Bulletin 25 June 2010

Online Regional Directory of Participation Resources

A recent Audit of Participation across the North East Region led by Sharon Hall (CAMHS Regional Development Worker) showed that young people’s participation in CAMHS is happening across all the administrative areas of the region. However, there was found to be a general lack of coordination; and little evidence of structured multi-agency participation for children and young people. Sharon is leading a regional steering group to oversee the production of an online directory to support CAMHS in implementing participation by sharing experiences and good practice. Please help by indicating any local resource(s) you have that could support CAMHS in implementing children and young people’s participation. Please complete the attached template with any information i.e. key resources and organisations available to support participation in CAMHS in the NE and return to Sharon.

North East Youth Dance Network

Are You 14 – 25 years old?
Interested in Dance?

Would you enjoy having a say about what types of dance are available for you in the North East? Saturday 10th July is YOUR chance to get involved. Dance City in partnership with Youth Dance England is holding a special event at Dance City for young people aged 14—25 yrs. Running from 10.45am- 9pm, the day will consist of practical dance sessions, opportunities to discuss dance as well as free tickets for a live evening performance in Dance City’s own fantastic theatre space.

To attend is absolutely FREE and there will be great food too. All you will need to be able to do is to get yourself there and back home again.

To register your free place, please contact:
Danielle Neighbour at Dance City on 0191 269 5583 or email
Danielle.Neighbour@dancecity.co.uk by Friday 2nd July.

There are only limited places available so be quick!!

Shoot Nations- Youth photography project on Cities

This year’s theme is CITYLIVING.

Whether living in the country, town or big city, we want to build a global picture of what urban environments mean to young people aged 11 – 25. It doesn’t matter what sort of camera you have – phone camera, high-end digital, point-and-shoot, show us your view of city life. The best 48 images will be presented to the United Nations in New York on International Youth Day to represent youth opinion on this global issue.

Prizes
Win an all expenses paid trip to New York, digital SLR cameras, designer maps and National Geographic subscriptions, plus the chance to have your photo presented to the UN and included in the exhibition tour of seven global cities.

More info
shootnations.org
facebook.com/shootnations
twitter.com/shoot_nations

Bulletin 18 June 2010

Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) Update

July registration halted as VBS is remodelled
The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has today (15th June 2010) issued a statement to the House of Commons which confirms the stated intention of the coalition Government to review the Vetting & Barring and criminal records regimes to ensure that they are scaled back to common sense levels.
Secretary of State for the Home Department (Theresa May):
They are announcing today that the commencement of voluntary registration with the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which was due to begin on 26 July, will be brought to a halt as of today.
The Government has made clear its intention to bring the criminal records and Vetting and Barring regimes back to common sense levels. Until this remodelling has taken place, we have decided to maintain those aspects of the new Scheme which are already in place, but not to introduce further elements.
The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance to the new government. We will therefore maintain the current arrangements under which the Independent Safeguarding Authority is able to bar from “regulated activities” those considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults, and appropriate cases must be referred to them. Criminal records checks will also remain available for those eligible to receive them, and will continue to be required for certain posts where regulations are already in place.
However it is vital that we take a measured approach in these matters. Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible. The remodelling of the VBS will ensure this happens.
The terms of reference for the remodelling of the VBS and of the criminal records regime are currently being considered and a further announcement will be made in due course.
More informaton.

Self Unlimited – Volunteering Opportunity

Self Unlimited is an organisation based in Ponteland, they maintain a network of support services for people with learning disabilities across the country.  They are currently looking for volunteers to complete a variety of different tasks which will help finish their project. Opportunities include: Building and completing a bird hide, laying a Path, erecting tables, bird feeders and stools and willow weaving. After everything is finished Self Unlimited is going to have an open day/launch on the 28th August with a barbecue and invite all volunteers who have been involved.

They  have set up three volunteering day’s so far, Lunch will be provided on the days: -

• Thursday 6th July- 10-3
• Thursday 13th July- 10-3
• Thursday 20th July- 10-3

Northern Pride

Northern Pride is a community based organisation entirely run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers since July 2007. They work hard to bring you a Pride celebration that is accessible, enjoyable and informative for the whole community. Northern Pride can’t happen without the dedication and commitment of their lovely volunteers who really do make it all happen and as they are expecting over 10,000 people to take part this year, volunteers are more important than ever before.

