Ethos public relations Manchester

Credit unions best hope to tackle financial exclusion

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:27 +0000

Support for the supply of affordable credit through credit unions both now and after the election was discussed at a major conference last week. According to the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL), if there is to be a real impact on financial exclusion, Government needs to act to create a step change in the scale and effectiveness of the sector. Speaking about the importance of financial inclusion and the distinct value of credit unions, ABCUL Chief Executive Mark Lyonette told the Northern Money Conference in Liverpool that Government needs to make a one off investment in back office services for credit unions. This will bring economies of scale to the sector and allow more credit unions to offer a wider range of services to new and existing members. “Crucially this will also allow credit union services to be made available through the Post Office network,” he said. “Only credit unions can meet the financial needs of lower income consumers and extending the banks’ services through Post Offices won’t improve the situation. “Post Office customers not serviced by banks can pay upwards of 200 per cent in interest for loans, which credit unions provide for a tenth of the cost. Speaking at the conference, Helen Goodman MP, Minister for Financial Inclusion at the Department for Work and Pensions, said: “We are committed to ensuring people on low incomes have access to the financial services and advice many of us take for granted. “The government has invested almost £100m through the growth fund for credit unions and has now helped more than 240,000 people. "The credit union movement plays a vital role in helping people get through difficult financial circumstances. “It is changing the lives of those who were in debt by helping them to build and rely on their own savings rather than borrowing from unscrupulous lenders.” Mark Hoban MP, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury, told delegates: “Financial inclusion will matter to the next government. Unless we take financial inclusion seriously, families won't be able to put their finances back on the right track. “We need to give people the support, including advice and guidance and strengthening credit unions, to enable them to make the best choices for their families.” Mark Lyonette added: “The Government also needs to hold banks to account on their previous commitments to support the expansion of affordable credit.” ABCUL believes an effective way to ensure this is for bank staff to volunteer on the Boards of credit unions, using their skills and experience to help the sector develop to its full potential. Mark Lyonette concluded: “We are looking forward to the reform of credit union legislation later this year which will help modernise the whole credit union sector and remove many of the barriers which currently stop us delivering our services more widely." The Northern Money Conference was organised by the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL), the Research Unit for Financial Inclusion at Liverpool John Moores University and Citizens Advice, and was supported by The Co-operative Bank.

The Five Lamps Organisation to help even more people thanks to unique funding

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:00 +0000

The Five Lamps Organisation in Thornaby on Teesside, will soon be able to help thousands more people thanks to financial support from a unique loan fund. A recently awarded loan of £30,000 from The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF) has supplemented Big Lottery ‘Community Asset Fund’ support, enabling The Five Lamps Organisation, to refurbish a Grade 2 listed, local authority building on Dovecot Street in Stockton town centre, to provide vital facilities for hard to reach people in the community. As part of a Big Lottery initiative, and in partnership with Stockton Borough Council and TSELF, the £370,000 project has created a focal point for Five Lamps’ services including: assistance into employment; an enterprise gateway; young people’s services; a range of key skills and accredited learning; financial inclusion advice and access to affordable credit, with the aim of reaching at least 4,000 people per year. In addition, up to ten other local third sector organisations will be able to use the new facilities each year. Graeme Oram, Chief Executive of The Five Lamps Organisation, said: “The newly refurbished building provides much needed space for us to deliver these life-changing services to our communities. “We have developed an excellent relationship with TSELF, and the support we have received has been superb. We are truly grateful.” Founded 25 years ago, The Five Lamps Organisation is a registered charity and has had considerable success in building an increasingly integrated range of social, economic and financial inclusion services in Stockton-on-Tees, the wider Tees Valley and now throughout the North East. It has become one of the largest and most highly respected social enterprise organisations in the region, employing 80 staff. Turnover for 2010-2011 will top £3.1million. Rod Jones, regional director for TSELF, said: “The Five Lamps Organisation offers an amazing service to many people in the area and we are thrilled to be able to assist in this way.” Social enterprise organisations throughout the UK are bucking the trend and thriving in the difficult economic climate and the Social Enterprise Movement as a whole, is now made up of tens of thousands of organisations and accounts for more than one per cent of the UK’s total economy. The Social Enterprise Loan Fund (TSELF) is a Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) and a registered charity aiming to support social enterprises engaged in social regeneration projects with the provision of loan finance. TSELF has, to date, invested £8million in social enterprises across the UK, helping clients to generate job opportunities as well as training places. For more information about The Five Lamps Organisation, visit www.fivelamps.org.uk or call 01642 608316. For more details about TSELF visit www.tself.org.uk or call 020 7680 1028.

Our Fantastic Fairtrade Banquet!

