Welfare Reform 2012: Incapacity Benefit

Welfare Reform 2012: Incapacity Benefit

Tuesday 17^th April, 12.30pm-5pm

Ø     Do you work with people who are unemployed because of health problems?

Ø     Are you confused by the journey from Incapacity Benefit (IB) onto Employment Support Allowance and the Work Programme?

Ø     Does your organisation provide support that could help people undergoing this process?

Ø     Do you want to explore possibly opportunities for partnership bids relating to health and work?

This EDN/HSCF event will:

·        Provide clear information about IB Reform

·        Create a visual map of the provision of support available

·         Feature roundtable discussions on the issues arising

·        Include a Q&A with Work Programme primes, Jobcentre Plus, VCS health and employment groups

The event will close with a commitment from each sector about concrete actions we can take to address the needs of IB claimants undergoing the Work Capability Assessment and beyond. Following the event we will create a directory of available provision in order to enable clearer referral pathways between services.

To book a place at this event please follow this link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SR7NRTS

A map of the journey from IB onto ESA is attached

This event is jointly hosted by Hackney’s Economic Development Network (EDN) and the Hackney Health and Social Care Forum (HSCF), which are both part of the Hackney Community Empowerment Network. For more information please see our websites:

HSCF: http://www.hscf.org.uk/

EDN: www.hackneycen.org.uk/edn 

Budget 2012: A fair deal for local economies? | CLES

Budget 2012: A fair deal for local economies? | CLES

Impact measurement

Social Impact Event

FREE EVENING EVENT

16th May 2012 at CCLA, London, EC1

LVSC is working with the Social Impact Analysts Association to host a free evening networking event to help voluntary and community sector organisations who want to konw more about how they improve the way they measure their social impacts. The Social Impact Analysts Association will provide advice and support and there will be opportunities to discuss issues and learn what other voluntary and community setor organisations are doing.

To learn more, book a place or tell us particular areas that you would like the event to cover, please e-mail policy@lvsc.org.uk.

Big Lottery Fund to offer an extra £50m to voluntary organisations

The Big Lottery Fund has announced that it is to award an extra £50m to voluntary organisations in the current financial year. The BLF, which is the voluntary sector's largest grant-maker, is increasing the annual budgets for its Reaching Communities and Awards for All programmes by £12m and £5m respectively

Dramatic increase predicted for child and working-age poverty

A new study undertaken by the Institute for Fiscal Studies – Child and working-age poverty from 2010 to 2020 – finds that, as a result of the Coalition's reforms:
• The number of children in relative poverty is forecast to rise from 2.6 million in 2009-2010 to 3.3 million by 2020-2021 (before housing costs), and the number of working-age adults in poverty from 5.7 million to 7.5 million by 2020-2021.
• Relative child poverty will rise from 20% to 24% by 2020-2021, the highest rate since 1999-2000 and considerably higher than the 10 per cent target in the Child Poverty Act.
• Absolute poverty will rise considerably in the next few years as earnings growth is forecast to be weak but inflation high.
Whilst Universal Credit is expected to reduce poverty, the effect of other government changes to personal taxes and state benefits will offset this.

How do current government polices impact on equalities issues?

Research commissioned by the North West Infrastructure Partnership, and carried out by the Centre of Local Economic Studies (CLES), has just been launched: it looks at the impact of current government policy on equalities and the specialist organisations that deliver to some of our most marginalised communities. The research concentrated on 15 issue-specific focus groups and involved over 250 VCS groups: the executive summary can be found here. The full report entitled "Open for All" will be available shortly from Voluntary Sector North West.

Government report published on the inquiry into regeneration

The government has published its report from the inquiry into regeneration calling for the Department for Communities and Local Government to produce a national strategy for regeneration, targeting the most deprived areas. Urban Forum submitted evidence to the Inquiry jointly with Voice4Change England.

Community organisers take up position

The first 47 people trained as Community Organisers have been recruited from 11 communities. The plan is for the Organisers to be trained from now until 2015 and they will be based in local groups, bringing people together around various local issues. It is hoped that the Organisers will be involved in assisting communities to take advantage of the Community First Fund. Locality has launched a website where you can find our nearest community organiser and your nearest host.

‘People power' removed from the Localism Bill

The House of Lords has removed the flagship 'local referendum' provision, which provided the community empowerment element from the Localism Bill, and have allowed voters to launch a local referendum on any local issue. "We have listened to the concerns over expense and have decided, with regard to towns, that the local referendums do not need to have a place within this Bill," said Baroness Hanham, Parliamentary-Under-Secretary of State. However, Hanham added that referendums have not been totally abandoned and still exist for council tax, right-to-build and neighbourhood planning, a cornerstone of the Bill. Full list of amendments here

A Plain English guide to the Localism Bill

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1923416.pdf

Do you need volunteers for your organisation?

