Halton and St Helens Voluntary and Community Action

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Welcome to the latest edition of the Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action E-Bulletin.

If you have something you would like us to promote through the ebulletin, please feel free to use our "News" template https://www.haltonsthelensvca.org.uk/vca-newsevents-template...

New Realities, New Relationships

We know that the public sector, local government and the delivery of local services are changing. In St Helens there has been considerable work already undertaken on developing the 2020 vision, the future of our local services, how we sustain these and how we work with people and communities to think differently.

We know that public sector organisations will look and feel differently and we will have to think radically differently about the way things are delivered. Alongside this change, we need to undertake work on re-imagining local partnerships that will assist and support this work.

Halton & St Helens VCA, St Helens Council and NHS St Helens CCG have been in discussion for a number of months about what this means for the VCFSE sector locally. At the same time work is now underway on the development of a Local Care Management System for St Helens through the People’s Board. Both this and the work on the 2020 vision are significant policy changes and we believe now is the time for a broader discussion with the local sector about what both can mean for them and how they can be part of the solution...


Healthwatch Halton Coffee Morning

Healthwatch Halton will be holding a Coffee morning and drop in on Wednesday 26th April from 10am-1pm at St. Maries Church, Lugsdale Road, Widnes. Everyone is welcome so please come along for a coffee and a chat. You can meet the Healthwatch team, share your experiences of local Health and Social Care services and find out how you can support your local Healthwatch, through volunteering. This months coffee morning will be supporting Bowel Cancer UK's awareness April...


ESF Grants - Round 3 OPEN

A £1m programme to tackle unemployment was launched in August 2016 with backing from the European Social Fund. The funds have been granted by the government’s Skills Funding Agency in partnership with Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership to the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), an adult education charity which provides training and learning opportunities for people at risk of exclusion. Over the next two years, the charity will help hundreds of people who face additional barriers in the workplace, such as lone parents, improve their employability and gain permanent employment. Round 3 is now open. Grants are available for a minimum of £5,000 and a maximum of £10,000...


New Services In St Helens For Information, Advice And Advocacy

The St Helens Information and Advice Service and the St Helens Advocacy Hub have been set up to support vulnerable people, including older people and those mental health problems; physical or sensory impairments; and learning disabilities. The Information and Advice Service will assist local people with a wide range of issues including benefits advice; accessing care and support; homelessness; and housing issues. The service will also signpost people to statutory, voluntary and community organisations, and enable individuals to make informed choices about their health and social care...


Halton Service User Carer Forum

The next Halton Service User Carer Forum is to be held on Wednesday 26th April before the meeting a buffet lunch will be served at 12.30pm and the meeting will start at 1pm. If you have never been before the forum provides an opportunity for service users, carers, their advocates and representatives from third sector organisations to discuss services in Halton and any planned developments. The agenda also includes “Take it to the Top”. Senior managers, including the Chief Executive and Chairman attend the forums for the “Take it to the Top” question-and-answer session. This gives you the opportunity to raise any issues you may have directly with senior leaders within the Trust...


New St Helens Office

We have now moved into our new St Helens offices and our address is, Halton & St Helens VCA, Beacon Building, College Street, St Helens, WA10 1TF.  Our contact phone numbers remain the same, 01744 457100 and we would like to extend our thanks to all those groups who came and took furniture we hope you will find it useful...


Applications Open For Round Two Of Transform Foundation’s Charity Website Grant Programme

The ‘Q2’ round of the Transform Foundation’s 2017 Charity Website Grant Programme is officially open. Once again, this unique programme will be providing £18,000 grants to charities to fund the redevelopment of their websites. If you’re a charity interested in redeveloping your website then click here to be taken to the Transform Foundation website for more information on the grant programme and how you can apply. The 2017 Website Grant Programme funding round follows a highly successful pilot in 2016, which resulted in websites that collectively went on to raise over £1.3m online for the successful applicants...


Diabetes And Your Eyes

Halton Diabetes UK next meeting will be on Tuesday April 18th  from 7.30-9.00pm at The Old Police Station, Mersey Road Runcorn WA7 1DF. The guest speaker will be Bob Wilkes, Optometrist as well as an Adviser for Retinopathy Screening who will be talking about the retinopathy screening process as well as all things to do with the eyes and diabetes. There are no charges and light refreshments are included...


Senior Voice Event To Look At The Proposals For The Local Plan

You are cordially invited to a forum being organised by St Helens Senior Voice.  The event is planned for the 19th of April 2017 at the Percival Room, Ruskin Drive, St Helens 10am until 2pm. In attendance will be representatives from the Council who will give a presentation on the proposals for the LOCAL PLAN an important local issue which we at Senior Voice would like to gain the opinion of our valued Members.  The Council are also looking for some ideas around future planning of homes for the elderly.  At the end of the presentation there will be an opportunity for questions to the Speakers.  On arrival there will be refreshments and around midday a light buffet lunch will be provided.  Places are limited to 130 so please book early...


