KVA Newsletter April 2013

April 2013

Newsletter The newsletter for Kingston’s voluntary & community sector

How many children in Kingston are missing out on free school meals?

See page 2

Putting the fun in fundraising for Love Kingston Day 2013 Local groups, businesses and individuals got creative and raised thousands of pounds for local causes on the inaugural Love Kingston Day on 14 February.

of the voluntary and community sector for years to come. The five local projects for 2012 to 2013 are Hestia, Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness, Kingston KVA team raised £531.55 with Foodbank, Oxygen and their collection buckets in the Kingston Savers.

Bentall Centre, a yoga class We would like to say a special donated by our very own thank you to the Surrey Comet Judith Naylor, and Dave and Kingston Guardian for backing our campaign and to Hand’s tasty soup. the generosity of all involved Love Kingston Day is set to on the day. become an annual event, raising vital funds for 5 local For Love Kingston Day photos causes and a Kingston Legacy and details of how you can get Fund to support the activities involved see back page

Find out how one group got their donations with Localgiving.com on page 7

In this edition Contacts in KVA

2

News

2

Funding

7

Go Kingston Volunteering news

9

Health & Social Care

11

ICT Hub

12

Training programme

14

Keep up to date with KVA online:

twitter.com/KingstonVA

Kingston Voluntary Action, Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road, Kingston KT2 6LX Tel: 020 8255 3335 Fax: 020 8255 8804 Email: info@kva.org.uk Website: www.kva.org.uk Registered Charity No. 257551

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News

Editorial Sorrel Parsons Hilary Garner Lynda Evans

Editor Chief Executive Deputy Chief Executive

Kingston Voluntary Action 020 8255 3335 Hilary Garner Lynda Evans Maria Tunmer Patricia Turner Zahida Saddiq Sanja Kane

Chief Executive Deputy Chief Executive Health & Social Care Manager Interim Health & Social Care Manager Capacity Building Manager Transforming Kingston’s Infrastructure Project Co-ordinator Sorrel Parsons Information & Communications Co-ordinator Judith Naylor Children & Young People First Project Worker Julie Woodhouse Community Accountant Lesley Chesterman Temporary Accountant Michael Green Community Hub Project Development Polly Healy Administrator Sue Lawrence Finance Administrator Rianne Eimers HealthWatch Kingston Pathfinder Manager Debra McCarthy HealthWatch Kingston Pathfinder Support Co-ordinator

Kingston Community Furniture 020 8942 5500 Adrian Collins James Deane

Project Manager Operations Manager

Kingston Eco-Op 020 8942 5503 Bart Ricketts Chris Williamson Sinead Mccormack Jonathan Rowland Marcus Greatwood Sam Carey

Eco-Op Project Co-ordinator Workshop Supervisor Unit Supervisor Bike Trainer Bike Mechanic Support Worker

Superhighways 020 8255 8040 Kate White Colin Cregan Nine Htet Sue Quilter

Manager ICT Support Worker ICT Support Worker Admin Worker

www.kva.org.uk

3,000 kids in poverty in Kingston missing out on free school meals The Children’s Society has produced an interactive map to show that thousands of children in the UK are missing out on free school meals (FSM).

FSM is often used as a key poverty indicator, which suggests the scale of poverty is being underestimated.

3,000 children in Kingston and Surbiton expected to be missing out on free school meals. That’s 66% in our area, compared to 57% in the London Region.

Visit http://bit.ly/XYtyKK

Victim Support have moved Clients can be seen at CAB office (Eden Street ,Kingston) on Friday afternoons BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Telephone 0207 801 1777 to discuss support needs in the first instance.

Victim Support’s new address: 17-19 Falcon Road, Clapham Junction London SW112PH

Got some good news to share?

If you have some great news, know of a useful resource to share or would like to advertise in this newsletter please contact the editor.

Next edition: July to September Deadline for copy: 13 June 2013

GO Kingston Volunteering 020 8255 8685 Maria Dockrill Position vacant Pat Stanley

Manager Buddy Scheme Co-ordinator Volunteer Good Practice Advisor

If you would like to amend your contact details or prefer to receive the newsletter by email please contact the editor.

