Supporting voluntary and community action
July/August/September 2014
In this issue: Organising community events New dementia volunteering service Key changes to Employment Law Integrated Victim Care Upcoming training and more...
Photo: Bristol Festival of Nature 2013, taken by Bob Coombe. It is festival season - find out some top tips on organising community events and festivals on p8-9 and p18-19.
VOLUNTEER BRISTOL @
Need a
BO
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HR Financial planning & accounting
PR
Business planning & strategic development
Marketing
Funding diversification
IT
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We match highly skilled individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds with an organisation in need of short-term, specialist support. Call the Boost! team on 0117
989 7734 or email:
boost@volunteerbristol.org.uk for further information.
Contents Voscur
Voice and Influence
4 Editorial
20-21 Is race equality off the political agenda?
5
New members
22
Integrated Victim Care
6
Supported Volunteering Project for people with dementia
23
Support for ex-offenders
7
How can the Bristol Compact be used for an equalities agenda?
8-9
It’s festival time - some tips from the top
10-13
Volunteers - “lifting Bristol higher”
Support Hub 14-15
Upcoming training
16
The IT crowd - Make computers work for, not against, you!
17
Key changes to Employment Law
18-19
Community events - more bang for your buck...
24-25 Investor-ready, steady, go! A look at social investment 26-27 Raising the participation age for education and training for young people 28-29 Using the power of our sector to reduce falls in Bristol 30
Neighbourhood focus: Greater Bedminster
31
Are you still registered to vote?
Thrive! is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine. If you require it in another format, please get in touch on 0117 909 9949. Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
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3
Dear members and friends community sector investment priorities to ensure that these match the Mayor’s vision* for Bristol – how can we help to shape these? We’ll be seeking your views on this at our Assembly meeting. We’ll also be offering some skills workshops and a networking lunch with a chance to catch up with colleagues from across Wendy (left) at our V30 campaign launch in June 2014 (see p10-13) As we approach our 20th
to involve our sector in decision-
anniversary we have been
making and to consult with us
reflecting on the journey we have
about changes that will affect our
taken to get where we are today.
communities.
Voscur was started by a group
Much progress has been
of people who were active in
made over the years, and
the Bristol Community Groups
Bristol’s decision to elect a
Network, so that people from
mayor, the introduction of
local voluntary and community
neighbourhood partnerships and
organisations were enabled
the establishment of the (West
to have a voice in policy and
of England) Local Enterprise
decision-making in the city.
Partnership mean that there are
This was not usual practice Bristol was ahead of its time in
new challenges and opportunities for our influencing role. Our Voluntary Sector Assembly
community groups to have a
meeting on 16 July 2014 will look
place at the Bristol Regeneration
at some of these challenges and
Partnership* table.
opportunities. We’ll be talking
sector groups to raise issues, contribute to policy making and influence decisions since 1995. We can celebrate the fact that it’s now considered good practice
4 www.voscur.org
I hope to see you there. Best wishes,
about how we have been working with the Big Lottery Fund and the Local Enterprise Partnership to secure additional investment for
Chief Executive PS Don’t forget to save the date for Voscur’s AGM on 22 October 2014! * a partnership that brought stakeholders together to plan and deliver regeneration initiatives in Bristol **www.bristol.gov.uk/page/mayor/ vision-bristol
Key to symbols Training
for your community.
Information & Resources
Bristol City Council has begun
Event
Bristol, and what that could mean
to review its voluntary and
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Photo by David Macias Navarro
enabling voluntary and community
goo.gl/mOCM2G
Wendy Stephenson
supporting people from local
Voscur has been involved in
the city. To book a place, go to:
New Voscur members Bristol Community Accountancy Project (BCAP)
CAN Mezzanine
www.bcap.info
0117 204 7500
www.can-online.org.uk
0117 377 3388
Barnardos
Centre for Capacity Building & Enterprise Development
www.barnardos.org.uk 0117 937 5500
www.c-cbed.com
Redland Parish Church
0117 329 0717
www.redland.org.uk
Your Lifestyle LLP
0117 946 4690
www.yourlifestyle.co
Christ Church Children and Families
0117 966 0155
www.ccweb.org.uk/community/kids/pre-school.
Transition Long Ashton
aspx
www.transitionlongashton.co.uk
GL11 Community Project www.gl11.org.uk 01453 548530 For more information on becoming
South West Foundation www.southwestfoundation.org.uk 01761 471104
a member of Voscur and the range of member benefits, visit: www.voscur.org/about/joiningonline or call us on 0117 909 9949.
LitterARTI
www.litterarti.com
Keep up to date with Voscur online:
www.facebook.com/voscur
twitter.com/voscur
Issue 25  July / August / September 2014
www.linkedin.com/company/voscur
www.youtube.com/voscur
www.voscur.org
5
Supported Volunteering Project for people with dementia Volunteer Bristol at Voscur is leading the way to ensure people with dementia continue to take an active part in their communities, by setting up a supported volunteering project. Subitha Baghirathan, who coordinates this project, tells us more.
This new project is particularly for people in Easton but is also open to any Bristol resident including those who may not yet have a formal dementia diagnosis. Volunteers will be supported by Photo by Wonderlane CC BY 2.0
Volunteer Mentors, with a range of volunteering opportunities available, led by the interests and skills of those taking up the project’s services. Dementia Supported Volunteering is a pilot one-year project, part of Bristol City Council’s Dementia Inclusion Programme. It is funded
citizens in their communities,
currently no other projects like
by the Prime Minister’s Dementia
with equal opportunities to be
this in the UK so your involvement
Challenge Fund - set up following
as involved as they choose to
and contribution is vital in leading
the global summit in 2012 on
be. Other like-minded initiatives
the way not only in Bristol but
this growing health and social
in Bristol include free training
beyond, to rethink how people
issue. Focusing on the local
courses for organisations
with different health and social
picture: the number of people
on inclusion with a focus on
needs can continue to be seen
who will be diagnosed with a
dementia.
and involved in community life.
form of dementia is predicted to increase by around 20% in the next 20 years. Statistics are just the plain facts, however. At the heart of this project - and the City Council’s entire programme - is the uncompromising principle that people with dementia, their families and carers are equal
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The project began in March 2014. Don’t delay! Please get in contact if you or someone you care for wants to take up this unique offer to be supported into volunteering or if you see yourself as a Volunteer Mentor on this pioneering new project. There are
To find out more, contact Subitha Baghirathan: subitha@volunteerbristol.org. uk or call: 0117 989 7734.
