cascade No. 8
www.casouthwark.org.uk
August – September 2009
The lost zoo of Walworth Also in this issue:
A new voice for Southwark’s voluntary and community sector – pages 10 and 11
community action southwark creating a stronger voluntary and community sector
Who's who at CAS
Chief Executive Chris Sanford Chief Executive 020 7703 2368 chris.sanford@casouthwark.org.uk
Capacity Building Chris Todd Director of Capacity Building 020 7358 4822
Wendy McGuire Funding Advice Officer 020 7358 4823
Rachael McGill Funding Advice Officer 020 7358 4824
wendy@casouthwark.org.uk
rachael@casouthwark.org.uk
Teklu Haile Voluntary and Community Sector Property Development Officer 020 7358 4831
Glen Cosserat Children's Workforce Development Project Officer 020 7358 4171
teklu@casouthwark.org.uk
glenys@casouthwark.org.uk
chris@casouthwark.org.uk
Lynne Gillett STeP – Trustee Project Officer 020 7358 4826 lynne@casouthwark.org.uk
Policy and Participation Director of Policy and Participation Post Vacant
Community Development Enoch Muwanga Faith and Health Development Officer (Children and Families) 020 7358 4834
Claudine Bongo Director of Community Development 020 7358 4189 claudine@casouthwark.org.uk
enoch@casouthwark.org.uk
Muna Dhiriye Partnership Outreach Officer 020 7358 4830
Mary Braid Play Development Officer 020 7358 4834 mary@casouthwark.org.uk
muna@casouthwark.org.uk
Lina Maria Usma Community Development Support Worker - Latin American Communities 020 7358 4172 07904 983 130 lina@casouthwark.org.uk
Operations and ICT Seyi Madariola Director of Operations and ICT 020 7358 4174
Clare Cowen Head of Communications 020 7358 4176 clare@casouthwark.org.uk
seyi@casouthwark.org.uk
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krystle@casouthwark.org.uk
Lorenzer Fenton Head of Administration 020 7358 4832
Roda Mbonde Administrative Officer 020 7358 4179
lorenzer@casouthwark.org.uk
roda@casouthwark.org.uk
Community Action Southwark Voluntary Sector Resource Centre 8th Floor, Hannibal House Elephant and Castle London SE1 6TE t: 020 7703 2368 f: 020 7703 9393 e: info@casouthwark.org.uk w: www.casouthwark.org.uk Community Action Southwark is the Council for Voluntary Service in Southwark. Charity No. 1105835
August – September 2009
Krystle Lai Community Development Support Worker - Sierra Leonean Community 020 7358 4183 07904 983 071
Cascade is published six times a year. It is posted to 1,600 voluntary and community organisations and 300 statutory addresses in Southwark and displayed free elsewhere. Use it to publicise your message or promote your activities! Publication dates: 6 October (Copy deadline 4 September) 8 December (copy deadline 6 November)
Mark Drinkwater Community Development Officer 020 7358 4178 mark@casouthwark.org.uk
Advertising rates: Full page: £200, half page £100, quarter page £50 (FREE to CAS members, space permitting) Insert rates per A4 sheet: CAS members: £75. Statutory and private organisations: £150 For all enquiries about CASCADE, please contact Clare Cowen (see p2)
For a large print version contact Clare on 020 7703 2368 or clare@casouthwark.org.uk www.casouthwark.org.uk
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Editorial
community action southwark In May, CAS began an internal restructure process. This followed on from and responded to our external stakeholder events, which told us that we should provide support and representation for the sector. In addition, we wanted to deal with the following: Detailed representation in adult and children’s health and social care, but no or little representation in other areas, e.g. environment, housing, safety, employment and skills. A surplus of internal administrative roles. A budget deficit for 2009/10. Following the interview process, the restructure will create the following four departments at CAS (successful candidates in brackets) and solve the above issues: 1. Director of Capacity Building (Chris Todd) -To support the formal part of the Third Sector – both larger established charities and smaller organisations at the stage of setting up their structure. 2. Director of Community Development (Claudine Bongo) - To support the informal part of the Third Sector, e.g. unconstituted community groups. 3. Director of Policy and Participation (vacant) - To oversee the representation or ‘voice’ function of CAS for the whole sector, including adult and children’s health and social care. 4. Director of Operations and ICT (Seyi Madariola) - To oversee the back-office function, streamline and pool resources. As a result of the restructure, a number of CAS employees will be leaving us, and I would like to thank them for their service: Yvonne Watkins-Knight (Head of Partnership) Natalia Sali (Head of Children and Families) Ann Odubonojo (Administrative Officer) Ken Mulenga (Head of Finance) We will shortly advertise (externally) the Director of Policy and Participation post. In the interim, I will personally cover a number of responsibilities, and other members of the CAS team will be asked
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Contents
We are pleased to welcome Helen Rice as the new Chair of CAS’s Board of Trustees, following elections for officer posts. Les Alden is now the Vice Chair and David Stock remains Treasurer. Helen is the Chief Executive at Blackfriars Advice Centre, and previously managed the Charity Commission help lines advising on charity law and regulatory reform as well as charity management and governance. She has chaired two trustee boards, the most recent being the Women’s Resource Centre. We would like to thank Les for his long service. He has spent significant time and effort in steering CAS to its current successful position and that is a substantial legacy for him and us to be proud of. CAS’s other trustees remain: James Gillespie, Kola Abiola, Helena Kowalska, Viv Oyolu, Velma Bennett, Christopher Wilson, Mac Rzonca, Pat Batt.
Contents Community and Local News Children and Families
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8-9
Policy and Partnership
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10-11
Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Southwark Trustee Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Volunteer Centre Southwark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 Information Communication Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Capacity Building
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Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 News
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Funding and Training
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22-23
Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 to cover further responsibilities. I should emphasise that there is no change in the commitment or engagement we have with our voluntary sector and statutory partners, especially children and adult health and social care providers, and in that sense, it is business as usual. However, I expect that, as a result of these changes, our relationships will mature and develop to become more strategic and fruitful. This internal restructure has dovetailed neatly with consultation on the external representation structures within
Southwark, primarily as part of the macrostructure of the LSP. Further information about this review of external representation structures is on pages 1011 and members and stakeholders will have the opportunity to shape the design. Finally, I think this puts CAS in a strong position on which to build exemplary and strategic service provision, which will be our priority over the next few months. Should you need further information please don’t hesitate to contact me. Chris Sanford, Chief Executive
www.casouthwark.org.uk
August – September 2009
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Community and Local News
What’s your story? Young Southwark wants to hear it Do you have a story about working with children, young people or families? Young Southwark, the borough’s children’s trust, wants to hear it. The trust is currently shaping policy for its 201013 Children and Young People's Plan. Having held a number of strategic conversations with key partners in recent weeks, it now wants to hear the views of parents and frontline staff from the public, voluntary and community sectors. It is running storytelling consultation events over the summer. They are your opportunity to help shape how services are designed in the future. Young Southwark wants you to tell it what works, and what can be improved to deliver better outcomes for our children, young people and families. The events will be challenging and entertaining – they will be attended by children, young people and families as well as colleagues from across the partnership and community and
voluntary sectors. The first events were held at the end of July on provision for early years and children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The next events are in September: Tuesday, 8 September, 6-8pm Creating positive experiences for young people Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street SE1 6DP
Tuesday, 15 September, 2-4pm Helping your family make healthy choices Thurlow Lodge, Ground Floor, Wendover, 1 Thurlow Street SE17 2US Monday, 21 September, 4.30-6.30pm Making every school outstanding Harris Bermondsey Academy, 55 Southwark Park Road SE16 3TZ Wednesday, 23 September, 5.307.30pm Preparing young people for adulthood Jerwood Space, 171 Union Street SE1 0LN The trust is also holding events especially for parents, where it wants to hear about their experiences of being a parent or caring for children. If you can help Young Southwark promote these events to the children, young people and families you work with, please get in touch with the team. Details are also available on the CAS website.
