Welcome
Supporting Voluntary & Community Action
!
November & December 2008
Inside Voscur’s Magazine Bristol’s e-procurement system explained Create your own domain name E-Learning and Moodles Forthcoming Funders’ Fair Funding Voscurs – winners announced Image: Knowle West Media Centre
Tackling Hate Crime Equalities Network Conservative view on community empowerment
Shape a life. Be a foster carer TACT is a well respected fostering and adoption agency. TACT will offer you excellent training with 24 hour support and respite care when you need it. TACT pay between £322 & £574 per week per child as well as additional allowances for birthdays, festivals and holidays. Although fostering can be challenging, it can also be very rewarding. If you believe you have the capacity and commitment to support, vulnerable children and young people between 10 -16 years old, then we’d love to hear from you.
To make a difference call: 0117 927 7725. Email: e.graham@tactcare.org.uk www.tactcare.org.uk
Charity Number: 1018963
Welcome
Contents 4
Editorial
20-21
Hate Crime
5
Voscur News
Tackling Hate Crime
Neighbourhood Learning Shadowing Scheme
23
How To - ICT
Refreshed Voscur Board
Create your own domain name
Voscur staff ‘skilling up’
24-25
How To - Funding & Finance
6-7
The Voscur Awards
Bristol e-Procurement System (BePS)
Awards to celebrate the work done by the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector in Bristol
Pre – Tender Questionnaire online toolkit
Funding Fair
News from Quartet Community Foundation
8
What’s Happening in the Sector
26-27
How To - Good Practice
Community Development support
Supporting you to support yourself
Equalities Network
9-14
Have Your Say
28-29
How To - Green Pages
Neighbourhood Partnership Seminar
Green Christmas
Neighbourhood Partnership Residents’ Forum
30-32
Children & Young People
Action Research Project
New Bristol Partnership unveiled
Voscur Reps
Vox Pops – Impact of the credit crunch on charitable giving
An effective voice for Disabled people
Voscur Training & Learning e-Learning – Moodles
The Conservative view on community empowerment
34-35
Virtual Learning Environments
Bristol LINk
36
Diary
17
Volunteering Bristol
18-19
Equalities
Equalities and Human Rights Commission funded research
Why not advertise?
Thrive! is available on disc. Please contact
Special discounts for Voscur members!
the office if you would like to
Deadlines for January 2009 Thrive!: 2 December 2008 for ads, 16 December 2008 for flyers
receive your Thrive! this way. The
Details of prices at www.voscur.org/magazine
newsletter is also available online as a pdf
or phone Polly Stewart on 0117 909 9949
at www.voscur.org/magazine
Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent those of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.
www.voscur.org
3
Editorial
Getting it Right Wendy Stephenson reports on Voscur’s Annual Conference and discusses representation at the Local Strategic Partnership partnership working. The Media
commissioning framework for
Trust talked about marketing of the
the Partnership. The Partnership
sector.
is responsible for delivering the Local Area Agreement target
The Chief Executive of Bristol City
Environment for a Thriving Third
Council, Jan Ormondroyd, told us
Sector. Voluntary and community
about the difficult job of changing
sector organisations must be
the culture of a large organisation
in a position to influence and
so that it was more responsive and
deliver services. It’s important,
flexible.
therefore, that Voscur members are represented at all levels within
Wendy Stephenson - Chief Executive
The highlight of the day was the
the Partnership.
Voscur awards which celebrated “Professional, but warm and
the excellent work of the sector in
We don’t want to get caught up in
friendly” was one of the many
Bristol and also recognised public
processes, but getting the process
compliments that we received
sector support.
and structure right will make a difference to the outcome. We
about our Annual General Meeting and Conference held at the
The formal business of the Annual
want to contribute to practical
beginning of October. Thanks very
General Meeting saw four new
partnership activities that make a
much to all of you who came and
members elected onto Voscur’s
difference to people in Bristol.
made it such a successful event.
board, so that we now have a full complement of elected board
Our first speaker, Councillor Helen
members – an indicator of a
Holland used the inclusion of the
healthy organisation.
key to symbols
Environment for a Thriving Third sector target in the Local Area
It is usual Voscur practice to
Agreement as an example of the
announce our representatives to
Council’s commitment to the
the Bristol Partnership at our AGM.
sector. Discussing commissioning,
We were not able to this year as
Councillor Holland talked about
the Partnership was restructured
grants existing in the future but
during the summer. We have now
‘not in the same way’, signalling
seen the proposed new structure
change on the horizon.
and will be working to make sure
Equalities Article
?
Training
Resources
that the sector is fully involved as a Workshops run by NAVCA,
partner.
Bassac, and ProHelp helped us
4
look to the future in terms of
Jan Ormondroyd has told us that
the commissioning agenda and
she wants to see a transparent
www.voscur.org
Event
Voscur
Voscur News A Day in the Life of… Do you want to get a better understanding of what a Councillor does? Do you want to understand how the council works and how you can influence it? If so, why not take part in a Neighbourhood Learning Shadowing Scheme? Following the successful Councillor shadowing programme that Voscur ran early in 2008, Voscur is running a new shadowing programme from January to March 2009. We are expanding it this year to include Councillors and senior managers.
New Voscur Board members Joanna Holmes and Red Cottam
Refreshed Voscur Board Voscur is pleased to welcome Max Beseke, Red Cottam, David Elson and Joanna Holmes to our board, all bringing different skills and experiences to the mix. We are particularly pleased to have different neighbourhood perspectives (Red and Joanna), alongside a tenants’ (David) view, and the experience that Max brings from the advice sector. We are sorry to lose Ian Steele, who is stepping down as chair and board member. He has been a great chair, bringing humour and direction to the role. Thanks also to James Carpenter who has also stepped down this year. For details of Voscur’s Board of Directors visit:
Why should you take part? This
www.voscur.org/about/who
will give you the chance to manager for a day, and is a great
Skilling Up
opportunity for you to gain a
Sophie Bayley, Hannah Parker, Ruth Pitter and Wendy Stephenson have
greater understanding of how
all completed the first year of the Diploma in Teaching in the Life Long
the Council works and the role of
Learning Sector at City of Bristol College.
shadow a Councillor or senior
local councillors. You will also be able to share your ideas about the needs of your neighbourhood or community of interest.
“It was great to be able to work as a team outside of the work environment and improve and develop our skills together. The learning has been really useful and will bring benefits to our members in that our training
For more information
and learning events will be even better” explained Hannah Parker,
please contact Hannah
Neighbourhood Learning Co-ordinator.
Parker on 0117 909 949 or e-mail: hannah@voscur.org
?
