Real Food Courses

Have you got clients who'd like to learn how to make low-cost, easy, healthy meals? If so, Real Food Wythenshawe are running two 5 week courses for people to do just that! They start in a couple of weeks at:

Royal Oak Community Centre
Monday 7th September, 1-3pm

Benchill Community Centre
Wednesday 9th September, 1-3pm

Anyone wanting to book a space should contact Pam on pamela.moran@wchg.org.uk / 0161 946 9167

Volunteer Opportunity

Motor Neurone Disease Association are currently recruiting for volunteers; please see below for info:

The Motor Nerurone Disease Association is running a pilot Welfare Benefits Project across Greater Manchester from October 2015 – April 2016. The aim of the project is to ensure people with MND and their carers claim the right benefits and and are able to access specialist advice. We are looking to recruit a team of volunteer Benefit Navigators to work with us on this project.

Benefits Navigator – Role Description

The role

 

Benefit Navigators will help people with motor neurone disease (MND) to complete claim forms for Attendance Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Navigators will receive comprehensive training covering MND and also how claim forms should be completed to ensure the right amount of benefit is awarded. This role is particularly important because the devastating effects of MND can include losing the ability to walk, write and speak, making dealing with benefit claims very difficult. Navigators will not be expected to understand the entire benefits system, give advice or do calculations – they will signpost to a specialist service to support people beyond initial claims.

Navigators will:

·         Attend 2 training days – one providing information about MND and one covering how claim forms should be completed

·         Visit people with MND at home to complete a claim form for PIP or Attendance Allowance
·       Have a willingness to take time to fully understand the difficulties experienced by a person with MND and carefully record this information on a claim form – this may take an hour or longer depending on possible communication difficulties
·         Be prepared to travel across Greater Manchester to undertake visits – these can be scheduled around other commitments
·         Complete induction and training for the role and attend regular support and information exchange meetings with MND Association staff.
·         Refer people with MND to our specialist benefits advice service to ensure all entitlements have been claimed and be supported to appeal incorrect decisions

Skills and interests sought:

 ·         Good communication skills, a patient and empathetic approach and ability to discuss intimate personal care issues with sensitivity

·         An interest in welfare benefits and a commitment to making the claim process as stress-free as possible for people with MND
·         A commitment to equality and diversity and a willingness to work with members of all communities
·         Knowledge of MND or a willingness to learn about the disease

How much time will you need to give?

The time commitment given will be entirely up to each individual Navigator. This is a new project and we are uncertain about the level of demand for the service but we anticipate a minimum of 8 hours a month will be required.  

How will the MND Association support you?

·         You will receive relevant training to undertake the role

·         You will be provided with one-to-one and group based support and be able to speak to the Project Manager if you have any questions or concerns

·         You will be reimbursed all agreed out-of-pocket expenses, including travel

Benefits of being a Navigator

o   You will have an opportunity to learn more about motor neurone disease and use this knowledge to support people living with the condition

o   This is an opportunity to learn more about benefits for people with MND and other disabled people

o   You will join our wonderful  team of volunteers and meet new people

o   You will have a brilliant opportunity to enhance your CV and develop your skills

o   You can learn  more about how national charities such as the MND Association operate

If you would like more information or an informal discussion about this role please contact Laurie Clemenceau:

laurie.clemenceau@mndassociation.org

01604  611686

 

New Vacancy at Citizens Advice Manchester

Citizens Advice Manchester are recruiting for a Full Time Telephone & Digital Triage Assessor, full time, for 35 hours per week, working from their Contact Centre in the City Centre. 

