VCA Wirral 360 Magazine Winter 2011-12

Wirral360°Wirral’s ONLY Cross Sector Magazine

Issue 2: Winter 2011/12FREE

In this issue:

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Wirral360°Wirral360°Wirral360°

the key to the community

Money S

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CompanyGiving

Page 5

Free Trainingfor Volunteers

Page 16

InformationSecurity

Page 19

The OpenDoor Centre

Page 20

Meet the Funder

Coming Soon...


Would you like to be amongst the first to hear when sessions are taking place?

Email: [email protected] with your contact details

Improve your chances of being successful withyour next funding bid by meeting the funder

Free VCA Wirral ‘Meet the Funder’ briefing sessions are to:Meet funders face to face informally

Meet one funder per sessionUnderstand their grant criteria for upcoming funds

Find out what funding is availableChance to ask questions

Find out where to go for application advice and information

March 6th11.00 - 12.00VCA Wirral,Liscard

Radio CityCash for Kids

April 25th11.00 - 12.00VCA Wirral,Liscard

Coming laterin the year:

Your Wirral, John Moores Foundation, Henby Trust andCommunity Foundation for Merseyside

Lloyds TSBFoundation

Inside

Wirral 360° Page 3www.vcawirral.org.uk

A word from theChief Executive

Annette

Annette Roberts, CEO

other new trustee is a senior member of one of the largest private companies in

Welcome to the second issue of the Wirral 360º Magazine - the first issue of 2012. At the beginning of a new year, thoughts turn to new plans and fresh starts. It is usually a time to reflect briefly and to look ahead.VCA Wirral is looking ahead to an exciting and challenging year, forming new partnerships and nurturing the existing ones.

At the end of the summer, last year, VCA Wirral gathered the views of the membership and wider sector, through an annual survey, to assist us in planning our future work. I am happy to report that there were no major surprises, which confirms that our development team is picking the right messages up from their work with the grass roots groups in Wirral. An analysis of the findings can be found on the website.

During the autumn, VCA Wirral held its AGM and this included the recruitment of two new trustees. One of them is an active member of the community and has successfully completed the transfer of one of the council's community centres. The

VCA Wirral receives funding from the Office of Civil Society to

'Transform Local Infrastructure'

A brand new project offering support to Voluntary, Community and Faith sector organisations in Wirral has been awarded £373,000 by the Office of the Civil Society. VCA Wirral is partnering with six other organisations to create an alliance that will offer expert advice and support

Wirral, and brings a wealth of experience services to Wirral's groups. This is the first and skills. In February we welcomed them time such a strong infrastructure alliance to their first Board meeting at VCA Wirral. has been formed on Wirral and we can't

wait to get started!On 1st December 2011 the whole VCA The project, which will start in April, will Wirral team moved into the newly have four key aims:refurbished offices in Wallasey. It's amazing that with a lick of paint and new - Transforming Givingflooring, tired old offices can be - Transforming Leadershiptransformed! For the first time ever, we - Transforming Representationare all housed in the same building. This - Transforming Information & Intelligencehas already made a difference to the way we are working. Even though there are By working with specialist partners from more of us based here, there is still space across the Merseyside region, local to spread out. There is an IT suite for the community groups in Wirral will have voluntary, community and faith sector to easier access to more specialist support use, a large training/meeting room which than ever before. The partners involved can accommodate 25 people comfortably are:and a smaller meeting room for up to 6 people. This is in addition to office space - Community Foundation for Merseysidewhich can be rented at competitive and - Merseyside Disability Federationflexible rates. - Merseyside Expanding Horizons

- Network for EuropeThrough the work on the Transforming - Social Enterprise NetworkLocal Infrastructure Fund bid, VCA Wirral - VCA Wirralhas formed a new alliance, with specialist - Youth Federationorganisations across Merseyside. This will enable Wirral groups to access services Annette Roberts, CEO of VCA Wirral said such as; group mentoring (buddying about the successful bid:schemes), workshops concerning personalisation, social enterprise, youth VCA Wirral are very excited by this new related activities and specialist funding and unique alliance. We are looking opportunities for the sector. This is an forward to being able to offer an extended exciting, and unique alliance and we look support service to frontline organisations.forward to developing it. We think this bid was successful because

the ideas came from frontline organisations themselves. All the content

Annette’s ‘watch’ word for for the bid was gleaned from the analysis of our latest Annual Survey. So thank you this issue is Moneyto all those groups who participated.

Look out for the pages entitled 'Money' More information about the project will and 'Money+' in this issue. There is so be released over the coming weeks so much information regarding this subject keep an eye on the new look VCA Wirral that we have had to double the amount of website:space allocated to it. I hope that you find

it informative and useful. www.vcawirral.org.uk

STOP

PRESS!

MoneyVCAW’s Funding Development Officer, Zel Rodgers

gives us all the latest news and information fromthe world of funding and fundraising


Codes of FundraisingThe Codes of Fundraising Practice are an Acceptance and Refusal of Donationsimportant resource for all fundraisers. Accountability and TransparencyThe Institute of Fundraising is in the Best Practice for Major Donor Fundraisingprocess of reviewing these codes from Charities working with Business Stick 'n' Step provides free specialist October 2011 to March 2012. They will Event Fundraising conductive education and support present their findings during April 2012. If Face to Face Activity services to children with cerebral palsy you are interested in getting involved: Grant Making Trusts and their families and carers. We welcome

Fundraising in Schools children from all over the North West of - Read the codes Fundraising through Electronic Media England and North Wales. We fundraise to - Once you have read the codes, read the Handling of Cash and Other Financial ensure that our sessions are provided for

FAQs Donations free.- You can then respond in a number of House to House Collections

ways : Legacy Fundraising Fashion Show - 15th March, 7:30pmSurvey monkey Raffles and Lotteries Shorrocks Hill Nightclub, FormbyFill in form and email to review An amazing opportunityteam The codes operate on a traffic light system to view clothes andPhone or email feedback to of MUST, OUGHT and SHOULD. accessories availablereview team locally, modelled on the

MUST indicates that the requirement is catwalk whilst you enjoyFor more information on the codes review mandatory by law. your drink from the bar.you can visit This is a fun, lighthearted

OUGHT indicates a requirement that is event for those whowww.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk mandatory for members and affiliated enjoy a night out and

organisations of the institute. dressing up. Stallholders will also be there Some of the Codes have been included for to tempt you with accessories, clothes, your information, for a full list and to SHOULD indicates a recommendation of and edible treats.access the codes visit the Institute’s good practise.website. These are some of the codes: And coming in July, the Arabian Nights

The codes also contain a check-list of key Ball.questions to ask as an organisation with cross references to the particular clause in For more information about any ofthe code of practice. This can be a very

Stick ‘n’ Step’s fundraising events useful tool for the trustees/fundraiser within an organisation to use to determine contact Kerry on 0151 638 0888 or if they are employing best practise. email [email protected]