Membership of KVA Membership is open to all voluntary and community groups who are based or work in Kingston. For details of how to become a member contact Polly Healy admin@kva.org.uk

Disclaimer: information contained in the Newsletter and inserts come from a wide range of sources. Opinions or statements expressed may not necessarily reflect those of KVA. KVA aims to ensure all information is correct and up to date.

Spring 2013

News

Page 3

Increasing food poverty means UK could fail to meet UN human rights obligations: what’s happening in Kingston?

Rising utility and food bills combined with the recession mean that an increasing number of families in Britain are unable to feed their children.

The UK, the seventh richest country in the world, has signed up to a United Nations economic and social rights convention that sets out minimum standards of access to food, clothing and housing. Campaigners are concerned that austerity measures will mean that these standards will not be met.

banks in Britain. The Trussell Trust, which runs food banks across the country is opening a new one every three days. In Kingston, Paul Pickhaver runs the Kingston FoodBank which provides emergency food for three days to families who are referred by a GP, social services or voluntary organisation. Clients are given vouchers which they then exchange for food.

Kingston FoodBank runs from the United Reformed Church in central Kingston, Chessington and New Malden A consortium of 70 charities, and helped 1300 families in including the Citizens Advice its first six months after Bureau, Crisis and the Child opening in December 2011.

Losing a job is something Poverty Action Group has that can happen to anyone been set up to monitor the says Paul. increase in food poverty in Britain, with a view to “A father arrived at triggering a formal Foodbank with a voucher investigation by the United from a local Children’s Nations.

Centre. Desperately The consortium writes: “the embarrassed, he told his combined impact of policies story of having had a well paid job but huge debts. such as the overall benefit cap, local housing allowance Losing his job was not limits, bedroom tax and the something he saw coming freeze in the value of welfare but when it did he was left in crisis. ‘I’ve got lots of stuff payments will have but no cash’ is what he said. devastating consequences We provided food which for Britain’s poorest.” gave the few days he needed There are now 310 food whilst he spoke to banks and

began to put debt management plans in place.”

The on-going changes to the benefits system are likely to increase the number of families struggling to cope.

KVA is holding a Seminar on Child Poverty and the impact of Welfare Reform at the United Reformed Church in Kingston on Wednesday 8th May from 10am to 3pm.

There will be presentations from the Child Poverty Action Group and Mary Francis from RBK will be giving an update on progress with the OneKingston Child Poverty Strategy. SurreySave, the new credit union will also be present.

To book a place on the Child Poverty Seminar email Judith Naylor on cwd@kva.org.uk Visit www.kingston.foodbank.org.uk to find out more about the work of Kingston Foodbank and how you can help. Kingston Foodbank are supported by Love Kingston.

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News

www.kva.org.uk

KVA join our partners The Cranfield Trust at their event in March ‘Multiplying the Value of Intelligent Volunteering – targeted, timely and critical’ in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of The Cranfield Trust. Voluntary and community groups in Kingston can get fully subsidised business planning advice from expert consultants through our partnership with The Cranfield Trust.

New Safeguarding Children Level 1 online training launched KVA launched its Safeguarding Children Level 1 online course in March.

The course offers staff and volunteers who have infrequent contact with children, young people or their parents or carers the opportunity to examine their role in protecting children.

The online course has been developed in partnership with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

Some of our colleagues in the voluntary and community sector in Kingston are already delivering Safeguarding Children related courses.

If you want to be trained to join them, please contact Marie Berry, Kingston LSCB Training and Development Adviser by phoning 020 8547 6024 or email: Marie.Berry@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Visit http://bit.ly/Zb1Dqg to take part in the online course and print your certificate.

New ASCA service in Kingston will support carers and families affected by someone else's substance misuse Addiction Support and Care Agency (ASCA) are delighted to have secured funding from the Big Lottery Awards for All programme and London Catalyst to fund a carers/family support service for people affected by someone else's substance misuse.

distress by individuals close to them who have a dependency problem. If you are working with people that you feel could benefit from some confidential support, ASCA can offer advice and information, one to one counselling and/or a support group.

Carers, friends or family members are often caused

They will make an assessment of the

individual’s situation and suggest the best way forward.

For an appointment or further information contact ASCA on 020 8339 9899 info@addictionsupport.co.uk

96 Ditton Road, Surbiton, KT6 6RH. Opening times are Tuesday 11am-8pm; Wednesday 10am–8pm; Thursday 9.30am-2pm.

Spring 2013

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News

Charmaine Sainsbury “I feel a little like Forrest Gump” I am running the London Marathon this year for Love Kingston and very proud to do so. I would be very grateful if you could spare a small amount to support me. To give a little extra incentive, I am running a sweepstake based on my finishing time. Those closest will receive a prize.

