CVAT News - Summer 2014

There’s been a lot of change going on at CVAT since our last newsletter not least for myself as I have had the privilege of taking on the role of chief executive. I want to start by thanking my predecessor Tony Okotie, not only for all of his hard work at CVAT, but also for the local voluntary, community and faith sector and Tameside in general. Liverpool CVS and the city are very lucky to have him.

For me, one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is, ‘Can we make a difference?’ I believe the answer should be a resounding ‘YES!’. Tony worked with many people to show that we can and the profusion of inspiring stories and activities in this newsletter clearly demonstrate that.

My 20 years of work in the voluntary, community and faith sector have been driven by, and reinforced, the deep conviction that we can make a difference. What has been inspiring about working for the last 5 years in Tameside has been seeing countless people and groups making this a reality. This is what I want to keep supporting, both personally, and as part of the CVAT team, in my new role here.

Our in-depth sector research last year showed that Tameside has over 1000 voluntary, community and faith groups, over 1200 voluntary sector staff and over 23,000 volunteers working together to change things for the better.

Thank you for what you are doing. Let’s keep celebrating the small and the big impacts we make so that we can stay motivated and focussed and please let us know how CVAT can keep supporting you to do this. We want to hear your ideas so we can work together on local priorities.

We are aware of all of the changes to the sector beyond CVAT, and so this edition focuses on the changing times in which we find ourselves working.

The strengths of CVAT, Tameside’s voluntary, community and faith sector, and our partners give me great hope for the next phase of our work together. I look forward to working with you all and as my often mentioned favourite quote says, ‘If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you’ve never been in bed with a mosquito!’

Ben Gilchrist, Chief Executive

Can we make a difference?

Issue Highlights...Tameside 4 Good Update .............page 3Community News .........................page 4Policy News ..................................page 7Funding Brief ..............................page 13Volunteering ................................page 14Healthwatch News ......................page 16Training & Events ........................page 18

NEWS Edition 8 Summer 2014

Community & Voluntary Action Tameside

We’ve recently bid a sad farewell to two members of our team – Mohamed Seedat, Policy and Participation Officer and Duncan Craig, Communications and Marketing Coordinator.

Mohamed Seedat has been with T3SC since 2006, during which time he has set up Faiths United – the network that brings together people from the major faith groupings. He is a trained Imam and a community leader, serving Muslim communities in Zimbabwe and UK in various capacities for over 22 years. Since coming to Tameside he has qualified as a Chaplain and holds a certificate in Health and Social Studies for Bilingual Workers, a Foundation Diploma in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and has validated his skills in adult learning.

He is widely respected in Ashton as an innovative community leader. Between 2004 and 2008, he was the chair of a local charity and a member of the boards of Ashton Regeneration and St Peter’s

Partnership. He set up his own Madrassah, and supported young Muslim women to set up their own women’s group called Vision. Partners across Tameside value him for his strategic thinking, as well as his knowledge in Equality and Diversity and Islamic Awareness training. Mohamed has moved on to become Lead Chaplain at Tameside Hospital.

Duncan Craig started early in the life of CVAT in October 2012 as our Communications and Marketing Coordinator. He’s been instrumental in guiding the marketing and development of the new CVAT brand. Duncan leaves us to dedicate more time to his work in his own charity, Survivors Manchester – www.survivorsmanchester.co.uk

Duncan will continue some of his work at CVAT on a freelance basis over the next few months. For any Marketing and Communications queries until Duncan’s replacement is recruited, please contact Michael on 0161 339 4985, ext 2005 email: [email protected]

From 2011–2013 Sue Pomfret was the Community Organiser based in Denton North East and through her work she spoke to over 800 local residents to find out what they liked about Denton, what their concerns were and what they thought could be improved.

This consultation found that the main concern of local residents was the lack of affordable activities

for children, young people and families within the community. From this, CVAT would like to hear from local residents to gather their thoughts and to develop a plan in Denton North East for the provision of children and young people’s activities in the area.

This project is called ‘Our Place’ and we have already begun engaging with local services such as the police, college, local Councillors and community groups. There is more information on this website: www.locality.org.uk/projects/place

If this is something you or anyone you know is interested in contributing to, please contact Amanda Benson on 0161 339 4985 (ext 2008) or by email: [email protected]

Calling all people living & working in Denton North East!

Goodbye to Duncan and Mohamed

2 — CVAT NEWS

Strengthen Local Good CausesSince the launch of Tameside 4 Good in October 2012, we’ve increased the local giving of time, skills, money and resources to strengthen local good causes. Here are some of our key highlights and successes:

Giving Time Tameside 4 Good has organised over 10 team challenges with six businesses where individuals have donated a minimum of six hours to undertake a day’s activity which assists local good causes. Team challenges have ranged from a charity shop makeover to an outdoor restoration project.

Susan Riley, from Tameside Citizens Advice Bureau, commented: “The Tameside 4 Good team challenge helped us to transform our Helping Hands outlet, with a huge clean, sorting and categorising of goods for sale and generated great ideas for future work. We were overwhelmed by the results and the offer of further help. What the team achieved in a day would have taken our volunteer over two weeks.”

Giving Skills Employees from local businesses have donated their skills to local good causes. These have included health and safety advice, car maintenance of a community transport vehicle and an IT company installed a printer for a local group.

Giving Money Tameside 4 Good raised over £19,000 in cash donations through a variety of community

fundraising initiatives. The most successful were the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride and the Gallery 23 Open Night.

We have helped six community groups raise £2,489.91 through joint fundraising initiatives. This joint fundraising work has helped introduce community groups to community fundraising, something they would not have been able to do without us. Tameside 4 Good has opened up new ideas and opportunities for local good causes to raise money through seeking donations as an alternative to grants.

Giving Resources Did you know that we have helped local community groups give worthy new homes for donated items? Items have been varied from IT equipment, office furniture to fencing! This also helps promote the value of recycling and has helped local businesses save the cost of disposing of unwanted goods.

Grants £87,731 has been awarded from the Tameside 4 Good Grant scheme that has supported 48 local community groups and individuals. The funding aims to support people most in need and socially excluded communities. Projects include an outreach Citizens Advice Bureau services; health and wellbeing activities to reduce isolation of older people, a new film produced by young people to reduce alcohol related harm, support to new eastern European communities in Tameside as well as supporting new community-run buildings to provide a range of activities to local residents.

We’re keen to help local good causes fund-raise through community activities or building relationships with local businesses to secure resources. Here’s a project we’ve funded:

Geared for Rock Night

Local voluntary group, Stalybridge Motor Cycle club has been awarded a Tameside 4 Good grant to support its annual Charity Rock Night. The event, which will

take place in February 2015, is set to attract over 300 people and will raise funds for local good causes including Hyde-based volunteer-run Manchester Blood Bikes which plays an important role in supplying Tameside Hospital with essential resources.

Stalybridge Motor Cycle provides a wide range of activities for local people from safety on bikes to developing engineering skills.

For more information contact Daz on 01457 839201 email: [email protected] or visit www.stalybridgemotorcycleclub.co.uk

Put the Fun in Fund-Raising

3

Friends of King George the Fifth Playing Fields (FoKGVPF) sunflower competition has started with 7 children and 7 adults opening up the competition in King George’s in Ashton.