For more information or to book a place at an event, contact the team on 020 7525 3674 or young.southwark@southwark.gov.uk, or go to www.southwark.gov.uk/youngsouthwark
Tenants’ organisations provide respite for fire victims A respite centre for the evacuated tenants of Lakanal House has been set up at Bells Gardens Community Centre, Peckham. Following the tragic fire in Lakanal House, Sceaux Garden’s Estate, on Friday 3 July, an initial shelter was provided by the Baptist Church in Bushey Hill Road, then at Lettsom and Cator Street. The Bells Garden respite centre is providing a space for tenants to meet and get support, including clothes, meals, advice and counselling. There has been a tremendous response from Southwark Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations (TRAs) as well as individual tenants who have donated second hand clothes, baby clothes, toys and toiletries. TRAs have also donated money which has been spent on new clothes and baby things. The coordinators of the respite operations are TRA
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representatives including John McGrath (Chair of Sceaux Gardens TRA), Nancy McNab (Treasurer, Sceaux Gardens TRA), Steve Hedger (Chair, East Dulwich TRA) and Kim Jones (Chair, Castlemead TRA). They have been supporting tenants liaising with the council and other agencies. They also arranged a day trip to Bognor Regis for the tenants. The coordinators have been supported by volunteers who have been providing meals for the displaced tenants. Another room in the community centre has been turned into a crèche providing for the children. Other voluntary organisations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Baptist Church have also assisted by donating clothes. The charity, Red Poppy, has set up a room in the hall to offer counselling to tenants. In addition, Southwark Citizens Advice Bureaux have been providing advice and lawyers are
www.casouthwark.org.uk
Harriet Harman MP visits the respite centre offering legal services on a no-win, nofee basis. Southwark tenants’ federation SGTO have been on hand to service requests from the coordinators as well as extending the opening hours of the resource centre for those tenants who need access to computers, internet and photocopying. It is anticipated that the relief operation will be winding up in the next few weeks. Information provided by SGTO
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Community and Local News
Keib Thomas Bust in Chumleigh Gardens Through a subscription fund, a bust of well-loved community activist Keib has been sculpted. Plans are underway for its installation and unveiling in the autumn. Community development seminar The second annual seminar in Keib’s memory will be held on Wednesday 4 November, 6-8pm, at LSBU. To register your interest in either event, please contact Clare Cowen (see p2).
Refugee Week
Refugee community organisations celebrated Refugee Week in various locations across the borough in June. The main event, Celebrating Sanctuary, took place at Bernie Spain Gardens, on the South Bank, featuring various local performers, including Peckham poet Inua Ellams. Other events included a film festival organised by young refugees at the British Film Institute and a Latin American-themed event at Peckham Library. www.refugeeweek.org.uk.
Walworth Festival creates a buzz Last month's Walworth Festival showed the people of SE17 have plenty of community spirit. It was a touching day which marked the first anniversary of the death of David Idowu, a pupil from the Walworth Academy. But far from a sombre occasion, it was an opportunity to focus on the positive contributions of young people from Walworth. For six hours the festival highlighted the vibrancy of the area, including performances from both younger and older performers. Hosted by InSpire community centre in Liverpool Grove, the event showcased a range of performers to rally the community against youth crime. The festival highlighted the work of Action SE17, a coalition of youth projects that includes InSpire. Local projects provided art workshops for children, while national charity Brook gave advice on sensible drinking and sexual health. Also on show were some honey bees from the Walworth Garden Farm, alongside a papier-mâché piñata filled with sweets – in the shape of a bee – which caused a buzz with some of the children. 'We chose bees as they symbolise how a community can work together,' explained event organiser Charlotte
Employment Fair ONE Southwark
In these straitened times, helping people get back into work becomes a bigger concern. CAS has increased its work in this area and has been involved in a number of initiatives, including an SE1 Employment fair at Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, Southwark Works Employment Fair and a Work Advice Fair in Peckham Square. CAS staff are currently working on organising a small conference in October for voluntary sector providers working on employment-related issues. Contact Mark Drinkwater (see p2).
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Bee-shaped pinata filled with sweets created a buzz Benstead, director of InSpire. 'This year’s event was the best yet and we’ll be looking to build on it for next year’s festival.'
Sumo suits
New premises for Blackfriars Advice Centre
In June the Menier Gallery hosted a photography exhibition, One Southwark, profiling some of the borough’s communities. Featuring CAS’s own Latin American Development worker Lina Maria Usma, the exhibition sought to highlight the diversity of the borough. Pictured here are Julie Timbrell - coordinator of the Southwark Disability Forum and avid reader of Cascade – with one of her trustees, Richard Walker, mulling over the portrait of himself.
Blackfriars Advice Centre celebrated the opening of their new advice centre in the Elephant and Castle shopping centre. The move takes them from their previous premises on Walworth Road. ‘We know the need is massive,’ said chief executive Helen Rice who has also just become chair of Community Action Southwark. Blackfriars Advice Centre give debt advice alongside advice on housing, welfare benefits and work. www.blackfriars-advice.com.
www.casouthwark.org.uk
August – September 2009
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Community and Local News
Taking a stand on mental health Mental health charity Creative Routes brought their annual Bonkersfest festival to the bandstand in Southwark Park. This year’s event was a smaller affair, officially billed as a ‘Baby Bonkersfest, because of a reduction in funding. Creative Routes, who describe themselves as ‘Run by the mad, for the mad’, seek to dispel stereotypes through the arts and aim to reclaim language used about those with mental health problems. The festival was organised by David Skull. ‘I have personally suffered with depression in the past and Creative Routes has been a lifesaver for me,’ he said. ‘We’re not ashamed to say we’re a bit Radio Rental [cockney rhyming slang]. We consider ourselves to be mental health survivors and we deliberately pick eccentric or unusual acts for the festival to help change people’s perceptions and challenge stereotypes.’ Amongst the performers were the singer-songwriter Ingrid Andrews and Jazzman John Clarke. Performance art was provided by Peckham artist Daniel Lehan, whose gaily painted placards encourage people to reappraise their perspectives on mental health. Creative Routes’ regular cabaret evenings continue throughout the year. For details visit www.Myspace.com/themusescafe or www.creativeroutes.org.
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Empowering women Ladies of Virtue, a voluntary group working with women and their families, once again held their yearly empowerment conference on the 13 July at the Peckham Park Road Baptist Church. This year’s theme was ‘Aspiring and Achieving’, with the aim of raising hope in the present storm. The event was organised in partnership with SHRREB (Southwark Human Rights, Race and Equalities Bureau) giving opportunity for faith groups to liaise with other voluntary organisations and the local authority to address the main issues affecting Southwark residents. The day featured a question-andanswer session with talks on immigration and welfare rights, employment, business and training opportunities. The guest list included Memuna Kargbo (South Welfare Rights), Teresa Marshall (PECAN ), Vivienne Lamaro
Women of Destiny – here to excel A new and vibrant voluntary organisation operating a cross-borough service to women Lambeth and Southwark has started to deliver a unique service in the Albrighton Community Centre, East Dulwich Estate. Women of Destiny Organisation (WODO) was established to provide social enterprise and ICT training to black and minority ethnic women and to empower them to become social entrepreneurs. They aim to nurture them into leadership positions through career advice, personal development schemes, confidence building programmes and volunteering opportunities, as well as working in partnership with relevant local and international organisations in community development initiatives in developing countries. ‘With appropriate support and training minority ethnic women can play important roles in their communities,’ said Executive Director Barbara Nalumu. When Barbara came to the UK in 1989 she had no qualifications but with prolonged determination and the need to support her family, she embarked on a series of studies leading to a degree in
www.casouthwark.org.uk
(SHREBB) , Pastor Rotimi (Living Word International) and many others. The co-ordinator, Ola Oluturoti, rounded up the event with an empowering talk on fulfilling your dreams and equipping participants with the key insights to success. The participants were all inspired and are looking forward to a larger conference next year. Further Information: 07985 607 375 or 07504 243 051, ladiesofvirtue@yahoo.co.uk, or www.ladiesofvirtue.com
ICT. ‘Given the appropriate guidance and the provisions of adequate child care support, others can do the same,’ she said. Barbara thanked Awards for All, who provided the initial investment, and the management of Albrighton Community Centre who allowed the use of the computers, kitchen and other facilities. ‘The services are open to everyone who wishes to acquire knowledge in ICT and those wishing to become social entrepreneurs,’ she said. Barbara Nalumu can be contacted at the Albrighton Community Centre, 37 Albrighton Road, East Dulwich Estate, London SE22 8AH, tel: 07949 722 365.
Micromarket development CAS’s May Voluntary Sector Forum meeting heard about the Personalisation agenda and changes in adult social care, including an interesting introduction to micro services. The full report, Supporting Micromarket Development, has now been published and can be viewed at: www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/_library/R esources/Personalisation/Personalisation _advice/SSMSCSEFullreport.pdf
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Community and Local News
Black History Month event As part of Black History Month, Community Action Southwark is organising a three-day event to celebrate diversity and promote community cohesion between Southwark’s South American and African communities. Following the success of ‘Afar, Yet so Close 2008,’ which brought together three of the largest ethnic minority communities in Southwark, this year’s event will focus on celebrating diversity and multiculturalism, and explore how these can contribute to enriching the borough /
city, as well as local communities. The first two days will be at London South Bank University. The last evening will be at Inspire. Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October, all day: Arts and Photographic Exhibition 6.30–9pm: documentary screenings, lectures and debates about ‘Diversity and Cohesion in Southwark and London’ Friday 9 October, 5.30 – 8.30pm: Celebrating Diversity. For further information about this event, please contact Claudine Bongo (see page 2).
Fareshare: Food For thought
Ramadan
FareShare is a Bermondseybased charity supporting communities to relieve food poverty. At the heart are the volunteers that make it happen. FareShare London redistributes surplus food – items that are ‘in date’, but surplus due to factors such as overproduction or a short shelf-life – to 60 organisations that support homeless and other groups in need. Through its Eat Well events, FareShare also provides training in food hygiene, healthy diet and nutrition. The charity has training and education programmes specifically designed to help disadvantaged people gain skills and access employment. The depot’s newly completed training centre has a training kitchen, an IT suite and a Fork Lift Truck area. Courses include a free Level 2 in Warehousing, Distribution and Storage; Fork Lift Truck training courses and food safety courses. More information: www.fareshare.org.uk email enquiries@fareshare.org.uk or 020 7394 2468.
