Nine regional networks which support 15,000 black, minority and ethnic (BME) organisations may have their funding cut at the end of the financial year. Support from the Government for the BME Regional Voluntary and Community Sector Networks is due to run out in 2009. Voice4Change England, which represents the BME community and voluntary sector, is urging the Government to rethink its plans. Director of the organisation Vandna Gohil said unless funding for the regional networks continues the essential function they perform will be lost. “There is a continuing need for strong BME regional infrastructure organisations facilitating the engagement of the BME third sector with Government at all levels,” he added. Voice4Change England has published a paper in which it shows concerns about the results of a lack of continued support from the Government. This month the organisation is holding seminars to discuss the ways in which equalities and race relations are woven into legal documentation.

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13 November 2008
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A surfboard featuring Pudsey Bear, which has been created by staff and students at Falmouth Marine School, will be auctioned to raise money. The white board, standing at seven foot six inches high, is the perfect size for both beginners and advanced surfers, the students say. It was designed and built at the school, which is part of Cornwall College, where courses to build your own surfboard regularly take place. John Latham, Cornwall College principal, said the “fabulous” effort has combined showcasing the skills of the students with raising money for charity. “I would like to urge everyone to get on the Bid4it site and place their bid, it is in a good cause and you may bag a bargain,” he added. All proceeds from the sale of the surfboard, which is valued at £300, will be donated to Children in Need. The event will take place on November 14th this year and will include fundraising bids for Daniel Craig’s watch and signed items from soaps Casualty and Holby City.

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13 November 2008
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The promised sporting legacy for young people in the capital is at risk unless efforts to increase sports participation in the lead-up to the 2012 Games are fine-tuned, the Mayor was told today. A submission to the Mayor by the Assembly’s Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism (EDCST) Committee claims it is essential new and innovative ways are found to engage with young Londoners outside mainstream education. Current efforts to communicate with young people focus on using schools and colleges, ignoring the fact that large numbers of young people are not in the educational system.  The submission recommends local sports providers work closely with pupil referral units and youth centres. The Committee recommends that in order to boost access, a London-wide sports card – similar to the Oystercard – should be developed to allow young people free or discounted use of sports facilities. The submission also calls for the introduction of a scheme giving young Londoners access to financial support to help them train to become sports coaches, which will enable them to deliver sporting activities for other young people.

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13 November 2008
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A controversial government initiative set up to prevent terrorism via cohesion work has experienced problems on the ground, according to an official report. The study into Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) by the Audit Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary highlights its progress and achievements to date, as well as lessons for the future. It cites the success of 11 projects run by Birmingham Council, including a young Muslim leadership programme and an imam’s training project. In High Wycombe the Muslimah project, aimed at giving Muslim woman a greater voice in their locality, was set up via PVE following counter-terrorism raids in the area. But the report says that by focusing funding on Muslim communities and providing too little initial guidance, the programme has caused problems at a local level. ‘Government did not listen or think through how funds were allocated. Community groups viewed the funding as “tainted” and “sensitive”,’ said one council director quoted in the report. It recommends faith leaders and trusted community leaders be involved in the distribution of funds, and that initiatives are owned by communities and voluntary organisations. There should also be greater research on the causes of violent extremism and more information sharing between local partners about what works, it said. Seventy councils in England received a total of £6m in 2007, and a further £45m will be provided between 2008-2011. However, while the money is being spent, many remain uncomfortable with the programme’s overall agenda.

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12 November 2008
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The £30 million Community Assets programme funded by the OTS and delivered by the Big Lottery Fund, has confirmed the first grant to be £337,000 funding for the Pelton Fell Community Resource Centre in Chester-le-Street. Under the scheme, the centre will be transferred into the hands of the community who will actually use it. The Community Assets programme is designed to enable third sector organisations to have greater control over the assets they use, such as community buildings. In April 2008, 38 projects across England were shortlisted to receive grants and were invited to develop detailed plans for the project for a non-competitive assessment. All shortlisted projects are then assessed over a four-month period from the date of submission. The £337,000 Community Assets grant confirmed today, funds part of a £937,000 partnership between Chester-le-Street District Council and Pelton Fell Community Group. Work will start this autumn through to summer 2009 to refurbish and extend the Pelton Fell Community Resource Centre. Over 3,000 people from Pelton Fell and neighbouring areas plus around 30 community organisations will benefit from the grant. The Pelton Fell Community Group will manage the community centre which will bring a new lease of life to the area enabling them to take a brave step forward into the world of social enterprise including cultivating new community interests, a community café sports bar and multi-use games area (MUGA) to deliver the priorities identified by local residents. The asset will be transferred via a 99-year lease at a peppercorn rent.

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12 November 2008
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The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has rebuffed a Scottish Government bid to retrieve £150m in lottery funds diverted from Scottish good causes to the Olympics. Stewart Maxwell, the Scottish Minister for Communities and Sport, said it was “fundamentally unfair” that Scottish good causes should suffer to pay for London 2012. He asked for the money to go instead to securing a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth Games, which are being held in Glasgow in 2014.

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12 November 2008
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A new fund that will support only social entrepreneurs has been launched with the backing of a group of big businesses and wealthy individuals.The Bridges Social Entrepreneurs Fund, an initiative of venture capital firm Bridges Ventures and the Bridges Charitable Trust, has so far raised £4.25m, which it will invest in social enterprises with sustainable business models. The fund was launched yesterday at Nesta.

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12 November 2008
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Futurebuilders England will continue to support third sector organisations facing financial difficulties during the recession, Jonathan Lewis, its chief executive, said this week. He said the Government-backed investment fund would give financial support such as loans to organisations that had long-term potential but faced short-term difficulties. Futurebuilders would also provide practical advice and guidance on business opportunities and planning for leaner economic times, he told Third Sector.

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12 November 2008
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The Big Lottery Fund has announced that the Awards for All programme will close in England but equivalent levels of funding will be available through Arts Council England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Sport England and BLF, which administer the current scheme. In Scotland, Awards for All will continue via the Big Lottery Fund and Sportscotland, but with Heritage Lottery Fund separate - a decision by Scottish Arts Council is pending it becoming part of new body Creative Scotland.

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12 November 2008
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The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) makes awards ranging from £1,000 to £15,000 to craftsmen and women of all ages to help them further their careers. Since 1991 the Trust has awarded over £1,215,000 to 191 craftspeople aged between 17 and 50 plus for study, training and work experience.  QEST was established in 1990 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Warrant Holders Association and the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.  What are Scholarships awarded for? To fund further study, training and practical experience for craftsmen and women who want to improve their craft and trade skills. Scholarships may not be used for acquiring equipment, premises or for other business set-up costs. How much is each Scholarship worth? Between £1,000 and £15,000. The size of each award depends on how much funding is needed for a project. Scholarship winners also receive an emblazoned certificate. Who can apply? There is no age limit. But you need to demonstrate you already have a high level of skill and are firmly committed to your craft or trade. You must live and work permanently in the UK to be eligible for a Scholarship. You do not have to be connected with firms or individuals holding Royal Warrants.

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10 November 2008
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