The group have entered the North West In Bloom competition for the best park and as it is the Royal Horticultural Societies 50th anniversary year they are having an extra Going for Gold competition.

The group thought that the Sunflower competition would be a great way to get other people involved with the park. Different varieties of Sunflowers were planted to start off the competition, the Single Giant (that’s the biggest one that most people are familiar with), the Taiyo (that’s the chocolate centred one the florists use), the Moonwalker (a pale yellow plant), and the Vanilla ice (a very pale yellow sunflower).

There are 52 known species of sunflower and the tallest one recorded in the Guinness Book of Records that we have to beat was grown in 2012 by Hans-Peter Schiffer of Germany which reached 8.23m (27ft) tall.

The sunflowers have all been grown from seed at Georgie Porgie’s cafe but the wall is only 3m high! Anything taller will have to use the Green Flag flag pole which is 9m high. After the children had planted their sunflower seed they went to Georgie Porgie’s for their free drink and biscuits, where they learnt how to look after their sunflower until the competition ends in August.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Joyce Bowerman who planted her sunflower seed said:“it was nice to see young people getting involved in the park”.

If you would like to be involved in the tallest sunflower competition contact Pat Kent for an application and sunflower seed on 0161 339 4400. To get involved with the park contact Alan Fish on 07931 765120, email [email protected] or visit www.fokgvpf.co.uk

Measuring the change we make

Going for Gold

As part of the Valuing our Communities project, CVAT has been exploring how we as a sector can improve how we measure the wider social, economic and environmental impact of services.

Thanks to all of you who completed our Valuing our Communities questionnaire – the results do show what great changes local community, voluntary and faith organisations make in Tameside.

• 98% of respondents help people to volunteer or give time in their community.

• 95% help improve people’s health and wellbeing.

• 88% of respondents help people connect with each other and new people and help people develop new skills and access new opportunities.

• 73% help different communities come together and get on better together.

• 61% helping look after or improve a public or community space (e.g. parks, buildings)

• 91% of organisations reported that it is important to their service users to measure and show the difference their organisation makes (100% importance for funders and trustees). This demonstrates our commitment to accountability to our beneficiaries and partners.

When it comes to measuring the changes we make, we use a lot of different tools and techniques. 93% of organisations who completed the questionnaire record the number of people using their services, 84% record details about their members and 70% identify the changes they make and 68% get feedback directly from their members which is great news! There are so many different tools out there, for more information please see www.inspiringimpact.org for a list of ideas.

For more information contact Naomi on 0161 339 4985 or email [email protected]

4 — COMMUNITY NEWS

Keep Fit in the CommunityThe Asian Male Keep Fit set up their group to provide Keep Fit to men in the local community.

The sessions are open to any males, regardless of age or race. Many of the attendees have had heart surgery, or other illnesses such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure or lung illnesses. They offer Keep Fit sessions to men who are affected by these conditions or are at risk of being affected.

The sessions are run by a trained Keep Fit tutor who has got additional qualifications with the British Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation. The group also offers the opportunity to check blood pressure and blood sugar levels in the sessions.

Mohamed had a heart bypass four years ago and attends the group regularly. He said ‘I am 68! If I can do it then anybody can do it. And it’s fun. We would encourage anybody to come along and join in’’. The group have recently received funding from Community First and Awards for All to help them provide the sessions.

The group meets every Thursday at 2.30 pm at Ashton Central Mosque on Hillgate St, Ashton under Lyne. Attendees pay £1.50 for an hour session and also get a cup of tea. People are welcome to just turn up.

If you would like any more information please contact Hanif on 07896 866902

CVAT is pleased to introduce a new Charitable Trust to Tameside – The Believe and Achieve Trust. The Believe and Achieve Trust aims to increase the physical and mental health of people in Tameside affected by Menningitis or disabilities through education and inclusion.

The Charity has been established by Alison Williams, mother of Alex Williams who died aged 18.

Alison says: “The trust is hugely important to me, and the reason I now get up every day. It’s totally about everything that my son Alex believed in. I felt that this is something that Alex would have wanted us to do, and would be so proud that all the years he worked so hard at raising awareness of meningitis and showing that even though you may be disabled you can still take an active part in any sport of your choice, and that everybody is equal in this life! I want us to be able to keep supporting all the young

people in Tameside whose lives have been affected by meningitis or those young people who need support to achieve in sport!

Alex loved his role as the very first young meningitis ambassador and also a sport ambassador for Tameside. Both these roles were hugely important to Alex’s everyday life. I want the Trust to be able to carry on where Alex was, supporting all young people in Tameside, showing them that if you believe then you can achieve.”

For more information about the work of the Trust and trustees see www.believeandachieve.org.uk

Believe and Achieve

5

As you can see from recent editions of CVAT’s newsletter and other local and national news, change is all around us. As long ago as 500 BC, Greek Philosopher Heraclitus is quoted to have said: “Nothing endures but change.” With NHS and Welfare Reforms, changes to the Police and Criminal Justice systems, payment by results and public sector cuts, many of us may feel like tearing our hair out. Fear not though, CVAT is here to help organisations navigate through these difficult times.

Here are some key questions to help us ‘keep it real’:

• Do we know who our users are?

• Do we still meet the needs of our members or users?

• Are we still clear about meeting our vision, aims and values as an organisation?

• Can we continue providing the same types of services?

If you answer ‘no’ or ‘not sure’ to any of these questions, it may be time to review your organisation and avoid the temptation to bury our heads in the sand and hope it all goes away. A good starting point is to think about ‘SOCS’:

Situation

What is the situation we face? Take stock of where our organisation is now and what’s going on around us.

Options

What are our options? Assess all of the different choices we have as an organisation. What new opportunities exist for us as an organisation?

Consequences

What are the consequences for each of those options – both positive and negative? Work through each of the options which have been identified.

Solutions

In light of the above, what’s the best solution? Work out the best solution or solutions to help make the necessary changes.

Here are some key steps to successful change in your organisation (based on Kottler, 1995):

1. Establish a sense of urgency: Get people in your organisation ready to move forwards and accept the fact that things need to change.

2. Build the guiding team: Get a team of people together with the right mix of influence, skills and abilities to guide the change forwards positively.

3. Get the vision right: Get the guiding team to come up with the right vision and achievable strategies to help guide the actions required to bring about the necessary change.

4. Communicate the change vision: Get as many people in the organisation as possible acting to make the changes a reality to increase commitment to the changes.

5. Empower action: Remove obstacles that prevent people taking action, enable people to give constructive feedback and provide lots of support through recognising progress and achievements.

6. Create short-term wins: Set bite-sized aims that are manageable and easy to achieve. This helps to build momentum and positive reactions to the change.

7. Don’t give up: Don’t let the momentum of change diminish until the vision has been become a reality, capitalise on people’s energy and drive by highlighting achievements and setting milestones.

8. Make change stick: Reinforce the value of successful change by embracing new ways of working and making change part of the organisation’s culture.

Cycle of ChangeProchaska & DiClemente

Pre-Contemplation

No intentionon changing behaviour

Contemplation

Aware a problem exists but with

no commitment to action

Preparation

Intent on taking action to address

the problem

Action

Active modificationof behaviour

Maintenance

Sustained change; new

behaviour replaces old

Relapse

Fall back intoold patternsof behaviour

Upward Spiral

Learn from each relapse

Dealing with change

6 — FOCUS ON...