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:45 +0000

This Fairtrade Fortnight what did you do? Which Fairtrade products did you buy or swap? Well, the Ethos public relations team celebrated by successfully holding a Fairtrade lunch - which, due to the vast amount of food, turned into a banquet - on Friday (5th March)!! Having been given the role of key organiser, I set about researching available Fairtrade products and recipes. The obvious sprung to mind – Fairtrade bananas, coffee, sugar and chocolate - but tracking down savoury products was somewhat of a task. Sean had the great idea of using Fairtrade spices - I soon found a supplier online ‘Bart Spices’ and, most importantly, recipes that incorporated the spices: Fairtrade cardamom pods, ginger and black pepper. Next step was to track down Fairtrade coconut milk and Fairtrade olive oil - after ringing round the majority of places in Manchester we were out of luck, as no one stocked them, so again I had to resort to the internet. I placed my order for these and the other Fairtrade products we needed – tahini, chocolate, honey, apple and orange juice. Having finalised the menu, I gave everyone a say on their preferred choice of dish to prepare. On Thursday night, I wished everyone luck as they left with their Fairtrade ingredients to cook up a storm, and even more luck transporting it from home into work the following morning – Tupperware at the ready!! By one o’clock on Friday afternoon, the office was filled with the aroma of spices and a Fairtrade banquet was laid out. Sean, Shaun and myself were responsible for the starters. I made hommous with pitta breads using the Fairtrade olive oil and tahini, Sean made coconut and lentil soup using the Fairtrade coconut milk and spices and Shaun made fruit and nut cutlets using Fairtrade nuts, apricots and raisins. We even had a glass (or two) of Fairtrade Sparkling Wine to toast our great efforts. For main course, Christina made a refreshing salad of mango and avocado with balsamic dressing and toasted pinenuts (the mangos and avocado were supposed to be Fairtrade, but due to logistical problems we had to make do with organic.) Valerie made chunky spiced vegetable and bean soup using the Fairtrade spices, served with bread. Now on to dessert – we gave Rob and Debbie who, by the way, usually steer clear of the kitchen, the task of making desserts. Rob made flapjacks with Fairtrade chocolate and Debbie really did surprise us with her Fairtrade banana surprise!! The pièce de résistance would have to be Sean’s honey cake made using Fairtrade honey. Even though we had all overindulged, we found room for a small slice, especially since it was Shaun’s birthday earlier in the week, so we had to celebrate that too! The verdict – it was a culinary delight! The flavours worked well together and the colours of all the different dishes made for fantastic photographs. Who knows what recipes we will cook up next year for Fairtrade Fortnight. Watch this space....

Effective social care to an ageing population – co-operatives hold the answer

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:06 +0000

With co-operatives currently high on the political agenda, new research by Co-operativesUK is highlighting innovative and practical co-operative approaches to the personalisation agenda as the way forward. Co-operativesUK, supported by The Department of Health, has produced a new guide, Self-managed Care – a Co-operative Approach, which looks at the challenges older people and their families are facing and how a co-operative approach to social care can effectively deliver to an ageing population. “The co-operative approach offers the potential to meet many of the aspirations of self-managed care and widen access to these benefits for people who don’t wish to do this on their own,” said Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operativesUK. It does this by people collaborating: service users; families and carers; paid care staff; and others within their communities. The service user has direct, individual control of their care. The mutual organisation is the employer and provides training, quality standards, insurance and administration. Small clusters of service users and carers, collaborate in self managing provision in localities or to communities of interest. Groups of clusters then form a co-operative. These approaches have been developed and tested through the establishment of pilot schemes including: Caring Support in Croydon, South London; Life Choice Care in partnership with West Sussex Independent Living Association; Oadby and Wigston Direct Payments Support Group in partnership with Leicestershire County Council; Melton Care in partnership with Leicestershire County Council and Melton Borough Council. and Sunshine Care in Rochdale. The pilot project found that direct payments rates, in the main, do not reflect the full organisational costs, such as policy and process and Care Quality Commission registration, associated with ensuring quality care. This was because most authorities where the pilots are operating have a direct payment rate that is significantly lower than the rate paid for equivalent agency homecare. The pilots are therefore expected to carry the cost of delivering quality and obtaining accreditation, but do not receive the payment necessary to do so. The pilots looked for other ways to increase income, by top-ups, privately funded clients of achieving agency rates. One of the pilots, Caring Support in Croydon, is a new model homecare service for older and disabled people. "We are a co-operative of three groups,” said Sheila Kelly, Caring Support Manager. “The people who need care in the community, personal carers and unpaid carers. It's an example of the community working together to our mutual advantage. We're looking after each other." Ed Mayo added: “Co-operatives are trading organisations with strong values, driven by the aspirations and values of the members, but moderated by the democratic process. The learning from this project demonstrates that the co-operative approach works for all those involved in the delivery and receipt of care but that the financial support needs to be in place.” To order a copy of Self-managed Care – a Co-operative Approach - please contact Petra Morris at Co-operativesUK on 0161 246 2960 or by email. Or you can view the pdf by clicking here.

Welcome to our Home!

