Listen Again to The Voluntary Sector with HVA

  
Would you like a second chance to hear the latest episode of "The Voluntary Sector with HVA" on Halton Community Radio?

This episode (initially broadcast on Thursday 3rd June) included interviews with John Brownbill (Centre 8 Theatre Group), Andy Vernon (Acas), Lisa Seddon (Volunteer Centre Halton) and Andrew Pearson (Dad’s on Duty).

To listen to the show (or to download a copy to your PC), please visit http://tinyurl.com/3yv7xht.

If you'd like to promote your voluntary organisation on a future episode of the show, please contact me on mroberts@haltonva.org.uk or (01928) 593 118.

Many Thanks.

Matthew Roberts

Halton volunteers recognised by The Queen with prestigious Award

     
Windmill Hill Community Forum Ltd from Runcorn has been announced as one of 103 UK volunteering groups to win this year’s The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.

The prestigious National Honour recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others. It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged of the highest standard.

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 341 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

Windmill Hill Community Forum Ltd will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative in Cheshire, Mr Thomas David Briggs MBE the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire at a special ceremony. The Forum has also received an invitation for representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in July.

Windmill Hill Community Forum Ltd has received the Award for the sterling work carried out by our volunteers, who help to provide free computer classes, office services, a Wednesday drop in session, and a community mini-bus service, for the residents and community groups, living or operating on Windmill Hill and the surrounding areas. The Award also recognises the time and effort given, since the opening of the “Telematics Centre” in 2001, until the present time. It also recognises the difficulties met in overcoming the continual problems associated with funding, and the fact that the Forum set up its own trading accompany called Windmill Hill Telematics CIC, a Community Interest Company whose profits go directly to support the Forum.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Main Award Committee Chair and former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said,

“Outstanding volunteer groups across the UK all too often go without recognition for the truly amazing work they do, despite the vital part they play in helping bind our communities together. It’s a great pleasure to celebrate the efforts of The Windmill Hill Community Forum Ltd with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and help raise awareness of all they do for the benefit of others.”

More than 850 groups around the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man have now won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, over the eight years since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Speaking of their success, Mike Burrows the Chairman of Windmill Hill Community Forum Ltd said:

“The Forum are thrilled to have received this prestigious honour in recognition of the work we do providing free computer courses, office services, a drop in session, and mini-bus service for residents and community groups living or operating, in Windmill Hill and the surrounding communities”.

For details of all this year’s Award winners and information on how to nominate a group, visit www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice, where a nomination form can be downloaded.

For further information

Contact Mike Burrows on (01928) 790228 or email mikeburrows@whcf.org.uk.

Support the Youth Federation – And Win a Meerkat!

Nameless Meerkat in red dressing gown.

    
It’s sad that a meerkat named Aleksandr (http://tinyurl.com/mlmk8w), with his annoying face and “simples” catchphrase, has managed to become one of the cultural icons of our age.

Still, he is extremely popular and this probably explains why the Youth Federation is running a competition to win a cuddly lookalike.

By simply paying £1, you’ll get the chance to guess his name and if you guess correctly, he’s yours to keep!

Just pop in at HVA (behind Wetherspoons in Runcorn) and ask to see Ceri Edwards.

In honour of Shaun Wright-Phillips inclusion in the England World Cup Squad, I've guessed "Sweep".

Matthew

Don’t let World Cup get you the red card from work!

     Andy Kauffman and Andy O’Neil – Fluent in Football & Employment Law

As the country gears up to the World Cup advisers at Halton Citizens Advice Bureau are urging employees and employers to get with the spirit of the great game and work as a team.

Chief Executive of Halton CAB, Hitesh Patel, said:
“Last year our team of volunteer legal advisers gave employment law advice to over 700 people. In the current economic climate, where employers are worried about productivity, workers should be careful they don’t fall foul of their employer’s rules when taking time off to watch the big games or coming in late after a night of celebrating!”

Dealing with employment issues when things go wrong can be hugely expensive and time consuming. The average cost of defending an Employment Tribunal claim is £7,000. That is why the CAB is urging all business bosses to follow the advice on the ACAS website;

• Sit down with your employees find some compromises that will keep everyone happy and also enhance teamwork.

• Be flexible, where possible - for example, by altering start and finish times during the working day or allowing longer lunch breaks

• Be clear about what you expect from your employees - in terms of attendance and performance during the World Cup.

• Be honest, if you cannot accommodate any changes to your work practices then say so.

• Be fair in the way you respond to requests for time off and avoid favouritism.

Anyone wanting more information about their employment rights or about joining the CAB’s volunteer legal advice team should ring (0151) 257 2449 or go to http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/.

Listen Again to The Voluntary Sector with HVA

  
Would you like a second chance to hear the latest episode of "The Voluntary Sector with HVA" on Halton Community Radio?

This episode (initially broadcast on Thursday 27th May) included interviews with John Yates (St Mary's Special Events Forum) and Lee Goodier (vinvolved). Lisa Seddon (HVA) joined me for “Voluntary Opportunity of the Week”.

To listen to the show (or to download a copy to your PC), please visit http://tinyurl.com/3x9z5to.

If you'd like to promote your voluntary organisation on a future episode of the show, please contact me on mroberts@haltonva.org.uk or (01928) 593 118.

Many Thanks.

Matthew Roberts