Creating positive changes in communities

As part of the Armed Forces Community Covenant, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council are looking to identify Ex-Armed Forces Personnel living within the borough of Tameside or indeed the wider area. We are asking those that are currently serving or have served to register their name and address with the Council’s Cultural Services Department. This will enable us to keep them informed about events, any issue regarding the Armed Forces Community Covenant, available help and so on.

Download the registration form from our site: http://tinyurl.com/TMBC-Veterans

Calling All Veterans

CVAT is pleased to announce we’ve just started a new programme of work with TMBC Public Health Team to increase understanding and identify the the things that help people and groups improve their health and wellbeing.

The programme is linked to Asset Based Community Development and will value and build on the strengths, skills and capacities that already exist in communities.

Using this knowledge and by working with local people, the programme will explore flexible approaches to addressing the wider factors affecting people’s health through enabling and empowering communities to find their own solutions.

The learning from the programme will feed directly into the new commissioning models that make the most of the social value that already exists within communities to further enable increased voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) involvement in service provision.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the programme, or are involved as a local resident in helping other residents feel well, whether it’s making new friends, volunteering, improving their physical or mental health and are happy to share it, then please get in touch.

Contact Anna at [email protected] or tel 0161 339 4985

Policy News in BriefACEVO launches ‘social sector tracker’ – a databank of the charity sector’s health and its contribution to society, to inform its work in the run-up to the 2015 election – www.acevo.org.uk

Tameside’s ‘Poverty data pack’ now available – produced as part of the development of the Tameside’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, a suite of data is now available on the indicators that contribute to poverty – www.tamesidepip.org.uk/explorer/resources

Child Health Profile for Tameside now available - These Public Health England profiles draw together information to present a picture of child health and wellbeing in each local area – www.chimat.org.uk/resource/view.aspx?RID=101746&REGION=101629

Safe compassionate care for frail older people - guidance published - Practical guidance and evidence on the effects of an integrated pathway of care for frail older people – www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/pe/safe-care/

Help disabled people stand for election – funding will be extended to cover the 2015 General Elections to help disabled people with additional costs that they may face in standing for election as a councillor or MP – www.access-to-elected-office-fund.org.uk

Why isn’t my professor Black? Describes the challenges facing Black academics in an institutionally white university environment – www.justwestyorkshire.info/racial-justice-bulletin-2-april-2014/

How to think about religious freedom? British citizens have long taken it for granted that they enjoyed as much religious freedom as they wanted – take a look at the complexities and get an overview – www.theosthinktank.co.uk/publications/2014/03/10/how-to-think-about-religious-freedom

POLICY & NETWORK NEWS — 7

A new Children and Families Act 2014 became law in March, and will come into force in September. There will be a transition period of three years whilst agencies make the required changes. This act heralds a number of changes designed to help children and families:

• Mothers, fathers and adopters can opt to share parental leave around their child’s birth or placement – with mothers and fathers being able to take up to a year, or several months at the same time.

• The act will make it easier for families to access more flexible childcare, and give young carers greater support.

• It will make it illegal for people to smoke in cars when children are present.

• Children in care will be given the choice to stay with their foster families until they

turn 21 and there is a new legal duty on schools to support school children with medical conditions more effectively. Meanwhile, there are reforms to children’s residential care designed to make homes safer and improve the quality of care that vulnerable children receive.

• Where children have had a statement of special education needs (SEN) in the past, the council will now be required to draw up an education, health and care (EHC) plan instead. The council must publish a ‘local offer’ of services and offer a personal budget.

Local parent carer forums are also working with their local councils to influence the changes. If you have children with disabilities, and are not linked in with these forums in Tameside please contact Veronica Hyde on 0161 339 4985 for further information

The new Children and Families Act

Better Futures Tameside is about to launch a new programme, funded by TMBC, called Step up Step out.

The aim of the “Step up, Step out” programme is to develop low level prevention and early intervention services delivered via the consortium approach, involving a range of providers from the voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS).

A core group of providers has been awarded a contract to develop targeted support for families and youth in need of some support so that their problems don’t escalate to the point where they need help from Children’s Social Care.

Once a family or young person has had some targeted support, they will be assisted to ‘step out’ into community services, which will help sustain the intervention at a neighbourhood/universal level. There are nearly forty providers within Better Futures Tameside, so we hope that no family or young person will be left without a safety net if life gets tough again.

Through this programme, partners will also learn more about the range of services in the VCFS and will have a greater understanding of the quality provision that is available and the outcomes that can be achieved with great partnership work.

If you want to know more about this project, or to join the consortium, call 0161 339 4985 or email [email protected]

8 — POLICY & NETWORK NEWS

Stepping up with Better Futures Tameside

‘Green Fingers’ Gives BackA local man with green fingers, Terry Drabble, is a man who has helped a lot of people in and around Carrbrook, in Stalybridge, and he’s known for being a giver.

In spite of poor health in 2010, which led to Terry having a serious heart bypass operation, he stayed determined to carry on giving and doing his community work, because that’s what he loves doing.

Terry felt that groups of older people have been well supported over the years so it was time that children should be given more too. He set up a library in the summer of 2011 to help children to read, and a children’s park play area on some unused land.

Terry said: “It’s all about the children and people who are struggling - I just try to help people because that is what it’s all about. We have helped vulnerable people, single people who are really struggling. We’ve got a lot of volunteers who are willing to Give their time and we are so thankful to

GiveRESEARCH shows that giving makes us feel happy and is good for our health. Even the smallest act can count. Just bringing in your neighbour’s wheelie-bin or volunteering with a local community group can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks to Connect.

There is evidence to show that different forms of generosity reduce stress levels. This leads to better health and increased life expectancy. So, giving is good for us. Why not start with just one act of kindness towards another person. Start practicing now and see where it takes you!

• Give a smile • Give your seat up on the bus for someone who needs it more

• Go out of your way to say thanks • Join a community group

Did you know?Giving your timeCooperative behaviour activates reward areas of the brain, suggesting we are hard wired to enjoy helping one another.

If you’re interested in giving your time to a good cause, the staff at Community Voluntary Action Tameside’s Volunteer Centre can help you find the right opportunity. You can contact them on 0161 339 2345 or visit www.cvat.org.uk/volunteering

them.”

Terry founded the ‘You-Can’ Youth Community Group in 2006. In addition, he has set up vegetable plots as well as a memorial garden and a team of volunteers has helped to deliver food parcels and vegetables to 76 vulnerable people.

Terry’s next project is to develop another unused area for a fruit tree orchard. Terry receives satisfaction and fulfilment from helping the children and seeing them grow up, move on, and doing well in their careers.

Why not give The 5 Ways a try and test them out for yourself? You can get your own wellbeing score now at www.tameside.gov.uk/5waystowellbeing. Take the test and get your score, and then try The 5 Ways for six weeks. Then take the test again afterwards and see how your score changes!

