Supporting Voluntary & Community Action
April / May / June 2012
Inside this issue: Proving Our Value Property Advice Training and Learning Local Funding Volunteer Support Project Compact News The New VCS Advocates Elected Mayor Referendum Police Crime Commissioners and more!
Young people enjoying the services and outdoor play structure at Windmill Hill City Farm
Living Practical solutions for independent living A not for profit community interest company We have carried out an extensive re-organisation programme and now have fully up to date specialist display equipment in various assessment areas, including stairlifts, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, riser recliners, wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and Telecare. Book an assessment with one of our Occupational Therapists and come to the Centre so that you can try out equipment before you buy it or telephone to make an information enquiry. These services are for older people who want to remain independent, disabled people of all ages, their families, carers and for health professionals. We now also have a Retail Outlet at Living, selling everything from perching stools to wheelchairs, at very competitive prices, which is open every weekday.
Contact details: Home aids and adaptations
Retail Outlet
Tel: 0117 965 3651 E-mail: info@thisisliving.org.uk
Tel: 0117 965 3651 E-mail: retail@thisisliving.org.uk
Or visit our website at www.thisisliving.org.uk
Contents Voscur
Compact
3 Editorial
20
The Compact Lives – Latest News
4
New Members
21
Bristol City Council’s Compact Champions
5
Member Profile: Windmill Hill City Farm’s Active Citizens Project
Voice and Influence
6
Donor Psychology: Make a Bigger Impact Online
22
7
Proving Our Value Project
23-25 New VCS Advocates
Support Hub 8
Property Matters – Advice from the Ethical Property Foundation
9
Communicate! Get Your Message Out
10 Advertisements
Bristol Women’s Voice
26
‘X’ Marks the Spot – Elected Mayor Referendum
27
Elected Police Crime Commissioners
28
New Initiative to Tackle ‘Problem Families’
29
Celebrating Age Festival 2012
30
The Future of Community Learning in the West of England
11-12 Polish Information Day 13-14 Kick Start – Some Case Studies 15-16 Upcoming Training Courses 17-18 Local Funding Opportunities 19
Volunteer Bristol’s Volunteer Support Project
Keep up to date with Voscur online:
www.facebook.com/voscur
twitter.com/voscur
www.flickr.com/voscur
www.youtube.com/voscur
The newsletter is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine. If you require Thrive! 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 those of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
www.voscur.org
2
Voscur
Dear Members and Friends Our regular readers will know
Our staff have pulled out all the
that Voscur’s main area of
stops to put together events
activity at the moment is that
and briefing sessions so that VCS
we are contracted by Bristol City
groups don’t miss out on potential
Council to deliver Infrastructure
bidding opportunities.
Support Services to voluntary and community sector organisations in Bristol. Voscur is delivering this contract through the Support Hub (www. supporthub.org.uk), an initiative that provides development and support activities to groups in Bristol; and through the Voice and Influence initiative (www. voiceandinfluence.org.uk) that
Voscur is also planning ahead and addressing some issues that we have been considering for some time. One of these is registering Voscur as a charity – we have taken advice as to the best way forward for us and our board is now progressing this matter. We have written more about this on the next page.
Wendy Stephenson Chief Executive
brings groups together to
We are also reviewing our strategic
influence policy and practice.
plan and will update our business
in Voscur, or if you would like to
plan following that review. We
find out more about what we do.
What else is Voscur doing?
recently asked our members to
Voscur hosts the Compact Liaison
help us to do this by completing a
Officer, Mark Hubbard, who has
short survey that will feed into our
Wendy Stephenson
played a role promoting and
plans. We thank those of you who
Chief Executive
supporting good practice in
took the time to complete this.
relations between public sector
There is still time to complete the
partners and the voluntary and
survey (see page 14 for details).
community sector. Mark has been particularly active on the Council’s Enabling Commissioning Board, which is working towards improving commissioning practice locally. We are pleased that the government has recognised the value of the Compact (see article on page 20).
are undertaking is looking at the impact of the economic downturn, funding cuts, and pressure on services. We are gathering this information to share with other core cities* so that together we can build a picture of the impact of cuts and use this information to campaign
the City Council to bring groups
locally and nationally.
at contracting opportunities.
3 www.voscur.org
*English core cities are Bristol, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Birmingham and Liverpool
Another area of work that we
Recently, Voscur has worked with together (at short notice) to look
Best wishes
Please do get in touch with us if you would like to be more involved
Key to symbols Equalities Article Training Information & Resources Event
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Voscur
New Voscur Members 32nd Bristol (1st Whitehall)
Friends of Hannah More
Ujima Radio CIC
Scout Group
Primary School
roger@ujimaradio.com
0844 3574632
0117 9039937
www.ujimaradio.com
32bristol@avonscouts.org.uk
ruth.cochran@bristol.gov.uk Whitchurch Maritime
Ausform
Group Analysis South West
Cadet Force
07951596078
0117 942 3343
0117 9148389
lina@ausform.co.uk
groupanalysissw@o2.co.uk
djwhitfield.ntc@gmail.com
www.ausform.co.uk
www.gasw.co.uk
Auxilium Early Intervention
Hands Around the World
Family Support
01600740317
Voscur, please contact us on
admin@aux-eifs.org.uk
info@hatw.org.uk
0117 909 9949 or visit:
www.hatw.org.uk
www.voscur.org/about/
Avon Talking Magazine for the Visually Impaired
Home Instead Senior Care
01454 775067
01275 391300
holzgrawe.j@uwclub.net
sergio.mesen@homeinstead.co.uk
If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of
joiningonline
www.homeinstead.co.uk/bristol
Should Voscur become a registered charity?
Home Watch Network
IDEAL Community Action
Voscur is currently a not-
bristolnhwnetwork@gmail.com
0117 9543708
for-profit company limited
ideal-one@hotmail.co.uk
by guarantee. This is mainly
www.ideal-cl.org.uk
because, when Voscur was set
Bristol Neighbourhood &
Common Wealth Theatre 07517 027657
up in 1995, funded by the local
commonwealththeatre@
Mend the Gap
regeneration partnership, it
googlemail.com
01934 853228
was administratively simpler.
www.commonwealththeatre.co.uk
info@mendthegap.org.uk
Now Voscur provides public
Engaging Families
Paul Serry
grants, being a charity is a more
07811358159
07868713173
appropriate legal status. We are
engaging.families@yahoo.co.uk
info@paulserry.co.uk
therefore proposing to register
www.paulserry.co.uk
as a charity and would welcome
services through contracts and
Break Free Foundation 07517320612
TaxAid UK
jethrofriggens@
02078034950
breakfreefoundation.org
info@taxaid.org.uk
www.breakfreefoundation.org
www.taxaid.org.uk
your views on this. To tell us what you think (about this and our next strategic plan) go to www.survey.bris.ac.uk/ voscur/2017 or email david@voscur.org
Issue 16  April / May / June 2012
www.voscur.org
4
Voscur
Member Profile: Windmill Hill City Farm’s New ‘Active Citizens’ Project involve establishing a digital media studio where young people can develop life, citizenship and work skills. This will promote their own sense of worth and identity, reflect what they value and give them a greater voice to express and act on their concerns. The final element of the project will develop an online toolkit that will help similar organisations to
Young farmer hard at work at Windmill Hill City Farm
replicate the idea in their own context.
Windmill Hill City Farm is an
‘active’ in their communities
independent community project
in some way (local residents’
situated half a mile south of
groups). This online map will help
Would you like to be involved?
