Friday 29 January 2016

The homelessness monitor:England 2016

Please share with your networks

This annual state-of-the nation report funded by Crisis and JRF draws on a survey of councils, statistical analysis and in-depth interviews to analyse the impact of economic and policy developments on homelessness.

The homelessness monitor: England 2016 report shows that:

  • Councils across England are struggling to cope with numbers of single homeless people, with the majority backing a change in the law to expand homelessness prevention;
  • Nine out of ten English councils often (54%) or sometimes (34%) find it difficult to help single homeless people aged 25-34; and
  • 87% of English councils find it difficult to help people aged 18-24.
Download from here

Thursday 28 January 2016

Funding opportunities

http://www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk/

Max. Value: £ 10,000

Deadline: 31 Jan 2016

Grants are available to UK-registered Christian charities for projects that encourage social inclusion through ministries of healing and the arts.

BBC Children in Need - Small Grants Programme

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4fJVTzz5QmQx5rx0S4NVg0Q/small-grants

Max. Value: £ 10,000

Deadline: 01 Mar 2016

Grants for not-for-profit organisations that are working with disadvantaged children and young people who are 18 years old and younger living in the UK.

Job opportunity- Challenge Yourself to Lead and Mentor Young People

NCS With The Challenge

Youth and Community Mentors and Leaders

Salary – Up to £1540 per 14 day role

Location: London, Surrey, Berkshire, West Midlands or North West England

We are looking for dedicated individuals, with an interest in working with young people to strengthen their communities, working both residentially and in the local community.

A single programme includes outdoor activities, skill development and community service. Paid positions are available for people at every level of experience. Positions last from 2 to 14 weeks.

Applications Now Open

To apply online or find out more simply visit www.ncsthechallenge.org/jobs

Monday 25 January 2016

Creating Conversations: exploring community-based responses to poverty

During 2015, Church Urban Fund and the University of Edinburgh's Divinity School hosted a series of events on poverty, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

The series of four events aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, bringing together academics, clergy and practitioners to share their diverse experience and expertise on poverty-related issues.

This report is a synopsis of the four events, sharing summaries of the presentations delivered at each one. We hope that it will help to share the learning gained from the events and to encourage similar discussions around the country. Click below for more

https://www.cuf.org.uk/research/creating-conversations-exploring-community-based-responses-poverty

 

Re: Feeding Lancashire Together Child Poverty Tackled in Lancashire - Lancashire Headline News

Since November 2015, the Recycling Lives Charity has operated a Lancashire and Cumbria Food Distribution Centre. 

Already, Recycling Lives supply food to 40+ charities or charitable organisations, and subscriptions are growing. A one month supply of food parcels costs only £100.00

Whilst most Breakfast Clubs are not registered charities, a local business wishing to support a Breakfast Club can make a £1200 donation to the RecyclingLives Charity on behalf of a nominated Breakfast Club (or other not-for-profit organisation that prepares food to help fight food poverty)

In short, this means that local businesses can help feed children via organised Breakfast Clubs for as little as £960.00 per year - £80 per month after Corporation Tax deduction. 

No child should go hungry, and every school knows someone in business. Please take up the challenge to set up a Breakfast Club wherever there is need and actively campaign to local businesses to finance the food supply. 

For more information please email fareshare@RecyclingLives.org

The Food Distribution Centre also supports other not-for-profit organisations.




On 25 Jan 2016, at 12:04, Greg Smith - Preston Christian Action Network <pcaninfo@gmail.com> wrote:

 
Video of News report on teachers having to feed children
 

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Child Poverty Tackled in Lancashire - Lancashire Headline News

 
Video of News report on teachers having to feed children
 

Fw: Church of England Communications - How church led responses to homelessness are...

