Contact Us

Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre

Ardwick Green North
Manchester
M12 6FZ
Tel: 0161 276 9300
Fax: 0161 276 9301
Email: info@vsnw.org.uk

VSNW Past Events

Tightropes and Safety Nets: Supporting Suicidal Young Men

12 March 2010

Liverpool

Tightropes and Safety Nets:  Supporting Suicidal Young Men.  The day will be led by  Dr. Andrew Reeves, counsellor and supervisor, and author of Counselling Suicidal Clients.


 

Our Choices' Regional Role Model Roadshow and careers advice

11 March 2010

Town Hall, Manchester

Project to inspire and promote 12 young Muslim women role models and offer careers' advice.

Marmot and the Third Sector: Addressing Health Inequalities Together

9 March 2010

Congress Centre, London

A conference organised by the Department of Health’s Third Sector Strategic Partners to discuss the findings and impact of the Marmot Review of health inequalities in England. 

Building Equality and Promoting Diversity in the Workplace

9 March 2010

Queens Hotel, Leeds

Children England National Conference with keynote speaker John Amaechi

Stand and Deliver: bassac's annual conference

3 March 2010 - 4 March 2010

Renaissance Marriott Hotel, Manchester

Explore how local politics can become more people powered.
 

Invitation to attend the North West Consultation event on the Commission’s Non Statutory Guidance

26 February 2010

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool

The Equalities Commission are holding regional consultation events on the non-statutory guidance for the new Equalities Bill.

"Migration Works - Myths and Motives"

26 February 2010

Albert Dock, Liverpool

Migrant Workers North West Annual Conference

Ageing Population Conference 2010

25 February 2010

London

The National Ageing Population Conference 2010  - Thursday 25th February - QEII Conference Centre, London

Safeguarding pathways for vulnerable children and children with additional needs

22 February 2010 09:30 - 15:15

Halton Stadium, Widnes

VCS Engage and GONW event to consider the implications for the VCS around working with Children's Trusts to ensure effective safeguarding Pathways.

Masterclass for Small Organisations

18 February 2010 11:00 - 14:30

Manchester

This event is solely aimed at chief executives and senior managers of small organisations with an annual turnover of £1million or less.

Motivating Others

18 February 2010 09:30 - 16:00

Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road, Manchester

A one-day workship exploring motivation for anyone who has to persuade or motivate people as part of their role.

DTA North West Network Meeting

18 February 2010

Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6BZ

The theme of the day will be: "Unlocking Talent: Creating and Sustaining Local Employment"

Diversity - making it real

16 February 2010

Manchester

An introductory course to help development workers develop their knowledge and skills to understand diversity and tackle inequality in the organisations they work with.

Climate Change: Rising to the Challenge

14 February 2010 09:30 - 14:00

Midland Hotel, Manchester

The event will launch the North West’s revised Climate Change Action Plan for 2010-2012 and refocus on the goal of a low carbon North West.

Voice - a taster session

11 February 2010 11:00 - 13:00

Preston CVS, Units 23/27, Guild Hall Arcade, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 1HR

 Voice Workshop, Preston, 11th February

A free introductory lunchtime workshop for a training system which increases the impact, effectiveness and influence of you and your organisation, run in partnership by bassac, Preston CVS and VSNW.

Communities in Control: What does AI have to offer?

9 February 2010 10:45 - 13:30

Riverside Hotel, Kendal

A North West Together We Can Event focusing on Appreciative Enquiry (AI)

Marmot and the Third Sector: Addressing Health Inequalities Together

3 February 2010

Congress Centre, London

This important Conference will give the third sector the opportunity to hear more from Sir Michael Marmot about the Review’s findings and recommendations.

Marmot and the Third Sector: Addressing Health Inequalities Together

3 February 2010

Congress Centre, London

This important Conference will give the third sector the opportunity to hear more from Sir Michael Marmot about the Review’s findings and recommendations.

Safeguarding pathways for vulnerable children and children with additional needs

29 January 2010 09:30 - 15:15

Please note: Change of Date and venue

NB This event will now be held on 22 February 2010 at Halton Stadium, Widnes.

Regional Strategy Consultation events

29 January 2010 - 16 February 2010

Across the North West in the five sub-regions

Regional Strategy ConsultationThe next phase of consultation on the Regional Strategy for the North West (RS2010) is now under way.