If you feel you are not coping and are worried that things are getting on top of you, it’s important to talk to someone. Try a friend or colleague and see if that helps, go to see your GP if you need further support or contact Mind 0161 330 9223 www.togmind.org

GIVING BACK: Many children enjoy the

benefits of Terry’s hard work

I hope these examples have inspired you to take up The 5 Ways to Wellbeing. At the beginning of this report I gave my commitment to improving levels of mental wellbeing and health across Tameside and making healthier choices the easier ones. Let’s make a difference together. For all the latest information on The 5 Ways to Wellbeing, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/5waystowellbeing

www.tameside.gov.uk/5waystowellbeing

See what a differenceThe 5 Ways will make for you!

Go on... give it a try!

What a Difference The 5 Ways Makes


Tameside Public Health Report 2014

The New Economic Foundation developed The 5 Ways to Wellbeing based on their research, which found clear evidence about how to achieve positive mental wellbeing. If you’re interested in reading more about their work, the full report is on our website www.tameside.gov.uk/5waystowellbeing

How do we know The 5 Ways work?

Taking up The 5 Ways to Wellbeing on a daily basis can add years to your life.

Did you know?

Living Well

Angela Hardman - Director of Public Health

We all need life’s basics to survive but to really thrive and be all we can be, we need to function well and feel good - this is what we call our wellbeing. Our wellbeing is dependent on the choices we make and by everyone and everything around us. The challenge for everyone in Tameside is how we grow stronger, happier and more satisfied together, so that we’re better able to cope with the ups and downs of life.

This can be hard when life is tough, whether it’s because of worries about money, family life or our health. There are significant challenges facing our communities and with this comes differences in healthy life expectancy. This means that the number of years we live in good health is different depending on where in Tameside we live. Unemployment and national Government changes to welfare also have a further impact. Dealing with these issues is complicated and together they can feel like a heavy load to carry. This has a big impact on how we think and feel, what we do, and how well we are. Our wellbeing is important to how we cope with our day to day lives.

This report shares some simple ways that you can make a difference to the way you feel, think and what you do. The 5 Ways to Wellbeing are tried and tested actions to improve our mental and physical wellbeing. They help us to recharge ourselves and to enjoy life. It takes a bit of practice but they are fun and even making the smallest of changes can make a big difference.

It’s important to do all parts of The 5 Ways and you will find there are connections between them. People who have adopted The 5 Ways become more self-aware and are better able to achieve the things they want from life.

As your Director of Public Health, my role is to encourage people and communities to connect and support each other, because this is where the largest gain on wellbeing can be found.

Working with communities and decision makers, I am committed to improving levels of wellbeing and mental health across Tameside, making healthier choices the easier ones. What I ask of you is to look around your community, count all the things that are important to you and that you value, and think how you are part of them. After all, your community’s greatest strength is you.

On the next few pages you’ll find stories of how people’s lives have changed for the better by using The 5 Ways, which are to Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.

Angela HardmanDirector of Public Health

Good wellbeing is the cornerstone to good health

The Ibrahim family practice Living Well in their daily lives











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Singing is Winning! 50 years ago, Jean Holbrook from Mottram, auditioned in Manchester for Decca Records, but at the time her mother wasn’t keen for her to pursue a singing career.

Jean also quit smoking a year ago after being diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). She had severe breathlessness and even struggled to walk up the stairs.

But now, everything has changed. Jean’s talent was rediscovered thanks to the Tameside Voices Choir and a weekly gathering with her Pensioner Club friends at the Ivy Club, which is based in a pub in Hattersley.

She said, “Singing again brings me so much pleasure - it really opens up my lungs and makes me feel so much better - much happier too. I’ve really noticed a difference with my ability to breathe and I am now able to go on walks without getting out of breath.

“I’m also involved with the Ivy Club which meets in a local pub. It’s really good fun. About 50 pensioners meet up to play bingo and we all have a good catch-up.

REGulAR activity can boost your self-esteem and energy levels, and can help prevent ill health. Simply moving your body in any way has both physical and mental health benefits, and making it part of your daily routine will have lasting benefits for life.Try walking in the park, playing tag with the kids, dancing, swimming or spring cleaning the house! This all counts as you ‘Being Active’, so just choose something that you enjoy that suits your fitness level and give it a go.

Connect

Be Active

WHEN life gets challenging, family, friends and strong community networks can help give you the strength to cope during a crisis. loneliness is a common problem for many people. It can happen at any stage in life, although older people are particularly vulnerable, especially after the loss of a partner. However, all of us can help and make a difference with this important issue. Evidence has shown that people receive higher levels of satisfaction when becoming more involved with people in their community. We can also benefit from having a wide range of contacts and personal relationships.

Getting Active through Our Kids EyesAlmost 1,000 people in and around Droylsden have benefited from a scheme which gives children with a disability a chance to get active and try new things that most children would take for granted.

‘Our Kids Eyes’ is run by volunteers, who Give a number of hours each week. This act of giving makes it possible for the children to try out new games and experience new places while meeting new friends. The children take part in sporting events and youth club activities.

The scheme has been a success in improving the children’s and their family’s health. Family members also benefit from some respite from their caring roles.

• Talk to a colleague or friend about their family • Phone a friend you’ve not seen for a while

• Enjoy some dedicated family time • Join a new club

Did you know?Connecting Older PeopleSocial isolation reduces wellbeing. People with no friends are 13% less likely to be satisfied with their life compared to those who have at least one friend.

The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0800 4 70 80 90 or visit www.thesilverline.org.uk

“We regularly invite singing artists along and we have a sing along - I sometimes get up and sing too. It’s brilliant and I love going!”

Jean is now more mobile - her quality of life has improved because of her singing hobby, quitting smoking and being able to get out and about to bingo to see her many friends. She no longer becomes breathless walking up the stairs.

IN Full FlOW: Jean finds her voice again after 50 years

• Step outside • Do some gardening • Play hide and seek with your children

• Go to a dance class • Take a walk around the block

Adam, a teenager, attended the Youth Club and this helped him to develop his confidence. Prior to going he was described as quiet, withdrawn and lacking in confidence.

Adam’s mother, Joanne said: “I cannot thank the volunteers enough. This scheme has been crucial - Adam is a changed boy. He told me that he feels great when he’s

with the group and I’ve noticed a massive change in him. He’s happy and so much more confident.”

Adam benefits from going out and about - making new friends and gaining confidence. His communications skills have also been further developed as a result of Adam having got Active!

Did you know?Active PeopleExperts believe that exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good, as well as helping you to concentrate, sleep, look and feel better.

To find out about walks in Tameside’s stunning countryside or sporting activities in your area, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/5waystowellbeing

A Place to ‘Take Notice’The Friends of Mossley Park have captured the imagination of other Tameside groups who want to improve their parks and environment. They have set up a community group through which many improvements have been made to the park to make it a place for all to enjoy. Whether it’s peace and quiet or fun and activity, the Friends of Mossley Park group has been able to develop a range of initiatives to satisfy everybody’s tastes.

The Friends’ Chair, Philip Wilson said, “About six years ago Mossley Park was really antiquated and needed to be brought up to date and made more pleasant for the surrounding community.

lEARNING doesn’t just mean studying for qualifications, it’s something we all need to do throughout our lives. You can build on skills you already have, update old ones or develop completely new ones. learning new things will make you more confident, raise your self-esteem and it can also be fun. Learning often involves setting personal goals. When we achieve these goals, we are likely to feel more satisfied and feel better about ourselves. When we learn with others, it also helps us to Connect.

