Rural Church and Community Matters

2012-02-13T09:46:00.000Z

NEWS FROM THE OXFORDSHIRE

NATURE CONSERVATION FORUM

WILDLIFE SELLS CEREALS

Company using conservation to sell product I thought you might like to see this Jordan's advert. A company talking about the importance of wildlife in a mainstream advert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKqfJxwDaCg&list=UU2AX4eH2f-3cEfpX7zXUd4w&ind

SUSTAINABLE BLEWBURY RECEIVES GRANT FROM

NORTH WESSEX DOWNS AONB

"Sustainable Blewbury" has recently received a grant from the North Wessex Downs AONB Sustainable Development Fund. The project aims to preserve, improve and create areas of chalk grassland in and near the village of Blewbury in South Oxfordshire. To help get the very best from the grant, the project team have arranged a visit by wildflower expert Charles Flower to look at the sites, particularly the area where a new wildflower meadow will be created. Charles will advise on the best mix of plants and the best methods for establishing them. If you would like to attend the meeting in Blewbury at 11am on the 27th February 2012 please contact Oliver Cripps on olivercripps@northwessexdowns.org.uk or Peter Cockrell on peter@cockrell.plus.com. If you would like more information about Sustainable Blewbury and the project please visit www.sustainable-blewbury.org.uk.

GARDENING SPECIALIST

Full time, based across Oxfordshire £16,830 to £17,802 pa Restore has received funding in memory of Rob and Peggy Langford to employ a full time Gardening Specialist. He or she will support our recovery groups and enable people in Oxfordshire to garden. The closing date is Monday 20th February 2012. http://www.restore.org.uk/get-involved/work-with-us/current-vacancies

Saturday 18 February 10.30

THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

A leisurely walk, led by Ian Gourlay to look at the trees in the area north of the city centre starting in St Giles and ending in the University Parks. Time about 1½ hours. Meet at the War Memorial at the top of St Giles in front of St Giles Church Janet Keene, Tel/fax: 01865 820522 www.ouwg.org.uk

Lots more news and information is available from ONCF at www.oncf..org.uk A weekly bulletin is available to come direct to your email inbox.

2012-02-13T09:42:00.000Z

TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY ACTION

The Introduction to Community Action course is for anyone who would like to be more confident about speaking up and taking action in their community. This might be your local neighbourhood, or a community of people who have something in common. The course is aimed at people who have not done any previous training in community action. This course takes place across seven sessions and leads to a level 1 Open College Network qualification.

The course is for people who would like to get involved in community action for the first time, or who have recently become involved in a local project.

- Got an idea which would improve your community?

- Want to get involved in a group?

- Want to have your say about local decisions?

- Recently decided to get involved?

The course is free although we do ask that you give us a £10 deposit which we will refund to you at the end of the course so long as you have attended the course in full. We’ll pay your travel expenses to get to the course venue and any child or other care costs while you are there. As well as building your confidence to speak up and turn ideas into action, the course also leads to a Level 1 Open College Network qualification in ‘Community Development Work Skills’. To gain the accreditation, you will need to complete a workbook during the course – help will be available to complete it.

There will be a taster session in Oxford on Monday 30th April from 12-2.30pm including lunch. You can come along, find out a bit more about the training and decide whether you want to commit to the training in full.

If you live in Oxford, Banbury or Bicester contact Catrina Pickering email catrina.pickering@ocva.org.uk or telephone 01865 251946 or 07540 703366. For the rest of Oxfordshire contact Beth Weston email beth.weston@oxonrcc.org.uk or telephone 01865 883488.