They are looking for an experienced and self-motivated individual to join their team of telephone & digital triage assessors.  If you can demonstrate: -

* A professional manner and good communication skills 
* An ability to gather and assess information quickly and accurately
* An ability to learn quickly and to work under pressure
* An ability to deal confidently and sensitively with members of the public as part of the frontline service. 
* A commitment to equal opportunity for all

They can offer:-

* A salary of  £19,048 per annum 
* 26 days annual leave per annum (plus bank holidays)
* Health Plan with integrated Employee Assistance Programme

Application packs can be requested via email at hr@manchestercab.org
or by telephoning Jo-Anne Sharkey on 0161 672 0527

Closing date for applications:  5pm on Thursday 6 August 2015
Interviews will be held:   Week commencing 10 August 2015  

New Citizens Advice Trainee Post

There's a new post opening up at Manchester Citizens Advice for a Trainee Fuel Poverty Adviser; see below for details:

Post 1:           Fuel Poverty Adviser (Trainee)

Salary:           Starting at £20,253 per annum (Rising to £22,937 on successful completion of development programme)

Hours:           Full Time 35 hours per week (Initially 12 months fixed term) 

This is a potential development opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with the minimum required advice experience to join our specialist Energy Advice Service.  Our team of specialist advisers are tackling fuel poverty using a range of preventative measures. We work in a holistic manner to achieve long term benefits for our clients.

The service is targeted at the most vulnerable and financially excluded families.

You will provide a flexible menu of services including debt and welfare benefits advice, income maximisation, financial capability workshops and energy efficiency advice. The adviser will deliver the service via a range of outreach venues.

We value our employees and can offer the following benefits:
•           Generous salary
•           26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
•           Health plan with integrated Employee Assistance Programme
•           Flexi Time working

Application packs can be downloaded from our website: www.manchestercab.org

or by emailing hr@manchestercab.org   

The closing date for application is Thursday 2^nd July 2015. 

Interviews will be held during the week commencing 6^th July 2015.

Keep Volunteering Voluntary Event

If you haven't yet heard of it, Keep Volunteering Voluntary is a campaign against the Help to Work Programme and mandatory work placements - they want to address the major concerns that the sector has about this scheme and how it affects individuals and the organisations which support them.

On July 14th, they'll be holding an event at MMU from 1-4pm; this will:

• Spread information about the Help to Work Programme and the ways in which it is being rolled out by the DWP, prime contractors and their subcontractors (including testimony from claimants who have been affected);
• Share information and experiences between participants who have had contact with the Programme;
• Gain greater understanding and awareness about the effects of workfare and benefits sanctions;
• Help to decide what further action can be taken.

You can book onto the event by clicking here. In addition, they're looking for a couple of people to speak about their experiences of workfare - either as an organisation who have lost genuine volunteers to the scheme or perhaps been offered volunteers as a part of it, or from individuals who have been forced to participate. If you would like to speak, or have a client who you think would like to take part, please email Rosi as soon as possible.

For more info on the event, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPZkt3cW1vR2EtSG8/view?usp=sharing

New Funding Opportunity!

Have you heard of the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People? They used to be known as the Hilton in the Community Fund and they provide funding for organisations who work with children and young people of up to £30,000 on projects up to 2 years. They focus on organisations providing support to one or more of their four targeted groups of children & young people:

• those with disabilities
• those who are sick in hospital
• those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• those who are life limited (requiring palliative care)

They like grants to focus on providing equipment and capital costs, but can support some staff/operational costs if they are not the majority of the funding.

The Foundation have four funding rounds a year, and the deadline for the next round is 28th July 2015.

For more information, visit their website: https://dmthomasfoundation.org/what-we-do/grants/dmtf-central-grants/

Can you help Stroke Association?

For the past 7 years, Stroke Association have been successfully running an 8 week health and education programme for stroke survivors and their carers. Unfortunately, due to funding cuts the fantastic adviser they had from Age UK is no longer available to deliver these sessions, meaning that they're now looking for someone else to help them out and deliver them.

