INSIDE THIS ISSUE

November 2013 BVSC’s newsletter including news of Bexley’s voluntary sector Issue 36
SIR TREVOR BOOKING CBE OPENS
NEW THAMESMEAD SPORTING CLUB
Cover Story - Page 4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

SPOTLIGHT
BVSC Contacts
Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) is the co-ordinating body for voluntary
activity in the Borough of Bexley, and
provides advice, information and resources to local
voluntary organisations.
Chief Executive -
Sakthi Suriyaprakasam
020 8304 0911
sakthi@bvsc.co.uk
Book-keeper –
Jennie Branch
020 8304 0911
accounts@bvsc.co.uk
P.A to Chief Executive -
Kim Rabe
020 8304 0911
krabe@bvsc.co.uk
BVSC Executive
Chair : Mrs L Whitby Vice-Chair : Mr D Lonergan Treasurer : Mr B Jones
Central Administration
and Information
Administration Manager –
Pamela Sloan
020 8301 7987
adminmanager@bvsc.co.uk
Administrative Assistant –
Sharon Allen
020 8304 0911
adminsupport@bvsc.co.uk
Office Assistant –
Tammi Baker
020 8301 7985
offassist@bvsc.co.uk
Volunteer Centre
Centre Manager –
Lynne Regan
020 8304 0911
lregan@bvsc.co.uk
Drop-in facility Co-ordinator –
Melanie Shepherd
020 8304 0911
mshepherd@bvsc.co.uk
Volunteer Support Worker –
Sharon Williams
020 8301 7989
vspworker@bvsc.co.uk
Database Administrator –
Jennie Branch
020 8304 0911
bexleyvc@bvsc.co.uk
Development Team
Development Manager –
Olwyn Sinclair
020 8304 0911
osinclair@bvsc.co.uk
Small Groups
Development Offi cer –
Carol Britnell
020 8301 7995
cbritnell@bvsc.co.uk
Community Accountant –
Vacant
020 8301 7993
commacc@bvsc.co.uk
Team Secretary –
Kim Rabe
020 8304 0911
krabe@bvsc.co.uk
Administrative Assistant –
Tracy Pettey
020 8304 0911
tpettey@bvsc.co.uk
Partnership Team
Partnership Manager
(Health & Social Care) –
Julie Bristow
020 8301 7998
jbristow@bvsc.co.uk
Administrative Support –
Jennie Branch
020 8301 7997
ptnrshipadmin@bvsc.co.uk
Children, Youth & Families Offi cer –
Becca Jones
020 8301 7999
rjones@bvsc.co.uk
Administrative Support –
Melanie Shepherd
020 8301 7997
mshepherd@bvsc.co.uk
Contact us
Bexley Voluntary
Service Council
8 Brampton Road
Bexleyheath
Kent DA7 4EY
Tel: 020 8304 0911
Fax: 020 8298 9583
Email: information@bvsc.co.uk
www.bvsc.co.uk
Please visit the news page at
BVSC’s website for regular news
updates and job vacancies.
The contents of SPOTLIGHT do not necessarily re ect the views of BVSC or its Executive Committee.

SPOTLIGHT
BVSC & Local News
EDITORIAL
Welcome to issue 36 of SPOTLIGHT, BVSC’s newsletter. With Bon re night and Halloween upon us, it feels like the year has
passed very quickly. Surely none of us can complain about the good weather we have enjoyed over the summer, and hopefully
we’ll be having some bright sunny days to encourage us outdoors this autumn.
We will be producing four editions of SPOTLIGHT per year in future, with the next issue of SPOTLIGHT due in the spring.
Please continue to send us your articles, with any events or news you would like to publicise. E-mail your contributions (with
pictures if possible), to: adminmanager@bvsc.co.uk or send by post to the address on page 2.
BVSC AWARDED INVESTORS IN PEOPLE
Pam Sloan, SPOTLIGHT Editor
We were delighted to receive the news in July that BVSC had achieved the IIP standard recognition. This is
the fourth time BVSC have been successful in gaining this accreditation.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S ADVOCACY PROJECT AT ADVOCACY FOR ALL
Advocacy for All’s Young People’s Project is now in its sixth year.
