
Keep Funding the VCS in Cheltenham | Nominations Sought | Cheltenham VCA Survey | Volunteer of the Year | New VCS Reps | Business Pride | Training Bursary
‘Continued funding support for the VCS is vital’ was a key message sent to Cheltenham Borough Council as part of the draft budget consultation. Both VCS Representatives and the VCS Forum were keen to stress the additional funding and resources that the VCS brings into the town, including for work in disadvantaged communities. Letters have been sent to Cllr John Webster to ask the following of the council as they set their budget and a new corporate strategy:
Full council discusses the budget on Friday 12 February at 2.30pm in the council chambers.
The Forum feels that it would send a positive message about the voluntary and community sector if there was a good attendance in the public gallery on 12 February. All VCS are encouraged to attend.
For further information about these roles please contact Angela Gilbert angelag@gavca.org.uk or call 01242 227737.
Nomination forms and roles and responsibilities can be downloaded below and need to be returned by 8th March 2010 to Cheltenham VCA, Community Resource Centre, 340 Lower High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JF or email cheltadmin@gavca.org.uk
Don’t forget to complete your Cheltenham VCA annual survey – due back 5th February! We want to hear your views.
If you are a member of GAVCA, download the Member survey form.
If you are not a member of GAVCA, download the Non-members survey form.
Please return to cheltadmin@gavca.org.uk, or by post.
Individuals who give up their time to help others have received the recognition they deserve at the annual Cheltenham Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony on 21st October 2009.
The Alderman Charles Foster Memorial Awards took place at St Andrews Church in Montpellier. For the first time, the award also acknowledged a trustee and team of volunteers as well as the traditional volunteer of the year. Nominees included volunteers from all walks of life from Explorer Scouts to the advice workers at the town’s Citizens Advice Bureau.
The prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award went to Sue Simpson, District Commissioner for Arle District Girl Guiding, who impressed judges with her commitment to helping others, way over and above what her role dictates. Sue, who has over 30 years experience in Girl Guiding, was presented with a £250 cheque from Chelsea Building Society to spend within her organisation.
The award for the team of the year went to the eighty-strong voluntary team for Cruse Bereavement Care, who have counselled over 500 people, including children, young adults and the elderly in the last year.
Trustee of the year was presented to Robert Ward, in recognition of his commitment and hard work as Chairman and former Treasurer of Third Sector Services, the umbrella charity that manages community transport in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester.
Congratulations to all the nominees on their achievement, and also to all those people who took the time to put volunteers forward for the awards. The voluntary sector is certainly thriving in Cheltenham.
Partnership Body |
VCS Representative |
Cheltenham Community Safety Partnership |
David Wallace |
Cheltenham Children & Young People’s Partnership (CCYPP) – children |
Cordell Ray |
Cheltenham Children & Young People’s Partnership – youth (CCYPP) |
Jerry Evans |
Cheltenham Health & Wellbeing Partnership |
Rob Charsley |
Cheltenham Strategic Economic Partnership |
Bernice Thomson |
Cheltenham Stronger Communities Partnership |
Andy Hayes |
Gloucestershire VCS Assembly Board |
Angela Gilbert |
‘Round Table’ meeting with Cheltenham Borough Council officers and members |
Andy Hayes |
VCS representative positions open for nominations:
If any member of a VCS organisation is considering standing for the remaining positions as VCS Representative please contact Angela Gilbert at Cheltenham VCA for more information. It is hoped that the next VCS Forum on 3rd December 2009 will be able to fill the remaining positions.
Thanks were expressed to the outgoing VCS reps, all of whom had represented the Forum during the past 2 years. The support of their own organisations which had enabled them to carry out this role on behalf of the Forum was also recognised.
Register for business pride
By registering business pride will identify and promote you as a business who is proud of Cheltenham. Business pride will work with you to support your growth, helping you to overcome local issues and enabling you to apply for funding.
If you would like to become a member of Cheltenham Business Pride in order to be able to apply for grants and be notified of local business news and events, then you need to register. You can do this by visting the Cheltenham Business Pride website.