Lottery funding for new Community Theatre Company

The Electric Sunshine Project are really grateful to the Big Lottery for funding their new Community Theatre Company which will start in January 2018 and work towards a performance in summer next year.

The company will be led by Melanie Whitehead and will have regular input from other specialist artists.

They will use their own stories about Blackpool to tell a new tale about the town and aim to perform this in a few different locations – all company members will have voice in these decisions and they hope it will be a genuinely collaborative process.

They are finalising details of where, when and how but there will be taster sessions – taking place in December 2017 – for you to come along and try out some activities and ask any questions.

There will be a maximum of 20 places available and so they encourage you to come along to one of these sessions so they can pull together a company with the broadest range of skills and best chances of building a genuine ensemble.

They hope to be able to offer non-performance opportunities within the company too – these will be opened out as they approach their performances.

For more information on TESP please visit their website

Social Change Project

The Social Change Project, launched by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation last week, is a 15 month initiative to identify barriers to social change. The project is asking charities to contribute their views and experiences.

This is a valuable opportunity for the voice of small charities and infrastructure organisations to be heard.

About the project

They are exploring what enables and impedes social change. They have spent time meeting with people around the country who are involved in change-making and through their interactions have identified a range of ‘burning issues’. They will take time to explore these issues in depth, as well as looking to different instances of change to generate learning and insights. In doing this they are bringing together a new diverse and vibrant community of change-makers committed to working together around a common goal.

Why

Civil society is at a real crossroads. We are facing mounting social and environmental challenges from growing inequality to climate change, allied to an upsurge in people wanting to campaign and get involved. Get it right and we can change the world for the better.

How

The project has already hosted a series of workshops across England to consider they key drivers and barriers to social change, looking across a wide variety of case studies from the smoking ban and living wage, to equal marriage and Brexit. These conversations have already identified a number of “burning issues” which will now be examined in more depth through a series of events.

The ‘burning issues’ we will be digging deeper into are:

Models of social change – knowing what works
Making better use of the law
Leadership
Unlocking the power of people
Collaborations – coalitions, networks and alliances
Moral purpose, ethics and integrity
Organisations structures, governance and leadership
Evaluating and measuring social change
Creativity
The future use of digital tools

They are collating more detailed case studies to examine how change really happens, and inviting people to share their own personal stories of pursuing change. Ultimately the project hopes to illustrate both the critical role civil society plays in supporting important social reforms, and also the need for our sector to examine more deeply how change has happened in the past in order to strengthen future efforts.

The project is open to anyone with an interest or passion in social change and civil society. The Sheila McKechnie Foundation is primarily the thought convenor and catalyst for encouraging anyone with an interest and commitment to civil society and social change to engage with the project. The Sheila McKechnie Foundation has its own thoughts on the issue and will be actively contributing to the project as well as encouraging others to get involved.

Join the conversation

The Social Change Project will be hosting a series of events and conversations to bring people together to address the burning issues identified by their community of practice.

The purpose of these conversations is to bring together key thinkers and actors with a particular interest in or experience of the theme to explore emerging issues, their implications and recommendations for the future.

If you are interested in joining an event please contact [email protected]

 

Digital Engagement Project Officer

Salary: £20,779 pro rata
Hours: 10 hours per week
Responsible to: Project Manager
Location: Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
Term: 2 years from 1st November 2017

URPotential are looking to recruit a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual who can work with management, partners and colleagues to develop and deliver the ReachIT Lancashire Building Better Opportunities Digital Inclusion project to people at risk of social exclusion, and help them
move towards employment.

Key responsibilities of the role are to recruit, train and support a team of volunteer Digital Champions and Digital Buddies , who will provide additional training and support to those at risk of social exclusion to achieve positive outcomes. The successful applicant will be responsible for
assisting the implementation of the ReachIT Project across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

This post is jointly funded by Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, this post has a start date of 1st November 2017 until December 2019.
URPotential CIC is one of the thematic partners for the ReachIT Digital Inclusion Project funded by the Big Lottery and the European Social Fund.

This is an exciting two year project, led by WEA, in collaboration with a number of community partners, to engage with and support people at risk of social exclusion and help them move towards employment in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

URPotential provides research and consultancy, accredited training and volunteering opportunities to young people, adults, families and the community and targeted youthwork. We work with young people, families, communities and organisations developing capacity across the North West through training and accreditation. We are an accredited centre for a number of awarding bodies including: AQA, Open Awards, ABC as well as Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.

The nature of the post will require travel across the area. A full driving licence, appropriate insurance cover and use of a car is essential.

Application packs can be obtained by email: [email protected] or telephone: 01253 344398

Closing date for completed applications: Monday 30th October at 12 noon with interviews being held on Wednesday 1st November

Digital Engagement Project Coordinator

Salary: £24,165 pro rata
Hours: 29 hours per week
Responsible to: Project Manager
Location: Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
Term: 2 years from 1st November 2017

URPotential are looking to recruit a highly motivated and dynamic co-ordinator who can work with management, partners and colleagues to develop and deliver the ReachIT Lancashire Building Better Opportunities Digital Inclusion project to people at risk of social exclusion, and help them
move towards employment.

