South Yorkshire Community Grants Programme

Grants of up to £12,000 are available now to voluntary and community organisations in South Yorkshire who provide learning opportunities that help unemployed people aged 18+ move closer towards a job or training.

Big Lottery Continues to Support Communities during Tough Times

The Big Lottery Fund has allocated more awards from its Reaching Communities programme, awarding a further £8 million of grants.

The Reaching Communities scheme is designed to help people and communities in need. This latest funding round brings the total projects supported up to 33.

Click here for more information

Source: j4bcommunity.co.uk

Social Enterprise events across Yorkshire and Humber

Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber (SEYH) have organised a series of events for current and budding social enterprises.

Click here to check out what is on in your area http://www.seyh.org.uk/events

Social Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber need your help with 2 surveys

1. State of the Sector Survey

We want to build up a better picture of the sector in this region. To do that we need to hear from you.

Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey http://t.ymlp136.com/uwhadamjbaiabbsbatamqj/click.php .

2. Capacity Builders Survey

Capacity Builders are conducting a survey looking at the provision of social enterprise support in the region.

Please spare a few minutes to complete the survey. http://t.ymlp136.com/uwwacamjbanabbsbanamqj/click.php

Change Windows 7 to how you like it

Having recently moved to Windows 7 there is a lot I like about it, however there was a lot I liked about XP too and some of that appears not to be available in Windows 7 – like the quick launch bar – and a number of others to. Well actually it is, it is just hidden away. This article from Tech Republic will help you to set up Windows 7 to get the best from it and to have it how you like it.

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=1743&tag=nl.e042

Tom’s Planner – register for free before 29th August

Tom’s Planner is one of the productivity tools that we highlight. It is a very easy and flexible tool designed to help you to plan your (and others) work and projects. They have come to the end of their Beta testing period so I encourage you to check it out whilst it is still free. You may as well register which will give you free access for 1 year.

Simon

Leadership and management programmes in Yorkshire – Sept

The following courses are on offer through the Academy for Community Leadership at Northern College funded by the Train to Gain Enhancement Fund. “This programme is part funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund and is co-financed by the Learning and Skills Council and Yorkshire Forward”. Third sector organisations who employ at least 1 member of staff may qualify for the 60% discount.

Big Society Consultation – Leeds 6th September

Yorkshire and the Humber Forum is organising a conference called ‘ Big Society Unplugged’ to take place in Sheffield on 11 November, at which Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, will be the key speaker.

We need your input to help us produce a Big Manifesto for the Big Society, to present to the Minister at the conference. We are holding a consultation session in Leeds on 6 September when you will be able to input ideas, opinions, suggestions and concerns about Big Society, and find out more how the Forum is engaging with it.

The consultation is free. It starts at 10.00am with coffee.

Monday 6 September 2010.

Venue: St George’s Centre, Leeds.

Time: 10.00am – 12.00

Please contact Ian Gardner at conferences@yorkshirehumberforum.org.uk to register your place.

Martha Lane Fox launches Directgov review

Web entrepreneur to look at delivering efficiencies in online public services

Internet entrepreneur and government advisor Martha Lane Fox has begun a review of the Directgov service.

Directgov now falls under the remit of the Cabinet Office, and Lane Fox said that her review will look at ways to modify the service in order to improve the online delivery of public services.

“I am leading a review of the service to assess how it can be transformed and redirected to further drive efficiencies,” she said. “I have asked a small group of advisors from business and the public sector to assist me.”

NIACE BIS Consultations seminar in Wakefield – 10th Sept

NIACE is organising a regional seminar on Friday September 10th 2 – 4 pm, to be held at OCN House, Wakefield, to discuss the two BIS consultations that will have a significant impact on the delivery and funding of adult learning. To attend please email your full details to my colleague Sue Parkins: sue.parkins@niace.org.uk

Launch Event for the new Well Woman Centre in Wakefield

Launch Event for the new Well Woman Centre in Wakefield

Where: 4 King Street, Wakefield, WF1 2SQ

When: Friday 17th September 2010 12pm onwards.

