CITIZENS ONLINE REPORT
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
TO TACKLE DIGITAL EXCLUSION IN BRENT
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
TO TACKLE DIGITAL EXCLUSION IN BRENT
Brent Council and Citizens Online
Digital Inclusion Workshop
Digital Inclusion Workshop
London Funders
London Community Response Fund Wave Four
Guiding you through the application process
WEBINAR
Homelessness Forum
Crisis Brent Skylight
Following the Housing in Brent on line event organised for BCAN
members it was noted that local advisors in the community advice network would
welcome more sharing of information on the Homelessness Forum
in terms of its scope and its findings and how BCAN members
can be more involved.
Atara Fridler, the thematic lead on Brent Homelessness took this action point
forward and arranged for the Agenda and minutes of the Homelessness Forum to
be shared with BCAN members:
AGENDA
MINUTES OF HOMELESSNESS FORUM
MINUTES OF THE BRENT EVICTIONS TASK & FINISH GROUP
Crisis Brent Skylight
Following the Housing in Brent on line event organised for BCAN
members it was noted that local advisors in the community advice network would
welcome more sharing of information on the Homelessness Forum
in terms of its scope and its findings and how BCAN members
can be more involved.
Atara Fridler, the thematic lead on Brent Homelessness took this action point
forward and arranged for the Agenda and minutes of the Homelessness Forum to
be shared with BCAN members:
AGENDA
MINUTES OF HOMELESSNESS FORUM
MINUTES OF THE BRENT EVICTIONS TASK & FINISH GROUP
Brent CVS Ealing & Hounslow CVS and Bexley CVS
are teaming up to deliver a new Quality Assurance programme for groups in their community
are teaming up to deliver a new Quality Assurance programme for groups in their community
Iraqi Welfare Association
Job vacancies
(deadline 31st October 2020)
Job vacancies
(deadline 31st October 2020)
Resident Support Fund
Brent's fund to support Brent residents over 18 who have suffered financial hardship from COVID-19. Rent arrears and types of other kinds of arrears. PLUS access to digital tools including tablets and internet & Broadband. Today's workshop facilitated by Minesh Shah and Charlotte Moore talked through the application process for BCAN members. Emphasis is on supplying the correct evidence to support the application. Here are the steps to make the application -
see the slides below
SLIDES
Brent's fund to support Brent residents over 18 who have suffered financial hardship from COVID-19. Rent arrears and types of other kinds of arrears. PLUS access to digital tools including tablets and internet & Broadband. Today's workshop facilitated by Minesh Shah and Charlotte Moore talked through the application process for BCAN members. Emphasis is on supplying the correct evidence to support the application. Here are the steps to make the application -
see the slides below
SLIDES
Crisis Skylight Brent
Following the BCAN Housing Conference CRISIS Skylight Brent
invite BCANers to be more involved in the Homelessness Forum
Information Sharing / Knowledge Sharing
Influencing local policy & strategy
Developing practical solutions
MINUTES HOMELESSNESS FORUM
MINUTES OF COVID HOMELESSNESS WORKING GROUP
Brent & Citizens Online
Digital Inclusion Workshop for Brent
Thursday 4th Nov 10.00 - 12.30 Brent Digital Inclusion Workshop
CITIZENS ONLINE & BRENT have organised an online event
which BCANers are invited to attend.
Concerns were expressed at the recent Housing Forum about the numbers of clients you meet with digital skills deficit.
What more can we do and what more can Brent do?
REGISTER HERE
Mohammed Walji, CEO, Brent CVS invites BCAN members to the next Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum 4th November @ 6pm
Confirm attendance to info@cvsbrent.org.uk to receive your Zoom invitation
Confirm attendance to info@cvsbrent.org.uk to receive your Zoom invitation
Skills needed in Advice Work
Dealing with clients
Respecting boundaries
Making referrals
Delivered by tutor Daniel Gilson contact him on trainingforlondon@gmail.com
Dealing with clients
Respecting boundaries
Making referrals
Delivered by tutor Daniel Gilson contact him on trainingforlondon@gmail.com
Brent Carers Centre job vacancy
Welcome to the latest BCAN newsletter
August newsletter please click the link below:
INVITATION TO JOIN ONLINE EVENT
HOUSING ISSUES IN BRENT COMMUNITY ADVICE NETWORK
17th September 2020 2-4pm
HOUSING ISSUES IN BRENT COMMUNITY ADVICE NETWORK
17th September 2020 2-4pm
There has been a steep increase in housing-related advice queries
95% increase in calls about illegal evictions
BCAN members are invited to attend this online discussion to find solutions
and provide the help needed in Brent as effectively as possible during COVID-19
Housing Issues in Brent
Housing Panel Discussion
Q&A with housing experts
Atara Fridler Director, CRISIS Brent Skylight
Cllr Eleanor Southwood Lead member for Housing, Brent
Danny Maher CEO Ashford Place
Jacky Peacock CEO Advice4Renters
Jacqueline Carr CEO Citizens Advice Brent
REGISTER FOR EVENTBRITE
95% increase in calls about illegal evictions
BCAN members are invited to attend this online discussion to find solutions
and provide the help needed in Brent as effectively as possible during COVID-19
Housing Issues in Brent
Housing Panel Discussion
Q&A with housing experts
Atara Fridler Director, CRISIS Brent Skylight
Cllr Eleanor Southwood Lead member for Housing, Brent
Danny Maher CEO Ashford Place
Jacky Peacock CEO Advice4Renters
Jacqueline Carr CEO Citizens Advice Brent
REGISTER FOR EVENTBRITE
JOB VACANCIES
BRENT IRISH ADVISORY JOB
SUFRA JOB
A4R FINANCIAL INCLUSION ADMINISTRATOR JOB
CITIZENS ADVICE JOBS
BRENT IRISH ADVISORY JOB
SUFRA JOB
A4R FINANCIAL INCLUSION ADMINISTRATOR JOB
CITIZENS ADVICE JOBS
Residents Support Grant
What the grant or loan can be used for:
- Rent or mortgage arrears, even if you are already getting Housing Benefit
- Council Tax arrears
- Housing Benefit overpayment arrears
- Household expenditure (food, utility bills and fuel)
- Paying off debts e.g. credit card loans
- Counselling and mental health services
- Skills training and further education to support employment
- Getting access to the internet, a laptop or both
BCAN TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Findings on the recent survey conducted by StepUpHub
Examining the impact of COVID-19 on Brent's Community and Voluntary organisations and the clients they serve,
many of whom are from BAMER backgrounds.
Examining the impact of COVID-19 on Brent's Community and Voluntary organisations and the clients they serve,
many of whom are from BAMER backgrounds.
Read Jacqueline Carr, CEO Citizens Advice Brent, latest update for local advisors:
SUFRA
NW London Foodbank, Meals & Advice Service
Latest update of local services
Important Funding Announcement from CVS Brent
To get support contact us: support@cvsbrent.org.uk
or for more information go to https://tinyurl.com/yd6becau
or for more information go to https://tinyurl.com/yd6becau
BCAN newsletter sent to all Brent Community Advice Network members
and to Brent Councillor May 2020
and to Brent Councillor May 2020
BIG Thank You
Mudassir, Ansar Youth Manager
Food and Meals Service
"I wanted to let you know that the team at AYP has converted our youth centre
into a foodbank, and process a (literal) tonne of food every week.
