Council For Voluntary ServicesCentral Lancashire

Welcome to our weekly roundup of all things Voluntary Community Faith Sector in Central Lancashire!

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Sections: (click to go, press "Home" to come back)Funding Opportunities; Vacancies and Employment; Volunteering; Fundraising News; Training; Events;Public Notices; Appeals; Consultations; Health; 

CVS News:Yet again we've had problems with our interview! We'll try again in the New Year and are making it a resolution.  Watch this space.  If you'd like to run the gamut of our "20 questions" and take the opportunity to introduce yourself and your Organisation email us on:info@cvscentrallancashire.org.ukTalking of which … Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at CVS Central Lancashire to all of you.  Central Lancashire wouldn't be the same without you! Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy and wealthy 2014!  Hang on in there!  (It's got to get better sometime - hasn't it?).

And now, the news …

 Funding Opportunities

Preston City Council Grants to Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector - closed.  Results due around 20 March 2014.The Council’s grant round for 2014/15 is now closed! All applications will now go through the assessment process and will be considered by the  appropriate decision making body of the Council in accordance with the Council's constitution. Following their decision and subject to sufficient budgetary allocation being made available, applicants will be advised of their application on or around 20 March 2014. 

Ashley Family Foundation - deadline 31 December 2013 The Ashley Family Foundation awards grants for projects that protect rural communities and encourage participation in the arts, particularly that of textiles. The Foundation are keen to fund good small scale arts projects in England and Wales and welcome proposals from small scale community textile museums/organisations. Organisations that can apply for funding include: Charities; Unincorporated organizations; Community groups with a constitution or terms of reference and a charitable                 purpose.  The Foundations will consider requests for core funding, including salaries and overheads.  Although the Foundation have no set limit to the amount that can be awarded, they do favour requests that are below £10,000. Funding is awarded on the context of the project and awards of £500 can make a difference to some recipients.http://www.ashleyfamilyfoundation.org.uk/funding/how-to-apply.html

2013 Skills Equipment Fund - deadline 31 December 2013 The Skills Equipment Fund is an initiative between The Skills Show and the Skills Funding Agency that enables further education colleges and training organisations to buy nearly-new, state-of-the-art equipment used at this year's Skills Show.   As the equipment has been donated or loaned by sponsors, the Skills Equipment Fund offers a substantial discount from the standard price that colleges and training providers usually pay.  To ensure that further education providers can take

full advantage of this offer, the Skills Equipment Fund also makes capital grants of up to 50% of the purchase price to eligible colleges and training providers in England.  Equipment ranging from industrial welding machinery to commercial kitchen appliances is offered at discounted rates and further supported by grant funding from the Agency. Colleges and training organisations are invited to submit applications until Tuesday 31st December 2013.http://www.theskillsshow.com/get-involved/skills-equipment-fund-3/

Sylvia Waddilove Foundation - likely to close first week in January 2014The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation provides grants to charities for: Education projects (organic farming, animal husbandry, veterinary science, animal welfare and animal surgery) the visual and performing arts; The preservation of buildings of architectural or historical significance; The accommodation of those in need; The skills based training of young people; Medical research, and disability.  Grants of up to £25,000 are available to registered charities. The Foundation favours supporting small charities that will carry out the project themselves (except in the case of medical research), who rely on volunteers and who can demonstrate a successful history of projects.  Applications are likely to close in the first week in January 2014 however the application process may close before this date. The Trustees aim to give notice of at least 48 hours before closing applications.http://www.pwwsolicitors.co.uk/funding-applications/13-the-sylvia-waddilove-foundation-uk

Lancashire County Council Young People's Service - deadline 6 January 2014£40,000 still available in its 2013-14 allocation. Grants are available to groups for one-off or short-term projects whilst individual young people can apply for up to £500 to support their development. http://yps.lancashire.gov.uk/small-grants

