Greater Manchester has some of the poorest health measures in the country. The quality of care can differ widely across the region. With this in mind, the Greater Manchester Association of Clincial Commissioning Groups recently undertook a major public consultation about plans to transform the way health and social care is delivered.

The “Healthier Together” review was about services that are delivered in the community (social care, day care, GPs, pharmacists) and those in hospitals (A&E, surgery). Here in Tameside work is now underway – under the banner of “Care Together” – to determine what all this will mean for our area.

In October CVAT facilitated consultation events in partnership with the Clinical Commissioning Group, Local Authority and High Peak CVS. We wanted to get your views on local plans for reforming the way health and social care services are provided. We had an amazing response and over 100 of you attended one of the three events we organised, to hear directly from the leaders of “Care Together” and to discuss the reforms.

There was widespread support of the need to change the way the system works. People told us that they supported more “joined-up” services – especially to avoid the “retelling of my story”. Amongst other measures winning support were:

• having a named contact

• a patient-focused approach

• transparent and accountable sharing of people’s data

Discussions also took place about what change would mean at a local level. You made clear the need to work with individuals and communities to make sure local and cultural needs are taken into account. As changes progress some of you saw the potential for voluntary and community groups to be more involved in people’s care, but this will need resources to support it.

We’d like to say thank you everyone who took part in this important debate. There will be future opportunities to shape these plans and we’ll keep you informed.

CVAT have compiled a report of the events for the Care Together team – www.cvat.org.uk/use-your-voice

Caring about care

NEWS Edition 10 Winter 2014

Community & Voluntary Action Tameside

Blooming great!

2 — NEWS

Volunteers at an Ashton park are celebrating after receiving a North West in Bloom award.

For the second year running, local community group‘FriendsofKingGeorgethefifthPlayingFields’ (FoKGVPF) have won an Outstanding Award at the North West in Bloom Neighbourhood awards presentation in Southport.

The award recognised all the work volunteers have put in to the park. They have tended an orchard, plantedflowersandtrees,lookedafterhivesfullof

bees and cleared rubbish. Volunteers also help run a pool club and the ever popular Georgie Porgies community cafe.

Trevor Kent, the site manager, said: “We’re really proud of all the work we’ve accomplished together to make the park a better place! It’s nice to see all our hard work has been recognised again this year”

The group is looking for volunteers to help with their projects, visit their site www.fokgvpf.co.uk

A community group has opened a new IT suite aimed at helping local residents get online.REACH is an independent community-led groupofferingfreeinternetaccesstoresidentsof Ashton-under-Lyne. The new suite is based at the Linda Fletcher Community Centre in Ryecroft House, Park Street, Ashton-under-Lyne and is open on Monday and Tuesday between 1pm – 4pm.

Locals can get free internet access and help with basic computer skills, job searches, email setup and general computer work. The group was recently awarded “Community Group of the Year” in the Pride of Ashton awards.

Pastures New

Veronica Hyde left the Policy and Participation Team in October after 8 years with CVAT (and T3SC before that) leading our Children, Young People and families work. I’m sure all our readers will join us in thanking Vee for all of her hard work and passion for the role, and wish her all the best for the future.Sasha Jackson leaves us in December to have a baby. Sasha has been involved with the Volunteer Centre for over five years, firstly as a volunteer herself and then putting that experience to good use as our Volunteer Development Worker. She will be missed by all the staff and volunteers here at CVAT.

Getting connected

New group for Newton!A new group in Newton, Hyde is encouraging local women to improve their health and develop new skills.

Newton Women’s Group is about improving health and well-being and strengthening and developing relationships within the local community. The group wants to help women develop their social skills as well as motivate them to make changes in society.

The group is based at the Bennett Street Youth and Community Centre and runs two sessions a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a range of social activities as well as badminton, Zumba and otherkeepfitactivities.ThegroupalsoruntheNewton Ladies Walking Group which meets at the centre every Monday. Plans in the pipeline include a ‘mums and tots’ group and training courses such as Food Safety, First Aid, ESOL and Islamic Parenting.Tofindoutmorering:07751 139635

New rules on crime checksThe Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enables groups and organisations to identify candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially involving children or vulnerable adults.

New rules have been introduced to ensure someone isn’t discriminated against for a minor offencethathappenedmorethan11yearsago.From now it won’t come up on a DBS check if it wastheperson’sonlyoffenceanddidnotresultina custodial sentence. There are exceptions to this newruledependingonthetypeofoffence.

IfyouneedtodoDBSchecksonstafforvolunteersCVAT can help. We are a registered DBS umbrella body and we can carry out checks on your behalf. www.cvat.org.uk/dbs

In BriefAshton-under-Lyne charity St. Peter’s Partnerships has changed its name to LEAP – helping children, young people and communities to Learn, Enjoy, Achieve, Participate and stay safe.

Older people’s group the Cranberries Club have created a 2015 wall calendar called Down Memory Lane. Each month covers a nostalgic topic from sweets to Saturday Night dancing.