Take Notice

Keep Learning

HOW often do you feel that you never have a minute to yourself, or haven’t been able to sleep because of too many thoughts rushing around in your mind? Does the pace of daily life take away the chance of having time to think about yourself?

Try instead to savour the moment. Take Notice of how you feel in a particular moment, at a particular time. It will take some practice but give it a try, and actively remind yourself to Take Notice. Visit www.tameside.gov.uk/5waystowellbeing for more ideas on how to do this. Good luck and enjoy!

Close Knit SkillsNoreen now knits at a pace of knots! This is thanks to the twice monthly ‘Knit and Natter’ group at Central Art Gallery in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Noreen Delaney took up knitting so she could learn a new skill, get out and meet new friends and make jumpers for children to keep warm. Knit and Natter is a social group for anyone who enjoys knitting or would like to learn how to knit. It’s a place where people can share ideas, get creative, chat and enjoy one another’s company.

Noreen said: “The only place I go is shopping - and this is much nicer as there are so many people in the group to chat to and learn from and I love learning new skills. It’s great because people can come along for the whole session or just drop-in for as much time that suits them.”

The group meets at Central Art Gallery above Ashton Central Library which is on Old Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, every second and fourth Tuesday of the month between 10am and 1pm.

• Be curious and take an interest • Try a different route to work and notice what’s around

• Stand up tall and notice how it makes you feel • Find the extraordinary in the ordinary

• Notice the weather today and how it makes you feel

Picnic in the Park Parks in Tameside include nature trails, walks, children’s play areas, bowling greens, as well as many more facilities and activities. They can be peaceful places amongst natural beauty – a perfect place to help the mind be still, relax and ‘take notice’ to directly enhance your wellbeing. Find your local park at www.tameside.gov.uk/parks

Mossley Park hosts two events each year: ‘Picnic in the Park’ which will be on Sunday, 4 May, 2014, and ‘It’s a Knockout’ scheduled for Sunday, 28 September, 2014. Visit facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/502383603185192

• Learn a new DIY skill • Set yourself a goal to take that driving test

• Sign up for that course • Learn how to cook a new recipe

Since learning this new skill, Noreen receives a lot of pleasure from designing and making jumpers. She loves going to the knitting sessions and enjoys making the different designs and patterns. It also gets her out of the house so she can meet new friends and talk to people and come up with new ideas for designs.

Did you know?Set up your own groupusing your skills makes you happier.

If you would like to set up your own group to teach others a skill that you have, get in touch with Community Voluntary Action Tameside on 0161 339 4985, who can help you get started. You can find out more at www.cvat.org.uk/groups

FlASHBACK: last year’s ‘It’s a Knockout’ - a tug of war event at

Mossley Park. It will be staged again this autumn.

“Times have now changed and the park is a central point for people of all ages to visit, play and relish the fabulous views across the valley towards the moors.”

This has meant that more people now use the park. ‘Friends’ groups and volunteers participate and maintain our greenspaces across Tameside, to provide so many ideal places to go and ‘Take Notice’.

Did you know?

GET KNITTED! Noreen has knitted many jumpers during the last year and enjoys giving them to children across Tameside.

Singing is Winning! 50 years ago, Jean Holbrook from Mottram, auditioned in Manchester for Decca Records, but at the time her mother wasn’t keen for her to pursue a singing career.

Jean also quit smoking a year ago after being diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). She had severe breathlessness and even struggled to walk up the stairs.

But now, everything has changed. Jean’s talent was rediscovered thanks to the Tameside Voices Choir and a weekly gathering with her Pensioner Club friends at the Ivy Club, which is based in a pub in Hattersley.

She said, “Singing again brings me so much pleasure - it really opens up my lungs and makes me feel so much better - much happier too. I’ve really noticed a difference with my ability to breathe and I am now able to go on walks without getting out of breath.

“I’m also involved with the Ivy Club which meets in a local pub. It’s really good fun. About 50 pensioners meet up to play bingo and we all have a good catch-up.

REGulAR activity can boost your self-esteem and energy levels, and can help prevent ill health. Simply moving your body in any way has both physical and mental health benefits, and making it part of your daily routine will have lasting benefits for life.Try walking in the park, playing tag with the kids, dancing, swimming or spring cleaning the house! This all counts as you ‘Being Active’, so just choose something that you enjoy that suits your fitness level and give it a go.

Connect

Be Active

WHEN life gets challenging, family, friends and strong community networks can help give you the strength to cope during a crisis. loneliness is a common problem for many people. It can happen at any stage in life, although older people are particularly vulnerable, especially after the loss of a partner. However, all of us can help and make a difference with this important issue. Evidence has shown that people receive higher levels of satisfaction when becoming more involved with people in their community. We can also benefit from having a wide range of contacts and personal relationships.

Getting Active through Our Kids EyesAlmost 1,000 people in and around Droylsden have benefited from a scheme which gives children with a disability a chance to get active and try new things that most children would take for granted.

‘Our Kids Eyes’ is run by volunteers, who Give a number of hours each week. This act of giving makes it possible for the children to try out new games and experience new places while meeting new friends. The children take part in sporting events and youth club activities.

The scheme has been a success in improving the children’s and their family’s health. Family members also benefit from some respite from their caring roles.

• Talk to a colleague or friend about their family • Phone a friend you’ve not seen for a while

• Enjoy some dedicated family time • Join a new club

Did you know?Connecting Older PeopleSocial isolation reduces wellbeing. People with no friends are 13% less likely to be satisfied with their life compared to those who have at least one friend.

The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0800 4 70 80 90 or visit www.thesilverline.org.uk

“We regularly invite singing artists along and we have a sing along - I sometimes get up and sing too. It’s brilliant and I love going!”

Jean is now more mobile - her quality of life has improved because of her singing hobby, quitting smoking and being able to get out and about to bingo to see her many friends. She no longer becomes breathless walking up the stairs.

IN Full FlOW: Jean finds her voice again after 50 years

• Step outside • Do some gardening • Play hide and seek with your children

• Go to a dance class • Take a walk around the block

Adam, a teenager, attended the Youth Club and this helped him to develop his confidence. Prior to going he was described as quiet, withdrawn and lacking in confidence.

Adam’s mother, Joanne said: “I cannot thank the volunteers enough. This scheme has been crucial - Adam is a changed boy. He told me that he feels great when he’s

with the group and I’ve noticed a massive change in him. He’s happy and so much more confident.”

Adam benefits from going out and about - making new friends and gaining confidence. His communications skills have also been further developed as a result of Adam having got Active!

Did you know?Active PeopleExperts believe that exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good, as well as helping you to concentrate, sleep, look and feel better.

To find out about walks in Tameside’s stunning countryside or sporting activities in your area, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/5waystowellbeing

A Place to ‘Take Notice’The Friends of Mossley Park have captured the imagination of other Tameside groups who want to improve their parks and environment. They have set up a community group through which many improvements have been made to the park to make it a place for all to enjoy. Whether it’s peace and quiet or fun and activity, the Friends of Mossley Park group has been able to develop a range of initiatives to satisfy everybody’s tastes.

