Supporting Voluntary & Community Action
January / February / March 2012
Inside this issue: New – Trustees network New – membership offer for small groups Free access to GRANTnet Governance code updated NAVCA commissioning guide reviewed BOOST your organisation with a skilled volunteer Winter/spring training programme New guidance for joint working Assembly and Network news Sign up for a young apprentice
On Site Bristol Electrical Apprentice Martina Waberseck of Montpelier, Bristol on her way to Bronze Medal at the National SkillELECTRIC final. Photography by Roger V Moody
Trustee Network Wednesday 7 March 2012 (6.30pm-8.30pm) This new network gives you the opportunity to meet with other trustees, directors, and management committee members in an informal and friendly environment. Charity HR will talk about The Board as Employers, covering the basics of employing staff, policies and procedures and contracts of employment. The best support often comes from others facing similar challenges - come along and tell us how this network can meet your needs. To book contact Voscur on 0117 909 9949
New small groups offer Free Voscur membership for groups with an income of under £10,000 per year. Benefits include: free or discounted places on training courses, free quarterly magazine, weekly e-bulletins, free access to GRANTnet, discounted job adverts, promotion of events and news on the Voscur website diary, and online notice-board. To find out about membership fees for your group and to join Voscur see below: www.voscur.org/about/joiningonline
Welcome
Contents 4 Editorial 5
New Members
6
Voscur News
22
Consultation on priorities for BME voice launched
New Voscur Board members elected
7
23
Voscur Website News Website improvements and sign up for GRANTnet
8-9
Support Hub: Finance and Governance Finance resources and code of good governance updated
10
Support Hub: Commissioning NAVCA guide for Trustees reviewed
11
Black and Minority Ethnic Voice and Influence
Support Hub: Baseline Standards Use the standards to improve your performance
12-13 Support Hub: BOOST Skilled volunteers support VCS organisations
14-15 Support Hub: Training and learning Introducing new training courses
16-17 Support Hub: Training and learning programme
Child Poverty Strategy National and local strategies to tackle child poverty
24
Backing Young Bristol Sign up for a young apprentice
25
Children and Young People’s Organisations: NAVCA Training Business skills for people from local development organisations who support groups working with children and young people
26-27 Neighbourhood Planning Local groups take back the power
28-29 Community First Fund and Community Organisers Government supports communities
30-31 Member Profile: Crisis Centre Ministries The impact of the Secret millionaire
32 Diary
Winter – spring courses
18-19 The Compact: Collaboration New guidance for joint working
20-21 Voice and Influence Assembly and network news
Keep up to date with Voscur online:
www.facebook.com/voscur
twitter.com/voscur
Thrive! is available on disc. Please contact the office if you would like to receive your Thrive! this way. The newsletter is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine
Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent those of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
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3
Editorial
Dear members and friends 2011 has been a big year for
• moving offices to Royal Oak
Voscur – in February, Voscur’s
House, which means that our
board signed a contract with
office is more central and
Bristol City Council to deliver
that we are close to Quartet
infrastructure support services.
Community Foundation and
When this contract was designed,
Volunteer Bristol;
it described sector needs, and
• developing and launching a
envisaged the provision of support
range of new services under
for the growth of a sector which
the banner of the
would be responding to a range of
Support Hub;
opportunities. The reality of the political and economic climate means that the sector needs that were identified three years ago have changed enormously. Support for growth is an important part of our new service but we are also now often asked to respond to crisis situations triggered by a reduction in funding. Our aim is to reach a position where we are working through the Support Hub and Voice and Influence initiatives to help groups improve their performance, develop strong relationships and work together to achieve change.
• completing a comprehensive consultation on a new Voluntary Sector Assembly; and supporting a number of Network meetings • working in partnership with Bristol City Council, the Legacy Commission and the Bristol Race Forum to set up the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Voice and Influence Steering Group which has commissioned a piece of work to look at how BME people can be more influential
through as an organisation over the past year have been challenging for the Voscur staff team and board. However, we can look back on some big
year brings, and assure you of our continued support for Bristol’s Voluntary and Community Sector.
Wendy Stephenson Chief Executive Voscur
in Bristol; and • developing and securing funding for a project with the University of Bristol that will measure the economic impact of the sector over the next
The changes that we have been
Wendy Stephenson Chief Executive
Equalities Article
two years. The most significant achievement is that we have provided direct support to around 150 organisations.
achievements in 2011 that
In 2012 we look forward as a
included:
stronger and enthusiastic team
Key to symbols
Training Information & Resources Event
to the challenges that the new
4 www.voscur.org
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
New Members
New Voscur Members Action First Plus
have conditions such as autism and
A legal aid firm of solicitors
02920257319
Down’s syndrome.
specialising in public law and
actionfirstplus@mail.com Delivers grass-roots services to assist vulnerable individuals and marginalised groups.
Bristol Indian Association 0117 9397290 santokhsandhu@talktalk.net The Association is for people
African Voices Forum
over 65 to socialise and
07862729407
exercise together.
africanvoicesforum@yahoo.co.uk www.africanvoicesforum.org The Forum supports AfricanCaribbean community organisations.
Association of Filipinos in Bristol (AFB)
Filipino community.
Avon Counselling and Psychotherapy Service 0117 9304447 lin@phonecoop.coop www.acps-bristol.org.uk The Service provides counselling and psychotherapy to adults.
www.developecs.org.uk DEVELOP provides services for the
Keynsham & District Dial-a-Ride
0117 9397290 santokhsandhu@talktalk.net The Gurdwara arranges wedding ceremonies and classes.
admin@keynshamdialaride.co.uk
0117 9603326
www.keynshamdialaride.co.uk
thejunctionproject@yahoo.com
A door-to-door service for people who might not be able to walk far.
The Project provides accommodation and support for adults affected by alcohol or
North Somerset People First
substance misuse.
01934 426086
World Stage Festival
katemaconachie.nspf@yahoo. co.uk
01278 684060
learning disability.
help to families with children who
Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Bristol
The Junction Project
run by and for people with a
A national charity offering practical
prevent cruelty and promote
01225 395321
bibic
www.bibic.org.uk
bristoldogsandcatshome.org.uk
headoffice@developecs.org.uk
A self-advocacy organisation
hayley.scurr@bibic.org.uk
www.rspca-
kindness to animals.
Wiltshire and B&NES.
The Association supports the local
info@rspca-bristol.org.uk
01249 654089
info@
associationoffilipinosinbristol.org
01179 714197
The organisation aims to
voluntary and community sector in
www.
RSPCA Bristol & District Branch
Develop Enhancing Community Support
0117 9095904 associationoffilipinosinbristol.org
human rights.
Pierce Glynn Solicitors
0117 9249 976 becky@worldstagefestival.com www.worldstagefestival.com The organisation runs a new festival of international performing arts in Bristol in July.
0117 317 8133 Bristol@pierceglynn.co.uk www.pierceglynn.co.uk
Issue 15  January / Febuary / March 2012
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Voscur News
Taking up new challenges in 2012 including a current voluntary role with the Prince’s Trust. Deana Stone has managed Hartcliffe and Withywood Teenage Parents’ Project for 13 years. During this time, she also set up local community organisations, such as an after-school club and Tenants’ Association. Max Beseke, Chair of Voscur, welcomes new Board Members at the AGM
Hen Wilkinson is Chief Executive
Voscur’s new board members –
A board member’s role
of Community Resolve which
elected at our November Annual
encompasses both governance
works to deflect conflict in
General Meeting can feel smug
and management. The Board
communities. She is a Visiting
at the start of 2012. They have
works to ensure the organisation
Fellow at the University of the
already ticked off a worthy New
remains true to its objectives
West of England.
