Houghton Regis Helpers AGM

Houghton Regis Helpers held their AGM this week. All attendees received a copy of the Annual Report.

The Helpers were Volunteer Group of the Year presented at the Cheering Volunteering Awards.

During the year Houghton Regis Helpers supported the community in Clarkes Way with a tree planting ceremony commemorating the Queen's 90th birthday, helped with a Christmas tea for local residents, and won Best Stall at the town's Carnival in July.

The helpers took part and helped out with many events in Houghton Regis, including The Pancake Race, the May Fayre, and Celebration of Christmas held annually at the Grove Theatre.

Members took part in training and network meetings. 4 new members were added last year. In all, the volunteers completed 1312 jobs in 2016, compared to just over 900 in 2015, helping 115 local residents, 41 new for 2016. They responded to requests for help from other callers from out of the area, from other organisations and from statutory bodies.

 Reading from the report, Secretary Jenny Gallucci, said that "The largest areas of growth have been in befriending visits, gardening, DIY and electrical, advocacy and advice, and driving (both to medical appointments and other outings). Additionally our teams of volunteers completed gardening, DIY, regularly delivering some of the Town Criers, and supporting Santa’s Grotto."

All volunteers have DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) clearance, carry ID cards and the group has public liability insurance.

Tel: 07587 004514
Website: http://www.houghtonregishelpers.co.uk/

The Wildlife Trust Newsletter for Beds, Cambs, Northants, February 2017

View this email online February 2017 Spring Spotting What to look for now Typically the first butterflies to emerge from hibernation in spring, brimstones flit along sunny banks and hederows. Often seen in farmland fields, hares can be observed 'boxing' as part of their courtship. Grab your binoculars and head out to see them at Trumpington Meadows, Pitsford and other reserves adjacent to arable fields. (Note that Pitsford is permit-only.) Look out for male herons putting on a courtship dance to attract a female. There is an active heronry at Titchmarsh Nature Reserve. Great crested grebes also have an elaborate courtship dance. Watch as the males and females mirror each other on the water, diving down and rising up in perfect unison. Visit our Nene Wetlands reserves to see them. Frogs breed before toads and you may see great jelly masses of early frog spawn in ponds in February. Toad spawn appears somewhat later, in long pearl-like strings. Hazel produces female flowers and male catkins at this time of year. The tiny flowers are bright pink.Take a close look along the hedgerows to see this minute flower waiting to catch pollen released by the catkins. The sight of primroses in woodland, on hedgebanks and waysides is a sure sign that spring is on its way. Spot them in woods such as at Old Sulehay and the woods in the West Cambridgeshire Hundreds. Hayley Wood and Gamlingay are home to rarer oxlips. Latest News LEGO® at the Great Fen Five days of building. One million LEGO® bricks. Fourteen Brick+Build sessions. Hundreds of visitors.17,000 GoPro images. The Great Fen LEGO® build was a big success, and gave us the chance to introduce our work at the Great Fen to some people who may not have known about it - and the end result was spectacular. Watch a short video of the event here. Photo: LEGO® fox by Caroline Fitton Monitoring and Research "The Trust at its Best" Over 120 volunteers, staff, trustees and Wildlife Guardians gathered in Cambourne last weekend to discuss our ongoing Monitoring and Research work. Brian Eversham gave the introductory talk, and highlights included a report by Ian White (Peoples Trust for Endangered Species) on the national dormouse monitoring scheme and the success of our Brampton Wood reintroduction, talks by students on birds and the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, and the prize giving for the Opticron volunteer photographer competition winners. Positive comments included: "It was very interesting for me to see how the research and the conservation are linked." "The event was well organised and very informative." "This was the Trust at its best."  "A great day at the @wildlifebcn Monitoring and Research Conference. Lots of exciting projects happening in the three counties!" The Best of Social Media Bedfordshire Reserves Officer Beth Aucott posted some photos of a hard day at the office with the caption "Sooo my Friday started better than yours...". Grazing sheep are essential for grassland management and so our conservation staff and graziers put a lot of effort toward their care. Please remember to keep your dogs on a lead when walking anywhere near livestock. Wildlife Training Workshops A reminder of our upcoming workshops Freshwater Bivalves, Saturday 11 March from 10am – 4pm with Alex Pickwell and Nina Birkby at Old Sulehay nature reserve. A species level identification workshop for bivalves currently present in the UK, focusing on identification, but also including ecological requirements. Heathland Lichens, Sunday 12 March, 10am - 4pm with Brian Eversham. Some of the largest and most beautiful lichens grow on heathlands, and indeed are an important part of the vegetation. Water bugs, Saturday 18 March from 10am - 4pm with Kevin Rowley and Graham Warnes. An ideal introduction into identifying aquatic invertebrates, whether you are formally recording, pond dipping with children or just interested in understanding more about what's in your garden pond. For more information and to book, contact Juliette Butler on 01604 774031 or by email. Photo: various lichen by Brian Eversham Singing with Nightingales This spring! A series of unique musical events including at Grafham Water, Cambs. Explore the details Upcoming Events Upcoming Events A Guided Walk at Grafham Tim Fryer is a volunteer at Grafham and will be helping look for a good selection of water birds. Wed 1 March, 10am - 12pm Details here What Nature Does for Britain Illustrated talk by Tony Juniper, President of the Wildlife Trusts. Brampton, Cambs Wed 8 March, 7:30 - 9:00pm Details here Nesting An illustrated talk by Peter Holden MBE, looking at the amazing variety of structures and strategies used to protect eggs and young. Bedford, Beds Wed 8 March, 7:30 - 9:15pm Details here Marvellous Mammals Look for mammals at Trumpington Meadows - perhaps you'll see some boxing hares. Thurs 9 March, 6:30 - 8:30am Details here The Fascination of Birdsong An illustrated talk by Terry Barnett, explaining his fascination with bird songs and calls. Tuesday 14 March, 7:30 - 9:30pm Details here Saving Hedgehogs Andrew Jackson of Brackley Hogwatch will tell us about the work of his organisation. Towcester, Northants Monday 20 March, 7:00 - 9:00pm Details here 2017 Photo Competition Over the next few months we'll be accepting entries for our new photo competition. The theme of this year's competition is The Changing Seasons, and each entrant can submit up to four photos. The winning entries will be featured in our 2018 calendar. Good luck! Photo: Spotted flycatcher at the nest by Richard Bowler Contact us Phone 01954 713500 Email membership@wildlifebcn.org  © Wildlife Trust BCN Protecting wildlife close to home. Registered charity No. 1000412 | The Manor House, Broad Street, Cambourne CB23 6DH