2012-02-10T19:17:00.000Z

The Community Buildings Forum 2012 is aimed at Management Committees of Community Buildings and Village Halls across the county of Buckinghamshire, and this year will be covering the following topics:

· Fire Safety – Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service

· PRS and PPL music licensing

· Preparation for localism – knowing what you want and how to approach funding

We will be running the forum twice as usual, to give more opportunity for hall committees to participate, by running it in the North and South of the County:

· Tuesday 13^th March 6pm – 8pm at Little Horwood Recreation Ground Hall http://communitybuildingslittlehorwood.eventbrite.co.uk/

· Wednesday 14^th March 6pm – 8pm The Ken Williams Memorial Pavilion, Hazlemere http://communitybuildingshazlemere.eventbrite.co.uk/

If you would like to book a place on either date please click on the links above or contact Sarah Allwood on 01296 744726 or via email sarah@communityimpactbucks.org.uk

This event is free for Community Impact Bucks Subscribers. Non-subscribers will be charged £15 per head. Light refreshments will be provided.

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Community Impact Bucks Registered Office Address Unit B, The Firs Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP22 5DX	Telephone 0845 3890389 Websitewww.communityimpactbucks.org.uk	Registered Charity No. 1070267 Company Registered in England & Wales, No. 3508718

2012-02-10T18:55:00.000Z

2012-02-10T18:35:00.000Z

NEWS FROM COMMUNITY IMPACT BUCKS

Community Oil Buying Scheme Takes Off!
Average saving on 1000 litres in January = £45.50

The community oil buying scheme launched by Community Impact Bucks at the start of January is going from strength to strength. Already there are co-ordinators in 6 communities and members from across the county.

One of the questions most commonly asked is ‘How much is the oil?’ There is no single answer to this as regular buyers will know as the price varies from day to day. What we can say is that buying in bulk is the best way to get a good price. On 27 January the price paid by members was 56.45p per litre, which compares to the highest price we were quoted of 67p per litre and an average price of 61p per litre. A saving of £45.50 for members of the scheme on a 1000 litre order!

So if you buy oil and don’t already get the benefit of buying in bulk, why not consider becoming a member. And if your community hasn’t yet got a co-ordinator, why not volunteer? The time commitment is small, the benefits are large – and don’t forget co-ordinators can join the scheme for free.

There’s plenty of information on our website. Or send us an email or phone Samantha or Leona on 0845 389 0389 and we can tell you all about the scheme.

Community Impact Bucks Registered Office Address Unit B, The Firs Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP22 5DX Telephone 0845 3890389 info@communityimpactbucks.org.uk	Websitewww.communityimpactbucks.org.uk

2012-02-09T18:05:00.000Z

THE ARCHWAY FOUNDATION IS 30 THIS YEAR

http://www.archwayfoundation.org.uk/

Serving those hurt by loneliness

As part of the 30th anniversary year the Archway Foundation is hoping to attract 300 supporters who will each contribute £10 a month.

This income is needed to help plug the gap left by the loss of statutory funding.

To find out more about the work of Archway look at the website http://www.archwayfoundation.org.uk/

if you would like to set up a standing order to support Archway then contact the office by using the contact us form on the home page of the website.

Your contribution can make a huge diference to the work of the organisation and to the well being of its friends.

2012-02-09T17:51:00.000Z

FREE MEMBERSHIP FOR BULK-BUYING HEATING OIL

Save money on the cost of your heating oil!

Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) is giving away

250 FREE memberships for Bulk Oil Buying Scheme between now and 31 March.

ORCC, Oxfordshire’s long established community charity, has set up a social enterprise that will

reduce the cost of your domestic heating oil each time you place an order!

The scheme is designed to help purchasers of central heating oil to save money by buying in bulk.

By operating county-wide, the scheme makes it possible for new or existing local community oil-buying groups to make the most of their collective purchasing power.

Under the Warm Homes Healthy People scheme (more about it below) households at risk can benefit from cheaper heating oil with FREE membership.

HOUSEHOLDS AT RISK are households unable to meet the cost of fuel prices over the winter, perhaps

families with young children / older people / those with a disability, long term illness / out of employment.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED about the cost of your heating, or if you think that there might be people in your community who could benefit, please get in touch.

(Do you have neighbours / people in your congregation who could benefit who may not get this email?)

