor William Bernet (Forensic Psychiatry & Author United States of America).
2. Retired Judge Philip Marcus, (Israel Family Law Court).
3. Dr Steve Miller, (Psychology, Medicine & Author, USA).
4. Dr Demosthenes Lorandos, (Lawyer & Psychologist, USA).
5. Professor Rory O'Connor, (Professor of Health Psychology, UK).
6. Dr Mandy Matthewson, (Clinical Psychologist, Australia).
7. Caroline Langley, (International Barrister, Ireland).
8. Brendan Guildea, (Barrister, Ireland).
9. Shawn Wygant, (Forensic Psychologist, USA).
10.Brian O'Sullivan, (Consultant Systemic Family Psychotherapist, Ireland).
For more information and to book your ticket click on the link below or any additional queries please telephone 02871377272 to speak to Miss Donna-Maria Logue or Ms Julie Smyth.
Linking Generations Northern Ireland are a charity that supports communities to bring generations together to learn from, support and inspire one another. There is a passion in the community now more than ever to keep supporting intergenerational work and adapt to new ways of working.
With this in mind, we are hosting a brainstorming Zoom session on Thursday 26th November at 10-11.30am, to share and generate ideas on how we can keep generations connected this Christmas, amidst the challenges of Covid-19.
Please join us, whether you are an individual, group, practitioner or organisation, whether you want to be inspired or share ideas, if you feel passionate about keeping generations connected during these challenging times, we would love for you to attend!
To register please email Ken Irvine (Regional Development Worker) at ken.irvine@bjf.org.uk
Aim: to improve children’s health-related quality of life, wellbeing, food knowledge and dietary habits
This project investigated the impact of changes to the primary school food environment. It was carried out in P3 (6-7yr) and P7 (10-11yr) classes in 18 schools in the Derry and Strabane region.
Teachers, principals, catering staff, a local further education college and 14 AgriFood businesses; Moy Park, Dunbia, Lough Neagh Eels, Glenarm Organic Salmon, Irwin’s, LacPatrick, Foyle Foods, ABP, Cranswick, Monaghan Mushrooms, Thompsons, SimplyFruit, Devenish, Finnebrogue, were involved. The project was funded by the Agri-food Quest Competence Centre, Invest NI.
Findings:
1040 pupils took part; 100% school retention
No significant difference in Health Related Quality of Life
In those children receiving the intervention which included alterations to the whole-school food environment and food related experiences;
Total Difficulties Score improved (childhood emotional and behavioural wellbeing)
Some changes in school-based dietary behaviour
Improvements in understanding of food labels & seasonality of vegetables
Increased willingness to try new foods
Improved perceived cooking competence
Such an approach, focusing on food and where it comes from, at this scale, has never
been developed and evaluated in the UK.
What’s Next? Sustainable Food School Concept
Aim: To continue work in this region, with existing and new partners, to develop an exemplar, sustainable Food School Concept based on the whole school food environment that delivers continued impact in the longer term.
Co-produced School Food Concept
Economically viable
Resource efficient
Impactful
Can you help?
The successful development of a sustainable and impactful whole-school approach to food requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders. As part of this next project we would love to hear from those in the region who currently work with schools, families and /or those delivering food based support.
Please contact Clare Jess - c.jess@qub.ac.uk for further details about our project or to provide us with information about your project or programme.
Lessons & Challenges for Supporting BAME Communities
Stronger Together 1+1 Bilingual Mental Health Project invites you to a webinar on 'Accessing Mental Health Services during Covid-19: Lessons and Challenges for Supporting BAME Communities' taking place on Thursday 26 November from 09.45 for 10.00 - 11.30.
This year has been difficult for many with mental health worries, particularly for members of BAME communities. During the Covid-19 lockdown, there has been an increase in people reporting feelings of isolation and depression, coupled with limited access to mental health services. Those from the BAME Community have even more challenges in accessing mental health support due to a variety of factors including language barriers which has been exacerbated due to the pandemic.
Stronger Together’s ‘The 1+1 Project’ team will be holding a webinar to discuss challenges and the lessons they have learned from supporting members of BAME communities in accessing mental health resources throughout Covid-19.
Speakers will include members of the 1+1 Project team and the webinar will be chaired by the Public Health Agency.
If you would like to register your interest in attending this webinar, please email caoife.wilkinson@stepni.org Please be aware that spaces to this webinar are limited and attendance will be confirmed by email only.
The clock is ticking down for applications to apply to the EU settlement scheme, the deadline is 30th June 2021.
Below is a link to a Free online question and answer session with an immigration lawyer about gaining EU settled status in the UK, organised by advice NI.
Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) will host an annual celebration of People with Disabilities through a Virtual Disability Awareness Week 2020 (Monday 30th November 2020 – Friday 4th December 2020, inclusive of International Day for People with Disabilities.
