Taken by: Sharon Bolus: Group Development Officer, Bolton CVS

Attendees:

Stephen Sherry – LGBT+/BAND

Anmole Sabir – Bolton Lads & Girls Club

Michael Carpenter – Youth United

ShabeenRehman – Asian Elders Resource Centre

Jean Haslam – St George’s Centre

Rita Liddell – BAND

Carole Darbyshire – Lever Park Student Council

Joanne Gavin – BLGC

Roselle Gorman – Bolton Adult Autism Support

Stuart Stokes – Birtenshaw

Michael Haworth – University of the Third Age

Helen Tomlinson – Bolton CVS

Sharon Bolus – Bolton CVS

Phil Mason – BWCT

Darren Knight – Bolton CVS

Apologies:

Graham Heywood – Bolton Adult Autism Support

Suzanne Hilton - Age UK Bolton

James Walton - Farnworth Performing Arts

Sylvia Dobinson - Network Circle for Deafness

Introduction and information share by Phil Mason, Chair of the
Forum.
Phil Mason introduced himself and invited members to share any news and forthcoming events. Code of conduct for forum summarised and PM reminded people to fill in demographic / feedback forms before leaving the meeting.
Philbrought the League One trophyfrom Bolton Wanderers, there was an opportunity for photographs.
In Westhoughton on Monday 29th May, event taking place “It’s a knock out.” All at the forum were invited to attend and to tell friends and family.
Social Value update – Helen Tomlinson, Bolton CVS
Helen updated the Forum on the Introduction to Social Value training that took place on the 27th April.
Positive feedback from participants. Helen will be running the course again on the 27th June.
A Social Value Conference is planned for 20th Julyorganised by GM Social Value network. Moredetails to follow. / Actions:
SHARE SOMEWHERE - Michael Carpenter
Share Somewhere is an online resource aimed attwo audiences:
People looking for space and people needing a space.
Michael talked through creating an account and details contained in pages. Really simple site to use. The aim is to get as many organisations on the website as possible. Long term vision: helping voluntary organisations attract income into their venues. Also encouraging voluntary groups to offer their spaces at reduced costs. Filters on website to enable easier searching.
Anyone who signs up has chance to win £500 – up to end of June must be constituted.
See Slides
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Volunteers week – Sharon Bolus, Bolton CVS
Volunteers Week 1st – 7th June
Roadshow – ‘Get Involved Bolton’.
During Volunteers Week Bolton CVS staff team will be visiting various venues across the 20 wards of Bolton, promoting volunteering and the range of opportunities available. Roadshow will be visiting Westhoughton Library, Bromley Cross Co-op, Asda and Breightmet UCAN - see website for full programme.
Volunteers Week will also feature a large scale event at the Market Place, Bolton on Saturday 3rd June, between 10.30am and 2.30pm. There will be 14 stalls for groups to promote volunteering and showcase their work in an interactive way.
We will also have full use of the stage in the market place, singing and dancing from community groups including Bolton Lads and Girls Club and Bolton Belters.
We will be promoting the roadshow events shortly, so if you want to know any more, please get in touch with Farzana Patel, Events and Communications Officer
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State of the Sector launch – Helen Tomlinson, Bolton CVS
Official launch of the GM state of the sector is taking place on the 1st Juneat the Lowry, Salford Quays.This will be followed by a Bolton briefing on the 7th June at the Hub. Join us to find out more about the findings and how the Voluntary Community Sector can use these findings to influence and shape future services.
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Gone for Good - Mark Charnock, Managing Director
See slides
Gone for Good is an online app which aims to turn your clutter into something good for the environment and for people in need. Their aim is to re-channel 6% of saleable clothing and other items which currently end up in landfilland so increase income for good causes. If they can do that, charity shop income will double, helping their important causes.
Gone for Good have been working with landlords and estate agents and are looking to do more with housing associations, eg with house clearances. Partners can be supported to put a value on donations and use data to demonstrate impact and CSR.
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Bolton U3A – MikeHowarth
U3A stands for University of the third age.
Aims: education and stimulation of mainly retired or people working part time.
Group was formed in 1991 and last year celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
Membership stands at 370 and they have a target of 400 by October this year. They hold monthly “general” meetings on the 4th Friday of every month, they have guest speakers. Topics can range from wildlife photography to growing up in the 40’s.
They also have interest groups which are led by members on a voluntary basis. They meet at various locations around Bolton on a weekly/fortnightly or monthly basis.
Membership costs £20 per annum and at present members pay £1 for each session.
Motto of U3A is “Live, learn and laugh”.
For more information: / Actions:
The latest training and funding news, Sharon Bolus, Group Development Officer, Bolton CVS
An introduction to online fundraising
31st May
Getting the right skills on your trustee board
5th June
Reaching Communities workshop
7th June
Making the most difference – An introduction social Value
27th June
Inspiring online fundraisers
27th June
Understanding the role of the Management Committee
25th July
Emergency First Aid in The Work Place
27th September
WEBINAR: Introduction to cyber security for charities
27th September
For more information or to make a booking on any of our training courses please visit:

Funding update:
Provincial/Walsh Trust
Grants of up to £1,000 for activities that benefit residents in Bolton.
Deadline:end of September.
For more information and to request an application form, please contact Joan Bohan on 01204 520679 or email
Forever Manchester – Cash 4 Graft
Between £50 - £250 to help community ideas get off the ground.

Application form is available on their website and can be submitted at any time.
The Rayne Foundation
Supports work which is untried or tests new approaches with clear objectives. They favour work which could change the way issues are tackled in our society and which could have lessons for others beyond the funded organisation.
They have a 2 stage process. At Stage One they will ask you to provide a short outline application.
Stage Two provides an opportunity to provide a more fully developed and formal proposal.

See website for deadlines in 2017.
Forever Manchester
THE GREAT GET TOGETHER
Currently open for applications. Closes on Wednesday 7th June at 12pm.
The Great Get Together are offering £200 to communities to hold an event in their neighbourhood. The Great Get Together (16th-18th June) aims to encourage communities to get together with their neighbours to share food and celebrate all that we have in common. To be eligible for an award you must have signed up on the official Great Get Together website to hold an event, then complete their application form.
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Fresh as a Daisy – Helen Tomlinson, Trustee
Helen explained that the group was set up to help disadvantaged women and girlsaccess hygiene and sanitary productsby providing them with the items they desperately need. Donation points are at Grub Tub locations throughout Bolton (called Daisy Drops) for donations of tampons, towels, hand sanitiser, shower gel, roll-on deodorant, lip balm. If you would like more information or want to set up your own drop-off point please contact: / Actions:
Any other business
Michael Kane Bolton Council.
Bolton Council is interested in hearing the views of the Voluntary and Community Sector in relation to priorities for future investmentin the sector.
There are 3 ways to share your views:
  1. Complete the online survey /
  2. Come along to one of the engagements events - dates to be announced. Please check Bolton CVS website.
  1. Email your comments to
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Date of next Forum will be announced shortly.