University Sport Activation Fund - Opens 6 January 2014 - closing date 24 March 2014The £15 million University Sport Activation Fund recognises the key role that universities play in creating a sporting habit for life amongst students. Currently around half (52 per cent) of higher education students take part in sport at least

once a week. The fund will support projects designed to increase this number by trialing new methods of getting students into sport, particularly those that do not currently play any sport. It will also help tackle the issue of many young people giving up sport in their late teens and early twenties.  Successful projects will build on findings from Sport England’s £8 million three year ‘Active Universities’ programme which tested different methods of engaging students in sport.  Those interested in applying to the fund can take part in one of four pre-application workshops which will take place in January.  Further information about the fund will be available from 6 January 2014. The closing date for applications will be the 24th March 2014.http://www.sportengland.org/funding/our-different-funds/university-sport-activation-fund/

Grow Wild Community Sites - deadline 6 January 2013 Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available for planting and sowing native wild flowers, native plants and/or trees within the community to create a space for everyone to enjoy by giving neglected and uncared-for sites and spaces a new lease of life.http://www.growwilduk.com/get-funding/what-is-a-community-site/

Volant Charitable Trust - deadline 10 January 2014The Volant Charitable Trust was established by author J. K. Rowling to alleviate poverty and social deprivation with particular emphasis on children and women's issues. There is no minimum or maximum amount for a grant and queries can only be dealt with by downloading and filling out an application form. http://www.volanttrust.com/index.html

Creative Employment ProgrammeThe £15 million, National Lottery funded programme is aimed at increasing work and training opportunities for unemployed young people. The programme will provide funding for 6,500 new traineeships, apprenticeships and paid internship opportunities to help young unemployed people aged 16 to 24 enter the arts and cultural workforce. Employment created will be in a wide range of disciplines, from technical to administrative roles, provided they are located in England and fall within the Arts Council England's footprint of: Music, Dance, Theatre, Literature,

Visual Arts, Contemporary Craft, Combined Arts, Carnival, Circus, Galleries, Museums, and Libraries. The programme will provide part wage grants to employers who create new apprenticeship and internship job opportunities for young unemployed people aged 16-24.http://creative-employment.co.uk/the-creative-employment-programme

BBC Children in Need Main Grants Programme for grants of £10,000 - £100,000+ - deadline 15 January 2014The Main Grants Programme for BBC Children in Need is open to applications to support children and young people of 18 years and under experiencing disadvantage. The charity funds organisations working to combat disadvantage and to make a real difference to children and young people's lives. The minimum grant size for the main grants programme is £10,000 and there is no upper limit, but very few grants over £100,000 are granted.  There is a two stage application process, with an online application process. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008dk4b/features/cin-grants-main-shouldiapply

Mercers' Company - deadline mid to end January 2014In its work to advance and support the Christian faith, the Mercers' Company invites grant appeals from a wide variety of sources. Appeals may be broadly grouped into those relating to buildings and those connected with people and average grant size is £5,000. An application to the Mercers' Company is an application to all the charities that are under its trusteeship, including The Mercers' Charitable Foundation, The Charity of Sir Richard Whittington and The Earl of Northampton's Charity. Application is by online form with a suggested deadline of mid January 2014, as this is four weeks before the Standing Church Committee Meeting on 27th February. http://www.mercers.co.uk/advancement-christian-religion

One Place - opens 20 January 2014Locality, in partnership with the Local Government Association and delivery associates such as the Community Development Foundation, are delighted to be awarded the contract to run the Our Place programme. A £4.3m package of support and grants for neighbourhoods has been made available by the

Department for Communities and Local Government to support at least 100 neighbourhoods, with 20 driving proposals which break new ground.http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/ourplace/

Funding Available to Tackle Female Genital MutilationRosa, the UK Fund for Women and Girls has announced that its Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) small grants programme is open for applications.  Funded by Comic Relief grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available to tackle Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the UK. The fund is available to voluntary and community groups and will help funded organisations to: Become more confident, more knowledgeable and more skilled in tackling FGM within their communities; Improve their skills in engaging with, and lobbying, statutory bodies to encourage appropriate responses to FGM; Contribute to a unified movement across the UK bringing together a range of organisations engaged in tackling FGM.  Grants will be available for training, mentoring, research, networking, and delivering advice and support services. http://www.rosauk.org/rosa-s-2nd-round-fgm-small-grants-programme