We tailor our parcels; eg. for those in a hostel with no access
to a kitchen we provide a range of ready meals and foods
which don't require cooking. For those with children
we are doing our best to source baby food, nappies, etc.
Our aim is to support anyone who needs help with food.
whether they are waiting for a food voucher, shielding,
in quarantine, key workers who haven't had time
to go shopping. Whatever the reason we are here
to provide emergency food aid.
I wanted to support yours and other organisations in Brent
and ensure that where possible, no one goes hungry.
If you want to make a referral feel free to email:
foodbank@ansaryouth.org.uk. We can deliver across Brent
or collections from the youth centre are also possible"
Ansar means helper in arabic and in these trying times the world
needs more helpers.
Stay safe and please let me know
if there is anything we at Ansar Youth Project can do to help!
Kind regards,
Mudassir Daya
Youth Programme ManagerAnsar Youth Project
Wembley Youth Club, London Road, Wembley HA9 7EU
T: 02089030300
E: admin@ansaryouth.org.uk
W: www.ansaryouth.org.uk
GREAT NEWS!
FREE ONLINE TRAINING AND RESOURCES
Big Thank you NCVO
"As mentioned earlier, all voluntary organisations
are currently able to access our online
materials on the KnowHow website for free.
This is in line with our effort to support the sector during this trying time.
Anyone who wishes to access the website needs to create a free account
by clicking on the ‘sign in/up’ tab in the top right corner of our website.
Instructions on doing this can be found here.
NCVO membership is free for organisations earning less than £30,000 per year,
and we operate a tiered fee system above that.
You can find more information on membership benefits here,
however organisations will be able to access
the online materials even if they choose not to apply".
Kind Regards,
Sara Gvero
Membership and Enterprise Team Administrator
sara.gvero@ncvo.org.uk
www.ncvo.org.uk
FREE ONLINE TRAINING AND RESOURCES
Big Thank you NCVO
"As mentioned earlier, all voluntary organisations
are currently able to access our online
materials on the KnowHow website for free.
This is in line with our effort to support the sector during this trying time.
Anyone who wishes to access the website needs to create a free account
by clicking on the ‘sign in/up’ tab in the top right corner of our website.
Instructions on doing this can be found here.
NCVO membership is free for organisations earning less than £30,000 per year,
and we operate a tiered fee system above that.
You can find more information on membership benefits here,
however organisations will be able to access
the online materials even if they choose not to apply".
Kind Regards,
Sara Gvero
Membership and Enterprise Team Administrator
sara.gvero@ncvo.org.uk
www.ncvo.org.uk
Funding opportunities
Trust for London
Energy Saving Trust for Vulnerable families
Community Justice Fund
Check the links and contact CVS for help with your application, please email support@cvsbrent.org.uk
Trust for London
Energy Saving Trust for Vulnerable families
Community Justice Fund
Check the links and contact CVS for help with your application, please email support@cvsbrent.org.uk
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/charities-supporting-vulnerable-energy-users-apply-share-13m/finance/article/1682673
Go to the Third Sector site and register
Citizens Advice Brent
.
Help with Universal Credit applications
Advice Services Alliance
conducted a survey in the advice sector here are some findings
conducted a survey in the advice sector here are some findings
Work Rights Center
Know your work rights
Know your work rights
Use the link below for the full document
COVID-19 the impact on Renters and some new legal protections
SAAFI Covid 19 response
FAYNUUS HOPE COMMUNITY COVID-19
Thank you Royal Association for Deaf people
use these links to YouTube British Sign Language videos
RAD daily/weekly Coronavirus updates: CLICK HERE
Deaf Smart Energy: CLICK HERE
Employment & Career Advice: CLICK HERE
Mental Health & Wellbeing: CLICK HERE
BSL Activities Baking, Arts & Crafts: CLICK HERE
use these links to YouTube British Sign Language videos
RAD daily/weekly Coronavirus updates: CLICK HERE
Deaf Smart Energy: CLICK HERE
Employment & Career Advice: CLICK HERE
Mental Health & Wellbeing: CLICK HERE
BSL Activities Baking, Arts & Crafts: CLICK HERE
Big thank you to those who completed the survey,
Haven't done the survey? - its quick, just 6 questions.
Pressure on your service, what has changed & what do you need!
WE NEED THIS BY MONDAY 20th APRIL 4PM
There are several ways to request help
Food, Medicine, Carer support etc
use this email &/or use the Emergency number (see below)
Food, Medicine, Carer support etc
use this email &/or use the Emergency number (see below)
coronavirus@brent.gov.uk
Always include the name and contact number of the person who needs help.
The Brent staff checking this email will call the person back and take more details.
Always include the name and contact number of the person who needs help.
The Brent staff checking this email will call the person back and take more details.
EMERGENCY FOOD
020 8937 6792 option 1
TURN2US
CORONAVIRUS GRANT FUND
CORONAVIRUS GRANT FUND
CLICK ON LINK BELOW:
SCAM ALERT
Guidance from Citizens Advice Brent
More updates from Brent Council
here are some flow charts on the referral process or read the full updates in the newsletter:
BRENT NEWSLETTER
For more details on Brent Council's support newsletter below:
See message from Citizens Advice Brent
Dear All
Are you an adviser in a local advice-giving organisation?
Are you struggling to find the answer to your client’s benefits/debt/employment/housing problem?
Do you just want to check that the advice you’re about to give your client is right?
Our team of experts is ready to help you with any social welfare law enquiry.
Please see attached further details on how our team of experts can support you to support your communities/users/customers and/or clients.
Sophia Johnson JP
Service Manager
Are you an adviser in a local advice-giving organisation?
Are you struggling to find the answer to your client’s benefits/debt/employment/housing problem?
Do you just want to check that the advice you’re about to give your client is right?
Our team of experts is ready to help you with any social welfare law enquiry.
Please see attached further details on how our team of experts can support you to support your communities/users/customers and/or clients.
Sophia Johnson JP
Service Manager
Message from SAFE CIC
Dear Colleague
With many of us trying to work creatively with modern technology and social media
SAFEcic has developed new free safeguarding resources for professionals,
at risk groups and parents and carers as part of the new Safeguarding Crisis Hub.
Dear Colleague
With many of us trying to work creatively with modern technology and social media
SAFEcic has developed new free safeguarding resources for professionals,
at risk groups and parents and carers as part of the new Safeguarding Crisis Hub.
Good Finance & Big Society Capital
have produced this guide to help with key thinking about funding 'during COVID-19'
The funding you want right now you and funding you are managing right now
and, do you need to change what you are doing to answer the most urgent needs during COVID-19
Update from Citizens Advice Brent
on advice and support services
Do you need support to help your clients?
on advice and support services
Do you need support to help your clients?
More news for BCAN from Brent Council
Need Extra help?
