This course will be held over six Saturdays starting on Saturday 9th October 2004. Developing Facilitation Skills is an NIOCN accredited course at level 3 with 2 credits. The course is aimed at those who already have some experience of working in groups, but who are looking to increase their confidence, theory and skills base.

Professional workshops for all age groups with facilitators covering the skills areas of dance, drama, music, movement, costume and props. Facilitators also tour with Play Days and Twilight Years packages to schools, youth clubs, day centres, senior citizens clubs etc. For further information contact The Beat Initiative Carnival Workshop on 0289046 0863, Fax: 028 9046 0865, e-mail: info@belfastcarnival.org or visit their website on www.belfastcarnival.org

Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau is once again pleading with community and voluntary organisations look at the ways in which they can involve volunteers their work. We have many new volunteers and in September we are expecting a large number of Millennium Volunteers to come on board so placements are needed urgently. Many volunteers prefer evening and weekend work to fit in with school, job and other commitments so placements from 6pm to 9pm are especially welcome. Perhaps your organisation could involve volunteers in roles that you have not thought of before? If you could do with re- cruiting more volunteers or would like to discuss how you could involve volunteers in your work, please phone Geraldine on 0800 052 2212 to arrange an appointment.

Border Arts is a group based in Castlederg, Co Tyrone which has a fabulous santa's Grotto available for hire with appropriate costumes. It can also provide stilt walkers and a samba band. With Christmas fast approaching would your group/organisation be interested in hiring this Grotto. If so or you want further details contact Seamus, Gordon or Mary at 028 81 670636 or email borderarts@tinyonline.co.uk

Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau is currently recruiting young people for the Millennium Volunteer (MV) Programme. This programme is designed specifically for 16 -24 years olds and rewards their commitments. to carry out 200 hours of voluntary workwithin a year with a certificate at the 100 hour mark and an award of excellence at 200 hours. Many young people in this age bracket are already volunteering in youth groups, young farmers clubs, church groups, sporting clubs and social action classes in school. All of these hours count so they may not have to do anything other than what they are already doing to achieve a nationally recognised award! The MV Programme is a fantastic way of building up a record of achievement and Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau in association with Enniskillen Jobs & Benefits Agency can now provide these to young people who may not have had the chance to get one in the past. The record of achievement can be used to show prospective training providers or employers the qualifications, skills and expertise that the young person has built up. If you would like further details, or would like someone to come out and talk to your group about Millennium Volunteers, ring Geraldine at Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau on 08000522212

A second review of the Western Area Children's Services Plan 2002-2005 has now been comleted. A copy of the review can be obtained on www.wacy-oc.org or contact Eamon McTernan's office, on 71860086 or emcternansec@whssb.n-i.nhs.uk

This agency is running a photographic competition entitled 'Capture the Spirit of Volunteering'. For further information or to obtain an entry form contact Fidelma Glass on 90818324or fidelma@vounteering-ni.org. Closing date for entries is Friday 19 November.

A new Community Safety Programme has been introduced in County Fermanagh. The programme is being delivered by Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau and supported by Fermanagh District Council. It aims to promote Community Safety to the elderly and vulnerable throughout County Fermanagh. It is designed to reduce the fear of crime for the elderly and vulnerable and allow them to feel more secure in their homes. This will be achieved by recruiting volunteers who will befriend elderly and vulnerable clients in their local areas and also introduce safety information which will diminish the fear of crime and enhance their quality of life. Perhaps you already visit someone in his/her home and offer a friendly ear then why not register with Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau or recommend that the person you visit would benefit from receiving safety advice. All volunteers will receive training in Community Safety issues and also any out of pocket expenses. If you would like to become a volunteer or perhaps know somebody elderly or vulnerable who would benefit from this scheme then contact: Patricia Maye, Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau Freephone 0800 0522212 Tel: 66328438 Mobile: 07814256071

Fermanagh Volunteer Bureau is now taking expression of interest bookings for its accredited training for both volunteers and volunteer managers. The volunteer management training will resume in the autumn and it consists of the following short courses, which are accredited by the OCN. Attracting & Selecting Volunteers, 'Hands-on Volunteer Management, Volunteers and the Wider Organsiation. Training the Trainers of Volunteers In keeping with IBAC objectives this training can be delivered at venues throughout Ferman, allowing easier access to groups in rural areas. If interested contact the Bureau on 66328438 as soon as possible, as places will be limited. Other Training opportunities include The Certificate in Community Volunteering, duty to Care Child Protection Training, and Pre Employment consultancy checks. For further information or to book a place on any of the above contact FVB on 66328438