Cheering Volunteering Special Update

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CVS Email Update  |  20 February 2017     Cheering Volunteering now includes a small grants scheme! 'Inspiring Volunteering' is the Cheering Volunteering small grants scheme, set up to assist voluntary and community organisations to encourage volunteering. A total funding pot of £5,000 has been secured to be spent on local voluntary and community sector community projects. Grant awards will be made from a minimum of £100 to a maximum of £1,000. Applications for financial assistance can be made by any group or organisation, providing that the project they wish to spend the money on is located within Central Bedfordshire and/or will support primarily the residents of Central Bedfordshire. Deadline 7 April. For more information click here. Cheering Volunteering Awards - Have you nominated yet? The Central Bedfordshire Cheering Volunteering Awards are an opportunity to say thank you to those who give their time to help others. This year the Awards are sponsored by Biffa, Aragon Housing, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, ProLogis and Jeakins Weir. There will again be seven awards, six of which you can submit nominations for. The seventh award is the Panel's Choice Award, where the selection panel will choose a winner and two highly-commended nominees from all of the nominations received: Young Volunteer of the Year Award Volunteer of the Year Award Volunteer Group of the Year Award Outstanding Contribution Award Lifetime Achievement Award Fundraiser of the Year Award Nominations close on 31 March. Click here. Booked your tickets yet? The third annual Cheering Volunteering awards and celebration event will be held during National Volunteers Week, on Tuesday 6 June at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable. Click here. VACANCIES Community Projects Manager, Faith in Queens Park, £22,000 per annum, Deadline 28 February. Click here. PS - CVS are running a #volunteertocare online campaign until the end of February, highlighting volunteering opportunities relating to care. Why don't you join in and promote your volunteering opportunities on twitter using the #volunteertocare hashtag?       ​ Subscribe to updates  email info@cvsbeds.org.uk with SUBSCRIBE in the title field BDF United Kingdom   Community Voluntary Service 43 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2AA Tel: 01234 354366 Fax: 01234 214880 Email: info@cvsbeds.org.uk Web: www.cvsbeds.org.uk Registered Charity no: 1091423 Company Limited by Guarantee: 4312967

