News

Having postponed our May evening network meeting, we would now like to invite you to not one but two network meetings!

On Wednesday 26 June at ESDA, Hampden Park, we will be holding a summer evening network meeting from 7–9pm which will include:

• a workshop on child sexual exploitation from the WISE Project
• an update from SPARK
• a chance to talk to a colleague from the County Council's Children's Services department

We would also like to use the meeting to give organisations a chance to tell others about themselves – if you would like to give a short presentation to highlight the work you're doing please let us know asap. Food will be served.

On Monday 8 July at 3VA, Eastbourne, we will be holding a day-time meeting from 10-12.30pm to meet with ESCC officers and talk in more detail about how strategic programmes such as THRIVE are progressing, as well as hearing about developments within the Children's Services department.

Please let jennywingate@sparknetwork.org.uk if you'd like to book a place on either of these meetings or if you have any queries.

This year for Carers Week, which takes place between 10–16th June, Care for the Carers will be launching three new local carers' forums in East Sussex (Udimore, Maresfield and Seaford), with each forum representing its own area of the county.

East Sussex County Council's Job Shadowing Scheme is for all members of the children and young people's workforce in East Sussex. Job Shadowing is a great way to improve multi-agency working on projects such as THRIVE and can help you improve working relationships, increase your knowledge of other services and broaden your experience. You can request to shadow anyone whose job is connected with helping you improve your work with children, young people and families in East Sussex. Click here and here for case studies from both hosts and applicants. To take part please email JobShadowing@eastsussex.gov.uk for an application form.

NCDA is seeking a dynamic individual with experience and a flair for developing and delivering services to contract and which meet community need, in a consistently high quality way. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and leading the team of staff and volunteers, managing the services and day-to-day activities and working in partnership with specialist advice providers, managing existing funders and bringing the message of inclusive communities to service users and communities served. The deadline for applications is Friday 7 June with more details available by clicking here.

Hastings Voluntary Action recruiting a Community Engagement and Representation Manager

(£27,052 - £28,636)

Do you:-
• Understand the national and local policy agenda?
• Possess a real 'gift' for networking?
• Have the flair to organise events – large and small – which are meaningful, memorable and enjoyable?
• Work creatively in partnership with the public and private sector on issues of common interest?

Hastings Voluntary Action are seeking a skilled, creative and effective person to coordinate community engagement and representation activities in Hastings and across East Sussex, as well as being a member of HVA's Senior Management Team with an opportunity to shape the future direction of the organisation.

The postholder will facilitate Hastings Community Network (HCN), which is the predominant organisation that represents the voluntary and community sector "voice" on key strategic bodies in Hastings, and enables organisations to learn from each other and work together for the common good.

To get an application form and recruitment pack, visit HVA's website http://www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org/node/2316 or phone 01424 444010. For an informal chat, contact Steve Manwaring, HVA's Director, on 01424 444010.

The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 31 May 2013.
The interview date will be Friday 21 June 2013.

Apply now for any amount between £200 up to £1,500

Closing date is Monday 10 June by 4pm

Who can apply?

Young people, or organisations that work with young people aged between 11 and 19.

What can you apply for?

• Any kind of arts, music, cultural or sports projects or events that improve the things that young people have to do and places they have to go in the evenings, weekends and after school.
• Any project that helps to tackle bullying, reduce anti-social behaviour and help get young people involved in their community or volunteering.
• Projects that help to promote healthy eating.
• Projects that help support better sex and relationship education.
• Projects that help support better awareness of the effects of drug and alcohol misuse.
• Projects that increase learning opportunities and help increase opportunities to get young people into work or training.

Please contact Tracey Johnson, TYS Participation Worker on 01424 726086 (Direct) or 0777 540 6718 if you need any kind of support in developing your bid. Tracey is happy to visit you and your group to talk through your ideas.

Please click here for a check-list of things that the decision-making panel consider when scoring bids – you may find this helpful!

Click here for an application form.

RSPCA Mallydams Wood are currently running a Lottery-funded project called Hastings Wild Things. Through this project they aim to encourage young people, young parents and their pre-school children to enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer.

Young people – can learn new skills and explore the wild outdoors
Young people can learn about wildlife and explore the wonderful woodland at Mallydams. Many animals live in the wood including foxes, badgers, rabbits, squirrels, owls, dormice, frogs, lizards and snakes. A Youth Engagement Officer can organise activities which include badger watches, den building, cooking on a woodland fire, making animals homes, woodland games, night walks, conservation tasks and much more. RSPCA Mallydams can offer the chance to get certificates in a wide variety of skills, from creating a habitat to caring for your pet.

To find out more, email Anna Herrieven, youth engagement officer at Anna.herrieven@rspca.org.uk or call 0300 123 0750.

Young Parents and their children – can play together and explore the wild outdoors
Sessions for young parents provide natural play and learning in the woodland and the education centre. There are courses that run for several weeks as well as taster sessions. Young parents can come along and make new friends as they play alongside their children. RSPCA Mallydams Wood offers the chance to learn about the woodland and wildlife and have lots of fun outdoors.

To find out more, email Andy Dinsdale, young parents project officer, on Andy.dinsdale@rspca.org.uk or call 0300 123 0750

In addition to this project, RSPCA Mallydams Wood can also offer day and residential courses in their fully equipped centre for schools and other groups, including badge work for Scouts, Guides and Brownies etc, beach visits, farm visits, pet care activities and much more.

The Skill Share website has integrated with SPARK and its useful resources, bursaries and Skills Exchange forum can now be found in the training section of our website.