Friday 15 January 2016

Revised level of service from LCC's Welfare Rights Service.. January 2016

 The core purpose of the Welfare Rights Service is to provide a high quality, comprehensive and independent personal welfare rights service. The key functions of the service relevant to our advice partners and Lancashire residents are:

formation, advice and help on all DWP benefits, Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support and Tax Credits

 Information, advice and help on all DWP benefits, Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support and Tax Credits

Appeal tribunal representation

Consultancy and training

Why is the Welfare Rights Service changing?

The Welfare Rights Service (WRS) has been in existence for almost 30 years and throughout this time we have always managed to maintain a comprehensive service and respond to all benefit enquiries no matter what the issue or pressures we have had to bear. However, due to a reduction in staffing although we are doing our best to maintain as much of our advice provision as we can, we can no longer keep doing what we were.

As a result of previous savings that we are committed to making which date back to 2014 we are losing a further 12 staff by the end of March this year. This will mean the WRS will have 20 staff (19 full time equivalent) operating across Lancashire. There is of course further spending reviews underway which may mean the loss of more staff. All this is set against a back drop of considerable changes in Social Security provision, not least the impact of Welfare Reform which is gathering pace in the changes it brings. Despite these challenges we can still help people with their benefit problems, but in order to maintain our specialist work we need to reduce the more generic help that we have been able to provide until now.

Alternative support with form completion.

From 4th January 2016, we have had to stop providing assistance with Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) forms, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) forms, and Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support forms. We have asked our contact centre to redirect people in the following way:

 

Welfare Rights Service

If a customer rings for help with an ESA50 form which is a self-assessment form for Employment and Support Allowance, they can get guidance with the form from Maximus which is the medical assessment service of the DWP by ringing 0800 288 8777. Here's a link to the information: https://www.chdauk.co.uk/updates/2015/10/chda-launches-esa50-support-team

If a customer rings for help with a PIP form which is a self-assessment form for Personal Independence Payment, they can get guidance with the form and if need be an extension to the time they have to complete the form by ringing 0845 850 3322 (Textphone: 0845 601 6677). Local advice agencies have been swamped with requests to help people with these forms and are struggling to manage so customers may not find help with the form from other local agencies.

If a customer rings for help with a Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support form, they should ring their local District Council who can make an appointment to see them and go through the form with them if appropriate.

We are very aware that some customers have complex needs and therefore may still need specific help with a form and are unable to utilise the above services, so where necessary we can still refer people to the DWP Visiting Service but this will be in exceptional cases. With all other benefit forms we do not normally provide assistance in their completion, but in some cases where we cannot give advice by phone, we will also refer on to the DWP visiting service if appropriate.

Help with benefit checks.

For those customers who simply want to know if they are entitled to any benefits help or if they are getting the correct amount of benefit based on their income, if they are able to go online we are asking customers to use the benefit calculators that are available on Gov.uk. We have put a link to them on our website here http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/benefits-and-grants/benefits-advice/benefits-information.aspx We have used the 'entitled to' benefits calculator when training some volunteers, it works well and gives accurate information, but it is only of use to those whose circumstances are clear and they are just checking if they are getting everything they are entitled to.

Referrals for advice and response times.

We are still receiving a high number of requests for help and advice. We have therefore had to change our response times as we may struggle to get back to people within 5 working days, so for now we are advising people that we can take up to 10 working days to get back to them. If we can see from the enquiry that the matter is urgent we will of course still respond quickly, but many enquiries simply state they want a benefit check, and therefore will be treated as low priority.

If you are referring a customer to us for help, we do have an online enquiry form that you can use on our website here: https://eforms.lancashire.gov.uk/AF/an/default.aspx/RenderForm/?F.Name=LcvTz1gtKUv

Alternatively you can continue to ring our contact centre on 0300 123 6739, they will take all the necessary information and pass the details on to us to respond to.

 

Welfare Rights Service

If you do refer people to us, it is helpful if you can provide as much information as possible relevant to the enquiry so that we can better assess the help required and the priority. We do receive many enquiries that simply request a benefit check, but many actually need advice and this needs to be clear in the enquiry if at all possible.

