23 August 2019

Cyber attacks on charities and businesses increasing

The Cyber Readiness Report 2019 surveyed organisations across the UK, US and Europe and found that 61 per cent have experiences a cyber incident in the last year. This is up from 45% the previous year. Losses from cyber attacks have also increased. The average loss is £291,000, compared to £180,000 last year.

Sign up to our Cyber Protect workshops

We are helping the Thames Valley Police deliver two workshops dedicated to Cyber Security for voluntary and community groups.

The Thames Valley Police Cyber Security Advisor will be providing two short Cyber Protect awareness sessions in October 2019 for Community Action: MK in order to empower their own local voluntary and community sector groups to speak with confidence within their immediate communities of the current cyber threats that the general public may experience.

The workshops will be held on the following dates and times:
Workshop 1: Tuesday 8th October: 11am – 1pm
Workshop 2: Thursday 24th October 11am – 1pm
Venue: Grant Thornton, 199 Avebury Blvd, Milton Keynes MK9 1AU
REGISTER HERE

Meet Peta : drop-in with the representative of MK Health & Wellbeing board

For more information about what the Health and Wellbeing Board is and what they do, click this link.

Community Grants information event

Do you run a project that supports local people to get on in life? If you can help people to build confidence and overcome barriers that can block them from getting into training or paid work, the Community Grants programme could help you.

Join the upcoming ‘Community Grants information event’ on Thursday 19 September in Milton Keynes for more information: 
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-grants-information-event-milton-keynes-tickets-68263663455?aff=VCSENewsletters

Milton Keynes Council Open Consultations

• NEW: Draft Milton Keynes East Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document
• NEW: Draft Downsizing Incentives Policy
• NEW: Draft Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy
• Should MKC implement a borough-wide PSPO to tackle the anti-social use of vehicles associated with car cruising
• Consultation on LCTR Parish Funding
• Public Spaces Protection Order – Dog Fouling

See all MK Council consultations

STATION SQUARE: HAVE YOUR SAY– Deadline extended to 1 September

Take part in the Milton Keynes Station Square Public Consultation by filling in this survey. If you want to consider the complete consultation of Station Square before you have your say, you can download a specially created Interactive PDF of the Consultation via this link.

MK Carbon and Energy survey 2019

Complete the MK Carbon and Energy Survey here

The carbon and energy survey relates to two EU projects that MK Council are working on: POWER is a water efficiency project and INTENSIFY is about informing and monitoring public attitudes to deep carbon reductions. Find out more here:
POWER –  https://milton-keynes.power-h2020.eu/ 
INTENSIFY – https://www.interregeurope.eu/intensify/

Specifically, INTENSIFY has an objective to monitor any changes in public attitudes to energy/carbon savings over the life of the project and therefore MK Council needs a baseline, which this survey will address. The main policy that this project will be working with is the Sustainability Strategy which was approved in January.

EEH Transport Strategy Meeting

England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) is inviting comments on their Outline Transport Strategy. To facilitate engagement and increase awareness of their role, EEH officers are holding a local engagement event on 25 September where you can hear about the Strategy and their work.  

The stakeholder engagement event will take place on 25 September 2019 from 6:30-8pm, in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Milton Keynes. Please email Transport.Policy@milton-keynes.gov.uk and include details of any groups they represent.

Draft Milton Keynes East Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document

Milton Keynes Council is consulting on a Draft Milton Keynes East Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The consultation runs from 7 August 2019 closing on 16 October 2019 at 5pm. Read more

Second redesign workshop of the CNWL – Milton Keynes Adult Mental Health Community Services Model

You are invited to join us for our second redesign workshop of the CNWL – Milton Keynes Adult Mental Health Community Services Model. Wednesday 25th September 2019.
Ridgeway Centre, Wolverton Mill, Milton Keynes MK12 5TH.
Booking is essential.
Please email n.ranautta@nhs.net by 13th September 2019 to reserve your place.

Could your organisation could benefit from donations of surplus food?

If you feel that your organisation could benefit from donations of surplus food, the Neighbourly Food Team  would be grateful if you could fill in the short tick-box survey on the following link so that we can maximize the amount of products that we can offer you in the future:
I would like to collect surplus food

New extra session of The Mix opening in Bletchley – in partnership with Crosslinks

Case Study: How Everton in the Community are creating a more meaningful volunteer experience thanks to Investing in Volunteers

Everton in the Community achieved Investing in Volunteers (IiV) in April 2019, becoming the only Premier League football club to hold the award. In this case study, Volunteer Manager Adam Howard tells us about their IiV journey, how his organisation developed innovative practice through achieving the award, and gives great advice to anyone interested in IiV.
Read more

Dyslexia Training Workshops

REGISTER HERE

Broughton Litter picking

September 1st 2-3 pm.
Families welcome, children must be accompanied by adults. Equipment will be provided but please wear appropriate footwear and clothes. For meeting point go to https//bbccmk.org.

CMK Litter picking

South Row:
On Saturday 14th September Central Milton Keynes Town Council is holding its first litter pick along South Row. We hope that this will be the first of a number of litter picks across CMK. The event will take place between 10am-12 noon and we invite residents to come along and get involved. We will meet next to Beefeater Barn, Secklow Gate West.

North Row:
On Saturday 21st September Central Milton Keynes Town Council is holding another litter pick between the North 9 th and 10 th Street flats . The event will take place between 10am – 12 noon and we invite residents to come along and get involved. We will meet next to Centrecom, North Row.