For free membership Email oil@oxonrcc.org.uk OR

Apply on-line www.oxonrcc.org.uk/home/bulk-oil-buying-scheme OR

Phone 01865-883488 (but we would prefer an email or on-line application if possible)

More details about the Scheme Below

WARM HOMES HEALTHY PEOPLE – Oxfordshire’s initiative to help you keep warm and well this winter

KEEP THE HEAT IN YOUR HOME By insulating your home and making sure your heating is set for the right time and temperature (between 18° and 21°) you can stay warm without an enormous energy bill.

GET FINANCIAL SUPPORT. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. Financial help, such as the Winter Fuel Payment, is available to people finding it hard to meet their heating costs.

EAT WELL AND KEEP MOVING. Food is a vital source of energy - try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly. Moving around generates body heat, and helps to keep your body warm.

GET A FLU JAB. You can get a free jab from your GP to protect against seasonal flu if you are over 65, have a long-term health conditions or are pregnant.

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF AND OTHERS. On cold days try to avoid going outside. If you do need to, remember to wrap up warm. If you have an older neighbour or relative, look out for them during winter to make sure that they are safe and well.

FIND OUT MORE – 0844-887-000

MORE ABOUT THE ‘ORCC TRADING LTD’ SCHEME

Over the last few months our members have saved around £50 compared with the market average price for 1000litres of heating oil (a staggering £120 against the highest prices). That is the power of bulk oil buying.

To take advantage of the scheme you pay an annual membership fee (£20 Domestic / £30 Community Building / £100 Business). It covers as many oil orders as you need in the course of the year.

To be included in the next month's order round send your membership application and annual fee to ORCC Trading Ltd at least one week before the order deadline (next oil order deadlines are 12.00 noon, 23 February, 29 March 2012)

Monthly bulk oil order price (as at 27 January 2012) 56.45p per litre - Member price (kerosene)

67p per litre - Highest price quoted by a supplier 61p per litre - Average price quoted by suppliers:

(All prices +5% VAT)

How it works

1. Contact your local co-ordinator and let them know how much oil you want to order. Allow up to a maximum of two weeks for delivery of oil from the monthly bulk oil order date. (In most cases delivery will be sooner.)

2. Once a month your co-ordinator lets us know the total oil needed from your area.

3. At the end of each month, the bulk oil purchase is negotiated by our oil buyer.

4. We then tell your co-ordinator when to expect delivery and how much it will cost, and he or she passes the information to you.

5. You pay the supplier direct for the oil they deliver.

All you need do to take advantage of this scheme is complete a membership form and arrange annual payments. We will do everything else.

Payments by cheque payable to ORCC Trading Ltd

sent to ORCC, Jericho Farm, Worton, Witney OX29 4SZ

by direct bank transfer (BACS) A/c. no. 93043754; sort code 20-97-48.

(Please give your surname as a reference.)

2012-01-21T19:20:00.000Z

Growing the Rural Church: a Conference for Rural Church Leaders and Members at Scargill House

There are clearly challenges facing rural churches, whatever denominational stream they are from.

With pressure building on a reduced number of paid leaders and clergy, historic buildings to be maintained and communities made up of a cross section of new arrivals and families that have lived in an area for generations, it is not easy pulling the threads together to grow the rural church.

However there are many positive signs of growth from around the country as rural churches have responded to these challenges.

To help church leaders, clergy, PCC and church members learn from others who are making progress growing the rural church, Andy Ryland, Diocesan Rural Officer for Ripon and Leeds, has worked with the Scargill Movement to bring together some of the country’s leading practitioners so that we can learn together how to address three key issues associated with rural church growth.

· Reaching rural communities both new and long standing

· Buildings - burden or blessing

· Enabling participation - empowering the people of God

The three day conference will address these themes on separate days so you can attend as a day delegate or stay for the three days and enjoy the hospitality and good food that Scargill is building a reputation for, since it reopened in 2010.