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:49 +0000

Mike Creamer, Chief Executive of Contour Housing Group and Cllr. Jamie Macrae, Prosperity Portfolio Holder for Cheshire East joined residents of a new development recently to mark its official opening. Sutton Gardens on Earlsway Macclesfield is comprised of 49 one and two bedroom apartments which are available to rent to people aged 55 and over. This £5.9m development which has been supported by £3.2m from the Homes & Communities Agency includes three specially adapted wheelchair access apartments for people who may have physical disabilities. All of the apartments and external grounds provide level access and the development is serviced by a lift to all floors. Landscaped gardens surround the development and include a garden stroll pathway, a parking court and a patio area leading off the communal lounge.Councillor Macrae praised the high specification and design of the scheme which met the local authority’s housing priorities to provide quality and choice of housing for older people. 56 year old Robert Nottage was the first resident to move into the new development.“It’s brilliant here, I love everything about it,” he said. “The peace and tranquillity is particularly welcome – with no youngsters in the building you don’t have to worry about excessive noise.“The properties themselves are a great size, big enough - but easy to maintain and keep clean and I can’t believe how warm they are, even during this cold spell.“I think that schemes for older people like myself and my neighbours are a great idea and there should be more of them.”Just ten of the properties remain available to rent and Contour Housing Group is delighted with the success of Sutton Gardens.“It’s great to see a finished project and have the opportunity to meet the people who call it home,” said Mike Creamer. “This is one of numerous developments the Group has completed in the Cheshire area and we will continue to work closely with Cheshire East to explore further opportunities in the future.”Anyone interested in applying for one of the ten remaining homes should contact Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Association on 01625 553 553.

Sign up now for Masterclass in Community Shares

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:58 +0000

As a result of increasing interest in Community Shares, as a way of saving important community assets, Co-operativesUK is hosting a training seminar in Manchester at the end of the month. The Community Shares programme was launched due to a huge surge of interest in community investment. There have been a total of 40 new cases in the last twelve months alone. The registration of new Industrial and Provident Societies (IPSs) more than doubled in the last quarter of 2009 and recent initiatives have raised more than £42m from over 30,000 community investors across the UK. Now, Co-operativesUK, the national trade body for all forms of co-operative business, is to host a one day seminar, in partnership with the Development Trusts Association (DTA) and funded by Communities and Local Government (CLG), to show how community shares can be used to build businesses and empower communities. The Masterclass in Community Shares, led by Jim Brown, lead consultant of the Community Shares Programme, will take place on the 25 March at the Mechanics Institute in Manchester, and is aimed towards Co-operative Development Bodies (CDBs), development trusts, national third sector agencies and other social enterprise development agencies. Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operativesUK, said: “Community investment is about community engagement and financing new initiatives and this is at the core of the co-operative way of business. “Over the past year or so we have seen increasing interest in community shares as a sustainable way to finance new community businesses and these seminars will give business development professionals a greater understanding of this form of business structure.” Hugh Rolo, Head of Assets and Investment at the DTA, said: “Community enterprises are a vital focal point for local people and are well placed to identify local needs, finding innovative solutions and delivering valuable services while reinvesting surplus back into their communities.” The Masterclass programme will include a good share offer, strengthening the business model, community building and membership, IPS legislation and the alternatives, emergent voluntary codes of good practice, future training and accreditation for community share advisers, creating a quality self-regulatory framework, sharing market intelligence and future government support and policy context. Places are limited to a maximum of 25 per seminar. To find out more, click here. Or to book your place, please visit this website.

Support for Co-operation is vital for next Government

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:29 +0000

Co-operativesUK has launched a ‘co-operative call to action’ for the forthcoming General Election asking all political parties to focus on co operation as a major force in addressing issues ranging from economic renewal to fairness in society. Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operativesUK, said: “Unprecedented events such as the financial crisis and the climate threat show the importance of co-operation. “There is increasing evidence that people are co-operative as much as they are also competitive and we wish to see the next government make a commitment to encourage a diverse economy where the co-operative business model features strongly.” The call to action addresses five key areas including: economic renewal; social innovation; a fairer society; climate change and digital futures. Key asks of the next government include:• A clear vision for supporting the development of co-operatives;• A clear policy framework to define how co-operatives can deliver public services;• An ‘emergency support service’ for struggling pubs, enabling people to save their pubs from closure using the co-operative model;• A wholesale review of energy markets to hand greater power and control to users of energy through co-operatives;• A programme to encourage rural communities to take control of digital services by promoting community ownership and implementation of fibre-optic broadband access to rural communities in the UK. Ed Mayo said: “As the UK is now technically out of recession, the time really has come for a new agenda of co-operation. “The financial and ensuing economic crisis has had negative impacts on many enterprises. However, co-operatives across the globe are showing resilience to the crisis. Financial co-operatives, in particular, remain financially sound and consumer co-operatives are reporting increased turnover. Current debate in the UK about employee owned co-operatives is welcome and there is growth in such co-operatives as people choose the co-operative form in response to new economic realities. As businesses with a member and community focus, they are able to deliver both in strictly financial terms but also as an important alternative to a solely investor led model.”