Key responsibilities of the role are to recruit, train, coordinate, support and supervise a team of: Digital Engagement Project Officer (part time), and volunteer Digital Champions and Digital Buddies , who will provide additional training and support to those at risk of social exclusion to achieve positive outcomes. The successful applicant will be responsible for the implementation of the ReachIT Project across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

This post is jointly funded by Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, this post has a start date of 1st November 2017 until December 2019.

URPotential CIC is one of the thematic partners for the ReachIT Digital Inclusion Project funded by the Big Lottery and the European Social Fund. This is an exciting two year project, led by WEA, in collaboration with a number of community partners, to engage with and support people at risk of social exclusion and help them move towards employment in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

URPotential provides research and consultancy, accredited training and volunteering opportunities to young people, adults, families and the community and targeted youthwork. We work with young people, families, communities and organisations developing capacity across the North West through training and accreditation. We are an accredited centre for a number of awarding bodies including: AQA, Open Awards, ABC as well as Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.

The nature of the post will require travel across the area. A full driving licence, appropriate insurance cover and use of a car is essential.

Application packs can be obtained by email: [email protected] or telephone: 01253 344398

Closing date for completed applications: Monday 30th October at 12 noon with interviews being held on Wednesday 1st November

Heavily Subsidised Small Charity Training in Preston

With support from Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Foundation for Social Improvement is delivering a heavily subsidised training event in Preston on 9th November offering small and local charities and community groups full & half day courses and workshops on key fundraising skills.

The FSIs’ vision is a world filled with independent, effective and accountable charities with the belief, passion and capacity to achieve their vision.

Training courses include Develop Your Fundraising Strategy, An Introduction to Online Fundraising & Crowdfunding, Developing and Delivering an Online Fundraising Campaign, Project Management and a variety of workshops.

Places fill up fast, so book your place today to access this fantastic training opportunity: https://goo.gl/jgqP8j

 

Senior Manager – Young People

£26,273.13 – 37.5 hours per week

Permanent Position

If you are looking for a meaningful job, a caring, progressive work environment and an opportunity to reach your fullest potential, consider a career with the YMCA.

We are seeking individuals who are inspired by playing an important role in changing people’s lives and therefore communities. We are all about creating inspirational pathways and opportunities, opening doors and welcoming all to get involved and make a positive difference.

Working with us means helping children, youth, adults and seniors at all levels of ability, from all walks of life, to develop their self esteem and potential in new ways.

We are looking for a confident and creative individual who will be responsible for work conducted through out the young peoples department.

The Senior Manager – Young People will provide strong leadership to the staff team and ensuring the successful delivery of our young peoples activities across Lancashire & Cumbria.

Main duties will include:
 To be responsible for the management and direction of the service, ensuring delivery of service to meet set objectives and targets. To implement     YMCAFC Business Plan and initiatives to ensure the continuous improvement of our service.
 To represent YMCAFC at local and regional level, promoting the work we do and identifying new business opportunities.
 To ensure that robust financial / risk management and monitoring practices are followed, providing effective financial management and regular scrutiny of the expenditure of funds in line with budgetary and statutory requirements.
 To research, source and make applications for funding ensuring that all reports and outcomes are met and reported back to funders.
 To be responsible for ensuring that Youth activities are delivered effectively and efficiently to meet regulatory, legislative and quality standards that are relevant.
 To supervise and support staff within the young peoples team responsible for the delivery of services to deliver the service professionally.
 To have direct responsibility for a work load and projects and initiatives as an operational member of the team leading by example and demonstrating skill and knowledge.
 To arrange conduct regular meetings with service users to monitor the effectiveness of the service.
 To develop partnerships with voluntary, commercial and other relevant community organisations.

To the successful candidate we offer:
 28 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays)
 Flexible working environment
 Opportunities to apply for other internal roles
 An opportunity to work for a company who offer on-going development within your role
 The post holder must be aware of equal opportunity principles and comply with the Fylde Coast YMCA’s equal opportunity procedures.
 Job Share will also be considered

For an application pack on the above role, please email [email protected] or visit our website www.fyldecoastymca.org. This position will close when the successful candidate is appointed

Closing date Friday 3rd November 2017

Self Harm Support from NCompass

What is Self Harm Support?

“The Butterfly & Phoenix projects aim to equip young people to cope better with difficult circumstances, preventing them from escalating into more serious issues.”

The phrase ‘self harm’ is used to describe a wide range of behaviours. Self harm is often understood to be a physical response to an emotional pain of some kind, and can be very addictive. Some of the things people do to self harm are well known, such as cutting, burning or pinching. But people also engage in ‘self destructive behaviours’ which puts them in harms way, such as getting into fights, having unprotected sex with multiple partners, not eating enough, or drinking too much alcohol.

Sometimes, it’s more important to focus on how someone is feeling rather than what they do to themselves. Quite often, people find that more helpful. Everyone has accidents from time to time resulting in cuts and bruises, but it’s the injuries that are caused on purpose that are considered to be acts of self harm or destructive behaviour.

Self harm often happens during times of anger, distress, fear, worry, depression or low self-esteem in order to manage or control negative feelings.