Emergency Childcare
Discretionary Housing Payments
Local Welfare Assistance
Council Tax Support
Other Support
Helpline 020 8937 1234 Mon-Fri 9-5 more details see link below:
https://www.brent.gov.uk/your-community/coronavirus/need-extra-help/
Worried about someone?
If you are worried about someone who you know is vulnerable
and has no support network Help line 020 8937 6589
(8am - 8pm 7days a week) more details see link below:
https://www.brent.gov.uk/your-community/coronavirus/worried-about-someone/
Charities Aid Foundation
wants to support
Charities, CICs, Not-for-Profits, Unregistered entities, Social Enterprises
CLICK HERE
IMPORTANT NEWS
Mutual Aid groups have formed all over the country and in our borough too.
Go this site and search 'Brent' or your postcode and join. It's all community-led and is to support people in need with fast and practical assistance and for people who want to volunteer to help in the neighbourhood
https://covidmutualaid.org/
Go this site and search 'Brent' or your postcode and join. It's all community-led and is to support people in need with fast and practical assistance and for people who want to volunteer to help in the neighbourhood
https://covidmutualaid.org/
London Community Response Fund
is open for local Charities & CICs or if you are a community group or a COVID-19 Mutual Aid group you could partner with an existing Charity / CIC for this fund.
This fund has just appeared and aims to make the application process as easy as possible.
Please apply
https://londoncommunityresponsefund.org.uk/
Please complete their survey https://surveymonkey.co.uk/r/S6PW89G
Elders Voice have suspended their shopping and medicine collection service,
however they have sent details of this service being offered by the St Vincent de Paul Society.
however they have sent details of this service being offered by the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Pat Fernandes, It's All About Money, project manager has put together some
useful information for advisors
https://mailchi.mp/8cd9f9570192/iaamcovid-19resources
There's alot on fuel poverty, utility bills, UC application support and debt advice
and latest information on HUBS.
Here's a brief extract below
BRENT PARTNER SERVICES
It’s All About Money is an Advice4Renters
Acts 435 crisis grants - click for info
https://mailchi.mp/5acd68f37706/iaam_acts_435-3840841
We have suspended services at the Brent Hubs but you may call for a telephone or video consultation.
Please have all relevant paper work with you when you call:
Pat Fernandes
It’s All About Money Project Manager
0203 971 4580 `
Pat.Fernandes@advice4renters.org.uk
Citizens Advice - Brent
We have extended our Telephone Advice line service.
For matters relating to Helping to Claim Universal Credit,
from opening an account to receiving first full payment call 0208 438 1241
For all other matters please call 0208 438 1249
Brent Hubs
For the foreseeable future we will be offering a phone support service
for those vulnerable residents in the borough.
Our team can be contacted via the number 0208 937 6792 where our advisors
will be on hand to support our residents with their issues especially during these difficult times.
The number will be in operation from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm Mon- Thurs.
Please note that this is not a general line for Brent Council but a direct line to
Brent Hubs Advisors and only for those residents that require additiona
l support and or vulnerable. For any general council queries
people should be directed to Brent Council Customer Service line on 020 8937 1234 or visit Brent Council website..
useful information for advisors
https://mailchi.mp/8cd9f9570192/iaamcovid-19resources
There's alot on fuel poverty, utility bills, UC application support and debt advice
and latest information on HUBS.
Here's a brief extract below
BRENT PARTNER SERVICES
It’s All About Money is an Advice4Renters
Acts 435 crisis grants - click for info
https://mailchi.mp/5acd68f37706/iaam_acts_435-3840841
We have suspended services at the Brent Hubs but you may call for a telephone or video consultation.
Please have all relevant paper work with you when you call:
Pat Fernandes
It’s All About Money Project Manager
0203 971 4580 `
Pat.Fernandes@advice4renters.org.uk
Citizens Advice - Brent
We have extended our Telephone Advice line service.
For matters relating to Helping to Claim Universal Credit,
from opening an account to receiving first full payment call 0208 438 1241
For all other matters please call 0208 438 1249
Brent Hubs
For the foreseeable future we will be offering a phone support service
for those vulnerable residents in the borough.
Our team can be contacted via the number 0208 937 6792 where our advisors
will be on hand to support our residents with their issues especially during these difficult times.
The number will be in operation from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm Mon- Thurs.
Please note that this is not a general line for Brent Council but a direct line to
Brent Hubs Advisors and only for those residents that require additiona
l support and or vulnerable. For any general council queries
people should be directed to Brent Council Customer Service line on 020 8937 1234 or visit Brent Council website..
Clients in your community may be extra help, here is an update from Brent Council
Click here https://www.brent.gov.uk/your-community/coronavirus/need-extra-help/
Click here https://www.brent.gov.uk/your-community/coronavirus/need-extra-help/
AdviceUK Updated COVID-19 (Coronavirus Briefing)Please click on the link below to read our most recently updated (24 March 2020) COVID-19 Coronavirus briefing for AdviceUK members.
Please read, and give us feedback via influencing@adviceuk.org.uk: tell us what your organisation or service is doing and what you need.
Coronavirus Briefing
Please read, and give us feedback via influencing@adviceuk.org.uk: tell us what your organisation or service is doing and what you need.
Coronavirus Briefing
Please help Advice Service Alliance by completing their 5 minute survey
Click this live link
https://surveymonkey.co.uk/r/S6PW89G
Go to Twitter and retweet to your networks
CONGRATULATIONS STREAMSKILLS!
Sahra Jama of Stream Skills Advancement just announced they have secured three year's funding from Trust for London.
The funded project covers Universal Credit application assistance, digital inclusion and support for clients with health-related housing problems.
They meet clients at Brent Hub Willesden each Tuesday and do home visits to parents when needed.
Great to share good news with BCANers and we couldn't be more delighted for Sahra and the Stream Skills team.
London plus
London's civil society charity have made a little film explaining London's CVS
What do the CVS do?
What are they for?
WATCH HERE
FUNDERS TO GIVE ADVICE SESSIONS 1-2-1 HERE AT CVS TRAINING SUITE
THE SESSIONS ARE BEING ORGANISED BY AVANI, CAPACITY BUILDING OFFICER, a.modasia@cvsbrent.org.uk
Funders Advice Clinics
CVS Brent are hosting Funding Advice surgeries during the months March April and May.
This is an opportunity for organisations to meet with a funding officer from the relevant
Funding body to discuss a potential project or idea.
This will also give organisations an opportunity to meet the local officer from the relevant funder
tell them about your idea for funding and ask any questions you have about the application process.
If you are interested, please do book a session by following the link given under each funder.
Admission is by bookings only and on first come basis:-
Trust for London - Thursday 19th March 2020
Trust for London form
National Lottery – Thursday 26th March 2020
National Lottery form
Wembley Stadium Trust Fund - Monday 27th April 2020
Wembley Stadium Trust form
Heritage Lottery - Thursday 21st May 2020
Heritage Lottery form
Please note that the officer is unable to offer advice on your application, and check your eligibility here before you apply.
Terms & Conditions
Free Entry - Admission will be prior booking only. If no booking, then you will not be seen.
