Thrive! April, May, June 2013

Supporting voluntary and community action

Photo by Mark Simmons Photography

Inside this issue: BIG Green Week 2013

Self Directed Support

Changes to Gift Aid

Pension reform

Spring/Summer training

One Billion Rising

Reclaiming the agenda

and more!

Hundreds of local people taking part in a flash mob this February to mark One Billion Rising, the global movement to end violence against women and girls (more inside).

April/May/June 2013

What’s Payment

by Results?

Do we want to be a Charitable Incorporated Organisation?

What’s out there to support our new trustees?

How do we promote what we offer under personalisation?

For the answers to these and many other questions, why not try a Voscur training course?

Courses cover a range of topics including fundraising, finance and commissioning, managing staff and volunteers, marketing, managing your organisation, and being a trustee.

2013 also welcomes back Communicate! Voscur’s one-day interactive event takes place on 4 July 2013 to support you in marketing and promoting your services. Places are limited and likely to go fast, so early booking is recommended.

More information about courses on p16-19 or at: www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub 2 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Contents Voscur 3 Contents 4 Editorial

21

Stepping up to equality and diversity

22

Planning services and Self Directed Support

23-24 Frequently asked questions about safeguarding

5

New members

6

Voscur and Volunteer Bristol

6-7

It’s good bein’ green – BIG Green Week 2013

24

Bristol’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy

8

Community Right to Challenge

25

9

Pensions reform is having a major impact

Who do we think we are? Results of Bristol’s 2011 census.

26

How influential do you feel?

27

Reclaiming the agenda

28

How Deaf aware are you?

29

A new approach to BME Voice and Influence

30

Strike, rise up and dance – One Billion Rising in Bristol

31

Nominating Community Assets

10-11 Welfare Reform: the changes, the impact, and what to do next 12-13 One step closer to each other – commissioning in Bristol

Support Hub 14-15 Support for organisations = better services for service users

Voice and Influence

16-19 Support Hub Spring/Summer training programme 20

Charities Online – a new way to do Gift Aid

Keep up to date with Voscur online:

www.facebook.com/voscur

twitter.com/voscur

www.flickr.com/voscur

www.youtube.com/voscur

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 those of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

www.voscur.org

3

Dear members and friends charities and community interest

staff and volunteers have clear

companies to deliver ‘public

job and role descriptions? Do

services’, private companies are

people have regular supervision

taking on ‘volunteers’ as part of

meetings, and take regular breaks

work programme schemes, and

and holidays? Do you build some

small voluntary and community

social time into your workplace?

sector organisations can find

Do you say well done and thank

themselves competing against the

you often enough?

might of national organisations to

Help with staff and volunteer

deliver local services. These could be services that were initiated by a group of volunteers in response to a local need, were recognised as having value, supported through a grant and eventually packaged up as part of a commission.

Wendy Stephenson Chief Executive

All of us are wrestling with these issues, whilst at the same time

management is available through our training and events programme; and our Support Hub offers one-to-one sessions with experienced development workers. See pages 14-19 to find out more.

Remember that you are doing your best – often in very difficult

Many of us involved with

experiencing a high demand

voluntary and community sector

for our services. At this time,

organisations are motivated by

it’s important that we take care

So thank you for taking the time

our values. We recognise that

of ourselves, our colleagues

out of your busy schedule to read

the public sector does not meet

and volunteers, as well as those

this. I hope you find the time to

all of society’s needs and that

we seek to support. We know

take a Spring break.

the private sector will only meet

that because of our values and

need if a profit can be made.

involvement in our work, there is

Voluntary and community sector

a danger of ‘over-commitment’

organisations can fill the gap

in our sector. We find ourselves

where the public sector can’t

coming into the office earlier and

and the private sector won’t.

earlier, staying later and later, not

People who work and volunteer

taking holidays, and building up

in our sector express their values

‘time off in lieu’. This can lead to

through their work.

stress, poor performance and

However, more and more, the

eventually burn-out.

boundaries between public,

I speak from experience when

private and voluntary are

I say do make sure that you

becoming blurred: former public

are clear about your role and

sector employees are ‘spinning

responsibilities and your board’s

out’ of public bodies to set up

role and responsibilities. Do your

4 www.voscur.org

circumstances.

Wendy Stephenson Chief Executive

Key to symbols Equalities Article Training Information & Resources Event

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

New Voscur members Al Madina Community

Chrysalis Supported

Luckwell Improvement Project

Welfare Foundation

Association Ltd

0117 378907

0117 9512867

0117 9044366

info@luckwell-improvement

amcwf@hotmail.co.uk

colinmackell@btinternet.com

.org.uk

www.chrysalissupported

www.luckwell-improvement

associationltd.co.uk

.org.uk

Community In Partnership

Merlin Housing Society

Knowle West

01454 821612

0117 9149216

gareth.powell@merlinhs.co.uk

Alex Singleton 07769 297094 lxsingleton@gmail.com Avonside Foster Carers Association (AFCA)

kylie.cipkw@gmail.com

01275 545122 sanjo@blueyonder.co.uk Barton Fields Trust

Rock Community Centre Ltd

Compass Project Bristol

0117 9384636

0117 9568873

rock@lawrenceweston.fsnet.co.uk

kevin@compassprojectbristol

www.therockcommunitycentre

0117 9658351

.org.uk

.com

mjbond@blueyonder.co.uk

www.compassprojectbristol

Bath & North East Somerset

.org.uk

South West Somali Community Association

Carers’ Centre

Great Western Air Ambulance

0117 9425239

0800 0388885

0117 9699344

swscommunity@gmail.com

info@banescarerscentre.org.uk

fundraising@gwaac.com

www.banescarerscentre.org.uk

www.greatwesternairambulance

Bristol Best Tuition 07886892624 Bristol Cameroonians Association 0117 3822328 ngaduimado@live.co.uk Bristol City Council – Children & Young People’s Services (CYPS) 0117 3533308 jacqui.miller@bristol.gov.uk Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival

.com

St Brendan’s Sixth Form College 0117 9777766 jobs@stbrn.ac.uk

HealthWatch North

www.stbrn.ac.uk

Somerset CIC 01934 410193 northsomersetlink@gmail.com

TOCCiC (Tick One Cross Community Interest Company) 0117 3293268

The Island ArtSpace

info@toccic.org

Lifespace CIC

www.toccic.org

0117 3763457 info@theislandbristol.com www.theislandbristol.com

Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust 07831 614007

Kumiko Community Arts

terry.webber@tiscali.co.uk

07773 456791

www.winterbournebarn.org.uk

charlottechapman2002@yahoo

0117 9658351

.co.uk

rachael@bristoljazzandbluesfest

www.kumikocommunityarts.org

.com www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

www.voscur.org

5

Voscur and Volunteer Bristol In Summer 2011 Volunteer Bristol

looking at merger as our preferred

set up new groups, to grow their

approached Voscur about the

option because we think that

organisations, to train their staff

potential for working more closely

this will offer the best service

and volunteers, to recruit trustees

together. In tough economic times

for our members and the wider

and to improve their governance.

Volunteer Bristol was looking for

community in the long term.

smarter and more cost-effective

Both organisations are committed

We anticipate that a merger will

to the proposed merger but

reduce costs slightly and, more

there is still lot of work to do.

Voscur responded positively to

significantly, it will offer a more

We are currently undertaking a

Volunteer Bristol and our two

joined-up and comprehensive

full due diligence process and will

organisations began to explore

package of support for our

be consulting with our members

whether we could achieve more

members and a stronger voice

and funders.

together.

for the sector.