Reminder - The Will Charitable Trust - deadline 31 January 2014The Will Charitable Trust has announced that its Blind People & Learning Disabilities grants programme is now open for applications. UK charities can apply for funding for the care of and services for blind people, and the prevention and/or cure of blindness. Around 12 charities are supported each year with grants varying from £5,000 to around £20,000. The deadline is 31 January.http://www.willcharitabletrust.org.uk/howtoapply.htm

Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation (PPCF) - deadline 15 February 2014The Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation (PPCF) is a grant giving trust with Quaker family roots. The Foundation aims to contribute to the development of a just society based on a commitment to nonviolence and environmental sustainability. It does this through its support of the development of ways of resolving violent conflicts peacefully, and of addressing their underlying causes and by supporting work that addresses the pressures and conditions that risk global environmental breakdown. The Foundation funds UK organisations working to influence policy, attitudes and values at a national or international level, giving

particular consideration to small pioneering headquarters organisations. Grants are typically between £5,000 and £15,000 per year, for up to three years and where this would represent between 5% and 50% of an organisation's annual income (organisations with an annual income of between £10,000 and £300,000 approximately). http://www.polden-puckham.org.uk/index.php

The Idlewild Trust (up to £5,000 grant) - deadline 26 February 2014The Idlewild Trust is a grant making trust that supports registered charities concerned with the encouragement of the performing and fine arts and crafts, the advancement of education within the arts and the preservation for the benefit of the public of lands, buildings and other objects of beauty or historic interest in the United Kingdom.  Grants are typically £2,000 to £5,000. http://www.idlewildtrust.org.uk/

Healthy Hearts Grants - deadline 28 February 2014Heart Research UK has announced that its Healthy Hearts Grants Programme will re-open in January 2014. Heart Research UK’s Healthy Heart Grants support innovative projects designed to promote heart health and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities.  Grants of up to £10,000 are available to community groups, voluntary organisations and researchers who are spreading the healthy heart message. http://www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants/healthyheartgrant

The Clothworkers’ Foundation Grants £10,000 - £75,000+ - no deadline The Clothworkers' Foundation awards capital grants to UK charities with an annual income of less than £15m. The Foundation has a small and main grant funding programme for projects concerning; alcohol and substance misuse, disabled people, disadvantaged minority communities, disadvantaged young people, domestic and sexual violence, elderly people, homelessness, prisoners and ex-offenders and visual impairment. The size of grant offered is usually based on the individual features of the project and decided by the Trustees themselves. The maximum grant award in the Small Grants Programme is £10,000, whereas the Main Grants programme has no maximum. As a guide, The Foundation rarely fully funds projects, particularly in the Main Grants Programme, and tends to give

grants or 50% of the total cost/balance with the percentage decreasing as the project size grows. It is rare for a grant to be greater than £75,000.http://foundation.clothworkers.co.uk/Open-grant-programmes/Main-and-Small-Grant-Programmes.aspx

"Lush Charity Pot" funding for smaller grassroots organisations - no deadline Lush, the handmade soap and cosmetics company, supports small, grassroots organisations around the world working in the environment, animal protection and human rights. All applications within these fields are considered irrespective of their geographical location or how the organisation is registered. Almost all of the groups which Lush funds, have annual incomes of less than £250,000 and many are run entirely or predominantly by volunteers. Organisations with many supporters and corporate sponsors or those able to secure mainstream funding such as government grants, are unlikely to be supported. Lush gives priority to less popular issues which are more difficult to raise funds for, such as organisations that push the boundaries and challenge mainstream opinion and grant support ranges from a few hundred pounds to a maximum of £10,000 per project. With grants on average of around £4,000. Requests for funding are by application form which can be requested by email.https://www.lush.co.uk/content/view/393A little soap can go a long way – Raffle PrizesLush also are generous with their support of local charity fundraising through their product donations for raffle prizes etc.  https://www.lush.co.uk/content/view/392  