One of the prizes is a fantastic hamper provided

by Unilever and I am hoping to add a few more prizes over the next couple of weeks! All you need to do is include a predicted time and your name in your personal message or email it to me. To give you some idea of what time to go for this is my previous record:

First marathon: Did not finish (ended up in ambulance 200m before finish line. Took me 4 1/2 hours to run 26 miles) Second: 3 hours 55 (and very hot indeed) Third: 4 hours 20 (ill!)

In preparation for this year’s Marathon, I have run every day for around 140 days (started back in October). I feel a little like Forrest Gump and it is almost impossible to keep up with that amount of washing. As far as I’m concerned it’s been the worst winter on record and all the winters before that as well.

Running in snow is fun for about 5 minutes. I think I

have covered about 350 miles since the beginning of January and I'm just breaking in my 3rd pair of ugly, but expensive trainers!

Visit http:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ CharmaineSainsbury

KINGSTON RUN CHALLENGE - Sunday 13th October 2013 Love Kingston has been named the official nominated charity for the Kingston Run Challenge 2013!

This festival of running has something for absolutely everyone - from children and beginners through to experienced runners and marathon veterans.

There are three running events following a flat, scenic route that takes in the banks of the River Thames, Hampton Court Palace, the centre of Kingston itself and some of the most famous sights in the Royal Borough. Something for everyone with three distances on offer!

DISTANCES Run: 8.2 miles £22 Run: 16 miles £25 Run (Individual): 24 miles £26 Run (Relay): 24 miles £30 Human Race have been involved with massparticipation events in Kingston since 1990 when founder John Lunt set up the Kingston Marathon.

John said: “As a business based in the Kingston borough we have always been a huge supporter of local initiatives. This is a very worthwhile cause which Human Race are delighted to support”.

Register online at http://humanrace.co.uk/events/running/kingston-run-challenge

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News

www.kva.org.uk

Magistrates Court assessed for new Kingston Community Hub As part of its Transforming Kingston’s Infrastructure (TKI) project KVA has been assisting voluntary and community organisations to secure a fully accessible Kingston town centre located Community Hub. On Wednesday 13 March 18 different community and voluntary sector representatives were given a first tour of the Lower Ground Floor of Guildhall (the old Magistrates Court area).

Led by David Evans, Asset Strategy and Estates Manager at RBK, the tour gave the representatives a chance to have a look at the space as it stands in advance of the

refurbishment work required to make the area fit for occupation, potentially for community use. Contact Michael Green at KVA on CommunityHub@kva.org.uk for information.

Did you know your community bank is open for business?

SurreySave is a financial services cooperative providing savings accounts and affordable loans to everyone who lives, works or volunteers in Kingston and Surrey.

SurreySave is a not-forprofit organisation funded by local councils and housing associations to help combat loan sharks and

high cost lenders.

Surrey Save offers affordable, instant loans, no regular bank charges and a flexible friendly service. As well as competitive returns on your deposits it is owned and run by its members, so any savings you have with the credit union stays and works in the local community.

Kingston Savers volunteer group are promoting community banking in Kingston in partnership with SurreySave. Kingston Savers was a Kingston Voluntary Action project to introduce a local credit union to the borough.

To start saving today or to apply for a loan visit www.surreysave.co.uk

Real Time Information - are you ready? Need payroll services?

From 6 April 2013 employers will have to start reporting PAYE information to HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) in real time. You may see this referred to as Real Time Information - or RTI. This means that employers (or their accountant, bookkeeper or payroll bureau) will have to send details to HMRC every time they pay an employee, at the time they pay them and use payroll software to send this information electronically as part of their routine payroll process.

It is vital that you ensure that you have suitable software.

Read more at http://bit.ly/10dj0LJ

Creative Payroll Solutions Ltd (CPS Ltd) Service is primarily designed for voluntary and community groups, offering an accurate, flexible, efficient and affordable service. creativepayroll@suttoncvs.org.uk 020 8644 2867 Visit www.cpspayroll.co.uk

Spring 2013

Funding

Page 7

32 groups now registered on Localgiving.com - are you?

