SCVS Networker - March 2015

thenetworker The newsletter for Sutton’s Voluntary and Community Sector

In this issue:

New membership offer, SAVVY theatre and talking PQASSO.

March 2015

In this issue Page 3 - news Infrastructure support and capacity building Pages 4-5 - news Funding news and the Sutton Inclusion Centre Pages 6-7 - news Celebrating Sutton’s history and our new membership offer Page 8 - news Run a Club Page 9 - technology Superhighways Page 10-11 - Healthwatch Sutton The latest from Healthwatch Page 12-13 - Local organisations Getting to grips with PQASSO Pages 14-15 - Local organisations We find out what SAVVY has been up to Pages 16-17 - Local organisations We meet QEF mobility Pages 18-19 - What’s on Enjoy Easter in Sutton

Susanna’s column Welcome to the first edition of the Networker this year.

Already, it is nearly Spring and as ever we have been busy, busy, busy!

We’ve already run several training courses this year and we’re busy planning our courses for the new financial year. We’ve also been planning for the new Infrastructure and Capacity Building Support Programme (see page 3) which will be coming in on April 1st, as will our new membership offer (see page 7).

This issue we also take a look at some of the great work some of our local organisations have been doing.

SAVVY Theatre have been really busy with their production ‘Hospital Food’ and now they are busy crowdfunding for a new Alice in Wonderland production, so please lend them your support. The Refugee and Migrant Network have been successful in getting their PQASSO qualification and we would strongly encourage other organisations to follow suit and get this accreditation. This edition we also have a look at Queen Elizabeth Foundation, who do wonderful work running mobility services in Sutton.

Finally, one last request for help. This year sees the 50th anniversary of SCVS and we are putting together a timeline of Sutton’s voluntary sector. How long has your organisation been around? Do you have any old photos or stories you would like to share with us (and we can then share with others). Please get in touch by emailing us at info@suttoncvs.org.uk.

In the meantime don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter (@SuttonCVS) and Facebook (SuttonCVS) so follow us on both for the latest news and events from Sutton’s voluntary sector.

Susanna Bennett Chief Executive SCVS

Cover pic: - Innovative marketing with SAVVY Theatre

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news

Infrastructure Support and Capacity Building From 1 April 2015 a new Infrastructure Support and Capacity Building Programme, funded by the London Borough of Sutton will be launched for the Voluntary Sector in Sutton to help ensure that local voluntary organisations are successful and  sustainable.

The outcomes for the Infrastructure Support and Capacity Building Programme are:  A vibrant and enabled voluntary and  community sector with a diverse, sustainable funding base. 

An innovative, skilled voluntary and community sector that can respond effectively and efficiently to local need.

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Community involvement and volunteering supported and grown aligned to London Borough of Sutton’s corporate priorities.

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Sutton’s voluntary and community sector has a strategic and representative voice.

The support and capacity building programme will be provided by Sutton Together, our consortium of local voluntary organisations, who were awarded the Infrastructure Support and Capacity Building tender by the London Borough of Sutton following a competitive process.

The work will be led by Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector (SCVS) in partnership with Volunteer Centre Sutton (VC Sutton) and the following organisations will also contribute towards delivering the services:  Age UK  Bioregional  Sutton Carers Centre  Sutton Citizens Advice Bureau  Sutton Centre for Equalities.

Services Offered SCVS and VC Sutton will build on and develop the services and support that we currently provide with input from Sutton Together partners. These will include: 

Regular communication to voluntary organisations with information to keep you up to date with what is happening in Sutton and in the charity sector (e-bulletins and our Networker newsletter).

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Regular network meetings to enable you to

meet colleagues, find out what is happening locally, hear from the public sector, influence strategies and services, and develop joint projects.

Support for voluntary organisations to work together to develop strategic services and respond to commissioning opportunities or funding bids.

One to one organisational development support for organisations e.g. fundraising, governance, financial management, quality standards, volunteering good practice and much more.

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Support to develop the right volunteer roles, find volunteers and manage them to good practice standards.

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A training programme based on the needs of the voluntary sector and local priorities e.g. fundraising, safeguarding, developmental assets, One Planet Sutton.

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Information about all important local consultations and a chance to respond to and influence them.

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Opportunities to have your say, or to represent the voluntary sector, in key strategic partnerships or boards plus regular feedback from them.

We will be conducting a survey shortly to ensure that the delivery plan for 2015/16 meets the needs of the voluntary sector in Sutton, so please remember to respond to this and shape your services.

Next Steps We will be providing more information about the Infrastructure Support and Capacity Building Programme through our e-bulletins, website and at the Voluntary Sector Forum Thursday 23rd April, so don’t forget to put the date in your diary.

