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Whats New on BourneOut - February 2011

Admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:51:56 +0000

New Items on BourneOut.

Whats New:

Stonewall's Gay and Bisexual Men's Health Survey -

Click here to take the survey now

3VA eNewsletter Issue 06

Admin — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 06:45:11 +0000

3VA eNewsletter – Issue 6

25 February 2011

This eNewsletter contains news relevant to our contacts across Eastbourne Borough and Lewes and Wealden Districts, and helps keep members informed and engaged in consultation and information processes. Notices of publications, events and services do not necessarily carry an endorsement by the editor or 3VA, nor do they represent the views of 3VA.

Should you have any news you would like circulated to our members and distribution lists please click here for guidelines.

Top Story

Reminder

Deadline for 3VA Membership Refresh this Monday

The extended deadline for returning 3VA membership refresh forms is this Monday 28 February. If your group has not done so already, please download a form by clicking here and return it to us by email to info@3va.org.uk .

Headlines

Awards for All Workshop

Chairs’ Network Lunch at 3VA

Last Chance to Apply: Health Improvement Funding

Contracts Finder Website Launched

‘CLIVE’ Launched For Deaf and Hard of Hearing

HIV Awareness Training

Free Training for People Who Work With Children
New Social Care Course For Young People

East Sussex Wheelchair User Group Launches

Mayor’s Charity Fashion Show

Awards for All Workshop

Kate Sawdy from the Big Lottery Fund will be running two ‘Awards for All’ workshops for groups in East Sussex on Tuesday 15 March, one in the morning in Eastbourne, and one in the afternoon in Hastings. The ‘Awards for All’ workshop is aimed at people considering applying to Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Awards for All’ Programme for grants of between £300 and £10,000 on behalf of their organisation or community group. This workshop is free (normal price £45 each), but please book now if you are interested in attending. For more information click here or email Julia Fowler at julia.fowler@3va.org.uk.

Chairs’ Network Lunch at 3VA

The next Chairs’ Lunch will take place on Wednesday 16 March from 12.30pm to 2pm at 3VA’s Eastbourne Office. The planned topic is ‘Personalisation’, though there will be other themes as well. Lunch can be provided at a cost of £3.50. If you would like to book a place please contact maureen.anstey@3va.org.uk .

Last Chance to Apply: Health Improvement Funding

The Health Improvement Small Grants Scheme is now open for applications with up to £500 available for groups based or working in Lewes District, Eastbourne or Wealden who are delivering services or projects that support one of the PCT’s ‘Choosing Health’ Programmes. Lewes District in particular is under-subscribed and this will be the last round of this funding, so make sure you submit your application before 4 March. Please contact 3VA if you would like to know more or have any questions about the scheme and your application, or click here for more details.

Contracts Finder Website Launched

The Government has launched an online 'Contracts Finder' where details of all new central government procurement opportunities, tender documents and contracts over £10,000 can be found. It also offers an email alert facility to let you know when new opportunities in your area of service provision become available. For more information visit www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk.

‘CLIVE’ Launched For Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The new Community Learning and Information Vehicle (‘CLIVE’) for East Sussex is to make its debut at the Congress Suite in Eastbourne on Saturday 5 March. CLIVE is a single deck bus that will provide an outreach service across East Sussex giving hearing assessments, lip reading and sign language classes, demonstrations of assistive equipment and advice and support on all aspects of deafness. Bus operator East Sussex Hearing and Resource Centre will also hold meetings of the Lewes, Heathfield, Polegate and Crowborough Hard of Hearing Groups during March. For information about CLIVE or the venue and times of upcoming Hard of Hearing Groups call 01323 722505 or email david@eshrc.org.uk or sarah@eshrc.org.uk.

HIV Awareness Training

This course is for professionals - particularly front line workers - looking to refresh their existing knowledge of HIV, to gain up-to-date information on testing and treatment options, and to explore current social issues for people living with the virus. The course is being run by Terrence Higgins Trust at Rye Memorial Hospital on Monday 21March and is free for East Sussex PCT and ESCC staff, and £75 for all other organisations. For more information about the course contact Ian Thompson on 01273 764200 or email ian.thompson@tht.org.uk.

