Training and resources for faith groups in East

FaithNetEast’s May 2009 e-bulletin contains news, training, funding opportunities and events for faith groups and those with an interest in faith issues across the East of England Region.

 

To support faith and inter faith groups who want to overcome IT barriers, the East of England Faiths Council has teamed up with i-TRUST – a social enterprise specialising in support for voluntary bodies - to provide straightforward, personal advice on IT. If you need assistance, advice or training, call 07865 971221 between 10am and 12 noon Mondays and Thursdays, and between 3.00pm and 5.00pm Tuesdays. Send email queries to faithsIThelp@afl.org.uk

Artsplan are delivering this one day course which explores cultural diversity within Britain and suggests ways in which the arts can be used to help young people understand, value and respect diversity within their own communities. Prices for the courses, which include lunch and refreshments, range from £150 to £110, with bursaries also available. For more information or to book, contact Artsplan artsplanbookings@artswork.org.uk or 023 80682 535 or visit their website.

The Community Development Foundation, with the East of England Faiths Council, are hosting a free networking lunch for faith, voluntary and community groups in the region to share ideas, information and best practice on Thursday 4 June  in Cambridge. Further details will shortly be available on the CDF website www.cdf.org.uk, or alternatively please email james.moore@cdf.org.uk  for details or to book a place.

 

East of England Faiths Council present this FREE workshop offering the chance to learn about organisational fitness; how to play to our strengths and address weaknesses and how to build sound foundations. The workshop will also explore the legal obligations that voluntary and faith-based organisations are required to observe; risk management planning; structure, governance, accountability and equality. Plus, how to identify possible funding sources and make effective applications for them. Community Leader Support Group meetings present the chance to network with the leaders of other organisations in your locality, to learn from others’ experiences and perhaps find interests in common.

For further information or to book this event contact the East of England Faiths Council on 01223 421606 or email eefc@cambcatalyst.co.uk

 

Church and Community Fund (Church of England) helps with projects of all kinds that bring the community into the church and the church into the community. The maximum grant is £15,000 and applicants are welcome to request any amount within this limit. The Fund does support ecumenical projects where the Anglican Church plays a significant role. Full guidance notes and application details are on their website: http://www.churchandcommunityfund.org.uk  or contact The Church and Community Fund on 020 7898 1767 or email ccf@c-of-e.org.uk

BT Community Connections is an award scheme which enables community and charitable organisations to get online and make use of information and communication technology (ICT). The scheme supports a diverse range of community and charitable organisations. Almost any organisation, working in any field of community benefit, can apply for a laptop and a year’s free broadband connection. To find out more log on to www.btcommunityconnections.com

Deadlines for round one (open now):

Postal applications must be received by 9 June 2009

Online applications must be submitted by 11 June 2009

Free Introductory Pack on Funding and Finance
Produced by NCVO’s Sustainable Funding Project and the Finance Hub, this pack of six guides is for small and medium sized organisations and they cover fundraising, trading, contracting and much more.

For more information visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/sfp/introductory-pack

Churches and Faith Buildings: Realising the potential.  

A new joint publication from the government and the Church of England to help faith groups identify sources of funding to make their buildings more sustainable, by enhancing the facilities and services they offer to local communities. It also discusses faith and local authority structures like LSPs (local strategic partnerships), and regional bodies, and the reluctance of some funders to fund faith-based projects. 'Churches and Faith Buildings: Realising the Potential' can be downloaded at http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5991.aspx.

Making the Most of Your Money: The Financial Services Authority (FSA), the UK’s financial regulator, is offering VCS organisations FREE financial education programmes to help manage money in the present economic climate. Presentations are available to groups of a minimum of 20 staff or volunteers and the FSA have suggested that groups may wish to liaise to share an event if providing sufficient numbers are a difficulty. There is also an interactive CD Rom covering the presentation and a text of the guide. For details or to book a place email: mike.bailey@fsa.gov.uk more help available at www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk , www.whataboutmoney.info or www.fsa.gov.uk/financial_capability