Landmarks' 50 for Free - deadline 4 January 2014The Landmark Trust is are offering 50 short breaks in selected Landmarks absolutely free to eligible charities, educational and not-for-profit organisations between 10th & 17th March 2014. The Landmark Trust has rescued 194 extraordinary historic buildings, which are now let for self-catering holidays to pay for future maintenance. The 50 free stays will be offered on exactly the same basis as to Landmark’s paying visitors with the cost to Landmark being specifically met by a generous private donor. Landmark suggest that the free stays might be used by; carers in need of respite breaks (personal or professional), hero volunteers or

employees, struggling families, young carer groups, management team away time/workshops, study trips or retreats. The deadline for applications is 4th January 2014, with successful applicants announced by 31st January 2014. http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/50forfree

British Film Institute - Programming Development Fund Opens for Applications - deadline 3 March 2014The fund which is worth up to £1.4m per year to 2017 is designed to empower programmers and exhibitors to bring specialised and independent British films to audiences across the UK in fresh and original ways.  There are three funding strand: Strand 1 is designed to support the development costs of a project which requires feasibility, testing or piloting in advance of a full project proposal. Awards will be within the range of £5,000-£20,000. Strand 2 is designed to support projects which have been fully developed and are ready for implementation. Awards will be within the range £15,000-£150,000.  Strand 3 is designed to support very large-scale projects only.  Awards in this Strand will be in the range £150,000 - £500,000.  The next funding round will be for strand 1 and 2 only and the closing date will be the 3rd March 2014.http://www.bfi.org.uk/about-bfi/partnerships/programming-development-fund

Government Announces Primary School Sport Facilities Fund - opens Spring 2014 The Government has announced that from 2014 onwards primary schools across England will be able to benefit from £18 million of National Lottery funding to improve sports facilities in schools.  The new funding pot will help primary schools which have little or no outside space which can currently be used for P.E. and sport to get more young people active.    Schools are expected to receive on average £30,000 to spend on a range of specially created packages which can be tailored to meet their needs. The Fund will help provide outdoor multi-sport areas which can be used both within the curriculum and out of school hours. As well as helping provide sports facilities, staff and volunteers at the school will receive information on how best to use the new facilities and equipment to help children get active.  The Primary School Sport Facilities Fund will be run by Sport England and will open to expressions of interest in Spring 2014.  If you are interested in receiving further details when they become available in February, please send an

email including your school’s postal and email addresses toprimaryschoolfacilities@sportengland.orghttp://funding.sportengland.org/our-work/children-and-young-people/primary-school-sport-facilities-fund/

Conduct your own funding searches at Funding Centralhttp://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/default.aspx

Vacancies and Employment

Nothing this week.

Volunteering

Headway Preston & Chorley - TrusteesHeadway Preston & Chorley is seeking two Trustees to join its Management Committee. We are looking for two professional Trustees who have time to spare and experience and a background in Health or Social Care or management experience and good knowledge of local private and public sector networks within the Preston / Chorley. Full details are attached. If you are interested in either position, please send a recent CV and covering letter outlining your experience to Louise Sheffield (Chair of Trustees) by 31st January 2014 to Headway Preston & Chorley, Newlands House, 60 Chain House Lane, Whitestake, PR4 4LG.http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2013/12/19/SocialCareTrustee.docxhttp://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2013/12/19/ManagementTrustee.docx

 Fundraising News

Libor fines allocated to military charitiesThe latest tranche of money gathered from UK banks in Libor fines has been allocated to 24 military charities. The £12m instalment will be used to fund projects including housing and mental health support schemes for military veterans. It means a total of £35m has now been distributed to 96 charities from fines imposed on the banking industry for rigging the benchmark interest rate. During the Autumn Statement a further £100m was made available.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25386779

 Training

Selnet: Consortia Development: Building Up Networks for Your Social Enterprise - 22 January 2014Wednesday 22nd January 2014 9.30am—12.30pmGreen Elephant, Halton Mill, Mill, Lane, Lancaster, LA2 6NDTo book please click here - http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/consortia-development-building-up-networks-for-your-social-enterprise-tickets-8831241481Morehttp://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2013/12/19/consortia_development-Dec18-1.pdf

Selnet: Marketing your Social Enterprise - 28 January 2014Tuesday 28th January 2014 9.30am—12.30pmThe Enterprise Centre, Lytham Road, Blackpool, FY4 1EWTo book please click here - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/marketing-your-social-enterprise-tickets-9724418999More:http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2013/12/19/Marketing_your_Social_Enterprise.pdf

 

Events

Preston: Winter wonderland walk - 27 December 2013 Location: Haslam ParkTime: 1:00pm to 3:00pmCome and join the Friends group and rangers for an opportunity to walk off a few of those extra Xmas treats.  Meet at the rangers pavilion.