This is the fifth annual celebration in DCSDC and this year we are going to celebrate in a different way through the development of an online programme of activity. This will reach beyond DCSDC and aim towards a regional and international audience, supporting International Celebration of Persons with Disabilities (#idwpd 2020).
The aim of this week of celebration is to:
Join together to support people with disabilities in our communities to promote health and social wellbeing through the arts, during these challenging times
Raise awareness of the importance of creating the conditions where people with disabilities experience equal opportunity and face no barriers to participation in any element of their lives.
We hope you can join us. See the full range of exciting events here
12 Free Motivational Interviewing Training for C&V Sector
Online Motivational Interviewing Training - Level 1
Facilitated by Glenn Hinds
This programme is designed for everyone who wishes to develop their skills in supporting people change their behaviour. It will be of particular interest to those assisting people who wish to change their thinking or behaviour including diet, substance use, exercise routine, medication adherence, criminal behaviour, or any other health or lifestyle behaviour.
Normally a two-day workshop, the programme will be delivered online, over 4 x 3-hour sessions using Zoom with additional video and written materials made available before, during and after the programme.
Course Dates Date: 30th November, 7th, 14th & 21st Dec 2020 Time: 10am to 1pm Venue: Online via Zoom
Please note that all 4 sessions must be attended in order to complete the programme and qualify for a certificate
To apply for a place please read carefully the Booking and Cancellations Policy complete a booking form and return via Email:clear@dhcni.com
or Post: Clear Project, Unit 13, Strabane Enterprise Agency, Orchard Road Industrial Estate, Strabane, BT82 9FR.
Mediate NI are pleased to offer two free workshops on Mediation Skills and Single Identity. There are two dates on offer for both workshops:
Mediation Skills: 13th January 2021
Please find all information including registration form here 27th January 2021
Please find all information including registration form here
Single Identity: 20th January 2021
Please find all information including registration form here 3rd February 2021
Please find all information including registration form here
We Are Seeking New Group Leaders To Assist With Our Cross-Community Youth Programme and Schools Programme. Group Leaders Can Assist With Our Weekly Club Nights, Activity Residentials, Day Trips and International Projects. We Will Send 2 Groups To Cyprus and Hungary in 2021 And Plan To Include Another International Project in Portugal. Leaders Will Also Be Offered A Range Of Training And Development Courses, Including An OCN In Youth Leadership, As Well As Many New Opportunities.
If Interested In Becoming A Volunteer Youth Leader please e-mail reach_across@hotmail.com or Text 07854833371.
Derry City and Strabane District Council in conjunction with the North West Regional College are offering a unique course to those interested in training for a career in the I.T. sector.
The course offers industry recognised qualifications delivered over 13 weeks with a 4 week work placement with a local company. On completion of the course, which is funded by The Department for the Economy, there is a guaranteed job interview.
To apply you will need a HNC/D or a Degree in any discipline.
As we race through the autumn months, I thought I would let you know what we have in store for the remainder of the year and what events are planned for the start of 2021.
Last week was Fertility Week and we had quite a lot going on. We had a series of webinars on various topics, listed below.
#FertilityInequalities- “Dealing with fertility inequalities” with Dr Jane Stewart, Chair of the British Fertility Society #MentalHealthMatters -“Looking after your mental health” with Angela Pericleous-Smith, Chair of BICA #MenMatter- “All you need to know about male fertility” with Professor Allan Pacey, University of Sheffield #FertilityEducation #FertilityintheWorkplace- “Fertility Education: from school to the workplace” with Sharon, Anya and Kate
If you missed any of them and would like to view them again, don’t worry, I have included the link to all of them: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK1Lf4geOL7eEtp-Zgf5aJ8PLn3T_WlUi Yoga
Back by popular demand the charity are providing 6 more sessions with Annie, through November into December.
The sessions are every Thursday at 6.30pm and starts this evening.
Dates 12th, 19th, 26th November and 3rd, 10th and 17th December. For more information on the yoga sessions with Annie and to register for the session, please follow the link: https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/events/join-fertility-yoga-winter-2020/ Men Only Support Group-online -Wednesday 25th November at 7pm.
This online meeting will be via Zoom, and gentlemen interested in joining are more than welcome to join with camera on or off. The group led by Toby and Ian will be joined guest speaker, Professor Sheena Lewis from Examen lab. Professor Sheena Lewis’ research has focused on male infertility; specifically, sperm DNA quality.
If you are interested in joining the meeting, please register using the link: https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/events/men-only-support-group-online-5/
Support Group Meeting NI-
Our next Support Group Zoom meeting will be on next Tuesday, 17th November at 7.30pm. This is a fertility night in, a chat with friends and everyone is welcome. Please email me for the link to join the meeting.
We will have our last support group meeting of 2020 on Tuesday 8th December at 7.30pm rachel@fertilitynetworkuk.org Men Only Support Group-online -Wednesday 9th December at 7pm.