Day one: Tuesday 6^th March 2012: Reaching rural communities both new and long standing

Bishop James Bell, Leslie Morley, Simon Mattholie, Bob Baker, Pauline Broadwith and Karin Shaw

Day two: Wednesday 7th March 2012: Buildings - burden or blessing?

Peter Aires, Leslie Morley, Nigel Walter, Alice Ullathorne

Day Three: Thursday 8th March 2012: Enabling participation - empowering the people of God

Pete Atkins, Leslie Morley, Elizabeth Clarke, Sian Lockwood OBE, Cursillo Volunteers

To book your place phone Scargill House, where staff will be able to design a package around how you want to attend the conference, either keeping the cost down as a day delegate or staying over and enjoying the special experience of staying at Scargill at the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

1 Conference Day (including lunch) £19

1 Conference Day and 1 night’s stay £53.75

2 Conference Days and 1 night’s stay £72.75

All 3 Conference Days and 2 nights stay £126.50

All 3 Conference Days and 3 nights stay £180.75

Monday 4pm- Friday 10 am (including Conference) £215

Scargill House, Kettlewell, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5HU, Tell (01756) 761236

www.scargillmovement.org

jo.penn@scargillmovement.org

2012-01-13T18:13:00.000Z

ESF Community Grants deadline approaching

The second round of the European Social Fund (ESF) Community Grant programme in the South East Region, closes at noon on 17 February 2012. Grants of up to £12,000 are available to third sector organisations in the South East who support the most disadvantaged individuals to access further learning opportunities or progress to employment. Read more and apply by clicking here.

2012-01-13T18:10:00.000Z

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)

A unique opportunity for people working and volunteering with community organisations to attend a two day workshop led by Cormac Russell of Nuture Development and the Asset-Based Community Development Institute.

The Asset-Based Community Institute is at the centre of a large and growing movement that considers local assets as the primary building blocks of sustainable community development.

This conference is aimed at charities, social enterprises, development agencies, local authority partners and anyone else who are looking to work together to build self-sustaining communities

This two day conference is taking place on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th March, 09:30 - 16:30 at Green Park, Reading

For more information and to book follow the link below:

http://www.actionforall.org.uk/CCB/AssetBasedCommunityDevelopmentEvent

2012-01-13T18:06:00.000Z

Invitation to

Warm In West Berkshire

Launch Workshop

Shaw House, Newbury

Friday 20th January 2012

9.30am – 1.00pm

To book a place at the launch event please go to

www.warminwestberkshire.org.uk

or call 0118 961 2000

The launch workshop is your opportunity to:

Understand more about the issues of fuel poverty and the resulting health impacts.
Learn what new and additional support is on offer for people in the community and how you can access the services
Discuss the needs in communities and how they can be best met through this project

2012-01-11T19:48:00.000Z

Plough Wednesday 2012.

Great day for the annual training day on rural and agricultural issues in the diocese of Oxford. 30 people attended, and the weather was warm and for the most part very sunny.

In the morning we visited a farm which is home to some 350 horses. The horses are rescued from slaughter and then live the remainder of their lives being cared for until they die of natural causes. Blood and serum is harvested from the horses at regular intervals and then used for research purposes. The horses are kept warm and safe in the winter and then have acres of pasture land on which to graze in the summer.

At lunchtime we visited an ancient country estate and heard a talk about the mechanics of maintaining and running an estate in the 20th century. Following that we toured the livestock area of one of the tenanted farms on the estate. As well as looking at the livestock, we listened to landlord and tenant talking about some of the issues facing tenant farmers!

Great day - and now looking forward to next year's - January 2013.

2012-01-07T10:15:00.000Z

Diamond Jubilee Beacon 2012

4 June 2012

Help RABI light up the land as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

One of the major focuses for this year will be the national celebrations to mark our Patron, HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

In June 2012 The Queen will become only the second monarch in British History to achieve sixty years on the throne. RABI is playing a major part in this historic occasion by pledging to light 1,000 of the 2,012 beacons that will form the national beacon chain on Monday 4th June. This, and the following day are bank holidays and will provide a fantastic opportunity for communities and families to come together as part of this national celebration.

