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
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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
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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
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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.
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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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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
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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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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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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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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.
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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. Printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable-based inks