Stick ‘n’ StepEvents

Santander FoundationGrants of up to £10,000Education and training: Any activity disadvantaged people undertake where they improve their confidence in a skill or their understanding of a subject. This does not have to be formal training or lead to a qualification, although those activities would be eligible too.Financial Capability: Activities which help There are a number of big businesses disadvantaged people understand how to who contribute to the community manage their money. It could include through foundations or charitable giving.budgeting skills, accessing affordable credit as well as managing the challenges ASDA Foundation:that arise from being a carer, Will assist any charity in the UK, as well as unemployment, disability or relationship people and projects who require financial break up.assistance, providing they have the

support of local ASDA colleagues.www.santanderfoundation.org.uk

http://your.asda.com/asda-foundationWilkinson Stores ‘Helping Hand’ InitiativeHelping Hands is a new community John Lewis Partnership Plc:initiative where each local store has been Golden Jubilee Trust - Through the charity given a budget to distribute to projects any partner, regardless of age, seniority or and schemes within the store’s local length of service, can apply for a full or community. To apply for a donation from part time volunteering secondment with a the Helping Hands Fund you need to visit UK registered charity for up to six months. your local store and pick up an application Useful for charities looking for volunteers form.with specific skills.

http://corporate.wilkinsonplus.comhttp://lnk.nu/johnlewispartnership.co.uk/1vjn.html

Yorkshire Building Society FoundationLloyds TSB:Support registered charities involving 70% of funding is for core costs, and the anyone who is vulnerable (particularly focus is on supporting underfunded older people, children, or those with charities that can make a significant physical/mental/communication difference to the lives of disadvantaged disabilities) as well as animals in need. people by helping them to play a fuller However, we will consider other local role in the community.charities and good causes suggested by

www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk Society members of staff. We would like to help as many causes as possible with a

Marks & Spencer Community Fund: donation to enable the purchase of Support a large number of local charities specific items/equipment and therefore through an annual Charity Challenge have a maximum donation of £2,000 for fundraising event as well as store charity member/staff recommended causes or budgets. Store charity budgets can £500 for charities or good causes that provide small (up to £50) donations to apply to the Foundation for funds directly local charities including schools and - although emphasis is on smaller hospitals that are within our policy. donations.

http://lnk.nu/corporate.marksandspencer.com/1vjo www.ybs.co.uk/cf/criteria.html

Tesco Charity TrustCommunity Awards provides one-off donations of between £500 and £4000 to local projects that support children and their education and welfare, elderly people and adults and children with disabilities. Larger Grant Applications range between £4000 and £25000 and are to support local, national or international projects in areas where we operate.

http://www.tescoplc.com/tescocharitytrust

The Nationwide Foundation:Grants to registered UK charities (including those in Northern Ireland) which offer financial and / or housing related support to survivors of domestic abuse and older people.

www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk/grants.asp

E.ON Source FundGrants of up to £20,000 to community groups and not for profit organisations who wish to consider and implement sustainable energy projects in their buildings - from energy efficiency through to micro-generation. Your organisation must benefit specific groups, namely: education, vulnerable people and people in fuel poverty.

www.eon-uk.com/about/2654.aspx

The Co-Operative Community FundGrants between £100 and £2,000 are awarded to community, voluntary or self-help groups to run projects that meet the following criteria. To be successful a group must carry out positive work in the community and a project must address a community issue, provide a good long-term benefit to the community, support co-operative values and principles and ideally be innovative in its approach.

http://lnk.nu/co-operative.coop/1wds

Company Giving


The Social Enterprise Loan FundThe Social Enterprise Loan Fund provides We aim to help organisations that have a needs and help them become more Loan Finance to Social Enterprises and social impact, especially those working in sustainable enterprises.Charities when the high street banks disadvantaged communities.have been unable to assist. Roy White is our North West regional You can find out more about The Social

manager who works closely with our Enterprise Loan Fund by calling Roy on clients to ensure that our loans meet their 01829 261019 or emailing [email protected]

Wirral 360° www.vcawirral.org.uk

Money+

Page 6

What is Independent Examination?

Independent Examination (IE) is an alternative to a financial full audit for smaller charities - a legally acceptable form of external scrutiny of their end of year accounts.

Definition

þ Registered charitiesþ Excepted charities (often churches and scout or guide organisations)þ Many charities which are also registered as companies became

eligible for Independent Examinationþ Charities whose governing document or constitution do not specify

an ‘audit’NOTE: Constitutions can be amended if this is the only stumbling block

þ Charities where there is not a donor or funder who requires an ‘audit’NOTE: If they do require an ‘audit,’ it may be worth negotiating with the donor or funder

þ Charities that are ‘smaller’ (see definition)

Which charities are eligible?

In England and Wales: Income has to be in the rangeof £25,000 to £500,000 for the year in question.

Definition of smaller charities

The trustees of the charity for whom the IndependentExamination is to be carried out have to be confidentthat the person conducting the Examination:

Who can be an Independent Examiner

þ Is independentþ Has the requisite ability to carry out a competentþ And the practical experience examination of the accounts

Requirements for the Independent Examiner to have a qualification:In England and Wales, anyone examining accounts over £250,000 has to have a professional qualification from a prescribed list (see CC31 or CC32), which include fellows of the ACIE.

If you need more information about Independent Examination visit the

Charity Commission website.

Funding in Brief.The Community Foundation for The Royal London Foundation involvement in the decision making of the Merseyside is part of a national network Education: Projects whose objectives are organisation.of Community Foundations and the to help develop the skills of people who largest grant-maker in Merseyside. The require assistance and do not otherwise To find out more about Community Community Foundation provides grants have access to appropriate support. Foundation for Merseyside visit to local voluntary and community groups Elderly: Projects which help older www.cfmerseyside.org.ukto help them build a stronger Merseyside generations who require assistance in and tackle modern social issues. Some of their daily lives.the funds that Community Foundation Health: Projects that provide health and currently distributes for which Wirral fitness activities to those who might not groups are eligible are detailed below otherwise have access to such facilities. and most can now be applied for online on a standard form. Please note: to be eligible you must be a

Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Police Property Act Fund Limited or Royal Liver Assurance member.To promote for the public benefit a safer and increased quality of life through the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company 500 prevention of crime and the protection of Fundpeople and property from criminal acts. For groups that can show local community

Funding Support from VCA Wirral

VCA Wirral’s Funding Information Officer, Zel Rodgers, is on hand to support local community groups with funding searches and applications. If your group would like to access some funding support you can contact Zel on 0151 203 2111 Ex 205 or email her at [email protected]

Wirral 360° www.vcawirral.org.uk Page 7

Wirral Clinical Commissioning

Groups Announce Third Sector

Development FundWirrals' three clinical commissioning Priority - Supporting older people to stay groups have announced it will fund Third at home after discharge from hospital into Sector organisations to help tackle key rehabilitation services (91 days)health priorities in Wirral.

Pot 2 - £80,000The Third Sector Development fund,

Health related quality of life for carersadministrated by VCA Wirral, will provide two pots of funding with a combined

Theme 1value of £202,000, with grants of up to £10,000 on offer per organisation. The Health related quality of life for Carers fund has been divided into two parts; one (This is the only theme for this pot)part looking to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Wirral, the other

Priority - Supporting those with caring looking at improving health aspects

responsibilities to identify themselves as relating to the lives of carers in the

carers at an early stage, recognising the borough.value of their contribution and involving

The projects selected for funding will need them from the outset, both in designing

to address at least one of the following local care provision and in planning key priorities from the relevant pot to individual care packagesreceive funding:

Pot 1 - £122,000 Priority - Enabling those with caring

Improving Peoples' Health & Wellbeing responsibilities to fulfil their educational

and employment potentialTheme 1Preventing people from dying prematurely

Priority - Personalised support both for

carers and those they support, Priority - Tackling health inequalities in enabling them to have a family and the boroughcommunity life

Theme 2Enhancing the quality of life for people Priority -Supporting carers to remain with long term conditions mentally and physically well

Priority - Self-carePriority - Enabling timely and accurate

support and information for carers of Priority - Timely and accurate support and people approaching the end of life, as information for people approaching the well as care planning and advance end of life

care planningPriority - Employment of people with long term conditions and/or mental illness For more information about the Third

Sector Development Fund, including Theme 3

how to apply, visit www.vcawirral.org.uk Helping people to recover from episodes

thbefore the closing date on 24 of ill health following injuryFebruary 2012.

