London Housing Foundation - Grants for Organisational Strengthening
(London)



The London Housing Foundation is seeking to make a limited number of
grants each year to voluntary agencies tackling homelessness in order
to strengthen their organisational capacity to have an impact in
delivering effective services.



The overall allocation for this grants stream will be around £100,000
for 2005/06 and individual grants will usually be in the order of
£5,000 - £30,000.



These grants are intended to be developmental, helping an organisation
overcome a particular problem, rise to a new challenge or consolidate
its operations in a more sustainable way. Applications will be
considered by the Board of the Foundation at their meetings in April,
July, October (2005) and January 2006.



http://www.lhf.org.uk/Grants/Grantsfororganisationalstrengthening

Microsoft Community Learning Awards 2005 (UK)



The aim of the Microsoft Community Learning Awards 2005 is to support
groups and charities across the UK who are tackling digital exclusion
by providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people and adults
to learn about IT through community-based technology and learning
centres.



The awards will distribute 30 prizes of £2,500 to community groups
across the UK.



Microsoft Community Learning Awards are looking for innovative
projects and projects that will make a real difference to your
community.



The closing date is the 24th March 2005.



http://www.microsoft.com/uk/community/community/awards/

FREE TRAINING FOR REFUGEE WOMEN



* Accelerated English & jobsearch skills for Nurses and Midwives

3 May - 5 October 2005 no classes during school holidays

3 days a week: 9.45am-2.15pm

at Yvonne Carr Community Centre, 2 Thessaly Road, London SW8 4EB



Assessment Day:

Wednesday 13 April, 10.30am at Yvonne Carr Community Centre



This course offers intensive professional English language and
communication skills and specialist support and guidance to refugee
nurses and midwives looking for employment.



Participants will improve their English and IT, meet with NHS
professionals, have support with registering with the Nursing
Midwifery Council, write a competitive CV and application form,
practise interview skills and much more...



Eligibility:

- refugee status (or ELR/ILR);

- qualified as a nurse or midwife overseas

- wish to work as a nurse or midwife





* Accelerated English & jobsearch skills for Healthcare Assistants &
Care Workers

5 May - 6 October 2005 no classes during school holidays

3 days a week: 9.45am-2.15pm

at Canalside House, 383 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AA



Assessment Day:

Tuesday 12 April, 10.30am at Canalside House



This course offers intensive professional English language and
communication skills and specialist support and guidance to refugee
healthcare assistants and care workers looking for employment.



Participants will improve their English and IT, meet with NHS and Care
professionals, write a competitive CV and application form, practise
interview skills and much more...



Eligibility:

- refugee status (or ELR/ILR);

- experience of working in a care setting

- wish to work as a HCA or Care Worker





Jobsearch Skills for Doctors

6 - 23 June 2005

4 days a week: 9.45am-2.15pm

Venue to be confirmed



This course provides specialist support and guidance for gaining
employment as a doctor in the UK.



Participants will have the chance to meet with NHS professionals,
write a competitive CV and application form, practise interview skills
and much more...



Eligibility:

- refugee status (or ELR/ILR);

- qualified as a doctor

- passed your PLAB exams



BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW!





for all courses call Refugee Women's Association on 020 7923 2412



All courses are free, women-only and run during the daytime.



We pay travel expenses and contribute towards registered childcare
costs or provide a free creche.



Refugee Women's Association

Print House

18 Ashwin Street

London E8 3DL

T 020 7923 2412

F 020 7923 3929

E rwa@...

W www.refugeewomen.org.uk

Community Leadership Certificate



Special introductory offer:

Free places for students working in the community

funded by European Social Fund



Birkbeck's new Certificate in Community Leadership is for community
practitioners at the sharp end who want to understand better the
context in which they operate, to discuss common issues with
colleagues from other organizations, and to take a step back and
reflect on their work and its significance.



Community Leadership work in London includes a wide range of roles in
local strategic partnerships, neighbourhood renewal, New Deal for
Communities, voluntary community sector organizations, faith
communities, local authority officers working with local communities,
and the various partnerships which have been set up for urban
regeneration.



Birkbeck is London's largest provider of part-time adult and higher
education and lifelong learning in over 90 centres around greater
London. This new course links into that and is part of a growing
portfolio of courses designed to meet the needs of the voluntary and
community sector in London.



Thanks to European Social Funding, the summer 2005 presentation of the
first core unit or 'module' of the Certificate in Community Leadership
is free to suitable participants who can benefit from the course.
Those who complete this module only will be given the Certificate of
Achievement in Community Leadership. To achieve the full award
Certificate, participants must also complete the second core module
and one other option.





ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS

* No formal entry qualifications.

* Applicants must complete a special application form including a
brief personal statement (up to 500 words) about why they want to take
the course and how they hope to benefit from it.

* Applicants need to have been actively involved in front-line
community work, voluntary or paid, for at least a year, and be
competent in both spoken and written English.



DATES AND VENUES [to be finalized and confirmed]

Community Leadership core module - all teaching of this module will
take place on four Saturdays in April, May and June 2005.

All classes will take place at Birkbeck in the Bloomsbury/South Camden
area of central London.



Details from James Simister (Director of the Birkbeck Volunteer
Programme) and overall co-ordinator for the new certificate.



You can reach him at j.simister@... or at 020 7631 6699.



