Welcome! to our e-newsletter to keep all LSP Partners up-to-date and involved in LSP developments, local consultations, news and events. We hope you find it useful, feel free to forward it to anyone you think would be interested, and any feedback would be welcomed so we can make it work better for you.
News and Diary Dates
LSP Update - Next networking meeting is on Wednesday 25th January at 10am to midday in the Civic Centre in Littlehampton. The subject was “top of the pops” in the recent survey and is “Overview of Regeneration in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis” and there will be plenty of time for questions and debate. Please can you let Caroline Gosford know if you plan to attend.
LSP Diary Dates – The other dates set for networking events during 2012 are Tuesday 15th May, 2pm to 4pm and Monday 1st October for the Conference 1.30pm to 5pm, both at Civic Centre, Littlehampton, so get them into your diary now!
CVS Arunwide and Chichester VCACD merger… members from both organisations voted unanimously in favour of the merger, and from 1st April 2012 it be called Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester. All contact details are currently the same, and services are as normal, but it’s likely there will be changes in the future which are still being considered by the new Trustee Board. Contact Hilary or Kate for more info.
The New Wellbeing Advisory Service is available to support people wanting to make positive lifestyle changes to improve their health. There are drop-ins in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis – see their website for more details, or call 01903 737862 to make an appointment. New Year’s Resolution perhaps?
Consultations – Have Your Say!
Littlehampton East Bank’s Designer Makeover – as part of the work to build new flood defences protecting 1500 homes, the riverside promenade along Pier Road to the seafront will be widened, uplifted and enhanced. We need your views about the proposed designs - for more information, look at our website and complete the survey which closes today – 14th December.
Using Less, Living Better - West Sussex Environment and Climate Change Board has identified local priorities and actions, and would like your views. Click the link to their survey; if you would like to view their documents, email them at eccb@westsussex.gov.uk The consultation closes on 26th February 2012.
Support for Older People - we want your views on the support provided to older people to enable them to live independently in their own homes, and would particularly like to hear from older people in owner-occupied or private rented homes, and also from organisations working with older people. Follow the link to their website and fill in a questionnaire, and pass it on, but be quick because the consultation closes on Friday 16th December.
Equality Objectives for 2012 Police Plan - Sussex Police are consulting on this and have a short survey that they would like as many people as possible to complete so voices from across the community are heard. Click the link to their website; consultation closes on 20th December, so sooner rather than later…
Changes to Bus Services – with cost savings, some bus services will have to be changed, and we need your views about which are most used and valued to help make these difficult decisions. Visit the website to get more details, and complete the questionnaire. Consultation closes on 17th January.
Money, Money, Money
West Sussex Social Enterprise Fund provides funding to support the creation and growth of local not-for-profit groups whose delivery ties in with the County Council’s identified priority areas. See their website for more details – first round closes on 4th January.
West Sussex Big Society Fund supports the growth of Big Society-style activity in our communities. The application needs to come in via the Councillor for your local area. For more information, visit their webpage
Community Initiative Funds are managed by each of the three Joint Area Committees in Arun. This small grants fund supports local communities – for more details, see the website
Social Care Small Grant Fund provides grants of up to £1000 for social care projects. The next round closes on 13th January; for more details, visit the website
Volunteering
There’s lots going on to support and encourage you to volunteer, and there’s lots of benefits in it for both you and the organisation you help - here’s the headlines…
Arun Volunteer Centre - You can get face-to-face advice in both Littlehampton and Bognor Regis, register, and find out what opportunities are available for you in your local area. For more details about how, where and when, click this weblink for more information.
Make a Real Difference – become a trustee. Trustees are the backbone of the voluntary sector as they oversee and steer the activities of voluntary and community groups, and we need more people in Arun to come forward to do this important job for local organisations. There’s a leaflet that tells you more about what’s involved and the benefits you can get out of your time as a trustee. Go on, you know you can….
DO-It website – a national website with an amazing range of volunteering opportunities, mostly for people who want to do something regular and long term. Just put in your postcode and you’re on your way!
SkillShare website - a West Sussex website that works like a dating agency – it matches short-term (1 – 10 day), specific organisational needs with potential volunteer candidates, and aims to engage companies with Corporate Social Responsibility policies who enable employees to donate time, and also students who can offer their expertise to local community. Have a look on the website to see if you can help out a local organisation, or if your group needs short-term specific help, go on the website and post your opportunity.
Time-Banking - Time Banking is like a barter dating agency – you offer to do things you like doing, for example, baking cakes or teaching Spanish, and ask for people to do things you need help with, for example, walking the dog or doing the ironing. For every hour you give, you bank a credit which you can spend “buying” the help you need. There’s a Time Bank in both Littlehampton and Bognor Regis. For more information about how it works and how to register, see the website.
Delivery Partnership Progress Reports
They can be viewed by clicking the links below:
Safer Arun Partnership
Arun Wellbeing and Health Partnership
Arun and Chichester Community Cohesion Group
Local Neighbourhood Improvement Areas Report
Arun Strategic Housing Partnership
Arun Youth Council
Arun Community Arts Network
Joint Area Committees Area Action
We wish you all a happy Christmas, and all the best for 2012