Third sector consultation events will take place in each sub-region on the following dates:

Environmental Third Sector consultation event: 26th January
Lancashire: 29th January
Cheshire: 4th February
Greater Manchester: 10th February
Merseyside: 11th February

Cumbria: 16th February

RS2010: Environmental NGO / Third Sector consultation event

26 January 2010 10:00 - 16:30

Chorley Town Hall

Consultation event looking at part 1 (the high level strategy) of the draft regional strategy (RS2010).

Get Involved

26 January 2010 10:00 - 14:00

St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ

Event postponed!

Communities of Interest: Community Empowerment

22 January 2010 09:30 - 13:00

Gujarat Centre, Preston

This is a free event aimed at practitioners, managers and policy makers interested in improving their understanding and practice relating to community empowerment and the Duty to Involve. A chance to get together to create and apply learning opportunities for empowerment for the new year.

Hear by Right, Your Questions Answered

20 January 2010 12:00 - 16:00

Booth Street West, Manchester

A free session aimed at anyone new to Hear by Right

Health Issues, Policy and Solutions: A focus on health equality

19 January 2010 09:30 - 12:30

London (tbc)

A London-based event that will explore issues of health equality, for any organisation working with black and minority ethnic communities.

Neighbourhood Charters - rural and urban: What do you need to know?

13 January 2010 09:45 - 14:00

County Hall, Preston

A North West Together We Can event consisting of open space discussion groups and a networking lunch

North West Community Activists Network event

21 December 2009 12:00 - 15:30

St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ

Learn about the Government's Connecting Communities initiative, and come together with other community activists from across the North West in this event organised by Government Office North West and North West Together We Can.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller awareness-raising training

16 December 2009 09:45 - 16:30

Children's Society HQ, Margery Street, London, WC1X 0JL

Increase understanding of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, their history and culture, and the discrimination they face.

Managing Change in the Urban and Rural Economies

9 December 2009 09:30 - 16:00

Turf Moor Enterprise Haven, Burnley Football Club

A Third Sector Skills event for voluntary, community, faith sector organisations, charities and social enterprises in Lancashire.

Influencing through Equality Impact Assessments

7 December 2009 13:30 - 15:30

Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NS

Influencing through EIAs

Equality Impact Assessments can be an extremely useful way of ensuring that local public agencies are working on behalf of everyone.

Good, helpful voluntary and community sector involvement in the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) process can be of great benefit to all concerned.

This short two-hour seminar will provide you with information about EIAs, when public sector agencies are required to run EIAs, and how you can get involved (or help the groups you work with get involved) in changing how services are delivered. 

Bursaries are available to cover fees and travel.

Promise Network Event

4 December 2009

St. Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ

Promise Network Event:  Recession - an opportunity for third and independent sectors? 

It's the Stupid Economy

3 December 2009

London

Urban Forum's Annual Conference - 3rd December 2009 -  Central Hall, Westminster, London

NW TAR Open Meeting

28 November 2009

The Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD

Working on Worklessness

27 November 2009 09:00 - 15:15

The Peace Centre, Warrington

NWIEP logoThe event will launch an interactive online report into tackling worklessness in North West neighbourhoods. It will include a summary of  the significant work of third sector organisations and audio commentary from, amongst others, Breakthrough UK and VSNW. 

IDeA Partnership Improvement Programme seminar

26 November 2009 10:45 - 15:00

The Park Inn York Hotel, North Street, York YO1 6JF

IDeA have organised a free seminar for local authority officers, elected members and voluntary sector organisations on that will give participants the opportunity to:

  • share the learning from the Partnership Improvement Programme (13 participant areas in the North)
  • consider actions for improvement in their own areas
  • hear about the activities planned through the National Programme for Third Sector Commissioning and the Targeted Support Fund
     

MERCi AGM

25 November 2009 18:00 - 20:30

Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 7HR

An evening of film, food and fun, plus applications are invited for trustee positions.

Fit for purpose? The future of infrastructure

24 November 2009

Central London

The first annual Infrastructure National Partnersships Conference will take place in central London on 24 November. 

