National News
Across the Divide: The role of intergenerational practice in building better cross generational understanding, 17th – 19th July 2007, Hulme Hall, University of Manchester

The Centre for Intergenerational Practice will host its third UK conference for those interested in intergenerational work to meet, network, share experiences and learn from one another.

All information, including booking details, are available under the ‘2007 Conference’ link on the website: www.centreforip.org.uk. Or contact Louise Middleton on 01782 844036 or email generations@bjf.org.uk.


Housing with Care for Older People Website
A new website has been launched for people involved in housing with care for older people. The site will provide a forum to share information, knowledge and experience. The site’s Search for Extra Care Housing allows you to view information on over 1,000 developments UK-wide, with a new mapping facility enabling you to share information on your schemes. See www.extracarehousing.org.uk.


Good Practice Guide to Housing and Support for Older People
Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, provide support and services to help prevent people from becoming homeless, which includes a good practice guide to housing and support specifically for older people.

For more information, see http://england.shelter.org.uk/policy/policy-942.cfm


Help The Aged’s response to the Budget
Available at www.helptheaged.org.uk/en-gb/Campaigns/News/news_budget_210307.htm.


News from VOP

VOP Newsletter: Your Articles Wanted
Articles of up to 200 words, and details of up and coming events (held post mid June) are invited for the next edition of VOP’s quarterly newsletter.  Copy deadline is 24th April, for distribution mid June.

Contact Sally Chandler on 234 3513 or email s.chandler@manchester.gov.uk.


New Small Grants Fund
Help the Aged and VOP are jointly offering small grants to Manchester community groups, to encourage local activity and involvement of older people within the community. The scheme is particularly targeted at funding those things that most other grant schemes will not - like social activities, equipment, trips and parties. Projects must be based in Manchester and benefit Manchester residents and, as ever, grants will be assessed and allocated by a panel of older Manchester residents. The deadline for the first round of funding is Friday, 11th May.

For an application form, or for more information, contact Sally Chandler on 234 3153 or email s.chandler@manchester.gov.uk.


Guide to Life: Second Edition
A revised copy of the Guide to Life in Manchester has now been published, jointly with the Gateway Service. The Guide lists services, opportunities and advice available to older people in Manchester.

Contact Sally Chandler on 234 3513 or email s.chandler@manchester.gov.uk for a copy.


Publications
Manchester older people’s work features in three new publications:
1  The Audit Commission’s Database of Notable Practice, see:  www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/stcc/lfcpa/index.asp
2  The LGA report called “Working Together for well-being”, see: www.lga.gov.uk/Publication.asp?lSection=0&id=SX9D8F-A78409B9
3  A series of LGA reports on developing whole system working for older people. These include: a Policy document, Summary of key    
    messages, a framework for strategy and indicator development and a Manchester case study, see:   
    www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=5821056


News from around the city

Greater Manchester Benefits Bus
A new Benefits Bus, jointly owned by the Greater Manchester local authorities, will be visiting each of the authority areas for at least four weeks a year. Initially, it will be visiting Manchester  Monday 16 April - Thursday 19 April and Monday 23 April - Thursday 26 April. The bus will primarily promote housing and council tax benefits.

For more information contact Mark Holroyd on 455 1070 or m.holroyd@manchester.gov.uk.


Updated mCHIP Website
MCHIP (Manchester’s Community Health Information Profile) is an online geographical information system, offering statistics, facilities, services, activities and other opportunities. A new version of mCHIP is online, which contains lots of new features, easier search and navigation, a revised appearance and a larger font options. It also has a useful ‘getting started guide’ explaining the features and how to use them. See www.healthprofile.co.uk.


Where To Go for a Healthier Me!
Zest and New East Manchester have put together a new book offering a guide to healthy living activities in East Manchester. It includes maps, healthy living tips and a comprehensive index so people can find out what the activities are about if it's new to them.