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
How can the Bristol Compact be used for an equalities agenda? Questions have been raised about commissioning and how it includes equalities perspectives throughout the process. Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer, describes how commissioners and voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations can ensure that good equalities practice informs commissioning plans. By supporting commissioners
but often absent. For VCS
opportunities to help better their
with their equalities expertise, VCS
organisations, this presents an
understanding.
organisations could be effectively
opportunity – to influence and to
advocating for service users and
advocate for service users. Data
influencing what flows from
and information from regular
commissioning processes.
monitoring reports should be
Equalities Impact Assessments An equalities impact assessment (EqIA) should happen throughout the commissioning cycle*. In reality, however, EqIAs often focus
used for maximum advantage and VCS organisations should be able to present detailed analyses of the equalities issues for their service
Pragmatism
users of the changes proposed in
There are some changes that
commissioning plans.
affect commissioners’ work on equalities, as follows:
by equalities issues if assessments
> The requirement on local
took into account all stakeholders
authorities to undertake EqIAs
(for example, present and future
has changed; now a more basic
service users, workforce) in earlier
equality assessment is all that is
stages of commissioning.
required. In this context, public
Needs analysis The data set on which commissioning plans are built is often drawn from the JSNA (joint
procurement processes do not specifically include it, there are clearly opportunities for equalities perspectives to have an influence. * The commissioning cycle is a four-stage process: analyse-plan-do-review
users.
on limiting the impacts on service
Plans would be better informed
While commissioning and
bodies’ commitments to continue with more in-depth work than they are legally required to do should be valued.
Compact theme 2: Promoting equality, community cohesion and social inclusion This section of the Bristol Compact describes some of the approaches around equalities and the commitments of the public sector and the VCS. For example: 2.4. Work with VCS organisations that represent, support or provide services to people specifically protected by legislation and other underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.
strategic needs assessment) and
> As the public sector shrinks,
some desk research, yet it must
there are fewer resources available
be comprehensive. Equalities
to commissioners. We cannot
To find out more,
data and trends from the
rely on commissioners knowing
contact Mark Hubbard
collated monitoring of existing
everything, and VCS organisations
at Voscur on 0117 909
services are sometimes included,
must recognise and create
9949.
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
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It’s festival time
- some tips from the top... From boats to balloons, cycling, food and the arts – the summer in Bristol is bursting with festivals and community events. Aware that these can be both a source of learning for those of you wanting to organise your own community events, and a vehicle for promoting what you do and reaching new audiences, we interviewed Anna Rutherford, Chair of Bristol Festivals and Executive Director at In Between Time, to find out her top tips around inclusion, involving volunteers and marketing.
What does your role entail?
run gigs and club nights, and I
city and play with space, often
I work with the Bristol Festivals
now look after marketing and
creating art in the public domain.
board to drive the development of
strategy at the arts organisation
At our last festival, works like Fake
the city’s festivals. Our main focus
In Between Time. This experience
Moon (a huge moon on College
currently is a major audience
helps me understand the
Green) attracted the most diverse
development project. Bristol is a
challenges many festivals face.
audiences.
How do you ensure that the
What role do volunteers play in
various festivals you organise are
making the festivals a success?
fantastic, diverse and lively city - there are so many festivals and events going on, but it’s often hard for people living here to
inclusive to all?
Volunteers are hugely important
understand what’s happening
On a personal level, and as a
to festivals. Organisations like
when, and how they could get
founder of Pride in Bristol,
Bristol Pride, St Paul’s and Brisfest
more involved. Part of the Bristol
diversity is something I’m very
are almost entirely staffed and
Festivals project is about making
passionate about. All festivals in
run by volunteers, many coming
things simpler for the people who
the city are really beginning to
back year after year. Others like
live here, whilst also providing
think about how to encourage
In Between Time, Encounters and
the festivals with a better
people of different backgrounds
Mayfest utilise volunteers in the
understanding of who is and isn’t
and ages to be part of events.
run-up to festivals. They offer
being reached by cultural activity
Of course it’s not an easy task,
great training and brilliant cultural
in Bristol. Over the next six months
and with limited resources and
experiences in return for support
we’re creating a ‘Festivals Hub’
increasing pressure to generate
in a range of areas. Volunteers
for the city, to bring together
income from audiences, it can
can take a lot of management and
the general public, ticket-buyers,
be difficult. At In Between Time
organisations often underestimate
volunteers and festival staff.
we encourage inclusion by
the workload there, but they also
programming the festival with
provide crucial support and add
diverse artists. We also make
a real sense of community to
artwork using members of the
events.
Outside of my work with Bristol Festivals, I’ve worked across various festivals and events and
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public and work around the
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Some local festival-goers at the last Bristol Festival of Nature, taken by Bob Coombe.
How do you motivate people
audience (marketing). Secondly,
collaborate). It’s a crowded market
to volunteer at festivals and
really consider your audience:
in Bristol and you can often
community events?
who they are, where they are,
achieve a lot more for audiences
what other things they like, what
in partnership. If you still want to
motivates them, what they want
go ahead, join the Festivals and
from you... and show them love!
Events Forum. There is so much to
I learnt very early on to put the
learn around events, from health
audience at the heart of what you
and safety and finance to licensing
do, and it’s served me well since.
and marketing, and it can be
Whatever you are doing, big or
dangerous to get this wrong.
We’re pretty lucky when it comes to motivation. Festivals tend to be staffed by hugely passionate and hardworking people, and this culture rubs off on volunteers. It’s not always easy, but there’s a huge sense of shared purpose and achievement when, together, you pull an event off. Once people hear about an opportunity, they jump at it - the challenge for us is letting people know that opportunities exist. This is where the Festivals Hub could make a real difference. What are your top tips for marketing local festivals and community events to ensure a good turnout? Firstly, invest time and resources in communicating with your
small, if you want to succeed you must respect and nurture your audience. Use strong images, invest in brand, and tell interesting stories using simple language. If you communicate well, extraordinary things happen!
At the forum you’ll be able to speak to people who have been through it all before. Everyone from the Balloon Fiesta to the Wool Fayre attends, and it’s a very supportive, lively group.
If you could give one piece of advice to a local group thinking of organising their own event or festival, what would it be?