Priority - Hospitalisation admission prevention

Priority - Reducing readmissions (within 28 days) and/or discharge facilitation

Priority - Stroke recovery

If your organisation needs help or support with finding funding or

completing application forms contact Zel Rodgers, VCA Wirral Funding

Development Officer on 0151 203 2111 Ex205 or email

[email protected]

Wirral 360° Page 8

wNe sAll the latest news from across Wirral’s

Voluntary, Community & Faith Sector

www.vcawirral.org.uk

The Wirral Family Forum was re-launched services for their children and young The conference will be held at Leasowe in January 2008 with a renewed people. Castle Hotel & Conference Centre, commitment to extending consultation Moreton, Wirral on Thursday 15th March and participation, and improving The funding has enabled The Forum to 2012 from 9:30 until 12:30. It is open to information for parent carers. provide training for parents to develop parents and professionals to attend at a

their skills, hold information and small charge of £15.00 (professionals) and Over the last three years The Forum has networking events, purchase promotional £5.00 (parents).been successful in applying for funding material and develop a website to from the government under Aiming High enhance The Forum’s profile. A flyer and booking form will be available for Disabled Children Parent Participation for circulation by the end of January but if Grant to further develop The Forum. This year we received funding from the you would like to log an interest please

Department for Education and with part contact Janet Jordan at Wired by phone It has worked hard to establish itself as the of the funding The Forum is hosting a on 0844 880 1500 extension 214 or by main parent carer forum in Wirral that conference entitled “We are all in this email [email protected] parents of children with a together” (raising awareness and disability or additional need to have a say aspirations for children and young people By Janet Jordanin the planning and development of with extra needs).

We are all in this together

VCA Wirral Volunteers RecognisedTwo of VCA Wirral’s long standing volunteers were recognised this month at the Volunteering Wirral long service awards.

Cathy Ryder and Alan Murphy both received awards that recognised their long standing commitment to the work of Voluntary and Community Action Wirral. Both volunteers play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the organisation and it is great to be able to have them both recognised publicly

The entire team at Voluntary and Community Action Wirral would like to thank Cathy and Alan for their long standing and continuing commitment to the work of the organisation.

If you would like to get involved in volunteering in your community please contact Ian Jones on 0151 203 2111 Ex 303

Wirral 360° Page 9

The Rotary Club of North Wirral created In 2011 the walkers raised an estimated For more information on the Wirral the annual Wirral Coastal Walk in 1986. £400,000 through sponsorship for their Coastal Walk or the Rotary Club of North The Walk is now so popular that it has many and varied charitable causes, which Wirral please contact us on our club line, become the biggest annual event of its included Cancer Research, Claire House 07516371128 or contact Brian Clark kind in the North of England. and Help for Heroes. We have had directly on 0151 342 9301.Graham Gladden, Chairman of the individuals walking to help other families From early in 2012 registration forms will organising committee recently with children needing specialist treatment be available from VCA Wirral at 224 announced the date for next year's event in other countries and some just walk in Liscard Road, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 5TN, as 27th May 2012. memory of recently lost loved ones. by telephone on 0151 203 2111 or by

emailing your name, address, postcode, The Walk follows the Wirral coastline from It is a fun event for all walkers, young and the number of forms you would like and Seacombe Ferry, through New Brighton, old alike. It encourages people to get out, the name of the charity or good cause you Hoylake and West Kirby finishing at stretch their legs, keep fit and raise funds will be supporting to Thurstaston Country Park, a distance of 15 for their own charity or local cause.miles. Participants of all ages and abilities including some disabled, families with children, small parties and large organized groups take part. There have been mothers pushing their new born babies in prams, a man walked round with two ferrets, and many turn up in fancy dress.

The main purpose of the event is to help others raise funds for the charity or local cause of their choice through sponsorship.Every aspect of the Walk is organised by the Rotary Club of North Wirral which through its members provides the expertise, publicity, registration and amenities to make it happen. All the walker has to do is get their sponsorship, turn up and participate. The Club could not do this alone and has massive support from its primary long term sponsor Unilever, along with additional support from Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, Mersey Ferries, Wirral News Group, St Johns Ambulance, Raynet, Tesco (Heswall), West Wallasey Van Hire and Whites Farm Shop. Members of other local Rotary Clubs join us to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day.

[email protected]


Coastal Walk Date AnnouncedBy Brian Clark, Rotary Club of North Wirral

Cheery Face-Lift for Local GroupThe parent and toddler group at King's together. This means we can display their Church Wirral has been given a cheery pictures on the walls once they are dried face-lift thanks to a grant from 'Your which gives them a great sense of pride in Wirral’. their work. But that's not all! Most of the

play equipment we have has previously The tables and chairs we were using were been donated and some items were old over thirty years old, they were dull, and worn or there just wasn't enough of scratched and well past their best. We the popular toys to go around, however have now been able to replace them for receiving the grant meant that we could new ones which are modern and colourful purchase new toys, such as a garage, dolls, thanks to the 'Your Wirral' grant. a buggy, play mats, dressing up clothes

and dolls prams. It's amazing what a It makes a huge difference to have the difference this new equipment makes and new furniture because beforehand it we would all like to say a big thank you to looked like a very old schoolroom instead 'Your Wirral' for making it possible.of a toddlers playgroup. The grant also allowed us to buy equipment to dry the Check out ‘Your Wirral’ at Meet the children's paintings, whereas before they Funder. See Page 2 for more info.would be stacked and tended to get stuck

mailto:[email protected]

Resource

Wirral 360° Page 10

Resources, opportunities, offers& deals that your organisation

will not want to miss out on


To Retire or Not to Retire?That is the Question

With the abolition of the UK default retirement age of 65 from the 1st October 2011, employers can no longer compulsorily retire employees without facing significant risk of litigation. The change in the law will apply to all employers and therefore all VCAW members will be affected. Jane Hallas, Senior Associate Adviser at Ellis Whittam takes a closer look.

not to look like you are forcing staff to retire, as this could give rise to a constructive dismissal/age discrimination claim.

