Thrive magazine Oct-Dec 2015

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Supporting Voluntary Action

Supporting voluntary and community action

In this issue: Community shares Student volunteering Help with fundraising Welfare reform and frontline services Community-led economic development in Bristol Upcoming training and more...

Bristol Energy Coop, who have already funded six major solar-panel projects in the city and plan to expand further, present their community share offer on the roof of Hamilton House. More on p7.

October/November/December 2015

VOLUNTEER BRISTOL @

Does your organisation

need a

BO

ST? ?

HR Financial planning & accounting

PR

Business planning & strategic development

Marketing

Funding diversification

IT

Website design

We match highly skilled individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds to provide your organisation with short-term, specialist support.

Call the Boost! team on 0117

989 7734 or email:

boost@volunteerbristol.org.uk for further information. www.voscur.org

July/ August/ September 2015  Issue 29

Contents Voscur 4 Editorial 5

New members

6-7

Share and share alike: Introducing community shares

8-9

To cap it all: The effects of welfare reforms on social housing

10-11 University of life: Student volunteers making a difference 12-15 Cuts that cost: Early intervention and the impact of cuts on young people’s services 15-16 One size fits all? What effect is welfare reform having on front-line services?

Support Hub 22

Soaring interest in new Baby Bank Network

23

Sustaining recovery through volunteering

24-25 Upcoming Voscur Training

Voice and Influence 26-28 Talking about regeneration: Communityled economic development in Bristol 29

Adult safeguarding: Is it on your radar?

30

This is me – Gill Nowland

31

Think local: A look at St George Neighbourhood Partnership

17/19 Bye bye “bid candy”?

18-19 Drifting upwards or sliding back? A look at race equality in Bristol

Key to symbols

20

Suffragette city

Training

21

Over-50s animating Bristol: Bristol Ageing Better and Aardman join forces

Event

Information & Resources

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 30 October / November / December 2015

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3

Dear members and friends Anyone reading the press or

resilience, energy and commitment

engaging with other media will be

shown more publicly by the Calais

aware that the charity sector has

refugee volunteers.

had a difficult time over the last few months.

You will see from the articles in this magazine that the role of

There have been high-profile

volunteers is set to increase as

examples of reputational damage

state provision shrinks and welfare

suffered by some national

reform bites.

charities, through a combination of poor governance and illthought-through fundraising strategies. Others have felt the inevitable pressure of rising

It’s therefore more important than ever that the city’s charitable sector is strong and inspires confidence through good governance and transparency, whilst remaining

The response to the current

demand for their services

refugee crisis by people

combined with falling income.

across Bristol has been quite

However, it’s worth pointing out

of supporting and developing the

that almost eight in ten charities

sector, and look forward to 20

are small and operate locally. They

more!

remarkable. It’s a prime example of what happens when a group of individuals (such as Calais Refugee Solidarity Bristol) takes decisive social action to help their fellow human beings in desperate need.

activities, and reap a greater return from their fundraising activities. For example, small and micro-organisations make back

by an incredible feat of planning,

over ten times their fundraising

utilising social media and

budget, and are more likely to rely

traditional people power to ensure

on income from many donors.

vans, volunteers and venues

These smaller organisations

support turned up at the right place, at the right time, to do the right thing.

make up the majority of Voscur’s

than £500,000 and 52% having an

sector has a long and illustrious

Such organisations play a vital

communities together both here and abroad.

4 www.voscur.org

Chief Executive

having an annual income of less income of less than £50,000.

to social need and bringing

Wendy Stephenson

membership, with over 70%

Bristol’s voluntary and community track record of responding

We’re proud of Voscur’s 20 years

tend to spend more on charitable

This response was made effective

were coordinated, and that vital

vibrant, efficient and effective.

role in the city. They don’t have ‘armies’ of fundraisers; they rely on dedicated staff and volunteer teams who regularly display the

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

New Voscur members The Olive Grove Cafe and Meeting Place

A Ride in the Park CIC

A café which will offer some social events and

Supporting individuals and groups from the

evening activities where people from the community

wider Bristol community who may not have

can come together.

access to, or take part in, cycling activities.

07538 949 733

07737 019 116

Spike Island

www.arideinthepark.org.uk

Spike Island is an international centre for the development of contemporary art and design.

Welcome also to our new associate members,

www.spikeisland.org.uk

supporters and individual members: Brandon Trust, The Royal British Legion, Resonance, Youth

Portway Sunday Park

Adventure Trust, GYROSCOPIC, Connect: the

Group established to create a park in the Avon Gorge

Communication Disability Network and TACT.

by extending to dusk the closures of the Portway for the big sporting events.

0117 973 2378 www.portwaysundaypark.co.uk

North Bristol Community Project (One in Eight) A user-led voluntary organisation providing employment, training, education and support for all disadvantaged people. www.oneineight.co.uk

Mindful Parenting and Community Project A workers’ cooperative providing low-cost mindfulness courses and workshops to vulnerable families and communities to assist, enable and empower them to be able to manage stress, anxiety

For more information on becoming a member of Voscur and the

and pain more effectively.

range of member benefits, visit:

07849 399 633

www.voscur.org/about/joiningonline or call us on 0117 909 9949.

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

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5

Share and share alike Introducing community shares

By Simon Borkin, Programme Development Lead at Co-operatives UK.

A growing number of communities are turning to a form of finance that offers local people real and meaningful ownership of valued assets such as pubs, shops, renewable energy schemes and even piers and football clubs.

Community shares refers to the sale of shares in enterprises which serve a community purpose and relies on a unique form of share capital available to co-operative and community enterprises called Withdrawable Share Capital. This democratic form of finance enables local groups to club together to raise the money to purchase community assets. In the process, people become members of the co-operative or community enterprise, acting as loyal customers and participating in the running of the organisation.

The foundations for developing and understanding this unique fundraising approach were laid as part of a government-funded Community Shares Action Research Learning Project (2009 – 11) delivered through Locality and Co-operatives UK. Indeed, from rather humble beginnings, more communities

6 www.voscur.org

Bristol Energy Coop present their community share offer on the roof of Hamilton House

are now recognising the benefits of raising long-term and engaged risk finance that is hard to come by from other sources. The community shares market has grown rapidly over the last five years, with over 60,000 people investing almost £60m, and more than £20m raised in 2014 alone.

Many of the early share offers were for community energy schemes and community buyouts of pubs and shops. More recently however, there has been a recognition that the model can work in other sectors too, such as heritage, transport and local food and farming.

In light of this growing market, the Community Shares Unit was established in 2012. The Unit is a dedicated support service, delivered by the long-standing partnership of Co-operatives UK and Locality, and backed by the Department of Communities

and Local Government and the Department for Energy and Climate Change, to grow a sustainable market for community shares. Central to this is a recognition that closer oversight of the market is now required to ensure community share offers meet best practice and consumers can invest with confidence.

With this, the Community Shares Unit has launched a new ‘Community Shares Standard Mark’. Unlike public share offers in companies, which are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, community shares are not regulated. This makes it easier for communities, but also means there is no protection to consumers.

The Community Shares Standard Mark is to be awarded to community share offers that meet standards of good practice. It is a guarantee not that the business

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

will be successful, but that it has been independently assessed to have adopted good practices in developing the share offer, and is committed to these standards.

A series of share offers have been piloted using the Mark, with Benenden Community Shop the first to complete its share offer after receiving the Mark.

Proud to be the first community enterprise to be awarded the Community Shares Standard Mark, the shop provides an essential lifeline for many people in Benenden, Kent, and is at the heart of the community. It’s a valued convenience store, which would have been sorely missed.

With support from the Plunkett Foundation, it went beyond its target of £60,000, raising just over £66,000. This funding will be vital to keep it running – it will support the refit of the shop, initial stock

and provide working capital to run the business. The entire business will be run by the community, for the community.