Children in Need are continuing to fund the project which Advocates for young people who have a learning disability
and/or autism who are aged 14 – 19 and who live in Bexley or Bromley. An Advocate supports young people to
have a voice, to make their own choices and decisions, and to make their views and wishes known. An Advocate can
help a young person with transition from school to further education, help with getting support, Social Activities,
and housing problems. The advicate can help the young person know their rights and ensure they are treated fairly.
Advocacy for All also has a Community Advocacy Project that supports adults who have learning disabilities who
do not get support from social services. They also have an Autism Project for adults who have Autism or Aspergers
Syndrome.
Advocacy for All gives people the opportunity to have a voice through our different projects in South East London &
Kent. To make a referral please e-mail referrals@advocacyforall.org.uk or visit their website:
www.advocacyforall.org.uk
YOUTHNET ANNOUNCES NEW OWNER FOR VOLUNTEER WEBSITE, DO-IT
Online charity YouthNet has announced a partnership led by the team behind the volunteering social networking site
ivo.org as the intended new owner for its volunteering service, Do-it.
The primary organisations in the new partnership are; the team from ivo.org, Believe.In, Blue Dot, Prospectus and Vivo. The
partnership is further supported by others including Tinder Foundation and their network of UK Online Centres, TimeBank and
an Advisory Group of six Volunteer Centres of which Volunteer Centre Bexley is a member.
Jamie Ward-Smith, CEO of ivo.org said: “ivo and our partners are really looking forward to this unique opportunity to build on
YouthNet’s incredible legacy. We have exciting plans for Do-it’s future and we have put together a great team that will enable
Do-it to continue to power volunteering and civil society for many years to come. For me this is a chance to combine things I
am passionate about -volunteering, technology and Volunteer Centres – and I can’t wait to get started!”
Lynne Regan, Manager of Volunteer Centre Bexley said: “It is fantastic news that the future of do-it has been placed in the
hands of the Jamie Ward-Smith, one of the innovators behind the original creation of do-it, who then went on to become
the founder of the ivo.org social network for volunteers. Jamie “gets” volunteering from a 360 degree perspective; what the
organisations looking for volunteers need and what help, advice and interaction people need when they are looking for ways
to volunteer.”
Do-it will be passed to the new owner by December 2013.

SPOTLIGHT
Local News
COVER STORY:
FOOTBALL LEGEND OPENS NEW THAMESMEAD SPORTING FACILITY
Football legend Sir Trevor Brooking CBE has shown his support for grassroots sport at the official opening
last month of Sporting Club Thamesmead, which has been developed by Trust Thamesmead.
The new multi-million pound facility boasts an outstanding new pavilion, a oodlit third generation articial
grass pitch (ATP), and a multi-use games area (MUGA). It has been built thanks to funding through
the Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity, and other contributors including the London
Marathon Trust, as well as funds from the Trust’s own resources.
Sporting Club Thamesmead will allow Trust Thamesmead to achieve its ambition of providing rst class
sports and leisure facilities at grassroots level in an area that has previously signi cantly lacked in community
facilities, particularly sports and tness facilities, and seen under-investment for many years.
The new, accessible and iconic pavilion boasts numerous changing facilities, indoor activity rooms, and
office and social facilities which are open to all residents of Thamesmead and the surrounding areas.
Sir Trevor Brooking said: “I am so pleased to be opening such a fantastic facility. Projects such this one in
Thamesmead, are so important for the local community. They help increase participation in our national
game by allowing more people to play, purely for the love of it. They are also critical to supporting The
FA’s agenda for developing more home-grown talent.
“The funding provided by the Premier League, The FA and the Government through the Football Foundation,
is making a real difference with stunning new facilities, such as this one, springing up right across
the country. I congratulate everyone involved, including the London FA, for their work in making this
happen.”
Vic Grimes, Trust Thamesmead’s lead trustee for the project, commented: “I’m very pleased to see the
completion of this project which will provide a step change in sports provision in Thamesmead.
To gain funding for the pavilion, Trust Thamesmead worked in partnership with the London FA to secure
a £769,112 grant from the Football Foundation which is funded by the Premier League, The FA and the
Government (via Sport England).
The project has also received £200,000 funding from The FA, as part of their capital allocation within the
Whole Sport Plan agreed with Sport England. This is awarded to support the sustainability of community
clubs and create more opportunities to participate in sport within a high quality environment.