If you have any queries in the meantime please contact Susanna Bennett at SCVS.

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news

Sutton Community Fund The Sutton Community Fund awards grants of between £300 and £10,000 to projects that benefit Sutton's residents.

Grants awarded must be used within 1 year. Applications are now being accepted for the next round of grants.

The application process is quite straight forward but it is important that you read the guidance notes available on our website (www.suttoncvs.org.uk/communityfund) before applying, and please make sure that you have all the documents listed on the checklist.

If you need any help to complete your application form, or you have any questions about the fund, please call Jackie on 020 8644 2867 or email her at Jackie@suttoncvs.org.uk.

The next deadline is 5pm, Tuesday 26th May 2015.

Pro Active Sutton grants Proactive Sutton is an independent strategic partnership that aims to promote more, high quality physical activity and sport across the Borough. Pro Active Sutton, in partnership with SCVS, administered a small grants programme at the end of 2014 for local organisations to apply to support physical activity for residents. The maximum amount per application was £1,000 and could be used to pay for such things as instructor time, materials and venue hire for the specific project. A Panel was brought together to review the applications.

16 grants were awarded totalling £14,280. This money will provide a wide range of activities in the Borough over the next year. For example, Nordic walking, one day horse based therapy sessions for people with physical disabilities or learning difficulties, tennis sessions, yoga classes, exercise classes, chair based exercise classes and line dancing.

SCVS phone numbers Did you know that rather than coming through our reception, you can now phone individual staff members in SCVS directly, and if they are not in, leave a message on their personal answerphone.

Please use these numbers when contacting us from now on. Many thanks!

Claire Avery (Communications) - 020 8641 9541 Glory Sivaraja (Finance Manager) - 020 8641 9545 Helen Varley (Community Accountant) - 020 8641 9548 Karen Adorjan (CPS Payroll) - 020 8641 9546 Melanie Brannan (CPS Payroll) - 020 8641 9547 Razia Sattar (Development Team) - 020 8641 9544 Hilary Chisnall (Development Team) - 020 8641 9543 Pete Flavell, Pam Howe and Sara Thomas (Healthwatch Sutton) - 020 8641 9540 If you would like to contact Jackie Parr (Office & Grants Manager) or Susanna Bennett (SCVS Chief Executive) please continue to use the main SCVS number - 020 8644 2867

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Sutton Inclusion Centre A new era for Sutton’s inclusion centre is about to begin...

Are you living with a disability or impairment and looking for fun and stimulating activities? Or do you have a great idea for a group or activity that benefits vulnerable people but just not sure how to get started?

Following a consultation and a programme to improve building access, the Sutton Inclusion Centre is now open for use by community groups and third sector enterprises.

So if you are looking to start a group or community activity, why not come and talk to us first? All you need is an idea, some passion and a lot of enthusiasm to get started.

Sutton Inclusion Centre can provide you with state-of-the-art facilities and even musical instruments and art materials. Support from a team with many years experience working with and facilitating groups may also be available.

SCVS is on hand to offer support and advice to groups looking to tackle health and social inequalities and signposting to available funding can be provided.

As well as this package of support, facilities at the Centre include: 

Large community space with attached

kitchen

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Activity rooms suitable for music/drama/art sessions (including soundbeam)

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Meeting/counselling rooms

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A hydrotherapy pool with fully equipped changing areas

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Multi-sensory rooms and chill-out areas

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Information Technology Suite

We know that in the Sutton community and voluntary sector there is a wealth of knowledge and experience which, if used in creative ways, can be channelled into collective action to achieve extraordinary goals. We believe that the Inclusion Centre is a fantastic asset for Sutton groups who are looking for a home in which to achieve their goals.

Cllr Colin Stears, Chair of the Adult Social Services & Health Committee, said: “This is a great opportunity for groups with passion and talent to secure a space in which to grow and develop.”

To arrange a visit please email inclusioncentreadmin@sutton.gov.uk or telephone John Wallace (Project Officer) on 020 8641 4275.

The Sutton Inclusion Centre is based at Northspur Road, Sutton, SM1 2BF

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Sutton’s history of giving We would love to have more information, (especially photos!) about the history of Grove House or the people who lived there to help compile the story of the house and park.