Farmland and rural areas provide ideal locations for bonfires and beacons and we are urging our supporters to help us succeed in our aim by lighting a beacon, and registering it through us. It's simple: all you have to do is call Hayley or Melanie on 01865 724931and we will send you a registration form and guide to taking part. Alternatively, we can register your beacon over the phone. We will keep you informed of lighting times: we already know that The Queen will light the last one at 10.30pm.

Every beacon that forms part of the chain will be given a lighting time and will have its location recorded in a special book to be presented to Her Majesty after the event.

We are privileged to be taking such an active part in this occasion and we really hope you will join us.

Details of how to get involved are available from the RABI fundraising, marketing and communications department – phone 01865 724931or email melanie.moughton@rabi.org.uk.

A Guide to Taking Part can be downloaded HERE and a Registration Form HERE.

Help RABI reach its target of 1,000 beacons.

2012-01-06T17:10:00.006Z

SNOWDROP TEAS

for 3 weekends Sat. February 4^thto Sun. 19^th

2 to 4pm

After the frosts of Winter - the stirring of Spring.

A carpet of Snowdrops & Aconites .

Homemade country Teas and a warm rural welcome
Stalls of local Homemade Cakes – Preserves & Pickles - Chutneys
Church goodies – Books - Gifts.
To support the funds of our friendly Church - always open for you

--- and on 19th February 4.30pm ---

!! CHORAL EVENSONG !!

To get there? just follow our walking Monk signs between Watlington and Nettlebed for St. Botolph’s Swyncombe

2011-12-20T18:22:00.003Z

Help shape the future of Rural Buckinghamshire

The Buckinghamshire Rural Affairs Group (BRAG) has launched a Rural Issues Paper as the first stage in preparing a new Rural Strategy for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

Published at the BRAG Conference held on 25 November 2011 the Issues Paper highlights the key challenges, concerns and issues facing rural communities as they address the opportunities and threats of political, economic and environmental change. BRAG is keen to hear the voice of all rural communities and has published the Issues Paper to stimulate debate and conversation about the future needs of Rural Buckinghamshire, needs which can be addressed in a new Rural Strategy. Whether you live or work in a rural area or are just interested in maintaining the vibrancy rural Buckinghamshire please take the opportunity to make your views known.

For a copy of the issues paper click here

2011-11-24T18:45:00.000Z

2011-11-21T18:28:00.002Z

2011-11-15T18:00:00.000Z

Catherine Arkalian writes....about the meetings for the Community Learning Groups....

We had a terrific turn out for our first Information Event in Cumnor on the 5^th November. 35 people from the community turned up and 18 enrolled on the day into the Community Learning Group – including two young people. We will be holding the first session (of six) next week on Monday 21 November in the Church Centre at Cumnor.

These are the six village and towns which have joined the project: Cumnor, Enstone, Charlbury, Watchfield and Shrivenham, Chinnor, Chesterton. The remaining Information Event days are

Enstone Wed 16 November Enstone Primary School 7pm

Watchfield and Shrivenham – Tuesday 22 November Watchfield Village Hall 7pm

Charlbury Thursday 8 December Charlbury Memorial Hall 10.30 – 12

Chinnor Monday December 12 Chinnor Village Hall 7pm

Chesterton Wednesday January 11 Chesterton Village Hall 7pm

2011-11-15T17:49:00.000Z

Rural Oxfordshire

Community Learning Group

Local people wanted to join new community learning group aiming to

transform your village into a dementia-friendly place

When Alison gets up in the morning she isn’t sure who she is or where she is. Roused by a loving voice, guided gently through her breakfast and daily routine, she later goes out for a walk along roads long familiar but hard to place. She is greeted by friendly voices. She is shown across roads and into the local post office. She chats and laughs - especially if the conversation turns a bit unusual. Alongside her are neighbours who understand what she can do for herself and what she needs help with. She is happy. She is living independently and well with her dementia.