In the event of a no-show with prior booking, on the day an admin charge of £15 will apply. This will be waived if 48 hours’ (working days) notice is provided.
Charged Entry – In the event of a no-show on the day you will be charged the cost of the session. This will be waived if 48 hours’ (working days) notice is provided.
In all cases delegates may send another colleague in their place with no admin charge incurred – please email a.modasia@cvsbrent.org.uk
THE SESSIONS ARE BEING ORGANISED BY AVANI, CAPACITY BUILDING OFFICER, a.modasia@cvsbrent.org.uk
Funders Advice Clinics
CVS Brent are hosting Funding Advice surgeries during the months March April and May.
This is an opportunity for organisations to meet with a funding officer from the relevant
Funding body to discuss a potential project or idea.
This will also give organisations an opportunity to meet the local officer from the relevant funder
tell them about your idea for funding and ask any questions you have about the application process.
If you are interested, please do book a session by following the link given under each funder.
Admission is by bookings only and on first come basis:-
Trust for London - Thursday 19th March 2020
Trust for London form
National Lottery – Thursday 26th March 2020
National Lottery form
Wembley Stadium Trust Fund - Monday 27th April 2020
Wembley Stadium Trust form
Heritage Lottery - Thursday 21st May 2020
Heritage Lottery form
Please note that the officer is unable to offer advice on your application, and check your eligibility here before you apply.
Terms & Conditions
Free Entry - Admission will be prior booking only. If no booking, then you will not be seen.
In the event of a no-show with prior booking, on the day an admin charge of £15 will apply. This will be waived if 48 hours’ (working days) notice is provided.
Charged Entry – In the event of a no-show on the day you will be charged the cost of the session. This will be waived if 48 hours’ (working days) notice is provided.
In all cases delegates may send another colleague in their place with no admin charge incurred – please email a.modasia@cvsbrent.org.uk
Introduction to Debt Advice
Paul Scannel's session is for BCAN advisors/volunteers who want the basics in Debt Advice
Identifying Priority and Non Priority Debt
What to do next
followed by Q&As
so please bring your own queries or anonymised case studies
BOOK HERE
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health Awareness
Half day session Training Suite
CVS Brent
Friday 21st February 2020
Mental Health Awareness
Half day session Training Suite
CVS Brent
Friday 21st February 2020
Latin America House, Brent Irish Advisory Service, Age UK HHB, Casa do Brasil, Brent Bereavement Services, Hestia, Advice4Renters,
Age UK HHB, Asian Womens Resource Centre, Citizens Advice Brent.
Excellent session led by Joy Goddard
What happens next?
Compiling the results of the recent survey, working on a funding bid for the next level training and ofcouse, an offer to come to BCAN organisations for more tailored Awareness training.
Dear BCANers, this very short survey link should now be perfect, please go ahead to fill it in and submit it.
I will shortly be creating an Eventbrite for the half day workshop for BCANers as voted for at our recent conference...
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RDBLS88
circulated on behalf of
I will shortly be creating an Eventbrite for the half day workshop for BCANers as voted for at our recent conference...
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RDBLS88
circulated on behalf of
BCAN TRAINING 2020
SUREPARK OFFERING WELL-BEING WORKSHOPS
Any interest or queries, please contact Charlie at charlie@surespark.org.uk / 07940 455 639
You can access this document at bit.ly/brent-wellbeing-workshop-hosting
VSLF
Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum
This event took place at Brent Civic Centre this week and was very well attended
by members of the Voluntary and Community Sector.
Facilitated by Jacky Barry-Purssell of Brent Council,
Danny Maher, CVS Brent Chair, welcomed
everyone and looked forward to hearing the council's future
framework for working the voluntary and community sector.
Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum
This event took place at Brent Civic Centre this week and was very well attended
by members of the Voluntary and Community Sector.
Facilitated by Jacky Barry-Purssell of Brent Council,
Danny Maher, CVS Brent Chair, welcomed
everyone and looked forward to hearing the council's future
framework for working the voluntary and community sector.
Update on the future model of collaboration between the council and our sector was presented by Cllr Tom Miller, lead member for community Safety and Engagement and by Shazia Hussein, newly appointed Assistant Chief Executive of Brent Council.
|
|
CO-PRODUCTION
The message coming through was the preferred model
going forward is one of Co-Production.
Some key phrases noted were:
..Changing the balance of power
...Engagement being part of co-production
...Outcomes not just outputs
...Ladder of participation model
...Better coordination of the sector is needed.
Other presenters
Vanessa Dubuisson vanessa@crowdfunder.co.uk
Trust for London BRENT
Salli Ward s.ward@cvsbrent.org.uk
Monitoring & Evaluation evaluation tools and the secret recipe for success..
to find out, come to the next workshop
PRESENTATIONS TO DOWNLOAD
LBB Towards Collaboration - the Council's future framework for working with the VCS HERE
Crowdfunder Trust for London want Brent groups to apply HERE
Monitoring and Evaluation - How to prove what you do HERE
Above are some BCAN training events
Below are the events in our sector you are invited to
Below are the events in our sector you are invited to
Time to Talk
Organised by Joy Goddard, Hestia
Taking place Thursday 6th Feb @12.30 - 3.30 Kingsgate Community Centre
NW6 2JH
BOOK HERE
Organised by Joy Goddard, Hestia
Taking place Thursday 6th Feb @12.30 - 3.30 Kingsgate Community Centre
NW6 2JH
BOOK HERE
VSLF
Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum
See you there !!
Eventbrite is full, however there are places so contact kat.wilkinson@cvsbrent.org.uk and we'll add you to the list
Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum
See you there !!
Eventbrite is full, however there are places so contact kat.wilkinson@cvsbrent.org.uk and we'll add you to the list
Brent Winter Festival
Together in Brent
Flip chart notes from the BCAN conference, translation below:
BCAN conference Thursday 16th Jan 2020
Emerging themes since last conference and current challenges
- Universal Credit
- Space / premises
- Funding
- Sustainability
- Networking opportunities
- Reaching the isolated
- Lack of info in the community
- Expecting further challenges from this government.
- Capacity to deal with all the enquiries
- Knowing how and where to refer
Mental Health Awareness Mental Health First Aid
Thinking about how organisations look after the mental health of their people.
Talk about what your organisation has in place now &
what your organisation needs.
Too busy, too pressured to stop and consider what you need
Too busy needing to be strong and able to cope with stress and deal with clients in distress. Consider what your organisation needs to put in place so that you do have time to de-stress, be listened to and recharge your battery.
BCAN conference voted to hold a half day one-off session on MHFA
Anju Bhatt, chairing the conference, reminded BCANers to complete the consultation on the budget and to attend the Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum on 3rd Feb 2pm at Brent Civic Centre.
Great to see you at the BCAN conference
Big thank you to our guest speakers
Joy Goddard
Guy Guneri
Steve Fahey
Sadie East
VOICE OF BRENT'S COMMUNITY ADVICE NETWORK
Count down to the next BCAN conference, have you booked a place
BOOK HERE
Responding to the needs of the Community Advice Sector
Front line stress and clients in distress
Advice Qualification find out more from the trainer
Brent Hubs and BCAN we're already making it a great success for Brent.