We are also looking for any information you might have about the history of the voluntary sector in Sutton, and any of Sutton’s A lot happened in the mid sixties of note. But for organisations. When was your organisation Suttons voluntary organisations, this year is also started? Why? How long have you been operating in Sutton? We want to know as we’ll be creating a important as it was 50 years ago in September timeline of Sutton’s voluntary Sector to mark 50 that a Sutton Council of Social Services was years in the borough and we need your input. inaugurated, bringing together a number of To tell us what you know, and contribute to existing voluntary organisations, both those the history, please email as at providing services and those recruiting volunteers. This organisation has evolved into the info@suttoncvs.org.uk or call us on 020 8641 9540. present day SCVS and Volunteer Centre.

1965 was the year that the Beatles’ film Help debuted in London, cigarette advertising was banned on television and Mary Quant introduced us to the miniskirt.

SCVS membership - new offer To offer increased choice to all voluntary organisations in Sutton, and to make our services available to as many of our members as possible, we are now changing the way we deliver and charge for some of our work.

On page 3 we told you about the new Infrastructure Support and Capacity Building Programme that sets out the services that SCVS and the Volunteer Centre, along with our Sutton Together partners, will deliver to ensure the success and sustainability of local voluntary organisations.

Planning for this new funding programme over the last year (and developing our 2014/17 Strategic Plan) has been a great opportunity for SCVS to review all our work, consult with our members and public sector colleagues about the support needs of local voluntary organisations, and agree the priority services we should deliver within the funding now available to us.

As a result we have developed a new membership offer for voluntary organisations in Sutton. This provides a range of services ‘free of charge’ to all our members plus an allocation of one-to-one support time to each organisation – these are the services funded through the

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Infrastructure Support and Capacity Building Programme. Once members have used up their allocation of ‘free’ one-to-one support time (up to 14 hours in each financial year) any additional one-to-one support services will have to be paid for as we need to cover the costs of providing them.

The new membership offer will provide extra one-to-one services to voluntary organisations .

For example, as part of the ‘free’ offer members will now be able to access financial management support and bespoke funding searches. There will also be increased choice as members select the services that best meet their needs from a menu of options.

This new membership offer will start on 1st April 2015.

Services free of charge to all SCVS members • • • • • • • •

Regular e-bulletins Quarterly newsletter Website Regular forums/networks Representation Consultation Brief telephone advice and signposting Subsidised training

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news • Support for safeguarding • Crisis support for voluntary organisations (in danger of going out of business within the next 6 months) • Support for consortia development, joint working and collaboration • Support for service development in response to local need/tenders

Additional support services

Financial Management Setting up and managing your finances can be time-consuming and getting this wrong can cost your organisation dearly. SCVS has a long history of providing financial services and we can help with all sorts of things from Charity Commission compliance and financial advice to computerisation of accounts and budgeting.

Communications

Telling people what you do and why you do it is vital your success as an organisation. We can help We also provide one to one support services to you plan your communications, review your meet the needs of your organisation, free of charge for an agreed number of days. The level of website and set up your social media. one to one support you can access free of charge Once your organisation has used up its allocation (over each financial year from April - March) depends on the income of your organisation (your of free hours, you can still purchase any of these services at a rate of £50 per hour. In addition we best estimate of your income for the current will continue to offer the following services on a financial year).

Income less than £49,000 - 14 hours free support chargeable basis only.

Income £50,000 -£200,000 - 10 hours free support Income over £200,000 - 7 hours free support Chargeable services

Services offered Governance Support Getting governance right is the key to a sustainable organisation. SCVS has been supporting voluntary sector boards for a number of years and can help with a number of issues ranging from choosing the right legal structure to business/strategic planning and trustee development.

Securing a sustainable income and fundraising In an increasingly competitive environment generating income is becoming a much more complex and time consuming challenge. We can help you develop a fundraising strategy and apply for grants.

Developing your workforce

Training SCVS offers subsidised training courses on subjects ranging from fundraising to safeguarding. All members receive regular ebulletins with details of the latest training courses and this information is also available on our website.

End of Year accounts and Independent Examinations SCVS has significant experience and expertise producing end of year accounts and carrying out independent examinations for charities and small organisations. To find out more about this service contact Helen Varley (helen@suttoncvs.org.uk) or Susanna Bennett (susanna@suttoncvs.org.uk).

For most voluntary organisations staff is their Admin services greatest expense and their greatest asset. We can We can provide a range of admin services for help you make the most of your staff. charities and small organisations. For details and Demonstrating your impact and quality prices contact Jackie Parr Demonstrating the difference your services make (jackie@suttoncvs.org.uk) and measuring your effectiveness has never been more important. We can help you with measuring CPS Payroll services your impact, producing evaluation reports and CPS Payroll has over 20 years’ experience of achieving quality marks. providing payroll services to the voluntary sector.

