NEWSLINK

NUMBER 9 - Winter 2001 - 2002

A BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR ! We hope you enjoy this bumper edition of Newslink which has been published later than usual, in order to bring you right up to date with the pre and post Christmas happenings. Don’t forget to let us have your feedback as this is the most effective way of helping us to continue to provide you with an informative and well presented read!

In thiss edition, you will find a full resumé on the progress of the COMMUNITY PLAN FOR BROXBOURNE. Participation by the local voluntary sector is about to be enhanced by a direct mailing, asking for identification of the key issues affecting local organisations. This will be followed up by proposed consultation sessions on the Plan, to be publicised shortly.

The Best Value review of voluntary sector funding through Herts County Council is summarised in this issue. There is also further funding news to bring you regarding the LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FUND 2002/3 (formally know as Joint Finance). The Broxbourne Local Strategic Partnership Fund is money provided through South East Herts Primary Care Trust. The allocation of funding (£40,000. available to Broxbourne) is made by a joint partnership of the voluntary and statutory sectors.

Application Forms and guidance will be available through BVSDA from mid to late February. Decisions on the funding will be made by early April 2002. A flyer outlining criteria for funding will be distributed shortly.

As ever, we ask that you scan this edition of Newslink for relevant dates of meetings, events etc. as many will be coming up soon.

Ian Richardson, Broxbourne Voluntary Sector Development Agency (BVSDA)

Anne Nicodemus, Economic & Community Development Unit (HCC)

BROXBOURNE VOLUNTARY SECTOR FORUM

The last meeting of the Broxbourne Voluntary Sector Forum took place on 10th December 2001. Here follows a brief resume of what was discussed. The Forum’s new chairperson, Karyn Jones - Project Manager of Headroom (Broxbourne Young Homeless Team) welcomed all those present.

“FREE NURSING CARE” Christine Donaldson, Senior Nurse for Practice Development from South East Herts PCT gave a presentation on ‘Free’ Nursing Care’ In the NHS Plan the government gave a commitment to make care from a registered nurse free for all, regardless of the setting in which it is delivered. Therefore from October 2001 important changes have been introduced in the way that nursing care in nursing homes is arranged. From that time, people, who previously have had to pay for care from a registered nurse, will have that care paid for by the NHS in England. For further details please see the section in this edition

CHURCHES & SOCIAL CARE Eve Bell - Christ Church (Waltham Cross) & Carole Selby - St Clements Church (Turnford) spoke about Church-based community groups and activities in the Borough. The presentation provided an overview of the many ways in which local communities are supported by the Church, as well as the many formal and informal links made with local voluntary organisations.

NEXT STEP CENTRE Colin Keighley, Outreach Worker for the Next Step Centre in Waltham Cross provided a presentation of the current work and future activities of the Centre. Next Step offers employment advice, computer based and personal skills training for adults of all ages and abilities. The centre provides an environment where students can learn at their own pace with support from staff where needed. Part of Colin’s Outreach Worker role, is to promote the service to local Voluntary and Community Groups, developing awareness of what is available from Next Step. This includes taking services and training out to groups where appropriate

HERTFORDSHIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (HCF) Colin Swingler, Development Officer for HCF, gave a detailed presentation on the Grants made by HCF. HCF makes grants to enable local charities and voluntary groups to tackle identified need in Herts. Their focus is on making grants to establish new initiatives and on supporting projects that will enable local groups to expand or develop their service to the local community. All grant requests will be assessed on the basis of the nature and extent of the benefits they will bring to the people of Herts. Major Grants – Quarterly, the likely maximum being £5000 as a one off or £15000 in total over three years Small Grants – Anytime, one off grants up to £500. The Key Fund - See page 35 of this edition of Newslink. HCF grants tend to fall within one of four key areas of grant making priority. These are:- Disadvantaged Children and Families Activities and Opportunities for Young People Access to Education, Training and Employment The Quality of Life of Older People If you would like to receive further details or have an informal chat about your project telephone HCF’s Grants Officer, Christine Mills on (01707) 251351.

Details of the next meetings of the Broxbourne Voluntary Sector Forum are as follows:

Next Broxbourne Voluntary Sector Forum meetings:

Monday 11 February 2002 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Monday 29 April 2002 2.30pm – 4.30pm

at Bushby Hall, Wharf Road, Wormley

If you are not currently a Forum member but would like to attend this meeting, or if you are unable to attend this meeting but would like to be kept informed of the Forum’s activities and future meetings: Please contact Ian Richardson on 01992 - 638633 to request terms of reference, a joining form and previous minutes.

LOCALITY PLANNING UPDATE

Children, Schools & Families

14 Plus

Inform + 2001 This information event for young people took place on Saturday 20 October 2001 at Broxbourne Civic Hall. Approx. 16 organisations/clubs/service providers were represented. Activities arranged included trampolining, two bands, and a bowls demonstration.

Broxbourne Millennium Volunteers Vicky Bale is the Millennium Volunteers Development Worker recently appointed to support the MV project. She will be working 20 hours per week and can be contacted on 01992 623990.

Chrysalis Steve Risk and Bea Cataldo are new half-time workers for the Chrysalis Project.

General Issues Raised There was a general discussion at the last Locality Planning meeting on the need to ensure wider feedback of young people’s views, especially those young people who are not already linked up with groups/forums who already feed into service development. There were also concerns that there could be more co-ordination amongst service providers and that resources targeted at young people with a drug or alcohol or substance misuse problem need to be carefully looked at.

Dates for 14+ Locality Planning meetings:

All meetings are from 2.30 – 4.30 p.m. in the Conference Room at Limes Court, Conduit Lane, Hoddesdon.

Contact Bob Ballards Secretary on 01992 588584 for more information.

Monday 15 April 2002

Monday 15 July 2002

Monday 14 October 2002

Young In Herts Hertfordshire’s Early Years Development And Childcare Partnership - Broxbourne District Partnership

EYDCP Implementation Plan 2002/3 This is the second year Plan showing how Young in Herts aims to meet the targets within the Strategic Plan 2001/2004 which was approved in March 2001. It covers the development of childcare places for 0 – 16 year olds and establishment of early education places for 3-4 year olds. Targets for developing new places, supporting existing provision, training, quality, accessibility, recruitment, and partnership working are covered through five Strategic Goals that are supported by a number of Implementation targets. Two further areas cover Partnership working and inclusion. 30 November 2001 – end of Consultation period. 9 January 2002 - County Young in Herts will meet to consider the endorsement of the final draft. 23 January 2002 - CSF Select Committee will consider the final draft and approval for its submission will be sought. 1 Feb 2002 – The Plan will be submitted to the DfES. 31 March 2002 – Guaranteed approval from DfES.

The Children Schools & Families Service Plan The Plan covers all the areas of work carried by the department. It is designed to ensure that the service achieves its purpose of helping all children, schools and families in Hertfordshire to reach their full potential. The consultation period for this Plan ended on 7 January 2002.

Early Years Grant Applications Groups are encouraged to submit applications as funding will need to be committed by February 2002. Application by Isabella House, Women’s Aid (Holbrook) to the Early Years Initiative Fund for £10,241. Funding would establish a creche to develop services for training and the training facilities were already available. ESF and Healthy Living Centre funding had been applied for but the outcome would not be known until 2002 and this would provide interim funding. 20 places would be available. (NOF funding not available due to no income from the childcare). The Partnership agreed to support this in principle and if possible, Childcare Grant would be used in order to retain EYI for possible future applications.

Date of the next Early Years Partnership meeting:

at Rye Park Nursery School, Hoddesdon 2.00 pm. Tuesday 29 January 2002 .

For dates of further meetings ring Jill Weddle, Partnership Administrator on 01992 556407

Children with Disabilities / Special Needs

Starfish Both support groups for parents/carers of children with special needs are going well. Ruth Bradford, Special Needs Health Visitor will be taking over the running of the Hoddesdon Group. Heidi Tipper continues to run the Waltham Cross Group. For more information, ring Heidi on 01992 621613.

Physio and Occupational Therapy A number of issues were discussed at the last Locality Planning meeting including leave cover by a person who is unfamiliar to the client. A deficit in rehabilitation therapy staff was felt to be seriously limiting client well being.

Challenging Behaviour and ADHAD General concerns of parents included difficulties in accessing youth and leisure services; classroom assistant/LSA training; and getting a Statement for your child. It was felt that expectations around achievement could be set too low for children with special needs in mainstream schools, and that it would be useful to have someone come along to a meeting to discuss these support and access issues. This is being followed up.

Playschemes Becky Dunning, Children Schools and Families is currently looking at Playschemes in Herts that have had Carers Breaks Money. Existing playschemes were supported to increase numbers of places being offered, and Becky is also trying to pick up the gaps around access to schemes. Becky is also responsible for recruiting staff on to playschemes, and is continuing to develop Breaks where support is offered in the home. A pilot in Stevenage is now looking at consulting directly with children who have disabilities/special needs about what they actually want. A report is expected in March 2002. Other consultations are taking place with looked-after children and young people at risk of teenage pregnancy. Becky is also linking up with others like the Arts Development Worker who works with main stream children but would like to open out to include children with disabilities/special needs. For a copy of the Playschemes across Hertfordshire database, contact Becky on 01707 280708.