Faculty of Continuing Education 26 Russell Square, Bloomsbury London
WC1B 5DQ

Tel 0845 601 0174 - Fax 020 7631 6688

Email info@... - http://www.bbk.ac.uk/ce As



London's leading provider of part-time university courses, Birkbeck
offers a broad range of subjects at a variety of levels. For details
of related programmes, short courses, certificates, diplomas,
undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate taught and research
opportunities call 0845 601 0174. For disability enquiries call 020
7631 6315. Birkbeck is committed to equal opportunities.



This document is available in large format.



For details, call the Disability Office on 020 7631 6315.

New Community Training and Enabling Grants
**** submissions sought for January and Febrary



Community Training and Enabling Grants (CTE) are designed to support
housing association residents in England become involved in their
housing provision through new training and community development
projects. Housing associations and tenants' and residents' groups are
eligible to apply for funding directly from the Housing Corporation.
In some instances, the Corporation can pay grants to individuals. The
programme is aimed primarily at housing association residents, but the
Housing Corporation also considers partnership applications made with
other agencies.



The total fund value is £4,000,000. The maximum is discretionary.
There are no maximum or minimum limits on funding, but all grants over
£50,000 have to be approved by the Housing Corporation centrally as
well as by the local office, which will require comprehensive
supporting information.



Community Training and Enabling Grants help housing associations and
their residents to: develop better ways of giving residents more
control of their housing - for example, in the provision of services,
in decision-making, and in trying out new ways of doing things; get
residents involved more effectively in regeneration and investment
projects; support initiatives for residents to be involved in
strategies, community planning, and partnerships; develop links with
other sources of finance for communities such as neighbourhood
management.



Housing associations are already expected to provide funds to help
their residents become involved in managing their homes. CTE grants
are to pay for something more - working on a new idea or a different
way of doing things.



Associations should already be involving residents and providing them
with the resources to be involved. If a CTE proposal is being put
forward, the association should work with and support its residents in
drawing up the project, especially where it is resident-led. If
necessary, associations should also help residents to be involved in
building partnerships with other organisations.



An essential requirement for CTE grants is that the proposed outcomes
and outputs of the grant will fall within the role of the Housing
Corporation and that lessons can be shared with other associations and
their tenants.



Funding is for activities that will help housing associations improve
the services they normally provide, so other activities such as basic
education are not eligible.



Grants are not meant for standard tenant participation activities and
their implementation, so housing associations will often need to
provide some funding to cover those aspects.



Funding is not available to duplicate or replace other sources of
money that might be available for the project as part of another
organisation's normal duties or business, such as the initial
development stages of New Deal for Communities, or tenant consultation
in proposed stock transfers by local authorities.



Applications must demonstrate clearly that the objectives support the
published aims of the CTE programme. (see website)



Applications for national projects which benefit organisations across
the country (e.g. a national study leading to a good practice guide)
should be addressed to the Head of Innovation and Good Practice at The
Housing Corporation's Maple House Office.



Other applications for CTE projects should be addressed to the
relevant regional Housing Corporation office. To find the office in
your area, look at the CTE Grants Website.



Application forms, guidance notes, and further information on the
programme are also available from the website.



****  There is no set timetable for applications, but it is helpful if
applications for funding are submitted during January and February.
This enables decisions to be made during March so that projects can
begin in the following financial year.



For all enquiries contact: General Enquiries, The Housing Corporation,
Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7BN Tel : 020 7393
2000



Email: enquiries@...

Website: www.ctegrants.org.uk

Action Learning Taster Days



The Government's ChangeUp document, published by the Home Office in
2004 urges voluntary and community organisations to use Action
Learning to tackle key organisational challenges such as funding,
performance improvement and workforce development.  Action Learning
also builds the confidence and motivation of both leaders and teams
allowing them to progress in their roles and careers.



So what is Action Learning?

Action Learning is a tool that is used widely in the private and
public sectors. Action Learning brings small groups of people together
to learn with and from each other.  Participants present troubling
problems or exciting opportunities from their workplace and develop
action plans for implementation.  Action Learning can work within an
organisation or across relevant networks to build new partnerships.
Action Learning can be used by managers, development staff, trustees,
volunteers.  It can also be used with service users.



How do I find out more?

The best way to discover more about Action Learning is to attend a
Taster Day.  These give you an opportunity to learn a little about the
theory behind Action Learning but mainly to have a go and allow you to
see how flexibly it could be used to benefit you and your
organisation.



Where do Taster Days take place?

Taster Days are available across England and Wales - see the calendar.



How do I book?

Please make cheques payable to Astra Consultancy and Training and send
to Forty-Nine, Settrington, Malton YO17 8NP.



Email: astraconsultancyandtraining@...

Telephone: 01944 768108





Action Learning Taster Days - 2005



11th February - Sheffield

16th February - Cambridge

18th February - London

23rd February - Shrewsbury

25th February - Cardiff



7th March - Plymouth

9th March - Southampton

14th March - Oxford

16th March - Bristol

21st March - Leeds

23rd March - Hull

30th March - Liverpool



4th April - York

7th April - Manchester

11th April - London

14th April - Carlisle

18th April - Leicester

21st April - Nottingham

25th April - Lincoln

28th April - Swansea



In house Taster Days and Action Learning Sets can be arranged to fit
into an organisation's schedule and needs. Please contact us for
information.





About the Trainer - Catherine Holmes has worked with the voluntary and
community sector since leaving Cambridge University in 1990.  She was
one of the Development Officers on the ground-breaking Action Learning
for Managers Project (2001-2004) and author of Action Learning
Matters, a toolkit for the voluntary and community sector.