Opportunities volunteers can take part in: -

• Street Team: working in advance of the day to promote the event by distributing flyers and posters on the Scene and in community venues across the region in small ‘street team’ groups. Promoting the event is always a lot of fun and gives you a good opportunity to meet lots of new people.
• Parade Stewards: Northern Pride are expecting over 1,000 people on the parade this year and the Parade Stewards will make sure it passes from Newcastle Civic Centre to Leazes Park safely, loudly, colourfully and as proudly as possible. You’ll work with supervisors and the Police, sporting a lovely high-vis jacket, supporting the parade on its way to the park.
• Event Crew: help out in the park, on the day, by doing everything from litter picking to market research; this is the perfect opportunity to see all of the event by being on the ground, generally helping out and talking to the participants.
• Park Team: if arty fancy stuff is your thing, why not think about joining the Park Team? We’ll need you bright and early to help with decorating the park, directing on-site traffic and stall holders to the right place and to generally make sure Northern Pride 2010 is the most colourful and energetic pride event the region has ever seen!
• Clear Up Team: if you are a night-owl, they need as many people as possible on the clear up crew helping out for a few hours after everyone has left the park, to ensure they leave the beautiful Leazes Park… well… beautiful!

Please Note: These opportunities are for volunteers 18+ due to insurance purposes.

The Main event is on 17th July 2010, but Northern Pride needs volunteers before, during and after the event.

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is wildlife rescue centre situated in beautiful Ulgham in rural Northumberland. They are looking for both regular volunteers and one-off group opportunities which range from helping muck out the stables to volunteering in their cafè and give shop. If you’re interested in getting involved please contact Herbie Cooper or telephone 0191 226 7330.

Northumberland Clubs for Young People: May 2010

Please click on the below link to see the 3rd edition of the Northumberland Clubs for Young People’s newsletter. As usual this is a busy period for NACYP. The newsletter will provide you with up to date information around all of our key developments and new initiatives.

Northumberland Clubs for Young People: May 2010 Bulletin

Bulletin 11 June 2010

Truth about Youth Website Launch

Following months of hard work and decision making with web designers the Truth about Youth team have officially launched their website. The Truth about Youth project is being run  by the Regional Youth Work Unit and is supported by the Cooperative foundation. It aims to tackle the negative stereotypes of young people in Tyne and Wear by working with young people and the media . The Truth about Youth website has been launched as a platform to showcase the work  and as a way of connecting with young people. Users are able to create an account and leave comments as well as taking part in the online forum. The three members of staff working on the project also plan to post a weekly blog around topics of interest to young people.

Truth about Youth Website

International training opportunities

Soho Spain
Date: 29 September 2010 – 03 October 2010
Location: Spain
Deadline: 20 June 2010
Target groups: Youth leaders, Youth workers, Support people involved in EVS
For participants from: Belgium – FR, Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, SOUTH-EAST EUROPE, EASTERN EUROPE AND CAUCASUS
Summary: International training for those who are directly involved in the support system around the volunteer (mentors and task-related support persons) on the hosting, sending and coordinating side in the European Voluntary Service (EVS) – Action 2

For detailed information

Olympic Weightlifting – Raise the bar

Lightfoot Centre, Walker
Starting: Wednesday 5th May, 20-week course running every Wednesday, until 7th July
Times: 5pm to 6pm and 6pm to 7pm
Males and Females: 9 to 19 years of age
The course provides an exciting opportunity, to try a new sport, learn new weightlifting techniques get fit and have fun in a safe and friendly environment.
The course is free but you will need to register your place on the course and if you attend 6 or more sessions, you will be entered into an iPod prize draw.
Come along and try it out, you will not be disappointed.
The Sky is the limit!
Tel: 0191 2788558

Email: clive.wright@newcastle.gov.uk

North East Festival of Architecture 2010, 12 – 27 June

The North East Festival of Architecture (NEFA) is an annual 15 day festival celebrating architecture and urban design in the region. Taking place between the 12 – 27 June this summer, there will be a host of events including building tours, urban tours, talks, debates and exhibitions, giving everyone the chance to explore and think about the places we live and how we live in them.

The Festival’s theme this year is Designing Out CO2, with a host of events demonstrating how good architecture, urban design and a clever use of their built environment can help them  reduce they carbon footprints. You’ll be able to see how they can designing out our dependency on carbon fuel energy AND have a well designed and comfortable world.  NEFA also has a collection of events called We Love Architecture, created and hosted by designers, practitioners, organisations and individuals that give the public a chance to share in other people’s passion for good architecture and urban design.

For Festival information or to sign up to the Festival e-bulletin visit the website.