Bringing staff, trustees and

We want to create a one-stop

volunteers together over a

shop for the voluntary and

period of eighteen months, we

community sector: for people

have looked at various ways of

taking their first steps into

collaborating. We are presently

volunteering, those wanting to

ways of delivering its services.

If you would like to find out more or respond to our online consultation, please go to: goo.gl/OjT39.

It’s good bein’ green Paul Rainger, Co-Curator of the BIG Green Week Festival, describes what lies in store for Bristol in 2013...

BIG Green Week 2013, the UK’s

executive director of Greenpeace

friendly weekend activities

festival of all things eco, is back in

UK; and Satish Kumar, the editor

including Bristol’s Biggest Bike

Bristol from 15-23 June. More than

of Resurgence and the Ecologist

Ride, Bristol’s BIG Market, the

40,000 visitors enjoyed the festival

Magazine. They will be joined

creation of a giant playground

last year with its inspiring talks,

by others such as scientist Alice

by local children and the World

workshops, art, music, poetry,

Roberts, architect George Clark,

Electric Bike Championships.

comedy and films.

Radio 4 Saturday Live poet Susan

This year’s guests will include environmental leaders such as Jonathon Porritt (this year’s Chair);

Richardson, comedian Tony Hawks, and Richard Branson via a live video link.

Tony Juniper, speaking about

The city centre and harbourside

his new book; John Sauven, the

will be transformed for family-

6 www.voscur.org

For more information, visit: www.biggreenweek.com

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

In light of BIG Green Week, as well as National Volunteers’ Week which takes place in June, Voscur has spoken to a local green initiative (which won two of Bristol’s 2012 Green Volunteering Awards) about how to involve green volunteers. Lucy Mitchell, Community Project Worker at The Golden Hill Community Garden, shares her thoughts: “The Golden Hill Community

Volunteers having a well-earned break at Golden Hill Community Garden

Garden has had a great first year and over 200 people have volunteered. We put an emphasis on flexible volunteering and our garden is accessible for wheelchairs (as is our composting toilet). We make every effort to be welcoming and friendly and maintain a supportive atmosphere. The volunteers are a really diverse bunch with different life circumstances and all sorts of reasons for volunteering.

There is always a range of jobs

Proud maker of an insect hotel at Golden Hill as part of TCV’s Young Carers’ Nature Challenge

that need doing so everyone’s contribution is valued and anyone who volunteers gets to take home some fresh organic veg. We also work with schools and youth and community groups. Our beautiful and productive garden hums with life, from the newts in the pond to the laughter in the shelter as we take our breaks, drink lots of tea and eat lots of biscuits.”

Volunteers doing some planting at Golden Hill

For more information about Golden Hill, visit: www.thegoldenhillcommunitygarden.com

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

www.voscur.org

7

Community Right to Challenge Voscur asked Christine Storry, Market Development Manager at Bristol City Council, to tell us about the Council’s approach to the Community Right to Challenge. Here is what she said: The Community Right to Challenge

How does the process

format, available from the

(RtC) is one of the Community

work in Bristol?

Council’s website.

Rights which came into force

For full information, go to the

through the Localism Act 2011. It

link in the information box below,

Once an EOI has been

‘enables communities (including

but in essence, the process is

staff) with good ideas about how

formally triggered by the relevant

council services could be run

body submitting an EOI to the

differently or better to submit

Council. However, if you are

an expression of interest (EOI),

thinking about getting involved

have it formally considered and

in or running a service we would

allows additional time to prepare

encourage you to read the

a bid to run a service as part of a

guidance and then talk to the

procurement process’.

Council first about your ideas,

The regulations and statutory

as using the RtC may not be the

guidance which came out last year are specific in a number of aspects, particularly in terms of who can use the RtC, the process of considering an expression of interest and next steps.

most appropriate route. You can do this by sending an email to commissioning@bristol.gov. uk. This aligns with the latest advice from Government and the community rights support

However, where there are areas

organisation, Locality.

for discretion, the Council has

If you subsequently decide to

worked with Voscur to develop

submit an EOI, this needs to be

our approach.

submitted in a specified

submitted to the Council, it will be considered by a panel independent to the service area and a decision made as to whether to accept or reject the EOI. The Council will let relevant bodies know the date by which they will receive a decision and the next steps in the process.

For more information, links to the guidance and EOI form, please visit: www. bristol.gov.uk/page/communityand-safety/community-rights For information on the Community Right to Bid (another Community Right that has come into force through the Localism Act 2011) see p31.

Voscur’s position The RtC could be useful for

challenge, the subsequent

is no guarantee that the original

Bristol VCS organisations that

commissioning/procurement

‘challenging’ organisation would

wish to deliver public services.

process would then be open to

be successful against these

However, we advise caution; if an

any organisation with an interest

competitors.

organisation makes a successful

in delivering the service. There

8 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Pensions reform is having a major impact New rules designed to resolve the UK’s pensions savings crisis are having a major impact on employers and employees alike following the introduction of reforms in October 2012. Diana Thal-Jantzen Dip PFS of St. James’s Place Wealth Management explains to employers in Bristol the background to the changes that are taking place and what their responsibility will be: With people generally living longer and facing the possibility of funding a retirement that could last 20 years or more, the Government is getting employers to enrol their workers automatically into a workplace pension to make it easier for people to start saving and not rely on the state pension.

This automatic enrolment will allow people to decide whether to stay in or opt out of a workplace pension. It began in October 2012, starting with the largest employers, and workers (unless they specifically opt out) will automatically join and pay into their employer’s staff pension scheme which could be an existing or new scheme to which the employer will also contribute along with the Government by way of tax relief on employees’ contributions.

Smaller employers and newly formed businesses will have until 2016/17 to comply.

It is all designed to reinvigorate pension saving in the UK, create a simpler system to help people make better informed decisions about how much they need to save privately, and make it easier for them to plan for their retirement.

The reforms follow the failure of

stakeholder pension schemes, which floundered because they required no contribution commitment from the employer and excluded many smaller employers. Automatic enrolment recognises that the solution lies in private provision and compels all employers to enrol eligible jobholders in a workplace pension scheme, unless they are already a member of a qualifying scheme. Contributions will be collected and paid to the scheme by the employer through the payroll system.

For automatic enrolment, employers will have to choose a pension scheme, perhaps an existing one or a scheme set up with a pension provider. Information from the Pensions Regulator (www. thepensionsregulator.gov.uk) is now available to help companies make this decision.

A fundamental principle is that the jobholder must be enrolled and will then be able to opt out. Employers will be banned from incentivising opt-outs.

Pensions can seem a confusing subject, full of financial jargon and complicated rules, and the

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

new reforms provide much food for thought. Certainly for employers, a proper strategy is going to be essential.

Employers should be mindful too of the requirements and restrictions of the Financial Services Act. They may invite an adviser to present to staff, and there is no problem in giving staff information that includes no recommendation or advice.

In addition, there is no problem recommending that employees join a scheme to which the employer contributes. It is vital that the employer informs the employee that advice is available from a financial adviser, and the employer should take no financial reward for establishing a scheme.

Voscur’s next Finance Forum is taking place on 8 July 2013.

It is a great chance to meet other workers with financial responsibilities and find out about what’s happening in the world of finance. For more information and to register your interest, visit: www. supporthub.org.uk/training-hub

www.voscur.org

9

Welfare Reform: the changes and the impact ‘Welfare Reform’ is a phrase we’re all hearing a lot, especially organisations working with vulnerable people likely to be affected by the changes. These changes are happening across the country, driven by the Government’s aims to simplify the benefit system and get claimants back to work, whilst also achieving a reduction of £26 billion in national spending. In Bristol, these changes mean a loss of at least £100 million in benefits by 2015, impacting a significant proportion of the population.