Bristol city centre. It offers
to build active citizenship and will
Windmill Hill City Farm is looking
educational and recreational
strengthen community networks.
for interested local organisations
facilities and activities based around food, farming and the environment for local people, giving them the opportunity to experience farming in the heart of the city. Windmill Hill City Farm has recently launched an exciting project, Active Citizens, which aims to use the internet to help people to connect with local issues and each other and take action to improve their lives and enhance their community. It is split into three main sections. The first element is to map local community facilities, services and natural resources, as well as groups of people who are already
5 www.voscur.org
The next element is to use digital media to help people to become active citizens. Most of the ideas for ‘social action’ will come from people themselves. To get things started there will be two projects: 1) The Fruitfulness Project – this will produce an online urban ‘fruit map’, identifying readily accessible
who would like to be featured on our map of local community facilities. If your organisation would like to be featured on the map please register your interest by e-mailing: bethany.crowe@ windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk. More information is at: www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk.
fruit trees in public spaces in order to harvest this free (often neglected) resource to produce jams and pickles. Using a local, natural resource to create a social enterprise will provide both an income to sustain the activity, as well as equipping participants with greater skills. 2) Playground Media – this will
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Voscur
Donor Psychology: Make a Bigger Impact Online In these tough economic times, funding/finance is by far the number one issue that many voluntary and community organisations put on their list of priorities. Many organisations are looking to online fundraising methods to increase donations in a cost effective and sustainable way. However, new evidence suggests that how well organisations understand and communicate with the donors they are targeting can significantly influence whether their online fundraising is successful or not. One of Voscur’s neighbours the digital agency Nomensa recently called for a fresh approach in how charities approach online giving. Their report ‘Charities Fail to Make an Impact Online’ outlines how organisations can improve the user experience and increase the volume and value of online donations. Nomensa, which specialises in perfecting online user experience, compared the online donation processes of Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care. The findings suggest that at present, almost half of users (47 per cent) who start an online donation fail to complete it. Understanding the psychology of the donor is key to a fresh approach. The report suggests
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
that charities should adopt a process that is easy for donors and keeps them engaged at every stage. They urge charities to embrace social media, make sure their website is optimised for the mobile web, and move away from calls to donate – instead ask people to invest in specific projects. “It is essential to understand the donor’s motivations and emotional mindset so that each step along the online donation process can support, reassure and enhance their experience.” Nomensa reports. “If this doesn’t happen, nearly half of all potential donors will walk away” state Nomensa. Luckily a wide range of tools are becoming available for small organisations to ensure they maximise throughout, making the process of donations or support from users continue all the way on through to a successful conclusion for both charity and giver. Using contact relationship software designed to support fundraising like CiviContribute or commercial offerings like Salesforce can capture details of even abandoned contributions for follow up, but also provides givers with mobile front ends remarkably similar to applications they use in their daily interactions
in social networks. They also allow your supporters to become fundraisers in their own right by tapping their own social groups with personalised fund raising pages provided through the main campaign website, and promoted through the networks they belong to. QR codes are also increasingly being used by small groups to raise funds and promote awareness of their work as well. These square “bar codes” can be generated freely online from web addresses using services such as www.qrstuff.com to take users from their phones directly to donation pages. Other options like text-giving through services like Vodaphone’s text giving service (www.justgiving.com/ justtextgiving) continue to generate a lot of revenue for groups as well as moving into social networking and creating lots of integrated channels for asking for money and support.
For more information, contact Sean Kenny by calling 0117 909 9949 or e-mailing seank@voscur.org
www.voscur.org
6
Voscur
Proving Our Value Your chance to participate in ground-breaking research to show the economic value of the Voluntary and Community Sector. The ‘Proving Our Value’ project aims to provide tools to assist VCS organisations to improve how they demonstrate the economic and social impact of their activities to funders, commissioners,
explains these concepts as follows: Outputs are the direct products of a programme or activity, such as numbers of people attending, but are not the objectives of a
Photo by Rob Jewitt
be expensive or complicated. We hope this project will help to make the process more user friendly so that even smaller organisations can demonstrate their value.
project in themselves.
How can your
This project will be of national
Outcomes are the benefits
organisation benefit?
importance and Voscur has been
or changes for the intended
Voscur’s involvement in this
chosen as the main infrastructure
beneficiaries.
project means that this is an
government, and the public.
organisation to be involved.
Impact is all the changes resulting
Voscur is working with the
from an activity, project or
University of Bristol to capture
organisation. It includes intended
the value of our impact as an
as well as unintended effects,
infrastructure organisation.
negative as well as positive,
However, the project will also
long-term as well as short-term;
involve showing the progress and
as well as effects on wider society.
value of Bristol’s VCS, in general, as well as specific organisations that receive Voscur’s services.
How can we show
exciting opportunity for you (as an organisation that uses our services) to have support from the University of Bristol to evaluate your own work. So we hope you will get involved in the various stages of the research – we will keep you informed of any opportunities as they arise.
economic impact?
The project started in November
This is what the Proving Our
2011 and will take place over an
Value project will find out. Direct
18 month period.
economic impact is quite easy to measure, such as an increase in
What do we mean
organisational income. Indirect
by ‘impact’?
impact is not so easy. How could
There is often confusion about
you put a price on an increase in
what impact actually is and how
a service user’s self-confidence
it differs from outputs and
for example? There are already a
outcomes. The National Council
number of tools that can help you
for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
do this, but some of them tend to
7 www.voscur.org
If you would like to find out more about the Proving Our Value Project, please contact Wendy Stephenson on 0117 909 9949, or e-mail: wendy@voscur.org
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Support Hub
Property Matters Property can be one of the
rate to organisations referred to
largest areas of expenditure for
them by the Foundation.
VCS groups. Making the wrong decisions about property can result in expensive mistakes, often leading to cuts in services, or even closure. Groups are not always aware of how to find the right support to solve problems effectively. Since 2005, the Ethical Property Foundation’s award-winning Property Advice Service has helped more than 2,000 VCS groups make the right decisions about their premises through access to high-quality voluntary sector-specific property advice.
Through our work in Bristol we have saved organisations considerable amounts in professionals fees, as well as helping them make decisions that have avoided future property costs.
info@supporthub.org.uk. Bristol Legacy Commission The Bristol Legacy Commission (BLC) is an organisation set up to empower and support BME communities in Bristol. The BLC recognises that BME groups are currently facing difficult times and may need help with property
Groups are facing difficult times
related concerns or issues; it
and the Foundation is part of
has commissioned EPF to work
two new initiatives that offer
with groups that meet specified
targeted support:
criteria. If you have a property
The Support Hub
related problem, please contact Patsy Newton (EPF) on:
We are delighted to be part of the
0117 944 5454 or
‘Support Hub’. The Foundation,
email: patsy.netwon@
as part of this service, is able
ethicalpropertyfoundation.org.uk
Dealing with property matters
to provide one-to-one advice
is a daunting prospect for
on property issues as well as
many groups. Negotiating
providing training and briefing
with landlords, understanding
sessions. For information on the
leases, buying, community asset
Support Hub contact:
transfers, co-locating, finding,
0117 909 9949 or email
sharing or selling premises, managing a building, or finding affordable professional help, can take up valuable time and resources. Groups that contact the Ethical Property Foundation’s Property Advice Service are given friendly, expert advice by people who understand how VCS groups work in the Bristol area. In addition to this, the Ethical Property Foundation has a ‘register’ of property professionals (surveyors, solicitors, architects) who offer their services free or at a reduced
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
A property advice session
www.voscur.org
8
Support Hub
Communicate!