The last Men Only Meeting of 2020, hosted by Toby and Ian will include a relaxed Christmas Quiz. Christmas jumpers and hats welcome! To register for the meeting, please follow the link: https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/events/men-only-support-group-online-6/
Living Life to the Full
We are running the AWARE, Living Life to the Full Course which will start on 7th January at 7pm and run for 6 weeks until 11th February. This programme teaches people skills that can be used in everyday life to deal with stress and low mood. Each session is 2 hours long and will be led by Hilary.
To register interest please email me back and let me know as it will be a first come, first served basis rachel@fertilitynetworkuk.org. Flyer
Go on for a journey like no other. Explore what a better future might look like for us all. Wander round our virtual Eden Project festival grounds from the comfort of your own home and sign up for whichever sessions you like – it’s all free with new acts being added every week!
We'll be joined by the likes of Eddie Izzard, Mr Motivator, Jo Brand, organisations such as Human Library and skilled chefs, artists and crafters to deliver learning and share ideas.
Some of the sessions you can access Free thanks to National Lottery funding are:
The Churches Trust was established over 30 years ago in recognition of the fact that deprivation and disadvantage are key barriers to building a united community, equality of opportunity and good relations. The Churches Trust reaches across all communities in a unique and practical way, to deliver services on an equitable basis to the unemployed, young people, the elderly, individuals and families disadvantaged through low education attainment and/or low income levels.
The Churches Trust wishes to appoint: Youth Work Assistant
Salary £11,493.80 pro rata (£20,114.15 Full time equivalent) 20 hours per week
Purpose and function of post:
To support the Youth Personal Development Worker in the planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of projects and ensuring adherence to all policies and procedures.
To work directly with young people aged 11 – 25 years to facilitate their active participation in projects and create opportunities for personal development, good relations and skills development
Essential criteria include but are not limited to:
A recognised training or youth work qualification at (QCF) Level 3 minimum or equivalent
A minimum of 1 years paid or 3 years voluntary experience of working directly with young people
5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths, Grade C or above.
For information and application packs, please contact Wendy McCloskey
Tel: 028 71311322 / 07586333847 or e-mail info@thechurchestrust.org.uk
Closing date for all applications: 2pm on Wednesday 9th December
Would you like to join our team? We want to expand our mental health team and we are recruiting for the following positions. Please email adam@freshmindseducation.com and clearly indicate which job role you are applying for. Please provide an up to date CV and an A4 page outlining how you meet the criteria for the role. If you are applying for multiple roles, you must apply separately for each.
We are seeking to build a small, dedicated team, that will bring Fresh Minds Education’s (FME) Connections Suicide Prevention Programmes to the Northern Irish Community ensuring that delivery targets are met safely, ethically and professionally. All positions will be based at Fresh Minds Education HQ in Antrim.
We are recruiting for the following roles below. Click on each role to view the job description:
• Curriculum Vitae
• A4 Page demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role
DEADLINE FOR CV’S & COVER LETTER: MONDAY 23rd NOVEMBER 2020 @5PM
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEW
INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE THURSDAY 26th NOVEMBER
21Public appointments opportunity - HSENI Member Competitions
DfE will be advertising an open competition to recruit up to 6 new members to the Board of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland on 19 & 20 November 2020 in the three main local papers. The process involves an application form and interview process. Appointments are made on merit and applications are welcome from all sections of society.
The appointments begin in May 2021 and attract remuneration of £3,980 a year. The time commitment is approximately 1 ½ days per month.
It is important that people from a wide range of backgrounds take up public appointments so that the Boards of public bodies reflect the rich diversity of our society and better understand the needs of the communities they serve. Applications from women, young people, people with a disability and those from ethnic minority communities would be particularly welcome.
An application pack with full details and guidance may be obtained from https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/department-economy-public-appointments or;
DFE’s 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 or Janet McCrum (028) 9052 9492 TextRelay: 18001 028 9052 9492 from Thursday 19 November 2020.
Application packs can be made available in other formats upon request.
The closing date for applications is 12.00 midday on Friday 11 December 2020.Late applications will not be accepted.
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.
The Department is operating the Guaranteed Interview Scheme in this competition for applicants with a disability. Applicants with a disability who meet all of the criteria at the sift stage will automatically be guaranteed an interview.
The LRA (Labour Relations Agency) recently published 'A Practical Guide to Working from Home: COVID19 and beyond' to assist employers and employees who continue to work from home in uncertain times.
23Final few places on our Christmas Arts Courses...
Christmas Arts Courses close to selling out!
We've been overwhelmed by the response to our first ever remote arts courses. Three of our courses have already sold out which is excellent news for the arts in Ireland!
We have a handful of spaces left on our Christmas Crafts Course & Painting Scenes with acrylics.
Final few spaces available on our website: www.edenplaceartscentre.com via upcoming classes page. The cost will be £10 and will include all 4 workshops.
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