All included in the agenda below:
Welcome to a New Year
and a new decade, which I hope will be interesting (challenging?) and full of opportunities for the Brent Community Advice Sector.
As you will see from the Conference agenda, protecting our front line people from burn out and having more confidence in how we refer our most vulnerable clients for the appropriate support is one of the key emerging issues in the community advice sector.
Happy 2020
and a new decade, which I hope will be interesting (challenging?) and full of opportunities for the Brent Community Advice Sector.
As you will see from the Conference agenda, protecting our front line people from burn out and having more confidence in how we refer our most vulnerable clients for the appropriate support is one of the key emerging issues in the community advice sector.
Happy 2020
Brent Community Advice Network
Conference 16th January 2020
10.30 - 1pm Lunch provided
BOOK HERE
(this date change from 14th to 16th jan)
Conference 16th January 2020
10.30 - 1pm Lunch provided
BOOK HERE
(this date change from 14th to 16th jan)
BCAN SURVEY
Here are some results from the recent survey
Expressions of interest in running Information Advice & Guidance recognised training course.
If there are sufficient expressions of interest this course can start end of Jan 2020
So respond ASAP
Contact Katherine kat.wilkinson@cvsbrent.org.uk
BCAN Conference
Thursday 16th January 2020
10.30 - 1pm Lunch included
Your staff your volunteers and your clients
face complex advice problems. Frontline workers are asking for Mental Health Awareness training in our sector, so let's talk about this at the conference to design a programme for our needs.
Conference also includes introduction to the NVQ Qualification in Information Advice Guidance for BCANers
Brent Council presentation to BCANers Advice Hubs and Family Hubs model
LUNCH
BOOK A PLACE
BCAN Conference
Thursday 16th January 2020
10.30 - 1pm Lunch included
Your staff your volunteers and your clients
face complex advice problems. Frontline workers are asking for Mental Health Awareness training in our sector, so let's talk about this at the conference to design a programme for our needs.
Conference also includes introduction to the NVQ Qualification in Information Advice Guidance for BCANers
Brent Council presentation to BCANers Advice Hubs and Family Hubs model
LUNCH
BOOK A PLACE
Brent Communities
Winter Festival
date for your diary 25th January 2020
11 - 5pm Brent Civic Centre
CITIZENS ADVICE BRENT
CAB are having a refurb and will temporarily relocate
CAB are having a refurb and will temporarily relocate
Brent Council announce new Brent Gateway services
Brent Gateway Partnership to Support Services
The Gateway to Support Services Hub delivers social care services and statutory advocacy for Brent residents.
Our aim is for people who need additional social care support to lead full and active lives where they are supported to be independent as far as they can be. We also want people to have to choice and control over the support they receive.
The Hub provides a single point of access to three main services:
CARERS SUPPORT STATUTORY ADVOCACY SOCIAL ISOLATION PREVENTION
http://brentgateway.org/
Measuring the impact of your work in the community - is it obvious to funders what you do and why you do it ?
Let's ask Salli Ward CVS Brent
QUESTIONS FROM KATHERINE WILKINSON
Katherine: What's the best advice you would give to a BCAN member looking for successful funding?
Salli: Don't apply for everything and anything - select who you apply to based on your development plan - look for the closest match.
Have your evidence at the ready - can you prove what you are doing is effective? How will you measure impact going forward?
Also, work towards multi-sourced income - grants, commissions, trading, donations, sponsorship - consider them all
K: What is the Golden Rule of successful fundraising in our sector?
S: Prepare. Create a 'funding pack' with all the key documents and pieces of information you need for almost all funding applications - include a funding strategy and actually use it.
K: Why is impact measurement so important when applying for funds?
S: Funding bodies want to know that any money they donate will help result in good outcomes for the people and communities you support.
'Unfortunately, funders don't just take your word for it....'
They don't take your word for this - they want you to have evidence and to know how you will collect evidence going forward. So many organisations haven't got the evidence or don't let the funder know what the evidence is - and end up not getting the funding. Measuring the effectiveness of what you do also ensures you can adapt and alter your services to maximise benefit, and maintain high quality provision.
K: So, Salli, how can BCAN members get your help?
S: Easy, just complete the Request for Support or email support@cvsbrent.org.uk mentioning Outcomes, Impact Measurement or Monitoring and Evaluation. You can also book into our training events - see website for details.
Data Superhighways
BCANers..
Are we missing out ?
BCANers..
Are we missing out ?
UNDER ONE ROOF
Diana Young is recruiting new volunteer mentors for the next round of training.
Do you have people in your network who speak Portuguse, Arabic, Hindi or Farsi who might be interested?
Universal Credit training for BCAN members
Brent Council has organised two free training sessions on Universal Credit for organisations in Brent offering advice and guidance to residents. This course is available to accredited advice and guidance providers, working within Brent, supporting Universal Credit claimants. Spaces are limited and a maximum of 3 spaces per organisation is permitted.
To register your space please choose your preferred date/venue and click on the link below. Registration is through Eventbrite.
17th September 2019, 9:45am to 4:15pm
Willesden Green Library, Reading room,
95 High Rd, Willesden, London NW10 2SF
BOOK PLACE NOW
27th September 2019, 9:45am to 4:15pm
SEIDs Hub, Empire Way,
Wembley HA9 0RJ
BOOK PLACE NOW
BCAN's Bank Holiday Newsletter is ready to read
Includes:
News from the conference
Mental Health First Aid discussion
Top Three Advice Query issues in our sector
Dates for the Universal Credit Training confirmed at last
Click here
Invitation to see the film
Somali Life on Screen
Thursday 1st August at 6.30pm, The Yellow, Wembley
Wellbeing Forum organised by Hestia
13th September 1.30 - 3.30pm
13th September 1.30 - 3.30pm
BCAN Conference
Thursday 25th July 2019
10.30 - 1pm
@ CVS Brent Training Suite, 7 Rutherford Way Wembley HA9 0BP
Thursday 25th July 2019
10.30 - 1pm
@ CVS Brent Training Suite, 7 Rutherford Way Wembley HA9 0BP
A great opportunity for some excellent FREE locally provided Universal Credit training
Monday 22nd July 10.30 - 12.30
Priority booking for BCAN members before offering to whole Voluntary Sector in Brent
BOOK HERE
VOLUNTARY SECTOR LIAISON FORUM
July 4th Brent Civic Centre 2-4pm
CVS Brent invitation
Brent Council commissioned a review of the Voluntary, Community and Social Entreprise sector and published a report December 2018. In April 2019 Recommendations were presented to Cabinet.
Going forward CVS Brent will be working with Collaborate CIC to undertake an options appraisal. Collaborate CIC will be presenting at the Voluntary Sector Liaison Forum meeting and will be seeking the views of the voluntary sector.
BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE
ADVICE SECTOR DATA EXPEDITION
In partnership the Greater London Authority and Advice Services Alliance are hosting an Advice Sector Data Expedition and we’d love for you to join us.