Welfare Reform: the

• A ‘bedroom-tax’ for people

Centres for Avon) organised

changes in a nutshell

deemed to be under-occupying

a round-table event. Eighty

Some of the changes already in

their social housing properties

voluntary and community sector

place or underway:

(impacting at least 4,500 Bristol

organisations across Bristol and 12

residents).

Council officers came together to

• Child benefit is frozen for three years and maternity grants are now only for the first child.

• Absolute caps are introduced to local housing allowance.

• The single room restriction is extended to people under 35 (from under 25).

• The required working hours to qualify for Working Tax Credit are increased from 16 hours to at least 24 hours per week for couples.

• The time limit for notifying changes to all tax credits is reduced, and penalties have been introduced.

• Housing benefit is paid to recipients and not landlords.

Some of the changes coming up (from April 2013) are:

10 www.voscur.org

• Working age Disability Living

discuss the impact of the changes

Allowance recipients must apply

on their services and what needs

for Personal Independence

to be done.

Payments (impacting 24,450 local residents).

• A Household Benefit Cap for all except Disability Living Allowance recipients and war widows/ers (impacting 400 local families).

• Universal Credit is replacing several individual benefits.

For details of all the changes, visit: goo.gl/f23c8.

What’s happening in Bristol to continue supporting vulnerable people impacted by the changes?

In January 2013, Voscur, Bristol City Council, and the Advice Network (on behalf of Advice

More detail of the discussions and outcomes is available at: goo.gl/f23c8. The two main outcomes were: 1. Living wage: people discussed the importance of everyone being paid a living wage, or even making Bristol a living wage city, encouraging employers to pay a living wage if they aren’t already. An ongoing campaign around this was enthusiastically welcomed.

2. Access to advice and information: there are a lot of organisations in Bristol offering advice services (be those general or more targeted

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Attendees at the recent Welfare Reform event

services), but finding out about

Foundation is a community-based,

be establishing more advice-based

them can be a challenge. The

not-for-profit housing association.

services (in response to changing

website www.advicewest.

They have been preparing their

needs) beginning with a work club

org.uk already contains a lot

residents for the welfare reforms

to offer advice and support to

of information, discussions

for several months by providing

jobseekers in their area.

centred on making links more

them with advice and guidance to

explicit and promoting it to a

maximise their income and reduce

wider audience.

the impacts.

Two examples of who’s supporting people in Bristol Housing and homelessness: Bristol Community Housing

For details of others who are supporting people in Bristol visit: goo.gl/f23c8.

Skills and employment: Full Circle Family and Youth Project currently exists mainly as a play and sports scheme for young people but will

Useful links: www.advicewest.org.uk is the website for Advice Centres for Avon (ACFA) – a network of independent advice agencies providing high-quality legal advice to the public across Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and surrounding areas. The website provides a

searchable database by postcode and/or issue to enable people to secure information about where they can best get advice. goo.gl/f23c8 – more information, presentations, notes and biographies from the Welfare Reform round-table.

There are also copies of useful

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

reports, including ‘Beyond the Bottom Line’ about the living wage, and ‘A Broken System’, a local report about the impact of medical assessments for employment support allowance on people in Bristol.

www.voscur.org

11

One step closer to each other – commissioning in Bristol Voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and commissioners have expressed concerns about commissioning processes over the last few years. Voscur, Bristol Compact and Bristol City Council (BCC) have been working together to address those concerns. A recent event involving commissioners and VCS organisations achieved much progress.

The event (held in February 2013) was organised so that people could raise concerns about commissioning and work together to find solutions.

Seventy people – from the VCS, Clinical Commissioning Group, Police and Crime Commissioner’s office and commissioners from BCC – focused first on issues and concerns and identified these themes: process; quality; marketisation vs mission; TUPE; expertise and information; consortia and collaboration; risk; and joint strategic shaping of services. Everyone then worked together to devise a detailed action plan to address issues.

Some quotes from participants also nicely summarise the importance of this collaborative approach: • “The event exceeded all my expectations!! I look forward to building on the great work started.”

• “Other areas don’t do this – it’s really good that Bristol is having this conversation – it feels like we’re getting there!”

• “I really liked the format and very good recording of actions.”

The following reports – from three different perspectives – illustrate the scope and success of the event.

• “Very useful to meet commissioners and to ‘hear their side’.”

VCS perspective: Jackie Boyce

we all are in the issues that

the momentum going from

Services Manager for the Bristol Community Support Services, Rethink Mental Illness

challenge us. I have to admit I also

one solution-focused activity

felt like I hit the jackpot by finding

to the next. I can’t say enough

myself sitting at a table with

how much I appreciated the

some of the commissioners and

determination to ensure that

decision makers in my sector!

there were commissioners in

“I’m constantly surprised by how many other VCS organisations I still don’t know or know about, so it was wonderful to have the chance to meet or get reacquainted with other managers and leaders and hear how similar

12 www.voscur.org

“The day opened with the positive statement, ‘We’re going to be one step closer to each other’, and well before the end of the day I believed it! The day was facilitated beautifully, keeping

every working group and that the day ended with a plan for better joint working and a much clearer understanding of the challenges on both sides of the commissioning table!”

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Voscur and the Bristol Compact are excited to have a detailed action plan – with actions for commissioners, Voscur and VCS organisations. We are sure that, with the combined effort

of all involved, we will change commissioning so that VCS organisations in the city continue to achieve better outcomes for local communities. Watch this space.

What happens next?

The full report and action plan can be downloaded: www.voscur.org/reports

Commissioner perspective: Jane Stone Strategic Commissioning Programme Manager, BCC

and individuals that we are ultimately all here to support.

“What a fantastic day! As someone relatively new to

“The event was extremely well designed and facilitated which meant that we all worked very

Bristol and just embarking on a major commissioning change programme for the Council, I was delighted to be part of this event. It provided the opportunity to meet a range of committed VCS service providers who are positive about working together towards meaningful outcomes for the communities

“So, without wishing to sound like Churchill in his famous ‘This is not the end…’ speech, we haven’t

hard and came away with agreed documented action plans. Clearly more work needs to be done to refine those plans and identify resources but we now have some shared actions that came out of robust and informed discussions.

solved all the problems but we have the direction and content from the event to guide us on our way.

“Bristol City Council is embarking on a major new Strategic Commissioning Programme. It will improve the way we work with our partner commissioners and providers to deliver the outcomes that communities of Bristol need.

This VCS/Commissioner event has informed the scoping and shaping of this programme – a big ‘thank you’ for that.”

Bristol Compact perspective: Mark Hubbard Compact Liaison Officer, based at Voscur “Overall, I was very pleased with this event and its achievements.

It feels like we’ve been working towards this for some time and that the event built on lots of work over the last few years.

“In the run-up to the event, I spoke to many people from the VCS and commissioning bodies.

People raised certain points relating to things such as the time away from offices (questioning whether they could invest a whole day), being able to speak freely and openly, and whether they would be put on the spot and need to justify aspects of their work. It was

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

good to hear these thoughts and to be able to reassure people that we had designed today to be safe, comfortable and constructive.

This is crucial for us in our working relationships; of course there are issues, but we are all working towards the same thing and it’s imperative that we work well together to achieve what Bristol needs.”