International Migrants' Day Celebration

20 November 2009 10:30 - 13:30

Cross Street Chapel in Manchester’s city centre

Migrant Workers’ Employment Rights Advice Service for Greater Manchester hosted event to increase awareness of migrant workers’ employment rights and to enable you to signpost migrant workers to the appropriate service

From Child Abuse to Safeguarding – The Changing Face of Child Protection

20 November 2009

Together Trust, Cheadle, Cheshire

From Child Abuse to Safeguarding – The Changing Face of Child Protection will be chaired by His Honour Judge Barnett, Designated Family Judge for Chester Civil Justice Centre.

Who? How? What? NAVCA's second Every Child Matters conference

19 November 2009 09:30 - 16:00

GMCVO, St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ

NAVCA’s second Every Child Matters conference is aimed at local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) and third sector organisations that deliver services for children, young people and their families.
 

Redefining prosperity: Church Action on Poverty Annual Conference

14 November 2009 11:00 - 16:00

St Mary's Community Centre, Sheffield

This is one of a number of events across the country, organised by Church Action on Poverty to explore the impact of the crisis.

Bridge College Open Event

13 November 2009 11:00 - 14:00

The Together Trust, Cheadle

An event for professionals and families to find out more about Bridge College's educational services for young people and adults with complex learning needs

Keeping it Local: DTA network in the North West

12 November 2009 10:00 - 15:45

TBC

The theme of the Development Trusts' Association programme for the day will be “Keeping it Local”. Begins with registration, lunch and networking at 1 pm and then join in with the afternoon session at 2 pm which will begin with an introduction to the DTA from Steve Wyler, Director. Followed by Master Mind with Steve Wyler Where he will answer questions on his chosen subject.

VSNW's Conference and AGM

12 November 2009

Manchester Conference Centre near Piccadilly, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB

Further details about VSNW'09 - VSNW's Conference and AGM

 VSNW’09

Besides a review of VSNW's work, the event included:
►public launch of the regional compact and outline of how GONW and Job Centre Plus are going to implement it
►keynote speech from Mike Farrar, the Chief Executive of NHS NW which includes seven commitments to the third sector over the next 12 crucial months
►update on the development of the regional strategy (RS2010)
►workshops that include the opportunity to influence implementation of the regional compact's commissioning and procurement commitments

Inspiring Leaders: free launch event

11 November 2009 18:00 - 21:00

Launch of new Inspiring Leaders course for the voluntary and community sector in Manchester

Annual Northwest Equality Conference 2009: Diversity is What We Have in Common

11 November 2009 09:30 - 15:00

BT Convention Centre, Liverpool

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of equality challenges we face in the Northwest and of the range of work already being done to promote Equality and Diversity and feed back on progress on equalities work since last year’s conference. It will also launch the programme for the fourth regional ‘Celebr8 Diversity’ festival.

Skilling up for stronger voices

8 November 2009 - 9 November 2009

York

Training and resources to help representatives develop their knowledge and skills to feel more confident and supported in their roles.

Launch of TREC: Trans Resource & Empowerment Centre

7 November 2009

LGF, Third Floor, Princess House, 105-107 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD

A new initiative for all trans and gender variant people in the North West and beyond

Delivering Social Value: strengthening our communties

6 November 2009 10:00 - 16:00

MIdland Hotel, Manchester

Delivering Social Value: strengthening our communities

Delivering Social Value: Strengthening our Communities, a national conference exploring how NHS and third sector organisations can work together to improve the quality and value of services will take place on Friday 6th November in Manchester. This is a joint Department of Health, NHS NW and VSNW national conference. 

Influencing Parliament and the environment (in partnership with NWEL)

4 November 2009 12:00 - 17:00

Manchester

Influencing Parliament and the environment flyer

As part of the Parliamentary Outreach and VSNW 'Get Involved' series, this third event will explore:

►What Parliament is and what it does
►How groups can effectively engage with Parliament 
►Insights from a member of the Environmental Audit Committee

Securing the future of community anchors: Developing assets and enterprise: 29th October

29 October 2009 09:15 - 16:00

Gujurat Hindu Centre, South Meadow Lane, Preston, PR1 8JN

An information and workshop event for members of bassac, Community Matters, Development Trusts Association and other existing or aspiring Community Anchor organisations.

