Review of Discretionary Rate Relief

The Discretionary Rate Relief scheme supports voluntary and community groups in South Gloucestershire by paying part of their non-domestic rates bill. It's in addition to the mandatory rate relief awarded to registered charities/community amateur sports clubs.

South Gloucestershire Council is consulting on possible changes as part of the savings it needs to make. You can find out more online and have until 24th December to comment.

Nominate a community hero

Do you know someone in your community whose work deserves to be recognised? If so, go to www.southglos.gov.uk/communityawards before 3 February 2012 to nominate them for a community award. The award winners will be invited to a ceremony at  BAWA, Filton on 29 March 2012.

Could you help the Friends of Ram Hill Colliery?

The Friends of Ram Hill Colliery are still looking for a new Chair and also volunteers for gardening at the site on a Wednesday or the 2nd or 4th Sunday of the month. If you can help please contact David Godden at da.godden@btinternet.com .

If you'd like to find out more about the site, why not go along to the Heritage Open Day between 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday 11th September. Or if you'd like to raise money to help the work of the Friends, get a quiz team together for Thursday 22nd September in the Miners Institute. To book a table call Steve and Liz Hillyard on 0117 923 6595. 

Nominate young people for volunteering awards

Do you know a young person aged 16 to 25 who deserves recognition for their volunteering and community action? If so Vinvolved South Glos would like to hear from you.

Once a year Vinvolved celebrate the fantastic work of young volunteers throughout our area. This years’ Celebration Event is taking place on Thursday 10th February 2011, from 7 -11pm at Circomedia, Portland Square, Bristol. There are six award categories including a ‘Best Group’ Award so you don’t have to select just one person from a group – nominate them all! They would also like to hear from volunteers who would like to nominate an organisation they are working with who have excelled in volunteering best practice or have created interesting volunteering opportunities.

You can nominate a volunteer online or for further information contact Vinvolved South Glos by telephone - 01454 317289 / 07528 421395 - or email as@youngbristol.com

Closing date for nominations is Monday 31st January 2011.

Voluntary Voices

South Gloucestershire Voluntary Sector Forum has organised a "Voluntary Voices" event for all members of voluntary and community groups in South Gloucestershire - volunteers, staff and trustees. The event will take place at 2.00pm – 4.00pm on Monday 27 April in the Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, BS36 1NJ.

They will be discussing the South Gloucestershire Safer & Stronger Communities Partnership Strategy Consultation April – July 2009 and there will be an update on the Local Area Agreement, covering the results of the Third Sector survey and planning the next steps in "Participation in Regular Volunteering".

Please contact Gillian Graham on 01454 865205 or email info@cvs-sg .org.uk to register your interest.