Thrive! Magazine July-September 2016

Supporting voluntary and community action

July/August/September 2016

In this issue: The VCS Grants Prospectus Anti-advocacy clause An interview with new Bristol Mayor, Marvin Rees The Bristol Youth Strategy Hundreds gathered all over Bristol to celebrate Volunteers’ Week this June.

This photo was taken at a special launch event we held at J3 – read more about the week on p8-9.

Active Together for Dementia Social Value Policy: what is happening now? and much more...

Contents Voscur 3 Editorial 4-5

Government clause would stop charities passing on good ideas

5-6

New Voscur members

7

Shaping the sector’s future together

8-9

Hundreds across Bristol celebrate Volunteers’ Week

10

Active Together for Dementia

12-13 Social Value Policy: what is happening now?

Support Hub 14

The VCS Grants Prospectus – Are you ready?

Voice and Influence 15

‘Our Journey Together: Strategic Priorities for Young People in Bristol’ – the story so far

16-17 Increasing segregation in Britain?

18-20 A moment with Marvin 21

Success for 50:50 campaign

22

This is Me: Elaine Flint, VCSE sector advocate

23

Think Local: Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill Neighbourhood Partnership

Key to symbols Training

Information & Resources

Event

Thrive! is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine.

If you require it in another format, please get in touch on 0117 909 9949.

Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.

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July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

Working to make Bristol a city of social value incidences of poor governance

volunteer involving organisations,

and aggressive fundraising have

that your Volunteer Centre is

led to a reduction in the number

providing a high quality and

of people coming forward to act

effective service’.

as trustees, and a reduction in public donations.

Dear Members and Friends, Recent research by Social Enterprise UK identified Bristol as one of the 14% of councils that embrace social value. This great

Of course volunteering isn’t the answer to all of the sector’s

We have seen these factors

challenges. We still need to

reflected in the support requests

generate new income, collaborate

received over the past year, with

more effectively and enable

many relating to governance

people to make the most of their

and sustainability. So Bristol

existing skills and resources to

City Council’s target of 25% of

overcome disadvantage. And

commissioning and procurement

these are some of the things we’ll

budget to be spent with ‘small

be helping you to achieve through

to medium businesses, social

our new infrastructure support

enterprises and voluntary and

service (see page 7).

community organisations’ is both timely and welcome.

We are very proud of our services, delivered by skilled and

news is a positive outcome of our

An important part of social value

experienced staff, supported

perseverance in advocating for

is creating new opportunities

by VCSE sector advocates and

the sector to have a seat at policy-

through activities such as

volunteers, and we look forward

making tables over the years – see

apprenticeships and volunteering.

to serving you for the next four

pages 12-13.

Since merging with Volunteer

years and helping to make Bristol a

Bristol in 2014, Voscur has

city of social value.

It’s especially important given current pressures: reduced statutory provision, welfare reform, higher levels of poverty and changing demographics have led to an increase in demand on voluntary organisations.

People seeking support often have more complex needs, yet in 2013/14 income among small and medium-sized charities fell.

‘Micro-charities’, accounting for half the sector, received only 0.5% of total income.* High-profile

integrated volunteering support with broader sector development.

Best wishes,

The numbers of people using the service – potential volunteers and organisations with opportunities to offer – underlines its value locally. External validation came this month in the form of NCVO’s Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation award – which ‘provides assurance to commissioners and funders, as

Wendy Stephenson Chief Executive *NCVO’s UK Civil Society Almanac 2016

well as members of the public and

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

www.voscur.org

3

Government clause would stop charities passing on good ideas Recently the Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock MP announced that the Government was pausing on implementation of the anti-advocacy clause. The original plan was to put a clause in all grant agreements to restrict charities’ lobbying of government. The hope has got to be that the pause has occurred because the penny has finally dropped that this is a bad idea. Although it is commonly known as the anti-advocacy clause, it is better to think of this as a clause that tells charities they shouldn’t pass on good ideas.

Imagine the situation this clause could create. A charity receiving a grant from the government would be discouraged from talking to decision makers. Stopped from talking about changing services to improve outcomes and save money. Innovation would be strangled. User voices would be shut out. This is the exact opposite direction that the NHS is going in, as outlined in the Five Year Forward View. It flies in the face of all the talk of coproduction.

And concern about this clause is increased because it appears to be part of a trend that has seen charities’ independence attacked.

The Independence Panel , set up in 2011, tracked charities’ independence and threats to it over a four-year period. Their fourth report in 2015 said that “UK charities are facing a barrage of attacks on their freedom to defend the most vulnerable people in society – part of a 1

4 www.voscur.org

Photo by Dima Bushkov CC BY-NC 2.0

Article written

by Barney Mynott, Head of Public Affairs at NAVCA.

disturbing trend that the Panel says has been growing over each of the last four years.”

of the anti-advocacy clause, as they receive government funding whilst pushing for measures that would restrict tobacco sales. Not something that most people would see as unreasonable or perverting democracy.

The original announcement of the clause by the Government was also curious. In the first line of the press release it referred to ‘extensive research’ by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) into socalled ‘sock puppets’. It is unusual for a Government press release to talk up the work of think tanks, and eyebrows were raised when the Independent linked Matthew Hancock to a £4,000 donation from the chairman of the IEA. 2

3

The involvement of the IEA also is of note as they have in the past been funded by tobacco companies and campaigned against plain packaging for cigarettes. This has made anti-smoking charities fear that they are the intended target

4

5

Although the Government is pausing implementation, they are not giving this up yet. They say they are just considering representations made to them before they introduce the clause.

Despite this clause only being targeted at charities that get grant funding from national government, smaller local charities may also feel the effect. Local government is not being forced to adopt it, but some councils may well voluntarily adopt it. However, the Local Government Association say that their feedback from councils is that this would be

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

an impossible clause to enforce in local government grant agreements. More importantly it is another addition to the current atmosphere that is questioning charities’ right to speak up, at a time when arguably there is a growing need for politicians and decision makers to hear the voices of people at the receiving end of spending cuts.

New Voscur members South Bristol Toy Library Promoting physical, cognitive, sensory and emotional development through play by providing good-quality indoor

The hope is that the pause will become more than just a pause and end up a permanent abandonment of the idea: a way to get out of this mess and save face. After the Charity Commission said charities should think twice before getting involved in the EU referendum, the Charities’ Minister Rob Wilson intervened and said that charities should feel free to campaign. So maybe there is a wider government rethink about charities and campaigning. Maybe this is a sign of a greater value being placed on hearing a plurality of views to get good decision making.

and outdoor toys for hire as a community resource for

Whilst charities need to remain aware of legislative changes around campaigning,

http://www.sixteencoop.co.uk

6

I hope this does not mean that anyone feels they should not speak out on behalf of the people and communities they support. Frivolous newspaper debates commonly end up listing queuing, cups of tea and cooked breakfast as quintessentially British. I would add speaking truth to power. And no one does this better than charities and community groups.

To contact Barney, email: Barney.Mynott@navca.org.uk 1

www.independencepanel.org.uk

2 https://goo.gl/IMKtmM 3

http://goo.gl/tpjHDf

4

https://goo.gl/Ypv99n

http://goo.gl/N7yV4U 6 http://goo.gl/ilmHt0 5

children, their families and carers living in South Bristol. www.southbristoltoylibrary.co.uk 07879671784

Underfall Yard Trust Keeping ancient maritime skills alive by renting buildings in the boatyard to local businesses and small/start-up enterprises. http://underfallboatyard.co.uk/trust.html 0117 930 9986

Sixteen Cooperative Ltd. Supported Employment Services for people with a learning disability, autism or other disadvantage in the workplace.

Poetry Can To increase opportunities for everyone to participate in and enjoy poetry, through a strategic programme of events and projects. http://www.poetrycan.co.uk 0117 9330900

Glenside Hospital Museum This museum houses collections relating to the history of Bristol’s Psychiatric and Learning Disability hospitals. www.glensidemuseum.org.uk

Interculture Promotes, celebrates and supports intercultural communication through training, workshops and events.

07740 008 654 Continued on next page...

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

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5

New Voscur members (continued) Bristol Hospital Broadcasting Service Helping to keep patients entertained and

Member benefits

comforted and enabling them to feel a sense of company whilst away from home and their families. http://www.bhbs.org/ 0117 929 3303

Rethink Fishponds Women’s Support Group This weekly coffee morning is a knit-and-natter group for women who have lived experience of mental illness. Members regularly bring their knitting or craft project.

0117 9031805

Bristol & Anchor Almshouse Charity to help support those over 55 in need of accommodation in the Bristol area.

0117 935 4471

AIM – Art in Motion Providing opportunities for artists with learning disabilities to engage in contemporary art to explore ideas and concepts with a specific focus on sense of place, heritage and the built environment. https://artinmotion45.wordpress.com/

No More Taboo No More Taboo sells reusable sanitary products in the UK and invests 100% of the profits into charitable projects that help tackle the taboos surrounding menstruation and sanitation. www.nomoretaboo.org/about-us 07934 739098 Welcome also to our Associate members: User Voice, Avon Valley Railway, Meningitis Research Foundation, Arthritis Care, Southern Links Children’s Centre, APCRC, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and individual member SM Consultancy.

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For more information on becoming a member of Voscur and the range of member benefits, visit: www.voscur.org/about/ joiningonline or call us on 0117 909 9949.

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

Shaping the sector’s future together Photo by Walt Jabsco CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

• Have you been able to take advantage of recent changes in charity funding, public commissioning and support for social enterprise?

• Do you know which organisations you could collaborate with, either just round the corner or working with similar clients across the region?

• What are likely to be the main challenges for your organisation’s sustainability in the next few years?

Based on your input, the Council’s new voluntary sector support service will help you answer and address these questions over the next four years. Its new areas of focus are funding, capacity, meeting gaps, collaboration, coordination and influence.

In the short term this means helping organisations to prepare for the ‘VCS Prospectus’ launching this month. Grant funding from a range of Council departments to over 80 organisations will be pooled into one citywide fund with a new application process.

It’s the most significant change to voluntary sector funding in a long time, and information about some of the support we’re offering is on page 14.

Looking further ahead, other

types of development will become more prominent. For example, the Prospectus has been designed to encourage collaboration, and there’s a range of ways organisations can work together to coordinate activities, share pathways and provide people with more holistic services. We recognise that effective collaboration comes from mutual trust and clarity of common purpose, and these can take time to develop, so we know this will be a significant piece of work and our skilled and experienced team are ready to help and look forward to taking on this challenge.

We’ll also continue practising what we preach when it comes to collaboration and co-production and our belief that we’re “stronger together”. So we’re looking into new ways of providing the same

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

level of service with less funding, improving our reach into and response to grassroots groups, and securing new resources and pro bono support for the sector. For example, we’ve already increased the support we provide through a variety of community venues across the city by working with local groups.

We’d like to develop this further, and find an alternative office, with space for other local groups to use.

So if your organisation is interested in working with us to identify a shared space for a voluntary sector base, please do get in touch.

Voscur: 0117 909 9949 Info@voscur.org www.voscur.org.uk

www.voscur.org

7

Hundreds across Bristol celebrate Volunteers’ Week!

Volunteers’ Week is an annual event dating back to 1984, which celebrates the amazing amounts of energy, time and enthusiasm given to charitable organisations by millions of people across the UK. This year NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) announced that Volunteers’ Week would run from 1 to 12 June, extended from the usual week to include a street party on the Mall in London for the Queen’s 90th birthday with guests from the 600 organisations of which she is a patron.

