• Pursue a new trading idea
• Learn about the delivery of public services under contract
• Use a loan to increase your capacity to do either of the above.

Then you should check out the Only Connect visit scheme, which allows  voluntary and community organisations  to share their experiences and learn more about the key issues to consider when generating earned income.   Applications are open until 12 March 2010.

Up to £150 is available  for your time and travel to visit another organisation to learn how they diversified their income by developing a trading arm, or moving into public service delivery.   You will need to locate your host organisation (details are available at Only Connect) but they will receive a consultation fee of £200 for time spent with you. 

If you are interested in taking part in the scheme, or considering hosting another organisation, further information and  application forms are available for download.  Alternatively,  email: onlyconnect@ncvo-vol.org.uk or contact NCVO, tel: 0207 520 2519.
 

SCVO would like to learn more about your experience of taking part in the Only Connect scheme.  Please contact Martin Drayton, Project Offier (3Cs) email: martind@scvo.info or tel: 0121 525 1127.

The event was well attended with various speakers giving updates on where the Programme had progreesed to. 

If you didn’t manage to make the event, you can access a write up of what took place here.

In July 2010 the new Independent Safeguarding Authority, established to administer and enforce the new legislation, will require all individuals and any group or organisation who provide services to children and vulnerable adults to comply with the new legislation.

Please click here for further information about the event.

For more information and to book your place contact Martin Allcott or Carole Harte at SCVO on 0121 525 1127 or e-mail martin@scvo.info or carole@scvo.info

This exciting opportunity is linked to the Grassroots Grants small grants programme and aims to create a permanent fund that will be invested to provide small grants for community groups beyond the end of the existing programme in March 2011. 

During the recession there has never been a better time to invest in our communities for their long-term benefit.  Small grants are the life-blood of many community groups delivering vital services and activities for Sandwell people and this has been self-evident in the benefit that the Grassroots Grants small grants have provided. 

Donations received until March 2011 can benefit from a pound for pound match provided by the Government.  This means that a donation of £10 with Gift Aid of 28% can become £25.60!

SCVO is working in partnership with the Birmingham Community Foundation to deliver this initiative and they have devised a number of ways to give for local businesses and individuals able to make larger donations.  Donors can create a Named Fund, which will be an endowment fund in your name or a name of your choice that will go on giving grants in perpetuity.  Businesses and individuals can join a new 100 Club, pooling your donation with other 100 Club members to make an even bigger impact.  You would be asked to commit a donation of £1000 per year for up to 3 years; 50% would be distributed in grants immediately and 50% invested in endowment and doubled by the Government.

If you or someone you know would like to make a donation you can either visit: www.bhamfoundation.co.uk and click on ‘The Big Give’ button or send a cheque made out to ‘SCVO Ltd’ to Sandwell Grassroots Community Fund, 1st Floor Landchard House, Victoria Street, West Bromwich B70 8ER. 

For more information about the Named Fund and 100 Club ways to give, contact Zoë Keens at the Birmingham Community Foundation on 0121 322 5560. 

For details of the Grassroots Grants small grants programme contact Stephen Awre or Martin Allcott at SCVO on 0121 525 1127.

The event will provide an opportunity to see what opportunities, experience and support the church can offer young people.  For more information please contact Peter on info@sandwellchurcheslink.org or tel: 0121 588 3744 or access a booking form by clicking here

20 places for VCOs are available is Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell. Due to the cost of running this course there is a charge of £40 per person to help cover some of the cost of the trainers, venue and lunch.

Please see the attached flyer for more details and to book a place.

SCVO
1st Floor, Landchard House
Victoria Street
West Bromwich
B70 8ER

Tel: 0121 525 1127
Fax: 0121 525 4777

E-mail addresses for all staff remain the same and news of our latest events and services can be found on the website.

As the move happened over Christmas and New Year, we are experiencing some minor disruption to our service and limited access to our e-mail and computer network. We ask for your patience and understanding as we settle in to our new home and we hope to resume our normal service very shortly.

We wish all our members, clients, partners and supporters a very happy and prosperous New Year!

Round 3 – ESF Black Country Community Grant Scheme
Deadline for applications: 5.00pm Wednesday 17th February 2010

The Grants are intended to benefit unemployed and economically inactive people who face barriers to employment, over the age of 16. 

Outcomes are based on progression, rather than achievement of jobs or qualifications. Projects could cover: Removal of Barriers; Non-Accredited Learning; Soft skills; Accredited Learning. If your application is successful you will have to complete paperwork to show how you are achieving your outcomes.

This grant is aimed at local groups helping workless people move closer to employment by providing up to £12,000 for projects run by organisations with an annual turnover of less than £100,000. We particularly welcome applications for organisations intending to work with the disabled, women and the economically inactive.

Please note that you can not apply for a Round 3 grant if you are already in receipt of a Round 1 or 2 grant.

If you have any queries please contact Sophie Thompson on the details given below. An application form can be obtained by phone: 01384 471116; sophie_Thompson@blackcountryconsortium.co.uk

Covering letter

Strategy document