Ruth Bradford, Special Needs Health Visitor Ruth currently supports the assessment process of children with special needs and works with the Child Development Centre, Paediatricians, and the Joint Communication Clinic. Ruth will support the family before they go to the clinic and following diagnosis. Currently, there is a 4 - 6 month wait for Joint Communication Clinic assessments, and approximately 3 months wait to be seen by the Child Development Centre. Referrals will often come from the Family Health Visitor Service, and also speech therapists and paediatricians. The main support to the family will stay with their health visitor, and Ruth will be involved only on a one-off initial visit with a couple of follow up visits. Ruth covers Broxbourne, Hoddesdon, and Welwyn & Hatfield whilst Teresa Ivison covers Hertford, Ware, Bishop Stortford, Cheshunt and Waltham Cross (full-time). Ruth can be contacted on 01920 462388 or mobile: 07876 748753.

Broxbourne Leisure Services - New Team Members: Alison Tonge’s responsibilities include Youth Community Development, Borough Council run discos, Broxbourne BMX Park Development in Hoddesdon, and she is currently drawing up an Action Plan for 11 – 18 year olds. Alison’s colleague James Warwick is closely involved with the Youth Task Group. Other members of the team are Jane Cunningham who is the playscheme lead (having taken over from Angela Cook), and Hannah Towner who is Client Officer and liases with Grundy Park Leisure Centre, Broxbourne Civic Hall and others.

SCOPE Cherry Hambrook is involved in drawing up guidelines for professionals who share diagnosis news with parents.

Dates for Children with Disabilities Locality Planning meetings:

9.30 a.m. at Crossbrook Family Centre in Cheshunt.

Thursday 7 February 2002

Thursday 12 September 2002

9.30 a.m. at Bollescroft Hall, Broxbourne Civic Hall, Hoddesdon.

Thursday 9 May 2002

Thursday 7 November

Physical Disabilities

Cheshunt Pond Crossings All changes that could accommodated and adjusted for have been undertaken, and therefore no further changes would be made.

Home Zone Mouchel have been facilitating Home Zone planning consultations with residents of an estate along Monarch Way in Waltham Cross and met with Move It to discuss disability access issues. An exhibition on proposed developments was held for local residents. (see also local news).

Adult Care Services (ACS), Elderly and Physical Disabilities Team Mark Janes had recently been appointed as the new Area Manager, replacing Greg Moore.

Beaumont Centre The new porch has now been fitted (purchased through Local Decision money/Joint Finance (now known as the Local Strategic Partnership Fund). The Center’s next challenge is to find funding to fix the chair lift. They are working with students from Turnford School on a gardening project that will help the young people develop skills in design, bricklaying, fencing and paving.

Access Group Leaflets Access Group members are looking at a final draft of the Access to Services for wheelchair users, for Cheshunt. Once this is published, the Group plan to complete the leaflets for both Waltham Cross and Hoddesdon. DISH are working on a new Access Guide for Welwyn & Hatfield, and St Albans.

Dates for Physical Disabilities Locality Planning meetings:

1.30 pm – 3.30 pm at Wormley Court, Macers Lane, Cheshunt – contact Mark Janes on 01438 737400

Wednesday 6 February 2002

Wednesday 8 May 2002

Wednesday 11 September 2002

Wednesday 4 December 2002

Learning Disabilties

People in Partnership The PIP pack will be launched Countywide this Spring.

Placements for Nurses Contact David Weinrabe 01707 284955 to offer places for student nurses who wish to gain experience of understanding the needs of people with a learning disability.

Learning Disabilities – New Management Structure in place as of 3rd December: Tony Edwards – Manager; Breej Seewoolall and Tim Evans – Assistant Managers. The intention is that all staff will be based at Porters Lodge although this may take some time to achieve. One Community Learning Disability Team will cover the East Herts and Broxbourne district areas. Nursing and In Patient facilities for Cheshunt Clients will however continue for the time being to be provided by Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Trust based at Chase Farm Hospital.

Steve Breame (former MH/LD East Herts manager) is now working as Locality Manager for Welwyn/Hatfield and Andy Chapman-Amey ( former Assistant Manager – LD) is Manager for North Herts CLDT.

Strategy for working together across the county – LD. In January, HCC will put out a revised Joint Implementation Programme. Government will be issuing guidance on Person Centred Planning.

Learning Disability Partnership Group – The group will be looking at a number issues including.

Transition into Adult Life

Health Matters

Place to live

Day Opportunities

Person Centred Planning

Leisure JIP

Moving into employment

Workforce Development

The intention is that all of the sub-groups will report via the Partnership group to the Joint Investment Team.

Date for next Learning Disabilities Locality Planning meeting:

21st February 2002 at Limes Court 10.am –12.00 noon

Elderly

Elderly User Group

Broxbourne Borough Council Concessionary Bus Passes Following the introduction of the Governments Transport Act 2000, local authorities have to provide a free concessionary pass that would enable users to purchase bus rides at half fare. Broxbourne Council anticipated a huge increase in uptake of these passes therefore where people chose to pay an annual sum for a pass that would allow free travel, higher costs were introduced.

Anyone who had travelled with a companion and had a companion sticker on their pass can have another one put on a new pass depending on the kind of pass you have. For example, if you have a half fare pass, then your companion would also pay half fare. If you have a free travel pass because you have purchased it annually, your companions can also travel for free.

The Council are currently looking at a system where annual pass payments could be paid via instalments. Discussions are at a very early stage that would enable elderly and disabled people having the same options made available on concessionary passes.

In terms of qualifying for a concessionary pass, people who have a certificate signed by their GP, use a Blue Badge or are on some kind of disability allowance are eligible. Alternatively people who do not have any of the above but who feel they should qualify (e.g. are unable to walk over a certain distance) could ask a health professional to provide a certificate.

Shadow Patient Forums From next year there will be locality based Patient Forums dealing with NHS queries and issues and Community Health Councils have set up shadow patient forums in readiness for the change next April. The forums will deal with complaints, and also ensure that GPs and other health care professionals are providing the appropriate care to meet local need. The forums should actively involve local patients and caring agencies. East and North Herts Health Authority should also be developing patient forums in Hospitals.

Dates for Elderly Users Group meetings:

2.00 – 4.00 pm at Blackwood Court, Groom Road, Turnford – contact Brian Kelly on: 01992 706120

Tuesday 12 March 2002

Tuesday 11 June 2002

Tuesday 10 September 2002

Tuesday 10 December 2002

Elderly Locality Planning Group

South East Herts Primary Care Trust The PCT have now set up an Elderly Focus Group to help implement National Service Framework standards locally. In particular, they are looking at single assessments, intermediate care: inappropriate hospital admissions and more efficient hospital discharge arrangements. A survey was conducted to find out why the majority of older people are admitted to hospital. Findings indicate that falls are the main reason. The PCT are addressing this by working with Broxbourne Borough Council, where Community Nurses, GPs or NHS would make exercise referrals to Grundy Park Leisure Centre in Cheshunt. In Ware, the PCT is aiming to develop a seven bed intermediate care facility at Western House. This facility would act to help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and enable swifter discharge from hospital for patients who will still need some remedial care but for whom it is not necessary to remain in hospital.

Herts County Council Re-organisation Mark Janes has been appointed as Area Manager for Elderly and Physical Disabilities, Adult Care Services. He has come from Day Services and has a working knowledge of the area.

Herts County Council Day Services The Service is currently looking at redeveloping Beech Walk in Hoddesdon into another Dementia facility.

Ethnic Elders Service Mapping The Ethnic Elders Sub-Group which oversees the implementation of the National Service Framework on Older People is undertaking a mapping exercise on services for ethnic elders together with key contacts. They aim to identify services and groups so that greater consistency and flexibility in delivery can be created. Please contact Sally Hickman directly at: Adult Care Services, E&PD Services, Dacorum, Manor Street Berkhamstead, Herts HP4 2BN with any information as soon as possible.

Dates for Elderly Locality Planning meetings:

All meetings are from 2.30 – 4.30 p.m. at Emmanuel Lodge, Churchgate, Cheshunt. Contact Anne Southworth on: 01992 706120

Tuesday 16 April 2002

Tuesday 16 July 2002

Tuesday 15 October 2002

Mental Health

Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Management Structure/Appointments Siobhan Nundram - Manager for East Herts and Broxbourne, Mental Health. Steve Bream - Locality Manager, Mental Health, Welwyn, Hatfield and Hertford. Tony Edwards - Manager for Learning Disabilities, East Herts Area.

