http://www.community-links.org/media Community Links Press Releases en no-reply@community-links.org Copyright 2010 2010-03-09T14:47:33+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/just-walk/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/just-walk/#When:14:47:33Z    Join us on Saturday May 15th to walk the South Downs. With a 10km, 20km, 40km and our ultimate 60km challenge, whilst raising valuable funds for Community Links. Only 30 miles from London, the South Downs are a rolling-hilled, wildlife-rich, walker’s paradise. From our start location at Goodwood Racecourse on the edge of the Downs the challenging route will take participants through spectacular woodlands and picturesque villages, with fantastic views of the coast. there really is something for everyone. Finishing back at the start, walkers will receive a hero’s welcome for their fundraising efforts! Full details on how to get involved are here or e-mail emma.taylor@community-links.org for more information. News 2010-03-09T14:47:33+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/community-links-launches-groundbreaking-school-for-excluded-students/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/community-links-launches-groundbreaking-school-for-excluded-students/#When:09:00:10Z A groundbreaking secondary school for students excluded from mainstream education launches in Newham this month, after a highly successful charity project is accredited by OFSTED. East London charity Community Links has supported excluded students for 17 years, with an unprecedented 90% going on to further education, training, or a job, making it the most successful project of its kind. Now recognised as a school, it offers 120 places in seven sites around Newham. School principal Neil Berry: “Our success is built on the vital relationship we forge between students and our dedicated staff. Recognition by OFSTED of the work that we do with our young people starts a new chapter in our development. It is a very exciting time for us all and we can’t wait to create further improvements in what we have to offer.” A formal opening ceremony will take place on Friday 26th February at the Nature Reserve East Ham with local MP Stephen Timms. For more information, contact Neil Berry, School Principal, on neil.berry@community-links.org or 0208 221 9590 / 07879 842 005 Or Will Horwitz, Community Links Communications Coordinator, will.horwitz@community-links.org or 0207 473 9669 Notes for editors: • Community Links is an east London charity with over 30 years experience working with local people to support children, young people, adults and families. • Through its Energy for Learning programme™, global energy provider Chevron is supporting the development of one of the school sites at East Ham Nature Reserve. Energy for Learning is a long-term initiative by Chevron and its retail brand, Texaco, to support learning-based programmes which create opportunities for individuals to acquire new knowledge, gain new skills or be exposed to different ways of thinking.   Press Releases 2010-02-26T09:00:10+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/community-links-launches-groundbreaking-secondary-school/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/community-links-launches-groundbreaking-secondary-school/#When:09:00:09Z Our highly successful project supporting young people excluded from education is now officially recognised as a school. Last year 90% of the students went on to work, education, or training. We have been supporting students excluded from school for 17 years, and it has proved one of the most succesful projects of its kind. With 120 places in seven sites around Newham, it has now gained OFSTED recognition as a school, and is being launched today by local MP Stephen Timms. If you'd like to find out more about the school, please contact school principal Neil Berry. News 2010-02-26T09:00:09+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/community-charities-win-funding-to-tackle-working-age-poverty-in-the-uk/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/community-charities-win-funding-to-tackle-working-age-poverty-in-the-uk/#When:09:57:03Z Community Links and Church Action on Poverty have been awarded funding for a nine month national programme raising awareness of working age poverty in the UK. The funding was awarded by the Department of Work and Pensions as part of the European Year Against Poverty 2010. Over 20% of working age adults live in poverty in the UK. The project will raise awareness and encourage those experiencing poverty to engage in the debate. Activities will include workshops held with grassroots groups around the country, roundtables with policymakers and work to change public attitudes. Community Links Chief Executive Geraldine Blake says: "We are delighted to be working with DWP and Church Action on Poverty on this project. Through our 30 years work tackling poverty in East London we know about many of the issues that keep people poor. We look forward to exploring these with partners across the country, and raising awareness around this crucial issue." Church Action on Poverty Director Niall Cooper says: "We have been working for many years to make sure that the voices of people living in poverty are heard. We are delighted to be working with our friends at Community Links to challenge the prejudices