Prague, 18-20 July 2007

The European Social Network is continuing its work on social inclusion and protection with this seminar, which will bring together practitioners working with older people to discuss demographic change, changing needs and policy responses. Presentations on the opening day will review current good practice, provide a service perspective on long-term care and make connections with current European and national policy directions.

On the second day, delegates will engage in two policy-focused sessions led by European experts looking in turn at national policy in a comparative European perspective (using National Strategies on Long-Term Care and Health as a base) and the EU child poverty and rights agenda. There is a real opportunity for the group to review policy together, learn from policy and practice in other countries and to contribute through ESN to policy debate and policy-making at European and national level.

Further information and a draft programme will be available on the ESN webpage on long-term care from mid-May. ESN has a very limited number of funded places at this seminar available for senior practitioners and directors in older people’s services - priority for these places will be given to ESN members. If you are interested in attending, please contact the secretariat as soon as possible, explaining your interest and expertise in the subject. We may be able to offer additional self-funded places - please contact the secretariat for details at the earliest opportunity.

For further details click here.

9thAugust 2007; 25th January 2008

This Ashiana's one day training is aimed at developing an understanding about domestic violence within a cultural context. The session will cover: Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism; The difference between culture and religion; Family structures within the South Asian community; Knowledge of domestic violence; Supporting clients from South Asian communities.

For more information and booking contact Ashiana on 020 8539 0427; email: info@ashiana.org.uk

Do you want to work as a Community Interpreter? This is a one year programme (May 2007 – March 2008) for unemployed asylum-seekers & refugees in West London. It includes: Personal advice; Free interpreting training; Work experience and placements; ESOL support; Chance to shadow experienced interpreters; CRB checks, child care, travel expenses paid.

To find out more or to book an introduction session in April/May ring REAP 01895 441530

Friday 25th May 07, 9.30am- 4.30pm
H&F Carers Centre, 182a Hammersmith Road, London W67DJ

Did you know that Fist Aid training certification is renewable every year? This is a one day basic First Aid Certificated course for individuals and community organisations promoted by TAHA, The Asian Health Agency. We particularly encourage volunteers, staff and Management Committee members from BME groups.

Cost: £45 non grant aided groups*; £75 grant - aided community groups*; £85 statutory agencies.
(*some subsidised places available). Course cost includes lunch.

To book a place contact: Salvinder Dhillon; Tel: 020 8538 7703 ; Email: azad@taha.org.uk

14 – 18 August 2007
Hillcroft College, South Bank, Surbiton, KT6 6DF

This course is for women who wish to plan their way back into work. Previous Knowledge/skills required – Literacy and Numeracy at Entry Levels 2 or 3 or above. Some experience with basic IT, for example, using Microsoft Word. The course builds the skills and confidence to get you from where you are now to where you want to be. You will plan a personal career path based on previous experiences and individual aspirations. It will help you gain confidence, set goals, discover what employers really want, take a fresh look at applying for jobs, prepare a CV and practice interview skills.

Successful completion of the course will give you an ASET National Award in Introduction to Work (Level 1) and/or Personal Development (Level 2). Duration – 1 week. Tuition and accommodation free for eligible students. Childcare available.

For information and bookings:
Email: enquiry@hillcroft.ac.uk ; www.hillcroft.ac.uk ;Tel: 020 8399 2688

Hillcroft College, South Bank, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6DF

Hillcroft (The National Residential College for Women) is running a series of short modules, each focussing on a different aspect of academic study skills. These courses are designed to build confidence and offer intensive skills development in a supportive and relaxed environment. Tuition and accomodation free for eligible students. Childcare available.

Reading & Note Taking Skills - 9-11 July 2007
Do you struggle with reading long text? Can’t find what you want? Get bored or forget details while you read? This course focuses on how to make studying easier by learning about reading strategies and note taking techniques.

Research Skills – 11-13 July 2007
Are you confused about how to find the information you need? This course focuses on ways to access information from text-based sources. It will give you a good introduction to library search skills and use of the internet.

Writing Skills- 16-18 July 2007
Do you want to write more confidently and use a range of writing styles for different purposes? This course will help you develop the more formal academic writing skills required for reports, essays, assignments and exams. Use appropriate structure, language and layout to get your ideas across.

Essay Skills- 18-20 July 2007
Need to write an essay but don’t know where to start? Want to learn the ‘secret’ of effective essay-writing? This course focuses on the range of strategies and skills needed to write an academic essay.

For information and bookings:
Email: enquiry@hillcroft.ac.uk ; www.hillcroft.ac.uk ;Tel: 020 8399 2688

The Commission on Integration and Cohesion is a team of people asked by the Government to come up with practical ideas on how people from different backgrounds might get on better. Their focus is on what can be done locally – for example, by councils, schools, places of worship, charities – to bring people together, working, relaxing and interacting as a single community.