 

 

 

The talk should last for an hour, will be held 4 times a year and they like it to be informal but informative, as well as being able to adapt to people's needs / disability when answering questions. Is this something you could offer? If so, please contact Chantelle Brady on:

0161 621 3708 / 07860 186 849 / chantelle.brady@stroke.org.uk

 

 

 

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Grants

The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust is looking to fund programmes of work which remove people's problems through radical action, using innovative and inventive methods. They have 5 priority areas, although only 4 will be applicable to Alliance members:

• Peace and Security to support a transition towards:
• The use of 'soft', rather than 'hard' power as a first line of response to conflict within society and around the world.
• The de-legitimisation of violence as a tool for responding to conflict, securing interests or projecting power.
• A culture of human rights and non-violent problem-solving, promoted at all levels of society.
• Power and Accountability - to support people to create a world in which power is more equally shared, and in which powerful institutions are responsive and accountable to wider society and aligned with the long-term public interest.
• Rights and Justice - to promote racial justice and equality of opportunity as a basis for a harmonious multi-racial, multi-ethnic society in the UK.
• Sustainable Future - to develop and promote sustainable, low-carbon alternatives to the current consumerist and growth-based paradigm.

Work does need to undertaken at a national level, so should be looking to make positive change either across Britain as a whole or at least across England.

For more information, check out their website Applications are due by 1st September, 2015

Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau - MAS Contact Centre Job Vacancies

Hi Everyone!

Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau is offering exciting opportunities to join our professional team in our Money Advice Contact Centre. This is funded by the Money Advice Service. There are three exciting job opportunities so please have a look at the advert below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1kGQrsDFP8IS0NwRldCYzRyTGs/view?usp=sharing

Alzheimers Society Job Vacancy

Alzheimers Society are looking for a Dementia Support Manager to cover Manchester, Salford and Trafford. The post is part time; 28 hours per week, and involves managing a team of Dementia Support Workers, assisting people with dementia and their carers to identify needs and access services.

The deadline for applications is 28th May, and more information can be found on their website: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/recruit_details.php?id=9327

Lloyd's Bank 'Enable' Fund

Have you heard of the Lloyds Bank Enable Fund? The grants programme was created to help small and medium-sized charities who have been hit hard by cuts and changes to funding and commissioning to have a more stable future. Most importantly, it has £2.5 million still available to award in 2015.

The funding is intended to strengthen charities and charitable incorporated organisations (with an income of between £25,000 and £1 million) that are working with people experiencing issues of multiple disadvantage at points of transition but have also identified clear development areas which will support their growth.

Enable grants are for up to £15,000 over two years and are available to charities working with people aged 17 years and over who are experiencing at least one of the following:

• Have been abused or are at risk of abuse
• Are victims of sexual exploitation or trafficking
• Are ex-offenders or those at risk of offending
• Are long term unemployed and are considered to be furthest away from the labour market
• Are leaving care
• Are homeless
• Have learning disabilities
• Have mental health and wellbeing issues
• Have addictions
• Are refugees or asylum seekers
• Have caring responsibilities
• Are older and are losing independence
• Are isolated and vulnerable
• Have severe financial difficulty as a compounding disadvantage

If you think you might be eligible, and would like to find out more, go the Lloyds Bank Website

Roles at Manchester CAB

Manchester CAB have got a number of new roles available; take a look below for more information!

Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau is a progressive and dynamic advice service offering an exciting opportunity for advisers to join our team.  We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to deliver a first class advice service at outreach locations across the City and via home visits.

Post 1:  Money Advice Contact Centre Debt Caseworker x 2 posts
Hours:   35 hours per week 
Salary: £22,443-£23,945
We are seeking to appoint experienced and competent Debt Caseworkers to deliver telephone and digital advice to clients referred into the service by partners. Successful applicants will have a minimum of one year’s full-time equivalent experience of delivering debt advice and an ability to satisfy MAS standards of competence at casework level

Post 2:  British Gas Energy Trust Fuel Poverty Adviser
Salary: £22,443 per annum 
Hours:   Full Time 35 hours per week (12 months fixed term)
Funded by British Gas Energy Trust, the aim of this post is to tackle fuel poverty by providing a service specifically targeted at the most vulnerable and financially excluded families. The adviser will provide a flexible menu of services including money advice, income maximisation, welfare benefits advice, financial capability workshops and energy efficiency advice. The post will deliver advice and support via a range of outreach venues and specifically at GP Practices and Health Centres. 