Plaque Unveiled Commemorates Town's Miller

Sunday 19 February. Alan Winter

The plaque reads: Rosalyn House - Built adjacent to 131 High Street known as ‘The White House’’ once owned by Josiah Freeman, the last mill owner in Houghton Regis.

A special plaque was unveiled this afternoon in Whitehouse Close.

Around 60 people attended to witness the plaque being revealed on the side of Roslyn House. Hailed as the first of its kind in the town to celebrate Houghton's rich history, it reminds people of Josiah Freeman, who owned two mills in the town, and lived in the White House, which was on a site close to where Roslyn House is now.

Attending the event were Sarah Gelsthorp, author of 'Houghton Regis Up Above The Streets and Houses', David Hill the Houghton Regis Heritage Society chairman, local councillors, and representatives from local community groups, as well as some residents of Roslyn House.

Following the unveiling, light refreshments were served at All Saints Parish Church, and copies of 'Up Above The Streets and Houses' were on sale, along with a book by Houghton Regis Heritage Society about the History of All Saints.

The plaque was purchased with a third of the funds raised so far, from the sale of the book 'Houghton Regis Up Above The Streets and Houses’. The plaque project is a joint initiative, in partnership with, Houghton Regis Heritage Society. The other two thirds of the funds has been donated to the Heritage Society directly.

Sarah's book has sold throughout the UK; as far as Scotland, and been sold internationally to parts of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Josiah Freeman's last resting place is thought to be in the closed cemetery at All Saints Church. Josiah was related through marriage to Hollywood film star Gary Cooper. The family owned a windmill and later a steam mill behind Mill Lane, Houghton Regis.

• Amazon - Houghton Regis Up Above the Streets and Houses

• Timeline for Houghton Regis 1800 - 1930

Parkside Drive Crash

An incident in Parkside Drive last night took out a fence, a tree, and wrote off 2 cars.

It is known that a Volvo XC70 was driving in Parkside Drive and went straight over the T-junction with Windsor Drive, crashed into a metal lamp post and wooden fencing panel, and took out a tree. Substantial damage was caused to a Land Rover parked in a parking bay on the other side of the fence.

Passer-by, Ant Halligan said, "I saw all the blue lights when I was passing and I stopped to see if I could help. All the emergency services were on the scene with more turning up as I was there."

A Fire Service spokesman said this morning, "We got a call at 18:51. The first vehicle was on the scene at 18:58. In all 2 pumps from Dunstable, a pump from Luton, and a Fire Rescue vehicle from Dunstable attended. 1 male and 1 female were cut from a vehicle. The couple were handed on to paramedics."

Bedfordshire Police confirmed that they attended the scene following a call about 18:50 last night, and that an XC70 with two passengers was involved.

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust sent two ambulances, the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), and a rapid response vehicle. An ambulance officer attended and treated two patients.
Both were taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital for further care. The condition of the couple in the moving vehicle is not known.

Mr Ryan Tott, who was visiting a friend in Parkside Close said of his vehicle that was parked up, "The windscreen support of my Land Rover was smashed in, the car is a write-off, but that's not important. That's just metal. My thoughts are with the ones in the moving car."