There are few days to go before they have to decide what to recommend to the Government in their report. This is your last chance to tell the Commission what you think they should be saying: the forum will close on 16 May 2007.

Do you think people from different backgrounds get on well in your local area? What do you think are the barriers to good relations in your neighbourhood? What should be done to bring people together so that they feel part of the community? In short, the question for you is: "If you were in charge for a day, what would you do to help people from different backgrounds in your neighbourhood get on better?"

To join the online consultation click here.

From 2007 to 2012, the Diana Fund will focus on three initiatives, each of which has a desired outcome and a set of strategic objectives to be achieved over five years. The three initiatives are: the Palliative Care Initiative, the Refugee and Asylum Seekers Initiative, and The Partnership Initiative.
Under these initiatives, the Fund is committed to spending up to £10 million over the next five years to promote the scale-up of palliative care in Africa and its integration into government health policies; up to £10 million to raise awareness and highlight the needs and issues of young refugees and asylum seekers and up to £5 million to follow-up and add leverage to our previous investments into penal affairs, mental health and other areas in the UK, and internationally into our programme on landmines and explosive remnants of war.
The Fund will for the next five years engage primarily in proactive grant-making. Grants will be provided on an invitation-to-bid basis or through negotiated partnerships with selected organisations that have the capacity to deliver the initiatives' desired outcomes.

For further information visit: www.theworkcontinues.org

The closing date for entries is Monday 4 June.

The Andy Ludlow Awards, run by London Councils, recognise projects that improve services to homeless people, prevent homelessness, or tackle disadvantage caused by homelessness.

In its ninth year, this is the country’s leading homelessness award with prize money of £25,000: £10,000 going to the outright winner and £5,000 going to each of the three runners up. The awards are open to voluntary organisations in London, as well as housing and social service departments, registered social landlords and NHS trusts.

For more information, please click here.

Closing date: 12pm Friday 18th May 2007

The London Development Agency is looking for individuals to join a new London Refugee Economic Action (LORECA) Advisory Panel.

The London Development Agency (LDA), through key partners, invests in deprived areas, promotes training and enterprise and supports key economic sectors. Our work ranges from small targeted projects to major complex schemes such as regeneration in the Thames Gateway and the work on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for all Londoners. From January 2007 the LDA took on a specific remit to promote refugee employment by bringing in LORECA (London Refugee Economic Action) as a discrete unit to work on this issue. The LDA is now looking to recruit for a new LORECA Advisory Panel, to support LORECA’s work to improve the environment for refugee, and where appropriate asylum seeker, employment in London.

You will have direct experience of working in the field of refugee employment alongside specific knowledge of London, economic regeneration and refugee issues. You will also have proven ability to contribute verbally and positively in meetings, analyse complex plans and provide written feedback. We are looking for 10 individuals to support our work and to:

For an application pack or more information please contact: Jon Williams, Email:jon@loreca.org.uk, LORECA Project Co-ordinator, London Development Agency, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8AA, Tel: 020 7593 8356, Fax: 020 7593 8002

ROTA are currently looking for young, active volunteers from London aged 16-20 to help with the
Building Bridges Project on levels of Gun and Knife Crime in the Capital and the culture surrounding
it. This innovative project provides a unique opportunity for young people to tackle the troubling
weapons culture which is growing in London by informing policy makers and practitioners of the
views and the solutions put forward by young Londoners. Volunteers have the opportunity to receive human rights training. To express an interest contact Carlene at ROTA on: carlene@rota.org.uk

The Change Up Equalities and Human Rights (EHR) Sub-group was created to ensure London’s EHR sector benefits from ChangeUp – a government programme of support for the voluntary sector. The Sub-group is now looking for an enthusiastic and motivated volunteer to support its work. This varied opportunity will give experience in communications, events and research, as well as an understanding of London’s EHR sector. Travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed and childcare expenses will be subsidised if applicable.

To find out more contact Barbara Nea, ChangeUp Equalities and Human Rights Officer, on t: 020 7729 1310 or email: barbara@rota.org.uk. The application deadline is 24th April 2007.

Deadline: 10 May 2007

Education Action is urgently seeking a volunteer to process research data from schools in Africa. Initially we envisage this would require no more than 10 days work. The work will involve collating, formatting and analysing excel sheets of statistical data received from schools in Angola – to produce tables and charts of results etc.

Experience required: This opportunity would suit someone with intermediate level excel and an interest in education research in developing countries.

Education Action is a UK registered Charity (number 1003323). We work to provide an education for those denied its benefits by conflict or displacement. We challenge unjust systems and advocate for positive change both at home and in countries of refuge.

Contact us by email at criee@education-action.org