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13

Support for organisations = better services for service users Voscur’s Support Hub service works with many voluntary and community (VCS) organisations to increase their capacity, sustainability and quality. Our development workers go through a ‘health check’ with each organisation to better understand their situation and support needs. A detailed action plan that includes a range of offers from the Support Hub service is then developed and implemented to meet these needs.

These three local groups have benefited from our support in a range of ways. Get in touch on 0117 909 9949 if you think we could help your organisation.

The Equality Collective Natalie Bennett was researching gender representation when it became clear to her that many young women’s voices are not heard, especially about issues that affect their lives. Natalie brought together a group of six women and two men from different backgrounds who share a passion for gender equality and The

New group The Equality Collective at the One Billion Rising event in Bristol this February.

The Equality Collective signed up

enthusiastic about what the

to our Kick Start Your Organisation

future holds.

course – six sessions that give

Equality Collective was born.

participants the knowledge, skills

The Equality Collective contacted

establish and run a small group.

the Support Hub for help to understand how and where to begin establishing a local not-forprofit organisation. In Natalie’s words the first meeting “reinforced how exciting our project is and the potential it has to positively impact people of all ages and genders.

It was a great morale boost and increased our energy, enthusiasm and focus to take the next steps.”

14 www.voscur.org

Sikh Resource Community Development Centre (SRCDC)

and information they need to “Kick Start has provided loads of resources and built our confidence immensely,” Natalie says. “We now know what to do next in establishing our organisation.”

SRCDC has been delivering services to the Sikh community in Bristol for more than 25 years.

The charity aims to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged and

Kick Start will enable The Equality

marginalised communities through

Collective to begin to develop

health programmes, day care for

their business plan and identify

elders, empowering women and

the funding they require. The

supplementary schooling for young

group agrees that they are now a

people who are at risk of exclusion.

much stronger team and are very

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

potential through volunteering and employment.

The beneficiaries produce organic food, which is sold to local restaurants as one way to sustain the work of the project. One of its service users describes the experience: “By working up at the land in Keynsham, I have been given something to focus on, and have been able to develop new skills. I feel more confident and less Local women taking part in an SRCDC arts and crafts session.

pessimistic about the future. I have not used drugs or alcohol since I

It encourages and enables people

is supporting the organisation to

joined the project and no longer

to access mainstream services,

become more sustainable.

take medication for my depression.

I’m also living independently for

build friendships, feel valued and

The Severn Project CIC

the first time in years.”

The Severn Project CIC is a

The Support Hub is working

Community Interest Company

with the project in a variety of

established in 2010 by Steve Glover

ways: connecting it with local

who, after a period of addiction,

organisations doing similar work,

gained a degree in addictions

as well as local funders and

Mr. B. Singh, one of the oldest

counselling. Its aim is to teach

decision makers; helping it to

service users, has been involved

socially excluded individuals who

develop its business plan and

for over 20 years. “I have been

have suffered from substance

recruit a fundraiser; supporting

coming to the centre since the

misuse, mental health issues

it with monitoring and evaluation

day care opened,” he says. “It not

or offending behaviour how to

work; and helping it to update its

only provides me day care but an

achieve independence and develop

policies and procedures with the

provide mutual support. The group tackles isolation through shared experiences, such as enjoying meals together and a variety of recreational activities including arts and crafts.

help of a professional volunteer.

emotional boost to come out of my house, catch the bus or walk to meet my friends and do some recreational activities in the centre.

I have celebrated many festivals here – Diwali, Christmas and more.”

SRCDC staff members have attended Support Hub courses to develop different skills and have been supported in applying to a number of funding sources – successfully gaining funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation.

SRCDC has a fundraising volunteer through our Boost! service who

Volunteers and staff at the Severn Project’s Keynsham site.

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

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Support Hub Spring/Summer programme The Support Hub is offering an exciting range of courses between April and July to help your organisation demonstrate the work you do, attract new service users, manage staff and volunteers, and engage in fundraising and commissioning. For all of these courses, as well as others planned in July and beyond, visit: www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub.

Voscur also offers in-house and bespoke training at competitive rates for organisations looking to train several staff and/or volunteers at once. Contact our training and events co-ordinator: emily@voscur.org or call

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0117 909 9949 to discuss your organisation’s needs.

Funding, finance and commissioning The new financial year has just started but it’s never too early to start thinking about funding – whether it’s applying for funding for an exciting new project or engaging with commissioning for the first time.

Introduction to Fundraising 14 May 2013, 9:30am-3:30pm This course introduces you to the landscape of funding and helps you to think about what funding opportunities to apply for. It also introduces you to the language and skills you need for successful funding bids. This is a great course for people new to fundraising.

Using and Understanding Payment by Results 21 May 2013, 9:30am-3:30pm Payment by Results (PBR) is becoming an increasingly common way for funders and commissioners to contract for service delivery. VCS organisations can find it confusing or complex to work within. This oneday session, delivered by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), looks at the context

16 www.voscur.org

of PBR and the skills needed to be effective at working with it.

Costing Your Project for Commissioning 28 June 2013, 9:30am-3:30pm This one-day course is a practical introduction to costing out a project, including understanding your organisation’s financial model, the best way to assess and plan for funding needs, and ways to improve decision-making around commissioning proposals.

Delivered by Sayer Vincent, a specialist consultant and auditing firm working with charities and social enterprises, this course also offers plenty of time to get your questions answered.

“One of the best courses I have been on in a long time, very helpful and fun!”

Attendee, Introduction to Fundraising, 2013.

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Finance Forum

3 July 2013, 9:30am-3:30pm

8 July 2013, 1–3pm

Whether you’re applying for £200 for a community event or £2,000 for new equipment for your services, you need a strong bid that makes it easy for funders to say yes to you. This one-day course, delivered

by Quartet Community Foundation, will take you through the basics of how to write a strong bid that will appeal to funders, while avoiding the most common pitfalls.

The Finance Forum offers you a chance to meet other workers with financial responsibilities, find out about what’s happening in the world of finance and attend workshops designed to develop your skills.

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Writing Small Fundraising Bids

Marketing your organisation Getting your services and projects up and running is the first hurdle – the second is making sure that people know about them! These courses and events will guide you through the sometimes confusing world of social media, traditional media, and the tools to make the most of both.

Communicate!

4 July 2013, 9:30am-3.30pm After a very successful first year, Communicate! is back, bringing together voluntary sector organisations and specialists in marketing and media. Workshop details are being developed to ensure that Communicate! is an informative and interactive event.

Marketing Your Project under Personalisation Date and time TBC The personalisation (also known as self-directed support) agenda is changing how organisations market their services, as well as who they market to. This session will give you hints, tips and tools on the most effective ways to do this, while avoiding potential pitfalls.

“I really enjoyed the training. It was lively and the venue and delivery was very comfortable and accessible. It included all kinds of people and the information was very helpful. I was actually very excited afterwards but could not fully implement what I had learned due to limitations and this is quite frustrating! I had a wonderful day!”

Attendee, Communicate!, 2012

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

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Trustees/governance Whether you are large or small, there are many different options when it comes to deciding how to structure your organisation. These courses, aimed at staff and trustees, will guide you through how best to govern your organisation and make these important decisions.

An Introduction to Charitable Incorporated Organisations

Introduction to Quality Marks

23 April 2013, 10am-12:30pm

If you’re thinking about applying for a quality mark,

Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) came

or wondering if it’s the right decision for your

into existence at the end of 2012, offering a simpler

organisation, then this course, delivered by the

option for organisations looking to protect their

Charities Evaluation Service, could be for you. It will

trustees from liability without necessarily becoming

take you through the advantages and disadvantages

a charitable company. This interactive session will

of the approaches and the costs and benefits of

introduce you to the new structure and help you

applying for a quality mark, with lots of practical tips

decide whether it’s right for you. The session is

for how to do this.

delivered by Lancaster Parr, who offer legal advice and training to the voluntary and community sector.

