Little Red Bus – ring 01423 - 526655.
Voluntary Car Transport – ring 01765 – 645907 and speak to Pete.
Are you looking for a venue to hold a meeting or training event in Ripon? Come along and look round the newly refurbished Community House, Sharow View, Allhallowgate, Ripon. It is very central and close to pay and display car parks. For further information or to view the rooms available please contact Ripon CVS on 01765 – 603631.
FunderFinder – is a computer software package designed to help organisations in their search for funds. The funders included in the database are mainly charitable trusts based in the UK. Information relating to the proposed project is entered into the computer, which then identifies funders whose interests match the project’s criteria. A list of trusts is printed out and the user can then look these up in the directories of grant-making trusts available in most libraries or in some cases details of the website are given. If you would like to make an appointment to use FunderFinder please contact Jill Lawson at Ripon CVS on 01765 – 603631.
North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations (NYFVO) - provides a wide range of services to voluntary and community organisations working in York and North Yorkshire. A few of these services are listed below:
- Information and advice
- Training
- Employment advice
- ICT advice
Contact NYFVO on 01347 – 825710 or look on the website www.nyfvo.org.uk for further information.
There is now a page on the Harrogate Borough Council web site dedicated to information related to the voluntary and community sector and the Council. For example you can view the Improvement Plan which the Council is now working to and also look at the terms of reference for the Voluntary and Community Sector Forum, notes of meetings and so on. If you have any suggestions for contents or links please let the Council know, although they are keen not to duplicate information already available via CVS websites. Check out www.harrogate.gov.uk/voluntary
The Common Database of Voluntary & Community Sector Organisations (VCS Directory) - is a fully searchable online directory of thousands of voluntary and community organisations supporting individuals and running activities throughout York and North Yorkshire.
Organisations are listed with brief details of their activities and information on how to contact them. Searches will allow you to look specifically for an organisation by name (A to Z) or if that is unknown, search for organisations whose clients are, for example, older people and it will provide a list of all those who offer services to older people - you can further refine the search by specifying a demographic area that the organisation covers e.g. Hambleton, or services they provide e.g. advocacy.
Access the directory at www.vcsdirectory.org.uk .
Hands Off My Plan is a new website designed, planned and run by people with learning disabilities. The idea is to help people stay in control of planning their lives - a really good way to make this happen is by people sharing stories and swapping ideas. The site is really accessible: it works with a programme called Browse Aloud which reads the words out to you. (If you want to use this you need to go to http://www.browsealoud.com/) otherwise go to http://www.handsoffmyplan.co.uk/ .
New Fire Safety Rules came into effect on 1 October 2006. Visit http://www.firesafetylaw.communities.gov.uk/ to check if they apply to you or ring the Local Government Helpline on 020 7944 4400.
Thinking about going to University? Want some tips on completing your online UCAS application form? Need help writing a personal statement? Visit www.studyyork.com/ucas or call Future Prospects on 01904 634748.
NYCC Mental Health Day Services and Yorkshire MESMAC are starting a new support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people who experience mental health problems from common distress to severe/enduring illness. The group will meet every Thursday from 5.00pm - 7.00pm at a discreet location in the centre of Harrogate. Contact Clive on 01423 502581/email cs.jdl.btinternet.com or Dan on 01904 620400/email d.jenkins@mesmac.co.uk.
Freecycle - wait don't throw it out, get rid of stuff you don't need and kepp our landfills from filling up. The Freecycle Network is an international movement aimed at reducing the amount of garbage going into landfills and giving new life to good used stuff.
- could your charitable group put a good used computer to work?
- do you have a couch, a CD or a crib in good shape that needs a new home?
- would your business like to give some extra office furniture to a charity?
- have you been putting off cleaning out the attic since you don't know what to do with the stuff you'll find?
Join your local Freecycle Network today and you just might find someone who's looking for the stuff you want to get rid of! And it's all FREE - remember one person's trash is another person's treasure! To find a Freecycle chapter near you visit http:www.freecycle.uk.
Tools for Self-Reliance takes in tools, renovates them and makes them up into kits to send out to Third World Countries. Mark Henshaw is the volunteer organiser for this organisation and is looking for additional storage/work space within easy reach of Ripon. If you can help please contact Ripon CVS on 01765 - 603631.
The Ripon Children's Centre is based in Ripon Community House. A leaflet of activities has been produced. Contact Liz Copas on 01765 603631.
Community Insurance -has launched an initiative designed to raise funds for schools, churches and community groups. Offers customers compettitve quotes on car or home insurance. For every new policy taken out a £25 donation will be made to a local school, church or community group. Alternatively donations can be given to Save the Children.
Community Insurance is administered by issuing £25 vouchers to customers who can redeem these with registered organisations. Community groups register to collect vouchers and to qualify need to meet certain criteria, such as not making a profit. Initially they are looking to help local organisations and would encourage as many to join up as possible. For further information telephone 08001698022 or look on the website http://www.community-insurance.co.uk/.
Do you need help with your charity's accounts? Sue Campagna is experienced in charity accounts and has worked for a number of years as an accountant/finance manager in a variety of organisations. Has an MSc in Charity Accounting and Financial Management from London South Bank University and is an associate of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners. Nominal fees for small organisations. Contact Sue evenings or weekends on 01423 870463.
'Where to Turn' the district-wide directory of voluntary and community organisations throughout Harrogate, Ripon and the surrounding areas jointly produced by Harrogate & Ripon CVSs is available on this website under Services 'CVS Directory' or printed copies from both CVS offices.
Social Enterprise - Support for Social Enterprises is now provided by the newly-formed Business Link Yorkshire. They have dedicated advisers as well as general and other specialist Business Advisers. Telephone 0845 6048048 or email info@businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/yorkshire .
The York & North Yorkshire Funding Advice Network - visit their website at www.ynyfundingadvice.org.uk. The site contains funding related news, including the downloadable monthly Funding Bulletin and information including links to statistical data for inclusion in funding applications, funding Factsheets and links to other useful sources of information. Dates and venues for forthcoming funding training programme courses are also published on the website, along with contact details for local funding advisors.
'Care on the Waterways' is a new project offered by Open Country. Canal trips and towpath walks for family carers and the people they enable take place once a month for up to 15 people in a fully accessible bus.For more information please contact Open Country on: 01423 507227 or info@opencountry.org.uk