Headway Preston and Chorley Drop In - 7 January 2014The next Headway Drop In is on Tuesday 7th January 2014 1pm - 4pm at the Salvation Army Centre, Harrington Street, Preston PR1 7BN.

Headway Preston and Chorley Activity Day - 29 January 2014The next Headway Activity Day is on Tuesday 28th January 2014 1pm - 3.30pm at the Salvation Army Centre, Harrington Street, Preston PR1 7BN.

 Public Notices

It’s not just cheap . . . it’s totally freePreston’s latest charity shop can safely claim to be the cheapest in town. The Healthy Planet store, which opens on Wednesday, will undercut every retailer in the city by simply giving its stock away! The eco-friendly bookshop, which will take over the former TJ Hughes premises in the Fishergate Centre, is totally free. The national charity re-cyles millions of unwanted books that would otherwise end their days in landfill or as pulped fiction. And it is all part of their mission to help protect the environment. The new store will stock everything from cookbooks to children’s literature, sci-fi to suspense and romance to religion. The two-floored former TJ Hughes site will also house PULSE, a Lancashire-wide support group who care for young people aged 11 to 25 dealing with emotional and well-being issues. Healthy Planet is a student-run group affiliated to Medsin-UK, a registered charity tackling global and local health inequalities through community action. The charity has 30 branches in universities around the country.

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/business/it-s-not-just-cheap-it-s-totally-free-1-6318317

Needy slipping through the net in PrestonA salvation Army officer has called for a “one-stop shop” for Preston’s needy after admitting emergency systems in the city are confusing. Capt Alex Cadogan, who is heading the Christmas food bank appeal, believes some families and individuals are slipping through the net because they don’t know where to go for help.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/needy-slipping-through-the-net-in-preston-1-6318240

Bus station deal not to be reviewedA request to reconsider a decision to hand ownership of Preston Bus Station to Lancashire County Council has been rejected. County councillors voted not to ask the cabinet to review the deal at yesterday’s scrutiny committee meeting.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/bus-station-deal-not-to-be-reviewed-1-6323143

Preston: Recycle your real Christmas tree! - 5 January 2014You can recycle your real Christmas tree at Ashton Park on Sunday 5th January 2014 between 12noon and 3pm. You can also chop down your real Christmas tree to fit it in your brown bin. Or if you do not have a brown bin call the Council on 01772 906905to arrange a collection.

Hutton: War memorial targeted in late night vandal attackVandals have attacked Lancashire’s newest war memorial just over a month after it was unveiled. Poppy wreaths and crosses planted by local schoolchildren to honour the 14 Hutton villagers killed in conflict were picked up and thrown into a nearby pond. Heavy tubs containing the crosses were carried 50 yards and tossed into the water. And three-tier street planters outside shops close by were toppled in the late night strike.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/war-memorial-targeted-in-late-night-vandal-attack-1-6320710

Bus services face £3.8m Sunday and evening cutsFollowing on from last week's article - Bus service cuts 'at critical levels'Cuts to bus services are reaching "critical levels", a report from the Campaign for

Better Transport has said. Almost half of local authorities reduced their support for buses in 2013 and some may remove all support next year, the study says. It adds that next year will be "very difficult" as many local authorities have deferred cuts to next year to allow for public consultations. The campaign gathered data from local councils in England and Wales. It found a net reduction of £10m in spending on subsidies for bus services in England in the 2013-14 financial year. "Cuts to bus services are now reaching critical levels," said Martin Abrams, from the Campaign for Better Transport.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25327952we have this:Evening and Sunday bus services across Lancashire could lose their subsidies in a huge cost-cutting exercise. The county council, which spends £8m a year supporting unprofitable routes, plans to concentrate funding on daytime services in an attempt to save £3.8m over two years. The public are being asked for their views on the proposal to withdraw subsidies from out-of-hours services as part of the authority’s 2014 budget consultation process. County Hall chiefs say the plan is just one idea to meet savings of £300m being demanded by central government over the next four years. But, on the flip side, the council says it plans to invest a further £500,000 in Dial-a-ride services to ensure community transport providers have the capacity to cater for those most in need.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/traffic-travel/bus-services-face-3-8m-sunday-and-evening-cuts-1-6311044

