Developing Communities  The CVS Developing Communities Teams in North and South Sefton provide advice and support to empower voluntary, community and faith organisations to become more efficient, effective and sustainable. Groups can receive assistance on a wide range of issues, such as the process for becoming a charity, how to manage a building, and how to develop appropriate policies and procedures. The teams use a diagnostic checklist - based on the Halton VA Develop-It toolkit, to identify support and training needs quickly and to provide a tailored support package. The intensity of this support depends on the needs that are identified. Support can be offered to groups starting up, to more established organisations that are developing in a new direction or, in some cases, to groups that are in crisis and require a rescue plan. Groups are helped either face-to-face or through group sessions and telephone support. For more information, please email either North Sefton Community Development (telephone 01704 501024 ext 204) or South Sefton Community Development (telephone 0151 928 2233, ext. 118). Funding Information ServiceThe Funding Information Service collates and disseminates a wide range of information to help groups obtain funding. Local organisations can access details on the most up-to-date funding opportunities available to the sector through funding surgeries, one-to-one support, bulletins, training courses and conferences. The Merseyside Funding Information Portal ( www.mfip.org.uk), designed and maintained in-house at Sefton CVS, is also a key resource for groups who can sign up to receive an electronic bulletin including all the latest funding information. An evaluation of the portal service in 2009 revealed high levels of user satisfaction. CVS has also provided intensive support to groups in putting together applications for the range of Big Lottery funds, charitable trusts and foundations. For more information visit our funding information portal or contact Tony Nicholls on
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or (0151) 920 0726 ext 208. Training and Development
Sefton CVS develops training and skills development for voluntary and community organisations within the borough. The skills calendar provides a wide range or provision ranging from 'first steps' training to continuous professional development. We also provide accredited training and can arrange bespoke and customised training on request. For more information about current training and development opportunities, click here . Community ResearchSefton CVS's Community Researcher provides support to voluntary, community and faith groups operating within Sefton's Working Neighbourhoods wards. A four-day research and consultation training programme is offered twice yearly to residents living in the Working Neighbourhoods Fund areas. Participants are encouraged to carry out their research to benefit their local VCF sector or neighbourhood group. This work can be submitted for North West Open College Network Level 3 Accreditation.
Each community project runs over several months and during this time it is the role of the Community Researcher to mentor and support each of the participants to complete their research. This is an opportunity for residents to increase their own skills and knowledge as well as benefitting their local group.
Completed community research projects are held in a research library within Sefton CVS to enable future access and prevent duplication.
The Community Researcher also works closely with partner agencies to ensure up to date data and information is readily available for groups to access to support and enhance their research and funding bids. For more information please contact Wendy Carruthers on
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or (0151) 920 0726 ext 388 Community AccountancySefton CVS is part of the Greater Merseyside Community Accounting Service, organised through a collaboration of the Merseyside CVSs, to help groups raise their standards and competence in financial management. The Community Accountancy service at Sefton CVS has been set up as a friendly, flexible operation which recognises that financial matters are often approached with some trepidation. The Community Accountant offers a wide range of help, from one-to-one support with specific issues, to the preparation of annual accounts. Customised training is also offered on subjects including full cost recovery, financial recording, budgets, cash flow forecasts and the duties and responsibilities of charity trustees as set out in the Charities Act. For more information, contact Nicky Pugh or Steve Hughes at
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or
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or telephone (0151) 920 0726, ext. 204. Payroll ServiceSefton CVS provides a payroll service for groups that employ staff. The service includes preparing wage slips, calculating tax and national insurance contributions, registration with HM Revenue and Customs, preparing year-end figures and dealing with childcare voucher schemes, pension payments and payroll giving. Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure ServiceCVS provide an administration service to assist groups in obtaining Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance for staff and volunteers. Targeted at voluntary organisations, trained staff undertake the administration procedures on behalf of groups to encourage more groups to apply for clearance and operate best practice. Sefton CVS is an umbrella body registered with the Criminal Records Bureau. Please click here to download a leaflet about the CRB Disclosure Service. For more information, email
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. For general information about the CRB visit www.crb.gov.uk or www.disclosure.gov.uk Volunteer Centre SeftonVolunteer Centre Sefton offers information, advice and guidance on all aspects of volunteering to potential volunteers and recruiting groups and organisations. Volunteer Centre Sefton aims to link the skills, experience and time of local people seeking voluntary work to local organisations who need volunteers to help develop their services. If you would like to volunteer for a local organisation, visit the Volunteer Centre Sefton website here . Alternatively, if you are a organisation that works with volunteers, or would like to develop volunteer opportunties, visit the Volunteer Centre Sefton website here vinvolved Seftonvinvolved Sefton is a youth volunteering project that continues to actively engage young people aged 16-24 into quality volunteering opportunities throughout Sefton. For more info email visit www.volunteeringsefton.org.uk/vinvolved
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