I've mentioned previously that there's a danger that this blog becomes a series of rants about things I'm angry about. Well not today, at least!
Our State of the Voluntary Sector report shows there are over 3000 voluntary and community groups in Manchester. I don't know them all but I do know a lot of them and one of the great pleasures of my job is that I get to see some of the amazing things happening in groups across Manchester and meet some fantastic people.
The closing date to be part of the preferred providers list for services to Troubled Families has been extended for 2 weeks to 5pm on Fri 2nd August. Applications can be made through The Chest and the name of the opportunity is "Framework Agreement for the Provision of Troubled Families Interventions". Read more here.
Manchester City Council (MCC) is very keen for organisations to apply for a new opportunity advertised on The Chest to be part of a preferred providers list for services for Troubled Families. The closing date is 19th July. They are hoping that a large number of organisations, small and large, offering a very wide range of services are successful in meeting the basic quality requirements.
1. In 2012/13 there were 3,093 community and voluntary organisations, co-operatives and social enterprises in Manchester
2. In 2012/13 the total income of the sector was £477 million
3. Medium and large organisations receive 95% of the total sector income
4. 1,987 organisations are micro (with an annual income under £10 thousand)
5. There are 94,300 volunteers in the sector
6. Volunteers give 370,000 hours each week
7. The contribution of volunteers in the sector is valued at £332 million each year
The Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF) are pleased to announce a new group for bisexual and lesbian women who are older (50 plus). Being older can be an isolating experience, and LGF believe that there is little out there for older LB women to meet, chat, explore and create, this is why they are launching this new and exciting group.
The group will be a social support group, which means there will be discussions that are relevant to the group, as well as fun stuff such as games, quizzes, crafts and also workshops.
The Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF) have a long standing group for older gay and bisexual men. It is a social support group, which means that there will be relevant discussions, and also games and quizzes. Past sessions have included; LGBT History Quiz, George House Trust speaker, discussions about first impressions, and even an Easter party.
This morning I was in the happy position of being able to present our new research into the state of the voluntary sector in Manchester. It has been a long-held ambition of mine to be able to show the full extent of the enormous contribution which voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises and the community work of faith groups make to the city.
Schools Out Conference
2nd Feb
Manchester
For more info and to book: www.schoolsoutconference.eventbrite.co.uk/
Understanding gender and sexuality is essential for new teachers, long standing teachers, heterosexual teachers and lesbian, gay bisexual or trans teachers. It is also vital to understand in order to meet new legal and Ofsted requirements.
One of the dangers for me in writing a blog is that I'll end up writing only about things I'm angry about (there seems to be quite a lot at the moment) and it will become a terribly depressing read. However, I'm not going to apologise for the bleak picture I'm about to paint because it's what's really happening to people in our communities.
A report produced by Manchester CAB and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies on the impact in Manchester of the changes being made to welfare benefits, access to advice services and legal aid.
A summary version and the full report are both available to download below.