Secondly, consider if a fixed retirement age is reasonably necessary to your business, at least in relation to some of your employees. You need to be able to justify why you have a set retirement age for those particular employees; why you have set it at the age you

Over the last few years, employers have; that it meets a legitimate aim of have had to grapple with the statutory the business and that it is a pre-retirement procedure which proportionate means of achieving that enabled them to retire employees at legitimate aim. In reality, this is going to 65 provided they followed a prescribed be difficult to achieve for most procedure of giving notice to organisations, especially as it is difficult employees between six to 12 months to use “cost saving” alone as a before their 65th birthday; informing legitimate aim. Possible legitimate them in writing of their right to request aims could include the need to retire to continue working, holding a formal people at a fixed age for succession meeting to consider any request and planning purposes, facilitating long then either agreeing to them term planning or preserving dignity (as continuing to work for the employer or opposed to sacking employees if their denying their request and forcing them performance or health declines as they to retire. Provided this procedure (with get older). a right of appeal) was followed, the employee could not bring a claim Even if you have a legitimate aim, against the employer for unfair though, you still have to consider dismissal. whether there is an alternative way

your aim could be achieved other than This all changed earlier this year when through a forced retirement age. Often, the government announced the it could be; so, employers who 'hang abolition of the procedure and the their hat' on the justification defence Ÿ Implementing a proper performance default retirement age. This means face the risk of a claim for unlawful age management system for all that if you did not give notice of discrimination. Should a claimant be employees;intention to retire an employee, whose successful in their claim the employer Ÿ Reviewing how you deal with ill 65th birthday was on or before the could be left paying large health issues and having a clear 30th September 2011, by 5th April compensation sums, particularly if the procedure in place;2011 it is now too late to do so. The employee can show that they would Ÿ Having a retirement policy which only way an employer will be able to have carried on working for a further makes it clear that employees may force an employee to retire is where few years. Compensation could retire voluntarily if they wish when you can justify a fixed retirement age, therefore reflect several years' loss of they reach their state or which is going to be difficult to achieve earnings, and with no cap on such occupational pensionable for a lot of employers in practice. compensation the risk will probably be retirement age;

too high for many employers to Ÿ A procedure whereby at least 6 to So where does this leave employers? contemplate a fixed retirement age. 12 months before the employee First of all, it is worth remembering that Employers should therefore take steps reaches their state or occupational employees may still choose to retire now to ensure that they are able to pension age you hold a meeting voluntarily if they want to and it is deal effectively with an ageing with them to discuss their future worth making this clear to staff, some workforce. At Ellis Whittam we plans.of whom may think they can no longer recommend that you consider the do so. However, you need to take care following: continued on page 11...

By Jane Hallas,Senior AssociateEllis Whittam

talks to Paul CochraneWirral360°Wirral’s ONLY Cross Sector Magazine

Wirral360°Wirral360°Wirral360°

What is your name? Why did you decide to sign up as a Pro Where do you see Pro-Help in 12 months' Paul Cochrane Help member? time?

My firm is based in Birkenhead , tracing its Under the guidance of Karl Rooney and What is your Job title? roots back here for more than 100 years. Karen Prior at VCA Wirral, the project is an Partner and Chair of Wirral Pro Help Many of our clients and most of our 60 important professional opportunity for the

staff live in Wirral. Not surprising we have private sector to engage with the third Who do you work for? very close links with the Wirral sector. We know that groups, charities and McEwan Wallace, Chartered Accountants community. We not only act for some of social enterprises on the Wirral may need

Wirral's most successful businesses but we some assistance from time-time and I am What service do you offer to people are also engaged by a large number of not encouraged that they are so passionate applying to Pro-Help? for profit organisations. But it is not about the people that they work with. As Accountancy and business advice always established organisations that have the project grows I'm sure we can support

great ideas. Many worthwhile projects each other for the benefit of Wirral.When did you first hear of Pro Help? would not get off the ground because they Recently groups have used the service to Pro Help was a national initiative don't have the resources or contacts to access support from local experts in established by an organisation known as obtain much needed professional help. relation to funding bids, practical advice, Business in the Community. The initiative Often they will need the assistance of financial assistance, H.R. problems, I.T was set up to co-ordinate the efforts of more than one profession; this can be assistance etc.publically spirited professionals who daunting and could mean the project goes wanted to help their communities by no further. This is where Pro-Help can offering their expertise free of charge. I really add value to the community in was delighted to hear that a Pro-Help which we all live and work. Every group existed in Wirral and I had no successful outcome is a cause for hesitation in applying to join. celebration amongst our members.

If your group needs some assistance, save some money and fill in an application form today. Wirral-based community groups requesting ProHelp assistance must meet certain criteria:

Have a track record of working with the local communityAre locally constituted in the Wirral Are unable to afford professional services

For more information about ProHelp click on the “Projects and Services” tab at www.vcawirral.org.uk or contact Karl Rooney, ProHelp Coordinator on:0151 203 2111 Ext 212 or [email protected]


Having a proper performance “disabled” under the Equality Act, law we recommend strongly that you management system in place is which necessitates the employer get legal advice. Help and assistance important to ensure that all employees implementing reasonable adjustments can be obtained through the (not just older ones) have clarity about before dismissal for capability can be Employment Advisory Service – what their main duties are and how contemplated. Any ill health capability please call 0845 226 8393 and quote they are to achieve them. Performance dismissal will need to be justified. You VCA Wirral and your membership issues can therefore be picked up should seek a medical report with the number.early on and dealt with, initially employee's consent and specifically informally, and then if there is ask their GP about reasonable insufficient improvement, through a adjustments and future prognosis.more formal procedure, which could ultimately lead to dismissal. The A simple retirement policy can be benefit of this approach is that issued, notifying staff of the change in employees' expectations about the law and making it clear that performance are managed and you employees can still retire if they wish, can use your process to justify any but that you will contact employees dismissals for employees who fail to prior to their pensionable age. As perform over a period of time. many people retire at their pension

age we think it is justifiable to ask As an ageing workforce may well lead employees about their plans. What to more health issues, it is worth wouldn't be acceptable would be considering how to deal with these. pressuring them to retire!Employees who suffer from major ill health issues may also be classified as As this is a new and changing area of


GreenAll things environmental, energy saving,

gardening, animals and outdoors

Hidden away in the Green Flag awarded, The Walled Garden is adapted to suit the Dibbinsdale Nature reserve, is the Walled needs of the people participating in the Garden. Inside lies an exciting eco-project running of the project to ensure nobody is that is run both by and for people with restricted or excluded from contributing Learning Disabilities. physically in activities that take place

within the project.The project is an inspirational example of hard work, partnership, and commitment Alongside the obvious benefits of from a number of people including the improved healthy eating through growing Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector and consuming their own produce, the and Local Authority Staff from Social project facilitates and promotes other advertised.Services and the Ranger Service, health benefits including increased levels collaborating to successfully create an of physical activity, the concept of “Green The organisers are always looking for exemplary exhibition of sustainability. Gyms” and the positive effects that being volunteers to help with the garden, if you

outdoors, contributing and sense of have some spare time and would like to The Walled Garden is funded by Eastham achievement has on positive Mental contribute towards this very worthwhile Conservation Trust, a charity consisting of Health and Wellbeing. project or have a general enquiry about people with learning disabilities, friends, open days then please contact the parents and carers who provide funding The garden will be open to the public on Eastham centre on 0151 327 4348and support for a variety of projects the 2nd weekend of each month from within the Local Community. April to October 2012, dates will be Preprared by Dennis Jones, VCA Wirral

Dibbinsdale Nature ReserveWalled Garden

Diary of aLearner Gardner

timing and spacing are so important and Why leaving temporary piles of why leaving temporary piles of cardboard cardboard in the middle of the plot is a is not a good idea. bad idea or discovering how to tell if the

wildlife is dead or just hibernating.Why timing and spacing are important Earlier in the season I threw a load of