Communicate!
Exciting training conference to help you get your message out and reach new audiences
The Greenway Centre, Southmead, Bristol
31st May 2012 9:30am-4:30pm
Effective communication is key to any organisation, regardless of size. In a climate of change and growing uncertainty, both traditional and new media channels present VCS organisations with a range of different opportunities to raise funds, awareness and to reach out to new audiences.
Photo by Josh Fassbind, www.joshfassbind.com
Never before has the concept
Some organisations can
The day will include workshops
of ‘communications’ presented
find funding to employ
from a variety of media partners
such a diverse range of tools for
communications staff, others
and a chance to network and
charities and voluntary groups.
are working together to begin
understand more about how to
Online social networking offers
experimenting in these areas.
communicate your key messages.
a predominantly free or cost
Whatever stage you are at and
You will have the opportunity to
effective way of reaching out and
whatever scale you operate on,
find out about:
engaging with diverse audiences
it is important to plan ahead and
at the click of a mouse. Across the
find the tools that will best serve
country, the local press and TV is
your aims. Voscur and the Support
shrinking, but there are still plenty
Hub hope that Communicate!
of openings for local submissions
will provide you with some useful
from VCS groups, putting the
information on communications
onus on them to be proactive and
in the VCS Sector.
secure coverage for their cause. New media is allowing groups and individuals to bring their communications to life through photography, video and audio… the list is endless.
Working in partnership with local media consortium Blueboard (comprising Knowle West Media Centre, Firstborn Creatives, Suited and Booted and Calling The
• social media • getting local media coverage • creating video content for the web • effective photography and more! There will be stalls from local media agencies with lots of tools, tips and hints as well as presentations from the Evening Post, Watershed and the BBC.
Shots), this event will help VCS
Popping up all across a sector
organisations explore how they
Keep an eye on the
not traditionally associated with
can make use of a wide spectrum
Support Hub website
‘marketing/communications’, are
of different media channels to
for more information:
examples of excellent practice
promote themselves and raise
www.supporthub.org.uk/
and new, creative ideas.
awareness about what they do.
training-hub
9 www.voscur.org
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Over 600 doormats in one hit – advertise in Thrive! For rates, visit: www.voscur.org/magazine
RIGDZIN
Public Talk & Teachings with Tibetan Lama
Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche Public Talk—Thursday 12th April 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Joyful Enthusiasm Teachings—Friday 13th to Sunday 15th April 10am–4pm
Heart of Compassion
Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche is an accomplished buddhist teacher who has lived in the West for the last eight years. His friendly and informal approach to teaching makes his message accessible to anyone, regardless of belief or background. Venue: YHA Bristol, 14 Narrow Quay Contact: donna.kaufma@rigdzin.org | 07814 076986 www.rigdzin.org | www.vistaproject.org
Do you have an accessible venue for hire in Bristol? Voscur is currently looking for new accessible venues within Bristol to be used for training and events. If we don’t already use your venue please send us your details.
Email: info@voscur.org Phone: 0117 909 9949
Information Day for Polish Communities Voscur, SARI (Support Against Racist Incidents) and Avon and Somerset Police recently organised an Information Day for Polish Communities in response to intelligence that highlighted that many people from Bristol’s Polish Community were not aware of the range of services available to them, or how to access those services. At the same time, many organisations have been seeking ways to reach out further to
Bristol Drugs Project at the Polish Information Day
Steve Jackson
Polish people so that they can
Btristol Drugs Project (BDP)
benefit from the range of services
www.bdp.org.uk
and activities in Bristol. We were therefore glad to bring both people and organisations together for networking opportunities.
Bristol Drugs Project has
© www.informacje24.co.uk
to the Polish Community. We particularly wanted to use the event to offer volunteering opportunities to people from the Polish Community; and it was
tried various approaches to reach
helpful in that there has been
out to the Polish Community,
tentative interest and at least
including taking advantage of
one person has signed up.
The event was held at the Polish
having employed a Polish speaking
Church with attendance of around
worker in the past. We have an
500 people from the Polish
awareness that among some
Community. Stalls included health
communities there is an anxiety
and well being services, education
about confidentially and a risk
and learning, debt management,
that organisations such as BDP are
and public agencies such as Avon
seen as connected to statutory
Fire and Rescue Service, the Police
bodies. We have been keen to
Service and Bristol City Council.
emphasise our independence and assert that the services we provide are confidential.
Another positive outcome from the day was that we were able to make some really useful contacts with other agencies that were present. For example, we made a link with a woman who runs a Polish language website in the South West; she will be able to promote Bristol Drugs Project on the website and can offer some interpreting services to us so
Being able to promote Bristol
this will ultimately benefit Polish
Drugs Project at the Polish
Communities further.
Information Day was really useful in order to help us reach out
11 www.voscur.org
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Support Hub
“This information helps me to survive in a foreign country, in my day to day life.” Polish Attendee • “Makes people aware of their rights and issues.” • “This information helps me to survive in a foreign country, in my day to day life.” • “I got all answers to my questions.” • “Opportunity to speak with representatives in Polish.” What people felt were the most important issues for BSGPF at the Polish Information Day
© www.informacje24.co.uk
Polish communities in Bristol:
Valerie Mower
and support groups for people
Bristol & South Gloucestershire
Something we found particularly
People First
• Language barrier.
beneficial was the chance to
www.bsgpf.org.uk
• Lack of knowledge
network with a wide range of
(law/regulations).
with learning difficulties.
• Make people aware of their rights and issues.
agencies that were also there on
• Discrimination.
let Polish Communities know
the day as some of them were not
• Lack of jobs.
about the services we run for
fully aware of what we do.
• No access to language
people with learning difficulties.
What some of those from
I attended along with two of our
Bristol’s Polish Community found
members and we were able to
useful about the event:
We attended the event to
use our stall to promote Bristol & South Gloucestershire People First. The place was packed, it was good to see so many people turning up – we could have done with more space for our stall, banner and leaflets. What we found most useful was the opportunity to promote the services we offer at Bristol & South Gloucestershire People First such as advocacy and mentoring,
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
• “Opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues.” • “Obtaining contact details for
courses for adults. • Lack of information in Polish for new arrivals. • Racism. • Alcoholism. • Health and Law.
various agencies.” • “Help that has been offered.” • “Interesting information.” • “Everyone available in one place.” • “Lots of people are looking for
For more information on this event, contact Ruth Pitter:
help but don’t know where
ruth@voscur.org
to get it.”
0117 909 9949
www.voscur.org
12
Kicking Things Off Enabling the Development of New VCS Organisations. It is often difficult knowing where to start when setting up a new group, getting a group going, or keeping a group going during its early stages and some support to keep focused and on track can prove invaluable.
Bridge of Peace. Name: Alima Soliu Role: Trustee What is the purpose of Bridge of Peace? Bridge of Peace exists to
You may have read about Kick Start
promote community cohesion.
in our previous edition of Thrive!.
It does this mainly by organising
The programme is being provided
events that bring together people
by the Support Hub to bring groups
from diverse communities.
together to share experiences,
an organisation, and to become more focused. What have you found useful? On the course we have looked at management committees and their legal responsibilities. We have explored constitutions, making sure that everyone agrees with the one adopted. We have gained information about where we can go for funding. One session
Bridge of Peace serves people from
looked at different structures that
isolated communities, people from
organisations have. This made
different cultures, immigrants who
Bridge of Peace realise that there
have had problems integrating
are different structures that might
into UK culture. The organisation
suit us more, for example a
works with people who may find
co-operative might be considered
This course is in full swing and we
it difficult building relationships
as we are a peace focused
caught up with two of the groups
where they now live.
organisation.