For further information on Voscur’s Training and Learning opportunities visit: www.voscur.org/training
www.voscur.org
5
The Voscur Awards
and the winner is... The winners of the first Voscur awards celebrating the fantastic and innovative work done by the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector in Bristol were announced at the Voscur Annual Event on Thursday 2 October 2008. The awards were presented by Bristol City Council Leader, Helen Holland and Chief Executive, Jan Ormondroyd. To see details of all the nominations for the 2008 Voscur awards visit www.voscur.org/voscurnominations
6
www.voscur.org
The Voscur Awards
Community Venue of the Year Winner Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, www.wellspringhlc.org
Runners up Pickle Factory, www.snipurl.com/picklefactory The Vassall Centre, www.vassallcentre.org The Withywood Centre, www.withywoodcentre.com
Most Innovative or Engaging Project Winner BCFM Community Radio, BCFM Community Radio
Runners up Clover House, www.cloverhouse.org PIPA, www.hartwood.org.uk/pipanew Refugee Awareness Project, www.refugee-action.org.uk
Most Active Community Activist Winner Ricardo Sharry
Runners up Faaduma Mohammed, Kai Paulden, Marryanne Kempf, Paulette North
The ‘I Will Survive’ Award Winner BREAD Youth Project, www.breadyouthproject.org.uk
Runners up Werburgh’s Community Centre, www.stwerburghs.org.uk St Pauls Afrikan Caribbean Carnival, www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk Trinity Community Arts, www.3ca.org.uk
Thanks for Supporting the Sector Winner John Bos (BCC Community Buildings Officer)
Runners up Sally Oldfield (BCC Local Nature Reserves Officer) Claire Teasdale (BCC Arts & Festivals Officer) BEST (Bristol East Side Traders), www.bristoleastsidetraders.co.uk
www.voscur.org
7
What’s Happening in the Sector
Who is Watering the Roots? What community development support is available to Bristol’s community groups? In changing times when the talk is of commissioning and social enterprise, regionalisation and
Human Rights on the Agenda
modernisation, I am reminded of my colleague at the Black Development Agency, Ayannah Griffith’s question, ‘Who is watering the roots?’. Promoting Voscur’s Neighbourhood Learning programme this year, we have missed the support of Neighbourhood Facilitators (part of the Neighbourhood Renewal programme). Bristol City Council Development workers, previously supporting groups at a grass roots level, are now part of the Community Engagement or Community Cohesion teams, which have a different focus. Through Bristol City Council investment and the
Qaiser Razzak will be at the next Equalities Network meeting
Capacitybuilders funded ‘Sustaining the Sector’ programme, Voscur and Black Development Agency are able to provide some one to one support to
Equalities Network 25 November, 10am – 12.30pm
smaller groups and Voscur’s Neighbourhood Learning Programme will reach out to neighbourhood groups.
The next Equalities Network meeting will include
As part of the programme we are running the course,
a presentation by Qaiser Razzak, manager of the
‘Ideas into Action’ for those who have an idea or want
Equalities and Human Rights Commission, English
to change something and want to know how to set up
regions, South West office.
a group. The event will be held in the Terrace Room, the We want to know: If you are a small group looking for
Lighthouse Building, Barton Hill Settlement, Ducie
support; If you know of a group of people coming
Road, Bristol BS5 9JH.
together to try and achieve something locally; Are there local issues not being addressed
A hot lunch will be provided so booking is essential.
Let us know and we will see what we can do. Email: info@voscur.org with the subject ‘Needs’
?
‘Turning Ideas into Action!’ 4 and 11 November, Beacon Centre, Russell Town
Email: emma@voscur.org
Avenue, Bristol BS5 9JH, 6 – 9.00pm. Cost:
Tel: 0117 909 9949
Free. Rebekah Hacker on 0117 909 9949
Book online at www.voscur.org
or go to www.voscur.org/training
8
www.voscur.org
Have your say
New Bristol Partnership Unveiled At the end of September, the cabinet members of Bristol City Council approved the accountability and governance framework for the relaunched Bristol Partnership (Bristol’s Local Strategic Partnership) The revised structure will see a
Learning City (Children and
Voscur has always held elections for
smaller Executive Board (for full
Young People’s Partnership
members to decide representation
proposals see www.voscur.org/
Board)
to Bristol Partnership and the new
bp). The council has identified
Safe and Healthy city (Safer
proposals would change this. As
that ‘it is expected’ that either
Bristol Partnership Board / Health
Thrive! goes to press, a meeting
the Chief Executive or Chairs from
and Wellbeing Partnership
has been arranged for the Voscur
Voscur and the Black Development
Board)
board and existing Voscur reps to
Agency would be Voluntary
City of Thriving Neighbourhoods
discuss VCS representation on the
and Community Sector (VCS)
(Neighbourhood Partnerships
revised new Bristol Partnership.
representatives on the Executive
Board)
Board’.
Look out for the insert with Voscur raised concerns at the
details on the Voscur reps
Sub-boards that align with Bristol’s
cabinet meeting about the lack
elections in this issue of Thrive!
Sustainable Community Strategy
of active representation from
or visit www.voscur.org/
are proposed. These are:
Equalities Communities either in
representation
influencing decision-making or as a Prosperous and Ambitious
scrutiny function on the new Bristol
Partnership Board
Partnership Executive Board.
Bristol Partnership Executive Board Driving the city wide modernisation agenda Tackling deprivation Ensuring the future economic, environmental and social well being of the city Promoting equalities & community cohesion Overview of the Partnership in its community leadership role Overseeing the delivery of SCS priorities, including the monitoring of the delivery of Local Area Agreement (LAA)/Multi Area Agreement (MAA)
Prosperous
Learning City
Safe and Healthy City
City of Thriving Neighbourhoods
and Ambitious
Children and
Partnership Board
Young People’s
Safer Bristol
Wellbeing
Neighbourhood
Partnership Board
Partnership Board
Partnership Board
Partnerships
www.voscur.org
9
Have your say
Are NPs pointing in the right direction?
Graham Sims, the Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods
Neighbourhood Partnership Seminar
Neighbourhood Partnership Residents’ Forum
Bristol City Council’s Community Development Team is
The next Neighbourhood Partnership Residents’
organising a Neighbourhood Partnership Seminar on
Forum (NPRF) will take place on Saturday 22
Monday 10 November 12.00 –3.00pm at the Council
November, 10.00 -1.00pm at the Greenway centre,
House.
Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol BS10 5PY
The seminar, which is being held in advance of Bristol’s
The Forum is a meeting for residents involved
second ‘state of the city’ debate is expected to focus
with their local Neighbourhood Partnerships.
on what is working well and not so well in the city and
Councillor Terry Cook, the Executive Member for
how this might be addressed through Neighbourhood
Neighbourhoods and Graham Sims, the newly
Partnerships.
appointed Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods have been invited to the next NPRF meeting to set
The event will also include a question and answer
out the roles and responsibilities for Neighbourhood
session with leading politicians from each of the
Partnerships and how they see this new local
council’s political groups and leading council staff.
governance structure evolving.
As Thrive! goes to press the full details are
The meeting is also a great opportunity to
not yet available but look out for updates
network with other residents and enjoy a free
on the Voscur website:
lunch. For more information or to book your
www.voscur.org/brispartnership/np
place visit: www.voscur.org/brispartnership/np or call Matthew Symonds on: 0117 909 9949
10
www.voscur.org
www.voscur.org
10
Have your say
Local or Global Giving? We asked a selection of Voscur
“I give to several local charities – mainly through
members attending our Annual
habit. There are so many national ones that I
Event in October to give their views
wouldn’t know where to start.”
on the potential impact of the
Ben Barker - Greater Bedminster Community
global credit crunch on whether
Partnership
or not people make donations to charities.
“A lot of what I am involved with is local and so I’m aware of how difficult it is for local,
We asked: Many charities are concerned that the global credit crunch will reduce the number of financial donations they receive from individuals. Do you prefer to donate to local or national charites?
especially really small organisations to get money, so my donations are local but then I’m also concerned about other issues globally, so I occasionally go that way too.” Alice Meason, Quartet Community Foundation “Personally, I give to national charities and campaigning organisations and the credit crunch wouldn’t affect my decision whether to give or not to give to those organisations. I would always be more likely to give to a national organisation than a local organisation.” Stuart Griffin - Social Enterprise Works “I donate to Unicef and I’ve done that for the past few years. I’m dubious of people selling (collecting for) charities door to door because I’m not sure if they are legitimate or not.” Alex Milne - Community at Heart “I donate to charity but I don’t mind, just where it’s needed most. I do international, I do local - I do all that.”
“
Lisa Blackwood, St Pauls Unlimited “I donate to Save the Children, which is international, I think. I’ll still continue to donate (despite the credit crunch) because I think there is a lot going into local stuff and so it’s a chance for everyone to get a piece.” Mandy Cox, Wellspring Healthy Living Centre
www.voscur.org
11
Have your say
The Blue View on Our Sector and Community Empowerment Last issue we reported on the government’s Community Empowerment White Paper. Below are extracts from the Conservative Shadow Minister for Charities, Social Enterprise and Volunteering, Greg Clark’s speech to the National Association of Voluntary Community Action (NAVCA) conference in September. “My colleague George Osborne,
Dr Colin Copus, senior Lecturer, Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham
the Shadow Chancellor, used an interview with the Guardian newspaper to talk about how the progressive aims that many of us share can be achieved by what we hope will be the next Conservative government and that created a bit of a debate - about whether this is something that society should embrace or whether this is a twist too far for public opinion, to embrace the Conservatives as the progressive party aiming to pursue progressive goals. I was struck by Kevin Curley’s
L-R Greg Clark MP, Kevin Curley, NAVCA, Peter Wanless, Big Lottery Fund
(Chief Executive, NAVCA), letter in the Guardian responding to the
when the decisions have already
of community or is the intention to
above. Kevin said that, “If George
been made’ - there is a challenge
have the community sector there
Osborne wanted to harness the
to us that I hope we will rise to.
as a kind of co-opted cog in the
voluntary sector then he should
12
machine of government?
learn from three decades of our
“I think it comes down to this
involvement in government funded
question of involvement - to
“One of the key questions, as you
programmes. We know what has
harness the energy, creativity
know, is whether voluntary groups
worked and what has failed. Any
and everything the third sector
should have a greater involvement
government would be wise to draw
brings to bear - but what does
in the delivery of public services.
on the third sector’s experience as
that involvement mean? Does
My answer to that is, of course
it plans its social programmes and
involvement mean recognising the
they ought to able to if they want
not simply to ask us to deliver them
sector as the organised expression
to, but I think there is a danger if
www.voscur.org
Have your say
you’re not careful, if through the
according to our instructions. I’d
blunt instrument of contracting
like to see more councils – and
you find that you’re not doing
government being more confident
something different, innovative
in using the grant rather than
and new but you’re just doing it
feeling constrained to turn grants
the old way, but just by a different
into contracts. So I hope that
group of people.
we can establish through the Compact a greater acceptance of
An effective voice for Disabled people Since the West of England Coalition for Disabled people closed, there has been no
“Contracting isn’t the end game
grants funding and I hope that we
especially for small or community
only use contracts where that is
based organisations. Grants have
necessary or where that is the right
always been incredibly important
course.”
Disability Equality Forum, being
away of grants. Since 2002/2003,
These are extracts from Greg Clark’s
is restricted to monitoring and
contracts have overtaken grants as
speak to the NAVCA conference.
being the prime source, the most
For a full transcript visit:
common source of public sector
www.voscur.org/haveyoursay
and I’m dismayed by the withering
funding. In the last three years according to the finance study
“Contracting isn’t the
there has been an absolute decline
end game especially
in grant giving by 13%.
effective voice for Disabled people’s groups in Bristol. The part of the Council’s structure scrutinising the Council’s policies and practice. It wants to be a more wide-ranging voice for Disabled people in Bristol. The Forum is currently considering alternative structures including a possible move out of the
for small or community
Council. Members will vote on
“I think that is very regrettable
based organisations.
the Forum’s future this autumn.
because grants say something
Grants have always
To find out more
about the question of trust and
been incredibly
contact Laura Welti
question of empowerment - to say to an organisation we’ve seen
important.”
you, we know you do good work
(Monday – Thursday 11am – 3pm), email: laura.welti@bristol.gov.uk
in our community and we don’t
Greg Clark, Conservative Shadow
want you to operate specifically
Minister for Charities,
or phone: 07810 506730
www.voscur.org
13
Have your say
Have a Say in Local Health and Social Care Local Involvement Network for Bristol Are you interested in having a say in health and social care locally? You can become part of a new way for local people to have their say about the way local health and social care services are run and developed by joining Bristol Local Involvement Network (LINk).