Astra Consultancy and Training -Forty-Nine, Settrington, Malton YO17
8NP

Email: astraconsultancyandtraining@...

Telephone: 01944 768108



Astra Consultancy and Training also offer training in fundraising
skills, volunteer recruitment and development, trustee recruitment and
development, public and media relations, debt counselling/money
makeovers, welfare rights, housing and employment law.  Please contact
us for more information





Action Learning Taster Day Booking Form



Name:

Role:

Organisation:

Address:

Telephone No:

Email:

Website:



I would like to book _____ places on the following Taster Day:



If my first choice is not available, please book me/us on the
following alternatives:



Return this form with your cheque made payable to "Astra Consultancy
and Training" to Forty-Nine, Settrington, North Yorkshire YO17 8NP or
email your booking form with cheque to follow by post.

The Women's Library


In-Depth Analysis Study Day:
Here's looking at you, babe! Women in the Media
Saturday February 26 12 - 4.30pm

* 12pm Working girls: Women's magazines in the 1980s - Anna
Gough-Yates Elle. Cosmopolitan.
Working Woman. How did women's magazines reflect and shape popular
culture in Thatcher's Britain?
With Anna Gough-Yates, Academic Leader in Media, Culture and
Communications at London Metropolitan University

* 2pm Sexism, Scandal and the GLC Women's Committee Valerie Wise
Valerie Wise was chair of the GLC Women's Committee in the 1980s,
which set out to make a real difference to women's lives in London.
Now director of the Preston Women's Refuge, Valerie will look back at
the media campaigns and visual imagery that defined the Committee's
work.

* 3.30pm Page Three and Politics in the 1980s Rebecca Loncraine
Page Three has never been more controversial than in the 1980s. Writer
and journalist Rebecca Loncraine discusses the ideas that underpinned
arguments for and against banning it, addressing Victorian values,
pornography, freedom, and women's rights.

Tickets per talk: GBP6, GBP5 concessions. Day tickets: GBP18, GBP15
concessions


Short Course

Breaking Boundaries: Women Writing in the 1970s and 1980s
Saturday 9 and Saturday 23 April 200510.30am-3.30pm

The 1970s began with The Female Eunuch and ended with Margaret
Thatcher in Downing Street. For the next ten years the struggle to
make the personal political continued in literature as well as public
life, as women writers created a self-consciously feminist fiction,
liberating in content as well as style.

Angela Carter and Jeanette Winterson are amongst those whose work will
be discussed over two sessions led by Lynn Knight, biographer and past
editor of Virago Modern Classics.

Some reading in advance of the course will be required. Details will
be provided on booking.

Two-day course fee GBP35, GBP25 concessions


Booking Information
* By phone Book instantly by credit or debit card on 020 7320 2222.
GBP1 fee per transaction, including postage.
* By post Send details of the tickets you would like including talk,
date and any concession details, and a cheque payable to The Women's
Library to:The Women's LibraryLondon Metropolitan UniversityOld Castle
Street London E1 7NT

The Women's Library, London Metropolitan University, Old Castle
Street, London E1 7NT
020 7320 2222
http://www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
moreinfo@...

BTWSC One Day Music Business Course & Showcase



Calling all budding singers, MCs, producers, managers, label owners
and club promoters: Welcome To Harlesbridge!



Pan-London voluntary organisation BTWSC in association with
BritishBlackMusic.com/Black Music Congress continues its community
cohesion sessions in London's North-West Harlesbridge (Harlesden &
Stonebridge) environs by presenting a free, one-day music business
course, followed by showcases by participants and up & coming artists.
There will be a special performance by Harlesbridge rapper Slim Dutty.



"Whilst it's open to anyone, we are hoping that it will be an
opportunity for participants to learn about the music industry, and
also to discover some of Harlesbridge's musical talent," says BTWSC
co-ordinator Ms Serwah.  (Although it's a local event, people from
other areas are welcome to participate. Regarding showcase, lyrics
must be conscious and non-parental advisory.)



It takes place Saturday Feb. 26, 3-8pm at Bridge Park Complex,
Brentfield (Harrow Road), Stonebridge Park, NW10. Bus 18, 112,
Stonebridge Park tube/train station.



Booking and enquiries: Ms Serwah info@...

http://www.btwsc.com.



Notes:

BTWSC is a pan-London voluntary organisation which uses the creative
arts to develop individual potential and advance social inclusion.



The name is taken from the initials of its first project: 'Beyond The
Will Smith Challenge', a competition which encouraged young people to
write a song, poem or article that was uplifting and devoid of swear
words.



If your house style does not allow single monikers, then please
substitute Ms Serwah with spokeswoman.





Listings

One Day Music Business Workshop & Artist Showcase

Panellists drawn from the music industry.
Guest artist: Slim Dutty
Date & Time: Saturday Feb. 26 2005, 3-8pm. £Free
Venue: Bridge Park Complex, Brentfield (Harrow Road), NW10. (Bus: 18,
Train/tube: Stonebridge Park)

£Free, but it's advisable to pre-book, especially those that want to
be on showcase, by emailing info@... or
editor@... or by calling Ms Serwah on 020 8450 5987
www.btwsc.com  www.bbm-on.net.

