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Big Care Debate team want images of care and support
Promote your mentoring or befriending project photos on their website

Evaluation of telephone support pilot for parents
Parentline Plus service demonstrates high quality support

£12.5 million apprenticeship give-away
Third sector organisations urged to access funding

Report highlights benefits of well-being services
Resilience for children plus support for older people and families are priorities for happiness

A new report from The Children’s Society: Understanding children's well-being
Report based on a major survey of young people’s well-being in England

BBC Children in Need launches small grants programme
Small grants that make a big difference

Community Voices offer funding to isolated and disadvantaged communities in England
Grants available to help engage and empower

MBF encourages Employer Supported Volunteering within mentoring and befriending projects
Projects with volunteers recruited from one employer are being sought to evaluate the impact

Research published on young British Muslims' views
Calls for more role model initiatives and activity

Looking for statistics?
New website opens up government information

Families and relationships green paper out for consultation
Find out about MBF’s new reference group

VitalLinks: new network specifically for older people’s befriending schemes
Befriending schemes working with older people urged to join

Volunteering England Gold Award for FE and HE volunteers
Give your students the opportunity to receive a national award

National HE networking event
MBF in partnership with UCLAN to hold a networking event for universities in March 2010

MBF run peer mentoring networking event in Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Co-ordinators and peer mentors share good practice

Help us to represent your views
Practitioners required to help respond to national consultations

Bolton Lads & Girls Club chief executive standing down after more than three decades service
Jeremy Glover MBE takes the helm of pioneering new youth charity OnSide Northwest

Come and see how to run a successful peer mentoring scheme
APS approved school invites people to come and see how they've set up peer mentoring

Funding available to organisations supporting victims of sexual violence and abuse
The Office for Criminal Justice Reform and the Government Equalities Office join together to create ...

Combating poverty and social exclusion - free regional event
Thursday 25th February 2010 (10.00 till 4.00) - Weston Super Mare

CSJ Awards offer up to £10,000 for voluntary groups
Apply now if you can show how your project turns lives around and reverses social breakdown

Free guides to help offenders get their lives back on track published
MBF in partnership with Clinks co-writes two of them

MBF welcomes mentoring proposals to open up the professions
Unleashing aspirations - government responds to report on fair access to the professions

Help promote the dignity of people receiving care through mentoring and befriending
Dignity Action Day: February 25th 2010

Guiding Lights wanted
DCSF launches bid to find role models and mentors

Evaluation of Parentline telephone support service pilot
Report published on the one-to-one telephone support service for parents

Small grants available for charities working with children in care, prisoners and their families, and young people at risk of offending
Apply to The Noel Buxton Trust

Access to Volunteering Fund
Pilot scheme to improve access to volunteering for disabled people

White British boys doing better at school
Thanks to a programme of additional support aimed at increasing the groups’ attainment levels

Mentoring and Befriending Foundation’s South West Information Exchange Forums
A networking opportunity for mentoring and befriending practitioners in the South West

Focus groups and national conference attendees back MBF's profile raising campaign
Read feedback from projects regarding the development of a common identity for mentoring and befrien...

Vinvolved offer training to help ‘inspire and involve’ young people
Lancashire vinvolved are offering third sector and public organisations the opportunity to access a ...

Mentoring and befriending European charter in reach
Tell us your views on the draft European charter

Strategy launched to end violence against women and girls
Peer mentoring is one action being supported

The Archer Trust to support small charities
Grants for groups of needy or deserving people

The Young Foundation release research report
Policymakers called to back activities to decrease social isolation and mental illness

Evaluating intergenerational projects – a guide to useful resources
A new Beth Johnson Foundation guide to help evidence impact

Care Service Minister stresses importance of befriending
Phil Hope asking public to visit older neighbours more often

Health and Social Care Volunteer Fund for third sector
Grants to support volunteering in health and social care

Mentoring plans to help boost employment outlined in White Paper
Backing Young Britain campaign to provide mentoring for young people

Anti-bullying award for Milverton youngsters
Pupils at Milverton Primary School are receiving national recognition for their efforts to tackle bu...

Catch22 invites mentoring providers to a free one-day course on mentoring for financial literacy
Locations include Sheffield, London and Portsmouth

Peer mentors tell it as it is
Nottinghamshire peer mentors share their views

Centrepoint research recommends peer mentoring to help stop breakdown of family relationships
Centrepoint the charitable organisation which aims to give homeless young people a future conducted ...

European Structural Fund and European Regional Development Fund 'MasterClasses'
National Training Resources Limited running 2010 courses in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds

New Approved Provider Standard promotional film ‘Talking quality standards’ produced
See what funders and projects have to say about achieving the standard

GateMate: Campaign to improve national coverage of mentoring services for young adults leaving prison launched
Launch events to be held in London and Manchester

Mentoring and befriending: An intelligent commissioning and funding choice
MBF to host a series of regional events specifically designed for regional and local commissioners a...

MBF conference report 2009 NOW available
Read what the hot topics for debate were at this annual event organised in partnership with the Prim...