Cheshunt and Waltham Cross will not be part of Hertfordshire Mental Health Team until 2003. Catriona Jones, Enfield Community Care NHS Trust will be on Maternity Leave from December 2001. The Mental Health Team is interviewing for another Social Worker post.

Befriending Scheme - The contract has been given to NSF. Recruiting will begin as soon as possible to get the scheme up and running. The scheme will be covering East Herts and Broxbourne will be based in Ware.

District Co-ordinating Group/Local Strategic Partnership - East Herts District Co-ordinating Group has evolved into a Local Strategic Partnership working group. Clare Kay, HCC and Will O’Neil, East Herts District Council will report on East Herts District Locality Planning Processes. Locality Development Workers are becoming Community Strategy Officers and will be acting in a more strategic role, though will continue to develop projects that are identified through Community Strategies. Broxbourne Council are taking a local lead in discussion and development of a Broxbourne Local Strategic Partnership. (see page 9)

Community Health Council - CHC have an information pack on monitoring groups that are being formed into Patient Advice and Liaison Service. Three have been set up already. CHC will be involved with shadow Patient Forums which will be wide ranging in focus and maintaining links with the voluntary sector.

South East Herts PCT - Sharon Henley, National Service Framework Lead, is involved in networking activities, High Risk Secure Services, Community Treatment Teams, Local Modernisation Review – access to Primary Care, Counselling Services, Mental Health Protocols work with the University of Hertfordshire, a pilot for Drug and Alcohol Treatment outcomes, and a MIND event in December 2001, to find out users needs. Long waits and referrals are currently under review. Sharon would like to work more closely with Mental Health Locality Managers. The PCT is also mapping patient experience of services and planning to produce a service directory including one for counselling.

Springboard Housing Association - Springboard is in the process of leasing 2 more flats for floating support. The Eleanor Cross Road garage site is being turned into a 4-bed move on resource. They are also developing two group homes.

Vale House - Link Worker post is now active. The Arrest Referral Scheme has seen an excess of people since May. Research on staff training and development needs concerning dual diagnosis is being looked at.

Carers in Herts - Workforce Development Forum are interested in running 3 SPEECH sessions before March 2002 and will be expanding across the county afterwards.

Enfield CC NHS Trust - A Consultant Psychiatrist was recently appointed.

Resources for Young People - A general discussion took place at the last Locality Planning meeting about the lack of resources for young people who develop psychotic illness. It was felt that mental illness was not identified early enough. The PCT are setting up training for School Nurses for early detection. The National Service Framework is having to address transitional services across a whole range of services, which is a nationally recognised issue.

Dates for Mental Health Locality Planning meetings:

10.15 am - 12.15 pm at Limes Court, Conduit Lane, Hoddesdon – contact Siobhan Nundram at Oxford House, Bishops Stortford on: 01279 698936

Tuesday 2 July 2002

Tuesday 5 March 2002

Tuesday 3 September 2002

Tuesday 7 May 2002

Tuesday 5 November 2002

ETHNIC MINORITIES - BROXBOURNE FORUMS

Gypsy/Traveller Liaison Forum Some issues discussed affecting the Half-Hide Lane site………….

Traffic HCC Officers are regularly in communication with Brookfield Retailers to discuss measures they might take re: car access and exit, and car parking, to help alleviate traffic jams which seem to have worsened since traffic lights replaced the roundabout. Residents reported that it was sometimes impossible to leave or enter the Site because of build-up of traffic. Residents are not always consulted on changes and measures that affect them, which was an expressed concern.

Mainroad fencing and Site Entrance Gypsy Unit and Groundwork Hertfordshire will be meeting in January 2002 to look at some joint work around making the general environment and access to the Site more attractive.

Gypsy and Traveller Training Conference The Conference held on 16 October 2001 run by Community Development Agency Hertfordshire went well. It was predominantly a training/awareness raising event for community/field workers. Gypsies who spoke at the event were from Hertfordshire, Scotland, Bedfordshire, Ealing and Essex. It was Chaired by Sylvia Dunn, a Gypsy. People who attended fed back that they had more confidence to tackle issues following the event. As an outcome from the event, Rural Projects Officer, Tim Hayward-Smith hoped to look at setting up a Forum Network that would provide information and support and further training.

Dates for Gypsy/Traveller Liaison Forum Meetings

All commence at 7.00 pm at the Drill Hall, 178 Crossbrook Street, Cheshunt, Herts. Contact Tim Hayward-Smith on: 01727 854524

Monday February 11th 2002

Monday May 13th 2002 (to be confirmed)

Monday September 9th 2002 (to be confirmed)

Ethnic Minority Association (EMA) EMA is a local group based in Broxbourne and made up of representatives from various other groups including Ukranian, Greek, Italian, Turkish, Polish, Asian. EMA has been running now for over 4 years - usually meeting once a month and provide a Social and pro-active focus. They are aiming to relaunch themselves. EMA would like to have representation from the African /Caribbean community. Please telephone Cathy Zukaj (Secretary) on 01992 – 767869 for more information or if you would like to become involved.

Dedicated to Interests and Values of Asians (DIVA) DIVA represents approx. 130 families based in Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, and Turnford area mainly of Indian Hindu origins. Being non-discriminatory, DIVA would also represent other Asian communities when membership is expanded. DIVA run Hindi and Gujrati classes, and Women’s Yoga. Contact Seema Dass on 01992 429981 (M) 07712 690070 for more information.

Ethnic Minority Development Worker - Broxbourne / East Herts Benji Samuels: ‘My job involves working with people from black and minority ethnic communities, supporting developing groups in addressing their needs and aspirations, and acting as a link in promoting and developing better access to services.’

Currently based at the HCC, Children Schools and Families building:

37 Eleanor Cross Road, Waltham Cross EN8 7XL Tel: 01992 311099

Preparation of the Broxbourne Community Plan a Progress Update

Introduction Community Plans are being produced by every local authority in the Country and aim to promote or improve the economic, social and environmental aspects of each area over the next 5-10 years. Work on the Community Plan for Broxbourne is currently underway.

An Audit of the Local Community To date, the Community Planning Partnership, with representatives from both statutory and voluntary bodies, has prepared a draft audit of the area which will provide a single comprehensive and wide ranging assessment of the characteristics of the local community, and its social and economic needs. The audit provides information on the local population, an economic profile of the area, levels of local educational attainment, the relative levels of deprivation, health and information on resident’s views on priorities for local services. This has recently been updated to include further information from the Health Authority and maps provided by the County Council. Further baseline information is needed to establish the significance of the latter information.

Consultations with local people and organisations The audit is being complimented by consultation with over 160 local organisations and 1000 members of the public to determine their views on issues facing the community now and in the future. The results of this consultation have now been compiled for further analysis.

An inventory of local resources Work is well underway on a ‘resource inventory’ which sets out currently available local services and social infrastructure. 18 topic sheets have now been completed covering subjects such as Meals on Wheels, Day Nursery provision, the availability of private rented accommodation through to play areas and public transport. Work on further topics is currently underway. When compared with the above consultation and the audit statement, this work will identify any perceived gaps in current local provision, which can then be addressed with partners via the Community Plan.

Please help! Participation by members of the public and local organisations is welcome. Special consultation sessions on the plan will be initiated and publicised in the near future. If your organisation would like to receive a presentation on the evolving community plan or if you have any other queries, please contact Liz Allan, Corporate Project Officer, Broxbourne Borough Council, (01992 785555) or Ian Richardson at BVSDA (01992 638633), who along with Broxbourne Citizen Advice Bureau, are representing the Voluntary Sector on the Community Planning Partnership Group for Broxbourne.

UPDATE FROM SOUTH EAST HERTS PRIMARY CARE TRUST

‘Free’ Nursing Care In the NHS Plan the government gave a commitment to make care from a registered nurse free for all, regardless of the setting in which it is delivered.

Therefore from October 2001 important changes have been introduced in the way that nursing care in nursing homes is arranged. From that time, people, who previously have had to pay for care from a registered nurse will have that care paid for by the NHS in England.

In order to effect a smooth implementation all residents in nursing homes who were resident before October 1st 2001 and who pay 100% of the fees to the nursing homes will be entitled to a determination of the level of care they receive into one of four bandings. This determination has to be carried out by a NHS employed nurse who is experienced in assessing the nursing needs of patients.

All other residents will be eligible for a determination of their nursing needs after April 1st 2003.

A co-ordinator has been appointed for the whole of Hertfordshire and each of the eight Primary Care Trusts has a named lead nurse.

For further details about Free Nursing Care in the Borough of Broxbourne please contact:

Christine Donaldson Senior Nurse for Practice Development South East Herts Primary Care Trust 1 – 4 Limes Court, Hoddesdon, Herts EN11 8EP Tel: 01992 442064

The Health Profiles of Hertfordshire 2001, produced recently by the Health Authority to accompany their Annual Health Report, show some interesting statistics about SE Herts PCT area and Broxbourne borough. This short report covers some of the areas which you may have seen reported on in the local press, and summarises what PCT is doing to address problems highlighted in the Health Profiles.