Stay up to date on news from Bristol Festivals on Twitter:
Before you even start planning,
www.twitter.com/bristolfests
check that there isn’t already
or on Facebook: www.
someone out there doing a similar
facebook.com/bristolfestivals
thing (with whom you could
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Volunteers – ‘lifting Bristol higher’ To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2014), Volunteer Bristol/Voscur commissioned the V30 campaign to say a big “thank you” to all of the city’s volunteers. Photo by David Macias Navarro
The aim of the V30 campaign was to spread the word about the incredible things that volunteers do in our city and say a big “thank you” to those who give their time, energy and expertise to good causes. To do this, we created a giant “thank you” card, covered in the messages of support for volunteering and all of the photos/’selfies’ of volunteers in action that were sent to us by email, Twitter and Facebook from across the city in the weeks preceding Volunteers’ Week. Measuring 2m high by 1.5m wide, the giant V30 thank you card was unveiled on a sunny June Monday morning by the Lord Mayor at a high-profile launch event. With lots of volunteers, charities and press in attendance, he said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the city and they do so much to make Bristol the best city in the UK. We appreciate what they do, and wherever they are and whoever they are, I and the city want to say a huge thank you to them all.” Following the launch, the card
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Attendees at the V30 launch event with the Lord Mayor of Bristol
went on a city-wide tour visiting
contributions of volunteers from
various Volunteers’ Week events.
other organisations on the giant
These included Windmill Hill City
card, it engendered a sense of
Farm, the Prince’s Trust and
celebration of the volunteering
Linkage. Hundreds of people
community, both at the farm and
signed the card throughout
across Bristol.”
the week, sharing their unique stories on the positive impact that volunteering has had on their lives and their work. Lizzie Spencer, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Windmill Hill City Farm, said: “It was really nice for everyone to read each other’s reflections, and to take part in their own personal photo shoots! With
To spread the V30 message even further, the campaign also took to the airwaves with two special radio shows on both Ujima 98fm and BCfm 93.2fm. The show was hosted by the Mistri, who spoke with volunteers, community groups, charities and the city’s leaders, who all shared their amazing stories on volunteering.
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Whilst Volunteers’ Week is over, the need to recruit, support and celebrate volunteers goes on keep tweeting us your messages of support and selfies in action as a volunteer to #V30. And to learn more about the diversity of volunteering opportunities, visit www.volunteerbristol.org.uk.
Just a handful of the hundreds of lovely messages that have been written in our giant card. See some photos of the campaign overleaf and the rest at: http://goo.gl/oT5JrU (a huge thank you to David Macias Navarro for his wonderful photographs!). You can also listen to the radio shows again at: http://goo.gl/hfdPvw
Issue 25  July / August / September 2014
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Support Hub training On the Road to Successful Funding Applications
Commissioning: Collaborative Working and Structures
Thursday 3 July 2014, 9:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 11 September 2014, 9:30am – 1pm
This course will help you to increase your skills, knowledge and confidence to plan and complete funding applications that are more likely to be successful. It will also help you to begin to develop a funding strategy for your project or idea.
Collaboration is the name of the game. Commissioners are increasingly offering large contract values, with an expectation that providers will collaborate and deliver services together. Joined-up services and working in partnership are in demand.
Managing Difficult Issues in Volunteer Management
• How do you navigate the challenges of forming effective collaborations in an increasingly
Tuesday 8 July 2014, 9:30am - 3:30pm Designed for anyone who manages volunteers, this course will help both volunteers and organisations get the most out of working together. It covers identifying problems and practical approaches to solving them, setting effective boundaries and managing expectations, avoiding common issues before they arise, and effective two-way communication.
Finance Forum Wednesday 9 July 2014, 10am - 12pm A chance to meet others with financial responsibilities and find out what’s happening in the world of finance.
Trustee Network: Funding, Trading and In-kind Support Tuesday 15 July 2014, 6pm – 8pm This event is open to all trustees and members of management committees. It is an opportunity to discuss a hot topic, hear about what is happening in the sector and make useful contacts.
Mind the Gap: Creative and Effective Team Meetings Thursday 17 July 2014, 12pm – 2pm What do you get out of team meetings? Are they boring and unfocused or creative and inspiring? This lunchtime session will explore how you can use creativity to make meetings more effective.
14 www.voscur.org
competitive market? • What sort of collaborative structures are there? • What are the advantages and disadvantages of collaboration? • How can VCS organisations collaborate well with a view to securing contracts? If these are the sorts of questions you have, then sign up for this training.
Being a Good Trustee Thursday 18 September 2014, 6pm – 9pm Governance has never been more crucial; in challenging times, a strong board is essential to survive and thrive. Yet many trustees are unclear on their duties and boundaries with staff. This course sets out trustee roles and responsibilities and suggests tools to help ensure your board leads your organisation’s impact.
Retention and Support of Volunteers Tuesday 23 September 2014, 9:30am – 3:30pm If volunteers have a good volunteering experience, they’ll be keen to stay on and develop their role. If you give volunteers the support they need, they’re more likely to have a satisfying experience. That’s common sense. But all volunteers are different, so the support each needs, and what each finds rewarding, are also unique. This course supports volunteer managers to get the best out of their volunteers by putting these principles into practice.
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Mind the Gap: CICs (Community Interest Companies) – Your Questions Answered
Early bird rates available!
Wednesday 24 September 2014, 12pm - 2pm At this lunchtime workshop Sara Burgess, CIC Regulator, will give you the facts about these companies with community purpose and will answer your questions. Her role includes deciding whether an organisation is eligible to become, or continue to be, a CIC. She is responsible for investigating complaints and taking action if necessary, and her office provides guidance and assistance to help people set up CICs.
To book or to find out more about further training beyond September, please go to: www. supporthub.org.uk/training-hub or call us on 0117 909 9949.
Tailored training for your staff, volunteers or trustees
“Many many thanks, it was a great day and it was good to have us all in one room, engaged.”
Do you know that Voscur’s training team can design and deliver training for you? Whether you need... • a team-building day • a refresher for your trustee board • skills training for your staff • meetings skills for volunteers ...we can work with you to meet your needs. Our rates are competitive.
Call Ruth or Paula on 0117 909 9949 to find out how we can help you.
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
“It was pitched at an appropriate level - was interesting and focused. Good outcome.”
www.voscur.org
15
Make computers work for, not against, you! Information and
benefit from free consultancy
presence of Ambition Lawrence
communications technology
on ICT-related topics in exchange
Weston. Other projects have
(ICT) problems are a major
for hosting student teams.
involved database enhancements,
risk factor for our sector
Students on our BSc Information
service monitoring systems,
and support can be sparse,
Technology Management for
website enhancements, technical
expensive and often
Business learn on the job and
infrastructure work, software
unintelligible. Fortunately
develop practical competence in
audits, and strategy design.
Bristol voluntary groups have
shaping ICT to suit the people and
access to UWE’s Student
organisations using it.”
Consultancy Projects.
