The new programme for 2008/09 is now underway...there are 2 available levels of grant and clear eligibility guidelines which can all be found under Small Grants on the right hand side of the site.  To go straight to the pages click here.

 The official launch of the Let's Get Engaged Project took place on Saturday 10th May 2008 at the Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. 

The event provided an opportunity for all those involved in community engagement to meet the six new engagement officers, find out more about their role for the next 18 months and discuss how they can work together on specific issues in each area.

The event was well attended from workers around the City, from Neighbourhood Managers to volunteers and some really positive discussions came out of the breakout sessions.  The South West found that one of the main issues was youth provision; the North West area group identified improving communication was a key target, whilst the South East said that improving facilities, together with support for younger volunteers in the area would make the most difference.

The issues which have been identified here, will now be taken back with each Engagement Officer who will look at ways of tackling these issues and moving forward in each area.    

HOPE (Helping Older People Engage) in partnership with the GAPP (Graiseley And Pennfields Partnership) Network recently hosted a free open and information day aimed at older people from all corners of the City.

The event, which was held at Brickkiln Community Centre, offered information, advice, guidance and support to older people, and attracted near 100 people!  Lots of freebies were also given out, including personal safety equipment from the Police Safety Wardens and those who attended were also given the opportunity to take part in some gentle exercise with a belly dancing session!

The event was coordinated by Community Engagement Officers working for Wolverhampton Network Consortium, and was a great success.  Manjeet Singh, Engagement Officer for Wednesfield, Heathfield Park and Graiseley said "it was especially good to see older members of the BME community attend and support their local event...it was interesting to hear some of their issues and be able to help them with ways they could help improve their local area."

If you didn't manage to make it to this event, two further days are planned for June and July, details are as follows:

Thursday 19th June 2008 at Heath Town Community Centre, Heath Town, 11am - 4pm

Wednesday 16th July 2008 at Pickering Road Community Centre, Pickering Rd, Wednesfield, 12-5pm

If you would like more information please contact Manjeet Singh on 07852 340256, email msingh@w-n-c.org or Kim Payne on 01902 556630, email kpayne@w-n-c.org

For further information on the Community Engagement Officers, click here 

It has now been confirmed that we have been awarded almost half a million pounds of Big Lottery Fund for the 'Let's Get Engaged project'!!

Let's Get Engaged is all about encouraging and developing community engagement in Wolverhampton via the local networks of WNC.  The project will produce community engagement and action plans developed at neighbourhood level and in partnership with a range of agents, such as neighbourhood management, the Primary Care Trust, Police, Tenants and Residents Association, and so on, to ensure that residents are best placed to play a full role in the regeneration of their area. 

WNC are in the process of recruiting six community engagement officers who will work across the City with local people and groups. 

The Older People's Network recently launched in a big way, holding a very successful Consultation Event on Thursday 31 May 2007.  The event was hosted by Ann Reaney, from Parish of Bilston Special Projects alongside partners of the Network - Mel Passmore from GAPP; Phil Deeming from WREN and Martin Sarling from Age Concern.

The event, which was the first of many, was held to bring together the partners of the Network (alongside sectors with a vested interest in the work of the older peoples network, such as the PCT) to talk to members about their views, issues, problems, and general feelings to be able to build on an Action Plan specific to the older people of Wolverhampton - hopefully going someway to aiding resolutions to problems which many currently face in the City of Wolverhampton.  It was received with a strong committment and enthusiasm by all those present. 

This time, guest speakers included Dee Harris from the Priority Care Project in Wolverhampton and Paul Southan, Public Health Practitioner, who spoke about how the work of the Network will directly link into the work of the PCT and specifically projects such as Priority Care. 

The attendees were also able to voice their opinions in groups based around the areas of Health and Social Care, facilitated by Janet Chand of Heantun Housing; Policy led by Martin Sarling; Leisure facilitated by Cheryl Dando from Wolverhamtons Voluntary Sector Council, and Learning facilitated by Dana Tooby of Adult Education.  Mel Passmore said "these events are all about letting people know they are able to be part of the decision making about services in their area, and this really came through today."

The consultation events will take place on a monthly basis in various locations across the City and a different guest speaker will be present at each.  The next one will be held at 10.00am on Wednesday 27 June 2007 at St Leonards Church, Bilston. 

Anyone interested in the work of the Older People's Network should contact Kim Payne on 01902 550975 or e-mail KIMBEN@aol.com