BEDS-SPREAD Extra

September 2012

TimeBank is coming to Central Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire Council held an event in July to raise awareness around Timebanking and to explore the potential for developing it in the Central Bedfordshire area. Time banks are a way for local people to help others in their community and be rewarded for it in time. For every hour of time a person gives helping someone, they receive one time credit which they can claim back from others in the scheme. They can spend this time credit asking for help themselves; ironing, gardening, reading to children, dog walking, shopping, DIY, etc the list is endless. Anyone can join the TimeBank and everyones contribution is valued. Its not too late to register your organisations interest in being a part of this initiative. Simply contact Cheryl Stimson on 0300 300 5176 or email her at cheryl.stimson@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

43 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2AA Tel: 01234 354366 Fax: 01234 347503 E-mail:info@yourcvs.org Web:www.yourcvs.org

Bedford WRVS Good Neighbours Scheme

Bedford WRVS Good Neighbours Scheme would like to thank The Harpur Trust for their generous donation/grant of 13,950 to support our Community Transport, Shopping and Companionship Service for the over 60s in and around Bedfordshire. The WRVS can provide you with a CRBchecked Volunteer to assist you with transport needs to Hospitals, Doctors, Dentist and any formal or informal transport request. We can also assist with your shopping needs and or provide companionship. If anybody would like to use this service or become a volunteer and join our team of 67 then please call Amanda Bewick on 01234 262429 or 07714 898600 You would be surprised at the benefits that volunteering can do for you!

#WeWillGather
The person who used social media to mobilise thousands of people to clean up their communities after the 2011 riots has set up a new volunteering website, #WeWillGather, to make it easier for people to volunteer small amounts of time or for one-off projects. The site was officially launched on 11th September at www.wewillgather.co.uk

Changes to Local Council Tax Support

From April 2013, local authorities have to agree and implement a local scheme of Council Tax Support to replace the current national scheme of Council Tax Benefit. Local authorities will have the freedom to design schemes for working-age claimants, taking into account their responsibilities towards vulnerable groups and the importance of supporting incentives to work. However, as part of this change, local authorities will have 10% less funding to support residents with Council Tax Support. Some of the proposed changes could have a major impact on clients of local voluntary organisations. Information on the proposed schemes can be found at:
Bedford Borough Council - http://tinyurl.com/94ncznx Central Bedfordshire Council -

www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations

Your CVS serving the local Voluntary and Community Sector

Registered Charity: 1091423

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New IT Helpdesk
i-TRUST has introduced an exceptionally-priced IT Helpdesk for voluntary and community groups, social enterprises and small to medium-sized organisations throughout the UK. With prices starting from as little as 50 + vat per organisation per year for the voluntary and community sector, this is an unmissable offer that youll find difficult to beat. If you have an IT problem and dont want to risk spending lots of your hard-earned funds on an issue that could be solved over the phone, give the IT helpline a call or email. By registering you will receive one whole year of IT helpdesk support for a one off-cost. For further information feel free to contact the helpdesk on 0800 028 0085 or e-mail helpdesk@i-trust.org.uk or visit www.i-trust.org.uk. i-TRUST is part of the COVER Charity Group and has been providing effective IT support services to charities, voluntary and community organisations for over six years.

OFFICE SPACE CENTRAL LEIGHTON BUZZARD

Bedfordshire and Luton Mind has premises close to Leighton Buzzard town centre, and currently hosts several other local and national organisations to the mutual benefit of all parties. They are now looking to create a larger hub within the building so more organisations can get involved. Benefits include: Large, comfortable meeting, training or activities room Boardroom Small and medium-sized offices Well-equipped kitchen area Spacious foyer with reception area One floor fully disabled-accessible Networking and cooperative working opportunities with other tenants Potential for shared reception and backroom costs and functions Mind are particularly interested in sharing with organisations which contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community, but we are interested in hearing from all interested parties. If you are interested please do get in touch to express your interest or seek further information. Contact Paul Standbrook at p.standbrook@bedsandlutonmind.org.uk or call 01525 863960 or write to Bedfordshire and Luton Mind, Arden House, West Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DD

Office Risk Assessment Tool

The Health and Safety Executive has developed an interactive office risk assessment tool for low-risk office-based environments. This tool allows those working in low-risk office-based environments to do their risk assessment quickly and easily. It enables users to produce a tailored assessment by selecting the relevant hazards and thinking about how you control them. There are also interactive risk assessments for classrooms, charity shops and other shops. For more information and to try out the tool visit: www.hse.gov.uk/risk/office.htm

Minimum Wage Changes

National minimum wage increases in October 2012 to 6.19 for ages 21 and over, and for apprentices the minimum wage will rise to 2.65. ACAS has an employment law update page with this and other recent changes at www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3898

JustTextGiving
JustTextGiving by Vodafone is a new way for people to donate to charity. Its simple, convenient and spontaneous. There are no network charges for people making donations and every penny, plus Gift Aid, goes to charity. For more information and to create a JustTextGiving code visit http://www.justgiving.com/justtextgiving

CVS operations are funded by: Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, The Bedford Charity and The Big Lottery Fund
Please note: Every care is taken to provide accurate information, however CVS accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions in, or complaints arising from, items in this publication. Inclusion of information in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by CVS. Please feel free to replicate any articles, as long as you credit CVS.

Your CVS serving the local Voluntary and Community Sector

Registered Charity: 1091423