SPACES FOR HIRE
Trust Thamesmead offers an array of spaces for hire throughout Thamesmead.
From halls dotted across the town that cater for a maximum of 60 people - perfect for community groups
to hold activities or for parties; meeting rooms, a drinks reception area, a recording studio, rehearsal
room, IT Suite and a 160 theatre at The Link Thamesmead and 4G and grass pitches, indoor and outdoor
multi-use areas and function rooms with licensed bars at Sporting Club Thamesmead.
Find out more by logging onto: www.trust-thamesmead.co.uk and look for Spaces for Hire under Trust,
alternatively call 020 8320 4470.

SPOTLIGHT
Sector & Local News
DONATIONS HELP LAUNCH BEXLEY
MEN IN SHEDS
Generous local people and companies have helped
Age UK Bexley t out a wood workshop and allotment
for their new Men In Sheds project.
The project is aimed at men over 60 who want to
learn new skills or pass on their knowledge to others,
or who just want to get out and meet new people.
The project is funded by Bexley Council and is based
at Bexley Adult Education Centre in Brampton Road,
Bexleyheath, and the Love Lane allotment site, also
in Bexleyheath.
Age UK Bexley Chief Executive Paul Goulden said,
“This is an innovative project and we are so pleased
that Bexley Council is funding it. In addition to their
support, local people have been donating tools and
seeds for our venues, with one lady, Mrs Simmons,
donating enough wood-working tools to kit out
our workshop with a full range of wood-working
machinery. Sidcup based construction company FSL
and Starbucks in Bexleyheath have also contributed
to the project.”
Bexley Men In Sheds was officially launched at the
workshop in Bexleyheath where Mrs Simmons was
presented with a bird table built by the current Men
In Sheds members, to thank her for her generous
donation.
Cllr Chris Taylor, Bexley Council Cabinet Member
for Adult Services said, “The Men in Sheds project
being run by Age UK Bexley is a fantastic support
network for older men in the borough. I have been a
long time advocate for this project, and am so glad
that our local voluntary sector have grabbed this
opportunity to promote such a worthwhile scheme.
I enjoyed meeting with residents along with the
Leader of the Council, and Scrutiny Chairman, who
have joined the Men in Sheds work shop, and hope
that it grows from strength to strength. Bexley is
very pleased to be associated with this innovative
approach to promoting older men’s health and
wellbeing”
Anyone interested in joining Men In Sheds can contact
Sylvia Sime on 020 8300 0883.
Further information can be found by logging on to
the Bexley Age UK website:
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/bexley/men-in-sheds/
DEVELOPING LEADERS OF THE
THIRD SECTOR
“We are all leaders of our own work and
achievements.” So begins the section on
attracting and developing leaders in the Social
Sector Skills and Leadership Review led by
Dame Mary Marsh. The Report goes on the say
that the “quality of leadership is at the heart
of success in the social sector” and makes
it clear that this goes beyond directors and
chief executives, encompassing “aspiring and
emerging leaders across all positions”, as well
as trustees and volunteers.
Anglia Ruskin University welcomed the
Report’s emphasis on leadership at all levels
and say they work with people throughout
the third sector and see how important leadership
skills are to successful organisations.
Good leadership can have a profound effect
on the quality of services, the health of the
organisation and the day-to-day experience of
its most valuable assets: its staff.
The report identi ed several ways of developing
leaders, including coaching, mentoring
and action learning. Anglia Ruskin University
also feel that sector-speci c knowledge and
understanding are needed for leaders to be
able to steer their organisations through challenging
times. This is a richly diverse sector, so
sharing ideas and learning with people from
other organisations can also bring another
dimension to a leader’s work.
The full report is available at:
www.leadingsocial.org.uk.
Anglia Ruskin provide development opportunities
for leaders at all levels. More information
can be found on their website :
http://business.anglia.ac.uk/misc.php/Charityand-Social-Enterprise-Management-14/?utm_
source=CVS&utm_medium=email&utm_
campaign=jul13
or alternatively call 0845 196 6707.

SPOTLIGHT
COMPLEMENTARY CANCER
CARE TRUST
People affected by cancer will be able to access
information and therapies from Complementary
Cancer Care Trust. No membership is required.