In future Bridge of Peace would
What difference has it made to
like to widen its work by providing
you and your organisation?
explore their shared dilemmas and be supported by an experienced development team to draft plans to help make their hopes for the future a reality.
attending to give feedback on their experiences so far.
specific services as well as organising events, supporting elderly people, people who may be experiencing domestic abuse and more. Why did you sign up for the course? Bridge of Peace has ideas but not a lot of structure; it is an informal group that has not honed its mission or vision. It wants to become more Photo by Steven Depolo
13 www.voscur.org
organised and more formal as
We have found that we talk a lot more; it has opened up dialogue between us. We are now looking at different ideas and the different things that are out there. It has given us new enthusiasm in our organisation and reminded us why we started. It has made us more positive about the direction of the organisation and the feeling that we can develop a strong foundation. Our confidence has increased in our selves and what we’re about.
April / May / June 2012  Issue 16
Support Hub Why did you sign up for the course? The organisation is quite newly re-started. It began a while ago but became inactive and we now want to kick start it. Amongst our needs,
For further information about Kick Start, contact the Support Hub on 0117 909 9949 or visit www.supporthub.org.uk
we wanted to find out more about getting funding and running the organisation. What have you found useful? • Getting more information – you think you know everything but you don’t. Shiv Sama at a Kick Start session
• Fundraising – places we can go to for funding, how to make our case, understanding application forms better to have a better
Avon Indian Association Name: Shiv Sama Role: Trustee
chance of getting funding. • Opportunity to meet other organisations – helps us to identify our unique selling points.
What is purpose of the Avon
It has been useful to have more
Indian Association?
knowledge about what’s about, to
There are organisations for
find out what others are doing and
different Asian Communities
how they are doing it, to become
in Bristol but there is no other
aware of networks out there. It has
organisation for Indian people.
also made us aware of what Voscur
There are a lot of Asian people in
can offer.
Bristol, especially older people who have little or no communication with the rest of society, they are isolated; people have issues
What support will you need in the next five years? Bristol’s voluntary sector is currently going through a period of significant change. Voscur is therefore reviewing how it can best meet the development needs of our member organisations such as yours, as
What difference has it made to
well as our own charitable status.
you and your organisation?
Based on your input, and that
It has put us on the right track.
linked to English, health and
Before we didn’t know where to
education. There is no place for
turn or who to ask for grants or
the community to meet. The Avon
other services. We were not aware
Indian Community Association
of what was out there. Kick Start
works city-wide to try and find
has been a useful information
out what issues people have and
gathering experience and has
to address these and give people
increased our confidence as an
more confidence.
organisation.
of other stakeholders (staff, board members, partners), we will update our priorities for the next five years. Our aim is to make your organisation stronger and more sustainable, so do spend ten minutes to help us support you more effectively by answering a few questions at www.survey.bris.ac.uk/voscur/2017 or email: david@voscur.org
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
www.voscur.org
14
Support Hub: Training and Learning Programme Managing Performance and Appraisals
Financial Skills for the Not Financially Minded
Wednesday 18 April 2012, 9:30am-1pm
Monday 14 May 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm
This workshop, delivered by Charity HR, is designed to
This course will be useful for anyone who needs
cover the main principles of the topic including best
to read and understand accounts, whether as a
practice under current legislation.
paid staff member or as a trustee/management
This course will look at how to set up a performance appraisal system and the key issues organisations need to consider. It will also offer you time to discuss particular issues for your organisation.
Your Parliament: How it works and how you can be involved in national decision making Monday 23 April 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm This session is for people in community and voluntary groups or organisations who would like to find out how parliament works, how you can be involved and how you can influence decisions made in parliament.
Trustee Series 1: Why am I on the committee? Wednesday 2 May 2012, 6:30pm-9:30pm This course will give anyone who has the role of a trustee a basic overview of their legal duties and responsibilities and is ideal if you have just become a trustee or just want to brush up on your skills.
committee member. The course is practical and looks at example accounts of voluntary organisations.
Trustee Series 2: Good Governance – how to be a better trustee. Tuesday 15th May, 6:30pm-9:30pm This session complements ‘Why am I on the committee?’ and looks in greater detail at how trustees can be more effective in their role. It will cover the Code of Good Governance; the role of staff vs the role of trustees; skills audits and having effective meetings.
Introduction to Fundraising Thursday 17 May 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm This course will help you to develop a good knowledge of the basics of fundraising. By the end of the session you will have a checklist of skills needed for good fundraising: be clear about what information you need to collect; be able to assess which types of fundraising are best for your organisation; have a written funding skills audit and action plan; understand the changing environment of funding; understand how to clearly express your organisation’s mission, vision and overall aim and identify where else to get support.
15 www.voscur.org
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Support Hub “The trainer was excellent, she involved everyone and shared her expertise, wit and warmth in a very encouraging and informative manner.” Attendee, Making the Most of the Media training Commissioning for Beginners If you have heard of commissioning and think it is
Your Local Government: How it works and how you can get involved in local decision making
relevant to your organisation, this course is for you.
Wednesday 20 June 2012, 9:30am–3:30pm
Monday 28 May 2012, 9:30am-1pm
It will give you a broad understanding of the principles of commissioning, the stages of the commissioning cycle, terminology and myths & fears around commissioning.
This session is for people in community and voluntary groups or organisations who would like to find out how local government works and how you can be involved and influence local decision making.
Communicate!
Ten Steps to the Perfect Tender
Thursday 31 May 2012, 9:30am–4:30pm
Wednesday 27 June 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm
This event for VCS organisations will help you to get the most of promoting, publicising and marketing your organisation. With case studies, workshops and panel discussions this event will help you get your message out there.
This session will help you focus on Bristol City Council’s pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and invitation to tender, as well highlighting the steps your organisation needs to take to make a successful proposal.
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Training for Organisations Considering a Merger. Monday 18 June 2012, 1pm-4:30pm In the current economic climate, mergers of organisations could mean that TUPE regulations apply. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) protects employees’ terms and conditions when a business is transferred from one owner to another. This can be a complicated process for any organisation. This course will help to explain TUPE in more detail and provide advice and guidance on how to approach it.
To book any of these courses or to find out more please go to www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub To find out if you are eligible for a free place please call us on: 0117 909 9949
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
www.voscur.org
16
Planning Your Funding Further to our list of local
• undertake targeted fundraising
membership/local-communities/
trusts, foundations and charities
• be realistic
community-fund/
(opposite) we are keen to help
• ensure all of the above is
Apply online.
groups think about the wider issue
linked to the long term aims
of income generation so that they
of your organisation.
Between £100 and £2,000.
There is support available
Gane Charitable Trust
have a co-ordinated approach to generating income.
through the Support Hub for
Avoid writing an application that
eligible groups who wish to have
Promotion of crafts, further
fits the funders’ needs but then
more help in this area – and
education in the fields of crafts,
strays from your own aims and
of course, do see our training
architecture and design and social
objectives for the project you are
listings for relevant courses
welfare. Preference for Bristol,
seeking to fund. Is your planned
related to improving your funding
Newport and surrounding areas.
project based on what your
and financial stability: www.
constitution says? Think about
supporthub.org.uk/funding-hub
www.ganetrust.org.uk
how you will manage the funding if you are successful and how it
This is a selection of
can have long-term benefits for
local funding opportunities:
the communities the funding is
Apply online. £500 or less, but in exceptional cases up to £1000.
for, especially after the project
Andrews Charitable Trust
has ended. Your funding planning
Projects that raise awareness of
should be led by the long term
homelessness and the family unit
plans for your organisation.
in Bristol.