Following further funding reductions, Tameside Council is asking local people what they would prioritise in order to save £38 million of public money. Take part at www.tameside.gov.uk

At the heart of every community in the UK are groups of volunteers coming together to get things done, change things or help people. Whether you are a community group, pressure group, faith organisation, sports club or charity you rely on volunteers giving their time and commitment but you also need funds to operate and meet your goals.

An important source of funding and support for our sector is local government. Not only do local councils fund groups directly, they also fund infrastructure through organisations like us and they are an important ally and partner in localcampaigning.That’swhyitaffectsallofuswhen our local council faces cuts to their budgets.

We have already seen substantial cuts to budgets andthisyearTamesideCouncilhavegottofindan additional £38 million of savings. They’ve been asking the public for their ideas on how they should prioritise what matters most to local people.

With so many competing priorities it’s important our sector speaks up and reaches out to the public to remind them of the important work we do in their communities. You only have to read the interviews on page 10 and 11 to see the important work of organisations like Baggy Trousers, Hyde Community Action or Cascade Baby Bundles.

It isn’t just about funding. Local government is changing in other ways and with that change comes opportunity. The ten councils of Greater Manchester recently signed a deal with central government for greater devolution. Greater Manchester will have an elected mayor who will preside over a new Greater Manchester Combined Authority who will have control of billions of pounds of more funding. As a sector we need to think about how we will have a voice andinfluencethatnewdevolvedbody.

These are exciting but challenging times for our sector and we need to meet those challenges together. I hope you will join us at our Expo event in the New Year.

Ben Gilchrist, Chief Executive, Community and Voluntary Action Tameside

Challenges and change

Every year, over 20 million people across the country volunteer, donating more than 100 million hours to their community every week. It has been estimated that the economic value of this activity is worth in excess of £40 billion to our economy.

Here in Tameside, The State of The Sector Report (www.cvat.org.uk/stateofthesector) evidenced that there are 26,200 volunteers in our borough, giving over 73,900 hours per week.

Recognising the contribution that volunteers make to your organisation is therefore essential in keeping them motivated, engaged and valued. Key elements of the support you give to volunteers should include regular time to talk and plan, clear expectations, appropriate training and ways to recognise, value and reward volunteers to keep them motivated.

If you need help to recruit, support and retain volunteers then we can help. The Volunteer Centre in Tameside has over 35 years of experience involunteeringandhaslotsofhelptooffer.

We are currently working with Convoy of Happiness to develop their good practice with volunteers. The charity is all about helping families who have a long term sick or terminally ill child. They provide temporary respite by providing days out for families to places such as local zoos or farms who can accommodatethespecificneedsofthechildren.

Our free “Guidelines for organisations working with Volunteers” gives a brief overview of the key steps and principles of working with volunteers. Download from www.cvat.org.uk/need-volunteers

For more information about volunteer management, please contact Vashti Holland on 0161 339 2345 or email vashti.holland@cvat.org.uk

Hung up about Volunteer Management?

Get more with E-LearningCVAT’sLearningZoneoffersover30onlinecourses covering topics like time management, running events, planning a PR campaign, minute writing, health & safety, safeguarding & childprotection,confidence&assertiveness.

Learn at a time, place and pace that suits you with less pressure to “keep up” with others.

Learning Zone accommodates your own learning style in an interactive and easy to use way.

Learning Zone courses are open to anyone who is a volunteer, employee or trustee/committee member of a local community, voluntary or faith organisation in Tameside, Oldham, Stockport or Manchester. Membership costs £18.00 per year and this will give you access to over 30 courses. Visit www.cvat.org.uk/learning-zone

4 — VOLUNTEER NEWS

Volunteer for a YearLouise Croombs is a volunteer for Tameside Radio, Inside Tameside and Tameside Reporter. Every week for the next year she will be trying a new volunteering experience and writing about it in her column for the Tameside Reporter. We spoke to her about why she’s taking on this mammoth task.

What gave you this idea?The idea for the column came to me one weekend when I was on an outside broadcast and I realised that this year is ten years since I started volunteering.Ihavevolunteeredforlotsofdifferentorganisations over that time but I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg of what thousands of people are doing around Tameside. I thought I’d trysomethingdifferentsoIchallengedmyselftovolunteerinasmanydifferentrolesandforasmanydifferentgroupsaspossibleoverthecomingyear.

What sort of volunteering have you done so far on the challenge?So far I have sung in a choir, modelled clothes on a catwalk, sold porcelain dogs, rooted through bags of clothes,beenrescuedbythreefirefightersthrougha window of a lorry, taken part in a Guinness World Record attempt and made endless bacon butties. And that is just the beginning!

What do you hope the public will learn from reading the column?I hope that the column will show the groups and charitiesofTamesideinadifferentlight,eventhoseweall know and love, and bring to the public’s attention groups and charities that may not be as well-known.