It’s the only programme of its kind in the country - a partnership between a local council for voluntary service, community foundation and fundraising website to fund small, local groups to have an online fundraising presence. KVA can fund the first year’s subscription to this popular fundraising website dedicated to small community groups. We caught up with Charles Kounoupias of The Kingston Greek School to find out about their fundraising success.

The Kingston Greek School on why Localgiving.com works What appealed to you about Localgiving.com?

Three things. Most important one was the Gift Aid. The ability to increase donations by a considerable amount. It really does make a difference when you look at the end of the month at who’s donated and how much has gone into the bank. You then start to realise why it’s all worthwhile. So that’s the main thing.

Secondly, it was a very cheap way of having a school website...And the third reason why we wanted to go with Localgiving is that as a school we had virtually no links at all with Kingston Council other than with the mayor who comes.

This way we now feel through joining Localgiving that we’re part of the Kingston Community.

How did you get your first donations?

We have a distinct advantage that’s not available to most start-ups in that we had a list of 300 people [church members] that we could go to immediately and say we need your help. I explained the reasons why we’ve never had to do it in the past – the school was financed by the Ministry or Education for Greece and Cyprus.

First Greece went through dreadful economic problems and the first thing that they cut was the money that was going abroad and as a result of the economic problems in Greece there was a domino effect on Cyprus and Cyprus cut us back.

So there was an immediate appeal to these 300 church members and also to the families who bring their children to the school. The school remains free to everybody but those who can afford to make a contribution are encouraged to do so.

What advice can you give to local groups?

People are far more likely to help you when they understand that ‘if I give them £15 it’s going to pay for a supervisor in the playground’, or ‘if I give them a hundred pounds it will pay the electricity for a month’. If it’s a blanket ‘send us your money’ and they don’t know what it’s for, they know it’s a charity and alright they may want to help a charity so they may give you ten pounds. But if you say to them ‘if you give me fifty pounds it could pay for this’, they are more likely to do so.

So I think before actually going live, target a base that you will be looking to for donations, explain to them what you are doing, why you are doing it, how much it’s going to cost, look at the website as of this date. Everyone will look. We did that. We wrote to everybody before we went live and said watch this space, on so and so date switch on your computer. We were at a workshop that had Sanja organised, it went live that morning and 15 minutes later there was £90 coming in.

For more tips on using Localgiving.com including the full interview with Charles visit http://bit.ly/13eN8ul

If you would like KVA to fund your organisation’s subscription to Localgiving.com or attend a workshop contact Sanja Kane on training@kva.org.uk or 020 8255 3335.

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Funding

www.kva.org.uk

Fund your future with our new Funding Advice Service KVA provides a high quality subsidised funding advice service to staff, volunteers and trustees on a wide range of funding and fundraising issues. We are also offering a new paid package that gives you access to affordable support if our free service is over-subscribed, or you need fast access to a professional bid-writer. Our advisors are CVS staff or trusted colleagues from outside the organisation who have been carefully selected for their skills and expertise.

Complete our online application form at http://bit.ly/11ajcu5 to get funding advice.

Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust

KBC Trust Grants for Youth Projects

London Community Foundation has funding from this trust to support small grassroots organisations in Kingston, Richmond and Sutton. Projects must be rooted in the local area, led by local people and improve the quality of life for local people.

Applications are requested for grants of up to £2000 for youth projects. The Trustees will consider grant aid from organisations working with young people for specific projects outside of their core funding in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

£500 to £1,000 Deadline: Ongoing Email Kate Moralee: kate@londoncf.org.uk

Maximum £2,000 Deadline: Ongoing Email Paul Cox: zottecox@aol.com

The Big Local: online giving Nationwide Building Society

Hilden Charitable Trust Grants for Summer Playschemes

Each month Nationwide Building Society choose charities from a different UK region nominated by their members.

Funding for Summer Playschemes in disadvantaged communities for children aged 5 - 18 years lasting for 2 to 6 weeks with strong volunteer support. Income must be less than £150,000. Priority for projects which show they are inclusive of children from refugee families, and show BME involvement.

Members can vote for the charity they want to win through a new website called the Big Local.

