http://www.community-links.org/media Community Links Press Releases en no-reply@community-links.org Copyright 2012 2012-02-06T12:57:01+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/michael-smyth-cbe-announced-as-new-chairman-of-community-links1/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/michael-smyth-cbe-announced-as-new-chairman-of-community-links1/#When:12:57:01Z Community Links is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Smyth CBE as new Chairman of Trustees. Michael was for more than twenty years a partner in Clifford Chance, the leading city law firm that has supported Community Links for many years. He led the public policy and government affairs practice, and had overall responsibility for its pro bono activities. He was awarded a CBE in 2009. Amongst his other roles Michael chairs Law for Life: the Foundation for Public Legal Education. He takes over as chair from Gavin Rennie, who has held the post for five years. Michael Smyth said: “I am thrilled if not a little daunted to become Chairman of Community Links, the local charity with a big national footprint. I have long admired its work and in particular its determination to empower and strengthen deprived communities in east London. The challenge in the period ahead will be with less money to help more people. The task is not a small one." Geraldine Blake, Chief Executive of Community Links, said: “We are delighted to welcome Michael to Community Links - the years ahead are both exciting and challenging, and he brings a wealth of experience and passion for our work, which I know will be extremely valuable. We look forward to working closely with Michael and the Trustees to set a course for the future which enables us to make the biggest possible difference for people in east London. “We’d also like to extend our warmest thanks to Gavin for his five years as Chair, during which time he has supported the organisation through some major challenges and shown his commitment by twice running the London Marathon to fundraise for us.” More information about Community Links Board of Trustees   News 2012-02-06T12:57:01+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/michael-smyth-cbe-announced-as-new-chairman-of-community-links/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/michael-smyth-cbe-announced-as-new-chairman-of-community-links/#When:10:52:27Z East London charity Community Links is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Smyth CBE as new Chairman of Trustees. Michael was for more than twenty years a partner in Clifford Chance, the leading city law firm that has supported Community Links for many years. He led the public policy and government affairs practice, and had overall responsibility for its pro bono activities. He was awarded a CBE in 2009. Amongst his other roles Michael chairs Law for Life: the Foundation for Public Legal Education. He takes over as chair from Gavin Rennie, a former partner at Accenture, who held the post for five years. Michael Smyth said: “I am thrilled if not a little daunted to become Chairman of Community Links, the local charity with a big national footprint. I have long admired its work and in particular its determination to empower and strengthen deprived communities in east London. The challenge in the period ahead will be with less money to help more people. The task is not a small one." Geraldine Blake, Chief Executive of Community Links, said: “We are delighted to welcome Michael to Community Links - the years ahead are both exciting and challenging, and he brings a wealth of experience and passion for our work, which I know will be extremely valuable. We look forward to working closely with Michael and the Trustees to set a course for the future which enables us to make the biggest possible difference for people in east London. “We’d also like to extend our warmest thanks to Gavin for his five years as Chair, during which time he has guided the organisation through major changes and gone far beyond our expectations by twice running the London Marathon to fundraise for us.” Press Releases 2012-02-03T10:52:27+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/new-fuel-advice-project-launched-by-mp-lyn-brown/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/new-fuel-advice-project-launched-by-mp-lyn-brown/#When:16:32:36Z West Ham MP Lyn Brown today launched a new project to provide advice and support for people struggling with fuel bills. At Community Links two specialist fuel debt advisors are working full time, helping Newham residents to cut their bills through simple actions and education, as well as helping people whose debts have risen out of control to negotiate with the energy companies and even get grants to write off some of the money owed. The Fuel Debt Advice project, which is funded by the British Gas Energy Trust, was launched in partnership with the Bromley-by-Bow centre who are also providing support to Tower Hamlets Residents, The  launch event  at Community Links' head office on Barking Road, heard from Lyn Brown MP about how local people are struggling to keep up payments to energy suppliers. The meeting heard first hand from someone who has