Benenden Community Shop is joined by three further offers, which have received the Community Shares Standard Mark, as part of this initial pilot: • Big Bath City Bid is the share offer campaign launched earlier this month by Bath City Supporters Society. The Society is looking to raise £750,000 to enable the community to own its football club, Bath City FC. • Gussage Community Benefit Society has recently launched a £400,000 share offer to secure the long-term future of The Drovers Inn, in Gussage, Dorset, as a flourishing pub for the benefit of the community.

The society proposes to raise

Bristol Energy Coop

With a quarter of a million pounds’ worth of community shares already raised and put to work generating clean energy for our city, Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC) has shown how powerful investment from the community can be. The locally crowd-sourced shares raised have meant six rooftop solar panel arrays being installed across Bristol, including at Hamilton House (see front cover photo), Easton Community Centre, and the Folk House.

By installing more renewable energy capacity, BEC is reducing carbon emissions and strengthening community resilience. The building users benefit from cheaper electricity,

funds to purchase, refurbish and maintain this much-loved venue.

• Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust has launched its share offer to bring the pier into community ownership, and raise the final 10% it needs to complete new, much-needed visitor facilities.

For more information, contact Simon Borkin: simon.borkin@uk.coop or visit: www.communityshares.org.uk

and the community shareholders receive a competitive rate of return.

Having proven its approach, the organisation is now stepping up a gear. With a clutch of community buildings lined up across Bristol, the latest share offer is seeking to raise £600,000.

The money will contribute to the city’s move towards clean energy and away from fossil fuels.

And our community is set to gain further. A share of the revenue earned by BEC is put into a community benefit fund supporting energy-efficiency projects and opportunities identified by the local community. Visit www. bristolenergy.coop to find out more.

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To cap it all

The effects of welfare reforms on social housing Photo by St Peter’s Community News CC BY-SA 2.0

Article written

by Paul Smith, Director of consultancy Direzione and Trustee at Talking Money.

The summer budget finally answered the question posed during the general election campaign: ‘How will the Government cut £12bn from welfare benefits?’

It is the poorest 30% of the population which will bear the majority of the impact (according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies), and the younger you are, the more likely you are to be affected. The greatest impacts are on families with three or more children and young people under the age of 21.

For tenants of councils and housing associations there is a mixed picture, with some gainers as well as losers. Again older people will be the greatest gainers, especially those who do not receive housing benefit to help pay their rent. The biggest losers will be large families and in particular out-of-work households.

The largest changes are to the benefit cap, tax credits and social rents.

In Bristol the benefit cap will be reduced from £26,000 per annum to £20,000 for two-parent families and will be £13,500 for

8 www.voscur.org

BME families may be disproportionately affected by the benefit cap as larger family sizes are more common.

single-parent families. It is housing benefit payments which will be reduced to keep the benefits at the cap level. The two main rent levels in social housing are social rents and affordable rents. Social rents are largely historical in nature, and affordable rents are set more commercially up to 80% of the market rent. The average social rent in Bristol is around £87 and affordable rents over £100.

At this level a workless family with three children is likely to find themselves above the new benefit cap level and see housing benefit cut. In Bristol around 1,000 households are likely to be affected by this cap, disproportionately affecting some of the BME communities where larger family sizes are

more common. The Government believes this change will encourage more people to get work, although evidence from the current cap does not seem to support this thesis.

On the more positive side for social housing, rents will be cut by 1% each year for the next four years. The big beneficiaries of this rent reduction will be tenants who do not claim housing benefit, as they will see a real cash drop in their rent. The Treasury will also gain, as this will reduce housing benefit costs by an estimated £1.4bn. The losers are those waiting for new social and affordable housing. This change is effectively a raid on social housing finance and is likely to reduce the amount of new housing built,

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

as rents are used to underpin borrowing for new housing, and the surpluses which most housing associations generate are used to part-fund new homes. One large London housing association, Genesis, has announced that it will stop building social and affordable housing in response to the budget. Other associations are expected to follow suit, and one with a small presence in Bristol and which was planning to build more, Aster Group, has announced it is undertaking a review.

For younger people on low incomes, rented housing will cease to be an option as housing benefit will only be paid to under-21-yearolds in exceptional circumstances.

There are concerns that this change could lead to an increase in street homelessness and that young people could be put at risk. Dom Wood, Chief Executive of Bristol’s main supported youth housing provider, says: “Over two-thirds of 18–21-year-olds

live at home and this has been increasing. The Government says it will exclude those who are vulnerable, but there is no definition of vulnerable outside care leavers. Supported housing providers provide a vital safety net for those who cannot live at home. Many cannot return for reasons of safety. It is imperative that this group is protected in the legislation.”

The greatest impacts are on families with three or more children and young people under the age of 21.

The reforms also include a measure to increase rents to market level for high-earning tenants; high earning is deemed to be those households with an income of £30,000 or more.

This could mean substantial rent rises for people in work even on modest incomes of £15,000 each.

This is likely to encourage those affected to opt for (the likely

cheaper option of) buying their home under a new extended right to buy.

Tax credits are also being reduced.

This does not have a direct impact specifically upon social housing tenants, but will have an impact on those in work, which in most cases will outweigh the benefit of the rent reduction and the increase in the minimum wage.

Seen as a whole, these changes will put many housing associations and tenants under severe financial stress. Among associations, expect mergers and changing priorities; for working-age tenants life is going to become significantly more challenging.

For more information, visit: www.acfa.org.uk Contact Paul Smith on: 0781 794 3134 or on Twitter: @bristolpaul @housingpaul

Fundraising getting you down?

Don’t worry – ‘Fund It! 2016’ is on the horizon! Taking place on 17 February 2016, 9.30am – 4pm, the event will be bursting with opportunities for you to update your knowledge around income generation. Whether it be writing funding bids, getting support from corporates, developing your trading arm, or finding out where and how to apply for grants, ‘Fund It!’ can help. Get expert advice, meet directly with funders, network and enjoy a great lunch!

Register your interest now at: www.supporthub.org.uk/fundit2016

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

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University of life

Student volunteers making a difference

Bristol is fortunate to be home to two highly regarded universities, the University of the West of England (UWE) and the University of Bristol, and every year, thousands of students volunteer in the local community around Bristol. Both of Bristol’s universities have professional volunteering services which support students to find volunteering opportunities, and broker links with hundreds of charities and community organisations in the city.

Most students volunteer because they want to make a difference – to help people, or to improve things in their communities. For many, an additional motivation is clearly to gain skills or work experience which might help them in future employment, or practical experience to complement their academic studies.

Organisations that involve student volunteers value them for the specific skills, knowledge and expertise that they bring, as well as their energy and creativity, and find that they help to add diversity to their pool of volunteers.

However, organisations can also

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Photo by AFS-USA Intercultural program CC-BY-2.0

Article written by Jamie Darwen, Head of Student Experience and Enrichment at UWE.

be concerned about becoming overly dependent on students (particularly at the times of year when they are less available) and whether they are able to offer a long-term, reliable commitment.

The universities’ volunteering services can advise on what opportunities will work best for students, and will help to promote roles to reach those who might provide the best match.

As the two case studies on the opposite page illustrate, many of the best examples of students volunteering happen when volunteers and local groups come together in partnership to develop new projects, which can be designed to make the most of the talents and enthusiasm of students, tailored to fit around their other time commitments, and can complement and enhance existing services.

The two universities have

recently collaborated to launch a new website, Skills Bridge (see below), which will make it easier for community groups and organisations to connect with the universities for projects. Skills Bridge aims to provide inspiration through case studies of successful projects, and ideas of some of the specific skills and attributes that students can offer. This will help organisations to understand how working with students might help them, and to reach the right people to start up new projects or join existing ones.

For more information: Skills Bridge www.skillsbridge.ac.uk Bristol SU Volunteer Hub: bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk UWE Volunteering email: volunteering@uwe.ac.uk

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

Case Study – Creative Club Over the past 18 months UWE has been working in collaboration with Milestones Trust to run art classes with their service users who have learning disabilities.

This has helped students studying arts-related courses to put their learning into practice and pass these skills onto others, whilst also developing an understanding around working with people with learning disabilities.