This project, led by Oxfordshire Adult Learning and supported by Guideposts Trust, Age UK Oxfordshire and the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, aims to bring together local people of all ages and backgrounds to learn from specialists all about living with memory loss and dementia.

The group will explore practical ways in which each of us can make a difference in talking with and supporting people we know with memory problems to enjoy life. During the six free sessions participants will be supported to share their experiences and together create a local plan to transform their area into a dementia-friendly community.

Resources are available to enable people living with dementia and their carers to attend.

For more information speak to Catharine Arakelian 01865 849768 catharine@newdementiacare.org.uk

The Oxfordshire Dementia Information Line

01993 700061

2011-10-18T17:14:00.000+01:00

Are you SAD?

With the days getting shorter now, people who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) are now beginning to feel the first signs. SAD is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated 7% of the population every winter between September and April; in particular during December, January and February.

Symptoms usually occur year after year and a diagnosis can usually be made after three or more consecutive winters of symptoms. But what are the symptoms? Well they can include:

• Depression
• Sleep Problems
• Lethargy
• Over Eating
• Loss of Concentration
• Social Problems
• Anxiety
• Loss of Libido
• Mood Changes

SAD may begin at any age but the main age of onset is between 18 and 30 years. What can be done? Well the good news is light therapy has been shown to be effective in up to 85 per cent of diagnosed cases. That is, exposure, for up to four hours per day (average 1-2 hours) to very bright light, at least ten times the intensity of ordinary domestic lighting. Alternatively other complimentary therapies or in some cases non-sedative SSRI antidepressants may also help alleviate symptoms. More information is available at www.sada.org.uk.

Seen on the Raise Review - Mental health Training adn Consultancy from the 100% service User Company. www.raise.org.uk

2011-10-18T16:59:00.000+01:00

CCB - Facts and Figures

9,520 hours of direct support in our communities•

More than £800,000 of grant support into communities across Berkshire

Over 600 people have received training from CCB this year

More than 50 communities working together to implement their plans, all supported by CCB

Nearly 3,000 subscribers to our fortnightly Action for All news bulletins

Twitter followers of CCB growing daily, follow us: @actionforall•

25 inspirational entries to the Empowerment Awards with five receiving awards and special success for Stratfield Mortimer’s entry, coming third in the South East region.
26 new affordable homes built in Berkshire this year, in Wargrave and Hungerford.

20 rural community housing surveys completed, to assess local housing needs and take steps to address these in future
150 local people briefed on the expected impacts of the Localism Bill by CCB experts
50 families helped to cook and enjoy local, seasonal food, with Tastes of the Seasons cookery courses

from the CCB Annual Review 2010-2011 reproduced with permission

for more information contact CCB at

Abbey House, 1650 Arlington Business Park , Theale , Reading, RG7 4SA

Tel: 0118 961 2000

Mobile: 07894 099386

Web: www.ccberks.org.uk

2011-09-26T08:49:00.000+01:00

RURAL SERVICES

Budget cuts mean a new approach is vital to maintain rural public services, the government has been warned.Significant funding reductions mean new ways are needed to maintain and enhance public services, says a Defra-commissioned report.

"This challenge is particularly acute in rural areas," warns the document.
The report, Developing Collaborative and Innovative Approaches to the Delivery of Rural Services, was written for Defra's Rural Community Policy Unit.

A full copy of the document can be downloaded here.

Characteristics associated with rurality all add to the unit cost of service delivery, the report says. These characteristics include smaller and more dispersed populations, greater distance and a limited "delivery" infrastructure. In many areas, some services will become increasingly vulnerable to further reductions in funding, the report warns. These include services with high "fixed costs" relating to staffing and premises and those relying on a minimum scale of activity to retain critical mass. Pressure facing some services – for example rural primary schools, libraries and buses – is already reaching a tipping point, the report says. A fundamental change in the way services are delivered is therefore needed to maintain access to services in some parts of rural England.

