Welcome to the Advice Dorset Partnership E-News bulletin. The bulletin is circulated every two weeks and will bring you news and information relating to the advice sector in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole. If you would like to send anything out via the bulletin, please send it to Sue at: advicedorsetpartnership@gmail.com
For other enquiries about the Advice Dorset Partnership contact caroline@caidorset.org.uk.
Advice Dorset Partnership
Welfare Benefits Forum Thurs 8 March 2018
This forum is suitable for staff whose role is solely providing benefits advice to a range of clients, including specialist appeals and tribunals AND for staff who provide welfare benefits advice as part of their role (e.g. social worker, carers support worker, recovery worker (mental health). The focus will be on Universal Credit – the experience so far – and there will be updates from colleagues from Jobcentre Plus, Westwey Partnership and Citizens Advice.
Tickets are free for Advice Dorset Partnership Plus members and £25.00 for non members
To book click here
Conference on Accessibility: ensuring people can access the advice they need
Today’s event was very interesting, with presentations and discussions on digital access, transport, and barriers faced by people from ethnic minorities, plus updates on cyber crime, Wyvern Savings and Loans and other local initiatives. Thank you to everyone who participated. The slides from the various presentations are below and a summary report will come out shortly:
Accessibility Conference slides 8 Feb 2018
Citizens Advice also launched its report on Digital Access: to see the report and summary briefing click on the links below:
Improving Digital Access Report Feb 2018
Job Opportunities in local Citizens Advice offices
There are currently no paid vacancies. For volunteering opportunities find your local Citizens Advice office here
News and Useful Information
Financial Fraud Action UK Quiz – is your charity too smart to be scammed? Charities are just as likely to be scammed as individuals or businesses. You could send this around your committee, staff and volunteers to check how alert they are about scam e-mails and texts.
Find out in less than 5 minutes with a short quiz from Financial Fraud Action UK and others – and learn how to spot the tactics used by increasingly sophisticated criminals who want you to part with your money and your personal information here:
Events and Training
‘Essential Safeguarding Adults Skills’ 1 day course from the Borough of Poole:
Course dates: Fri 16th Mar Last 8 spaces Tue 10th Apr Last 12 spaces
The courses can be booked on these dates via CPD online by clicking the date links above where you will also find out details of the content of the course as well as times/venue/costs, etc.
If your establishment is not yet set up on CPD or a colleague doesn’t have a CPD User Account please email or call 01202 261014.
Poole CVS: There is currently space available on the following training course:
Healthy Conversations – Friday 23rd March
This course is free to attend. If you would like to reserve a space please email kevin.eaton@poolecvs.org.uk
Bournemouth CVS: training available
20th February – Being a Charity Trustee Training
There are places left on this training, More information about this is available from Hannah Rees
Bournemouth CVS: are partnering with the Foundation for Social Improvement to deliver a subsidised training event on 14th March for small and local charities and community groups. There will be three workshops on key skills: Supporting & Managing Volunteers, Demonstrating Your Impact and Community & Events Fundraising.
All the workshops are taking place at Kinson Community Centre. Spaces will fill up fast and booking is absolutely essential. You can book onto one, two or all three of the workshops here: Please note, the bookings are being administrated by the FSI and neither Bournemouth CVS or Poole CVS are able to make reservations on your behalf. If you find that the workshop you wish to book onto is full, please contact the FSI directly to be put on the waiting list. Organisations can book a maximum of 2 places per workshop.
Your organisation will need to register with the FSI which is free for groups with an annual turnover of less than £1.5 million. You will be required to make a £15 payment to the FSI for each of the places that you book. After the session has taken place £10 for each of these places will be refunded directly to you. If you do not attend on the day the full £15 payment will be kept by the FSI. If you have any questions about payments or deposits before or after the training please contact the FSI directly. Bournemouth CVS and Poole CVS will have no information at any time about this.
The workshops will take place at the following times:
· Supporting & Managing Volunteers – 10am to 11.30am
· Demonstrating Your Impact – 11.45am to 1.15pm
· Community & Events Fundraising – 2pm to 3.30pm
Health and Care Forum the next forum will take place on 6th March at Poole Christian Fellowship Hall on Lagland Street in Poole.
The Forum will be a workshop focusing on Ageing Without Children and issues facing over 65’s who do not have children or who do have children but aren’t in regular contact with them.
Booking is essential and if you would like to attend please register via Eventbrite here:
Research and Reports
Stop Loan Sharks see the latest report from Stop Loan Sharks
Witness statistics report 2017 FINAL
Funding opportunities
The MSE Charity is funded by Money Saving Expert and gives grants to charities and not for profit organisations working with clients to make a lasting impact on their financial capability. Find out more and see if your organisation meets the eligibility criteria here: