• Scientists are developing a 30-second test to spot the signs of Alzheimer's which could allow doctors to identify sufferers decades before they show symptoms, reports the Telegraph

• Google has launched a link-up with Samaritans, displaying the charity's helpline number in response to UK search queries relating to suicide, according to the BBC.

• A group of five MPs have signed an early day motion calling on the government to review the Charity Commission's budget settlement, expressing concerns that the commission's 27% reduction in budget will impact on its ability to regulate and investigate fraud effectively, reports Civil Society Media.

• Former Labour party general secretary Peter Watt has been named as new chief executive of charity Counsel and Care

• England's councils are being warned to expect a wave of legal challenges after the government's decision to scrap regional housing targets was ruled unlawful, reports Inside Housing.

On my radar ...

• Eric Pickles. Has the communities secretary been economical with the truth? That's the question Allister Hayman of Local Government Chronicle asks in this intriguing blogpost looking at certain claims Pickles made about housing benefit during his rancorous London Councils' speech last weekend.

• Andy Green's blogpost on how to find the time to do one's big society duty (though I'm not sure about the sustainability of his Christmas "binge volunteering" idea)

• Leeds-based blogger Mike Chitty's excellent post on the sustainability of flashy retail led urban investment in the Age of Austerity:

"[One] in 6 council workers being laid off and we spend £15m so that those who can still commute to a job have a shorter walk. So I asked a question. I asked whether this sounded like it was smart strategy for a city facing challenges of sustainability and frugality?"

• The departure from social enterprise Call Britannia of its self-made millionaire founder Karen Darby (as reported in Social Enterprise Live)

• How to turn around a failing hospital, a fantastic post in the BMJ by Richard Smith which gets to the heart of public sector reform, from the near-fatal dangers of organisational mergers to the critical importance of good leadership.

• This neat interactive guide to Christmas volunteering opportunities from Youth volunteering charity vinspired

• This piece in The Economist on trust in charities - the "do-gooders":

"Few institutions in the modern world enjoy more trust than charities—a trust given both by rich people who give them money and by the wider public that may benefit from their work ...What is less clear is how far the do-gooders' status is deserved and how far their efficiency can be measured.

• Chris White MP's social enterprise and social value bill, which receives its first reading next week. You can read the draft of it here.

• Mental health bloggers on Twitter who collaborate on this great daily digest, The mental health bloggers daily

• This amusing post by We Love Local Government which sets out in full an extraordinary email sent by a council managers to 60 members of staff.

"Be aware, this is from a relatively senior manager, was sent to about 60 or more people and we haven't edited it for grammar, spelling or content. We're guessing two and a half bottles of red…"

Guardian and Observer Christmas Charity Appeal 2010

Nominations are now closed for our Christmas appeal 2010, which will support 10 charities working with vulnerable teenagers and young adults. Many thanks to everyone who applied.

The appeal will launch towards the end of November and run until mid-January.

Events

Capital Ambition Delivering services for London in an age of austerity, 15 November, London. Join leading practitioners across London to rethink, redesign and reassess the way services are delivered

Guardian Social Enterprise 2010 16 November, London. An interactive conference for anyone delivering public services or supporting social enterprises. Speakers include: minister for civil society Nick Hurd; Peter Holbrook, chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition; Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive, Social Enterprise London; Lord Victor Adebowale, chief executive, Turning Point; Rod Schwartz, chief executive, Clearly So; Dai Powell, chief executive, HCT; Alastair Wilson, chief executive, School for Social Entrepreneurs.

Transforming Blue Light Services Innovating ICT for the emergency services, 24 November, London - Free places available. Discover how the innovative use of technology will improve performance and response in difficult financial times. Speakers include Dr Timothy Brain, former chief constable of Gloucestershire; Andy Marles, chief fire officer from South Wales fire and rescue; Jason Killens, London ambulance service's deputy director of operations; Steve Whatson, director of ICT for the Olympics at the Metropolitan police service and Olympic security directorate.

"Big Society" and its role in local government 7 December, London. This is an essential seminar for managers and leaders looking for a practical definition of big society and how it will work within local government. As well as a keynote speech from the government's adviser on big society, Lord Wei, delegates will also hear first hand accounts of how other local government managers are implementing big society in their councils and the best practice they have developed.

Transforming Social Care through IT Finding your way in a changing service environment 8 December, London. This conference brings together best practice examples, policy leaders and industry experts to discuss the challenges facing social care providers and IT support teams. Our line-up of expert speakers includes Terry Dafter, service director adult social care, Stockport metropolitan borough council; Jennifer Bernard, consulting director, SCIE; Nick Johnson, chief executive, Social Care Association; and Sian Walker, service director, Adult Care Operations, Wiltshire council. Register now and take advantage of our 3 for 2 offer.