It's helpful if anyone who is challenging a benefit decision is referred on to us at the earliest possible opportunity, as this gives us time to properly assess their case, obtain any further evidence that may be needed, and to prepare them if the case proceeds to an appeal hearing.

For more information

If you have any queries or need further information please do get in touch.

Joanne Barker          Service Manager

Welfare Rights Service , County Hall, Preston, PR1 0LD

Tel: 0300 123 6739

Email: joanne.barker@lancashire.gov.uk

Fw: Special invitation to north west event on evangelism

 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2016 12:11 PM
Subject: Special invitation to north west event on evangelism

Discuss evangelism challenges and opportunities with leaders in your region
View this email in your browser

Dear friends,

You are invited to a special event for leaders in the north west to discuss the challenges for evangelism in the UK today, and what action we can take to see more people meet Jesus, love him and follow him.

Date: Tuesday, 2 February, 2016

Time: Food reception at 6.30pm for a 7pm start

Venue: Liverpool Lighthouse, Oakfield Road, Anfield, Liverpool, L4 0UF

 

Book your free place now

This free event, hosted by the Liverpool unity movement Together for the Harvest, in partnership with the Evangelical Alliance, offers the opportunity to reflect on recent landmark research of the UK population, which shows that an increasing number of people have little understanding of who Jesus is – with four in 10 not even being sure that Jesus was a real person who lived on earth.

The evening will include a presentation on the Talking Jesus research, commissioned by the Evangelical Alliance, Church of England and HOPE, which explores key questions including:
 

  • What do people in the UK know and believe about Jesus?
  • What do they really think of us, his followers?
  • Are we talking about Jesus enough?
  • And when we are, are we drawing people closer towards him, or further away?


Please do pass the invitation on to other leaders in the north west region, and book your free place soon to avoid disappointment.

With every blessing,

The GATHER team

Read more about the Talking Jesus research at talkingjesus.org
 
 

Book your free place now
Copyright © 2016 Gather - Evangelical Alliance, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a leader in the north west who has shown interest in the Gather unity network

Our mailing address is:
Gather - Evangelical Alliance
176 Copenhagen Street
London, England N1 0ST
United Kingdom

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Thursday 14 January 2016

Fw: new message

Hey!

 

Open message http://gombong-tour.com/further.php

 

Greg Smith - Together Lancashire - PCAN

Fw: new message

Hey!

 

Open message http://haruncetin.com/forget.php

 

Giovanni Montalent

Este correo electrónico se ha enviado desde un equipo libre de virus y protegido por Avast.
www.avast.com

Wednesday 13 January 2016

The New Bedroom Tax Research Confirms Campaigners' Fears

 
From the Joint Public Issues team 

Announced quietly, on the last day of Parliament in 2015, the findings from the Government-ordered evaluation of the bedroom tax make disturbing reading. 75% of those affected are cutting back on food.

read more here

http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/the-new-bedroom-tax-research-confirms-campaigners-fears/

 

Fuel Poverty - It's turning cold

Interesting websiste  resource on Fuel poverty :


 

Tuesday 12 January 2016

The Christian Food Movement

From the USA but relevant here

http://www.churchwork.com/christian-food-movement/

In these opening years of the twenty-first century, the need for sustainable food systems has increasingly become a focus of our national conversation.

As a Christian, sometime in the last decade I began to wonder:

  • How can we re-imagine food systems in a way that more clearly reflects God's reign?
  • Where are the Christians working for a better food system, and how can I join them?
  • Are there existing Christian food projects that I could replicate or adapt in my context?

Monday 11 January 2016

ABCD - Asset Based Community Development...

Ever wondered what ABCD - Asset Based Community Development... is all about?

Ever been frustrated that your church social action programmes and projects just leave people dependent and they don't seem to move on or get transformed?