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Are you organising any meetings, events or training over the next couple of months? You may want to note the dates of Ramadan this year. Ramadan fasting begins on 22 August and the Eid-al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) is on 21 September.
Partnership Training Blackfriars Settlement’s Sylvia WachukuKing recently held a two-day training session on Collaboration Benefits for development workers. The training, coordinated by bassac and supported by CAS was targeted at voluntary and community sector workers to improve collaborative working in their jobs. The first day focused on recognising the different types of collaborative working, and the different challenges. The second heard panellists including Nuala Conlan from Southwark Council, Philip Burke from the PCT and Ruth Renvoize from the funder Capital Community Foundation. Gareth Coles from NCVO’s Collaboration team also gave an engaging talk on the benefits of different partnership arrangements. One participant commented: 'There is a world of possibility for small groups working on their own to develop some good working partnerships.' A further course will be held later in the year. For details contact Sylvia on 020 7928 9521 or Sylvia.wachukuking@blackfriars-settlement.org.uk
www.casouthwark.org.uk
Ghost of the Walworth zoo returns
The lost zoo of Walworth, home to the first giraffes seen in Britain, was celebrated with a Victorian day last month. The glory days of wildlife in SE17 were recreated with the help of Southwark’s two city farms – Walworth Garden Farm and Surrey Docks Farm – at the event for the 175th anniversary of the former Royal Surrey Zoological Gardens with a fair on the site now known as Pasley Park. Community groups were out in force. Creative workshops were facilitated by arts charities Artery Arts and Arts Express. There were also Victorian Punch and Judy shows and performances by the children’s charity In-Toto Theatre. In its heyday, the zoo was one of the UK's biggest attractions, and was visited by Queen Victoria. About 8,000 visitors a day saw its elephants, rhinos and leopards and more attended spectaculars and concerts in the grounds. The excitement was shortlived, and by the late 1840s the animals had been sold off with the park eventually closing in 1877. To find out more about this forgotten slice of Southwark’s heritage, visit the Lost Southwark exhibition at the Cuming Museum, Walworth Road. www.southwark.gov.uk/CumingMuseum.
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Children and Families
Hi all play providers! Recycling Roadshow Bus Outreach Officers from Southwark Council’s waste contractor Veolia are offering free recycling and waste minimisation workshops. These include interactive games and,where practical, a Recycling Roadshow Bus (at outdoor locations). Contact: Ian McGeough, Outreach Officer, Veolia Environmental Services (UK) plc, Manor Place Depot, 30-34 Penrose Street, London, SE17 3DW, 020 7525 2419 ian.mcgeough@veolia.co.uk
Music workshops Steve Barbe offers full- and half-day workshops in African drumming; junk instruments; vocal and singing; storytelling at the Roy Wells Collage of Music (no it’s not a spelling mistake). At a cost of £80 a half day or £120 for full day. His My Space page is www.myspace.com/rwcmstevebarbe or email rwcmstevebarbe@yahoo.co.uk or ring 020 7732 7782, mobile 07788668930
Circus and clown walkabout Scott Poleykett , Scotty's Circus Workshop, 07835 770 911 scottgnfc@clara.co.uk
Teen and early years lifestyle checks Are you concerned with the health of your children and young people? The PCT and CAS are keen to promote a web-based interactive questionnaire. Ideally you should have internet access but we can arrange for you to visit another site to complete the questionnaires. For more information contact Enoch Muwanga at CAS.
Safeguarding training Are you up to date on safeguarding? With all the horrific news stories this subject can be just too much. But as frontline workers it is vitally important to
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be up to date and feel confident in dealing with this issue – training will help. You can also do a refresher online. For more information go to: www.southwark.gov.uk/YourServices/chil drenandfamilies/safeguardingchildren/
Playwork training Following on from the recent highly successful and enjoyable level 2 KIDS training, Everyone Can Play, in the autumn we are offering the KIDS level 3 course, Planning Inclusive Play. If you are interested in this six-day course please email me on mary@casouthwark.org.uk
Wallace Collection Using a Museum Collection: making museums accessible is a day’s training on getting the most out of museum visits. Date: 8 September 2009, 11am-3pm Booking: Free to attend but please book your place in advance as places are limited. For more information or to book a place please phone 020 7563 9577 or email community@wallace collection.org.uk Most of the major museums have education officers to support children and young people visiting and help with ideas for activities to do at the museum or back at your base. As a kid I loved my local museum and would visit my favourite paintings and exhibits often – help children to be interested in art and history – visit!
Play development From September, I will be starting some new play projects: Southwark Aiming High for Disabled Children is launching a Community Chest Fund to support the voluntary and community sector improve or pilot projects for disabled children. There will be small grants, under £1,000, for revenue or capital projects, plus help and advice on running inclusive projects. Southwark Play Services, Access to Play project aimed at increasing the numbers of disabled children and young people using adventure playgrounds. I will also continue to offer support and advice to the voluntary and community play sector. If you are interested in any play projects please email me and I can let you have details.
Mary Braid
www.casouthwark.org.uk
Kids' museum change planned Southwark Council is seeking to change details of the trust which governs Livesey Museum for Children, so that Theatre Peckham can move in. The group, currently based in Camberwell, is raising funds to re-house itself in the Old Kent Road museum, which is governed by a trust which states it must only be used as a library. The closure of the museum in February last year caused an outcry from locals, who set up a campaign to save it. Since then rounds of talks and meetings have been held over the future of the site. The museum was bequeathed in 1890 by George Livesey, a local benefactor, as a free public library. The library closed in 1966, but re-opened as a museum for children. The council has been in breach of the trust, but is now working closely with the Charity Commission to broaden the original objectives without losing its essence - that the building should be of educational benefit to the community. Theatre Peckham, which primarily offers theatre and dance classes to children, was one of three groups to register an interest in the building and Southwark's executive agreed to transfer the lease of the building to the group in December last year. Cllr Lewis Robinson, Southwark Council Executive Member for Culture Leisure and Sport, said: ‘This agreement is a key milestone towards bringing the Livesey back into public use.‘
Southwark Signpost Southwark Signpost, the database of voluntary and community groups in Southwark, is now fully active. You can search by Organisation Name, Postcode or Services Delivered. To view the signpost visit: www.casouthwark.org.uk/index.php? option=com_civicrm&Itemid=42 In order for the signpost to work effectively, please ensure that you use the full domain name rather than the short name e.g. use www.casouthwark.org.uk and not casouthwark.org.uk. As CAS membership forms are returned to us and useful data gathered, the signpost will be updated accordingly. This will allow us to offer a more comprehensive online database to our stakeholders.
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Children and Families
CAS project promotes Teen and Early Years LifeChecks CAS’s Faith and Health project is pleased to launch the NHS Teen and Early Years LifeCheck
What is NHS LifeCheck? NHS LifeCheck is an online health service that will help people assess and manage their own health. The NHS LifeCheck programme is based on a commitment in the 2006 Government White Paper ‘Our Health, Our Care, Our Say’ to initially develop three NHS LifeChecks for early years, adolescent and mid-life. Since then the Department of Health has been working with partners including health and social care professionals, academic researchers, stakeholders, experts and the public to develop these three NHS LifeChecks.
NHS Early Years LifeCheck The NHS Early Years LifeCheck is for parents and carers with babies 5-8 months old. It is based on the Department of Health’s ‘Birth to five’ publication and provides current information and useful advice about
Film competition Borough, Bankside and Walworth Youth Forum is excited to announce our film competition running until 4 September 2009. The competition is for the best film showing young people doing positive stuff in Southwark. If you are aged 1319, live in Southwark and have a camera or mobile phone to shoot a picture you can enter. For more information on the criteria and terms and conditions please visit: www.whtvr.org/film-ur-endz , There will be two categories: 13-15 and 16-19. In both categories you get the chance to win a day in a film studio for you and your mates or film crew as we are happy to accept different types of media. The films will be judged on content rather than quality of the picture. You can view and vote for some of the films being entered on our facebook page. Type 'film ur endz' into the search box on facebook or go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/FilmUr-Endz/95535402595?ref=ts
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what parents can do to help keep their baby healthy, happy and safe. The service has been developed by the Department of Health in consultation with doctors, parents, carers, nurses, midwives and health visitors.
NHS Teen LifeCheck The NHS Teen LifeCheck is a quick, easy and fun online quiz for young people between 12-15 that explores a range of health and well-being issues in one accessible place. It empowers young people to take greater control of their health by:
Raising their awareness of risk-taking behaviour;
Signposting to further sources of support and advice; and
Supporting healthier choices and helping to set ‘SMART’ health improvement goals.
Young people have been involved in the development of NHS Teen LifeCheck at every stage.
Why not become a fan of the site and we will let you know when new films arrive and when some great events are happening over the summer!