Six months on at Gilroy Road Community otherwise known as the great 'Onion cardboard down intending to move it later Allotments, and who would have believed Debacle'. I was very kindly given a couple on. However when I came to moving it, I it was a field such a short time ago. of bags of onions by a fellow plot holder discovered to my horror two perfect little Sheds, greenhouses, compost bins, late in the season and threw them in to a mice under it. They looked dead and benches, beds of delicious green and corner of a bed not doing covered with white fungi but not a maggot verdant things all growing beautifully and anything. I plopped them in site. What could I do but give them the look for the entire world like they have in next to each other like benefit of the doubt, put the cover back been there forever. a neat little checkerboard. over them and live with a mouldering pile

Four months on although of cardboard bang in the middle of the For my part I have managed not to kill they have grown, it is into plot until the spring.anything yet (miraculously) but I have very large spring onions!learned two very important lessons: Why by Zel Rodgers, VCA Wirral


Green Choices is about the choices we can make in our everyday lives to protect our environment, for the benefit of all. They aim to empower you with simple, direct

What's good is – it's useful for anyone information on green alternatives which make a real, lasting difference. The core of who wants to read up or find out more this information is arranged as a series of about the subjects and it's a good starting Green Lifestyle Topics including:

point for information.

Green LivingEco Holidays

Gardening & DIYEco Shops

Work & MoneyGo Green

www.greenchoices.org By Ian Jones, Volunteering Wirral


BreaktimeAbsolutely nothing to do with work!

Everyone needs to take a break!


1. Who was the first person to be We all need to watch the pennies after pictured on a British postage Christmas, so why not try this recipe stamp?which will cost no more than a fiver and

it is so easy to do!2. What is the only bird that can swim but not fly?

3. What was the name of the cow in The Magic Roundabout?

4. What do the initials MEP stand for?

5. At CERN, what does LHC stand for?

Answers (no peaking!!)

Send us your favourite budget recipes to [email protected] - if we really like it we may print it in a future issue.

More budget recipes from Elaine coming in Issue 3 of Wirral 360° Magazine.

Baked Chicken and Rice (Serves 4)You will need:Ÿ 4 chicken thighsŸ Can of condensed chicken soupŸ Cup of frozen peasŸ Packet of French Onion soupŸ 350 g of parboiled riceŸ 750 ml water

Spread the rice evenly over a medium sized baking dish.

Place the chicken portions and peas over the rice.

Mix together the condensed soup and water and pour over the top.

Sprinkle the contents of the packet soup over the entire dish.

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 180°C in a fan assisted oven. Temperatures and times are intended as a guide and you may need to adjust to suit your oven. Ensure the food is piping hot and serve immediately.

We gave Elaine’s recipe to one of our colleagues and asked them to try it out for themselves. They said:

The recipe was easy to follow and tasted great. For a vegetarian option why not use mushrooms in place of the chicken (and the soup!)

Cooking on a Budgetby Elaine Evans, VCA Wirral

The Quiz Files...

R T H F W V K B V N V M U G EK O U I S G V U F R S P J N SI S T O A F G N I K L A W I R Y S S C B B W Y V F G N M E UI C P Q O A C J E K R U Y B N

S R I B P D D Q A S H T W L C

G W R N K G H N D Q W A V L R

N O I T A S I L A N O S R E PH O S P I T A L Y T W W E W W B W P F O A C Y W I U T W V O D Y Z B W I M Q M A N O F X K

A T W F P E P M H U W H U K Y B O V P O Z I H L F X N G Z X V K H P Z N N O P C Q I D U S

W K S F G Z V J C H C I O M H

Healthy WordsearchEach of the words below has been hidden in the grid to the left. Words can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal and they can also be forwards or reversed. Can you find them all in under five minutes?

DOCTORFIVEADAYHOSPITALNURSEOUTANDABOUTPERSONALISATIONSWIMMINGVOLUNTEERWALKINGWELLBEING

By Karen Prior

1. The first person to be pictured on a British postage

stamp was Queen Victoria.

2. The only bird that can swim but not fly is the

penguin.

3. The name of the cow in The Magic Roundabout was

Ermintrude.

4. The initials MEP stands for Member of the European

Parliament.

5. At CERN, LHC stands for Large Hadron Collider.


Lea nrLearning and Skills Development Manager,

Matt Meaney, gives an insight into someof the latest training and learning

opportunities available in Wirral

by Matt Meaney, VCA Wirral

New training opportunities for 2012VCA Wirral’s new training project, Making the Most of Assistive TechnologyTheAcademy, is offering an action packed calendar of training events for the first quarter of 2012.

TheAcademy is built on a desire to provide excellent quality, excellent customer service and excellent value to learners across Wirral. If your organisation or group has specific training needs, or if you would like to be added to the mailing database for TheAcademy please contact Matt Meaney, Learning and Skills Development Manager on 0151 203 2111 Ex 309 or email [email protected] Skills for Enablement

These are some of the highlights of what is coming up soon:

Cancer Early Detection Training

For volunteers working in their local communities. This course equips people with the information and skills to help their community to understand the importance of cancer screening and early detection. It will also explain how to access services.

Promoting Independence in Dementia The course is FREE of charge to all Careparticipants and is suitable for This course aims to provide an insight into volunteers.the different brain (cognitive) functions that are affected by dementia, what each of these can mean to an individual with A Range of Courses from a Qualified OT.dementia and what practical steps can be taken to maximise independence and well We are delighted to be working with Angie beingCarter, an experienced Occupational

Therapist, to deliver the following courses The courses are £25 per person, per in April:course and are suitable for all.

This course aims to provide an insight into the variety of assistive technologies and how the use of assistive technologies can be key within creative and personalised Support Planning, enabling individuals and carers to achieve quality of life outcomes. These outcomes may be about achieving safety, independence and reassurance, or they may be how to get help only when needed – facilitating flexible care and support, which brings better outcomes and a more effective use of a personal budget or an individual's own finances.

This course is aimed at providing those who attend, with insight and understanding that will influence their approach to enablement and will also provide practical ideas, which can be integrated into their role accordingly.Key themes: “What is enablement?”; Disability awareness in the context of enabling; Positive risk taking; The impact of the enabler and the environment on independence; “Tips of the Trade’

Health and Safety for ManagersThis introductory course is for managers who want to have a better understanding of health and safety in the workplace. It covers many key aspects of health and safety legislation including:

Fire SafetyElectricity at WorkCOSHHFirst AidRisk AssessmentDisplay Screen EquipmentAccident Reporting

It is designed to help managers to better understand their duties and responsibilities in the workplace.

The course is £25 per person and is suitable for anyone with responsibility for staff, volunteers or buildings.

Coming Soon

Minute Taking Skills

Basic Sign Lanaguage

Learning to Love Excel

Learning to Love Powerpoint


0151 203 2111 Ex309

[email protected]


Lifelong LearningConfidence and Skills for Life awareness of how lives can be changed for An important area for adult learning is the better through education, and in this Skills for Life - English, Maths and case through reading and writing poetry.confidence skills that people need for everyday life and for work. In Wirral some My Photo Adventure Book - Making innovative approaches have helped us to Technology and Literacy Fundevelop the skills of local people. Wirral Lifelong & Family Learning Service

run an exciting and innovative My Photo Literacy Buddies Adventure Book course. The project uses Literacy Buddy volunteers support technology creatively to engage with hard individual learners in libraries. to reach learners through schools and to

provide a focus for family literacy work.“We try to build up learners’ confidence by providing one-to-one help and improving Parents create a photo adventure book their literacy skills” - Claire, Literacy with their child. Buddy.