On Friday 28 June @ 9:30am-5pm
Address: Tavis House (1 - 6 Tavistock Square, London, England, United Kingdom)
Frontline advice providers wanted to take part - BCAN members especially welcome
Data expeditions bring together a multi-disciplinary team from Civil Society organisations, Policy makers, data experts and anyone interested, to gain insight on a chosen topic or theme.
This time we are interested in understanding what existing open datasets about and from London’s advice sector can reveal. To get more of an idea about what a Data Expedition involves, read our blog about the Sports Data Expedition we hosted last year.
The Data Expedition is a space to share skills, learn about new datasets, find tools you can take back and use in your day-to-day work and highlight the potential of data through discovering new insights and developing hypothesis.
The aim for this Data Expedition is to see what can be deduced about the size and shape of the advice sector in London, exploring the spread of specialist advice needs in the Capital and to see if through aggregating and analysing key open datasets in new ways, social policy issues within specific areas of London can be identified.
We are looking for volunteers to take part who will bring a variety of skillsets to the table. From analysts and data experts, to frontline advice organisations and policy makers – all of you will have the opportunity to learn something new and bring your own expertise to the table.
All you’ll need is an open mind and a laptop - Sign up here to take part!
Hannah Goulding
Civil Society Data - Project and Policy Officer, Community Engagement
GreaterLondonAuthority
City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA
0207 084 2619
london.gov.uk
hannah.goulding@london.gov.uk
LATIN AMERICAN HOUSE
EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME (EUSS)
Practical help with EU Settlement Scheme applications and Legal Immigration Advice at Latin American House
Dear all,
I hope this finds you well. As some of you know, Latin American House has been successful in a grant application to help vulnerable or at-risk Latin Americans and their families who are EU citizens to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). I trust this will benefit many Latin Americans and will enhance our overall operational and organisational capability for the next year. Jacob is now working four days a week as EUSS Applications Officer (Spanish and English) at Casa Latinoamericana for one year until March 2020.
Therefore, please note that we can help those who are EU citizens ad their families with EUSS applications, particularly those more disadvantaged and at risk.
Drop ins are on Mondays and Tuesdays, and appointments Wednesdays and Thursdays. We are also organising practical workshops. Información en: brexit@casalatina.org.uk
Also, the timetable for legal immigration advice with Manuel, our in-house immigration solicitor (Spanish and English speaker with Portuguese interpreter available) is now:
Wednesdays from 11am until 7pm and Thursdays 10am to 2pm, and by e-mail for those who cannot really come. Information: immigration@casalatina.org.uk
Please feel free to spread this information as widely as you can.
Thank you very much in advance for your collaboration.
Best regards,
Carlos Huascar Tapia Montes
Director, Latin American House
www.casalatina.org.uk
35 years supporting the Latin American community in London
Latin American House
10 Kingsgate Place
London
NW6 4TA
T.: 020 7372 8653
Registered Charity 1127253
My working days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Support Latin American House!
EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME (EUSS)
Practical help with EU Settlement Scheme applications and Legal Immigration Advice at Latin American House
Dear all,
I hope this finds you well. As some of you know, Latin American House has been successful in a grant application to help vulnerable or at-risk Latin Americans and their families who are EU citizens to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). I trust this will benefit many Latin Americans and will enhance our overall operational and organisational capability for the next year. Jacob is now working four days a week as EUSS Applications Officer (Spanish and English) at Casa Latinoamericana for one year until March 2020.
Therefore, please note that we can help those who are EU citizens ad their families with EUSS applications, particularly those more disadvantaged and at risk.
Drop ins are on Mondays and Tuesdays, and appointments Wednesdays and Thursdays. We are also organising practical workshops. Información en: brexit@casalatina.org.uk
Also, the timetable for legal immigration advice with Manuel, our in-house immigration solicitor (Spanish and English speaker with Portuguese interpreter available) is now:
Wednesdays from 11am until 7pm and Thursdays 10am to 2pm, and by e-mail for those who cannot really come. Information: immigration@casalatina.org.uk
Please feel free to spread this information as widely as you can.
Thank you very much in advance for your collaboration.
Best regards,
Carlos Huascar Tapia Montes
Director, Latin American House
www.casalatina.org.uk
35 years supporting the Latin American community in London
Latin American House
10 Kingsgate Place
London
NW6 4TA
T.: 020 7372 8653
Registered Charity 1127253
My working days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Support Latin American House!
What's happening in May?....
STREAM SKILLS JOB & TRAINING FAIR
UNITY CENTRE 103 CHURCH ROAD NW10 9EG
Sahra Jama, IAG Advisor, Stream Skills Advancement, has organised a Job & Training Fair for 31st May 10-3pm streamskills.org@gmail.com
Sahra is experienced in arranging employers, training providers, careers advisors, apprenticeship providers to come together for community events.
This time there is all the above including Universal Credit Support, Youth Projects and Admin jobs.
Here are some of the organisations attending: SMART WORKS free outfits for interviews/ BEACON EDUCATION Level 3 Health and Social Care / Compass Group for people who want school jobs / JCP / Fire Brigade Service / Police Service / Care Assist (offering contracts not zero hours) / SERCO Security /MARK SOLUTION Wembley Events/ BRENT WORKS
31st May 10am - 3pm UNITY CENTRE 103 CHURCH ROAD NW10 9EG
UNDER ONE ROOF -
Find out more about this wonderful service
Our Under One Roof Mentoring and Befriending Service has been running since last summer. We match trained volunteers 1:1 with people struggling with their tenancies and/or in fuel debt. Many have long-term health problems combining high stress and low income with little or no social networks.
We’ve had some great successes already and see the positive changes that our volunteers make in people’s lives.
For example, Sara*, was very depressed, living in difficult circumstances and her landlord harassing her. She was too down to work and could see no way out. After four months of seeing one of our mentors, Sara had been helped to find another place to live. She could breathe again and felt a new lease of life.
The difference was astonishing. Sara can look you in the eye, is working full-time, smiles, has a social life again and now she's become a mentor too!
If you know anyone who needs help with their housing search or with sorting out their utility bills which they CANNOT do by themselves, get in touch with Diana Young at Advice4renters: diana.young@advice4renters.org.uk. COMPLETE REFERRAL FORM
LOOK WHAT THE LIVING ROOM, St RAPHAELS ESTATE HAVE BEEN UP TO
Hassan Amjad, whose team were one of the earliest recipients of BAM digi training has just shared some great news:
I just wanted to share some good news which you can share with fellow BCAN members. The Living Room team have been nominated for the ERSA Awards 2019 in the ‘Team of the Year’ category. ERSA (Employment Related Services Association) is the representative body for employability-related services. I’m really happy that the team’s hard work is being recognised on a national scale. Please find the link to ERSA website below.
ERSA
Hassan Amjad, whose team were one of the earliest recipients of BAM digi training has just shared some great news:
I just wanted to share some good news which you can share with fellow BCAN members. The Living Room team have been nominated for the ERSA Awards 2019 in the ‘Team of the Year’ category. ERSA (Employment Related Services Association) is the representative body for employability-related services. I’m really happy that the team’s hard work is being recognised on a national scale. Please find the link to ERSA website below.