What do people get out of volunteering?I personally believe that anyone young or old can benefitfromvolunteeringthemselvesandcanreallymakeadifferencetootherpeople’slives.Youcangainnew skills, develop personally, improve job prospects, make friends and feel a part of the community.

Is there anything you won’t do?However small or big the challenge, I am happy to give it a try – although I would like to say now that I wouldn’t like to jump out of a plane!

You can read Louise’s column ‘Something for nothing’ in the Tameside reporter or follow it online at her website louisecroombs.com/blog If you are a group or charity and have a volunteering opportunity for Louise contact her via email at louise@insidetameside.com or on Twitter @louisecroombs

Scout helpersAdult helpers are needed to assist the Scouts – boys and girls aged 10-14 years old. You can share your experience to help train Scouts to do badges, for example, if you can cook you could teach the cook’s badge or a handy man could teach the DIY badge. You can also help out by collecting subs and paperwork or with games so the Leaders can get on with their Scout work.

Whether you can help weekly or just once a month, there are sections in Scout groups that meet every night all over Tameside. Help is especially needed in Ashton and Droylsden. All adults working with young people will have to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (formally CRB) check carried out.

Contact: alan.fish.161te@gmail.com 07931 765120. www.scouts.org.uk/join

Boat Crew neededThe 47-seat boat “Still Waters” has disabled access andofferstripsfromPortlandBasinforgroupsandschools. Tameside Canal Boat Trust is currently looking for Boat Crew volunteers to help prepare the boat ready for trips, keeping it clean and tidy, meeting and greeting customers and making sure the boat trip is safe and enjoyable for everybody. They are looking for volunteers who are reliable and friendly. Previous boating skills are not essential.

Contact: Mark on 07804 701249 www.tamesidecanalboat.wordpress.com

Need help recruiting volunteers? Please contact Vashti Holland on 0161 339 2345 or email vashti.holland@cvat.org.uk

Volunteers needed

5

Mix of Urban...

...and rural landscapes

Ashton-under-Lyne Audenshaw Denton

9 TownsDroylsden Dukinfield

Longendale Mossley

Hyde Stalybridge

Tameside

Afro-CaribbeanBangladeshiChineseEast AfricanAsianIndianPakistaniIrishItalianPolishUkrainian

6.5%of population from ethnic minority backgrounds

{

Average weekly pay forfull-time employees UK Average: £518.10 per week (£13.18 per hour)Tameside Men: £479.10 per week (£11.31 per hour)Tameside Women: £369.00 per week (£10.06 per hour)

220,600 (2013)Males in Tameside: 108,500Females in Tameside: 112,100

Percentage of population in full time employment

01020304050607080National: 73.0%

Tameside: 67.6%

If you’re trying to convince people that your cause needs their support, it can really help to give them some statistics.

Good use of local evidence not only helps you to demonstratetheneedforyourserviceinthefirstplace,italsogivesyoutheconfidencetosay‘thisis what needs to be done and this is why’. It’s never been easier to access so much information and data, and the great news is that it’s mostly free of charge. The key is to know where to look.

Gathering relevant research and statistics will also help you to think and plan what you do and help funders to see that their money would be well spent if they invest in you. Here at CVAT we are always keen to support local organisations to evidence the great work they do locally and have compiled some really useful sources of both national and local data.

Here are our top 5 sources of data1. The Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Demographic data is information that tells you something about the human population like the size of a population in a given area, or information about the makeup of that population in terms of gender, age, race, employment status etc. TheOfficeforNationalStatistics(ONS)isagovernmentofficethatprovidesawiderangeof demographic data for England and Wales. You can download sets of data from their website, often down to a particular ward area. They also have all the Census data.

For UK wide-statistics: www.statistics.gov.uk

For census data: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2011/

2. Neighbourhood statistics

Sometimes you might want detailed statistics in a much smaller geographical area. The Neighbourhood Statisticswebsiteoffersahugeamountofdataaboutyour local area, from local authority level down to Lower Super Output Area (LSOA). An LSOA equates to around 1,500 people. Middle Super Output areas are slightly larger areas, with roughly 10,000 people www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk

3. Local statistics through your local authority

Yourlocalauthoritywillholdspecificinformationabout your local area. You can start to access some research and data through the council website. Someofthemhaveaspecificportalwhereyoucan register to access data and information, such as the Tameside Partnership Information Portal website (PIP) www.tamesidepip.org.uk

4. NOMIS – Labour market & benefits statistics

There is a web-based database of labour market statisticsrunonbehalfoftheOfficeforNationalStatistics. This website is called NOMIS and it offersacomprehensiverangeofofficialstatisticsrelating to the labour market. You can also explore DepartmentforWorkandPensionsdataonbenefitstatistics online www.nomisweb.co.uk

5. Health

To access Public Health data, there is useful information on the NHS Information Centre and the Local Health websites. There is also a ‘data and knowledge gateway’, designed to be a single access point for data and analysis tools from across Public Health England www.localhealth.org.uk

You will find a useful set of statistics, compiled by our Partnerships Service, that will help you find evidence to support your work: www.cvat.org.uk/useful-statistics

Local Statistics (and where to find them)

6 — FOCUS ON

Mix of Urban...

