Welcome to Voluntary Action Charnwood
Voluntary Action Charnwood at John Storer House:
- encourages, supports and develops individuals, groups and organisations involved in community action
- promotes new initiatives
- establishes partnerships between the public, private and voluntary sectors
- and runs a community centre and voluntary action centre.
Voluntary Action Charnwood acts to develop a more just, inclusive and caring society in Charnwood.
Well-being Launch - Great Success
The Well-being Launch took place as planned on Monday, 8 June 2009. The Deputy Mayor, Trustees of John Storer House and members of the public arrived to celebrate the event which took place in the Group Room, where speeches were made by the Deputy Mayor, Stephen Campbell and Karen Chamberlain, the Well-being Services Manager.
The Well-being Team staff were easily identifiable by their white sashes and were on hand to explain in detail about all the services which are now available within the House. They used our new and eye-catching Well-being Services Leaflet, designed to provide an overview of our enhanced range of services, to help explain the concept of 'well-being'. Tours of the House were also given to those people who wanted to see first-hand the variety of activities that take place in the House during the day such as line-dancing, painting, scrabble and 'Music For You'.
The groups and organisations who operate from John Storer House were also invited to attend and bring along an information display stand to promote their services. A number of organisations accepted and their displays were of great interest to those who attended the event and the launch also proved a useful networking opportunity for users of the House.
Local carers were invited along to celebrate 'Carers' Week' with the traditional 'Carers' Cuppa'. The free tea and coffee vouchers which had been handed out by our Well-being Team to people in the Market Place the previous Thursday also helped to draw in the crowds. Slices of delicious home-made cakes and scones were also on offer and proved very popular.
At 11 am the Deputy Mayor joined the Transport Team to launch our new bus. An enthusiastic crowd gathered outside to hear the Deputy Mayor's well wishes and have their photograph taken.
It was generally agreed by everyone who came to this well-attended event that it had been a great success and promoted a greater understanding of what our Well-being Services Team can deliver.
Well-being Launch - Monday, 8 June 2009
We are pleased to announce the Launch of the new Well-being Service on Monday, 8 June 2009 which will take place at John Storer House from 10 am - 3.30 pm. The Launch marks the start of a 'New Era' at Voluntary Action Charnwood in which the new Well-being Service will significantly enhance those services already provided by the organisation.
The aim of the Well-being Service is to encourage the 'feel-good factor' among local people. Also to try to help people feel better about themselves by assisting them to get involved in the community, socialise and take care of both their physical and mental health.
On Monday there will be activities suitable for all age groups and tours of the building will take place throughout the day for anyone who is interested to see the variety of activities on offer.
All the many organisations and groups who use the House for their activities have also been invited to attend the Launch to promote their own services. These groups include the Playgroup, CAB, Smoking Cessation and social groups such as the Scrabble Club, Line-dancing Group and Music For You.
Staff will be out and about in Loughborough Market Place on Thursday, 4 June. They aim to promote our new Well-being service whilst raising awareness of the Launch event and offering free tea and coffee vouchers which will be valid for Monday, 8 June only.
If you would like to find out more about the day or the services available at John Storer House please call us on 01509 631750 and ask to speak to Karen Chamberlain, Well-being Service Manager or
e-mail karen.chamberlain@voluntaryactioncharnwood.org.uk.
We do hope you will be able to join us on Monday for this exciting event.
'New Era' Launch Dates
Voluntary Action Charnwood is pleased to announce the launch of two services - an enhanced Well-being Service and a new Community Development Service.
A full launch of the Well-being Service will take place during week commencing 8 June to coincide with Carers' Week. The team are currently devising a programme of events to include an Open Day at John Storer House and an information event in the Market Place, Loughborough.
The Community Development Team aim to hold their events over the next few months in each of the seven Forum areas across Charnwood to introduce their service.
Both teams will announce full programme details as soon as possible.
Last week all staff completed a full induction programme designed to ensure a smooth transition to the 'New Era' on 5 May when all staff will be in post in their new positions.
New Service Brochure
Work has commenced on a new Services Brochure which will provide detailed and up-to-date information on all the services which now operate from within John Storer House and our Shepshed office. This will provide a useful insight into the many ways which you and your communities can benefit from the extensive services provided by Voluntary Action Charnwood for the whole borough of Charnwood.
43rd Anniversary - John Storer House
John Storer House celebrates its 43rd anniversary on 29 April and a progamme of events has been planned to which an open invitation is offered to all members of the public, staff and trustees. The celebrations commence on Saturday, 25 April with a Garden Club sale, craft sale and refreshments in the morning. This will be followed by a line dance session on Saturday afternoon which is always popular.
On Tuesday, 28 April an Anniversary Ballroom Dance will take place in the Club Room from 2 - 4 pm. Starting at 2 pm on Wednesday afternoon Rob Farrer will host a sing-a-long followed by an Anniversary Tea. The week of celebrations will finish with a trip to the Town Hall to see 'We'll Meet Again' on Thursday afternoon.