ERSA
CONGRATULATIONS to the LiVING ROOM TEAM !
and to
R. Hassan Amjad
Localities Manager for Employment
Employment, Skills and Enterprise | Regeneration and Environment
London Borough of Brent Council
The Living Room Contact: 020 8937 6450
DL: 020 8937 2871 / M: 07867 189705
and to
R. Hassan Amjad
Localities Manager for Employment
Employment, Skills and Enterprise | Regeneration and Environment
London Borough of Brent Council
The Living Room Contact: 020 8937 6450
DL: 020 8937 2871 / M: 07867 189705
WORK RIGHTS CENTRE ANNOUNCE SUCCESSFUL FUNDING AWARD FOR A NEW PROJECT
We heard at the recent BCAN conference WORC had just found out they were successful in their funding bid so we contacted Adina Maglan, Development Manager to find out more.
Who is the funder? GLA - The Mayor of London -
And what made you apply for this? Over the past few months an increasing number of EU nationals approached us with questions regarding their status after Brexit. For those with poor English, minimal digital literacy, and informal employment, the application raises a barrier to integration, and a real source of anxiety.
This project is for them. Every week for a duration of three months we will conduct a series of Q&A sessions on the EUSS application, in community hubs across the city. With an experienced Community Liaison Project Manager and a multilingual team of volunteers, this project answers a major need for support for vulnerable EU migrants.
Who will it benefit? Vulnerable EU nationals in Brent, Harrow, Barnet, and Enfield
How will you run the project? We will be running 9 outreach events to raise awareness on the EU Settlement Scheme and the impact of Brexit on employment rights. This is in conjunction with our charity’s mission to protect and support people in precarious work. The immigration status supersedes the employment rights. Unregistered EU nationals are at the risk of becoming illegal migrants after the transition period, unless they register for the pre-settled or settled status by then.
We will also be distributing leaflets in community languages in shops, markets, at events, and in community hubs.
How will you know you have been successful in this project? Reaching our set targets is the first indicator of success. However, interactions with the community members will demonstrate the impact of our work. As such, at the first session in Wembley Central, we engaged with 43 Romanian nationals and of those, 90% were not aware of how Brexit is going to affect them, what Brexit means, how to apply for the Settled Status, and how the changes to their immigration status is going to affect their right to work in the UK.
Congratulations to Adina Maglan
and the WORC Team
Staff and volunteers will be back
for advice sessions on Saturdays
10am-4pm Wembley Library,
Brent Civic Centre, HA9 0FJ
and the WORC Team
Staff and volunteers will be back
for advice sessions on Saturdays
10am-4pm Wembley Library,
Brent Civic Centre, HA9 0FJ
NCIL NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY
The builders and developers working on large projects in Brent pay a community infrastructure levy to the council and this is made available to community organisations and groups. How is this money spent and how do you get some for your area, high street or community spare ? Brent CVS workshops & 1-2-1s on 2nd May or 6th June BOOK HERE
Here is an example of the priorities in Harlesden
CLICK HERE FOR MORE BRENT LOCATIONS
Faynuus Hope Community are hosting some workshops 1st May Managing Depression & Anxiety & 3rd May Learning Disability & Autism
Halima Abdi info@faynuushopecommunity.co.uk or alternatively 07949606115
Venue: 49 Craven Park Road, Harlesden NW10 8SE
Halima Abdi info@faynuushopecommunity.co.uk or alternatively 07949606115
Venue: 49 Craven Park Road, Harlesden NW10 8SE
Asian Women's Resource Centre
will be running Women only Workshops 2nd & 9th May
"Could you please share with your clients/partner agencies. All sessions are free!
- Empowerment and Confidence workshop - Thursday 2nd May 11am - 2pm
- Managing Money workshop - Thursday 9th May 11am - 3pm
- Employability Skills workshop - Thursday 9th May 11am - 3pm
Erene McCalla | Activities & Participation Co-ordinator
Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC)
108 Craven Park Harlesden NW10 8QE
Tel: 020 8961 6549
Website: www.asianwomencentre.org.uk
will be running Women only Workshops 2nd & 9th May
"Could you please share with your clients/partner agencies. All sessions are free!
- Empowerment and Confidence workshop - Thursday 2nd May 11am - 2pm
- Managing Money workshop - Thursday 9th May 11am - 3pm
- Employability Skills workshop - Thursday 9th May 11am - 3pm
Erene McCalla | Activities & Participation Co-ordinator
Asian Women's Resource Centre (AWRC)
108 Craven Park Harlesden NW10 8QE
Tel: 020 8961 6549
Website: www.asianwomencentre.org.uk
Advice Services Alliance ASA
invite BCAN members to the SHARING SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE 21st May
BOOK HERE for FREE
invite BCAN members to the SHARING SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE 21st May
BOOK HERE for FREE
STREAM SKILLS are running a JOB & TRAINING FAIR 31st May
Unity Centre 103 Church Road Church End NW10 9EG
Sahra Jama
StreamSkills
streamskills.org@gmail.com
Unity Centre 103 Church Road Church End NW10 9EG
Sahra Jama
StreamSkills
streamskills.org@gmail.com
April news.......
LINKS Social Market Place for BCAN members took place at WG library's Reading Room
The event certainly met its objectives Plenty of conversations about sharing knowledge, making connections and strengthening links, Discovering opportunities. Great to be involved.
QUALITY FIRST
QF Workshop 1 & Workshop 2 took place 4th & 18th April
It is truly amazing what groups can share with and learn from each other in the space of two workshops.
Congratulations all !!
LINKS event social market place
Organised by Stuart Duffin, Dir, Brent Community Law Centre
When: Thursday 18th April
Where: Willesden Library Reading Room
At 14.00 to 18.00
is our social market place. It is our opportunity to meet others in our community advice sector and network. Who is doing what, where, how and when? If you are and NGO, charity, association, social enterprise, social firm, faith, ethnic, cultural, educational agency, or you are just there to provide support to people you should come along to this event.
All of us work with the people, families and communities in Brent to ensure opportunities are available, and a better quality of life is grown for many. Let’s make connections at where we come together to promote what we do. So, that we all know what is out there; and perhaps we can find partners which will help us to secure funding options.
Just like another market, agencies will have a small stall where they can display their services. It’s not a fancy event! It’s an event which brings together small and large agencies and groups working in Brent to know what’s out there!
The Impact will deliver:
Knowledge; Connection; Strength; Opportunity; Conversation; & Dialogue.
Further information Stuart Duffin, Brent Community Law Centre
e stuart.duffin@bclc.uk
BRENT CVS
Brent Advice Fund is open for applications again please click on the link to apply for a BAF grant
£3000 & £20,000 BAF Grants
CVS would like to encourage all BCANers to click on the Training and Events page see below:
Training and Events
Brent Advice Fund is open for applications again please click on the link to apply for a BAF grant
£3000 & £20,000 BAF Grants
CVS would like to encourage all BCANers to click on the Training and Events page see below:
Training and Events
Photos - BCAN conference Friday 29th March
A packed agenda Great speakers and lively interactions from the BCAN membership
A packed agenda Great speakers and lively interactions from the BCAN membership
Lindsey Poole, Director ASA (Advice Services Alliance) & Hannah Goulding, Project & Policy Officer (Civil Society Data Community Engagement)
Hannah has circulated further information about capturing data in the community advice sector. Click below to download
Hannah's note
Jacky Peacock, CEO A4R BCAN and Funding - National Lottery
With an update from Lottery Grants Manager for NW London click the link below to download the slides.