The WEA Women on the Fringes programme is designed to encourage women to join public bodies and public/political life in general. Training sessions are offered including one to one personal action planning sessions. All of this is completely free with child/eldercare and travel costs provided. Women are poorly represented on public bodies and within political parties in Northern Ireland. Another element of the programme is gender awareness training which is very apt in a climate of equality legislation, impact assessments and reviews. WEA offers a free two hour session to any committee/board/organisation wanting to avail of this opportunity. Gender Awareness Training is tailored to suit your organisation's needs. This is also free. An information session will be held for the above from 1.00 to approx. 2.00pm on Friday 17 September in Enniskillen. OWL - Opportunities for Women Learning programme has various free courses to offer from health to computers to leadership. If you are interested in any of the above please contact the WEA Enniskillen office - 02866 326 914 (Leave a message on the answering machine if no one is available to take your call)

The Irish School Of Ecumenics in conjunction with The University of Ulster are offering a Certificate in Reconciliation Studies. This course is a part time two-year course taught in Belfast. This course offers Knowledge, skills and empowerment for: • Community Relations activists • Community Development Workers • Voluntary and paid Church Workers • Religious Education Teachers • People retired and wanting to be active in Church and Community The course is taught in a relaxed and participatory atmosphere . The course explores • relationships between the churches • relationships between the world religions • transforming conflict and a peace ethic • gender issues and environmental ethics For further information and course content contact: Karen Nicholson Irish school Of Ecumenics 683 Antrim Road Belfast BT15 4EG Tel: 90775010 Email: cenisec@tcd.ie

This annual Award is to recognise outstanding voluntary activities by groups in the community. Nominate your local unsung heroes! Give them the recognition they deserve! Nominations to be made before 30th September 2004. For further information and a nomination form visit www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk, email gjaward@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or call 0845 0002002

Fermanagh Churches Forum will be hosting a walk around Enniskillen Churches on Sunday 12th September 2004 at 3.00pm, the group will meet at The Convent Chapel -everybody is welcome. The group has also arranged a visit to the site of the Battle of Aughrim on Saturday 18th Sep-tember 2004. For more information or to book a place contact Michael Mooney on 6632 0482 or Robert Wilson on 6632 3780.

The funds of the Charity Group come from a Give As You Earn Scheme involving employees and retired officials. It is completely independent of the Northern Bank. The Committee will consider funding requests for all charitable purposes within Northern Ireland. There are no fixed maximum or minimum erant levels. The amount donated depends on the purpose and the level of funding requested. Most grants are for several thousand pounds, but greater and lesser amounts have also been donated. In exceptional circumstances, £50,000 has been donated in the past. The overall annual budget is around £35,000 each year. The Charity Group welcomes requests from any oharitable source or worthy cause in Northern Ireland. However, the Committee prefers to donate to a specific project or initiative, or to a particular item, rather than contributing to a general fund. Requests for donations should be sent to the Secretary, enclosing information about your organisation and stating the purpose of the request. No special form is necessary. As a guide, a maximum of two sides of A4 should be sufficient for your application letter. The Secretary will be pleased to answer any enquiries about the Charity Group.Grants are not made for use outside Northern Ireland.

This course entitled 'Diploma in Peace-building and Community Development Practice' was held last year in Sligo and Leitrim with participants from Cavan, Donegal, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Tyrone. The course is designed to allow members of the community sector to enhance their understanding of issues related to peace-building and to develop the skills necessary for effective cross-border, peace-building and reconciliation work. The course is delivered on a one-year, part-time basis commencing September 2004 through June 2005. The course will be held two consecutive days per month with an extended residential in January and April. There will be two courses held this year: one will take place in the Tirhugh Resource Centre, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal; the second at the Clones Community Forum, Co. Monaghan. Applicants are invited from representatives of community organisations throughout the border region. We would very much appreciate it if you could share this information with any colleagues who might be interested in the diploma course. Closing date for application is June 30th 2004.

The Funders Forum for Northern Ireland has a new comprehensive and interactive website. The website will act as a debating platform to enable coments to be made and responses to issues and comments already published. It will also act as a source of informtion including details of funders, events and news will also be funding gateway for interested parties who are loooking to access support. To access the website go to www.fundersforumni.org.uk

The New Opportunities Fund has developed a funding programme, which aims to broaden community sport. For further information contact James Devlin on 90 551481

A third European peace programme should be rolled out in Ireland early in 2007 with funding of approximately £475 million. Unlike the present peace programme, which emphasises economic development, it should focus on peace and reconciliation, says Designing Peace III, a new report by NICVA and the Community Workers Co-operative. Funded projects should be cross-community, promoting groups that wish to engage with one another and ethnic minority groups should be explicitly included. The report recommends that half the budget should go to peace and reconciliation work, one quarter to economic and social regeneration of communities most affected by the conflict and a quarter to cross-border work and projects throughout the world.

The Equality Research and Information Website is the lates online resource to be developed by NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency). The website provides information in relation to equality and Secion 75 categories. Data in the form of tables, publications and research on the nine categories, as defined by the Norther Ireland Act (1998), are brought together from a variety of sources and sorted by general policy area. This will be expanded over time to include inforamtion from public bodies and the voluntary and community sector. You can access the resource at the following website: www.equality.nisra.gov.uk

The Inter-Agency Group (Sexual Abuse) is a group of statutory and voluntary sector agencies who provide services and care to adult survivors of sexual abuse within the Western Health & Social Services Board (WHSSB) area. The group exists to make a positive difference to those numbers of people within the Borad area whose lives have been damaged by sexual abuse. Membership of the Group comprises The Aisling Centre, Derry Well Woman, Foyle Turst, Nexus Institute, NSPCC, PSNI Care Unit, Sperrin Lakeland Trust, The Tara Centre and WHSSB. We welcome and invite any comment or query in relation to our activities and the provision of services for adult survivors. Further information, including detailed information of specialist services for adult survivors of sexual abuse, is available on the website which can be accessed at www.sexualabuseiag.co.uk or by phoning John on 028 66 320046.

The Big Lottery Fund under New Opportunities Fund directions is currently consulting on its Community Sport - active Lifestyles funding programme. The Active Lifestyles strand of the programme will be worth £2.1m to be committed by 2006. BLF is also providing the Sports Council with £2.5m to enhance its Community Sport programme.

The overall budget available to the Community Fund for its current grants programmes is expected to be 30% less than last year, due to falling ticket sales. An estimated budget of £6.4m will be available for the 2004 to 2005 financial year compared to £9.4m for 2003 to 2004.

The victims and survivors of many conflicts and wars from earliest times to the Troubles are the focus of a new exhibition at the Ulster Museum. Entitled Conflict: The Irish At War, the display runs until October 2004. It explores and confronts the realities and legacies of conflict in Ireland from the Bronze Age to the cease-fires - including civil wars, campaigns against invaders and the experiences of Irish soldiers in overseas wars. The museum is open on weekdays (10-5) and on weekend afternoons. Community groups wishing to visit the exhibition or to book a workshop exploring themes of particular interest to them (including urban, rural and border perspectives; the impact of conflict on women and families; victims' perspectives on twentieth century conflict; the impact of commemorations on present-day community relations) should contact Jane Leonard, the Community Outreach Officer (028 90 383018)

This meeting will take place on May 25th in the Ardowen Theatre. broadbandagenda.pdf

Fermanagh Access and Mobility Group are holding and information, demonstration and sports activity programme in the Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen - Saturday 24th April 2004, 1.30pm to 5.00pm. What is the Event? The day is being organised by the sportability steering group to enable a wide range of people to find out more abut the sports and physical activities that are available for people with Physical Disabilities, Sensory Impairment & Special Learning Needs. Events Include:- Wheelchair Tennis Demo, Disability Football, Adapted Games/Equipment Demo, Basketball, Table Tennis, Wheelchair Bowls, Gymnastics.

The Fermanagh Trust has just released the first issue of its new Funding Deadline Bulletin. This will inform you of all the upcoming funding application deadlines, aswell as giving a brief summary of what the funder supports. Also, the Bulletin provides the relevant web addresses where your group can go to find out funding guidelines and download application forms as appropriate.