Katie Morgan, a photography student, says: “Applying for a Project Leader role at the Club was one of the best decisions I have made. To see Milestones Trust service users enjoy the activities has been rewarding. I feel as if we are making a difference.”

The service users from Milestones Trust have benefitted from trying all sorts of different creative activities such as tie-dyeing T-shirts, making pin-hole cameras, trying screen printing, making coasters and doing collagraph printing. “I like coming to Creative Club as I like trying new things and I can keep what I make in my scrapbook,” says a participant in the Club.

Case Study – Jolidays Bristol SU has been supporting students to run their own community volunteering projects for over 60 years. Jolidays is one of our most beloved student-led projects, providing free respite activities for young carers in and around Bristol. Volunteers not only plan and run activities but also fundraise throughout the year to ensure members can participate free of charge.

Student fundraising has seen Jolidays members enjoy everything from a pizza and board games to activity weekends in the Brecon Beacons.

Jolidays’ success is thanks to a dedicated group of student volunteers and the collaborative relationship they maintain with the Carers Support Centre, who ensure Jolidays volunteers are able to support young carers and that those young carers most in need of Jolidays’ respite services receive them.

Student volunteer and Lloyds Scholar, Issy Young, says: “Watching the young people grow and develop in confidence over the last three years has been so rewarding, I’m really going to miss Jolidays when I graduate.”

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

Top three: student volunteers in craft sessions with local community groups; bottom: a Jolidays group on an excursion

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Cuts that cost

Early intervention and the impact of cuts on young people’s services There was much attention focused on the closure of children’s charity Kids Company during the summer. Whilst it is important that organisations working with vulnerable children and young people are well governed and managed, it is also important that the need for organisations such as Kids Company is seen as part of a bigger picture. In this article we have described the current context for organisations working with children and young people in Bristol.

Photo by Richard Clarke (Digimist) CC BY-NC 2.0

Early intervention is about recognising the causes of social disadvantage, and arranging services and support to prevent harmful and costly long-term consequences for individuals and families. This work is taking place at both a national and a local level.

In 2010, a number of government funding streams for early intervention were pulled together into one non-ring-fenced grant known as the Early Intervention Grant (EIG). The EIG brought

revenue allocation made to local

early-intervention services show

together funding intended for a

authorities.

an overall downward trend, with

range of local-authority-funded

‘Cuts that cost: Trends in

early-intervention services, including children’s centres, information and advice for young people (including careers

funding for early intervention services’ – a report produced by the National Children’s

children’s centres and young people’s services (youth and play) faring worse than family support services.

Bureau and the Children’s

Nearly £17 billion per year is spent

Society in collaboration with

in England and Wales by the state

Children and Young People Now

on short-run late intervention,

– highlights over the last five

with the largest single items

years a compound reduction

being the costs of children who

in EIG in Bristol of £62,200,000.

are taken into care (Looked After

The difference in annual early-

Children); the consequences of

intervention grant allocation

domestic violence; and welfare

between 2010–11 and 2015–16 is

benefits for 18–24-year-olds who

From 2013–14, the EIG is no

£15,700,000.

are not in education, employment

longer paid as a separate grant

Figures for national early-

services), positive activities for young people, young offender and crime prevention services, respite care for families and disabled children and other family support services, and early years and children’s social care workforce development.

allocation. It now forms part of the wider central government

12 www.voscur.org

or training (NEET).*

intervention allocations and local

Late-intervention services in

government spending on key

the area of child protection and

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

safeguarding account for over a

Many young people can get lost

process. This assists them on their

third of the total, followed closely

along the way. Those young

journey to achieve their aims and

by spending in response to crime

people who successfully arrive

ambitions.

and anti-social behaviour. A small

at their destination (in this case

shift in spending from late to early

independent adulthood) have

intervention could have a massive

developed skills and capabilities

impact on outcomes for individuals

that are transferable, and that

and families.

enable young people to navigate

Because of the cuts in allocations to local authorities, the increase in child poverty (www. endchildpoverty.org.uk), and the rising child population in Bristol, the demand for services provided by the charitable sector has increased. It is vital, therefore, that such organisations have the capacity to respond to increased demand. This means ensuring that robust governance is in place, appropriate policies and procedures are implemented, and staff and volunteers are properly trained.

What role do youth and play services play in early intervention?

Bristol’s recent draft Youth Strategy tells us that “children and young people are often described as being ‘on a journey’, though the start and finish points are not always clear. For some, the journey is a straightforward route from home to school, college and work, accompanied by supportive family

all kinds of different challenges.

The ‘Framework of Outcomes

2012) showed

• From 2008 to 2012 available funding for youth and play

that young people who make successful transitions in their lives have seven clusters of capabilities:

Early intervention is about recognising the causes of social disadvantage, and arranging support to prevent harmful and costly long-term consequences.

communication; confidence and agency; planning and problem solving; relationships and leadership; creativity; resilience and determination; and managing feelings.

and by over 20% for services for 13–19-yearolds.

• Youth and play services before 2012 were delivered by a mixed portfolio

of Bristol City Council Youth and Play Services, voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations, and private sector service providers.

Play, youth work, and support

During 2010/11, more than

organisations help children and

65% of the available budget

young people develop these

was invested in a large number

capabilities. Organisations usually

of externally commissioned

aim to get involved with children

services for children and

and young people before

young people.

they reach crisis point and so play an important role in early

to understand and articulate

more “detours”.

up to 24) in Bristol since 2012?

for 8–12-year-olds,

However, for other young people,

exclusion from school and many

young people aged 8 – 19 (and

(Young Foundation,

and friends.”

poverty, family breakdown, illness,

services have been provided for

services reduced by 30%

for Young People’

intervention. Therefore, children

the journey can be complicated by

What City Council-funded

and young people gain the skills their achievements, and apply their learning to other situations.

The organisations that work with them have helped them in this

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

• It was the Council’s view that there was inconsistent service delivery across the city. The Bristol Youth Links (BYL) commissioning plan was intended to maximise outcomes for children and Continued on next page...

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13

young people with the

• Most of these have been

available resources through

successfully transferred to

improved integration

local voluntary and community

and commissioning (BYL

organisations. More details at:

commissioning plan 2012).

goo.gl/KHxC4Q

The Mayor’s Early Intervention Fund The city is committed to investing in early-intervention strategies, particularly in this climate of

Are there other organisations providing services to children and young people that are not part of the Bristol Youth Links provision funded by Bristol City Council?

national cuts. This is evidenced

‘lots’ – seven area based, one

Yes, there are. There is a

The VCS in Bristol has a large

citywide specialist and one

significant number of charities

part to play in delivering early-

citywide online. These services

dedicated to the health,

are provided by four consortia

wellbeing and

made up of VCS organisations,

achievement of

and families, and

and the Watershed, which

Bristol’s children

has worked

delivers the online service.

and young

• In 2012/13 Bristol City Council made available £22 million over five years for universal and targeted support for children and young people (through the Bristol Youth Links services).

• Services were divided into nine

• In 2013, the City Council invited voluntary and community organisations to manage youth and play facilities through Community Asset Transfer (CAT). This is the transfer of land or buildings from the Council’s freehold ownership into the stewardship of VCS organisations and usually involves a transfer at less than market value.

• These asset transfers came

Intervention Fund, which has been championed by the voluntary and community sector (VCS), and the commissioning of research on early intervention in Bristol.

intervention services for

A small shift in spending from late to early intervention could have a massive impact on outcomes for individuals and families.

example, the Wheels Project runs activities which are practical, hands on and

hard to raise the profile of this work.

In December 2014, the Mayor announced a

based in motor vehicle workshops; Imayla provides fun learning opportunities for young people, families and groups; Youth Education Service is well respected in Bristol as a provider

with the proviso that buildings

of informal learning opportunities

must deliver community-

to young people and adults;

based services which benefit

and the Bridge Foundation for

children and young people.