Bristol LINk has recently been launched. It is a network of local people, organisations and groups that want to improve health and social care services. Pat Foster, LINk Manager explains, “Bristol LINk’s membership is small at the moment and urgently needs people from the local community who feel strongly about local health and social care services”. Bristol LINk will be expected to represent everyone and will also work with health and social care professionals to make sure your voice is heard. It will not matter whether services are provided by the NHS, a local authority, private company, social enterprise or a charity, as long as they are paid for by the tax payer they will be covered by the LINk. This includes, for example, day centres and care homes, home care, family planning, hospitals and GP surgeries, as well as health promotion. LINks do have teeth and have
14
www.voscur.org
been given powers as part of their
to being involved in working task
role. The LINk will be able to make
groups. You can join the LINk as an
reports and recommendations and
individual or as a representative of
get a reply within a set amount
a voluntary or community group.
of time, go into some types of services to see what they do,
For more information about
comment on local services and
Bristol LINk contact:
receive a response from local
Caroline McAleese - Development
authority commissioners and
and Information Worker for Bristol
overview and scrutiny committees.
LINk, 0117 9589347, email: carolinemcaleese@linkbristol.org.uk
You can participate in the LINk as
Or write to the LINk at:
much or as little as you wish, from
The Care Forum, Vassall Centre,
receiving information regularly
Gill Avenue, Bristol, BS16 3JE
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Volunteering Bristol
A Choice Blend A national study of people volunteering with organisations or groups published by the Institute for volunteering Research, looked at the provision of volunteer management. It found that the way in which volunteers reported being supported and managed varied considerably. Although four-fifths of volunteers said that they had
“Volunteer Management is about achieving a ‘choice blend, in which organisations combine ‘choice and control’, flexibility and organisation’, informality and efficiency’ and ‘personal and professional support’ “
access to someone within the organisation from whom they could seek advice and support, other elements of recognised good practice in volunteer management were less common. More than threequarters of volunteers reported not being provided with a role description and almost as many had not
Gaskin (2003) A Choice Blend: what volunteers want from organisations and management. Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR)
received training for their role. Even so, the majority of volunteers also felt that although support was
The different ways in which volunteers are involved
available, they did not feel they needed it, nor did the
and managed, across activities as well as the different
majority particularly want written role descriptions.
approaches to involving regular and occasional
In fact many volunteers felt that a written role
volunteers means that there has to be different
description would make their volunteering too rigid
models and strategies to managing volunteers and
and formal.
organising their involvement – one size will not fit all.
Whilst volunteers seem not to be particularly
Volunteering Bristol will advise organisations that are
demanding when it comes to formal management
looking to involve volunteers for the first time on
practices, Volunteering Bristol’s own research among
what processes they should have in place that will help
volunteers reveals that they are really frustrated by
them involve their volunteers successfully.
organisations that fail to respond to their enquiries about advertised volunteering roles, or do not inform
The Volunteer Organisers’ Forum meets about four
applicants of the length of time their recruitment
times a year, with additional ad hoc workshops on
processes could last. Several volunteers reported that
particular issues arranged as required. The Forum will
they had left volunteering because they had not felt
be discussing the issue of recruiting and retaining
valued, and some because they had been insufficiently
volunteers in a workshop on 12 November and its next
occupied.
network meeting is on 20 November.
Volunteering Bristol encourages volunteering involving organisations to join its Volunteer Organisers Forum where members can exchange ideas and experiences with their peers to help them use the good practice advice that is available to achieve the style and standard of volunteer management that suits their organisations’ needs.
Main article sources: Helping Out: a national survey of volunteering and charitable giving. (2007) The Cabinet Office, and Volunteering Bristol: Survey of volunteers using the Volunteer Centre services (2008).
www.voscur.org
17
Equalities
Equalities and Human Rights Commission Funds Ground-breaking Research In Spring this year the Bristol Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) Forum was awarded a grant by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to research the needs of LGB people from Black Minority Ethnic and Faith communities in Bristol.
Research from other cities indicates that Black Minority Ethnic and Faith LGB people are often isolated from the services offered by both statutory and voluntary organisations. The findings from the study will be made available in a detailed report in Spring 2009. This will be ground-breaking research as there is a dearth of studies of this kind in Bristol or elsewhere. The views of: Black Minority Ethnic individuals; LGB people from a Faith community; LGB and BME organisations respectively will be canvassed through the use of focus groups, one-to-one interviews, and questionnaires as well as through online forums. We hope that the project will lead to greater recognition and support for LGB people from Black Minority Ethnic and Faith communities. Since July this year two workers, Leiza McLeod and Edson Burton have been recruited to the post. They have researched the background literature, are in the process of contacting Black Minority Ethnic and Faith LGB people in Bristol, and are promoting the project in
18
www.voscur.org
Edson Burton and Leiza McLeod, Development Workers
community print and on local radio.
to one interviews; questionnaires
The first focus group took place in
or an on-line forum, please email
October this year.
either Leiza: leiza@bristol-lgbforum.org.uk or Edson: edson@
The research is supported by a
bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk or call
steering group, the members
0117 352 5633. You will also be
of which have a broad range of
able to share your experiences via
research, project management and
an online Forum.
personal experience. For the sake of security and honest If you are a Black Minority Ethnic
engagement access to the online
and Faith LGB person who would
Forum has first to be vetted so
like to become involved in the
please contact the above emails or
project through: focus groups; one
number in the first instance.
Equalities
Brits stand shoulder to shoulder with refugees Refugees and British people are standing shoulder to shoulder across the UK thanks to an innovative project in Bristol which recently launched its new website. The Refugee Awareness Project (RAP) website www.raproject.org.uk will act as an inspirational ‘toolkit’ for the many people nationwide who support asylum seekers and refugees in their communities and want to make their voices heard. and speak publicly after all they’ve been through and in a language that’s not even their mother tongue!” The new site gives people everything they need to become community ambassadors for refugees, including tips on how to offer practical help and pocket booklets that put the facts at their fingertips. The website’s ‘info vault’ is a fantastic one-stopRAP volunteer delivering awareness workshop
The interactive website is the
something to counter that.
offspring of a project operated
shop for facts and figures about asylum, providing resources and activities that trainers, teachers and community activists will find
by national charity Refugee
“In running awareness workshops
Action. Both refugees and British
with local people, I’ve found that
people from all walks of life have
a lot of people are initially hostile
Bristol’s RAP co-ordinator Claire
volunteered with the project.
about refugees. However, their
Stern, said that many thousands of
They have visited local groups to
opinions are not based on any real
people up and down the country
give the facts about asylum, and
facts and as soon as you explain
are hungry for information and
refugee volunteers have told their
the reality, they understand why
want to know how they can make
stories of fleeing persecution and
we should offer asylum seekers
a difference. The RAP website will
war.
protection and admit that they’ve
empower those people to act.
especially useful.
been misled by some parts of the Rob Wotherspoon volunteered in
tabloid press.
