National Lottery Charities Board North West

Regional conferences reap rewards!

In the last issue of Inform we outlined the NLCB strategy for the North West Region. As you will now be aware we are going to target groups in the North West area using a two-pronged approach; priority area conferences and priority area briefings. Conferences have already taken place in Knowsley and Accrington and since these events there has been a significant increase in the number of applications from each of these areas. In the round of announcements prior to the Knowsley conference four Small Grant applications were received, two of which were successful. In the two rounds of announcements following the Knowsley conference 21 and 19 applications were received respectively, of which 12 and 13 were successful.

More recently we have co-hosted a conference in Salford with Salford City Council, and Salford Council for Voluntary Service. This event was attended by 150 people. Delegates had the opportunity of attending focused workshops on Women's Services, Community Centres, Buildings Projects, Young People, and Open Spaces and Play. The feedback from this event so far indicates that the majority of delegates found the event both useful and informative. We would like to thank all those people who helped in the organisation of this event.

The next event in our conference schedule is the North Cheshire conference which will be held at the Auto-Quest Stadium on 6th October 1999. This event will be open to groups from the North Cheshire area, (Halton, Warrington, Runcorn and Widnes). Groups from those areas of Cheshire where the number of applications are particularly low such as Crewe and Ellesmere Port, are also welcome to attend.

Millennium Festival Awards for All

Youth Works

Brighter Futures For Young People

Youth Works is a charitable organisation, formed by a partnership of Crime Concern, Groundwork and Marks & Spencer. The organisation runs projects designed to reduce juvenile crime in specifically targeted areas. The projects aim to deliver 10 hours per week of programmed activity for each young person, focussing on family, school and community. They aim to reduce juvenile crime in an area by 30 -50% but the 5 pilot projects run so far have already recorded reductions of between 35 and 70%.

Projects are only set up in high crime areas. Research has identified the 1500-2000 communities most blighted by crime. They want to target as many of these areas as possible. Following the successful pilots they are now looking to expand throughout the country.

Youth Works recently held a highly successful seminar day at Burnley Football Club which was addressed by HRH The Princess Royal. The day also involved a presentation by some of the young people involved in the East Lancs project, a video showing the work of the project and a speech by Jack Calhoun, director of the National Crime Prevention Council of the USA. Then there were workshop groups looking at how the projects work.

The event was attended by approximately 150 people involved in both statutory and voluntary youth work, as well as present and potential funders. Most were from the North West, but there were representatives from as far afield as Brighton and Hartlepool.

The NLCB is partly funding the East Lancs Youth Works project through a �524,451 grant over 3 years. The projects fit well with the Board�s North West regional priority of supporting initiatives to tackle the problems caused by disadvantaged young people and we look forward to receiving good quality applications from other Youth Works projects over the coming months.

Youth Works have appointed a National Development officer, Clive Mitten and anyone interested in taking part in a project can call him on 01904 679739.

Dear Informer...

I represent ABC Scout Group based in East Lancs, established for over 70 years on land which now belongs to the Local Education Authority. The land forms part of a playing field complex adjoining a secondary school. Our HQ, comprising second World War POW Huts, is situated on the perimeter of the playing fields. Recent Government legislation has required LEA�s to sell the land which we occupy. Obviously our Scout group has not got the reserves to purchase the land (estimated value �50K). The consequence of not being able to purchase the land will lead to the cessation of scouting on this site. Would it be possible to apply for funds from NLCB to enable us to purchase the land and secure our long term future?

Dear Scouter I am pleased to advise that in principle the Board is able to fund a land purchase of this nature - subject to receiving an effective and well costed application. Our top tips for success are as follows:-

1. Look at the land purchase as part of a total project (picture the scouts looking out into their community rather than inwards towards their own activities
2. Consider how the premises can provide wider community usage (e.g. for mum and toddler groups, elderly people�s luncheons, brass band practice etc).
3. Obtain an independent valuation of the land.
4. Check the need for planning permission/building regulations approval.
5. For larger scale refurbishments or a new build, appoint professional advisors to cost the project and draw up outline plans. (Some professional advisors are willing to assist on an "at risk" basis).
6. Allow for professional fees, contingency costs and where applicable VAT in your project budget.
7. Consider the running costs you need to include in your budget (e.g. for repairs, maintenance, insurance, rates etc.)
8. Consider parking, security, access for people with disabilities when costing the project.
9. Practice explaining your project to someone who doesn�t know it - to ensure that it is clear and understandable.
10. Visit other similar projects which have had grants or attend a NW Surgery session prior to submitting your bid

If you�ve ever wondered what the Enquiries Officer does precisely, (it�s certainly a question I�ve asked myself many times!) - here�s a short summary of the duties involved.

The Enquiries Officer is part of the Development Team which is made up of the Regional Development Officer and Communications Officer. The role of the Enquiries Officer is to provide a comprehensive enquiries/customer care service, including :-

Verbal guidance given on specific main grant application questions, project enquiries, eligibility queries written responses to letters of enquiry sent in to Warrington office; ranging from information about how to obtain an application pack; advice on project ideas; constitution and eligibility queries.

Co-ordination and evaluation of Surgeries which are held on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month at our office in Warrington. These are 1 to1 meetings with a Grants Officer where groups can discuss their project ideas prior to making an application. Appointments are scheduled to last approximately 45 minutes. Follow up surgery appointments can be arranged for later in the year for larger, more complex projects

Research: this is undertaken both for internal and external customers. Information such as; "how many grants have been awarded in a particular area, types of grants, amounts awarded etc. Generally we aim to answer these enquiries within 3-4 weeks.

Update/creation of databases - if there are any changes within your group, please let me know so that our information is kept right up-to-date, �� you then receive only the information you actually want.

Updates of North West statistical information on main grants awarded so far.

Provision of NLCB literature, eg., Guide to Eligibility, Monitoring Your Grant, Resource, Strategic Plan, Our Grants Programmes, Sample Application Packs etc. If you are planning a briefing/conference please let me know, and I will be happy to send quantities of leaflets to help your event.

Collation of an internal resource library: if you have any stats or information on your particular area or group, I would really appreciate a copy. This helps us to keep our information up-to-date and keeps us in touch with the region

These are the key areas where the Enquiries Officer can help your organisation. If you are unsure on anything related to the NLCB, just give me a call on 01925 626827. I�ll always try to help, if I can�t, I�ll find someone who can!

Denise Maalma Enquiries Officer North West