Self harm and other forms of destructive behaviour can also be used as a form of self-punishment for something someone has done, thinks they have done, have been told by someone else that they have done, or perhaps something that they have allowed to be done to them.

Anything that causes you harm – even slight harm – which in some small way makes you feel better emotionally, can fall under the umbrella of self-harm and destructive behaviour. The important thing isn’t to focus too much on the labelling, but to recognise when help is needed and find some support as soon as possible.

To make a referral please contact them on the details below:

Contact them on Telephone: 03450 138 208

Contact them via email at [email protected]

Free half term fun at The Mount

Wyre Council is inviting families to discover something new this October half term and explore the Mount Pavilion and gardens in Fleetwood with a series of free events.

These creative events, all themed around ‘looking up’ take place throughout half term with different activities to enjoy at The Mount Pavilion and Fleetwood Library. Visitors to the Mount can also find out about the £3 million restoration of the gardens and enjoy fantastic views across Fleetwood out to Morecambe Bay.

From Friday 27 October to Thursday 2 November, families can come and enjoy the Beaufort Games Trail and play games inspired by the weather. Create a whirlwind of fun and decode the flags as you navigate the Mount Gardens. This is a self-guided activity that you can do throughout the week and is suitable for all ages. You can collect a Beaufort Games Code Pack from the Tourist Information Centre at Marine Hall, Fleetwood Library and Fleetwood museum… or you’re welcome to just come along and play!

On Monday 30 October, kids can enjoy drop in creative adventures with Artist Tina Dempsey at Fleetwood Library. From 11am – 1pm there’s pebble decorating and from 2pm – 4pm they can try their hand at kite making. Inspired by the heritage of The Mount, drop in and decorate pebbles ready to hide at The Mount gardens for others to explore and find over October half term or make you own kite ready to fly at the Mount.

The same workshops take place at the same times on Thursday 2 November but this time at the Mount, where there’s also a flag-abet bunting drop in workshop from 11am – 4pm. Join artist Angie Thompson to create your own coded message using the Maritime Flag Signal alphabet! Make a mini bunting message to take home and hang up.

Following the fun, visitors can share photos of the pebbles they find and decorate at the Facebook group Fleetwood Rocks where they’ll find pictures posted by lots of other locals and visitors who are already discovering and hiding decorated rocks all across Fleetwood!

The Mount is currently undergoing a revival as Wyre Council has restored the seaward side of the Grade II registered gardens to their original 19th century design. A bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to transform the landward side including pavilion, rose garden and gate lodge is also being developed.

For more information call 01253 887612.

Christmas Tree Festival

The Winter Gardens Trust are holding another Christmas Tree Festival again this year, to start the Festive Season in style!

Come along to the Winter Gardens Christmas Tree Festival!

23 to 26 November 2017, 11am to 4pm each day

To raise funds for necessary renovations and repairs in the building, the Winter Gardens Trust is again holding a Christmas Tree Festival in the Derham Lounge and in the Grand Vestibule from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 November (inclusive).

Due to its popularity the Festival has been extended from two to four days this year.

The trees and decorations may be real, artificial or totally hand-made and will be judged by the general public.

Entry to the Festival between 11am – 4pm is £1.50 per adult and children go free.

Santa will be in his grotto in the Derham Lounge on Saturday & Sunday.

Enter a tree and read more

Source: Live Blackpool

Raising funds for diabetic research

IT WAS a summer of fundraising and community events for the children’s diabetes team from Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The events supported by the team included a walk with JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund) in Stanley Park in Blackpool, a golf day
with the Bamber family at the De Vere Village Hotel, Lancashire School Sports Day and an abseiling event in aid of the Trust’s charity, Blue
Skies.

The team includes consultants Dr Mohammed Ahmed, Dr Rabin Mohanty and Dr Peter Curtis; paediatric diabetes specialist nurses, Ismail Dalal
and Sandra Singleton and diabetes specialist dietitian, Caroline McNicholas.

Caroline McNicholas, a Dietitian for the Paediatric Diabetes Team at the Trust, said: “These events are all about raising awareness about what is going on around Blackpool in terms of diabetes.

We also want people to know there are organisations and events being held raising money for diabetes research. “As a team we wanted to demonstrate that we are not just doing our jobs working in diabetes – we genuinely do care about what our patients and families are living with.

“Engaging in activities outside the clinical environment and taking our own families along to the walk at Stanley Park helped us to improve
communication, build trust and gave us the opportunity to show that we have real empathy and compassion.

“One of our patients, four-year-old Gabriella Wills from Poulton who has Type1diabetes, raised more than £1,000 for JDRF. “The Bamber family, whose son has diabetes, very kindly hosted a golf day at De Vere, to raise money for JDRF.” Caroline added: “The entire Bamber family had
various roles and levels of responsibility and were kept busy throughout the day.

This was a well-attended event and it was lovely to see that everybody involved enjoyed themselves and raised a significant amount of money, £3,500, for the charity.”

Specialist Nurse, Sandra Singleton, added: “We have been able to highlight the needs of children and young people with diabetes and offer
valuable training resources.”

Source: Health Matters Issue 151