...and rural landscapes

Ashton-under-Lyne Audenshaw Denton

9 TownsDroylsden Dukinfield

Longendale Mossley

Hyde Stalybridge

Tameside

Afro-CaribbeanBangladeshiChineseEast AfricanAsianIndianPakistaniIrishItalianPolishUkrainian

6.5%of population from ethnic minority backgrounds

{

Average weekly pay forfull-time employees UK Average: £518.10 per week (£13.18 per hour)Tameside Men: £479.10 per week (£11.31 per hour)Tameside Women: £369.00 per week (£10.06 per hour)

220,600 (2013)Males in Tameside: 108,500Females in Tameside: 112,100

Percentage of population in full time employment

01020304050607080National: 73.0%

Tameside: 67.6%

CVAT’s training is free for groups with an income of less than £50,000.

The training is very popular and all our forthcoming courses are now fully booked. Look out for the next set of courses coming in 2015. Coursesareadvertisedfirstonourwebsite and via our e-bulletin.

We do sometimes get people cancelling their places. If you would like to go on the waiting list for any of the courses please call Lisa on: 0161 339 4985 ext 2013

January 20 Introduction to Charity Accounts and Annual Returns Voluntary Action Oldham, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1LF

January 27 Volunteer Magnet – How to attract volunteers CVAT, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 7AW

March 17 Public Speaking Voluntary Action Oldham, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1LF

Make sure you get CVAT’s weekly e-bulletin. Sign up for free at www.cvat.org.uk/join-our-ebulletin

FULLY BOOKED

FULLY BOOKED

FULLY BOOKED

Training 2015

Across Britain there are many charitable trusts and foundations that have been set up to distribute money to good causes. Getting a grant from one of them can be an important source of funding for many community groups and organisations. However finding and applying for grants takes time and the last thing you need is to have that time wasted by having your application rejected.

Success rates for funding applications vary depending on the level of demand and the type of grant available but charitable trusts and foundations can have between a 25% to 60% success. To help youuseyourtimeeffectivelyandmakethemostofyour funding application, we’ve listed some of the common reasons funders reject applications.

Top reasons why funders reject an application

1. You’re not eligible! Funders often receive applications that they cannot fund. Maybe your governing document says you work with older people but the funding programmeisspecificallytargetedatchildrenand young people. Always check your legal form, charity status, geographical remit, or beneficiariesagainstthefunder’scriteriacarefully before you start your application.

2. You don’t meet the criteria. Many applications fall outside the funders’ own criteria. The BBC’s ChildrenInNeedTrustaimstobenefitdisadvantaged under 18’s, but still receives many project bids that do not show how the target group for the project is disadvantaged.

3. Poor planning. Your project needs to be planned thoroughly, for example, a bid for a vehicle needs to show how it would be stored, insured and maintained. Have you thought through all the implications of taking on new resources?

4. Applications are not clear and concise. Have you explained what your project is in a way that others can understand? Could someone who is not involved with your group read the application and understand

what you do currently and what you’d like to achieve with your funding application?

5. Lack of clear and demonstrable outcomes. This is a high priority for all funders, you must be able to show that you are outcomes orientated – clearly show the changes and effectsthatwillhappenasaresultofyourwork.

6. The budget. You must make sure that your costs are realistic and represent value for money. Provide quotes for any costs and if any match funding must be secured before a grant is released. For major capital such as a building, applicants will need to show how they plan to raise the funds for long-term running costs and maintenance.

7. Retrospective grants. Very few funders will fund projects retrospectively (i.e. after the project has taken place). Bear in mind that it can take months for your application to be processed. So if you want to run a play scheme in the summer holidays, do not leave the applications until June.

8. No monitoring or evaluation process. You must show how you plan to measure the success of the project. How will progress be tracked and money managed? How will you learn from the project at its conclusion?

RememberEverybody gets rejected at some stage. Use it as an opportunity to get feedback on how to improve for next time and make use of the appropriate support organisations who can help you.

Further help and support – our Development team is here to help you find funding and guide you through the application process. For more information, get in touch.

Email development@cvat.org.uk or call the development team on 0161 339 4985

This article was taken from the CVAT blog: www.cvat.org.uk/blog

Why was my bid rejected?

8 — FUNDING

The role of a trusteeNovember 10-16 was Trustee Week, an annual event to showcase the great work of the people in charge of a charity.

Trustees play a vital role, volunteering their time and working together to make important decisions about a charity’s work. Trustees come from all walks of life with a broad mix of skills. The work is unpaid but can be rewarding and enjoyable knowing you are helping othersandmakingadifference.