Community Voluntary Service Update - 13 February 2017

CVS Email Update  |  13 February 2017     CVS will be running a #volunteertocare online campaign from 14 February until the end of the month, highlighting volunteering opportunities relating to care. Why don't you join in and promote your volunteering opportunities on twitter using the #volunteertocare hashtag? Cheering Volunteering - Have you nominated yet? The Central Bedfordshire Cheering Volunteering Awards are an opportunity to say thank you to those who give their time to help others. This year the Awards are sponsored by Biffa, Aragon Housing, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, ProLogis and Jeakins Weir. Nominations close on 31 March. Click here.   EVENTS AND COURSES CVS are planning a 'Meet the Funder' session with BIG Lottery Fund on Friday 24 February in Bedford. If you would like to discuss an idea for a project or an application to Reaching Communities, click here for more information on how to book a place.  Market Engagement Event - Bedford Borough Council is proposing to tender a new contract for the provision of 'Post 16 Accommodation Services' to its residents within the borough. A pre-procurement event is being held on Monday 3 March (9.30am – 12.30pm). Booking is essential. For more details of the proposed lots and the event click here. The next Bedford Community Network event is on Tuesday 28 March (from 5.30pm) in the Council Suite at Borough Hall. The theme of the event is 'Using Social Media, Avoiding Cyber Crime'. Booking is now open. Click here. Heritage Lottery Fund sessions, 25 February, Luton - book a 30-minute session with the HLF Development Officer for an informal chat if you have an idea! Click here.  FUNDING Arts Council England have a scheme for small capital grants of £100,000 - £500,000 to help arts organisations to be more resilient by having the right buildings and equipment to deliver their work. The Arts Council wants to support organisations to become more sustainable and innovative, including increasing their environmental performance and reducing their carbon emissions. Deadline is 9 March. Click here. The Grants for War Memorials scheme provides grants for the repair and conservation of free-standing war memorials in England to help organisations and individuals responsible for their upkeep. Click here. Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust make grants up to £1,000 to charities with an income from £50,000 to £1million. They will fund for projects supporting the elderly, giving priority to projects focussing on: homelessness domestic abuse prisoners/offenders training and education counselling and support     activities for those who have limited access or opportunities Deadline is 28 February. Click here. Greggs Environmental Grants give grants up to £2,000 to improve people's lives by improving the environment. Deadline 3 March. Click here. Greggs Local Community Projects Fund gives grants up to £2,000 to smaller not-for-profit organisations that improve resilience within communities of interest, such as people who are: disabled or suffering chronic illness living in poverty voluntary carers homeless isolated older people other demonstrable significant need Deadline 3 March. Click here. Bedford Borough Council have a number of open tenders: Home From Hospital and Reablement – Deadline 20 February – Click here. Local Area Coordinators – Deadline 21 February – Click here.      Early Help Mentoring Scheme – Bedford Borough Council is inviting potential service providers to submit a tender for the provision of a volunteer mentoring scheme to support and complement the Early Help offer by supporting young people to make informed and positive life choices. Deadline 27 February – Click here. Early Help Youth Club – BBC is inviting potential service providers to submit bids to provide a universal drop-in youth provision at Kempston Youth Centre, Bedford. The service will operate one evening per week during school term time (Bedford Borough) only. Deadline 27 February – Click here. Community Advice Support Services – Deadline 27 February – Click here.   Paul Hamlyn Foundation - Ideas and Pioneers Fund - The Ideas and Pioneers Fund supports people with unusual or radical ideas to improve the life chances and opportunities of people in the UK, with grants of up to £10k and up to £15k in exceptional circumstances. The fund is available to individuals, partnerships or small organisations. They are looking to work with people whose ideas are in the early stages of development and will consider funding work to develop ideas from concept to set-up: this may include problem definition and analysis, scoping, exploratory work, and prototyping. Apply at any time. Click here. The Lloyds Bank Foundation invests in charities supporting people to break out of disadvantage at critical points in their lives, and promote practical approaches to lasting change. To apply you need to be registered as a Charity or a CIO and have income between £25,000 and £1 million in your previous accounts. There are three programmes: ENABLE – (open all year) A grants programme for organisations that have identified clear development needs in areas such as governance, planning, evidencing need monitoring, communications etc. Grants of up to £15k are available for you to develop your organisation; INVEST – (open for application 22 May – 16 June) A flexible, long-term core funding programme for organisations delivering clear, targeted outcomes for disadvantaged people. These are larger grants with the potential to fund for up to six years. However, please note competition is extremely tough and it is advisable to speak to a grants manager first; ENHANCE – provides an option of tailored in-kind support to strengthen and develop charities. If you are successful in applying for an Enable or Invest grant, we will work with you to identify whether support under the Enhance programme is right for you. For more detailed criteria click here, or for an informal discussion contact Gary Beharrell - gbeharrell@lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk OTHER INFORMATION The Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better. For more information on the type of help on offer download the service leaflet here. Contactless charity boxes are set to be widely introduced after a major trial found members of the public donated three times as much when asked to pay with their card. See a report in the Telegraph. Click here. The RTP Fellowship Programme is a free leadership development programme for mid-career managers that live/work within a 50-mile radius of Milton Keynes. It brings together young leaders from all walks of life, at no cost to them, and uses a Sustainable Leadership methodology to develop them and charities in and around Milton Keynes. Potential fellows and charities are encouraged to get in touch – click here. VACANCIES Services Manager, Sight Concern Bedfordshire (up to 37 hours per week; £29,000 pro-rata), deadline 17 February. Click here. Visual Impairment Advisor, Sight Concern Bedfordshire (full-time; £18,700), deadline 17 February. Click here. Carers Cafe & Carers Rest Organiser, Carers in Bedfordshire, (£18,205 FTE starting salary (pro-rata for part-time hours). Deadline 20 February. Click here. Young Person's Activity Organiser, Carers in Bedfordshire, (£10.03 per hour (includes holiday pay), 15 hours a month – Up to three Saturday afternoons a month, plus preparation time). Deadline 20 February. Click here.        If you would like to subscribe, please email info@cvsbeds.org.uk with SUBSCRIBE in the title field BDF United Kingdom   Community Voluntary Service 43 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2AA Tel: 01234 354366 Fax: 01234 214880 Email: info@cvsbeds.org.uk Web: www.cvsbeds.org.uk Registered Charity no: 1091423 Company Limited by Guarantee: 4312967