Year’s Resolution: to contribute to
and purpose. It plans the
the continuing development and
future strategic direction of
support of Bristol’s voluntary and
the organisation. Responsibility
community sector. Only another
for monitoring the finances
49 resolutions to tackle before the
also lies with the Board. Equally
year’s out…
importantly, it provides support
Anyone involved with the
That’s enough about the role;
whether as paid staff member,
now let’s introduce our new
volunteer, or funder, knows the
Board Members.
forward to join a board. There are countless reasons behind this action: maybe you were cajoled? Perhaps you were inquisitive about what goes on behind the scenes of a particular organisation? Or
Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol, works at Emmaus Bristol which supports homeless people. He brings 20 years’ experience of a range of roles at trustee and
to the Chief Executive.
voluntary and community sector,
weighty commitment of stepping
Richard Pendlebury, a Deputy
senior management level. Our new members join Max Beseke, Abdullahi Farrah, Frances Fox, Joanna Holmes, Paul Hazelden
Narinder Kaur already juggles a
(who was re-elected this year), and
paid role as Co-ordinator of the
Anna Smith.
Sikh Resource and Community
Welcome and thank you in
Development Centre with being
advance for all your hard work!
a non Executive Director of NHS Bristol.
you have been a service user
Phil Parry works as an
for many years and want to give
independent consultant in
something back? Whatever the
Bristol’s voluntary and community
reason, voluntary and community
sector. He has particularly been
sector organisations could
involved with organisations
not survive without volunteer
working with young people,
management committees.
6 www.voscur.org
See pages 8 & 9 for information on the Code of Good Governance
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Voscur Website News
Web News If you follow Voscur on the web
Once submitted, a member of
you’ll have noticed that the
the Voscur staff will make sure
GRANTnet, by making an
Voscur website has a fresh new
everything is OK (we’ll contact
appointment to attend a
look, making it easy to navigate
you if there is a problem) and in
GRANTnet assisted search
and find the information you’re
less than 24 hours it will be up
session at the Voscur office.
looking for.
on the site. Every Wednesday we
You will be supported to run a
add the latest items uploaded by
search by a member of staff.
As well as updating Voscur.org we’ve launched a portal to the new Support Hub service at www.supporthub.org.uk with all our latest training and funding material in one handy place, and information on how and when the Support Hub can help your organisation. There are also details of our bursaries and information from organisations who are delivering the Support Hub
members to the Ebulletin which goes out to 1500+ subscribers every week (so post before Tuesday 5.00 pm if you want in this week).
Voscur is now offering free access to GRANTnet – a service you can run in your own time from your own computer.
• If you need help to use
You will need to be a member of Voscur to access any of the above as you will be asked to supply your email address and membership number. If you are not a member but would like to use the GRANTnet facility then please contact us and we can provide you with information on how to join. Membership bursaries are available for groups with low
service with us.
incomes.
We’ve been working hard on
Voscur is offering members one to
Accessibility as well and aim to
one GRANTnet assisted sessions on
achieve W3C AAA compliance
Voscur is pleased to be able to
Friday mornings. Please contact
as we continue to develop and
offer a free GRANTnet facility to
the office or speak to Lucy or
improve the sites.
our members. GRANTnet is an easy
Charlene if you wish to book an
to use system that enables you
appointment. 0117 909 9949.
At www.voscur.org, all the old favourites for promoting your events, your services and jobs are still in place. You’ll need to set up an account to take advantage of these areas, it’s a simple
to search for potential funders. Groups can identify the area of activity that they are seeking funding for. GRANTnet has an extensive database of funders.
process very similar to creating an
There are a number of ways in
account on Facebook or Amazon.
which you can access GRANTnet,
The link to Create New Account is
and they are all free:
on the homepage.
• Using your own computer via the Voscur website
Once you have an account and are logged in you can go to the jobs,
• Using an external computer via the Voscur website
noticeboard, or events pages and choose to add your content.
or
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
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7
Support Hub: Finance and Governance
Good Governance ‘A Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector’ your organisation runs effectively
4. exercising effective control;
and follows good practice. The
5. behaving with integrity;
Principle two: an effective board will ensure delivery of organisational purpose
private and public sectors have
6. being open and accountable.
• ensuring organisational
Governance is about ensuring that
their own governance codes; there is also a code for the Voluntary and Community Sector, including charities. Good Governance: a Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector has been written by the sector, for the sector. It is a practical and easy-to-use guide to help charities to develop good practice.
individuals and a team;
purposes remain relevant
It explains why each principle is important, and gives examples of how to apply them in practice.
• developing and agreeing a long
Good governance is essential for
• agreeing operational plans and
term strategy
the success of any organisation
budgets
and is now more important than
• monitoring progress and
ever. Board members play a
spending against plan and
vital role in serving their causes
budget
and communities. They bring
• evaluating results, assessing
passion and commitment as
outcomes and impact
An independent Steering Group
well as skills and experience to
including representatives from
the organisations they lead. An
ACEVO, the Institute of Chartered
effective board will provide good
Secretaries and Administrators
governance and leadership by:
(ICSA), NCVO and the Small
• reviewing and/or amending the plan and budget as appropriate.
Principle three: an effective board will work effectively both as individuals and a team
Code, with support from the
Principle one: an effective board will understand their role
Charity Commission. A new version
• their legal duties
for smaller organisations has
• their stewardship of assets
been produced: www.charity-
• the provisions of the governing
Charities Coalition (SCC) is responsible for developing the
commission.gov.uk/Library/
• the external environment
small_orgs.pdf (November 2011)
• the total structure of the
principles describing how an effective board provides good governance and leadership: 1. understanding their role; 2. ensuring delivery of organisational purpose; 3. working effectively both as
8 www.voscur.org
• finding and recruiting new board members to meet the
document
guidance/good_governance_
The Code is based on six key
and valid
• providing suitable induction for new board members • providing all board members
• setting and safeguarding the vision, values and reputation of • overseeing the work of the organisation • managing and supporting staff and volunteers where
in relation to skills, experience and diversity
organisation and in terms of:
the organisation
organisation’s changing needs
with opportunities for training and development according to their needs • periodically reviewing their performance both as individuals and as a team.
applicable.
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Support Hub: Finance and Governance Principle four: an effective board will exercise effective control
• safeguard and promote the organisation’s reputation • act according to high ethical standards
• the organisation understands and complies with all legal and
• identify, understand and
regulatory requirements that
manage conflicts of interest
apply to it
and loyalty
• the organisation continues to
• maintain independence of decision making
have good internal financial and management controls
• deliver impact that best meets
which the organisation is exposed and has systems to manage those risks • delegation to committees,
Principle six: an effective board will be open and accountable • open communications,
staff and volunteers (as
informing people about the
applicable) works effectively
organisation and its work
and the use of delegated
• appropriate consultation on significant changes to
authority is properly supervised.
the organisation’s services
Principle five: an effective board will behave with integrity
others with an interest in the organisation’s work • handling complaints constructively, impartially and effectively • considering the organisation’s responsibilities to the wider community, e.g. its environmental impact.
the needs of beneficiaries.
