Supporting voluntary and community action
January / February / March 2015
In this issue: Celebrating the sector at Voscur’s AGM and ‘The Voscurs’ The future’s bright: the future’s volunteering… Gear up for green: Bristol as the new Green Capital 2015 New organisations changing lives Upcoming training And more…
Meera Pandya gives a stirring speech in her father’s memory as she presents the new Batook Pandya Award for Inclusion at Voscur’s AGM in October.
ice v r e ws e N
5 01 2 for
Reach your fundraising targets Funding Application Review Service In response to requests from members, Voscur is pleased to offer independent, informed advice to support your fundraising. The service will provide constructive, timely feedback on grant/funding “We got really good applications to increase: feedback that helped us the quality of your bid keep improving. We have now received 3 grants your chances of success from 5 bids so we’re really your confidence in explaining your project’s impact/outcomes happy with the support.” Trinity Community Gardens your own skills and learning for future applications price based on price for to non* Fixed * Discounted * Available the value of your bid. Voscur members. Voscur members.
For details, go to www.voscur.org/fars or call 0117 909 9949
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2 www.voscur.org
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Contents Voscur
Voice and Influence
3 Contents
20
The Future of Bristol’s Local Libraries
4 Editorial
21
Residents Shaping the World Around Them
6-7
Voscur’s AGM and Conference
22-23 National Wake-up on Wellbeing
8-9
The Voscurs 2014 – Bristol’s Voluntary Sector Awards
24
Shape Local Community Health Services for Children and Young People
25
Voluntary and Community Sector Advocates
10-11 Bristol BME Voice: Knowledge and Share
Volunteer Bristol
Contributions
12-13 The Future’s Bright for Volunteering in Bristol 14
The Boost! Programme: Making Development Possible
Support Hub 16-17 Support Hub Events and Training
26
Green Volunteering
27
The LEP Next Steps
28
Another great Compact Week for Bristol
29
Bristol Compact: Helping Things Get Better
30-31 UNISON – Committed to Achieving Equality in our Workplaces, in our Union and Across Society
18-19 New Perspectives, New Solutions
Keep up to date with Voscur online:
www.facebook.com/voscur
twitter.com/voscur
www.linkedin.com/company/voscur
www.youtube.com/voscur
Thrive! is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine. If you require it in another format, please get in touch on 0117 909 9949. Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
www.voscur.org
3
Dear Members and Colleagues, Agreement with Bristol City Council for its core services. 2003: Voscur plays its part in delivering the Government’s Neighbourhood Renewal agenda including facilitating VCS representation on the Bristol Partnership board and sub groups. Voscur starts delivering training to the sector.
I am delighted to introduce Thrive! at the start of Voscur’s twentieth year. Over the last two decades, Voscur has grown from an organisation focused on urban regeneration, to a charity whose objectives are to represent, develop and support the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). Voscur over the years 1995: Voluntary Organisations Standing Conference on Urban Regeneration (VOSCUR) is established and facilitates geographical networks. 2000: Equalities Network is established. VOSCUR is incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee. 2001: VOSCUR registers as a Council for Voluntary Service with the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA). 2002: VOSCUR changes its name to Voscur and signs a Service Level
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2005: Voscur leads the Bristol ChangeUp Consortium, bringing together key infrastructure agencies to develop and implement joined-up support services to front-line voluntary sector organisations. 2008: Voscur is accredited with NAVCA’s Quality Award, delivering excellence and making a difference across five standards of infrastructure functions. Voscur is funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to deliver Equalities projects in Bristol. 2011: Voscur is awarded the Bristol City Council Infrastructure Support Service Project contract, securing the delivery of capacitybuilding support and voice and influence services. 2013: After partnership working, Voscur and Volunteer Bristol join forces and merge. It’s been an eventful and varied 19 years! Above all, Voscur unites organisations and individuals across the city to promote a strong, resilient and influential
voluntary sector and we look forward to continuing the journey with you. With best wishes for 2015. Richard Pendlebury MBE DL Chair, Voscur Board of Trustees
Dedication Stephen Hewitt (1957-2014) – Dedicated and Passionate Advocate for the Voluntary Sector. The Voscur team would like to pay tribute to Stephen Hewitt, who sadly passed away on 24 October 2014. We will miss his forthright approach, his warmth and his generosity with the time he gave to his work – working ultimately to improve the lives of people and local communities. We extend our sympathy to Stephen’s family and friends.
Key to symbols Equalities Article Training Information & Resources Event
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Fun� it ! What's on your fundraising horizon for 2015? Take a day out to decide what your funding might look like for the next few years ...
kshops:* r o W
» New local funds » Collaboration » Crowdfunding » Online fundraising » Commissioning
» Big Lottery » Lloyds Foundation » Quartet Foundation » Children in Need » Institute of Fundraising » Burton Sweet
Clear, useful, up to date info. Good expertise. Great networking.^
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9.30 - 4.00 | Wednesday 11 February 2015 | Bristol Watershed £65 (or £115 for two) if you book by 31 January. £80 in February. www.voscur.org/fundit2015 #fundit15 * to be confirmed
‘Thriving, Vibrant and Buzzing’ — Voscur’s AGM and Conference Voscur’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference started with a reminder from Wendy Stephenson (Voscur’s Chief Executive) of the critical importance of an independent voluntary sector infrastructure organisation during these challenging times. She said: “Independent comment, critique and challenge is vital as we see more cuts to public services, more contracts, fewer grants and increased use and potential misuse of volunteers.” The AGM and conference took
Network, and Stacy Yelland, Up
was delighted to introduce
place on 22 October at the
Our Street/Easton & Lawrence
Stephen Williams, Under Secretary
Pavilion of Bristol County Cricket
Hill Neighbourhood Partnership.
of State for Communities and
Ground, and was attended by
Retiring board members were
Local Government and MP, Bristol
more than 100 delegates.
