Advice Dorset Partnership E News No 9 – 2nd August 2018
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 this and all other enquiries about the Advice Dorset Partnership contact caroline@caidorset.org.uk
Events
Dorset One World Festival: Saturday 11 August 2018 – Borough Gardens, Dorcehster: a multi-cultural event with food, arts/crafts, music, dance and song to showcase the diversity of residents in Dorset. A number of local organisations will be having stands. More information on their facebook page: HERE
There are no upcoming Advice Dorset Partnership events. Please let us know about your event so we can advertise it here.
Job Opportunities in local Citizens Advice offices
There are currently no paid job opportunities.
For Volunteering opportunities, find your local Citizens Advice office here
Job Opportunities in other local agencies
News and Useful Information
Local Government Reorganisation: For information on the Shadow Council go to: Dorset Area Councils
Dorset Voluntary and Community Sector Transition Group: you will have read about the work of this group in previous newsletters. In order to promote the role of sector we have produced a flyer – uploaded below: (paper copies are also available).
Universal Credit and Health Costs: It can be difficult for UC claimants to know if they are entitled to free prescriptions and other help with health costs. The guidance on the NHS website (link below) clarifies the earnings limits, but also suggest you ‘take you award notice’ with you. Claimants won’t have a paper notice though may be able to show their assessment eg. on their smart phone. The NHS also suggests ticking the box saying they get income-based Jobseekers Allowance; our Citizen Advice caseworkers strongly suggest people write ‘UC’ next to this…..
We hope the process and guidance will become easier soon, as we anticipate a number of people may face a Penalty Charge for claiming free help when not entitled.
Cost: £65.00 per person for the one-day course on Monday 13th August, £170 per person for all 3 days ** Please note – an organisation’s designated First Aider is required to attend the whole 3-day course.For further information and to book your place, please contact:
National Energy Action – Smart Energy GB in Communities for 2018 – offer free, accredited one-day training sessions for local organisations. After the training course delegates will:
– understand the role of Smart Energy GB and the campaign
– understand the smart meter rollout and feel confident to respond to householder queries and challenges and know where to source additional information
– be able to explain what a smart metering system does and how it works
– understand and be able to use the in-home display, and know how to explain its functions to other people
– know some of the barriers which may be faced by this year’s target group and how to overcome them
– understand the smart meter installation process
– understand the obligations and responsibilities held by the energy companies and their installers to protect householders throughout the smart meter rollout
The training will be offered to organisations who support people over 60 (including those who do not have internet access) and/ or people who are severe or profoundly D/deaf as part of their work. Please contact Louise Evans for more information louise.evans@nea.org.uk or 07730 760828.
Dorset Community Action training:
Purbeck – Bite Sized Training – “Trustee Roles and Responsibilities”, 22nd August 2018
This bite size course is designed for trustees or committee members of all types of voluntary and community groups, from community libraries to pre-schools and lunch clubs. It is also suitable for those considering taking on the role of trustee. New regulations are coming into effect in July and this course will cover any changes that you need to be aware of.
The course will cover:-
The general duties and responsibilities of trustees
Specific roles – chair, treasurer and secretary
How to have an effective board
Key policies and procedures overview
Date: 22nd August 2018, 1.15pm registration for 1.30pm start through to 3.30pm finish
Venue: Prospect House, Sandford Lane, Wareham
Cost: £30 pp for voluntary and community groups, £40 pp for statutory groups. Further information can be found here
Research and Reports
Improving the Mortgage Market: new report from Citizens Advice responds to the FCA’s mortgage market study. Read more HERE
Other projects
No current updates.
Funding Opportunities
Big Lottery Building Connections Fund: a new funding stream for projects that prevent or reduce loneliness. More information here
St Martins in the Field throughthe Vicar’s Relief Fund (VRF) provides small crisis grants of up to £350 to support people who are at risk of, or currently, experiencing homelessness or are vulnerably housed, to establish and maintain their tenancies. Types of applications include funding to secure accommodation and to clear rent arrears following an eviction notice.
They accept applications from support services eg. Citizens Advice or a homelessness charity. For more information on how to register to apply for grants see here
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioners’s Safer Dorset Fund – community grants: grants of £100 – £3,000 for projects that meet one or more of the Dorset Police & Crime Plan. More details here
The TDS Foundation fund projects to promote knowledge of Landords’ obligations OR Tenants’ rights and responsibilities. Read more here
The Woodward Charitable Trust make small grants to organisations working with children facing exclusion, disabled people, prisoners, and for community cohesion work Read more here
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