Psychotherapy and the Arts

This included youth centres

provides a range of psychoanalytic

and adventure playgrounds.

psychotherapy and counselling

14 www.voscur.org

the introduction of an Early

children, young people

people. For

services.

by the events leading up to

‘windfall’ budget of £3.9 million and opened a consultation around spending priorities. VCS organisations were invited to put their ideas and suggestions to the Mayor. Voscur brought together a cross section of people from the city’s VCS for a meeting with the Mayoral team.

Six priorities for the windfall spend were agreed at this meeting including an early intervention fund of £100,000 to support an integrated approach, including

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

the VCS in the area of early intervention. This proposal was accepted by the full Council.

Earlier this year, Bristol City Council commissioned the Early

One size fits all?

What effect is welfare reform having on front-line services?

Photo by The Weekly Bull CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Intervention Foundation to carry out a scoping exercise and research into early intervention in Bristol. VCS Advocates also attended the working group on early intervention (set up by the Bristol Children and Families Board) to represent the views of the sector. The findings have been presented in a report which will be available shortly. The report contains recommendations as to how the Mayor’s Early Intervention Fund will be spent.

Article written

by Gail BowenHuggett, Advice Development Coordinator at ACFA.

Our aim for the fund is that it will be used to promote the role of the VCS in this work, improve partnership working, and ensure the best services are delivered and resources are maximised. It will also be important to improve the understanding of the role of smaller VCS groups, particularly in intervening early with children and families, and link those with statutory services.

We will continue working with the Council to meet those aims. * Spending on Late Intervention: How We Can Do Better for Less, Early Intervention Foundation.

For more information, contact: asma@voscur.org

The past few years have been a turbulent time for the advice sector and its clients. The Government’s welfare reforms represent the most fundamental changes to the benefits system in a generation. The timetable for change has run from April 2013 and is set to continue through 2017.

Changes so far include: Personal Independence Payments replacing Disability Living Allowance, the replacement of Incapacity Benefit (and related benefits) with Employment and Support Allowance and the creation of new household caps and ‘underoccupancy’ penalties (‘bedroom tax’). To make matters worse the timetable for welfare reform is

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

rolling and subject to change, with new and old systems running simultaneously for significant periods of time. A perfect example is the introduction of Universal Credit, which will replace a range of in- and out-of-work benefits; agencies across Bristol have been trying to ensure staff are trained and ready, but their preparations have been hampered by lack of information about the date of introduction, now scheduled for November 2015.

All these changes require advisers, other front-line workers and volunteers to be very clear about the information they are giving, and to do this they need to be clear themselves about when and how these changes will affect their clients. Relying on support from local government services, such as the Department for Work and Pensions and Job Centres, is often problematic.

Continued on next page...

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Photo by Monkey Boy42 CC BY-NC 2.0

Continued from previous page...

Good-quality training courses would seem to be the obvious answer; however, funding cuts have forced many agencies to severely reduce the amount of money they can spend on staff training. Fortunately, for Bristol agencies, ACFA Training, Voscur and the Council’s Welfare Rights and Money Advice Service all offer high-quality, low-cost training on a variety of subjects. ACFA Training specialises in social welfare law issues, and its current programme includes a course on Universal Credit – details can be found at http://www.acfa.org.uk/index. php/training/course-programme Furthermore, the reforms aim to bring in new digital applications to set up monthly direct payments.

Advisers are aware that monthly budgeting will prove extremely difficult for many of their clients, so agencies are trying to offer more budgeting and financial capability support in addition to their existing service provision.

ACFA, the Care Forum and Voscur will play a vital role in ensuring that information about these services and their referral routes is readily available across the sector.

The increased emphasis on online applications is problematic for a substantial number of claimants who do not have IT skills and/ or online access. The voluntary sector is trying to bridge the gap as best it can: a number of agencies have installed computers in reception areas for the public to use, some are also able to have a volunteer on hand to help people

16 www.voscur.org

use the computers, and others are offering introductory IT courses to ensure clients become able to help themselves.

As always, the sector is good at adapting and building resilience. It’s clear that the level of care and commitment shown by staff and volunteers has not changed, with many willing to go beyond their job description to help their clients.

Unfortunately the demand for advice and representation seems to be infinite, and this causes high levels of stress for all concerned.

It’s vital that staff and volunteers be provided with more emotional support, especially when dealing with clients in complex situations.

As well as increased demand, the quality and capacity of service provision is linked in part to the substantial reduction in funding for certain services. As a result organisations have made, and continue to make, partial or substantial changes to their services including the way they’re delivered. For example, many agencies now provide a ‘light touch’ service, ensuring specialist advice and support is reserved for those who are deemed to be most vulnerable or have the greatest need. This means that clients are increasingly required to fill in their own benefit applications, attend assessment interviews without support and represent themselves at court and tribunal hearings.

Unfortunately, without support many clients do not represent themselves effectively and this can mean a loss of vital benefits,

housing, etc. – they return to the sector as a ‘crisis’ client.

The sector is constantly trying to stretch resources as far as possible and many agencies find themselves increasingly reliant upon volunteers to support their core activities and offer clients self-help support with IT, form filling, etc. Suitable volunteers can be hard to recruit, expensive to train and difficult to retain, making it a labour-intensive (and often expensive) solution for organisations.

What is clear is that it is vital that the sector retains its flexibility and resilience. It is increasingly clear that we cannot hope to cope alone, and, as such, we need to seek opportunities for collaboration with care and support organisations in order to concentrate efforts to ensure the best outcomes for our clients. ACFA, Voscur and other infrastructure organisations have the opportunity to play a vital role in facilitating a greater level of partnership working as we cope with the next wave of reforms and cuts.

For more information please contact: www.acfa.org.uk

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

Bye bye “bid candy”?

Many small organisations feel that they are routinely exploited as “bid candy”. There are moves afoot to require bidders to disclose and keep to relationships described in their bids...

Despite lots of positive developments in commissioning and procurement, the risk of being used as bid candy remains an issue for Bristol’s community organisations. It was the subject of recent workshops run by officers from Bristol City Council (BCC)’s Strategic Commissioning and Procurement team at Voscur’s VCS Assembly.

“Bid candy” has come to mean the naming of a smaller (less powerful) organisation in a bigger organisation’s bid for a contract,

changes need to be notified (as

“Bid candy” has come to mean the naming of a smaller organisation in a bigger organisation’s bid for a contract, with little or no paid work for the smaller organisation if the bid is successful.

with little or no paid work for

per contract conditions) and this could result in a review of the contract. But the reality is that commissioners have limited resources to manage contracts and want to avoid them failing and being recommissioned.

We believe that commissioners need to do more to set the scene up front. We have asked BCC to use new procurement regulations to improve contracting relationships, such as: • At bidding stage, require bidders to disclose all sub-

the smaller organisation after

contracting arrangements

the external bid. The term was

included five small local charities

first used in relation to large

to strengthen its proposal. When

government contracts, such as

asked about them, however, the

the DWP’s Work Programme,

lead bidder had only spoken to

which is now infamous for huge

two (no written agreements)

corporate businesses winning

and was waiting to hear from

large contracts and giving their

the other three – yet all five were

past performance (such as

smaller contractors either little

named in the bid!

relations with sub-contractors)

actual work or the most complex cases.

What can commissioners do?

Historically, commissioners have

by providing documented proof (agreements in principle; memoranda of understanding).

• Systems that take into account

when awarding contracts.

• Invite sub-contractors to interviews/assessments.

Several Bristol VCS organisations

been reluctant to intervene in

report being exploited in this

third-party relationships: the

way, and unfortunately it is not

official line is that the relationship

only big companies that exploit

practice so that providers have

between prime- and sub-

small charities. I was on a recent

confidence in the council’s

contractors is not commissioners’

panel for a contract and a bidder

approach.

business. A contract award is

(medium-sized Bristol charity) had

based on proposed delivery – any

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

• Publicise changes to standard

Continued on p19...

www.voscur.org

17

Drifting upwards or sliding back?

A look at race equality in Bristol

Photo by Dave’s photographs CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

As we move through Black History Month, we have taken the opportunity to give some thought to how Bristol is doing on race equality.

