Supporting voluntary and community action
April/May/June 2015
In this issue: Bristol - a learning city Volunteers’ Week May’s elections - our local parties’ intentions for our sector A look at social prescribing Upcoming training and more...
Photo: Local young person involved in APE Project’s Bike Exchange Scheme. For more information about APE, see p8.
Contents Voscur
Voice and Influence
3 Editorial
15
Putting victims first
4
New members
17
5
Member focus - “Think Big” - Friends of Headley Lane Park
‘This is me’ - interview with a VCS Advocate
18
Bristol: a learning city
6
Neighbourhood focus: Dundry View
19-23
7
Bristol launches ‘Batook’s Blueprint’ - a Manifesto for Race Equality
Thinking outside the box - May’s elections and the voluntary and community sector
8-9
Grasping the nettle - support around volunteering for groups running sustainability projects
10
Celebrating our city’s fantastic volunteers
11
Stronger together - a look at Voscur and Volunteer Bristol’s new joint membership scheme
Support Hub 12-13
Upcoming Voscur training
14
Embracing change - local organisation has support from Voscur to take its next steps
24-25 A united voice is a stronger voice Bristol BME Voice’s Knowledge and Share Programme 26-27 Just what the doctor ordered - a look at social prescribing in Bristol 28-30 City devolution and communities 31
Think local - Neighbourhood Partnerships’ conference February 2015
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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April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Dear members and friends for Good’, was published in
economies are growing but
January 2015.
need more support.
The Commission argues that it is generally understood that our
governance, leadership and
physical infrastructure requires
succession planning under
regular investment to help it cope
strain.
with new and changing demands - the case for investment in VCS infrastructure is just as compelling. The research shows that Bristol’s voluntary and community sector (VCS) works with and supports some of the most vulnerable people in the city. We do this by anticipating and responding to need, standing up for social justice and equality, being creative, innovative, frugal, maximising resources, involving volunteers, and not giving up. Voscur is a member of Navca, a network of VCS organisations operating across the country, carrying out important behindthe-scenes work to support this frontline activity. In this time of austerity, funders
infrastructure will be needed, as long as people come together to form VCS groups. New groups and existing ones will need advice on legal forms, governance, compliance, fundraising and income generation, financial and organisational management and demonstrating their value. Additionally, an independent voice for and of the sector is vital.
understanding is resulting in lost opportunities. • Too few infrastructure bodies and local groups demonstrate impact. • Understanding of new forms of finance is weak. The Commission addresses these issues in its recommendations, and these will inform our future plans. The Commission’s findings will be combined with Voscur’s local knowledge of capacity and need across the VCS in Bristol to give direction and focus to
number of key challenges for
our work to ensure that we are
social action; we’ve highlighted
effective in the challenging times
some of them here – they’re
ahead.
probably familiar to you too: • Coping with the problems of today leaves no time for foresight.
protect frontline services, with
To read the Commission’s report in full, go to: www.navca.org.uk/ commission-report Best wishes,
• Direct financial support to
seen as a key element of that
organisations is declining,
protection. Recognising this,
while demand is increasing.
Navca set up an independent
• Poor inter-sector
The Commission identified a
are understandably keen to infrastructure sometimes not
• Lack of capacity is placing
• New forms of organising and
commission to look at the future
advancing social causes are
of voluntary sector infrastructure.
Wendy Stephenson
emerging.
Chief Executive
The Commission’s report, ‘Change
• Cashless and informal
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
www.voscur.org
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New Voscur members Buzz Lockleaze
Bourne Family Project
A social enterprise which runs an employability
Family support centre based in Kingswood
project; does work around food and healthy eating
which aims to provide a safe and confidential
and is developing a community food shop and
space where families and individuals can
coffee/smoothie bar. www.northbristoladvice.org.uk/communityprojects/buzz-lockleaze
seek practical and emotional support. bfp@bournechristiancentre.org 0117 9478441
admin@buzzlockleaze.co.uk 0117 269 0006
Old Market Manor
Steiner Academy Bristol
A factory in Old Market, now a community-built,
A new school offering an education that is creative, engaging and environmentally conscious.
community-led space: a design centre for excellence built by people who are dedicated and passionate about ‘making’/creative arts. hello.oldmarketmanor@gmail.com 07921 765 909
info@steineracademybristol.org.uk 0117 965 9150
Friends of Headley Lane Park See case study on following page. http://headleyparkers.btck.co.uk For more information on becoming
Picton Street Fayres
a member of Voscur and the range
A community group which organises street fayres
of member benefits, see p11, visit
throughout the year in Montpelier.
www.voscur.org/about/joiningonline
www.facebook.com/pictonstreetfayre.montpelier
or call us on 0117 909 9949.
pictonmarketing@yahoo.co.uk 07760207310
Keep up to date with Voscur online:
f l i x /voscur
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/voscur
/voscur
/voscur
April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
“Think big”
Friends of Headley Lane Park Friends of Headley Lane Park was formed by three mums who wanted a better play area in their local park for their children. In August 2013, finding no Council funds available to assist them, they set upon the task of raising at least £50k to make their aim a reality. They began by holding family fund/awareness-raising events in the park. They also applied for several grants and wrote to local businesses asking for help. This achieved some success, but they
Local children promoting the ITV People’s Millions campaign
film showed children playing in the
effort. We found it important to
park and was lots of fun to make.”
decide on our ethos and values early on so they shone through in
quickly realised that they needed
All of this hard work paid off -
to be more ambitious to reach
Friends of Headley Lane Park were
their target.
successful, winning £50,000!
For that, they decided to enter
“We are now able to realise
when working together intensively
the ITV People’s Millions. Their
our dream for a new improved
and under pressure.
application was successful and
play area, and the park will be
they were chosen to be one
finished while our children are
of the charities put up for the
still young enough to enjoy it,”
public vote; these projects made
says Hannah. “At the beginning,
campaign films which were
none of us had any experience
televised before voting opened.
of fundraising or of running a
“Groups were encouraged to drum up support from their community,” says Hannah Knight, one of the original founders of the group, “so we set about spreading the word through social media, flyer distribution, posters, banners and more. Our
our applications. It is also vital to spread the workload and get on well with your group - especially
“Our advice would be to think big and don’t give up. Our determination has paid off and given us drive to keep going and make more future plans.”
voluntary group - Voscur has been a great help with everything
To read more about
from grant finding to setting up.
Friends of Headley
Our Neighbourhood Partnership
Lane Park, visit: http://
has also been invaluable and we
headleyparkers.btck.co.uk
have taken advice from websites such as Community Matters. Finding and applying for grants is hard work but well worth the
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
Starting a new group? Voscur’s Support Hub can help. Call them today on 0117 909 9949.
www.voscur.org
5
Neighbourhood focus: Dundry View Dundry View Neighbourhood Partnership gives us a rundown of what they have been up to in their neighbourhood...
