Notice Board

MyManchesterServices
Manchester City Council has launched a new section on its website called "MyManchesterServices". This is aimed at adults who need advice, information, health and fitness activities, social opportunities or other services to help improve their quality of life. You can build up a list of services and opportunities near you. If you register with the site you can save your search and return to it at any time, making this your personalised directory.
(If you would like your organisation to be added to this directory you can contact the team by email at: mymanchesterservices@manchester.gov.uk.)
Link: www.manchester.gov.uk/MyManchesterServices

Hate Crime Research
Reported crime against disabled people has come to the fore in recent years, yet there is no agreed or common understanding of what disability hate crime is.  Breakthrough UK has obtained funding from the Equality and Human Rights Commission to find out more about the way organisations define and respond to reports of hate crime, or related incidents.  The main aim of this study is to develop and share greater understanding of disability hate crime, and how this compares with understanding about hate crime toward other groups.
Even if you think organisation does not do anything in this area your response will help the research. The survey can be downloaded below and should take about 20 minutes to complete.  Please return the questionnaire to Breakthrough UK by Monday 27th October. There will be a conference in March 2009 to launch the report of the findings of this study.
Download: hcquestionnaire.doc
Link: Breakthrough UK

Be in the know...join the MACC mailing list!
Join our rapidly expanding mailing list to get the latest updates from MACC on your chosen areas of interest. You can choose from Health and Social Care, Children and Families, Health and Well-being,Older People, Voluntary Sector Development, Mental Health, Advocacy Services and Community Engagement. If you're not already on our list, it’s simple to join, just;
   1. Click on the link below,
   2. Print the form,
   3. Complete all sections and,
   4. Post to : MACC FREEPOST, NAT 4533,  PO Box 189, Manchester M30 3BR.
We will send you information via email and/or post as you wish on your chosen interests... and it's all for FREE.
Link: MACC Contact Database Form

DAST newsletter
The Drug and Alcohol Strategy Team at Manchester City Council (known as "DAST") has released the first edition of a new quarterly newsletter for groups in Manchester interested in issues for carers and families of people with substance misuse problems. This edition includes a questionnaire to gather the views of carers and service users which will inform the DAST's future work.
Download: catalyst_july08.doc
Link: About DAST

Worforce Development Funding Guide
Skills for Care, Skills for Health and Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) have produced a workforce development funding guide aimed at employers in the social care and health sector. Click on the link below to download a copy.
Download: nw_hsc_funding_guide.doc

CRB Checks for Volunteers
In June, the Office of the Third Sector released guidance to make clear what groups using volunteers need to do about Criminal Records Bureau checks. This is intended as a reply to concerns that some volunteers are being put off by the CRB check process. Obviously, organisations do need to manage risks in people doing voluntary work with children or vulnerable adults and there are some legal requirements but this new guidance tries to explain where a formal CRB check fits with other steps such as interviewing, training and getting references.
Link: Guidance on CRB Checks for Volunteers (pdf)
Link: Criminal Records Bureau

Consultation on GP out of hours services in Manchester
Manchester PCT is planning to re-contract for the provision of GP services which operate outside normal opening hours. They have set up a short online survey to gather views on some of the key ways the new provider should operate. To take part, please click on the link below.
Link: Out of hours survey

Flouridation in Greater Manchester
As you may have heard in the media, discussions are currently taking place about water flouridation across Greater Manchester. This is partly in response to the very poor levels of dental health in the area. The debate is still in its early stages and there is a legal requirement to undertake public consultation before any action is taken. Manchester Health Watchdog have produced an information update which is available >HERE<.