Suicide In the years 1997-1999, Broxbourne had the highest rate of any borough or district council in Herts of men aged 65-74 whose cause of death was given as suicide or undetermined injury. At 24 deaths per 100,000 population, it far exceeded the rate in neighbouring Welwyn/Hatfield (4 per 100,000) and the national average (6 per 100,000 in men of that age group). Paradoxically, the suicide rate in women of the same age was much lower in Broxbourne than the rest of Herts and the national average. Margaret Eames, the Health Authority’s Head of Public Health Intelligence who wrote the report, said, ‘Care must be taken when interpreting these rates because they are based on small numbers which may vary considerably from year to year.’

Sharon Henley, who leads the PCT’s implementation of the Government’s National Strategic Framework on Mental Health, said, ‘We are working on mental health protocols with hospitals and Community Mental Health Teams to ensure we pick up mental health problems and treat them appropriately. All 24 of our GP practices are carrying out a mental health audit to identify their patients with mental health problems, review their patients with complex needs and liaise with the Community Mental Health Teams. We are working with Carers in Herts to identify and support people caring for someone with a mental health problem. With MIND, we have set up three user groups based around the main hospitals. The University of Herts is collaborating with us on training and education needs for health professionals dealing with mentally ill patients. We are doing our best to ensure we have appropriate services in place for people with identified mental health problems.’

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Using Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs), a statistical measure used to compare health data, Broxbourne District showed an SMR of 104 for CHD in 1997-99, not much less than the highest in Herts, Watford, with SMR 108. The lowest in Herts, St Albans, had an SMR of 72 for CHD. Over the same period, Broxbourne had the highest rate in Herts of premature death (aged 35-64) due to acute Myocardial Infarction, double the rate of neighbouring Welwyn/Hatfield.

Jacky Nicholls, Health Promotion Advisor at the PCT, said, ’There’s lots of things people of all ages can do for themselves to reduce their likelihood of getting CHD. The most important is to give up smoking but healthy eating and exercise will help too.’ Anyone who wants further advice on a healthy lifestyle to help to reduce the risk of CHD can ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647. The free NHS Smoking Helpline is 0800 169 0169

Encouragingly, CHD is seen to be decreasing, when trends over the last 11 years are examined. The PCT has a programme of work in place to try to reduce CHD further across our area. Sharon Henley, who leads the PCT’s implementation of the Government’s National Strategic Framework on Coronary Heart Disease, said, ‘The PCT’s CHD team works with GPs to identify all patients who are at risk from CHD. We use a CHD Register to collect detailed medical information to provide a basis for structured care. We are supporting our practitioners in many ways, from help with appropriate prescribing to information and training on management of patients with CHD.’

The PCT is investigating access to ECG machines across the patch with the aim of ensuring every GP practice has access to an ECG machine.

The PCT’s CHD team links with related organisations like the Smoking Cessation service and council Leisure Services; links with the latter have lead to the exercise referral component of the Cardiac Rehabilitation programme set up by SE Herts PCT, Welwyn Hatfield PCT and East and North Herts NHS Trust, where some patients who have been admitted to hospital with heart problems are given on discharge a treatment plan that includes a referral for appropriate exercise at a local leisure centre.

Breast Cancer In the year 2000, South East Herts (which includes Broxbourne) had the highest rate in Hertfordshire of women aged between 45 and 74 dying of breast cancer. At 97 deaths per 100,000 population it is nearly double the rate of neighbouring Welwyn/Hatfield (51 per 100,000) and exceeds the national average (75 per 100,000).

Dr Mark Andrews, a Hoddesdon GP and member of the PCT Executive committee, who takes the lead for the PCT on cancer issues said, ‘We are really very concerned about this. We do not know the reasons why this area should have a higher mortality rate compared with the rest of Hertfordshire. But we really want to work to bring the rate down‘.

Breast Screening is offered to all women across Hertfordshire between the ages of 50 and 65. The mobile breast screening unit is currently in Hoddesdon (Sainsbury’s, Taverners Way). The dates and sites of the mobile unit are widely advertised and all eligible local women receive a letter inviting them to contact the breast screening unit to arrange an appointment for screening. Dr Andrews said ‘I would urge every woman who gets the invitation to please fix up an appointment for screening.’

The PCT is also working with the Herts and Beds Breast Screening Unit looking at other methods it can use to increase uptake of screening. GPs will be urged to advertise the service to their patients and to encourage their patients to attend the unit.

Jo Slater from the Herts and Beds Breast Screening Unit said, ‘Women should get called for screening 5 times between the ages of 50 and 65. When they attend their last screening they are told they won’t get called for screening again but they can continue to have checks every three years if they self-refer by contacting the unit directly.’

The Health Authority has stated in its ‘Health Profiles’ document that the age range of women who are routinely offered breast screening will be widened to include women 50-70 years old.

The Herts Health Authority website has all the data from the Health Profiles of Hertfordshire – www.nhsinherts.nhs.uk

SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL GROUPS

Parental Drug Awareness Service

Hello Everyone ! I am writing to introduce myself, my name is Gill Alcock and I am the new Co-ordinator for PDAS (Parental Drug Awareness Service).

The Parental Drug Awareness Service acts as a stepping stone for parents/carers to access information and support should they have concerns or are facing problems with someone else's drug, alcohol or solvent use/misuse.

The Parental Drug Awareness Service (formally known as Parents for Prevention) aims to provide the following throughout Hertfordshire:

Support - Providing support to parents/carers through telephone help line Befriending and support groups. Providing a safe and Confidential service to parents and carers, especially in time of Crisis.

Education - empowering parents/carers by provision of accurate and Non-judgemental information.

Liaison - Networking with like minded groups and agencies for mutual support and good practice strategies.

PDAS is committed to working within:

“Tackling Drugs to build a better Britain” – The Government's 10 Year Strategy for tackling drug misuse.

"Preventing Drug misuse through Education” – A policy and strategy for Hertfordshire.

There is still a lot to discover about how to work with parents/carers, the sort of support they need to be able to cope with drug issues at home and in the community. The Parental Drug Awareness Service and other related projects are working together to find some answers.

Gill Alcock ( Co-ordinator )

C/o The Annexe Hertford County Hospital North Road

Hertford

SG14 1LP

Tel: 01992 534636

THAT’S ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ OUTRAGEOUS is a voluntary support group for young gay, lesbian and bisexual people aged 14 – 25 in Cheshunt and surrounding areas. We meet in a safe, and friendly environment every Thursday from 6.30 – 8.30pm, Interested? Like more information? Please call Jeanette J 01992 635000.

§ Do you have 2 ½ - 3 hours to spare on a Thursday Evening?

§ Do you enjoy working with young people aged 14 – 25?

§ Do you have knowledge of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual issues?

Interested?

Answered ‘yes’ to any of the above?

Then you could be the volunteer we are looking for. For further information or an informal chat please call: ‘Jeanette’J 01992 635000

HOLDBROOK PROJECT The Holdbrook Community in co-operation with community partners, is seeking to develop a multi purpose building which will offer leisure and vocational opportunities to the people of Holdbrook and surrounding areas. This building is to be a focus of community life and will encourage residents of all ages to share their life and experiences.

Cheshunt Sea Cadets are currently working closely with the Project on the possibility of taking on responsibility for refurbishment and management of the old school building and developing it as a community resource with local residents and groups.

Monthly meetings are held in Holdbrook JMI School from 7 – 9 p.m. Please contact Les Pestell, Chair of the Holdbrook Project on 01992 – 787270 for more information. The date of the next meeting is on Monday 11 February 2002.

At Holdbrook Project meetings, residents also find out about what is happening around the estate, and have a chance to speak personally to representatives from different organisations and express any views, ideas and concerns that may affect them.

HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE (HLC) HLC is working with the Next Step Centre in Waltham Cross and Herts Regional College to provide training courses in their new community rooms. Likely courses will be: Plan Your Future, Back to Work 45+, & Family Learning, would be free and will hopefully start in February 2002.

HLC are also awaiting the outcome of a bid to European Social Funding that would fund a wide range of courses for two years including: Amenities Horticulture NVQ; Childminding Certificate (with creche), and Early Years Care & Education NVQ 2; Complimentary Therapies; and Advice /Outreach Benefits Training NVQ 3. An Official Launch of the HLC has taken place and the Centre will be holding an open day on Thursday, February 14th 2002, 12noon to 8pm. Contact Jenny Smith on 01279 414548

ABBC STATEMENT It was decided at the AGM on the 30th October 2001 to re-structure Action for Broxbourne Borough Carers by ceasing to operate under that name and transferring the group's business to Hoddesdon Carers & Ex Carers Group under the chairmanship of Betty Edwards and with the assistance of a Treasurer, (Betty Warren) Secretary (Jeanne Spooner) and Committee made up of Hoddesdon members.