• it regularly identifies and reviews the major risks to
beneficiaries, service users and
or policies • listening and responding to the
For the full version of the Good Governance Code please see: www.supporthub.org.uk/sites/ supporthub.org.uk/files/Good %20Governance%202010.pdf or for the Good Governance Code website: www. goodgovernancecode.org.uk
views of supporters, funders,
Resources to help improve your funding and financial stability Is your organisation fully aware
such as ‘Financial Procedures’
of the financial procedures it
and ‘How to Write a
should have in place? Managing
Fundraising Strategy.’
financial affairs can be a daunting prospect for organisations particularly in the current climate which presents additional challenges for generating income. The Support Hub website has a range of resources for groups to help improve your funding and financial stability. We have produced a number of fact sheets
You can also find tools to assess whether your organisation
Finance Forum in February will be looking at VAT and Charities with an expert from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – see diary page 32 for details
is ready for commissioning, or health check your organisation’s financial procedures. The site includes a range of useful links to agencies and other resources. For more information please see: www.supporthub.org.uk
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
Support Hub Training Tips for More Successful Fundraising, Costing Your Project, and Developing a Fundraising Strategy – see pages 16 and 17 for details
www.voscur.org
9
Support Hub: Commissioning
New NAVCA guide, At Your Bidding – useful commissioning information for trustees A recent guide – NAVCA’s At Your Bidding – for charity trustees should help with improved understanding of commissioning. Mark Hubbard (Compact Liaison Officer), who works with commissioners and the VCS, reviews the guide for The Support Hub and adds Bristol context. I was pleased to see this guide, which is aimed at the trustees of smaller charities and those new to public service delivery. It is a useful summary of commissioning for trustees, which covers • implications and impact of commissioning • the differences between ‘grant funding’ and competitive tendering/ commissioning processes • issues for trustees to consider • how to become ‘contract ready’ • managing risks, and • many signposts to useful resources. It provides a good mixture of guidance, challenges (what the authors think trustees need to consider), hints and tips and useful links. Generally, I think this is a very useful guide and it should help Bristol trustees better understand and consider their organisational responses to commissioning. There are, however, a few things to bear
10 www.voscur.org
in mind about the guide. It is ... • an introduction and it is not possible to include all details about commissioning and procurement. • about commissioning in general and, of course, cannot include specifics about commissioning in Bristol. • not about decommissioning – this is an important aspect and the guide would have been improved with this information. • in a rapidly changing policy landscape, especially the new Localism Act, the Health and Social Care Bill, and the Open Public Services White Paper; things are changing fast. The other main point I would make is that the guide is rather limited in how it presents VCS roles in commissioning. There is a focus on the tender/procurement/ purchasing part and little mention of the different roles that VCS organisations can have throughout the commissioning cycle (analyse-plan-do-review*). It almost promotes a passive role of VCS; rather than the active, collaborative engagement that is forming in Bristol’s commissioning developments. In my opinion, the VCS should not be seen (or see itself) as a passive player simply waiting for contract opportunities;
Bristol’s VCS and commissioners should be working collaboratively to develop commissioning plans that are informed by the VCS’s excellent understanding of community needs and what works. When those are built into early stages (analyse-plan), the contracting/procurement (do stage) will present better opportunities for the VCS. There are several other points (for example, about consortia, TUPE) that I believe are relevant to Bristol VCS organisations but missing or not emphasised in the guide. I have provided a detailed commentary on a pdf version of the Guide so that Bristol trustees can see how the guide can help them, especially in the light of commissioning developments in Bristol.
*For more information, see article in Thrive Sept 2010 issue: http://issuu. com/voscur/docs/commissioingprocurement-sept-nov2010 To see the guide and more detailed commentary on it: www.bristolcompact.org.uk/ news/at-your-bidding
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Support Hub: Commissioning
Bristol City Council’s Baseline Standards finalised After a period of consulting with Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations, Bristol City Council has released its revised Baseline Standards for the sector. The purpose of the revised standards is “to safeguard the City Council’s investment in the VCS and ensure that all Bristol City Council funded organisations are well managed and provide good quality services.” It is important that Baseline Standards are seen as central to a healthy and sustainable organisation. Organisations will need to be able to demonstrate that policies and procedures are an ‘active’ part of the running of the organisation and are reviewed regularly. The standards cover the following areas and include suggested ways for organisations to meet the standards. Baseline Standard 1: Governance Baseline Standard 2: Financial Management Baseline Standard 3: Equalities Baseline Standard 4: Employment Baseline Standard 5: Insurance Baseline Standard 6: Service User Involvement and Participation
Baseline Standard 8: Information Sharing Baseline Standard 9: Health, Safety & Wellbeing Baseline Standard 10: Safeguarding Baseline Standard 11: Monitoring and Evaluation Baseline Standard 12: Environmental management and sustainability In November 2011, the revised Baseline Standards were approved by Bristol City Council’s Enabling Commissioning Board. There is a plan for the standards to be reflected in the standardised Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and apply to all public, private and VCS organisations that have contracts or funding agreements with Bristol City Council. Achievement and active implementation of these standards will demonstrate to funders, investors, service users and members alike, that your organisation is well run. To read and download a copy of the baseline standards from the Support Hub website follow this link: www.supporthub.org.uk/sites/ supporthub.org.uk/files/BCCBaseline-Standards-sept2011.pdf
Baseline Standard 7: Complaints
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
We know that it is a challenge for some organisations to meet the Equalities standard, that is, to ensure that their Equalities practice is up to date and their collection of Equalities data reflects current requirements. The Support Hub’s Equalities training will help your organisation to get it right. Equalities Monitoring – Getting it Right Monday, 30 January 2012, 9:30am-1:00pm Many organisations have concerns about asking their service users for equalities information. Organisations need this information in order to understand who they are reaching and how to reach a wider audience. Updating your Equality and Diversity Policy Tuesday 13 March 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm The Equality Act 2010 brought in new legislation and this means organisations need to be clear about how that impacts on their service. This course will help you to review your Equality and Diversity Policy. See pages 16 & 17 for more courses and booking information.
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11
Support Hub: BOOST
Do you need a bit of a Boost! for the New Year? Jennifer Stevenson, Boost! PR volunteer: “I’ve never worked for a charity before and I’m really enthused by the nature of the work.” Lesley Willmott, Clinical Manager, KWADS – Supporting Drug & Alcohol Affected Families: “It’s been wonderful! We have really made a lot of progress in such a short time, whereas before we weren’t sure what to do.”
“So Regina, tell me, how did you
The aim of the programme is
year. The staff at KWADS has an
get on with that radio interview?
for the volunteer to make a big
interest in and some creative ideas
I want to hear all about it.” So
difference to an area of work
around media work, but they
begins another eventful day for
in a short space of time, usually
often find themselves too busy to
Jennifer (Jenny) Stevenson as a
over a few weeks or months, and
take them forward.
Boost! PR volunteer at KWADS,
to give other staff or volunteers
where she has been volunteering
at the organisation the skills
for just over a month. As a
and confidence to carry on with
journalist and editor with many
that work in the longer term. In
years’ experience, she is finding
return, they gain the reward of
that her media skills are highly
helping to make an impact for
valuable to a busy charity such
the voluntary organisation and
as KWADS.
utilising or developing their hard-
The Boost! programme, which is being run by Volunteer Bristol for The Support Hub matches volunteers with specialist professional skills with voluntary
Jenny describes her current situation as juggling “job hunting and trying to use my professional skills and also perhaps stretching them into new areas.” She wants to keep these skills alive whilst
won specialist skills. Volunteers need to have at least two years of work experience and want to work with the organisation to increase its capacity in the chosen area.
also being able help a group doing worthwhile work. It was important for her to have current work that she was happy with that she can then refer to when looking for paid employment. “For a small organisation I think the main
organisations who are small, in
Jenny’s role involves helping the
thing is having someone whose
crisis, or who work with vulnerable
organisation with PR, Media and
focus is Media & PR because
people. A Boost! volunteer may
Communications. Her tasks range
they are unlikely to be able to
have a background in fundraising,
from writing media releases,
afford to have someone to do
business planning, finance,
training and supporting staff in
this”, she says.
photography or many other
undertaking radio and television
professional work fields which can
interviews, communicating
be important to a voluntary or
changes in organisational focus,
community organisation.
to developing a PR plan for the
12 www.voscur.org
KWADS is a small charity, based in Knowle West, but who support the whole of Bristol. Their aim
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Support Hub: BOOST Photos courtesy: Christina Meyer-King – www.christaimages.com
Jennifer Stevenson, Boost! PR volunteer at her desk
Jenny discussing radio interviewing techniques with Regina from KWADS
is to help families affected by
group, and we had some nice
drug and alcohol abuse. With a
coverage for this.”
