Computer Skills for Clients

So, if you didn't already know, the Alliance is working on setting up Online Access Points where your clients can fill in benefit claims online and get online information with the support of trained volunteers (updates on that soon); but what can you do for clients who need help with basic computer skills before this is an option for them?

CitySouth Housing are offering free computer skills classes at either beginner or intermediate level. The Basics course is 3 days a week for 5 weeks and is based at the Powerhouse Library in Moss Side. The Improvers course starts on May 19th and runs for 7 weeks, 2 days per week. Attending will not affect benefit payments, and will result in an Open Awards certificate - either Entry Level or Level 1 ICT. The courses are open to all residents in the area, whether they are City South residents or not.

Anyone wishing to find out more can attend an induction day on May 14th, between 10am and 2pm. To book a place, call Lorraine or Amy on 0161 227 1346/1350.

April Forum

This month's forum was a really interesting one, with Terry Patterson from Manchester City Council coming in to discuss the Appeals process with advisors and answer questions. People seemed to come away feeling a bit more knowledgeable....at least, I hope they did!

For those of you who weren't able to make it, never fear! The notes are now available for you to read at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPRFdPSy14OUpHVGc/edit?usp=sharing If you have any questions that weren't answered, just let me know and I'll see what I can do for you....just comment here, or drop me an email - rosi.hunter@manchestercab.org

As a result of the forum, the Project Board are keen to arrange a meeting with the DWP to discuss the sector's concerns. To contribute your case study to our argument, please post it on the message board topic I've created, or drop me an email.

Thanks!

A Date for your Diary....

On 4th September, CPAG are holing their Welfare Rights Conference at the University of Manchester Innovation Centre. The day's agenda looks like this:

09.15 - 10.00 Arrival, registration, coffee and exhibition stand viewing
10:00 – 11.15 Host welcome and keynote speakers (tbc)
11.15 – 11.30 Refreshment break and viewing of exhibition stands
11.30 – 12.45 Workshops – morning session
12.45 – 13.30 Lunch and viewing of exhibition stands
13.30 – 14.45 Workshops – afternoon session
14.45 – 15.00 Refreshment break and viewing of exhibition stands
15.00-16.00 Panel discussion and Q&A

and with workshops available on 'Disputing benefit decisions: ‘mandatory reconsideration’', 'Localised Welfare, Personal Independence Payment', 'The past presence, the future: changes to residence and presence tests', and 'Sanction Busting!', it looks to be a really interesting day.

It's not a cheap one, but they do have an early bird rate of £110 for voluntary organisations if you book before 1st July.

You can find more information and the booking form here: http://www.cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights-conference?dm_i=5MH,2DA3L,EJNYIK,8LJZ5,1

Train away....(with updated June calendar!)

We said we'd include training calendars for each month, and we like to keep our promises, so below you'll find links to training calendars for May and June. Let us know if these are set out the way you'd like, if you'd like to see other providers listed on there, and just general feedback on how useful or otherwise these calendars are would be great. Either comment on here, on the message board, or email rosi.hunter@manchestercab.org

May: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPS29uQkdhSVlSLVE/edit?usp=sharing
June: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPWlJudUhqdTJBR0U/edit?usp=sharing

Ooooh, it's new!

The River is a new charity, based in Audenshaw, working with people who have suffered, or are at risk of suffering, emotional and social difficulties such as sex-related violence or abuse, as well as helping and supporting their dependents. They provide a range of services - skills workshops, emotional support, and the provision of essential resources.

While they're based in Audenshaw, they work with people from all over Manchester, so they may still be of interest to you and your clients. Food parcels are restricted for Manchester residents, but all other services are delivered equally.

For more information on The River and the work they're doing take a look at their website, www.therivermanchester.org.uk and take a look at the information they sent across to us:

Introduction letter for referrals: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzfcDFqzaJ37SVBTeGJGcUV0ZzA/edit

Referral form: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzfcDFqzaJ37TUM5VmMzUHZ4ZU0/edit

Another Job Opportunity

CAB have just released a job vacancy for a Money Advice Caseworker, working with Southway Housing Trust tenants. The role is full-time until March 2015, with the possibility of continuation of funding.

For more info, please click on the link below, which gives you details of the role and how to apply:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPZ0JwM3Z1RlZydkU/edit?usp=sharing

Stretch Your Skills

Training....we all always need more, right? But who has the time to search for courses that might be useful? Well, that's what we're here for! We've put together a calendar for training sessions taking place in Manchester in April so that you don't have to search around....and there are some freebies and low-cost options in there too, as we know training budgets are low.

Take a look:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPTGxkVE9COHpJOG8/edit?usp=sharing

We're working on doing the same thing for upcoming months, so if you have any suggestions about what it should look like, what it should include, if there are other sites we should be scouring, just let us know by commenting below!

Forum Fabulousness....

So....you couldn't make the March forum...it's a shame, and we missed you, but we're not ones to hold grudges, so we've decided to share the notes with you anyway!

It was an interesting session, with Chester Benefits Training delivering a session on the JSA Claimant Commitment, explaining the differences between that and the Universal Credit CC, and how sanctions should work....so that when they're handed out incorrectly, you know what to do about them.

You can read the notes from the 'rolling agenda items' section of the session here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPR3JlN1RQQUVXaU0/edit?usp=sharing# We're hoping to have the slides from the CC session in the near future, so will post as soon as we do.

And if you want to join us for the April forum, you can click this link: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maa-forum-april-2014-tickets-11088322471 to sign up. The main focus of this session will be Appeals, with Terry Patterson from the Manchester City Council Appeals Team talking you through how the system works and answering your questions. We really hope you can make it!