Equipment and disposable gloves will be provided. If you would like to join our litter pick in your area simply turn up on the day. If you need any more information, just contact: sue.nelson@cmktowncouncil.gov.uk or leave a message at 01908 661623

Netherfield Local Conversation Summer Newsletter

Read the full newsletter here

Mental Health Radio Show

In partnership with MKFM and Thomas Connolly, Arthur Ellis are bringing the people of Milton Keynes the MK Mental Health Hour, an hour every Sunday evening from 7pm where we’ll be discussing a variety of topics with some pretty exciting guests, not just to bring awareness to the issues we all face but to provide expert, practical advice.
See you for our first show, September 8th at 7pm!
Find out more

Volunteering opportunity of the week: My Guide Service

Are you looking to directly help improve someone’s life? To support a person with sight loss to safely navigate the environment, building self-confidence and increasing social interaction; whilst maintaining dignity and promoting independence. Variable depending on individual needs; approximately 3 hours per week. Find out more

Join our volunteer drop-in

We’re Hiring! Support, Development and Volunteering Outreach Worker Roles

We have two roles available, each with elements of specific focus. The purpose of the posts is to contribute to the support, development and volunteering services which are central to the work of Community Action: MK. These are focused around the key elements of:

● Mobilising communities
● Strengthening groups
● Influencing policy and decision making

The post holder will work as part of a dedicated community development team, committed to supporting the community and voluntary sector in Milton Keynes. Find out more

Mental Health Project Organiser – Citizens Advice

We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed and confident person to join our small team of staff. The successful candidate will support volunteers and service users of The Mix MK. The Mix MK was developed in 2015 to provide a safe, relaxed space for local people to meet and share information about mental health services in Milton Keynes. Closing date: Wednesday 28th August 2019 at Midday
Find out more

British Cycling Places to Ride Programme

Max. Value: £ 50,000
Grants are available to not-for-profit organisations in England that are developing cycling activity in their community for the development of new, or the improvement of existing, cycling facilities in communities.

Stop Loan Sharks – Proceeds of Crime Grants

Max. Value: £ 5,000
Grants are available for local residents, charities, community and voluntary groups, schools and statutory agencies in England for projects that target illegal money lending

Empowering young people to improve communities

Applications for grants of up to £35,000 are open until 12pm (noon) on Friday 20 September. Co-op Foundation expect to make about eight grants in total and funding comes from a new £3 million extension to Co-Op’s #iwill Fund. You can find out if your organisation is eligible by checking out their funding page,

Big Local Conniburrow (BLC) Treasure Hunt

30th August
10:30-11:30 am

Big Local Conniburrow (BLC) is holding a Treasure Hunt that has been designed by a resident.  It will follow a route along the Redways and end in Friendship park, Conniburrow.

1940s Weekend at Milton Keynes Museum

31 August & 1 September
11:00am to 4:30pm

You definitely don’t want to keep mum about the next big event at Milton Keynes Museum – the return of the hugely popular 1940s weekend.  Despite being an era famous for ration books, there will be no rationing of entertainment at this event! Visitors will be able to step back into history and absorb all the sights and sounds from the decade. Find out more

Fun Day – Raising money for Oxford Hospital

31 August
From midday

We are having a family fun day in order to raise money for oxford hospital.  It’s free entry and have loads of family fun stalls from tin can alley to how many sweets are in the jar and many many more. 

As the day goes on we have a Motown tribute band coming that are simply incredible we will also be holding a charity auction with some amazing prizes donated by some amazing companys including MK Don’s, Planet ice, Airkicks, Funstation, Hobbtcraft and many many MORE… 

We be lovely to see everyone come down and support a great cause… Price: FREE

MK Arts Centre Summer Party

Saturday 31st August 2019
1-3pm

Milton Keynes Arts Centre warmly invites you to a launch party with artist Kitty Finer, MK College students, residents of Pritchard Court and our communities, in celebration of the intergenerational collaborations which have taken over MKAC gallery this summer. 

The launch will include the drop of MY KIND; a new fashion label inspired by the elderly, designed by the young and worn by all. 

Free picnic and arts activities for everyone. Free, everyone welcome.

Youth Fest – Truth For Youth

Saturday 31 August 2019
11:00 – 18:00

We are celebrating the launch of Truth For Youth, a brand new youth project in MK4. Come and join us at our free festival to see a mix of youth facilities from around MK. We will have DJs playing some soulful House and Garage, guest speakers, singing workshops, dance crew performances, a climbing wall, football skill activities, creative tent, a giant sand pit for little ones and some quality eco food & beverage vendors. This event is 100% plastic free, and the first 70 people will get a free reusable Truth For Youth festival cup!

Service Six Family Fun Day

Saturday 31^stAugust 2019
12:00-16:00
Chapter House, Coffee Hall

On Saturday 31^st August Service Six will be holding a family fun day at our base Chapter House, Coffee Hall. The event is 12-4, we will have a bouncy castle, low cost bbq, tomobola, raffle, games, a number of Harley Davidsons, Police Car and a range of stalls. If you would like to have a promotional stall or even if you just want to come and lend a hand we would be grateful of the support.
Contact Katie Marsh for more info: katie.marsh@servicesix.co.uk

MK Hospital 40th birthday celebration event

7 September 2019

Milton Keynes Hospital Charity Gala Ball

Friday 13 September
Find out more

Weaving Trust event on environmental issues

14th September 2019

Join MK Green Alliance members for lots of natters about Milton Keynes and environmental issues. The following link explains the origin and usual format of a weaving trust event.
http://www.citizensmk.org.uk/campaigns/former-campaigns/weaving-trust/
Find out more here.
Sign up today. We’d love to meet you.
Click here to register on eventbrite