Peckham Pledge
COVO Connecting Voices was commissioned to deliver consultation workshops in 10 Primary schools to develop a ‘Pledge for Peckham’, an idea that came from Cllr Mark Glover, Southwark Council. Through the workshops, the children were engaged to reflect on their own experiences and the issues in their local community that affected them and their families. The following are a few pledges that resulted from the workshops: We pledge not to shout at people;
www.casouthwark.org.uk
Promoting the project 1) CAS will promote the project to its members to encourage their own employees and volunteers with children from age 5-8 months, and teens from 12 to 15 to take up Early Years and Teen LifeCheck as a part of their health improvement approach for their workforce. 2) Volunteers will be trained to go out and brief frontline service user groups’ staff, so that they can then encourage their service users to promote and access NHS Teen and Early Years LifeCheck. 3) A hot desk area will be provided at CAS resource centre as a LifeCheck stop shop and CAS member groups with efficient IT systems will be encouraged to open up their PCs in order to promote and access NHS Teen and Early Years LifeCheck. If you are interested in getting involved and for further information, please contact me (see p2). Enoch Muwanga (Faith and Health Development Officer)
react negatively to people or take our anger out at someone else. We pledge not to swear, call people names or bully people. We pledge to keep our community clean by disposing litter in the bins and encouraging others to do the same. The children of John Donne and Camelot Primary School presented the Pledges to their local Community Council. The project gave the children the experience to voice their opinions and receive feedback about the issues within their community. ‘At first I was nervous, standing in front of all these people, but afterwards it felt easy! – Pupil, Aged 10 ‘I liked that the people wanted to hear what us kids had to say’ – Girl, Aged 10 Further information on COVO services can be found on the website www.covo.org.uk
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Policy and Partnership
A new voice for Southwark’s Members tell us they want two things from CAS: support to reach their potential and true representation. We are now asking for your feedback on a renewed model of representation – a ‘voice’ for the sector in Southwark – that seeks to give the voluntary and community sector a series of coordinated forums to work, collaborate, identify opportunities and tackle common problems together. Why do we need to change existing structures? At present, CAS runs forums for organisations providing adults’ and children’s health and social care services. However, parts of the voluntary and community sector have no CASsupported forums or representatives – areas such as safety, housing and the environment, for example, and the large number of voluntary organisations who provide training to support individuals into employment. Without a dedicated forum, existing groups are unable to discuss topical issues and identify collaborative and creative solutions particular to their subsector. These might include, for example, a consortium bid for a contract, or the collaboration of grassroots activists to lobby for change on a particular theme. Without representation in all areas of the sector, CAS is unable to identify cross-cutting themes and lobby on your behalf. It is vital that as a sector we identify common areas so that we can either make the most of opportunities or effectively tackle problems.
What are we proposing? We are proposing a simple system that retains the idea of elected representatives. Southwark Forum will be the foundation of the model, a place where all voluntary organisations, community groups or local activists can hear and respond to timely issues, contribute and network. CAS will run these quarterly.
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Responding to sector needs, the topics will vary, as will the framework – from conference to workshop to open space or something else. Where possible, time spent face-to-face will be increasingly used for strategic decision-making: for example, what major problem should we campaign on this year. Southwark Forum sub-groups will be the place for groups to discuss themed issues, such as children and young people, adult health and well-being, or the environment. Each established forum will set its own agenda, elect its chair and determine the frequency of meetings. Like Southwark Forum itself, these meetings will be open to all. We are suggesting the following subgroups, and would like your feedback on everything from the names of groups to whether you think we have enough or too many. Where there may be existing or overlapping groups we will be speaking to facilitators to consolidate or reduce overlap:
Suggested sub-groups:
Southwark Children, Young People and Families – dealing with support provided to these groups of people
Southwark Adult Independence and Wellbeing – focusing on adult social care and health
Southwark Information – supporting organisations providing information, advice and guidance
Southwark Skills – networking groups that provide employment and skills training
Southwark Space – linking regeneration, housing, environment and the safety of the space around us.
What about elected representatives? Each sub-group will decide how many elected representatives it needs. A group covering a larger or more complex topic, such as children and families, may need more representatives than another subgroup. CAS will support groups to set out their governance procedures,
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including appointment and retirement of representatives.
How will this help? Elected representatives will participate in Southwark Voice, alongside Southwark Infrastructure Group members. (SIG draws together all the umbrella, or second-tier, voluntary groups in Southwark.) Southwark Voice will be a central, sector-wide, representative group, serviced by CAS that will: Identify areas of potential voluntary and community sector collaboration and reduce overlap and duplication. Act as a strategic channel of communication between the statutory and voluntary sectors. Support Southwark Alliance’s coordination and strategic development role. Act as a broker for change, e.g. promoting opportunities such as the Personalisation agenda Provide a more coherent and consistent ‘critical friend’ function to our statutory partners.
When will the changes happen? The consultation will close on 14 September, and the new sub-groups will be set up shortly after this. We will let members know the results of the consultation via our e-bulletin, website and the next Cascade in October.
Tell us your views Tell us what you think about these changes by September 14. Write to us or speak to a member of the CAS team. Once the consultation is complete, we will continue to monitor the needs of the sector. It may be that further changes are needed and we will be happy to consider and implement them when appropriate. We will also look at new technologies to make sure that groups can communicate as effectively as possible with each other when they want to. We are enjoying building a five-star CAS and we hope you will support us to make the right decisions by sending in your views.
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Policy and Partnership
voluntary and community sector -
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www.casouthwark.org.uk
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Comment
Southwark Trustee Project – First Anniversary
Does Southwark still care about gender issues?
The first STeP
Feminism is dead. Women-only organisations are irrelevant in the UK in 2009. Gender-specific events are divisive in this day and age.
What do you think? It would be nice to think that the human rights work over the last decades has ended inequality between genders, that gender differences are now fully accepted and supported, or were non-existent all along. No-one would deny the need for genderspecific domestic violence projects, refuges, maybe some health projects - or would they? In general though, what is the point of dividing genders for any activity instead of working together? At my still relatively socialist university in the 1980s women’s issues were high on the agenda. And yes, I found some ‘wimmin’s’ groups really annoying, with constant discussion of bodily functions, lyricism about women’s superiority to men, and frequent criticism of other women who did not fit their ideals. But after nearly 20 years working in the voluntary sector I was shocked by the urgent needs expressed by most women attending a recent CAS seminar for women trustees.
Why run a women-only event? Well, firstly because we wanted to find out whether women felt there was actually equality in terms of their ‘voices’ on boards, and secondly to see if gender-specific issues were still being discussed at the strategic board level. And many of the women we had talked to had said they would feel freer to talk openly without men present, just this once. Southwark used to have several women’s forums and projects, but only a few remain, mainly for specific ethnic minority groups. It was therefore heartening to see such a broad spectrum of organisations represented at the seminar. But the loudest message of the event was a hunger for discussion space about gender issues, things some of us may have assumed long gone – glass ceilings (still much in evidence in recent research about business boards), status, power games, access and attitudes. So, discussions about gender-specific support are still needed in Southwark. I for one look forward to working with other organisations in the borough to bid for a serious Southwark International Women’s Day conference for next year. Lynne Gillett Southwark Trustees Project, CAS
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Do we fully appreciate the dedication and commitment of our management committees? Sometimes the requirements of charity governance can be a burden – balancing strong personalities and diverse views, trying to find a new treasurer, getting papers to the committee in good time. But those on the board give their time and experience for free, and we depend on them when serious management problems arise. They take on the ultimate responsibility, and the associated risks, for the continuing existence of voluntary organisations, so perhaps we should support and appreciate them a little more. CAS runs one of the very few dedicated governance projects in the UK. At the end of the first year of the five-year Southwark Trustees Project (STeP), funded by the Big Lottery BASIS fund to support and develop trustees in Southwark, it is time to look at what we have delivered, what we have learnt about governance in the borough and what our plans are for the future.
guidance and referral. In its first year the project designed and delivered seven new governance courses for trustees and managers, and ran four Trustee Network meetings. The number of trustees from black and minority ethnic (BME) and children and families organisations accessing advice on governance has increased substantially, including over 60% BME-organsiation attendees at the Trustee Network (compared to 20% previously). Another key innovation was a sixsession Trustee Orientation programme, delivered on Saturdays in January and February to support newer trustees. Its popularity was a real surprise – 29 individual trustees attended, and we are already running a waiting list for next year. The majority of attendees reported a very high level of satisfaction in the training, and have reported the subsequent implementation of practical changes to board policies and practices. These new models and content of training have been established ahead of the project's timeplans, are being refined and developed for the future and will be shared with other organisations locally, regionally and nationally.