RightSpace – National Event

http://www.rightspace.org.uk

‘Children and young people have human rights. And those rights are not always respected’.  An opportunity to find out how to effectively promote children’s human rights.

RightSpace brings together conversation, reflection and practice to explore how we can all continue to promote social justice for children and young people. If you’re passionate about promoting the human rights of children and young people then this event is for you.

This event to be held on Tuesday 26th October 2010 @ in Sheffield city centre

To book your place please register online at http://www.rightspace.org.uk and follow the link

Regional workforce development and training project

As part of a two year programme of work (funded through the North East Strategic Health Authorities WDIF programme), the newly re-established North East Regional Social Norms Network (hosted by GONE) are seeking to map current and forthcoming Social Norms activity and associated local/regional and national expertise across all sectors and all health topics.

The results of this mapping exercise will help to inform the delivery of future training events, networking opportunities and resource development that will be made freely available to North East cross-sector workforces over the next two years, whilst increasing the profile of innovative Social Norms activity.

North East Regional Social are particularly interested in submissions from agencies, organisations and networks which are either in the process of completing or have already completed a Social Norms based intervention to address health inequalities within the North East region. However they would also welcome submissions for Social Norms projects that intend to begin within the next six months. Submissions from outside the region would also be gratefully received.
If you are able to assist in this matter, please complete the ‘activity form’ (attached) as fully as possible and return to Kevin (either by post or email) at the address provided by no later than Friday 2nd July.

What’s more, Kevin would be most grateful if you would kindly forward this email and the associated documentation to other relevant networks and parties that you are in touch with.  Kevin has taken the step of including this message in a letter format (along with the activity form) to aid you in disseminating this information to other interested parties, should you so wish. Please see attached for Activity form.
If you have any further questions about the project and the North East Regional Social Norms Network please do not hesitate to contact Kevin either by email at Kevin.stoodley@sotw.nhs.uk telephone: 0191 283 1573.

Big Challenge Launch – Newcastle

Join Changemakers for a day filled with young talent and find out more about the Big Challenge……

Thursday 17th June from 11am until 3.30pm
Newcastle City Library
Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge Street West, NE1 8AX
(2 minute walk away from Haymarket Metro station)

What to expect:
•    Great Music/DJ/ open mic
•    Cash Prizes- £250 to be won
•    Free Food!
•    Dancers
•    Information Stalls about the Big Challenge and the V Involved Team for info about volunteering opportunities in your area and how to gain a nationally recognized certificate, great for your CV!

Aged 16 to 25? Got an idea that can improve the lives of young people in your area?

The Big Challenge Youth Leadership Team are looking for project or campaign ideas that will have a big impact on young people in your region.  There’s a £65,000 prize fund to give to projects throughout the UK. Winning ideas will also be given all the support and help needed to turn their idea into a reality.

This is YOUR chance to win a part of that fund to improve YOUR local area.

Come and meet the Youth Leadership Team for the Big Challenge 2010 and find out more.
For more info, visit: ylt@changemakers.org.uk , www.bigchallenge.org.uk

Bulletin 4 June 2010

Independent Safeguarding Authority – Latest guidance (Courtesy of our friends at Northumbria Youth)

The Government has produced comprehensive guidance on the Vetting and Barring Scheme. The guidance provides information on when ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) registration does and when it doesn’t apply to services and activities with children, young people and vulnerable adults.  Organisations will have a legal duty to check people’s ISA registration before they start to work or volunteer in new positions with children or vulnerable adults from November 2010.  If an individual or an organisation doesn’t comply with the ISA they may be committing a criminal offence, leading to a fine or imprisonment.

The guidance sets out the background, scope and key dates for the scheme which aims to prevent unsuitable people from undertaking certain paid or volunteer work with children or vulnerable adults.

It’s a must for all those organisations in the sector who want to keep on top of the requirements. Download a copy.

Particular matters to note include that “all new workers and volunteers who start or move into new regulated activity roles after 1st November 2010 must register with the ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) before they start in that new role.” They will be able to register with the ISA from 26th July, with new disclosure application forms (for CRB disclosures and ISA registration) introduced that month – current CRB application forms won’t be accepted after 26th July”.  Northumbria Youth are awaiting their new CRB disclosures and ISA registration application forms  to arrive and we hope they will be available from the end of June 2010.

REMEMBER:

•    To try and keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe you’ll have to continue taking up references, carry out CRB checks, use risk assessments etc……
•    If you or your organisation is trying to identify loopholes or ways around implementing ISA registration so will those people who are barred or should be barred!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doxford Youth Project urgently need mobile youth work vehicle!