Congratulations to November's APS awarded projects

Grants for mentoring activities in schools
The Transformation Trust is inviting charities and third sector organisations to bid for funding for...

Involving unemployed people as volunteers
GMCVO is holding a free one day course looking at involving unemployed people as volunteers

National plan for people with mental health problems in the criminal justice system
Mentoring programme to help resettlement on leaving prison

Youth Sector Development Fund open
Mentoring projects sought for £10m fund to advise young people about education and work opportunitie...

Getting on: well-being in later life
Report recommends peer mentoring and befriending support to build resilience

LinkAge Plus national evaluation report published
Pilots are effective at improving quality of life for older people

Research into mental health services for care leavers
Voluntary services identified as effective support

Commission on Personalisation publish interim report
ACEVO report proposes a revolution in public service delivery

UK grants programme – older people
Application deadline 11 January 2010

Help to develop National Participation Strategy
Managers and participation workers asked to complete survey

Funding available from The John Laing Charitable Trust
Charities working with disadvantaged young people, in education and tackling homelessness supported

MBF and Stockport College run ‘inspirational and practical’ networking event
Greater Manchester colleges and further education institutions exchange information and experiences

MBF submits response to the 'Shaping the future of care together' consultation
Proposals for reforming the current care and support system welcomed by MBF

Age Concern and Help the Aged's Winter Celebration Grant Scheme
Funding for older people available

Benefits of mentoring make BBC Breakfast News
Chance UK featured as part of Children in Need

Higher Education Institutes required to participate in vinspired commissioned research
What motivates your students to get involved in volunteering?

Insight into wealthy donors for non-profit fundraisers
Wealthy philanthropists discuss role of corporate donors in free podcasts

MBF launches major art exhibition as part of Anti-Bullying Week (16th – 20th November 2009)
Winning elephant announced by Deputy Children's Commissioner Sue Berelowitz

Chain Reaction event 2009 – ‘we can make a difference’
Watch the live feed from the event here today - 12th November 2009

Benefits of supporting under-represented groups to volunteer
Compact report includes costs and barriers

Congratulations to October's APS awarded projects

MBF secure funding from the Greater Manchester Challenge Partnership
MBF gets funding to develop and manage a one-year peer mentoring contract across all 10 local author...

Call for intergenerational pilot projects seeking to 'address a 21st century challenge'
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation looking to award 20 projects up to £30,000 each

Research shows benefits of befriending to volunteer befrienders
New report published in the Journal of Intercultural Communication

Report on personalisation of public services
Emerging issues and implications for third sector

Help inform research into service delivery
Third Sector Research Centre is looking for reference group members

Anti-bullying elephants stampeded into the MBF's national conference
Conference explored the value and impact of one-to-one support through mentoring and befriending

New publication: Pathways through the maze: a guide to procurement law
NAVCA and NCVO have jointly published 'Pathways through the maze' - the first comprehensive guide to...

Grants for young people and for health & wellbeing activities available
First Group sponsorship committee considers applications for a range of charitable activities

Volunteering for disabled people
£2 million fund launched by OTS

Making links with peer mentoring in colleges and the FE sector
Colleges, we need you to complete our survey

IAG strategy reveals mentoring plans for young people
Quality information, advice and guidance to build successful futures

Fair Share Trust grants
Find out if you qualify

England wide survey of community development work
Paid or unpaid workers invited to take part

Consultation on National Occupational Standards & Vocational Qualification for Mentoring and Befriending
Sector feedback required

Funding for black, male role models
BTEG seeks groups to participate in its local programme

First 24 projects to benefit from Capacitybuilder's Volunteer Management programme announced
£1.45m of grant funding for people who manage volunteers

Befriending Code of Practice
Befriending Network Scotland describes main issues projects need to consider in revised publication

New and improved Approved Provider Standard re-launched officially today
National benchmark for safe and effective mentoring and befriending practice up-graded

Mentoring and befriending are key to supporting improved mental health says MBF
Read our response to the Government’s New Horizons consultation

Director general of the Office of the Third Sector to leave post
Campbell Robb to become new chief executive of homelessness charity Shelter

Bolton Lads and Girls Club receives national training award
Mentor volunteer training recognised as quality and contributed to improving outcomes

MBF’s Rapport magazine – read the Sept 09 issue online now
Features, news, policy updates, research...

Resource pack to help tackle bullying of disabled children
Schools minister launches ‘Make them go away’ DVD

MBF produces online module for the National Youth Homelessness Scheme website
Highlights models of delivery for mentoring and befriending for youth homelessness

Three guides to Social Return on Investment published
Supporting the third sector to maximise social value

MBF achieves Investors in People standard
Foundation's good practice noted

New Local Innovation Awards to tackle challenging community issues using talents across the generations.
Share innovative mentoring and befriending practices

MBF submits response to Building a society for all ages consultation
We recommend greater investment and piloting of mentoring and befriending interventions

Congratulations to September's APS awarded projects

MBF to run practitioner focus groups to inform the development of a two year profile raising campaign
MBF explores a common identity for mentoring and befriending programmes

Vetting and barring scheme – official guidance released
Find out key changes now in operation from 12 October 2009

MBF Big Interview with the Youth Justice Board chair
Frances Done reveals to MBF how YJB encourages youth offending teams to link with mentoring and befr...

