PLEASE BE AWARE

Charity Commission warns of bogus telephone calls

The Charity Commission has been made aware of a scam involving people being telephoned by individuals claiming to represent the Charity Commission. In the phone calls these individuals claim to be from the "debt collection department" of the Commission and they demand payments for various services and advertisements.  

 

Some of the bogus calls have demanded payments of thousands of pounds for various services and advertisements. The Commission has been contacted by a number of people who have received calls of this nature and have already reported this matter to the police.

 

It is important to be clear that:

• Any call from someone claiming to work with or on behalf of the Charity Commission, and claiming any payment in a threatening way, is clearly bogus;
• The Charity Commission does not charge for any of its services to charities; it does not get involved in debt collection either directly or through contracting third parties to do so, and nor does it collect debt on behalf of charities;
• You should immediately report these sorts of incidents to the police, and the Charity Commission would also like to be informed where its name is being used for suspected fraudulent purposes.

Andrew Hind, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission said;
“I am outraged that individuals are misusing the good name of the Charity Commission in this way. I would strongly urge anyone to contact the police if they receive one of these calls and to please notify us as well.”

Our advice to charities is: 

• When you speak to any member of staff from the Commission they will always be prepared to give their name, telephone number and email address;
• Commission email addresses always end with the domain name @charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk;
• Check the number of any suspect caller against the direct dial telephone codes for our offices; these are London 0207 674…, Liverpool 0151 703…, Taunton 01823 345… , Newport 01633 2255…

The best way to contact us is by email or if you need to speak to someone urgently you can call our contact centre on 0845 300 0218. Lines are open from 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, except national holidays.

 

CRB have stated that it is ‘business as usual’

On Tuesday the 15^th of June the Government announced that they are intending to remodel the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS).  They are proposing to place the scheme at ‘proportionate, commonsense levels’.  The ISA-registration stage of the scheme, which was due to launch on 26^th July 2010 has been stopped.

CRB have stated that it is ‘business as usual’, and the elements of the VBS that were put in place in October 2009 still stand, CRB checks can still be applied for in the usual way through your umbrella body.

The CRB are still intending to launch the new application form as planned on 26^th July, but they will ignore the parts of the application that would capture ISA registration requirements, and only use the fields that are required to process a CRB check.

If you have any queries regarding this information please consult the CRB website on:  www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk or contact Judith Berry via email: judith@weatnorfolkvca.org

 

 

GENERAL UPDATES

 

Norfolk Unites - putting Norfolk third sector organisations on the radar of funding and partnerships

Norfolk Unites is increasingly being seen as the place to go for information on the Norfolk third sector – over 850 users accessed the website in May.

 

• Using the Norfolk Unites Directory, possible partners, referrals or support for organisations or service users can easily be found by clicking on the Location; Service users and; Type of Service categories
• The Funding page collates opportunities and organisations and are also able to advertise for partners on their own applications – http://www.norfolkunites.org.uk/funding/
• Organisations signed up to the Directory receive funding news SPECIFIC TO THEM, e.g. a small third sector organisation recently won £12,000 of funding from a grant they otherwise would not have heard of.  Sign up here: http://www.norfolkunites.org.uk/directory/

For 10 minutes of your time - and it’s FREE - it won’t hurt!

 

News from the Stop-Start Group

The Stop-Start group have secured funding to enable them to hold day time drop in meetings to run alongside their evening monthly support group meetings.  The day time meetings are held the first Friday of each month from 11am to 1pm and are held at St Augustine’s Healthy Living Centre in Columbia Way, King’s Lynn.

 

The drop ins are less formal than the evening meetings and are ideally suited to people who cannot attend evening meetings.  People can come for as short or long as they wish in that time.  There are toys available for any children accompanied by their mums and there are no charges for attending either meeting.

 

The aim of the group is to support female survivors of childhood sexual abuse and it gives members the opportunity to meet other survivors in a confidential, understanding and friendly environment and be able to talk to people who really do understand the trauma that childhood sexual abuse causes.

 

Any potential members to phone 07788 196 138, write to PO Box 1138, King's Lynn, PE30 4WX or email stop-start@live.co.uk for more information.  The web site is www.stop-start-group.co.uk

 

EVENT UPDATES

 

Soroptimist International of King’s Lynn in Partnership with WNVCA – A Public Forum ‘West Norfolk says No!! to domestic abuse’

The above event is taking place on Saturday 19^th June from 9.30am to 1.30pm at St. Edmunds Community Foundation School, Kilham’s Way, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2HU.

To book a place please contact Valeria Makara at WNVCA on telephone 01553 760568 or fax 01553 774399, email valeria@westnorfolkvca.org.  PLEASE NOTE THIS FORUM IS FREE OF CHARGE.

 

Falls Week: 21st - 25th June

Falls & Fractures Awareness Day is on Tuesday 22 June from 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Green Quay, King's Lynn.  It is being arranged by the King's Lynn & District Osteoporosis Group.  This is an opportunity for people who have had a fall or are frightened of falling to come to find out about prevention and available aids.  For people with less than perfect sight, hearing or mobility there will be specific demonstrations and advice. 