Some projects are taken on across the region, not just Bristol. Some
The scheme is conceived as a
are located in public sector or
We all know the sheer terror that
three-way working partnership
small and mediam enterprise
comes when our email accounts
benefiting the community, the
settings, not just the voluntary
go down or our hard drive with
students and the university. “Our
sector. Some projects involve
90% of the annual report on it
scheme offers ‘win-win-win’
CRM (Customer Relationship
unexpectedly gives up the ghost.
benefits,” says Nick. “Local groups
Management) systems: ways
Many of us rely on computers
get a valuable IT consultancy
of managing interactions with
and the ICT systems of our
service; students get a unique
current and future service users,
organisations - so it is important
learning opportunity; and this
supporters and other contacts.
that these systems are robust and
learning feeds back in to future
Effective CRM systems are an
fit for purpose.
rounds of the scheme.”
essential tool for growing charities
In their final year, some UWE
Groups apply for support online
students carry out a consultancy
with an outline of their project
project - forming teams of up to
via a competitive bidding process.
five students to work with local
Not everyone is accepted so you
Voscur supports the student
organisations who do not have
should take some time to read
consultancy scheme, supporting
the resources, time or expertise
all of the requirements via the
the students to create sustainable
to make best use of what ICT
“CAKE” website.
IT solutions for their clients and
can offer them. UWE academic Dr Nick Plant coordinates the scheme, part of what they call “CAKE” (community action and knowledge exchange). He says: “Each academic year we look for local community organisations to act as partners. The organisations
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Recent projects have been varied, including development of an online mediator availability
with big communication needs, and people in our sector are building their skills in this area.
provides general support around the unique challenges of voluntary sector ICT.
tool for Bristol Mediation, design of a multi-channel social media strategy for St Werbughs Community Centre, and delivery of improvements to the online
For more info, visit: www.uwe.ac.uk/et/ cake
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Photo by Marcin Wichary CC BY 2.0
The IT Crowd
Support Hub
Photo by Walknboston CC BY 2.0
Key changes to Employment Law This summary has been provided by Cornhill HR, a leading specialist in Human Resource Management and Employment Law. Voscur has teamed up with Cornhill HR to provide a specialist HR and Employment Service for the local voluntary and community sector. Changes from April 2014 On 6 April 2014 the government announced the following statutory changes: • Maternity, Paternity &
the workers’ rights. Other changes due in 2014 On 30 June 2014 the government is changing the Code of Practice on Flexible Working to ensure that
Adoption Pay to increase to
every employee with 26 weeks’
£138.18 per week.
service has the right to request
• Redundancy Pay is capped at £464 per week. Early Conciliation also came into force, which means that an individual who wishes to make a tribunal claim after 6 May 2014 has a legal requirement to make a notification to ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). This is an attempt to
flexible working. Therefore, all employers will have a duty to
the impact of these changes on your organisation and your policies and would like advice as to how to handle any requests or a review of your Flexible Working and/or Paternity Policy to ensure it meets the change in legislation, then please contact Voscur in the first instance.
consider all requests and respond
Voscur will be hosting an ‘A-Z
within a timeframe.
of HR’ masterclass (delivered
In October 2014 it has been suggested that fathers-to-be and partners of pregnant women will be allowed time off to attend two antenatal appointments with the expectant mother.
by Cornhill HR) on 11 and 12 November 2014, to cover best practice in recruitment, employment law, redundancy, sickness and absence, storing staff records, employee relations, performance management and
settle more cases out of court
Auto-enrolment Pensions
appraisals. For more information
and is available from April 2014.
Pension auto-enrolment came
on this visit: www.supporthub.
If an individual has not received
into force in October 2012 for the
org.uk/a-z-hr
a conciliation certificate they will
largest employers. The changes
be unable to proceed with the
meant that all employees must
tribunal case.
be automatically enrolled into a
To find out more and
workplace scheme, providing they
discuss what Cornhill
meet the criteria surrounding age,
HR may be able to
earnings and location.
offer your group/organisation,
Employment Tribunals now have the power to impose a financial penalty of between £100 and £5,000 on an employer who has
Further information
lost a case and breached any of
If you have any concerns about
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
please contact Mark Hubbard at Voscur on 0117 909 9949.
www.voscur.org
17
Community events - more bang for your buck... Running a successful community event can increase your organisation’s profile and raise unrestricted funds to deliver your work. But how can you make sure all of your hard work yields results? Understanding the needs of your
Event team – work with a team
event and generating excitement;
local community is a challenge, as
to make life easier.
build the excitement with regular
they are ever evolving and local consultations may not reflect the needs of the whole community. A community event can present a perfect opportunity to engage people, while increasing your organisation’s community profile.
Roles – ensure everyone understands what they are doing.
Budget – be clear on costs, the income you anticipate generating and the break-even point. Be prepared to make savings if things don’t go according to plan and
updates.
Digital – update your website and social media accounts regularly. Remember to include traditional media by encouraging press and photographers to attend.
Running a community event can
stick to areas that won’t affect the
Cover yourself – carry out a
take a lot of resources. Before
experience of your audience.
risk assessment to avoid things
committing yourself, consider the potential benefits of using existing events to build relationships, share experiences and create cultural understanding; engage the most marginalised; increase organisational profile; and befriend community champions. If you decide an event is just what your organisation needs, here are some tips for making it stress free:
Before you start – decide what you want to achieve and allow enough time to create a buzz.
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Sponsor – a sponsor can be a powerful force in helping to promote your event. If you
going wrong, and secure public liability insurance so you are covered in the event of a claim.
don’t have a sponsor, consider
Licence – if you are recording or
attracting a local personality or
featuring live performance, check
high-profile speaker.
whether you need a licence by
Talk about it – with clear,
looking at the Licensing Act 2003.
eye-catching and informative
Cover costs – if asking for
materials. Make it clear what
voluntary donations, avoid
you want people to do: join the
coercion and use gentler ways for
Facebook group, subscribe to a
people to donate by selling things
newsletter or simply buy a ticket.
such as raffle tickets.
Use email – an extremely effective tool for promoting your
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Your supporters’ journey
to increase community support.
opportunities to do more than
Once your event is complete it is
This is a simple low-cost idea,
generate income from community
a challenge and an opportunity
where supporters host a dinner
events.
to keep your new supporters
for friends. As well as a chance to
engaged and loyal. Engagement
come together, share food and
begins with the first contact,
raise funds, it is an opportunity to
ensuring they have all the
tell people about the work of the
information they require and
organisation. One25’s fundraiser
understand your work. After the
Olivia explains: “The campaign got
event, celebrate their success
off to a great start with a launch
and share your gratitude for their
event that created excitement
involvement; maintain the contact
and really raised the profile of our
to:
work. The dinners have provided
• Understand their needs and what they can offer. • Share hints and tips on how to fundraise for your organisation.
so many opportunities to inform people about the challenges faced by the women we work with, and to promote ways that people can get involved in the organisation.”
Earlier in the year, The Big Issue in Bristol partnered with Crisis Ministries and 19 other local organisations to run a sponsored ‘Big Sleep Out’ event. At the same time as raising significant income, the Big Sleep Out succeeded in other ways. As Katharine from The Big Issue explains: “The benefits have been far reaching, from building our network and understanding of the different sources of support available for homeless people, through to sharing experiences and
Fundraising ideas cover the
knowledge. All of this is helping
spectrum from simple and
us meet the needs of the people
your work and the difference
fun to thought-provoking and
we work with in the best way
it makes.
challenging; recent local ideas
possible.”