Race and the Recession: be part of the solution

27 October 2009 10:00 - 16:00

RichMix, London

This one-day event will examine the impact of the recession on BME Third Sector organisations and the communities they work with. It will look at how BME Third Sector organisations are important in tackling deprivation during the recessino and consider how their vital role can be supported in meeting the needs of all in our diverse society.

Manchester’s Thriving Third Sector… Raising the game

22 October 2009

City of Manchester Stadium

Community Network for Manchester (CN4M) is hosting an event to showcase the diversity, passion, energy and activity that is Manchester’s thriving third sector.

Tackling Racial Inequalities: launch event

20 October 2009 17:45 - 20:00

Urbis, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester

The Network for Black Professionals in partnership with Government Office North West and the North West Development Agency are launching a new project funded by the Department for Communities & Local Government.

4NW's free to attend workshops at the Northern Regeneration Summit

20 October 2009 - 21 October 2009

City of Manchester Stadium

4NW logoThe Northern Regeneration Summit is the largest regionally focussed regeneration event in the North of England. Held this year on the 20th and 21st October at the City of Manchester Stadium, it provides the opportunity for public and private sector regeneration professionals to come together in order to discuss regeneration for the North of England.

Using the Freedom of Information Act

20 October 2009

London

The Campaign for Freedom of Information is running two half-day courses for Freedom of Information requesters in central London on 20 October 2009. The morning course will provide an introduction to the legislation. The afternoon course will examine some of the key decisions made under the two regimes and explain how they can help you obtain information. Requesters can attend either or both courses.

From social injustice to health, wealth and wellbeing for all in the North West

20 October 2009

The DW Stadium, Wigan

Closing the gap between the health and wellbeing of those who are the most and the least well off in our communities in the North West has proved difficult even when the financial environment appeared more favourable than it is now. Many of the decisions taken in the past have inadvertently created some of the health problems that we face today. So closing this gap in a generation is a major challenge.

Influencing Parliament and the economy

8 October 2009 09:30 - 15:00

Lancaster

Influencing Parliament and the Economy FlyerAs part of the Parliamentary Outreach and VSNW 'Get Involved' series of events, this event will explore: ►What Parliament is and what it does
►How groups can effectively engage with Parliament
►Insights from a Parliamentary Researcher from the Economic Policy and Statistics Section.

Influencing Parliament and health

7 October 2009 09:30 - 15:00

Liverpool

Influencing Parliament and Health Flyer ***FULLY BOOKED***

As part of the Parliamentary Outreach and VSNW 'Get Involved' series of events, this event will explore: ►What Parliament is and what it does
►How groups can effectively engage with Parliament 
►Insights from a Specialist Clerk from the House of Commons Health Select Committee

Community Assets Matter

14 September 2009 10:00 - 15 September 2009 15:30

Dialstone Centre, Lisburne Lane, Stockport, SK2 7LL

Training for development workers from local infrastructure organisations, which deals with the diversity of technical and legal issues associated with asset management.For details visit www.communitymatters.org.uk

Launch of the PROMiSE network

7 September 2009 10:00 - 15:30

Gujarat Hindu Centre, Preston

Official launch event for the new network for third and independent sector providers of mental health services in the North West. To book your free place email promise@vsnw.org.uk
17 March 2010

Influencing Parliament with the Communities and Local Government Select Committee

Parliament logoAs part of the Parliamentary Outreach and VSNW 'Get Involved' series of events, this event will explore:
►What Parliament is and what it does
►How groups can effectively engage with Parliament 
►Insights from a Specialist Clerk from the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee

Latest News

11 March 2010

Job opportunity: Sustainable Neighbourhoods Action Group strategic engagement worker

SNAG is looking for a highly motivated and proactive individual to deliver a project which aims to help community and voluntary groups get more involved in decision-making on a range of sustainability issues in Manchester.

11 March 2010

Win £50,000 to improve your are

People’s Millions is a competition from the National Lottery to help you improve your area.

8 March 2010

Listen Value Invest campaign is launched at the Houses of Parliament

Listen Value Invest logo


The Listen Value Invest campaign was launched in a special event at the Houses of Parliament last week.

Events & Trainings

VSNW’s list of events & training opportunities for VCS groups in the North West