Bristol because of the way refugees and asylum seekers, some of the
“The refugee volunteers on the
most vulnerable and marginalised
project have been a real inspiration
people in British society, are
to me. It’s so impressive that
treated. He decided to do
they’re brave enough to go out
To see the new website and find out how your organisation can receive a refugee awareness workshop go to www.raproject.org.uk
www.voscur.org
19
Hate crime
Tackling hate crime in Bristol Contacts for reporting hate crime and further information: EACH – Homophobic (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual): 0808 100 143 (Mon-Fri 10am4pm) www.eachaction.org.uk SARI – Faith-based / Racist: 0117 942 0060 (24 hrs), www.sariweb.org.uk WECIL – Disablist: 0117 903 8900 voice and minicom (Mon - Fri 9am-4.30pm) www.wecil.co.uk Victim Support Avonvale: 0845 45 66 099, (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm) www.victimsupport.org.uk/avonvale/ Avon & Somerset Police: 0845 4567000 (dial 999 in an emergency, 24hrs) www.avonandsomerset.police.uk Safer Bristol Partnership: for locations of reporting centres in Bristol; to report hate crime online or to download the Hate Crime Strategy 2006-09 (Easy English version available): www.bristol.gov.uk/hatecrime Home office: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/ reducing-crime/hate-crime/
Hate crime is extremely underreported in our city and the Bristol Hate Crime strategy is working to address this problem. Reporting of hate crime incidents needs to be encouraged in order to ensure that people can get support; to paint a better picture of how hate crime is affecting the city; to identify where the ‘hotspots’ are and how best to tackle the problem and to make Bristol safer. Race, faith, ethnicity, disability or sexuality based bullying, prejudice or harassment is a hate crime. It can be any incident directly against individuals believed to belong to, or believed to be associating with persons belonging to, a specific group, therefore it can affect anyone. It can be any incident committed against a person or property that is perceived to be motivated by the offender’s hatred of people based on prejudice (as above), and should be determined as a hate crime by the person affected and not by agencies involved. Whilst not all incidents constitute a criminal offence, the effects nevertheless can be just as serious in terms of impact. Hate crime offences can range from name-calling, harassment, criminal damage, graffiti and assault to violence against the person and murder.
20
www.voscur.org
Hate crime
Tackling hate crime – the Bristol picture
Support Against Racist Incidents (SARI), Education and Action Challenging Homophobia (EACH)
The Bristol Hate Crime strategy
and West of England Council for
was initiated by a small working
Independent Living (WECIL) who are
group including Voscur, and was
key providers in challenging hate
developed from wide consultation.
incidents and supporting those
It is managed by the Safer Bristol
who report.
Partnership. Major successes of the strategy include the joint working processes
Recognising a hate crime incident. Would you report it?
involving voluntary and public sector organisations tackling hate crime and developing strategies to increase reporting. Sharing of information and data has been vastly improved, more effective signposting and support is available to those who report and a range of third-party reporting centres have been established in Bristol. Reporting centres are community venues where staff have been trained to receive reports about hate crime from the public; information is then forwarded on to the relevant agency if the
Reporting ensures
person reporting wishes this to happen; the process also enables
people get help. No
better tracking of hate crime
one should suffer in
incidents and activity in the city.
silence – you can help make a difference.
The training given to organisations which serve as reporting centres
For example: A white person is victimised because they have a black partner. A person leaving a gay venue is verbally abused by passers-by. A disabled man’s house is constantly being vandalised with graffiti, and sometimes rubbish is put through his letterbox. A person with learning difficulties is frequently verbally abused by a neighbour, who also plays loud music and refuses to turn it down. Mr X gets constant racial abuse when walking down his street so he tends to drive a lot. A brick was thrown through his windscreen and now Mr X and his family are too scared to leave the house.
is delivered by a consortium of
Anything like this is hate crime
voluntary sector organisations:
and should be reported.
www.voscur.org
21
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22
www.voscur.org
How To - ICT
What’s in a Name? How to have and use your own domain
A domain is the part of a
panel and choose the section
link to verify your ownership of the
web site or email address
“manage domain” then choose
address.
after the www and @, like
“email forwarding”.
Step Five: Go back to Accounts
voscur.org for sean@voscur.org
and you will see your new domain
or www.voscur.org or bristol.gov.
You will see a section to fill in that
address added, click on “Make
uk for mailing the City Council or
asks you to add a username (you
Default”. Your new email address
going to their website.
can use your own name, or office
is now live! Any mail you send will
or info) @thedomainyouhave.
come from you@yourdomain.org.
If you want professional looking
org.uk and a box asking where
uk and you can tell all your friends
looking email rather than the aol.
you want to forward that mail to.
and colleagues the new address.
com or blueyonder.co.uk your
Enter the googlemail address you
Internet Service Provider has given
set up in Step One. Click Update
If you need any more help setting
you, you can set one up in 10
Forwarding at the bottom of the
up more addresses for your office,
minutes for less than £5.
page and log out.
or transferring address books, or using the free calendar, or
Step One: First set up a Google mail
Step Four: Return to your new
setting up a website with your new
address – go to www.google.co.uk
googlemail account and click
domain, feel free to contact us at
and click on mail in the top left
“Settings” (in the top right corner
Voscur or use the contact form
hand corner and follow the simple
of the page) and then select
on our ICT Development services
instructions to set up the address,
“Accounts” from the list of tabs. In
web page at www.voscur.org/
we recommend a user name
the section “Send mail as:” click on
ictdevelopmentservices, or phone
format of name dot organisation
“Add another email address”.
Sean Kenny at Voscur on
(e.g. sean.voscur).
0117 909 9949. A pop up box will appear
Step Two: When you’ve done that,
prompting you to enter
head over to www.123-reg.co.uk
the address you want to
and find a suitable domain name
use – enter the address
that’s available. Registering a org.
you set up with 123-reg,
uk domain costs £5.58 for 2 years
press “Next” and then “Send
with 123-reg, the cheapest we’ve
Verification”.
found. After a short period of time Step Three: Once you’ve bought
a mail will appear in your new
your domain log into the control
googlemail inbox, click on the
Please note: Voscur does not endorse any specific company, and those named above have been given as examples. It is important to research products and companies best placed to suit your organisation’s requirements. When entering into any agreement ensure that you are aware of the full terms and conditions.
www.voscur.org
23
How to – Funding and Finance
Bristol e-Procurement System (BePS) - it’s coming your way If you’re a Voluntary, Community or Social Enterprise sector (VCSE) organisation which receives any sort of funding from Bristol City Council you are encouraged to register on BePS.