Bristol was rated seventh on the list of areas with the most inequality between ethnic minorities and the White British population in a recent study by the Runnymede Trust. ‘Drifting Upwards or Sliding Back’ is based on data from the most recent census, and clearly evidences a need for taking greater action on race equality in our city, and across the country.

The overarching finding of the research is that ethnic inequalities in education, employment, health and housing are widespread in England and Wales, and persistent since 2000. Although there have been some improvements for some ethnic groups in some areas, there is a great deal more work to

18 www.voscur.org

be done to reach equality. Without clearer and more consistent focus from national and local policymakers, the concern is that a third generation of Britishborn people from minority ethnic groups will continue to experience unequal opportunities and outcomes compared to their White British counterparts.

ongoing to bring greater equality to our city, and we continue to learn from areas that have successfully narrowed the gaps.

An important, groundbreaking piece of work already in motion is the Bristol Manifesto for Race Equality, which was launched this year and informs policy across the city.

These findings raise many questions about why ethnic inequalities exist in some places to a greater extent than others, and what might be done about them.

What is clear is that while national recognition is crucial, a blanket approach across the country may not always be the answer; each area needs to closely examine where and why inequalities exist

Earlier this year Jeremy Crook, Director of the Black Training and Enterprise Group, visited the city as the key speaker at the Bristol Manifesto event for Strategic Leaders. On the opposite page is his report on the work taking place.

in their area and form their own targeted strategies for addressing these.

Despite Bristol’s ranking in this study, there is a great deal of work

For more information please contact: ruth@voscur.org Runnymede Report: http://goo.gl/a0l5ZG

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

Continued from p17...

Piece below written by Jeremy Crook, Director of the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG).

The purpose of the groundbreaking Bristol Manifesto event was to bring together leaders from within Bristol’s public sector to share their perceptions of Bristol in relation to race equality and to start the process of identifying actions that they can take individually and collectively.

The Bristol Manifesto sets out a vision for Bristol and a range of practical actions that the Manifesto Steering Group want to see implemented.

Public sector leaders were very open about the challenges in Bristol, and many acknowledged the need to increase the representation of BME people at senior levels in their organisations, as well as improve their service delivery.

My speech at the event focused on leadership and race equality and the need for leaders to demonstrate, on a daily basis, their commitment to tackle racial inequalities as employers and service providers. This means working with their teams to mainstream race equality in everything that they do and to develop a culture in their organisations that recognises and feels empowered to act on racial inequality. This may not always be easy or popular but it

is necessary to bring about change. Individual leaders can make a difference but collective leadership in a city or town can be transformational. At a time of limited resources, public sector leaders need to pool their resources and share their expertise.

The event highlighted the past successes of positive action programmes in Bristol’s housing sector and how that led to progression for a number of the BME participants. However, many of these were not sustained and the main lesson learned is the need for leaders to work together to develop leadership programmes that are sustainable for both BME middle managers and young BME people.

BTEG commends Bristol BME Voice and the city’s leaders and will continue to encourage and support their efforts to make Bristol the number-one city on race equality in the future.

Following this meeting, city leaders are now looking at how they can work collaboratively to address race equality. There are also new developments in education, and stop and search, and the Manifesto group is supporting schemes that will offer positive action opportunities in employment and training. The overriding message is that Bristol is now actively moving towards being an equal city.

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

“BCC will, through this procurement process and contractual arrangements, champion and drive positive behaviours to ensure fair treatment of partners and subcontractors by Prime Contractors,” says Alison Slade, BCC’s Interim Head of Procurement. “It will ensure that, where appropriate as part of the bidding process, it fully understands the nature and basis of the relationships within supply chains to satisfy itself as to the robustness of these relationships when assessing capability to deliver requirements.“ What can your organisation do?

Get tough! Your organisation has real value – that’s why bidders want to be associated with it.

• Ensure written agreement* is in place before sharing intellectual property.

• Charge a consultancy fee for contributions to bids/ proposals.

• Report problems to BCC and Voscur.

• Insist on seeing the final version of bids submitted by a lead partner.

Voscur’s templates, and a specific briefing about “What small organisations can contribute to partnerships”, are available: http://goo.gl/HfxNX7

www.voscur.org

19

Suffragette city

Bristol is the only major city in the UK to elect four female MPs Following on from the feature in the last edition of ‘Thrive!’ where we heard from local MPs Kerry McCarthy and Karin Smyth on what they feel are the emergent themes and challenges for the voluntary and community sector over the next five years, we now hear from Charlotte Leslie, Conservative MP for Bristol North West.

Thangam Debbonaire is currently receiving treatment for breast cancer and is sorry she’s unable to write an article for ‘Thrive!’ at this time. But she hopes to make a full recovery and looks forward to contributing to the magazine in 2016.

To read the previous feature, visit: www.voscur.org/magazine

charlotte.leslie.mp@parliament.uk

Charlotte Leslie Conservative MP Bristol North West The voluntary and community sector (VCS) often encompasses politics at its best – people and communities driven by a desire to change things for the better – and I am enormously proud of the flourishing VCS here in Bristol. If we politicians use it to score political points, we only illustrate just how much we can learn from an actiondriven VCS. But the VCS faces significant challenges. It is pressurised to drive expenditure ever more towards fundraising – and we have seen how a few big charities are now crossing the line of decency in getting money from people. The reputational damage from

20 www.voscur.org

recent tragic events should not be underestimated by the big charities and a rethink from within is urgently needed.

We need to find an effective accountability and transparency mechanism to assess how charities commissioned by the state use public money, to prevent any rogue minority bringing the whole sector into disrepute. On the flip side, we also need to find ways to help smaller charities assess their impact in order to be able to compete for contracts.

But politicians have a great deal more to learn from this sector than vice versa.

I think of my community in Bristol and the superb work The Southmead Project performs in mending the broken lives of people who have suffered abuse, especially as a child. Their work not only mends individual lives, but whole communities – and saves millions of pounds to the state in preventing crime, addiction and generations of family breakdown. If properly commissioned by our local CCG, they could save the NHS enormous sums.

In an increasingly impersonal, mechanised world, of big brands and distant government departments, shielded from real people by online forms and telephone options, the VCS can be a beacon of invaluable personal contact. People need to talk to people. We need to feel we exist as a person and that we matter.

Some argue that charities are being unfairly forced to step in. But good charities start by empowering individuals to address the needs of their communities, and they are better placed to understand these needs than the enormous, impersonal October /state.

November

/ December 2015 Issue 30

Over-50s animating Bristol Bristol Ageing Better and Aardman join forces

The award-winning animation studios Aardman and the Bristol Ageing Better (BAB) partnership have created a short film illustrating local older people’s experience of social isolation in the city, and what they can do to be less lonely.

There are an estimated 11,000 older people in Bristol who are experiencing isolation and loneliness. BAB works with local organisations to help older people across the city live fulfilling lives.

The partnership is led by Age UK Bristol and funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

The short film aims to raise awareness of the effects of social isolation among older people, but also to promote positive activities and BAB as a single point of contact for people to get involved

A still from the new Aardman animation, produced to raise awareness about the social isolation of older people in Bristol.

and improve their lives.

Judith Brown, Deputy Chair of BAB and Chair of Bristol Older People’s Forum, said: “BAB partnership has over 130 organisations with all sorts of activities to make life more enjoyable. We wanted to reach out in a fun way to people who may not be in contact with

just how easy it is for people to

range of activities and events to

become lonely. They gave us real

suit everyone across the city.

stories that touched our hearts and minds. Our job was simply to bring them to life in a memorable way whilst addressing what is undoubtedly a serious issue for us all.”