The role of the Board of Trustees is to:

• Directtheaffairsoftheorganisation

• Make sure there is enough money coming in to cover costs (i.e. the charity remains solvent)

• Ensure the organisation is legally compliant and doesn’t break the law

• Ensure it that it remains true to its original vision

• Appointkeypeoplesuchaspaidstaff

There are over 1 million trustee positions in England and Wales and estimates suggest that almost half of charities have at least one vacancy on their board. Trustees look after a staggering £39 billion of funds for the 190,000 registered charities in England and Wales. As a respected and responsible role, it is also a brilliant route to developing new skills, gaining more experience and getting involved with new networks.

In a recent survey of charity trustees, over 94% said they had gained new skills and developed their existing skills, 88% said being a trustee has helped them with their personal or career development. It was clear from the survey that therearealsosocialbenefitswith92%sayingtheyhave met people who have become good friends.

Here are just a few of the many reasons why being a trustee is such a good opportunity:

• Develop yourself – use your knowledge and gain new skills and experience in planning, decision-making, HR, budgets, legal knowledge and fundraising

• Improve your career prospects – being a trustee can help your career development, helpingyougainspecificexperiencetofillgaps on your CV

• Get listened to and work together with like-minded people with shared values and commitment to improve lives

• Widen your horizons – meet new people, new challenges and get a renewed sense of self-worth and satisfaction that you won’t get in your paid work

• Give something back to the community in which you live or work

Trustees generally need to be over the age of 18 and there are some restrictions if you’ve been bankrupt or have certain unspent criminal convictions. The majority of trustees are volunteers, and receive no payment for their work. Trustees should however get any expenses incurred reimbursed such as transport costs or childcare costs. In terms of your time commitment trustees of smaller charities might take on all or most of the work of running the charity. These are often called committee members and this role may involve giving time every week. In larger charities, trustees may only meet four times a year. They often delegate the day-to-day operations to paidstaff,butultimatelytheystillhaveresponsibilityfor the organisation.

Becoming a trustee is a big commitment in terms of your time and it is a responsibility. However the rewards can be huge and in the national survey of trustees 97% said they enjoy the experience of being a trustee. That statistic speaks for itself!

Are you a charity trustee or thinking about becoming one? Our online training package will help you discover everything you need to know about being a trustee – the role of a trustee, your legal responsibilities, how to have great meetings, bemoreconfident,toolsfortrustees,wheretofindhelp, understanding equality and diversity laws, minute writing and time management.

Take the course in your home, in your own time and at your own pace. Sign up for our ‘Trustee training package’ and you’ll get access to our other packages including volunteer induction, skillsformanagersandraisingtheprofileofyourorganisation. Just £18 per person (discounts available for group bookings).

To register for the training please call Lisa: 0161 339 4985 or email lisa.hannibal@cvat.org.uk

Be a better trustee

GOVERNANCE — 9

We talk to Jack Broadley, a young man from Tameside, who together with co-founder Thomas Wilson has set up BaggyTrousersUK – a charity to raise awareness of testicular cancer in young men.

How did you come to start BaggyTrousersUK?

I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in August 2013, prior to that point I had no clue what I was looking for. I was quite embarrassed about checking my testicles and never thought anything like this would happen to me. Being young, you think cancer won’t play a part in your life. When I was diagnosed it came as quite a shock, I then started to think of all the other young men in the same situation as myself. So I decided to start a charity and raise awareness of this horrible disease.

Starting a charity is quite a challenge. How did you go about it?

A lot of people, when I told them I was going to set up a charity, were doubting me. The help I got from CVAT has made the experience a lot easier thanIfirstthought.We’recurrentlywaitingtobecome registered and expect to have the number back very soon. I know a lot about business as I’m business motivated so that was a help.

Tell us about your work

It’s really important that men check their testicles andiftheyfindanythingthey’reunsureabout,getitchecked out straight away. We are educating young men aged between 14-26 as this is the prime age group to get them into a routine of checking themselves at least once a month. We want to raise awareness and get the message out there, so we do school visits and talks to year 10 & 11 male students, college students, local community groups and businesses. Social media campaigns are going to be playing a big role too in spreading the word.

What advice would you give to any young man who might be worried about cancer?

Make sure you check yourself regularly and if there is anything you are worried about, don’t feel embarrassed to seek medical advice. I will always remember the words I said to my doctor on the initial appointment – I’m the type of guy to leave something until it’s too late. If I’d have left it another couple of months there’s a chance I wouldn’t be here right now to run this charity.

What’s next for BaggyTrousersUK?

We’re close to becoming registered with the Charity Commission and once we have that registered number there will be a lot of improvements including online donations, improved awareness campaigns and access to a lot more support. We just want to get as much awareness out there as possible and we are asking for as much support as we can get in doing that.

To find out more about BaggyTrousersUK visit: www.baggytrousersuk.com

Baggy Trousers UK

10 — PROFILE

Local charity Cascade Baby Bundles helps new parents who are struggling with the cost of their baby. We spoke to Trustee and founder member Lynne McMylor.