Free Training For People Who Work With Children

Working Together Project, WSCVYS and ESCVYS have announced a full programme of subsidised accredited training for people who do some or all of their work with children or young people. To receive the subsidised course places, you will need to sign-up in person at one of seven drop-in sessions being held across Sussex during March. Course titles range from ‘Understand Playwork Principles’ to ‘Introduction to Drug Awareness’. For more information please ring 01273 810248 or email bookings@workingtogetherproject.org.uk.

New Social Care Course For Young People

The Prince's Trust are launching a new course in East Sussex designed to give work-ready 16 to 18 year olds in the area the opportunity to develop vocational skills and experience to help them get secure and sustainable jobs in the Care Sector. ‘Get Into Social Care’ is a three week course starting on 28 March and run in conjunction with Sussex Downs College. For more information about the new course click here.

East Sussex Wheelchair Service User Group Launches

This new group aims to provide a proactive link between users, carers, parents of children who use the service across East Sussex, and the service providers and commissioners. Registration as a member is free of charge and registration forms are available by emailing wheelchairs@btinternet.com. To view the group’s website click here.

Mayor’s Charity Fashion Show

The Mayor of Eastbourne is hosting a Charity Fashion Show at the Town Hall on Friday 18 March with proceeds going to Comic Relief, Eastbourne YMCA and Eastbourne Young Carers (Care for the Carers). The event is an opportunity to support these charities and purchase clothes at reduced prices, with doors opening at 7pm. Entry is £6 per person and more details are available by calling 01323 415020 or emailing mayorsoffice@eastbourne.gov.uk.

3VA eNewsletter Issue 05

Admin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:57:39 +0000

3VA eNewsletter – Issue 5

18 February 2011

This eNewsletter contains news relevant to our contacts across Eastbourne, Lewes District and Wealden, and helps keep members informed and engaged in consultation and information processes. Notices of publications, events and services do not necessarily carry an endorsement by the editor or 3VA, nor do they represent the views of 3VA.

Should you have any news you would like circulated to our members and distribution lists please click here 3VA Documents for guidelines.

Top Story

Health and Social Care Funding for the Voluntary and Community Sector

East Sussex County Council and the local NHS launched the ‘Commissioning Grants Prospectus’

on Monday 14 February.

The funding pot attached to this prospectus is offering two sizes of grant

- one set for small grants under £5,000

- one set for main grants of £5,000 and over.

The funding available can be applied for by local groups whose services target one of the six outcomes stated in the Prospectus.

For a copy of the prospectus please sign up at www.businessportal.southeastiep.gov.uk or call 01273 481 309.

Alternatively for more information about the prospectus and an opportunity to meet the commissioners involved, please see details of the ‘Meet the Commissioners’ event below.

The application deadline is 28 April

Headlines

· Book to Attend Big Event 2011

· Deadline for Health Improvement Funding

· Last Few Places for Funding Conference

· Free Childcare Training for Voluntary Sector Advisors

· Invite to Meet the Commissioners

· LINk Survey Deadline Approaching

· Vetting and Barring Scheme Latest

· Shakespeare Hall Refurbishment

· 3VA Training

Book to Attend Big Event 2011

The ‘Big Event 2011: Voluntary and Community Sector Preparing for the Future’ is on Monday 7 March from 9.30am to 3pm at the Winter Gardens, Eastbourne. This annual event gives East Sussex’s voluntary and community groups the opportunity to understand changes at national and local level, identify opportunities and engage in dialogue with both the public sector and other voluntary organisations. There will also be a Question and Answer session with senior public sector staff and an Advice Fair. The event is free to attend and the event flyer can be viewed here Big Event 2011.

Deadline for Health Improvement Funding

The Health Improvement Small Grants Scheme is making up to £500 available for groups based or working in Lewes District, Eastbourne or Wealden who are delivering services or projects that support one of the PCT’s ‘Choosing Health’ Programmes. Lewes District in particular is under-subscribed and this will be the last round of this funding, so make sure you submit your application before 4 March. Please contact 3VA if you would like to know more or have any questions about the scheme and your application, or click here for more details.

