Progression info for DAs – What next?
As DAIN moves into new year 2 areas we will slowly be pulling out of year one areas – so what next for year one DAs?
This page represents one of the spaces to discuss this issue and share resources to support progression. DACs will also be discussing this with DAs in team meetings and during individual reviews.
There are at least 5 possible progression routes for DAs as listed below and probably more. We will add links to resources to support these progression routes here and in the DAIN moodle and invite you to do that same.
1. Paid work – workshops to be set up to support CV writing, completing applications and interview skills, plus individual IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) sessions with local specialist organisations can be organised as appropriate.
2. Further Education and learning opportunities – you may know as much about these opportunities as we do as a result of your local volunteer work. But if you would like information on any additional opportunities please ask your DAC.
3. Set up your own local voluntary group or social enterprise – help is available out there from specialist organisations who can provide free information, training and access to grants where available.
4. Continue to volunteer as a DA directly with the organisation where you have been doing drop in or outreach work. For example Nottingham Refugee Forum is very interested in supporting DAs to progress into volunteering with them directly. For information on other DAIN community partner opportunities, please speak to your local DAC or speak to staff and the partner organisation directly to find out whether this is possible.
5. Progress onto other volunteer opportunities (ie not as a DA, but perhaps as a local committee member, learning champion or class room support worker) either with the WEA or partner organisations. Again please speak to your local DAC to find out what is possible.
Please use this page to share links and information which could support any of these possible progression routes, or let us know your ideas on what you would like to do next and we will do our best to find someone who can help you if needed.
digitalactivist
4 July 2011
Example of resource to support managment of volunteers for those interested in setting up their own project:
http://www.communitylearningchampions.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/Managing_volunteers_Resource_guide.pdf
contains lots of useful links
Vimal
7 June 2011
When the DAIN is now known to offer help and support to the community and its members, actually now the activity is a helping hand to those in need; the project is ending in Leicester but Leicester DAs will not stop doing what they are doing (provided they get placement). It is pride to the DAIN proect for training,placing volunteers and offering help to the community required to tackle technology issues, what ever it is.
Lisa Morris
30 May 2011
This all sounds good. How are DAs helped formally to progress? This would be a good area to discuss with DAs when we get a chance to meet up with them.
Andria Birch
9 May 2011
Info already sent to DAs but copied again below for info.
Please see Direct gov site info on careers advice and CV building etc:
https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
digitalactivist
14 April 2011
The Nationwide Foundation
Small Grants Programme
We make grants to:
• Registered charities – charities which are registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales, with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator in Scotland and registered as exempt with the Inland Revenue in Northern Ireland
• Charities with incomes of less than £750,000
• Charities delivering work in the UK (including Northern Ireland)
• Registered charities whose work fits at least one of our funding priorities (see below)
Grants available:
Grants of £500 – £5,000 are available
Our funding aims:
• to tackle financial exclusion affecting disadvantaged groups across the UK
• to address housing issues & homelessness among vulnerable groups across the UK
What we fund in support of our target groups
Older People
Tackling financial exclusion:
• Accessing benefits
• Managing finances including debts
• Projects to protect older people from financial abuse
• Opening bank accounts and accessing other financial products
• Budgeting (eg help to manage household bills)
• Help to plan the cost of care needs
Addressing housing issues and homelessness:
• Help to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient
• Help to maintain homes and gardens
• Care needs assessments in their homes
• Support to live independently at home
• Services for those (older people) who are homeless
Survivors of domestic abuse
Tackling financial exclusion:
Training, workshops and one to one support for domestic abuse survivors on:
• Accessing benefits
• Managing finances including debts
• Opening bank accounts and accessing other financial products
• Budgeting (eg help to managed household bills)
Addressing housing issues and homelessness:
• Help to find accommodation after fleeing abuse, including after being in a refuge
• Floating support (help to manage and remain in their home)
• Interventions to make their homes safer and better protected
please see the link for more information [ http://www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk/grants.asp ]http://www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk/grants.asp
digitalactivist
4 April 2011
Links to info for anyone interested in setting up their own group:
examples of governing documents on the charity commission website:
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Start_up_a_charity/Guidance_on_registering/Example_objects/default.aspx
Social enterprise support:
http://www.sse.org.uk/school.php?schoolid=2 East Midlands School for Social Entrepreneurs
and http://www.seem.uk.net Social Enterprise East Midlands
Both of which should be able to point you in the direction of free training, support, and should know if there are any local start up grants available.
Direct gov info page on setting up a new group:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/Charitiesandcommunitygroups/index.htm
Various free funding advice sessions and some day courses being organised by NCVS
http://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/help-groups/training/courses
Free advice on setting up offered by NCVS = extract from their website:
Phone and email support
We can give information and advice on all issues relating to setting up and running a group. We can help with funding information and advice, information on training, requests for sample policies, advice on constitutions, legal structures and governance, and most other things that go on in the voluntary and community sector.
Our Helpdesk gives you quick answers to your queries and questions, by phone, email or in person. Helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 10am – 1pm. Call 0115 934 9548, email [ mailto:helpdesk@nottinghamcvs.co.uk ]helpdesk@nottinghamcvs.co.uk or pop in to our office at 7 Mansfield Road. Outside of these hours you can leave us a message.
Andria Birch
24 March 2011
I was sent a link to a free online film on how to write a good funding application as part of the One East Midlands Newsletter today. There are 4 short films and an exercise which are well worth looking at if you are one of the DAs interested in setting up your own group and applying for funding http://www.knowhownonprofit.org/studyzone/write-a-winning-funding-bid-1/write-a-winning-funding-bid-part-1
digitalactivist
15 February 2011
Funding available from Notts Community Foundation for those Nottingham DAs interested in setting up their own group:
http://www.nottinghamcvs.co.uk/help-groups/funding/news/funding-available-nottinghamshire-community-foundation