around poverty in this country, and tackle some of the issues that keep people trapped in poverty." The charities would like to hear from organisations keen to be involved in the year's activities. They should contact Maeve McGoldrick on maeve.mcgoldrick@community-links.org or 0207 473 9644   Press Releases 2010-02-24T09:57:03+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/community-links-appointed-to-government-advisory-group/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/community-links-appointed-to-government-advisory-group/#When:10:57:23Z East London charity Community Links was announced yesterday as the only civil society representative on the HMRC Hidden Economy Advisory Group, which was introduced in last year’s Pre-Budget Report. The charity’s unique ten years experience researching and campaigning on the issue provides crucial insights into how to reduce the number of people working informally. Aaron Barbour, National Policy Manager at Community Links, said: “People accessing our services often work cash-in-hand because they have little choice – they do so out of need, not greed. And while it can help put food on the table, it stops them moving on into better paid and more secure jobs. Supporting people to move out of the hidden economy will help people work their way out of poverty, as well as increasing tax revenue. “I look forward to working closely with the group over the next few months in ensuring the voices of those who know best – people experiencing the issue – are heard, and the recommendations reflect the lives of those working cash-in-hand.” Mike Eland, chair of the group and Director General of Enforcement and Compliance in HMRC said: “We estimate that the hidden economy contributes to around 7.5% of the net tax gap, which means we could be losing in the region of £3bn a year from people who are living and working in the hidden economy. They also gain an unfair competitive advantage over businesses that pay their taxes. This new group of experts with a variety of experience will identify new practical steps to tackle this problem.” For more information contact Will Horwitz, Community Links Communications Coordinator, on 07966 344506, or will.horwitz@community-links.org Notes for editors: • Community Links is an east London charity with over 30 years experience working with local people to support children, young people, adults and families. • Community Links coordinates the Need not Greed campaign (http://www.neednotgreed.org.uk), which aims to remove the need for cash-in-hand work by creating a modern, flexible welfare system, creating stepping stones into work. • The Hidden Economy Advisory Group is formed from independent experts and chaired by HMRC to take a fresh look at what can be done to reduce the hidden economy. More information is available at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/consultations/hidden-economy-advisory-group.htm   Press Releases 2010-01-06T10:57:23+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/5-earnings-cap-is-turning-benefits-claimants-into-criminals/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/5-earnings-cap-is-turning-benefits-claimants-into-criminals/#When:09:55:21Z A cap of just £5 on the amount people on benefits are allowed to keep when they get a job is leaving people little choice but to work cash-in-hand and break the law, says a coalition of leading charities. The Need not Greed coalition, whose members work with people on benefits around the country, is calling on the government to increase the cap or ‘earnings disregard’ to £50 for single people and £100 for a couple, in the pre-budget report on 9th December. It claims the current limit, which is equal to less than one hour’s minimum wage and has not been increased since 1988, stops people declaring work, turning them into criminals. “Many people our charities help are working while on benefits, but do not tell the Jobcentre because they would then have to surrender most of their wages. It is turning hard-working, honest benefit claimants into criminals” says Maeve McGoldrick, coordinator of the campaign. “These jobs are a vital first step back to long term employment but the cap criminalises people rather than allowing them to get back into work. We estimate up to 20% of people work informally.” George, 37, has been unemployed for many years. “I got my plumbing qualifications this year, and want to set up my own plumbing business. At the moment I only get a few hours work a week. I can’t tell the Jobcentre because I would lose all the money, and I need it to buy equipment. I hate defrauding the system. Hopefully by the New Year I will have enough clients to be able to come off benefits and set up full time, but until then I don’t have a choice.” People who choose not to break the law are left stuck on benefits. Olanike Omole, 45, has been unemployed for 6 months and is desperate to get a job. “I’ve written hundreds of applications and had several interviews for full time jobs, but I’m just not having any luck,” she says. “I’d like to take some of the part time jobs I’ve seen, as a first step back into work, but I know that I’d be no better off.” The TUC and Oxfam are members of the coalition. Brendan Barber of the TUC said, “In a time of high unemployment people should be given every chance to make their way back into work. Benefit