QUALIFY AS A TRAINER

Hoxton Bibliotech is offering a programme of train the trainer courses with its project Training for Success, leading to nationally-recognised qualifications in teaching adults. This course is open to people resident or working in the East London area, and is particularly suitable for people aiming to train adults in the voluntary sector.

   -  Certificate in Teaching Adults (7307), for people not currently teaching. A 16 week course, 3 hours a week, daytime (in Dalston) or evening (Old Street). Courses start in April. Fee £120 (some free places for unemployed people)

   - Certificate in Further Education Teaching (7407) Stage 2, for people with a Stage 1 qualification and who are training. A 15 week course, 1 day a week. Course starts February 2005  in Dalston. Fee £180

Our next C&G 7407 Stage 1 course is planned for September 2005.

For more information, please call us on 0800 169 1008. To apply, please e-mail dorothee@... to request further details and an application form.

This project is funded by the European Social Fund.

---------------------
Alexis Pottinger
Training Manager
Hoxton Bibliotech /The Innovatory
IT Community Training
Units 29-32 The Forum
Independent Place
Shacklewell Lane
London  E8 2HD
-------------------------------
T 020 7275 8195
F 020 7254 1719
W http://www.theinnovatory.com
-------------------------------
"We accelerate the creation, growth and success of companies and improve the career opportunities of individuals."

NETWORKING EVENT: WOMEN WRITERS

Date: 14/2/2005 19.15 - 21.00
Details: Networking session for women writers to help further their
professional development. The meeting will cover topics such as
writing for woman's weekly titles and the magazine fiction market.
Free to members, £5 for non-members. Women-only event.
Venue: The Library, Comway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1
Contact: Pat Hindley
Telephone: 020 7498 8336
Email: pat.hindley@...

Free Courses If You Have A Personal Or Business Address In Hackney

Starting soon at Clapton and Dalston...





Introduction to Computing and the Internet for Adults - Dalston

* Never used a computer before?

* Want to learn word processing and how to use the Internet and create
emails?

* Are you available       - Every Tuesday & Thursday?

  - From 10.00am to 1.00pm?

  - For 6 weeks?





Introduction to Computing and the Internet for Parents and Children -
Clapton

* Does your child know more about computers than you?  Then this course
offers you the chance to learn computer, Internet & email basics with the
help of your child.

* Are you available       - Every Tuesday & Thursday?

  - From 3.15pm to 5.15pm?

  - For 4 weeks?





Working with Digital Photos - Clapton

* Do you have some experience of computers?

* Do you want to use your computer:

  - To improve photographs?

  - Create electronic photo albums?

  - Send photographs to the World Wide Web or email?

* Do you want to be able to work on your own photographic projects?

* Are you available

  - Every Wednesday & Thursday?

  - From 9.30 to 12.30?

  - For 6 weeks?

NB: Please note that it is not a photography course, so you will not be
learning how to take better pictures with your camera.





If you are interested in one or more of these courses, please complete and
return the application form as soon as possible

* By downloading an application form on http://www.theinnovatory.com

* By fax: 020 7251 3130

* By email: dorothee@...

* By telephone: 0800 169 6008 or 020 7553 4470

* By post: Regeneration Department - The Innovatory - 239 Old Street -
London EC1V 9EY





Please Note:  The Innovatory was formerly Hoxton Bibliotech

Let's Talk Business
Saturday 29th January 2005 - 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Park Plaza, Victoria, London

Its not too late to book your place on our latest networking event -

Let's Talk Business is a one day business conference designed by women, for
women and includes a combination of presentations and workshops that will
cover topics ranging from:
* raising business capital,
* designing a successful brand,
* marketing on a shoestring,
* leadership
and first hand accounts of how female entrepreneurs have grown successful
businesses and overcome obstacles.

Deborah Bain (formerly GMTV) will be hosting this exciting event

"This conference is an excellent opportunity to discover the world of
creative business women," explained Deborah.

"It provides a platform for women in business to learn best practice, the
secrets of success and how to network. It will help attendees ensure 2005 is
the year they make their mark in business and become phenomenal
entrepreneurs. The motivational speakers will reinforce the need for single
mindedness, determination and fearlessness in the pursuit of excellence."

Whether attendees want to change careers, start a new business or make their
company more dynamic, they will be inspired by a wide range of ideas,
strategies and resources to help empower women through enterprise and
provides a New Year boost of inspiration, practical ideas, advice and new
networking opportunities.

Why you cannot afford to miss "Let's Talk Business":
a.. Networking Cafe provides an opportunity to network with inspirational
and like minded people whilst listening to presentations from BBC London's
Entertainment correspondent Brenda Emmanus, Entrepreneur Joy Nicholls and
Deborah Bain (formerly GMTV) over a hot buffet lunch
b.. Participate in highly informative presentations & workshops aimed at
those looking to increase sales and leads; facilitated by the leading and
hottest entrepreneurs & support agencies
c.. Win the use of the latest Ford Focus from Ford Motor Company, plus a
whole host of products from leading companies to help give you and your
business a "superstar" makeover

Book now

This event costs only £25 (inclusive of hot buffet). Book now by:
a.. Visiting http://www.businesslink4london.com /
http://www.letstalkbusiness.biz - 15% discount for online bookings
b.. Calling 08456 023 709 or 020 7544 1010

For the latest information about this exciting one day extravaganza visit
http://www.letstalkbusiness.biz

Sonia Brown
Founder

info@...
http://www.LetsTalkBusiness.biz

Enterprising Women Business Course

FREE at Training For Life



1st February - 30th June 2005



Q:    Are you a woman?