Post 3 : Outreach/Home Visiting Generalist Adviser
Salary: £19,817
Hours:  Full Time 35 hours per week
The successful candidate will be based at our City Centre office and will deliver a consistently high quality generalist advice service to our priority target groups. Advice will be delivered principally by appointments at outreach venues and home visits, however also by telephone and digital access channels where the service requires.  

Post 4: Pension Guidance Guarantee Agent
Salary: £19,817 – £21,734
Hours: Full Time (Fixed term to March 2016)
In this exciting, varied role, you’ll provide high quality, accurate, face-to-face pensions choices information and guidance to people from all walks of life.  You’ll help people understand the implications of their financial choices, make sure they are aware of the dangers of fraud and scammers and play a key part in making society fairer.   

We value our employees and can offer the following benefits:
• Generous salary
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Health plan with integrated Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexi Time working
Application packs can be downloaded from our website: www.manchestercab.org  or by emailing hr@manchestercab.org   

The closing date for applications is Monday 11th May 2015.  
Interviews will be held during the week commencing Monday 18th May 2015.

Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau Service has a strong commitment to equality and working with diverse communities

AND Citizens Advice posts too!

Wow, we really are spoiling you...consider this your Easter treat...CAB have a number of posts available:

Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau Service

Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau is a progressive and dynamic advice service offering an exciting opportunity for advisers to join our team.  We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to deliver a first class advice service at outreach locations across the City and via home visits.

Post 1: British Gas Energy Trust Fuel Poverty Adviser
Salary: £22,443 per annum
Hours:   Full Time 35 hours per week (12 months fixed term)
Funded by British Gas Energy Trust, the aim of this post is to tackle fuel poverty by providing a service specifically targeted at the most vulnerable and financially excluded families. The adviser will provide a flexible menu of services including money advice, income maximisation, welfare benefits advice, financial capability workshops and energy efficiency advice. The post will deliver advice and support via a range of outreach venues and specifically at GP Practices and Health Centres.

Post 2:  Advice Supervisor
Salary:  £22,443
Hours:  Full Time 35 hours per week
Responsible for the delivery and co-ordination of generalist advice and information services at outreach and home visits.  Supervising the outreach/home-visiting team the successful candidate will have experience and understanding of supporting and motivating volunteers and staff to maintain quality standards.  The supervisor will act as the principal generalist advisor at our Manchester Town Hall advice service.

Post 2 : Outreach/Home Visiting Generalist Adviser
Salary: £19,817
Hours:  Full Time 35 hours per week
The successful candidate will be based at our City Centre office and will deliver a consistently high quality generalist advice service to our priority target groups. Advice will be delivered principally by appointments at outreach venues and home visits, however also by telephone and digital access channels where the service requires.

We value our employees and can offer the following benefits:
• Generous salary
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Health plan with integrated Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexi Time working


Application packs can be downloaded from our website:  www.manchestercab.org
or by emailing  hr@manchestercab.org  

The closing date for application is Thursday 16th April 2015.
Interviews will be held during the week commencing Monday 20th April 2015.

Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau Service has a strong commitment to equality and working with diverse communities

Booth Centre Job Opportunity

The lovely folk over at the Booth Centre have got an advice worker post available:

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic advice worker who will be reliable, energetic and willing to work flexibly in a very busy day centre. The post holder will run a daily advice session aimed at getting rough sleepers off the streets as quickly as possible, helping to ensure they do not return to the streets and intervening to prevent people from becoming street homeless.

Applications from people with past personal experience of homelessness would be welcome and/or from people who can speak an Eastern European language.