For more information about the Celebrating Age Festival, visit:

anyone else, and invite them to

The animation was successfully

www.bristolageingbetter.org.

contact us. Aardman used the

premiered as part of the launch of

uk/caf2015/

voices of local people, and I think

the 2015 Celebrating Age Festival,

the film is brilliant, and will help

which highlights the positive

people to be less lonely.”

contribution the over-50s make

Heather Wright, Executive Producer at Aardman, added: “Hearing the voices of older

to life in Bristol. The celebration took place at the MShed on 27 September.

people in Bristol talking about

The Celebrating Age Festival runs

loneliness helped us to understand

until 12 October with a

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

BAB welcomes any organisation aiming to improve the lives of isolated older people in Bristol to join the partnership. Visit www. bristolageingbetter.org.uk to find out more.

www.voscur.org

21

Soaring interest in new Baby Bank Network Baby Bank Network is a brand-new organisation which provides baby essentials to local families who need them, by distributing pre-loved baby items donated by other families in the city. The simple concept, which meets a clear need, has received an overwhelming response from health visitors, local businesses and the community.

Less than six months old, Baby

great effect to tell others

Bank Network (BBN) has a great

about their work and to get

management committee in place,

people involved in many

skilled volunteers on board, a

different ways.

powerful social media presence

• Ask for help – BBN have

and donations aplenty coming

contacted all sorts of different

through their doors.

people and organisations

BBN called Voscur’s Support Hub,

asking for help, from space in

asking for support to help them

which to store donations to

to manage and prioritise in this

advice on legal structures.

period of sudden growth. One

• It takes time – the

of our development workers

management committee has

met with members of the

given a huge amount of time

management committee to help

and energy to setting up BBN.

them with strategic planning and

They are passionate about

to discuss a range of issues and decisions they were facing, from funding to legal structures.

BBN applied for a place on our

A recent Baby Bank collection – to be distributed to local families who need it.

enthusiasm is infectious.

• Identify a need – BBN

free Kick Start Your Organisation

spotted a clear need in the

course and have received intensive

city and found a great solution

support from a development

to that need that people could

worker to help them develop,

easily help with in a number of

including support to make a

different ways.

funding plan that is sustainable, to

what they are doing and that

• Learn from others – BBN did

Baby Bank are 100% volunteer run and have all sorts of roles available. They need both regular volunteers and people who can help with

choose and adopt the best legal

their research and discovered

donation days and other

structure for the organisation and

similar projects around the

events on a more ad hoc

to create their finance systems.

country. One of these groups

basis.

So why is it that BBN have taken

acts as a mentor to BBN.

such rapid strides in moving their

• Spread the word – BBN have

organisation forward?

For more information, visit: www.babybanknetwork.com

used their Facebook page, website and local media to

22 www.voscur.org

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

Support Hub

Sustaining recovery through volunteering The Sustain Project is a partnership between Volunteer Bristol@Voscur and Bristol Drugs Project.

Through drop-ins, one-to-one appointments and workshops, individuals recovering from drug and alcohol problems can explore volunteering as a means for helping to sustain their recovery, and move forward into employment.

When we recently learnt that a

call. I find that I get more out of

reopens I would like to go back and

woman we had supported into a

something if I’m face to face. So

start volunteering again.

volunteer role as a tutor was now

I just went down for a little

in full-time employment, we asked

visit. You guys set me

her to share her story:

up on your system

“I had recently moved to Bristol and was feeling a little isolated. I didn’t have a lot going on, didn’t have a lot of self-confidence, and was looking for a way to get involved and get out and into the community and meet people.

and I luckily found something very quickly, almost right away. And then a couple

“I think the biggest thing

“It was about reconnecting with a time that made me happy, and knowing that I would be able to make a difference in other people’s lives.”

of times I got some phone calls

was the confidence levels and just by going in and doing it, your confidence just starts to sky rocket and you

Local volunteer, Sustain Project

from Volunteer Bristol

get a little more structure to what’s going on in your life.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to

just to see how I was

do. It was only after I thought

getting on, which is

about volunteering as an avenue

really nice. It felt really supportive.

through Volunteer Bristol that

There was just an atmosphere of

“To others I would say just go in

I started thinking back to what

no pressure. So I knew that if I

and have a little bit of a talk. A

made me happy. It planted a seed,

needed any extra help that I could

quick conversation never hurt

and got me thinking about what

turn to you guys again.

anyone. And really you don’t have

I might want to do. It was about reconnecting with a time that made me happy, and knowing that I would be able to make a difference in other people’s lives somehow.

“The volunteer role started as a once-a-week thing, then they asked me to come twice a week.

Then, before long, they asked me to take on a part-time job which was for a few months until they

Definitely I feel a lot better about myself in every possible way.

to do anything, you can just go and get some information about it and it could just end up being one of the greatest things you ever did.

Which is how I feel.

“Just definitely do it. Get involved.”

“The Sustain Project was massively

closed for the summer. The job

helpful. I know I definitely

market and getting in there had

For details of

wouldn’t be where I am now

been a bit of a struggle for me, so

upcoming Sustain

without it. It started with a

that was a really smooth transition

Project workshops

workshop, which was very friendly

and gave me the confidence to go

and drop-ins, visit: www.

and low key, and then I was invited

out and get the full-time job that I

volunteerbristol.org.uk/

to either come in or have a phone

have now. And of course, when it

volunteers/sustain

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

www.voscur.org

23

Upcoming Voscur training Developing a Fundraising Strategy Tuesday 13 October, 9:30am – 3:30pm Not sure where to go next with fundraising or feeling like it is a lot of work for little gain? If so, this course is for you. It introduces fundraising strategies and explains why they are useful, looks at external challenges and opportunities and starts to think about a variety of funding sources.

Confident to Present and Influence Wednesday 14 October, 9:30am – 3:30pm This intermediate-level, interactive course will give you hints, tips and practical advice to help improve your confidence in how you plan and use presentations to get your message understood and to influence your audience.

expertise to delight your customers and deal with customer complaints and challenging behaviour. This course is practical and delivered in an imaginative and engaging way at your pace.

Top Tips for Contracts

Tuesday 3 November 9:30am – 1pm This workshop, run with Bristol City Council, will highlight some of the common errors that are made and what you can do to improve your chances of success in “This course was winning contracts. These tips apply a great help in to many contracts and tender establishing a greater processes, not just Bristol City understanding of Council. Get the basics right and

being a trustee”

Past participant, Being an Even Better Trustee

Organisational Legal Structures Tuesday 20 October, 12pm – 2pm What is your organisation’s legal structure? Is it the right one? Do your trustees have unlimited ability and, if so, is that advisable? Do you know the differences between a CIO and a CIC? What are the pros and cons of different legal structures? Come along to this focused, accessible, two-hour lunchtime session to find out. We will cover community associations, companies limited by guarantee, charitable incorporated organisations and community interest companies.

Bring your lunch, if you like.

Good Customer Services for Office Based Staff

you’re off to a good start.

Being an Even Better Trustee Thursday 12 November, 6pm – 9pm

Focused on governance, managing risk, effective meetings and how to make the most of the skills in your trustee team, this course is designed to support your development beyond the basics of being on a board.

Mediation for Managers Wednesday 18 November, 12pm – 2pm This two-hour course will provide an introduction to mediation in the workplace. We will: review the process for mediating a conflict between two staff members; learn and practise one of the core skills; and consider how to embed mediation in your organisation. This course is essential for anyone exploring proactive ways to resolve workplace conflict and increase employee engagement.

Finance Forum

Thursday 22 October, 9:30am – 3:30pm

Wednesday 25 November, 10:30am – 12:30pm

This course offers the opportunity to reflect on the service you provide to internal and external customers.

You will be given tips and techniques to develop your

A chance to meet others with financial responsibilities and find out what is happening in the world of finance.

24 www.voscur.org

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

An Introduction to Twitter Tuesday 24 November, 1 – 4pm

Coming up in 2016…

Twitter’s free tools – and develop an engaging profile for your organisation that will help you reach more people. This practical training session will help you decide the aims and direction of your Twitter use, and understand the different sections and features of your profile.

Convince Your Funders You Make a Difference Wednesday 2 December, 9:30am – 3:30pm Funders want to fund change not activities. Measuring and demonstrating your impact is key to improving your services, being accountable and accessing resources to grow your organisation. However, the world of impact assessment can be confusing, timeconsuming and expensive. This session will cut through the jargon and explore useful impact-assessment tools and methods.