Manchester gets its own Current Account

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:08 +0000

Manchester Credit Union is launching an alternative to High Street bank current accounts for the people of Manchester. Manchester Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial co-operative, serving people who live or work in Manchester, and the new Current Account will provide its members with a transparent way of managing their money. Featuring an ATM or Debit card that will give customers instant access to their money from one of the 38,000 free cash machines across the UK, the account will not offer an overdraft and all charges are made clear up front. With a weekly fee of just ?1, this charge will guarantee customers a service with no hidden extra administrative costs. When the credit union has to pass along charges for things like unpaid Direct Debits, these will typically be lower than those at high street banks. Other benefits include access to low cost loans and telephone banking. Christine Moore, Chief Executive of Manchester Credit Union, said: ?We are delighted to be introducing this new Current Account to Manchester and we are looking forward to offering our services to people across the city. ?There are numerous people who do not have access to a high street bank for various reasons, and as credit unions exist to serve their members, we want to bring our services to more and more people in Manchester.? Christine Moore added: ?As a credit union it is important for all our members to have an honest service which has no financial surprises and by banking with Manchester Credit Union, your money is guaranteed to be in safe hands.? Councillor Bernard Priest, Lead Member for Finance and Human Resources at Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester City Council is committed to supporting Manchester Credit Union, to help reduce the financial inequalities that our residents face. ?Although there are signs the recession is easing, financial times are still hard and we recognise that the Credit Union is offering a transparent way of managing money. ?This service sits alongside our Helping Hands initiative and is something we applaud." To find out more visit www.manchestercreditunion.co.uk or call 0161 231 5222.

Green team are go!

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:16 +0000

Last year ALMO Rochdale Boroughwide Housing teamed up with Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale to pilot a new scheme designed to give young unemployed people in the Rochdale area an opportunity to develop their environmental skills. 22 year old James Pickering from Spotland, Rochdale had been unemployed for over three years before being recruited to the scheme and he says joining Green Team has really boosted his confidence. ?Just getting back into the routine of going to work has been good for me,? he said.? ?At the end of the day I go home, tired but happy because I know I?ve done a good day?s work.? It?s a great feeling.? This? year long training scheme which has been funded by both organisations and two ?Green Teams? are working on RBH estates and land to make small scale environmental improvement that will make a big difference to local people. The recruits are aged 18 ? 24 and are receiving training which will result in accredited certification that should ultimately help them find full time employment.?? This includes accredited skills in health and safety, manual handling, plastering, block paving, bricklaying, fencing and landscaping and other specific training will be available at the trainees request.James adds:? ?It?s good to be doing work that is helping to make areas look better.? I?ve got a young daughter myself and when we go out to nature areas near home I know the work we?re doing on Green Team will benefit people like her and her friends.?

See London by night on the Capital?s first ever 100km Charity bike ride

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:57 +0000

The London Nightrider bike ride is a fantastic and unique opportunity to see London by night. While the capital sleeps, cyclists will be able to make the most of the quiet roads and explore the country?s capital city by moonlight. The first ever 100km night ride, on Saturday 19 June, will start at 11pm at Crystal Palace and cyclists will follow a circular route past over fifty of London's most famous sights. Some of the key landmarks include Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, and the night ride is open to both beginners and experienced cyclists. Action For Kids, which helps to support children and young people with physical and learning disabilities and their parents and carers, has a limited number of places still available, and is keen to hear from anyone interested in taking part. Sarah Greene, Events Fundraiser at Action for Kids, said: "This is a very exciting and unique opportunity with hundreds of cyclists preparing to take part. ?There are only 100 spaces left, so to avoid missing out on such a fantastic opportunity, we urge anyone interested in taking part to contact the events team as soon as possible on 020 8347 8111 or email events@actionforkids.org.? Action For Kids will give riders tailored fundraising and training advice right up to the event. To find out more about the costs involved and for more information about Action For Kids and its work, please visit the website www.actionforkids.org. For more information about the Nightrider event, please click here.

Young and old should get ?Surfing?

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:31 +0000

Social landlord Peak Valley Housing Association is encouraging its residents to take advantage of the Government?s Home Access scheme which has recently been launched. The scheme provides low income families with grants to purchase a computer, get a least a year?s home broadband or both. ?The scheme which is primarily aimed at ensuring school age children have full use of the Internet will also help low income families access training,? said Phil Corris Managing Director of Peak Valley Housing Association. ?It is widely accepted that many people living in social housing do not have access to the Internet and all the benefits that it can offer. Naturally school children will gain a lot from having this service at home, but we believe that their parents will also be able to enjoy more benefits including access to training and employment opportunities. ?Even having access to government and information websites, money saving information and price comparison sites could make a huge difference to somebody on a low income.? Families receiving income support or unemployment benefits will be able to apply for a Home Access grant which they can use to purchase a computer or broadband package from an approved supplier. At launch only families with children aged 7-14, in school years 3-9, will be eligible, but the programme is aiming to work towards universal home access for all school age children by 2011. However, Peak Valley say that if you are unsure on whether or not you qualify it is best to ask for full details of eligibility to ensure you don?t miss out. As an extension to the Home Access scheme the Government has just announced that nearly 20,000 people living in sheltered housing will be switched on to the internet with the introduction of a new Get Digital programme designed to help silver sufers get Internet savvy. The scheme will provide residents with access to computers and the training they need to make the most of the new technology on offer. ?With around 10 million people in the UK never having used the Internet ? and many of these socially excluded or over the age of 65, we welcome these measures which will expand access to the Internet,? said Phil Corris. ?Peak Valley and other local service providers already provide Internet training opportunities for residents in this area and we will be looking to develop more for people who want help and advice on using their new computers and accessing all the web has to offer.? Government funding for the Home Access scheme is available for around 270,000 households and you can apply by calling 0333 200 1004 for an application form.