 

Information also from CAB, Age Concern, West Norfolk Carers, the Osteoporosis Society and PALS.  There will be an opportunity to watch exercises developed particularly for people with or at risk of osteoporosis.  Someone from the Practice Based Consortium will also be there to take people's views on the new mobile osteoporosis scanning service soon to be established. A good opportunity to come to have your say.  Also in  the Queen Elizabeth Hospital foyer from 23^rd to the 25^th June there will be a Falls and Osteoporosis display and the trauma nurses from Gayton Ward will be available to answer questions.

 

Information Day for Summer Camps at Holt Hall ( For 14 to 16 Year olds) Saturday 26^th June

Western Area Youth Work Teams are holding an information day on Saturday 26^th June from 11am to 2pm.  There are 3 camps and 30 places available for each. Come along with your Parent/ Guardian to find out more, support may be offered for young people who may be put off by the £20 fee.

Street Dance Camp from Monday 2^nd to Friday 6^th August.

Football Camp from Monday 9^th to 13^th August and a Rock School from Monday 16^th to Friday 20^th August. 

Places are open to all young people aged 14-16 across the Western Area.

If you require further information, please either email  Louise at  louise.howes@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk , or contact Derek Tabor

on 01553 773565.

 

The Norfolk Hospice Charity Quiz Night Friday 2 July 2010

The Norfolk Hospice Charity is holding a charity quiz night at Hunstanton Town Hall  on 2^nd July  from 7pm to 11pm.

£4 per person. Max 6 per team.

If you would like tickets for a team in the quiz night or would like to come as an individual and join a Hospice Team please phone Zena Penty  on 01485 542891.

 

The Norfolk Hospice Charity Coffee Morning - With Stalls Saturday 3 July 2010  

The Norfolk Hospice Charity is holding a  Coffee Morning with Stalls at St. Mary’s Church Hall Heacham  from 10am – 12noon

 

Coffee Morning – Saturday 3^rd July

West Norfolk Befriending are holding a Coffee Morning and Summer Sale at Orchard Close, Dersingham on Saturday 3^rd July from 10.30am to 12.00noon.  Various stalls including books, bric a brac, cakes, tombola and much more.  Everyone welcome.  For further information telephone 01553 763500.

 

Park House Concerts for 2010

On Sunday 4^th July at 5pm Chapterhouse Outdoor Theatre Company will present “Pride & Prejudice”.  Tickets are for adults £12, children £8 and a family ticket is £35.  Gates open for picnics from 2.30pm.  On Sunday 10^th October at 3pm The Wandering Minstrels will present the Gilbert & Sullivan ‘Savoy Operas’.  Tickets are £12.50.  All tickets for any of the events are available from Park House Reception, please call 01485 543000 for ticket sales or for more details.

 

Norfolk Play Tour - Saturday, 10 July 2010P

Is there a Play Area in Your Neighbourhood you would like to improve?  The Glass-House Community Led Design in partnership with Norfolk Rural Community Council are offering a FREE tour of inspiring play areas in Norfolk.  This one-day event is for community groups who are at an early stage in developing a play area in their neighbourhood. 

 

The Play Tour will give you the opportunity to learn more about design and gain insight into the design process. There will also be an architect on hand to answer any of your queries.  Places are limited, so book soon!  If you would like to attend the Norfolk Play Tour, please register your place by visiting the link and going to the 'what's on page' - www.theglasshouse.org.uk/index.php?pg_id=93.  If you have any further queries or would like more information please contact a member of The Glass-House team on 020 7490 4583.

 

Norfolk Parent Partnership Course  -  Swaffham EcoTech Centre

Thursdays: 7th, 14^th 21^st October and 4th, 11th and 18^th November 2010 (9.30am – 3.30pm)

Could you support parents of children with special and additional educational needs?

Norfolk Parent Partnership helps parents and carers of children with special educational needs.  We offer support and information about education; produce leaflets and a newsletter each term, which is sent out to families through schools.

 

We are currently looking to recruit more volunteers for our increasingly popular ‘Independent Parental Supporter’ service.

 

Our volunteers support parents and carers to:

 

·        Encourage parents to be fully involved in their child’s education

·        Listen to concerns and help and encourage parents to express their views in writing and vocally

·        Help to access relevant and up-to-date information

·        Explain procedures and choices

·        Explain about assessment and statementing

·        Help to fill in forms, write letters and reports

·        Go with parents to meetings

 

A six-day training programme for people interested in volunteering is arranged twice a year.  The training is free and is accredited with the Open College Network.

 

Our training prepares you to support parents and carers.  It covers the statementing process, the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, Disabilities, Child Protection and includes talks from special educational needs professionals.

 

Ongoing support and training continues throughout the time you are a volunteer and mentoring support is always available for you.

 

For more information and an application form, contact Elizabeth Fletcher at

Norfolk Parent Partnership on 01603 704070

Website: www.norfolkparentpartnership.org.uk

 

CAN YOU HELP ?

Local community artist is looking for a room to rent in exchange for art services to a community group, charity, school, social enterprise or other organisation. I require a lockable room with natural light and access to water nearby. I would need access all year round at least Monday - Friday. In exchange I would be happy to offer art workshops or larger projects for children, clients or staff, in-service or professional development training, art for well-being, grounds development, murals and a range of other skills. If any organisation has space to spare and would be interested in discussing working together, I can be contacted on nicolamw@tiscali.co.uk or 0771 256 7479.