STeP by STeP Over 1,200 organisations and individual trustees in the borough received information about governance issues, and 57 groups received intensive one-toone casework and outreach services, with a further 47 receiving one-off
www.casouthwark.org.uk
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Southwark Trustee Project
Treasurers SteP up The project celebrated the end of its first year with a unique event targeted at treasurers. Recognising their status and specific needs within the sector, CAS organised an evening seminar on 25 June with high-profile speakers and workshop leaders including Stephen Fisher, Senior Charities Manager at
haysmacintyre, Jenny Field, Principal Grants Officer, The City Bridge Trust, and Erica Crump, solicitor, Bates Wells & Braithwaite. Vital as treasurers are to every organisation, they come from a wide variety of financial and management backgrounds, are often very experienced in the business sector, but are rarely offered tailored training in charity finance. The event offered peer networking and a wide range of briefings and short ‘taster’ workshops for both experienced and
potential treasurers, on areas such as reporting to the rest of the board, managing reserves, cost-cutting tips and coping with risk in the recession to over 50 attendees. The overwhelming feedback was for more training in more detail in the future:
Not long enough! Far more relevant than I expected
The seminar was an eye opener
Excellent, easily accessible, lovely venue
Well delivered with lots of sound advice and info to take away
Great, down-to-earth information, very helpful
It was the best!
Next SteP
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Our training courses were developed with the pressures of trusteeship in mind, mainly running on Saturdays and divided into short accessible sessions. We will continue developing these, starting a new programme in the autumn, running the most popular again, and looking at some of the ‘soft’ skills needs as well as the sharing of information, for example by running a session on communicating finance to non-financially minded colleagues and one on public speaking skills.
www.casouthwark.org.uk
Over the first year outreach support to conduct board audits proved popular, and we will be developing this into a broader model of governance healthchecks.
We were very encouraged by the number of committees that decided to open up their recruitment to more diverse trustees following training and one-to-one support. We found that there are many untapped sources for new trustees, and potential for supporting existing trustees into specific roles, such as vice-chairs. We will continue and develop support for both managers and boards in recruiting new trustees.
A survey carried out amongst the attendees at the treasurer’s seminar showed that 90% of the attendees responding would like to see a regular Treasurer’s Club developed, either locally or across central London. We will be exploring models for this over the next few months, and hope to launch it in the autumn.
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News from Volunteer Centre Southwark Welcome by Clive Pankhurst, Chief Executive Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Volunteers Week one of our best ever. We had stalls and events almost every day – from East Street and Peckham Rye Station to running a Volunteers’ Fair at Cambridge House and an Awards event at the Town Hall with the Mayor. It has been a busy time of the year, and due to the recession we are noticing an increase in the number of people contacting us wanting to volunteer, so if you need people to help your group get in touch!
Capacitybuilders bid to support volunteer management Southwark has been lucky to be one of the boroughs short-listed to apply to a
Capacitybuilders fund to improve volunteer management. To support the bid we plan to hold a series of focus groups looking at what voluntary groups in Southwark need to help them manage and retain volunteers. If you would like to get involved please get in touch.
Local volunteer manager wins London-wide Supporting, Managing and Encouraging Volunteers Award Jim Hutchinson, Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Imperial War Museum (on the left in picture), has been named as the winner of the London Museums Hub award for Supporting, Managing and Encouraging Volunteers Award. He was given his award by Munira Mirza, the London Mayor’s Director of Policy, Arts, Culture and the Creative Industries at a prestigious awards event on HMS Belfast. Jim originally joined the Imperial War Museum as the first Volunteer Coordinator for IWM Duxford in October 2000. He then transferred to HMS Belfast in September 2006 to become the first Volunteer Co-ordinator for the IWM’s three London Branches.
Jim’s efforts and tenacity have transformed the volunteer landscape into a well organised and managed entity. Within the museum he has developed a formal volunteer programme, recruited 107 new longer term volunteers and 42 adult students on short term placements, building up a volunteer team on HMS Belfast from one volunteer to a team of 28, setting up and supporting a new training framework for the development and assessment of tour guides, and providing a programme of social and review events for volunteers.
News from Involve The Employer-Supported Volunteering team at Volunteer Centre Southwark has now rebranded as Involve and the usual busy summer season is in full flow for the Involve team.
When dry the mini-beasts were fixed to the fence of the school’s new ecogarden area. Following the day, Mr Crane, one of the lead teachers, commented: ‘The shapes look amazing. Everybody is really pleased with them. Thank you very much.’ As usual, all the tools and materials were paid for by the employer, in this case Ernst & Young, and the day was fully facilitated by a member of the Involve team.
This July we had over 15 projects running across the Borough, making a difference to schools, community organisations, youth and older persons centres and environmental sites. One project was recently held at Charles Dickens Primary School, SE1. On a really hot and sunny day a team of 10 volunteers from Ernst & Young created mini-beast shapes from plywood, copying the winning designs from an inter-class competition. Once the designs had been cut out and sanded down, the children joined us to help paint the shapes in bright colours.
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We have projects coming up at Catch 22, Johanna Primary School, Camberwell Old Cemetery, John Donne Primary and Burgess Park Adventure Playground, to name but a few. Want to get Involved? Contact us on 020 7403 2936 or email matthew@volunteercentres.org.uk
www.casouthwark.org.uk
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Talk about volunteering… This section will bring you information and updates on good practice in volunteer management. This time the focus will be on
Supporting volunteers from a diverse background Everybody benefits from extra support when starting somewhere new but the extent of support varies from person to person. Involving people with extra support needs means an organisation will benefit from a wide range of experiences and perspectives, which better reflect the community as a whole. All volunteers need to have a warm and encouraging welcome so they can feel at ease in their new environment. The types of support an organisation can offer to a volunteer with additional support needs is individual to each person and any additional requirements should be discussed before a volunteer
starts so both the volunteer and the organisation can be clear on their roles.
Offer an induction procedure so that volunteers are introduced to the organisation, staff and other volunteers.
Do not assume that because someone has a particular disability they cannot do a particular task. To assume this would not allow you to broaden your understanding of diversity or make the volunteer feel they can truly be part of an organisation.
Have a designated person to support a volunteer so they know who they can turn to if they have any questions or concerns. It would be ideal if this person has had disability awareness training.
Address any organsational policies and procedures which may exclude people with additional support needs from your organisation. Maybe ask the volunteer for their input in creating new policies.
Be prepared to have some flexibility around role descriptions and volunteer hours.
Some support which an organisation can offer volunteers with additional support needs include:
Think about the workplace and ensure that the area and facilities are accessible for any volunteer with additional support needs. Offer regular one-to-one meetings to see how the volunteering is enjoying their role. It is important not to think that just because someone has not said they are unhappy everything is OK. Some people are reluctant to say they have concerns.
Above all it is essential to focus on ability rather than disability and welcome the new ideas and experiences your new volunteer can offer. For more information on supporting volunteers please contact Barbara Witter or Emma Mallinson at Volunteer Centre Southwark. T: 020 7403 2936 E: Supported@volunteercentres.org.uk
Active Citizens Hub News Cafe Conversations The Active Citizens Hub is working with a brilliant group of young active citizens who are leading a series of events for their peers around Elephant and Castle. Following on from the Active Citizens Hub’s previous activity on Albion Street, Rotherhithe, these events are a series of ‘Cafe Conversations’ focusing on four different themes chosen by the young people themselves. Three conversations have already taken place, exploring topics such as achievement and aspiration, activities and things to do, and community involvement. The final session will focus on community cohesion and diversity. There has been fantastic support from all sections of the community with local organisations, people and businesses offering support and resources. The positive nature of these events has inspired those involved to take on other projects and campaigns, including a Bengali intergenerational history project
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and petitioning Elephant and Castle Nandos to provide halal chicken. The full write up from all of the Cafe Conversations will be on the Volunteer Centre Website soon. For further details on Southwark Active Citizens Hub Cafe Conversations contact Natasha Plaister on 020 7403 2936 or at natasha@volunteercentres.org.uk.
Engaging the Polish Community Recent estimates put the Southwark Polish Community at 2-3,000 residents. Active Citizens from the Polish community are keen to ensure that members of these newer Southwark communities and more established residents have the opportunity to come together, learn and socialise with each other. Volunteer Centre Southwark’s Active Citizens Hub and Southwark Council supported Polish volunteers by
www.casouthwark.org.uk
organising an exciting art and music event at Nolias Gallery in April. The event (above) was a great success and provided an opportunity for the Polish and non-Polish communities to come together. For further details on how the Active Citizens Hub is empowering individuals in the Polish Community to create change, contact Seray Kamara on 020 7403 2936 or at seray@volunteercentres.org.uk. These two pages are sponsored by Volunteer Centre Southwark, 69 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0NQ. Tel: 020 7403 2936, Fax: 020 7403 5961 Email: info@volunteercentres.org.uk. Website: www.volunteercentres.org.uk
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Information Communication Technology
It’s not all doom and gloom for ICT Seyi Madariola, CAS Director of Operations and ICT, recently attended the annual Circuit Riders conference on 9 June. In the plush surroundings of IBM’s offices in Bedfont overlooking a lake, he was not only treated to spectacular views but also a number of very useful presentations and workshops. For those of you who don’t know, a Circuit Rider is a roving ICT worker who advises charities and other voluntary sector organisations on how to maximise their use of ICT. A Circuit Rider will also provide some troubleshooting assistance. The day’s activities started with a debate about collaboration and funding for ICT support in the voluntary sector. There were mixed feelings as to whether collaborating on projects was a good idea. Some (roughly 35%) said ‘No’, others (25%) said ‘Maybe’, and the rest (40%) said ‘Yes’. I was in the ‘Yes’ camp. Due to the recession and reductions in public spending the economic forecast looks gloomy. Operational functions within organisations such as services and infrastructure will probably suffer most. Unfortunately, ICT funding and budgets will probably take the biggest hit. Now, more than ever, is the time to review how organisations deliver services and explore if joint working can prove to be more cost effective. Most funders expect an element of joint working to be built into funding applications without providing the extra resources that would enable effective collaborations. The onus is often on the host organisation to supply the resources. An increasing number of free and lowcost ICT tools are being made publicly available that can be used to facilitate collaboration and complement much of the good work being done by front-line organisations. These tools could be used to achieve significant efficiency gains. For instance, an up-to-date website would reduce the need to field most
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August – September 2009
telephone calls that query the nature of services delivered, as most of the information is online. This would reduce some of the administrative burden and allow organisations to divert resources into other areas, e.g. fundraising, collaboration projects, research etc.