Volunteers and the Law Thursday 3 December, 9:30am – 1pm Volunteers can be a huge asset to your organisation.

Join us to make sure you understand the legal implications of their work and ensure that you are operating within the correct legal framework.

Trustee Network Thursday 3 December, 6pm – 8pm The trustee network is open to any trustees, from the brand new to the very experienced. As well as a short presentation on a relevant topic, Trustee Network meetings offer a chance to meet other trustees and share good practice.

Early-bird rates!

Photo by CAFNR CC BY-NC 2.0

Join Knowle West Media Centre to learn more about

Leading from the Front A three-day course for managers 2 March, 9 March and 16 March 2016 This course is designed to help you take a bolder approach to your leadership role. Do you struggle with the daily dilemma of achieving success amid constant demands? Are you maximising your skills to attain the impact you desire? This course could be a springboard for change.

Through interactive sessions, leaders and senior managers will experience a highly regarded research-based leadership model that addresses the three core leadership priorities of setting strategic direction, delivering results, and building and sustaining relationships. As a participant you will: • Gain a broader perspective of leadership and issues affecting success and failure in your organisation • Understand how to enhance your own impact as a leader • Develop a deeper understanding of how to deal with change and uncertainty.

Book your place at: www.supporthub.org.uk/ leading-front

To book your place or to find out more, please go to: www. supporthub.org.uk/training-hub or call us on: 0117 909 9949.

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

www.voscur.org

25

Talking about regeneration

Community-led economic development in Bristol Bristol has always been at the forefront of innovative and experimental thinking in relation to many community-led initiatives.

Indeed, the “Bristol model” was a phrase widely used amongst the national voluntary and community sector when describing groundbreaking initiatives like Victim Support, the Soil Association and Sustrans – that had been developed in the city and have now grown to become national organisations.

Here are two examples of how this community-led innovative thinking has linked to the neighbourhood economic development agenda in the South and North areas of the city.

In South Bristol the voluntary and community-led Greater Bedminster Community Partnership, working with the business community and statutory agencies, established a Business Improvement District in 2013.

This was initially funded nationally, as one of the first 13 Mary Portas projects, in an effort to regenerate the retail sector, which despite some decline is the largest collective employer in South Bristol.

The Bedminster Town Team, as it is called, is itself a voluntary sector organisation and is now self-funded with a levy on

26 www.voscur.org

larger businesses. Voluntary, business and statutory bodies are currently collaborating on Let’s Walk Bedminster, a Green Capital sustainability project, which includes the aim of preserving local businesses within walking distance of residents.

In the north of the city, Ambition Lawrence Weston, an alliance of active citizens, came into being in response to community facilities either closing, or being threatened with closure, and residents feeling marginalised because of the lack of support for their peripheral estate from the centre.

Ambition Lawrence Weston took it upon themselves to develop a community plan, called ‘The Way Forward’, which looked to tackling and resolving these issues and concerns. The community plan is a long-term vision and commitment that will work towards improving Lawrence Weston community through to 2023.

The plan includes everything that is relevant to the people who live and work in Lawrence Weston, from employment and playgrounds to the design of new buildings and new services for job seekers, young people and families. It takes into consideration people’s views, likes and dislikes about their environment as well as the problems and opportunities in the community, what future

A recent interactive session on communityled economic development at our recent VCS Assembly.

development is needed in the neighbourhood, and how residents can help to support developments. You can find out more about the plan at: goo.gl/3jdD6z Voscur is working with partners to support and develop this work across the city.

We will be case studying the examples of community-led economic development described above, as well as other approaches, at a forthcoming event which will be held in the Greenway Centre, Southmead, Bristol, on 11 November 2015.

You can find out more info by contacting Paul@voscur.org

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

Piece written

by Stephen Clarke, Director of the Bristol Pound CIC.

Gaining currency

The Bristol Pound goes from strength to strength

The Bristol Pound is going from strength to

emerging, and Bristolians are very clear that they

strength. Now widely accepted in the city (by over

don’t want their city to be another ‘clone town’, so

900 businesses) it can also be used to pay for

they support independent businesses that make our

Business Rates and Council Tax, gas and electricity

city different and special. To celebrate and share this,

(thanks to Good Energy – a world-first), almost all

Bristol Pound is hosting the Bristol New Economy

local bus routes and now tickets for First-GW trains

Summit on October 12–13 (see http://bristolpound.

from Temple Meads. It is the UK’s first city-wide local

org/bne2015) and we invite people far and wide to

currency and the first to have electronic accounts

join us in sharing and learning how we can create an

managed by a regulated financial institution (Bristol

economy that is more socially just, and focused on

Credit Union). It has generated huge publicity for

well-being and being truly sustainable.

Bristol – in the last two weeks alone it has been

The interest in Bristol that the scheme has generated

featured in the Financial Times, Russia Today and The

is a huge benefit to the region, with high-level

New York Times.

exposure in the UK and internationally to millions of

But the Bristol Pound is part of a much bigger

people through TV, radio and print-media, from the

picture. Much of its success has been derived from

Financial Times and The Sun to Al Jazeera and the BBC.

the unique blend of qualities that makes Bristol a

The technologically innovative, sustainable and creative

great city – community spirit, creativity and a free-

aspects of this project are a microcosm of the broader

thinking attitude – which also make it a great place

picture in Bristol. On the launch day alone there were

to live and work. These qualities are embodied by

eight TV companies (including major Turkish, Chinese

the local businesses, community projects and a host

and Malaysian broadcasters) on our doorstep. The BBC

of new social and environmental initiatives across

said that nearly 250,000 people read the story of our

the city.

A new and very different kind of economy is

launch online.

Continued on the next page...

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

www.voscur.org

27

Contined from previous page...

A big part of Bristol’s unique appeal for tourists is the sense that alternative ways of thinking, doing and making a living are celebrated, and the people of Bristol choosing to run their own currency exemplifies this. The Bristol Pound Tourist Map helps visitors find amazing and unique independent businesses in central Bristol rather than ending up in the same chains they see back home. After only three months all 10,000 maps were taken and a new print run was needed.

Up to 90 pence of a pound spent in a supermarket leaves the region

It is this continual re-circulation of money within the local economy that makes it much more valuable to the region than use of sterling. Research studies show that up to 90 pence of a pound spent in a

The Bristol Pound (a not-for-profit community

supermarket leaves the region, whereas a Bristol

interest company) provides a clear lead to help

Pound, once created and spent, continues to

our members support locally owned businesses by

circulate in the local economy in its entirety. For

enabling them to commit to spend locally when

this reason Bristol Pound is a genuine systemic

possible. In turn, their spending choices mean that

intervention which over time creates a greener,

their ethical and social choices are passed on with

fairer economy.

their purchases, and the businesses themselves are committed to spending locally and so on. In this way the ‘local economic multiplier’ is locked in. This maintains and spreads wealth more fairly in the area and can reduce pollution caused by unnecessary shipment of goods.

However, Bristol Pound is very clearly not just about how much money people have or how much the tourist industry benefits. It has clear beneficial social effects. Research has shown that people using Bristol Pounds often feel more connected to the community as a result, and have more conversations

We have brokered many deals between Bristol

with others in their community. These are proven

Pound Trader members at our regular B-to-B

factors in increasing people’s wellbeing. With the

meetings held across the city. This year alone we

aid of the Bristol Pound mobile-phone app, tourist

have organised, hosted and/or supported over 25

map and directory, members and visitors experience

events promoting new business for Bristol’s SMEs.

unique local independent businesses, which reflect

This has led to many new business opportunities.

their interests and values. In this way both visitors

For example, Café Revival now use the Bristol Wood

and people who live locally get a richer experience

Recycling Project for materials, Roll for the Soul

of Bristol and feel better for it.

Café use Waste Source for their recycling, and the various branches of Café Grounded now source wine from Stewart Wines and use Brunel One for printing. This is tangible economic benefit – local businesses using other local businesses – and there

For more information, email: stephen.clarke@bristolpound.com or visit: www.bristolpound.org

are many other such examples.

28 www.voscur.org

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

Adult safeguarding Is it on your radar?