Why is BePs important to the VCSE?
How will BePs work for the VCSE?
kept securely and only authorised personnel will have access to it.
The Bristol e-Procurement System
Once you have received your
(BePS) is the web-based system
username and password you’ll be
Training on Commissioning
used by Bristol City Council to hold
able to search the bulletin board
and BePS
information on service providers,
of advertised tenders, receive
contracts and tenders. BePS is
tender alerts and express interest
going to be the only way that the
in opportunities.
relationships with VCSE groups in future, including grant funding.
BePS is free to use, and you can register
All tendering opportunities over
via this link: www.
£10,000 are now processed
procurement.bristol.
through BePS and the council will only accept tenders submitted on
gov.uk/. It’s as easy as
the system. Over the next year all
opening an account
follow-up contract management,
with Amazon or
monitoring and payments will also
Facebook.
be managed through BePS.
Tendering Toolkit
a PTQ to be considered for an advertised Bristol City Council
A new toolkit has been launched
contract.
to help small and medium sized enterprises develop a pre-
For further information and to
tender questionnaire (PTQ). All
download the toolkit visit
organisations need to complete
www.bristol.gov.uk/ptq
www.voscur.org
?
Bristol City Council and Voscur have set up BePS training opportunities for VCSE groups:
Council manages its contractual
24
All organisations’ information is
Wednesday 12 Nov, 10.30am – 12pm Thursday 27 Nov, 2.00 – 3.30pm, For further information and to book online visit: www.voscur.org/training or contact Sabrina Lee on (0117) 909 9949
How to – Funding and Finance
Voscur Receives Beacon Grant Award Voscur has been awarded a Beacon grant from the National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) for our work training Children and Young People’s organisations in outcomes-based commis-sioning. During the Summer training sessions, groups told us the kind of support they needed to engage in the commissioning and procurement process. The small grant will help to support consultation events linking commissioners and the voluntary sector on how to achieve outcomes for children, as well as further capacity building training for the Children’s workforce in outcomes development and monitoring
?
For further information visit:
www.voscur.org/commissioning
All the Fun of the Funding Fair! Dependent upon grant funding? Concerned about grant funding drying up? Need to learn new skills to generate income for your organisation?
Organisations (NCVO) on 16 September. The Annual Funding Event, entitled, From Surviving to Thriving: Making your Organisation Sustainable, will include four indepth and interactive workshops
…then look no further than the Voscur and BDA Annual Funding Event, where you can learn how to:
to equip Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations with skills to think beyond grants and understand how to access more sustainable and diverse forms
Plan and price your services to
of funding. The event promises
help you generate income
workshop facilitators and speakers
Make winning applications for
who are experts in their field,
long-term grant funding
funding information, resources and
Participate in commissioning
guidance, networking and much
processes and take up contracts
more…
Start trading goods and services The event acts as a follow-up to the very successful ‘Introduction to Sustainable Funding workshop’,
?
19 November 2008, from 9.30am – 5pm at the Greenway Centre,
which Voscur ran in partnership
Southmead, Bristol BS10 5PY. Book
with National Council for Voluntary
online at www.voscur.org/training
www.voscur.org
25
How to – Good Practice
Supporting you to support yourself Do you feel isolated in your role? Are you fed up with not getting enough support? Could external support be right for you? Many people who lead organisations can feel isolated in their roles, often due to insufficient support being in place.
Pippa Adamson from Red Kite
Coaching – Coaches are concerned
facilitator. This helps develop
Partnership highlights the
with learning and development
questioning and reflective skills,
importance of support.
through increased self-awareness,
as well as working through some
self-regulatory strategies, insights
difficult management issues.
Successful leaders in the private
and commitments.
and public sectors often work with a mentor, a coach or an external
Non-managerial supervision or
supervisor who supports them in
external supervision – providing
developing good judgment, clear
support in your work but not from
decision-making and strategic
your line manager.
skills. This helps them deal with the
Why do it? What are the benefits for you and your organisation? Role modelling of how to do supervision well can improve
pressures and stresses of running
External managerial supervision –
the quality of supervision in the
an organisation.
this is where the organisation asks
workplace.
someone to provide managerial
Off-loading can help you see the
To improve the situation, the
supervision, for example while a
issues more effectively and
organisation might pay for external
manager is away.
can help you be more focused in
support, where a manager/leader
your role.
can go and talk through the
Counselling – working on issues,
Seeing a mentor or coach one-
current issues in a confidential and
which get in the way of your work
to-one can provide personalised
supportive environment. The labels
but may not be work-related;
management training. You can
or names of supporters are much
sometimes provided for staff and
improve your influencing skills,
debated but some of the options
volunteers who have been through
your communication skills and
are:
difficult incidents at work.
get help with problem-solving. If a Management Board knows
26
Mentoring – a mentor can guide,
Action Learning Sets – in an Action
that its Chief Executive is
encourage and help you to develop
Learning Set, people work in a
receiving good support, then it is
as a person and as a leader and
group to support and challenge
fulfilling its responsibility to
manager.
each other, with the help of a
support the leadership of the
www.voscur.org
How to – Good Practice
You can improve your influencing skills, your communication skills and organisation and thereby
get help with problem-
able to help. Contact Sophie
improve its effectiveness.
solving.
Bayley on 0117 909 9949
When might my organisation look for external one-to-one support? When your organisation is experiencing change and there may be stress within the staff team When a new Chief Executive/ Manager has been appointed Where the Board and Chief Executive, Manager have been in place for many years Where the Chief Executive or Manager has little or no support in the organisation and/or has no line manager Where the person’s line manager is on sick leave
How can Voscur support you? Voscur has already run Action Learning sets for Leaders, Development Workers and Chairs of Voluntary, Community and
3) Voscur is looking to develop Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations for our members. We also have a directory of external consultants (see below). Internally, we encourage our managers to have non-managerial supervision and have peer support through our Development Team.