Last Few Places for Funding Conference

This year’s ‘Funding the Future’ conference will take place at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster on 8 March from 10am to 4pm. Leading statutory, Lottery and trust funders will host sessions focusing on areas of work ranging from community development to arts and heritage. Also in attendance will be Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd and other government representatives discussing ‘Statutory Funding and the Big Society as an Opportunity for Charities’. For more information visit www.actionplanning.co.uk

Free Childcare Training for Voluntary Sector Advisers

The Daycare Trust is offering free training sessions to voluntary and community sector advisers on supporting parents in securing childcare. In addition to open training dates, the Trust is offering to run three free sessions at a date and place of your choosing if your organisation can provide a venue and a minimum of eight staff members, while the training sessions must take place before the end of March. For more information email training@daycaretrust.org.uk or call 0207 9407510.

Invite to Meet the Commissioners

East Sussex County Council and the local NHS would like to invite you to a ‘Meet the Commissioners’ event on Tuesday 15 March from 9.30am to 4pm at the Winter Gardens, Eastbourne. The event is designed to find out more about the outcomes and objectives contained within the ‘Commissioning Grants Prospectus’. The Commissioning Grants Prospectus is a new way of investing in voluntary and community organisations, based on a consultation held over the summer of 2010 to deliver health, social care and wellbeing outcomes. For more details contact Claire Caddick on 01273 335670 or email claire.caddick@eastsussex.gov.uk.

LINk Survey Deadline Approaching

With the Government planning for Local HealthWatch to take over from Local Involvement Networks (LINks) from April 2012, the ESCC Community Services Scrutiny Committee wants to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the East Sussex LINk. Having a good understanding of the best aspects of LINks and the challenges they have faced will inform the development of Local HealthWatch in East Sussex. To view the online click LINk Survey.

Vetting and Barring Scheme Latest
The official findings of the reviews of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) and criminal records regime were announced on 11 February, unveiling a new scaled back vetting scheme and some fundamental changes to the existing checks procedure. There are currently no dates for the implementation of these changes, but the CRB and ISA websites will continue to be updated with new information as it becomes available. For a briefing of the changes from East Sussex Volunteering Development Co-ordinator Sarah Hodgetts click Vetting and Barring Scheme Update.

Shakespeare Hall Refurbishment

Following the rescue of Shakespeare Hall in Newhaven last year, the planned £150,000 maintenance investment work is about to commence. The hall will be closed for a period of approximately six weeks from Monday 28 February whilst the refurbishment works both inside and outside is completed. For hall hire and activity enquiries please visit www.waveleisure.co.uk.

3VA Training

Awards for All Workshop

Food Hygiene

This course is a requirement for anyone who handles open, high risk food and it is recommended the training is undertaken every three years. Upon successful completion of the course, the CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Caterers will be awarded. The course will take place on 9 March from 9.30am to 4.30pm in the 3VA Annexe, 8 Saffrons Road, Eastbourne. For more information click here or email Julia Fowler at julia.fowler@3va.org.uk

‘Understanding Health Improvement’ and ‘Covering Your Costs’ Courses

Unfortunately, these courses are now full and bookings are no longer being taken. There has been an incredible amount of interest in these courses and 3VA hope to run further courses in the future.

Health and Social Care Forum

Admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:39:54 +0000

The Forum aims to provide a voice for LGBT people using Health and Social Care services and Carers.

Membership is open to LGBT service users and carers living in East Sussex.

The initial meeting will be held in Eastbourne at the Central Library, Grove Road BN21 4TL on

Thursday the 24^th of March starting at 4.30 until 6.30pm.

Download Terms of Reference

For further information contact

Cesar Da Luz,

Adult Social Care, Equality Officer (Community Engagement),

East Sussex County Council.

Tel No. 01273 481 922

Email: cesar.daluz@eastsussex.gov.uk

3VA eNewsletter Issue 04

Admin — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:40:53 +0000

3VA eNewsletter – Issue 4

3VA eNewsletter – Issue 4

11 February 2011

Should you have any news you would like circulated to our members and distribution lists please click here for guidelines.

Top Story

Book Quick for Latest 3VA Training

An Introduction to Giving Information and Advice
Monday 28 February and Wednesday 2 March,

9.30am - 12.30pm
Location: 3VA’s Lewes office, 66 High Street
Cost: £25 (for both sessions)
Trainer: Sue Shoesmith

Course information: Aimed at those who are starting out

in an information and advice role or whose role involves general

signposting or referral activities in either a paid or voluntary capacity.