Photo by CAFNR CC BY-NC 2.0

There are two very good reasons to put adult safeguarding on your radar: the new definition of safeguarding brought in by the Care Act 2014, and the strain on the current care system.

The Care Act 2014 says that people’s wellbeing is at the heart of the care and support system, and prevention of abuse and neglect is one of the elements that makes up a person’s wellbeing. Adult safeguarding duties apply to any adult who: • has care and support needs and • is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect and • is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs.

This definition applies regardless

definition. For more information

needs and the number of people

on adult safeguarding, go to: goo.

who need care and support.

gl/pKo8q0

People may be at risk of abuse or neglect at any point in their lives, due to a range of circumstances, such as getting older, or financial difficulties.

Unpaid carers are also feeling the strain. Figures from the Carers Trust suggest many nonprofessional carers struggle to take time off, with 68 per cent failing to get a break this year and a third saying they had not even had a full day off.

of whether a person’s care and

Stresses and strains on paid

support needs are being met, and

These stresses and strains may

carers were identified by Andrea

in whatever setting people live,

result in an increased level of

Sutcliffe, Chief Inspector at the

with the exception of prisons and

abuse. We all need to be more

Care Quality Commission, as a

approved premises such as bail

aware of safeguarding.

safeguarding factor. Interviewed

hostels.

by The Independent newspaper

People may be at risk of abuse or

on 9 August 2015, she talked

neglect at any point in their lives,

about the cut to adult social care

due to a range of circumstances,

budgets. Nationally, budgets have

such as getting older, or financial

been reduced by almost a third

difficulties. This is a wider

since 2011 (source: Association

definition of adult safeguarding

of Directors of Adult Services).

and organisations should review

She also raised concerns about

Action on Elder Abuse

their policies in light of the new

the increase in the complexity of

www.elderabuse.org.uk

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

Bristol City Council runs adult safeguarding training courses. For more information, visit: goo.gl/ uoXXeH

www.voscur.org

29

This is me

Gill Nowland is the CEO of the St Pauls-based charity One25 which offers local sex workers help, advice, food and hot drinks. Gill started at One25 15 years ago as a volunteer and has never looked back. She has recently been awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable women.

What propelled you to become a VCS Advocate?

What do you think is the secret to being influential?

After 15 years working in the VCS, I felt the need to ‘give back’ and

Always acting with integrity and honesty and by gaining the trust of the people you are trying to influence.

use my experience to support the wider sector in Bristol.

If you could wish one thing for the voluntary sector in Bristol it would be…?

I would wish to see the sector sufficiently resourced and able to sustain cost-effective, efficient and much-needed services while working together, avoiding duplication and sharing resources where appropriate.

What would make the biggest difference to improving equality in society?

Individuals being educated to become more tolerant of and able to celebrate the differences between us (race, culture, background, education, physical, mental, age, gender, sexuality, religion, etc.) while never forgetting the similarities between us (basic needs, thoughts, feelings, senses, bodily functions, family, friends, etc.)

30 www.voscur.org

If you could pick one example of seeing, with your own eyes, lives changed by the voluntary sector in Bristol, what would it be?

I would only need to walk into One25’s drop-in centre on any day of the week to see vulnerable and marginalised women being respected, valued, motivated and encouraged to make positive and lasting changes in their lives.

What is your favourite spot in Bristol and why?

I love the Downs in Bristol and the view over the Avon Gorge. I love the wide open spaces and what this provides for the people of Bristol: a place to walk, run, keep fit, fly a kite, family picnics, games, etc.

What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

To keep going and to persevere when things are difficult by holding your integrity and believing things can be different.

What makes you happy?

Many things including my family, good friends, feeling valued, feeling healthy, kindness, generosity, good food and the sun!

Tell us one thing about you that people would never guess.

I have been a nurse, teacher, mother, charity worker and at one point in my life, I nearly joined the police force.

To get more information about our VCS Advocates, watch video updates and find out how to get in touch with them, visit: www.voiceandinfluence.org. uk/advocates

October / November / December 2015 Issue 30

St George

Neighbourhood Partnership Rob Acton-Campbell explains:“The

informal opportunity for local

Partnership is one of 14

strength of the Partnership is

residents to discuss issues of

Neighbourhood Partnerships

that it gives residents and local

concern and hear news from the

across Bristol. Each Partnership

organisations the opportunity to

police and other organisations

serves an area comprising two

influence the work of the Council

working in the area. The

or three City Council Wards.

and have a say in where money is

Partnership has a series of sub-

The St George Neighbourhood

spent; working together we can

groups to help with the smooth

Partnership brings together the

bring about improvements and

running of its work.

community groups, residents,

resolve issues that local people tell

Councillors, Council Officers and

us are important to them.”

statutory agencies for the St George East and St George West wards.

Each year the Partnership allocates around £18,000 of its delegated Bristol City Council budget for

Rob Acton-Campbell, the

“Wellbeing Grants”. A small sub-

volunteer Chair of the St George

group considers applications

Neighbourhood Partnership,

for funds from a variety of

explains: “We aim to improve the

community groups and not-for-

quality of life for all residents in

profit organisations operating

our part of east Bristol.”

in the St George area. One of

The St George Neighbourhood Partnership has agreed a series of priorities for the three years 2015/2016 to 2017/2018.

Together the priorities form their Neighbourhood Partnership Plan (www.stgeorgenp.org.uk/plan).

Some of the priorities are across the NP area – for example, having good-quality children’s play areas

Photo taken at the latest Redfest

St George Neighbourhood

the many community groups supported this year was the team behind Redfest: the community arts and music festival held in St George Park in the heart of St George on 1 August. This year they received nearly £3,000 for the main stage, as well as agreeing £900.00 of Green Capital (Bristol 2015 Limited) funding.

close to all residents by supporting

In addition to four formal

various ‘friends of’ groups –

Neighbourhood Partnership

with other priorities being more

meetings each year, the

specific, such as addressing traffic

Partnership also runs a

issues by making Crews Hole Road

Neighbourhood Forum every

and Beaufort Road safer.

three months to provide an

Issue 30 October / November / December 2015

For further information, visit: www.stgeorgenp.org.uk For information on Neighbourhood Partnerships across Bristol, visit: www. myneighbourhoodbristol.com

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 October 2015 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

8th

10am – 1pm

Volunteer Organisers’ Forum

Windmill Hill City Farm

13th

9:30am – 3:30pm

Developing a Fundraising Strategy

The Gatehouse Centre

14th

9:30am – 3:30pm

Confident to Present and Influence

St Werburghs Centre

14th

10am – 12pm

Children and Young People’s Network Meeting

Barton Hill Settlement

15th

2pm – 4:30pm

Positive Steps to Positive Action conference

Phoenix Social Enterprise

20th

12pm – 2pm

Organisational Legal Structures

Royal Oak House

21st

10am – 12:30pm

Social Value Policy, Bristol, and Your Organisation

The Station

22nd

9:30am – 3:30pm

Good Customer Services for Office Based Staff

The Southville Centre

November 2015 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

3rd

9:30am – 1pm

Top Tips for Contracts

The Southville Centre

11th

9.30am – 4.30pm

Talking About Regeneration: A Look at Community Economic Development

Southmead Development Trust

12th

6pm – 9pm

Being an Even Better Trustee

St Werburghs Centre

17th

11:30am – 2pm

What is Social Investment?

Tony Benn House

18th

12pm – 2pm

Mediation for Managers

Royal Oak House

24th

1pm – 4pm

An Introduction to Twitter

Knowle West Media Centre

25th

10:30am – 12:30pm

Finance Forum

Royal Oak House

December 2015 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

2nd

9:30am – 3:30pm

Convince Your Funders You Make a Difference

St Werburghs Centre

3rd

9:30am – 1pm

Volunteers and the Law

The Gatehouse Centre

3rd

6pm – 8pm

Trustee Network

DAC Beechcroft, Portwall Lane

Keep up to date with Voscur online:

f l i x /voscur

/voscur

/voscur

/voscur

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

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

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