Charitable organisations working
Planning your fundraising is
www.andrewscharitabletrust.
essential. Here are a few basic tips
org.uk
Main areas of focus are education,
to consider when planning your
info@andrewscharitabletrust.
fundraising activities:
org.uk
www.johnjames.org.uk
• allow enough time to fundraise
Amount available varies from
• be prepared to invest time
year to year.
Telephone: 0117 923 9444.
and money • involve the whole organisation • do not undertake or view fundraising in isolation to the activities of the organisation • develop fundraising skills and experience within your organisation • clearly define your project and budget • use evidence
17 www.voscur.org
Co-operative Membership Community Fund Community groups, voluntary groups, self-help groups, community charities or local branches of national charities that carry out positive work in the community. www.co-operative.coop/
John James Bristol Foundation Grant for the benefit of Bristol residents. health and the elderly.
info@johnjames.org.uk
Quartet Community Foundation Small, community-based charities and voluntary groups in the West of England whose work benefits local people. New and established groups. Also runs it own ‘Express Grants’ programme. www.quartetcf.org.uk
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Support Hub info@quartetcf.org.uk Telephone: 0117 989 7700 Grant amounts varies.
Telephone: 01275 847 463 Telephone for an application form. Value: discretionary.
Express grants up to £2,000.
Richard Davies Charitable Foundation Charitable organisations undertaking projects for the young and elderly in Bristol. 18 Over Lane, Almondsbury Bristol, BS32 4BP.
The Spielman Charitable Trust Particular interest in: • helping to deal with immediate needs. • caring for and educating children and young people. • grants to other charities that the support. Only funds work that takes
Caring for the elderly, education
place in Bristol and the
and youth initiatives, also a variety
surrounding area.
of local causes benefiting Bristol, its people and its institutions. www.merchantventurers.com enquiries@merchantventurers.com Telephone: 0117 973 8058.
The Denman Charitable Trust Preference for small organisations
clear objectives of the appeal, supported by details of agreed funding from other sources and also a timetable for achieving the
the trustees believe merit
Society of Merchant Venturers Grants
A concise letter setting out
g-s.moody@btconnect.com. Mrs J Moody, 17 St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UL. Telephone: 0117 929 1929.
objectives of the appeal. Latest audited accounts should also be submitted.
Waitrose Community Matters Waitrose branches support three nominated local charities or community groups per month and £1,000 will be available every month for each shop to divide between the chosen causes. 51 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4HN. Telephone: 0117 9624244. To nominate your organisation pick up a form from the welcome desk.
Van Neste Foundation Registered charities only, unlikely to respond to national appeals.
To find a more
in the Bristol area. The Trust will
Current policy is to focus on the
comprehensive list
not fund running costs.
following categories:
of local and national
PO Box 1881, Bristol, BS37 6WS
• Developing world.
Telephone: 01454 322 430 Apply in writing.
• Disabled and elderly. • Advancement of religion and respect for sanctity and dignity of life.
funding you may wish to search GrantNet: www.supporthub.org. uk/funding-hub/grantnet (an online funding database that is free to Voscur members) or Funding Central
The Portishead Nautical Trust
Community projects,
www.fundingcentral.org.uk
15 Alexandra Road, Clifton
The objective of the trust is
(a free to use online database.)
Bristol, BS8 2DD.
to relieve and assist people under 25 years of age who are disadvantaged.
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
As far as is possible, we have
Applications must be made
checked that this information is
in writing and addressed to
correct at time of publication.
the Secretary, Mr F.J.F. Lyons.
www.voscur.org
18
Support Hub
New life for Volunteer Bristol’s Volunteer Support Programme Giving your time, skills and experience to a good cause can improve your confidence, enable you to learn new skills and help you to feel a valuable part of the community. But some people face barriers to volunteering and need a bit of extra help to take their first steps. That is where Volunteer Bristol’s Volunteer Support Programme (VSP) comes in. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, the project works with people who may face challenges to volunteering, such as those with a history of mental health problems, homelessness or alcohol and/or drug misuse. The project offers different levels of support to enable people to start volunteering, and crucially, to stay volunteering. VSP also works closely with voluntary and community groups to encourage
Demba volunteering at Fairbridge West
volunteers and help identify roles
volunteering] and now my
that match their interests, skills
confidence and positivity is huge.
and aspirations. This support is
I wish I had considered it earlier
aimed at those who require some
than I did.” Fairbridge West
For organisations, the programme
preliminary help, but then are
is equally positive about its
provides support and guidance
happy to ‘go it alone’ (although
volunteers; “they bring to us
in working with individuals who
crucially, follow up support is
a wealth of knowledge, skills,
need extra help. “Taking on
available if needed). The second
information and fun” says
such volunteers can offer a new
level matches a person who wishes
Val Fulcher, Administrator at
perspective and increase diversity
to volunteer with a mentor, who
Fairbridge.
in an organisation.” Says Piers
supports them in identifying and
Cardiff, the Volunteer Support
applying for positions, as well as
For more information,
Programme Co-ordinator.
during their volunteering.
contact Piers Cardiff,
For individuals, the project
Demba found his volunteer
provides two different levels
placement through the VSP, with
of tailored support, according
youth organisation Fairbridge
to need; advisors and mentors.
West. He says: “I hadn’t worked
Advisors work with prospective
with young people [before
and support them to take on people who have additional support needs.
19 www.voscur.org
VSP Coordinator, piers@volunteerbristol.org.uk, 0117 989 7734. For more info visit: www.volunteerbristol.org.uk/vsp
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Bristol Compact
The Compact Lives and Thrives (in some places) There has been a recent flurry of government activities about the Compact. Mark Hubbard (Compact Liaison Officer) who works with public sector commissioners and VCS groups to implement the Bristol Compact, reports on progress.
Nick Hurd, MP Minister for
services and “an equal and
for improvement. The Compact
Civil Society, has reported
fair society”.
benchmark that departments
that the Compact is one of the government’s six business plan priorities for 2012/13. This
Checking progress of Compact implementation
should allow 12 weeks for responding to consultations is often not met. Leadership within
means that each government
At the same time, the ‘Compact
departments on Compact issues
department needs to include
Accountability and Transparency
is also not always visible which is
Compact implementation in its
Guide’ was published to establish
a further area for improvement.
business plans. This is seen as a
a mechanism for checking the
Let’s hope that the Coalition
positive commitment and as Tom
implementation of the Compact
Government’s renewed focus
Elkins (Compact Voice) says, “the
across government. For example,
on the Compact will further
Compact has survived changes
it described a National Audit
progress its aims and objectives,
in government, new policy
Office (NAO) inquiry during
both at a national and local level.
landscapes and different partners
2011/12 ‘into the operation of
As Tom Elkins says, “while the
coming and going, yet support
the Compact across government
[NAO] report highlights that more
for its principles remains strong.”
and its agencies’ to ‘identify
needs to be done, the fact that
areas of good practice, areas
so many remain committed and
for improvement, and to make
receptive to achieving these goals
The coalition government
recommendations about longer
is welcome news indeed.”
refreshed the National Compact in
term and more permanent
2010, confirming its commitment
accountability structures.’