Writing and implementing your policies and We cater for all voluntary organisations, procedures whatever size, and tailor the service to meet your Governance and sustainable fundraising start needs and budget. For more information contact with good policies and procedures. We can help Karen Adorjan (karen@suttoncvs.org.uk) you get yours into shape.

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news

Free RunAClub licences Do you need extra support in running an existing club? Would you like a single place from which you can run your club?

RunAClub has developed an online tool to help groups and clubs get established, manage their ongoing activities, schedules, calendars, bookings, give all committee members access to important data and keep in contact with members.

It’s been developed from the experience gained by a CEO of setting up her own youth club and has all the essential support you need to set up and manage your own community club or network of clubs – whether it's a sports, youth, health, faith, residents, toddler, music or arts club, for any age and any community.

Through RunAClub your club will be able to create your own website, monitor your clubs membership and delivery and access accurate data to demonstrate your outcomes to potential funders. There is also a wealth of useful information for you to access including standard forms, templates and fundraising advice.

Through the South London CVS Partnership we have a number of free one year RunAClub licences for Sutton organisations.

To find out more about RunAClub call Razia on 020 8641 9544 or email her at razia@suttoncvs.org.uk.

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'Using RunAClub means our Thursday football runs smoothly.

Recently our key organiser was injured and has been unable to play, but because RunAClub records all our members, allows us to communicate with our members for their availability and record their subs it means that our other staff/organisers were able to pick up where our key organiser left off and continue to run the club as normal.'

John Clark, Thursday Footy Club Organiser

'Using RunAClub enables us to share all our club information across all staff members. It is all in one place and reduces the time and energy previously spent on keeping everyone informed.

It is user friendly and easy to navigate around. We are building up our database of members and keeping them up to date with all our new and exciting weekly events through the RunAClub toolkit.'

Sue Hubble, The Wix Youth Club

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technology

Did you know that as a member of SCVS you can access fantastic IT training from Superhighways at great prices - some courses are even free!

Communicate your achievements

Get the data that counts, and capture your stories, both in the office and on the go.

Learn about:  Online surveys  Spreadsheets Superhighways is an ICT support and Databases development project, run by and for the voluntary   Audio recordings and community sector and based in South  Case studies London. The organisation provides technology support, consultancy and training that ultimately benefits local communities. Their aim is to enable You can find out more on the Superhighways local charities and community groups to harness website - www.superhighways.org.uk, or by the power of technology and communications to calling 020 8255 8040. help them thrive and flourish.

Courses are run regularly across South London on a variety of subjects. You can learn Courses coming up how your organisation can use Mailchimp, a free email newsletter designer to send out professional Top Digital Tools for Communicating Impact looking e-bulletins, or the Superhighways team When: Thursday 9th April, 10am-1pm can help you create an interesting Annual Report, Where: CVA Resource Centre, Croydon CR0 or set up a free website. Whatever your 2TB communications and technology needs they’ll help you make the most of what the web has to offer Sometimes telling people about your impact and get your message out there without breaking is almost as hard as measuring it in the first the bank! place but luckily there are plenty of free or low-cost digital tools that can help you create Monitor your work and share content that tells your Get the data that counts, and capture your stakeholders what they need to know. stories, both in the office and on the go.

Join this packed 3 hour practical demonstration session to get an overview of Learn about: the top tools available, including web  Online surveys technologies, social media platforms and key  Spreadsheets content generation tools – audio & visual,  Databases that can help you shout about your  Audio recordings achievements.  Case studies

Evaluate your impact

Deliver more efficient and effective services to your beneficiaries.

Use digital to:  Explore community need  Improve service delivery  Evidence what works

Beginner's Guide to Mailchimp Email Campaigns When: Tuesday 28th April, 10am-2pm Where: Vestry Hall, Mitcham, CR4 3UD Join this training session and learn how MailChimp can help you design email newsletters, share them on social networks, integrate with other online services you already use, and track your results.

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Healthwatch Sutton

Patient experience of hospital discharge At the beginning of last year Healthwatch volunteers carried out interviews with people that had been recently discharged from St Helier hospital.

A report analysing the feedback from the interviews was published in April 2014. The report was sent to Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust.

In autumn 2014 Healthwatch staff and volunteers, were invited to attend a workshop to discuss the recommendations within the Healthwatch report. The following key actions were agreed at the workshop; 

Review information provided regarding discharge and follow up.

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Training for doctors in managing patient expectations of the discharge process.

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Healthwatch representative to attend Junior Doctor's Forum to discuss content and feedback from the Healthwatch Hospital Discharge report.

Healthwatch will continue to work with St Helier to ensure patients have a good experience when leaving hospital.