Here in Bristol, organisations and charities citywide embraced the 12-day “week” to thank the thousands of people who tirelessly make so many projects possible. Voscur’s celebrations started with a #BrisVol16 launch event at Junction 3 library where free food provided by FoodCycle Connects and live music from the

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Gin Bowlers encouraged families and commuters to find out more about local projects such as the Julian House Bike Workshop, try online micro-volunteering and speak to Volunteer Bristol advisers about potential opportunities. #BrisVol16’s exciting programme of events included a volunteer assault course run by the Southmead Development Trust, a volunteer conference at St Peter’s Hospice, an open day at ss Great Britain and tours of John Wesley’s Chapel.

Lucie Connors, Community Engagement Officer at The New Room/John Wesley’s Chapel, said: “Volunteers play a hugely important role at the New Room as without them we wouldn’t be able to open our doors to visitors six days a week. Our volunteers welcome visitors into our chapel and museum and tell them about

our history and story. Some of our volunteers have been with us for 30 years and many close friendships have been formed and unique experiences and memories gained. When our new Visitor Centre opens in 2017 we’ll be offering more exciting roles, as we’ll need help to run our new café, shop, museum, library and archives. We’re always looking for volunteers to support with our learning and community engagement activities and events programme. We’re keen to recruit 200 more, so get in touch if you would like to be part of our future story!”

Throughout the 12 days, Volunteer Bristol @ Voscur partnered with Bristol Libraries to run advice sessions in Avonmouth, Stockwood and Easton matching people with local opportunities.

Nia Crouch from Bristol Libraries said: “Volunteers’ Week is a

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

Whether you’re interested in food, animals, support work, media or translation, there’s almost certainly an organisation with a role that may be for you. great way of celebrating what volunteers do across Bristol and running drop-ins was a wonderful way of sharing all of the volunteering opportunities that are coming up within the Library service.”

The sheer variety of organisations and local volunteering opportunities in Bristol is incredible – and so were the food and festivities that took place during #BrisVol16! For example, organisations including Second Step, BDP, Bristol Women’s Voice, Big Issue, Oxfam, DHI, Golden Key and NACOA came together in Brunswick Square for a sunny outdoor celebration to thank their volunteers. In Gainsborough Square, Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust, North Bristol Advice Centre and Bristol City Council Community Development team had a thank-you party for volunteers across Lockleaze.

Our celebrations culminated in a fun family afternoon at Bristol Central Library where children and adults tried micro-volunteering, proving that even with only five minutes to spare, there’s likely to be a project you can do.

Volunteer Bristol @ Voscur works with hundreds of local groups every year. We couldn’t do this without our fantastic (small but dedicated!) team of volunteers who provide help every week to

people who drop in to the Volunteer Centre for advice and support.

Given the diversity in volunteering opportunities in Bristol, there really is something for everyone. Many projects have the double benefit of improving people’s health and wellbeing while at the same time making a valuable difference in the community. Others provide opportunities to learn new skills and help others to do the same.

Whether you’re interested in food, animals, support work, media or translation, there’s almost certainly an organisation with a role that may be for you.

During Volunteers’ Week, the difference made to local projects by people giving their time and skills gets its well-earned place in the headlines, and this year’s 12 days of volunteer celebrations demonstrated how invaluable Bristol’s volunteers are to making Bristol such a great, friendly and caring city. Without our amazing volunteers, the voluntary and community sector would not be able to reach as many people and touch as many lives. Not to forget the laughs, inspiration and enjoyment that volunteering brings.

Contact Volunteer Bristol @ Voscur on: 0117 989 7733 info@volunteerbristol.org.uk

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

Photos taken at a selection of our events during Volunteers’ Week 2016.

www.voscur.org

9

Active Together for Dementia Photo by Tilman Haerdle CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Dementia can be a barrier to everyday activities from making breakfast to sequence dancing.

It can severely impact someone’s health, confidence and social activities. That’s why Active Together for Dementia, a new pilot project, is designed to increase people’s wellbeing by enabling them to continue pursuing their passions.

The number of people with dementia nationally is predicted to rise from 850,000 to over one million by 2025, so Active Together

• Give people living with

volunteers as they’ll be doing

is a timely initiative. Using an

dementia the opportunity

something they already enjoy, with

asset-based approach, it matches a

to establish a long-term

the added bonus of knowing their

volunteer buddy and someone with

relationship with a volunteer

‘buddy’ couldn’t do it without

dementia based on their shared

buddy.

them.

interests. Together they then swim, cook, garden, walk, play golf, go to art classes or dance – whatever the person with dementia wants to do, but can’t on their own.

Active Together, alongside other

Active Together aims to promote

local dementia services, works to

dementia inclusivity and break

provide practical support and help

down barriers to accessing

make Bristol a more dementia-

services for people living with

friendly city. It draws on lessons

dementia.

By enabling the continuation of

learned from Volunteer Bristol’s

personal interests, and increasing

Supported Volunteering for People

physical and social activities, the

with Dementia research project

project aims to:

(2014-15) and Bath University’s

• Enhance the health and wellbeing of people with dementia.

ACE (Active, Connected, Engaged) project (2013-14).

If you’re interested in finding out more about the project and the referral process, or if you’d

As Project Coordinator, Clare

like to get involved, please get

Havard, explains:

in touch with Clare Havard on:

get out and maintain their

Active Together will increase

0117 989 7734 or email:

social interests.

the physical activity and social

clare@volunteerbristol.org.uk

engagement of a person with

Working days Tuesday and

dementia at a time when their

Thursday

• Increase their confidence to

• Maintain their independence and reduce potential isolation by keeping up activities and friendships.

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world is in danger of shrinking.