Then spend just a few minutes watching this video on youtube

 

 

Flood assistance ACTS 435

----- Original Message -----
From: Ed Saville

Dear All

 

Acts 435 is a Charity which makes small grants to individuals in need. The criteria for the fund – which is basically 'crowd funding' – have been extended to cover flood victims as well.

 

The application form can be found here http://www.blackburn.anglican.org/more_info.asp?current_id=426 on the Diocesan website. It usually takes about a fortnight to return the money which can be up to £120.

 

Blessings

 

Ed

 

Revd Canon Ed Saville

Lead Officer - Social Responsibility Blackburn Diocese

Feeding Lancashire Together Day Conference - Brockholes Friday 22nd January. More Information..and Final chance to book

If you would like to come to this conference and you have not already registered please book your free ticket by the end of this week. There are only 20 places left.  Full details and tickets at
 

Feeding Lancashire Together – Still Hungry?

Food poverty just does not go away. To all those who are responding by providing food, we extend a warm invitation to our conference to be held at Brockholes, Preston, on Friday 22nd January 2016.

Whether you provide parcels, advice, hot food, cooking lessons, use slow cookers, grow food or have any involvement in providing food to those who need it, this is for you .

The world we live in gets ever more challenging and complex. We are keen to share experiences and concerns, not least to develop our response to continued austerity measures, including savage local government cuts.


Hungry for Change is the newly published report from the Fabian Commission on Poverty and Hunger. The Chair of the Commission is Geoff Tansey, is our keynote speaker. He and Niall Cooper, Director of Church Action on Poverty, will also lead a workshop to explore our Right to Food in more detail and determine further action.

Our second speaker is Cathy Kay, Pastoral Head of Year in secondary education. She will share her research in to the effect of diet on health and child development. She will be lead the alternative workshop looking to determine how each part of the food poverty supply chain can provide effective responses.


The workshops will be followed by a light lunch in the lovely restaurant at Brockholes; there will be the opportunity to talk to organisations who have delivered projects to provide food over the last twelve months, particularly Sustainable Food Lancashire (The Larder).

 
 
 
Shalom
 
Greg Smith
 
Development Co-ordinator Together Lancashire
Phone - Mobile 07726177044
Postal Address and registered office : Together Lancashire, Diocesan Offices, Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn BB1 2QE.
 
Registered Charity no 1147848 Registered company no 07966145
Together Lancashire Website http://www.cuf.org.uk/together-lancashire

Sunday 10 January 2016

"The Conversation" on food banks.

Excellent web site debating the key issues about food banks and seeking to explore alternative ways forward
 
 

Friday 8 January 2016

new blog on food justice and food security

 
An interesting new blog on food justice and food security has launched, with a first post on the right to food. Take a look:
 
 
Shalom
 
Greg Smith
 
Development Co-ordinator Together Lancashire

NCVO has published its report on the welfare reforms

NCVO has published its report on the welfare reforms - it's on their website now: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/images/documents/about_us/media-centre/NC911-welfare-reform.pdf

Organizing for a Change Thursday January 2016 : Final Reminder - Please book your place.. please forward this email

Organizing for a Change -

 Can we organize together to make a difference in Preston and Lancashire?

A Presentation by Citizens UK
 
Executive Director, Neil Jameson CBE, and Citizens UK Chairman Rev. Paul Regan


4.30pm to 6.30pm
University of Central Lancashire - Greenbank Lecture Theatre. Greenbank Building. Preston, Lancashire PR1 2HE

 

We are asking everyone intending to attend to book your free place online by Thursday morning. Places are limited and people with tickets will be given priority. Book your ticket via this link
 
 
This is a joint event co-sponsored by UCLAN,s Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership, PCC's Social Forum, The VCFS Forum; Preston Faith Forum; Preston Community Network, Preston Christian Action Network.
 
All will be welcome. Come along and be inspired and explore how together we might work to transform Preston for good.
 
