The government has commissioned six centres (the What Works Network, https://www.gov.uk/what-works-network) to summarise and share research with local decision-makers including commissioners, head teachers, police and crime commissioners.
During the recent bout of hot weather, I somehow managed to come down with a cold. I not only felt ill, I also felt ridiculous: I mean who gets a cold in the middle of a heatwave? As I write this, figures have just been released showing that the country’s economy is slowly starting to grow again after the recession. It’s a similar feeling: I’m being told it’s lovely out there but it feels dreadful. No matter what the economic analysis says, when I look around I see incomes reducing, prices rising, services closing and life generally becoming more difficult.
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP) has a new 3-year project funded by Manchester City Councils Equalities Funding Programme. The project is open to any disabled person aged 15 and over, who lives in Manchester.
It will provide a range of information and support on independent living and other disability related issues, as well as providing one to one support, small group workshops, training and a comprehensive information resource.
Developing the Skills of Disabled People and their organisations to provide Whole Life Planning and Peer Support to Disabled People
From the end of August through till the end of November the Manchester Area Partnership will be providing free knowledge sharing opportunities, briefings, training events and 1:1 business coaching.
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.
The Health Scrutiny Committee meeting is happening on Thursday at 2pm, Committee room 11 in the Town Hall.
It is a public meeting and anyone can attend.
If you want to ask a question you need to ask the Chair, in advance, to do this, please contact Kate Hines on 0161 234 3071 and she will check with the chair whether they will accept your question. You may be able to ask the chair on the day of the meeting but it is less likely they will say yes. They have a very full agenda on Thursday.
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
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.