It’s also a great opportunity for

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

Present The Role of the Sector - ‘Who Are We Now?’ Voscur’s Annual Conference and Social Impact Awards (the ‘Voscurs’) Thursday 6 October, 3:30pm – 8pm, Central Bristol Book your free place at: www.voscur.org/diary/voscur-agm-2016

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015 For a full list of photography credits, please visit: goo.gl/0c9Pya

www.voscur.org

Supporting Voluntary Action

11

Social Value Policy: what is happening now?

Bristol’s Social Value Policy has been approved and is now being implemented. This should lead to significant differences in commissioning processes, resulting in more VCSE sector organisations winning public service contracts. Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer, describes these developments.

What is in the approved Social Value Policy?

Several parts of the policy represent positive developments for small and medium-sized providers, including VSCE sector organisations. The following points included in it resulted from our work engaging the VCSE sector in the consultation on the draft policy.

Aims of the Policy “The overarching intent of this policy is to ensure commissioning activity maximises social, economic and environmental benefit for the city while delivering value for money. Our aims are: 1. To further our sustainable procurement objectives to protect

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Photo by fotologic CC BY 2.0

Following on from the last update (Thrive Jan-Mar 2016), more progress has been made with social value developments. Cabinet approved the policy and toolkit in March 2016 and the further development and use of both are being taken forward. The working group – of which I have been a member for the last year – has now turned into the Social Value Implementation Group, comprising council officers and representative bodies (Voscur and the Federation of Small Businesses).

and enhance the environment.

2. To promote the local economy by supporting micro, small and medium sized enterprises and the voluntary and community sector in Bristol to thrive.* 3. To tackle disadvantage and address inequalities of health, wealth and opportunity in the city.

4. To involve local people and organisations in how we meet the needs of local communities through the commissioning cycle. * Small and medium-sized enterprises, black-and-minorityethnic-owned enterprises, those with majority ownership/ leadership from a group protected

by legislation, and voluntary and community sector organisations.”

These are called ‘priority organisations’ in the Action Plan.

Objectives of the Policy “In order to achieve the aims we will: 1. Involve local people and organisations in determining social value outcomes by beginning engagement and/or consultation at the earliest possible opportunity in a commissioning process.

2. Agree proportionate and relevant social value outcomes with the marketplace at preprocurement stage, and ensure that they are linked to

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

the strategic priorities in the Corporate Plan.

3. Apply a methodology that ensures 10% of the quality element of the price/quality ratio will be allocated to social value, when it is identified in the commissioning process that additional social value outcomes are relevant and appropriate.

4. Spend at least 25% of the Council’s total procurement budget with micro, small and medium-sized businesses**, social enterprises and voluntary/ community organisations in 2016/17 and be ambitious in our endeavour to improve on this figure.

5. Work with internal staff, the marketplace and communities to improve understanding of social value, our Policy and evaluation methods.” ** micro: fewer than 10 employees; small: 10-50; medium: 50-250.

How will things be different for smaller organisations and equalities-led organisations?

The experiences of this part of the market are well known and the policy states the council’s intention to do things differently – “a central aim of the Social Value Policy is to promote positive equality outcomes”. Among other things there will be: • “An Action Plan for supporting micro, small and medium sized businesses (<250 employees) including social enterprises and voluntary/community organisations and diverse suppliers.

• Positive action in respect of organisations of and for equalities groups or groups of people with protected characteristics.”

How will social value be included in each contract?

The council is clear that there can be no single approach and that “social value will be considered during the commissioning cycle and procurement process of all contracts, including those that are below the EU Procurement Thresholds. Proportionate and relevant social value requirements will always be included in contracts.”

“A central aim of the Social Value Policy is to promote positive equality outcomes” This effectively means that discussions with providers in the early stages of each commissioning process will include aspects of social value. There are two other parts of the process that will be of interest to providers:

and Action Plan includes three key priorities: working with priority organisations; provider satisfaction; % of overall procurement spend with priority organisations – expect to see more activities aimed at priority organisations.

• VCSE sector organisations should expect to see social value incorporated into commissioning processes; if social value is not clear, ask commissioners how it will be included and be persistent.

• VCSE sector organisations need to consider how their outcomes and impacts can be repackaged as ‘social value outcomes’ – to be ready to make suggestions and offers to commissioners.

• Register on the council’s new e-procurement system, ProContract (https:// goo.gl/4O45sy) – this will help your organisation be informed and help the council understand the market better.

Do not assume that your organisation’s registration has been transferred from the old system.

• How social value is assessed at tender stage.

• How social value is monitored in contracts.

What is happening now and what can VCSE sector organisations do?

• The Implementation Group is developing guidance on how social value will be measured over the coming months – expect to see more.

Further information, including the approved Social Value Policy can be found here: http://goo.gl/rjD5G0 Contact Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer: mark@voscur.org, 0117 909 9949

The Commissioning Development

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

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The VCS Grants Prospectus Are you ready?

The VCS Grants Prospectus is launching on 12 July 2016 and will bring major changes to the way in which Bristol City Council allocates its grant funding to the voluntary and community sector (as of April 2017).

The Prospectus is an opportunity for your organisation to consider the impact of your services and how this impact meets what Bristol City Council intends to fund, as well as a chance to submit an application for a grant.

Details are being finalised. Please keep referring to our website and look out for information in Voscur ebulletins because we’ll keep you updated through the summer and autumn.

We also draw your attention to our series of events. They will help you to decide if this fund is right for your service and whom you might want to collaborate with to deliver services, and will provide information on the support we can offer to assist the process of your application.

For the most up-to-date information, visit www.voscur.org/grants-prospectus To book your place or to find out more about any of our events, please go to: www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub or call us on: 0117 909 9949.

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VCS Assembly and Launch of the VCS Grants Prospectus Tuesday 12 July 2016, 9:30am – 4pm This year’s VCS Assembly will focus on the launch of the new VCS Grants Prospectus and include training workshops to help organisations get ready.

