Noticeboard

Its purpose is to improve the quality and functioning of relationships between citizens and government in the South West, and to increase the ability of people to influence the decisions which affect their lives. 

Empowering Communities aims to:

• Bring together the key partners in community empowerment and engagement in the region, and to share good practice
• Agree joint priorities for action
• Influence strategic partners in the region to increase the resources available to enhance engagement and empowerment activities
• Make recommendations as required and as necessary to Communities and Local Government
• Support joint working arrangements and develop vehicles for sharing of relevant or appropriate information

The main tasks of EC are to:

• Implement the Action Plan for 2007-2008 agreed with CDF
• Steer and support the contractors (South West Forum and the Evaluation Trust) to carry out the work specified in the Action Plan
• Work towards the development of the initiative from April 2008
• Set up a network or networks of Empowerment Champions and others, as set out in the Action Plan

Exeter CVS, the SW Take Part National Network member represented on the EC Executive, is promoting Take Part Learning – Active Learning Active Citizenship – as a proven method to engage and empower disadvantaged people in community empowerment. Its ‘Speaking Up in the Community’ is a learning module currently being developed and piloted within the context of the Exeter City Council’s My Neighbourhood Project.

Links and contacts:

The Empowering Communities Consortium is based at Creating Excellence: john.skrine@creatingexcellence.org.uk

http://www.creatingexcellence.org.uk/regeneration-renewal-news313.html

Exeter CVS: gabi.recknagel@exetercvs.org.uk , 01392 202055

Exeter City Council: dawn.rivers@exeter.gov.uk http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=6924

TakePart, Unite - the Union, Sheffield University and several other local organisations have come together to set up this new network created to seek fair treatment and social justice for migrant workers and their families. The launch will take place in Sheffield on the afternoon of Friday January 18.

If you are interested please get in touch with Ted Hartley - tedhartley@mac.com

The terms of reference are below:

Terms of Reference

Geographical area
This will, initially, be the South Yorkshire area but to be rolled out throughout Region 8.

Founding members
Those who are now expressing an interest. New members/supporting members through recommendation.

Status
New function of T&G section of Unite – the UNION; whereby it will use its established status when applying for funding etc. Future - possibly an independent body (charity or CIC).

Aims
To work with vulnerable migrant workers; other appropriate agencies and organisations in order to improve and enable access to:
• Information
• Terms and conditions of employment
• Equal treatment
• Education
• Services
• Support at work and in the community

Objectives
Establish a network of interested bodies; individuals and organisations committed to the furtherance of the main aim of the network across (initially) South Yorkshire.
• To raise awareness of issues, sources of help and support
• To promote education and training opportunities
• To raise income to sustain network over time
• To ensure fair media coverage
• To link with other similar organisations in the UK and EU
• To investigate and publicise relevant issues
• To establish web site resources to enable us to support a web site network

Immediate needs
• Seek a start up grant to establish the network
• To finance a workshop/launch event in December 2007
• To establish resources for web site
• To cover part-time secretary/liaison worker costs
• To cover communications costs
• To cover part-time development worker costs.

Immediate tasks
• To plan a launch event/workshop
• Develop resources for web site
• Publicise the network
• Alert MPs
• Develop time line and work plan and develop plan for the next 3 years
• Secure funding against the plan.