The next meeting of the Practitioner and Volunteer Coordinator Network will take place on Thursday 27th May between 9.30 and 10.30am. It is hoped that this meeting will be "in person" at the Boulevard Centre.
Recognising the contribution of volunteers to communities in Blackburn with Darwen during coronavirus
Volunteers’ Week 2021 is almost here! Volunteers’ Week takes place between 1st and 7th June every year and is a time to recognise and thank volunteers. During an exceptionally difficult year, people from all walks of life in the Borough have taken the time to volunteer and made a huge difference to people and our communities – just as they do every year. We’d like to encourage you to take the time to recognise volunteers that helped during the last 12 months and to thank those who usually volunteer but have not been able to because of the pandemic. Volunteers are always active at the heart of every community. The coronavirus pandemic has rightly raised the profile of volunteering and more people than ever are aware of the immense contribution being made every single day by volunteers.
That is why, in this Volunteers’ Week it’s time to say: thank you volunteers!
We will be celebrating the contribution of volunteers in an in-person Awards Ceremony much later in the year once restrictions ease - details of which will be provided on Wednesday 3rd June.
In the meantime, for this Volunteers’ Week, please contact us if you need any resources to help with thanking your volunteers, for example templates for thank you cards or certificates.
► please share your tweets, stories and messages with @CommunityCVS using #VolunteersWeek – we’d love to see how you get on.
► The Pop Up Church in Highercroft are holding a Table Top Sale fundraiser to create a Peace Garden in the GroZone in memory of Alison Singleton. The event takes place on Saturday 29th May from 12 noon.
Additionally, Sarah McMonagleis seeking sponsors for a Darwen Tower trek on Saturday 22nd May. Your support would be most gratefully received.
► Lancashire County Council's Refugee Integration Team and the ICS Integrated Voluntary Services Projectare offering two half-days' training on volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers. Please sign up by Monday 31st May to avoid missing out.
► There is an importantDigital Inclusion and Cyber Awareness Surveytaking place across the North until Monday 31st May.
► The Prince's Trust and East Lancs Hospitals NHS Trust are offering people aged 18 to 30 who are not in employment, education or training a chance to gain experience working within a hospital setting. Interview dates are Friday 4th, Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th June, with the placement taking place from Monday 19th July to Friday 13th August. E-mail the Prince's Trust for more.
They are also accepting applications to join their Get into Business Admin course, run in collaboration with BAE Systems, from the same demographic (online taster on Wednesday 14th July, course proper between Monday 26th July and Friday 6th August). E-mail them for more information on this opportunity,.
► Blackburn Foodbankare currently seeking a Communications Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. Please e-mail trustees@blackburn.foodbank.org.uk for an application pack. Deadline is 12 noon on Monday 7th June.
► The Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership: Working Well with Families in Lancashire Launch Event takes place on Tuesday 15th June via Microsoft Teams. Sign up and learn more here.
► Click here for an important update from Public Health on the Indian COVID variant.
► Information on the North West Ambulance Service's Patient and Public Panel and how you can get involved can be found on their website.
► The Centre for Mental Health's latest update can be perused here.
► Here isCircles Connected's weekly plan.
► Citizens Advice's Witness Service are recruiting volunteers. You can find out more about the role here. If you would like to get involved, please e-mailFarida Sidat.
► IMO are seeking to recruit Diabetes Community Champions to raise awareness of the problems associated with Type 2 diabetes in communities of South Asian heritage. Please e-mail them to learn more on how you can get involved.
► The Lancashire Volunteer Partnershiphave published their latest news update.
► The LSCft's latest update is available now.
► The NCISH have recently published their annual report and a report on suicide by middle-aged men.
► Nightsafe are looking for volunteers to assist with the delivery of their Learning, Education and Achievement Programme. ContactKieren Spencerto learn more.
► Rummage Rescuers are seeking volunteers. If you'd like to get involved, please e-mail your CV to townstore1@rummagerescuers.org.uk.
The BwD Community Fund, which we on behalf of the Borough Council, the Brian Mercer Trust and the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, is open for applications.
Organisations can apply for grants of up to £1000 under the scheme.
► Next deadline: Monday 7th June.
► Get the full picture here.
► Download the application form here.
► Clarion Futures Digital Grants - closes Wednesday 26th May Grants for charities and community organisations working to support Clarion residents of all ages to get online and build the skills, motivation and confidence needed to use the internet safely in everyday life.
The Trustee Leadership Programme is an award-winning governance training initiative delivered by charity support agency Cause4 in partnership with the Clothworkers’ Company. Now in its 8th year, this programme was launched to empower those taking on governance roles to be confident in their duties and deliver effective leadership, training c. 500 Trustees a year. Upcoming summer course dates include:
► Emerging Chairs Programme: a one-day course for existing Trustees seeking to take the step towards Chairing a board. This empowering course covers key issues such as Leadership, Chair-CEO relationships, fundraising, and marketing, and allows prospective and existing Chairs to share experiences and learning. Thursday 22nd July (9.30am-4.30pm) Sign up here
►Trustee Leadership Programme: essential governance training for the new or aspiring Trustee, this course covers an overview of the sector, governance & strategic planning, financial management, and fundraising. It is further enhanced by an expert guest speaker and a charity matching session where attendees can meet charity leaders seeking board members. The online course is delivered in two parts: Wednesday 28th July (2-4.30pm) & Thursday 29th July (2-5pm) Sign up here