Bishopsworth Swimming Pool was closed in February 2012. The pool site is very important to the local community and is often referred to as “the heart of the village”. At the Bishopsworth Forum in June 2012, the community and the Council pledged to work together so that the community would be fully involved in determining the future of the site. It was agreed that any decisions about the site would be made together with the Neighbourhood Partnership. The community quickly rallied around and formed a steering group consisting of residents and local councillors from both the Bishopsworth and Hartcliffe wards. The steering group, supported by Council staff and Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership, organised a comprehensive engagement and information-sharing campaign which included door-knocking in the local area, mapping existing local resources, a programme of community workshops, and lots of publicity. Using all of the information gathered, the steering group gained a really
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Photo by janetandphil CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Dundry View Neighbourhood Partnership has an inspirational story to tell about how we have been able to influence the future plans for an empty building in Bishopsworth (a part of the Dundry View area).
good understanding of what local people wanted for the future of the site. The community wanted to retain the building for community use rather than knock it down. Criteria based around community input were set so that expressions of interest could be invited from organisations that could run and deliver a service from the site in the future. Six expressions of interest were received, and the community was then asked to take part in a week-long consultation to decide on the preferred option. The final recommendation to the Neighbourhood Partnership was for ‘Transitions Skate’ to open an indoor skate park and to support the development of a ‘village hub’ on the outside space. Lots of residents, including a good representation of young people, came along to the meeting to
pledge their support for the project. After a lively debate, the Neighbourhood Partnership supported the proposal with an overwhelming majority. Work is now taking place on the building, and it is hoped the new facility will be open later this year. A ‘Friends of the Bishopsworth site’ group has been set up to manage this and the Council’s parks service has agreed to fund the maintenance of the outside space for five years. Without the Neighbourhood Partnership, the result may have been quite different and the community is delighted with the plans.
For more information, email Gemma Dando: Gemma.Dando@bristol.gov.uk
April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Bristol launches ‘Batook’s Blueprint’ - a Manifesto for Race Equality Photo by Liam Gast
March 2015 saw the launch of Batook’s Blueprint – Bristol’s Manifesto for Race Equality. The Manifesto was initiated by the late Batook Pandya (founder of SARI) and developed by Bristol BME Voice, in partnership with local agencies and community representatives. The launch event, held in a packed Trinity Centre, was chaired by Chief Inspector Norman Pascal, Chair of Avon and Somerset Black Police Association, who introduced Mayor George Ferguson as the keynote speaker. The Mayor celebrated the achievements of people from BME communities
George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, supporting the launch of the Manifesto with members of the steering group.
The Manifesto is a challenge to
Radio CIC and a member of the
both public agencies, business and
Manifesto steering group, said,
communities to transform race
“The Manifesto has to involve
equality in Bristol. It lays down
the large strategic organisations
seven principles:
working with groups and our
within Bristol, but acknowledged
1. Ensure fair representation
that there is a lot more that we
2. Address the impact of
can achieve together. Reflecting
multiple discrimination
on the fact that real change
3. Increase decision making and
comes from grass-roots activism, George welcomed the Manifesto
voter registration
communities – partnership working is essential.” Alex Raikes, interim director of SARI and also on the steering group, added, “Race equality in Bristol should have, at the very
4. Eliminate racial stereotyping
least, the same priority as the
5. Make race equality a high
profile given to Bristol Green
priority
Capital.”
6. Ensure adequate resources to
Sue Mountstevens, Avon and
enable change to happen
Somerset Police and Crime
ethnic minorities and white
7. Improve social and economic
Commissioner, was pleased to add
British* (in the areas of education,
opportunities
her support to the Manifesto.
and asks local agencies to sign
* for more information, visit: goo.gl/SFkjJS
for Race Equality and pledged his support for it. In 2014, Bristol came 7th in the Runnymede Trust’s list of areas with the most inequality between
employment, health and housing). In terms of representation, Bristol currently has five Black councillors, a rate of 7%, whilst the BME population of Bristol is 16%.
up to these principles and work together to produce an action plan for change.
Read the Manifesto at: http://goo.gl/ZlMJK8
Roger Griffiths, chair of Ujima
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
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Grasping the nettle Support around volunteering for groups running sustainability projects To be the first UK city awarded
training and support covering a
‘Green Capital’ status is an
full range of matters related to
One local group that is already
enormous achievement, of
volunteering, and has created
signed up is the Ape Project
which we are all justly proud.
a suite of training workshops
C.I.C., a non-profit organisation
This achievement also brings
tailored around the needs
which works with children,
unprecedented opportunities for
of community organisations
young people and their families
local communities and voluntary
undertaking environmental
across Bristol.
groups, including those with no
sustainability projects. The
previous record of environmental
programme will be delivered from
or conservation activity, to
April to July 2015, in order to put
engage with the Green Capital
organisations on the front foot
programme and share in the
at the very start of their Green
‘greening of the city’. Many of
Capital projects.
these projects will involve the
Passionate about the importance of play and its ability to transform both individuals and communities, APE uses a mixture of practical skills, tool work, craft and
The training will consist of a
cooperation to promote
series of four half-day workshops,
creativity, healthy lifestyles,
delivered in small groups. Each
community development and
workshop will be held at several
environmental awareness in
community venues across the city
communities. The project
Organisations undertaking
to help ensure access for different
manages a children’s bike
community, environmental and
communities. It will be possible
exchange scheme and has
sustainability projects will need
to book individual workshops, but
previously benefitted from
to make preparations in order
we advise organisations to sign
Green Capital support. Guy
to maximise the impact of their
up for the full package in order to
Dobson, Co-Executive Director,
projects. Voscur recognises
gain a comprehensive overview of
is looking forward to taking
that small community groups
volunteering issues.
part in the Voscur volunteer
Thanks to funding support from
training course, and explains:
Green Capital 2015, Voscur is able
“Ape Project’s involvement of
to offer this training at the heavily
volunteers has really taken off
subsidised charge of £10 for all
this year. We wish to manage
voluntary and community sector
our volunteers effectively and
organisations taking part in green
provide them with as good an
projects. We anticipate high levels
experience as possible, so this
Voscur has been commissioned
of demand for this training, and
course is ideal for us.”
by Green Capital 2015 to deliver
recommend that organisations
a comprehensive programme of
book early to ensure their places.
contributions of local people, confirming that community action and volunteering are central to keeping Bristol green.
will want to know how best to attract and retain helpers and supporters. Even well-established charities may need advice about safeguarding young volunteers or additional insurance that may be required for outdoor work.
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April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Recruiting Volunteers 21 April, 29 April, 23 June 2015 (with addition of 28 April for Green Capital Grant recipients only).
Session 1
• What volunteering is (no contract, no compulsion, no payment, expenses). • Why people volunteer. • What stops people volunteering. • Who can volunteer (including supported volunteering). • Where to recruit (role descriptions, adverts). • Selection of volunteers (interviews, references).
Supporting and Retaining Volunteers
Session 2
5 May, 13 May, 30 June 2015 (with addition of 20 May for Green Capital Grant recipients only). • Why people stop volunteering. • Volunteer induction. • Supporting and supervising volunteers. • Valuing volunteers.
Managing Volunteers – Having Everything in Place
Session 3
21 May, 4 June, 8 July 2015 (with addition of 11 June for Green Capital Grant recipients only). • Planning for volunteering. • Volunteer policies and procedures. • Anticipating issues that can arise when working with volunteers. • Exit processes.
Safeguarding 10 June, 16 June, 15 July 2015 (with addition of 7 July for Green Capital Grant recipients only). Image produced from a photo by eithin CC BY 2
Session 4
• What is safeguarding? • The main categories of abuse. • Safeguarding volunteers and vulnerable groups. • Safeguarding policy and procedures. • Getting support.
