Special announcement

UKBA publish guidance for refugees applying for indefinite leave

The UKBA has now published guidance for refugees applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Refugees who were granted refugee status or humanitarian protection after 30 August 2005 will need to submit an application form in the month before their limited leave expires.
The Refugee Council will have further information on this soon. For guidance, an application form and further information visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

News

Sector leaders speak out against “divisive” press

Several newspapers reported the recent Supreme Court decision on gay asylum seekers very negatively. For example, the Daily Express headlined “Now asylum if you’re gay”. In response to this, various leaders wrote to the Guardian stating “The only motivation in these tabloid articles is to whip up hatred and division”. Read the full letter here.

Government invites responses to Health White Paper

Last week, the Secretary of State for Health launched the White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS. Suggested measures include: a commitment to enable any ‘willing provider’ to deliver health care; a pledge to encourage NHS staff to form social enterprises; abolition of the targets, to be replaced by an outcomes framework.

Deadline for responses: 5 October 2010

Ambiguity around “Big Society” continues

Earlier this week David Cameron defended his Big Society idea, maintaining that its purpose is to engage people, not to offload public sector responsibilities to the voluntary sector, for less money. However, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said the Big Society is “unashamedly about getting more for less”, reinforcing the lack of clarity around the scheme. For the full Independent article visit their site.

Funding

Spark 2010 Opens for Applications (UK)

Spark offers targeted investments to develop sustainable trade activities that will generate a profit or surplus, with the aim that this be used to scale up activities and increase social impact on homelessness. Eligible organisations can apply for a cash investment of up to £150,000, as well as at least 5 days business development support.

Deadline for applications: 5pm, 13 August 2010

Grassroots Grants – London

Grassroots Grants aim to bring people from different backgrounds together and empower them to achieve change, building thriving local communities. Grants of up to £5000 are available. To be eligible your group must have been active in your local area for at least 1 year, and have an annual income of less than £30,000.

Deadlines for applications: 13 August 2010 or 8 October 2010

Funding To Help Tackle Poverty and Inequality (London)

Trust for London aims to enable and empower Londoners to tackle poverty and inequality. The main funding priorities are: improving employment opportunities for disadvantaged people; promoting the inclusion of recent arrivals to the UK; promoting social justice; strengthening the skills of the voluntary and community sector. There are no minimum or maximum grants.

Deadline for applications: 5 October 2010

BBC Children in Need Grants Scheme (UK)

Not-for-profit organisations working with disadvantaged children and young people (18 years and under), living in the UK, are invited to apply for funding through BBC Children in Need grants schemes. Small grants of up to £10,000 and main grants of more than £10,000 are available.

Deadline for applications: 15 October 2010

Training and resources

Refugee Council: Meet the funder seminar
19 August 2010, FREE

This Development Team funding seminar will give refugee community organisations (RCOs) the opportunity to talk to funders and also provide funders with the chance to promote their funding programmes, explain their selection criteria, define their funding remit and outline their funding priorities. Four charitable trusts and foundations will speak at this event including Trust for London. For more information or to book a place email karla.mclaren@refugeecouncil.org.uk

Introduction to health and social care course at Praxis Community Project

This is a great opportunity for refugees who either have a background in social care or have an interest in developing a career in the sector. The 12 weeks course starts at the end of July and is open to refugees. For more information phone 020 7729 7985.

Extended deadline for applications: 30 of July 2010

Promoting your organisation online
11 August 2010, 10am – 1pm FREE

This Voluntary Action Islington training will look at how to get the most from your website and using Social Media to raise the profile of your organisation. Delegates will receive an outline to the vast array of free tools that are available to help them do this.

New to the West Midlands?

This website is here to help if you are new to the West Midlands. It can help you learn about life in the UK and the area where you live. You can search information by topic and also by locality. Translations are available.

Do you need premises for your group’s activities?

Many local community groups lack access to premises, whilst some existing buildings are under-used. In order to try and tackle this, the recently launched Community Buildings Project provides support to voluntary, community and faith organisations in Islington, improving community centres and buildings, increasing access to premises and developing network. For more information email Janet@ivac.org.uk

Community foundation interview

The Basis Project has interviewed Jane Avery – the grants officer for the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Community Foundation. She talks about her foundation’s approach to funding and offers advice to RCOs making funding applications.

Events

Community Meeting
29 July 2010, 1pm, London

AFRUCA and the UK Congolese Safeguarding Action Group are holding this meeting to bring together members of the community to discuss child protection and witchcraft accusations in Britain. The meeting will follow a Channel 4 Dispatches programme titled: Britain’s Witch Children, to be screened on Monday 26 July at 8pm, which AFRUCA and UKCSAG appear in. For more information and to attend the meeting email justin@afruca.org or telephone 0207 7042261.

The Environment and Your Community
30 July 2010, 9.30am – 1pm

Open Reach are inviting Islington’s BME, refugee and faith community organisations to this event, which will focus on jobs, funding and well-being for Islington’s community groups. For more information email improvingreach@vai.org.uk

Getting to grips with the coalition Government
Various dates and locations across the country

Urban Forum invites representatives from voluntary and community sector organisations to FREE half-day sessions to help understand the implications of the new Government’s policies and approach. The sessions will cover: government priorities, the ‘Big Society’ and what the Emergency Budget means.

Vacancies

Health Advocacy Service Coordinator
£25,520 – £27,007 pa, full-time, maternity cover

The Health Advocacy Project aims to increase the health prospects of migrants, refugees and newly arrived communities by providing a range of services. You will be responsible for the smooth running of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Initiative and overall responsibility for the smooth running of our interpreting, health advocacy service and health education activities.

Deadline for applications: 5pm, 2 August 2010

Medical Justice Casework Administration Worker
£21,376 pro-rata, part-time

Medical Justice recently secured a 3 year grant to employ a part-time Casework Administrator. This is an exciting opportunity to join the small team of three existing staff members who work together with the network of dedicated volunteers.

Deadline for applications: 18 August 2010

London Refugee Voice Trustee Treasurer
Voluntary, travel expenses reimbursed

London Refugee Voice is a pan-London umbrella organisation of refugee community groups, providing a platform in which refugee representatives can come together and share support. LRV are looking to recruit a Treasurer to the Board to meet 6 times a year. LRV are interested in receiving applications from those with a financial background. Please apply by sending your CV to runa@lrv.org.uk or call Runa on 020 8743 8733.

Home-Start Lambeth Trustee

Home-Start Lambeth provides a network of trained parent volunteers to support parents who have young children and are struggling to cope. This role would suit someone with an interest in the local community and also in services for families and children. For more information email lranger@homestartlambeth.co.uk