Rules is rules!

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:24 +0000

We're just in the process of updating our company communications policy to take into account the use of social networking sites. Since our policy was first written, just over three years ago, it's incredible to think how the use of social networking sites has grown. In 2006, I don't think I knew what Facebook was and Twitter had only just come into existence. The Twitter 'joke' reported in the newspapers last month, which led to the first person in the UK being arrested for comments posted on Twitter, flagged up to all of us the need to be careful about what we post on social networking sites. This person's Twitter comment about blowing up Robin Hood Airport led to their arrest under the Terrorism Act, seven hours of police questioning and suspension from work! As the use of social networking sites is now so common, from both a personal and a business point of view, we thought it was high time we set out in writing some of the do's and don't's for us all as employees of Ethos public relations. The example above is extreme, but the issues of what should or should not be posted, who it is shared with and how it is shared are all important if employees and companies are to avoid getting into hot water. In addition to the obvious things like confidentiality, not bringing the company into disrepute and generally not been offensive, issues include the need for employees to make it clear when posting whether they are speaking on their own behalf or on behalf of the company. Making sure you're only posting to the people you should be posting to is important too. Recent news stories of Facebook postings causing disastrous consequences include teenagers announcing their house parties to everyone on Facebook, only to find they're inundated with troublemakers, leaving their parent's home wrecked. Because social networking sites are still relatively new, it seems like there are lots of pitfalls when posting. However, I'm sure for most of us, the more confident and experienced we get at posting on them, particularly for business purposes, the less problematical they will seem. In the end, I guess it mainly boils down to common sense. Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Get a job and improve the local area

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:55 +0000

If you are unemployed and live in Oldham, contact your local Job Centre to find out about a six month training opportunity that is being offered by social landlord Contour Homes. Samantha McHale, Regeneration Officer for Contour said: ?We are looking for 15 trainees who will be working to improve local areas. As well as gaining valuable employment experience and gaining new skills they will also be engaging with the local community and making small changes that will make a big difference.?The scheme is part of the Future Jobs Fund managed by the Department for Works and Pensions which is designed to ensure 18 ? 24 year olds gain a job placement. To qualify for one of the training positions, applicants will need to have been unemployed for six months or more. Full details about the vacancies are available via job centres in Oldham and people should apply now, call 0845 6060 234 or email samantha.mchale@contourhousing.co.uk

ALMO takes on Mortgage Rescue

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:22 +0000

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) is set to become the first ALMO in the country to participate in the government?s Mortgage Rescue Scheme. Brighter Horizons the charitable subsidiary of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has successfully applied to take part in the scheme and a seal of approval from Rochdale Council means it can help up to ten households over the next year. Gareth Swarbrick Chief Executive of RBH said: ?Rochdale has one of the highest numbers of repossessions in the North West and clearly there is a great demand for this type of assistance. Thirty five percent of the scheme costs will be coming from prudential borrowing via the Council and without the support of the Council this scheme would not have been able to go ahead.? The latest figures from the Financial Services Authority show that the number of mortgage holders behind with their mortgage payments increased by 16% in the third quarter of 2009. An average of 395,000 mortgage holders were in arrears between July and September. In October, the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) urged its 76 investment partners to increase the Mortgage Rescue Scheme?s capacity and as a result more landlords have applied and been accepted ? Brighter Horizons being one. Any family eligible will have to demonstrate their financial ability to afford the rent for the rescued property. RBH will be targeting those homeowners who live on their estates and have been accepted through the Mortgage Rescue Scheme. The Mortgage Rescue Scheme in Greater Manchester is administered by Great Places Housing Group.? Brighter Horizons will step in to own the properties and RBH will manage them. Deborah McLaughlin, Regional Director North West of the HCA, said: ?It's great news that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing is becoming so actively involved in the Mortgage Rescue Scheme. The economic downturn has left many homeowners in trouble, and repossession is a last-ditch solution that doesn?t benefit homeowners or lenders. Through preventative work such as this in Rochdale, Mortgage Rescue is now starting to offer a valuable alternative and provide help in supporting families stay in their homes.?

All aboard the Skills Bus!!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:15 +0000

Adults in Middleton looking for help and advice on training and job opportunities are invited to hop onboard the Contour Housing Group ?Skills Bus?.Ross Hemmings, Regeneration Investment Officer with Contour Housing Group said: ?We are working with Rochdale MBC, Orchard Training Solutions, Hopwood Hall College and Groundwork who will be available on the Skills Bus to offer employment support and advice as well as providing information on local courses available.?The ?Skills Bus? will be located at the Langley Surestart Children?s Centre on Thursday 4th March between 10.30am to 3pm. If you have young children to look after, they will be kept entertained with a range of activities so that parent(s) can chat to the experts.? Ross Hemmings said:?Unemployment, particularly for young adults is becoming an issue. However, anyone who is looking to find work or just wants to take their career in a new direction will benefit from attending this event.? People can simply turn up on the day but in the meantime if you would like more information please contact Ross Hemmings on 0345 602 1120 or drop into Langley children?s centre.All aboard! Thursday 4th March 10.30am to 3pm, Langley Surestart Children?s Centre, Windermere Road, Langley, Middleton.

