Following the development of a new and exciting joint venture with Walsall College, WVA can provide a gateway to specialist skills and link in with willing students that have a lot to ofer the sector in Walsall.

Could your organisation  benefit from some specialist expertise then email Ian Willetts CEO at Walsall Voluntary Action now to express an interest.  email ianw@walsallva.org.uk  It’s as simple as that.

Take a loook below at two of the winning poster designs that Walsall College HND students created, volunteering their own time to support this scheme. There is a wealth of skills on offer and your organisation could benefit from then so get in touch today. 

 Click on the thumbnail images below to enlarge.

In the Mental Health Act 2007 qualifying patients in England must have access for help from an Independent Mental Health Advocate. This service to be available for people admitted to inpatient services for Adult Mental Health, Older Adult Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, though qualifying patients will be prioritised.

Roles and responsibility of IMHA:
-IMHA must be available to all qualifying users
-The advocate is independent of any professional involvement
-IMHA will help users obtain and understand information regarding the legislation they are subject to, the conditions or restrictions they are subject to, and the medical treatment proposed
-IMHA will help users obtain information concerning their rights and how to exercise them

In addition to evidencing the ability to deliver the required service, potential providers must be able to demonstrate:

-A thorough understanding of mental health legislation
-Detailed Knowledge of the health and social care environment together with key drivers
-Innovation and creativity in the delivery of the service
-Evidence of integrated working with other partners
-Ability to deliver the service from bases within the boundaries of the Black Country locality.

Those who tender will be selected on the basis of the experience, capability, quality and safety standards and financial standing.

The initial process will entail a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire which is to be returned no later than 12:00 noon on Thursday 2nd February 2012.
Only those that successfully meet the qualifying criteria will be invited to tender, with tender packs to be sent out in March 2012. The contract to be awarded in July 2012 for the service to commence on 1 October 2012.

For more information visit:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/blackcountryportal/aspx/ProjectManage/161

To read the full article please follow this link to the Guardian Website

This may be a sign of the times but the worst thing local organisations can do is to keep silent whilst issues and concerns often about funding go unheard. WVA recommend you discuss any concerns you may have with the relevant organisation be that a public sector body or a charitable funder. Do not forget that you can also contact WVA who will discuss your concerns in confidence and see if we can help you and your organisation identify a way forward.  You are not the only one facing difficult times and often some difficult decisions.

Please feel free to contact our Chief Executive – Ian Willetts or speak to a member of the development team on 01922 619840 and we will see how we may be able to help you out.  Please remember if you do not tell us about your concern then we can not help you.

1 x double door metal cabinet – not lockable
1 x metal 3 drawer filing cabinet – not lockable
10 x metal 4 drawer filing cabinets – not lockable
1 x large beech computer table
1 x half moon beech table
3 x trapezium beech tables
1 x red chair – no arms
3 x black chairs with arms
3 x black chairs – no arms
2 x brown chairs with arms
1 x blue chair – no arms
1 x large double door metal storage cabinet (2 interior shelves) – not lockable
1 x grey computer desk
1 x 4 drawer brown/cream metal filing cabinet – not lockable
1 x 3 drawer grey metal filing cabinet – lockable
1 x 2 drawer grey metal filing cabinet – not lockable
6 x 3drawer metal filing cabinets – not lockable
1 x 4 drawer grey metal filing cabinet – lockable
2 x 4 drawer grey metal filing cabinet – not lockable
2 x large glass desk dividers
1 x yellow plastic container with display boards
4 x black carry cases with display boards
1 x grey plastic wheeled Nimlok display boards
3 x large notice boards
1 x small notice board
5 x assorted black metal shelves
chairs with arms 1 x green, 2 x blue, 3  x black
15 x green conference chairs
1 x over head projector
12 x beech trapezium tables
1 x Plain grey metal table
1 x large beech computer table
1 x large 6ft notice board
1 x grey 4 shelf bookcase
2 x 3 drawer filing cabinets (1 lockable)
1 x 4 drawer metal filing cabinets (1 lockable)
1 x small beech computer table
3 x 3 drawer lockable beech desks
2 x 2 drawer lockable beech desks
1 x large plain beech desk
1 x small square beech computer desk  (there are 2 but 1 is broken)
2 x half moon blue desk dividers
1 x small grey metal notice board
3 x 3 drawer small beech desks ( 1 lockable)
1 x 3 shelf open book case
1 x dark wood/metal square reception table
1 x large 2 drawer desk – not lockable
2 x wheeled computer trolleys ( 1x cream/black   1 x dark wood)
2 x 3 drawer small desk  – not lockable
1 x 2 drawer small desk – not lockable
1 x 6 drawer large beech computer desk – not lockable
1 x 6 drawer large grey computer desk – not lockable

Broken – to be disposed off if of no use:
1 x broken beech/metal computer trolley
1 x small square beech computer desks ( 1 is broken)
1 x metal 2 drawer cabinet – locked no key

For further information please contact Anne Hodnette, Divisional Support Manager, Directorate of the Urban Environment on 01384 814151, or email anne.hodnette@dudley.gov.uk

Walsall Council is launching a new and proactive online resource data base register that is easy to access and use.