GP access consultation Last year Healthwatch Sutton carried out a consultation to find out how easy it is to make an appointment with a GP in Sutton.

The feedback was analysed and collated and a report was sent to all Sutton GPs via the Sutton Clinical Commissioning Group, the report has also been sent to NHS England.

Common themes highlighted within the report included; 

A high percentage of people said they were unhappy about having to call back at different times of day to make an appointment.

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A considerable number of people were dissatisfied with the lack of availability of GPs and appointments.

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A significant number of people were keen to use different methods (e.g. email) to make appointments and have appointments with GPs.

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A high percentage of people were also keen to be able to make appointments for a Saturday, early morning or in the evening.

Healthwatch Sutton is now awaiting a response from the Sutton Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS England.

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Healthwatch Sutton

The information you share will help shape the priorities for Healthwatch Sutton. By sharing your views and experiences it can help to build a picture of the services that are doing well and When it comes to health and social care for you those that need some improvements. and your family, what do you think is most Your input will help build strong evidence important? Whether you have had a good that will support Healthwatch Sutton in experience in hospital or a bad visit to the dentist influencing decision makers to improve local Healthwatch Sutton wants to know. services. Feedback is completely anonymous.

Share your views and experiences with Healthwatch Sutton by completing a new “What matters to you?� form. You can do this by completing a short questionnaire online via www.whatmatterstoyou.org.uk, by scanning the QR code on this page or by requesting a paper copy from the Healthwatch Sutton office.

Healthwatch Sutton wants to know what matters to you.

Body image highlighted as a priority for young people in Sutton Last year Healthwatch Sutton carried out a consultation with young people in Sutton to find out what their top health and social care concern was.

Following an online survey and various meetings with local voluntary and community groups including; Jigsaw4U, Sutton Mental Health Foundation and the Youth Parliament, Healthwatch Sutton found mental health to be of most concern with body image as the biggest

issue followed closely by stress, bullying and diet.

Healthwatch Sutton is going to work with Citizenship Media, a media group run by young people, based at Sutton Life Centre. They will produce a short film about body image. The film will show young people speaking openly about their views on body image. They will also be asked about how they think the issues can be tackled locally.

The film will be played at the Healthwatch Sutton Annual General Meeting in July 2015.

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development

All about PQASSO Do you know what PQASSO is? What does PQASSO mean to you? Is it a mark of excellence, or the name of one of the leading artists of the twentieth century? We take a closer look...

So do you really need PQASSO?

In the current environment perhaps the question voluntary organisations should be asking themselves is not ‘can we afford to do PQASSO?’ but ‘can we afford not to?’.

The PQASSO Quality Mark remains the only quality mark that covers the work of charities and other organisations; no other award addresses all In recent years it’s an undeniable fact that the the essential areas necessary for the effective voluntary sector has been hit hard financially. In management and governance of a charity or other these tough times quality has become even more third sector organisations but despite being important, and against a backdrop of funding designed by the sector for the sector, some cuts, tighter regulation and greater scrutiny in organisations are hesitant to commit to the relation to effectiveness and how money is spent, scheme. There seems to be a fear that the process funders and commissioners are asking for, if not will be too complicated, onerous and expensive. insisting on, proof of effectiveness and value for As the experience of Refuge & Migrant Network money when considering parting with their cash.

Sutton opposite demonstrates, the benefits and Showing your funders that your organisation organisational improvements derived can far out represents quality has never been more way any challenges and costs encountered. important. And that’s where PQASSO comes in…

It goes without saying that best practice should always be a priority. However, in the All about PQASSO current challenging times achieving a recognised Developed in 1997, PQASSO (Practical Quality quality standard such as PQASSO will go a long Assurance System for Small Organisations) is a way towards showing that you are a quality quality mark for charitable organisations in the organisation, and in the long term, towards UK. getting you funding.

The PQASSO mark covers all aspects of an organisation, from governance to service delivery Want to find out more? and monitoring outcomes. PQASSO’s flexibility If you’re interested about getting started with means it can be used by all types of third sector PQASSO for your organisation, or you’d just like organisations, including charities, social to find out a little bit more about the scheme enterprises, community interest companies and contact Razia Sattar on 020 8641 9544 or email community groups. her at razia@suttoncvs.org.uk. SCVS is being It is suitable for all organisations irrespective assessed for our PQASSO Level 2 quality mark at of size, turnover and staffing levels and allows an the moment so we are very well placed to answer organisation to work at its own pace as it is selfany queries! assessed through twelve quality areas.

