MVDA : Access the Expert

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Encouraging a culture of enterprise in South Tees Impact

Improving ICT capabilities

Addressing marketing and communications

Developing coherent financial models

Exploring income generation options

Developing strong bids and tenders

Access the Expert was a bursary scheme for voluntary organisations, which was part of a package of development support provided through South Tees Transforming Local Infrastructure (TLI). It was designed to help voluntary organisations make a cultural shift in terms of how they review their own needs and plans, identify areas for development and secure appropriate expertise to improve their future sustainability and meet business aims. An independent evaluation of the scheme has shown a significant return on investment and positive impact on participants.

Access the Expert was funded through Transforming Local Infrastructure, which Big Fund delivered on behalf of the Office for Civil Society, Cabinet Office.

Building a robust evidence base

Developing or brokering collaborative partnerships

Creating credible business plans, strategies and action plans

Strengthening evaluation and monitoring

It was well designed, good value for money and added value to the range of general and specialist development support available to voluntary organisations in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland. Access the Expert has delivered immediate practical outcomes, as well as moving many organisations to a different level of strategic planning and helping them to develop credible, enterprising plans for the future. This means that they should be better able to support local people and communities. Between September 2012 and August 2013, 66 bursaries were given to 61 organisations for up to 4 days of specialist support, with an average value of around ÂŁ2000.


A key strength of the scheme was the process that was put in place, recognised by all as...

Diagnosis

Sel app exp

LSDO and voluntary organisation

South Tees is an area characterised by concentrations of urban multiple deprivation, as well as communities experiencing rural isolation and difficulties in accessing services. Voluntary organisations provide essential services to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in society, as well as supporting vibrant communities of place, interest and identity. Their challenges include a changing policy and funding environment, which requires them to adapt to fewer, larger contracts and more competition for external resources, as well as to meet rising levels of need in local communities. Access the Expert was based on learning from previous, successful regional and national bursary schemes. It built upon what worked, adapting approaches and modifying tools to create a robust and credible package of support. The role of the three Local Support and Development Organisations (LSDOs) was critical to the success of the scheme. Locally based staff worked with organisations to identify development needs and put in place support from the LSDOs and/or appropriate specialists.

www.accesstheexpert.org.uk

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Rating organisation’s performance

Identifying areas for development

LSDO recommends bursary

Organ selects from t directo

Case Study

MAIN

MAIN Taking Autism Personally Issue: Dramatic restructure and reduction in staff due to funding crisis and short-term focus on day to day delivery of support for people of all ages living with Autism Support: The expert engaged staff and Board members in a review of past approaches, future priorities and strategic planning Outcome: Produced a concise business plan with SMART objectives to drive actions forward

“The business plan has become part of everyday life within the charity. It is not only being used as a benchmark and aim for the future, but is also helping us to seek new business opportunities.”


ecting and pointing pert

nisation s an expert the online ory

Expert works with organisation

Peer learning and review

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Agreement signed with Lead Agency

Scoping needs and objectives

Provision of specialist support

Practical plans, tools and skills

Organisation provides feedback and case study on impact

Event to share experiences and inform future plans

Key Success Factors Specialists were selected and bursaries awarded through a transparent, quality controlled process, supported by VONNE and managed by the LSDOs, trusted sources of advice for voluntary organisations. A strong set of tools supported the process, including the website, online directory of experts, the diagnostic tool and straight forward contracts and agreements. LSDOs’ use of the diagnostic tool and discussions with organisations at the start of the process were critical in determining what stage of development each organisation had reached. The outcomes of the diagnosis, together with the aspirations of the organisation, led to an agreement about support needs from specialists, LSDOs or other agencies. This maximised the benefit of support, avoided duplication and generated a greater overall impact.

Specialist support helped organisations to focus on longer term strategic planning and key business objectives, as well as providing the tools, practical skills, processes and documentation to support this. Organisations were enabled to reflect on their own needs and aspirations and choose appropriate specialist support. The feedback, evaluation and online case studies demonstrate the impact of support and have also contributed significantly to peer learning.

focus on longer term strategic planning


Issue: Business planning and staffing review required around a new, related area of work to complement existing activity running charity furniture shops. Support: The expert prepared a Board report on staff restructure and business expansion and diversification, including how to access funding for research and development.

FRADE

Outcome: New structure to be implemented, development funding secured, research underway into a new enterprise.

“Depending on the outcome of research, there is potential for creating a new project which will feed our existing activities, increase our capacity and create up to 10 new permanent jobs.”

Looking to the Future The policy and funding environment will continue to be extremely challenging for the voluntary sector. Access the Expert has shown how voluntary organisations can and will adapt, using enterprising solutions to meet the needs of local communities.

This scheme offers real potential for continuation and expansion across other parts of Tees Valley. It should be part of the enterprise support contributing to the delivery of the Local Enterprise Partnership’s economic plan, investment strategies and social inclusion priorities. Future financial models that can be explored with partners include part subsidy, charging specialists for registration or commission on business secured. Investment is needed to fund delivery of the scheme and provide subsidised bursaries to organisations.

Key elements of any future scheme are:

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Combining specialist intervention with generalist LSDO support

The evaluation was completed by Declan Baharini Consultancy on behalf of the South Tees TLI partnership (September 2013)

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Maintaining (and potentially expanding) the online directory of independently selected experts

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Sharing learning about the impact and outcomes of support

Any queries should be directed to: Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency St Mary’s Centre, Tel: 01642 249300 82-90 Corporation Road, Email: general@mvdauk.org.uk Middlesbrough TS1 2RW Website: www.mvda.info


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