Trustee Network – Prospectus and Governance of Your Organisation Thursday 14 July 2016, 6pm – 8pm A forum for trustees of VCSE sector organisations to discuss the Prospectus and help decide their organisation’s approach.

Collaborations and Introductions to Potential Partners Tuesday 19 July 2016, 10am – 12:30pm This event will help organisations meet others and start discussions about working together in preparation for your Prospectus application.

Impact and Change Tuesday 19 July 2016, 1pm – 3:30pm A training session to help organisations understand the Prospectus impact model (a tool to guide you on how your organisation will plan and demonstrate your impact in the activities you propose to do) and how to demonstrate outcomes.

Responding to Changes: Withdrawal of Grant Tuesday 20 September 2016, 9:30am – 1pm This session, specifically for organisations whose grants are coming to an end due to the changes in the VCS Grants Prospectus, will offer training to organisations seeking to apply for prospectus funding and will also help organisations think about how to manage reductions in funding.

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

‘Our Journey Together: Strategic Priorities for Young People in Bristol’ – the story so far Photo by Photo by pedrosimoes7 CC BY 2.0

Earlier this year, in January, ‘Our Journey Together: Strategic Priorities for Young People’ was launched at a conference that was organised by Voscur, in partnership with Bristol City Council and the Youth Strategy steering group. This group includes mainly voluntary and community sector colleagues.

The aims of the conference also included hearing from

since the conference to review the

providers of services for young

information from the discussions.

people about how to take the

The membership has been

priorities forward and was a

widened to draw in organisations

great networking opportunity

interested in developing the way

for organisations working under

forward for this work. Members

similar themes in the strategy.

have self-organised into working

This strategic document was

groups, and have been mapping

written and consulted on widely,

out actions in matrices under the

to aid better coordination

four main themes.

of services, with improved partnership working and to help draw in more resources to the city.

Each matrix highlights what the issue is, what is currently happening, what can be influenced and how, and what else

Members of the steering group

needs to be done. For example,

helped facilitate discussions

under the theme of a child-and-

around the four main themes

young-people-friendly city, the

in the document, which are a

first step has been to link with the

child-and-young-people-friendly

work already taking place by the

city, a curriculum for life, healthy

Bristol Child-Friendly City Network,

body, healthy mind, and young

inspired by the UNICEF global

people active and safe in their

child-friendly-city initiative.

communities.

agency decision making.

The Children and Families Partnership Board has committed to developing a new overarching strategy for children, young people and families in the city that will set out the focus of our shared work for the next four years.

This strategy will bring together (in a short, succinct document) and cross-reference other existing local strategies and plans, such as ‘Our Journey Together: Strategic Priorities for Young People in Bristol’. It will include a shared vision for all partners in the city, including VSCE organisations, a common set of outcomes, and clear priorities for future commissioning and grants in order to narrow the gap in outcomes

The steering group will now

for children, young people and

Full details of the discussions and

join with the new Youth and

families.

a summary can be accessed here:

Participation subgroup of the

http://www.voiceandinfluence.

Bristol Children and Families

org.uk/node/12981

Partnership Board, which will help

The Youth Strategy steering

ensure that any recommendations

group has been meeting regularly

will feed into strategic multi-

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

For more details contact Asma Ahmad: asma@voscur.org

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15

Increasing segregation in Britain?

How do we feel when we engage in our communities in Bristol? Do we feel a sense of segregation?

Ted Cantle gives an interesting perspective on the national picture.

Photo by cruiznbye CC BY-ND 2.0

According to Ted Cantle,

is also undoubtedly more

Cantle’s comments follow research

British society is increasingly

segregation in residential areas,

from the think tank Demos, which

dividing along ethnic lines –

more segregation in schools and

found 61% of ethnic minority

with segregation in schools,

more segregation in workplaces,”

children in England (90% in

neighbourhoods and workplaces

he said. “That is driving more

London) start year 1 in schools

– and this risks fuelling prejudice.

prejudice, intolerance and mistrust

where the majority of children are

Professor Cantle, who carried

in communities.”

from minority groups. The data

out the report into community cohesion in the wake of a series of race riots in 2001, warned that growing divisions had led to mistrust within communities across the country.

Cantle cited as evidence an almost four-fold increase in the number of UK electoral wards with a non-white majority, from 119 in 2001 to 429 today, saying that these communities were more

We have failed to stop segregation in Britain. Time to try again

concentrated by race, rather than

Speaking to the Guardian

Government’s focus to ‘anti-

newspaper 15 years on from

extremism measures’ “squeezed

calling for action to reduce

out” policies that were meant

polarisation following riots across

to promote community

northern England, Cantle said

cohesion. He refers to the lack

he was alarmed by the direction

of encouragement for employers

the country had headed in since

to recruit diverse teams and the

2001.

2010 coalition Government’s

“There is more mixing in some parts of our society. But there

16 www.voscur.org

increasingly mixed.

Cantle feels that a shift in the

removal of the duty for schools to promote cohesion.

revealed schools dominated by

“There is more mixing in some parts of our society. But there is also undoubtedly more segregation in residential areas, more segregation in schools and more segregation in workplaces.That is driving more prejudice, intolerance and mistrust in communities.” children of either Bangladeshi, Pakistani or black-Caribbean origin. However, Professor Simon

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

Burgess, who processed the data,

have an impact on race equality in

Manifesto for Race Equality and

said it showed that segregation in

the city? Marvin recently told the

its implementation. The Manifesto

schools was flat or even declining

Guardian:

has made a good start to driving

in some areas.