dedicated team of seven staff, and supported by the work of volunteers, they were keen to have someone to assist with media work. Lesley Willmott, Clinical Manager at KWADS, co-ordinates Jenny’s work and has been pleased to see how the charity’s work is being more widely communicated. She explains “Families and carers are often hidden, as drug and alcohol users are usually stigmatised, but helping the supporters can also mean more help for the user. It takes a long time for people to seek help themselves and some may have lived with a problem for many years and are at the end of their tether. Jenny wrote a media release timed to coincide
For organisations or individuals interested in the Boost! programme there are some steps to go through to make sure that the organisation is eligible and that the volunteer can support them in the required way. So that as many organisations as possible can be helped, only one Boost! volunteer can be placed with an organisation each year. Some preparation and flexibility is needed on both sides, but the rewards can be significant for both too. Jenny has found the organisation very welcoming and is enjoying keeping her skills alive, whilst Lesley says that she wouldn’t hesitate to host another Boost! volunteer.
with Alcohol Awareness week (14-20 Nov), where we could communicate clearly how the charity was assisting our client
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
Could your organisation do with a Boost! or perhaps you think you might like to become a Boost! volunteer? If so, please contact Anja Dalton, Boost! Project Coordinator at Volunteer Bristol. 0117 989 7734 | 07963 831882 | boost@volunteerbristol.org.uk | www.volunteerbristol.org.uk
www.voscur.org
13
Support Hub: Training and learning
It’s the New Year – time for some training! Training for new groups Bristol has a thriving voluntary and community sector, with over 1000 organisations already in existence and new ones springing to life. What about support for these infant organisations? An organisation’s early days are a vital stage requiring a range of skills and effective leadership. You will need to look at vision, policies, fundraising, marketing, finances and legal structures. Getting it right from the start is the way to make organisations grow and
During the training you will:
develop with good health.
• Get new ideas to develop
“Kick Start your Organisation”, a new 6 session course, starting 31
Fundraising courses for you, whatever your needs. Funding sources for the
your group
voluntary and community
• Find out how to provide
January, is aimed at new groups or
evidence to funders, investors
sector are becoming scarcer.
groups that have been running for
and volunteers of the need for
New and innovative ways to
some time but need to focus on
your services
raise funds is a must for most
what next. It will help you get going and give you all you need to have in place to make sure your ideas are put into action. It has been developed so that groups can work in line with Bristol City Council’s (BCC) baseline standards (see page 11). Meeting these standards will help with future funding and commissioning opportunities.
• Make a clear plan of practical
organisations today. The Support
next steps for your group
Hub fundraising courses will take
• Network with other groups at a similar stage • Learn about quality standards for organisations • Find out how you can get further support
you through all the stages of fundraising to help you focus your attention on what works best for you.
Courses include • Tips for Successful Fundraising
Run by skilled development
• Commissioning and Outcomes
workers, with over 20 years’
• Prove it – convincing funders
experience of working in the
your project is needed
sector – don’t risk missing out
• Costing your Project
on this course!
• Ten steps to the perfect tender • Developing a Fundraising strategy
14 www.voscur.org
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Support Hub: Training and learning Support Hub Marketing Courses. When Bristol City Council carried out a sector needs analysis in 2009-10, a significant number of organisations identified marketing support as a need. Two years on and organisations are still coming to the Support Hub to ask for help to promote their organisations. In response, we are running two marketing courses: Marketing on a Shoestring and Developing a Marketing strategy. See pages 16 & 17.
Free places on courses We have a number of free places on all of our courses and have developed new criteria in response to need.
Since February 2011, the Support Hub has delivered training courses to over 200 people. Here’s what some participants had to say: From “Making the Most of the Media” July 2011 • Fantastic quality training, very knowledgeable and balanced approach to training • The trainer was excellent, she involved everyone and shared her expertise, wit and warmth in a very encouraging and
Full Voscur members can get a
informative manner.
free place, provided you meet 2 of the following criteria: • You are a new group (less than 2 years old) • Have a turnover of less than £50,000 per year • Are providing services for people/ groups in areas of deprivation or for equalities communities. If you qualify for a free place on a course, call us on 0117 909 9949.
From “How to deal with difficult issues in volunteer management” July 2011 • Excellent training and Excellent trainers • Interactive and enjoyable training that I would recommend • Excellent training that provides useful information.
From “Handling Disciplinaries and Grievances” May 2011 • I really got a lot out of this training. It has given me the knowledge that I can take and use in my role • Excellent session, very informative and comprehensive. HR is so hard to get a handle on.
To find out more and how to book see page 16.
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
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15
Support Hub: Training and learning programme
Support Hub Training Courses Prove it! – Convincing funders your project is needed FULL
Commissioning and Outcomes
Wednesday 11 January 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm
Outcomes and commissioning go hand in hand. In order to understand how your organisation can engage in commissioning, you will need to understand outcomes. This course is aimed at people with some understanding of income generation, fundraising or tendering.
This basic course will equip you with the skills and resources you can use to prove to funders there is a need for your new or existing project.
Ten Steps to the Perfect Tender Tuesday 24 January 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm This session will help you focus on Bristol City Council’s pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and invitation to tender, as well as highlighting the steps your organisation needs to take to make a successful proposal.
Equalities Monitoring – Getting it Right Monday 30 January 2012, 9:30am-1:00pm Many organisations have concerns about asking their service users for equalities information. Organisations need this information in order to understand who they are reaching and how to reach a wider audience.
Kick Start your Organisation 6 evening sessions starting Tuesday 31 January 2012 Are you a group of people with an idea for an organisation but don’t know where to start? Or Has your group been running for some time and needs to focus on what next? This six week course will help you to get your group running or make it more active. It is aimed at new groups and those that have been running for less than two years.
Thursday 2 February 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm
Tips for more successful Fundraising Thursday 23 February 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm This intermediate course will help you develop your fundraising skills. You will need some experience of fundraising but want to know more about writing successful funding applications.
Costing your Project Tuesday 6 March 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm This course will give you an introduction to the theory and methods of Full Cost Recovery (FCR) to ensure projects are costed effectively. This is for anyone who needs to know more about how to cost projects, unit costs and FCR.
Updating your Equality and Diversity Policy Tuesday 13 March 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm The Equality Act 2010 brought in new legislation and this means organisations need to be clear about how that impacts on their service. This course will help you to review your Equality and Diversity Policy.
Developing a Fundraising Strategy Wednesday 21 March 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm This course will help experienced fundraisers focus on developing a fundraising strategy for your organisation and action plan for future development.
To book onto any of these courses or to find out more please go to www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub. To book over the phone or find out if you can get a free place call us on 0117 909 9949.
16 www.voscur.org
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Support Hub: Training and learning programme Don’t miss out! In response to your requests, we are running new marketing courses in 2012. Marketing on a Shoestring Tuesday 28 February 2012, 9:30am-4.00pm This Workshop will cover: • The basics of marketing • Key messages • Developing a useful brand • Enhancing and maintaining a positive organisational image • Using free media to promote your organisation • Getting the right message across to the right people • Producing effective marketing materials
Developing a Marketing Strategy (2 day course) 27 & 28 March 2012 9:30am-4.00pm This event will cover: • Setting marketing objectives • The importance of branding • Developing Unique Selling Points (USPs) • Matching the message to the medium • Developing key marketing messages • Development of a marketing strategy • Communicating effectively with target audiences • Action planning
Sayer Vincent, consultants and auditors, is offering Voscur Full Members the opportunity to access their current courses and seminars. Sayer Vincent was established over 25 years ago specifically to work with charities and social enterprises and are committed to the charity and not-for-profit sector. Voscur is pleased to offer these events half price. You will need to make sure you are a Full member and use your membership number when you book. For further information and to book please visit: www.sayervincent.co.uk
Upcoming courses: Trustee Responsibilities Thursday 26 January 2012, 9:30am-12:30pm This session is ideal as an induction for new trustees or a refresher for existing trustees, explaining the responsibilities and duties of charity trustees. Venue: Orchard Street Business Centre, Central Bristol Costs: A limited number of reduced fee places available to Voscur Full Members at £37.50 plus VAT, please provide your membership number in the notes section of the booking form.