Being a Good Trustee

25 June 2013, 9:30am-3:30pm

Trustee Network 16 July 2013, 6:30-8:30pm The Trustee Network is open to any trustees, from

16 April 2013, 6:30-9:30pm

the brand new to the very experienced. As well as

This evening course is ideal for anyone who has just

a short presentation on a relevant topic, Trustee

become a trustee or wants to brush up on their

Network meetings offer a chance to meet other

knowledge and skills. It guides you through the roles

trustees and share good practice.

and responsibilities of being a trustee, and provides you with useful expertise to take back and share with your board.

Being an Even Better Trustee 23 May 2013, 6:30-9:30pm This course can be a follow-on for those who have attended ‘Being a Good Trustee’ or for those who want to go into more detail about governance, managing risk, effective meetings and how to make the most of the skills in your trustee team.

“The training was very good. As a trustee, I got the chance to share my experience with the other organisations and get to know the experiences of other trustees. The training helped a lot, as did the networking element.”

Attendee, Being a Better Trustee, 2012

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April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Managing staff and volunteers

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For many of us, managing other people can be a complex part of our roles, whether it is being uncertain how to recruit the best candidate or keeping staff safe.

Increasing Diversity in Your Organisation

Managing Staff

25 April 2013, 9:30am-1pm We all know the value of having a diverse group of

This course is for anyone who manages paid staff, whether you’re new to it or have been doing it for a

staff, trustees and volunteers, but what steps can we take to make sure this happens? This practical course gives you tools for increasing diversity in your organisations, as well as introducing you to some of the changes from the 2010 Equality Act.

while. Delivered by Cornhill HR, this session aims to give you space to work through issues or challenges you might be facing, in particular around sickness and absence, and share good practice with other organisations in and around Bristol.

Strengthening Your Team – During and After Change

Managing Volunteers

8 May 2013, 9:30am-3:30pm

This fun, creative session is suitable for any organisation that involves volunteers, whether you’re brand new to it, or very experienced. Delivered by Volunteer Bristol, it aims to get participants thinking about the ethos of volunteering and how to make volunteering a rewarding, long-term activity.

Whether it’s redundancies, restructures or recruitment, change can have an impact on your team and how it works. This practical course, delivered

by Charlton Associates, will give you tools for managing this before, during and after the changes.

9 July 2013, 9:30am-12:30pm

9 July 2013, 1-4pm

Lone Working and Personal Safety 6 June 2013, 9:30am-3:30pm Developed in partnership with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and delivered by Volunteer Bristol, this mix of information and practice will guide you through everything you need to know to safeguard staff or volunteers working alone in an office, out of the office, or in service users’ homes.

“Great session; it was engaging and covered a wide area in good detail.”

Attendee, Volunteers and the Law, 2013.

To book or to find out more, please go to: www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0117 909 9949.

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

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Charities Online – a new way to do Gift Aid Oliver Williams from the Institute of Fundraising explains the changes being made to claiming Gift Aid. On 22 April 2013 the way in which

been entered in the correct format.

charities claim Gift Aid will change

If it is likely that your organisation

significantly. The old R68(i) form

will be using this method and

will be replaced by an online

your database currently generates

system and there will be three

your R68(i) donations schedule

ways to claim, depending on the

for you, it is advisable to contact

size of the organisation and how

your database supplier now to ask

many claims it makes. HMRC (Her

whether they will be producing an

team or developers to study the

Majesty’s Revenue & Customs) has

update to the claims report that

‘Tech Pack’ on the HMRC website.

announced a five-month transition

will be compatible with this new

This gives the technical specification

period, lasting until 30 September

claims method.

that must be followed to make

2013, but organisations should start planning for the change now.

Option One

claims through the software route,

Option Three

and is available at: www.hmrc.gov.

For organisations that claim Gift Aid

uk/softwaredevelopers/gift-aid-

on over a thousand donations or

repayments.htm.

For those without internet access

use an automated system, there is

and with a small number of Gift

the integrated software route. Once

Aid donors, there is a new paper

set up, a database will be able to link

claim form. Organisations can

directly to HMRC so all organisations

order copies of this new form by

need to do is trigger the claim. By

calling the HMRC helpline on

using this method organisations will

0845 302 0203 after 25 March.

be able to list up to 500,000 Gift

Option Two

Further resources:

Aid donation details in any one day.

If this is the likely route for your

For organisations with under a

organisation, contact your database

thousand Gift Aid claims, there will

supplier to establish whether they

be an online form and spreadsheet.

will be producing an update to the

The form will have fields that must

claims report and process that will

be filled in, and will automatically

be compatible with the new claims

check that the information has

method. If you have a bespoke

Institute of Fundraising briefing: www.institute-offundraising.org.uk/library/ charities-online-memberbriefing-feb-2013/ HMRC guidance: www.hmrc. gov.uk/charities/online/

fundraising database, ask your IT

20 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Support Hub

Stepping up to equality and diversity It is always useful to reassess how we are doing with equality and diversity (E&D), to be reminded or motivated to look at our organisation, to take action and progress. Voscur has produced 10 key points for reviewing and improving your policy and practice.

1. Your E&D policy

6. Training

Ensure it is effective and well communicated, that it

Offer opportunities for staff, board and volunteers to

makes reference to and explains how it is compliant

learn about the Equality Act 2010; keep them updated

with the Equality Act 2010 and how your policies and

on changes to legislation and how this will impact on

activities are fair and inclusive.

your service; and ensure you advise people about their

2. Protected groups

responsibilities under the Act.

Be knowledgeable about the Act’s protected

7. Tools and resources

characteristics groups, and other social groups that

Make use of and share guidance that is relevant for

often experience discrimination and exclusion. Are

your organisation to help improve your E&D awareness.

you able to explain how your organisation’s service is

Here are a couple of useful online resources:

both inclusive and diverse?

Community Action Hampshire: goo.gl/38BBN

3. Mission statement

A useful guide from ACEVO: goo.gl/AV2uH

Produce an E&D mission statement for all who use

8. Access

and support your services. It should set out your

Involve all those who use and support your services

organisation’s ethos on, and commitment to, equality

and keep them informed about how to meet your

and diversity, and your expectations of all your

requirements. Make regular checks on how accessible

stakeholders to support your mission statement.

your services are, including your premises, your events

4. Monitoring

and your publicity materials.

Sound processes and regular monitoring will help

9. Promotion

you to track who you are reaching with your services.

What does your promotion say about your

Consider how you make the data captured

organisation? Consider your leaflets, websites, articles

anonymous; you should state this on the monitoring

/ newsletters. If your services are reaching a diverse

forms you produce.

audience then proudly reflect this.

5. Evaluation

10. Campaigning

Use feedback from those who use your service

Get your voice heard about equality issues. What are

to improve what you do. Be alert to the groups

the key concerns impacting those you support? What

responding to your feedback – who is participating

does your organisation do about this? To help with

in your services, who’s not, what are you being told?

this, you may want to link in with the VCS Assembly

Plan the actions you need to take.

and networks: www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk.

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

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Planning services and Self Directed Support

Service user and member of staff planting spring bulbs at Age UK Bristol’s New Beginnings Day Service in Withywood.