FREE admission for Groups to Luton’s most popular visitor attraction - Stockwood Discovery Centre.

http://www.lutonculture.com/stockwood-discovery-centre/gardens-and-galleries/

Bring your group of twelve or more to Luton's Number One visitor attraction (as rated by TripAdvisor), Stockwood Discovery Centre and enjoy free admission, delicious new catering packages, free parking, and a free meal for your coach driver.

A paradise for garden enthusiasts and one of the few places in the country where the work of acclaimed artist Ian Hamilton Finlay can be seen on permanent display, Stockwood Discovery Centre is rated as Number One for Things to do in Luton on TripAdvisor. Each area in the garden has a special focus ranging from period, ornamental gardens to wildlife and sensory gardens to stimulate sight, sound, touch and smell. Even in winter visitors can experience the beauty of the grounds. 

With 95% of TripAdvisor visitors rating Stockwood Discovery Centre as Very Good or Excellent, you can also enjoy the fantastic and vast galleries; highlights include the Shillington Gold Coin Hoard, the Wenlok Jug – Luton's medieval treasure in the Life's Journey Gallery, and the famous Mossman collection of carriages - the largest collection of its kind on display in the UK. Additionally, temporary exhibitions are held in the Special Exhibitions gallery throughout the year to give visitors good reason to return again and again. Please check the website for details.

Discover the rich history of the region from prehistoric times to the modern day, then relax with your group and enjoy a buffet lunch prepared to tailor-made menu choices. Alternatively look for something lighter with our Afternoon Tea packages - perfect for your special occasion. For more information and bookings, please email venues@lutonculture.com or call 01582 547445.

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Date(s)/Time(s) Winter opening hours: (1 November to 13 February) 1000hrs to 1600hrs daily. 

Summer opening hours (14 February to 31 October): 1000hrs to 1700hrs daily.