As part of the Young Hackney Volunteer Programme, CSV (Community Service Volunteers) are looking for one-off volunteer opportunities in Hackney for groups of 16 year olds for this coming Saturday October 1st and Saturday October 2nd.

The volunteers will be supervised, refreshments provided by us and we’ll ensure their safety on the day what CSV are looking for are organizations/ groups that could benefit from their volunteers help.

They also have funding for materials such as buying bulbs or paint.Example one day projects could be painting a youth centre, clearing an outside space in a park/ community garden, planting a winter crop of blubs in a care home, striping paint in a church etc.

If you could benefit, or if you have any questions please get in touch mruskin@springboardlc.org.uk or 02085104906

Home Sweet Home

refugees, migrants and legal aid

Exhibition of photographs

Free entry

Wed 6 July – Fri 15 July 2011

Hackney Central Library

(next to Hackney Town Hall)

Mare Street,London E8 1GQ

Buses: 30, 48, 55, 106, 253, 254,

236, 276, 277, D6

Overground: Hackney Central; London Fields

Exhibition launch with speakers and discussion

Wed 6 July, 6.00pm

Hackney Refugee and Migrant Support Group

Women Asylum Seekers Together (London)

Home Sweet Home

A photographic exhibition presented by Hackney Refugee and Migrant Support Group and Women Asylum Seekers Together (London). The photographs highlight the conditions migrants and refugees experience today and raise questions about the detrimental impact on them if the proposed cuts in legal aid are implemented.  

Cuts in legal aid

Legal aid is provided by the Government to fund legal advice and representation at court for people who cannot afford it. Over half a million people will lose out, according to the Government's own figures, if the legal aid budget is to be cut by £350 million. Legal aid for advice and representation on immigration, housing and benefits will become severely restricted.

Exhibition supported by Hackney Law Centre, Tower Hamlets Law Centre, Women for Refugee Women, Hackney Borough of Sanctuary group, Hackney Unites

Hackney Refugee and Migrant Support Group: 

http://hrmsg-online.ning.com

Women Asylum Seekers Together (London): www.wast.org.uk wastlondon@yahoo.co.uk

For more details about the exhibition and the proposed changes to legal aid, email

hrmsgroup@googlemail.com / or call 07791 991416

CELEBRATING WHAT YOU DO - CYP SURVEY

We know, yet another survey - the information from this will be used to create a directory with details of children and young people’s voluntary and community groups in Hackney. 

• We are working with The Learning Trust and Team Hackney to develop a school grants programme for voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups working with children and young people in Hackney. This will help The Learning Trust identify projects which should be funded
• The children and young people’s agenda is always changing and this directory will help us advocate with policymakers and commissioners for more resources for your vital work. It will also help the Children & Young People’s Forum, who advocate for the needs of local groups, to gain a better understanding of what is out there
• You can find out about other groups in Hackney, who you could partner up with and refer your users to 
• You get to publicise your organisation or project for FREE!

What is this survey about?

It may look long, but it’s lots of tick boxes and should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. There are 15 questions which cover:

• your organisation’s contact details 
• the services you provide
• the children and young people who take part in your activities
• your relationship with local schools, the public sector and other VCS groups.
   
  Please complete the survey at  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cypsurvey

TALKING MATTERS - 10th AMG!

Join Talking Matters at there 10th AMG
Wednesday 22nd June
12.30pm for light lunch, 1.15 for speaker

Mr Ian Beever, specialist in central and local government health policies
speaking on
"The NHS" Who is safe to deliver it for us?

Visnitz Hall, Lampard Grove N16 6XB (off Stamford HIll, near Morrisons) with wheelchair access

For more info please contact Jose Martin 020 8802 9222

Pushed to the Edge

The government's new Work Programme replaced the Future Jobs Fund aims to tackle worklessness.

Community organisations were expected to play a big role in its delivery - but this has not been the case.

Download Pushed to the Edge, Locality's report into the issues our members have faced over the Work Programme at http://locality.org.uk/resources/pushed-edge-2/

Procurement in the NHS 2011: every penny counts

Procurement in the NHS 2011: every penny counts
13th September 2011: Manchester Conference Centre
This is to confirm that this years Procurement in the NHS conference and exhibition will be taking place on the 13th September at the Manchester Conference Centre, Sackville Street, Manchester

Now in its third successful year 'Procurement in the NHS' has established itself as the leading procurement event for the health sector in the UK

As there are major ongoing changes taking place within the health procurement sector will you or any of your colleagues will be available to attend the conference as delegates this year?