Re exology £12, back massage £15, Aromatherapy
£20 and other various therapies. For bookings and
enquiries call 01322 524079 or email:
enquiries@ccctrust.org.uk
BEXLEY NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT FORUM
The forum was set up in the mid 1990’s as the Bexley
Natural Environment Focus Group out of the council’s
obligations under Local Agenda 21.
Michael Winship, Ralph Todd and Ian Lindon were
amongst those who undertook the task of setting up a
number of local focus groups that aimed to provide a
forum on environmental issues.
As an umbrella body for local groups, BNEF will also act
to support all its’ affiliates in any management issue,
planning dispute or event in which the organisation
takes part.
Membership and meetings are open to anyone who
has an interest or an opinion on the state of the local
environment.
Meetings are held every two months at the Marriott
Hotel in Bexleyheath commencing at 7pm.
The next meeting will be on the 27th November. For
further information please contact Dr. Ray Gray (Chair),
email: grayplace52@hotmail.com or
Tel: 01322 521259 or Chris Rose (Vice Chair)
email: chrisrose@gn.apc.org.
GREEN-FINGERED HELP WANTED
Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice in Abbey
Wood, South-East London is looking for people of all
ages to join its friendly team of volunteer gardeners to
do general gardening work to help with the upkeep
of the Hospice gardens for the bene t of patients and
their families.
Roles are exible, and range from as little as a few
hours fortnightly or monthly to a few days a week.
Full training and induction will be provided.
To nd out more, telephone Vanessa Hill
on 020 8320 5812 or email her at:
vanessahill@gbch.org.uk or visit:
www.communityhospice.org.uk/
volunteer-support-us
Group & Sector News
SIDCUP LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC
SOCIETY
Founded in 1880, the objects of the Society are to promote
lectures and discussion on Literature, Science and Art with
liberty to extend to other subjects, which have included Engineering,
History of Art and Archaeology.
Meetings take place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of
each month from October to March inclusive, with one
meeting in December on the second Tuesday.
The meetings are held at the Emmanuel Church Hall in Hadlow
Road, Sidcup, starting at 7.30pm. The Society would like
to encourage newcomers to a warm and friendly community.
Annual subscription is £15 and single lecture attendance for
non-members is £3.
Please telephone: 020 8300 8647 for further details and full
programme details for 2013/14. They would like to hear from
you.
HOSPICE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS TO JOIN
GROUND-BREAKING PROJECT
Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice is looking for ve
volunteers to join its existing team of Advance Care Planning
(ACP) volunteers.
The ACP volunteers help people with life-limiting illness in
Greenwich and Bexley to record their plans, wishes and preferences
for their future care.
The project launched last year to support people at the end of
life across the local area to make their own unique care plans
for the future.
The volunteers visit people up to four times over a one month
period in their homes to support them to produce an ACP.
Full training & support will be provided.
To nd out more, contact the ACP Volunteer Project
Coordinator Wendy Clay on email: wendyclay@gbch.org.uk ,
telephone 020 8320 5812 or visit the website:
www.communityhospice.org.uk
CROSS STREET LAW CENTRE
New opening times
All at 10 – 12.30, no appointment needed:
Monday: Bene ts
Tuesday: Housing
Wednesday: Bene ts
The Law Centre is unable to offer employment advice
due to staff shortages.

SPOTLIGHT
Group & Sector News
LAUNCH OF EVERGREEN CARE BEXLEY
Over 250 people attended the launch of Evergreen Care Bexley at St John’s CoE Church in Welling at the
end of September. They were welcomed by the founders, Peter and Diane Kot. Amongst them were
many of the people who have already volunteered for this befriending project for isolated older people
in the borough of Bexley.
An evening of entertainment in song, dance and poetry by local talent also had a serious side as the
founder of the Evergreen Care initiative, Louise Marsh, explained the vision behind the project and the
desperate need that led to its development. She explained that the UK was in the grip of a demographic
crisis as increasing numbers of older people are putting a strain on services designed to help them. The
Evergreen Care project aims to meet the need by mobilising trained volunteers to act as befrienders
initially, with other services added as the project becomes established in a local area.
Peter and Diane wish to thank all those who attended and all those who supported this new project with
a donation.
BEFRIENDING, A CUP OF TEA
AND A CHAT?