“I don’t want to be tagged as the

progress, especially around championing positive action, but

Labour MP Chuka Umunna also

‘black mayor’. I’m a mayor for all of

asserted that he believes “the

the city, but my story of growing

cracks in our communities have

up here as a mixed-race kid does

The VCSE sector in Bristol delivers

grown. Not only has Britain

matter. There is something special

an array of fantastic projects that

become a more ethnically

about that ... It’s a fantastic

challenge and tackle inequality

segmented nation as immigration

story; it’s a true story. But the

– projects that work across

has continued to rise, but also

integrity of us telling that story

communities, geographies and

the growing income and lifestyle

is undermined by the fact that

ethnicities. We are aware of our

gap between rich and poor has

25% of our kids are in poverty,

responsibilities, the need to

undermined the sense that there

inequality is increasing and the

continuously challenge our own

is such a thing as a common

city is increasingly unaffordable.

practice towards making cohesion

British life,” he wrote.

That’s no way to run the place. I

integral to building strong, united

think it’s a challenge for all of us

communities, and how we work

– for our moral integrity and our

collaboratively to enable this to

future economic strength.

happen.

are changing, with increasing

“At the moment, we haven’t

Please see the information

BME populations in northern

cracked it. I’m not saying it’s easy.

about the VCS Grants Prospectus

parts such as Lockleaze and

But the first thing you have to do

(see p14) that presents more

Southmead, and in some wards in

is recognise it and not pretend it’s

opportunities for collaboration.

the south of the city), wards with

not an issue.”

Whilst Bristol has several wards with a high number of BME residents (the city demographics

higher numbers of BME residents face glaring inequality. In a recent Runnymede report (based on the 2011 census), Bristol was ranked number seven in the 20 districts in the UK with most inequality between ethnic minorities and the White British people.

Recognising it is a good start for any community and it is encouraging that Marvin is clear

The full Ted Cantle

has to be driving a more positive

article on the

conversation about race in Britain,

Guardian Online at: goo.gl/

something that Cantle sees as

P8WMwv

pivotal to addressing segregation; this conversation has to accept

and as we enter a new chapter

that society has changed and

in our city’s leadership, is there

try to focus on the existing and

significance in Bristol electing

potential benefits of immigration.

directly elected mayor of AfricanCaribbean heritage, and will this

You can read:

about this intent. The next step

In the context of this debate

Marvin Rees as the UK’s first

there is far more to achieve.

Marvin has been instrumental in the development of the Bristol

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

Runnymede Trust’s racial inequality report at: goo.gl/ c5gMEd Ted Cantle’s original 2001 community cohesion report at: http://goo.gl/0en9Fz

www.voscur.org

17

A moment with Marvin

Bristol’s new directly elected mayor, Marvin Rees, and 70 councillors all formally took office in early May 2016, following one of the largest elections the city has ever seen. As his second month in office drew to a close, we contacted Marvin to ask some important questions and find out how he plans to work with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector during his time leading the city. Here is what he said: of a city have gone. We are all interdependent – if we as a council work in a new way with partners, including those from the VCSE sector, we have a unique opportunity to build a better Bristol.

I want to create an approach to city governance in which all partners and communities have a role to play and, importantly, where progress is made that

Question 1: What value do you believe the city’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector brings to Bristol?

VCSE sector organisations often

Bristol’s VCSE sector makes an enormous difference to the lives

can improve service design.

of so many of our citizens and that contribution cannot and should not be underestimated.

While some VCSE sector organisations are commissioned or

support volunteers to help

The VCSE sector is absolutely vital

deliver services. Many of these

in helping make this vision a reality

volunteers will have personal

and, as a first step, I want to

experience of the services

improve communications between

themselves, offering peer

the council and partners to help

support and valuable insights that

us along that journey.

Question 2: How do you intend to work with the sector over the next few years?

grant-aided by Bristol City Council,

As I said at the Council’s recent

many more services are supported

Annual General Meeting, we are

via other funding streams.

about to start a new journey and

The VCSE sector brings significant added value to the city in terms of additional funding, value for money and quality services which support some of our most vulnerable citizens. The VCSE sector also provides an outlet for

that makes me think of an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” It is this approach that underpins how I want to work with the VCSE sector over the coming years.

Together we can deliver real and meaningful change and improve the lives of the people we are here to serve.

Alongside representatives from the VCSE sector, we have developed a new approach to VCSE sector Grant Investment to ensure the knowledge and experience of the sector shapes future investment. A paper on this new model – the VCS Prospectus – is due to come before cabinet in July 2016.

The prospectus will prioritise

many communities who would

The days of a council being an

otherwise be without a voice.

all-powerful force in the life

18 www.voscur.org

benefits the whole city.

funding for tackling the city’s biggest issues around

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

“How we face and overcome the challenges ahead will depend on the strength of our resolve to work collectively, as city leaders and with our partners, both in the VCSE sector and statutory bodies.” disadvantage and inequality, while ensuring VCSE sector organisations have flexibility in the style of delivery.

This cross-council model will make the best use of the funding available to address the issues facing our most disadvantaged communities. It is also designed to improve the experience of VCSE sector organisations which bid for and receive grant funding.

to ensure local community organisations have the resources to survive and continue providing support to disadvantaged people and communities?

Above all I want Bristol to be a place where life chances are not determined by wealth and background, a city that can flourish with integrity because everyone shares in its success and

The first prospectus grants

no one is left behind. The VCSE

rounds are due to run in the late

sector is absolutely vital in this

summer and autumn, with new

respect.

grant funding agreements in place from 1 April 2017.

It is an inescapable reality that demand for our services is

The Council is also part of the

growing while at the same time

Cities of Service network, which is

our resources are diminishing.

encouraging people to volunteer and be active citizens within their communities.

Question 3: Community organisations deliver important services in their communities. But many have not been able to win public contracts at the same time as other funding has dried up. The council’s commitment of 25% of contracts (Social Value Policy) going to small and mediumsized organisations and businesses is good news.

What will you do as Mayor

I will, as promised, present the city with a full assessment of our council’s financial state and this will contain the latest assessment of the size of the task facing us in the next four years.