Web 2.0 and new media Similarly, Web 2.0 and other new media tools can be used to achieve both internal and external efficiency gains. In its simplest form, Web 2.0 refers to a way of the voluntary sector doing things differently, whether it be engaging beneficiaries online via social networking sites or using cloud computing as a way of reducing software licensing costs and sharing information. Social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Bebo can be used by organisations to share knowledge about the activities being delivered, to engage stakeholders, and to collaborate more easily, particularly when it is impractical to hold face-toface meetings. Cloud computing describes a set of resources that are provided as a service over the internet. Examples include Google docs and Skype. Although still in its early stages there are already a number of clear advantages for adopting cloud computing, which include reduced cost; increased storage; better flexibility; more mobility and a higher level of automation.
CiviCRM Back to the conference. After lunch there were a number of showcase sessions. I attended ones on CiviCRM, Voice-Over IP (VoIP) and Cloud Computing. I found the ones on CiviCRM and VoIP particularly interesting. At CAS we have recently published an online database, Southwark Signpost, that was developed using CiviCRM. This is free, open source software downloadable from www.civicrm.org. Although some knowledge of how databases and websites work is
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required, CiviCRM is fully customisable to meet most of the database needs of charities and voluntary sector organisations, e.g. storing and managing clients’ contact information, managing event registrations, and managing donor registrations. Apart from the odd technical glitch, I like CiviCRM and think it works well. Users who access Southwark Signpost are able to perform searches for organisations who deliver a particular service in a given area. For instance, you could search for organisations that provide advice and information in SE5, or those that provide training and education in SE15. A number of records are generated where you can retrieve contact and other information about the organisation.
VoIP VoIP is an interesting concept where huge financial gains could be achieved. Basically, VoIP allows you to make local, national and international calls over the internet; all for free, except for the cost of a broadband subscription. VoIP has proved to be reliable and scalable hence a number of organisations now feel comfortable using it. Lower cost is the main attraction. At CAS, we are exploring whether it would be feasible to implement a VoIP system and will report back shortly.
Risk Management The final session of the day was on Risk Management, the active process of identifying, assessing, communicating and managing the risks facing an organisation to ensure that it meets its objectives. Risk management strategies can also be applied to individual projects to ensure that project milestones and goals are being met. All in all, I found the Circuit Riders conference incredibly rewarding. Not only did I learn a lot, but I also made some useful contacts and walked away with a bag full of goodies. Thanks guys, see you next year. For more information about Circuit Riders visit www.lasa.org.uk/circuitriders/.
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Capacity Building
Free premises legal advice If your organisation is in need of any property-related legal advice, the following organisations can help by way of Pro Bono (that is, free) services.
Bar Pro Bono Unit The Unit acts as a clearing house, matching barristers prepared to undertake Pro Bono work with charities which need help. For more information and advice call 020 7611 9521 or visit the Unit’s website at: www.barprobon.org.uk
Lease Advisory Service The Lease Advisory Service provides free legal advice on leases over the phone, by letter or by email. For more information or advice call: 0845 345 1993 or visit the Lease Advisory
Service’s website at: www.leaseadvice.org
Community Matters Community Matters has Pro Bono clinic once a month to assist charities with any property legal matters. For more information or to make an appointment call Veronica Karrainton on 0845 847 4253 or visit the Community Matters’ website at: www.communitymatters.org.uk
LawWorks
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
For further information on any of these matters, you can also contact Teklu Haile (see p2)
RICS provides one hour of free legal support and guidance on lease renewal and tenancies, planning issues, property maintenance, and environmental issues. For more information and advice call
Premises Roadshow CAS’s premises project, in partnership with the London premises sub-group of Capacity Builders London Regional Consortium, organised a Premises Roadshow on 5 June, one of a series of five across London. The aim was to promote a Premises Search Engine. This new resource has been developed by the London premises sub-group to support second-tier organisations to improve the knowledge and skills of the voluntary sector in premises management, options and
0870 333 1600 or visit the RICS’s website at: www.charitypropertyhelp.com
sustainability. The Premises Search Engine will bring all the major premises-related issues into one place and provide information and signposting to organisations specialising in premises issues. In total, 40 people attended, 14 of whom were from Southwark. We are grateful to those who have gave us valuable feedback which will be used to shape the Premises Search Engine as a useful tool for the voluntary and community sector.
LawWorks provides free legal advice for small charities with an income of less than £500,000 through lawyers working free for the public good. For more information call 020 7929 5601 or visit LawWorks’ website at: www.lawworks.org.uk
Communitybuilders Fund Communitybuilders Fund was announced on 29 June, to support the sustainability of multi-purpose inclusive community-led organisations. The £70 million programme will strengthen the resilience of anchor organisations by providing a mix of loans, grants and mentoring support. It will be delivered by a consortium led by the Adventure Capital Fund (ACF) in association with Futurebuilders England and the Communality Alliance. Communitybuilders will be open for applications later this summer. Organisations who wish to apply can register their interest by calling 0191 261 5200. www.communitybuilders fund.org.uk Elephant Jobs Resource Management
PREMISES AVAILABLE Unit 15, Brandon Street, SE17 1NA Self contained unit, 75 sq metres (750 sq ft). Includes enclosed meeting room, toilets, kitchen and open plan office. Adequate furnishing for 6/8 staff. IT networking, broadband, telephone available. 24-hour monitored alarm. Service charges, including council rent, water rates, security, building insurance: approx £6,000 p.a. Cleaning service optional. Apply for Application Form to: biodun.lahan@elephantjobs.org.uk Call Lahan on 020 7701 4141 extn 260
FREE TRAINING – Section 106 – See page 23
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Community Development
Opportunity knocks…
“Leaders of today empowering leaders of tomorrow”
Salone Links needs you! Salone Links is a brilliant, shiny, new mentoring programme that empowers Sierra Leonean students at London South Bank University (LSBU) with the skills and knowledge they need to become effective leaders. Salone Links matches mentors, who are skilled and experienced professionals, to Sierra Leonean students at LSBU. The Salone Links mentoring programme holds mutual trust and respect at its core. It is not a one-sided relationship but one of reciprocity, providing both Mentee and Mentor with the opportunity to learn new things and further their own personal development through their interactions with each other.
Could you be a Salone Links Mentor? Salone Links Mentors guide, encourage, motivate, teach and inspire. We need a wide range of mentors, with skills and experience in different fields. Would you like to contribute positively to the life of a Sierra Leonean degree student? Are you an experienced professional in your field? Can you actively inspire others? Could you volunteer a minimum of six hours a month, over a period of three months? Could you be a Salone Links Mentor? Salone Links will provide you with full training and support you throughout your Mentoring experience.
embarking on an undergraduate or Masters degree? Would you appreciate support to help enhance your learning, either professionally, personally, or both? Would you like the opportunity to network with skilled professionals in your field? Would you like the opportunity to meet other like minded people? Salone Links will provide you with training before the start of the Mentoring programme. Contact Krystle Lai for an informal chat about how you can be involved.
Community Over the last six months, our work with Southwark’s Sierra Leonean (SL) and Latin American (LA) communities focused on engaging more community members and providing capacity building support, as well as servicing community networks and forums. With the capacity building support, we try to ensure LA and SL community organisations are equipped to deliver support services addressing community needs. We were able to Hold public meetings for both Sierra Leonean and Latin American
Ladies in Fellowship Ladies in Fellowship (LIFe) is a faithbased organisation set up in 1999 by Pastor Octavia Williams. The group engages particularly in befriending activities directed towards Sierra Leonean women living in and outside Southwark. Through outreach work, the group now has over 50 women registered as active members. A large proportion of the women belong to the wider Sierra Leonean Community living in Southwark. The group has a strong social support network and meets regularly for a breakfast meeting on the last Saturday of every month. These meetings have become a valuable way of bringing Sierra Leonean women together in an environment where they can be reunited with ‘old friends’ they had while living in Sierra Leone, before migrating to the UK. They also get the opportunity to foster and develop new relationships
with women they meet for the first time. The group welcomes Sierra Leonean women and other women living in Southwark who desire to meet other women on the last Saturday of every month at Penrose Tenants’ and Residents’ Association Hall, Penrose Estate, Walworth, London, SE17, to share food, fun and friendship. The management of the group is now seeking to pioneer and do communitybased work that will stand to benefit the community of Southwark in the long term.