START OF A NEW ERA
May 5th 2009
Loughborough and Shepshed
Changes are beginning to take shape as new services come on stream after Easter; some things are already different this week, or are happening during April, either side of Easter.
The new services will be on-show during the annual John Storer House Anniversary week, commencing Saturday 25th April, to promote the new era, which will start after the May Day bank holiday, Tuesday 5th May 2009.
Details of Open Days will appear here soon
An outline of the new staff roles follows on below
As well as continuing to publish Charnword we shall be launching Charnwell to publicise Well-being for all in Charnwood, incorporating the Carers’ newsletter.
There will be an Induction week from 20th April for all staff, as we move forwards in new roles, and with new responsibilities.
Some services and staff will be moving within John Storer House in response to the new opportunities – The Well-being Service will replace the Volunteering Service in the main general office.
Shepshed – Volunteer Centre 9A Charnwood Road.
Sally Bardsley will continue to be based in Shepshed but the office will be opening reduced hours in future. We want to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible, but to make the necessary changes required by the new funding regime, which mean fewer staff hours in Shepshed.
VAL on-line from 6th April
The new Countywide Infrastructure Organisation begins with a website, e-mail enquiries and telephone support
helpline@valonline.org.uk
Tel 0116 257 5050
The new staff are being appointed in May, and are expected to operate from John Storer House in Loughborough by national Volunteer’s Week at the start of June. The VAL staff will have desks in the Development Office on the first floor, and the “public access” facility, telephone helpline and dedicated computer will be in the room opposite.
Neil Lambert
Chief Executive, 31st March 2009
Latest News
The latest important document we are being consulted on these days is known as the Local Development Framework, years ago the local plan. There is a core strategy, which presents a vision and how to achieve it.
More houses need to be built in Charnwood, including affordable homes, and employment sites and opportunities need to be encouraged: All in the context of environmental protection and not building on green fields etc.
Therefore, Councillors are asking you to let them know how you think the choices should be balanced between development and conservation. Where should new housing be placed? Various options have been considered and are reported on in the consultation document. Now you can comment on the proposals.
To see the document log on to www.charnwood.gov.uk/charnwood2026
The closing date is, or was, 5th December so hurry if you’ve anything you’d like to say
There are further stages to follow during 2009 and years to come, but do get your view heard now, if you so wish.
The objective of our MAA is to improve the economic performance of the Leicester and Leicestershire sub-region and hence improve the quality of life for our residents, workers and visitors. We have an ambitious economic vision for Leicester and Leicestershire, a vision to inspire businesses, residents and investors and we will achieve this by delivering our MAA priorities and objectives.
‘In 2020 Leicester and Leicestershire will have a prosperous, enterprising and dynamic economy, characterised by innovative businesses and creative people, attractive places and sustainable communities’.
Our sub-regional economy faces a number of challenges, particularly as we are currently in an economic downturn and entering an economic recession.
In the short to medium term, our MAA aims to safeguard our economic stability and minimise the impact of the global economic downturn. In the medium to long-term we want our MAA to help achieve our ambitious economic vision for Leicester and Leicestershire.
Impact and Performance
In order to measure the impact and performance of our MAA we will agree targets for the following indicators with Government. These indicators feature in both the City and County Council’s LAAs and will provide the MAA with a clear focus on economic development. These indicators have been selected because they have direct links to the key outcomes that our MAA aims to deliver:
· Increasing employment and reducing worklessness
· Improving skills levels
· Stimulating business growth
· Increasing efficiency
The governance model proposes a separation of ‘strategy’ and ‘delivery’ activity. The strategy will cover the full range of economic development and environment issues for the sub-region, including the MAA. It is proposed that the strategy for the sub-region will be held, monitored and reviewed by a new Leadership Group. This will be the strategy holding body where priorities for economic development, regeneration, transport, housing and the environment will be determined.
Current economic development activity is organised at County, City and District levels and a range of existing agencies are operating across different geographies and pursuing various strands of economic development related activity. In view of these complexities, the City and County Councils along with the support of the District Councils and emda, have agreed to establish an Economic Development Company (EDC) to lead economic development delivery in the sub-region. It is proposed that the EDC will form part of a wider delivery structure focusing on specific themes.
Alongside the EDC, a range of other agencies will be responsible for delivering other aspects of the economic development and environment theme.
We propose to implement our MAA from 1st April 2009 to 2020. The MAA will undergo frequent reviews and refresh at intervals to be agreed with Government. This timeframe will enable the MAA partnership to make a positive impact on sub-regional economic performance. By April 1st 2009, we will have prepared a detailed MAA Implementation and Investment Plan underpinned by a Sub-Regional Economic Assessment. We will also have established new governance and delivery arrangements, in the form of a Leadership Group and Economic Development Company (EDC).
Edited from proposal to Government, Nov 2008.
For more information, please contact Neil Lambert on 01509 631750.
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