Where next? If you want extra support here are some places to go to: 1) Check the Trainers and Consultants Directory on the Voscur website under www. voscur.org/directories to find appropriate support 2) If you are interested in Action Learning Sets, Voscur may be
a Chief Officers’ Network to support you in your role. If you are interested contact Wendy Stephenson at Voscur on 0117 909 9949 or email: wendy@voscur.org 4) Go to Trainers and Consultants Direct at NAVCA www.trainers andconsultantsdirect.org.uk 5) Funds might be raised to cover costs if it relates to capacity building and increased effectiveness of the organisation. Contact Sabrina Lee, Voscur’s Funding Advisor on 0117 909 9949 or Quartet: www.quartetcf.org.uk or call on 0117 989 7700
Thanks to Pippa Adamson www.red-kite.net
www.voscur.org
27
How to – Green Pages
I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas Follow these top tips to help make your Christmas a bit more environmentally friendly
Switch off
Re-post
If you’re taking a holiday
It is estimated that up
over the Christmas or New
to 1 billion Christmas
Year period then make
cards (17 for every man,
sure that all your work or
woman and child) could
home computers, moni-
end up in bins across
tors, printers and other
the UK after Christmas.
electrical equipment not
After you’ve finished with
in use during the holiday
the seasonal greetings
is switched off to avoid
from your partners and
wasting energy and help
colleagues makes sure
keep your bills down.
they are recycled at one of the many Christmas card recycling centres. If you take them to one of the supermarket recycling centres you’ll help raise money for charity too. You could also try sending e-cards this year. E-cards mean no paper at all but the sentiments are still there.
28
www.voscur.org
Get back to your roots Over six million trees were bought last Christmas in the UK, most of which were thrown out after December, creating over 9000 tonnes of additional rubbish - that’s the equivalent weight of 160,000 of Santa’s little helpers! So, if you’re buying a real Christmas tree, make sure it has roots so it can grow again. If it can’t grow again, take it to one of your local recycling centres where it will be chipped and turned into nutritious compost.
Buy better If you’re buying Christmas presents, keep an eye out for recycled products. From fashionable bags and drinking glasses to cushions and clothing you’ll be amazed at what you can find. Visit: www.recyclenow. com to see a full range of recycled goods that make ideal gift ideas!
How to – Green Pages
Pack in the bags
Keep someString ‘em up one else warm
Say “No” to unwanted
More than 80,000 tonnes
carrier bags when doing
of old clothes are thrown
your Christmas shopping,
away over Christmas - if
take a re-usable shopping
you get a whole new
bag with you or re-use
wardrobe, donate your
plastic bags. Don’t accept
unwanted clothes to
bags that you don’t need
charity shops.
this Christmas. Cloth
Umm... thanks
It is estimated that over
If somebody gives you a
Christmas as much as 83
present that you don’t
square km of wrapping
really want or your
paper will end up in UK
children receive a toy that
rubbish bins, enough to
is soon discarded - rather
cover an area larger than
than throw it away, pass it
Guernsey. Use string to
on to your local hospital,
tie up your parcels so that
play centre, charity shop
the paper can be reused.
or school.
bags also make a great Christmas gift.
Bin those usual resolutions and make a New Year recycling resolution! If you’re not already recycling at work visit www.recyclenow.com/what_can_i_do_today to find out how you can turn your workplace green. Find out more details on recycling and Christmas opening hours for the Bristol recycling centres at: www.bristol.gov.uk/recycling www.voscur.org
29
Children & Young People
Highlighting the Work of Our Members Action research project: ‘Platform Futures’ Young People as researchers and evaluators
Emma Agusita outside Knowle West Media Centre - Picture by Tanya Hazell
Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) is an organisation
Emma has been developing a participatory approach
engaged in developing the creative, social and
to the research project so that young people are not
educational potential of people within the surrounding
simply a ‘source of data’. PF is providing the chance
community and the wider city. The centre offers
for young people to become actively involved as
opportunities for young people to participate
co-researchers and evaluators and there will be a
in a range of creative projects mobilising video,
young researchers group looking at key aspects of the
photography, graphic design, music, and multimedia
research. This approach reflects the ethos and practice
and online platforms.
of KWMC where young people are encouraged, through creative means, to participate in decision-
Since October 2006 Doctoral research student,
making processes regarding issues that affect them
Emma Agusita, has been working collaboratively with
and their local community. KWMC knows that young
KWMC and the University of the West of England to
people have a valuable contribution to make to their
develop an action research project “Platform Futures
communities and that they can have a positive impact
(PF)”. The project is evaluating ways in which young
on the perception of young people both within the
people engage in creative media activities in informal
communities in which they live and beyond.
educational settings and will look at what kinds of
30
digital media technologies can be used to extend and
Recently, young people from KWMC were engaged
enhance project work with young people.
as evaluators in the development and delivery of an
www.voscur.org
Children & Young People
evaluation of the South Bristol Urban 2 programme.
shared decision making about the form of,
The young people involved had been central to the
approach to and tools used for, evaluation. For
‘Archimedia Project’ which received funding from
example, allow young people to set relevant criteria
the SB Urban 2 programme. The Archimedia project
which reflect their priorities, don’t just use pre-
involved young people in every element of decision-
existing ones
making regarding the planning and creation of a new
Consider ethical issues in relation to evaluation
purpose built flagship building for KWMC.
such as: consent, inclusiveness, confidentiality and anonymity, recognition, ownership and social
By working closely with KWMC’s youth media worker,
responsibility. Aim to raise awareness, and involve
Sandra Manson, and with support from independent
young people in thinking and decision making about
research and evaluation consultant Roz Hall, the group
these issues
planned the evaluation process and carried out the
Treat young people as equals
majority of the evaluative work. The team then worked
Make the evaluation process clear and easy to
with input from Emma to develop the content of the
understand
evaluation into a publication.
Always genuinely listen to what young people have to say
The book In Our Opinion – Young People as Active Participants in the Regeneration of Their Communities
Sharing the outcomes of the Platform Futures
(2008), suggests a number of effective ways of
research project will help to develop and promote
working with young people as evaluators. These were
inclusive practice, particularly young people’s
developed in collaboration with the young people
participation in research and evaluation. This
involved and can be applied to the evaluation of
will improve service provision and enhance the
programmes, initiatives, projects and activities that
effectiveness of creative media activities such as those
involve young people:
at KWMC that support young people’s personal, social and educational development.