The Friends’ Chair, Philip Wilson said, “About six years ago Mossley Park was really antiquated and needed to be brought up to date and made more pleasant for the surrounding community.

lEARNING doesn’t just mean studying for qualifications, it’s something we all need to do throughout our lives. You can build on skills you already have, update old ones or develop completely new ones. learning new things will make you more confident, raise your self-esteem and it can also be fun. Learning often involves setting personal goals. When we achieve these goals, we are likely to feel more satisfied and feel better about ourselves. When we learn with others, it also helps us to Connect.

Take Notice

Keep Learning

HOW often do you feel that you never have a minute to yourself, or haven’t been able to sleep because of too many thoughts rushing around in your mind? Does the pace of daily life take away the chance of having time to think about yourself?

Try instead to savour the moment. Take Notice of how you feel in a particular moment, at a particular time. It will take some practice but give it a try, and actively remind yourself to Take Notice. Visit www.tameside.gov.uk/5waystowellbeing for more ideas on how to do this. Good luck and enjoy!

Close Knit SkillsNoreen now knits at a pace of knots! This is thanks to the twice monthly ‘Knit and Natter’ group at Central Art Gallery in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Noreen Delaney took up knitting so she could learn a new skill, get out and meet new friends and make jumpers for children to keep warm. Knit and Natter is a social group for anyone who enjoys knitting or would like to learn how to knit. It’s a place where people can share ideas, get creative, chat and enjoy one another’s company.

Noreen said: “The only place I go is shopping - and this is much nicer as there are so many people in the group to chat to and learn from and I love learning new skills. It’s great because people can come along for the whole session or just drop-in for as much time that suits them.”

The group meets at Central Art Gallery above Ashton Central Library which is on Old Street in Ashton-under-Lyne, every second and fourth Tuesday of the month between 10am and 1pm.

• Be curious and take an interest • Try a different route to work and notice what’s around

• Stand up tall and notice how it makes you feel • Find the extraordinary in the ordinary

• Notice the weather today and how it makes you feel

Picnic in the Park Parks in Tameside include nature trails, walks, children’s play areas, bowling greens, as well as many more facilities and activities. They can be peaceful places amongst natural beauty – a perfect place to help the mind be still, relax and ‘take notice’ to directly enhance your wellbeing. Find your local park at www.tameside.gov.uk/parks

Mossley Park hosts two events each year: ‘Picnic in the Park’ which will be on Sunday, 4 May, 2014, and ‘It’s a Knockout’ scheduled for Sunday, 28 September, 2014. Visit facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/502383603185192

• Learn a new DIY skill • Set yourself a goal to take that driving test

• Sign up for that course • Learn how to cook a new recipe

Since learning this new skill, Noreen receives a lot of pleasure from designing and making jumpers. She loves going to the knitting sessions and enjoys making the different designs and patterns. It also gets her out of the house so she can meet new friends and talk to people and come up with new ideas for designs.

Did you know?Set up your own groupusing your skills makes you happier.

If you would like to set up your own group to teach others a skill that you have, get in touch with Community Voluntary Action Tameside on 0161 339 4985, who can help you get started. You can find out more at www.cvat.org.uk/groups

FlASHBACK: last year’s ‘It’s a Knockout’ - a tug of war event at

Mossley Park. It will be staged again this autumn.

“Times have now changed and the park is a central point for people of all ages to visit, play and relish the fabulous views across the valley towards the moors.”

This has meant that more people now use the park. ‘Friends’ groups and volunteers participate and maintain our greenspaces across Tameside, to provide so many ideal places to go and ‘Take Notice’.

Did you know?

GET KNITTED! Noreen has knitted many jumpers during the last year and enjoys giving them to children across Tameside.











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Community First is an £80million government-funded initiative that will run for four years, until March 2015. The programme was set up to help communities come together to identify their strengths and local priorities in order to plan for their future and become more resilient. The last round of this funding is coming up and must be spent by February 2015.

This funding is available in the areas of Ashton St Michael’s, Ashton St Peter’s, Denton North East, Hyde Godley, Hyde Newton, Longdendale

and Stalybridge North. The deadline for groups to submit their application forms is 31 July 2014.

Grants are available from £250 to £2,500. Projects must also match the amount of money they are applying for either in cash or through in-kind donations (e.g. resources, room hire or volunteer time).

For more information, or to apply for a grant please contact Dawn Acton on 0161 339 4985 or email [email protected] or see our website www.cvat.org.uk/communityfirst

Priorities/details: The Invest Programme provides longer term core or delivery funding for charities and CIOs which are delivering clear outcomes as a result of their work with people experiencing multiple disadvantage at one of the critical points in their life. The Enable Programme provides smaller short term grants to strengthen charities and CIOs which work with people experiencing multiple disadvantage at one of the critical points in their life.

Who for: Charities or CIOs (charitable incorporated organisations) registered with the Charity Commission with at least one year of published accounts covering a 12 month operating period.

Grant amount: The Invest Programme grants are available for up to £25,000 per year for two or three years, with the opportunity for continuation funding for a further period of up to six years in total. The Enable Programme grants are available for up to a total £15,000 over two years.

Application process: You can apply anytime. Register your details to access an Expression of Interest form, which you complete and submit online: www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/how-to-apply

Contact: 0870 411 1223 or email Grants team at: [email protected]

We are pleased to announce that following round 3 of the Tameside 4 Good grant application process £42,318 has been awarded in grants to 25 Tameside organisations and 4 individuals. Community and Voluntary Action Tameside and Tameside 4 Good would like to congratulate the successful applicants and we look forward to seeing the benefits to Tameside the funding will help you make.

Some of our successful projects demonstrate the use of arts to help a range of people including a grant to Hope for Paediatric Epilepsy who will use their funding to provide children with 1-1 speech language and Art and Craft to improve communication, Tameside Arts will be running graffiti workshops for young people with disabilities and TOGS (Tameside & Oldham Gay Society) are celebrating diversity through Tameside Pride.

Elissa Bryant was awarded a Tameside 4 Good Individual Grant to enable Elissa to represent Great Britain in a Climbing Competition. The deadline for round 4 of Tameside 4 Good Applications is Friday 31 October 2014.

For information on who has received a grant and an application pack: www.tameside4good.org/what-we-do/grant-process

Lloyds Bank Foundation

Tameside 4 Good Grants – Round 3

Community First has come round early!

FUNDING BRIEF — 13

The Annual Pride of Tameside – Volunteer and Community Awards event will be held on 3 July at Ashton Town Hall, tickets are limited so get your nominations in early.

Do you know someone who is an outstanding volunteer? Or a community group who have made a huge difference to the local community? The event will recognise the outstanding contribution made by Volunteers and Volunteer Involving Organisations in Tameside.

Remember all volunteers are eligible for a certificate, all you need to do is sign up for the Awards scheme, it is free and is our way of saying thanks to all the amazing volunteers who make a massive difference to all our lives.

All information is now on our website www.cvat.org.uk/pride-awards-2014 or contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Pride of Tameside Volunteer and Community Awards

This Award category has been created in Alex William’s memory and is sponsored by Tameside College. The age range is 14-19. Alex was an exceptional young man who touched the lives of people across Tameside and the wider community.