Q:    Do you want to start your own business, but don't know how to?  Need
some support?

Q:    Have you completed an IT Networking qualification? (e.g. MCSE, IT
Essentials, A+)



If you answered yes to all these questions then join the Enterprising Women
Business course at Training For Life and learn how to start up your own
business or find work within the IT Networking industry.



* Course Overview *



* Phase 1: The SEED Enterprise Programme (Sustainable Enterprise and
Empowerment Dynamics)

Phase 1 begins by teaching you how to start and sustain a business using the
feminine principles.  During this phase you learn how to start a business,
combined with empowerment techniques that enable you to transform your life.



* Phase 2: Developing your Business

Once you've completed Phase 1, you'll be supported as you formulate your
ideas about the business you'd like to develop.  You'll benefit from
individual coaching and be able to work towards a Certificate in Sustainable
Enterprise Start Up.  Along the way, you'll also gain valuable assistance
and advice from industry specialists and grow in confidence as you learn how
to identify and manage all aspects of setting up your business.  In order to
ensure that your entrepreneurial skills continue to flourish you'll also be
supported by a Business Mentor already working within your chosen field.



* Phase 3: Business Start UP / Finding Work

During the final stages of the course, you'll complete a portfolio of work
that goes towards your certification and will be in a good position to
decide whether to start up your business or use your knowledge to work as an
employee within a company you've identified within the IT Networking
industry.



* Course Dates:

The course dates are 1st February 2005 - 30 June 2005



* Contact:

Hadriana Evans on 020 7444 4000, hevans@...  OR Yvonne
McKenley on 020 7444 4000,   yvonne@...

Training for Life, 37 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB

http://www.trainingforlife.org

Below is a list of all the courses WRC is running over the coming months
(please note, the date for the UN Training has changed):

1 February - Introductory Media Training
9 February - Advanced Media Training on Building a Media Campaign
5 April - Using United Nations Instruments Training
11 April - Managing ICT and Developing a Strategy
19 & 20 April - Networking (one full day, one morning)
25 April - Internet and Email
27 April - ICT Follow-up

Details of all these courses can be found on our website: www.wrc.org.uk

Have you ever seen Sign Language and thought "I'd like to do that"?

Interested in Sign Language and/or Deaf Awareness but not sure where
to begin?

Then why not come along to one of our Taster Days here at Remark!
Taster Sessions are FREE and are an ideal training opportunity for
people who are thinking about learning British Sign Language, and
also gives them a glimpse of the teaching methods here at Remark!

We offer the choice of two sessions - afternoon and evening. For all
information about the day please visit the Taster Day section of our
website at http://www.remarkaccess.co.uk

Equal Empowerment Project for Refugee Women

The East London Childcare Institute offers a number of information
and advice sessions in January and February 2005, all to be held at
1.30pm (for about one hour followed by questions and discussion with
an adviser):
* Into Work Benefits, 13th Jan 2005;
* The UK Education System, 20th Jan 2005;
* Paths in Human Resources, 27th Jan 2005;
* Choices in Childcare, 3rd Feb 2005.

Refreshments provided.
Venue: 1 Mark Street, Stratford E15 4GY.

Please contact Lorna Logan on 020 8519 5843 ext 126 for more
information.
Email: info@....
Website: http://www.newtec.ac.uk.

NCVO's 2005 Annual Conference "Shared World" takes place on 16th
February at The Brewery Conference Centre in London

2005 will be a pivotal year for the whole sector with an imminent
general election as well as the UK holding the presidency of the
European Union and the chair of the G8.  NCVO's annual conference is
the biggest gathering of senior voluntary sector officers, and
provides the opportunity to come and hear how these events will
impact on your organisation and civil society in general.

The day will include a comprehensive seminar programme covering:
  - the future of information and communication technology,
- Trusttee & Governance,
- partnership building,
- funding,
- public policy,
- measuring outcomes
and much more.

And, with a wide range of exhibitors, numerous opportunities for
networking with colleagues and a post conference drinks reception -
this is an event not to be missed!

To book your place at this flagship event please click here
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/sharedworld
or
telephone 020 7520 2446
or
e-mail  gillen.knight@...

Newham Asian Women's Project

Skills Education & Awareness Training: Working with Asian women who
Self-harm

Aim:
This is a basic practice-based course aimed at helping participants
to work more effectively & appropriately with young Asian women who
self-harm & who maybe vulnerable to suicide as well as supporting
participants to gain the information required to use the Self-harm
Training Pack with their colleagues in a safe & appropriate manner.

Content:
exploring what self-harm is, why people self-harm & the functions of
self-harm; relationship between self-harm & suicide; why young Asian
women may be at higher risk; the role of culture & self-harm &
addressing inter-cultural working practices; managing responses,
attitudes, beliefs and feelings about self-harm; exploring &
identifying possible practical & easily accessible responses to self-
harm

Each participant will also receive a copy of the training
pack "Silent Scream" - Young Asian Women & Self-Harm: Handbook for
Professionals (worth £25)

Target Group:
All professionals involved in working with or providing and planning
services for young Asian women who self-harm or who may be vulnerable
to suicide.  This would include teachers, youth workers, mental
health workers, nurses, primary, community and acute care workers,
local government staff, social care & voluntary sector workers and
private carers etc.