Background
to positive relations with the VCS. The purpose of this refreshed Compact is to achieve a strong, diverse and independent civil
The NAO report presents an interesting snapshot of what’s good and what could improve.
society, effective and transparent
Encouragingly, departments
design and development of
were supportive of the Compact
If you have any
policies, programmes and public
and there were good examples
questions about the
services, responsive and high-
of it being applied. However,
Compact, please
quality programmes and services,
the analysis of complaints about
contact Mark Hubbard on:
clear arrangements for managing
the Compact’s implementation
0117 909 9949 or e-mail:
changes to programmes and
indicates that there is scope
mark@voscur.org
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
www.voscur.org
20
Bristol Compact
Compact Champions – Here to Help Bristol City Council (BCC) has
“From my perspective,” says Mark
recently established a network
Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer,
Director, Strategic Planning
of Compact Champions in all of
“this network ought to help VCS
and Commissioning,
its directorates to help improve
organisations engage better with
Health and Social Care) is
relationships between the local
the local authority. Sometimes
on the Council’s Enabling
authority and the VCS. The role
VCS organisations do not know
Commissioning Board and
of a Compact Champion is to:
who to talk to – a Compact
chairs its Monitoring and
Champion will be able to help put
Accountability group. That
people in contact. They can also
group is working to ensure
help when relationships between
greater efficiency and
a commissioner/service manager
consistency in managing
and a VCS organisation are
council contracts, which
difficult – a Compact Champion
will benefit providers and
may be able to help both parties
commissioners and ultimately
understand each other better.”
deliver appropriate services
• promote the Bristol Compact to colleagues and partners • ensure and be accountable for Compact compliance within the directorate • be knowledgeable and expert about the VCS and able to promote the diversity and benefits of the sector • help build positive
The Bristol Compact Partners hope that the network of
relationships between the
Compact Champions will expand
council and the VCS
to other public sector bodies and
• model excellent practice as
the VCS.
a champion of the VCS and
and influence on strategic partnerships and commissioning • act as an advisor to the directorate on the Compact and working with the VCS
to communities. • Sue Bandcroft (Senior Commissioning Manager, Safer Bristol) merged a one off commissioning process for ‘Supporting Recovery’ grants with the VCS Investment
the Compact • increase the VCS’s access to
• Netta Meadows (Service
Strategy. This ensured that
Compact Champions’ recent achievements
VCS organisations could see
• Di Robinson (Service
evidence more than once.
grant opportunities in one place and did not need to provide the same ‘PQQ’ type
Director, Neighbourhoods
This is a network of council
and Communities) and
individuals at all levels that have an
Gillian Douglas (Equalities
interest in good relations between
and Community Cohesion
the council and the VCS. They have
Manager) worked to ensure
volunteered to become Compact
that the current VCS
Champions and commonly have
Investment Strategy was
personal experience of the VCS as
consulted on for 12 weeks
compact-champions-bcc
trustees and volunteers.
and that the following funding
Mark Hubbard (Compact Liaison
process allowed a maximum
Officer) mark@voscur.org
period for applications.
0117 909 9949
21 www.voscur.org
A full list of BCC’s Compact Champions can be seen at: www.bristolcompact.org.uk/
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Voice and Influence
Bristol Women’s Voice The team behind Bristol Women’s Voice describe this new initiative which aims to bring women together to make a difference in the city. We’ve all recently heard and
organisations together with the
read headlines about how
97% of women who are not in any
women are at the forefront of
such organisation to exchange
the cuts and behind the headlines.
experiences, share ideas, celebrate
Families in Bristol (and the
successes and support campaigns
women within them) have been
and events for women in the city.
coping with the extra stress of unemployed teenagers, fewer local play schemes and activities for children, worries about changes to social care, losing jobs and reduced hours, and all this on top of having less money to go around. We might not be able to solve all of these problems but women in Bristol have a new chance to get together and share ideas about how the city could be better for women.
We intend to develop a Women’s Strategy for Bristol to get the decision makers from public and private organisations to commit to doing things that will make a real
Photo by Katheryn Emily
difference to women’s lives. We are going to do this in
we can make Bristol a showcase
different ways; we have a brand
for women’s involvement,
new web site with a blog and
empowerment and equality.
Facebook page; we will also be meeting together to come up with real actions for decision makers in Bristol to make a positive difference to women’s
Aroona Smith, Cezara Nanu, Diane Bunyan, Maria Banos-Smith, Penny Gane, Tove Samzelius – Interim Management Group
A new organisation, Bristol
lives. So far, local women have
Women’s Voice was launched
identified 4 main priorities;
The launch and the development
on Saturday 24th March which
jobs and skills, health, caring
of the web site have been
aims to make women’s equality
responsibilities and safety, but this
supported by Bristol City Council.
a reality.
is just the start and we need you
The idea of the new organisation
to get involved and get active.
is not to duplicate the excellent
Please have a look at the web site
work that a whole range of
and sign up to take part in the
organisations are doing in
forums and come to meetings
the City but to bring those
and share your ideas. Together
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
Find us at: www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk
www.voscur.org
22
Bristol’s New VCS Advocates The results of the election for the Bristol’s Voluntary and Community Sector Advocates were announced in February of this year. The VCS Advocates will help ensure that the VCS has a strong voice and is able to influence decisions of importance.
VCS Advocate to the Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board
VCS Advocate to the North Area Partnership Executive Group
Dom Wood
Sue Kelly
(1625 Independent People)
(The Prince’s Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)
Email Dom: Dom.Wood@1625ip.co.uk
Email Sue: Sue.Kelly@princes-trust.org.uk
Sandra Meadows (Play and Early Years Training Unit) Email Sandra: smeadows@peytu.co.uk
VCS Advocate to the South Area Partnership Executive Group Vicki Morris
VCS Advocate to the Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board Poku Pipim Osei (Babbasa Youth Empowerment Projects) Email Poku: poku.osei@byep.org.uk
VCS Advocate to the Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group Judith Davis (Full Circle Youth and Family Project) Email Judith: judith_v_davis@hotmail.co.uk
(Knowle West Health Park) Email Alex: vmorris@knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk
VCS Advocate to the Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group Jonquil Richards (Barton Hill Settlement) Email Jonquil: jonquilr@bartonhillsettlement.org.uk
VCS Advocate to the Health and Wellbeing Board Peter Walker (Addiction Recovery Agency) Email Peter: PWalker@addictionrecovery.org.uk
23 www.voscur.org
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Voice and Influence
VCS Advocate to the Safer Bristol Partnership
VCS Advocate to the Reducing Re-offending Board
Alex Raikes
Graham England
(Support Against Racist Incidents)
(Addiction Recovery Agency)
Email Alex:
Email: grahamengland@addictionrecovery.org.uk
asstdirector@sariweb.org.uk
You can read more about the VCS Advocates and how they will be helping the VCS to have a strong voice and influence on the Voice and Influence website at www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/advocates
organisations work. My decision to
What do you think the priority
be an advocate rests on
issues are for the voluntary
developing a better understanding
and community sector in
of how decisions are made in the
Bristol in the coming year and
city, sharing this understanding
what should we focus on to
with my other VCS organisations
influence and make sure our
and all being well, influencing
voice is heard?
these decisions to reflect their needs. You’ve been elected as an Advocate for the Children and Young People’s Attainment
Introducing Poku Pipim Osei
and Progression Board. What interests you in this? Having lived in Clifton, Easton
VCS Advocate to the Children
and now St George, I think it is fair
and Young People’s Attainment
to say more can be done –
and Progression Board.
educational activity-wise for children and young people coming
Why did you decide to put
from deprived communities, for
yourself forward as a VCS
example, both in schools and
Advocate?
within the communities. Policies
I think small voluntary and
undoubtedly shape curriculums
community sector (VCS)
and activities delivered in schools
organisations are not adequately
and in the community
informed of how authority
respectively. My interest is to
structures work in Bristol. I can
convey some of my experiences
equally say the same for our
beside my colleagues, to help
authority’s lack of practical
improve attainment levels in
understanding of how most VCS
the City.