• Inspire with information about
• Share volunteering and campaigning opportunities and how to spread the word through their own networks. Community fundraising The economic downturn prompted a revival in community fundraising and has prompted
have included: • Sponsored firewalks • Sponsored film nights and music events • Workplace dress-downs • Employer matched giving
events buzzing, the benefits of engaging community participation to empower people to solve local community problems are clear. Now is the time to take action and improve the quality of community life.
• Events engaging children such
an abundance of ideas. A major
as readathons, odd jobs and
advantage of this approach is that
sponsored silences.
the funds raised are unrestricted.
With your thoughts on community
For more ideas on community fundraising see The
The rise in profile and availability
Big Issue’s website:
Bristol charity One25 has used
of social media such as Facebook
www.bigissue.org.uk/
their ‘Dinner4Good’ campaign
and Twitter is presenting excellent
events/do-it-yourself
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
www.voscur.org
19
Is race equality off the political agenda? Last spring, The Voice newspaper
found that over 30% of those
in the Local Enterprise Partnership
opened the debate on the
surveyed are comfortable to
(LEP) reaches and benefits
progress of race equality with an
describe themselves as either
Black and minority Ethnic (BME)
air of sarcasm: “Congratulations
“very” or “a little” racially
communities. The LEP exists
Black Britons, things are going
prejudiced.
to support regional economic
so well for African and Caribbean communities that the race agenda is an unnecessary and outdated thing of the past.”
It appears that four decades of hard-won gains by activists that achieved greater protection for minority groups are being eroded
The article claimed that race
at a time when they are needed
relations legislation was being
most.
diluted, and the budget cuts to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the statutory body charged with protecting and enforcing those laws, have rendered the EHRC virtually useless. Speaking to The Voice, one politician said: “The lights are on, and that’s about it.”
So what’s the situation in Bristol? Bristol BME Voice is taking action to highlight the issue of race equality. Recognising that Bristol is now the second most ethnically diverse city outside of London, with nearly a quarter of residents not being white British, there is a need for race equality to be
growth; its economic plan must ensure BME communities do not miss out on employment and training opportunities, leading to alienation and deprivation.
30%
Over of respondents to the recent ‘British Social Attitudes’ survey are comfortable to describe themselves
“very” or “a little” racially as either
prejudiced.
The Voice continued: “If the future
prioritised. Bristol BME Voice is
As Bristol takes up the mantle
is looking so bright, what does it
developing a Bristol Manifesto for
of European Green Capital 2015,
matter? The reality is, it really does
Race Equality in collaboration with
BME and other equalities groups
matter - desperately. Depressing
SARI, Ujima, Avon and Somerset
cannot be overlooked in Bristol’s
statistics reflect this. Black
Black Police Association, Building
aspiration to become a greener
communities are proportionately
the Bridge, Black South West
city. We must ensure that all
worse off in almost every single
Network, Bristol City Council and
citizens can contribute to and
area of society: redundancies,
others. It calls on decision-makers
benefit from a greener Bristol.
unemployment, education,
to prioritise their commitment
Our work with the Bristol Green
health, mental health, the criminal
to race equality, in key areas of
Capital Inclusion Action Group is
justice system and even access to
health, mental health, criminal
supporting this debate.
funding for business start-up.”
justice and education.
Co-chairs of the Bristol BME
The recent ‘British Social Attitudes’
Bristol BME Voice is scrutinising
Voice Advisory Group say:
survey (http://goo.gl/VKUUvG)
and monitoring how investment
Zaheer Shabir: “In terms of race
20 www.voscur.org
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
equality this group is picking up the baton to make progress around emerging gaps and underrepresentation. There has been more awareness about, and input to, this work than ever before and we will continue so our efforts are Photo by looking4poetry CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
fully materialised. Bristol has never been more eager but race equality remains a collective responsibility by all sectors.” Roger Griffith: “In light of cuts to key government services, the issue of race equality is the most important it has been for the last 30 years. Higher unemployment rates, literacy and education, stop and search numbers, health inequalities and affordable housing remain daily concerns for our communities. There are opportunities through the LEP and new people willing to listen; we need to understand and communicate those concerns both ways so Bristol remains a great place to live for all, not just for some.” Bristol BME Voice aims to effect and support real advances in race equality so that BME communities are both leading and directing actions that improve their lives, their opportunities and their ability to influence change. To find out more about Bristol BME Voice, contact Ruth Pitter on 0117 909 9949 or email: ruth@voscur.org
Bristol Somali Youth Network: “Fighting our corner for race equality.” Ayan Abukar of the Bristol Somali Youth Network explains how her organisation recognises the need for action around race equality:
“We set up because of a gap in the market. The lack of information and resources was impacting on young Somali people in our community, and no-one was speaking up for them. We saw them losing out on job opportunities, a good education and essential services they were unaware of. We are having to fight to bring these services to our community. “Along with others, I have experiences of not getting employment because of my name; some employers have been open about that. “The above types of practices – clear racism – need to be challenged, which is not happening enough. “Meanwhile the lack of translation services and other support is clear. People like me have to voluntarily step in to offer, for example, translation to people in hospital who need it. “The forum is working to help achieve community cohesion, which won’t be achieved without race equality.”
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
www.voscur.org
21
Integrated Victim Care Since May 2013, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office have been working closely with partner agencies towards the implementation of new ‘Integrated Victim Care’ teams. Natalie Steadman, Senior Responsible Officer for Integrated Victim Care, tells us more about this new approach. Integrated Victim Care teams will bring together victim contact functions in the police service, colocated with partners, to provide more coordinated, end-to-end care for victims. The new teams will: • Guide a victim through their journey from first point of contact with the police, through the investigation and on to the end of the criminal justice process. • Provide greater ownership of the whole journey of a victim; reducing handovers and providing a ‘single point of contact’ approach – simplifying the landscape for victims. • Ensure victims are referred to support organisations – colocated where possible to ensure smooth handovers, effective information transfer and ‘one-team’ working. The programme team has been working hard in the past six months to better understand the end-toend journey of a victim, consulting with victims, staff and officers, and partner agencies. We have used this knowledge to inform the design of a new ‘to-be’ model for victim care.
22 www.voscur.org
The teams will consist of police staff and key partner organisations, co-located into multi-agency ‘hubs’. The hubs will pick up all serious crime cases (including hate crime and sexual and domestic abuse) and cases that involve victims who are vulnerable, intimidated or persistently targeted (as defined in the Victims’ Code of Practice). They will work closely with the officer in the case to ensure that victims have a full needs assessment, and receive care and support from the point of recording their crime, through to the end of the criminal justice process – keeping victims engaged and informed throughout. These new victim care hubs will be complemented through the commissioning of victims’ care services.
