This course will guide participants in how to create an

alternative space where people can meet to reflect on their

reality, share experiences, learn together and plan action to have

more control over what is happening in their lives and their

communities. The course will give some ideas and practical

tools to help participants build up skills and confidence,

create opportunities for shared learning and lead to increased

individual and collective voices, action and influence.

at  Micah Room, 2nd Floor, Dale Street, Manchester

Do you want to be more powerful!? Community organising is

a highly effective tool for making change happen – it is what

Barack Obama used to get elected as US president. This one-day

course provides an introduction to community organising, what

it is and why it works. A day's training like no other!

For more information, please email janeta@church-poverty.org.uk. or Telephone Andrea Jones on 0161 236 9321

at  Micah Room, 2nd Floor, Dale Street, Manchester

What lies ahead for the Voluntary and Community Sector?

The new government's moves to slash Public Services and privatise threatens the voluntary and community sectors' independence, autonomy and existence.

What strategies and alternatives do we have?

How can we speak out against social injustice and continue to support the poorest and most vulnerable in society?

Can we support grass roots community groups by working cooperatively and sharing our skills and experience?

This is our chance to create and support independent alliances and to find positive solutions for future.

Join us for debates, action-planning and participatory workshops emphasising alternatives.

Contact: CAEC on caec@mmu.ac.uk or 0161 247 2114 to book your place.

Organised by the Centre for Democratic Policy Making, Community Audit and Evaluation Centre at MMU, Takepart? ESRC Research programme and Red Pepper Magazine

Outcomes will be documented by participants and published in a forthcoming issue of Red Pepper

at  Manchester Metropolitan University, Didsbury Campus, Manchester

We are pleased to announce that the keynote speaker for this event will be the Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons.

This event, aimed at staff and volunteers in infrastructure organisations in the North West, will explore how the third sector can deliver for England's North West in a changing political landscape, and will feature:

► Key note speakers from important policy-makers
► Workshops to help you and your organisation understand the regional context and influence the decision-makers who matter
► Exhibition of key regional infrastructure organisations

The event will be free to staff and volunteers from Third Sector infrastructure organisations in the North West. Refreshments and lunch will be provided

at  Manchester Conference Centre, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB, Manchester