Latest news directory
Black History Month on its way to Wakefield
Published: 03 August 2010
Black History Month is celebrated in the UK throughout the month of October. Voluntary Action Wakefield District (VAWD) has held the first meeting of the newly formed Black History Month Working Group.
This group brings together African Caribbean groups, NHS Wakefield, Wakefield Council, Wakefield Cathedral, City of Sanctuary Wakefield District and youth organisations to organise a launch event. There will be an events calendar packed with fun and inspiring events celebrating black culture and heritage across the District.
The group meets every fortnight leading up to October. If you would like any further information about the group, or to find out about events in your area, please contact Ayo Bakare, Improving Reach Coordinator by email: ayo.bakare@vawd.org.uk
To find out more about Black History Month see http://www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk/
Meeting room facilities for hire at VAWD
Published: 03 August 2010
Voluntary Action Wakefield District (VAWD) is a perfect location for holding small meetings, interviews, training or workshops. Situated in the centre of Wakefield and a short walk from the bus station it provides easy access to a meeting room and small IT suite.
The meeting room can seat up to 10 people in a comfortable and friendly environment. The fully equipped IT suite has six workstations. Both rooms have interactive whiteboards, wireless internet, digital projectors and wheelchair access.
Room hire is £10 per hour for VAWD members and £15 per hour for non members (refreshments included). For bookings or more information call 01924 367418, email Sarah Moverlay-Brown or complete the booking form.
Voluntary Action Wakefield District's shock funding cut
Published: 07 July 2010
Staff and Trustees at Voluntary Action Wakefield District (VAWD) were stunned to be told by Wakefield Council that the majority of their funding would be cut with immediate effect.
The decision was made by the Wakefield Together Executive following a massive cut in the Performance Reward Grant earned by Wakefield for doing very well in the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA)* under the Labour Government. The cut in the Performance Reward Grant was a Coalition Government spending reduction implemented within weeks of the election.
Gill Thornton, Chief Executive at VAWD, said: "We have never seen anything like this before, where cuts are made with no notice and no regard to the impact."
VAWD's services will be reviewed following the shock announcement and inevitably it will lead to a reduction in some services to groups in the District.
"We will try to maintain the essential front-line services" Gill continued, "but without funding for our volunteer centre, for ICT support and funding advice we may have to let some groups down.
"We are continuing to talk to the Council to try to persuade them that Wakefield will need the support we offer to voluntary sector groups in the Big Society future. We accept that there will be cuts across the board but would urge the Council to see the sense in maintaining VAWD's presence as a crucial source of development support."
"VAWD will be asking for support from all the groups we work with and offer services to. We would like groups to contact their local Councillors and MPs to ask them to support VAWD. We need letters of support and testimonials and any examples of the impact there would be from VAWD's services being reduced or removed."
VAWD will be contacting all the groups it regularly communicates with to give more details of the campaign. Please get in touch with Gill Thornton at VAWD for further details.
Gill Thornton
Chief Executive
Tel: 01924 367418
Email: gill.thornton@vawd.org.uk
* The Comprehensive Area Assessment is a government measure to assess how well the Council and its partners are performing.
VAWD launches 2008-09 Annual Report
Published: 30 September 2009
Learn how Voluntary Action Wakefield District (VAWD) has supported voluntary and community groups across Wakefield District, supported partnership working and communication between agencies, and developed new volunteering facilities in its new Annual Report for 2008-09.