Price Free Admission

Box Office 01582 878100

Website www.lutonculture.com

Get Into Customer Services With Thameslink/Great Northern

The Prince's Trust and Govia are offering a free four-week course which gives you experience in customer services, working on the railways. If you are aged 18-25, unemployed and interested in a career in railways customer services, join the free training programme where you can:

 gain practical work experience at a local Govia Thameslink/Great Northern Railway station. 

 you will be trained by local team members on different job roles within the station environment, and also the importance of safety and security

 improve your teamwork and communication skills and boost your confidence, interview skills and CV

 receive six months' support after the programme to help you find employment or further training

Taster day is 22nd  in Luton and 23rd in Stevenage. 

The programme runs from  27th February 2017 for 4 weeks

Contact

If you are interested please contact Anna Crump on 07904364206                                       

Or email on anna.crump@princes-trust.org.uk

Police.uk New Crime Data Published for December 2016

New data for Dunatable and Houghton Regis has been published on Police.uk.

Here is a brief summary of the crime information for the past two months:

	November 2016	December 2016
All crime	772	641
Anti-social behaviour	262	201
Bicycle theft	21	15
Burglary	78	88
Criminal damage and arson	72	44
Drugs	13	7
Other crime	6	5
Other theft	46	41
Possession of weapons	2	1
Public order	24	17
Robbery	11	3
Shoplifting	47	45
Theft from the person	3	9
Vehicle crime	78	73
Violence and sexual offences	109	92

Please visit https://www.police.uk/shape/moXeS1/ for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.

The information and statistics displayed in this email are for information purposes only and may be subject to change.
Although care is taken when processing and analysing the data, the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system.
While the figures shown have been checked as far as practicable, they should be regarded as approximate.

