Boost for Merseyside social enterprises in funding cuts battle

SOCIAL enterprises across Merseyside are being given a major boost in their battle against large-scale budget cuts.  Funding for hundreds of organisations is set to be cut back from April 2011 and the implications for many are serious.

Now expert advice is at hand for managers and staff as they work to make up the shortfalls they face.  More than 150 free places are being made available to social enterprises across Merseyside for a series of 1 day courses to help lessen the impact of changes in funding.

With many organisations across Merseyside due to face budget reductions from the start of the new financial year, Social Enterprise North West (SENW) has arranged the seminars to equip staff and managers with the skills to win new contracts.

The social enterprise sector in the North West and Merseyside generates around £3bn annually to the economy, employs more than 50,000 staff and harnesses the capacity of 30,000 volunteers.

Val Jones, chief executive at Social Enterprise North West, said:- “At a time like this, it is important that we offer practical support to the sector which is facing reductions to its existing funding.  The challenge now is to help those organisations to identify and capitalise on new opportunities to fund their services.  These are difficult times for social enterprises and voluntary groups doing fantastic work in their communities.  We’ve set up these master classes to help them face their funding challenges. Our aim is to give organisations all the help we can to face the future with confidence.”

The courses have been fully funded by the Office for Civil Society through the North West Regional Development Agency, so delegate places are free and include lunch and refreshments.

The courses, which will run from 9:30am to 4:30pm at Liverpool CVS, 151 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2AH, are:-

PR and Marketing Master Class: Monday, 28 March 2011

► Impact Assessment Master Class; Tuesday, 29 March 2011

► Good Governance Master Class; Wednesday, 30 March 2011

► Contract and Procurement Master Class; Thursday, 31 March 2011

To book log on to:- senw.org.uk.

Liverpool based participatory arts organisation will sit in ACE’S national portfolio

COLLECTIVE Encounters became an RFO in 2008-9 and Collective Encounter's Artistic Director, Sarah Thornton told us that:- "We are pleased to announce we have been included in the Arts Council's National Portfolio of funded organisations. For the last three years we have seen an RFO investment of circa £45,000 and in 2012 the investment will increase to circa £70,000, with further significant uplifts in subsequent years. This represents a 61% increase in investment. We are grateful to the Arts Council for its belief in and support of the organisation since its inception in 2005, particularly in the wake government cuts. This increased investment will help the company find new ways to engage people in the arts, and support us in developing further work with homeless people, older people and young people in Liverpool and the wider north west region.” The Arts Council investment represents about 40% of the company's turnover and Collective Encounter's work is also financially support by the Baring Foundation, the Tudor Trust, Children in Need and PH Holt.

15th ANNIVERSARY FOR MODEL RAILWAY VILLAGE

THIS quality attraction will open its doors on Saturday, 2 April 2011 for its 15th season. It was originally opened in 1996 and has proved to be a popular destination for all ages of visitors. The venue is excellently located on the Lower Promenade in King’s Gardens, Southport.

Set within 1.5 acres of sheltered gardens, this beautiful miniature village consists of more than 200 scale models. The spacious site has regular seating and wide paths, which give easy access for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The welcoming Tea Gardens and Café offers hot and cold drinks, ice cream and snacks.

This is also the place for children (and adults) who are mad about trains; they can enjoy an extensive 500 metre garden gauge railway – one of the largest outdoor model railway layouts in the UK.

The Model Railway Village is open from 10am to 5pm daily throughout the summer season. Entry charges are excellent value at £3.50 (adult), £3.00 (child, pensioner or student) and £12 (family ticket).

For further details visit:- southportmodelrailwayvillage.co.uk.

Usdaw backs the Close the Door campaign

THE shopworkers union Usdaw is marking 'Climate Week' by adding its support to the Close the Door campaign which is asking retailers to conserve energy and improve conditions for shopworkers and customers by keeping their doors closed.

Independent research from Cambridge University has found that many high street shops waste up to 50% of their energy through open door policies and cause severe discomfort for shop staff who are often forced to work in cold draughty conditions as a result.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary said:- "Usdaw is pleased to support the work of the Close the Door campaign. As well as wasting money and energy, open shop doors in winter can cause great discomfort to staff who may spend all day in cold or fluctuating temperatures. Too many shops, including some of the big high street chain stores, still leave their doors open even in sub zero temperatures, some also insisting that their staff stand near the open door to welcome customers.  The practice is unacceptable, unnecessary and damaging to both staff and the environment and we urge retailers to stop it. Closing the door when it's cold outside makes both staff and customers more comfortable and is something all shops should be doing."

Jeannie Dawkins, Director of the Close the Door campaign said:- "We had complaints last winter from staff who were made ill through working in cold and draughty conditions when the shop door was kept open. Recent research has shown just how bad this problem is. Having an open door policy while heating or cooling the shop space means that staff are working in fluctuating levels of heat and cold, frequently far outside CIBSE guidelines for healthy working. Air blowers over the door do not solve the problem. It is clearly not acceptable to treat staff in this way, quite aside from the significant energy waste involved, and we are so pleased that Usdaw has taken this up."