For a full list of courses and to book, visit: www.voscur.org/ content/managing-volunteers-training. For more information, please contact Nikki Smith at Voscur: nikki@voscur.org
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
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Celebrating our city’s fantastic volunteers National Volunteers’ Week is the annual celebration of volunteering that aims to recognise the enormous contribution made by millions of volunteers across the UK. Volunteers’ Week has taken place every year since 1984, and is bigger and more diverse each year. This year, Volunteers’ Week will take place from 1 - 7 June, and during the week a broad range of activities and initiatives will be taking place across Bristol, with support from Volunteer Bristol @Voscur. Sian Bunn, Volunteer Development Manager, explains, “We want every
Radio Lollipop volunteers at the Bristol Royal Children’s Hospital provide care, comfort, play and entertainment to sick children in hospital
what is planned. We can help with
includes template certificates of
ideas, publicity, promotion and
thanks that can be downloaded
resources.”
and presented to volunteers.
volunteers and let everybody
Last year LinkAge hosted a
Volunteer Bristol is planning
know how much we value them
‘LinkAge Volunteer Big Thank You’
events across the city to mark the
and rely upon their support.
event during Volunteers’ Week
week, and up-to-date details of
There are so many different ways
in June which was attended by
these will be added to our website
an organisation can show its
120 volunteers. They premiered a
(www.volunteerbristol.org.uk)
appreciation for volunteers - some
‘thank you’ film they had made,
closer to the time.
charities present awards or give
together with speeches from
out themed merchandise, like
existing volunteers, their chief
Volunteers’ Week mugs.
executive and trustees. This
volunteer-involving organisation in Bristol to join in – it’s a wonderful opportunity to thank our fantastic
“Why not organise a volunteers’ picnic, or invite your local community radio to present a feature about your volunteers?
For more information
year LinkAge is looking forward
on what’s happening
to hosting another event along
locally for Volunteers’
similar lines, but with a secret
Week, call Sian Bunn or Emily
twist!
Bonney on 0117 989 7734
Whatever you do for Volunteers’
Volunteer Bristol @Voscur can
Week, we are urging all voluntary
provide advice and assistance to
and community organisations
help organisations celebrate their
across the city to let us know
volunteers, including a toolkit that
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For national Volunteers’ Week, visit: http:// volunteersweek.org
April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Stronger together A look at Voscur and Volunteer Bristol’s new joint membership scheme Photo by Robert Louis Clemens CC BY-ND 2.0
Working in partnership is a
One of Voscur’s key roles is to
short-term strength and longer-
defining characteristic of
offer local groups the chance to
term sustainability. Not only does
our sector and it’s helping to
benefit from our community of
our merger enhance the network
achieve great things in Bristol.
peer members. We help establish
you are directly connected to for
For example, we are starting to
and maintain relationships built
collaboration and advocacy, but
close the gaps between different
around common goals and values,
membership fees remain no more
systems that support people
then turn those relationships into
than 0.5% of your annual income.
with complex needs (Golden Key),
action and, if that is what our
We’re also launching some exciting
address social isolation in our older
communities need, collaboration.
new services for 2015, including:
Doing this more responsively and
• More targeted funding
communities (Ageing Better), fight to not just eliminate racism but create equality of opportunity (Manifesto for Race Equality) and ensure that economic growth includes, rather than excludes, disadvantaged communities (Local Enterprise Partnership investment).
effectively was a primary reason for Volunteer Bristol and Voscur’s merger a year ago. In 2014 our separate membership schemes ran in parallel as we integrated services and systems. This year we will consolidate membership into a
support: www.voscur.org/fars • Low-cost volunteer management training to support your involvement in Green Capital. • Additional HR support to help
single joint scheme that gives you
recruit and develop the staff,
These schemes are possible
access to a larger, more diverse
volunteers and trustees your
because, as well as our individual
network of peers and a range of
organisation needs.
and organisational loyalties, we’re
new member benefits.
also part of something bigger, and tapping in to that makes us
What’s changing?
For more details, go
all stronger, smarter and more
We’re combining membership
to www.voscur.org/
influential.
benefits to create the best-value
membership2015
investment in terms of your
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
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11
Upcoming Voscur training Preparing your Accounts for your End of Year Report Thursday 16 April 2015, 9:30am - 3:30pm This course is designed to identify key areas associated with the production of statutory accounts for those who have had limited exposure to this specialist area.
Safeguarding and Whistleblowing Thursday 30 April 2015, 9:30am - 1pm How do you manage issues of safeguarding in your organisation? Do you have a whistleblowing policy? How are concerns shared and how are decisions made about escalating whistleblowing processes? This training will answer the above questions, help you identify steps to take when issues arise, and inform you about how to develop and maintain relationships with Bristol City Council staff and the support they can offer to help you meet good practice standards and legislation.
Being a Good Trustee Thursday 23 April 2015, 6pm - 9pm Tuesday 9 June 2015, 9:30am – 12:30pm Governance has never been more crucial; in challenging times, a strong board is essential to survive and thrive. Yet many trustees are unclear of their duties and boundaries with staff. This course sets out trustee roles and responsibilities and suggests tools to help ensure your board leads your organisation’s impact.
Contracts of Employment – How to Get it Right
comply with all the relevant legislation and treat staff as people, not just ‘human resources’. This course is being delivered by ACAS.
Working Together to Prevent and Support Young People Being Drawn into Terrorism and Extremism Thursday 14 May 2015, 9:30am – 12:30pm The workshop builds our understanding of how young people can become radicalised and be vulnerable to extreme views and actions which could lead to acts of violent extremism. Practitioners working with young people may well become aware of changes and signs that might indicate the early stages of vulnerability to extremism. This workshop will enable practitioners from all agencies to recognise signs, to know what action to take in response to concerns, and to cascade the learning to others in their teams.
Finance Forum - Insurance for Voluntary Sector Organisations Tuesday 2 June 2015, 1:30pm - 3:30pm This session will cover the reasons why VCS organisations need to consider insurance; the legislative requirements; the types of insurance cover required (including good practice measures in undertaking risk assessments); and where and how to obtain suitable quotations. This course will be delivered by Martin Ladbrook, of Ladbrook - specialist advisers to the voluntary and community sector.
Minute Taking for Administrators
Wednesday 13 May 2015, 9:30am - 1pm
Wednesday 3 June and Wednesday 10 June, 9:30am - 1pm (course over two half-day sessions)
Organisations are only as effective as the staff that work for them, and employment contracts should help both employers and employees get the most out of their relationship. This course will help you create, alter and end employment contracts using procedures that
All organisations need accurate records of meetings. They are essential if teams, committees and boards are to have a clear account of the decisions made and the actions required. The aim of this course is to provide you with tools to ‘minute’ with confidence.
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April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Doing ‘green’ work/running a project around sustainability? Find out more about a range of courses that are taking place around volunteering between April and July 2015 on p8-9.
Writing Small Fundraising Bids
Trustee Network
Thursday 4 June 2015, 9:30am – 3.30pm
Wednesday 1 July 2015, 6pm - 8pm
Make it easy for funders to say “yes” to your bids. Whether you want £200 for a community event or £2,000 for new equipment for your services, you need a strong, clear proposal. This one-day course will take you through the essentials for writing a strong bid that’s appealing to funders, and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.
The Trustee Network is open to any trustees, from the brand new to the very experienced. As well as a short presentation on a relevant topic, Trustee Network meetings offer a chance to meet other trustees and share good practice.