PQASSO offers a staged approach to implementing quality through three levels of achievement. Organisations can use it in a variety of ways, from working through PQASSO as an organisational health-check or to help guide organisational growth and development to working towards an external accreditation: the PQASSO Quality Mark. Organisations that are assessed as level 2 or above are eligible to carry an official stamp of endorsement by the Charity Commission demonstrating that the charity is well managed.

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development Our PQASSO journey - The Refugee and Migrant Network Sutton The Refugee and Migrant Network Sutton (RMNS) started on the PQASSO trail over two years ago. At the time SCVS had funding available for one organisation to be assessed. Our then Chief Officer, Kau Belleh, was keen to go ahead, realising the potential benefits for the organisation such as improved practice, raised profile, reassurance for funders.

For some time, Kau worked on the documentation but it was a busy period for us and other matters such as incorporation, recruitment, an office move and a new IT system were claiming our attention and unfortunately PQASSO did not receive the attention it might otherwise have done. We applied twice for our assessment to be deferred.

In March 2012 Kau left the organisation and it was evident from the paperwork that there was much work still to be done. One problem resulting from the length of time we were taking was that documents filed in evidence became outdated and had to be replaced.

SCVS encouraged us to persevere with getting our accreditation and our Management Committee became much more involved with PQASSO and it became a regular agenda item at Committee meetings.

We were finally assessed for a Level one quality mark in April 2014. We were told to improve one aspect of our minute-taking to correspond with our Articles and once we had done this the PQASSO quality mark was all ours.

volunteers are now much more involved in the development of the organisation. 

We have become more ’outward facing’, and we now have a voice at going to various meetings across the borough.

Reflections We are grateful to SCVS for the funding and for having faith in us. And we are very grateful to Razia for her helpful suggestions and great patience in supporting us.

Our PQASSO assessor expressed doubts about our application, saying he had not heard of any organisation as small as RMNS that had been successful with PQASSO. This actually stiffened our resolve to succeed, and of course we were successful! That said, we found the PQASSO staff most helpful and understanding, both on the phone and in person.

Our advice to other groups in Sutton wishing to pursue PQASSO? 

Contact SCVS for advice in the first instance.

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Look at what you have got already

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Let everyone in your organisation know about PQASSO and get them involved in the process.

How have we benefitted from PQASSO? Getting our PQASSO accreditation has benefitted us in a number of ways. 

We have improved how we monitor and evaluate our service.



Our Management Committee and

The Refugee and Migrant Network with their well earned Level 1 PQASSO Quality Mark

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Local organisations

Getting Marketing SAVVY SAVVY Theatre is an award-winning company, creating unique and accessible youth and community projects in Sutton, Croydon and the surrounding boroughs.

SAVVY Theatre Company first started working with young people in the borough in 2001. Since then this inclusive group has produced a monumental amount of extraordinary theatre.

Many youth theatre groups create unique productions, but considering many of the young people attending SAVVY come from difficult backgrounds, have disabilities or are living with mental health and other issues, make the work they create quite remarkable.

Aside from simply performing, SAVVY also provides opportunities for the young people to become involved in all aspects of theatre

creation.

The group take responsibility for backstage technical aspects such as running lights and sound, sourcing and managing props and costumes and understanding the responsibilities associated with a good stage manager.

In addition, the group often work with Sutton Mencap on their annual Christmas production, supporting the cast of learning disabled adults both onstage and off (their first collaboration in 2011 saw them shortlisted for the National ‘Children & Young People Now’ awards).

In 2013 the SAVVY Adult Company was taking its first production to the Brighton Fringe.

A brand new work entitled ‘Coke Floats & Chemo’ based on the blog by the award-winning local writer Yvonne Newbold. It was during this project that one of the Young Company members approached Artistic Director Sheree Vickers, asking if she could design the poster.

Preparations are now underway for a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

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Local organisations “I’ll be honest I wasn’t expecting it to be much good. Boy was I wrong. Her initial draft was so intricate in detail and drawing that we scanned it and used it straight away.”

Soon the idea for an Arts Ambassadors programme was born, allowing young people to take on the responsibility for the marketing of our various projects. In addition to design, the group have been learning about developing strategies, using Facebook and Twitter, writing blogs and the importance of hashtags.

“We didn’t want the group to be limited by resources, so the money we received from the Sutton Community Fund has been instrumental in developing not only their skills but confidence when taking on a marketing project.”

Funding for the project coincided with the group’s participation in the National Theatre’s Connections Festival. The flyer and online marketing campaign for their production of ‘Hospital Food’ has been orchestrated by the group with the National Theatre even commenting on the quality of the work produced.

Their next task will be in supporting the marketing campaign for the upcoming Adult Company production when SAVVY Theatre Company is creating magic in the Victorian garden of Honeywood Museum an interactive, sensory installation performance of Alice In Wonderland for the whole family.