Why are families with new babies struggling? Peoplefindthemselvesinfinancialdifficultyforallkinds of reasons, whether that be through illness, redundancy, unemployment, bereavement, family breakdown, debt etc. Whilst cost of living expenses continue to rise and wages for many remain static, moreandmorepeoplearefindingthemselvesstruggling to feed and clothe their families.

What difference does it make? Bringing a new baby into the world should be a time of joy and happiness not full of stress

andworry.Wehelpcushionthefinancialimpactof a new baby on a family experiencing hardship. Our hope is that our gift will help in a small way by showing that we care for the babies and children in our community.

How does Cascade Baby Bundles help families? We support parents of newborn babies by providing a free “Baby Bundle” gift containing clothing and essentials. All the content is donated by the generosity of individuals, families and businesses in the community. We collect new and pre-loved clothing, we make sure that it’s of good quality, clean and ironed. We also collect baby equipment and ensure that it is of good quality, clean and safe.

To find out more, get involved or make a donation visit: www.cascadebabybundles.org.uk or contact info@cascadebabybundles.org.uk Tel: 0759 381 5538

Bundles of joy

Making a differenceRick Gwilt, Chief Officer of Hyde Community Action, tell us how they are changing lives and the challenges of keeping a small charity running.

Everything we do is about improving people’s health and well being. We set up as a Healthy Living Centre in 2003 and we interpret health in a broad way. We recognise that having a decent income, a job, access to good advice and supportive relationships all contribute to the state of your health.

We do a lot of work with Bangladeshi women. Many women arrive here as a result of arranged marriages and are living with in-laws. Breaking out ofthatisolationiswhatmakesthebiggestdifferenceto the women we work with. One woman said that before she came to Hyde Community Action she’d always been a mother and a wife but we helped her become a person in her own right.

There isn’t a lot for young people to do in Hyde. We run a youth programme that involves a lot

of outreach in the town centre and in parks. We’re starting a youth forum to create more of a voice for young people. We’re also investing in websiteandsocialmediatohelpbuildourprofile.

We have 30 regular volunteers and we couldn’t run without them. I think sometimes that public sector commissioners don’t understand that volunteering comes at a cost to an organisation.

I’m proud of the difference we make but I’m concerned about the people we don’t reach. It feels like we’re working in a divided community. Community cohesion needs long-term investment but it attracts very little funding.

This is a unique project and it’s a miracle it’s survived. We get no core funding so all the money we get is short term. Apart from Public Health, most of our funding comes from outside Tameside – central government, European Union and Charitable Trusts. I’m proud to say we were one of only 25 organisations in England that won money from the Government’s Volunteering Fund.

Visit: www.hydecommunityaction.org.uk for more information.

11

Tameside 4 Good is keen to support local groups that are seeking to raise funds and resources themselves through community fundraising activities.

If you’re organising a fundraising activity then please contact the Tameside 4 Good team as you may meet the criteria for this fund and we may be able to provide some ‘match’ funding to maximise the total raised. For ideas and guidance on fundraising, please see www.cvat.org.uk/fundraising

Also, Tameside 4 Good organises a range of fundraising activities across the year and is happy to work in partnership with smaller community groups who are new to community fundraising. Check out the‘PuttheTeainTeamWork’tofindoutmore.

If you would like to join forces with us on a joint fundraising activity then please contact the team at info@tameside4good.org or call us on 0161 339 4985.

Santa Claus is coming to townTameside 4 Good has teamed up The Believe and Achieve Trust to organise the fundraising Stamford Santa Stroll in memory of Alex Williams. On Sunday 14 December at 10.30am, hundreds of fundraisers will make magical memories by walking 1.5 miles around Stamford Park, Stalybridge, to raise money for the two local charities.

Simply register your family including your dog, collect yourSantaoutfit,fundraiseandturnupontheday.

Registration is just £10 per person which includes a Santa suit, a warm drink and a festive snack. To register contact Alison on 0161 330 2501 williamsalison@hotmail.co.uk or Amy on 0161 339 4985 info@tameside4good.org

The fundraising money will help The Believe and Achieve Trust to raise awareness of meningitis and to increasephysicalandmentalhealthofthoseaffectedby the disease and those who wish to succeed in a sport through funding of specialist equipment.

Paint It PinkTameside 4 Good is inviting you to paint the borough pink Fri 13 – Sat 14 Feb to show your love for Tameside. From pulling on a pair of pink tights to jumping in a bath of pink jelly, we’re asking you to have fun with the colour pink to fundraise for Tameside 4 Good. For a Paint It Pink fundraising pack, please contact Amy on Tel: 0161 339 4985 or Email: info@tameside4good.org. Share your pictures of Paint It Pink on Twitter using #PaintedPink

Put the Tea in Team WorkIn September, Tameside 4 Good attempted the Guinness World Record for “most cups of tea made in one hour by a team of 12”. Our team of 12 consisted of local councillors, a business owner and Tameside community organisations.