Befriending an elderly person is so much more
than the above statement. Surveys suggest that
the Community Care Act has led to many vulnerable
elderly people living an isolated life within
the community. Many are excluded from any form
of social interaction due to mobility problems,
illnesses and fear of the society in which they live.
Bereavement also plays a large part in the withdrawal
from community involvement, leaving the
elderly person leading a shadow of their previous
lives.
Evergreen Care believe that simple, committed
friendships may reduce and prevent the isolation
experienced by those who may not have family
close by or friends and neighbours for mutual
support. This will be a free and con dential service
supporting our senior Citizens, making the most of
their life experience into old age. It is hoped that
as a relationship develops this will prove mutually
enriching and worthwhile to both the befriender
and befriendee, and help the elderly person feel a
part of the community again.
EVERGREEN CARE BEXLEY
ADVOCACY SERVICE
Increasingly, when working with the elderly in
our community, situations arise when you nd
it necessary to be a voice on their behalf and
to help with the day to day circumstances that
the elderly person nds they can no longer
cope with.
Evergreen Care’s initial advocacy service would
be to support our elderly with general household
administration, bill payments and simple
form lling etc and to be a voice where a client
needs someone to speak out on their behalf.
They would also help in contacting other
organisations who would be able to give
advice on bene ts and other nancial
assistance.
If you are interested in volunteering as a
befriender, please contact Evergreen Care Bexley.
Tel: 01322 340734 / 07870 477443
Email: info@evergreencarebexley.org

SPOTLIGHT
Development Team News
MEET THE FUNDER
City Bridge Trust
Friday 29 November 2013
10.30am - 12.00pm
at Bexley Voluntary Service Council
8 Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4EY
The City Bridge Trust has just completed its latest ve-year review of its funding priorities and policies, and
has announced their priorities for the next ve years. Their new Investing in Londoners programmes aim
to balance continuing to fund in areas for which there is on-going and growing need, with the development
of new programmes that re ect new and emerging needs in London. The programmes have nine
themes, which are :-
• Making London more inclusive
• Reducing poverty
• English for speakers of other languages
• Improving Londoners’ mental health
• Older Londoners
• Resettlement and rehabilitation of offenders
• Improving London’s environment
• Making London safer
• Strengthening London’s voluntary sector
These programmes are now open for applications. At this “Meet the Funder” event, grants officers from the
City Bridge Trust will be giving a presentation on the new priorities and this will be followed by a question
and answer session.
To be eligible to apply for a grant, your organisation must be a registered charity or charitable company or
CIC. It is not the policy of the trust to award large grants to small organisations and a grant cannot amount
to more than 50% of an organisations income in any one year.
Please note places will be allocated on a ‘ rst come basis’.
If you would like to attend, please contact Kim Rabe at Bexley Voluntary Service Council on 020 8304 0911
or email: krabe@bvsc.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT
Development Team News
BVSC DEVELOPMENT TEAM TRAINING
MARKETING YOUR SERVICES
Wednesday 20 November 2013
9.30am – 4.30pm
BVSC, 8 Brampton Road
Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 5NY
Marketing is about providing better services to clients, purchasers and funders whilst protecting existing
service contracts and jobs. The ability to market is a highly-prized asset by many organisations and is
essential for all managers.
Today, the competition to provide service contracts is greater than ever especially as charities are competing
with the voluntary, statutory and private sectors. Growth opportunities are immense but so are
the risks of an organisation reducing in size or closing. To grow and be sustainable,
You must understand the market you are in and what will stand out from your competitors.
This course will enable delegates to understand the core principles of marketing and how they can be
applied to the strategic planning and operational delivery of your service. You will be introduced to simple
yet powerful tools used by marketing professionals.
Delegates will gain a working knowledge of:
• Core marketing concepts
• Understanding the business you are in
• How marketing can improve service delivery
• How marketing in uences strategic planning
• How to develop a marketing plan
• How to develop rst steps in developing new services
Trainer: Derek Smith, from Leapfrog Training and Consultancy Solutions. Derek previously delivered the
BVSC course on “Bidding for Commissioned Services (including PEI grants)”
The one-day course is FREE - all we ask for is £13.00 per person towards refreshments and a buffet lunch.
To book a place on the course, please contact Kim Rabe at BVSC, on 020 8304 0911
or email: krabe@bvsc.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT
Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities for Nov
Arthritis Care UK
Various Roles to support
“Love London Libraries” Project.