PACK IT IN STOP SMOKING FOR THE NEW YEAR Make that resolution come to life! A new daytime group begins 6 February 2002 10.00am -11.30am at Isabella House, Holdbrook Healthy Living Centre, Holdbrook Estate, Waltham Cross. Child care and crèche facilities provided. For more information and to register for this free service.

FREEPHONE 0800 389 3998

“POSITIVE BEGINNINGS” For Families with Children under 4. Would you like more ideas on how to interest your child? Different toys and activities to use with them. Ideas on how to develop your child’s speech and language, and time to talk and share the highs and lows of being a parent?

Come and join us on Thursdays 10am-12noon on the PLAYBUS which will be parked in Longcroft Drive or just follow the alley next to Holdbrook Nursery. Call Jackie on 0774 8111398 for more information.

MINOR REPAIRS AND HOME SECURITY PROJECT

ARE YOU OVER 60 OR IN RECEIPT OF DLA?

DOES YOUR HOME NEED A MINOR REPAIR?

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE SECURITY OF YOUR HOME ?

WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU WITH FREE, FRIENDLY AND IMPARTIAL ADVICE

Part of the financial costs may be able to be covered

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

HODDESDON / WORMLEY / TURNFORD

Irene Dinnes - H.A.D. Hoddesdon 01992 - 465222

Jean Gray - Hoddesdon Churches 01992 - 468591

Ron Smart - Wormley Over 60s 01992 - 451556

CHESHUNT / GOFFS OAK / WALTHAM CROSS

Martino Cranchi - 01992 - 460800

Paul Seeby Rosedale Community Group 01992 – 308634

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ALWAYS CHECK THE IDENTITY OF ANY CALLERS TO YOUR HOME

LOCAL NEWS

Home Library Service Is anyone you know unable to reach their local library because they are housebound, have a disability or care for someone at home?

If so – the Home Library Service will deliver books and recordings to their home free of charge, and put them in touch with the range of services their local library offers.

We can offer novels, biographies, large print, talking books, music recordings and books on a particular subject, or any other information.

To find out more telephone the Customer Service Centre on 01438 737333 and ask to speak to your local library. A member of staff will arrange to come and talk to new customers about their interests, and arrange for library visitors to bring books regularly. There is no charge for this service.

Surgery Closure - Holdbrook SE Herts Primary Care Trust announced arrangements available for patients affected by the proposed closure of Dr Naqvi’s surgery in Holdbrook. PCT Chief Executive, Vince McCabe said, ‘We recognise that many patients who currently use Dr Naqvi’s surgery in Holdbrook will want to stay registered with him and will see him at his surgeries in Cromwell Avenue and High Street, Wormley, when his Holdbrook surgery closes. There are, however, options available for patients to consider if they would prefer to change to another practice that might be more conveniently located for them’. These are with Dr Misra at High Street Cheshunt and Howard Business Park in Waltham Abbey.

Dr Naqvi is currently responsible for 4 surgeries in Cheshunt, Waltham Cross and Wormley and he has been experiencing difficulties recruiting partners to help cover his practice. Meanwhile he has been covering sessions with locum doctors. Reducing the number of premises from which he operates will enable Dr Naqvi to provide a better service to his patients.

All patients are entitled to be registered with a GP. Any Hertfordshire resident who cannot find a GP to accept them onto their list should write to:

The Registration Manager,

Practitioner Services Unit Hertfordshire Health Authority,

Charter House,

Parkway,

Welwyn Garden City,

Herts

AL8 6JL

Broxbourne MV’s Celebrate Xmas in Style More than 70 people attended our Xmas Celebration Event held at Hertford Regional College, Turnford on Wednesday 5 December 2001. It was good to see so many Broxbourne MV’s at this award ceremony, along with their friends and relations.

One of the major highlights of the evening was the presentation of Millennium Volunteering awards by Chris Hughton, Coach, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club to Broxbourne Millennium Volunteers. Chris Hughton has been very supportive to the project, and he was also present at our launch held at Cheshunt Football Club earlier this year.

There was a total of 77 awards earned by Broxbourne MV’s since our last celebration event held at Paradise Park in June 2001. This included 26 MV certificates to Millennium Volunteers for completing 100 Hours of volunteering, and 20 Awards of Excellence for 200 volunteering hours signed by Estelle Morris, Secretary of State for Education & Skills.

The evening also included a visual “powerpoint” presentation of the ‘Story so far’ of Broxbourne Millennium Volunteers, and the evening ended with a buffet being served. Broxbourne MV, Cem Asar, who also received the MV certificate for 100 hours of volunteering, provided the music.

Thank you to everybody who attended this event, and helped to make our Xmas award ceremony such an enjoyable evening. We hope to see everyone at our celebration events to be held next year.

Nigel Barber - Broxbourne Millennium Volunteers Co-ordinator (01992 623990)

Home Zone Mouchel TSC, has undertaken the planning and consultation process on behalf of  Hertfordshire County Council to obtain the views of the residents of the Four Swannes Home Zone, Monarchs Way, Waltham Cross. The Consulting Engineers have planned the proposed Home Zone around the needs and requests of the residents. They have also discussed with 'Move IT' to the following disability items:-

* access issues

* safe widths of footways

* the positioning of street furniture

* the height and shape of benches

* the slope of footways

* the use of warning pavers at crossing points

* the avoidance of dished drainage channels along kerb lines

An exhibition on proposed developments was held for local residents of the Home Zone area, to view the proposed layout before construction commences early this year. This should start with the installation of a new street lighting system in February and March, which will make the street feel much friendlier to pedestrians. The other works including parking changes and improved footways will carry on throughout the summer of 2002.

Next Step News The next few months will be very busy for the Next Step Centre (In the High Street, opposite McDonalds in Waltham Cross)

Rooms are to be taken over in the adjoining building, Bartholemew Court, providing two additional training rooms. One will provide a twenty seat IT training room, whilst the other classroom/conference room will allow the Centre to deliver tutor taught classes such as “Skills for Life”. An action plan is being put in place to ensure we can deliver these effectively.

In addition the building work on the existing premises will increase the space available and improve the disabled access.

Meetings have been held with various voluntary organisations with a view to making them aware of the courses we can currently offer, and to identify other training needs. As a result we are working on the provision of a course in Anger Management. If other organisations would be interested in this we would like to hear from them.

The Next Step Centre already provides advice and assistance to people seeking employment or a career change. In the new year these services will be complemented with advice for those that wish to move into self employment. A representative from the Enfield Enterprise Agency, who can provide expert advice and guidance, will be based at Next Step, and close links have been formed with the Princes Trust, who can assist with finance in some cases.

We have been working with Hertford Regional College to provide training based in the Healthy Living Centre on the Holbrook Estate in Waltham Cross. The first courses planned are "Plan Your Future", aimed at those people who may be considering a career change, and "Focus on Children", for parents with children who are struggling with homework. Both courses will be free and plan to start in February.

Colin Keighley (Next Step Outreach Worker) 01992 301050

Guideposts Trust Guideposts Trust are looking for volunteers for a new “Community Activity Scheme”, a growing venture designed to enable adults with learning difficulties to enjoy leisure activities within the local community.

We cater for a wide range of interests, and volunteers can get involved in activities of their choice using locally available facilities such as pubs, leisure centres, restaurants and sports clubs.

We are also recruiting drivers to enable people who are unable to travel independently to use the scheme. The flexibility of this scheme means that volunteers are free to choose how and when they would want to be involved in achieving the overall aims of building active social lives through the community. Training and support will be given and out of pocket expenses are also available.

Hazel Cant,

Community Activity Co-ordinator - Guideposts Trust

3/5 Cross Street,

Ware

Herts

SG12 7AH

Tel: 01920 484946 Fax: 01920 469618 Email guideposts.ware@business.ntl.com

HERTFORDSHIRE NEWS

Warmer Homes - Greener Herts Live in Hertfordshire? Need home insulation? Hertfordshire home owners are now eligible for discounted insulation measures which will:

Help you save money and energy

Help you keep warm in winter

Help improve the environment

What is the Discount Insulation Scheme?

Local Authority members of the Hertfordshire Environmental Forum including Broxbourne Borough Council have got together to give home owners the opportunity to benefit from discounted domestic insulation measures.

Government research figures show that more than 50% of heat from homes can be lost through external walls and loft space so by properly insulating these areas you can save money, turn your heating down and still keep warm. At the same time you will be saving the earth’s valuable resources.

Benefits of Home insulation:

provides immediate ongoing savings on your heating bills

reduces no maintenance

keeps you warmer and more comfortable

typically pays for itself in only 3-4 years

helps local authorities meet local energy saving targets and tackle climate change.

Loft Insulation Typical Price - £329 Discounted Price - £235

Cavity Wall Insulation Typical Price - £549 Discounted Price -£345

To apply for the scheme discounts call the Freefone Helpline 0800 783 2503 for energy efficiency advice or further scheme information.

