Open University reaches out to BME communities

The Open University is keen to reach out to students from BME communities. Last year, they focused on the African Caribbean community, and this year, they’re aiming to engage Muslim communities.

With this in mind, the OU are offering a new course (30 Point Level 2) called ‘Islam in the West: The Politics of Co-Existence’. Students will examine Islam and Muslim communities in Western Europe and North America. Please note: this course isn’t suitable for anyone who hasn’t studied before.

To find out more why not go along to the OU’s next Open Day? It’s on Saturday 28th June from 10.30am to 1pm at the OU regional centre just off the Goose Fair Roundabout, Sherwood Rise.

Also, the OU are holding a debate on ‘Alternative Perspectives on Islam’, on the 20th September at 3pm at Nottingham Castle Museum. The debate will explore issues such as Sharia Law, hijab, integration of Muslim and non-Muslim communities and the way in which media portrayal of Muslim issues can sometimes appear polemic and emotive. Tickets are absolutely free – but you’ll need to obtain them in advance. (You’ll also be able to take a look at the Islamic Glimpse Exhibition for free).

If you would like to find out more please contact Janine Liladhar from the OU on 0115 9715510 or email j.liladhar.open.ac.uk

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Job Alert!

QUAD is Derby’s new £10 million centre for art and film, currently under construction in the centre of Derby and due to be completed this summer. As you can imagine, it’ll be an exciting place to work so you’ll be glad to hear QUAD has several vacancies: 

Technical Manager – £22-24K – with your team, you’ll ensure the technical delivery of QUAD’s artistic programme, including the installation of exhibitions and the smooth running of the cinema. You’ll need at least 2 years relevant experience plus up to date knowledge of digital media equipment and technologies. 

Accounts Assistant – £17-£19K – you’ll assist the Finance Manager by managing the purchase and sales ledger accounts and day to day financial transactions. You’ll need at least 2 years relevant experience and an in depth knowledge of computerised book keeping systems and Sage software. 

Administration Assistant – £14K – you’ll provide day to day administrative support and ensure the smooth running of the office. You’ll need at least 1 year’s relevant experience as well as being a fantastic organiser with excellent IT and people skills. 

Development Assistant £14K pro rata (2.5 days/wk, contract initially until March 2009)

You’ll assist the Development Manager, liaising with funders, organising events and administering all of QUAD’s fundraising activities. You’ll have at least 1 year’s administrative experience, be great at organising events and be an excellent advocate. 

For more details of all these jobs, together with interview dates, please telephone QUAD for an application pack on 01332 295858 or email amym@derbyquad.co.uk 

Deadline for applications: 11th June! 

Alternatively, you’ll find more details at: www.derbyquad.co.uk 

 

 

 

Job Alert

African/Caribbean voluntary organisation, Amaani Tallawah, based on Robin Hood Chase, St Anns currently has several job vacancies. The organisation offers mental health services including drop-in services as well as information and support to those in need. To find out more and to request a job application pack please call Tia on 0115 957 0020.

Green light for Greenweeks

Environmental event, Greenweeks, kicks off this weekend with 3 weeks of environmental events planned throughout the city. The Evening Post has a full calendar of the events – to find out more take a look at  www.thisisnottingham.co.uk

In celebration of Greenweeks, there’s two events at St Anns Allotments on Sunday, including a Greenweeks day at the St Anns Community Orchard, complete with environmental arts workshops, popcorn making around the campfire and homemade soup and cakes. In addition, Ecoworks are also running an event at the Allotments, including a plant sale and kids’ musical instrument making. 

For more details, simply click on the event posters below: 

Orchard event 

Myanmar Cyclone Appeal 2008

International charity Sewa International has launched an appeal to help victims of the Myanmar Cyclone, which struck the Bay of Bengal on the 3rd May this year. The money raised will go towards helping the thousands of homeless, who are in urgent need of food, water, shelter, clothing and medicines. 20,000 people are feared dead, with another 40,000 still missing. To find out how you can donate and how your money will be used please visit www.sewainternational.org 

Funded courses from NCVS

Cathy White, Funding Advisor at NCVS (Nottingham Council for Voluntary Service), is running three courses; including an Introduction to Fundraising course on the 28th May. Places are limited so it’s best to book as soon as possible. One of the courses is free, the other two cost £15 per person, but Cathy does have a few bursary places available for anyone who can’t afford the course fees.

NCVS is also looking into the possibility of running a one day course in setting up and maintaining a website. If you think you’d be interested in such a course please let Cathy know, as she’s keen to get an idea of numbers. The cost of the course would be around £70-£80 including lunch, refreshments, a handbook full of useful information and a free USB memory stick. You can contact Cathy on 0115 934 8426.

Quality & performance training

CES (Charities Evaluation Services) is a national charity set up to address quality and performance issues in the charity, community and voluntary sector. To help with this, the charity has launched a National Performance Programme, offering a range of training for people working within infrastructure organisations. Courses are specifically designed to ’support the supporters’, offering advice, tools and techniques designed to develop participants’ knowledge and increase their confidence in supporting groups on performance topics.

The following courses will run across England throughout June and July with prices starting from as little as £45!

• Introducing performance for support providers
• Strategic planning: supporting groups
• Monitoring and evaluation: supporting groups
• Quality: supporting groups

Full course details, together with information on CES’s travel bursary and in-house training are available on the CES website at www.performancemanagement.org.uk

Job Alert

If you’re looking for a new challenge, you may be interested to know that HLG is looking for two new drug workers, to join their drug support team for homeless people. HLG works in partnership across Nottingham to develop, support and deliver services for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or vulnerably housed. If you’d like to know more you can click below to read the job advert, or visit HLG’s website at www.hlg.org.uk or call 0115 859 9526. 

Job Ad 

Latin America Day

Saturday 5th July is Latin America Day, so why not join the Greater Nottingham Co-operative Party in a celebration of Latin American co-operatives, to mark International Co-operatives Day. You can find out more by clicking on the flier below but the event includes talks, stalls, art, music and entertainment and a buffet – all with a Latin American theme of course. 

Latin America Day Flier 

 

Songs from a golden era

If you’re looking for a great Friday night out get yourself down to the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham this Friday, 16th May. The Nottingham Asian Arts Council and the Royal Centre are putting on a superb charity concert to help raise funds for those in need, featuring songs from the golden era of Hindi Cinema – from 1948 to 1965. The well know Sa Re Ga Ma singers will be belting out the tunes in what promises to be a real feast for the ears and eyes! Tickets are only £10.00 for adults and £6.00 for children and the money raised will go to help some really worthwhile causes. The show starts at 7.00pm. For more information, simply click on the link below to see the concert poster.