The course will cover an introduction to the underpinning principle of

giving information and advice and the skills used in delivering information

and advice. No previous knowledge or experience is required.

Trainer: Sue Shoesmith has 25 years experience of giving information,

advice and guidance in the statutory and voluntary sector.

Sue has worked as an external assessor and mentor on the Post Graduate

Diploma in Careers Guidance for the University of East London and has

trained and assessed on both the NVQ and NOCN in Information, Advice and Guidance.

Further Details: Click here

Headlines

· Funding Advice from 3VA in Lewes District

· New-look 3VA Newsletter Available

· Commissioning Grants Prospectus Launch

· National Lottery Awards

· Free Well-being at Work Training

· Last Chance to Apply: Health Improvement Funding

· Big Event 2011 Coming Soon

· Awards for All Workshop

· Funding Cuts Latest

· Cookery Leader Training

· Networking Event for Disability Groups

· Funding for Victim and Witness Support Services

Funding Advice from 3VA in Lewes District
3VA recently welcomed a new member of staff to the team – Lorna Stagg. As a Community Development Officer, Lorna will be providing funding and financial advice to voluntary and community groups in the Lewes District. Lorna will be working alongside Seema Kapila who supports all other group development enquiries in the Lewes District to provide a key local service to the district.
For funding advice in Lewes contact Lorna on 01273 483832 or email lorna.stagg@3va.org.uk.
For all other aspects of group support in Lewes contact Seema on 01273 483832 or email seema.kapila@3va.org.uk.

We also recently welcomed Jenny Watson to the 3VA team. Jenny will be managing our Community Networks and representation work across Lewes District, Eastbourne and Wealden, so we will keep you posted for details of upcoming events. Contact Jenny via 01323 639373 or email her at jenny.watson@3va.org.uk.

New-look 3VA Newsletter Available

We have recently published the first edition of our new-look 3View newsletter. The spring issue of the 3View publication includes articles on funding, training, the Localism Bill, Equalities Act, the latest from our countywide projects, and much more. To receive a free copy of the newsletter, email your details to matthew.french@3va.org.uk.

Commissioning Grants Prospectus Launch

The Commissioning Grants Prospectus is due to launch on Monday 14 February and will transform the way that Adult Social Care and the Primary Care Trust fund local voluntary and community organisations. All relevant funding for the sector is being brought into one pot and the Prospectus will set out broad objectives that need to be achieved through this funding. Local groups will be encouraged to bid for funding, demonstrating value for money, quality and local knowledge. For more information, click here.

National Lottery Awards

This is your chance to tell your story and celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievement of your Lottery-funded project. There are seven awards reflecting the main areas of Lottery funding, with winners attending a special Awards event broadcast on BBC One and receiving a £2,000 cash prize. The application deadline is 5pm on Friday 18 February with more details available at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.

Free Well-being at Work Training

A three-day training course for professionals interested in the concept and challenges of embedding well-being at work is being offered free of charge to relevant staff across East Sussex (funded by the Health Improvement Partnerships). The course objective is for participants to examine their own and/or staff well-being in the workplace and explore ways to make effective long-term changes to their attitudes and practices. There are four start dates available, with venues in Lewes, Eastbourne, Hastings and Rother, and the closing date for applications is 18 February. Please email robert.cooper@esdwpct.nhs.uk for more details of the course, and if you would like to attend include your job title and organisation.

Last Chance to Apply: Health Improvement Funding

Big Event 2011 Coming Soon

The ‘Big Event 2011: Voluntary and Community Sector Preparing for the Future’ is on Monday 7 March from 9.30am to 3pm at the Winter Gardens, Eastbourne. This annual event gives East Sussex’s voluntary and community groups the opportunity to understand changes at national and local level, identify opportunities and engage in dialogue with both the public sector and other voluntary organisations. There will also be a Question and Answer session with senior public sector staff and an Advice Fair. The event is free and more details are available at www.askcasper.org.uk/speakup/bigevent2011 or by contacting Miriam Miklaszewska on 01273 483 832 or speakup@3va.org.uk.

Awards for All Workshop

Funding Cuts Latest
Councils should publish their spending on the voluntary and community sector as part of increasing transparency, opening up services locally and dispersing power more widely, Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark said recently. Mr Clark has written a letter (click here to view) to all council leaders saying the Government will expect them to publish all grants and payments made to the voluntary and community sector.