Merry Chirstmas to all from all at Age Concern Central Lancashire!http://view.pagetiger.com/ageconcerncentrallancashirexmascard/1

Council leader hits out at ‘brutal’ cuts as city faces £3m savingsPreston Council chiefs have today slammed the settlement they have received from central Government after it was confirmed they must save more than £3m over the next three financial years. Council bosses say they will face cuts of almost 14 per cent in direct government grants in the next year. However, government figures say the total amount the council has to spend, which includes cash raised from council tax, special grants for building new homes and other revenue streams, will only see the council’s total spending power cut by around

4.7 per cent next year.http://www.lep.co.uk/news/business/council-leader-hits-out-at-brutal-cuts-as-city-faces-3m-savings-1-6325357

Lancashire County Council advice on fraudstersLancashire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is warning consumers to be careful online this Christmas. Janice Hanson, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for public protection and waste said: “Like many people, I am doing more and more business online these days. Remember, if you do get ripped off by a dodgy website, you can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 for advice and you can refer any scams to the Action Fraud website at:http://www.actionfraud.police.uk

Iain Duncan Smith leaves Commons food banks debate earlyTory ministers have been condemned for not taking the plight Britain's poor seriously after a rowdy Commons debate on food banks during which the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith refused to answer questions and left early. As Fiona MacTaggart, the Labour MP for Slough, described how people battled over end of day bargains in her local Tesco, she was almost drowned out by laughter and jeering from the government benches. The Trussell Trust, the nation's largest provider of food banks, with almost 400 branches said it was “disappointed” by the attitude of those who jeered.  Labour had called the debate after nearly 150,000 people signed a petition backed by The Mirror, the Unite union and The Trussell Trust calling for an inquiry into the growing dependence on food aid. Barry Gardiner, Labour MP for Brent said it was “extraordinary” to see Mr Duncan Smith smirking as it was pointed out that half a million people are now using food banks - and the minister refused to answer any questions directly, instead leaving them to be fielded by his deputy, Esther McVey. Ms McVey said it was a good thing that more people were turning to food banks and that Germany and Canada had also seen a rise in their use. The Tory MP for Wirral West said: “It is positive that people are reaching out to support other people - from church groups to community groups, to local supermarkets and other groups.” She went on to try to pin the blame on spiralling food bank use on the Labour party.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/iain-duncan-smith-leaves-

commons-debate-on-food-banks-early-9013917.htmlYes – this is the Iain Duncan Smith who claimed he could live on £53 a week if he had tohttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9964767/Iain-Duncan-Smith-I-could-live-on-53-per-week.htmlbut claimed £39 expenses for a breakfasthttp://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/iain-duncan-smith-claimed-breakfast-1810086

Charity Commission is criticised by spending watchdog The National Audit Office has released a highly critical report of the Charity Commission saying that the commission was failing to investigate abuses properly, wasting taxpayers' money.  The NAO investigation followed a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report into The Cup Trust, a charity used by wealthy donors to avoid tax. Margaret Hodge, chair of the PAC has described the Charity Commission as not "fit for purpose" after the highly critical report warned that its failure to investigate fraud and abuse was undermining public faith in good causes. This recent NAO report follows hot on the heels of its report last month on Gift Aid and tax relief on donations in which it is also critical. Summary Report:http://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/10297-001-Charity-Commission-Book-ES.pdfFull report:http://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/10297-001-Charity-Commission-Book.pdfCharity Commission Response:http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk//news/charity-commission-responds-to-nao-report/

 Appeals

Community Restart, Lancashire FA and Playfootball.net - 5 a side teams - closing date 6 February 2014