SQ Environmental Trust SQ Environmental Trust is an approved body with the primary aim of helping Hertfordshire based communities improve their environment through use of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The Trust was set up by SQ Environmental in 1998 and within the first 4 years of the scheme, awarded over £1.3 million to eligible projects including play areas, free tree and bulb schemes, repairs to churches and creation of footpaths, cycleways and wildlife habitats. The Trust makes a substantial contribution to Hertfordshire County Council’s Waste Aware Campaign which promotes and encourages reduction, re-use and recycling of waste materials.

“We are delighted to have supported such a wide variety of projects and look forward to helping as many community initiatives as funds permit in the future” Mrs Betty Goble, Chairman.

For more information, please contact:

SQ Environmental Trust,

Water Hall Quarry,

Lower Hatfield Road,

Hertford

SG13 8LF.

Tel: 01992 582253

Community & Voluntary Forum (COVER) Eastern Region What is a Fair Share of Funding for the Eastern Region? This is a question that COVER is currently undertaking a piece of research on. We are all aware that more targeted funding on deprived urban areas by the Government and Larger Funders is making it more difficult for groups within the East of England to attract funding.

As well as statistical analysis as part of the research, we would like to use some case studies from local groups. If your group has experienced difficulties in obtaining funding, or has had their funding cut and it can be seen to be directly related to a perception of wealth in the region we need to hear from you.

For more information on this piece of work, please contact

Sally Dyson,

C/o HCVS,

3 Wych Elm,

Harlow,

Essex.

CM20 1QP

Tel: 07905 438445

E-mail sally.dyson@cover-east.org

The Hertfordshire Community Foundation & Pizza Express HCF has been helping Pizza Express with a pilot scheme in Hertfordshire whereby the company have offered the use of their restaurants that have a private or `sectionable-off` space for use by local charities and voluntary groups for a variety of purposes.

Pizza Express have suitable restaurants at Berkhamstead, Bishops Stortford, Hertford and Watford. Up to four events a year could be available for each outlet and they will provide the space, the staff, a buffet and drinks for the group concerned free of charge. Pizza Express are happy to consider a variety of events. To give some examples of events during the pilot, in Essex a networking lunch was held for Women in Business, in Oxford a graduation evening was held for Common Purpose whilst in our county the Hertfordshire Children’s Fund benefited from a fundraising event involving children learning about nutrition and making their own pizzas.

It is necessary to agree a date and time with Pizza Express and obviously this would tend to be when the restaurant concerned is less busy. This varies depending upon the location and day of the week but the company will try to be as accommodating as possible. In addition a press release with photograph would help all concerned after the event has taken place and this should be sent out by the charity or group.

If your group has an idea for a function such as a thank you for supporters, a fundraising or profile-raising event then please give me a call. Pizza Express do have links with many of the larger national charities and this offer is more particularly aimed at local charities and groups with numbers involved around the 30 to 40 marks. However if you are a very small group it may be that an event can be organised for a number of similar organisations, so if this is of interest do get in touch.

This is a terrific offer from Pizza Express in what is a very flexible and beneficial way of helping local groups.

Colin Swingler Development Officer The Hertfordshire Community Foundation Tel:01707 251351

Minibus for Sale Due to a change in policy Age Concern Hertfordshire have a Minibus which is surplus to their requirements (still available at 18.1.02).

The details are as follows:

Make : Renault

Type: Master T35D LWB

Class: Disabled passenger vehicle   

Registered: 02 01 96

Mileage: 44000

Wheelchair  Ramp Access - No Tail-lift   

Price: £5,500

If your organisation may be interested in purchasing the Minibus, contact Bill Smith on 01707 323272

Hertfordshire Voluntary Sector Standing Conference Following the Conference in September nominees from the sector are being sought to provide a democratic link into a range of statutory initiatives including the county Compact, and other strategic partnerships. The Standing Conference now has a management committee continuing its development as a relevant and valued voice of the sector county-wide.

It is also developing a process to identify representatives to sit on County - wide partnerships. If you are interested in being a representative, or involved in Conference planning, please contact Lester Davis at CDA tel: 01727 863767 or e-mail lesterdavis@hertscc.gov.uk

The Community Legal Service in Broxbourne & East Herts Community Legal Service Stakeholders’ Information Event

2pm,

5th February 2002,

at the Ware Priory,

High Street,

Ware,

Herts.

You are warmly invited to an information meeting to find out more about how the Community Legal Service can benefit you and your clients.

The meeting will take place at 2pm. There is free parking at the venue. Refreshments will be provided. The event will form a networking opportunity with local not-for-profit agencies and solicitors, and you are welcome to bring displays, leaflets etc., regarding the work of your agency.

The Community Legal Service is a partnership of agencies working together to promote access to legal advice in its local area. It aims to create a network of quality providers and funders of advice and information, with services based on locally identified need and supported by coordinated funding. They often consist of agencies such as local authorities, solicitors, Citizens Advice Bureaux, local voluntary and statutory agencies, Health etc.

We would very much value your involvement in the event, and hope you will be able to attend. If you are unable to attend, please send a colleague to represent your agency if possible.

For more Information please contact me using the contact details below.

Loretta Hurley

Planning & Partnership Consultant

01223 417936

0776 416 6320

loretta.hurley@legalservices.gov.uk

Herts, Minds and Money Supported by the European Social Fund, the formation of Herts, Minds and Money (HMM) project marks a new stage in a programme to bring practical support to voluntary and statutory organisations in Hertfordshire, under two project officers. The project will connect the county’s voluntary and statutory sectors for the benefit of the socially excluded groups in local communities.

The essence of the two project officers’ aim is partnership: in translating the words of the new Herts Compact into action, and developing funding and marketing plans with the ten Hertfordshire CVS’s, both individually and as a group. The project ends in 2003.

For further information, contact:

Lester Davis,

Strategic Development Officer

tel: 01727 863767

e-mail: lesterdavis@hertscc.gov.uk.

and / or Chris Lee,

Funding and Marketing Officer

Tel: 01727 867944

e-mail chris.lee@hertscc.gov.uk.

Funding and marketing support for local groups: - From Chris Lee “I would welcome your help in identifying voluntary and community groups in Broxbourne that might benefit from funding and marketing support. Please contact Ian Richardson at BVSDA on 01992 638633 or myself at the contact details above”

HCC BEST VALUE REVIEW

FUNDING & SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTARY & COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS

Why change? Following a 'Best Value' review of the way that we, the County Council, handle grant aid and other support for voluntary & community organisations in Herts, a range of ideas to improve the way we work with this sector have been agreed.

We have, with representatives of the sector, identified the strengths and weaknesses of current arrangements. In particular we know that Herts has to compete for and maximise the amount of money coming into the county and to steer local voluntary & community groups towards available funds. In doing this we will make much better use of the technology available, be clear about what support is available from the council and name contacts.

Within the council we have a range of funding processes, criteria, application forms and monitoring regimes. We need to make this simpler and more consistent for the sector and within the council.

What will the outcomes be? The main actions, within a detailed plan, are aimed at.-

Maximising total funding resources available in Hertfordshire

Publicising what funds are available and who can apply

Identifying and advising on non County Council funding

Demonstrating links between council priorities and council funding

Providing a funding prospectus with a consistent and clear application form

Producing and publishing an annual timetable

Developing and maintaining a single and transparent database

Being consistent with evaluation and monitoring for the sector

These changes also relate to the continuing implementation of the commitments expressed in the Hertfordshire Compact, which was launched on 24th September 2001. The Hertfordshire Compact represents a commitment to establishing a positive relationship between the voluntary and community sector and the statutory sector for the benefit of the local community.

The purpose of the Hertfordshire Compact is to:

Improve communication, common understanding,collaboration,trust & respect between sectors

Set a framework for effective consultation, representation and partnership working including agreeing definitions, shared values and joint and distinct undertakings

Set out the principles for developing working relationships between the sectors

Support and reinforce the application of "Best Value principles in relations between the sectors

What happens next? Most of these aims will be met by taking several steps over a period of time. Nevertheless we believe that the aims are the right ones for all parties and wish to proceed as quickly as possible. With this in mind we have a timetable for the first stage

January 2002 - prospectus and application form published and distributed to local groups

22nd February - deadline for return of completed application form

20th March - last posting date for the council to inform applicants of decisions

22nd March - applicants receive letter

During January the council have held local events aimed at supporting voluntary & community organisations through these changes and discussing the practical issues. Dates, times and venues to be circulated soon.

The council will continue to work with voluntary & community organisations to make these changes as smooth as possible. In the longer term we hope to work with other funding organisations within the county so that the process facing the sector is made clearer and more consistent.

