To view the latest edition of the Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership Newsletter click here

You will be able to find out about support on offer from organisations including:

-Countryside Agri- Rural Partnership (Funding Opportunities)

• Farm Family Options Mentoring
• Focus Farms
• Benchmarking
• Supply Chain Development

-SOAR (Diversification Funding)

-DARD Rural Enterprise

-EGSA (Educational Guidance Service for Adults)

-CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise)

-East Down Rural Community Network

-Rural Support

-HM Revenue & Customs

-The Prince’s Trust

Please drop in on:

Monday 30th April 2012 between 6pm and 9pm at the Mourne Country Hotel, 52 Belfast Rd, Newry, Co. Down, BT34 1TR

If you require further information please call 0845 026 7539 or email: mentoring@countrysiderural.co.uk

Development Director – Rural Support

The Role

This post provides an exciting opportunity to play a key role in furthering the succes of Rural Support.  The Development Director will take day to day responsibility for the operation of the organisation, to include, management of support staff and volunteers.  A key responsibility will be the development of links and partnerships with relevant organisations to identify and ensure the provision of high quality support services for the Rural Community.

The Person

Applicants must be able to demonstrate good managerial skills and an awareness of service delivery in a customer-focused environment, gained through a minimum of 5 years relevant experience.

This post requires excellent communication skills to build and develop partnerships and to represent the organisation effectively with relevant organisations and service users within the Rural Community.  An excellent awareness and understanding of the issues which currently face farming and rural communities in Northern Ireland is essential.

Applicants must also possess good financial management skills and successful project management experience.

For further information and an application form, please email or write to :- Rural Support, The Lodge, Loughry Campus, Cookstown, BT80 9AA or email:- info@ruralsupport.org.uk

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Tuesday 8th May 2012 at 4.00pm.

Visit our website for further information www.ruralsupport.org.uk

• Wednesday 25 April, 10.30am – 12.30pm at The Brownlow Community Hub, The Studio, Lakeview Road, Craigavon, BT64 1AL
• Wednesday 25 April, 7.30pm – 9.30pm at Hill Croft School, 3 Manse Way, Newtownabbey, BT36 5UW
• Thursday 26 April, 10.30am – 12.30pm at Sandelford School, 8 Rugby Avenue, Coleraine, BT52 1JL

To book a place, please contact Gina Collins on 020 7696 6925 or email willsandtrusts@mencap.org.uk. For more information call the team on 020 7696 6925, visit www.mencap.org.uk/willsandtrusts or email willsandtrusts@mencap.org.uk

Boost is a no-nonsense programme based on what you’ve told us you need – no waffle, no filler – just practical support that works.

Here’s what you get:

Boost Skills

-       3 local, half-day workshops on key employability skills (including communication, teamwork and problem solving) and skills in finding a job (including job search, presentation and interview skills)

-       Certificate endorsed by industry

-       Employment mentoring

Boost Support

-       Online support platform (including social media connections, CV builder, live vacancy feeds and interactive employment skills workbooks)

-       Travel costs

-       Interview essentials voucher to help towards clothing or personal grooming products for your next interview

And the best thing is, the cost – absolutely nothing, zilch, zero.

To be eligible you must be aged 16-24, live in a rural area (less than 4500 people in your town or village) and be unemployed or at risk of unemployment.

Places are limited, so apply today and Boost Your Chances!  Contact Vickki Marshall, Outreach Manager, by email  vickki@advantage-ni.com or by telephone 028 9335 6731.

Major Information and Fun Day coming to Dungannon.

COSTA in conjunction with Motivational Edge, Dungannon Council and CYPSP are holding a FREE Information & Fun Dayon Monday 30^th April 2012, 10:00am – 3:00pm in Dungannon Leisure Centre, Sports Hall.

The event is open to all groups, organisations and members of the public.  A raffle, face painting, balloon modelling and magic show are also available free of charge.

The aim of the event is to bring over 40 agencies out into the community and reach out to people who may not be aware of the huge range of services, support, advice and information available to them. 

The event will help and support people of all ages and backgrounds to build their independence and recession-proof themselves in tough economic times.  Topics covered will include: benefits entitlements, grants, funding, signposting, health, wellbeing, money management, business start-up, consumer rights, crime prevention, home and fire safety, energy efficiency, transport, care and many other local services. 

Please contact Loraine Griffin, COSTA Network Development Manager, on Tel: 028 8555 6880 or Email info.costa@btconnect.com for information or to book attendance.  Reserve your places now!

COSTA is funded by the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD) Rural Development Programme, Public Health Agency, Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council and the Southern Health & Social Care Trust.

For further information please telephone 028 2563 8263 or visit www.northeastrdp.com

Applications must be received by 12 noon on 11th May 2012.

For further information visit www.sward.org.uk or telephone your local office:

Cookstown 028 8676 4714

Dungannon 028 8772 0342

Magherafelt 028 7939 7979

Enniskillen 028 6632 5050

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact programme staff to check project eligibility before completing an application form. Maximum grants available for farmers of up to £50,000 at 50% grant rate. Please note that some business activities are not eligible for support. For further information please contact the GROW office on 028 9448 1311 or visit www.growsouthantrim.com