You can read more about the event at http://www.publicserviceevents.co.uk/overview/185/procurement-in-the-nhs

The Third Sector in 2011: Funding and Delivering the Big Society

Below are details of the forthcoming Westminster Briefing Conference, hosted by the House Magazine.

Title: The Third Sector in 2011: Funding and Delivering the Big Society
Date: Tuesday 5th July
Time: 10.00am - 4.15pm
Venue:  Westminster, London

The Context:
Organisations of all sizes within the third sector are facing an uncertain future as they grapple with the effects of public funding cuts upon the services they offer to their beneficiaries. Alongside these very real and urgent questions of funding runs the narrative of David Cameron's Big Society, emphasising a greater role for charities, social enterprises, voluntary and community bodies in public service ownership and delivery. The challenge is now for the public and third sectors at both national and local levels to identify their roles within the Big Society, and to reconcile ideas with practical local implementation.

The Speakers:

• Nick Hurd MP - Minister for the Civil Society
• Simon Hebditch - Former CEO, CapacityBuilders (Chair)
• Professor Cathy Pharoah - Co-Director, Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy, Cass Business School
• Nick Odonohoe - Government Advisor on the Big Society Bank
• Dawn Austwick - Chief Executive, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
• Matt Leach - Associate Director, Respublica
• Debra Allcock Tyler - Chief Executive, Directory of Social Change
• Steve Wyler - Chief Executive, Locality
• Mary Marsh - Founding Director, Clore Social Leadership Programme
• Simon Burral - Director, Involve
• Caroline Mason - Chief Operating Officer, Charity Bank
• Rodney Schwartz - CEO, Clearly So
• Jonathan Senker - CEO, VoiceAbility
• Clare Thomas - Chief Grants Officer, CityBridge Trust

For more infomation about this event and booking infomation please go to  http://www.westminster-briefing.com/conferences/event-detail1700/newsarticle/the-third-sector-in-2011-funding-and-delivering-the-big-society-1/ 

you can also contact 

Jon Fuller
Research & Development, Westminster Briefing
Email: Jonathan.Fuller@westminster-briefing.com
Phone: 020 7593 5742

Hackney Borough of Sanctuary - Garden Party!

HACKNEY BoROUGH OF SaNCTuaRY

Following the successful launch in March, the Hackney Borough of Sanctuary group would like to invite you to their...

Summer Garden Party

to be held at  The Curve Garden, 13 Dalston Lane (entrance by the famous peace mural, opposite Dalston Junction Station)

on  Friday 15^th July 6pm-8pm.

Come along to hear about how things are proceeding and to share in some light food, drinks and music.

Entrance and food free, but donations will be gratefully received.

Bring friends, spread the word!

City of Sanctuary is a movement of local people and community groups across the UK.

We want our towns, cities and boroughs to welcome all people seeking sanctuary from war, poverty and persecution.

To find out more go to www.hackney.cityofsanctuary.org

REACH conference 2011 - Book Now!!!

The REACH conference 2011 will be taking place on Wednesday, 6 July!

BOOK NOW!!!!

You can book your place at the event now at http://cenreach2011.eventbrite.com

This event is a fantastic opportunity to share information about what is happening in your communities and the voluntary and community sector, show how your work relates to statutory partners, find out about partnership working, changes in the public sector and more.

The REACH CONFERENCE will be a great opportunity for community networks to connect with colleagues in the voluntary, community and public sector. There will be debates, workshops, guest speakers, stalls and we can confirm that Councillor Jonathan McShane, Hackney Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services will also be attending.

We will also be announcing winners of the REACH awards (deadline for nominations Thursday, 30 June) and the successful applicants of the CEN strategic Network Grants. 

Don’t miss out on this event – Come and represent your community!

For more information please visit http://www.hackneycen.org.uk/events/73-reach2011/default.aspx

See you there!

Social Action for Health - "Cancer Early Intervention Project report"

Social Action for Health will launch the “Cancer Early Intervention Project report" which will be held on Thursday 16^th June 10.30am-2.00pm at St. Mungo’s Homeless Hostel, 146 Mare street, London E8 3SG.

They will be reporting back findings from their community research looking at why there is late diagnosis of cancer in East London as well as engagement with health professionals as to their view of the situation.

The launch will also include a discussion of the methods used, including a short video presentation of the dialogue forum events we held in the community.

They will also discuss recommendation in the report and analysis of the situation of late diagnosis of cancer in East London.

If you would like to attend please do contact 

Helen Hibbard 

Tel: 020 8510 1970

Email: helenh@safh.org.uk