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New training and volunteering opportunities available to help Exeter's unemployed move closer to work.
Exeter CVS has been selected by Job Centre Plus as a partner in its Flexible Fund to help people who are unemployed and face additional barriers to working to move closer to the job market in the city. The pilot project is funded until March next year, and will link closely with another project at Exeter CVS funded through the BIG Lottery Fund that promotes volunteering as a means of returning to the workplace.
Devon Prevention Strategy – 'Promoting Independence and Well-being'
Devon County Council and NHS Devon have published the Devon Prevention Strategy. There are a number of key stages where the strategy suggests that intervention might take place and which are relevant to services provided by the Voluntary and Community Sector.
Communities Living Sustainably Initiative
Up to £1 million could be available to Exeter for a 5-year project to help local communities protect themselves against the effects of climate change.
Community First Panel
Do you live in the Trees area or Rifford Road area of Wonford? Would you like to help make a difference to your area? Join the Community First Panel.FixMyStreet
If your street has potholes, a street lamp is faulty, there is graffiti on buildings, broken paving slabs, fly tipping etc. then you can your FixMyStreet to quickly report the problem to your local council.
Be a good neighbour
One way of being an active citizen is by being a good neighbour. Some suggestions would be: Look after your neighbour's pet, water your neighbours plants when their on holiday, do the shopping for someone on the street who are unable to get out, help a neigbour who struggles with reading and writing by helping fill out forms; or help neighbour to get the right information to get the most out a public service.
Start A Youth Group
Youth groups support young people by getting them off the streets and doing fun, constructive activities.Youth clubs also help to build a stronger sense of community. Find out more about starting a youth campaign.
http://www.youthgroupgames.co.uk/how-set-up-youth-group.html
Report fly-tipping
Fly-tipping is the dumping of waste materials on land that is not licensed to do so. Fly-tipping does not only damage the environment but is against the law. You can help your community keep the area clean by reporting any occurrences of fly-tipping. For more information on fly-tipping visit the Exeter City Council's website.
http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9541
Low Carbon Exeter Transport Group
The Low Carbon Exeter Transport Group aims to reduce the amount of carbon in Exeter by pursuing a transition to sustainable forms of transport. You can help the cause by taking part in one of their campaigns and helping spread the message. Meetings are held monthly and everyone is welcome.
Run a Citizen's Day
By running a Citizen's Day you can help local people get more involved in society by providing a way for residents to talk about and give feedback on important issues such as crime, the environment and transport. Citizen's Day also provides an opportunity for people to see how they can get involved with their community and help to become more active citizens. The citizenship foundation has provided a leaflet that contains lots of useful information on running Citizens' Days.
http://www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/
main/resource.php?s367
Create a Youth Council
Youth Councils allow young people to voice their concerns, participate in local government and be empowered to take action in the local community. For more information on setting up a local Council, take a look at the national association of local councils website.
Create a Local Council
Local councils are the first tier of local government and include parish, town community, village and neighbourhood councils. They ensure that the community has a stronger voice in the local area. Find out more about local councils.
TravelWatch SW
'TravelWatch South West' aims to help improve travel services. Meetings are held twice a year in which delegates are able to enter into the discussion and provide their views to assist in making travel services the best they can be.
St Sidwell's Centre: community committee
St Sidwell's Centre aims to promote health and well-being, improve access to information and communication technology, promote environmental sustainability and more besides. By becoming a committee member you will have a say in the developments of the centre.
Shared Streets: Write to your MP
Shared streets are areas where the traditional pavement has been removed in the hope to reduce traffic and making a much more 'social' area. Unfortunately, without pavements it is very hard for blind or partially sited people to know where the road begins and the path ends because the traditional path is used as a navigational cue. You can help by contacting you local MP and expressing your views on the issue.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme: Become a 'Volunteer Orginser'
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme encourages people from local communities who are aged 50+ to volunteer. Volunteer organisers support and encourage people to volunteer in their local area and also attract new volunteers through the use of local papers, newspapers, etc.
http://www.volunteeratrsvpdevon.org/become-a-volunteer-organiser.php
Exwick Community Association
Exwick Community Association provides a community centre in Exwick. The community centre is used by the community for all manner of events that bring the community together. The Association is run by a group of trustees but are looking to create a Building sub-group and an Events sub-group.
Newtown Community Association
The 'Newtown Community Association' aims to bring people in the local community together and provide a place for activities and events. Meetings are run every 6 weeks.
St David's Neighbourhood Partnership
The 'St David's Neighbourhood Partnership' is a group of people who try to tackle problems in the local area, such as crime, environmental problems and community safety.
Scouts
The scouts are ran groups that help children develop team building and leadership skills. Parents of members can get involved by helping with meetings and joining the "leadership team".
http://www.exeterscouts.co.uk/about/parental-involvement.php
Exeter Community Agriculture
The 'Exeter Community Agriculture' is a group of people who have rented 4 acres of land and who aim to make a difference to how local food is produced. They are keen to reconnect local people with the land.
Become a Parish Councillor
Parish councils have a number of formal powers. Many provide and maintain allotments, community transport, playing fields, car parks, village greens, litter bins, etc. You can become a member of the parish council to influence your local community.
http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Toolkits/
Become_a_councillor
/Become_a_councillor.aspx
The Freedom of Your City campaign
The Freedom of Your City campaign (from Cycle Exeter) aims to double the number of cycle journeys in Exeter by 2011.
Friends of the Earth Exeter
Friends of the Earth campaigns on local and nation environmental issues. They run monthly action meetings.
Exeter City Council: petitions
Exeter City Council provides a petition scheme, giving information on how to set up a petition.
Become a Charity Trustee
Trustees are volunteers from the community who are legally responsible for the overall decision making and the running of a charity or voluntary organisation. Using the Do-it website you can search for Trustee opportunities.
http://www.do-it.org.uk/wanttovolunteer/aboutvolunteering/
_trustees
You can also visit the celebrating trustees (Become a Trustee) page of this site for information and case studies.
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