been helped through the scheme. A seminar following the launch informed representatives from the Council, local housing associations and other charities how the project could benefit the people they work with in east London neighbourhoods. Community Links advisors Cheri and Nabila point out there is a lot families can do to reduce their bill themselves, from turning off heating and lights when they're not needed, to insulating doors and windows. Our free advice is available to all Newham residents and Nabila or Cheri can advise you over the phone or in person at Community Links' head office at 105 Barking Road. To get in touch with them, give them a ring on 0207 473 2270 or email them at fueldebt@community-links.org     News 2012-02-02T16:32:36+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/guardian-christmas-appeal/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/guardian-christmas-appeal/#When:17:20:03Z Community Links is delighted to be named as one of the charities in this year's Guardian Christmas Appeal. If you've heard about us through the paper we thought you might like to know a bit more. Here's a short video explaining what we do through the experiences of those who know it best.  And here are some stories and some facts about our work in east London.  If you'd like to donate you can do so here. And if you'd like to keep up to date with our work and hear our latest thoughts you can take a look at our blog or sign up to receive a newsletter every now and then. Please enjoy looking around the rest of the site, and get in touch if you have any questions. News 2011-11-25T17:20:03+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/the-triple-dividend-launches-in-parliament/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/the-triple-dividend-launches-in-parliament/#When:08:11:48Z Today the first report of the Early Action Taskforce launches in the House of Lords. 'How do we build a society that prevents problems from occurring rather than one that, as now, copes with the consequences?’ This was the question that the Early Action Task Force set out to consider. To download the report and read more about the launch visit our dedicated Early Action pages at http://www.community-links.org/earlyaction News 2011-11-23T08:11:48+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/annual-toy-appeal-launches/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/annual-toy-appeal-launches/#When:12:52:47Z The annual Newham Recorder and Community Links Toy Appeal was launched this week by Eastenders actor Ricky Grover, who popped into our head office at 105 Barking Road to give his support. We have been running the Toy Appeal together with the Newham Recorder for 35 years, collecting more donated toys each year. Last year we broke our record again with 14,500 toys given by generous local residents, businesses and groups.  For lots more information about the appeal, including where to drop off your donations, visit the Newham Recorder website. And if you'd like to get involved in Community Links' other Christmas fundraising activities, visit our dedicated page.  News 2011-11-10T12:52:47+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/welcoming-5-new-community-organisers/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/welcoming-5-new-community-organisers/#When:10:01:13Z Community Links is the lucky host of 5 community organisers, who started their new roles last month. The five are actually employed by national organisation Locality as part of the government-funded Community Organisers programme, and Community Links is acting as their host in east London. They will be based around the borough, mostly in our hubs, listening to local residents’ ideas and concerns, and helping change things locally. Here's a brief introduction to each.  John – will be based in East Ham and Beckton “I am deeply passionate about empowering marginalised communities to tackle problems that directly affect them.” John is very well-qualified – he has a masters in social policy from Oxford – and is an award winning film maker. Perry – will be based in Canning Town South and Custom House “My main aim is transferring power to the community.” Perry is already a tv personality – he appeared on BBC newsnight in his first week as a Community Organiser, before the government Minister in charge, Nick Hurd, was questioned about the project. Wai-Fong – will be based at Rokeby and Play, Sow and Grow in Stratford “I am looking forward to working at a grass roots level again and finding out what members of the community feel about where they live.” Wai Fong used to the Financial Inclusion Champion for East London. Nana will be based at Arc in the Park in Canning Town “My work will be all about listening to people, then bringing them together so that they can start to bring about the changes they want to see happen.” Nana used to volunteer for another local charity Conflict and Change. Toni – will be based at Chandos East in Stratford “My first two weeks in the role has mainly consisted of getting to know the area, meeting the Centre Manager and Youth Group. The plan for the next two weeks is listening.” Toni has been heavily involved