Our team of fundraisers loaded over 1,000 tea-bags into teapots, carefully monitoring brew times, then pouring tea and milk. A team of volunteers handed out completed brews to thirsty spectators in return for donations to Tameside 4 Good.

The record currently stands at 1,608 cups. Unfortunately, at 1,072 cuppas we were short of the record but with sponsorships and donations from the tea, we made over £1,000 for local causes. Perhaps more importantly, we made the front page of the local newspaper and we were featured in an episode of the BBC’s “Call the Council”.

Amy Watson, Tameside 4 Good Development Worker commented: “Breaking a Guinness World Record is not an easy task! Without the support of local businesses and the community in the lead up to the Guinness World Record amount, it simply wouldn’t have been possible to attempt the record.”

Tameside 4 Good provided three community organisations (Friends of King George V Playing Fields, Friends of Cedar Park and Age UK Tameside) with the opportunity to join the Guinness World Record and collect sponsorship and donations to fundraise for their own causes.

12 — GOOD CAUSES

The sole purpose of Healthwatch is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people using health or social care services and to speak out on their behalf.

‘Sufferinginsilence’isanewreportproducedby Healthwatch England and highlights what patients, care users and the public said about their experiences of using the NHS complaintssystem.Theirfindingsleadthemtoconcludethatpeoplefindtheexperience“overly complex, incredibly frustrating and largelyineffective”.

Thespecificproblemsencounteredwere:

• The system is bewildering and there is not enough information

• Peoplearen’tconfidentthatthesystemwill resolve their complaint

• People need support as well as information to ensure their voices are heard

• People need to know that health and social care services learnt from complaints

Healthwatch England have produced three key recommendationsthatreflectwhatthepublictoldthem they want to see in a complaints system:

• Make it easier for people to complain

• Ensure a compassionate resolution

• Hold to account those who fail to listen

To conclude, Healthwatch England are calling on government “to send a clear signal that the issue of complaints is a priority and to address this as soon as possible after the next general election”.

You can access a copy of the full report here: www.healthwatch.co.uk/resource/our-report-complaints. Alternatively, if you would like a hard copy of the report, telephone Healthwatch England on 03000 68 3000.

Healthwatch Tameside recognises that the NHS does provide good quality services to most people, most of the time. Very often a problem can be resolved quickly, easily and informally without the need for a formal complaint.

Ourstaffarealwayshappytohelppeoplewhowant to give feedback about their experiences of local health or social care services in order to help those services make changes. In cases where people do choose to make a formal complaint aboutaservice,HealthwatchTamesideoffershelp and support through the process.

For more information visit our website: www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk or tel: 0161 667 2526 email: info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk or NHSComplaints@healthwatchtameside.co.uk

Suffering in Silence

HEALTHWATCH NEWS — 1313

It’s that time of year when the nights are drawing in and everyone’s thinking about keeping warm with a big mug of hot chocolate and snuggling up in warm winter woollies.

Before we know it it’ll be New Year – the perfect time for you and your group to hit the ground running with some exciting new plans to make 2015 your best year yet! Here are some great ideas to help you launch your group’s New Year with style:

• Re-invigorate your volunteers – even though volunteers are not paid for the work they do, they are often the backbone of the local community, giving up their time to ensure a huge amount of activities can take place and funds are raised to support local groups. Why not celebrate volunteering achievements by having a social event like a tea party or a quiz night?

• Attract new members/volunteers – New Year is a great time to get people involved in activities after the hectic run up to the end of the year and all of the festive excesses. At this time of year people often make resolutions to get more active and take part in community events, so what a great time to get more people involved in your group or recruit new volunteers!

• Spread the news about your group and its activities – why not update your marketing andpublicity?Doyouhaveanyleafletsorposters which advertise your group, or do you use social media (such as Twitter or Facebook)?Whynottrysomenewordifferentway to publicise your next event or project? Why not have a look around at the sorts of

publicity which are used by other groups and organisations and come up with your own great ideas on how to stand out from the crowd and attract new members?

• How well is your group linked up in Tameside? How much do you know about your local area, the people who live there and other groups carrying out similar work? Why not do some research with local people orgroupsorfindouthowyoucanlinkupwithother groups in your area – it’s always good to learn something new, and you might get some brilliant ideas for new projects.

• Money matters – what a perfect time to havealookatyourgroup’sfinancesandmake sure everything is in order! Have you got enough funds to see your group through the year? Have you got a good system in place to manage your group’s money? This is an ideal time to review your group’s financialsituationandstarttopreparefortheendofthefinancialyear.

• Boost your committee – does your committee need a shake up? Have you had the same people in the same roles for a long period? Why not take the time to review the committee or carry out a ‘skills audit’ to see if there are any gaps in knowledge or experience – then put together a list of skills and experience you’d like to attract in new committee members, or think about training opportunities which exist in the local area.