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
More should be done around cultural awareness within BME communities. One is required to complete a UK citizenship test upon arrival in the UK which helps you understand the history and culture of the average British person. However, most people end up living amongst other BME communities e.g. Easton, Redfield etc, which makes the need for other cultural awareness programmes essential for community development. Beside community cohesion programmes, I believe we also need practical aspiration programmes for our young ones. Aspiration programmes are just as important as the ‘outcome driven’ approach recently adopted by authorities if we are to see a fair growth in all areas of our local
www.voscur.org
24
Voice and Influence
economy in the long run. Many young people from deprived communities that I engage with feel that certain career professions, such as a lawyer, pilot or doctor are not for them, even though they have the
VCS Assembly and Network Meeting dates for your diary
interest and academic ability. I think we also need to encourage
Health and Social Care Network
innovation in the City. Change is
Monday 30 April, 2-5pm
not achieved by implementing the same agenda or working with the
Community Learning Information and Consultation event
same partners over and over
Thursday 10 May, 9.30am-1pm
again. Society is not that static and I believe change can only be
Children and Young Peoples Network
realised if we have a system in
Thursday 17 May, 10am-1pm
place that accommodates new ideas and alternative sustainable concepts.
VCS Assembly meeting Thursday 14 June, 10am-1pm Health and Social Care Network July 2012 – date to be confirmed Neighbourhoods and Communities Network
What are your priorities
Wednesday 19 September, 2-5pm
in the coming year? Join in the discussion and
Children and Young Peoples Network
make sure the newly elected
October 2012 – date to be confirmed
VCS Advocates are taking your views forward. We’ve been asking VCS groups
VCS Assembly meeting Wednesday 7 November, 2-5pm
what their priorities are – watch our short film on the Voice and Influence blog at www.voiceandinfluence. org.uk/blog/26 and leave a comment to say what you think the priorities for the VCS should be.
More details for upcoming meetings can be found at www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/voiceandinfluence/diary
25 www.voscur.org
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Voice and Influence
X Marks the Spot Bristol voters prepare to decide on elected mayor referendum. On Thursday 3 May the Bristol
councillors to pass their budget
last local elections in Bristol in
electorate will be asked to vote
proposals instead of the current
2011 the turnout ranged from
to decide whether they want a
requirement 36. The government
46.7% (Clifton ward) to 26.7%
directly elected mayor to replace
says that elected mayors will
(Filwood ward).
the current position of leader of
be able to negotiate with them
council. Elected mayors would
to potentially take over more
be voted for by everyone on the
powers currently held by central
electoral register whereas the
government.
leader of council is chosen by
If people vote yes for the introduction of a directly elected mayor then the first election will take place on Thursday 15
The referendum on elected
November 2012, on the same day
mayors is taking place this year,
as the election for the first Police
The elected mayor would have
a year when no council elections
Crime Commissioner for Avon and
more direct powers, for example,
are scheduled, leading some to
Somerset (see page 27).
they will be able to decide local
express concerns that the turn
policy, appoint members of
out will be very low. In January,
their cabinet and set the council
an elected mayor referendum
budget. An elected mayor
in Salford (greater Manchester)
would only need the support
was won with support of just
of a 24 out of the 70 Bristol
10% of registered voters. At the
Bristol’s 70 elected councillors.
Find out more: Visit: http://goo.gl/6unCQ to download a briefing paper. What would an elected mayor mean for the VCS in Bristol?
No
Yes
“In my party, there is a very
“I truly believe an elected
Bristol VCS via the Voice
strong view that a directly
mayor, someone who enjoyed
and Influence blog –
elected mayor would not be
the backing of voters and the
www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/
good for democracy, would
business community, has the
x-factor-date-confirmed-
not be good for government
potential to take us forward.”
mayoral-referendum
Peter Abraham, Leader of the Conservative group, Bristol City Council
If the May referendum result is
and getting things done and would not be good for ward councillors and their voters, who would be sidelined under the new regime.” Barbara Janke, Leader of Bristol City Council, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group.
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
Give your views on what an elected mayor might mean for the
yes, we’ll be discussing ‘a VCS manifesto for the mayor’ at the VCS Assembly meeting on Thursday 14 June, 10-1. See the Voice and Influence website for details – www.voiceandinfluence. org.uk/voiceandinfluence/diary
www.voscur.org
26
Voice and Influence
Police Crime Commissioners and Funding for Community Safety The Police Crime Commissioners
In England, PCCs will also
(PCCs) will be able to make crime
receive the proportion of Drug
and disorder reduction grants to
Interventions Programme Funding
any organisation or person in their
not going to the new Health
force area. In order to provide
and Wellbeing Boards, as well as
the PCC with a budget for this
funding for services to address
purpose, the Home Office expects
violence against women and girls.
to consolidate and transfer some existing crime and drugs grants to
Historically, local VCS organisations
Photo by Stuart Boreham
working in community safety have
At present precisely which model
looked to their Community Safety
will be adopted by individual PCCs
A key component of this funding
Partnerships (CSPs) for some
is unclear and it is likely to be
will come from the transfer from
funding support. However, it is
different between areas.
local authorities to the PCC of the
clear that, from 2013, CSPs will not
Community Safety Fund (formerly
automatically be the recipients of
within the Area Based Grant). The
PCC funding. In the absence of
amount of Community Safety
such funding, there are doubts
funds available to local authorities
about the ability of CSPs to sustain
have already been reduced by 20%
existing services from their own
in 2011/12 and will be reduced by
resources. At the same time,
a further 40% in 2012/13, before
concerns are being voiced that
being transferred over to PCCs
PCCs may decide to re-allocate
from 2013/14. A key factor for the
all of their community safety
VCS and other sectors is that this
budget to fund local policing
funding will not be ring fenced
activity, or may commission
and PCCs will have the discretion
and procure community safety
to use it for a range of activities
services through a competitive
they see as supporting their wider
process in which CSPs will be
community safety objectives and
bidding for funding alongside
commissioning role.
VCS and private providers.
PCCs from 2013/14.
To ensure that the voluntary and community sector can influence the new PCC we’re working with Somerset Community Council to develop a VCS PCC Network across Avon and Somerset. You can find out more about this at the Neighbourhoods and Communities Network meeting on Wednesday 19 September, 2-5pm. For more details visit www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/ voiceandinfluence/diary
Find out more: Visit: http://goo.gl/ WG7Qw to download a Voice and Influence briefing on elected PCCs. Safer Future Communities Policy Briefings: www.clinks.org/ services/sfc/policy-briefings
27 www.voscur.org
April / May / June 2012  Issue 16
Voice and Influence
Troubled Families Government announces new initiative to tackle ‘problem families’. In December 2011 the Prime
government department budgets
to match the government funding
Minister David Cameron
to fund a ‘payment by results’
at a time when councils are being
announced that the Government
model. Local authorities will be
forced to slash budgets. Even if
was to set up a new scheme to
able to claim up to 40% of funding
the full funding can be found,
tackle what he calls ‘troubled
for troubled family interventions,
the project would still only
families’. The Government has
but the funding will be ‘payable
provide one caseworker per ten
calculated that there are 120,000
only when they and their partners
troubled families.
troubled families that suffer
achieve success with families’.
from at least five of the following
This means that local authorities
characteristics:
will have to fund much of the
• no one in the family is in work • living in poor or overcrowded housing • no parent has any qualifications • mother has mental health problems • at least one parent has a
troubled families work up-front from their own budgets. The Government states that turning troubled families around means:
• a reduction in criminal
People’s Network meeting on
and anti-social behaviour • parents on the road back to work
disability or infirmity
taxpayer and local authorities.
of food and/or clothing items.
