Welcome from the CEN Chair

Like many in Hackney, we are very concerned about the impact on the borough's most vulnerable residents of the recent cuts announced by the Government. The Government's own changes to Housing Benefit, Job Seekers Allowance, and other benefits are all likely to affect most those in need. In addition, the effects of cuts in Government funding to Hackney Council, the NHS, and the Police among others are likely to result in the loss of local services provided or funded by these statutory sector organisations, which is also likely to affect most those in need. As a voice of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Hackney we are also very aware of threats to the funding of many organisations working closely with Hackney's many different communities, which will affect their ability to deliver services. Advice services, employment support, older and disabled people's services, youth clubs, after-school-clubs, language and literacy training, refugee and migrant programs - all this - and much more of what we have come to know as part of Hackney - has been supported by programmes and grants now under review.

What can we do?

We want to bring together everyone who shares these concerns - voluntary and community sector organisations, residents, the council and other statutory service providers - anyone who plays a part in service delivery in Hackney, to see how we can best protect those who are most vulnerable. We have invited the mayor, and are looking at a date early in the new year. If you'd like to play a part in this, please get in touch...

EVENT: THIS WEDNESDAY 1ST DECEMBER - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NETWORK CONSULTATION

If your organisation helps people into work, or you are involved with basic skills and ESOL training, helping to set up businesses in Hackney, or you work in the Green Economy, this event could be for you.

Is this event for me?

·         Do you want to learn more about the Single Work Program – this is the new funding path for worklessness, skills training and enterprise support. 

·         How can your organisation work with the very large organisations who will be running these programs across East London?

·         Find out about Hackney’s new Economic Development Strategy – the council want to hear from you.  How can the strategy help you to help Hackney residents out of poverty? 

Chair: David Blagbrough (Inspire and chair of EDN)
Speakers: Juniper Hope Strong (Head of Partnerships and Investment, Hackney Council), Derek Harvey (Job Centre Plus), Ian Ashman (Principal of Hackney Community College and co-chair of EDP)
Panel: Bisi Ojuri (Volunteer Centre Hackney, and CEN rep to Team Hackney), Cllr Guy Nicholson (Cabinet lead for Regeneration, Hackney Council and co-chair of EDP), Derek Harvey (Job Centre Plus) + specialist from Prime (TBA)
Workshops: Working with NEET young people, Skills and Worklessness (small groups), Skills and Worklessness (medium/large groups), Enterprise and Green Economy

Date: Wednesday Dec 1st
Time: 10am-1pm, followed by a networking lunch
Venue: St Mungo’s, 146 Mare Street, E8 3SG (020 8525 7700)

To book a place please call 020 7923 1962 or email judy@hcvs.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!

Stop Press….London Councils Funding cuts– campaigners secure a partial victory

The BME Advice Network have been coordinating opposition to the cuts to London Councils Grants. Last Thursday they held a lobby outside London Councils offices. News reaches us that London Councils have decided on a managed approach to transition. Regionally and locally the funding of services will be looked at individually by relevance and all will have funding continued until June 2011.

*Click here*  for report from London Voluntary Sector Forum.