Change is underway to create a single point of contact for all voluntary organistions in rural South Lanarkshire.  The new Voluntary Sector Interface in South Lanarkshire (VASLAN) will be launched by April 2011. 

In the interim period, VASLAN has commissioned Community Enterprise to deliver a one-stop support service to voluntary organisations in rural South Lanarkshire.  This is being delivered in partnership with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Coalburn Miners Welfare. 

There will be a combination of email and telephone support and one to one guidance as well as training and workshops between now and the end of March 2011. 

Successful Rural Development Day in Biggar

Community Enterprise held a successful 'Rural Development Day' in the newly refurbished Corn Exchange in Biggar.  Community groups came along to discuss the challeneges and opportunities facing the voluntary sector within the rural area, and to participate in interactive workshops including '5 Steps to Funding' and 'Measuring your Impact'.  Participants also enjoyed a networking lunch, where we got to find out a lot more about each of the groups and the creative services they deliver within their local community. 

This was the first event that was held in Biggar Corn Exchange since the major refurbishment of the iconic building was completed in November 2009.  The £547,000 refurbishment was funded by South Lanarkshire Council, Heritage Lottery Funding, the Town Centre Regeneration Fund and LEADER.  The building now has a stylish interior comprising the re-vamped theatre with state of the art light and sound systems, separate meeting space and a welcome foyer.  The Corn Exchange is an ideal venue for conferences and events, and is available at very reasonable rates.  To find out more, contact Lesley on 01899 220980 or email laproperty@tiscali.co.uk.

Upcoming Training Events

Places are now being booked for the following events:

Workshop on Local Funds - Tuesday 8th February 2011, Coalburn One-Stop-Shop, 10am - 12pm

This is a workshop for voluntary organisations in rural South Lanarkshire who are interested in finding out about local funding opportunities.  This includes funding from Haghill Windfarm, LEADER and the South Lanarkshire Rural Communities Trust.  

Employer Responsibilities Seminar with Peninsula - Thursday 17th February 2011, Rural Development Trust Lanark, 10am - 1pm

Community Enterprise has teamed up with Peninsula - the UK's leading Employment Law specialists, to offer all community and voluntary groups in rural South Lanarkshire a half-day Employer Responsibilities training seminar.  Experts from Peninsula will be there to give groups valuable information and advice on key HR issues that will be relevant to running a voluntary organisation, such as dealing with redundancy, managing sickness and absenteeism, how to write a staff handbook, etc - all in an entertaining and easily digestable way.  Business experts from Community Enterprise will also be there in the afternoon for an informal drop-in surgery should groups have any general development issues they want to discuss.

Places are FREE but LIMITED, and will be offered on a first come first served basis.  To book, please call Judith now on 01506 862227 or email info@communityenterprise.co.uk.