He achieved national recognition for his work for the Meningitis Trust and provided a beacon for young people through his dedication to sports coaching. He was a great young man who inspired everyone with his courage and won the admiration and respect of thousands.

The young person who will receive the “Young Volunteer of the Year” for Tameside will have made a difference to the lives of others through volunteering or fundraising activity and their good work has had a real impact on the young people or adults they work with. They may already have achieved local or national recognition for their dedication to helping others. Our Youth Ambassador will be a model for all young people across Tameside and the wider community.

For more information contact Sasha on 0161 339 2345 or email [email protected]

Young Volunteer of the Year Award

Could your organisation involve an enthusiastic photographer to develop your publicity materials?

Then we have the volunteer for you. He has completed a level 2 photography course in

Black and White photography, has experience of studio based photography as well as on site and has all his own equipment.

If you think this volunteer could help you, contact [email protected] tel: 0161 339 2345

14 — VOLUNTEERING

It’s that time of year again! Time to be making plans for lots of events which say thank you to your volunteers, this is a great time to recognise your current volunteers and recruit new ones.

During the week 1-7 of June we will be holding lots of events here at VCT and throughout Tameside.

Monday 2 June: Open House here at Penny Meadow, call in for a cuppa and a chat about all things volunteering ! Any time between 9.30 and 4.30, we will be really pleased to see you.

Wednesday 4 June: We will be attempting our own tour of Tameside, we are aiming to visit every town in Tameside to give out leaflets and a few goodies in order to spread the word about volunteering. We will let you know which town we will be in and at what time so you can come out to meet us.

Friday 6 June: “Thinking about Volunteering” session 10-12 at the Volunteer Centre on Penny Meadow. If you know anyone who is thinking about volunteering then send them along!

Saturday 7 June: Grand Finale – We will have the New Charter Double Decker bus to attract members of the public who want to find out about volunteering, this will be parked on Ashton Market ground near the Town Hall steps, come along and say hello if you are in Ashton.

In the next CVAT newsletter we will report back on your events during the week.

Please send your photo’s to [email protected] and show Tameside how you said “Thanks” to your volunteers.

The Times they are A-Changin’

15

Quite a few years ago Bob Dylan wrote this song and when I was thinking about this article it came into my head. A line from the song says “...you better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone”

Here at the Volunteer Centre we have seen a vast change in the way prospective volunteers find out about us and make contact with us. We are currently working on a Marketing Strategy to ensure we adapt to the changing needs of volunteers and volunteer involving organisations. A high percentage of prospective volunteers now use the internet to find what they are looking for so we are now using our website, Facebook and Twitter to publicise your volunteering opportunities. I can hear you saying “Oh I can’t be bothered with all that”. If I’m honest that’s what I said. But I was the one that said many years ago “We don’t need a computer, what would we use it for?” Imagine if we hadn’t started swimming, VCT would have sunk like a stone!

One of the ways we have adapted to the change in demand is to work with you to create short-term volunteering opportunities, one-off events and micro-volunteering. These are ideas that have come from a younger generation who may not want to enter into a longer-term commitment.

Our core customers will always be the people that need a bit of extra support to volunteer, there are still many of our customers who don’t have the ability or the access to a computer.

Organisations have to be ready to adapt and adjust. We have to look at the balance between the needs of our customers and the needs of our volunteers. If we get that right then we will be swimming and not sinking!

Changing times mean that we have to stay one step ahead in ensuring that the essential services that volunteers provide not only remain, but continue to develop and grow.

Contact [email protected] or phone 0161 339 2345

Lots of local people are now approaching our Healthwatch Champions to tell them about recent experiences of using health and social care services, including services such as GPs, hospital, walk-in centres, adult/children’s social care, dentists, opticians, mental health, patient transport and community health services. If you would like your say on a service, you can catch our Champions in the following places:

Ashton-under-Lyne - library 3rd Tues in the month - 14.00 to 16.00

Ashton-under-Lyne - Tameside Hospital 1st Weds in the month - 13.00 to 15.00, Hartshead South, near Costa Coffee 3rd Weds in the month - 14.00 to 15.30, Ladysmith entrance

Denton- library 3rd Thurs in the month – 14.00-16.00

Droylsden - library 3rd Thurs in the month - 14.00 to 16.00

Dukinfield - library 4th Mon in the month - 10.00 to 12.00

Dukinfield - Morrisons Every 1st and 3rd Tues in the month 9.30 to 11.30

Hattersley Group Practice 2nd and 4th Tues in the month - 10.00 to 12.00

Hyde - Brooke Surgery 2nd and 4th Mon in the month - 15.00 to 17.00 1st and 3rd Weds in the month - 09.00 to 11.00

Hyde - library 2nd Tues in the month - 14.00 to 16.00

Stalybridge - library 1st Tues in the month - 14.00 to 16.00

For more information visit www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/content/healthwatch-champions or tel: 0161 667 2526 email – [email protected]

Expo is imminent!Healthwatch Tameside will be holding its annual EXPO event and AGM from 3-6pm on Monday 30 June 2014 at St John’s Church Centre, Vicarage Drive, Dukinfield, SK16 5HZ.

This will be an exciting opportunity to find out about health and social care services in Tameside. Last year at the Healthwatch launch we had a great range of information stalls from organisations such as AGE UK, MacMillan Cancer, Pennine Care, Meridian Care, Health and Wellbeing (TMBC), Hyde Community Action, Tameside Sight, Stockport NHS Trust, Health Improvement Team, Apex, The Lakes Care Centre...and this year we are hoping to build on the previous year’s success.

The event will also be a great chance for you to:

• Chat to local service providers

• Talk to the Healthwatch staff about the work they have been doing over their first year and what they are planning for year 2

• Take the opportunity to tell our Healthwatch Champions about your experiences of using local health and social care services

• Network with other like-minded individuals

Everyone is welcome to join us at the EXPO so feel free to spread the word!

For more information or have any specific access requirements please ring the Healthwatch office on 0161 667 2526 or email us on [email protected]

Healthwatch Champion Sessions

16 — HEALTHWATCH NEWS

Healthwatch have movedHealthwatch Tameside have moved and we are now operating from offices within Volunteer Centre Tameside, located at 95-97, Penny Meadow, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Alongside the work we have been doing since our inception:

• Listening to people’s experiences of using local Health and Social care services

• Using that information to help local services make changes

• Provision of an information signposting service

From 1st April 2014 we have also taken on a new function, offering help and support to people who want to make a formal complaint about an NHS Service. This help and support includes:

• Provision of a Self Help Information Pack to help you understand how the process works www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk/ self-help-information-pack

• Help to write down your experience in a clear logical way

• Helping you to ask for access to your medical records

• Feedback on draft complaints letters

• Support in preparing for resolution meetings

• Referral to another service if you need someone to speak on your behalf

The move to Volunteer Centre Tameside will mean that as part of this new NHS complaints function, Healthwatch Tameside will be able to offer drop in sessions for the public. The days and times of these drop in sessions will be published as soon as they have been finalised.

For more information on any of the above services you can contact us on 0161 667 2526 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, our postal address is VCT, FREEPOST NEA13942, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6ZX. (Please note: any post and phone calls to our old address and number will be forwarded to us)

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is a free and independent service, set up by Parliament. They investigate complaints that individuals have been treated unfairly or have received poor service from government departments, public organisations and the NHS in England. They make final decisions on complaints about these public services for individuals and use what they learn from complaints to help improve public services.