Arthritis Care UK puts people
with arthritis in touch with each
other through their network of
over 250 branches and groups.
They provide clear and accurate
information about arthritis and
have a helpline team offering
practical, con dential support.
They also provide a range of selfmanagement
and personal development
programmes, giving
people the con dence and skills
to manage their arthritis and dramatically
improve their quality of
life. This project aims to improve
access to information relating to
arthritis in libraries;
They are currently looking for the
following roles.
Information Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to assist in
the provision of information (e.g.
lea ets, posters and information
days) to people with arthritis, in
agreed London libraries. Tasks
may include ensuring the supply
of up-to-date and relevant information
to each library; representing
and promoting Arthritis Care;
raising awareness of the needs
of people with arthritis and being
able to respond to speci c
enquiries when requested. The
role is part time and exible and
locations will be agreed.
Media and Publicity Volunteer
Their friendly team is looking
for someone to help design and
update display and promotional
materials including lea ets and
posters about the London Libraries
Project, services and
events and to help manage the
project social media channels.
You may also write press releases
and the project monthly newsletter.
For this role a monthly
commitment between 4-12 hours
is required although it is. This is a
exible role.
Mentoring and Evaluation
Volunteer
This last role relates to volunteers
joining an existing dynamic team
to help support the project by
evaluating its effectiveness. You
will assist in collecting and analysing
data; drafting evaluation
reports and articles and assisting
in evaluation design and models.
Alzheimer’s Society Bexley
Day Support Group
Volunteer
The Alzheimer’s Society Bexley
branch runs a day support group
at Haven Close Sheltered Accommodation
in Sidcup on Wednesdays
from 10.30am to 2.30pm, for
people with dementia and their
carers.
They are looking for a volunteer
who could help serve a
light lunch to approximately 25
people and support their other
volunteers with the preparation
of the meal and washing up. A
food hygiene certi cate would be
preferable but they can arrange
training if required. This is a very
friendly local group which runs a
number of sessions across Bexley.
Avante Care and Support
Befriender & General Activities
Avante Care & Support provides
long term care for older people,
specialist care for older people
with dementia, short term respite
and rehabilitative care and/
or with a mental disorder and
day care.
They aim to provide elderly people
not just with care facilities
but also to engage with them
and prevent boredom and loneliness.
Avante encourages social
activities and specialist interests
so that residents can meet new
people and make lifelong friends
during their stay.
They are currently looking for a
volunteer to join their team at
Weybourne Care Home in Abbey
Wood as a Befrieder to residents,
also helping with activities, music,
games, reading and outings
for elderly residents.
Headway
Various Roles
Headway is a day centre based
in Bostall Hill, Welling, serving
South East London and North
West Kent, which provides help,
support and advice to people
who have suffered a head/brain
injury whether through road
traffic accident, sport or other
incident and their families.
They are currently reviewing
their volunteer programme and
are looking to recruit some additional
volunteers to various new
roles which will complement
their existing volunteer team.
They will either be ones which
directly support their client’s
rehabilitation with various craft/
sport/social activities or administrative
ones which will support
the volunteer programme.
INTERESTED?
PLEASE CONTACT
VOLUNTEER CENTRE BEXLEY
ON 020 8304 0911
email: bexleyvc@bvsc.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT
November / December 2013
Diary & Events
Saturday 2nd November
Certi cated Paediatric First Aid
BCU Life Skills Centre -
9.30am to 3.30pm at the
Trinity Baptist Church, Trinity Place,
Broadway, Bexleyheath
Kent DA6 7AY.
Tel: 020 8301 3187 to book a place.
There is a charge of £5.50 only for
the handbook.
Thursday 7th November
Pamper Night
in aid of Bexley Women’s Aid
7.00pm – 10.00pm
at Old Bexley Primary School,
Hurst Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 3JR
Entry fee £2 (on the night)
Stalls include; Nails, Massage, Eyebrow
treatments, Jewellery,
Cupcakes and much more.
(stalls subject to change).
Refreshments Available
Thursday 14 November
Bexley Voice are holding a free
Parent/Carer conference
at Hall Place in Bexley.
