Intact are working on an exciting project to build a Plastic Bottle Greenhouse!

"Through the work of NCVO’s Sustainable Funding and Governance & Leadership Teams it became evident that sustainability was one of the biggest challenges faced by trustees and staff in voluntary and community sector organisations. What the Teams also recognised was that trustees and staff would welcome clear and accessible guidance aimed at trustees on their roles and responsibilities for financial sustainability."

Free Training from Lancashire County Council for Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations

Monday 26th March 2012 at Plungington Youth & Community Centre, Preston from 9.15- 4.30pm

The Outcomes Star™ is a unique tool for supporting and measuring change when working with vulnerable people. This training day will be facilitated by Triangle Consulting and there are places for 12 workers or managers from the Voluntary and Community Sector who work with families.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has set out further details on the establishment of local HealthWatch bodies, including a new start date of April 2013 and extra funding. The new local health bodies are set to replace Local Involvement Networks and will be the local consumer champion for patients, service users and the public. From next year, an additional £3.2m will also be made available to local authorities to establish local HealthWatch. Visit: www.dh.gov.uk

The Department for Education is consulting on its intention to repeal the requirement on Ofsted to conduct an annual assessment of local authority children's services. The consultation closes on 18 March 2012. Children England will be submitting a response on behalf of the sector and partners. For more information or to contribute to this response contact Nick Davies, nick@childrenengland.org.uk, by 12 March.

The British Youth Council's has launched its new Youth On Board awards (YOBs) - an exclusively youth-led rolling award scheme that recognises innovative and exciting youth participation, both for individual young people and those organisations who support it. www.byc.org.uk/get-active/youth-on-board-awards.aspx