There has been a shift in the way voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups are funded by Bristol City Council Health and Health and Social Care (HSC) to fit with Self Directed Support (personalisation).

Self Directed Support creates a personal budget for each service user; people will know how much money is allocated for their social care needs. Payment for services will now come out of the personal budget. Services must address the critical and substantial care needs of service users. This covers personal care needs, ‘being part of your community’ and ‘learning and other activity opportunities’ (visit: goo.gl/sr4pi for more information).

Providers will need to provide a per person per session cost.

Voscur is planning to run a training session on ‘Marketing Your Project under Personalisation’ in Spring/Summer 2013 (see p17). There is also a range of

22 www.voscur.org

materials on our website at: www. voiceandinfluence.org.uk/hsc_ resources.

Our top tips for planning services that target those on Self Directed Support are: • Charging may not sit well with your values. Tackle this issue before starting work on calculations.

• If you want to target HSC service users, the client group may have higher support needs than your existing client group – don’t forget they have been assessed as having critical and substantial support needs to meet HSC criteria.

• Be clear what your overhead costs are, and have a good model for splitting them between all your activities (useful websites on full cost recovery are www. fullcostrecovery.org.uk and www.cash-online.org.uk).

• Establish the minimum attendance needed to run a viable service. Think about creating a ‘programme of events’ so service users commit, or two levels of charging, one for the programme and a higher one for a per session basis.

• Look to commercial models – yoga classes, martial arts groups etc., as many run on sustainable funding models.

• A small grant or local donation to subsidise your activity can make a big difference. This initial support whilst numbers build up may appeal to funders.

• You could offer discounts for people who contribute to running the service.

• You could approach local organisations to buy tickets for your services, which they could then distribute to others, such as local housing providers.

It may be a new way of planning services, but it does bring benefits – no more end-of-grant reports, you can design your services without trying to fit into funding criteria, income generated is unrestricted funds, and your services will benefit those with the highest support needs.

A training session on Marketing Your Project Under Personalisation will be taking place this Spring/Summer. Details are still to be confirmed and will be published on: www.supporthub.org.uk/ training-hub

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Support Hub

Frequently asked questions about safeguarding Some recent changes have taken place relating to safeguarding. The Criminal Record Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority have merged to form the Disclosure and Barring Service. Some of the terminology and definitions relating to safeguarding have also changed. This article highlights some key questions, particularly related to children and young people.

Are criminal record checks portable for volunteers?

Employees and volunteers only have to apply once to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a criminal record check and can then go online at a later date to find out whether this certificate is still up to date.

This update service is free for volunteers. It allows people to reuse criminal record checks when working with vulnerable groups.

Employers will be able to check this update service as well, but there may be a cost for this.

What criminal record checks are available?

There are five different types of criminal record check offered by the DBS: Standard check: for certain specified occupations, licences and entry into certain specified professions. For example, doctors, dentists.

Enhanced check: for those carrying out certain activities with children or adults; applicants for gaming and lottery licences, and judicial appointments.

The Unique Voice Ambassadors showcasing their talents at Bristol’s Harbour Fest

Enhanced DBS and barred list check (child) An enhanced check with information from the DBS’s children’s barred list is only available for those individuals engaged in regulated activity with children and a small number of posts as listed in the Police Act 1997 regulations, for example prospective adoptive parents.

Enhanced DBS and barred list check (child and adult) An enhanced check with information from the DBS’s children’s and adults’ barred list is only available for those individuals engaged in regulated activity with both vulnerable groups including children and a small number of posts as listed in the Police Act regulations.

Enhanced DBS and barred list check (adult) An enhanced check with information from the DBS’s adults’ barred list is only available for those individuals engaged in regulated activity with adults and a small number of posts as listed in the Police Act regulations.

How long is a criminal record check valid for?

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

There is no official expiry date for a criminal record check issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Continued overleaf

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23

What is the new definition of regulated activity?

premises. It does not cover work by supervised volunteers.

The full, legal definition of regulated activity is set out in Schedule 4 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, as amended, in particular, by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

This includes working with adults.

‘Regulated activity’ relating to children still excludes family arrangements and personal, non-commercial arrangements.

The new definition covers:

Work under (i) or (ii) is regulated

i. Unsupervised activities: teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children, or provide advice/guidance on well-being, or drive a vehicle only for children. ii. Working in ‘specified places’, with the opportunity for

a 30-day period (or in some cases,

* Statutory guidance: Regulated

overnight). There is guidance on

Activity (children) – supervision

contact. For example, schools, children’s homes, childcare

activity only if it is done regularly, carried out by the same person frequently (once a week or more often), or on four or more days in

what is classed as ‘supervision’.*

of activity with children which is

iii. Relevant personal care, for example washing or dressing; or health care by or supervised by a professional. iv. Registered childminding and foster-carers.

goo.gl/xaBl1

regulated activity when unsupervised:

Further details about the DBS are available at: www.homeoffice.gov. uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs/

Bristol’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy February saw the publication of the draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy – ‘Bristol Living City’.

Following national changes to the delivery of health and wellbeing services, each local authority and Clinical Commissioning Group now has a shared strategy setting out how to improve the health and wellbeing of its citizens.

The draft Bristol strategy has four themes: 1. A city of healthy, safe and sustainable communities and places.

2. A city where health, life expectancy and wellbeing are improving for everybody.

3. A city where health inequalities

24 www.voscur.org

are reducing.

4. A city where people get access to quality support when and where they need it.

The strategy recognises the challenges ahead – Bristol has a growing population and has health inequalities. People in some parts of Bristol are statistically more likely to die about 10 years earlier than people in other parts of the city.

There is also recognition of the reductions in public spending, in all parts of the system.

The strategy identifies four ways the themes can be achieved: 1. Working together to tackle the main reasons why people become unwell.

2. Working together in a joined-up and cost-effective way, integrating services around people.

3. Driving integration – ensuring better joined-up services and empowering people and communities to help themselves.

4. Spreading good practice and making the best use of resources.

The draft strategy is out for consultation until 10 May 2013.

You can find out about consultation events, download a copy of the strategy and give online responses at: www.bristol. gov.uk/healthandwellbeing.

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Who do we think we are?

The results of the 2011 census have now been released in full and provide a picture of the changing age and diversity of Bristol’s population since 2001. In February, Voscur’s Voice and Influence Service organised a briefing on the latest census results. The presentation from the briefing is available on the Voice and Influence website here: goo.gl/SuLeb. The census findings show that

who describe themselves

The census records that 40,138

since 2001 the population of

as mixed/multiple ethnic group

people provide unpaid care in

Bristol has grown by 38,000 (just

(+ 7,504), other black (+ 5,986),

Bristol, an increase of 4,794

under 10%). As there was a larger

other Asian (+ 3,271), Pakistani

since 2001.

rise in the population of men, the

(+ 2,813), Indian (+ 1,952), and

overall Bristol population is now

Chinese (+ 1,737). The 2011

Faith

more evenly split between men

census included Arab as an

The 2011 census shows a

(213,100) and women (215,200).

ethnic group for the first time;

significant increase in the number

Bristol’s Arab population is

of people stating that they have

recorded as 1,272.

no religion, rising by 66,896 to

Age There has been significant growth

160,218. The number of people

in the number of young people

Language

in Bristol with an increase in 0-15

There are now more than 85

by 35,985 to 200,254. There has

year olds of 5,200 (+7%) and

main languages being spoken in

been an increase in the number

an increase in 16-24 year olds

Bristol. After English the most

of people identifying as having

of 9,400 (+16.6%). The only age

frequent languages spoken are

other faiths including Muslim

group to see a slight reduction is

Polish (6,080), Somali (5,004), Urdu

(+ 14,352), Buddhist (+ 935),

those aged over 65.