The Well Women Centre is pleased to be able to invite you to the launch of our very own premises, purchased with help from WMDC. Councillor Maureen Cummings will be officially opening the big green door at 12pm. The centre will then be open for guests to learn more about each of our services, through displays and by talking to staff and volunteers. Demonstrations of our complementary therapies will also be taking place with discount vouchers available. There will also be a buffet and refreshments provided.

Please come along and help us to celebrate our new home from 12pm onwards!

Some translators are better than others. And some are worse!

I recently had this comment posted as a reply onto this blog. It didn’t appear automatically as comments go through a moderation process. I thought I would share this one with you just to demonstrate how bad some translation software is. I have no idea what language this came from however the user needs to find a different translation package. Enjoy and if anyone can tell me what he is talking about please let me know.

Simon

Symphony for Yorkshire

We are all being exhorted at the moment to forget everything regional and become more local.

Well I’m not so sure it’s a great idea. So here is something for you Yorkshire Lovers!

Five tips for speeding up a slow PC

And another hot,  straight forward and effective article from TechRepublic.

Easy and effective ways to keep your PC running well. Be warned. If you don’t look after your PC and service it regularly, it will stop performing. No question.

For step by step video guides on looking after your PC check out the Technology Toolkit at http://www.electroville.org.uk/content/technology-toolkit

How do I use And and Or operators with Excel’s Advanced Filter?

I don’t know about you, but this is something which I’ve been meaning to get my head around for ages. Somehow I knew that it would be very helpful and this article from TechRepublic explains it all in coherent step by step instructions.  Gold dust for Excel users.

Using And and Or operators in Excel

Thanks TechRepublic.

Communication using Social Media Workshop in Darlington 2nd September

The acclaimed series of social media workshops delivered via NAVCA, the ICT Champions and the Red Foundation comes to Darlington on 2nd September. The workshop is a fantastic opportunity find out how social media may be able to help your organisation. It is heavily funded at £35 per person and is fantastic value. Check out the details and book online.

http://www.navca.org.uk/services/learningopps/skild/training/newcommsne.htm

Help create a Social Media programme for the Voluntary Sector in Yorkshire and Humber

Please help us to develop a social media programme specifically for the voluntary sector in Yorkshire and Humber.

Over the last few months Electroville has been running a variety of social media events aimed at helping voluntary sector organisations like Leeds Centre For Blind and Partially Sighted People to find out about social media. As a part of our review and on-going planning in this area we would greatly appreciate it if you could take 3 minutes to fill out the following survey.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/socialmediaandthevoluntarysector

The results of this will go towards the development of social media training opportunities to be rolled out over autumn and winter across the Yorkshire and Humber region. These will be specially created for the voluntary sector and will focus on helping you to use social media effectively, and within the overall context of what your organisation is trying to achieve.

As a thank you, any organisation that completes this survey will receive a 10% discount on one of the social media events up to the end of March 2011.

Find a partner organisation in West Yorkshire to work with

Are you looking for a partner to work with or to set up a consortium?

The following link is for the Partner Zone at funding central.

http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/page.aspx?SP=Find_Partner

In our fast-changing world – rather than setting up structures - it might be useful to think who we can work with now to do stuff together

* Are you in W Yorks and considering using this to identify partners for actual or anticipated opportunities?

*Are posting a profile so potential partners can find you?

If the answer is yes to either of these or if someone independent and local would be helpful to talk to call Richard – W Yorks Partnership Adviser

Bradford CVS

19-25 Sunbridge Road

Bradford

BD1 2AY

01274 722772

£110m funding deal for Leeds City Region

The Leeds City Region (LCR) has agreed a one year £110m funding deal with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), to support the delivery of major housing and regeneration schemes across the city region.

Futures North Conference – Setting New Directions – 11th Sept

Check out the Futures North conference – Setting New Directions

Saturday 11 September 2010
Bodington Hall, Leeds
LS16 5PT

Click here for info and booking forms

Five tips for creating Quick Steps to manage mail in Outlook 2010

Another fab post from the irrepressible Mashable.