If you have not received a funding prospectus then please contact Ian Richardson at BVSDA on 01992 638633 who can arrange for a copy to be mailed to you. Alternatively, you can find out more by visiting www.hertsdirect.org/funding

NATIONAL NEWS

Criminal Records Bureau Update The latest from the CRB is that it will be spring 2002 at the earliest before it opens its doors. Delays are being attributed to computer problems. This leaves many organisations in a difficult position because they are no long able to obtain police checks and yet no service is being offered by the CRB. As yet no decision has been made at ministerial level about dedicated funding for infrastructure bodies to carry out the umbrella function.

Teletext The Media Trust has teamed up with Teletext to offer voluntary groups the chance to promote their organisations and recruit more volunteers free via Teletext's 'Connect Pages' on Channel 4 TV. Details from Catherine Coate at the Media Trust tel 020 7874 7638 or e-mail catherinec@mediatrust.org

Neat and Compact. The Compact Code of Good Practice in Volunteering has been launched by Angela Eagle MP, the Minister with responsibility for the voluntary sector and volunteering. The Code was launched at the National Volunteering Convention earlier this month and is the fourth of five codes of practice covering funding, consultation, black and minority ethnic organisations, volunteering and community groups.

The code gives various definitions of volunteering, stating that:

It is the commitment of time and energy benefiting society & community, taking many forms

It is an important expression of citizenship and essential to democracy

It is undertaken freely and by choice, without concern for financial gain

Subsequent sections cover:

An effective framework for volunteering

Partnership with public bodies

Managing community participation

Investing in volunteering

Barriers to volunteering

Volunteering infrastructure

Promoting volunteering

Applying the Code

The Code also has three useful appendices: a comprehensive checklist on good practice in volunteer management, principles for promoting a diverse volunteer base, and guidelines for employers on introducing employee volunteering programmes. To get the Code contact the NCVO helpdesk on 0800 2798 798.

The Voluntary Sector Has More Women Far larger numbers of women are reaching top positions in the voluntary sector than in either the private or public sectors.

An ACEVO survey, published in December 2001, found that 42% of charity chief executives are women, This contrasts with the top FTSE100 companies, 43 of which, according to a survey published last week by the Cranfield School of Management, do not have a single woman director.

The Public Sector is also lagging behind its voluntary counter parts – just 12.1% of local government chief executives are female, according to the latest figures from the Employers’ Organisation for local government. Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change, told Third Sector magazine that the 42% figure for female chief executives was ‘phenomenally high’. ‘A lot more women work in the sector anyway- 66% of the voluntary sector workforce is female, compared with 62% in the public sector, and 40% in the private sector. There are also moves toward softer skills in leadership, which are easier to get accepted in the voluntary sector. ‘Much of the work in the sector is emotive and stresses relationship skills’, she said. ‘Women are less motivated by status and pay than men, and therefore more likely to choose to work in the voluntary sector’, she added.

Charity Awards 2002 The Charity Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in the leadership and management of charities. Highlighting charities' management achievements helps to spread good practice throughout the sector, and draws attention to the talent and expertise being brought to bear on voluntary activity in the UK. The awards are decided by an independent panel of judges, all highly respected for their expertise in charities and management. The panel members are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and each brings his or her own experience and views to the judging process.

The judges are looking for examples of excellence in charity management which will inspire others, and from which other organisations can learn. Among the factors considered by the panel in choosing award winners are nine hallmarks of excellence. Entry to the Charity Awards is free and nominations are welcome from charities of any size.

Nominations for the Charity Awards are invited under a number of broad categories of activity, covering areas of impact across the full range of the voluntary sector. The categories for the Charity Awards 2002 are: Animals and the environment; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Children and Youth; Disability; Education and Training; Grantmaking; Healthcare and Medical Research; International Aid and Development; Research, Advice and Support; Social Care, Welfare and Religion. In addition, one of the category winners will go on to win the prestigious Overall Excellence in Charity Management Award. An Outstanding Achievement Award will also be presented.

Contact Heather Lamont,

The Charity Awards,

3 Rectory Grove,

London

SW4 0DX

Tel: 020 7819 1200

Fax: 020 7819 1219

E-mail: info@charityawards.co.uk

Web-site: www.charityawards.co.uk

The closing date for nominations for the Charity Awards 2002 is Friday 22 March 2002.

Nationwide Launches 2002 Search for Local Heroes Nationwide Building Society today launched the 2002 Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour, which invites members of the public to nominate individuals and groups deserving recognition for their work in the community.

Organised by Nationwide, in association with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Newspaper Society, the awards are designed to reward and recognise the "local heroes" whose voluntary work or community activity has made a real difference to peoples’ lives. Now in its fifth year, the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour is becoming increasingly popular and last year received 1200 nominations.

Anybody wishing to nominate someone they believe deserves an award can pick up a leaflet containing a nomination form from their local branch of Nationwide Building Society, their local public library or check their local newspaper for an application form. The closing date for nominations is 30 April 2002.

There are four award categories: Young people under 18 as individuals; Young people under 18 in groups; Adults as individuals; Adults in groups.

Initially two regional winners in each category will be selected making a total of eight in each of seven regions within England, together with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The eighty regional winners will each receive an attractive plaque, along with £50 dining out vouchers for individuals or £100 for groups.

From each region and home nation, four finalists will win gifts to the value of £250 and a trophy, plus a £500 donation to the charity or cause of their choice. From the forty finalists, four national winners will be chosen, one in each category. They will each receive gifts to the value of £500, together with a £2,500 donation to the charity or cause of their choice and a trophy.

Michelle Leighton,

Community Affairs Manager,

Nationwide Building Society,

Pipers Way,

Swindon

SN38 2SN

Tel: 01793 655143

E-mail: michelle.leighton@nationwide.co.uk

Guide To Charity Accounts The Charity Commission has issued new guidance for the independent examination of charity accounts (CC63) which can be found at www.charity-commission.gov.uk. It claims the new document is more user-friendly, including a flowchart, which leads the reader through eligibility requirements that have changed as a result of Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2000.

The Community Channel The Community Channel has marked its first birthday by introducing a new schedule featuring many more voluntary organisations: Monday, global action; Tuesday, health and disability; Wednesday, UK action; Thursday, volunteering; Friday, global action; Saturday, animals; Sunday, volunteering. The channel is available without subscription on Sky digital (channel 655, 10.30 am to 7.30 pm) and on www.communitychannel.org. Details on 020 7874 7626

Voluntary Sector Pay Falling Behind Salaries in the voluntary sector are falling further behind those paid in the private sector, the annual Reward Group / Charity and Fundraising Appointments survey has revealed.

Charity pay rises averaged 3% cent over the past year compared with 3.2% for commercial organisations. The gap is expected to widen further; charities in the survey predicted only a 3% increase over the coming year, compared with a 3.3% forecast average in the private sector.

Overall pay in the voluntary sector is now up to 20% below the national average, and 25% less than average rates in London.

Janet Cummins, Chief Executive of Charity and Fundraising Appointments, warned that the growing pay chasm between charities and other sectors could make the governments’ aim of cross-sector partnerships to deliver public services and social inclusion more difficult: ‘Salaries are slipping even further behind other sectors. Whether this will impinge upon partnerships between sectors has yet to be shown, but one might anticipate a little subterranean discontent when partners in projects are paid differently.

Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive of ACEVO, said the biggest danger was in falling behind the public sector. ‘We should not be in the business of paying the ludicrous salary levels of the private sector, but senior salary levels in the civil services are under significant review and upward pressure. We can’t afford to be left behind.’

Finance, computing and legal staff remain the highest paid charity staff, though the highest rises over the year have been posts in science, research and engineering. Directors and heads of function in science, research and engineering are the highest paid of all functions. Fundraisers, who lost their position among the highest paid charity staff last year, have now slipped to mid-table in the pay league.

Performance-related pay continues to make gradual progress within the sector. Of the 230 charities surveyed, 13.8% of them now use some kind of scheme, compared with 13.6% last year and 12.4% in 1999. Fundraisers in particular seem to be targeted, with 9.4% of schemes designed for them compared with 3.6% in 2000.

New Director Appointed For ACU Helen Edwards, currently Chief Executive of NACRO, the crime reduction charity, has been appointed to the post of Director for the Active Community Unit (ACU).

Ms Edwards, who is expected to take up her post mid-January, will lead the Unit responsible for the Government’s strategy of supporting and promoting active communities and encouraging more people to give their time to voluntary activity.

This new post reflects the Home Secretary’s drive to build strong inclusive communities as part of the Government’s agenda for civic renewal.

More information from Home Office Newsdesk: Tel 020 7273 4545

Young Volunteer Development Programme Evaluation An evaluation of the Young Volunteer Development Programme (YVDP) has concluded that it was a highly successful and effective, leaving a strong platform for future growth and a number of models of good practise and innovation. Written by Dr Katherine Gaskin, the evaluation report includes a foreword by the government minister at that time, Paul Boateng MP.

Broxbourne was one of the recipients of a YVDP Grant. Funding was provided for the “Broxbourne Young Volunteer Network” a strategic project , which laid the foundations for the emergence of both “Broxbourne Millennium Volunteers” and “Community Service Volunteers (Hertfordshire).”

