Newsletter 16 October 2008

MRHF send out a regular weekly email bulletin on Thursdays, containing information for all our newsletter email group. For the convenience of our stakeholders and for those who might want to find out more about the Forum, we are also publishing that information to the BHA website. Feedback would be very welcome. If you have any information that you would like us to circulate in a future bulletin, please forward it to MRHF by Wednesday 12.00 pm the day before. Please ring us on 0161 872 4600 or email us at mrhf@btconnect.com if you have any queries.

Events/Meetings/Groups

Manchester BME Network AGM

Manchester BME Network is hosting its first ever AGM on Thursday 30 October (9:30am-1:30pm) at the Phil Martin Centre, 137-139 Princess Road, Manchester, M14 4RE. At this event, the new executive will be elected, the constitution adopted and also you will hear from Manchester City Council about the proposed BME VCS funding strategy and there is an opportunity to ask questions about this.

Agenda
Booking Form
Constitution

As part of the process of formalising the Manchester BME Network by adopting a constitution and electing an executive it is also extremely important that the Network formalise its membership at the same time. Over the last six months it has tried to do this and many of you will have been contacted to fill in a new version of the membership form. However, they have still not been received from everybody yet. If you have not yet done so and you wish to be on the membership list then you need to send in a membership form.

It must also be made clear that only BME-led organisations and BME individuals are able to vote but other organisations and groups can still become non-voting members of the BME Network and receive information and training opportunities by filling in the form.

They are also looking for people that are wanting to become more active members of the Manchester BME Network to nominate themselves for election to the Executive by filling in a nomination form. For more information about what this might involve then read the 'Executive Roles and Responsibilities' information.

All nomination, membership and booking forms must be returned to Manchester BME Network by Friday 24 October.

Forms can be returned via e-mail at office@mccr.org.uk , faxed to 0161 226 8727 or posted to Manchester BME Network c/o MCCR, 141-143 Princess Road, Manchester, M14 4RE.

Awareness raising/consultation events on human rights for the Third Sector

What are human rights - what do they mean for the Third Sector?  
How can human rights be used as a tool by the Third Sector to tackle inequality and social exclusion in society?
How can the Third Sector be skilled up to be able to use human rights in their work?
You are invited to a FREE one day regional event that is designed to give the Third Sector the opportunity to explore the relevance of human rights to their work. The day will include a short human rights awareness-raising session by the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and a number of consultative discussions aimed at identifying the human rights capacity building needs of the sector. Information will also be provided on the BIHR Principles to Practice Project and the work of the National Equality Partnership.

17 November, Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Manchester

Participants: Support and umbrella bodies that work with equality groups and anyone interested in helping the third sector use human rights.
Organisers: BIHR, NEP and Lesbian and Gay Foundation

Click here for more information
For direct access to the event brochure please follow this link
Booking forms may be accessed by clicking on this link , please return in accordance with the instructions on the form.
Deadline for completed booking forms is 17 October 2008. Any questions please contact Roisin Cavanagh: rcavanagh@bihr.org.uk /0207 848 1927.

Reminder - Updating Skills and Improving Confidence through Training

There are still some places left on the free USIT course for women Refugees and Asylum seekers, at Ada House starting on 21 October.

See the poster for more about the course.  Booking forms available by email or post on request from Sarah Keeler, Course Administrator, The Women's Electronic Village Hall, Ada House, 77 Thompson Street, Manchester M4 5FY  Tel No: 0161 833 8800  info@wevh.org.uk

If women have children under school age a creche will be provided but this must be stated on the booking form.

CeeMac are running fully funded programmes in the local area, aimed specifically at 3rd sector organisations. Programmes available include:
3rd Sector Management
3rd Sector Administration
Advice and Guidance Skills
3rd Team Leading
3rd Customer Service
IT User

All programmes include a series of workshops to develop skills relevant to work in your sector.

The workshops are designed to complement a core programme of work based delivery, typically made via a series of 1:1 interactions on a monthly basis over a period of 6-9 months (Level 2) or 9 - 12 months (level 3).

These programmes are free of charge to eligible employees. Candidates have the opportunity to achieve recognised qualifications, accredited by the Institute for Leadership & Management or City & Guilds.

Both paid staff and volunteers are eligible. Places are limited and applications can be posted, faxed or e mailed.
See the website for further details
http://www.cee-mac.com/3rdsector.html
  

They are a multi-media, community interest, production company.

They deliver creative communication solutions to both community groups and private enterprise, through a variety of media from digital video and animation (including claymation) to internet technologies including online radio.
See more at the website:
www.ManchesterSocialMedia.co.uk

The Specialist Library for Ethnicity and Health  starts its annual knowledge week on Monday 20 October. 
 
This will provide a selection of expert commentaries with easy access to key resources which should be valuable for students and their tutors, as well as health practitioners.
 
See document for further details.

News/Campaigns:

The Healthcare Commission is the independent watchdog for healthcare in England. They assess and report on the quality and safety of services provided by the NHS and the independent healthcare sector, and work to improve services for patients and the public.

Their new look website makes it easier to find information about the annual  health check performance ratings for NHS trusts across the country.

http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/homepage.cfm

Mental Health Media’s Open Up project is currently recruiting for a key role in North West England. Open Up is part of the Time to Change programme, a groundbreaking and diverse anti-discrimination campaign, led by Mental Health Media, Mind, Rethink, and the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London. Open Up brings people with experience of mental distress together to take action against prejudice through sharing experiences and expertise.

North West England Regional Co-ordinator
Freelance post - £220 per day, approx 5 days per month, contract up until March 2011

Applying your passion for raising awareness around mental health issues and your first-hand experience of mental distress to your work, you will be responsible for supporting, training and mentoring groups and individuals in your region to devise and run their own anti-discrimination projects. You will be comfortable working remotely, able to manage and prioritise your own workload and to communicate effectively with your colleagues across the country.

Closing date: Sunday 2 November 2008
Interview date: Wednesday 12 November 2008 in the North West
For a job pack please visit www.openuptoolkit.net , www.time-to-change.org.uk or email open.up@mhmedia.com

Mental Health Media is keen to develop a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all, particularly people with experience of mental distress, with disabilities and from black and minority ethnic groups. Charity no: 286467

Wanted

- someone to take video footage of Angela's sponsored head shave.  

If you have a video camera and are available on 31 October from 2:30 pm, could you come along and film my head shave for Breast Cancer Care?  Contact me on 0161 872 4600 or at angelamrhf@btconnect.com

And don't forget to sponsor me!  See the poster for details, or visit the Justgiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/angelashead