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/five-tips/?p=202&tag=nl.e056

Social Media training for the voluntary sector

Having completed a series of social media workshops in a number of different guises, we are now reviewing our social media programme with a view to planning delivery throughout the autumn and winter.

Feedback from the various events has indicated the following:

Checking out ipadio as a social media tool

Here is my first ipadio test. Hmm. Plenty of potential here I think. Get more info at www.ipadio.com. Listen to my first phlog below.

http://ipad.io/Lc7

This title will be designed to fit perfectly into Twitter

I am in Harrogate demonstrating social media tools.

For more info on other events go to electroville site

Use ICT to save your organisation time and money – Doncaster 14th July

The Event – Technology Toolkit

The Technology Toolkit was born from the needs of the hundreds of voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) visited by Electroville (home of the Regional ICT Champion for Yorkshire and Humber) over the last few years. Each visit assessed what the organisation’s goals were, the barriers to achieving these goals and the ways in which technology could help them to be more efficient, effective and sustainable along the way.

Find out how it can help your organisation.

Who is it for?

Voluntary and Community Organisations in Yorkshire and Humber. A maximum of 2 people per organisation.

What are the Benefits?

• Improve performance
• Improve efficiency
• Save time and money
• Plan ICT developments
• Implement ICT strategies
• Have all your computers working properly all the time
• Plan a database
• Plan a website

How much does it cost?

Nothing. It’s free. This is part of the Regional ICT Champion work funded by Capacity Builders and managed by NAVCA.

Venue: Doncaster CVS, 5-6 Trafford Court, Doncaster DN1 1PN

Date: Wednesday 14th July 3.00pm – 4.00pm

Book your place now here.

Free IT workshops for voluntary organisations

Virtual Riders is holding free IT workshops twice a month starting at the end of June. Anyone in the voluntary and community sector can attend and you can book online (to avoid disappointment) or phone (0845 337 2949) to confirm a place. However you can just turn up on the day as well. Check the list below for dates, times and venues.

Regional Co-operative Enterprise Hub launch – York

On 1st July at Bar Convent in York the regional Co-operative Enterprise Hub will be launched. The hub provides advice and support for those seeking to set up co-operatives.

The event presents an excellent opportunity to learn more about the co-operative sector, hear from new co-operatives like Hudswell Community Pub, and the Fairtraders Co-operative, and to network with other co-ops and social enterprises in the region.

Click on the link for more information and to book

http://yhcehlaunch.eventbrite.com

ICT Strategy Day at Voluntary Action Kirklees

Here we all are.

Communication using Social Media events for voluntary sector organisations.

NAVCA, Red Foundation and the ICT Champions have combined to create and deliver a series of social media events which are being delivered around the country.

Click here for details of all of these.

Today’s is at Voluntary Action Sheffield and the wonderful Circle venue. With 25 attendees (on World Cup day too!) the event is well attended. Jamie Thomas from Red Foundation kicked off proceedings with an intro to the whole area, and Paul Webster from NAVCA is now running the social media game enabling groups to explore a variety of social media tools to help them to achieve their goals.

Also lined up for today Pete Read (West Midlands  ICT Champion) will be exploring the nature of communication and how this links into the use of social media.

Simon Duncan (Yorkshire and Humber ICT Champion) will be going into the social media guide designed specifically for VCOs as well as exploring some of the specifics of how organisations can use key social media tools to enhance their work.

Technology Toolkit Event for VCOs – Doncaster 14th July

The Technology Toolkit

The Technology Toolkit was born from the needs of the hundreds of voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) visited over the last few years. Each visit assessed what the organisation’s goals were, the barriers to achieving these goals and the ways in which technology could help them to be more efficient, effective and sustainable along the way.

This 1 hour presentation is an introduction to the Technology Toolkit and focuses on the key ways that you can save time and money quickly and easily through good use of ICT.

Doncaster CVS – Wednesday 14^th July, 3.00 – 4.00pm.
Click here for more information and to book your place.

For more events and training from Electroville see their website at www.electroville.org.uk