If you haven’t yet received a copy contact Fiona Vincer on 277 8816 or email f.vincer@manchester.gov.uk.


Medical Research Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help understand the causes of depression in later life and improving its outcome. People aged over 65 are needed, who are free from a history of clinical depression and have a half day to spare at the Clinical Research Facility, Manchester Royal Infirmary.

For further information contact Professor Robert Baldwin on 276 5317 or email robert.c.baldwin@manchester.ac.uk.


Energy Saving Advice
A new referral scheme has been set up by Greater Manchester Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC), to ensure that all departments having contact with customers are fully aware of the range of energy saving services available to householders, together with access to information on the grants and schemes to improve home energy efficiency. Staff are available to give a 15-20 minutes overview of the referral scheme, and a summary of the service and support available in helping homeowners lower fuel bills and improve the insulation levels within their home.

Contact the EEAC on 242 5819 / 5823 and speak to Diana Clayton or Janice Smith to arrange a briefing, alternatively the EEAC may contact you directly to make arrangements.


Healthy Homes Training
The training scheme aims to raise awareness of the ways in which poor or unsuitable housing can have a negative effect upon people’s health and well-being.  A key objective is to enable front line staff in the health, social care and housing sections to find out about the resources and home improvement services to help people who are living in poor or unsuitable housing and to make  effective referrals.
Staff will learn:
- To be aware of and identify the effects of poor housing
- What actions householders can take to improve their housing conditions
- Which local agencies can help
For further information please contact Karen Dutton 0161 872 5500 or email kdutton@careandrepair-manchester.org.uk.


ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management ) Level 2 Introductory Certificate in Team Leading
Training for this free qualification starts on Friday 20th July 2007, delivered over 4 weeks, 1 day per week by the FTC Kaplan Manchester Business School.  The course is an introduction back to learning for all, not just team leaders/supervisors. To be eligible, individuals must meet all the following criteria:
- Be unemployed for less than 6 months;
- Be aged 50 plus;
- Be a Greater Manchester resident; and
- Have low skill levels (not yet achieved a level 2 qualification).
- Or be aged 50 plus, and under threat of redundancy in the Greater Manchester area.
For more information on the qualification see www.i-l-m.com/qualifications/generic/level6.ilm
The FTC Kaplan Manchester Business School can be found at www.ftckaplan.com/Default.aspx?tabid=188.

For further information on eligibility, course details and start dates, contact Chris Bibby for a no obligation informal chat on 07985 562 397 or email c.bibby@ftckaplan.com.


Jobs Fair for Disabled People, The Great Hall, Manchester Town Hall
An event on Monday 16 April 2007, 11am – 4pm, to increase your independence and confidence when applying for jobs. Find out what’s on offer from a wide variety of private and public sector employers, and get friendly advice about training, education and benefits.

For more information, please contact Stephanie Banks on 234 4313 or email s.banks1@manchester.gov.uk.


Events for over 50s, Manchester City Football Club Stadium
4CT and City in the Community are delivering a range of events. Some are open to families but the rest are soley for over 50s only:
Thursday 19th April,  – Running / Walking Stamina
Thursday 17th May - Running / Walking Stamina
Sunday 27th May – Family Fun-Run
For more details please ring Earl Barrett on 438 7716 or Christine Connaughton at The Grange, Beswick 230 1420

Open Day for Older People, Barlor Moor Community Association, Merseybank Avenue, Chorlton
A free open day on Wednesday 18thApril, 10am – 3pm. The day will promote the centre’s activities and the area for older people. The Health Service, Fire Service and Council Services will be available on the day to provide health and medication checks, home safety advice, help with home repairs, plus advice on a range of welfare issues. There will also be lots of fun with taster sessions in Chair Based exercise, T’ai Chi, arts and crafts and Indoor Curling. And a local history film, some complimentary therapies, plus food and prize draws.

For more information and to find out about transport contact Elaine Metz on 446 4805.