Introduction to Time Management
Wednesday 8 July 2015, 12pm – 2pm
Wednesday 17 June 2015, 9:30am - 1pm Do you find that there are not enough hours in a day? Are you always rushing around? You may think that you don’t have time to attend this course, but you’d be wrong! Take half a day out of your schedule to learn how to identify your bad habits, reduce stress (using proven time-management techniques) and discover how to manage that daily flood of e-mails.
Being an Even Better Trustee Thursday 18 June 2015, 6pm - 9pm Focused on governance, managing risk, effective meetings and how to make the most of the skills in your trustee team, this course is designed to support your development beyond the basics of being on a board.
Telling Your Story Thursday 25 June 2015, 9:30am - 1pm This practical workshop will equip attendees with the correct tools to be able to communicate effectively with a range of audiences, from members of the public to stakeholders and beyond. Attendees will be able to try their hand at various disciplines and will be offered advice on PR, marketing, social media and website management.
How Decisions are Made in the City Bristol has a number of locally based institutions making decisions which have an impact on our communities. As VCS activists, do you understand what these organisations are and how they make decisions? This session will inform you about our elected Mayor, Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), business-led bodies such as the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and how they make decisions.
Evidence and Intelligence to Support Funding Bids – How Can Council Data Help? Thursday 9 July 2015, 9:30am - 1pm This course can help enhance your funding applications and project planning. It offers a chance to look in more depth at the range of data and intelligence freely available online via the City Council and how to make best use of it. This course is being delivered by Bristol City Council.
Early-bird rates available! To book your place or to find out more, please go to: www.supporthub.org.uk/ training-hub or call us on: 0117 909 9949.
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
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13
Embracing change
Local organisation has support from Voscur to take its next steps
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust (LNT) is a local charity run by residents and professionals to help improve quality of life in Lockleaze. They achieve this by working to bring better services to the area and building public pride and community spirit. Richard Reddrop, Chair of Trustees at LNT, approached Voscur last year for support as LNT prepared for the move to a new community hub. “As an organisation we had been a little consumed by the process of planning and building a new community centre – and now
Charlotte Leslie MP and Mayor George Ferguson officially open ‘The Hub’ community centre in Lockleaze with the help of some local children and volunteers.
Once some of the key themes
local people, and is willing to
of this listening exercise became
take on constructive feedback
clear, the organisation could start
and embrace change,” says
Following an organisational ‘health
further strategic planning with
Steve Watters, Support Hub
check’, Voscur worked with LNT to
Voscur’s advice and support.
Development Worker at Voscur.
wanted a development plan to drive us forward,” he said.
produce an action plan, breaking the work into clear steps for the trustees and staff at LNT to tackle.
We also gave advice on the development of the board of
“I am sure lots of local people will benefit from the new services.”
trustees through training and
The Lockleaze Hub is now open,
Our first step was to work
recruiting new members. This led
with lots of activities each week
with trustees to review the
to new people with relevant skills
for the community as well as
organisation’s strategy, and a key
joining the board and a plan for
rooms for hire. The organisation
action for LNT was to listen to
future development.
continues to develop and there
the views of local people. Voscur helped to design a survey to find out about local views and needs.
Following Voscur’s support, LNT restructured the staff roles and including the promotion of social
partners and users, asking about
inclusion in the community.
valued and what they felt needed to change,” said Richard.
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future in the pipeline.
gained funding for new projects
“We sent out the survey to all our their perception of LNT, what they
are more exciting plans for the
“It’s great to be able to work with an organisation that wants to make a difference, listens to
Could Voscur’s Suppot Hub help your organisation? Get in touch on: 0117 909 9949
April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Putting victims first Article written by Alice Jones, Grants Officer and Violence Against Women and Children Champion, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office.
The OPCC has worked with the VCS in a number of ways: Consultation – we consulted on our commissioning intentions both online and in person from February to May 2014. This allowed the team to attend and co-host a number of meetings
putting victims first a new approach for support services
Police and Crime Commissioner
and events with the VCS.
(PCC) Sue Mountstevens set a
Ultimately, it was this feedback
clear priority in her Police and
that enabled us to publish a
We are now working with our
Crime Plan to ensure that victims
clear commissioning plan, which
new providers, alongside criminal
are at the heart of the criminal
responded to individual comments
justice and other partners, to
justice process. As part of that
and outlined the changes we had
realise the PCC’s ambition. As
commitment, over the last year
made in response.
a relatively new commissioning
the Office of the Police and Crime
Market events – we hosted two
Commissioner (OPCC) has been
market events which gave us the
working hard to put in place local
opportunity to answer questions
support services for victims of
from potential providers, better
crime and anti-social behaviour
understand their views (and
(ASB).
service user needs), and make
When the Integrated Victim
clear our vision for victim services.
Strategy was published,
Purchasing methods –
recognising the importance
recognising the importance of
of working with providers and
smaller specialist services and
partners, two of the key principles
providers, the OPCC uses its
were that the approach should be
funding in a variety of ways,
consultative and collaborative. This
opening up opportunities to the
meant that we aimed to enrich
market.
our process with the knowledge, expertise and experience of voluntary and community sector (VCS) providers, partners and other stakeholders from the very start.
Updates – we continually sought to keep stakeholders - including VCS organisations and providers - up to date with publications, events and decisions.
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
Next steps…
body, we are keen to continue working in this way and to evolve our working relationship with partners and the VCS to bring about the very best outcomes for Avon and Somerset. VCS groups can read the PCC’s ‘VCSE Charter’ online (goo.gl/ KTW2oD) and are welcome to get in touch with the PCC’s Custody Visiting and VCSE Officer, Anna Hill, by emailing: Anna.Hill@ avonandsomerset.pnn.police.uk
Read the PCC’s full Police and Crime plan at: www.avonandsomerset-pcc. gov.uk/
www.voscur.org
15
#whyvotebristol15 Ask your parliamentary candidates how they will represent your needs and aspirations if they are elected ... Thursday 16 April 6 - 8pm Trinity Centre Send us your questions by 10 April
On Thursday 7 May there is a General Election and everyone will have the chance to vote for an MP to represent them in Parliament. Bristol West will be a close competition between the candidates. Book your place at goo.gl/7IzCfT
Send your questions
We are now collecting questions to ask at the event. If you have a question you want candidates to answer, send it to info@voscur.org or stacy@eastonandlawrencehill.org.uk We’ll choose a good mix to cover a range of subjects. There will be time on the night for questions from the audience.
#whyvotebristol15 Organised by:
Ce l
eb r at i n
gov.uk/register-to-vote yea
g
t w e nt
For more information:
Book your place
rs!
y
Supporting Voluntary Action
0117 909 9949
0117 954 2834
This is me Christine Townsend is the VCS Advocate on the Bristol Safeguarding Children Board. With a background in education, she has a strong interest in safeguarding and empowering young people. Christine is co-founder and trustee at Integrate Bristol, a charity working with young people on projects that promote equality and integration in our communities. Here is a flavour of what she does and who she is...