(1,432), French (1,403), Spanish

Hindu (+ 581) and Sikh (+ 355).

Ethnicity

(1,329), Punjabi (1,306), and Arabic (1,103). The 2011 census also

The number of people describing

recorded for the first time the

themselves as White British has

number of people who stated that

remained broadly stable since

British Sign Language (BSL) was

2001, showing a slight drop of

their main language (201).

1,653 to 333,432. However, the

stating their religion has dropped

in population amongst some

Health — provision of longterm care and disability

of Bristol’s minority ethnic

The number of people who state

communities. The largest

that they have a long-term health

Find out more

increase has been in those people

problem or disability has increased

describing themselves as Black

by 9,985 to 71,724. For the first

The full 2011 census

African, rising by 9,775. Other

time the 2011 census recorded

ethnic groups which have seen a

the number of ‘people with good

significant increase include those

or very good health’ as 352,307.

2011 census reveals an increase

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

findings for Bristol can be found on the Bristol City Council website here: goo.gl/tIqT0.

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25

How influential do you feel?

During January and February, local voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations completed the 2013 Voice and Influence (V&I) survey. Initial results give an insight into how influential the sector in Bristol feels. We will use the full results of the survey to tailor our V&I support to the needs of VCS groups in Bristol.

27% Fully agree 28% Mostly agree 7% Partially agree 5% Do not agree 33% Don't know

We asked how VCS organisations rated the effectiveness of V&I activities* in ensuring the views of the VCS were represented to decision makers and/or influencing a decision or outcome.

* Voice and Influence activity including Assembly and network meetings, special consultation and information events/meetings, VCS Advocates, reports and publications, website and e-information, surveys and questionnaires.

makers’ although they highlight a need to further promote the work (see pie chart).

We also asked to what extent VCS organisations thought that the Voscur/V&I activity helped ensure that the views of the VCS were heard and responded to by key decision makers. We have highlighted some key results in the chart below:

Overall, responses were positive to the statement ‘I am confident that Voice and Influence activity is effective in helping to represent the views of Bristol’s voluntary and community sector to key decision

Find out more These are interim findings; at the time of Thrive! going to press, 60 VCS organisations had responded to the survey.

For the full results visit: goo.gl/N0Fm0

To what extent has Voscur/Voice and Influence activity helped ensure that the views of the VCS are heard and responded to by key decision makers?

0% Heard

Key decision makers overall

13%

Heard

10%

37% 15%

6%

42% 24%

Responded 0%

26 www.voscur.org

100%

41% 22%

Responded

Well

80%

47%

8%

Responded

Senior public sector officers

100%

27%

Heard

Heard

80%

49%

Responded

The Police & Crime Commissioner

60%

31%

Heard

Elected councillors

40%

12%

Responded

The Mayor of Bristol

Very well

20%

20%

40%

60%

Well

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Reclaiming the agenda Over many years the voluntary and community sector (VCS) has been expected to respond to the latest government initiative. It is Voscur’s role to support the sector to engage with those initiatives that will affect organisations and/or the communities they serve.

Last year saw us supporting the

along and meet VCS advocates

We would like to invite you to the

sector to engage with the Mayor

and members of Voscur’s board

VCS Assembly Conference, to take

and Police Crime Commissioner

and staff team. We had a wide-

part in an ‘open space’ discussion

elections, reporting on

ranging discussion – hot topics

to help us set the priorities for

neighbourhood partnerships, and

being commissioning, investing

next year. What are the messages

working with health and social

in the sector, the use of Social

that we should be getting out

care commissioners to influence

Impact Bonds, preventing

there? How can our skilled and

the personalisation agenda.

homelessness and the Bristol

resourceful team, our links to

Youth Links contracts.

decision makers, and our access

In January, we worked with Advice Centres for Avon and Bristol City

Being able to bring the sector

Council to raise awareness of the

together to respond to the

impact of Welfare Reform.

external agenda is a strength,

In February, we brought providers and commissioners together at a joint event in February to explore some of the issues that groups have raised with us in relation to commissioning and procurement (see pages 12-13).

but we want to help the VCS

to all kinds of communications technologies better support you and your organisation?

In other words:

to have a more proactive role – it’s time that we did some agenda setting ourselves! The election of the Mayor and Police

• What do you want to say?

the development of the Local

• Who do you want to hear your message?

Enterprise Partnership provides

• How can we help you?

and Crime Commissioner and

Also in February, the Mayor

us with an opportunity to do

accepted our invitation to come

just that.

VCS Assembly Conference – Reclaiming the Agenda 12 June 2013, 10am-4:30pm, The Park Community Centre A chance for organisations and communities to identify critical issues, voice their passions and concerns, learn from each other,

and take collective responsibility for finding solutions.

If you would like to work with us to put this event together or

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

are interested to find out more, please email: Matthew@voscur.org

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27

How Deaf aware are you?

Deaf Awareness Week is a national event which aims to promote a greater understanding of the issues faced by Deaf people. The week takes place from the 6-12 May 2013 and the theme this year is ‘Look at me’ which focuses on communication.

Photo by hellojenuine

There are a few basic rules to

• How Bristol City Council (BCC)

actions for increasing skills among

improve communication with Deaf

can improve services for Deaf

Deaf people to participate in

people, including steps you can

people and make their services

managing organisations. This

take to make your organisation

more accessible.

could include training to develop

more Deaf aware. On Voscur’s

• What Deaf people need to

website you will find a range of

increase their independence

resources including the standard

and be empowered (for

manual alphabet and guidance

example, developing skills to

on communicating with Deaf

run their own organisations).

people that can help you make a start on this. You can also take a look at information on the BSL Charter on Bristol City Council’s website (see links in the information box below).

An update on Voscur’s Deaf Transitional Development Project Voscur’s Deaf Transitional Development Project is focused on the health and social care needs of Deaf people. The project aims to explore and encourage action on:

personal skills, such as leadership and confidence building.

The project is also making comparisons between Bristol City Council’s services and other

Between November 2012 and

local authorities that are known

January 2013 Voscur conducted

to follow the BSL (British Sign

a questionnaire surveying the

Language) Charter. This charter

health and social care needs

includes five pledges that local

of Deaf people. We were very

authorities sign up to around

pleased with the 34% return

increasing access for Deaf people.

rate – which was more than

For more information on the

anticipated; this demonstrates

project, email: eva@voscur.org

that Deaf people want to engage

or ruth@voscur.org.

and have their say. In our next edition of Thrive! we will report

Further information:

back on what the responses tell

Voscur resources: www.voscur.org/deafawareness

us in relation to what the local Deaf community needs.

When the survey results are analysed we will undertake specific

28 www.voscur.org

BSL Charter: goo.gl/naeR6.

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

A new approach to BME Voice and Influence in Bristol Hibaq Jama, Voscur’s BME Voice and Influence Connector, writes about this exciting new project.

Photo by Coventry City Council

I am excited and honoured to be working in the area of black and minority ethnic (BME) voice and influence in Bristol at a time when there is so much change.

Instability can highlight threats as well as create opportunities.

The task ahead is significant but I have every faith in local BME communities and the organisations that represent them and their interests.