Families Initiative, how it will be initiated in Bristol and, if and how the Voluntary and Community your place online:
family ‘trouble-shooters’ in each trouble-shooters will operate
spent on 120,000 troubled families
at a senior level to oversee the
each year, but that only £1 billion
programme of action in their area. Critics of the Government’s proposals argue that the initiative is ‘all words but no action’* and
The Troubled Families Programme
that it will require local authorities
will use £448 million from existing
to find an additional £675 million
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
out more about the Troubled
a national network of troubled
that £9 billion of public money is
around for good.
at St Werburghs Centre to find
Sector could contribute. Book
(upper-tier) local council. The
that help them to turn their lives
Thursday 17 May, 10am-1pm
The Government will also fund
The Government has calculated
of this is targeted at initiatives
Come to the next Children and Young
• a reduction in the costs to the
• an inability to afford a number
Find out more:
• children back into school
longstanding illness, • a low income
* Mark Johnson, founder of charity User Voice, 20/12/11, The Guardian
http://www.voiceandinfluence. org.uk/voice-and-influence/ children-and-young-peoplesnetwork Troubled Families information on the Department of Communities and Local Government website: www.communities.gov.uk/ communities/troubledfamilies/
www.voscur.org
28
Voice and Influence
You’re Never Too Old Age is no barrier to having influence. Not only are older people more likely to vote in elections, they also make a significant contribution in many different decision making structures in Bristol, as elected councillors, magistrates and school governors to name a few.
contribution that older people make to society.” There will be a main event taking place in the city centre, as well as A flower arranging session at a previous Celebrating Age Festival
fringe events in neighbourhoods across the city. Last year, these included yoga and tai chi sessions,
Bristol’s Celebrating Age Festival
This year’s festival is tied in to
is an annual event that aims to
the ‘European Year (EY) of Active
showcase and celebrate the
Aging and Solidarity Between
diverse contributions that older
Generations’. The overall aim for
people make across the many
EY 2012 is to promote active
different communities that
ageing and to do more to mobilise
make up the City. Alongside this,
the potential of the rapidly
The team is currently working with
it also offers local groups and
growing population in their late
older people in the community to
organisations that provide services
50s and over. This ties in well with
plan this year’s events.
for local older people the chance
the Olympics, which is also taking
to come together, promote their
place in the UK this year.
activities and share best practice.
tea dances and samba. There was an information fair, music and workshops that provided the opportunity to meet new friends or try something different.
For more information
“People are living longer.” Says
contact Stella Quinlivan
The 2012 festival will take place
Stella Quinlivan from St Pauls
on 0117 9145470 or
from the 9-23 June and is being
Learning & Family Centre. “This
email: agefestival@
organised by Bristol City Council
is a long-term challenge that will
gmail.com
and the Bristol Older People’s
need the support of everyone.
Forum with support from NHS
Together, we need to change
Bristol and other local individuals
attitudes about ageing and older
and groups.
people, and do more to value the
29 www.voscur.org
http://www.bristol.gov. uk/page/celebratingage-festival-2012
April / May / June 2012 Issue 16
Voice and Influence
What’s Next for Community Learning in the West of England? The government has recently published its future priorities for publicly funded community learning. These are: • Maximising access to community learning. • Promoting social renewal. • Positive impact on the social and economic well being of individuals, families and communities. To progress these priorities, the Government is proposing to pilot ‘different locally-based community learning trust models to channel Adult Safeguarded Learning funding and lead the planning of local provision in cities, towns and rural settings’. We now understand that a community learning trust is not expected to be a constituted body, but will be required to bring together all providers that receive funding to ensure that there is a co-ordinated and coherent model. Across the West of England there will be increased opportunities for Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to contribute. Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and North Somerset Council are already working together in a consortium and are commissioning over 20 smaller providers. These authorities have invited Bath and North East Somerset Council and
Issue 16 April / May / June 2012
all further education colleges to consider local options – potentially resulting in a joint West of England Community Learning Trust pilot application overseeing over £2.5 million of provision. Local VCS organisations can get involved and contribute by: • Getting funding through a local commissioned contract to deliver courses to target learners – this would mean employing qualified tutors and ensuring quality teaching and learning outcomes. • Supporting service users and volunteers to access community learning courses managed by other providers – this could mean brokering, hosting courses, helping to recruit and signpost learners. • Influencing local planning, gathering and sharing local needs analysis data to inform the new community learning trust model and plan – this is a critical advocacy role, making sure that services are responsive to local needs. For more information about Community Learning Trusts, please e-mail: Jane Taylor (Service Manager – Communities & Adult Skills): jane.taylor@bristol.gov.uk.
Photo by RT Library
Voscur is working with Bristol City Council and neighbouring authorities to explore how we can support VCS organisations across the West of England to play a more active role in adult and community learning. Together we are planning an information and consultation session on Thursday 10 May. VCS organisations operating across the West of England are invited to come along to discuss possible options for a new Community Learning Trust and to explore how we can progress this work together – hope to see you there! To book and find out more about the event please follow this link http://goo.gl/uD1u7
www.voscur.org
30
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
Training and Events Diary — April / May / June 2012 April 2012 Date 16th
Time 4pm-5:30pm
Event VCS Community Development Workers Network
Location Royal Oak House
18th
9:30am-1pm
Managing Performance and Appraisals
@Symes Community Building
23rd
9:30am-3:30pm
Your Parliament: how it works and how you can be involved in national decision making
Arnos Vale
30th
2-5pm
Health & Social Care Network Meeting
Salvation Army, Hassall Drive
May 2012 Date 2nd
Time 6:30pm-9:30pm
Event Trustee Series 1: why am I on the committee?
Location Barton Hill Settlement
10th
9.:30am-1pm
Community Learning Information and Consultation Event
The Pavillion, Harbourside.
14th
9:30am-3:30pm
Financial Management for the Not Financially Minded
Windmill Hill City Farm
15th
6:30pm-9:30pm
Trustee Series 2: Good Governance: how to be a better trustee.
Barton Hill Settlement
17th
10:00am-1pm
Children and Young People’s Network Meeting
St Werburghs Centre
17th
9:30am-3:30pm
Introduction to Fundraising
St Pauls Learning Centre
21st
4pm-5:30pm
VCS Community Development Workers Network
Royal Oak House
28th
9:30am-1pm
Commissioning for Beginners
The Greenway Centre
31st
9:30am-4:30pm
Communicate! (effective communications event)
The Greenway Centre
June 2012 Date 14th
Time 10am-1pm
Event VCS Assembly meeting
Location The Withywood Centre
18th
1pm-4:30pm
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Training
St Werburghs Centre
18th
4pm-5:30pm
VCS Community Development Workers Network
Royal Oak House
20th
9:30am-3:30pm
Your local government: How it works and how you can get involved in local decision making
The Withywood Centre
27th
9:30am-3:30pm
Ten steps to the perfect tender
Barton Hill Settlement
For details of all the above training and events visit: www.voscur.org/calendar/month
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