There are opportunities that
My favourite spot in Bristol
and inequality. It is about
young people don’t even know
is Brandon Hill. You only know
standing up and speaking out –
exist – it’s about making them
about it if you’re a Bristolian really.
not everybody is able to.
understand that people aren’t
Tourists walking up Park Street
going to knock on your door and
wouldn’t even know it’s there. I
invite you, but you can apply like
love all the history around it - the
everyone else and they will snatch
uprisings of the working classes in
your hand off! I’m on a governing
the 1800s.
body for a local school. I say, “You’re over 18 now, you can go and be a governor in a school.” It wouldn’t be something they’d ever considered. When you’re younger you perhaps feel that you haven’t got anything to give or anything to say, but actually, it is a really valuable insight that young
As you get older you can get caught up in the systems, the bureaucracy – you can get battered down a bit; not speak up, not speak out. But young people
Words are cheap and easy to
don’t have that, they have a real
say; what’s important is the way
sense of justice, and it is really
people act.
empowering to see them using
My relationships have got to add something to my life; they have to bring something that isn’t already there and I haven’t already got. They have to enrich and not drain.
that as a group of young people to make changes. The young people at Integrate have achieved great changes in a short amount of time and that drives me to do the work I do.
people can bring – we need young
I have been a fan of snooker
people to be more involved in
from a young age. Anyone who
local decision making.
remembers Pot Black will get the
Get more
idea…I have been around the
information about
country to watch it live. It’s a fiver
our VCS Advocates,
and you get 4-5 hours of live sport
watch video updates
– now that’s value for money!
and find out how to get
Ultimately I would like to see them being the VCS Advocates. When they see someone they know and trust doing things, they are more likely to follow when
There are things that need
those opportunities come up.
to be changed in the world, particularly around injustice
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
in touch with them at: www.voiceandinfluence.org. uk/advocates
www.voscur.org
17
Bristol: a learning city Article written by Paul Jacobs, Service Director Education and Skills, Bristol City Council, who tells us what it means to be a ‘learning city’
Learning Cities are being developed across the world to promote the importance of learning and encourage participation. In Bristol, we’re ambitious for our city and know that learning is at the heart of our success, and so we are developing the concept of Bristol as a Learning City. Since June we have been working with a group of Leaders from across the city - called the Founders Group including voluntary and community sector colleagues. We want to develop a city that promotes learning and encourages a culture where everyone is proud to learn - at school, work and in communities. We also want a city that supports the development of a highly skilled workforce, joining the skills taught in schools with business needs for the future, resulting in an enterprising, diverse and sustainable world-class city. We are establishing a Learning City Partnership, including influential and inspirational leaders from across the city, to change perceptions about learning and our schools, and deliver change through some ambitious challenges. We want to increase participation and achievement
18 www.voscur.org
Mentors from BYEP, working on enterprise ideas with young people.
of learners and promote and celebrate learning.
joins together the skills taught in schools with the needs of city employers; we will work with schools and businesses to establish a shared Engagement Hub in the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and create a young person’s Passport for Employability.
The Founders have agreed four themed groups to drive action in 2015. The themes and some examples of the activities are as follows: Learning for life – to reduce the social isolation of older citizens, we will be working with Bristol Ageing Better to support their ‘schools for all ages’ strand, focusing on intergenerational learning. Learning for everyone – to engage care leavers in learning and employment, we will work with partners and employers to improve care leavers’ life chances and outcomes.
We believe voluntary and community sector organisations have a great contribution to make and so look forward to engaging with colleagues throughout the year - look out for more updates from Voscur. For more information, contact learning.city@bristol.gov.uk Paul Jacobs is speaking at
Learning in education – to raise young people’s attainment, we will work with schools and other education providers to narrow the achievement gap.
Voscur’s next Children and Young People’s Network meeting on 6 May 2015 for more information, visit:
Learning for and in work – to develop an engagement hub which
www.voiceandinfluence.org. uk/cyp_meetings
April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
In the run-up to May’s general election, Voscur will be partnering with other organisations and agencies in the city to raise vital awareness in our communities about how to make your vote count. To kick things off, we approached the four main parties in the city and asked them what their party will be doing locally to assist in the support and development of the city’s voluntary and community sector - here is what they said...
Photo by Monkey Boy42 CC BY-NC 2.0
his year’s elections offer voters a beguiling choice between a firm Conservative commitment towards deficit elimination by 2017-18, and a more woolly debt reduction plan offered by Labour. However, what is clear from consideration of the nation’s perilous finances is that whichever Party is returned to Parliament, the voluntary and community sector will be expected to work within a political landscape of evershrinking budgets. To further this end, the Coalition has pursued various community-based initiatives over this Parliament, including the setting up of the Big Society Network, the Big Society Bank and the Localism Act 2011, which included numerous provisions allowing charitable trusts and voluntary bodies to apply to carry out formerly council-provided services. Locally, in addition to the Mayor’s Fund for Bristol, the Council is still responsible for
ristol has a strong tradition
We encourage councillors to work
public (and quasi-public) sector
of voluntary sector
closely with organisations in their
organisations across Bristol
organisations, which has
wards, signposting residents to
commission, making life easier for
changed over the last few years,
services and supporting their
the sector and enabling individual
especially as a result of the
activities.
organisations to engage, focussing
Coalition Government’s austerity programme.
Labour led the Council’s Third Sector Commissioning Strategy
on the outcomes we all want – not just the process.
With less money around, the City
to develop a transparent
Even when the Council improves
Council has altered what it does,
and common approach to
commissioning, Labour still
and voluntary and community
commissioning across the
supports the retention of a
organisations have changed to
Council. However, we know
grants pot, recognising this is
reflect that. Many organisations
there are real problems here,
an excellent way to support
that were principally funded
with inconsistent practice across
innovation in the sector, keeping
previously by the Council have
different departments, and
flexibility for issues that arise, and
put together new partnerships,
smaller, local niche organisations
testing ways of working that can
collaborating with each other and
often missing out. Labour
shape future service delivery.
working with other funders to
would ensure that every Council
continue to deliver and develop
service commissioned follows
their services.
the guidelines and best practice,
Labour councillors recognise – and celebrate – the value of the sector to Bristol and to our communities.
working with the sector, involving organisations right from the start in scoping work. Done well, this would inform the way other
Labour strongly supports Neighbourhood Partnerships. We want to see more powers and responsibility passed from the Mayor at the centre, out to communities. At national level, all
allocating £7.5 million worth of
and are much more responsive
such an approach has resulted in
strategic grant funding across the
to variations in local need. We
the creation of a burdensome,
city. Conservatives have previously
will continue to press for much
overblown, wasteful and often
been prominent in championing
simpler and open procurement
intrusive bureaucracy. We are
community causes; in this year’s
processes that give small
convinced voluntary organisations
budget we secured an extra £250k
organisations a fairer chance at
can and will do better.
into neighbourhood sports grants.
securing local authority work
Councillors have an essential
contracts.
In any event, given the pervasive economic constraints confronting
advocacy and leadership
For a more in-depth exposition of
central and local government
role within Neighbourhood
this subject, I would refer readers
following May’s elections, we really
Partnerships and other
to “The Blue Book of the Voluntary
don’t have much choice in the
representative forums. We are
Sector: Civil Society and the
matter.
committed to redistributing the
Conservative Party After the 2015
locus of power and resources away
Election”.
from the central administration and out into the city’s disparate communities.
A state-centric model for the supply of public services is no longer an option or even always
Underpinning our approach to the
desirable. In fact, this concept
third sector is a conviction that
has failed all of us on a number of
non-government organisations
levels. Aside from the great cost
can do a better job than the state
and inefficiencies it has invoked,
political parties are talking about devolution. They mean from “Whitehall to the town hall”, but we don’t want to see it stop there, believing that many more decisions about local services and spending should be taken at the most local appropriate level. We envisage local voluntary and community sector groups having a greater role in that decision-making, using their knowledge and experience to shape policies and projects. Finally, Labour councillors want the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to work in a much more transparent and accountable way, and to value the voluntary and community sector for the huge impact it has on our city.