Children have fun creating a story using This has proved very popular with adults pictures in which they act out a set of not yet ready to join a group. Pat (a adventures. learner) is enjoying learning to read.

The families are supported to develop “People think at 80 I should have given up, their creative skills, their literacy skills and but I enjoy coming to class. It has made a have a go at using the computer to big difference to me. It has given me a produce a story book to be proud of. different outlook on life and keeps my mind active.” The course has proved very successful,

with learners eager to embark on other As they say: it’s never too late to learn! programmes to develop their skills further.

The Open Doors Project is funded by Wirral has some excellent examples of Skills Funding Agency through IACLFund, organisations working in partnership to led by Wirral Met. reach and support adult learners. For

more information about local Working with Tomorrow's Women Wirral, opportunities visit the Grapevine website they will publish poems which traces learners’ personal journeys from the depths of despair to new-found and the Learning Wirral Websiteconfidence. Entitled 'Opening Doors, Crossing Bridges' the anthology will raise

www.grapevine.learningwirral.org.uk

www.learningwirral.org.uk

http://www.grapevine.learningwirral.org.uk

http://www.learningwirral.org.uk/

Throughout Spring and Summer 2012 volunteers across Wirral are being offered the opportunity to access FREE training on cancer awareness and the benefits of the early detection of cancer.

The sessions are being offered on dates between February and June at venues across Wirral - allowing as many volunteers to access the training as possible.

The project is being funded by NHS Wirral and the training is being delivered by Unique Improvements - a Merseyside-based Social Enterprise with significant experience in this type of training.

The sessions will equip volunteers with all the information they need to help their local communities to understand the importance of Cancer Early Detection and also how to access services in Wirral.

The training session will also help volunteers to explore different methods they can use to communicate this information with local people.

Each session runs for one full day and is free to local volunteers - you even get your lunch thrown in for free.

If you would like to discuss this training in more detail, or you would like to book a place, please call Matt at VCA Wirral on 0151 203 2111 Ex 309 or email [email protected]

Do you volunteer in your local community?

Free Training

for Volunteers

Would you like to help local peopleto understand the importance ofEarly Detection of Cancer?


Wirral



FeatureJane Hallas, Senior Associate Adviser at Ellis

Whittam, looks at the Top 10 reasons whyemployers end up in Employment Tribunals

by Jane Hallas


Top 10 reasons why employersend up in Employment Tribunals

and what you can do to avoid themW's: what happened, when, where, what 9. Failure to deal with performance issuestime and who else was there? Employers often ignore performance

issues. It is always best to 'nip in the bud' 3. Inconsistent treatment issues as they arise. Use probationary If you dismiss one employee and not periods; if the employee is not another for the same offence this is likely performing, take early action.to be unfair.

10. Failure to investigate grievances4. Ignoring a claim Employees may raise a complaint without Employers may be tempted to ignore an making it clear it is a grievance. It is also Employment Tribunal claim and not worth investigating complaints and respond. Even if the claim is unreasonable checking whether the employee wants it is imperative you file a response within their concerns dealt with formally or 21 days otherwise the Tribunal will award informally. You should then investigate a default judgment. and see whether there is any merit in their

complaint and take appropriate action.5. Ignorance of the lawIgnorance of the various facets of As this is a complicated and potentially discrimination law often trips employers costly area of the law we recommend up. Typical examples include failing to strongly that you get legal advice.realise an employee is disabled and failing to take women's child caring roles into account. Always make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. Seriously consider requests to work part

1. Failure to follow a fair procedure time and follow the statutory flexible work Whilst employers may have a sound procedure.reason to dismiss an employee, they often trip up on following a fair procedure. 6. Lack of realismThere should be a fair process with at It may be better to try and settle a claim least a meeting with the employee before early on rather than fight it. dismissing and a right of appeal. Other than in cases of gross misconduct, 7. A claim cultureemployees should be given warnings If you are too quick to settle this can before being dismissed. For ill health encourage claims, which have been on the dismissals, an Employment Tribunal would increase with a greater awareness of expect to see a prior warning that the employee rights and no-win, no-fee employer is contemplating dismissal and a advisers. The government is looking at doctor's report which confirms the introducing a fee for bringing a case, but employee is not likely to return to work in at the moment it costs an employee the reasonably foreseeable future. If nothing to bring a claim.making redundancies, always consult with employees about avoiding redundancy first. 8. Breakdown in relationships

Often, managers receive no training in 2. Failure to investigate properly managing people; this can lead to poor This goes hand in hand with a fair employee relationships. Claims are more procedure. Investigations need to be likely to arise where the employee feels thorough with the aim of establishing the “wronged” or slighted in some way by the facts. When investigating, use the five employer. Mediation can help.

Help and assistance can be obtained free of charge through the VCA Wirral Employment Advisory Service - please call 0845 226 8393 and ask for Emma Doughty. Don’t forget to quote your VCA Wirral membership number.

VCA Wirral can help and support your organisation in an ever-growing range of

specialist fields - from funding and quality accreditation to volunteering and

employment law.

If your group needs some advice or support why not give us a call and talk to one of our team about how we can help

you.

0151 203 2111

www.elliswhittam.com


TechAll things technical and gadgety:

Computers, IT, Websites,Phones, Mobiles...


Your quarterly website review by the Roo

by Karl “The Roo” Rooney, VCA Wirral

moneysavingexpert.com download.cnet.com

What is the site about? What is the site about?The site is designed for consumers, This site is an 'internet directory' offering offering advice, vouchers and top tips on content/programs that be downloaded for buying lots of different things! free – all of the items are legal to

download!Is it really free?Yes! And advert free! The weekly email Downloading something, sounds scary!list can boast that it has 6 million people Yes it's understandable that people may on it! be scared of downloading items off the

internet, if it adds any reassurance, 113 Why is it free? million people are believed to visit this site This is something of a mystery, answers on every year.a postcard please!

Any Parts Of The Site You Don't Like?OK Give me a taster of the site Be careful are as you may get lost on the Free money saving loopholes, top tips on web if you don't type in the above link saving money on your car insurance, flight into your address bar! Remember, price comparisons, freebies and vouchers sometimes you may be downloading a for some many things including meals out! trial rather than the full version!

Roo Rating: 5/5 Roo Rating: 3/5

bbc.co.uk/iplayer

What is the site about?Like BBC programmes? Want to catch up on BBC programmes that have been shown in the last 7 days? This is for you!

Is it really free?Advert free, free to use 24/7 and paid for from license fee payers! This is part of the future of television and is a very popular way of watching TV anywhere, anytime!

Any catches?If you watch programmes on the internet live then you still need a TV license. You also need the necessary software and internet connection to play on your device. Also, some programmes shown on the BBC will not be available on iPlayer, notably Math of the Day!