The national programme, which ran for two years from 1997, was funded by the Home Office and managed by the National Youth Agency. It aimed to increase the capacity of local organisations to order to boost the number of young people taking part in volunteering. Forty-one bids for funding were successful and projects are based all over England. The programme’s key element was the creation of youth volunteer facilitator posts, supported by a cross-agency steering group in each area.

Every area had to respond to different challenges, and the evaluation concludes that the projects achieved their programme goals in a variety of ways appropriated to local circumstances, while sustaining common themes and objectives.

Many projects succeeded in securing new funding for projects such as Millennium Volunteers, so the legacy of YVDP remains. Overall, the evaluation concludes that YVDP not only achieved significant impact on youth volunteering, but helped create awareness and capacity to engage with new government agendas and programmes, making a significant contribution to the learning curve of partnership and collaborative learning.

Copies of the Young Volunteer Development Programme: A Summarise Evaluation Report for the Home Office Active Community Unit can be obtained from the ACU on 0207.217.8559. Or E-mail jan.webb@homeofficegsi.gov.uk

Strong Local Leadership The DTLR published the White paper for Local Government, entitled 'Strong Local Leadership - Quality Public Services' on 11th December.

(from DTLR) “This is a radical programme for improving council services, enhancing local democracy and strengthening community leadership. Our ambition is for strong, vibrant, innovative and responsive local government. We will put in place a lasting framework for better council services and effective local leadership and we will free councils from unnecessary red-tape and bureaucracy so they can respond to what people want locally.”

The DTLR press release 535 includes a summary of the key white paper proposals, and is available from BVSDA (Please call Ian Richardson on 01992 638633). The complete white paper can be found on DTLR's website: www.local-regions.dtlr.gov.uk/sll/index.htm

Learning At Work Awards Learning something new can change the way you live and work – that’s the message from NIACE, the national organisation for adult learning, on the day it launches the 2002 Adult Learners’ Week Learning Works Awards. The Awards recognise and promote the value of learning in relation to the workplace and are open to all adults in England and Wales.

The judging panel will select five national Learning Works Award winners to receive a voucher for £250 to help them continue learning. Winners will be invited to a national ceremony on Learning at Work Day, 16 May.If you would like to enter yourself or someone you know for a Learning Works Award for 2002 please contact the Campaigns and Promotions Team at NIACE on 0116 204 4200. To discuss the awards please call Mariyam Sidik on 0116 204 4278 or Francisca Martinez on 0116 204 4202. The closing date for entries is 8 February 2002.

People who want to enter any of these awards might like to consult the case studies of previous winners, available at web-site: www.niace.org.uk/alw/competitions Entry forms are available at this site.

Resources for Voluntary and Community Groups

Broxbourne Voluntary Sector Development Agency As part of BVSDA’s services to groups and individuals, the past year has seen a marked increase in the extra resources available at ‘The Broxbourne Volunteer Centre’ in Albury Grove Road, Cheshunt. The ground floor of the building is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

Use of Meeting Room We have a small room, which comfortably sits 7- 8 people. The room and is available for one-off and regular bookings during office hours, and by arrangement, in the evenings. The room is in constant use so you will need to book in advance. This facility has proved extremely popular, as well as a number of casual users, we currently have 4 local voluntary groups, who use the room for weekly and monthly meetings. For details of availability and charges, please contact Ian Richardson on 01992 638633.

Leaflets and Periodicals A great deal of Information is displayed in the building such as leaflets, annual reports and posters promoting the services of local and national voluntary groups, including volunteering opportunities. We also carry the local papers and a variety of weekly and monthly publications of interest to the Sector, including Wednesday’s Guardian, Third Sector, Volunteering and New Start Magazine and of course, back issues of BVSDA’s Newslink.

Publications, Videos and Reports A small number of books covering voluntary sector management, health and safety and funding are available to borrow from BVSDA – videos on similar subjects are also kept. We also have access to directories of local and national organisations and groups including grant-making organisations for anyone to use. In addition, we have recently begun to catalogue the various reports and consultation documents that are sent to BVSDA so that they can be made available to a larger audience.

Office Services We provide a very cheap photocopying service (currently 3p per copy) for local voluntary groups and volunteers. In addition, use of our fax machine and spare computer is also available. Internet access can also be arranged. Some typing services can be offered - subject to available staff and/or volunteers. We also have a large exhibition screen which is available for groups to borrow.

BVSDA “Funder Finder” Service BVSDA has a computer programme called “Funder Finder”, which can save an enormous amount of time for those looking for funding who would otherwise be trawling through funding directories to identify appropriate grant making organisations to apply to. This service is completely free and available to use by booking in advance.

Recycling We occasionally find ourselves in a position to offer unwanted items such as office furniture, computers and crockery, which can be put to use by local individuals and groups. This information is often advertised in Newslink, but it may pay to check with us if you, or someone you know is in need of an item.

To find out more, call BVSDA on 01992 638633 or call in between 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday

FUNDING

THE COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS FUND Got ideas for helping your community? Want to develop your skills and those of others? In need of a little financial help?

Making a difference doesn’t always have to cost the earth. Sometimes it only takes a little bit of help or the right advice from someone who really knows to turn a great idea into reality. The Community Champions Fund offers that first bit of financial support to get you started helping your community.

You get something out of it too as your new skills are something you’ll keep forever! Developing your own skills and helping others to develop theirs is also a great way of making sure that an idea keeps going once it’s off the ground. And if you’ve already made something happen in your own community, we can help you pass on your skills and knowledge to others so they can do it for themselves.

What is the Fund for?

The aim of the Fund is to help you turn your ideas into reality. It’s designed to suit all sorts of people and all sorts of projects. For example you can apply if you want to:

Visit other communities or talk to somebody already doing what you want to do

Get specific training

Put together a bid for a project

Get support to set up a business

Go to a conference to exchange ideas and explore good practice

Make it easier for community residents to find things out for themselves

Produce a community newsletter involving residents

But that’s not all. The Fund is there to help a wide range of people and projects – so don’t be put off if your idea is new or different.

Who can apply?

Community Champions are people who are probably used to working with local communities but have very different levels of expertise. Some will be new to setting up community projects, while others may have managed projects for years.

If you’re:

Committed to supporting community activity

Good at making things happen and overcoming obstacles

Realistic and able to set achievable goals

Good at networking and adapting ideas

Good at helping others to help themselves

Persistent and able to provide support when others get disheartened then the Community Champions Fund could be just what you’ve been waiting for! If you think the Community Champions Fund could be just what you need to help you make a difference, contact:

COVER, Community and Voluntary Forum Eastern Region,

Centre 4a,

Gonville Place,

Cambridge

CB1 1LY

Telephone 01223 471682

Fax 01223 471683.

Note: the Fund will not support a specific activity already being funded through other sources. It also cannot be used to fund activities, which are mainly about animal welfare, political campaigning, religious goals or general appeals. The Community Champions Fund is run by the Department for Education and Employment.

Single Parent Action Network - Self-Help Grants This grant award can be used to: increase the provision of drop-in centres for one parent families living in isolation and in disadvantaged areas; enable local groups to offer courses which increase the confidence and self-esteem of disadvantaged single parents; support the participation of single parents in helping their children with their education.

Single parent self-help groups and other organisations wanting to open up their services to one parent families may apply. Final deadline is 30 April 2002.

For information, application form or help with filling out the application form contact:

Chris Gaine,

SPAN,

Millpond,

Baptist Street,

Easton,

Bristol

BS5 OYW

Tel: 01179514231

Fax: 01179355208

E-mail: spanuk@netgates.co.uk

Web-site: www.spanuk.org.uk

The Lloyds TSB Foundation The Lloyds TSB Foundation Grant-Making Programme Guidelines have been updated. The Guidelines are available to download from their web-site. The Lloyds TSB Foundation give grants to recognised charities mainly to improve the quality of life in local communities. The Trustees have two grant-making programmes: the Community Programme and the Collaborative Programme. They are keen to support collaborative work (organisations working together) within the sector and have set aside funds specifically for this purpose. 

Lloyds TSB Foundation,

PO Box 140,

St Mary's Court,

20 St Mary at Hill,

London

EC3R 8NA

Tel: 020 7204 5276

Fax: 020 7204 5275

www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk

NOF Funds for PE and Sport The New Opportunities Fund has announced the first tranche of its £750 million UK-wide programme. To date the Fund has committed a gross total of £581.25 million in England and £48.785 million in Wales to the opportunities for PE and sport programme.

This funding will be used to support projects designed to bring about a step-change in the provision of sporting facilities for young people and for the community, generally by: Modernising existing, and building new, indoor and outdoor sports facilities for school and community use; Providing initial revenue funding to support the development and promotion of these sporting facilities for wider community use (up to 20% of the funding available); Modernising existing, or building new, outdoor adventure facilities. This should benefit young people who do not currently