We are looking for 5-a-side teams from services, service users and organisation to enter in to the Mental Health Football League in Preston. Which will take place at playfootball.net facilities at Tulketh Community Sports College, Tag Lane, Ingol, Preston, PR2 3TX. The Tournament is aiming to kick off on Thursday 27th February 11am-2pm. The teams will then meet on the 4th Thursday of each month. After 5 months the league will be collated and decided with winners, promotions and relegations. The 6 month will be a knockout style tournament. The following month the league will start again. To sustain the league for the future we have to start off with a cost and this is going to be £3 per player per month. At this moment in time we are just trying to get the interest from other teams. If you are interested in joining the league or know of a team who you feel may want to enter please email David Murphy from Community Restart  david.murphy@lancashirecare.nhs.ukfor a registration form and any information. Teams need to be registered by Thursday 6th February.

 Consultations

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trusts’  Customer Care Team - closing date 31 December 2013 Hello I’m Sarah and I work For Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trusts’ Customer Care Team. As part of Lancashire Cares ongoing commitment to improving the accessibility and quality of the complaints process, the Customer Care Team are re-launching their ‘Complaints Process Survey’. The ‘Complaints Process Survey’ has been updated and the updated version is designed to identify any areas the Customer Care Team needs to work on to make sure that service users, carers and representatives can complain or raise concerns with ease and with confidence, as well as highlighting what we are doing well. With this in mind, I would really appreciate your support by asking if you would help by reading the attached draft questionnaire and providing your comments on the attached Questionnaire Evaluation Form. Please return the completed Questionnaire Evaluation Form  by 31st December 2013 via email to: customer.care@lancashirecare.nhs.uk 

Or you can print off and return this Questionnaire free of charge to:Response Service No NWW6653, Customer Care Department, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, PO Box 592, Sceptre Way, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6ZXIf you have any questions regarding the questionnaire, then please contact the team by telephone on 01772 695315 or 0808 144 1010 or email: customer.care@lancashirecare.nhs.ukThe Customer Care Team is looking forward to your replies and thanks you for your time.RegardsDawn Kenyon, Service user & Carer Involvement Officer, Quality & Governance Directorate, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation TrustT:   01772 695366M:  07507857361E:  dawn.kenyon@lancashirecare.nhs.ukW: http://www.lancashirecare.nhs.ukP: Sceptre Point ,Sceptre Way ,Walton Summit,Bamber Bridge ,Preston ,Lancashire, PR5 6AWDocuments:http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2013/12/19/Questionaire_Panel_Feedback.dochttp://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2013/12/19/Complaints_Process_Feedback-Questionnaire.pdf

Lancashire County Council - Changing Places - closing date 31 January 2014It is estimated that approximately 230,000 people in the UK need the Changing Places toilets that would help them to enjoy the day to day activities many of us take for granted. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their carers, as well as many other disabled people and people suffering with dementia. Changing Places toilets provide enough space and the right equipment, including a height adjustable changing bench and a hoist to allow people with these difficulties, their families and friends to travel around the county and visit places of interest and towns just like any other citizen.  Lancashire County Council has set aside a budget  to support the identification and

installation of Changing Places within the county council area.  http://btckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site7587/Uploads/2013/12/19/ChangingPlaces.doc

 Health

Vitamin SupplementsVitamin supplements almost never have health benefits, are a waste of money and could even be harmful, a group of scientists said in a damning indictment of the industry. Despite one in three Britons taking vitamins or mineral pills, evidence from studies of almost 500,000 people suggested that "supplementing the diet of well-nourished adults … has no clear benefit and might even be harmful."http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/17/vitamin-supplements-waste-money-scientists

 Call for items Do you have any items of interest for the sector? Please feel free to email details to info@cvscentrallancashire.org.ukto have them circulated through YOUR CVS network. Comments?, Suggestions? Please email them to the same address. To subscribe please visit our web site http://www.cvscentrallancashire.org.uk/ and follow the newsletters link.  Previous issues can be found on the same page in both portable document format (pdf) and microsoft word formats. This email is circulated by:Council for Voluntary Service Central Lancashire, Units  23/27 Guild Hall Arcade, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1HRTelephone: 01772 251108 Fax: 01772

561264email: info@cvscentrallancashire.org.ukWebsite: http://www.cvscentrallancashire.org.uk/(Registered Charity No: 222247)

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