Preventing fraud with good controls Wednesday 29 February 2012, 9:30am-12:30pm This session will look at effective controls to prevent fraud, ways to detect fraud and then response plans if you do suspect fraud. Venue: Orchard Street Business Centre, Central Bristol Costs: A limited number of reduced fee places available to Voscur Full Members at £37.50 plus VAT, please provide your membership number in the notes section of the booking form.
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
www.voscur.org
17
Bristol Compact
Working together to work better together With diminishing resources, there are increasing pressures for the VCS to work collaboratively. Mark Hubbard (Compact Liaison Officer) who works with public sector commissioners and VCS groups, reports on the positive development of tools to support Bristol collaborations. Context
the need to support the
contracts. This means that
The reduction in funds available
provider market* in developing
many VCS organisations will
for public service delivery is
collaborative working. The
need to work collaboratively
leading to increased pressure
following examples illustrate
if they are to continue to
on commissioners and service
the shift.
deliver BYL services. BYL
providers. That pressure,
• Big Lottery’s Improving
commissioners and Voscur held a ‘speed-networking’ event and
alongside some assumptions
Futures and Improving
that are commonly attached
Financial Confidence
to collaborative working such
programmes – these new
as, collaborative working offers
funds made it necessary for
better value for money and
a VCS collaboration to have
improved integration of services,
endorsement and involvement
is leading to fewer and larger
of the local authority. There
contracts. There is also an
was, therefore, a need for
assumption that, in managing
some facilitation of Bristol’s
fewer contracts, the resources
response, so that the sector
needed in contract management
could collaborate and make
will be lessened.
strategic proposals through a
The drivers for collaboration are
fair and open process. These
coming from several sources
activities were facilitated by an
(including Big Lottery as well as
independent project team**
the state) and consequently,
and resulted in proposals
it is likely that more funders
being submitted by VCS-led
will require collaborations and
collaborations.
partnerships.
• Bristol Youth Links (BYL) – this commissioning process
Recent developments
will result in more integrated
There have been several recent
services to meet children and
activities in Bristol that indicate
young people’s needs. The
a significant shift in thinking-
c. 70 current grants/contracts
commissioners now recognise
will change to 9 larger
18 www.voscur.org
published a list of organisations so that VCS organisations interested in collaborating were able to introduce themselves. This process is ongoing. • Flexible Support Fund – Bristol City Council (BCC) has received funds from Jobcentre Plus to establish a project that will support jobseekers to return to the labour market. BCC’s innovative proposal outlined the delivery by a VCS-led collaboration, instead of delivery by the local authority. A similar project team (BCC and Voscur) has formed to work with the VCS to facilitate the rapid formation of a VCS collaboration to take advantage of this £400,000 opportunity. The service should be in place Feb/Mar 2012.
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Bristol Compact
Supporting collaborations
providers will not need to develop
At the same time as those
their own agreements. It has
facilitation activities, BCC’s
been approved by BCC’s legal
Enabling Commissioning
advisors and it is recommended
Board*** has established
that providers take their own
several ‘workstreams’, one of
legal advice after being awarded
which is focusing on Market
a contract. The provision of
Development. It is working on a
this template and the timing of
set of tools (based on the learning
legal advice will mean that VCS
from the above activities) for
organisations will not need to
commissioners so that they can
spend resources on the
support and develop the market
paperwork until they know they
in forming collaborations.
have a contract.
In addition the Enabling
Another important aspect of the
Commissioning Framework will
template is that it includes Bristol
offer guidance and templates
Compact principles: full-cost
Mark Hubbard
for the VCS to use in its
recovery, payment in advance,
(Compact Liaison Officer)
collaborations. The documents
proportionate monitoring and
mark@voscur.org
include descriptions of the
evaluation, and fairness in
0117 909 9949
different forms of collaborations
decommissioning. This should set
* Provider market – range of
(listed in the information box) and,
the scene: that lead organisations
organisations/groups/companies
importantly, guidance on BCC’s
are expected to act with decency
that may wish to deliver services
procurement/commissioning
and fairness, and that smaller VCS
requirements from them. These
organisations should experience
should enable VCS organisations
fairness in their collaborations.
to take decisions about which
From a Compact perspective,
form of collaboration is most
Joint Commissioning Team,
these are very positive steps
appropriate.
Homelessness Policy and
that will help address some of
Bristol Compact.
The Consortium Agreement
the concerns and issues that VCS
template will be very useful to
organisations have reported about
Bristol’s VCS. It is intended to be
working collaboratively.
Different forms of collaborative arrangements • Lead partner consortium • Non-lead partner consortium • Sub-contracting • Special purpose vehicle • Merging • Partnership
More information www.bristolcompact.org.uk/ vcse/collaborating
** Bristol City Council (BCC) Strategic Commissioning and Procurement Service, CYPS’
*** responsible for the development and implementation of the Enabling
used in Lead partner consortium,
Commissioning Framework,
Non-lead partner consortium
BCC’s standardisation of
and Partnership arrangements.
commissioning processes.
The Enabling Commissioning
www.bristol.gov.uk/
Framework has provided this
commissioning
template so that individual
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
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19
Voice and Influence
Voice and Influence – representing the views of the voluntary and community sector Consultation ended in October on
advocate for the voluntary and
process to identify and support
the proposals for a new voluntary
community sector through clear
VCS Advocates has begun. VCS
and community sector (VCS)
communication channels showing
Advocates’ nominations are
Assembly to ensure that the VCS
how the views from the sector are
currently being identified for
in Bristol has a ‘strong voice’ and
represented.
the following decision making
can ‘influence decisions’. The consultation responses have been considered and proposals adapted to reflect the feedback. Voice and Influence activities will: • Provide a place for the VCS to network, offer mutual support, to raise and discuss issues • Influence decisions on issues of importance to the VCS • Enable clear and structured
partnerships:
Partnership – working through
• Children & Young People’s
co-operative and inclusive
Outcomes Board
partnerships. We will aim to minimise duplication, to promote unity and to encourage and
Attainment and
facilitate co-operation between
Progression Board • Children & Families Early
voluntary and community
Intervention Standing Group
organisations. Respect – working on the basis of mutual respect and demand that respect in return for and from its membership. Particpants are
the views from the VCS to be
expected to be open and honest.
• Promote good communication, networking and support for and with the VCS • Support VCS capacity building
• North Area Partnership Executive Group • South Area Partnership Executive Group
ways for consultation and represented
• Children and Young People’s
• Central and East Area Partnership
Compact – working in line with the
• Executive Group
Compact, respecting the Compact
• Health and Wellbeing Board
Codes and championing its use.
• Health and Social Care working group
Find out more about Voice and Influence
• Safer Bristol Partnership
Visit
• Commissioning Group
www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk
• Reducing Re-offending board
and Influence:
Advocates for the voluntary community sector
For full details about the
Equality and Inclusion – creative
Voice and Influence will seek to
reference for these partnerships
positive action will be undertaken
ensure that the knowledge and
and the nomination process visit
to encourage the involvement of
expertise from the voluntary
www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk
groups within the VCS who are
and community sector in Bristol
marginalised or excluded.
is engaged at decision making
Advocate – active participants will
partnerships. A nomination
to engage with decision makers • Build awareness of VCS in the public and private sector These values will underpin Voice
20 www.voscur.org
• Community Safety Joint
VCS Advocate roles, terms of
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Voice and Influence Updates from Voice and Influence Network meetings
the new ‘Assets of Community
Bristol City Council’s Adult Social Care Consultation underway
Value’ legislation were also
Bristol City Council is now
discussed. For more details and
carrying out two exercises. One
notes and resources from the
to consider residential services,
Neighbourhoods and Communities
At the November meeting we
and one to plan the future of Day
Network meeting visit www.
looked at parts of the Localism Act
Opportunities. Both consultations
voscur.org/111130networkmeeting
will run until 29th February 2012.