The charity with the most votes will receive £5,000. To be eligible charities must already be receiving a grant from Nationwide. http://bit.ly/11enDrI

£500 to £1500 Deadline: 17 May 2013 http://bit.ly/YRcCbN

Co-operative Membership Community Fund

The Triangle Trust Unrestricted funding

Grants for community, voluntary, or selfhelp groups to run projects that carry out positive work in the community. Projects must address a community issue, provide good long-term benefits and support co-operative values and principles.

In April 2013 will be launching a new nonrestricted funding scheme for organisations working primarily with carers or the rehabilitation of offenders or ex-offenders.

£100 to £2,000 Deadline: ongoing http://bit.ly/YmaVnt

Join the mailing list now to be kept informed. £Not known www.triangletrust.org.uk

GO KINGSTON VOLUNTEERING Celebrating 40 years of volunteering in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

Volunteers find their perfect match this Valentines A shrill whistle cuts through the room in the school room atmosphere of Kingston Market House.

It’s the signal for eight nervous charity representatives to begin a four minute charm offensive on the person in front of them.

This is volunteer recruitment speed dating style as more than 60 volunteers descended on the Market House for a Valentine’s Day event to learn more about who they can help.

people turning up to learn about volunteering. We will certainly be repeating the event and would be interested to hear from any organisation willing to help with or host a future event”.

Love Kingston, Love Volunteering was one of the many Love Kingston Day events held throughout Kingston-upon-Thames.

If you would like to know more about volunteer recruitment and how Go Kingston Volunteering could help you, please contact Maria on 0208 255 8685 or manager@gokinsgtonvolunteering.org.uk

It is the second time Go Kingston Volunteering (GKV) has tried this format – an evening of speed-dating sessions resembling musical chairs where 15 charities were given four minutes each to impress a number of people interested in volunteering.

It is a simple idea and makes a refreshing change from the dusty recruitment fair of leaflet laden tables and the guilt people feel of walking past desperately worthy charities without signing up to help.

Go Kingston Manager Maria Dockrill said.

“The response has been amazing – it has stimulated so much activity with over 60

Each person who completed an evaluation said the event was a good way to find out about local volunteering opportunities.

Volunteer Management – new workshops Managing volunteers is a skilled job that is different from managing paid staff and should be recognised and valued. As part of the KVA Training programme we offer regular workshops to help develop and support staff responsible for volunteers. See page 14 for details.

GoKingstonVolunteering

@GKVolunteers

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GKV Newsletter

www.gokingstonvolunteering.org.uk

Karen Dempster wins Mayor’s Community Award in 2013 Go Kinsgton Volunteering volunteer, Karen Dempster, has won a Mayor's Community Award for her Olympian efforts. She is one of 19 volunteers, young and old, that have been recognised in this year’s prestigious awards.

Read more at http://bit.ly/151UH2B

RideLondon cycling festival needs volunteers Last year volunteers from across the borough helped ensure the Olympic Torch Relay and Cycle Road Races passed successfully through the borough.

in the UK, with over 70,000 cyclists, including some of the world’s top professionals, taking part across four separate events on 3-4 August 2013.

We would like your help again with The Mayor’s Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling - the UK's largest festival of cycling, which will mark the first anniversary of 2012 Games gold rush.

If you can spare a few hours we would like your help with marshalling the Ride London event on Sunday 4th August 2013 as the cyclists pass through Kingston.

Prudential RideLondon will be the largest mass-participation cycling festival ever held

Read more at http://bit.ly/151UH2B or contact Hedley on gkv@gokingstonvolunteering.org.uk

Buddy Scheme buddies: Keith Manning talks about his role Taking my Buddy on outings has really been a pleasure. He has always been cheerful and appreciative, of my efforts to provide a variety of activities. These have ranged from regular Tuesday night ten pin bowling sessions to riverside walks and visits to diverse attractions, such as Kew Gardens and Chislehurst Caves.

We have made many visits to Central London, visiting most of the Museums, The London Aquarium, Tower Bridge Experience, rides on the Riverbus and the Thames Cable Car, the O2 for lunch and enjoyed some bargain shopping in Woolwich, with a ride in the homeward direction on the front seats of the driverless Docklands Light Railway trains.

However, my Buddy's favourites have probably been the London Parades; specifically the Lord Mayor's Show and the New Year's Day Parade. These have provided a great source of entertainment and spectacle. I would thoroughly recommend them.

I would certainly advise volunteers to do some research before arranging each trip.