They are starting an awareness campaign, Complain for Change, the first stage of which is targeted at people with a learning disability and their families, friends and carers. It encourages them to complain to the NHS if they have received poor care. In addition to raising awareness of their services and access to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, they also want to improve the way they communicate with people with learning disabilities. They have posters and leaflets with tips on complaining in Easy Read and standard formats available for organisations free of charge.

For more information contact email: [email protected] or visit www.ombudsman.org.uk/complainforchange

Health Service Ombudsman

17

Why not visit “Learning Zone”, our ‘e-learning’ portal in which you can access over 30 courses to study online at a time and place to suit your needs?

The Learning Zone is Tameside’s interactive space, offering the right conditions to cultivate, grow and develop skills to enhance the work of local volunteers and staff of local community, voluntary and faith organisations. We offer access to a wide range of interactive training and learning

opportunities, with each topic designed in bite sized sections to provide flexibility for working through them at a time and pace that suits you. Our unique online learning resource provides flexible, innovative teaching and learning opportunities to suit a wide range of knowledge and skills backgrounds

For more information contact Lisa Hannibal [email protected] or call 0161 339 4985 (ext 2013) or visit http://learningzone.learningpool.com

Learning Zone – eLearning portal

NCFE Level 1 Award In Volunteering

Top Tips on Community fundraising

The NCFE Level 1 Award in Volunteering is a short introduction course that is suitable for learners who have shown an interest in volunteering and for people already involved in volunteering.

The course provides an insight into the role of a volunteer, an awareness of expectations and enhances both knowledge and skills.

For more information, please contact Vashti Holland [email protected] or call 0161 339 2345

Combining the skills and knowledge of Tameside 4 Good and Action Oldham, this course will take you through the key steps and ideas to help your group raise money through donations and community fundraising.

Ten Top tips of Community fundraising Tuesday 10 June 2014, 5.30pm – 8.30pm at Honeywell Centre, Hadfield St, Oldham, OL8 3BP

For more information or to book a place, please visit www.cvat.org.uk/cvat-workshops or contact Lisa on 0161 339 4985 email [email protected]

18 — TRAINING & EVENTS

Take time out to learn something new, something unusual and something fun in a relaxed setting during this year’s Adult Learners’ Week in Tameside. It runs from Saturday 14 June – Friday 20 June 2014. For more information see www.tameside.gov.uk/libraries/alw

Saturday 14 June History of Ashton Library Ashton Central Library

Monday 16 June Is there honey for tea? Denton Library Books of the afterlife Denton Library Creative Writing Workshop Droylsden Library Hanging baskets Dukinfield Library Using iPads and e-books Hattersley Library Using iPads and e-books Hyde Library The meaning of flowers Mossley Library Where there’s a Will... Stalybridge Library

Tuesday 17 June 2014 Cross Stitch Workshop Ashton Central Library Basic sign language Hattersley Library Learn through play Hyde Library Basic sign language and finger spelling Hyde Library Facebook & twitter for beginners Stalybridge Library

Wednesday 18 June Origami Workshop Ashton Central Library Kitchen Garden Hyde Library Improve Your Memory Workshop Mossley Library Yoga session Stalybridge Library

Thursday 19 June Card Making Workshop Ashton Central Library Origami for beginners Denton Library Get into cycling Droylsden Library Baby Massage Dukinfield Library Learn through play Hattersley Library

Friday 20 June Using e-books Ashton Central Library Who do you think you are? Denton Library Relaxation and Meditation Droylsden Library Calligraphy workshop Hyde Library

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Training 23 and 24 June 2014, at CVAT, 131 Katherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AW

‘Absolutely fabulous! I learnt loads and really enjoyed it. Thank you.’

‘Fab – loved it. Looking forward to using it at work and home!’

Is your organisation up to date with the latest Public Health messages? Are you interested in supporting your service users to improve their health? If so then this training is for you!

This is a great opportunity for your volunteers and staff to get new skills and knowledge on this evidence based approach to improving health.

Following on from the success of the course delivered in February, Tameside’s Public Health Team are offering staff and volunteers from Voluntary and Community Organisations the opportunity to take part in this free two day ‘train the trainer’ in encouraging people to live a healthy lifestyle. The course comes will a trainers handbook which has all the required resources to deliver training. Please note places are limited to 2 per organisation so book early to avoid disappointment

For more information and to book a place please contact: Anna Hynes, email: [email protected] or tel: 0161 339 4985

2014

Adult Learners’ Week 2014

Making Every Contact Count

Key Date for Your Diary!The next Voice event is going to be held on Tuesday 15 July 2014, 9.30am – 3.30pm

Come along to explore the wider social, economic and environmental contribution we make to communities and hear from Paul Macey from Nurture Development on how we can build on our assets to make Tameside even better!

Further details about the event include registration can be found at www.cvat.org.uk/events

TRAINING & EVENTS — 19

Development Services

One-to-one capacity building support, including funding information and advice, for Voluntary & Community Organisations in Tameside.

Contact Naomi, Dawn, Amanda or Lisa on 0161 339 4985. Email:

• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]

Policy & Participation

Supporting groups and providing a policy function and developing the voice of local community and community action via a range of networks and associated activity.

Telephone the team on 0161 339 4985. Email:

• [email protected]• [email protected]

Volunteering Services

Including brokerage (matching both individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate opportunities in the local community); marketing volunteering locally and promoting good practice in volunteer management to organisations; developing local volunteering opportunities; identifying and responding to proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering.

Contact Sue, Sasha or Vashti on 0161 339 2345, email:

• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]

Miles of Smiles

A community transport scheme using volunteers to help people attend medical appointments.

Contact Sam on 0161 339 2345, email:

• [email protected]

Timebanking

A project that encourages people to exchange skills and time. One hour given to another earns one time credit which they can save, donate or spend.

Contact Elaine or Julie on 0161 339 2345, email:

• [email protected]• [email protected]

Healthwatch Tameside

Healthwatch is the new independent consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public.

Contact Peter, Julie or Sue Pomfret on 0161 667 2526, email:

• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]

Tameside 4 Good

An initiative to help local people and businesses give time, skills and money to local good causes.

Contact Amy on 0161 339 4985, email:


Central Services

Facilities management, financial control and administrative support, personnel management.

Contact Helen, Sam or Kelly on 0161 339 4985, email:

• [email protected],• [email protected],• [email protected]

Marketing and Communications

Promote your message locally through CVAT’s Newsletter and eBulletins. We can also provide marketing & design support services for your group under CVAT plus+

Contact Michael on 0161 339 4985, email:


If you’re interested in having an article in CVAT News the deadline for the next issue is Friday 25 July 2014. Articles should be sent to [email protected], tel 0161 339 4985.

You can also submit articles to our weekly CVAT ebulletin, sent every Wednesday Lunchtime – send your articles to [email protected]

Community and Voluntary Action Tameside (CVAT) is a Registered Charity (No: 1148056) and Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 7930346)

20 — STAFF

CVAT News - Summer 2014

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Transcript of CVAT News - Summer 2014