V&I Neighbourhoods and Communities Network
An evaluation of Bristol’s Neighbourhood Partnerships and
and what it might mean for the in November 2011 with many
V&I Health and Social Care network
of the powers due to come into
In December the H&SC Network
effect in spring 2012.
discussed concerns around Bristol
VCS. The Act received royal assent
A directly elected mayor for Bristol? Bristol is one of 13 cities that will hold referendums in May 2013 to
issues raised included: • The risks for small voluntary organisations from spot contracts (as opposed to block purchasing). • Concerns about how VCS
The N&C Network meeting
organisations will be able to
discussed the government
market the services that they
consultation on what powers
provide to people who have
directly elected mayors could
personalised budgets.
comments that were submitted as part of the government consultation: • Elected mayors may need
www.citizenspace.com/bristol
implications for VCS groups. The
having a leader of council to a
have. These are some of the
available to complete at:
City Council H&SC funding and the
decide whether to change from directly elected mayor.
A consultation questionnaire is
Voice and Influence event dates for your diary Localism Act briefing sessions
A number of participants from
in partnership with Bristol
VCS organisations will form a
City Council
working group to take these forward and develop better links
January (to be confirmed)
between Bristol City Council
for more details see
to have authority to address
Health and Social Care
www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk
issues outside of the Bristol
department and the voluntary
City Council boundaries (issues
and community sector.
Children and Young
such as transport and economic policy were highlighted). • Elected mayors should have powers to decide the cycle for election of councillors. • Whatever powers elected mayors have, it should mean
For more details, notes and resources from the Health and Social Care Network meeting resources
Peoples Network Wednesday 22 February 2012, 10am-12, The Southville Centre Neighbourhoods and
available at www.voscur.
Communities Network
org/111209networkmeeting
Thursday 15 March 2012, 5:30-
more not less decision making
8pm, Easton Community Centre
for neighbourhoods.
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
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21
Black and Minority Ethnic Voice and Influence
Improving Voice and Influence for Bristol’s Black and Minority Ethnic Communities Numerous decisions are made
V&I structures. It is keen to
voice and influence of Bristol’s BME
everyday at national and local
ensure that new structures
communities in order to develop
levels which have a profound
will have the confidence of
and foster a political climate in
impact on people’s lives. For
BME communities, be valued,
which BME communities are
Bristol’s wide and diverse Black
respected and represent a wide
represented at all decision-making
and Minority Ethnic (BME)
range of BME voices. The steering
levels within institutions, and a
communities, developing more
group is pleased to have engaged
climate in which a broad range of
effective ways in which voices
‘Skyers-Poorman Consulting’ to
voices can be heard and acted on.
can be heard will improve how
carry out consultation towards
The consultation, which began
services are planned, designed
achieving this.
in October, 2010, runs until the
and delivered to meet needs.
end of January 2012. We have
For further information and for
Statutory organisations have a
updates on the BME V&I initiative
legal duty to involve residents and
please go to our website:
community groups in decisions
www.voscur.org/VCSAssembly/
about priorities and service
BMEVoice
delivery. Voscur as Bristol’s lead
voices are integral to informing the new VCS Assembly structures and its decision making.
range of organisations and individuals by means of telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews, attendance at group meetings, on-line, visits to local shops,
infrastructure organisation is committed to ensuring that BME
been consulting with a diverse
BME voice and influence – get your voice heard
barbers, markets and a range of other ways that suit individuals and organisations. It is important that all voices are
Skyers-Poorman Research and
heard, and in particular, those
Consulting have been appointed
voices that often go unheard.
to undertake a consultation
and Voscur are accountable to,
So, please do get in contact with
with Bristol’s BME communities
either of us and let’s talk. We are
and responsive to the needs of
under the banner ‘BME Voice
flexible so let us know how you
BME communities.
and Influence.’
would like to be engaged. You can
The BME Voice & Influence
The initiative responds to a shared
(V&I) steering group was jointly
desire of BME led organisations
Telephone: 07956 572 983 or
established by Voscur and BCC as
in Bristol, the wider VCS, and
Email: sophia@skyers-morris.co.uk
a result of a public event in June
the public sector generally, to
2011; it recognises the need to
develop new and innovative
improve engagement, equality
ways of engaging. This is
and service delivery through
underpinned by the specific
effective and appropriate BME
purpose of strengthening the
It is essential that organisations such as Bristol City Council (BCC)
22 www.voscur.org
contact us by:
Sophia Skyers and Janet Poorman Skyers-Poorman Research and Consulting
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Child Poverty Strategy
Tackling Child Poverty in Bristol The Child Poverty Act 2010 sets
Poverty Act. These mainly affect
both a risk to aspirations for
targets to be met by 2020. The
the relationship between the
the city and need for ‘common
Government must focus on four
Government and the proposed
purpose’ in addressing its causes
different measures of poverty,
Social Mobility and Child
and effects. Ending child poverty
including relative income poverty.
Poverty Commission, and the
requires action from central
Children are said to be living in
requirements on the Government
and local government working
relative income poverty if their
to report annually on its progress
in partnership with voluntary
household’s income is less than 60
in reducing child poverty.
and community services, as
per cent of the average national income. In Bristol this figure is approximately 27% of the total children and young people.
Moving from the national to the local picture: the Bristol Child Poverty Strategy 2011-
well as the private sector, to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged families.
2020 recently concluded its
Youth unemployment is another
Income measures do not give
consultation period. Voscur
key concern, particularly with
the full story about the causes
circulated the draft strategy to
numbers rising quickly. A number
and consequences of childhood
voluntary and community sector
of actions are being implemented,
disadvantage. The national
members for comment. This
such as a £250 million pilot to
strategy sets out a new set of
was followed by a Children and
give employers power over skills
indicators, including, but not
Young Peoples network meeting
training, incentive payments
limited to, the income targets
in October which included
to employ young apprentices
set out in the Act.
discussion on the priorities in
and wage subsidies to employ
the strategy. These priorities
unemployed young people –
themselves arose from the needs
see the article on page 24 on
assessment carried out over the
“Backing Young Bristol”.
Tackling poverty is about more than just raising family income. It is about supporting parents into work; strengthening families so that they can support their children; and ensuring that all children have access to high quality early years education and schooling.
summer and autumn 2010. The needs assessment has also been used for the Children and Young People’s Plan and for the Bristol Safeguarding Children Board plan. It will regularly be updated – so you can continue to inform the
The Government published its
needs assessment at http://
UK-wide child poverty strategy in
bristolchildren.wordpress.com
April 2011, “A New Approach to
where you can view the draft
Child Poverty: Tackling the Causes
strategy as well.
of Disadvantage and Transforming Families’ Lives”
For details of the national Child Poverty Strategy go to www.education.gov.uk/ publications/standard/ publicationDetail/Page1/ CM%208061
The Bristol Partnership identified child poverty as one of its
In May 2011, the Government
two key priorities in 2011. This
announced proposed
acknowledges that the level of
amendments to the Child
child poverty in Bristol presents
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
www.voscur.org
23
Backing Young Bristol
Backing Young Bristol: Help Bristol Partnership Tackle Youth Unemployment Bristol Partnership’s Executive Board is asking all partners to join the Partnership’s campaign ‘Backing Young Bristol’ to reduce unemployment amongst young people. The campaign aims to increase the number of employers offering young people training and employment opportunities, and to promote youth employment, increasing awareness and publicising success stories. Young people and employment With unemployment levels rising, the challenge facing a young person in getting that vital initial work experience and finding
includes an important group of customers.
What can you do? Your organisation can play a
You can start now in supporting Bristol Partnership’s campaign
key role by:
employment is increasing. This
• Offering apprenticeship, work
early experience of working life
experience and employment
is critically important in helping a
opportunities to unemployed
Employ a young person as
young person develop the right
young people
an apprentice and help to
skills for employment, and start
• Encouraging your organisation’s
increase the number of young
to shape a career for themselves.
suppliers, sub-contractors,
people in the City starting an
Prolonged periods without
partners and networks to do
apprenticeship this year to 2,000.
employment and training at this
the same
For more information contact
time of life is known to have a
• Raising awareness of the
Mark Howard
long term damaging impact on
challenges facing young
a person’s future employment
mark.howard@apprenticeships.
people, the rewards and
prospects and income levels.
gov.uk or George Elliot
benefits of training and
george.elliot@apprenticeships.