Co-operation to show football?s financial woes the red card

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:01 +0000

Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operativesUK, announces a radical new plan to give football fans a realistic chance to be in charge of their club. Speaking at the Community Ownership of Sport conference in Cardiff Ed said: ?I call on Government to introduce legislation that will allow supporters the right to buy their club and convert it to a co-operative if 75% of season ticket holders are in favour of the move. And this should be fast-tracked for clubs in difficulty along with the right to buy at a fair market valuation.? With teams from all leagues in the domestic game, from Portsmouth to Cardiff City, facing a daily struggle to survive with the reality of debts and the threat of administration hanging over them there is a real chance that a vital community asset could be lost. According to Ed Mayo a co-operative approach to football ownership could pay dividends for clubs and supporters alike. ?Football clubs are much more than just a business ? they are a way of life for many people. As well as being sports clubs they have a massive influence of the financial, cultural and sporting environment in most towns and cities in the country.? ?Thousands of people follow their team week in week out, giving them tremendous support, and as a result fans, the cog that keeps the engine running, should have a say on how the club is run. He continued: ?Evidence shows that many clubs are not managing their business successfully off the pitch and it is really time to let the supporters and fans have a real say in the destiny of their club. ?After all, there is likely to be greater financial stability for spectator sports if the assets of sports clubs are in ownership of a not-for-profit community venture, preventing the community asset being used for casino-style leveraged financing for the benefit of shareholders, or dangerous gambles on playing success funded by ruinous debt.?

Finance For All ? conference addresses changing financial inclusion agenda

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:08 +0000

The Northern Money Conference is taking place on 1 March with an even broader programme tackling financial exclusion faced by people on low and moderate incomes. This year, the conference is broadening its focus from the financial inclusion agenda alone to highlight the financial problems currently facing those on both low and moderate incomes, as a result of the credit crunch which has significantly changed the landscape of financial services. The conference is jointly organised by the Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL), the Research Unit for Financial Inclusion at Liverpool John Moores University and Citizens Advice, and is supported by The Co-operative Bank. As part of its co-operative heritage, The Co-operative Bank has a commitment to tackling financial inclusion and its support for credit unions is one of a number of initiatives in which it is involved. Mark Lyonette, Chief Executive of ABCUL, said: ?No conference at this time could ignore the changing political environment and its potential impact on organisations and services endeavouring to serve low-income communities. ?This partnership between a bank, the credit union movement, the advice sector and a university reflects the approach taken by the conference: promoting financial inclusion depends on Government and the private, voluntary and third sector acting collaboratively.? The conference is for all organisations and agencies with an interest in and commitment to tackling financial exclusion in Britain. These include regional and municipal authorities, government agencies, banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, money advice agencies, social landlords, community organisations and associations, churches, agencies working with young people and families. Confirmed speakers this year include: Helen Goodman MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions; Mark Hoban MP, Shadow Financial Secretary to Treasury; Graham Leftwich, Business Leader Corporate Communications, Co-operative Financial Services; Paul A Jones, Research Unit for Financial Inclusion, Liverpool John Moores University and Mark Lyonette of ABCUL. The conference takes place at the Contemporary Urban Centre (CUC), Liverpool. Places are limited so for more information about the conference and how to book your place please visit www.abculelearning.coop and select ?Events and Conferences?. If you have any questions regarding the event please contact ABCUL Conferences either by email at conferences@abcul.org or call 0161 832 3694.

Young residents stay safe

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:58 +0000

Social landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has teamed up with Homestart Rochdale Borough and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to support a scheme aimed at reducing accidents in the home among the under-fives. Mark Fisher, Head of Repairs for RBH said:? ?We are always happy to look at anything that helps ensure our customers remain safe in their properties and we are delighted to support this scheme which protects our younger residents.? The scheme essentially loans home safety equipment to residents free of charge, and RBH is fitting the equipment free or charge and to the correct standard.? The equipment includes items such as safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, fireguards, window restrictors, cupboard locks, anti slip bath maths and protectors for table corners. It is believed the Rochdale scheme is the most successful in the North West and possibly the country and to date 43 households have taken up the service. ?Essentially the scheme aims to reduce child accident rates in the home,? said Mark.? ?This local scheme in Rochdale is supported by information and accident prevention advice to ensure that our residents are fully up to speed on the issues.? Statistics shows that thousands of young children are injured in the home every year and simple precautions like those being implemented by this scheme can prevent them. If you would like more information about the RBH service please contact Mark Fisher at mark.fisher@rbhousing.org.uk or Donna Arden at donna.homestart@fsmail.net Information about accident prevention in the home is also available at www.rospa.com/homesafety.

