2—CVAT NEWS
Just a Short Click Away Back in March, we invited a number of web designers and developers to present to us their ideas on how they could help us merge the old T3SC and Volunteer Centre Tameside into one fantastic new CVAT site that would allow visitors to access support materials, provide information, and keep us all connected. We knew from the start this would be a mammoth task but the company that won the contract, Countryscape, are not scared of a challenge. Paul Mahoney, Countryscape’s Creative Director, said: “We were delighted to have been chosen to develop the CVAT website. There’s huge potential for it to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for the voluntary
CVAT co-opts additional trustees
sector in Tameside and support the great work that’s going on locally. The website will provide a model for others to follow - and most importantly, it will benefit local people and make services easier to access. It’s a great project to work on!” Paul and his colleagues were also the team behind the CVAT logo and branding so we feel safe in the knowledge that the site will certainly have the CVAT style. The site is taking shape and following a workshop that involved some of our managers, staff, and volunteers, we have begun the task of editing and creating text, sourcing images, and testing the navigation. We want to make sure that this is a site worth visiting and provide much needed support to the voluntary sector in Tameside. We are aiming to have our new site up and running by the end of June on the new CVAT website address www.cvat.org.uk
CVAT’s new Development Service
Following the first AGM and election of trustees in January 2013, the CVAT board has undertaken a skills audit and as a result, co-opted an additional three new trustees.
The Development Service (previously the Support and Development Service) at CVAT supports over 150 organisations each year with a wide range of enquiries from starting a new group, funding, policies, finding volunteers etc.
The three co-optees are Ray Shepherd, who previously served on T3SC’s board and is a former chair of Faiths United and one of the sector representatives on the Supportive Communities partnership; Martin Collett, who until recently was head of organisational development at Tameside Council; and Lisa Ringwood, a Stalybridge resident and who currently works for Business in the Community.
We’re a busy service and meeting demand for our help is a challenge, especially when resources are also limited. To make it easier to get help there are now three key ways you can access help for your group.
These three additional trustees will bring the board to full strength and bring in additional knowledge and skills.
86%
of organisations were satisfied with the support available from CVAT (Greater Manchester average was 79%).
1. We are designing ‘self service’ area within the new CVAT website where you can access information 24/7. 2. One to one ‘Development Service Surgeries’ are still available but we will be clear about how much time we can spend helping your group. 3. Chargeable services (e.g. support producing a business plan or bespoke training etc) for when you require intensive support (at affordable rates). We’re still at the end of the phone and happy to answer your queries. Please contact Naomi on 0161 339 4985 email naomi.sampson@cvat.org.uk