JGP News

Those working for two social enterprises in Yorkshire have been placed on the shortlist to win a prestigious industry award, it has been revealed.

Harrogate-based Disability Action Yorkshire and the Emmaus village in Carlton are in the running for the Best Social Enterprise prize at the forthcoming Enterprising Solutions Awards ceremony which looks to find the most effective third sector organisation of this kind.

The social enterprise which wins the award will receive £20,000.

Meanwhile, Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College has been nominated for the Best Social Enterprise in Schools prize.

Chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition Jonathan Bland said: "These awards are instrumental in showcasing and rewarding the impact of social enterprise in the UK."

He went on to report that social enterprises harness the power of whatever sector they operate in for "the power of the market for the benefit of communities and individuals".

Such news may be of interest to those third sector organisations looking to improve their skills framework.

Last month Social Firms UK and Rise announced that they are to use the latter organisation’’s social enterprise kitemark to provide a quality mark for social enterprises across the country.

More skills framework information.

Those working for a number of community and voluntary groups have been praised at an industry event, it has been revealed.

At the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action’’s (Navca) annual conference, seven organisations were given the Navca Quality Award, an externally-audited prize which evaluates the quality of services that are provided by local infrastructure organisations.

The Tameside Third Sector Coalition, York CVS and Keighley Voluntary Services were among those who received such an accolade.

Kevin Curley, chief executive of Navca, claimed that those organisations which have received the award will be able to demonstrate to network partners and funders "that they are doing the right things and doing them well".

In addition to the seven recent winners, a further 13 organisations were shown to have won the award since Navca’’s 2007 conference.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Scope, Age Concern England and Mencap had formed links as network partners to help run campaign events during the party conferences held by Britain’’s three major political parties.

More about network partners.

A new scheme has been launched aimed at increasing the number of those working in the voluntary sector in the north-east of England, it has been revealed.

Regional development agency One North East’’s £1.4 million scheme will specifically target people who are unemployed and encourage them to start volunteering.

The Ouseburn Trust, Age Concern South Tyneside, North East Regional Museums Hub and the Culture Retreat are among those third sector organisations involved in culture and sport which are set to take part in the project.

Pat Ritchie, assistant chief executive for One North East, claimed that the scheme could help people back into work by increasing their skills and level of confidence.

Ms Ritchie said: "We hope it”ll be the stepping stone they need to move into employment."

Such news might interest those in the third sector looking to attract job applicants via a regional recruitment portal.

Earlier this month it was revealed that a number of homeless charities are set to employ those who have previously been living rough.

More regional recruitment portal information.

Those working in the public sector are doing more for the environment, it has been reported.

In figures released by the government it was revealed that the majority of councils have committed to incorporating targets to reduce climate change as a part of their Local Area Agreement (LAA).

As such, numerous LAAs were revealed to contain plans to meet National Indicator 186 - in which councils will look to reduce carbon emissions per capita in their areas by between four and 15 per cent compared to figures recorded in 2005.

Phil Woolas, minister for climate change, reported that as managing climate change is a "global issue" it is important for people to work together to help create a difference for their local area.

He added: "Local authorities are not only ideally placed to enable this positive work, but also, through their own hard work and dedication, are able to set a good example through their own actions."

Such news could interest local authorities wishing to improve their sustainable efficiencies.

Earlier this month, a list of ten community groups were unveiled by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts which will now receive £20,000 each to help tackle climate change within their local area.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

Those working for a number of charities have revealed how they forged links as network partners at this year’’s political party conferences.

Moves by Mencap, Age Concern England and Scope have seen the third sector bodies host joint fringe events at the conventions held by Britain’’s main political parties - Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

As such, the venture will set each of the third sector organisations involved back by £4,000.

However, if each charity did this individually it would cost them about £12,000.

Lucy Hannigan, a Mencap press officer, said: "A combined voice is much stronger than a single one and there are financial benefits because we can share resources."

Meanwhile, Suzanne Stevenson, press manager for Scope, claimed that by operating as network partners the charities will be able to raise awareness of their claims the social care system is in need of change.

In other news, Can last month advised charities to pool together their IT sources.

More about network partners.