In the next few months we will

meeting with Bristol-based

We will be using social media

have a BME Voice and Influence

BME-led organisations and

sites such as Facebook, Twitter

steering group. Members on the

those representing local BME

and YouTube to encourage

steering group will be experts

communities, to discuss their

participation and discussion

in their field who bring a wealth

views and needs. From these

and encouraging the groups we

of knowledge about the BME

discussions we will work to

work with to do the same if they

community groups in Bristol. The

connect BME groups with relevant

haven’t already done so.

steering group will meet quarterly

public and private sector decision

to inform and support the work

makers, for example the Police

being carried out by Voscur, as

and Crime Commissioner. We will

well as evaluating its success. If

also work to connect them with

you are interested in the work of

other BME groups and encourage

the group or want to get involved,

groups to join the VCS assembly

please feel free to contact me

to strengthen their voice and

(details in the box to the right).

influence in the city.

We have some exciting areas

We will be working in creative ways

of work to come, including an

with groups and organisations

events programme to champion

including using radio to encourage

BME groups, BME initiatives

the discussion of BME voice and

and BME interests. We will be

influence in the wider community.

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

For more information on this project, contact Hibaq Jama on 0117 909 9949 or email: hibaq@voscur.org.

For more information on the VCS Assembly, visit www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/ voice-and-influence/assemblymeetings

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29

Strike, rise up and dance Eleanor Bridge, one of the organisers of Bristol’s ‘One Billion Rising’ movement, writes about the February day of action and events still to come to promote awareness of violence against women and girls in our city and around the world.

Photo by Mark Simmons Photography

One Billion Rising was created by Eve Ensler (author of ‘The Vagina Monologues’), urging women, men and children across the globe to ‘Strike, Rise Up and Dance’ in solidarity to demand an end to violence. The movement highlights and says ‘No more!’ to the atrocity that one in three women on the planet will be raped, violated or beaten in their lifetime.* I am one of nine local women, led by Jodi Ahmed, who have come together to organise Bristol events this year, both on 14 February and one to come on 27 April.

Zumba was chosen for a series of February 14 flashmobs, with easy-to-follow dances that people could learn or else freestyle on the day. We began with around 50 people at Castle Park and marched and danced through Broadmead to the fountains where Bristol’s mayor George Ferguson joined us.

We ended in Millennium Square with over 250 people dancing and then observing a minute’s silence, with a chance to light a candle for those who have been or still are affected by abuse. Bristol Against Violence and Abuse (BAVA) spoke at the event about the importance of the movement and what they do locally. It was an uplifting and emotional day.

Local people taking part in the One Billion Rising event this February

On 27 April we are running a free dance workshop and information day in St Werburghs Community Centre. Local charities such as Next Link, Womankind, Bristol Rape Crisis, One25 and The Freedom Programme will be on hand to provide information,

* 2003 UNIFEM report entitled ‘Not A Minute More: Ending Violence Against Women’ or the 2008 UNITE To End Violence Against Women Campaign, initiated by the UN Secretary-General’s Office.

signposting and support. In the evening at The Attic Bar we will host a musical fundraiser for Next Link; I myself was a client four years ago and they changed my life.

visit: www.facebook.

from the Bristol event, com/groups/OBRBristol.

You can contact Eleanor Bridge by emailing: prowessfit@hotmail.co.uk.

One Billion Rising is the biggest mass global action to end violence against women and girls in the history of humankind and events have taken place in 199 different countries. We hope to expand it further in years to come.

30 www.voscur.org

For photos and videos

For more information about One Billion Rising, visit: www.onebillionrising.org To read the Guardian’s coverage of events around the world, visit: goo.gl/SzW5N

April / May / June 2013 Issue 20

Nominating Community Assets The Community Right to Bid (also known as Assets of Community Value), which gives people the chance to bid to buy and take over the running of assets that are of value to the local community, has become law.

What does the Community Right to Bid actually allow organisations to do?

Voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations can nominate

Photo by Elliott Brown

Eligible organisations must have a local connection to the property they wish to nominate and be one or more of the following: • An unincorporated community

both privately and publicly owned

group with at least 21 members

assets to be included on a list of

who are registered to vote in

assets of community value. This

the Bristol City Council area.

list is managed by the Council.

If a landowner wants to sell a registered property, they must tell the Council. If a community group wants to buy the asset, the group can trigger a six-month

• A parish council.

• A charity.

• An industrial and provident society.

• A local neighbourhood forum.

information supplied is correct

• A company limited by

and that the asset is not in an

moratorium to give it a chance to prepare a bid. The moratorium means that during this period, the owner cannot sell their property on the open market.

This gives community groups an increased chance to save muchloved shops, pubs or other local facilities by developing a proposal and raising the required funds.

At the end of the six-month period, the owner is free to sell the asset to whomever they wish and at any price.

Who can nominate an asset of community value?

Only eligible VCS organisations can make nominations, not individuals, nor the Council.

guarantee or a community

excluded category. Decisions as to

interest company.

whether the nominated assets are

How can I nominate an asset of community value?

of community value will be made by a specially convened officer asset group.

Nominations need to be made by completing an Assets of Community Value nomination form. This form, along with the full list of criteria and information required for nominations, is available on the Bristol City Council website.

What happens following nomination?

The Council has to decide whether or not to list the asset within eight weeks following the nomination.

The Council must check that the

Issue 20 April / May / June 2013

Find out more and useful links www.bristol.gov.uk/page/ community-and-safety/ community-right-bid www.mycommunityrights.org. uk/community-right-to-bid/ For information on the Community Right to Challenge (another Community Right that has come into force through the Localism Act 2011) see p8.

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

Training and events diary April 2013 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

16th

6:30-9:30pm

Being a Good Trustee

Barton Hill Settlement

17th

1-3:30pm

Health and Social Care Network meeting

St Werburghs Community Centre

23rd

10am-12:30pm

An Introduction to Charitable Incorporated Organisations

Southville Centre

25th

9:30am-1pm

Increasing Diversity in Your Organisation

The CREATE Centre

May 2013 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

8th

9:30am-3:30pm

Strengthening Your Team – During and After Change

St Werburghs Community Centre

11th

10am-1pm

City-Wide Neighbourhood Partnership meeting

The Greenway Centre

14th

9:30am-3:30pm

Introduction to Fundraising

Easton Community Centre

21st

9:30am-3:30pm

Using and Understanding Payment by Results

The Gatehouse Centre

22nd

10am-12pm

Children and Young People’s Network meeting

Barton Hill Settlement

23rd

6:30-9:30pm

Being an Even Better Trustee

Barton Hill Settlement

June 2013 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

6th

9:30am-3:30pm

Lone Working and Personal Safety

St Pauls Learning & Family Centre

12th

10am-4:30pm

VCS Assembly conference – Reclaiming the Agenda

The Park Community Centre

20th

1-3:30pm

Health and Social Care Network meeting

St Werburghs Community Centre

25th

9:30am-3:30pm

Introduction to Quality Marks

The Withywood Centre

28th

9:30am-3:30pm

Costing Your Project for Commissioning

Windmill Hill City Farm

July 2013 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

3rd

9:30am-3:30pm

Writing Small Fundraising Bids

St Werburghs Community Centre

4th

9:30am-3:30pm

Communicate!

TBC

8th

1-3pm

Finance Forum

TBC

9th

9:30am-12:30pm

Managing Staff

The GreenHouse

9th

1-4pm

Managing Volunteers

The GreenHouse

16th

5:30-8pm

Neighbourhoods and Communities Network meeting

Windmill Hill City Farm

16th

6:30-8:30pm

Trustee Network

TBC

For details of all the above training and events visit: www.voscur.org/calendar/month

Voscur is a registered charity and a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Company no. 3918210. Charity no. 1148403.

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