Meanwhile a project called Voluntary Sector Cuts is tracking the effect of cuts from the public sector through the website www.voluntarysectorcuts.org.uk.

Please get in touch with our group support team at 3VA if you have been affected by a cut to your funding.

Cookery Leader Training

On 23 and 24 March a training course will take place at Lewes Town Hall for people who are passionate about good food and want to set up and run cookery clubs and food related community activities. The course aims to help people promote good food, health, wellbeing and a sustainable food system within their communities. Subsidised places are available and for more information contact Robin Van Creveld via email to robin@communitychef.org.uk.

Networking Event for Disability Groups

A networking meeting hosted by INDI South East will take place on Tuesday 15 March at Billingshurst Village Hall, Roman Way, Billingshurst, West Sussex. The event will take place from 10am to 12pm and is being organised to provide a networking and information sharing forum for organisations with an interest in disability issues across the south east. For further details or to book a place contact Jessica Hogan-Smith on 01483 272146 or via email to jessica@asksid.org.uk.

Funding for Victim and Witness Support Services

The Government recently announced that up to £9.8 million per year, for three years, will be available in grant funding for voluntary-sector groups providing specialist support to victims and witnesses. To find out more details of this funding source click here.

LGBT History Month - Hastings - 2011

Admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:33:45 +0000

HRRA and East Sussex Library and Information Service presents "Waiting for the Green Light"

Celebrate LGBT History month in Hastings

Singer Carol Prior presents her film "Waiting for the Green Light" (made for Channel 4 in 1985).

Film screening
Carol Prior live performance
Lesbian history discussion
Licenced bar

Tuesday 8th March 2011

The Electric Palace Cinema

39a High Street

Hastings

TN34 3ER

Doors open 7pm for 7:30pm start.

To book a ticket phone Barbara on 01424 440928 (limited space – book now!)
This event is supported by Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance and East Sussex Library and Information Service

History Month 2011

Admin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 04:21:20 +0000

Eastbourne Library is hosting a fantastic evening to celebrate LGBT History Month 2011.

Eastbourne Library is hosting a fantastic evening to celebrate LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) History Month 2011.

This is the second year we have taken part in this national celebration, and are pleased to present an evening of comedy and music.

Comedian V.G. Lee and poet Sophia Blackwell present a comic tour of the classic genre of lesbian pulp fiction and music will be provided
by Qukelele, the nation’s only gay ukulele band.

The gay book doctor will also be in attendance, offering recommendations for new and classic reads.

Eastbourne Library, Grove Road, BN21 4TL.

Thursday 10 February (doors at 7pm for 7.30pm start)

Tickets £3 – book your place now, call 0345 60 80 196 and ask for Eastbourne Library.

3VA eNewsletter Issue 03

Admin — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:18:56 +0000

3VA eNewsletter – Issue 3

Welcome to the third issue of the 3VA eNewsletter!

This eNewsletter contains news relevant to our contacts across Eastbourne Borough and Lewes and Wealden Districts. Should you have any news you would like circulated to our members and distribution lists please click here for guidelines.

Headlines

· Deadline to Refresh 3VA Membership Extended

· New Shinewater Park Health Walks

· Uckfield Hard of Hearing Group Meetings

· Community Care Consultation

· Free ‘Finding the Funds’ Training

· Your Views of East Sussex LINk Needed

· BIG Event Coming Soon

· New Activating Eastbourne Website

· Free Benefit Checks Service

· 3VA Training

· Room to Let

Deadline to Refresh 3VA Membership Extended

Thank you to all 3VA members who responded to our request for updated details recently. However, to give remaining members a chance to refresh the information we hold for them and their services, the deadline for returning 3VA Membership Refresh forms has now been extended until Monday 28 February. If you are a 3VA member group and have not done so already, please download a form by clicking here and return it to us by email to info@3va.org.uk.

New Shinewater Park Health Walks

Eastbourne already has a number of established weekly health walks delivered by Age Concern and a new health walk is planned to benefit the residents, schools and businesses of the Shinewater Park area. Health walks are designed to be: a sociable way to meet new people and make friends; great for improving health, wellbeing and reduce stress; and are suitable for all ages and abilities. A health walk will take place at Shinewater Park (from the main entrance) on Wednesday 9 February; for more details of health walks click here.