For more help on any of the above, get in touch with the Development Team for assistance on 0161 339 4985 or email development@cvat.org.uk

New Year’s Resolutions for your group

14 — GROUPS

Leaflets, posters and flyers from £200We specialise in leaflets that explain who you are, what you do and how you make a difference. We can help with writing the copy and the design. Prices start from around £200 for 500 folded leaflets.

Logo and brand design from £250From a redesign of your logo to a whole new image and brand, we can help you find a corporate identity that will help you further your work. Prices start from £250 for a logo design.

Annual reportsAn annual report is worth its weight in gold. It tells people and potential funders how you make a difference.Wecanhelpyouwriteitandwecanhelp design it.

Social MediaDo you want to dip your toe into the world of Twitter and Facebook? Do you already have a social media presence that is not delivering for you? We can help. We can make recommendations, help you plan socialmediacampaigns,trainyourstaffandmore.

Marketing and communication strategyIs your organisation growing or needing to reach new audiences? Could a more strategic approach help you reach goals? We’ll help you plan the way ahead, ensuring you set clear measurable targets along the way.

Getting yourself heard and making a good impression are important for any group wanting to bring about change, impress funders and attract volunteers. Whether you’re a new group wanting to make a good first impression or a long standing group in need of a refresh, we have something to suit you.

T: 0161 339 4985 W: www.cvat.org.uk/cvatplus E: info@cvat.org.uk

Prices quoted are starting prices to give you an idea of costs. We quote individually on each piece of work depending on how many hours it will take us to do the best job possible. Prices are correct as of November 2014. Any surplus profit generated by CVAT Design and Marketing goes back into our core work providing free support to voluntary and community groups in Tameside.

CVAT Design and Marketing Services

Community and Voluntary Action Tameside (CVAT) is here to support volunteers and the voluntary, community and faith groups in Tameside. The groups, and the volunteers who keep them running, are changing lives for the better across our local area. We’re here to help these good causes bring about change and to give them a louder voice.We’re helping people make a difference across: Ashton-under-Lyne | Audenshaw | Denton | Dukinfield | Droylsden | Hattersley | Hyde | Longdendale | Mossley | Stalybridge

Chief ExecutiveBen Gilchrist. Email ben.gilchrist@cvat.org.uk

Development ServicesOne-to-one capacity building support, including funding information and advice.

Contact Naomi, Dawn, Amanda or Lisa on 0161 339 4985. Email naomi.sampson@cvat.org.uk dawn.acton@cvat.org.uk amanda.benson@cvat.org.uk lisa.hannibal@cvat.org.uk

Partnerships ServiceSupporting groups, providing a policy function and developing the voice of local community action.

Contact Anna on 0161 339 4985. Email anna.hynes@cvat.org.uk

Volunteering ServicesMatching individuals and groups with appropriate volunteering opportunities. Promoting good practice and policy in volunteer management.

Contact Sue, Stewart or Vashti on 0161 339 2345. Email sue.vickers@cvat.org.uk stewart.dobson@cvat.org.uk vashti.holland@cvat.org.uk

Marketing & CommunicationsPromoting the work of groups and volunteers through website, newsletters, press, publications, social media and eBulletins.

Contact Matt or Michael on 0161 339 4985. Email matt.hill@cvat.org.uk michael.withington@cvat.org.uk

Central ServicesFacilities management, personnel management, financialcontrolandadministrativesupport.

Contact Helen, Sam or Kelly on 0161 339 4985. Email helen.tallents@cvat.org.uk samantha.mcnicholls@cvat.org.uk kelly.chadwick@cvat.org.uk

ProjectsCVAT is also home to the following initiatives

Timebanking in TamesideA project that encourages people to exchange skills and time.

Contact Elaine or Julie on 0161 339 2345. Email elaine.watkins@cvat.org.uk julie.cunliffe@cvat.org.uk

Miles of SmilesA community transport scheme using volunteers to help people attend medical appointments.

Contact 0161 339 2345

Tameside 4 GoodAn initiative to help local people and businesses give time, skills and money to local good causes.

Contact Amy on 0161 339 4985. Email amy.watson@cvat.org.uk. www.tameside4good.org

HealthwatchHealthwatch Tameside is the independent health service consumer champion created to gather and represent the views of the public.

Contact Peter, Julie Karen & Sue on 0161 667 2526 email info@healthwatchtameside.co.uk www.healthwatchtameside.co.uk

AspireThe Aspire Service provides respite for children with disabilities and their families.

Contact Judith or Karen on 0161 339 2345 Email judith@vcspd.org karen@vcspd.org

Have you got an interesting story to tell in CVAT News? The deadline for the next issue is Friday 23 January 2015. Articles should be sent to newsletter@cvat.org.uk tel: 0161 339 4985.You can also submit articles to our weekly CVAT ebulletin, sent every Wednesday Lunchtime – send your articles to ebulletin@cvat.org.ukCommunity and Voluntary Action Tameside (CVAT) is a Registered Charity (No: 1148056) and Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 7930346)

16 — STAFF