Social Economy, Trading & Finance Feed

Are you a voluntary/community organisation or Social Economy business? Want to get a Step Ahead? The Department for Employment and Learning has provided funding for up to 1,000 fixed-term jobs within the Voluntary and Community Sector or Social Economy businesses across Northern Ireland through its Step Ahead initiative. What is Step Ahead?Step Ahead was introduced by the Department for Employment and Learning in direct response to the economic downturn, giving the Voluntary and Community Sector and Social Economy businesses an opportunity to help long-term unemployed people move back into work.

This opportunity is aimed at individuals at middle management level who have the relevant skills and experience to undertake the duties outlined. NICVA will meet salary costs and associated expenses. The salary scale is £24,646. The opportunity will be for 9 to10 months, with the possibility of an extension, subject to the agreement of all parties. The secondment will begin between the end of April and beginning of July 2010.

The opportunity is aimed at individuals at middle management level who have the relevant skills and experience to undertake the duties outlined. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland will meet salary costs and associated expenses. The salary scale is £24,089 - £30,520. The opportunity will be for 1 year, with the possibility of an extension of up to a further year, subject to the agreement of all parties. The secondment will begin as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified and a release date is agreed.The successful candidate will be based in The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, 24-26 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4GF.

The 19th January 2010 saw the successful launch of the first IT Basecamp course at Avalon House. The first of five sessions was delivered by the Avec Solutions IT Support Manager Robin Montgomery. This first session provided an introduction to computers, networks and the internet and also looked at the participants role as an IT support manager within their organisation

January 14 2010 – Larne Enterprise Development Organisation (LEDCOM) celebrated the Graduation for the Exploring Enterprise Programmes. Due to the achievements and successes in 2009, news of 3 additional programmes for the Larne area, commencing in February 2010, was greatly welcomed by the audience. In particular, a Programme located in Carnlough will provide opportunity for rural development.

Seaview Enterprises Ltd teams up with the NI Schools FA to offer a free invitation to the Northern Ireland Vs Australia schools football international.Recent Social Economy Network member, Seaview Enterprises Ltd (the social economy business of Crusaders Football Club) recently teamed up with the NI Schools FA to offer a free invitation to the Northern Ireland Vs Australia schools football international to Seaview Stadium, Shore Road, Belfast. The match, on Wednesday 27January 2010, attracted over 800 school children to Seaview and demonstrated the ability of Seaview Enterprises to host a prestige fixture. The showpiece match, sponsored by Ulster Bank, was also assisted by the IFAs “Football for All” project and the”Unite Against Hate” project and the North Belfast Partnership Board.The event was open to schools, community groups and interested individuals. Many local schools met Crusaders player Martin Donnelly (himself a full Northern Ireland cap) and Michael Collins...

USEL (Ulster Supported Employment Ltd) welcomed the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to their premises in Belfast to hold their monthly meeting.

Sunday at the Cnocnafeola Centre was a real community effort. Local people gave of their time and talents to organise a stew, coffee day and raffle.

Cúnamh ICT will be taking an exhibition stand at the Voice 10 Conference where they will showcase their 'Social Impact Tracker' database.

In today’s economic climate, ensuring the health and wellbeing of your staff is more important than ever. Workloads and the significance of the work are increasing, meaning stress and anxiety levels increase. Businesses see a loss of productivity and motivation amongst staff, which in turn affects profit.left to right, Ruth Thompson, Ann-Marie Roche, Mo McDevitt Mari Kelly’ - Photographer Donnie Wright Photography

Slemish n tha Braid has become the first Ulster Federation credit union to make a social investment in the UK’s only bank that is also a charity*.By opening a deposit account with Charity Bank, its reserves will earn a fair interest rate, while being reinvested in the local community through loans to voluntary and community organisations, charities and social enterprises.

Before Christmas TG4 aired Soup Stone Productions first documentary for the station, a film about the last generation of Coal Miners in Arigna, Roscommon. Filming in Arigna Mines

It’s here again, don’t miss your chance to enter into our £15,000 awards competition. Previous award winners include:· * Ann McIlroy founder and Director of the Greenlight Gateway, Ballycastle* Lynn Farr and Tanya Orr, founders and Directors of Restore Counselling, Belfast* Michelle Gallen, founder and Director of Talk Irish, Belfast* Marie Marin founder and Director of Employers for Childcare, Lisburn * Stuart Bailie, founder and Chief Executive of Oh Yeah, Belfast * Margaret Lee, founder and Chief Executive of Cresco Trust, Londonderry * Maura Fryers, founder of New Hill First Steps Daycare, Belfast* Joe Hyland, founder and Director of Outreach NI, Belfast* Paddy Glasgow, founder and Director of Glasgowbury Music Festival, Draperstown * Mandy Logan, founder and Director of Patchwork, Coleraine * Noreen Kettyles, founder and Director of Me UnLtd, Fermanagh

In association with CO3, Amanda Brobyn, Northern Ireland Development Manager for Unity Trust, has been appointed as a judge and will go on to present the award for Overall Inspiring Leader of the Year at the glamorous award ceremony, 4th February 2010 at the City Hotel, Londonderry.

The SEN, NICVA, Charity Bank and the Ulster Community Investment Trust met on 12 January 2010 to consider future plans and activities for developing the community assets initiative.

ONUS (NI) Ltd is currently recruiting for the following training programme: Title: CPD Older but no Safer ProgrammeDate: Date: Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th February 2010 Venue: The Naomi Centre, Ballymena

Claire Ferris, Manager, Work West was celebrated as one of 50 individuals and companies who have pioneered business in Belfast in the Long Gallery at Stormont on 24 September 2009 at a gala Belfast Media Group reception hosted by members of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee. Claire, as one of the Developing Belfast 2009 honourees, joined 200 successful entrepreneurs who have been honoured annually since 2005.

ONUS (NI) Ltd is currently recruiting for the following training programme: Title: CPD Older but no Safer ProgrammeDate: Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th February 2010Venue: The Naomi Centre, Ballymena

Employers For Childcare are delighted that Gordon Brown has changed his mind and will not axe childcare vouchers.

Unemployed graduates in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a unique initiative offering them a work placement alongside further study – all in the hope of securing long term employment