Hounslow CouncilÂ’s Community Partnership Unit (CPU) is seeking your support in shaping the priorities and criteria for our Hounslow Community Grant.
As with many service areas within Hounslow Council, the CPU has been required to make savings to our budget over recent years, resulting in reductions to the VCSE Grants Budget. It is important that we now determine how we can best use our funding to support the valuable work of the Voluntary and Community Sector and offer the best possible outcomes for Hounslow residents. 
We have made a number of proposals under four areas on which we would welcome your views;

• Maximising the benefit of Council funding
• Eligibility for funding
• Proposed priority areas for 2017/18 and 2018/19
• Applications and reporting processes

We are keen to get the views of a range of stakeholders including current and previous applicants and grantees, the wider Voluntary and Community Sector and other Council departments working with VCSE sector organisations. 
Please complete the survey via the following link  – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3CNZHMY
It should take no longer than 15 minutes.
If you cannot access or complete the survey online and would like a paper copy please contact Sara Lindsay – sara.lindsay@hounslow.gov.uk
The deadline for responses is 12 noon on Monday 25 June 2017.

Making Every Contact Count ‘Healthy Conversation Skills (June 2017 training): 10 places
Health Education England (HEE) has awarded Hounslow Council funding to extend the HEE accredited ‘Healthy Conversation Skills’ – Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training to council, health and voluntary sector staff in 2017. The aim of the training is help improve the health of residents in Hounslow through ‘making every contact count’ in terms of health improvement.  We have 10 spaces available for members of the voluntary sector for the next training course which will take place on the 7 & 14^th of June 2017 in Hounslow (more details below). The training will be provided free of charge and will include refreshments.  To apply, please contact: Nathan.hewitt@hounslow.gov.uk by 22^nd of May 2017, giving details of your voluntary sector role and organisation.  
Training dates: Session 1: 7^th of June 2017 at 11.30am-4pm, Session 2:  14^th of June 2017 at 11.30-4pm, e-learning to complete 4 modules x 20 minutes (which needs to be completed the week between Session 1 and Session 2)
Staff who complete all 3 training elements will receive a Royal Society of Public Health Certificate of Attendance.  
MECC Â’Healthy ConversationÂ’ 1 day Train the Trainer course, June 2017: (2 spaces available) (Venue: Hounslow Civic Centre)
There is also an opportunity to undertake a MECC Healthy Conversation Skills ‘Train the Trainer’ course. The course will be held on the 20^th June 2017 (9am-4pm). Candidates for this advanced training need to have completed the ‘Healthy Conversation Skills’ course above and also be experienced in delivering training and feel confident to do so. The training is free of charge and refreshments will be provided. Please note that once a staff member becomes a trainer, they will be expected to co-facilitate 2 face-to-face sessions with the Health Education England Accredited Trainer (in Hounslow). Once achieved, staff will also be expected to deliver Session 1 and Session 2 of the MECC training to 10 staff within Hounslow organisations. To apply to become an accredited trainer, please send your CV with details of past training work and voluntary sector role to: Nathan.hewitt@hounslow.gov.uk by 22^nd of May 2017. Successful candidates will be informed if they have a place by 29^th of May 2017.
Places are limited. Early application is advised.