Jacky's slides
Stuart Duffin, Director Brent Community Law Centre LINKS - Helping BCAN to make connections.
Story so far and Stuart announced the LINKS event is happening 18th April.
Everyone in the room said Yes to attending the event to show case our services. Stuart to circulate booking form. Click below to download the slides
Stuart's slides
bcan29032019_stuart_duffin.pptx
More photos from the BCAN conference Friday 29th March 2019
BCAN Conference
Friday 29th March 2019
10.30 - 1pm
CVS Brent Training Suite
Rutherford Way
Wembley HA9 0BP
click here for link to booking page
GREEN LIGHT LAWS
new funded project to assist in certain cases where legal advice is not covered by legal aid
new funded project to assist in certain cases where legal advice is not covered by legal aid
QUALITY FIRST
Workshop 1 Thursday 21st March 2019
Workshop 2 Thursday 4th April 2019
Start time 10.30 end time 2pm
Attend both workshops
Workshop 1 Thursday 21st March 2019
Workshop 2 Thursday 4th April 2019
Start time 10.30 end time 2pm
Attend both workshops
For some BCANers January started very slowly and then, as the first month of 2019 progressed, it got more and more hectic !!
Advice4Renters, one of our original BCAN members and a Brent Advice Partner produced a wonderful newsletter to kick off the New Year and I would like to share it with you here
Best Newsletter for great news
Advice4Renters, one of our original BCAN members and a Brent Advice Partner produced a wonderful newsletter to kick off the New Year and I would like to share it with you here
Best Newsletter for great news
BCAN Conference Thursday 6th Dec
It was roundly agreed, that as with last conference in August, this December's conference would centre on Universal Credit. The roll out took place in Brent in November and December and in the lead up BCAN members have been keen to access any information and guidance currently available.
Under the first item UC What is the story so far and how do BCAN members best prepare? This resulted in a long discussion about issued faced by clients, the outcome of briefing attended by BCANers and the next step - training - for the front line local community advice network.
Our guest speaker Shawn Mach from Lasa / Rightsnet spoke about how their free discussion boards help local advice services find advice online. Rightsnet editors also gather and filter all the last information for users. Big thank you to Shawn for giving all BCAN members a one month login for free.
BCAN task group led by Stuart Duffin, Brent Community Law Centre, are working on Future-proofing our advice sector and Working in Partnerships under the banner heading Together We Can A first step would be to seek to fund a market place event and some detailed evaluation. This social market place is where the independent advice sector Ngos charities associations social enterprises faith, ethnic, culture and educational agencies of Brent communities come together.
More news to follow..
It was roundly agreed, that as with last conference in August, this December's conference would centre on Universal Credit. The roll out took place in Brent in November and December and in the lead up BCAN members have been keen to access any information and guidance currently available.
Under the first item UC What is the story so far and how do BCAN members best prepare? This resulted in a long discussion about issued faced by clients, the outcome of briefing attended by BCANers and the next step - training - for the front line local community advice network.
Our guest speaker Shawn Mach from Lasa / Rightsnet spoke about how their free discussion boards help local advice services find advice online. Rightsnet editors also gather and filter all the last information for users. Big thank you to Shawn for giving all BCAN members a one month login for free.
BCAN task group led by Stuart Duffin, Brent Community Law Centre, are working on Future-proofing our advice sector and Working in Partnerships under the banner heading Together We Can A first step would be to seek to fund a market place event and some detailed evaluation. This social market place is where the independent advice sector Ngos charities associations social enterprises faith, ethnic, culture and educational agencies of Brent communities come together.
More news to follow..
Two other guest spots
Michael Stuart SIBI Social Isolation Brent Initiative 1000+ social activities available for anyone you know in the community who is isolated. Find out more here
Daksha Chauhan-Keys manages the Brent Advice Fund which is available to BCAN members who want to become accredited (Capacity grant) or for those who are already accredited and wish to expand their service (Advice grant). Daksha can explain other items or pieces of work the Capacity grant covers. Find out more here.
Quality First Awards
Genevie George presented Quality First level 1 certificates to Rhoda George, Family Development Initiative, Rhoda Ibrahim, Somali Advice and Forum for Information and Abdi Harun, Stream Skills Advancement.
Genevie George also urged BCAN members to add their comments to the Budget consultation taking place.
The link to take part is here. Local community organisations are being asked to say what impact certain cuts will have on their service, their clients and their sector. It is also possible to email the comments to consultation@brent.gov.uk
earlier news..
Laila Asghari Partnership Manager Harlesden Job Centre Department for Work and Pensions accepted our invitation to deliver a presentation to BCAN members on Universal Credit Full Service. This took place Thursday 29th Nov venue Brent Mencap. UC will be an agenda item at this week's BCAN Conference (6th Dec 11.30am Brent CVS Training Suite) Click here for Laila's powerpoint slides.
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Recent Quality First participants
Ann, Brent Mencap, Ikran, Brent Somali Community Centre, Mary, BCAN, Halima, Faynuus Hope completed level 1 in October. Nicholas, CCC Wembley and Rhoda Family Development Initiative with Mary in November. Congratulations on your achievement you worked very hard! |
Universal Credit Presentation by DWP
Thursday 29th Nov 2-3pm
Brent Mencap Garden Meeting Room 379-381 High Road Willesden NW10 2JR
Thursday 29th Nov 2-3pm
Brent Mencap Garden Meeting Room 379-381 High Road Willesden NW10 2JR
Universal Credit : The Essentials
Produced by CPAG Click here to download
Child Poverty Action Group provide telephone advice for ADVISERS only. They will answer UC queries 020 7837 462 Mon - Fri 10-12am and 2-4pm or advice@cpag.org.uk
Produced by CPAG Click here to download
Child Poverty Action Group provide telephone advice for ADVISERS only. They will answer UC queries 020 7837 462 Mon - Fri 10-12am and 2-4pm or advice@cpag.org.uk
Universal Credit presentation 1st Nov @HarlesdenHub
Hub click here for slides
very well attended by BCAN members, there are lots more questions being asked about how our sector prepares for UC. BCANers would like access to good quality training by the roll out. Hope to announce more talks and training soon.
Under One Roof, Mentoring and Befriending
Message from Diana Young & Elizabeth Salmon
Do you know anyone who needs a little extra help with managing their tenancy or their electricity and gas bills?
We work with people who may have long-term health issues and are suffering from stress and depression. Many have no-one to talk to and feel very alone.
We can offer a volunteer mentor to meet them weekly for up to six months to help with any of those problems. As well, our volunteers can introduce people to community activities, if they would like this. Find out more here.
How to make a referral