Roo Rating: 4/5


Information SecurityWhat’s all the fuss?Data protection, data security, sexual orientation, religious, physical or information security – if we can't even mental health, political and financial decide what it's called is it any wonder it details or preferences.sometimes feels like a bit of a regulatory minefield in today's technology driven Secondly, if something does go wrong, and world, especially if limited budget means data is lost or compromised, even it's just not practical to have internal accidentally, which is often the case; the resource to help protect you and your ramifications for an organisation have customer's information effectively. never been greater. The Information

Commissioner can now fine up to In reality Data Protection is often £500,000 for non-compliance plus the delegated to someone who already has a inevitable unbudgeted costs of dealing day job (or two!), an ever growing 'to do' with the loss. Perhaps most important list, and through nobody's fault, the level though is the reputational damage that of risk starts to slowly but surely increase. can be inflicted and the ensuing negative

publicity when privacy has been neglected So, what's all the fuss, why is Information – think News of the World! For more advice regarding Information Security such an issue and a challenge Security and Data Protection issues and when perhaps, historically this wasn't The good news is significant solutions contact Gary Williams on 07710 always the case. In the first instance, as a improvements can be made with little or 843857 or data controller it's your legal obligation to no additional costs. In practical terms it's [email protected] appropriate steps to protect your important to take time to understand your client's data, especially if you hold what's key risks and clarify what data you hold, deemed as sensitive information, which and how it's stored. Remember the Data many third sector organisations do. Protection Act applies to physical and Sensitive information is defined as data electronic information.which captures a living individual's ethnic,

By Gary Williams

People CanTake ActionIn September last year, People Can conducted a survey to identify what online support there is available for community action, and if the need is being met.

The survey was answered by 167 community activists and support providers, and the results show that in many areas, support for community action is either hard to find or unavailable. No single 'go to' website was identified as the key resource for support, although many different ones were acknowledged to meet specific needs.

The survey shows that an accessible, step by step, online guide to community action is needed by those in the sector, providing links to local support. People Can is now working with community organisations to develop a resource to meet this need - a community web portal to be called 'People Can Take Action'.

Follow developments at peoplecantakeaction.blogspot.com

Visit www.peoplecan.org.uk to read the full report based on the survey.

Every year the Voluntary and Community Action Wirral website gets tens of thousands of hits meaning that lots of local groups are benefiting from the information, resources and opportunities that we post every week on our website.

Over the past six months our entire team has spent loads of time looking at the different ways that we use our website to work with people in our local community and, more importantly, how communities use our website to help themselves.

Based on the work our team has done Voluntary and Community Action Wirral will be implementing a series of big changes to our website over the next few months. We’ll be changing the look of our site as well as adding new functionality and improving the way you find your way around all of the content we provide.

We’re keeping the details under wraps for now but in future issues of Wirral 360° we’ll be telling you much more about the changes we are making - and we’ll be asking what you think.

Don’t forget, if you want to stay up to date with the work that we are doing you can follow us on Twitter - you’ll find details for all our contacts on the back cover.

Changes

for the

VCA Wirral

Website

BIG


InFocusInformation about groups, projects and

services available across the Wirral


InFocus:The Open

DoorCentre

What is the name of your group? for themselves. More often than not, willingness on our part to be of any help The Open Door Centre – a voluntary especially among young people, there is a which we can. If we feel that referrals to organisation reluctance to discuss and be open about separate mental health organisations will

mental health issues and thus people are be beneficial this action is taken.Where are you located? less likely to seek help. There is also the 108 Seaview Road, Wallasey, CH45 4LD assumption that mental health issues So how do we contact you?

must be in an advanced stage to merit Drop into the centre, call 0151 639 4545 What do you do? seeking help. We dismiss this and believe or email info The Open Door Centre is a mental health that tackling issues at an early stage, service which aims to make the treatment before the situation worsens, is by far the of mild depression and anxiety accessible best approach. and approachable to young people. Based We offer help and support with Job in Liscard, Wallasey, it is designed by searches as we understand the close young people and specifically tailored to correlation between unemployment and the needs of the modern young person. depression and offer help and support with CV writing and also with form filling. What type of projects do you run? These and other practical issues can seem

very daunting when approached alone.The Open Door Centre we aim to take We are open, friendly and approachable mental health services directly to those in and encourage new and existing users of need of it who would otherwise have the service to bring any issues which the been unwilling or reluctant to seek it out may have to us, reciprocated by a

[email protected]

An interview with Lee Pennington, Managing Director of The Open Door Centre

Would you like to see your group featured in a future issue of Wirral 360° Magazine?

Drop us an email and tell us what your group does: [email protected]

mailto:%[email protected]


Who are Rampworx?photography, design and IT. We also tackle in Bidston. The project will offer world-a range of issues including obesity, knife class facilities including coaching and crime, negative and anti-social behaviour, development for BMX, skateboard, inline, poor sexual health, self-esteem, scooter, climbing wall, Parkour, citizenship and employment aspirations. trampolining, circuit training, street dance, We work with a range of partner agencies gaming and business hub/pods for young including Merseyside police, Merseyside entrepreneurs. There will be additional Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Wirral, provision for IT, multi-media, workshop Wirral Youth Offending Team, Youth rooms, cookery/healthy eating, music

Established in 1997, Rampworx is the Service, the Drug and Alcohol Action recording and production facilities, in-longest established skatepark in the UK. Team, Aiming High and local schools. house radio station and It is a registered children's charity with an These are designed to enhance personal performance/guest speaker area. impressive track record of working with development and growth and to address Rampworx will also work closely with the and alongside young people boasting local socio-economic problems. local community to provide training, strong industry links. employment and social opportunities in

What is the Rampworx Wirral Project? partnership with local agencies. Office and Crucially, the organisation works with over workshop space will be offered to these 1000 young people per week through a Rampworx Wirral will be a unique, 70,000 agencies to enable a range of services to range of development activities and sports sqft world-class facility for young people be housed under one roof, creating a all under one roof; including 'Inline' and the local community. Since 2007, we comprehensive community sports hub.skating, BMX and Skateboarding, scooter, have been working alongside Wirral street dance, drama, video arts, Council to develop a purpose-built facility

distributed in public places but a huge A picture speaks a thousand wordsIt won’t come as much of a surprise to majority of the copies we print are sent Articles with pictures are much more know that lots of organisations and to volunteers and paid professionals appealing to readers (even though this community groups want to be featured in from the public, private and voluntary one hasn’t got one!) and our team are the Wirral 360° Magazine - afterall, sectors. more likely to choose those type of our circulation is more than 900

articles. But don’t send us just any old contacts (and growing) and if your It’s all about timing... picture - you need to have permission content is news and it gets past our You’d probably be very surprised at to use it (from the people in it and from editorial team, it doesn’t cost you a how long it takes to edit, design, proof, the photographer) and the quality and penny. What’s better is that, if you print and distribute a magazine like this size of the photograph are important meet our editorial values, we charge so giving our team as much notice as too.very reasonable rates for possible really helps. Articles that are advertising too.not time limited stand a higher chance And finally...of getting printed - especially because We can’t ever promise to print your We’ve worked hard to tame our if we run out of space in one issue it work, and, when we do, we can’t shrewd and ruthless editorial team but might make it into the next one. promise that it will be exactly as you they’re still a tough bunch to get your

present it to us - sometimes we have content past. Every quarter they have Keep it snappy to make changes. Our promise to you to sift through masses of articles, Sometimes our team gets sent articles is that we will always make sure we photos and news stories to find the that are three or four pages long in a remain true to your article, we’ll try great stuff that makes the final copy Word document! This sort of content really hard to maintain your writing that you get to see.will almost never get printed. To make style where we can, and we’ll always sure our magazine is interesting and try to give credit to the authors when Assuming the editorial team pass this diverse we pack as much content in as you have told us who they are.article, here’s some tips, tricks and possible - that’s why you won’t see ideas to help you get your story printed very many articles that take up event If you’d like to submit something for in future Issues of Wirral 360° one whole page. If you’re not sure the next issue then get in touch with Magazine.about how long your article should be the magazine team by calling you can either talk to our team or you 0151 203 2111 or emailing Who are you telling.can ask an honest friend to tell you [email protected] you are writing your article it’s what they think.important to keep your audience in

mind. Our magazine does get

By Tony Berry

How can you improve your

chances of getting your news

into Wirral 360° Magazine?