MORE INFORMATION


Citizens UK and especially it's branch London Citizens is the largest and most effective broad based citizen's organizing movement in the country. In recent years it has mobilised to campaign successfully for the Living Wage, for a cap on interest rates from payday lenders, local jobs for local people, better quality social care, the resettlement and integration of refugees and many local causes. Bringing together faith groups, trade unions, schools and community organisations in large assemblies and smaller actions it builds power to negotiate with employers, developers, service providers and local and national government. For more information see
http://www.citizensuk.org/

Over the past few months some of us have been exploring whether such a movement could be established in Preston and Lancashire. We have invited their Executive Director, Neil Jameson and Citizens UK Chairman Paul Regan to come to Preston to speak at an open meeting where we can explore together what might be involved. Both Neil and Paul have over 20 years of experience of community organizing in London and are recognized as excellent speakers and the leading exponents of community organizing in the UK.

Happy New Year from everyone at Lancashire Women's Centres! - January Mindfit Courses

 

From: Samantha Pollard [mailto:Samantha.Pollard@womenscentre.org]
Sent: 08 January 2016 10:51
To: Samantha Pollard
Subject: REMINDER - January Mindfit Courses

 

Hello,

 

Happy New Year from everyone at Lancashire Women's Centres!

 

We thought we'd send you a reminder of our new January MindFit courses that start next week You can download posters here

http://www.womenscentre.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=94

 

. Simply ring your nearest centre to book your place. (Don't forget our Community Wellbeing Centre has courses that are available to women & MEN.) If you're unsure which course you'd like to do please still ring and enquire as our lovely receptionists have an over the phone questionnaire to help you decide.

 

In addition, if you can't make it to our January courses – fear not – our February courses are starting on the week of the 22/02/2016.

 

Take care,

 

Kind Regards

Samantha Pollard

Training Support Admin

Lancashire Women's Centres

#EveryWomanCounts

 

Accrington Centre:          21-23 Blackburn Road, Accrington, BB5 1HF                         Tel. 01254 871771

Blackburn Centre:           25 Wellington Street (St.John's), Blackburn, BB1 8AF      Tel. 01254 583032

Burnley Centre:                4 Nicholas Street, Burnley, BB11 2EU                                      Tel. 01282 429672

Blackpool Centre:            162 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 3PS                                    Tel. 01253 290007

Community Wellbeing Centre: 10 Richmond Terrace, Blackburn, BB1 7BD            Tel. 01254 675183

Preston Centre:                 31 Fishergate Hill, Preston, PR1 8DN                                      Tel. 01772 259211

Community Wellbeing: 39-41 Scotland Road, Nelson, BB9 7UT                                   Tel. 01282 507200

 

Fax (All Centres): 01254 447875

 

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Monday 4 January 2016

Homeless single people should get more help - Supreme Court

 

For circulation to the network

The Supreme Court has said that councils must do more to help single homeless people, in a landmark ruling.

The court found that local authorities were failing to recognise homeless people in vulnerable situations.

see  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32721693

 

 
 
Shalom
 
Greg Smith
 
Development Co-ordinator Together Lancashire
Phone - Mobile 07726177044
Postal Address and registered office : Together Lancashire, Diocesan Offices, Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn BB1 2QE.
 
Registered Charity no 1147848 Registered company no 07966145
Together Lancashire Website http://www.cuf.org.uk/together-lancashire

Making Money Easier

 
 

UR has produced this set of easy read leaflets - might be worth seeing if any use fro your project and to share,

rose

http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/making-money-easier

Making Money Easier

This brilliant set of free guides provides basic explanations for all things finance and money related.

It is aimed at people with learning disabilities, but could be equally useful to anyone who finds themselves lost in financial jargon and small print.

The Making Money Easier guides include advice about choosing and using a bank account, a glossary on common banking terms, tips on budgeting and a guide to help people live independently.

It's been produced as six separate booklets which you can download individually here: