There are lots of big family events taking place across the Dudley Borough during June & July! Please see below for more information:

Under 5’s Events

• Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 June: Dudley Zoo Under 5’s Day Picnic Party

http://www.dudleyzoo.org.uk/events/whats-on-at-dzg/under-5s-day/

• Friday 28 June, 10am – 3pm: Himley Under 5’s Day

http://www.himleyhallandpark.co.uk/under5s

Family Events for all

• Sunday 30 June, 11am – 5pm: Armed Forces Day 2019 at Himley Hall

http://www.himleyhallandpark.co.uk/armedforcesday

• Saturday 29 June – Sunday 28 July: Black Country Festival Month. A range of events across the Black Country which include many in Dudley Borough. All info on link below.

http://www.black-country-festival.co.uk/whats-on

All of this information is also on their website which is kept up to date on a regular basis and also includes other events and activities taking place throughout the next couple of months. When you access the site, if you click on the ‘Events – what’s on’ section, the information will be on there. Any further activities and events we hear about will be uploaded onto our directory, so it’s always worth checking this out on a regular basis.

http://fis.dudley.gov.uk/fsd/

Dudley Advocacy are holding a special event to celebrate their existing volunteers on Tuesday 4th June from 10-12. They would also like to extend the invitation to anyone who is thinking of volunteering with them and would like to find out more.

As part of Volunteers Week this year they have invited their existing Volunteer Advocates to join them for coffee & cake & share their experiences with anyone interested in volunteering with Dudley Advocacy.

This event is from 10 – 12 on Tuesday 4th June at The Savoy Centre, Northfield Road, Netherton DY2 9ES.  If anyone has any queries they can call on 01384 456877 or look at our website at www.dudleyadvocacy.org.

Colette Barker

Volunteer Development Officer/Advocate

01384 456877 / 07943 847097

Job Description

Introduction

The Regional Project Worker is expected to be a self-starter capable of both taking the initiative and working closely with colleagues. The post-holder will need to display a ‘can do’ approach in line with the organisation values. Dudley Voices for Choice emphasises a team approach to work.

Overall Job Purpose

To support people with a learning disability and autism to be involved in the work and plans of the West Midlands self-advocacy network, agreed Self Advocates forums and community groups, and other agreed Task Groups and consultations. Priority will be given to regional work and regional plans.

Line Management

The Regional Project Worker reports to the Project Manager.
Final responsibility for DVC’s activities rests with a voluntary Board of Trustees who delegates day to day operational management responsibility to the Project Manager.

Hours

The Regional Project Worker post works flexible hours, totalling 25 hours.
Dudley Voices for Choice operates flexible working hours and the post will involve some unsocial hours working. The appointment will be subject to a probationary period.

Location

The post is based at Dudley Voices for Choice, as this is a community post travel across the West Midlands region will be necessary. A clean driving licence and use of a vehicle is an essential part of the job.

Training

Appropriate training to facilitate development in the post will be available.

Specific Responsibilities

To enable people with a learning disability to be involved in the work and plans in and around the West Midlands Region, agreed Self advocacy forums, and agreed consultations. Priority will be given to regional work and regional plans.

In consultation with the Project Manager and all other relevant parties the worker will:

• Support and facilitate the meaningful involvement of people with a learning disability in the planning of the forums with the regional champions.
• Work/liaise with other agencies including voluntary organisations, statutory agencies, families and providers as necessary to facilitate the attendance of people with learning disabilities at meeting and events.
• Work within the boundaries of the role and refer to other agencies as appropriate with the person’s consent.
• Provide performance information as required
• Provide monitoring information to the Project Manager to include in the Annual Report
• Attend training and maintain professional development
• Adhere to all of Dudley Voices for Choice policies and procedures
• Undertake any other task appropriate with the role.
• Complete relevant Big Lottery paperwork and reports in line with the project agreement.

The worker will support people with learning disabilities to:

• Express their views in their role as a member of the West Midlands Self Advocacy network.
• Support the regional champions to plan their work with the assistance of their local self-advocacy groups.
• Understand and discuss papers/notes in preparation for meetings, to prepare questions/comments and to discuss points after the meetings.
• Access the website as necessary
• Have access to information in relevant accessible formats and promote this to relevant parties.
• To attend meetings which are held in an accessible manner and location and to promote this to relevant parties
• Support people with a learning disability to be involved in agreed meetings, training and workshops and undertake professional development relevant to the role
• Support people with a learning disability to undertake related tasks which are in addition to their job role as regional champions.
• Access relevant support to balance workload and maintain wellbeing while participating in their role as a member of the groups.
• Produce information in a format that is easy to understand and clear.
• Communicate effectively.

Team

• To participate in team meetings
• To take an active part in the annual general meeting planning process
• To work in accordance with Dudley Voices for Choice policies and procedures
• To share good practice with the team
• To be actively engaged in your own learning and professional development, including participating in your own quarterly supervision and annual appraisal meetings and attending training courses.

Other Duties

• To undertake such other duties as may reasonably be required.

To apply please email a cover letter and CV to dudleyvoicesforchoice@gmail.com.
Closing date Friday 31st May.

Age Concern Stourbridge and Halesowen are planning a Sunday lunch (free) loosely based on the spare chair Sunday Bisto Together project.

They are looking for eligible people – aged 60+ live in DMBC – who often eat alone or feel lonely.

To reserve a space on the Sunday call Shirley or Kim on 01384 390065

The event runs on Sunday 30th June arrive for 11:45 to be seated and service of food begin at midday

A family fun day will be held on Saturday 6^th July to celebrate Volunteers and Carers Week.

The free event, organised by Dudley CVS, will take place at DY1 venue on Stafford Street, Dudley. Families can enjoy a fun filled day and take part in activities including arts and crafts and sports.

There will be music, refreshments and the opportunity to meet a marketplace of local groups and emergency response services that givetheir time to support local communities.

Family Fun Day will run from 11am to 2pm, the new Mayor of Dudley, will visit the event between 11am and 12pm.

At the marketplace people will have the opportunity to visit local groups and emergency response services including, Dudley Carers Network, Dudley CVS, West Midlands Fire Service and many more! Please come along and join in the fun!

This day of fun celebrates Volunteers and Carers Week, annual campaigns raising awareness of the contribution volunteers and carers make to families and communities throughout the UK. This event will mark the start of nominations for the Dudley Volunteer Awards 2018, celebrating the big-hearted volunteers who make Dudley borough a more vibrant place to live.

Join Dudley CVS for a day of fun on Saturday 6th July 11am – 2pm at DY1, Stafford Street,Dudley, DY1 1RT. For more information please contact Eileen Fielding at admin@dudleycvs.org.uk

We are fully booked for stalls, but if you would like to go on the waitlist please contact Eileen.