These events are targeted at both Volunteers and Volunteer Involving Organisations and there are two separate consultation events contained in this e-mail. You may wish to attend one or both if you wish.

We would be grateful if you could pass this information on to your colleagues, friends, active and potential volunteers, e-mail networks, partner organisations and local groups.

Description of event:
Volunteer Centre Manchester and MACC would like to invite you to a special voluntary sector consultation. These events have been arranged throughout the city, over a period of 4 days, to look at the development of Manchester's newly formed Volunteer Centre. However, we need your help. We would like as many people to attend as possible so that you can have your say in shaping how Manchester's Volunteer Centre Services will look now and in the future.

The Centre will work with all of the existing volunteering support services (including GMYN, MEV and 4CT's new Get Experienced Project etc). It is not meant to be seen as a replacement for these services but exists to fill in the gaps & provide a recognisable branded volunteering service. We don't see this as a "centre" in the City Centre: we're aiming to work in local communities and with local groups.

The findings from this consultation will build on recommendations from the Volunteering Report produced by Martin Duffy in 2009 (this document can be found on the Community Central website).

We would urge you to attend if you:
1 Currently volunteer, or have volunteered in Manchester
2 Are a small group run by volunteers for volunteers in Manchester
3 Are a larger third sector organisation working in Manchester
4 Have an interest in volunteering and Volunteer Centre Manchester's forward strategy

The consultation events will be facilitated by Carol Savage of Duo Developments and a framework document and final report will be produced for wider circulation at the end of March.

What are the dates and how do I book a place?
To book on one of the Volunteer Centre Manchester Consultation Events please visit www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/news/volunteer-centre-manchester-consultation-events

Week 1

1 Monday 20th February 2012
10.00am - 12.30pm
Whitemoss Youth Club, Whitemoss School, Charlestown Road, Manchester, M9 7BS

2 Monday 20th February 2012
1.00pm - 4.00pm
Whitemoss Youth Club, Whitemoss School, Charlestown Road, Manchester, M9 7BS

3 Wednesday 22nd February 2012
10.00pm - 12.30pm
Benchill Community Centre, Benchill Rd, Manchester M22 8EJ

Week 2

4 Tuesday 28th February 2012
10.00am - 12.30pm
Northmoor Community Centre, 95-97 Northmoor Road, Longsight, Manchester, M12 5RT

5 Tuesday 28th February 2012
1.00pm - 4.00pm
The Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive, Beswick, Manchester, M11 3TQ

6 Wednesday 29th February 2012
1.00pm - 4.00pm
Royal Oak Community Centre, Brookcot Road, Royal Oak, Wythenshawe, M23 1DU

7 Thursday 1st March 2012
10.00am - 12.30pm
Inspire Centre, 747 Stockport Road, Manchester, M19 3AR

8 Thursday 1st March 2012
1.00pm - 4.00pm
Inspire Centre, 747 Stockport Road, Manchester, M19 3AR