Merry Christmas one and all!

Tryangle Awards

The Tryangle Awards 2011 for Worcestershire are now open for nominations.

While the rest of the county is counting down to Christmas, Worcestershire County Council is counting down to receiving this year's annual Tryangle Awards nominations, launched on 1 December.

The county council is once again asking for nominations for any young person, aged between 11 and 19 years old, whose good work, courage or achievement would otherwise go unrecognised.

And it is making it even easier for people in Worcestershire to make their nominations, by inviting them to do it online via www.youthworcs.org.uk/tryangle

Nominations for the awards – which are in their sixth year – are welcome from anyone who is involved with young people, such as teachers, youth workers, sports coaches and volunteers, even family and friends put a young person forward for an award.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for education said: "The Tryangle Awards offer an excellent opportunity to put into the spotlight many young people who so often go unrecognised. The awards are a chance for us all to give those unsung heroes the recognition they deserve and highlight the hard work and value they bring to their communities here in Worcestershire.

"Now we need the help of Worcestershire's residents to put that spotlight on them."

People interested in finding out more or making a nomination should call Worcestershire County Council's Youth Support on 01905 765417.

Advent Conspiracy

How about looking at Advent in a whole new way... as a conspiracy!

Nice theory shown in this video:

Advent Conspiracy from Morning Star Church on Vimeo.

New Grief/Loss support guidance

Schoolswork.co.uk have a new section offering guidance on supporting young people through grief and loss. Download their useful PDF here.

Training

UK Youth
A wide range of training courses is provided by UK Youth for people who work with young people. Many courses take place in Birmingham. Rates start at about £100 per delegate. Take a look at their training calendar.

Small Grant Fund

GRANTS OF UP TO £1,500 ARE AVAILABLE FOR PROMOTING WELL BEING IN DUDLEY
The Mental Health Promotion Programme is pleased to announce Round 14 of the Small Grant Fund to promote well being in Dudley.

The Small Grant Fund is focused around developing projects to promote mental health and well being to ensure people are well informed to look after their mental health and that of others. This may be in relation to the following key areas:

• Communities violence and abuse
• Young People
• Combating stigma and discrimination
• Later life
• Parents and early years
• 
  
Employment

This is non-recurrent funding and is intended to give initial funding or allow for pilot work to take place.

Applications are welcome from voluntary, community and faith groups. Successful applicants will be required to submit their bids in line with guidelines. Please note: Capital resources should not be a major cost within the bid but may be considered in view of the total bid application.

All bids must be submitted by 10th December 2010.

To request an application form please contact:
Kathy De Cicco, Mental Health Promotion Programme, Public Health, NHS Dudley,
St Johns House, Union Street, Dudley, DY2 8PP.
email: kathy.decicco@dudley.nhs.uk
Tel: 01384 321913.

Free Training Opportunity

Dudley CVS are holding £10,000 from the Children’s Workforce Development Council, via DMBC Children’s Services, to help support the training needs of voluntary, community and faith groups working with children, young people and families. This training could be for paid staff, volunteers or members of the management committee. The training could be used to make your organisation more efficient or to improve the skills and knowledge of your workforce.

We are trying to identify what training you think would help your group. This might include:

• dealing with bullying
• conflict resolution
• paediatric first aid
• evaluation with young people
• children’s development
• engaging with parents
• creative arts and young people
• substance misuse
• participation
• sexual health
• mentoring

These are only examples, to ensure that we are meeting the needs of your group could you please contact Dudley CVS with your ideas on what training would help your group.

We will be putting together a training programme in early 2011, based on your responses. We will be looking to provide a diverse selection of training, across all age ranges.

Arnie is also looking for details on any issues which might prevent anyone from your group accessing training eg transport costs, childcare, etc.

Arnie is also trying to identify potential training providers from the voluntary, community and faith sector who may be able to provide some of the training programme. Please contact Dudley CVS if you think your group might be able to offer part of the training programme.