GENERAL UPDATES

British Council / Voluntary Services Overseas Community Xchange Programme: Kings Lynn – Mongolia
Global Xchange is a partnership programme managed and delivered by the British Council and Voluntary Services Overseas.  Global Xchange develops and delivers international volunteer exchanges and other activities to help create active global citizens who value volunteering, diversity, community development and social action.  They will be running a fully funded, Community Xchange Programme between the Kings Lynn and West Norfolk area and Chiobalsan, Mongolia starting in May 2010. UK Participants will visit Mongolia from 22^nd May to 12^th June.  Global Xchange are inviting Youth Workers or Community Practitioners who work directly or indirectly with young people in the Kings Lynn and West Norfolk area to apply.  The application deadline is 6^th April 2010. For full information on the programme and an application form contact the Programme Supervisor, Gaby Wood via telephone on 07833 391024 or by email at gaby.wood@vso.org.uk.  For more information about Global Xchange please visit their website at www.globalxchange.org.uk.

Survey by COVER
COVER are carrying out an important piece of work investigating the current state of the Voluntary and Community sector in the East of England. The results of this survey will be used to influence policy makers on behalf of the sector at a regional and national level, and will be available to the sector to use locally as well. They would like to hear from you about your experiences.

The research is looking at the following questions:-

• How have Voluntary and Community sector organisations fared during the recent recession?
• What’s the outlook for the coming months?
• What are the main issues that the sector is dealing with?

If you are a Voluntary and Community sector organisation operating anywhere in the East of England, they would love it if you could take just ten minutes to complete the survey by clicking on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B85TQXW.  They are hoping to get a high response rate to maximize the weight the findings will carry.  The survey closes on 31^st March 2010.  Thank you very much for your time.

NHS Norfolk and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Joint Consultation on NHS Continuing Healthcare for Adults: Consultation Suspended
NHS Norfolk and NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney have suspended the public consultation on the provision of Continuing Healthcare.  The provision of long term care by the NHS is increasingly a matter of national debate and they believe that the public consultation will be given greater clarity and strength by waiting for any conclusions resulting from that wider debate.  They thank you for your interest in the consultation, and for the time you have taken to consider the proposals. They greatly value your views and opinions and whilst the consultation is now suspended, they expect it to recommence later in the year.  Your details will be kept on file so that at such a time as the consultation is re-launched, they can contact you again.  They thank you, once again, for your time, and apologise for any inconvenience you may have experienced.  If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Caroline Howarth via telephone on 01603 595842 or via email at caroline.howarth@norfolk.nhs.uk

Have your say the electronic way
Norfolk LINk’s brand new interactive website is up and running and ready for you to get involved.  The site has lots of new pages, lots of new ways you can get involved with Norfolk LINk and lots more information for you to enjoy.  So visit www.norfolklink.org.uk and share your thoughts, ideas and concerns with other members and those who provide and deliver health and social care services in Norfolk.  Together we can make a difference

Disabled parents meetings start Access All Schools project.
Access All Schools is a new survey from Norfolk Disabled Parents Alliance.  It asks disabled parents for their views about what makes it easier for them to encourage their child’s learning and to support them in school.  Access All Schools is for parents who find it hard to be involved as much as they would like to be in their children’s education, and those who are disabled or who have impairments or health conditions and find their child’s school isn’t always easy to work with.  Parents with children at any Norfolk school, from early years to college or special school can take part, as well as family members, volunteers and others interested in disability and Norfolk schools.  

Findings will be published in a report to help schools and disabled parents work together better, and to help develop school’s Disability Equality Schemes to make sure disabled parents and their children have equal opportunities in the future.

Parents can have their say on line at www.norfolkparents.org.uk, where there’s more information about other ways of taking part.  Call, or text “survey” to 078 525 989 54 or email info@norfolkparents.org.uk for more information. The survey closes on 1^st May 2010.

There will be local meetings for disabled parents to share their views in person.  For info on places and times see website or call as above.  Norfolk Disabled Parents Alliance is run by and for disabled parents to improve choice, support and equality for all disabled parents.  Access All Schools is funded by the National Lottery through Awards for All.

EVENT NEWS FOR FUTURE DIARY DATES

CEILIDH
This event is being held by Unicef Supporters Group in North and West Norfolk on Saturday 20^th March at South Wootton Village Hall from 7pm to 10pm.   They are holding a Ceilidh to raise funds for Immunisation in Liberia, which is helping to reduce the very high under 5’s mortality rate.  Tickets are £10 each and include a baked potato with a choice of fillings.  Dancing "called" by the Rusty Relics.  There is a bar and raffle.  If you would like tickets or more information please contact Anne Truman on 01553 760829.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AT WNVCA  

Partnership Officer (Community Cohesion)
37 hours a week including occasional weekend/evening work
£22,221 pa 25 days annual leave 5% pension after 6 months.
Post funded to March 2012 with possible extension to March 2013

You will lead on community cohesion in West Norfolk, on behalf of the West Norfolk Partnership and WNVCA, working towards the partnership’s ‘communities are strong and active’ outcome.  With experience of cohesion issues and an excellent knowledge of relevant equality and diversity legislation you will be able to build relationships quickly and communicate effectively.  An application pack is available from WNVCA, 16 Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, PE30 1JN.  You can contact by telephone on 01553 760568 or via email on info@westnorfolkvca.org.  Closing date is the 11^th March 2010 at 12 noon, interviews 16^th March 2010.  West Norfolk VCA is an equal opportunities employer and actively promotes the value of diversity.