The group has received some funding from Arts Council England, but to complete the project and make it as accessible as possible they need some more help, so now you have the chance to help AND become part of the production!

Launched this week, you can check out their crowdfunding campaign at www.gofundme.com/ savvyalice, or follow SAVVY on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SAVVYTheatre) to find out what they are up to.

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local organisations

The Queen Elizabeth Foundation and improve life skills.

With the vision being that Disabled people should have the same opportunities as everyone else.

QEF has created opportunities and support for disabled adults from across the UK by providing expert development, assessment, rehabilitation and training services. Many of the Queen Elizabeth Foundation is celebrating 80 foundation’s services provide residential care for years this year, 2015. It was as Patron of the disabled people to give them the support, care and Central Council, the late Queen Mother, then HRH The Duchess of York, expressed her interest focus that makes QEF so unique.

These services are delivered through four for the work of this specialised disability charity.

As more services were opened, the charity became specialist departments, and offer the right combination of individual care and support to Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People. In 1934, this disability charity supported enable these people to become as independent as their disability permits and to establish their own 16 individuals, today it serves more than a lifestyles. thousand disabled people each year.

Right here in Sutton, in Carshalton, QEF The charity's mission is that Queen Mobility Services offers services for disabled Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People enables and supports disabled people to increase people from the age of 2, with no upper age limit.

Dealing with both physical and mental disability they offer a wide range of assessments including, driving, car adaptations, wheelchairs and scooters, transfer and seating in both aircraft and cars. Also assessments for motorbikes, lorries buses and more can be arranged. Some of these are free and some are charged at different rates. Some assessments are paid for by Motability and DVLA. QEF Mobility Services also offers driving lessons from their QEF driving school.

There is a private track and a static rig for driving and a part of a real aircraft fuselage in the assessment centre for air travel transfer and seating making this a unique centre for mobility in the UK. TopGear presenter Richard Hammond meets some of QEF Mobility Services also offers a independence the QEF’s satisfied customers. range of training courses for

One of Surrey’s oldest charities, The Queen Elizabeth Foundation (QEF) has been helping disabled people in Sutton for nearly a century.

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local organisations healthcare professionals and Driving Instructors (to learn to teach people with disabilities). Plus the opportunity for bespoke training. There are also training rooms for hire for both private training and meetings or even exercise classes and people come from all over the country to have assessments and training.

The people that use the service have a very wide variety of needs. Here’s what just a few of their users have said: “After my stroke I was told that I would not be able to drive again, which was a tremendous blow as you can imagine. I was grateful, however, that the DVLA recommended an assessment at the Mobility Centre. The staff there are excellent; expert, caring and very understanding of both my health and concerns. Thankfully the result was positive. They gave me the opportunity to drive again – an opportunity that I thought I would never get. It has changed my life and that of my family, for which I am most grateful.” David “I came back from Afghanistan, a triple amputee. I wanted to resume driving my sports car. It was really important to me, the car was an essential part of my life and I needed it back. The assessment was fine, and then assessors at the Mobility Centre came up with a package of adaptations to suit my reduced abilities.” Tom “I was the victim of a criminal assault which affected my confidence to such a degree that I could no longer drive. From a person with an

active work and social life I became completely housebound, which was devastating. I was pretty pessimistic when I went to the Mobility Centre; however after two visits everything was very positive. They suggested some car adaptations and recommended a driving instructor who could help me to regain my confidence. I am now driving again, which has enabled me to recover my life – all thanks to the response and encouragement I received from the Centre.” Bryn Also in Sutton, in St Nicholas Car Park, you will find Shopmobility, part of the QEF family of charities where they offer short-term and long term rental of wheelchairs and scooters plus their new R & R service which takes in old mobility equipment that people no longer need and repair and recycle it.

If you’d like to find out more about the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation and all the mobility services they offer in the Sutton area, visit their website at www.qef.org.uk, or call them on 020 8770 1151.

Lucas McElroy

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what’s on

March - June 2015 Easter Egg Trail 28th March, All day Whitehall, 1 Malden Road, Cheam SM3 8QD Come and enjoy this egg-cellent trail around the house. Suitable for ages 3+. Free - although donations welcomed.

Easter holiday activities

redecorating the interior. www.friendsofnonsuch.co.uk

Punch and Judy 11th April, Europa Gallery, Sutton Central Children’s Library A traditional puppet play with lots of laughs as Mr Punch tries not to get eaten by the crocodile.

Tickets (£2) available at the Customer Services Desk.