For more information, email: helen.holland@bristol.gov.uk
For more information, email: mark.weston@bristol.gov.uk
he Green Party
them going. The Council should
Council-run to being privatised. The
acknowledges the social
promote tendering processes
question to be answered is, when is
value of volunteering and
which support the third sector to
it right to do this?
of the voluntary sector in general. Volunteers should be treated
participate (along with SMEs).
Of course, in the current climate,
We support the Bristol Compact
any response has to be much more
and measures which improve
defensive than that. Facing 40%
the way in which statutory and
Council budget cuts - no one can
Strong community groups mean
voluntary (and other) bodies work
or should pretend that somehow
strong communities. This has
together. We do not support the
it is going to be all right. Services
enormous benefits in terms of well-
wholesale replacement of Council
will suffer, possibly all of them. The
being, engagement, looking after
services with volunteers.
most vulnerable will be hit hardest.
with respect and valued for their contribution.
your neighbours, improving your local environment and much more. The role of the Council is to enable this, to encourage it, to allow such groups to get on with it.
Cuts will be made to the easiest
There is however a discussion
targets, and this will undoubtedly
to be had about when and if
include funding for the voluntary
a service should be run by the voluntary sector or the statutory sector. If you go back far enough
sector. In this environment it is critical that we give principles for funding priorities. As Greens,
Where it is good, the Council should
in history, education was a
provide large-scale stable processes.
charitable activity. Clearly, it is
It is far less good at innovation.
correct that it has become a right
There is a role for the third sector
for all, and state funded. Recycling
Finally, the Green Party believes that
in starting projects up and getting
has gone from voluntary sector to
the voluntary sector should play a
this means funding for the most vulnerable.
iberal Democrats believe community and voluntary organisations, by virtue of their independence and close understanding of their members, volunteers and beneficiaries, are a powerful means by which residents can shape and change their local communities. Many also have far deeper connections to the communities they seek to represent than council officers. These officers, however effective they are, could never realistically wish to profess such a detailed understanding of the needs of the many and varied communities that make up our great City of Bristol. It was the Liberal Democrats who brought in devolution of many decisions to local neighbourhoods, via Neighbourhood Partnerships, and we want to see that role enhanced and developed. Neighbourhood Partnerships have the potential to act both inside and outside the institutions of the Council. They also have the potential to reengage people with the political system,
key role in campaigning within the democratic process. In this context Bristol councillor Rob Telford campaigned with local groups against the Coalition’s Lobbying Bill, which tragically placed restrictions on the role of charities and the voluntary sector in campaigning on the issues that people care about. The Green Party will continue to work to repeal this affront to the democratic process.
For more information, email: charlie.bolton@bristol.gov.uk
helping to organise citizens in
the Council is now only interested
demand from projects and
their own communities, to restore
in the City Centre and surrounding
organisations that need funding
legitimacy and a strong sense of
areas. I want to see more clarity
than there are funds available, so
public purpose to our democracy,
from the Mayor about what is
Bristol City Council must become
thereby making it fit for the
expected from the voluntary
more accessible to voluntary
challenges of our generation.
sector in terms of work done and
organisations that truly connect
outputs, and a transparent system
with local communities.
Regrettably, progress has stalled since the Mayor took office. We believe our citizens must have a say on how we are governed locally. Current legislation denies Bristol’s residents a say over whether they
of ‘value mapping’ introduced to ensure consistent value for money for the Council Tax payer across all contracts with the voluntary and
gary.hopkins@bristol.gov.uk
community sector.
want to keep so much power
The City Council must work for
concentrated in the hands of one
all of Bristol, and working with
person. There is now cross-party
the voluntary and community
consensus to give Bristol the power
sector is an essential way to do
to choose its own local governance
this. As everyone knows, Local
arrangements and in so doing
Government finances are likely
further devolving power to the
to remain tight for several years
residents of Bristol.
(whoever wins the elections in
Many people have told me they feel
For more information, email:
May). There will always be more
Voscur and Up Our Street are organising an event in Bristol West to give local people the chance to ask questions of their local parliamentary candidates (more information on p16). Are you registered to Vote? Check by 20 April 2015 at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
A united voice is a stronger voice Bristol BME Voice’s Knowledge and Share Programme It has been 50 years since the
partnership working. The purpose
sense of distrust of public
creation of the Race Relations
of the work was twofold: on
agencies’ abilities to meet the
Act of 1965, which, although
one side it dedicated time and
needs of BME communities,
tentative, edged the way towards
resources to skills development
which is further emphasised by
race equality recognition and
and confidence building – on the
a lack of representation within
legislation in the UK. Although a
other, effecting change through
the various agencies. Another
huge amount has been achieved
discussions with city leaders. In
recurring concern was connected
in this arena, few will disagree
practice this was achieved through
to commissioning processes.
that there is still some serious
four separate sessions of training
Many BME groups felt that they
work to be done to achieve true
followed by a chance to talk with
had been used, sidestepped
racial equality in the UK and, more
key city strategic figures.
and swallowed up by bigger
specifically for us, in Bristol. Knowing how important having influence in local public and economic life is for the advancement of BME organisations and communities, the Bristol BME Voice team created the Knowledge and Share Programme. This Programme ran between September and December 2014 and engaged with ten BME organisations from a diverse range of backgrounds including West African, African Caribbean and Polish.
“I know a wider network of people as a result of these meetings and have made use of these new contacts.”
monitoring on contract delivery and clauses within contracts, ensuring that large firms utilise and subcontract to smaller organisations with local knowledge four of the leaders acknowledged
and Crime Commissioner, Sue
the issues raised, and took away
Mountstevens, Judith Brown,
their own list of action points to
Director of Operations for the
follow up.
Clinical Commissioning Group, and Malachy McReynolds from the Partnership Executive Board.
24 www.voscur.org
a key action point is for more
Mayor, George Ferguson, Police
Programme brought local BME
in the city, and encouraged closer
large contracts. It was clear that
and links to their communities. All
West of England Local Enterprise
conversation around race equality
capacity to tender for and win
These included Bristol’s elected
The Knowledge and Share people together to continue the
organisations that had more
Some common themes/concerns emerged from participants. It is apparent that there is a
Three months on, we revisited some of the participants. Effiom Ene-Obong is the founder and director of an alternative inner city employment agency - The Society Community Group
April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Photo by Louise Wender
Photo taken at Voscur’s ‘Feeling Bristolian’ Bristol BME Conference in 2014 (TSCG). He explained that he
respected elder, Clementina
these new contacts,” says Ruth
has utilised the training and
Johnson-Martin, has become
Soandro-Jones, Fundraising and
networks to extend discussions
“better equipped” to realise her
Communications Manager, Bristol
and plan for future work, both
vision of creating an elder people’s
Refugee Rights. “Further sessions
with other participants and
forum in Wick, where she lives, as
would be helpful to take more
strategic leaders. “I’m happy that
well as gaining vital support and
practical and coordinated actions
I have developed some great
skills for her Bristol-based roles at
and to identify what the barriers
networks through participation
OSCAR and the Malcolm X Elders.
are to greater influence and
in the programme,” he explained.
bringing about change.”
“A great platform to raise issues or concerns, I am grateful for the opportunity.”