Young people are the city’s future.
employing a young person,
gov.uk or go to
Employing and training a young
and publicise success stories
www.apprenticeships.org.uk
person helps to develop a skilled
Go to www.bristolpartnership.org
Offer a young person a work
or contact Karen King
placement
workforce to meet your future business needs and helps to make your workplace more productive. It also brings in new ideas, energy and enthusiasm to your organisation and ensures that your workforce
24 www.voscur.org
karen.king@bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2016 for more information about Backing Young Bristol and how you can get involved.
For more information contact Chris Mitchell chris.mitchell@bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2719
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Working in partnership with NAVCA – Voscur is pleased to promote this free training opportunity.
Every business matters – Wednesday 8 February 2012 9:30am-4pm, Bristol A training and information day designed to help you develop your business skills to use with groups and organisations working with children, young people and families. NAVCA is offering 15 free places for a business skills training and information day. This training and information day is for development workers in local support and development organisations who are working to support groups working with children, young people and families. The day will cover a range of topics exploring business skills and looking at how you could adapt these to support the groups and organisations you work with in your local community. The course will look at: • Branding
• Competition
• Marketing
• Pricing
• Entrepreneurship
• Business planning
Time: 9.30-4pm
Date: Wednesday 8 February 2012
Venue: The Terrace Room, Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol, BS5 0AX. (http://www.bartonhillsettlement.org.uk)
Please email events@navca.org.uk for more information.
Neighbourhood Planning
Local groups take back the power The government’s Localism Act includes proposals for Neighbourhood Plans (NP) where local residents and/or local businesses can come together to draw up proposals. The government announced a number of Neighbourhood Planning ‘Front Runner’ pilot schemes in Bristol. These are in Bedminster (Myrtle Triangle BS3), Redcliffe (Redcliffe Futures), and Lockleaze (Lockleaze Voice Neighbourhood Planning Forum).
We asked Ben Barker from the
land owners for much of the site,
site. Buildings would also bring in
BS3 Planning Group to explain
would normally be looking for
some revenue to offset securing
how one of the ‘Front Runner’
short-term financial return from
most of the site as an open green
Neighbourhood Planning projects
the sale of surplus land.
space. An alternative to housing
is going.
Name: Myrtle Triangle BS3 Location: Land around Myrtle Street, off North Street, Bedminster.
The BS3 Planning group, and
What is the Myrtle Triangle? The Myrtle Triangle is near Myrtle Street in the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership. Some of it is privately owned, but most, an area about the size of College Green, belongs to Bristol City Council (BCC). Currently, it
spoken with would like to see a park rather than, say, flats or a car
The BS3 Planning Group is also
park. However, a park would not
working with the University
generate profits, so this option will
of Bristol and have four
not come from developers, nor
civil engineering students
be particularly attractive to BCC.
looking at possible alternative
Ideas for the space are beginning
energy sources that might be
to emerge from the BS3 Planning
incorporated into any plans.
Group’s discussions, these initial ideas include:
older people.
• Improve walking routes to the
people’s home, but a final decision has not been made. Normally, speculating developers might be buzzing around looking for potentially profitable sites that might be coming up for redevelopment. The Council, as
26 www.voscur.org
option with a local GP partnership.
Who else has been involved in the site?
• keep existing trees on the site
The Council may close the older
the groups are also discussing this
people who’ve been leafleted, and
contains Hayleigh, a home for
What are the future plans the site?
might be a Wellbeing Centre and
How would local people like the site to be developed?
North Street shops • Create a space for children to play.
How effective will the Neighbourhood Planning powers be? As a ‘Front Runner’ project we’re testing the proposals in the Localism Act and have been following its rules – although the
The discussions have considered
rules and guidance have not been
whether there should be new or
finalised. The effectiveness of
existing buildings as part of the
this legislation and the reality of
plan. Some new houses along
its claim to transfer ‘downwards’
the edge of the site would give
remain uncertain. But, the BS3
some passive surveillance for
Planning group and local people
what is otherwise a secluded
would be pressing for a new
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Neighbourhood Planning
Ben Barker, BS3 planning group
Hayleigh
Find out more Details of the Neighbourhood Planning proposals can be found in the Plain English Guide to the Localism Act on the Department for Communities and Local Government website: Myrtle Street
www.communities.gov.uk/ documents/localgovernment/
park on this site, even if the
To find out more about the
Localism Bill didn’t exist. The
Myrtle Triangle BS3 project
pdf/1923416.pdf
Neighbourhood Planning powers
contact Ben Barker
Frequently asked questions
may help us deliver one, but it’s
(BS3 Planning Group).
about Neighbourhood Planning
too soon to say.
benbarker@blueyonder.co.uk
on the Planning Advisory service
0117 963 3652
website: www.pas.gov.uk/pas/ core/page.do?pageId=1240896
Bristol’s other ‘Front Runner’ Neighbourhood Planning projects are:
Bristol Neighbourhood
Redcliffe
Lockleaze
The Neighbourhood Planning
The Redcliffe Futures group
Lockleaze Voice Neighbourhood
Network (NPN) is a network of
is leading the project. The site
Planning Forum is leading this
voluntary groups within the
incorporates the land along
project.
Bristol area, working together
Redcliffe Way and is adjacent to a number of significant historic buildings including
The Lockleaze site is focused around Gainsborough Square.
Planning Network
to help themselves and each other get better involvement in how their neighbourhoods are
St Mary Redcliffe church and
developed, through the planning
Chatterton’s House.
system: www.bristolnpn.net
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
www.voscur.org
27
Community First Fund and Community Organisers
Community First – Neighbourhood Match Fund The Office for Civil Society (OCS)
amount of in-kind donations (this
Partnership panels already have
launched the Community First
means donations of cash, services,
the involvement of local people
Neighbourhood Match Fund
free products or volunteer time).
including councillors, they
in October which will provide
The total funding allocated to
have the processes required
small grants for community-led
each ward is the total to be
to deliver small grant funding
projects, in targeted communities
spent over a 4 year period. The
and monitoring, and the
in Bristol. Di Robinson, Bristol
intention is that the fund will
Neighbourhood Partnerships
City Council’s Service Director for
work at a neighbourhood level by
also already have neighbourhood
Neighbourhoods and Communities
the creation of Community First
priority plans.
writes about this funding and how
Panels in each of the areas. The
decisions about how it is spent will
panels will need to bring people
be made.
together to decide how funds
The Community First Fund has been allocated to wards with significant levels of deprivation and low social capital (as assessed by government teams).
Bristol City Council have agreed this approach with CDF, as well as discussing this with voluntary
should be used strategically in their local area to meet identified needs. The Panels are also required to: • have an active web presence
community sector partners locally who agreed it made sense to use the existing structures. The Council is currently waiting for some feedback from CDF
The funding programme is
through a community website
regarding when the work can
being managed nationally by
or a blog
start and if any other groups
the Community Development
• match funds with their time,
in the areas have shown an
Foundation (CDF) but decisions
money or other resources on
interest so we can make those
about how it is spent will be made
a 1:1 basis
connections. Once next steps are
locally in each area.
• create a neighbourhood
The wards in Bristol included in this programme are as follows:
confirmed, the Council will use
plan which seeks to improve
our Neighbourhood Partnership
the quality of life in the
networks and those of VCS
neighbourhoods, including
partners to advertise the funds
Ashley £50,865
everyone’s voice in shaping
in those areas.
Avonmouth £33,910
the future.