Peak Valley awards major gas servicing contract

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:56 +0000

Peak Valley Housing Association has awarded an annual ?150K repairs and maintenance gas servicing contract to Cheshire company PH Jones Ltd.The contract covers properties managed by Peak Valley Housing Association in Hattersley and includes 1500 properties.Phil Corris Managing Director for Peak Valley said: ?This contract is based around some fundamental changes to the way our previous service was delivered and managed which will ultimately mean providing an enhanced service to our residents.?The new contract will see the introduction of job scheduling as well as a range of targets designed to monitor quality and drive up performance.It is a five year contract with an option to extend for a further five.

Region gets state of the art Women?s Refuge

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:53 +0000

A new ?2.3m Women?s Refuge in Preston which will provide accommodation for victims of domestic violence from all across the North West has opened its doors this week.? Fifty percent of the nomination rights will come from Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire to ensure that local women benefit from this new facility which is unique to the area and provides some of the best facilities of its kind in the country. Valerie Wise Chief Executive of Preston Domestic Violence Services said:? ?We are delighted to be able to provide this much needed service in our region which provides state of the art accommodation for women and their families. ??This will be one of the most innovative schemes in the North West providing victims of domestic violence with the privacy they need, in self contained flats with their own front door.?One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute and on average, two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner. (Women?s Aid, 2010)Audrey Wise* House has been funded by Contour Homes, one of the region?s biggest housing and regeneration companies which has considerable experience in developing and managing supported housing accommodation across the North West.? Contour Homes managed to successfully secure ?1.65m from the Homes & Communities Agency towards the total scheme.Andrea Swanwick Senior Project Manager for Contour Homes said:? ?When Preston Council identified a need for supported accommodation for women and children, it approached Contour Homes for assistance and in 2007 our proposed scheme was accepted.? The new scheme was developed on land owned by Contour Homes and so we were also able to ?gift? the land to the refuge.?The new facility offers 15 self contained flats, (seven 3-person flats, four 4-person flats and four-5 person flats) so that each family can have its own kitchen, bathroom and lounge. This will allow the facility to accommodate teenage boys and women with high support needs.? One flat has also been adapted to accommodate wheelchair access.Four flats have been earmarked exclusively for the use of Muslim women.? Specialist staff who speak Gujarati, Urdu and Punjabi will bring their extensive cultural knowledge to Audrey Wise House.? This includes providing cooking facilities and utensils for halal use only, and supporting religious beliefs with the provision of Burkahs, prayer mats and holy books.The facility also has a communal therapy lounge, training room and one-to-one interview room. There is also a play area and garden which will be equipped with outdoor play equipment.Valerie adds:? ?Naturally security is a top priority and CCTV will monitor the entire building, there is a secure door entry system and the Refuge is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.?The Preston Domestic Violence Services Helpline is open 24 hours a day.? If you are suffering from any kind of physical, emotional, sexual, financial or psychological abuse please phone 01772 201601.

New handcycle for 2012 wheelchair tennis hopeful

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:29 +0000

A 21-year-old student paralysed after a fall has received an extra special Christmas present ? a brand new power assisted handcycle ? thanks to the support of national charity Action For Kids. Anthony Carter, from the University area of Reading, suffered a bad fall in February 2008, and sustained a spinal cord injury which left him with no movement or sensation in the lower region of his body. Although Anthony had a wheelchair, he needed the new power assisted handcycle to increase his mobility and provide a greater sense of independence while living in Kingston and studying for a BA Hons degree in Foreign Art at Wimbledon College. "The new handcycle was delivered just before Christmas and it was just the best Christmas present I could have had ? it is fantastic," said Anthony. "The handcycle is great, both on and off-road, and because it helps me get around far more easily, it has really given me much more independence. I?ve already been around Richmond Park a few times and it?s excellent for travelling to and from university." Anthony, also a keen wheelchair tennis player, regularly plays in tournaments? and with great success: he won the National Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Singles (Novice Division) last year and went on to win the Doubles of the Belfast Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in September 2009. Anthony would like to go on to teach once he has finished his degree, but with his recent success in wheelchair tennis, is very keen to pursue his sporting talents first. He added: "I train on a weekly basis in Roehampton and even get the chance to play with British wheelchair tennis pros, so who knows, with further progression maybe I?ll be good enough to enter the 2012 Paralympics!" Disability charity, Action For Kids, provided almost ?3,500 for the COUGAR Powered Assisted Handcycle. Not only does Action for Kids provide disabled young people, up to the age of 26, with specialist mobility equipment, but it also provides an on-going maintenance program to keep wheelchairs working. The equipment, which is provided on a permanent loan scheme, means that Action for Kids covers the cost of maintaining and servicing wheelchairs, and now the charity also provides maintenance on privately-owned wheelchairs. Sally Bishop, Founder of Action For Kids said: "We?re always pleased to help support young people like Anthony. We know that the new handcycle will offer him fantastic physical and emotional benefits and we look forward to hearing how he?s getting on over the next few months." To find out more about Action For Kids and its work, visit www.actionforkids.org