Dates:
Tuesday 25th January 2005
Wednesday 16th February 2005

We can also provide in-house training. Please contact us for more
information

Venue: Levelheaded, Unit A, Great Eastern Enterprise Centre, 3
Millharbour, London, E14 9XP (Underground/DLR: 3 minutes from South
Quay station and 15 minute walk from Canary Wharf Station)
Price (includes Breakfast, Lunch & Refreshments + a Silent Scream:
Training Pack worth £25)
£ 80.00   (individuals/voluntary organisations)
£ 120.00 (statutory organisations)

Contact: Gurpreet Virdee @ Newham Asian Women's Project, 661 Barking
Road, London E13 9EX
tel 020 8472 0528 :: fax 020 8503 5673 :: email teens@... :: web
http://www.nawp.org

personal safety of lone workers

Professional trainings seminars, covering all life saving information
on the Personal Safety of Lone Workers.

DURATION: 3.5 hours

"work related violence"
·         Difinition
·         Statistics

"Key Risks"

"Constant exchange of information"
·         Work Equipment & Environment
·         Job Design
·         Report
·         Risk Assessment

"Awareness"
·         Environment
·         Pre-Attack Indicators

"Confidence & Body Language"
·         Giving the right signals
·         Understanding basic body language

"Preventative Measures"
·         In someone else's premises
·         In your car
·         On the street
·         On public transport

"During a crisis situation"
·         Do's and Dont's

"Controlling Your Personal Space"
·         The importance of your personal space
·         How to control your personal space


References of a number of Organisations and Government Departments
are available on request.

Costs:
Charitable Organisations & Universities:  Please contact us for a
quote info@...

Other Organisations, such as local Government Departments etc:
£490.00 + expenses

PO Box 15, Pateley Bridge, HG3 5XS
UK - Head Office: +44 (0) 1765 603315
E-Mail: info@...
Web: http://www.cspa.tv

Company Registration No: 4598357
VAT No: 804 816 338

Users of anh Yahoo Groups might like to know that Yahoo uses something
called "Web Beacons" to track Yahoo Group users around the net and see what
you're doing and where you are going -similar to cookies.

If you want to opt out of this got to the following web page:

http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/us/beacons/details.html And click on the
'opt out' link - make sure you don't cancel it as this button just happens
to be directly above the 'Return to Yahoo Privacy' Link

Deborah


They say:

Web Beacons

Web pages may contain an electronic file called a web beacon, that allows a
web site to count users who have visited that page or to access certain
cookies. Yahoo! uses web beacons in the following ways:

Within the Yahoo! Network

Yahoo! uses web beacons within the Yahoo! network of web sites in order to
count users and to recognize users by accessing Yahoo! cookies.

Being able to access Yahoo! cookies allows us to personalize your experience
when you visit Yahoo! web sites that are located both on and off of the
yahoo.com domain. For example, Yahoo! GeoCities pages are mostly located on
the geocities.com domain.

Outside the Yahoo! Network

Yahoo! uses web beacons to conduct research on behalf of certain partners on
their web sites and also for auditing purposes.

Information recorded through these web beacons is used to report aggregate
information about Yahoo! users to our partners. This aggregate information
may include demographic and usage information. No personally identifiable
information about you is shared with partners from this research.

When conducting research Yahoo!'s practice is to require our partners to
disclose the presence of these web beacons on their pages in their privacy
policies and state what choices are available to users regarding the
collection and use of this information. You may choose to opt-out of Yahoo!
using this information for this research. Please click here to opt-out.

Note: This opt-out applies to a specific browser rather than a specific
user. Therefore you will have to opt-out separately from each computer or
browser that you use.

HTML Mail

Yahoo!'s practice is to include web beacons in HTML-formatted email messages
(messages that include graphics) that Yahoo!, or its agents, sends in order
to determine which email messages were opened and to note whether a message
was acted upon.

In general, any file served as part of a web page, including an ad banner,
can act as a web beacon. Yahoo! may also include web beacons from within
pages served by Yahoo! so that Yahoo!'s advertisers may receive auditing,
research and reporting.

Taken from http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/us/beacons/details.html

Refugee Community Development Fund



Deadline: 31st December, 2004.



Grants available to organisations that work in the UK with refugees and
refugee communities, including those that provide services to asylum
seekers. Applications are particularly welcome from smaller grassroots
organisations, emerging groups and those for whom refugees are a new target
group.



Total Fund Value is £1,000,000. Maximum grant value £5000. Payments will be
made on a 'first come-first served basis' as the funds are limited.



An application form, detailed guidance notes and policy statement (all PDF
format) can also be can be downloaded from the Home Office website:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

Opportunity for Tradeswomen Working in Small Businesses or as Sole
Traders

From January 2005 AGENDA - Construction Skills for Women will be co-
ordinating a rolling programme of training for tradeswomen in
sustainable construction, restoration skills and enterprise for small
business and sole traders.

This is part of the London wide project, New Perspectives for SMEs in
Construction, to be run with our partners, Islington Enterprise
Council, The Building Crafts College, Lambeth College, English
Heritage, CITB, Faber Maunsell, Kotuku, Wilson James and associate
employers.

Training will be offered to 60 women in restoration skills including
stonemasonry, carpentry, joinery, bricklaying, roofing & tiling,
plastering, glazing, metal work and plumbing.

Training will be free to suitably qualified and experienced
tradeswomen sole traders, and women employees of SME's  with a
recognised industry qualification minimum NVQ2.