VCSE Sector to have a seat around that table.

Under our Social Value Policy, which was developed with Voscur and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to enable smaller organisations to compete effectively for contracts with the Council, our priority is to support the VCSE sector alongside: • micro organisations (fewer than 10 employees); • small and medium-sized businesses and enterprises (fewer than 250 employees); • organisations whose majority ownership/leadership comes from a group protected by legislation.

We also have a toolkit for our commissioners and local organisations to use as well as support programmes in place, particularly for organisations working with people with

How we face and overcome the

protected characteristics.

challenges ahead will depend on

Bristol has recently featured

the strength of our resolve to work collectively, as city leaders and with our partners, both in the VCSE sector and statutory bodies.

as a case study in a national independent report by Social Enterprise UK, which identified the council as one of 14% of councils

In the next few months we will

classified as an “embracer” of

create a City Office and this will

social value, defined as “councils

be a symbol of our collective will

who are leading the way on Social

to deliver a better future for the

Value”.

people of Bristol.

I want representatives from the

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

Continued on next page...

www.voscur.org

19

Continued from previous page:

Question 4: How will you ensure Bristol is a more equal city after your first term of office?

While we have a great story to tell, Bristol’s prosperity is shared by too few people. It’s not possible to build strong societies, healthy democracies and resilient economies across great wealth gaps, but closing this gap is just part of the solution – true equality is about much more than money.

Decent affordable homes are the foundation of a successful city, as is good mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Delivering a world-class, integrated, accessible and sustainable public transport system underpins our ability to connect people in the most disadvantaged communities to educational and economic opportunities, and environmental concerns and social justice are inseparable.

I’ve made strong commitments to make Bristol a more equal city during my first term in office.

Voscur’s Ruth Pitter (left) and Wendy Stephenson speak to Marvin on the day of the election announcement, keen to begin a dialogue with the new Mayor on behalf of the sector.

At the council’s recent AGM I

person, and lead a European Capital

announced that my first Mayoral

of Culture bid to make culture – and

Commission will focus on the

sport – accessible to all.

elimination of the gender and race pay gap.

I want every child to get off to the best-possible start in life; ensure

“It’s not possible to build strong societies, healthy democracies and resilient economies across great wealth gaps, but closing this gap is just part of the solution – true equality is about much more than money.”

In the next 12 months I will bring

everyone can afford to live here whether buying or renting; reduce economic, educational and health inequalities; and enable people to age with dignity and confidence.

I will serve the whole city, ensuring services, opportunities and investment are accessible to all.

Making sure everyone’s voices are heard and acted upon is key to transforming our city into somewhere everyone has a stake.

Together we will build a better Bristol.

forward plans to introduce a

The commission will bring

Bristol Charter for Corporate

together our private, public and

Social Responsibility and I will set

voluntary sector partners, as

out to establish a Living Wage

well as our councillors, to ensure

You can get in touch

Partnership, which will encourage

Bristol makes real progress in

with Marvin with

Bristol employers to pay their

ensuring everyone is paid equally.

your views, thoughts

employees the Living Wage, ensuring our citizens can live and work in dignity.

20 www.voscur.org

I will build 800 affordable homes a year, deliver work experience and apprenticeships for every young

and suggestions by visiting: www.bristol.gov.uk/mayor/ contact-the-mayor

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

Success for 50:50 campaign Women in Bristol are really finding their voice and seeking to be even more influential.

Bristol Women’s Voice (BWV)

It is essential that women have

succeeded in getting women’s

their voices heard in local and

equality high on the agenda

national politics to ensure that a

for the mayoral election, local

wide range of issues are addressed

council elections and Police and

by decision makers and service

Crime Commissioner elections.

providers. Though there has

International Women’s Day

been a dramatic improvement in

at M Shed was attended by

women’s representation, we still

almost 2,000 women and Bristol

face challenges; of eleven mayoral

Women’s Voice has launched its

candidates in this year’s local

‘Womanifesto’, setting out actions

election, two were female (with only

needed to achieve women’s

one woman from the four major

equality in the city.

parties). Bristol Women’s Voice will Members of Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group support the campaign

continue to work with women, via

and Councillors. Before the

them to take up positions in public

election, the make-up of the

life and help them recognise the

council was 36% women – Bristol

skills they already have and could

Women’s Voice were heartened to

further develop. It will also continue

see the percentage grow in this

to work towards a 50:50 council

election to 43%, in part as a result

and parliament in 2020. To find out

of their campaigning. See the

more about the 50:50 campaign,

BWV ran an event for women

breakdown of the numbers per

visit: www.bristolwomensvoice.

on ‘how to become a Councillor’

party in figure 1 below:

org.uk/campaigns/5050-

Bristol Women’s Voice supported Bristol Women’s Commission’s 50:50 campaign in 2015/16 to encourage more women to see that they have the skills that our city needs and to encourage parties to select 50% women in winnable seats.

at Brunel House. Speakers

workshops and talks, to encourage

campaign/

including Helen Holland (leader of Bristol’s Labour group) and Daniella Radice (former Green

Figure 1: The number of women and men elected in the 2016 Bristol Council elections for the four main parties.

Party cabinet member) talked about their experiences of public

Labour

speaking and running for election.

Participants were encouraged to look at how their skills and experience could make them a good candidate.

On 5 May 2016, the residents

Conservative Liberal Democrats Green

of Bristol voted for their Mayor, Police and Crime Commissioner

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

www.voscur.org

21

This is me Elaine Flint, VCSE sector advocate on the Health and Wellbeing Board Elaine is Chief Executive at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, which is the health and wellbeing hub for inner-city and east Bristol. Elaine has deep roots in Bristol’s voluntary and social enterprise sector having previously run Social Enterprise Works and the Southville Centre.

What propelled you to become a VCSE sector advocate?

What do you think is the secret to being influential?