From October 2014, a large proportion of the victim care funding which the Ministry of Justice currently holds, to commission victim services locally, will be devolved to local Police and Crime Commissioners. You can now view our (post consultation) commissioning intentions in relation to support services for victims on our website (see below).
To view the commissioning intentions and full victim strategy documents, visit: http://goo.gl/nDpTFk For more information on Integrated Victim Care, email: Natalie.Steadman@ avonandsomerset.police.uk
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Support for ex-offenders The Restore Trust was founded five years ago with the aim of supporting ex-offenders and the long-term unemployed through skills training and support. Pete Levy, Business Development Director at Restore, tells us about the work they are involved in and how other local groups can join them to link up local services for ex-offenders.
We recognise that our clients do not want to commit to attending long courses in order to be skilledup to gain employment. They want quick, practical help that will give them skills and basic qualifications, which in turn will give them that critical step on to the job ladder. We currently deliver a wide variety of accredited BTEC courses in Bristol and Somerset, including employability and teamwork, IT and construction, hospitality and catering, and customer service and retail. The courses are free to learners provided that they meet some standard criteria including being currently unemployed and aged 18 and over. On completion of one of these courses, all learners will receive a BTEC certificate at the relevant level. If they are completing the IT/ construction course, this will also include full funding for the CSCS test and CSCS Card. Our partnership with Bristol
Photo by gabriel CC BY 2.0
We were originally part of the Avon and Somerset Probation Trust (ASPT) but became a ‘not for profit’ Social Enterprise (still working very closely with ASPT) with support from the National Offender Management Service.
Together enables us to also provide paid-for employment opportunities, renovating empty homes which we aim to offer to our clients in the near future as short-term accommodation while they get on their feet and find a more permanent place to stay. We have a great success rate – many of our trainees have since moved into full-time employment and re-offending rates are down by almost 40 per cent. With significant ongoing change in the provision of probation services and a job market that, while improving, still has its challenges, we believe we are providing a practical, hands-on service that gives vulnerable individuals an opportunity and the confidence to take it.
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
Central to our growth going forward, we will be working closely with strategic partners in business, the education sector and local government. We are also providing a hub to collaborate with other charitable and voluntary organisations to develop ‘joined up’ funded solutions that provide an all-round support service. It is our goal that, through working with others, we give people the skills and confidence to transform their own lives and provide real social value.
If you’re interested in working with Restore, call them on 0117 942 7000 or email: info@ therestoretrust.org
www.voscur.org
23
Investor-ready, steady, go! A look at social investment Back in April, Voscur hosted an event at Bristol’s Trinity Centre to explore the opportunities and potential pitfalls involved in a new and emerging form of funding for the voluntary and community sector known as ‘social investment’. The event was formally opened by the city’s elected Mayor, George Ferguson, who reiterated the city’s commitment to supporting this approach to investment, whilst making clear this was not a
Participants in a workshop at the event
substitute for grant support. After the mayor’s address, Voscur’s Paul Hassan chaired a panel discussion between senior
cannot get funding because their
the financial return as well as the
business model is not obvious –
social impact.
that is, it is not driven by profit.”
Social investors are motivated by social outcomes as well as financial benefits.
figures in the social investment
The panel considered social
arena including Sarah Forster,
investment from an “investee”
from Big Issue Invest, Chris
perspective, which they defined as
Dadson, a Cabinet Office advisor
“accessing financial support from
from the Social Investment
different groups of supporters
Business Group, Sue Cooper
motivated by a social purpose to
The panel was asked to
from St John’s Hospital, Geetha
fill a funding gap.”
differentiate grant funding
Rabindrakumar from Big Society Capital, Paul Harrod from Bristol Together and Ed Rowberry from the “Backing Our Bristol” initiative.
Social investors are motivated by social outcomes as well as financial benefits. For some there is a personal motivation for
The panel defined social
supporting social benefit, but Big
investment as: “Finance for
Society Capital (see more on next
organisations that either cannot
page) has pension fund investors
get conventional funding or
too, who are also interested in
24 www.voscur.org
from social investment. They agreed that whilst grants require organisations to deliver projects, measured through activities, outputs and impacts, social investment supports an organisation over the longer term, has a broader, more strategic approach and is largely focused on
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
impact rather than just outcomes. The participants then engaged in a series of workshops covering topics as diverse as ‘investor readiness’, ‘navigating support
After these stimulating workshops, participants, panellists and the workshop coordinators networked to discuss key issues and learning points that emerged from the day.
for social investment’ and, for
The event was supported by SWIG,
those ready to take the next step,
WERN and Backing our Bristol.
For resources from the event as well as a list of useful links, visit: www.voiceandinfluence. org.uk/social-investment
‘advanced social investment’.
Big Society Capital Big Society Capital was set up two years ago to help grow the social investment market in the UK. Since then it has committed almost £150m to social fund managers, who then make the funding available to different charities and social enterprises that are tackling a wide range of social issues, from the crisis in social care to youth unemployment and young people at risk of entering care or custody. There has been a lot of talk about social investment and the role it can play in helping charities and social enterprises deal with the dual challenge of rising social need and a more challenging funding environment. Social investment is repayable finance, so organisations must have an income stream (for example via an enterprise strand or public sector contracts) with which to pay back the investor. This means that social investment won’t be right for everyone. However, there are some great examples emerging of how organisations are using it to help them deliver even greater social impact. At Oomph!, a social enterprise that provides fun and effective exercise classes for older adults, social investment is being used to scale up its programmes: running specialist exercise classes, including chair cheerleading in care homes to increase older people’s physical strength and mobility. It will repay the investment through the
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
fees it receives from the care homes. At Energise, a programme run by the youth training and education charity Adviza, 14-year-olds identified as likely to become unemployed are engaged in regular coaching and more intensive residential programmes. The success of the programme is measured on a range of indicators, from behaviour at school to improved GCSE results. Energise is already exceeding its targets, and this will trigger payment from the Department for Work and Pensions, funded from long-term savings to the public purse. It is exciting to see, but, in large part because it is very new, it can be hard for organisations to find the right type of finance for them. One of our biggest priorities over the next few years is to work with organisations such as Voscur, to help support charities and social enterprises to access the money available. They have also recently launched a free ‘ask us a question’ service on their website to help charities and social enterprises navigate the landscape. It can be found at: www.bigsocietycapital.com/askus-question
www.voscur.org
25
Raising the participation age for education and training for young people Raising the Participation Age
in summer 2013, they must stay
Network Co-ordinator attends).