Make a New Year's resolution to find out more about this exciting new
project.

You can register your interest in this project and receive
information on this and other work we are involved with by
quoting "interested in new perspectives" and submitting your contact
details to agenda.info@... or leave name and telephone
contact number on 020 8227 1000.
We will be inviting interested participants to a consultation event
early next year at the Building Crafts College to contribute their
ideas for the design and structure of the programme.

AGENDA will be seeking to employ a Coordinator to manage the
tradeswomen's group and work with training providers Building Crafts
College and Lambeth College.

Advertisements will be out in national and construction press in
January.

Computer Support Workers Forum
Thursday 20th January 2004
2pm to 4.30pm

How to plan and choose a database that's right for your organisation?

The next meeting of the Computer Support Workers Forum is on Thursday
20th January at 2pm and we hope you will be able to join us at NCVO.

NCVO's Computer Support Workers forum is free to members of NCVO. For
non-members, we now charge a £20 attendance fee. If you are not a
member of NCVO and you book a place on this forum, we will invoice
you the £20 fee.

We are delighted to confirm John Olufawo, who is an IT Consultant
working within the Information Systems Team at Lasa (London advice
services alliance), as our guest speaker.

Lasa is a development and resource agency for advice and information
providers and has provided IT information and consultancy services to
voluntary organisations since it began in 1984. For further
information please refer to http://www.lasa.org.uk

This seminar aims to provide you with:

* The basic steps to choosing a database
* Developing a database plan
* The advantages and disadvantages of choosing an off-the-shelf
database or a bespoke database
* Choosing the right database that suits your organisation
* An opportunity to share experiences and encourage debate
around best practice with colleagues in the voluntary sector

To enable us to plan for the numbers of attendees, please could you
indicate a.s.a.p. whether you are able to attend by e-mailing
ictresources@...

If you are unable to attend after confirming please do remember to
tell us. Please note that spaces for this seminar are limited and
will be allocated on a first come basis.

Unfortunately due to the holiday season, all places will be formally
confirmed on 5th January 2005.

Camden Mediation Service: Training 2005 DATES

Camden Mediation volunteer mediators help disputing neighbours talk
about their difficulties and decide what they want to do about them.

Our mediators learn and develop skills that help them carry out their
work with clients. In addition to this, mediation helps trainees in
other aspects of life; it can enhance their CV and/or job prospects
if they are job hunting or considering a career change.

We have working agreements with the London Boroughs of Camden,
Barnet, Haringey, Islington, Westminster and the Corporation of
London and we have contracts with several RSLs and thus we are
interested in recruiting volunteers that reflect the diverse
community of North London that we serve. Groups underrepresented
among our volunteers at present (ethnic and other minority groups,
young people under 25, unemployed people, carers and single parents)
are particularly welcome to apply for places in our training courses.

Our training is accredited by Mediation UK and all our practicing
mediators are encouraged to obtain individual accreditation as
community mediators. It is expected that from 2005 our courses will
also be accredited by the London Open College Network, which will
provide our trainees with nationally recognized credits for their
learning. Our training (main course and subsequent events),
supervision and on going support programmes are aimed at providing
mediators with opportunities to enhance skills they already have and
learn new ones.

We run a course of 60+ hours (10 days running during weekends) that
combines a range of teaching techniques. The training is provided
free of charge. There is a final assessment at the end of the course
after which we may invite the trainees to become volunteer mediators
for us. There is a possibility to receive training on other areas of
interest within mediation afterwards.

Individuals interesting in attending an accredited mediation course
on a private basis should contact us for details on our training fees.

OPEN EVENINGS.-  Applications for our training tend to exceed our
need for volunteers. We carry out a selection of applicants to the
course in order to keep our standards high. We do this by inviting
potential trainees to one of a series of Open Evenings. Entrance to
the course is subject to attendance to one of the open/assessment
evenings.

Open Evenings are an opportunity to meet the training team and other
applicants, know more about the training programme and decide whether
or not community mediation is for you. We will also carry out an
initial assessment of applicants. Please contact us to request
details for these.

Applications and pre-selection: we aim to confirm if you have been
offered a place for the course at least 10 days before the course
starts.

Spring Training Course dates.-
This year's courses will run on Saturdays and Sundays. The dates are
as follows:
19 - 20 February
26 - 27 February
12 - 13 March
19 - 20 March
2 April
Course assessment: Sunday 3 April (10:00hs to 14:00hs)



Autumn Training Course dates.-
This year's courses will run on Saturdays and Sundays. The dates are
as follows:
24 - 25 September
1 - 2 October
15 - 16 October
22 - 23 October
5  November
Course assessment: Sunday 6 November (10:00hs to 14:00hs)


All training days (with exception of the final assessment) start
promptly at 10:00hs to 5pm with lunch break.  Due to the intensive
nature of the course 100% attendance is required

The course involves talks, role-plays and other skills development
activities. The trainers will provide individual and group feedback
during the course and are also available via E-mail. The final
assessment consists of a Mediation role play (working in pairs)
filmed with a discussion and feedback afterwards.

If you are interested in the training and are available during these
dates and times, please contact me to book your place in one of the
open evenings.

If you are still interested in training with us but are unable to
make these dates, please inform us and we will keep your details for
future training events.

Adriana Santos-Dávila, CMS Services Manager
Email:  adriana@...