Head of Civil Service backs Chance UK’s value-for-money
Chance UK appeared in The Times this week, discussing the economic impact of its work via the Pro Bo...

Funding to reduce reoffending

A third of Office of Third Sector grants were unspent

Online forum for peer mentoring now up and running
MBF launches the National Peer Mentoring Online Forum

MBF submits evidence: Personalisation of services
One-to-one mentoring and befriending interventions are well-placed to support the personalisation ag...

Trusthouse Charitable Foundation funding for offender mental health projects
The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation is accepting applications to fund small projects

Find a partner for making joint bids
NCVO’s Funding Central match-making agency for charities

Peer mentors are trained for a brand new pod-casting radio station
Training kicks off in Leeds in preparation for launch of the new Radiowaves anti bullying club

Young Achievers Trust - Nominations
This week is the final week for nominations

REACH guidance for small BME organisations
How to improve the way you work

Invest in preventative services for children and young people
Report gives economic and social case for investment

How to support and engage with men and boys effectively
New report explores masculinity issues

Positive childhood role models – help with research
Tell Chance UK about an adult who influenced your childhood positively

Mentoring offenders - an argument for a more co-ordinated approach
A compelling argument for a more co-ordinated approach to mentoring support for offenders

New vetting and barring scheme - MBF information sheet updated
Highlights main areas for mentoring and befriending projects to be aware of

A herd of anti-bullying elephants... storming schools all over England!

MBF peer mentoring outcomes measurement programme gets underway
MBF continues to recruit and support peer mentoring projects to share positive outcomes at a nationa...

MBF's online APS directory NOW LIVE!
Search for APS projects online by region or client group

Register your project or organisation online with MBF now!
Register online and become part of the mentoring and befriending community

Your views count
Take part in MBF's annual customer satisfaction survey and win a free place on an MBF training cours...

Congratulations to August's APS awarded projects

DCSF funding available for LAs in partnership with vinvolved teams, schools and third sector organisations
5 community service pilots announced to support NI6 - mentoring listed as potential activity

National Hubs - practical resources for third sector
Information on finance, governance, ICT, performance, workforce and volunteering

Call for project evaluations and case studies

Your help is needed to produce case studies around commissioning

Invitation to ‘Right to Control’ consultation event
Giving disabled adults control over funding streams: 3rd September, London

Congratulations to July's APS awarded projects

Have your say – how peer mentoring can address Aiming High strategy
MBF wants to gain a bigger picture of the range of mentoring interventions being used to address the...

Macmillan grants for cancer self-help or support groups
The Helping You Help Others programme helps relieve financial pressures of running a group

Teenagers hooked on crime initiative
Anglers are hoping to get teenagers hooked on fishing as part of a £30,000 project to crackdown on y...

Mosaic mentoring programme supports Muslim leadership with first International Summer School
Mosaic International Summer School will be held on 18 July – 1 August 2009 to inspire leadership wit...

MBF launches peer mentoring outcomes measurement programme
Peer mentoring projects across schools, colleges, local authorities and the voluntary sector are inv...

£20m Learning Revolution Transformation Fund
Grants to inspire adults to learn new things through informal learning

Angela Smith appointed new Minister for the Office of the Third Sector

Peer support in the first year of Higher Education
Report recommends a range of peer support schemes

Join the growing mentoring and befriending community
Become a member of MBF and get discounts on resources and training

MBF's Pre-16 Co-ordinator speaks at Raising Boys Achievement conference
Paul Wainhouse describes how peer mentoring help raise boys achievement

Tracking and valuing volunteer time
Article on why and how to include volunteer time in your budgets

Mentoring and befriending within the criminal justice system
Free networking event for mentoring and befriending co-ordinators

Age Concern and Help the Aged merge and launch agenda report
Older people’s lives are getting worse they claim

Funding to raise aspirations and potential of young people
The Young Foundation looks to grow organisations working with 14-25 year olds

Commissioning guidance published by the Compact
To improve working relationships between commissioners and third sector

Mentoring for street gangs proposed by think tank
Models of best practice are highlighted in report

BBC Children in Need changes
New application deadlines plus all applications now online

Volunteer managers – could social networking help or hinder?
Survey to look at support available to volunteer managers

Paul’s peer mentoring blog makes a good read
Good practice shared within TeachersTV blog

Three year funding for third sector states Government
New guidance states government departments must give three-year funding as norm

One year on - the story so far from MBF Regional Advisory Groups
RAGs hailed as an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and have a national voice

Research provides snapshot of lives of 2000 disabled people
Report reveals views on employment, education, transport, health and discrimination

Small grants for charities working with young people from Joanies Trust
Grants up to £1,000 to support projects that offer intensive support to young people

Improving services to women offenders
Together Women Programme - an example of good practice

New intergenerational projects information capture
The Centre for Intergenerational Practice is collating information about what is happening with new ...