(RPA) for education and training
in some form of education or
The group meets regularly to
for young people is primarily
training for at least a further year
monitor progress on strategy
about improving the quality
until 27 June 2014.
and the local action plan, and
of education for young people so that they are well prepared for further education, higher education and work. Young people should have the choice to undertake high-quality academic and vocational education, including apprenticeships and traineeships. Young people should also have access to wider opportunities that help them to remain engaged, realise their potential and participate in the decisions that affect them. This could include options such as volunteering
2) If a young person started in year 11 (or years below) in September 2013, they will have to continue until at least their 18th birthday.
keep track of data provided by Learning Partnership West, under contract with Bristol City Council. Supporting this group is the RPA Operational Group, which is assisting the local authority (LA) in
It is important to note that this does not mean young people must stay in school. They will be able to choose from the following options:
implementing the strategy. One of the actions includes promoting the use of RONI (Risk of NEET Indicator) with the aim of trying out interventions that
• Full-time education (for example school or college).
have a positive impact and taking proactive measures to address the needs of young people likely to
• An apprenticeship.
disengage. Further actions will be
• Full-time employment or
included as a result of the recent
or linking with youth councils.
volunteering, combined
14-19 Ofsted review and the
This will help to ensure that
with part-time education or
Mayor’s commission.
more young people gain the
training.
The number of NEET young people
skills and qualifications that lead
In Bristol, the local RPA strategic
to sustainable jobs and reduce
aged 16-18 in Bristol has been
group includes members from
the number not in education,
steadily decreasing over the last
Bristol City Council (secondary
employment or training (NEET).
three years, as more young people
learning and economic
remain in education, employment
As part of RPA, the age to which
development), Further education
and training in line with RPA (8.2%
all young people in England are
colleges, schools and sixth
in December 2011 to 6.6% in
required to continue in education
forms, training providers, the
December 2013).
or training is being increased in
West of England Local Enterprise
two stages:
Partnership and Voscur (the
1) If a young person left year 11
26 www.voscur.org
Children and Young People’s
The “not known” figure, in other words the number of young people whose destination is
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Local young people from Imayla’s Wildly Different Programme on a weekend in Devon
unknown, has improved since
person who is engaged in work
or disabilities (see Education Act
2012. There is still a way to go
with them, using Jackie Turner’s
1996, and Education and Skills Act
to ensure every young person is
contact details below.
2008).
Jackie Turner, Service Manager for
LAs have a role in monitoring
Secondary Learning, who has lead
participation and collecting
At the recent Children and Young
responsibility for RPA in Bristol City
destination data, in other
People’s Network meeting in
Council, said:
words where young people are
appropriately placed in suitable provision post 16.
February 2014, voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups had an opportunity to comment and make suggestions on RPA. It was highlighted that considerable information is available about VCS organisations that work with young people, and this would help in identifying potential and existing young people who might
“Partnership working is the key to delivering the RPA requirements for Bristol’s young people. The RPA Strategy Group is interested in hearing from any VCS organisations that work with young people and think that they have something to offer the programme.”
progressing to. The process that is aimed at ensuring that 16- and 17-year-olds can access either suitable education in a school or college or work-based training is known as the ‘September Guarantee’. LAs agree with their partners – especially schools and colleges – how the process will operate in their local area.
be NEET or at risk, or may be
From a legislative angle, the duties
under “not known”. In addition,
for RPA for LAs are included in
Contact Jackie Turner
our sector can support young
the Education and Skills Act 2008
at: Jackie.turner@
people by providing suitable
and the Education and Skills Act
bristol.gov.uk
volunteering opportunities,
2011. RPA builds on existing duties related to education and training
For further details, visit
matched with training where possible. For tracking purposes
provision for 16- to 19-year-olds,
it is important that organisations
and up to 24-year-olds for those
inform the LA of any young
with learning difficulties and/
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
www.voiceandinfluence.org. uk/cyp_meetings or contact Asma Ahmad on 0117 909 9949.
www.voscur.org
27
Using the power of our sector to reduce falls in Bristol It is estimated that there are about 16,000 people in Bristol who are vulnerable to falls. Falls are the leading external cause of death in people over 75 years of age in the UK, and the number of older people falling in Bristol is projected to increase faster than can be explained just by the ageing population.* So what role can we play to help reduce the amount of falls locally? The impact of falls is substantial,
that as an indication of something,
volunteers at key agencies who
both on those who fall and their
and go and see our GP,” says Sue
come into contact with vulnerable
families, and in terms of the cost
Brazendale, Voscur’s Health and
people can have positive
to the NHS. Those who have a fall
Social Care Network Coordinator.
conversations about this sensitive
or are fearful of falls tend to stay
“However, if people feel unsteady
topic and empower people to
indoors more, and become less
on their feet they do not go to
seek help. One of the challenges
mobile and more socially isolated.
their GP. That’s wrong and it’s
is that the fear of falling actually
that sort of thinking we want to
contributes to the risk of falling.
change. People should talk to their
Fear of falling keeps people in
GP about feeling unsteady on
their home and inactive, thereby
their feet, as there’s lots that can
weakening muscles, and being
be done. People are reluctant to
anxious and tense when out and
do so. Maybe it is fear of ageing:
about does not help balance. So
that they might ‘be put in a home’
conversations about falls need to
or they think that there is nothing
be sensitive and appropriate.
Thanks to funding from NHS England (Building Health Partnerships), Voscur has been able to demonstrate the value and importance of the voluntary and community sector in tackling health issues. Falls prevention was one of the subjects chosen.
that can be done. We want to
Work that began in Public Health,
debunk the myths around falling.
with input from Age UK Bristol,
Help is there.”
and community sector (VCS) was willing and able to help change attitudes towards the risk of falls. Around 20 VCS organisations were surveyed, all of whom indicated a willingness to receive falls awareness training to help people who are vulnerable to seek help before rather than after a fall. “If we run a temperature we see
28 www.voscur.org
designed to be used by any trainer; they do not need to be a
Through extra money from NHS
falls expert. It is now in its second
England, Age UK Bristol, together
stage of development, with
with Voscur and Public Health,
local trainers Alba Consultants
have designed a training session
undertaking a series of training
for volunteers and staff to be
sessions in the autumn.
ambassadors on this issue – to encourage people to seek help when they are unsteady on their feet and not after a fall.
“Having local trainers known in Bristol on board, who are not falls or medical experts, is the best test for the training materials,” says
Believed to be the first training of
Sue Brazendale. “We want them to
its kind, the idea is that staff and
be widely available, and tried and
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
Image based on a photo by Alison Oddy CC BY-NC-SA 2
demonstrated that the voluntary
The training package is being
tested as a model any organisation
and others who regularly come
confident in having positive
can and should use.�
into contact with those who are
conversations with people that
vulnerable to falls can have the
will enable them to get the help
free training, which lasts about
and support available to stay
two and a half hours. To find out
steady, confident and active,
more contact Sue@voscur.og. The
leading to a better quality of life
cost of the training venue will be
for rather a lot of people.
