Do you support any of the following groups:
•    older people;
•    people who are socially isolated;
•    those with sensory, mobility or dexterity impairments;
•    people who have mental health conditions;
•    those with English as second language/BAME; or
•    people with Learning Disabilities?

The Digital Switchover is coming and some of the people you support may be worried about the switch to digital TV. We can answer any questions they may have.

This is a reminder that April is fast approaching when the Digital Switchover will take place.

As the time draws near it is very likely that some of your clients or members will want to get some help or advice.

Gary Davis is working with Voluntary Action Lewisham and is able to provide presentations to organisations or individuals between now and April.

He is also able to provide supporting leaflets explaining the switchover and how to retune

There are still small grants available of up to £500 which can be awarded to organisations who may want to organise a specific event; this could be used to hire a hall, buy refreshments or transport costs.

Contact gary@slcvspartnership.org.uk or Tel: 07877 768307 for more information

Crime and its effects are a major challenge within society, and VCS organisations have an important role to play in combating

crime and making our communities safer.  VAL has committed to work with Clinks, a national organization, to develop a local network of organisations to address crime and community safety issues and to link into a broader, London-wide network.  These issues include work with young people at risk of engaging in criminal or anti

-social activity, reducing the number of Lewisham residents appearing in court, support for the victims of crime, collaborative work with the police, probation and court services, and new approaches to achieving justice.

An initial meeting has been arranged for Thursday 1st March, 2.00-5.00pm, at the Civic Suite. If your organisation is in any way involved in crimin

al justice or community safety  issues, or would like to be more involved, please book this date in your diary. The event will include presentations, details of some existing local work, the support available through Clinks, and discussion about these important issues.

To book your place, please phone Sheila on: 020 8314 9411 or email:

sheila@valewisham.org.uk

As an infrastructure organisation you many find it challenging  to show your impact. One of the ways in which this can be done effectively is to create case studies as they’re a great way to communicate the work you do and the difference you make.

NCVO have information on their website that may be helpful:

http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/networking discussions/blogs/23540/11/11/22/create-case-study-show-your-impact

Capacity building funding grants up to £3,000 are available to local providers to help improve their service delivery and referrals and to support their sustainability. 

The capacity building funding is designed to develop organisations capacity to deliver services and support sustainability rather than fund direct service delivery to clients.

This report on the findings and lessons learned from visits to local authorities in 2011 produced by DWP is recommended reading for those interested in the housing benefit reforms.  The visits explored the potential impact of the changes to LHA and changes to shared accommodation rates for under 35 year olds.  DWP produced a LA toolkit and the organisation of good practice into four areas: communicating with claimants, using discretionary housing payments; working with landlord and working with housing teams and other stakeholders. The report is available at: www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lha-reforms-good-practice.pdf

Selected resources on housing benefit changes and related impacts of welfare reform in London.

For the last 4in10 seminar, reported above, we assembled a recommended further reading list which we hope you will find useful. It contains links to a selection of key information documents and briefings, and can be found at: www.childrensrightswales.org.uk/UserFiles/resources/Exploring%20Housing%...

The Investment Fund will provide funding to voluntary and community sector organisations to work with Lewisham Council to find new ways of working that will support people to live independent lives, do the things that are important to them and play their part within their local community.

Applications need to be submitted by 20th January 2012.

VAL’s offices will be closed from midday on Friday 23rd December, and will re-open on Tuesday 3rd January.

VAL is planning to do another free short walking tour of the sector, stopping off at a range of voluntary sector projects that are based in the Forest Hill area. The tour will start outside Voluntary Care Centre offices (300 Stanstead Road, SE23 1DE) at 1.30pm on Friday 14th October. If you would like to register please email: jonathan@valewisham.org.uk

TV across the UK is going digital. This means the existing analogue TV signal will be switched off and replaced with a new, stronger digital TV signal.  The London TV region will start to switch to digital from 4 April 2012.

Voluntary Action Lewisham has been appointed by Digital Outreach to work with the voluntary and community sector in Lewisham during the run-up to the digital TV switchover by providing grants, materials, free training, support and guidance to enable you to help the people you support. Gary Davis will be helping front-line groups across Lewisham to support their more vulnerable clients in making the switch to Digital TV, which happens from April 2012.

We know that some people you support may be worried about the switch to digital TV. They will turn to a local organisation that they know and trust, such as yours, for information and advice. The core target groups are:

• Older people

• People who are socially isolated

• People with sensory, mobility or dexterity impairments

•  People who have mental health conditions

• People whose first language is not English

• People with learning difficulties.

What we can offer

• A Small Grants fund to help fund events, activities and initiatives that get switchover and Help Scheme information to as many people as possible.

• Free briefing sessions to enable your staff and volunteers to feel confident to give switchover and Switchover Help Scheme advice to people they support.

• Free leaflets and promotional material which you can use at events and activities.

To find out more about the project or to organise a briefing session, order leaflets and promotional material or the small grant scheme, please contact: Gary at gary@slcvspartnership.org.uk or 07877 768307

About the Switchover Help Scheme

The Switchover Help Scheme is run by the BBC, under an agreement with the Government to help older and disabled people make the change to digital TV. Every eligible person will be offered practical help to convert one of their TV sets to digital in the run-up to switchover in each region.

To find out more about the Help Scheme and whether you are eligible, visit helpscheme.co.uk  

About Digital UK

Digital UK is the not for profit organisation responsible for leading the digital switchover. To find out when you switch, and for more information about switchover, visit www.digitaluk.co.uk  or phone 08456 50 50 50.

About Digital Outreach
Digital Outreach Ltd (DOL) is one of the UK’s leading and most extensive providers of community outreach and engagement services. Digital Outreach has been appointed by Digital UK and the Switchover Help Scheme to deliver the community outreach programme by working with voluntary and community sector organisations throughout the UK.    www.digitaloutreach.org.uk

"well organised, speakers were excellent and covered areas discussed with passion and great insight"

Our Sector Conference, 22nd September, Catford

Post conference Information

Below you'll find information from Our Conference 22nd September including

• Power point presentations (Click on the links for Anne Power's Cooperation and the Localism presentations below)

"very interesting points of view from all the speakers. Excellent platform for ideas and sharing views. Thanks VAL!"

• Feedback and supporting material from the discussion sessions (see word documents below) 

• (Please note due to a technical problem we will not be able to include links to video of conference presenters at this time)
  

Please find below a link to the page on the Lewisham website which contains the application form and guidance for the Main Grant Funding Programme for 2011-2014.