This will allow people who are looking for help to find personal assistants that are suited to their specific care needs,

                     All Personal assistants will be:

 CRB checked

 Suited to your current care needs.

For further information or to register please visit:

www.walsall.gov.uk/pa-register

Or contact your local support office, who will

assist you to access the register.

For further information please see follow this link to the Self Directed Support Factsheets

Dear Colleague

Black Country business bosses have forged an innovative link-up with voluntary and community groups to drive forward future growth in the area.

The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership has welcomed voluntary and community sector leaders to join them to help offer employment and training opportunities and support the development of small businesses and social enterprises.

Stewart Towe, chair of the Black Country LEP, said:

“We recognise the importance of the voluntary and community sector in the Black Country and are delighted to have established this formal working relationship.

“The sector consists of around 3,000 organisations and employs more than 25,000 staff. It also works with tens of thousands of volunteers, which means they have a great network across the sub-region and can help champion the Black Country regionally, nationally and internationally.

“We will be looking at ways they can support in offering advice to small business enterprises or developing social enterprises and how they can help create a more skilled workforce through numerous voluntary roles and training programmes they offer.”

Ian Darch, chief executive of Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council, said:

“We are pleased to have been given this opportunity to contribute and influence the work of the LEP. The work that the voluntary and community sector carries out complements and ties in with a great deal of work being carried out by the LEP so we are confident this working relationship will benefit all concerned.”

Following enthusiastic support for the development of links between the LEP and the voluntary and community sector at a recent conference organised by the four Black Country councils for voluntary service a focus group of voluntary and community sector organisations is now being established. This group will act as a formal point of contact for the LEP and the sector will be invited to attend appropriate meetings of the LEP board.

Walsall Voluntary Action are keen to hear from representatives of local organisations with an interest in supporting the role of the sector in Economic Partnerships and to contribute to develop a stronger dialogue between the sector across the Black Country in this area of work. The sector has a good opportunity and we want to make the most of the excellent progress we have jotly made as CVS’s in the Black Country. If you are interested in finding out more then please contact,  Ian Willetts, CEO of Walsall Voluntary Action on 01922 619840 or email ianw@walsallva.org.uk   

Outstanding people for an outstanding business 

Health & Housing Partnerships Manager – Regeneration Team

£38,202 p.a. 37 hours per week

2 Year Fixed term contract

Job Ref: REG/03/11

Joint working to link health and housing is something that we in Walsall are particularly proud of.  In the last few years we have worked together on a whole host of projects many of which have been recognised as good practice by the Department of Health and the Chartered Institute of Housing.  Now we want to appoint a Partnerships Manager to make sure things don’t stop!

Experience in developing and managing joint projects is a must in this role.  Similarly our ideal candidate will have the negotiating and diplomatic skills necessary to keep our work on track.  A great deal of the work will be building and reinforcing joint working between NHS Walsall and whg so you will need to have significant experience of managing partnerships and projects in the public health field.  Knowing the best way to get results from working with local authorities, other public sector bodies and the commercial world would be a great bonus too.

Anyone who has worked in partnerships knows each day brings new challenges.    Keeping people involved, engaged and moving in the same direction and working on new business opportunities will be bread and butter to our Partnerships Manager.

In short we have started something rather special between the two organisations.  Are you the right person to make sure we keep up our momentum?

To download an application form and job description, please visit www.whg.uk.com. Alternatively, please contact our HR team on 01922 426712 or email hr.recruitment@whgrp.co.uk quoting reference REG/03/11for an application pack.

Please note we are unable to accept CV’s and will only consider submissions by application form.

Closing date: 15 December 2011

Assessment Date: 21 December 2011

Walsall Lions are looking for volunteers to help with door to door collections between the 4th to 16th of December, if there is anyone willing to help and take part in an iconic Christmas event namely the Santa Float your support would be most helpful. A little time spent helping out this year will make a big difference so why not contact us now.

Please spare a few hours of your time this year to help out. If you can help please email Ian Willetts (WVA) in the first instance ianw@walsallva.org.uk

Give back a little to your community and get a lot in feturn.

Read a copy of the letter for yourself here: Open letter civil society

BBC WM has a proud 40 year history of supporting organisations in need, whether by simply raising awareness about issues, supporting fundraising events, or most notably through its highly successful partnership with Birmingham Children’s Hospital, which raised £1.5 million to build a new renal unit through the Kidney Kids Appeal.

The station is now seeking a local charity to be its new appeal partner.  You can access more details at the BBC WM website here.