VCS organisations who work with people at risk have come forward to receive the training. The work comes at a good time for Bristol. The recent plans for Bristol’s Better Care Fund (money from the NHS transferred to local authorities with the aim of reducing pressure on hospitals)
covered, but organisations will be expected to organise attendees for the training from their staff
Public Health Bristol.
and volunteers.
has put reducing the rising
By the time the training is
numbers of hospital admissions
complete there will be about
for falls as a priority theme.
300 people trained, who will
Community groups, charities
* Figures produced by NHS and
understand the agenda and be
For more information, contact Sue Brazendale on 0117 909 9949 or email: sue@voscur.org
Whatever your question - give us a call! Co m m it tee/b oard d eve l o pment
Volunte e r manag ement M a rketing / s c o m munic ation
and Fund r aising er ation Inc o m e g en
Human resource s
pin lo
g
Dev
e
St a r t ing a n ew c o m munit y o rg anisat io n
Issue 25  July / August / September 2014
un Vol
0117 909 9949
Supporting Voluntary Action
ta ry
Action
www.voscur.org
Photo by Bentom Wyemji CC BY-ND 2.0
w/ i c r ev i e g e t a r t S lanning p s s e n b u si
nal o i t a nis O rga p ment lo d eve
29
Neighbourhood focus: Greater Bedminster Ben Barker, Secretary of the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership (GBCP), gives us a rundown of what they have been up to in their neighbourhood... The GBCP comprises around 100 organisations including statutory bodies and businesses, but mostly voluntary and community groups of all sizes and types. It does the normal things of acting as a sounding board for Bristol City Council (BCC) and spending bits of money, but increasingly over the last few years it has developed as a self-directing organisation. In 2012 GBCP secured national funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (as a ‘Mary Portas pilot’) to work with the local business community and improve our high streets. The money was useful, but the status was more so, allowing us to draw in more resources from the Arts Council, BCC and others. For a sustainable outcome we established a Business
30 www.voscur.org
Improvement District in April 2013, thus ensuring, for the first time, an organised business community and a steady income, at least until 2018. The Bedminster Town Team Ltd. is a new and active partner within GBCP. Our success with this project has led us to another national pilot with DCLG. This time the focus is on older people and social isolation. We are at the formative stage, talking to local and citywide organisations from all sectors to better understand why in one of Bristol’s most vibrant areas there are still older people who are no longer community members in any meaningful sense, having lost touch with their friends, relatives and neighbours. As well as looking at the organisational and social structure of the area
we are looking at physical changes that will make it easier for people to move about. A major challenge for us in the current climate (or shrinking time and resources) is to develop a partnership-wide strategic approach around issues like improving green spaces and ensuring greater accessibility in the streets, especially for older or disabled citizens. One way in which we are tackling this is by developing ‘community plans’. We’ve divided the area into around a dozen ‘real’ neighbourhoods. Eight of these have already started to audit the strengths and weaknesses of their locality and identify possible improvements. This should give us a good, locally generated data base that we and external bodies can work to when planning changes. What fun!!
July / August / September 2014 Issue 25
IER Ad - 266mm(h) x 82.5(w).pdf
1
21/05/2014
Make sure you’re still THE WAY WE registered to vote ALL REGISTER The way you register to vote changed across the UK in June 2014 to a new system called ‘Individual Electoral Registration’. In Bristol thousands of residents may need to take action to join the new register, even if they were registered in the past. Previously, one person was responsible for registering everyone at an address; now however, every individual is responsible for their own voter registration. For the first time you can register
TO VOTE IS CHANGING
online and you need to provide a few more details, including your National Insurance number and date of birth. This helps make the electoral register more secure. Most people who are already registered have been transferred automatically to the new register. However, around 70,000 will need to re-register in the Bristol area. Bristol City Council is writing to local residents about the change and the fact that they may need to take action. There are also people in Bristol who are not registered to vote at all and if you weren’t registered previously, you can register under the new system at: www.gov.uk/yourvotematters. If you have any questions please call 0117 922 3400 or email: electoral.services@bristol.gov.uk. Get involved Are you a local community group or organisation? Do you work on the frontline with residents? Bristol City Council need your help spreading messages to your contacts. You may be able to help in a number of ways, such as raising the issue at a meeting, putting up a poster, or including links in a newsletter or web page. For more information or to request a partnership toolkit, please call Kerry Morgan on 0117 922 3468 or email: kerry.morgan@bristol.gov.uk
Issue 25 July / August / September 2014
You need to make sure that you’re on the updated register, or you might not be able to vote in future. For more information please go to www.gov.uk/yourvotematters YOUR VOTE MATTERS MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN
www.voscur.org
31
Voscur Ltd. Royal Oak House Royal Oak Avenue Bristol  BS1 4GB
Tel: 0117 909 9949 Fax: 0117 933 0501 Email: info@voscur.org Web: www.voscur.org
Voscur training and events July 2014 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
3rd
9:30am - 3:30pm
On the Road to Successful Funding Applications
St Werburghs Centre
8th
9:30am - 3:30pm
Managing Difficult Issues in Volunteer Management
Windmill Hill City Farm
9th
10am - 12pm
Finance Forum
Royal Oak House meeting room
15th
6pm - 8pm
Trustee Network
The Core, 40 St Thomas Street
16th
9:30am - 2pm
VCS Assembly
Trinity Centre
17th
12pm - 2pm
Mind the Gap: Creative and Effective Team Meetings
Royal Oak House meeting room
September 2014 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
11th
9:30am - 1pm
Commissioning: Collaborative Working and Structures
The Southville Centre
18th
1pm - 3:30pm
Health and Social Care Network meeting
St Werburghs Centre
18th
6pm - 9pm
Being a Good Trustee
Barton Hill Settlement
23rd
9:30am - 3:30pm
Retention and Support of Volunteers
The Gatehse Centre
24th
12pm - 2pm
Mind the Gap: CICs (Community Interest Companies) Your Questions Answered
Royal Oak House meeting room
October 2014 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
1st
9:30am - 3:30pm
Writing Small Fundraising Bids
Pheonix Social Enterprise
14th
9:30am - 1pm
Commissioning: Building and Maintaining Working Relationships
Easton Community Centre
15th
10am - 12pm
Children and Young People’s Network meeting
Barton Hill Settlement
16th
9:30am 12:30pm
Crowdfunding
The Greenhouse
22nd
TBC
Voscur AGM - hold the date
TBC
For details of all the above training and events, and those taking place beyond October, visit: www.voscur.org/training-and-events
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