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Greenwich Youth Offer

GAVS is working with the Council to help gather information from voluntary sector groups regarding positive activities for children and young people undertaken in Greenwich. Once compiled these activities will be promoted directly to young people through media like Facebook, mobile phones and various websites, hopefully presenting a brilliant opportunity voluntary sector organisations to promote their activities. This is one element of a statuary responsibility the council have to promote activities for young people (Youth Offer) which encompasses all organisations working with children and young people – public, private and voluntary.

‘Plings’ (places and things to do) is a national data-base which collects and shares information from trusted sources about exciting things to do and inspiring places to go for young people in their area.

Greenwich Council is facilitating the collection of local information to put into Plings database. The council will also promote this information to all young people in the borough through its various communications channels, such as its website, Greenwich Time and the What’s on Guide . There is more information about Plings on their website please go to http://about.plings.net/

To make sure your activities and events for young people are included you just need to pass on your information. This can be done in a number of ways:

• Basic Word Document – this can be emailed back to FID@greenwich.gov.uk or printed out and sent to the Council at: Integrated Youth Support Service, Greenwich Council, 3rd Floor Riverside House West, Woolwich High Street, Woolwich, SE18 6DN
• Electronic Submission Form – go to http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/CommunityLiving/FamilyServices and scroll down to the section which says add your information to the directory
• Plings Excel spreadsheet – If your organisation runs lots of different activities you might find this spread sheet easier to complete, There are instructions about how to complete this in the section called ‘Overview’ but please make sure you add your organisations details. This can be emailed back to FID@greenwich.gov.uk
• Send a leaflet or document containing the relevant information listed on the form and return to Integrated Youth Support Service at the address above.

If you need support filling out these forms or have any questions please contact Karan Seehra 020 8921 8415 or Sarah James 020 8921 2175. It’s important that information about activities and services is kept up-to-date – If you think the council already information on your activities please contact them on the above numbers so they can check their records. Once submitted please also let the council know when there are any changes to activities. The council will also endeavour to contact organisations every 6 months to check details are correct.

As the safety of young people is paramount only organisations who have been on the Greenwich’s Safeguarding Training and have up-to-date CRB certificates for their staff will be able to promote their activities using these services. If you would like to find out more about attending these local Safeguarding training sessions please contact safeguardingtraining@greenwich.gov.uk

For any further queries regarding this please contact the council (using the contact details above) or Chris at the GAVS office.

Greenwich Council announces Voluntary Sector Grant Budget cuts

Greenwich Council have just announced that the Voluntary Sector Grant Budget, including for commissioned services, from 1^st April 2011, will not be more than 50% of the current level.

GAVS is obviously very concerned about the implications that a 50% cut will have on the sector and on the vital services that the sector provides in the borough. GAVS will strongly object to any changes unless proportionate savings are also made in the Council.

Click here for a copy of the letter from GAVS to its members concerning the announced cuts. A copy of the announcement  from Cllr Peter Brooks is here.

If you have any concerns, comments or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.