Salary NJC pt. 28: £24,472  + 10% pension

Closing Date: Monday 13th April 11am

Interviews: Wednesday 29th April

The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

An application pack can be downloaded from our website.
For more information contact Amanda Croome, CEO - amanda@boothcentre.org.uk

New Job Vacancy

Do you fancy a new challenge, or know someone looking for change? Manchester CAB have a post available for a Pension Guidance Guarantee Agent, full time until March 2016.

The successful candidate will provide high-quality, accurate, face-to-face pensions choices information and guidance to members of the public, and help them to understand the implications of their choices.

The full job advert can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPdkhoWXBkVDhQeDA/view?usp=sharing

The closing date for applications is 5pm on 10th April 2015; interviews to take place the following week.

Digital Access and Support

At the Forum, it became apparent that some people weren't aware of the support we offer around the city....so here it is! Manchester Advice Alliance has Digital Access Points in 3 areas of Manchester; these are sessions where people can go to get online with the support of trained volunteers for things such as online benefit claims, Welfare Provision claims, Manchester Move, setting up email addresses, job searching, and any other online function you can think of. While our volunteers are not trained to give advice, they can offer support and guidance which can be extremely useful for people who haven't used computers before. The sessions run at:

Wythenshawe
YPSF Signpost  - Tues / Thurs - 1.30-4.30
Wythenshawe Forum Library - Tues 1.30-4.30 / Thurs 10am-1pm

Gorton
The Oasis Centre - Mon / Tues / Wed - 10am-2pm
Rainbow Haven - Tues / Thurs - 10am-3pm

Cheetham Hill
Wai Yin Welcome Centre - Tues / Thurs / Fri - 10am-12noon


If you'd like to be able to offer sessions like these to your clients, we are now offering our training for free to Alliance member organisations; for more details, email Rosi

Cheetham Hill Advice Centre Job Opportunity

Cheetham Hill Advice Centre have a new role open for a part-time United Utilities Money Advice & Welfare Benefits worker. The role will be 17.5 hours/week, and is initially a 6-month contract with the possibility of an 18-month extension depending on funding.

For more details on the role, send an SAE to Jeremy Engineer, Cheetham Hill Advice Centre, 1 Morrowfield Avenue, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M8 9AR or click here to email Jeremy directly.

The closing date for applications is 1pm, Tuesday 7th April

Job Opportunity!

Manchester CAB have secured funding from the Money Advice Service to deliver a multi-channel debt advice casework service via telephone email and webchat. As a result, they are now recruiting for a number of new posts - Money Advice Contact Centre Supervisor/Caseworkers, and Money Advice Contact Centre Debt Caseworkers.

More information on the roles and how to apply can be found here

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 11th March
Interview will be held w/c 16th March

FREE training from Turn2Us!

Turn2Us helps people in financial difficulty to access benefits, grants and other types of financial help through their website www.turn2us.org.uk and their phone line 0808 802 2000.

They're now running workshops to help people like you, who support and advise people in financial difficulty, to understand how the website and helpline can help people to access this support. There are 2 sessions on the 25th March - 9.30-12.30 or 1.30-4.30, both held at GMCVO, St Thomas Centre and FREE OF CHARGE!!

For more information, and to book spaces, click here: http://www.turn2us.org.uk/about_us/intermediaries/workshops.aspx

FREE Training for Clients

Ok, so we've done a few bits of free training for you guys recently (and there's more to come....watch this space!) But for a moment, let's pay attention to your clients... Have you got clients who are new to the benefits system and are struggling to get their heads around it? 'Dealing With the System' training gives these clients a basic guide to the benefits and housing systems, how to navigate them and how they work. There are sessions being run in February at YPSF, free of charge, o the following dates:

Benefits:

9th Feb / 16th Feb - 1-4:30pm

Housing:

19th Feb / 23rd Feb - 1-4:30pm

If you have anyone who might be interested, please contact James Walklate (0161 228 7654) or James Allen (0161 868 0777). More information can be found on the poster below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1aWoCJw0ptPVjBvS1c3NnEzWVE/view?usp=sharing