Be willing to acknowledge that young people are experts on the issues and matters that affect them
Sources of further information:
Work to develop a mutual sense of trust and
Knowle West Media Centre www.kwmc.org.uk;
respect with young people as a basis for developing effective practice Be honest with young people. If they are aware of the facts of a situation they are better equipped to
Platform Futures Blog www.platformfutures.blogspot.com
deal with them
National Youth Agency – see Young Researchers
Involve young people throughout the entire
Network www.nya.org.uk
process; don’t just bring them on board to suit your own timetable or agenda Aim to enable young people to be involved in
For further information contact Emma, Email: emma@kwmc.org.uk
www.voscur.org
31
Children & Young People - Reps
Voscur Reps Voscur Reps are there to ensure that the views of the sector are heard and represented at strategic meetings. Reps represent the views of, and are accountable to, Voscur Children and Young Peoples Network members. All of our Reps are volunteers and are undertaking this responsibility in addition to their organisational roles. Representation is a two way process and network members are requested to contact the Reps with concerns, feedback and questions. More information about your Reps can be found at: www.voscur.org.uk
Introduction to Your New Rep Welcome to Sandra Meadows -
Sandra Meadows, Rep to the Diploma Development group
the newly appointed rep to the Diploma Development Group, a sub
strategic and operational plans and
be available in 17 subjects across
group of the 14 - 19 work stream
developments. My past experience
England by 2013. Diplomas cannot
group. Sandra introduces herself
of working in partnership and
all be taught in one school and
below:
across sectors will assist in
will be offered in partnership with
gathering and communicating the
other schools and colleges. Also, in
“I am the Co-ordinator of the
views of those I represent. I look
2010, £7bn will be transferred to
Play & Early Years Training Unit
forward to speaking with many of
local authorities from the Learning
(PEYTU), a local charity and training
you during my tenure – please do
and Skills Council, therefore Local
provider for the Children & Young
get in touch.”
Authorities will be responsible for
People’s sector. In my new role as
Email: smeadows@peytu.co.uk
commissioning the annual spend on education and training for 16-
a member of the 14-19 Diploma of the 14-19 Work stream) I am
What are Diplomas for 14-19 year olds?
keen to assist in ensuring that
The Diploma is a new qualification
the voluntary sector perspective
that combines academic study
is communicated and included in
with work based learning. It will
Development Group (sub group
32
www.voscur.org
19 year olds. For more information go to: yp.direct.gov.uk /diplomas
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Training & Learning
Oodles of Moodles
“I’m really excited about this, it shows that digital technology allows partnership working not seen in the sector before and Hot Topic
Oriented Dynamic Learning
I think it could be the
Environment. Moodle is one type
future for community
e-Learning - Oodles of Moodles
of e-Learning and is designed
Electronic learning (e-Learning or
to help educators create online
eLearning) is a type of education
courses with opportunities for rich
where people learn through
interaction. Moodle is a Course
computer technology. In some
Management System (CMS) - a free,
Jo Weenink, Development Worker,
instances, no person-to-person
open source software package
Bristol Learning Communities.
interaction takes place. It is defined
which you can download and use
as teaching/learning experience
on any computer. You can put on
learners. This is one way of
that uses a wide spectrum of
different modules, activities and
reaching people who cannot afford
technologies, mainly Internet or
podcasts to help people learn.
to attend training sessions. Many
computer-based, to reach learners.
34
learning”
organisations are using them now Moodle’s modular design makes it
and Voscur has its own which
Introducing Moodle
easy to create new courses, adding
Barton Hill Settlement is currently
Moodle stands for Modular Object-
content that will engage
using.
www.voscur.org
Training & Learning
Learning News
What does this mean for Voluntary, Community and Social
New West of England
Enterprise (VCSE) organisations
Community Learning Moodle
and the people we work with?
Four Local Authorities: Bristol,
There is now one place to go to
South Gloucestershire, North
access information about Local
Somerset and Bath and North
Authority Community Learning
East Somerset have been working
in the region. This includes the
in partnership to develop a
contact details of all the teams,
cross authority Virtual Learning
what courses are running where,
Environment (VLE).
support for learners who have attended courses and up to date
The partnership has been about
newsletters and information
sharing good practice, resources
relevant to the sector.
and standardising access to community learning information
Over the next year, Learning
across unitary boundaries.
Communities Bristol are looking at ways in which other learning
www.communitylearningwest.
providers can use this resource to
gov.uk
promote courses and services.
The Virtual Learning environment
In the fast changing world of ICT
(VLE) is being used as
and e-Learning we in the VCSE sector need to make sure we are
A place to store, access and use
not being left behind. This new
materials
VLE for community learning may
A platform on which to build and
provide a model of good practice
deliver learning activity
of how, in an environment with
A set of communication
scarce recourses we can work
possibilities, including
together to promote and support
information sharing, videos
teaching and learning in the
and dialogues
community learning sector.
A system to track and monitor
To find out more contact: Jo
learner activity
Weenink on 0117 9039750 or e-mail: jo.weenink@bristol.gov.uk
?
The Showcase section provides links to examples of interesting online
courses, learning materials and other e-learning solutions: www.e-learningcentre.co.uk/ eclipse/showcase www.bartonhillsettlement.org.uk www.moodle.org Learn Direct runs many courses online, that could be useful for you: www.learndirect.co.uk
www.voscur.org
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Voscur Ltd. The CREATE Centre Smeaton Road Bristol BS1 6XN Tel: 0117 909 9949 Fax: 0117 933 0501 Email: info@voscur.org Web: www.voscur.org
Voscur Diary November/December 2008 Tue 4 & 11 Nov
Turning Ideas into Action (Neighbourhood Learning) Beacon Centre, BS5 9JH (6pm – 9pm)
Thu 6 Nov
Hate Crime Awareness St Werburghs Community Centre, BS2 9TJ (9.30am – 3.30pm)
Dragons’ Den – Pitching your Proposal Greenway Centre, BS10 5PY (1pm – 3.30pm)
Wed 12 Nov
Bristol e-Procurement Training City Learning Centre 3, BS16 2HD (10.30am – 12pm)
Thu 13 Nov
Conflict – Dealing with Difficult Behaviour Gatehouse Centre, BS13 9JN (9.30am – 3.30pm)
Wed 19 Nov
Funders’ Fair (Voscur & BDA Event) The Greenway Centre, BS10 5PY (10am – 5pm)
Sat 22 Nov
Neighbourhood Partnership Residents’ Forum The Greenway Centre, BS10 5PY (10am – 1pm)
Tue 25 Nov
Voscur Equalities Network Barton Hill Settlement, BS5 0AX (10am – 12.30pm)
Wed 26 Nov
Making Meetings Work for you (Neighbourhood Learning) @Symes, BS13 0BE (9.30am – 3.30pm)
Thu 27 Nov
Bristol e-Procurement Training The Park, BS4 1QD (2pm – 3.30pm)
Wed 3 Dec
Auditing your Building for Energy Southville Centre, BS3 1QG (9.30am – 3.30pm)
Thu 4 Dec
How to Win Tenders Barton Hill Settlement, BS5 0AX (9.30am – 3.30pm)
Tue 9 Dec
Full Cost Recovery @Symes, BS13 0BE (9.30am – 3.30pm)
Introduction to Voscur for small and new groups Windmill Hill City Farm, BS3 4EA (10am – 12 noon)
To book or for further information visit: www.voscur.org or tel: 0117 909 9949
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www.voscur.org