Eggciting approach to workshop

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:29 +0000

Like many business professionals I've attended numerous conferences, workshops and seminars - and as we all know - some are very much better than others. This week I was a guest of the Housing e-Academy at its e-Enabling Tenant Engagement Conference in Leeds. I attended two workshops, the first was from Creative North who introduced delegates to a very clever use of mobile phone technology. The second was managed by the host organisation and reminded us about the wealth of social media opportunities available for communicating with core audiences. A highlight of the venue in Leeds was that both my workshops were held in a very plush private cinema which certainly beats sitting around a conference table! And I think I can speak for all delegates when I say we loved the 'eggs' provided by the presenter which allowed for a unique interactive audience experience.? Think how the audience participates in 'Who wants to be a Millionaire?' and you should get the picture. It's always good to get out and about and keep up with the latest innovations and technologies - and of course it's a great networking opportunity. I was able to meet delegates from my current client portfolio and I bumped into people I had worked with in the past. I met new people too - those working in the social housing sector and many politically active (with a small 'p') tenants and residents.

Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Tiger

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:25 +0000

Celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Golden Tiger (February 14th) with a statement rug from GH Frith. Director Andrew Frith said:? ?Tradition has it that the Tiger is considered the king of all beasts and represents powerful energy.? In the Year of the Tiger everything is taken to its limit and is big and bold.? So if you?re looking to add colour and high design to your floor - GH Frith has the largest selection of Chinese rugs anywhere in the UK. Visit www.ghfrith.com where you can browse a huge variety of rugs which are available in numerous designs, colourways and sizes.? Telephone? 0845 4 900 600 for more information.

Building Trust in the Digital Age

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:09 +0000

I am not the first person to write about embargoes on press releases in the digital age. Last year Rob Brown's blog, Breaking the Embargo, highlighted cases of PR companies breaking their own embargoes and Jeremy Toeman's reply argued that embargoes are essential in maintaining relationships between journalists, bloggers and PRs. For too long, I think, people have seen the embargo in terms of controlling news release, something bloggers and social networking sites seem to see as anathema. Too often PR companies and overzealous marketers have seen the embargo as a way of trying to ensure that the public get the right message at the right time. In today's 24 hour media world this really does seem old fashioned and counter to the prevailing idea that news belongs to everyone as it happens. In the political arena, an embargo can ensure that politicians from other parties don't trump a major policy announcement, but even here publicists have been known to 'float' an idea before the announcement itself, calling into question the importance of an embargo. But for me the use of an embargo is about something much more fundamental, and increasingly forgotten. Some stories or announcements are actually complicated and deserve a measured amount of analysis. They shouldn't just be stripped from a press release immediately and posted to this blog or that website. They deserve preparation and, dare I say, some research by the journalist/blogger. The 24 hour news culture puts a lot of strain on journalists to deliver content speedily and the Twitter generation demands we distil things to appropriate soundbites. But as professionals, dedicated to providing information, whether journalist or PR, we should also care about providing a 'quality' story. It seems to me that often that can only be achieved by giving our journalist colleagues ample time to digest information in the news release and then to undertake additional research. This can only be achieved by the appropriate use of an embargo. (Photo by Danilo Rizzuti, courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Back to school for Ethos public relations

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:41 +0000

Making New Year resolutions is all the rage at the minute so we thought that we would get in on the act and make one ourselves. We have decided that we are going to learn or re-learn shorthand!A few of us were taught shorthand at university but after a few years of sporadically using it we thought it was about time that we sat down and refreshed our memories. Some of my - oh how should I word this - more experienced colleagues, who have been in the business a little longer than I have, know other versions of shorthand but we are going to be using Teeline. We have put aside a small bit of time each week to teach ourselves this useful tool which will come in handy for taking notes in interviews. One of the main rules for shorthand is to remove the vowels from words and group the 'indicators' for each consonant together. The removal of letters to make smaller words is quite usual in text speak so hopefully, in this technological world we live in, it means that we won't find the new 'language' too difficult!But if you do hear us saying 'ltl' instead of 'little' or 'wk' instead of 'week' then please do let us know!!

I made it through the snow!!

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:33 +0000

This morning I woke to find around 5 inches of snow if not more covering the streets AND roads of Manchester, the most I have ever seen in the city centre. I togged up, put my wellies on and ventured out in what looked like a mild blizzard.On the walk to work, I heard various business people alike talking on their phones discussing the bad weather conditions, how they had been delayed and how buses had struggled to get up hills. Cars were wheel spinning and sliding about. It wasn't long before my phone was ringing, firstly Valerie rang, backing up claims of disruption to local public transport, she was unable to get a bus or tram from Crumpsall. Secondly Christina rang confirming delays on trains - they would both try and make it into work as soon as they could. I took some photographs on my phone, hence the upload of Piccadilly Gardens, as it just looked so scenic a change from the usual rain and greyness. I finally arrived at my desk and was met with a warm office and a round of applause. Slowly colleagues started to filter in, including Valerie and Christina. As our reward for the whole team making it into work we have all enjoyed a mid morning snack of jam doughnuts and coffee. I can't wait for the next snow day.