28th March - 12th April Honeywood Museum Throughout the Easter holidays, drop in arts and crafts trails with Wallington Farmers’ a Spring-time theme, inspired by Market the Honeywood Museums 11th April, 9am - 1pm beautiful location. Free the Old Town Hall and Library www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk Gardens in Woodcote Road Get along to the borough's oldest Sutton’s High Street Farm Farmers' Market which hosts 4th April, 10am-5pm around 26 local producers stalls Sutton High Street every month.

Come and visit Sutton’s first High Street Farm and meet some World Book Night 2015 of our furry friends.

23rd April , Sutton Libraries With sheep and lambs to cuddle, naughty goats and kids, piglets to tickle and a miniature donkey to groom, there are animals for everyone. www.enjoysutton.co.uk

World Book Night is an annual celebration of reading and books.

Sutton Libraries will be celebrating with their own book give-aways on the night.

Please ask in your local library for more details.

Quiz Night 29th April , St Bede’s Centre In aid of St. Raphael’s Hospice.

Table of 8: £60 please bring your own food and drinks. Doors open at 7pm and the quiz starts at 7.30pm. For more details contact Diana on 020 8641 3540. www.straphaels.org.uk

Getting started on your allotment course 10th May, 10am - 3.30pm Carshalton Community Allotment Getting started on an allotment or new vegetable patch can be daunting! Where should you start? How much space do you need? How can you keep the weeds down? What can you grow? If these questions are worrying you then this EcoLocal course could be for you. www.localfoodnetwork.org.uk

Get on your bike

Learn to ride a bike. Get exercise in the fresh air. Or just enjoy trying out EcoLocal’s exciting accessible cycles.

EcoLocal’s regular inclusive cycling sessions for adults of all Nonsuch Park Service Old Carshalton guided abilities run three times per Wing Museum week:- Mondays, Wednesdays walk Reopening 6th April 2015 and Thursdays 10am-12noon 26th April, 2.30pm Nonsuch Park Sessions are outdoors on the Meet at Honeywood Museum The Friends of Nonsuch are reDavid Weir Leisure Centre An hour and a half walk led by opening the Service Wing athletics track whatever the local historian John Phillips Museum in Nonsuch Park this weather! looking at some of the historic Easter. The museum, which will buildings and landscapes of Only £3 per person, carers free. be free to visit, has undergone 14+ year olds can attend if Carshalton. £3.50. Call 020 8647 extensive restoration work, accompanied by an adult.

4297 to book a place on the walk. conserving the stained glass and www.localfoodnetwork.org.uk

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Training and networking Create presentations that count Superhighways 19th June, 10am - 2.30pm SCILL, 3 Robin Hood Lane, Sutton SM1 2SW Organisations that want to attract new funding or encourage supporters to take action need to clearly communicate their impact – and an effective digital presentation should tell the story of your work in a way that engages your audience and demonstrates the difference your organisation makes.

Every element you use in a presentation has a function, from your first slide to a well-placed powerful image or graphic. Long bullet-point lists, endless text and poor design are likely to leave your audience snoring. Join this course from Superhighways to learn how to create a compelling digital presentation that captivates and inspires.

Find out more at http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/createpresentations-that-count-tickets-15100133907

SCVS Voluntary Sector Forum 23rd April, 2-4pm SCVS, Granfers Community Centre, 73-79 Oakhill Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 3AA Please confirm your attendance for the forum by emailing jackie@suttoncvs.org.uk at least a week in advance.

contact us thenetworker The Networker is the bi-monthly magazine of : Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector (SCVS) Granfers Community Centre, 73-79 Oakhill Road,

020 8644 2867 info@suttoncvs.org.uk @SuttonCVS facebook.com/suttoncvs www.suttoncvs.org.uk Registered Charity No: 1063129

Chief Executive: Susanna Bennett Communications and Admin: Claire Avery Jackie Parr Development Team Razia Sattar Hilary Chisnall Accountancy Services: Glory Sivaraja Helen Varley Creative Payroll Solutions Ltd (CPS): Karen Adorjan Melanie Brannan Healthwatch Sutton Pete Flavell Pam Howe Sara Thomas

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Payroll that stacks up

Get CPS to manage your payroll and see how much time you could save Focus on service delivery - getting us to sort out your payroll means that you can concentrate on what’s important for your organisation Comply with current legislation - we make sure that pay is calculated correctly, and HMRC have all the correct up to date PAYE information for your organisation No need to purchase specialist software or train staff - we are specialists in payroll and up to date with all the latest legislation

Contact us today: t: 020 8644 2867 e: creativepayroll@suttoncvs.org.uk w. www.cpspayroll.co.uk