Obtaining details of attractions, opening hours, admission prices and whether concessionary prices are available, can be done easily on the Internet. Some attractions give free admission for those with a disability and their accompanying person. It's always worth checking and helps to keep the expenses down, so everyone will be happy !

We would like to say best wishes to Buddy Scheme Coordinator Richard Craig who has got a new job! Thanks for your hard work on the project. We will be recruiting for the position shortly so keep an eye on our website.

Spring 2013

Health & Social Care

Page 11

Kingston’s BOND – Better Outcomes, New Delivery The Department of Education is supporting a two-year programme which will build capacity in the voluntary and community sector to deliver early intervention mental health support to children and young people called BOND – Better Outcomes, New Delivery.

Early intervention has been shown to achieve improved outcomes for children, families and wider society such as increased learning and educational attainment, better physical health, improved long-term mental health and reduced health and social care costs.

Finding appropriate help when experiencing emotional distress or mental health problems can be very confusing and intimidating.

The project is aimed at school leaders, NHS commissioners, Local Authority commissioners and voluntary and

community organisations that provide emotional wellbeing and mental health support services. It aims is to increase the capacity of the voluntary sector to become commissioning ready and for schools to gain greater understanding of the changing market place. In addition it aims to support other commissioners, including newly formed CCGs, to gear up to voluntary sector providers.

In Kingston the following organisations have agreed to take part: Kingston WelCare; Victim Support Kingston; Richmond and Kingston Relate; Kingston Carers Network; and Stem4. The project is being delivered by the BOND consortium across South West London including Kingston, Sutton, Merton and Richmond. We will report back on the progress of the project later in the year.

Further information about the project can be found at http://bit.ly/10RN9my

We say goodbye to social care information website Kingston-i The Service Level Agreement between RBK & KVA for hosting Kingston-i ended in June 2012, resulting in the project being on hold since then as future sustainable funding had not been identified.

RBK will no longer be funding the project as before and have decided instead to incorporate adult health and social care information in their new website, likely to be launched in May 2013.

NHS 111 feedback welcomed

Surbiton hospital heritage

NHS 111 has been live to the public in Richmond and Kingston for a few weeks.

The NHS 111 local service would welcome feedback from health and social care colleagues.

The site of the new Surbiton health centre is set to benefit from a £44,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, through a joint project run by Hillcroft college, NHS Kingston and Kingston Council.

You can dowload a feedback form from the KVA website. Please use this form for feedback but not for reporting incidents or complaints.

Hillcroft College are looking for volunteers to help piece together a history of the Oakhill neighbourhood, including marking the history of the original Surbiton Hospital.

Visit http://bit.ly/YsDEG9

Email OCHP@hillcroft.ac.uk

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ICT Hub

www.kva.org.uk

Norbiton’s first virtual village goes live A Pride of Place event was held on 14 March to test the interest in an online reminiscence project for residents of Norbiton.

“We were delighted with everyone’s enthusiasm for our Pride of Place project” said Philippa Leary, the project’s organiser.

“Launching a virtual village to share people’s reminiscences needs a high level of commitment from the community as it’s their stories we want to publish .

During the afternoon we had over 20 visitors who sat and looked through the photographs we had found, browsed the local history books brought in by one of our

would put in pride of place, was when one of our visitors found a published photo of her brother at the 3 Town’s Pageant from 1951. He was 17 at the time - dressed as a musketeer as they re-enacted a scene from the Battle of Surbiton (1648) in which Lord Villiers was cornered and killed in an orchard close to the present day Villiers Road. As her brother died recently, it was a most unexpected and emotional moment.”

Community Connected now intends to apply for a Heritage Lottery grant to build a virtual village, with more events planned later this year. We are very proud to be working on this project in partnership with the local community group CREst and One Norbiton.

regular students and the magic started. Stories were shared, photographs taken and recording were made- there was much laughter and a few tears.

“My own highlight of the afternoon, which I Visit http://www.communityconnected.org.uk/projects/pride-of-place/

Are your staff and volunteers using personal devices for work?

Consumer electronic devices such as smart phones and tablet computers have seen a huge rise in popularity, available features and capability.

Many organisations are faced with demands from employees, board members or volunteers wishing to use these devices in the workplace to carry out their jobs.