360 Degree View of Luton Air Traffic Control Tower

​Community Voluntary Service Notebook February 2017

CVS Email Update  |  2 February 2017 CVS are planning a 'Meet the Funder' session with BIG Lottery Fund on Friday 24 February 2017 at 43 Bromham Road, Bedford. If you would like to discuss an idea for a project or an application to Reaching Communities, click here for more information on how to book a place. EVENTS AND COURSES The Bedfordshire Hate Crime Partnership are hosting a Hate Crime Conference on 28 February, 9.am - 4.30 pm, at Venue 360, Gipsy Lane, Luton. Click here. The next Bedford Community Network event is on Tuesday 28 March, from 5.30pm, in the Council Suite at Borough Hall. The theme of the event is 'Using Social Media, Avoiding Cyber Crime'. Further details to follow. The Special Needs Action Panel in Central Bedfordshire are holding a morning workshop for parent carers on the Education Health Care (EHC) plan at Henlow Park Pavilion on 21 February 2017. Click here. Rural Funding Information Event for South East Midlands LEP, 3 March, 9:30am - 2.30pm. This event will showcase funding that is available in rural areas. This will include the next European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) calls around business development, food processing and tourism infrastructure as well as the LEADER programme. In addition to providing funding information, and how to apply there will also be the opportunity to discuss project proposals with fund advisors. Click here. Free Event for People Over 50 and Organisations Supporting People Over 50. - Future East invites you to our free open meeting at King's House, Bedford on 28 March, where they will be looking at Health and Wellbeing and Living at Home. The day will feature presentations and stands by local and national organisations as well as time to network and opportunities to share views on the issues and priorities affecting over 50s and their carers. Lunch is provided. To find out more and register for free to attend and/or hold a stall click here. FUNDING WH Smith is distributing the carrier bag levy through grants. The WH Smith Trust will make donations up to £500 to voluntary organisations and schools. Deadline 31 March. Click here. Grow Wild is awarding £500 to young people aged 12–25 to lead projects that will raise awareness about the importance of UK native wild flowers and plants. There are two funding streams – Transform a Space and Get Creative. Deadline 12pm, 27 February. Click here. Sport England - Community Asset Fund. This new fund aims to: improve and protect existing sports facilities that support the needs of local communities invest in new and different places that meet the needs of local communities, particularly those hard to reach or new to sport ensure capital investment reaches organisations who have not accessed sports funding before create a more resilient, sustainable, less grant dependent sport sector £15 million is available per annum. They expect most grants to be classed as either small (£1,000 - £15,000) or medium (£15,000 - £50,000). Bids for larger amounts will have to demonstrate a considerable impact, or targeting under-represented groups. Football only projects are not eligible, but multi-sport projects including football can apply. Click here. The Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner's Grant Fund - Applications can be for projects that either help victims of crime cope, recover and move forward, or prevent crime and reoffending. The priority areas for this fund are: Violence against women and girls – for example; domestic abuse, serious sexual violence, or female genital mutilation. Youth at risk – for example; trauma reduction, child sexual exploitation, gang-related violence and bullying. New or innovative projects – for example, work linked to cyber-crime, work with the elderly, human trafficking, modern-day slavery, new crime trends, work with emerging hard-to-reach or hidden victims. Capacity building to improve strength and resilience in the sector – for example, multi-agency training, partnership development and sustainability. There are two different application forms (one for bids of under £2,000 and one for those £2,000 and over). Deadline 5pm, 17 February. Click here. Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking tenders from suitably experienced suppliers with the technical ability to produce up to twenty 2-3 minute videos on a range of social housing related topics. Click here. Shaw Trust has been shortlisted in five 'Lots' under the DWPs Umbrella Agreement for Employment and Health Related Services and they are looking for locally based providers. Deadline 9am, 10 February. Click here. Big Issue Invest has launched Impact Loans England, a new £5 million lending scheme aimed at enabling social enterprises to access loan funding of between £20,000 and £150,000. Click here. OTHER INFORMATION GrantScape, a charity which specialises in grant management, is seeking applications from suitable people to join the board of the charity. There are currently two vacancies on GrantScape's board and applicants with legal, marketing or IT skills would be particularly welcome.  Experience of the Renewable Energy industry would be desirable, but is not essential. Deadline 19 February. Click here. Approaching local businesses – NCVO's KnowHow NonProfit have produced a very simple guide to how groups should plan to approach businesses for support for their work. Click here. Locality have produced a guide 'How to Keep it Local: Five step guide for councillors and commissioners'. The guide busts myths around commissioning locally and showcases the benefits of working with community anchor organisations. Click here. Homelessness on the rise - More than 4,000 people a night have been sleeping rough on England's streets, a 16% increase on last year, according to government statistics. Read more from the BBC here. Central Bedfordshire Council have a new Youth Support Service Facebook Careers Page, providing an online presence to provide an impartial one stop shop for up to date, useful and reliable information on education, employment and training opportunities. Click here. Bedford Borough Council has four Overview and Scrutiny' Committees (Children's Services, Environmental Services and Community Safety, Adult Services and Health, and Corporate Services), that review and investigate issues that matter to local people and local communities, as well as reviewing the Council's own decisions and policies. What do you think that the Committees should look at over the next year? Click here. The National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage will increase in April 2017. Click here for the rates. Anyone want an Overhead Projector? – CVS have two traditional OHP's (which use acetate sheets) looking for a good home. Email lindsey@cvsbeds.org.uk if you are interested. VACANCIES Deputy Chief Executive, Families First Bedfordshire, full-time, (£36,937pa - £43,387pa). Deadline 9am, 13 February. Click here. Community Centre Manager, Church Lane Community Centre, Bedford, part-time, 20 hrs per week, NJC scale point (22-25), £20,456 pro-rata, one year fixed term contract with the potential to extend. Deadline 17 February. Click here. Bedford & District Cerebral Palsy Society (BDCPS), Grant & Event Fundraiser and Co-Ordinator, part-time,15-20 hrs per week. Deadline 19 February. Click here.  BDF United Kingdom ​ ​ Community Voluntary Service 43 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2AA Tel: 01234 354366 Fax: 01234 214880 ​ ​​ ​ Email: info@cvsbeds.org.uk Web: www.cvsbeds.org.uk Registered Charity no: 1091423 Company Limited by Guarantee: 4312967