Stop Loan Sharks

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) are putting proceeds of crime money to good use with grants to worthy community groups.

The national team, who investigate and prosecute loan sharks, are encouraging community groups to bid for grants of up to £5,000.

This available money, which has been confiscated from convicted loan sharks through the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), is being used to fund local community projects which raise awareness of illegal money lending.

The IMLT will vote on which applicants will be granted the funding to support their community project. The aim of this national scheme is to see the illegal earnings convicted loan sharks have made, used wisely, to benefit key areas and reinvest the money back into local communities.

Applicants are welcome to bid for the cash to spend on any worthwhile community project which does at least one of the following:

• Contributes to raising awareness of the dangers of using loan sharks
• Prevents crime and disorder and publicises the Stop Loan Sharks message
• Promotes the work of the Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) in communities
• Encourages reporting of loan sharks

Loan sharks often trap borrowers into spiralling debt by charging astronomical rates of interest and arbitrary extra charges. In some cases, loan sharks have been known to resort to bullying tactics such as intimidation, threats and even violence to enforce repayment amongst borrowers.

Tony Quigley, Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, said:

“It is fundamental that schemes like this take place, illegal money lenders are a scourge on our communities and can have a huge detrimental impact on the lives of victims living in the area.

“Through schemes such as this, we are able to put their unlawful earnings back in to the community they once targeted. This money will help fund something positive and we encourage all local groups to participate. We would also urge victims of illegal money lenders to contact us in confidence on 0300 555 2222. All calls are strictly confidential and you will be offered welfare support while we build a case against the loan shark.”

Examples of previous projects which have been funded using proceeds of crime money include:

• Local drama production to warn residents about the dangers of loan sharks
• Loan shark ‘takeover’ across a local radio station
• A community sofa which was created using different fabrics and featured various loan shark warning messages
• Stop Loan Sharks mural in a local school
• A loan shark prevention badge created by a Girl Guides group

Groups can apply for up to a maximum of £5,000 per project idea. Applicants can submit more than one project idea.

For more information about this funding scheme and to receive an electronic application form, please contact LIAISE Manager Dave Benbow on David.A.Benbow@birmingham.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is Saturday 30^th June 2018.

Nationally, Illegal Money Lending Teams have secured more than 382 prosecutions for illegal money lending and related activity, leading to nearly 328 years’ worth of custodial sentences. They have written off £73.7 million worth of illegal debt and helped over 28,000 people.

To report a loan shark:

Call the 24/7 confidential hotline 0300 555 2222

Text a report to 078600 22116

Visit the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk

E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk  

Private message us on www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject

CCB’s Wendy Dacey with three volunteers from Heartstart Thatcham

Recently CCB ran a training session in partnership with Heartstart Thatcham in Woolhampton that was attended by 14 learners.

The training was funded by SSE’s Resilient Communities and Adult Community Learning West Berkshire. Most of the learners that came were from outlying rural areas and the trainers from Heartstart Thatcham felt this was really important as it is those who are more isolated that can be of highest risk for not getting lifesaving support in the early vital minutes after a heart attack / choking / injury. The course was led by Dr Nick Young who does this work as a volunteer alongside two other volunteer trainers.

Some comments from the evaluation;
“I really enjoyed the course, thank you so much. It was very informative, fun, friendly and I am feeling confident to use a defibrillator and perform CPR”
“The best bit was having so much time to practice the skills and become confident”
“Very friendly, informative and patient trainers. They were clear, and answered all our questions easily”
“Great having trainers that were serious but also had a great sense of humour!”

CCB are running a repeat course in partnership with Heartstart Swallowfield in June please contact Kate.Meads@ccberks.org.uk to register your interest.

The Fund and Professor Sarah Skerratt from Scotland’s Rural College are now inviting anyone living or working in rural areas of the UK to contribute to the research. They want to find out the different ways in which the challenges of ‘remote rural’ are being experienced by people and communities across the UK.

Participants are encouraged to fill in the survey regardless of their location in the countryside – whether they live and work somewhere traditionally seen as geographically remote, or places considered ‘within easy reach’ of towns and cities but that feel remote owing to a lack of connections, such as transport, broadband, or social links.

The survey is also available in Welsh and Scots Gaelic – please email ellie.jesson@bitc.org.uk if you would like a version in these languages.

Now in their 16^th year these annual awards celebrate the success of adult learners, teachers, volunteers and organisations who have been involved in delivering post 19 education and training across West Berkshire.

There are 10 award categories and winners are presented with a certificate and £100 (£250 for the group award). To make a nomination simply click here or download the attached form.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on Friday, 27^th April 2018.

For more information go to the community learning website at www.westberks.gov.uk/laa2018.

The Learner Achievement Awards are organised by the Community Learning team on behalf of the West Berkshire Community Learning Partnership and sponsored by Newbury College, Newbury Community Resource Centre and West Berkshire Training Consortium.

Data Protection can seem like a complex area and you may have heard about the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) coming into force on the 25th May 2018, which will affect all organisations, this includes small businesses, parish/town councils, voluntary and community groups. Which is why CCB is facilitating this session in partnership with Databasix. This training has been organised to help smaller organisations understand how they can ensure they are GDPR compliant.

GDPR strengthens a number of existing principles and introduces more rights for individuals in the use of their personal data. This training session will introduce the GDPR to delegates, describe the differences between the Data Protection Act 1998 and provide practical steps that need to be taken in order to start implementing GDPR.

What will I learn?

• Understand the basic principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Know what the key differences are between GDPR and the Data Protection Act
• Understand how it applies to the personal and sensitive data you collect, use and process.
• Understand how Data Protection fits with Freedom of Information, Information Sharing and Information Security.
• Be confident in the steps your organisation needs to take to get ready for GDPR
• You will leave the session with some practical tips and tools for managing your GDPR implementation plan.

Trainer

The course will be delivered by Kelli Peters of Databasix. Kellie spent 14 years working in the NHS and Civil service managing teams processing personal data. During her time with the NHS she has been involved in delivering Information Governance and Data Protection training courses to members of staff, both clinical and non-clinical. Since setting up Databasix UK in 2013, Kellie has used her experience to develop data protection workshops for SMEs and Charities across the Thames Valley, with the view of providing practical advice and guidance.

Date, Time and Venue

Tuesday 24th April at Douai Pavilion & Park, Upper Woolhampton, RG7 5TQ The session will commence at 2.00pm and will finish by 4.30pm.

Booking & Price

CCB and CBAS Members – £35 per person. Non member – £40 per person

To book a place please click on this link: https://ccberks.wufoo.eu/forms/z1smyp4w1mat5xk/

This training event is supported by West Berkshire Council Adult Community Team.