“TSCG directors have been hosted at NILAARI and, consequently, we have been collaborating on recruitment into the health and social care sector, and even achieved internal outcomes of building skills/knowledge. I also found the leadership topics most useful towards my development as the Founder of TSCG and as a community leader. Overall, I feel that this remains a great platform to raise issues or concerns, and I
All participants stated that they had increased their knowledge and skills following involvement in the Knowledge and Share Programme.
am grateful for the opportunity.”
“Personally I know a wider network
Like Effiom, veteran activist and
meetings and have made use of
of people as a result of these
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
If you have any questions about the Knowledge and Share Programme, email Ruth Pitter: ruth@voscur.org For further information about Bristol BME Voice, visit: www.bristolbmevoice.org.uk
www.voscur.org
25
Just what the doctor ordered A look at social prescribing in Bristol ‘Social prescribing’ refers to a
a wide range of activities. Social
budget should be established
formal process of enabling general
prescribing might be offered to all
with appropriate commissioning
practitioners (GPs), practice
patients, but usually it works with
arrangements in order to develop
nurses and other health care
patients who:
and extend the provision in Bristol.
• Have mental health problems.
The Joint Commissioning Group
practitioners to refer patients to a range of holistic, local, non-clinical services to help their wellbeing.
• Are vulnerable/at-risk.
There is no uniform agreement,
• Are frequent attenders of GP
but the main elements of social prescribing are usually: • Formalised referral mechanisms from GP/ Primary Care to a ‘community connector’ (or other such named person), who identifies
• A holistic approach to
help them play a central role in managing their own care.
best time for social prescribing. 2) Understanding evidence - social prescribing suffers from what might be described as ‘evidential biases’. Rules of evidence for short-term interventions do not fit for
preventative approaches are
preventative work with a
common in the voluntary and
longer time span. Sometimes it is not clear if it is the social prescribing mechanism or a
Commissioning Group and the
particular intervention that is
likes of the Big Lottery Fund have
being evaluated. The Kimberlee
funded a wide range of social prescribing-type services for some years.
and Wellbeing Board considered a report on social prescribing in
refer to a limited range of
Bristol (the Kimberlee report).
activities whilst others refer to
They agreed that a pooled
report concluded that a variety of evaluation tools were used in Bristol, making it difficult to assess
In November 2013, Bristol’s Health
Some social prescribing projects
26 www.voscur.org
authority budgets, it was not the
Holistic assessments and
City Council, Bristol Clinical
• Encouragement for patients to
and massive pressures on local
What’s been happening in Bristol?
services (the ‘prescription’).
‘prescription’.
a permanent Public Health lead
• Are not benefitting from
community sector (VCS). Bristol
practitioner regarding the
Health in Bristol, the absence of
conditions.
identifying appropriate
• Reports back to the GP/health
given the redesign of Public
understood long-term
treatment.
activities.
1) Right idea, wrong time -
• Have untreatable or poorly
organisations suitable for the
supportive organisations and
probably three reasons for this:
• Are socially isolated.
clinical medicine/drug
• Excellent knowledge of local
plan did not materialise. There are
practices/clinics.
a range of activities and patient.
met, but a joint commissioning
the different projects. 3) Value for money - the Kimberlee report concluded that the varying models of delivery
April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Photo by ResoluteSupportMedia CC BY 2.0
in Bristol had varying costs; just
Commissioning Group. The post
This large-scale pilot provides a
looking at staff costs alone on
holder will continue with mapping
comprehensive evidence base
four projects in Bristol, they
of local activities started by the
that supports the case for social
ranged from £223 to £883 per
Joint Commissioning Group and
prescribing. The evaluation
client per annum. Not all decision
looking at evidence and evaluation
identified improvement in patient
makers are convinced that social
models.
wellbeing, and social prescribing
prescribing is value for money.
Elsewhere, a significant report on
Where now for a strategic approach for social prescribing?
Social Prescribing was published
Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group has taken the lead in developing a strategic approach. The potential of social prescribing is recognised in reducing hospital
needs of patients with long-term
admissions for older people, and
conditions.
in strategies for supporting people with long-term conditions and improving mental health.
by Rotherham Voluntary Action
was found to help reduce hospital admissions by between 12% and 21%.
in 2014. NHS Rotherham Clinical
Whilst Bristol might not be as far
Commissioning Group funded
ahead as Rotherham, we seem
the work for two years. It was
to be moving towards overall
part of a wider GP-led project
‘buy in’ for social prescribing as a
to increase the capacity of GP
significant tool in improving health
practices to meet the non-clinical
and wellbeing in our city.
Around £1m was invested. Just over £600,000 was distributed to enable VCS organisations to
Voscur continues to be involved
deliver a menu of 31 separate
with this work, and links are
social prescribing services. Twenty
being developed with Bristol
nine (out of 36) GP practices in
Ageing Better. Bristol Public
Rotherham referred 1,607 patients
Health has funded a staff post,
to the scheme.
To see more on social prescribing, visit: www. voiceandinfluence.org. uk/hsc_resources
seconded to the Bristol Clinical
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
www.voscur.org
27
City devolution & communities City devolution has been the hot topic in politics over the last few months. But what does this mean and what are the opportunities and risks for the voluntary and community sector? Devolution is defined as the
the four unitary authorities in
politicians, volunteer groups &
transfer of power from central
the West of England to form a
media, shows level of interest
government to a subnational level.
combined authority to secure
in devolution” tweeted one
It can be divided into two main
devolved powers for strategic
attendee. “Enjoyed @voscur
types: functional public sector
functions such as transport,
debate on devolution today”
service based (e.g. transport, skills)
planning, housing, skills, economic
added another, “Need for
and fiscal (taxes) devolution.
development and health and
leadership & vision and for third
social care in an offer similar to
sector to rise to the challenge!”
Greater Manchester has recently announced its landmark devolution agreement with Government: the first for local government and local partners. It
that agreed with Manchester, with the Chancellor George Osborne
Scott Jacobs-Lange @Scott _ Sovereign
advising all that his door is open for discussion.
is far-reaching and includes major
Voscur has taken an active interest
plans for local transport, control
in this debate; as well as attending
of a major housing investment
the Core Cities Summit in Glasgow
fund, and control of local skills
alongside the City Council, we
funding and health and social
hosted a debate in March (in
care, with the objective of being
association with the Bristol
able to direct funding and services
Festival of Ideas) to consider the
to identified local priorities and
role of communities in these
needs and support economic
new developments. Community
growth and wellbeing.
activists from across the West of
Sheffield also agreed a devolution deal shortly after that focuses mainly on skills and transport.
England (WoE) contributed to the discussion, which was opened by Mayor Ferguson. The majority of attendees said that the event had
This follows major developments
increased their knowledge of City
in policy from the Government,
Devolution, and many planned to
Opposition and the Scottish
share information with others to
referendum on devolution last
continue the debate. Many were
year.
sharing information and opinions
Along with other Core Cities and City Regions, the Government has indicated that it would welcome a commitment from
28 www.voscur.org
live from the event via Twitter, which recieved over 160 tweets with the #futurecity15 hashtag. “Packed conf. room today inc.
“Some great debate and discussion about #westofengland devolution today at #futurecity15 event. Thanks to @voscur and partners for organising.”
Voscur is keen to ensure that any change in city region governance is also an opportunity to develop neighbourhood accountability and enhance community democracy. This view is shared by the think tank ResPublica who said in their recent report ‘Restoring Britain’s City States’*, “Local authorities should be given a duty to involve, empower and work with communities. Legislation should be introduced to enable the formation of neighbourhood councils and to enshrine their rights to draw down
April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Photos taken at the City Devolution event in March 2015, hosted by Voscur, in association with the Bristol Festival of Ideas.
responsibilities and resources.
democracy and accountability,
hit by predicted budget
This would need to build on the
supporters of this approach
cuts and ensure that each
spirit of the Localism Act, which
argue that there are many other
local authority continues to
aims not to restrict but actively
benefits that devolved powers and
undertake its community
encourages the potential for
governance could bring. These
leadership role of promoting
legitimate bottom-up community
include:
the social, economic and
action, by allowing for greater cooperation and collaboration
environmental wellbeing in
• Single point of decision-
their areas.
making on agreed functions,
between partners.”
leading to quicker and more
• An avenue to formally
Bristol and neighbouring WoE
visible decisions. Unlike the
combine resources and efforts
authorities are looking at potential
Local Enterprise Partnership,
in regard to economic growth
devolved powers and funding
a combined authority also
and wellbeing that respond to
that responds to the economic
has the relevant democratic
local priorities and needs.
needs and priorities of the WoE
accountability.
and Bristol area. Currently, there is no agreed statement of intent
• Secure more long-term
between the four West of England authorities to secure devolved powers and functions from Government.
further improve community
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
sector. For example, one question
funding, and retain more of
was about how we will ensure that
the benefits of local growth to
neighbourhood and community
reinvest in local priorities.
priorities are reflected in any long-
• Provide resilience and
As well as an opportunity to
Clearly there are also risks for the
sustainability to a range of functions that will be hardest
term strategic plans of an entity covering a much larger
Continued on next page...
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29
Continued from previous page...
geographical area. How will new commissioning arrangements that emerge from any new entity impact VCS organisations? As the ResPublica report states: “In many respects the challenges faced in devolving to communities mirror the obstacles that need to be overcome in transferring powers from the centre to local government. The approach requires a complete transformation in philosophy and approach to change the culture of how things are done and having the confidence to let go.” The case that was presented at the core cities event in Glasgow was that devolution to a city region offers a much greater opportunity to influence local services, rather than a national policy approach that takes no account of local need. Time will tell if this approach prevails. Voscur and the rest of the sector will continue to watch with interest as the devolution debate continues.
*Core Cities UK are: Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Cardiff, Glasgow. They are a unique and united local authority voice to promote the role of their cities in driving economic growth and the case for city devolution. They represent the councils of England’s eight largest city economies outside London along with Glasgow and Cardiff. For information visit: www.corecities.com
Free office furniture for local charities
Some useful links: ResPublica report: ‘Restoring Britain’s City States‘ http://goo.gl/P5RjZz Core Cities’ ‘Modern Charter for Local Freedom’ http://goo.gl/N1PKkq A round-up of the Tweets from Voscur’s event in March: goo.gl/F4X1J5
30 www.voscur.org
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www.collecteco.co.uk E: wishlist@collecteco.co.uk April / May / June 2015 Issue 28
Neighbourhood Partnerships’ conference February 2015
“We must excite people that this
feasible. Strategy must come from
is their local governance,” said
the centre, where the joining-up
Mayor Ferguson, speaking at the
happens, but local areas should be
Neighbourhood Partnerships’
able to respond to local issues.
conference held at Circomedia on a cold Saturday morning in February. The Mayor said that problems are and reminded us that the UK is more centrally governed than any other European country, but cities and neighbourhoods are where the problems and solutions lie.
ability to deliver, and indicated
Councillors must be embedded in
that there is a deal to be done
their Neighbourhood Partnerships,
in terms of how Neighbourhood
and Neighbourhood Partnerships
Partnerships are resourced to
must be part of the ‘bigger
respond to local issues. Some
picture’.
areas in Bristol face more acute
Bristol, as part of a city region, has more control over transport, for example, we would be better
a relaunch of Neighbourhood Partnerships in the autumn and a drive to get more people involved.
Photo by jontangerine CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
as drum beaters for local issues;
Partnerships and said that if
Council officers, there will be
there is a differential in terms of Neighbourhood Partnerships’
very relevant to Neighbourhood
neighbourhood plans by City
The Mayor recognised that
The Mayor referred to Councillors
He emphasised that devolution is
Following a joining-up of
Photo by David McKelvey CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
not understood from the centre,
Councillors are drum beaters for local issues and must be embedded in their Neighbourhood Partnerships
and what their potential is.”
problems than others. But how would others react if some Partnerships were to receive more resource than others, because of the disadvantages that some people face?
able to deal with how we move
Concern about lack of
efficiently around our city,
participation in Neighbourhood
without reference to central
Partnerships was raised. The
government.
To find out more
Mayor saw it as his role to illustrate
about your
the benefits of Neighbourhood
Neighbourhood
Partnerships. “The biggest job is
Partnership, go to:
to get people to recognise that
goo.gl/TLKRMC
The Mayor said that there is an absolute desire to devolve as much (to neighbourhoods) as is
they exist, what they are doing
Issue 28 April / May / June 2015
www.voscur.org
31
Voscur Ltd. Royal Oak House Royal Oak Avenue Bristol BS1 4GB
Tel: 0117 909 9949 Fax: 0117 933 0501 Email: info@voscur.org Web: www.voscur.org
Voscur training and events April 2015 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
16th
9:30am - 3:30pm
Preparing your Accounts for your End of Year Report
The GreenHouse
16th
6pm - 8pm
#WhyVoteBristol15
Trinity Centre
23rd
9:30am - 12pm
Health and Social Care Network event - Better Care Fund
The Park
23rd
6pm - 9pm
Being a Good Trustee
Windmill Hill City Farm
30th
9:30am - 1pm
Safeguarding and Whistleblowing
St Werburghs Centre
May 2015 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
6th
10am - 12pm
Children and Young People’s Network Meeting
Barton Hill Settlement
13th
9:30am - 1pm
Contracts of Employment – How to Get it Right
The Southville Centre
14th
9:30am - 12:30pm
Working Together to Prevent and Support Young People Being Drawn into Terrorism and Extremism
Phoenix Social Enterprise
June 2015 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
2nd
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Finance Forum: Insurance for Voluntary Sector Organisations
Royal Oak House
3rd
9:30am - 1pm
Minute Taking for Administrators (part one)
The Southville Centre
4th
9:30am - 3:30pm
Writing Small Fundraising Bids
St Werburghs Centre
9th
9:30am - 12:30pm
Being a Good Trustee
The GreenHouse
10th
9:30am - 1pm
Minute Taking for Administrators (part two)
The Southville Centre
17th
9:30am - 1pm
An Introduction to Time Management
Windmill Hill City Farm
18th
6pm - 9pm
Being an Even Better Trustee
Windmill Hill CIty Farm
25th
9:30am - 1pm
Telling Your Story
The Gatehouse Centre
July 2015 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
1st
6pm - 8pm
Trustee Network
TBC
8th
12pm - 2pm
How Decisions are Made in the City
Royal Oak House
9th
9:30am - 1pm
Evidence and Intelligence to Support Funding Bids – How Can Council Data Help?
Barton Hill Settlement
16th
10am - 2pm
VCS Assembly
The Park
For details of all the above training and events, visit: www.voscur.org/events/upcoming/voscur
Voscur is a registered charity and a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Company no. 3918210. Charity no. 1148403. Printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable-based inks