Would you like to be a Salone Links Mentee? A mentee is somebody who actively seeks support and advice from somebody in order to grow personally and/or professionally. Are you a Sierra Leonean student
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www.casouthwark.org.uk
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Community Development
Development progress report
communities to publicise our development effort with each community and encourage active participation from their members. These were respectively attended by 96 and 55 people. Following these meetings, we had the official launch of the LA community Forum, attended by around 150 people. Provide capacity building support to 16 grassroots community organisations, to improve their governance and enable them to develop better policies, procedures
and systems. Through this service, members were able to establish community forums representing their interests and coordinating community action within their communities. Sign-post and refer 12 small businesses and 35 individuals to local mainstream agencies for business support; in partnership with GLE One London. We also delivered training programmes to individuals and small businesses on business start-up and planning (in English, Spanish and Portuguese).
Latin American UK Forum We are happy to say that the steering group of the Latin American UK Forum is now meeting regularly. In just four meetings members have taken a number of decisions, such as terms of reference, members’ roles, strategies, and action plans. A management committee has been elected and in the next meetings will be revising governance documents and start looking for funds and other sources of support.
Who are the members of the steering group? In February 2009, we held an open public meeting. We asked people to register their interest in being part of the project, and received 29 applications. We started having meetings and although it took time to build up we now have a regular attendance of not fewer than seven people. Members who do not attend meetings regularly are kept updated to support them and help spread the information. The steering group is formed from representatives of community organisations, local business owners, and individuals with a strong interest in the LA community.
and support this project. At the same time members feel the benefit of CAS involvement. ‘Having the support of an organisation such as CAS has given members confidence that there are no hidden agendas,’ said a member of the Pedro Achata Trust. The approach by CAS’s community development project has been clear: we feel it is very important that people come together and voice their concerns in a concerted way, through this project. We seek to empower LA community members and enable them to play an active role in strengthening their community. Visit www.latinamericanukforum .blogspot.com or www.casouthwark .org.uk or contact Lina Usma (see p2)
Latin American Women’s Network On 24 June the LA Women’s network met once again. Speakers included Elena Noel (below left) from Southwark Mediation Center and Enoch Muwanga, Faith and Health Officer from CAS. Members were encouraged to take ownership of the network and be more proactive in contributing to the Latin American UK Forum
Our future plans include a health and wellbeing partnership project to reduce health inequalities for Southwark’s migrant communities. The project will seek to address issues of access to health services, reducing use of A&E facilities for minor attendances, reducing the stigma attached to some health conditions (mental health, HIV and AIDS, stroke, cancer, etc), and overall improving health and wellbeing for migrant communities.
El Proyecto de apoyo a la comunidad Latinoamericana es un canal abierto, para que usted exprese su opinion, para que participe y para que conozca las diferentes oportunidades para el beneficio suyo y de la comunidad en general. Para mayor informacion comuniquese con Lina Usma (ver pag 2)
LSBU Village Fete Members are encouraged to take part in different activities, contributing to better representation and providing new experiences and networking opportunities. Below: members at the Village Fete in July at London South Bank University. Bottom: with MP Simon Hughes (right).
Empowering members One of the most difficult things is to keep the interest of the members, particularly if it is on a voluntary basis. At CAS we value the community members’ willingness to participate in
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Capacity Building
How to make a mess of your tender documents A quick guide to losing tenders – Part 2. Chris Todd, CAS’s Director of Capacity Building, looks at ways to make sure your organisation is not successful in gaining contracts. The first article focused on the pre-qualifying questionnaire (PQQ). This second article looks at how to make a mess of your tender documents. The completion of a PQQ is straightforward compared with a tender. Invitation-to-tender packs vary. Many have structured questions, but in some cases you will have no direction as to what information to include. If you do not know in advance what to expect you will be at a disadvantage. If your tender response is informed by an up-to-date knowledge of your field, if you understand the policy context of your work, know what the current good practice is and have a feel for what is innovative and what is old fashioned, then you are too well positioned and show too much foresight. Perhaps you are experienced at completing grant applications. That is good but tender documents really require something more, a higher level response. If you do not look at how you can develop your skills well in advance of the issuing of the tender documents then you will reduce your chances of success. Many tender processes are competitive. A good tender response is about selling and showing the commissioner how your organisation can deliver the service they want and doing so more effectively and efficiently than competitors. Ensuring that it is not clear and concise and putting in waffle and unnecessary jargon will damage your chances of success. Tender documents will be scored by the commissioners. Not understanding how scoring systems work will put you at a disadvantage. If you really want to fail, avoid going on training and certainly do not read any of the guides available. You may have warning of a forthcoming tender process. Failing to
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do work in advance will mean you will be in a real rush to meet the deadlines. Do not consider these key points at the outset: Does the service fit with your organisation’s objectives and business plan? Can you make a realistic bid describing how you will deliver the contract, meet users’ needs and the commissioner’s requirements? Do you know the weighting of scores being given to quality and price? Are you sure you know the real costs of delivering the service? (Do you know what full cost recovery is?) Do you know what TUPE is and do you have to comply with it? Will the commissioner agree to consider collaborative bids by a consortium or with sub-contractors? Certainly do not do any advance thinking about any relevant quality frameworks and monitoring frameworks if you want to fail. Many tender processes allow the minimum time allowed by the regulations. Perhaps you do not think that seven weeks is short. It is, considering the amount of work required. Do not think about getting a team ready to work on the documents in advance. Certainly do not look at including key people such as the chief executive, the finance worker and someone who is responsible for the operational side of the service. Avoid management committee input. Do not look at some examples of tender documents to get an idea of the amount of work involved. Ensure that you include these common failings of tenders: not providing the information required not answering the questions, but providing information which can be regarded as ‘marketing’ basing your response on unsupported assertions rather than evidenced claims not including key documentation not adequately demonstrating effective management of risk throughout the organisation It is easy to mess up at the very end by ensuring an anonymous response, for
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example by failing to include the organisation’s logo on the envelope, or by not using a postal system which identifies the ‘sender’ on the package. Missing submission deadlines even by a minute will sink your proposal. Finally you’ve submitted your documents. Great! But the process is not finished. It is likely you will have at least one presentation to the commissioners which will be taken into account in their scoring. Lose marks by not preparing for it. If by chance you are successful expect further negotiations for a service that you might be expected to start delivering almost immediately! And be aware that you will be held to what you have said in your tender documents. If you cannot deliver what you have promised you will have a tough time ahead.
A not-to-read list This is a short reading list of some of the more substantial guides available on the web. Each has a specific focus but can be read more generally, if you really must: A Provider’s Guide to Procurement (2008) www.sitra.org.uk. Love your Tender: a guide to understanding contracting for small organisations (2009). www.childrenengland.org.uk More Responsive Public Services? A guide to commissioning migrant and refugee community organisations (2008) www.jrf.org.uk Getting involved in contracting is not right for all organisations. It is a decision with strategic implications and your management committee or board should be aware of the implications. Keep them unaware by not buying: Commissioning and Procurement Fit for Purpose Toolkit: supporting trustees to make strategic decisions about delivering public services (2007) available for £15 from the East London CVS network on 01708 778 060 This article is not a complete guide to failing the tender. There is much more that you shouldn’t do. For further information contact Chris Todd tel: 020 7358 4822.
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News
Southwark CABx
Lifeline for victims of domestic violence fonesforsafety® is a mobile phone recycling scheme which reconfigures old mobile phones into ‘999 only’ phone alarms for victims of domestic violence. They are reprogrammed to direct-dial 999 at the touch of any key and can receive incoming calls and text messages for added reassurance. The phones are distributed by local police and domestic violence support agencies, and form part of the co-ordinated community response to domestic violence. In mid-June, Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor for Policing formally launched the London-wide roll-out of the fonesforsafety® project at City Hall. The London-wide roll-out aims to have a working fonesforsafety® partnership in each London borough over the next two years. Organisations working with individuals affected by domestic violence interested in setting up a fonesforsafety® partnership locally should visit www.fonesforsafety.org.uk or call Marie Tan, Project Coordinator at 020 7740 6533 or email fonesforsafety@crispej.org.uk for more information. Unwanted mobile phones of any age, make, or condition can be donated by popping them in a strong envelope or box and addressing it to (no postage needed!): fonesforsafety® @ CRISP, FREEPOST LON 15948, LONDON SE17 1BR. Alternatively, consider hosting a collection box or freepost envelope distribution point!
Money, Money, Money
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South East London Migrant Advice Service Southwark Citizens Advice Bureaux Service has been awarded funding by London Councils to provide generalist advice to refugees and more recently arrived migrants, particularly those whose first language is not English. The funding is for four years and commenced in November 2008. Advice will be provided at generalist level with some casework. We cover: Debt
Benefits
NASS support
Housing
Employment
Consumer.