Domestic violence training



>> Legal and housing options for women experiencing domestic violence:
Tuesday 18 January 2005.  The course will cover the following issues:

* The criminal justice system,

* Short term occupancy rights for women whose relationships have broken down
due to domestic violence

* Civil law injunctions (non-molestation orders and occupation orders)

* Protection From Harassment Act

* Temporary and long term housing options

* Housing Legislation

NB All applicants should have previous training in domestic violence
awareness.





>> Domestic violence awareness training: Thursday 10 March 2005.  Aimed at
all staff working in agencies working with women and children experiencing
domestic violence.



>> Children and domestic violence: Wednesday 16 March 2005.  Aimed at all
staff working in agencies working with women and children experiencing
domestic violence.



Each course costs £60 for voluntary sector organisations or £125 for
statutory organisations.  Concessionary prices may be available for
voluntary organisations without a training budget.



For further information and bookings, please contact:

Heidi Sabrautzky, Woman's Trust, Top Floor, Unit 1 Kensington Cloisters, 5
Kensington Church Street, London W8 4LD.  Tel: 020 7795 6444/6999   Fax: 020
7795 6123

Email: administrator@...

Website: http://www.womanstrust.org.uk/

LIVING/LEARNING GRANTS - A NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY



This notice is being sent to a large number of organisations in London to
let you know about a new small grant scheme. The enclosed flyer gives brief
details to enable you to decide whether you wish to request an application
pack. The opportunity is limited - only about 40 grants across London.



Grants will be awarded to new projects which involve local people in
learning at community level, learning which will help them to move nearer to
employment. Organisations to be eligible for a grant must have a formal
constitution, and have no more than 3FTE paid staff and no more than
£100,000 income in the last complete financial year. Learners who may
experience particular disadvantage in the labour market will be given
priority - disabled people (including learning difficulties), lone parents,
people from a black or ethnic minority, refugees and ex-offenders. In order
to support the quality of learning and achievement organisations will be
expected to have a link with an established learning provider, from the
further and adult education sector, a larger independent training
organisation or established specialist provider, or consortium, from whom
they can get support.



The grants will be funded by the London Learning and Skills Councils's
Widening Adult Participation Action Fund (WAPAF) and by European Social Fund
through the London ESF Global Grants Programme. A timetable of workshops to
support potential applicants, run with support from NIACE, will be placed on
the GLE website (see below) and included with application packs requested by
post.





A note to previous applicants for a Fast Forward Grant



We are often asked whether it is worth the time and effort of applying for a
grant - given the small number of grants available you should know that it
is likely that only the applications which meet the criteria most strongly
are likely to be prioritised for an award. Because Greater London Enterprise
manages the Fast Forward Grants programme as part of Global Grants, this
letter is being sent to all on our contacts database. Those who have applied
for a Fast Forward Grant before should, however, be aware of the different
eligibility and prioritization criteria for the new fund which will mean
that the grants are unlikely to be suitable for a high proportion of these
organisations. We expect the majority of grants to be awarded to
organisations at the higher end of the criteria for organisation size and
capacity.





The Application Form and Guidance are available to download from:
http://www.gle.co.uk

If you require an application pack by post please:

write to Living/Learning Grants, GLE, 28 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ

or use the form on the reverse of this page to fax back to 020-7403-1742

or e-mail livinglearning@... giving your organisation name, contact
person's name and address.

or telephone 020-7940-1515 to give the same information (our phone is very
busy and we would prefer you to use one of the other methods)







FAX-BACK FORM TO 020-7403-1742




LIVING/LEARNING GRANTS - A NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY FAXBACK FORM




Please send an application pack to:




       Name of organisation








       Name of contact person




       Address




















       POSTCODE



       Telephone




       e-mail




       Borough

Central London Connexions Initiative Fund for work with young people
April 2005-March 2006

Connexions is a national service providing information, advice and
guidance to all young people.

The Central London Partnership covers the London Boroughs of Camden,
Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth and
Westminster.

Central London Connexions will award grants to small or local
voluntary groups working with young people within Central London to
reduce the number of young people aged 14-18 who are not in
employment, education and training (NEET).

A fund of £91,000 will be available to small or local groups whereby
grants will be awarded as follows.

* One or two local voluntary agencies in each borough will be awarded
up to £10,000.

* The project aims to fund small or local agencies that can reach
young people who are otherwise unaware of the Connexions service to
enter education, employment and training (EET) or receive wider
Connexions services.

* All projects must demonstrate that they will contribute to
Connexions targets by enabling identified young people aged 14 - 18
to enter education, employment or training.

For further information contact
Tony Kumi (Contracts Officer)
Tuesdays and Fridays, 2pm-4pm only on 020 7938 8082
Or email tony.kumi@...

To download an application form and prospectus visit
http://www.centrallondonconnexions.org.uk
or call 020 7938 8014 (24hr answerphone)

The closing date for applications is 31st December 2004.

`Women refugees - from volunteers to employees'

Workshop Discussion on the results of a research project by Working
Lives Research Institute and the Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit
researchers at London Metropolitan University examining refugee
women's paid and unpaid work in the voluntary sector and the role of
volunteering as a pathway into employment.

The workshop will address the issues central to volunteering
practices and policies in the voluntary sector focusing on refugee
women.

A summary report will be launched too.

Tuesday 7 December from 1.30 pm at The Women's Library, Old Castle
Street, London E1 7NT (Aldgate East tube). See also:
http://www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk.

  Please confirm your attendance with Anna Wojedwozki by email
A.Wojewodzki@...