This might mean that individuals’ own devices are used to access and store your

organisation’s information, as well as their own. This trend is commonly known as ‘bring your own device’ or BYOD. It’s vital that you still comply with your data protection obligations. You must remain in control of the personal data you are responsible for, regardless of who owns the device. The Information Commissioner’s Office has produced guidance on using BOYD. Visit http://bit.ly/XWzlo7 for guidance.

Spring 2013

ICT Hub

Page 13

Transforming your ICT - using online databases We have been working with a number of groups to support the move to and implementation of an online database.

Groups in the borough are now using products such as Lamplight, Salesforce, and VC Connect.

There are a number of other options that are similarly affordable to small voluntary groups and the advantages include new ways of working – you can log work from remote locations rather than coming back to office and, if all projects use the same system, a better way to show holistic

outcomes of your organisations - as well as potential enhanced security and back up options.

The first step is really working out what your needs are: reviewing how you are currently collecting, storing and reporting on your services, what works and doesn’t work, as well as looking ahead to future monitoring and reporting needs.

Please get in touch with Superhighways if you would like support in taking this forward with your organisation.

Do you know where you can get cheaper software?

It is vital to shop around for equipment and software that meets your needs, as prices can vary dramatically. Recently a local group spent £500 on full price copies of Microsoft Office from PC World. If they had bought the same three products from CTXchange they would have paid only £50.

CTXchange provide eligible UK based charities with donated technology products from Partners such as Microsoft, Symantec and Cisco. The products include operating system software and server software, security software and hardware products such as switches, routers, wireless equipment and firewalls.

If you need help choosing a suitable database, hardware or software for your organisation and need some advice on where to go to get the best deal, email Superhighways on support@superhighways.org.uk or call our team on 020 8255 8040.

Superhighways’ Dave Hand is Surrey Comet Unsung Hero A volunteer for Superhighways has been named as an Unsung Hero for Surrey Comet for his tireless work in the local community.

Dave Hand volunteers at St Peter's Church in Norbiton and on the Cambridge Road Estate to help people understand computers. He also supports our Kingston Carers UK Online project, helping local carers get online.

We are delighted that Dave has received recognition for the patience and care that he gives to local people in his volunteering roles.

Read the full story at http://bit.ly/WJDpt6

Have you got an unsung hero to nominate? Call the Surrey Comet newsdesk at 020 8744 4244 or e-mail Jon Sharman at jon.sharman@london.newsquest.co.uk

Page 14

Training & Events

www.kva.org.uk

How to attract & safely recruit volunteers Weds 24 April, 10am to 1pm, Richard Mayo Centre, £25/£40 If you are thinking of starting a new volunteering programme or struggling to attract the right volunteers for your organisation or you would like to develop new ideas for promoting opportunities using social/digital media then this workshop is right for you.

Supporting your Users through the Benefits Maze New! Tues 30 April, 10am to 1pm. Access Learning Centre, £25/40 We’ll look at the changes that are coming into force in 2013 including what the current system is, what the changes are, when they are coming, the effect it will have on people (especially the vulnerable), the appeal system and real life case studies.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults at Risk New! Thurs 2 May, 10am to 4.30pm, Access Learning Centre, £50/£75 Get clarity about: Who is a ‘Vulnerable Adult’ or ‘Adult at Risk’? What is ‘abuse’? What should you do when you identify abuse? Whose responsibility is it to do what to safeguard a vulnerable adult? What happens during the Safeguarding Adults process?

Safeguarding Children - Child Protection Awareness, Group/Level1&2 Sat 4 May, 10am to 1pm, Access Learning Centre, Free Basic awareness training aimed at staff, volunteers, parents and carers in infrequent or regular contact with children and young people who may become aware of possible abuse or neglect or be in a position to identify concerns about maltreatment.

PEACe Local Human Resources Advice Surgeries 2 places left!

Fri 10 May, Appointments from 10am, Free The surgery is offered to those who manage people and have a concrete issue or a problem they want to discuss with an HR specialist. The PEACe * (Personnel, Employment, Advice and Conciliation) consultant will offer you advice on a range of HR and employment topics How to manage challenging and aggressive behaviour in work situations New! Weds 15 May, 9.30am to 4.30pm, Access Learning Centre, £50/£75 This new, highly participative workshop with small and whole group exercises will give you skills required to both prevent and manage difficult and dangerous behaviour in a wide variety of work settings.