"Innovation and collaboration in local service delivery is well established in rural areas," says the document. "A review of existing practice carried out for this study shows that communities have already taken the lead in delivering rural services. "The range of public services delivered and managed by local communities is extensive and includes schools, libraries, transport and social housing."

Further engagement of communities in local service provision could help meet the challenges faced by rural public service providers, the report adds. But this will not be easy to achieve. "No two places are the same," says the document. The development of community scale solutions around service provision should be diverse and have different features depending on local conditions.

2011-09-24T09:50:00.000+01:00

Time for action on farm regulation, say MPs

In a report published today, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee welcomes the findings of the independent Task Force on Farming Regulation and calls on Defra to implement its recommendations promptly.

In May 2011, the independent Farming Regulation Task Force completed a review of Defra's farming and food related regulations–the first of its kind across Whitehall. In a report examining the outcome of that review (The outcome of the independent Farming Regulation Task Force [Tenth report of Session 2011-12, HC 1266],) MPs congratulate the Task Force for striking a successful balance between upholding standards and over-zealous regulation. Full story and report can be downloaded from

http://tinyurl.com/42zzx6b

Seen in the Plunkett Weekly News

2011-09-20T15:43:00.000+01:00

Do you want to create a caring, thoughtful village?

Catharine Arakelian, with Oxfordshire Adult Learning, is looking for 6 communities who want to help overcome the stigma related to dementia and build a sense of community spirit.

Through Oxfordshire Adult Learning, Catharine has funding for a series of six meetings, spread over three months, which will help you or your community group to find out how your village can support people affected by dementia and be better prepared to do this.

With the help of ORCC, Age UK (Oxfordshire) and Guideposts Trust, Catharine says she wants to help create “Thoughtful Communities” by offering local people information on how to reduce the stigma around the condition in their village, as well as how to use learning to build stronger communities who can negotiate their own needs with health and social care professionals.

Please act now and register your interest in this free and exciting opportunity by contacting Catharine Arakelian on 01865 849768, 07751 809271 or catharine@arakelian.co.uk.

Background Information

What the project is about

This project is about a new approach to adult learning in rural communities. The project has funding to support local people in six rural communities to set up informal learning groups. In six fortnightly meetings groups will find out how to make their community more “dementia friendly”. As we know, the number of older people In Oxfordshire is is growing significantly, especially in rural areas. That means that there will be more people with dementia we will want to support and include as part of the community.

How being part of the project will benefit you and your community

The project offers local people training in how to run an informal learning group. With support the group will devise practical ways in which the community can work together to help reduce stigma around dementia.

After the project

The project organisers hope the group and their community will feel better able to support local people with dementia and to help them to live full lives. They also hope people can use their community learning group to move on to address other issues which affect their community. The project lasts from this Autumn to next March but groups will be helped to continue after March 31.

Who is running the project

The project is run by Oxfordshire Adult Learning in partnership with Guideposts Trust, Oxfordshire Age UK and ORCC. A grant from the Adult and Community Learning Fund will help pay for the specialist training.

If you want to know more, or be kept in touch with the project, please contact Catharine Arakelian, Project Officer , 01865 849768, 07751 809271 or catharine@arakelian.co.uk.

2011-09-20T15:18:00.000+01:00

FAITHFUL ADVICE

In an era when the demand for advice services is increasing and funding cuts may result in advice outreach locations such as libraries facing closure, advice agencies must find cost effective ways of ensuring people can get the face to face advice they need.

By working with faith organisations, Citizens Advice Bureaux have already established partnerships which enable them to reach out and provide advice services to some of the most vulnerable and disengaged sections of our communities.

The guide draws on the experiences of bureaux, Anglican, Methodist and United Reformed Churches working in partnership. It is intended to support both faith groups and Citizens Advice Bureaux to develop advice services in their communities, to ensure people have the access to advice and information to make a real difference to their lives.

To download copy follow this link:

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/aboutus/publications/faithful_advice.htm