Doxford Youth Project are urgently in need of a used or new vehicle which is tailored for use as a mobile youth work unit and can comfortably hold around 12 people for group work purposes. (Not for transporting young people). They are looking to purchase a vehicle which is no larger than 7.5 tonnes (gross payload) and can be driven using a driver’s license with a C1 addition, (or standard license pre 1997).

They are looking to hear from any projects that may be coming to a close and are in possession of any vehicle suitable for hosting youth work sessions, or from anyone who has any knowledge of any suitable companies that could meet our vehicle requirements at reasonable cost.

If anyone could help, or point us in the right direction than please send an email to joe@doxford-youth.co.uk or alternatively call Doxford Youth Project on 01670 713077 (Office hours Monday – Friday)

Eat – Festival of Food and Drink

EAT! NewcastleGateshead, now in its fourth year, returns from Saturday 12th – Sunday 27th June 2010.

EAT! is the region’s foremost festival of food and drink, celebrating our finest producers, restaurants, retailers, artisans and chefs. They would love you to be part of the festival experience by helping us to run the events over the Big EAT! Weekend on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th June.

Please see www.EatNewcastleGateshead.com for more information.

Callout for Volunteers:

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support the festival. This is an exciting opportunity to gain valuable experience in event management, working closely with the production team. We are looking for volunteers to help out in a variety of roles. The event takes place in various locations across Newcastle and Gateshead.

For further information please contact Eleanor Forsyth by emailing eleanor.forsyth@ngi.org.uk or calling 0191 440 5744 with your contact details and your availability across the Big EAT! Festival Weekend of Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June.

Channel 4 housing programme

This new series is a major high-profile project for Channel 4. The aim is to highlight the fact that in Britain there are an estimated 800,000 people currently homeless or living in inadequate housing for their needs. This could be down to overcrowding in families, physical disabilities, homelessness, and so on.

The first location is set to be Gateshead and they looking to find families and groups of people through local community groups whose housing conditions are far from ideal, hence contacting yourself as a potential avenue of accessing these types of cases. If we can get something in the newsletter today that would be great, you never know what it might come back with.

Parents: Is your home inadequate for you and your family’s needs?

Do you live in temporary accommodation or in overcrowded conditions?   Perhaps your home is unsuitable as a result of illness or mobility issues within the family?

Whatever your story, the makers of a new Channel 4 documentary series would like to hear from you.

Do you live in temporary accommodation or in overcrowded conditions?   Perhaps your home is unsuitable as a result of illness or mobility issues?

Whatever your story, the makers of a new Channel 4 documentary series would like to hear from you.

Contact Sam on 07827 240 601 – She will call you straight back.
Email: sam.windsor-phillips@rdftelevision.com

Freelance workshop facilitators

There are opportunities for freelance workshop facilitators in the North East.

One or more facilitators or organisations are needed to work with a total of 13 schools in the region between now and next Easter. Campaigns within particular schools should start and finish within the same term. They are working to a budget of up to £375 (inclusive of VAT) per school for facilitation fees.

You should have:

•    A respect for equality and non-discriminatory practice.
•    A current (last 12 months) enhanced CRB disclosure.
•    Willingness to sign up to our behaviour contract for working with young people.
•    Public liability insurance (if not a member of school staff)
•    Teaching and/or youth work qualifications and/or experience
•    A track record of delivering similar project-based work with small groups.
•    An entrepreneurial attitude and a network (large or small) of contacts in NE secondary schools (state or independent), PRUs and/or special schools. You will be booking your workshops in yourself, so ideally you’ll already know people who’d like you to work in their schools.
•    The ability to work with a student-led ethos, while respecting the school setting you will be working in.
•    The ability to meet deadlines and achieve set outcomes, while keeping it fun for the participants.
•    The ability to relate well with school staff and local council officers, as well as with young people!
•    Sympathy towards the broad objectives of Living Streets: ‘safe, attractive, enjoyable streets, where people want to walk’, and the ability to represent them well.
•    Basic IT skills : transferring digital photos to computers, emailing etc

To apply:
Send a CV and referees’ contact details, plus a covering letter (one side of A4 max), detailing the school/s you plan to work in (or how you’d go about booking them, and any geographical preferences, if you have no particular schools in mind) and how you’d schedule your time there. School staff are very welcome to apply to facilitate the programme in a school where they already work. If commissioned you will need to provide a copy of your CRB disclosure and evidence of your insurance.

More information