Assistance with accessing services such as health care
Cases needing specialist support in areas such as immigration, debt and housing will be referred either to specialists within the CAB service or to other quality assured providers. We have access to interpreters, and information about the service is provided in a variety of different languages. We can see people who have lived in the UK for less than 10 years and live in one of the five South East London Boroughs (Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley). We can provide more outreach advice sessions in Lewisham and Southwark. Please contact us to discuss having an outreach session at your venue. Deborah Gubbay, Senior Adviser, on 020 7394 7424 deborahselmas@ southwarkcabservice.org.uk With 7pm starts, Community Council meetings are not favourite meetings for many people, but when there’s money to be dished out attendances are high. Between the Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Community Fund initiatives, the Community Councils have given out over a million pounds to community projects in the past year. So it was no surprise to see well over 100 people at the Walworth Community Council meeting in June. For more information on Community Council meetings in your area contact Forid Ahmed on 020 7525 5540.
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Southside seeks premises in Southwark Southside Partnership, which supports 1,267 people, mainly in south London, with mental health support needs and learning disabilities, is seeking space in Southwark, especially the Walworth Road, Camberwell, Peckham corridor area. Southside would love to share with like-minded organisations and would welcome expressions of interest. The space needed is for the management and delivery of a range of services for people with mental health support needs and the staff to support such services. Typically, support includes Community Outreach, day services/drop in, activities, café/social space. Specifically, Southside needs space, either in the same building or separately, for a daily and evening dropin support and advice service for people with mental health support needs and office space for 4-6 people hot desking, with access to meeting rooms. The support and advice service will, ideally, be set up café style for around 20 people and will also need a little kitchen in order to provide tea, coffee and café style food to service users. This space might well be in a shop or have a shop front and it will certainly be open plan. If anyone is interested, please call Kathy King on 020 8772 6196 or at kking@southsidepartnership.org.uk
Blackfriars Befriending Our successful Isolated Elders Befriending scheme is now in its fifth year. Our volunteer befrienders are visiting isolated older people who often are lonely and have few people to talk with. What we do: Visit housebound, isolated 60+ older people on a weekly basis.. Volunteers befriend, helping break the sense of isolation Support needs by referring on to other agencies Help clients at home, dealing with correspondence, taking them out, small shopping Enable clients to come to the clubs we run at Blackfriars Settlement. Train volunteers to carry out the visits Sophia Appleby, 020 7928 9521 or Sophia.appleby@blackfriarssettlement.org.uk
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Funding
Funding opportunities European Social Fund (ESF) Community Grants Final round of grants of up to £12,000 to support small voluntary and community sector organisations to engage with local communities and deliver training and employment support activities, including training such as confidence and motivation building. Projects will be funded which work with the following groups: women disabled people black and ethnic minority communities older people (aged over 50 yrs) young people (19-24 yrs) Groups who can apply must have no more than two full-time paid staff, an income last financial year of less than £67,000 and be constituted since 26 December 2008 Deadline: 14 September 2009 Contact: www.gle.co.uk/services/ communitygrants 020 7940 1515
Children England – small grants schemes A maximum of £2,500 is available to organisations working with children, young people and families for the coordination and presentation/development of innovative practice in the field of equality and diversity. All grants to be spent by 31 December 2009. Deadline: 1 September 2009 Contact: audie@childrenengland.org.uk
Peter Cruddas Foundation (UK) They give funding for disadvantaged and disengaged young people. Funding streams for 2009 include: support into mainstream education, training or employment, crime diversion schemes, mentoring and general youth work in London. There are no deadlines. Contact: www.thepetercruddasfoundation.org.
New Leadership Fund Organisations with a proven track record can apply for a limited number of grants of between £75,000 and £100,000 to set up new projects to increase opportunities for 13-19 year olds to lead change in their communities. Next closing date: 20 November 2009. Contact: www.theyouthoftoday .org/fund-your-deam-project.
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Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
Free
one to one support Contact Wendy or Glenys to make an appointment for help identifying funding sources for your projects and filling in application forms (see page 2).
The Fund gives grants to organisations working with children or adults with severe learning difficulties, and/or autism. They will consider revenue and capital expenditure. There is an online application process. Deadline: Next deadline for the December meeting is 1 October. Contact: www.bailythomas.org
Secret Millionaire Fund
Reaching Communities The Big Lottery Fund is looking for more good applications from Southwark Groups for their Reaching Communities Programme. Grants are between £10,000 and £500,000 and they will give funding for up to 5 years. They want to fund activities which will lead to the following changes to communities, especially those which are hard to reach: people having better chances in life, including being able to get better access to training and development to improve their life skills strong communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle their problems improved urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy healthier and more active people and communities. Contact: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_rea ching_communities. 0845 4 10 20 To improve your chances of success we strongly recommend you contact Wendy or Glenys for support with making your application.
Southwark’s Youth Opportunity Fund Round 3 Applications for funding of up to £5,000 need to come from 13-19 year olds. Activities need to take place between December and 28 February 2010. Applicants need to be supported by an organization, and there should be no more than one application per organistion. Deadline: 28 September 2009 12 noon. Contact: www.whtvr.org/getinvolved/youth-funds or 020 7525 1778
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The Fund, from the Big Lottery, offers grants of £300 - £10,000 for projects which benefit the community. Groups can be nominated or apply directly. The fund aims to make a difference to communities and the lives of those most in need and will focus on social and environmental projects that benefit local communities . There is an on-line eligibility test. Deadline: 21 December 2009. Contact: www.secretmillionaire.channel4 .com/fund_info.shtml
Church Urban Fund - Mustard Seed grants The Grant Programme provides grants of up to £5,000 to enable churches and faith-based organisations to engage in social action through supporting them to initiate or develop community work. There are no deadlines Contact: www.cuf.org.uk/ mustardseed.aspx. 020 7939 9415
Social Enterprise Investment Fund The Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF) provides investment to help new social enterprises start up and existing social enterprises grow and improve their services. They support social enterprises in the delivery of innovative health and social care services through a combination of loans, grants and business support. Contact: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managing yourorganisation/Socialenterprise/Social EnterpriseInvestmentFund/Applyforaninv estment/. 0191 269 2276
Modernisation Fund Futurebuilders England is providing interest-free loans of between £30,000 to £500,000 to organisations which are finding their services in particular demand as a consequence of the recession. The money can be used in connection with collaborating with other organisations to deliver services or other collaboration
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Funding and Training
aimed to increase efficiency; the cost of merging with other organisations; recruiting new staff for example to improve financial systems and skills, or to meet increased demand for services; introducing new processes and systems. Contact: www.futurebuildersengland.org.uk 0191 269 2277.
Awards IMPACT Awards reward charities that are doing excellent work to improve people's health. The awards are designed to recognise success and achievements for existing work. You decide how to use the award money. Open to registered charities that are at least three years old, working in a healthrelated field in the UK, with a total annual income between £10,000 and £1 million. Deadline: 25 September 2009 Contact: www.kingsfund.org.uk/ research/projects/gsk_impact_awards/.
Innovation in the Community Awards provide funding for both technologyrelated projects and technology equipment, to help 30 groups make the most of the internet. Deadline: 30 September 2009
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Contact: www.talktalk.co.uk/information /innovation-in-the-community
Other Free guide to funding and finance opportunities Funding Central has been launched. The website is a free guide for the voluntary and community sector, including social enterprises. It gives access to thousands of funding and finance opportunities, tools and resources to support your organisation in developing sustainable income strategies appropriate to your needs. Contact: www.fundingcentral.org.uk.
Giving World Online A website on which charities are offered free surplus stock from UK businesses. Firms can list unwanted stock, such as clothing or furniture and charities can then claim it on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact: www.givingworldonline.com
Funding news Hardship Fund The Fund will provide grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 to organisations that are in financial hardship which is
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impacting on their ability to deliver services in the following areas: Health and Social Care Housing Support Education and Training Information, Advice and Guidance More information about about when the Hardship Fund will open for applications and how to apply will be available on the website shortly. Contact: www.cabinetoffice.gov. uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/0906 11_hardship.aspx
Trusts expect to give less this year A survey by the Association of Charitable Foundations found that more than half of charitable trusts expect to cut their grant-making this year. Nearly a third expected it to fall next year as well. Support from CAS can help increase your chances of success in these difficult times – contact us well before current funding runs out, or you want to start a new activity. The long-term outlook is more optimistic. For the period of three years and beyond, 21 per cent said they expected their grant-making to fall, but 45 per cent said they intended to increase grant-making.
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Notices
COVO Connecting Voices are currently looking for new members to join their Management Committee. We are looking for people who have an interest in the kind of services we provide which are developing and delivering creative programmes addressing conflict, disaffection and under-achievement in education and the workplace. We work with children, young people, parents, carers, teachers and professionals who work with children. We have been established since 1999 working mainly in the borough of Southwark where we are based, but we also deliver projects in the London wide area. Further information on our current programmes are on our website www.covo.org.uk or call 020 7635 0007 or email admin@covo.org.uk for a brochure.