Stick 'n' Step Job Vacancies

Stick ‘n’ Step provide specialist support to children with cerebral palsy, because of this support from Stick 'n' Step, mobility is improved, independence and self-confidence is increased, enabling each child to reach their personal potential. They are opening a new centre in Runcorn and currently have vacancies for 2 classroom assistants and an administrator...


Faith to Talk

Faith to Talk is designed to open conversation, acknowledging the important role of faith leaders in positively affecting people with mental health issues, who may be hard to reach. The project recognises the need for effective awareness training for faith leaders and Mind volunteers in St Helens. Both groups will be invited to a one-day training session on mental health first aid, increasing awareness and confidence to address mental health. This will be followed by a facilitated workshop, providing the opportunity to put into practice the learning and open the conversation between mental health volunteers and faith leaders around the role of faith in supporting mental health...


Volunteer Opportunity With Victim Services Team

This is an exciting opportunity to volunteer with the Victim Services team (Cheshire CARES) based in Cheshire. Cheshire CARES (Cope and Recovery Enhanced Service) is the Police and Crime Commissioner’s dedicated service providing free support to all victims of crime in Cheshire based on the individuals’ needs. The volunteer role provides a personal and tailored support service to people who have been a victim of crime to cope and recover from their experience...


Remedi Recruitment - Restorative Practitioner

emedi are recruiting a practitioner to cover criminal justice, community and family restorative work. The role will be 30 hours per week and will be based  across Cheshire. Specific location will be confirmed after the interview process...


Halton Housing Trust Nominated Charity

The search is on for Halton Housing Trust’s Nominated Charity of the Year. Social Landlord, Halton Housing Trust is encouraging applications from local charities, for a chance to become their nominated charity of the year. Every year the Trust helps Halton based charities in a number of different ways, including providing extra volunteers, financial support, hosting fundraising activities and sponsoring events. Keen to play an active part in the local community, provide staff with a range of experiences and gain a further understanding of local issues, the Trust is always open to helping different charities and spreading its support to some of the most challenged across the Borough...


Community Cafe at The Foundry

The Community Café will launch on Friday 5th May at The Foundry Church, Lugsdale Road, Widnes, WA8 6DA. You will receive a friendly welcome.  They serve high quality food at exceptional value, combined with friendly service, a listening ear and opportunities to build relationships.  You can get heavenly cakes, homemade soups or paninis, tasty meals for kids or the delicious special of the day...


Could you be a Public Governor at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital?

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital is holding elections for new Public Governors later in the year and they’re now looking for anyone who would like to stand for election to become a Public Governor in our Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales constituencies.  Governors are elected members of the public who represent the views of the foundation trust members and patients in communities across the North West and play an important role in shaping the future of the hospital and its services. Election Information Open Evening, Wednesday 19 April at 5.30pm-6.30pm, LHCH Conference Room...


Halton Peoples Health Forum

NHS ​Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is made up of representatives from each of the 15​​ practices across Runcorn and Widnes. They are responsible for planning NHS services across the borough, and work with other clinicians and healthcare providers to ensure they meet the needs of local people. They are holding sessions on Thursday 6th April at Runcorn Town Hall 5pm-7pm and Tuesday 25th April at Riverside College Widnes 10am-3pm (two sessions 10am-Noon & 1pm-3pm)...


Funding Bulletins from Halton Borough Council - April

Our colleagues from Halton Borough Council’s External Funding Team have prepared some Funding Bulletins containing valuable information for voluntary organisations looking for grants to get projects off the ground. The Monthly funding bulletins offering information on funding opportunities in the following areas...


Don't Forget...

Victims' Voice Survey - Cheshire

Have you been a victim of crime in the last 12 months? Do you want to share your views on your experiences of victim services and the police? If so, the Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner David Keane, is urging you to join the conversation as part of Victims Voice 2017...


More FREE Training for VCA Members

Are you a member of Halton & St Helens VCA? Would your staff and volunteers benefit from free training? We have added some new training sessions to our programme including Creating and Managing Effective Meetings and Developing a Business Plan.. So why not take a look and book your place today...


Cheshire Victim Services Directory

Halton & St Helens VCA, working with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire have compiled a directory and on-line resource for Victims Services in Cheshire in the voluntary and community sector. The directory is for anyone who has been affected by crime in Cheshire, the website will help to find the advice and support needed. This information is provided to anyone who may need support regardless of whether a crime has been reported or when it happened...


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Tel: 01744 457100 | Fax: 01744 457101 | Email: info@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk
Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action, incorporating Volunteer Centre Halton and Volunteer Centre St Helens, is Registered in England & Wales as a Registered Charity No. 1106001 and a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2539153.

St Maries
Lugsdale Lane
Widnes, WA8 6DB

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