VCAWThe latest news from VCA Wirral



NHS Tackles Health Inequalities in WirralWirral Holistic Care ServicesNHS Wirral has announced the projects Wirral Mindthat will be funded to tackle health Wirral Society of the Blind & Partially Sightedinequalities in Wirral. The Public Health Women’s Enterprising BreakthroughInnovation fund, administrated by VCA

Wirral, offered up to £100,000 to tackle health inequalities in Wirral’s 20% most

In Issue 3 we will tell you more about the deprived areas.work that some of these projects Crossroads Caredelivered and the outcomes of their work.The fund was set up to look at innovative Cycling Projects

ideas by third sector organisations in Kick Start - Making ChangesIf you’d like to know more about the Wirral that could offer exceptional value North Birkenhead Development TrustPublic Health Innovation Fund please for money on tackling inequality issues for Park Roots CICcontact Karl Rooney on 0151 203 2111 beneficiaries in deprived areas. Over Potential FuturesEx212 or [email protected]£571,000 of funding was applied for by Community Acupuncture Company CIC

community, voluntary, faith groups, Wirral CABcharities and social enterprises in Wirral with a wide range of projects on offer.

Applications were of the highest standard and panel members had a difficult decision deciding which project would be funded. Thankfully, 13 projects received funding to tackle the following priorities:

To help local communities access activities which improves mental wellbeing for adults

To provide activities to improve health for people over 55, particularly men

To tackle factors that affect people's health (wider determinants of health)

To provide opportunities to support volunteers to enhance their employment prospects

To raise awareness/develop opportunities for self-help in local communities

To support vulnerable groups (including looked after children) to improve their health and access to appropriate services

To help local people access sexual health advice and contraception services

To help local families access services to reduce their weight and promote healthier lifestyles

To help local people access accident prevention services

The organisations that were awarded funding were:

Annual Survey ResultsThe results of the VCA Wirral Annual Survey have now been collated and analysed and are already starting to inform the decisions and direction of our organisation in supporting and working with our local community.

We asked questions about a broad range of topics which has allowed us to collate useful and varied intelligence about groups and organisations involved in the sector.

Some of the highlights of the data are shown below.

is the average number of volunteers involved in each of the organisations that responded39

Volunteering Opportunities to Network and were the areas that more organisations said they needed support with.

On average organisations had

vacancy on their boards of trustees.

fewer than one

90% of organisations listed word of mouth as one of their primary methods of recruiting volunteers

of organisations offered in-house training to theirstaff and volunteers59%

If you would like to access the full public results of our AnnualSurvey please call 0151 203 2111 or email [email protected]


His orytVCAW’s Business Development Coordinator

and budding historian, Will Bennett looks back at Wirral’s history

by Will Bennett, VCA Wirral


In the late 19th Century the old township of Liscard covered a large area and included a common, meadows and pasture land. In 1910, following a Charter previously available, all fronting on to a In 1979 the one-way traffic light system of Incorporation, Liscard township along traffic-free precinct. A large car park was was introduced. This then allowed part of with the townships of Wallasey Village also provided. The scheme is dominated Liscard Road to be cut off to traffic, thus and Poulton-cum-Seacombe, became the by Liscard House and Dominick House. completing the conversion of the Liscard Borough of Wallasey. Three years later it The latter was completed in 1970. Shopping area into a pedestrian precinct.became a County Borough.

During the 1960's Liscard was scheduled for redevelopment to provide a modern shopping centre for the Borough. The redevelopment necessitated the demolition of rows of houses and the relocation of Marymount Convent. The Convent which was built in 1878 and was situated on the corner of St. Albans Road and Mill Lane was then moved to Love Lane.

Work began in May 1968 to provide a wider range of modern shops than was

In 1940, Wirral's Civil Defence Emergency They were then abandoned and became a The Bidston Tunnels have been Committee granted Birkenhead Town place for children to explore until 1988 “permanently” sealed numerous times Council the go-ahead to build two large when Wirral Council sealed the entrances over the years, the last being in 2010.civilian air raid shelters in Tranmere and “permanently” due to them discovering Bidston for the protection of Cammell the tunnels use as a playground. Both sets of tunnels are now designated Laird employees and their families. as nuclear bunkers but due to the end of

The Bidston shelter had over 2000 bunks the Cold War it is unlikely that either will The Tranmere tunnel took over two years and nearly 800 seats, as well as ato build and stretched 6,500ft canteen, staff dormitory, toilets,underground, they were 7 feet wide and 6 medical aid post and a ventilationfeet 6 high and were to house over 6,000 shaft which could double as anpeople. emergency escape hatch.A ticket system was operated with permanent tickets to be given to approved People actually did use the Bidston applicants only. At one point in 1942, the Tunnels but only rarely and theseapplication for tunnel tickets was over soon went the way of their sister4000 with more than 1500 applications tunnels in Tranmere. ever be used again despite the many refused. petitions to open them as a museum as There was even a library built into the The Bidston Tunnels hit the news most has been done, very successfully, in shelter and extra heating was provided to recently in 2009 when the police used Stockport.keep the books in good condition. diggers to excavate the shelters, searching

for Gary Finlay, who was thought to have All three entrances to the bunker were gone to ground inside them, Finlay was More History secured by double gas proof doors to wanted in connection with the murder of provide security against a gas attack. Graham McKenna in Claughton in front of Coming inBy the time the tunnels were completed his son as they were on their way to a at a final cost of £131,000 there was no football match. The police were acting on longer a need for them as the danger of a tip off following the murder being invasion had passed. reconstructed on Crimewatch

Issue 3

Tranmere & Bidston Air Raid Tunnels

The Changing Face of Liscard

Contact

0151 203 2111

Wallasey Office220 - 224 Liscard RoadWallaseyWirralCH44 5TN

[email protected]

vcawirral.org.uk

@vcawirral

Contact Us


There are loads of different ways to get in touch with theVCA Wirral team. All the details are shown below

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Voluntary and Community Action Wirral is a registered charity in England and Wales (number 1123267) and a company limited by guarantee (number 6276431)

The opinions and views expressed in Wirral 360° are not necessarily those of VCA Wirral or any of it’s funders, team or associates.

We make every effort to ensure that information published is correct and accurate, however, VCA Wirral and it’s associates take no responsibility for the information produced or actions taken based on that information.

VCA Wirral has no control over external website links and it’s content and takes no responsibility for the content thereof or any damage or losses resulting from following the links.

©Copyright VCA Wirral 2012. All rights reserved.

Cover photo ©Kate Millington 2012.

Thanks to Kate for kindly allowing us to use the image for the front cover.

Documents

VCA Wirral 360 Magazine Winter 2011-12