Uckfield Hard of Hearing Group Meetings

The Uckfield Hard of Hearing Group will hold two meetings on Monday 14 February. The first will take place from 10.30am to 12pm in The Mayor’s Parlour, Uckfield Civic Centre, which will be followed by a meeting at The Red Cross Centre, Heathfield from 2pm to 3.30pm. For more details telephone 01323 722505 or email david@eshrc.org.uk.

Community Care Consultation

East Sussex County Council are considering making changes to the eligibility criteria used to decide who receives Adult Social Care support and to the way disability related expenditure is calculated. ESCC are encouraging voluntary and community groups to express their views on the proposals before the consultation closes on Wednesday 16 February. For more information on the consultation and the proposed changes please complete the online survey or contact the Local Involvement Network (LINk) on 01323 514 510 or by email to info@thecountylink.net.

Free ‘Finding the Funds’ Training

This free training workshop will be held on Thursday 17 February from 9.30am to 12.30pm at Hastings Voluntary Action, 31a Priory Street, Hastings. The course is aimed at staff, volunteers or trustees of East Sussex based voluntary and community groups who are relatively new or who have little fundraising experience. For further information about the training contact Peter Thorpe at HVA on 01424 444010 or email peter@hvauk.org.

Your Views of East Sussex LINk Needed

The Government is planning for local 'Healthwatch' to take over from LINks in April 2012 and East Sussex County Council's Community Services Scrutiny Committee wants to hear from anyone who has had any involvement with the East Sussex LINk. The survey can be completed on-line by clicking on this link, or if you have any queries contact Claire Lee on 01273 481327 or claire.lee@eastsussex.gov.uk. The closing date for responses is Friday 4 March.

BIG Event Coming Soon

The key voluntary sector event in the county, the BIG Event 2011, will take place on 7 March from 9.30am to 3pm at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne. The event will give voluntary organisations across East Sussex the opportunity to better understand changes, identify opportunities and engage in dialogue both with the public sector and other community groups. For more information click here or contact Miriam Miklaszewska on 01273 483832 or email speakup@3va.org.uk.

New Activating Eastbourne Website

Activating Eastbourne is creating a website directory of all local support organisations to help unemployed people back into work and those who provide support to existing businesses and people interesting in starting up. Contact Kerry Band on kerry.band@eastbourne.gov.uk or call 01323 41054 to register your organisation, or click here for more details.

Free Benefit Checks Service

Money Advice Plus Services (MAPS) has funding from the Sussex Community Foundation to provide free welfare benefit/tax credit entitlement checks to 200 Eastbourne residents over the next few months. MAPS would like local voluntary organisations and community groups to help promote take up. If this new service is of interest to you please

get in touch with Advice Services Manager Sue Pattenden on 01323 635999.

3VA Training

n ‘Covering Your Costs’

3VA will be hosting this course on Tuesday 22 February from 9am to 4pm at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, the Fire Station, Bell Farm Road, Uckfield. The morning session will look at preparing and using budgets; the difference between project and core costs; understanding the language involved and how to cover all your project costs. The afternoon will focus on identifying and calculating project costs and core costs, with emphasis on including hidden costs. The booking form is available by clicking here, or alternatively you can email julia.fowler@3va.org.uk for more details.

n Food Hygiene

3VA are hosting this course in the Annexe at 3VA’s Eastbourne offices, 8 Saffrons Road, Eastbourne on Wednesday 9 March from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The course leads to the CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Caterers, which is a necessary requirement for anyone who handles open, high risk food and is recommended that this training is undertaken every three years. The booking form is available by clicking here, or alternatively you can email julia.fowler@3va.org.uk for more details.

Room to Let

There is currently a room to let in 3VA’s offices at 8 Saffrons Road, Eastbourne. For more information contact Alison Maconochie on 01323 639373 or email alison.mac@3va.org.uk

Stop Corrective Rape

Admin — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:51:58 +0000

STOP CORRECTIVE RAPE

Dear friends,

‘Corrective rape’, the vicious practice of raping lesbians to ‘cure’ their sexuality, is becoming a crisis in South Africa. But brave activists are calling on the world to help stop these heinous Hate Crimes -- and finally the government is beginning to respond. Let's support them. Sign the petition and send it to friends!