Why we need professional boundaries in volunteering Weds 22 May, 10am to 1pm, Richard Mayo Centre, £25/40 Do you have problems setting boundaries or do your volunteers struggle to understand the need for them? Perhaps one of the most difficult and sensitive issues to deal with as a volunteer coordinator is volunteers who have problems with boundaries. Clearly defined boundaries help to prevent problems and protect your staff, volunteers and service users.

Create and update a free website using Voice Weds 29 May, 10am to 1pm, Access Learning Centre, £25/40 A practical session for you to set up a basic website with a logo, contact details and information on your organisation using Voice. Voice is a free web publishing platform with free hosting, designed specifically for not-for-profit groups. It’s easy to use and update.

Spring 2013

Training & Events

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Developing your Voice website Weds 29 May, 2pm to 4.30pm, Access Learning Centre, £25/40 Start using the advanced features of your Voice website, adding exciting content from Flickr, You Tube and your social media and learn how to manage your membership . A great followup for those that understand the basics and are ready to take the next step.

How to use local data to demonstrate the need for your project New! Tues 4 June, 10am to 3.30pm, Access Learning Centre, £25/£40 Do you fundraise or write reports? There are invaluable sources of data available that can demonstrate the need for your project. This course will give you an overview of the demographic information and analysis of the borough and a practical mini-research surgery.

First Aid Awards (FAA) Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work Fri 7 June, 9:30am to 4.30pm, Access Learning Centre, £50/£75 This national award is designed for Emergency First Aid at Work practitioners and satisfies the requirements of the regulatory body for First Aid – the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A full day attendance is required.

Ready, steady, tweet: Twitter for beginners New! Weds 12 June, 10am to 1pm, Access Learning Centre, £25/40 One of the fastest growing social media platforms in the world, Twitter can help you directly engage with new audiences and gain supporters. If you are considering Twitter for your group this practical course will teach you the basics of setting up your profile, deciding who to follow and why and starting conversations that count.

How to fundraise using social media New! Weds 26 June, 1pm to 4pm, Access Learning Centre, £40/£60 Online fundraising has moved on from running a good website and emailing your supporters, who are now spending their time on social media and posting their content online. Focusing on the fundraising rather than the technology, this course will give you a good understanding of how you can use popular websites and tools to support and extend your fundraising.

Facebook page essentials for non-profits New! Weds 17 July, 10am to 1pm, Access Learning Centre, £25/40 Facebook is the most successful social media platform, connecting millions of people throughout the UK. This practical course will help you set up your organisation’s page and give you the essential facts you need to start connecting and sharing with your audience.

Evaluate the impact and value of your volunteering programme New! Weds 3 July, Richard Mayo Centre, TBC Can your organisation evidence the impact of your volunteering programme? We all know that involving volunteers is a good thing and allows us to do things we wouldn’t otherwise be able to deliver. But can we evidence this? This new workshop will look at doing just that.

Safeguarding Children Level 1 online training New! Can’t make the training on 4 May? Take our online course at http://bit.ly/Zb1Dqg Find out more about each course www.kva.org.uk/events-and-training/training/ or to book your place email training@kva.org.uk or call Sanja Kane on 020 8255 3335.

Nancy and Blossom the pantomime horse took to the streets of Surbiton and central Kingston on Love Kingston Day. Mike ‘the beast’ Smith, Jon ‘handsome man’ Tolley and Adam ‘the youngster’ Sait pose with Elaine Miller for Love Kingston Day. Banquet Records have donated £1,000 to Love Kingston through on-the-door donations at local gigs.

The face painting skills of Oxygen volunteers and Sue at KVA drew the crowds at Bentall Centre.

Time to part with your cash at our Love Kingston collection point!

George P Johnson: Experience Marketing team show their love for the campaign, which they have chosen to support on a pro-bono basis. Thanks for your help!

We loved our tummies with this yummy soup made by Superhighways volunteer Dave Hand - all donations to Love Kingston

You can see more photos and find out about the many businesses involved at https://www.facebook.com/LoveKingstonDay To donate to Love Kingston visit www.love-kingston.org.uk Love Kingston is an initiative of KVA’s project Transforming Kingston’s Infrastructure, funded by the Big Fund (On behalf of the Office for Civil Society). It is delivered in partnership with London Community Foundation.