The Government launched its Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power White Paper last month with the aim of passing: "power into the hands of local communities ... to generate local democracy in every part of the country, and to give real control over local decisions and services to a wider pool of active citizens."

The White Paper has been produced to address three crucial issues for the Government: declining levels of democratic participation as demonstrated by falling levels of voting and membership of political parties; declining perceptions of influence regarding decision-making; a decline in the levels of satisfaction with local government.

The document proposes to address these issues by: passing power into the hands of local communities; generating vibrant local democracy; giving control over local decisions and services to a wider range of people.

RAISE is pleased to announce the venues for its consultation events around the launch of the Government's Communities In Control White Paper:

• 11 September at The Friars, Aylesford;
• 16 September at Winchester Guildhall, Winchester;
• 18 September at The Oxford Centre Oxford.

These events will also cover

• 'Towards a strategy to support volunteering in health and social care: consultation', which is the Department of Health's strategy for health and social care which articulates the key actions needed to address the perceived obstacles to making a refreshed vision for volunteering in health and social care a reality.
• the South East Equalities Network business case
• legislating the Compact.

You can download the White Paper here.

You can download 'Towards a strategy to support volunteering in health and social care: consultation' here.

To find out more call Odette Cousin on 01483 885265 or email: odette@raise-network.org.uk

UNI South East Regional Black and Minority Ethnic Network - Post Conference Report Now Available

The UNI Regional Conference, of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) regional network, was held on 12th March, at Baylis House, Slough to officially launch the network. Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope you will agree that the event was a great success and certainly something for UNI to build on. We had a fantastic day some great key note speakers and some really good workshops. You can now see a full overview of the day; including the keynote speaker summaries.

More details are available: here.

To find out more call Sacha on 01483 885269 or email sacha@raise-network.org.uk

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Regional Employment and Skills Summit

The Regional Employment and Skills Summit took place on 8 July 2008 at Gatwick and attracted over 130 delegates. Hosted by the Regional Minister, Jonathan Shaw MP, the day included presentations from both Government and employers as well as table discussions on some topical issues:

• Employability, employer engagement and employer and employee entitlement
• Preparing for raising the age for participation in education and training
• Improving business performance through skills development including higher level skills and green skills.

Outcomes from the day are being fed back to Government - including the DIUS consultation paper on Higher Education at Work, High Skills : High Value - and will be used to inform the work of regional partners over the coming year.

RAISE attended this event on behalf of its members.

To find out more call Chief Executive Carol McKinley on 01483 885267 or email carol@raise-network.org.uk

Presentations from the day and other relevant information is available here.

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RAISE Moves To New HQ

RAISE has moved. Our new address is shown below and please note that our telephone number has also changed.

RAISE, Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4UA

Main line phone: 01483 885266. Fax: 01483 301269.

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Announcement

Jonathan Blackburn joined RAISE as Chief Executive in February 2008 to build on the excellent work of the staff and Board and to continue with the implementation of the business plan. The 'Top Four' priority policy areas for RAISE are:

• Infrastructure
• Equalities and Diversity
• Capacity Building
• Inclusion

However, after reviewing his long term objectives, Jonathan has decided that his future lies outside RAISE, consequently he has decided to pursue other opportunities.

The staff and Board of RAISE wish Jonathan every success.

The RAISE Board are pleased to announce that Carol McKinley, previously Assistant Chief Executive, has accepted the post of Chief Executive Officer. Carol will now lead the team as they move to their new office space at Bridge House, Guildford and continue to implement the business plan.

The Board are also pleased to announce that Caroline Shaw, from VAWK in Kent and David Wrighton, from IBEX have been elected as Vice Chairs.

Sue Dovey, RAISE Chair

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RAISE Response to Prosperous Places: Taking Forward The Review Of Sub National Economic Development And Regeneration

RAISE is pleased to have the opportunity to comment on Prosperous Places: taking forward the Review of Sub National Economic Development and Regeneration. We welcome many of the recommendations of the review particularly the emphasis on tackling social deprivation and inequality and the creation of a single regional strategy which will streamline decision making.

You can read the full response here. To find out more call Odette Cousin on 01483 470111 or email: odette@raise-network.org.uk

All RAISE publications and documents can be found at the Documents section of this web site.

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RAISE Response to Cohesion Guidance for Funders – Consultation

RAISE supports the wide consultative approach taken by National Equality Partnership in helping to raise the awareness and profile of this consultation to equalities groups within the third sector. The views within this response reflect some of the main points expressed by singular equalities groups/networks from the RAISE membership.

You can read the full response here. To find out more call Sacha Rose on 01483 500772 or email: sacha@raise-network.org.uk

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Join RAISE - no charge

If yours is a voluntary or community organisation in the South East Region of England and you want to have your voice heard by decision makers, RAISE membership is for you.

More details about RAISE can be found in the 'About Us' section.

Apply for RAISE membership online here.

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To find out about ChangeUp in the South East visit http://www.raise-networks.org.uk/changeup/ (link opens in a new browser window)

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Social Inclusion Partnership South East (SIPSE)

Visit the SIPSE site at http://www.raise-networks.org.uk/sipse/ (link opens in a new browser window)

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