Millicent Gaika was bound, strangled, tortured and raped for five hours by a man who crowed that he was ‘curing’ her of her lesbianism.

She barely survived, but she is not alone -- this vicious crime is recurrent in South Africa, where lesbians live in terror of attack. But no one has ever been convicted of 'corrective rape'.

Amazingly, from a tiny Cape Town safehouse a few brave activists are risking their lives to ensure that Millicent’s case sparks change. Their appeal to the Minister of Justice has exploded to over 140,000 signatures, forcing him to respond on national television. But the Minister has not yet answered their demands for action..

Let's shine a light on this horror from all corners of the world -- if enough of us join in to amplify and escalate this campaign, we can reach President Zuma, who is ultimately responsible to uphold constitutional rights. Let’s call on Zuma and the Minister of Justice to publicly condemn ‘corrective rape’, criminalise hate crimes, and ensure immediate enforcement, public education and protection for survivors. Sign the petition now and share it with everyone -- we’ll deliver it to the South African government with our partners in Cape Town:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_corrective_rape/?vl

South Africa, often called the Rainbow Nation, is revered globally for its post-apartheid efforts to protect against discrimination. It was the first country to constitutionally protect citizens from discrimination based on sexuality. But in Cape Town alone, the local organization Luleki Sizwe has recorded more than one 'corrective rape' per day, and impunity reigns.

'Corrective rape' is based on the outrageous and utterly false notion that a lesbian woman can be raped to 'make her straight', but this heinous act is not even classified as a hate crime in South Africa. The victims are often black, poor, lesbian women, and profoundly marginalised. But even the 2008 gang rape and murder of Eudy Simelane, the national hero and former star of the South Africa women's national football team, did not turn the tide. And just last week Minister Radebe insisted that motive is irrelevant in crimes like 'corrective rape.'

South Africa is the rape capital of the world. A South African girl born today is more likely to be raped than she is to learn to read. Astoundingly, one quarter of South African girls are raped before turning 16. This has many roots: masculine entitlement (62 per cent of boys over 11 believe that forcing someone to have sex is not an act of violence), poverty, crammed settlements, unemployed and disenfranchised men, community acceptance -- and, for the few cases that are courageously reported to authorities, a dismal police response and lax sentencing.

This is a human catastrophe. But Luleki Sizwe and partners at Change.org have opened a small window of hope in the fight against it. If the whole world weighs in now, we could get justice for Millicent and national action to end 'corrective rape':

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_corrective_rape/?vl

This is ultimately a battle with poverty, patriarchy, and homophobia. Ending the tide of rape will require bold leadership and concerted action to spearhead transformative change in South Africa and across the continent. President Zuma is a a Zulu traditionalist, who has himself stood trial for rape. But he condemned the arrest of a gay couple in Malawi last year, and, after massive national and international civic pressure, South Africa finally approved a UN resolution opposing extra-judicial killing in relation to sexual orientation.

If enough of us join this global call for action, we could push Zuma to speak out, drive much-needed government action, and begin a national conversation that could fundamentally shift public attitudes toward rape and homophobia in South Africa. Sign on now and spread the word:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stop_corrective_rape/?vl

A case like Millicent’s makes it easy to lose hope. But when citizens come together with one voice, we can succeed in shifting fundamentally unjust, but deeply ingrained practices and norms. Last year, in Uganda, we succeeded in building such a massive wave of public pressure that the government was forced to shelve legislation that would have sentenced gay Ugandans to death. And it was global pressure in support of bold national activists that pushed South African leaders to address the AIDS crisis that was engulfing their country. Let’s join together now and speak out for a world where each and every human being can live without fear of abuse.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Ricken, Maria Paz, David and the rest of the Avaaz team

SOURCES:

Blog of Luleki Sizwe, South African organization leading the call to their government to stop 'corrective rape', and provides support to victims
http://lulekisizwe.wordpress.com

Minister of Justice Radebe’s nationally televised interview (South African Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkx-PYqHM0U

Protest against ‘corrective rape’ (The Sowetan)
http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2011/01/06/protest-against-corrective-rape

Petition launched on Change.org by activists from Luleki Sizwe
http://humanrights.change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime

"South Africa's shame: the rise of child rape" (The Independent)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/south-africas-shame-the-rise-of-child-rape-1974578.html

"Exploring homophobic victimisation in Gauteng, South Africa: issues, impacts, and responses" (Centre for Applied Psychology, University of South Africa)
http://www.avaaz.org/out_ucap_gauteng_study

"We have a major problem in South Africa" (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/nov/18/south-africa-murder-rape

"South Africa: Rape Facts" (Channel 4)
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/articles/south-africa-rape-facts

"Understanding men’s health and use of violence: interface of rape and HIV in South Africa" (Medical Research Council)
http://gender.care2share.wikispaces.net/file/view/MRC+SA+men+and+rape+ex+summary+june2009.pdf

"Preventing Rape and Violence in South Africa" (Medical Research Council)
http://www.mrc.ac.za/gender/prev_rapedd041209.pdf

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Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.

3VA eNewsletter Issue 02

Admin — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:38:27 +0000

3VA eNewsletter – Issue 2

Welcome to the second issue of the 3VA eNewsletter!

This eNewsletter contains news relevant to our contacts across the whole of Eastbourne Borough and Lewes and Wealden Districts. Should you have any news you would like circulated to our members and distribution lists please click here for guidelines.

Headlines

· 3VA Training: ‘Covering Your Costs’ and Food Hygiene

· Deadline for 3VA Membership Refresh on Monday

· Apply Now for Jubilee People’s Millions Fund

· Run for Refuge

· Funding for Independent Sexual Violence Advisers

· Volunteer Coordinators’ Forum in Wealden

· Learning Disability Service Provision Forum

· Job Vacancy at Eastbourne Homes

· Room to Let

3VA Training

n ‘Covering Your Costs’

n Food Hygiene

Deadline for 3VA Membership Refresh on Monday

The deadline for returning 3VA membership refresh forms is this Monday (31 January). If your group has not done so already, please download a form by clicking here and return it to us by email to info@3va.org.uk.

Apply Now for Jubilee People’s Millions Fund

A Special Jubilee People’s Millions fund is open to groups with ideas for community-based projects that improve places or the lives of local people. With up to four awards of £60,000 available in each ITV area, the projects must take place in 2012 to help celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee Year. The closing date for applications is 4 February and more details are available at this website: www.peoplesmillions.org.uk

Run for Refuge

The Brighton marathon takes place on 10 April and Refuge, the charity that works to protect women and children from domestic violence, are looking for runners. The closing date for registration is 4 February, with interested runners asked to raise £380 and provide a £20 deposit. To book a place contact Jessica Madeley on 020 7395 7713 or by email to jessica_madeley@refuge.org.uk.

Funding for Independent Sexual Violence Advisers

This scheme can support independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs) who are victim-focused advocates, working with victims of recent and historic serious sexual crimes to enable them to access the services they need. The maximum grant is £20,000 per organisation per year (£80,000 over a four year period), which is open to all existing voluntary and community organisations and Sexual Assault Referral Centres that have expertise in working with victims of sexual violence and abuse. The deadline for applications is 4 February and application details can be found by clicking here.

Volunteer Coordinators’ Forum in Wealden

The next Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Forum for Wealden is due to take place on Wednesday 9 February from 10.30am to 12.30pm in Herstmonceux. The theme of this free Forum is ‘How to Reward and Retain Your Volunteers’. To secure your place please contact Brenda Bruzon of Volunteer Centre East Sussex on 01323 301757 or by email to brenda.bruzon@3va.org.uk.

Learning Disability Service Provision Forum

The Adult Social Care Department of East Sussex County Council are inviting providers of services to adults with a learning disability to a forum on Monday 14 February from 2pm to 5pm at the Hardwick Suite, International Lawn Tennis Centre, Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne. Part of the forum will be devoted to discussing potential opportunities and changes to services under new government policy directives. For more details email claire.caddick@eastsussex.gov.uk or call 01273 335670.

Job Vacancy at Eastbourne Homes

A Resident Involvement Officer vacancy is currently being advertised on the 3VA website. The deadline for applications is 4 February. For full details of the vacancy, click here.

Room to Let

There is currently a room to let in 3VA’s offices at 8 Saffrons Road, Eastbourne. For more information contact Alison Maconochie on 01323 639373 or email alison.mac@3va.org.uk