rules need to change so that people are not forced to decide between desperate poverty and illegal, vulnerable work.” Oxfam’s UK Poverty director Kate Wareing said “From our work with partners and communities around the UK we know that the benefits system traps people in poverty. Increasing the earnings disregard is a vital first step in enabling people to move off benefits into a secure, well-paid job.” Anyone interested in finding more about the earnings disregard campaign can download a briefing from http://www.neednotgreed.co.uk ENDS   Press Releases 2009-12-04T09:55:21+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/chain-reaction-nov-12-2009/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/chain-reaction-nov-12-2009/#When:14:51:50Z The Chain Reaction event on November 12th is about connecting people together from around the world to work together on new ideas for social change. Chain Reaction is about one talent, experience or idea unlocking another, creating massive energy in a chain. Our individual actions multiplied by millions of others are a driving force for change. If our individual actions are reflected by those of organisations and businesses, and supported by governments, then, together, we have the power to change the world. We have an unprecedented chance to rebuild our economy with people and communities at its heart. Chain Reaction will explore how - through new ways of organising, financing, engaging, and delivering social change. Speakers will include Tessa Jowell MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, London and the Olympics, Nick Hurd MP, Shadow Minister for for Charities, Social Enterprise & Volunteering, Martha Lane Fox, Chair of the Digital Inclusion Task Force, Angela Smith MP, Minister for the Third Sector, David Robinson, Vice Chair of the Council on Social Action and many others. Attendees will come from all sectors - government, charity, and business - and a quarter will be aged under 21 and get in free. There are still places available - booking is via the website at www.chain-reaction.org News 2009-11-09T14:51:50+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/annual-reveiw-2009-overcoming-challenges/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/annual-reveiw-2009-overcoming-challenges/#When:11:44:00Z Community Links Annual Review for 2009, "Overcoming Challenges" reports on our work under each of our four strategic aims of: Raising Aspirations, Extending Opportunities, Tackling Poverty and Strengthening Communities.Our Annual Review for 2009 reports on 12 months work of taking our extensive services to where they are most needed; services that are essential as the economic climate worsens. This is an exciting time for east London. Newham, our home borough, has high levels of deprivation, poverty and unemployment, but also has regeneration on a unprecedented scale – the Olympics, Stratford, Royal Docks and the sixth largest regeneration project in Europe at Canning Town, which together combine into physical development many times the size of Canary Wharf. We want to ensure this unprecedented opportunity benefits the communities we support; but the challenges they face are complex, so we need to tackle more than one problem at a time.  Our Annual Review and our Strategy Summary are each available for download: printed copies can be sent on request. News 2009-10-21T11:44:00+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/new-leadership-at-community-links/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/new-leadership-at-community-links/#When:14:56:14Z The Trustees of Community Links, are delighted to announce that Geraldine Blake has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Chair of Trustees Gavin Rennie said: As all of us are aware, these are testing times for the economy and for the people that Community Links focuses on. The trustees and I see this appointment as a key stage in our efforts to ensure that Community Links is able to achieve its vision, and carry forward the new strategic plan. Following a thorough and testing process of selection, Community Links Trustees were unanimous in selecting Geraldine to take on the role. Geraldine has been interim CEO since April 2009 when she stepped up from head of Community Links’ national team, Links UK. Geraldine Blake has led Links UK from its start five years ago to the leading force it is today in social regeneration in the UK, with international links. She now brings the same passion, collaborative approach and strategic action to the full mission of Community Links. Geraldine Blake said: I am delighted to be the permanent Chief Executive of Community Links - an amazing organisation, making so much difference to people here in east London and far beyond, These are not easy times, but I'm looking forward to working with our partners and supporters to take Community Links forward, building on the successes of the last 32 years, staying true to our unique approach and deep values, and realising our full potential as champions of positive social change. “Shared Vision: Lasting Impact”: Community Links new strategy will be launched on October 21st at a supporter’s reception kindly hosted by Lovells LLP. The next five years will see the development of Community Links extensive range of community projects each focusing on the four strategic aims of Raising Aspirations, Extending Opportunites, Tackling Poverty and Strengthening Communities. Notes to editors: 1. Community Links is an innovative east London charity running community-based projects and sharing local lessons to create national change. Founded in 1977, we help thousands of vulnerable children, young people and adults every year. Examples of local projects include after-school clubs, free advice services, alternative education, neighbourhood sports schemes and youth crime prevention. Financial support for Community Links comes from statutory grants, government contracts and independent and corporate support. More information www.community-links.org 2. The work of Community Links has been widely celebrated. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown MP has referred to the organisation as “The innovative charity at the forefront of community regeneration” David Cameron MP, Leader of the Opposition said Community Links was “…one of Britain’s most inspiring community organisations” 3. The Community Links Annual Review: Overcoming Challenges and Strategy Document Shared Vision: Lasting Impact are each available on request uk@community-links.org or can be downloaded from the website. 4. For further information please contact: Richard McKeever, Communications Manager Community Links 105 Barking Road Canning Town London E16 4HQ Tel: 020 7473 9671 (direct line) Tel: 020 7473 2270 (switchboard) Email: richard.mckeever@community-links.org Web: www.community-links.org   Press Releases 2009-10-19T14:56:14+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/government-support-for-p20-as-well-as-g20-says-end-child-poverty-campaign/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/government-support-for-p20-as-well-as-g20-says-end-child-poverty-campaign/#When:14:25:20Z As leaders of the world’s richest economies gather for the G20, the Campaign to End Child Poverty, (of which Community Links is a member), is calling on the Government to support children in the Poverty-20, the 20 UK constituencies with the highest levels of child poverty.The campaign, the UK’s largest coalition of children’s charities and other organisations, is publishing figures on its website indicating rates of child poverty in UK parliamentary constituencies, local authorities and wards. Birmingham, Ladywood is the constituency with the highest level of child poverty, closely followed by Bethnal Green and Bow, Birmingham, Sparkbrook and Small Heath and Manchester Central. In Edinburgh, near to where the Chancellor Alistair Darling is an MP, 94% of children in Greendykes and Niddrie Mains ward live in poverty or are in families struggling on low incomes. Hilary Fisher, director of the campaign, said, “We're deliberately drawing attention to the fact that, at a time when the G20 richest nations are meeting to bail out the world's richest economies, there are still children suffering terrible hardship in this country's 20 poorest constituencies. That's why we're calling our campaign the P20." Clare Short, MP for Birmingham, Ladywood, where 81% of children live in poverty, said the Government’s response to the global crisis should include helping children. She said, “Britain should use the G20 meeting to call for a worldwide effort to counter the recession by improving the lives of poor children. This should be followed by a big boost for poor families in Britain in the budget. It could be paid for by a special tax on the excessive income of the bankers who have, by their greed, wrecked the global economy.” One of her struggling constituents, Shazad Zaman, who lives in Ladywood, said, “It’s all very well leaders pouring money into banks but does it ever reach people like me who have to choose between keeping their families warm or buying food.” The ExCel centre where the G20 leaders are meeting is in the constituency of Poplar and Canning Town, which has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the country. Kevin Jenkins co-founder of Community Links, a nearby charity that works with disadvantaged families, said, “It’s ironic that the G20 is meeting here. Child poverty will be all around the leaders and I would ask them not to ignore it as these children’s situation is bound to be made worse by the economic situation. “ Research carried out ahead of the G20 for the Campaign to End Child Poverty found that nearly four out of ten people believe low-income families are the most deserving of Government money following the bail out of financial institutions. Hilary Fisher said: “Children are our future and the Government should not forget families while it takes action to stabilise the world’s financial markets. It needs to invest at least £3 billion in tax credits and benefits to safeguard the future of 3.9 million children living in poverty in the UK today. Notes to editors: For More information about Community Links engagement with the End Child Poverty Campaing contact Richard McKeever richard.mckeever@community-links.org For more information, on this Press relaese from ECP, please contact Chloë Bryan-Brown 020-7278 3405, media@ecpc.org.uk The top 20 parliamentary constituencies with the highest levels of child poverty are listed on the Campaign to End Child Poverty website http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/why-end-child-poverty/poverty-in-your-area Press Releases 2009-03-31T14:25:20+00:00