Places are limited and parents/carers
are priority, You can book direct
on their website at
www.bexleyvoice.org.uk
Bexley Voice aim to help support
more parents and carers of children
and young people with special
needs in Bexley.
Tel: 07512 409936 Email:
bexleyvoice@hotmail.co.uk
Friday 15th November
How To Prove Your Project Is Effective
With Simple Evidence And
Evaluation Tools
To be held in the Public Gallery,
Bexley Civic Offices, Broadway,
Bexleyheath, DA6 7LB between 9am
and 5pm (registration 8.50am)
FREE to Voluntary and Community
sector (VCS) groups working with
children, young people and families
in Bexley - Lunch and refreshments
provided.
What is Project Oracle?
Project Oracle: Children & Youth
Evidence Hub is a London-wide
initiative supporting charitable
organisations to evaluate their
projects.
To meet demand, places will be limited
to 2 per VCS organisation, with
any additional bookings added to a
reserves list.
There are a limited number of places
for non-VCS attendees – at a cost of
£60 per place.
For more information, or to book,
please contact Mel at BVSC –
mshepherd@bvsc.co.uk
Tel: 020 8301 7998.
There will be a short survey to complete
prior to the date. For more information
on Project Oracle, please
see http://www.project-oracle.com/
Friday 22nd November
Children and Young People’s
Voluntary & Community Services
Network Meeting
To be held in the Restaurant Area,
Bexley Civic Offices, Bexleyheath
9.30am – 12.00pm
For more information or to RSVP
contact Mel Shepherd,
Tel: 020 8304 0911 or e-mail: mshepherd@bvsc.co.uk
Saturday 23 November
Slade Green Big Local ‘Christmas
Festival’
to be held at The Howbury Centre,
(car park entrance), 10am till 4pm,
Festive stalls,
Santa and an Ice Rink! If you would
like a stall please contact Mel
Hudson on Tel: 07538 300768.
Wednesday 27 November
Voluntary Forum
To be held in the Public Gallery,
Civic Offices.
Presentations will be from Healthwatch
and Advocacy for All.
Please note: start time for the Voluntary
Forum meetings is now 10am.
Saturday 30th November
Annual Dinner & Dance
Alzheimer’s Society Bexley
To be held at Westwood
Masonic Centre, Welling.
7 for 7.30 Carriages at Midnight
3 Course Meal with Wine
£40 per ticket
Entertainment by 3 piece band’East
End’
Black Tie or Lounge Suit
A non-refundable deposit of £10
per head is required. Telephone
01322 334245 for further
information.
Friday 13th December
Basic Awareness & Sign Skills
Bexley Deaf Centre are holding
a Basic Deaf Awareness & Sign
Skills course starting at 10.30 am
to 1 pm (including breaks).
Cost is £15.00.
For more details please contact
Bexley Deaf Centre
Phone 01322 351122 or Email:
bexleydeafcentre@fsmail.net
If you would like to submit an article or details of an event, please contact

SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEER SUPPORT PROJECT
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL STORY FOR
THE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT PROJECT!
The Irish Community Services have said they are “over the moon” with the performance of one of their
lunch club volunteers Jamie Barritt. Jamie was referred to the Volunteer Support project by Mencap last
year and started his placement at the Lunch Club in Slade Green in July 2012.
This club runs on a Monday and is one of 6 lunch clubs that are available to residents in the South East
of London. They offer teas and coffees followed by a two course lunch, and people also have the opportunity
to join in with a game of bingo if they wish! Jamie’s main role there is to help set up tables and
chairs in preparation for the lunch club and to go around chatting to people and generally helping out
where necessary.
Antoinette Moynihan is the Lunch Club and Volunteers Manager and she has commented that “Jamie is
fantastic at his role and everyone at the club likes him.” Antoinette goes onto say that because Jamie
is doing so well there and has recently told her that he loves his role so much and would like to eventually
nd employment in that sort of setting, the organisation has offered Jamie the chance do carry out
training in the kitchen of the Lunch Club in Falconwood. This training will help broaden Jamie’s skills
to access employment, so for two months Jamie has been carrying out his usual placement at the Slade
Green lunch club on Mondays and has been going to the Falconwood Lunch club on Fridays. He says he
“loves his role helping and meeting people and loves learning new skills”
The pictured shows Jamie with some of the other volunteers at Falconwood Lunch Club. The Volunteer