Bishopsworth £33,910 Easton £33,910 Henbury £33,910 Hillfields £33,910 Lawrence Hill
£33,910
St George West
£33,910
Whitchurch Park
£50,865
Bristol City Council has been
the Community First Fund
approached to support the
please contact:
development of these panels,
CommunityFirst@cdf.org.uk
as local authority involvement is a requirement as well as the involvement of local councillors. The council has decided to
The money awarded is a matched
initially register the existing
fund programme, which means
Neighbourhood Partnership
that every £1 provided in funding
Wellbeing Panels as Community
must be matched by a similar
First Panels. The Neighbourhood
28 www.voscur.org
For further information about
For information regarding progress in your specific area, or for more information about Wellbeing Funds and Neighbourhood Partnerships please use the website at www. myneighbourhoodbristol.com
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Community First Fund and Community Organisers
Bristol’s Community Organisers hit the streets Bristol has 4
The Bristol Community Organisers are:
of the first of the 47 people
Name: Rebecca Cant
recruited to
Area: Barton Hill
be trained as
For more details visit: cocollaborative.org.uk/users/rebecca-cant
Community Organisers as part of the
Name: Steve Crozier
government funded programme.
Area: Easton
The recruits will be trained from
For more details visit: cocollaborative.org.uk/users/steve-crozier
now until 2015 and they will be based in local groups (in Bristol this is Barton Hill Settlement), bringing people together around various local issues. It is hoped that the Organisers will be involved in assisting communities to take
Name: Richard Parkes Area: Southmead For more details visit: cocollaborative.org.uk/users/richard-parkes Name: Leo Singer Area: St Pauls
advantage of the Community
Find out more: Locality has launched a website where you can find out
First Fund.
more about the community organisers. Visit: cocollaborative.org.uk
Barton Hill Settlement is hosting the Bristol Community Organisers
Issue 15  January / Febuary / March 2012
www.voscur.org
29
Member Profile: Crisis Centre Ministries
The Secret Millionaire Experience Lots of people in Bristol watched the ‘Secret Millionaire’ when the programme visited the city. Crisis Centre Ministries was fortunate to be chosen as one of the three charities. We have been asked to describe the impact it had on us, and to provide an update on what’s happened since then. Setting the scene
area which could seat 14 people if
generous, and gave us £100,000
We are a Christian charity which,
they were friendly. It worked, but
for the new building, plus another
since 1984, has tried to help
a lot of the time we had to serve
£25,000 for other purposes.
anyone in Bristol with ‘life-
the food in takeaway trays as there
disrupting’ problems such as
was no place to sit. This seriously
The New Building
homelessness, addiction and
limited the help we could offer.
To cut a long story short, we
mental health issues. Amongst other things, we run the Wild Goose, a drop-in centre for homeless people. We think the Wild Goose is the oldest project of its kind in the country. That’s something to be proud of!
raised the remaining money and
The Secret Millionaire
bought the ex-pub. Renovation
For several years, we had been
and conversion cost more than
looking for a suitable building
initially estimated (surprise!), and
which could provide the Wild
the whole project was completed
Goose with the space it needed.
for almost exactly £500,000.
Finally, in 2009 we found it – a pub
Dawn’s gift helped us with the
in Stapleton Road. We liked the
fundraising, and the publicity from
For all this time, we have been
idea of using an ex-pub to help
the programme must have played
providing free and cheap food
alcoholics. We had no money in the
a significant part, too. The Wild
to people with life-disrupting
bank, but prayed and decided to
Goose moved in November 2010,
problems – not just those
go ahead and try to buy it.
and the offices moved into the
sleeping rough, but anyone without a proper home, without access to cooking facilities, or money for food.
Then a TV production company
space upstairs in April 2011.
asked if they could do a little
The new building is wonderful:
filming for a programme on
the new kitchen is a reasonable
volunteering. Not wishing to
size, and the dining area can seat
The aim is to help people move
sound too blasé about it, this
40 people comfortably, with
on; we do it by love, unconditional
is something we are fairly used
comfortable chairs at the ends for
acceptance and really good, tasty
to: the BBC and ITV have both
those who are not eating. We have
food. We also do lots more – see
recorded items on our premises
space for outside people to come
the box opposite for some details.
on several occasions, as well as
in and provide additional services,
For some time, with the help of
numerous smaller production
ranging from a health clinic to a
around 250 regular volunteers,
companies.
library. Our clients can come and
we have been serving around 300
So they came and filmed for
meals most days at the Wild Goose,
a week, then told us who they
out of a small building in St Pauls –
were. Dawn Gibbins, the ‘Secret
We are now regularly serving
a kitchen which was crowded with
Millionaire,’ was wonderfully
over 400 meals in a day, but the
eat at tables, and then sit and chat afterwards.
three people in it, and a dining
30 www.voscur.org
January / Febuary / March 2012 Issue 15
Member Profile: Crisis Centre Ministries
point of having better facilities
in the Congregational Church
is not to serve more food – it is
next door, the LITE Course (see
to enable us to care for people
the box) has moved back on
more effectively. We can always
site, and we have just started to
do more, and we can always do
use the same space overnight
better, but feedback from the folk
(currently two nights a week) to
who use our service says the move
open a Ladies’ Night Shelter as a
has been a great success. Last
partial replacement for the one
year, we served around 90,000 hot
the Council have just closed. The
meals and helped 247 people into
challenges continue …
supported accommodation. A year on, and we are able to help
For more information, please visit www.crisis-centre.org.uk.
more people than ever before. With the support of the people
Issue 15 January / Febuary / March 2012
Other projects include: • The LITE Course (‘Lifeskills and Initial Training for Employment’) – this teaches people how to keep their accommodation, and how to get and keep a job; and • The East Bristol Foodbank – this provides food parcels to people in food poverty, with referrals from the statutory services and other charities.
www.voscur.org
31
Voscur Ltd. Royal Oak House Royal Oak Avenue Bristol BS1 4GB
Tel: 0117 909 9949 Fax: 0117 933 0501 Email: info@voscur.org Web: www.voscur.org
Training and Events Diary — January / February / March 2012 January 2012 Date 11th
Time 9:30am-3:30pm
24th
9:30am-3:30pm
Event Prove it! Convincing funders your project is needed Ten steps to the perfect tender
30th
9:30am-1:00pm
Equalities Monitoring – Getting it right
31st
6:30pm-9:30pm
Kick Start your organisation
(6 week course)
Location St Pauls Learning Centre, Grosvenor Road, St Pauls, Bristol, BS2 8XJ Malcolm X Centre, 141 City Road, St Pauls, Bristol, BS2 8YH Easton Business Centre, Felix Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0HE St Werburghs Centre, Horley Road, Bristol, BS2 9TJ
February 2012 Date 2nd
Time 9:30am-3:30pm
Event Commissioning and Outcomes
22nd
10:00am-12:00pm
Children and Young People’s Network
23rd
9:30am-3:30pm
Meeting- Safeguarding Children and Young People Tips for more successful fundraising
28th
9:30am-3:30pm
Marketing on a Shoestring
29th
10:00am-12:30pm
VAT and Charities – Finance Forum
Location St Werburghs Centre, Horley Road, Bristol, BS2 9TJ The Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Southville, Bristol BS3 1QG @Symes, Symes District Centre, Peterson Avenue, Bristol, BS13 0BE The Gatehouse Centre, Hareclive Road, Bristol, BS13 9JN Room 209, Crescent Centre, Temple Back, Bristol, BS1 6EZ
March 2012 Date 1st 6th
Time To be confirmed 9:30am-3:30pm
Event Assembly event Costing your project
7th
6:30pm-8:30pm
13th
9:30am-3:30pm
15th
5:30pm-8:00pm
21st
9:30am-3:30pm
NEW – Trustee Network including ‘The Board as Employers’ session delivered by Charity HR. Updating your equality and diversity policy Neighbourhoods and Communities Network Developing a Fundraising Strategy
27th & 28th
9:30am-3:30pm
Developing a Marketing Strategy
Location To be confirmed Barton Hill Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, BS5 0AX To be confirmed
Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol, BS10 5PY Easton Community Centre, Kilburn Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6AW The Green House, Hereford Street, Bristol, BS3 4NA To be confirmed
For details of all the above training and events visit: www.voscur.org Company limited by Guarantee registered in England no. 3918210 Printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable based inks