I really love the view out of my back

I think the opportunity for us as

I think the idea of being influential

overlooking the Malago Valley, so I

frontline VCSE sector organisations

is a tricky one; it’s not useful to see

have a vista of trees, gardens, wide

to bring our expertise, that we

some people as ‘influential’ but not

open spaces and over to the horses

have learnt hands-on from our

others: we are all influential. What

grazing on the slopes of Novers Hill.

service users, to the table to

counts the most is the weight and

It could almost be the countryside.

influence strategic decision makers

value of what we say – that comes

is something to be grasped.

with our honesty and integrity in

What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

If you could wish one thing for the voluntary sector in Bristol, what would it be?

our dealing with others, whoever they are.

and an end to this pernicious Government policy of cuts.

I was tremendously moved recently

What would make the biggest difference to improving equality

by the passion with which a couple

in society?

role in setting up Wellspring

Where do you begin! Improving

Healthy Living Centre – the hard

statutory sector needs – stability

the job opportunities to all young people so they can see a future for themselves; ensuring that there is a real living wage that enables people to have dignity in their lives. Still so far to go as evidenced by the Bristol Manifesto for Race Equality – in many areas such as

of my Trustees spoke about their

work and commitment, the weight of responsibility and their ongoing daily advocacy for the organisation.

you are mulling over any sort of decision is just so helpful. Anything to help to get clarity.

Tell us one thing about you that people would never guess.

I loved Led Zeppelin when I was in my late teens/twenties. It’s a passion shared with one of my sons who has their portrait tattooed over the whole of his back. And no – I don’t do tattoos.

They also spoke about what it had meant for themselves – their confidence, feelings of being valued. This is the empowerment that we often speak about when

representation at senior levels,

we talk about the voluntary sector.

Bristol is going backwards.

What is your favourite spot in Bristol and why?

22 www.voscur.org

Talk it over – taking someone else through your thinking process when

If you could pick one example of seeing, with your own eyes, lives changed by the voluntary sector in Bristol, what would it be?

Actually the same thing that the

door – I live in Bedminster Down,

For more information about our VCSE sector advocates, video updates and to get in touch: www.voiceandinfluence.org. uk/advocates

July / August / September 2016 Issue 32

Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill Is there anything more challenging than working in partnership with others? As we all know, if something is challenging, pushes us all out of our comfort zones and stretches our boundaries, then invariably it can be hard work. So why do it? Because of the benefits! Yes, the fruits of working together are so enticing for the individuals, neighbourhoods and the different communities within and across those neighbourhoods.

Like many – if not all – Neighbourhood Partnerships (NPs), Filwood Knowle and Windmill Hill juggles questions of identity, purpose and boundaries.

It acknowledges it is moving into a new era - where local stakeholders have even more opportunities to influence activities in their local neighbourhood.

In the past local people would refer to the NP as “a quarterly two-hour meeting, run in a very official manner”. Well, yes, there is still an element of that – but now the Partnership is more than “just a partnership!”

More opportunities, more influence, more power!

NP subgroups

Launch of the Good Food Market – a community enterprise which aims to bring nutritious and affordable food to Knowle West. Staff from The Matthew Tree Project and Knowle West Media Centre at the “Eat and Greet” event on Filwood Broadway. Picture courtesy of Alex Cousins.

what the priorities are for the

– these conversations will be

local area. The Partnership is

used to help shape the work of

now holding conversations with

agencies in the local area.

residents about the 2018 – 2021 Highways’ priorities.

Love Filwood Real power and real influence can’t be gained from just turning

Increasingly the NP is embracing more informal and flexible approaches to encourage greater power sharing, opportunities and ultimately more influence by local people in what happens within

The newly formed Environment

up to a meeting at 7pm on a

Subgroup has various local groups

rainy evening in October. So the

and individuals organising and

NP (through its partners such

running activities to improve

as Knowle West Media Centre,

the local area – from litter picks

re:work and Knowle West Health

through to strategic plans for all

Park Company, and others) has

For more information,

the parks and open spaces across

taken to the streets of Filwood

visit: goo.gl/akjoel

the three wards.

to have open conversations with

or contact: Andrew

Local people can also influence

local people. Talking about a range

McLean:

of different topics, such as health,

andrew.mclean@bristol.gov.uk

community safety and education

0746 733 5714.

works carried out on the Public Highways through deciding on

Issue 32 July / August / September 2016

their own neighbourhoods and communities.

www.voscur.org

23

Voscur Ltd. Royal Oak House Royal Oak Avenue Bristol BS1 4GB

July 2016

Tel: 0117 909 9949 Fax: 0117 933 0501 Email: info@voscur.org Web: www.voscur.org

= VCS Grants Prospectus-related training or event

Date

Time

Event/training

Location

5th

6pm – 9pm

Being a Good Trustee

Windmill Hill City Farm

12th

9:30am – 4pm

VCS Assembly and Launch of the VCS Grants Prospectus

St. Werburghs Community Centre

14th

6pm – 8pm

Trustee Network – The VCS Grants Prospectus and Governance of Your Organisation

Tony Benn House

19th

10am – 12:30pm

Collaborations and Introductions to Potential Partners

Barton Hill Settlement

19th

1pm – 3:30pm

Explaining How Your Service Makes an Impact

Barton Hill Settlement

20th

9:30am – 1pm

Retention and Support of Volunteers

The Gatehouse Centre

September 2016 Date

Time

20th

9:30am – 1pm

Event/training

Location

Responding to Changes: Withdrawal of Grant

The Gatehouse Centre

October 2016 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

6th

3:30pm – 8pm

Past, Present, Future ... The Role of the Sector – Who Are We Now? Voscur’s Annual Conference and Social Impact Awards (the ‘Voscurs’)

Central Bristol Location TBC

Keep up to date with Voscur online:

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/voscur

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