Sector News

Greater Manchester East & West District (GMEW) Jobcentre Plus is looking to invite applications for Grant Funding from partners aimed at improving the job prospects for people facing the most complex and intractable barriers to employment.

Jobcentre Plus is offering the opportunity to supplement existing, or develop new, partnership activities that will help them achieve this vision.

Grant Funding will be available up to the value of £49,000 per project.

Over 100 voluntary and community sector groups (VCS) from across Manchester gathered on 1 December 2014 at Manchester Town Hall to find out more about what is going to be a devastating round of funding cuts. A diverse group of VCS organisations attended including local neighbourhood care groups, housing associations, cultural groups, youth groups and advice and advocacy organisations.

The Seed Fund’s current funding priority is to encourage and support grass-root community activity. This means small, community-based and locally controlled, newly and emerging groups that have been in existence for less than one year. These groups need to be able to manage themselves, encourage active participation from volunteers, have minimal cash reserves and limited access to funding support. The fund can also support individuals who have an idea to help others in the community.

Are you an unpaid carer living in Manchester?

NHS North, Central and South Manchester Clinical Commissioning Groups value the contribution carers make in helping some of the most vulnerable people in our communities live with dignity, independence and a quality of life.

Carers are recognised as expert care partners and the Clinical Commissioning Groups are seeking your views about how to provide carers with the best possible support.

This is your opportunity to give them your feedback in a short survey.

Called for by Tony Lloyd, and chaired by Ann Coffey MP, the Coffey Inquiry is looking into the issue of child sexual exploitation.

The inquiry will speak to agencies, experts, victims and their families, as well as drawing together the range of reports published on specific cases and the broader issue of child sexual exploitation. Where possible, evidence will be heard in public. The inquiry will then report back with recommendations on how agencies can work better together to respond effectively to the issue.

National charity Veterans Council is unveiling AFCOM Directory, a revolutionary new website that has the potential to provide life-changing choices for members of the Armed Forces Community. To view the Directory, visit: www.afcom.directory  

As a result of Covenant funding and effective stakeholder engagement Veterans Council has worked with a team of specialists to completely revamp The Armed Forces Community Directory (AFComD).

My Voice My Vote, is a ground breaking project for passionate young people who have completed the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme, however you won’t be turned away if you haven’t completed the NCS programme.

As an NCS progression pathway, the My Voice My Vote aim is to get young people more democratically engaged through social action. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people to build on what they learnt through NCS and act on issues they are passionate about as young people are becoming more and more disconnected to those who are in power.

Making good - The future of the Voluntary Sector is a collection of essays by voluntary sector leaders.

In these essays, 29 voluntary sector leaders and commentators give their views on where and how voluntary organisations could add most value to society over the next decade.

Most are from the UK but there are also some illuminating contributions from or about other countries.

Your local market has Christmas wrapped up.

With independent traders and great value, your local market is the place to visit this Christmas. There’s a massive range on offer, from fashion and beauty to food and electronics, you’re sure to find exactly what you need.

To find out more, including the opening times for the market closest to you, visit: www.manchestermarkets.com  
 

The Fair Tax Mark has launched a competition to find 25 small businesses in five categories to win the chance to receive a free Fair Tax Mark accreditation.

The categories are as follows:
• Book shops
• Coffee shops
• Record Shops
• Co Ops
• Other small businesses