on the user group committee of our Rokeby centre. News 2011-11-03T10:01:13+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/celebrating-gcse-success/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/celebrating-gcse-success/#When:13:34:37Z Students from Community Links’ school Education Links joined the GCSE results day celebrations this week, and they had special reason to be proud of themselves, because all these students have been excluded from mainstream school, and many weren’t expected to get any qualifications at all. Yet with the help of Community Links’ staff at Education Links, 16 students gained 47 grades across 5 subjects, a 7% improvement on last year’s results. School Principal Sandy Davies said “We’re so proud of all the students, they’ve worked incredibly hard this year, often in difficult circumstances, and fully deserve their results. Qualifications are so important for young people looking to go on and succeed - all their hard work has paid off. We and the students themselves have worked to make sure they are all going on to positive activities – either college, a job or a training programme. We wish them the very best for the future, and congratulate them again on all their efforts.” Sheeleekquia, 16, from Plaistow, (pictured) is delighted with her 5 GCSEs. "Her determination to succeed against the odds will be an inspiration to future students, says Sandy. Her smile says it all." Education Links, takes students who have been excluded from mainstream school, offering tailored intensive support. Many of the students are coping with difficult situations at home or outside school, and benefit from strong relationships with school staff, some of whom were excluded from school themselves and can act as strong positive role models. The school registered with OFSTED last year and was rated ‘GOOD’ in its first inspection this summer. News 2011-08-25T13:34:37+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/last-chance-to-book-your-place-at-run-to-the-beat/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/last-chance-to-book-your-place-at-run-to-the-beat/#When:14:07:18Z This is your last chance to guarantee your place in Run to the Beat - the only UK half marathon set to music!Starting and finishing at the O2 Arena, this 13 mile run through historic Greenwich has brilliant beats and live bands to help power your run.  Join us on 25 September 2011 and help raise funds to support our vital work tackling poverty in east London. Not only will you be help us to change lives, but all runners will also receive; Full fundraising support from our dedicated team Nike Dri-fit performance t-shirt Nike+ Training Programme Artists and DJs performing along the route Finisher's medal Places are limited, and the entry deadline is 30 August 2011, so sign up today! Find out more,  and download an application form or contact Laura on 020 7473 9661 for more information about how to join the team. News 2011-08-16T14:07:18+00:00 http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/virgin-london-marathon-2012-join-the-community-links-team/ http://www.community-links.org/news/pr/virgin-london-marathon-2012-join-the-community-links-team/#When:13:37:36Z The London Marathon is the largest race of its kind in the world, with 30,000 runners from all over the world taking part every year. It is a hugely popular event, and this year, applications for ballot places closed in record time - with the ballot results due to be announced very shortly in early October. Community Links have a very limited number of guaranteed places for the Virgin London Marathon 2012, and we are looking for enthusiastic runners to help us raise funds to help children, teenagers and older people in need. So if you were unsuccessful in securing a ballot place we would love you to join our team! How do I apply? We have a very limited number of guaranteed places, so contact Laura for an informal chat about how you can join the team. How much do I have to raise? We ask that all of our gold bond runners raise £1750 (excluding gift aid) to help us to continue our vital work. Of course, we will offer you all the support and encouragement you will need to meet and beat your target. I have my own place – can I still join the team? If you were one of the lucky people successful in securing a ballot place, then congratulations! We would love to have you join the Community Links team – all we ask is that you raise as much as possible. What support can Community Links give? For all of our runners – ‘guaranteed place’ or ‘own place’ - we provide professional and personalised fundraising advice, t-shirt, and lots of support and encouragement to help you smash your fundraising target. From now, until the day of the event we will be on the other end of the phone to answer any questions you have, and we will also be there on the day to cheer you on! The London Marathon is an amazing and historic run, that requires dedication and commitment to do the miles needed and raise funds to transform lives in East London. For more information or to discuss any of the above, contact Laura laura.hyde@community-links.org or 020 7473 9661 News 2011-08-11T13:37:36+00:00