Anna Smith, Survive; Rita Gupta,
West, as its keynote speaker.
Artivists; and Nura Aabe,
He recounted a traumatic early
Autism Independence.
history of bullying and prejudice
In the first half of the day the formal AGM included votes and the appointment of new trustees
The afternoon conference
to Voscur’s board – Sandy
focused on the theme of
Hore-Ruthven, Creative Youth
Equality and Diversity. Voscur
due to his sexuality, which spurred him on to enter politics, to tackle prejudice and discrimination.
The Equalities Panel
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January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
The Voscurs award winners
Alison Comley, Strategic Director
The day finished on a
Batook Pandya MBE, director
of Neighbourhoods, Bristol City
celebratory high with
of SARI.
Council, reflected on her personal
Voscur’s Social Impact
journey to a senior role in the City
Awards – ‘The Voscurs’.
Council, and explained that part of the reason she wanted to work for a Local Authority was her strong belief in social justice.
The Voscurs are awarded to both individuals and organisations in the community, voluntary and social enterprise sectors for going
In a lively panel discussion,
the extra mile. There were 52
Stephen and Alison were joined
nominations for seven awards,
by Alex Raikes, Stand Against
including the new Batook Pandya
Racism and Inequality (SARI),
Award for Inclusion, in memory of
and Laura Welti, Bristol Disability
A big thank you to our sponsors: UNISON (main sponsor) The Nudge Group Creative Youth Network Brewin Dolphin They were supported by Volunteer Bristol, Bristol 2015 and SARI. To see the winners from The Voscurs, turn to pages 8 and 9
Equality Forum, to discuss ‘What Does Equality and Diversity mean
“Voscur’s AGM was a thriving, vibrant and buzzing hotbed of
for Bristol in 2015?’.
the best of the voluntary and community sector in Bristol.
They answered various questions surrounding equalities. Topics included free school meals, hate-crime and transport for
It was great to see so many organisations, both large and small, coming together to recognise and celebrate the quality work that has been undertaken this year, despite the difficult financial climate people are working in.”
the elderly.
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
Alison Comley
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7
The Voscurs 2014 – Bristol’s Voluntary Sector Awards Every year The Voscurs celebrate those who have shown outstanding commitment to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors in Bristol. Here are the winners: Trustee of the Year Award went
Trustee of the Year Award
to Brenda Purnell of HHEAG and Food for All. This award is for a trustee (or management committee member) from an organisation who has gone the extra mile in their trusteeship. The award was sponsored by the Nudge Group.
Young Volunteer of the Year (16- to 25-year-olds) Award
Young Volunteer of the Year Award (16- to 25-year-olds). The award for Young Volunteer of the Year went to Naomi Porter, “a long-term reliable and invaluable volunteer” for 1625 Independent People. This award was sponsored by Creative Youth Network.
Volunteer Team of the Year Award
Volunteer Team of the Year. The award for a Volunteer Team that has gone above and beyond what might normally be expected through its dedication and/ or impact went to Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics). This award was supported by Volunteer Bristol.
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January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
The ‘Thanks For Supporting The Sector’ Award
The ‘Thanks For Supporting The Sector’ Award. This award is for an individual or department within the public or private sector. It was awarded to Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Pook, of Avon and Somerset Police. This award was sponsored by UNISON.
Community Venue of the Year Award
Community Venue of the Year Award. The award for the best community-run, publicly accessible space in Bristol in 2013/2014 went to Zion Community Art Space, a not-for-profit social enterprise in Bedminster Down. This award was sponsored by Brewin Dolphin Ltd.
Happy, Healthy Bristol Award
Happy, Healthy Bristol Award. This award celebrates an organisation or group that by its actions has improved the health and wellbeing of a group of people in the city. The award went to LifeSkills. The award was supported by Bristol 2015 Ltd.
Batook Pandya Award for Inclusion
Batook Pandya Award for Inclusion. In memory of Batook Pandya MBE, director of SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality), this new award is for an organisation or group that recognises, promotes and celebrates diversity and inclusion. The award was given to Salaam Shalom and supported by SARI.
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
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Bristol BME Voice: Knowledge and Share Bristol BME Voice embarked on
Knowledge and Share programme
Meaningful conversations took
a series of activities last year to
that enabled us to bring together
place with George Ferguson,
progress Race Equality in Bristol.
members of BME-led organisations
Bristol Mayor; Sue Mountstevens,
Among these were partnerships
with strategic leaders. This enabled
Police and Crime Commissioner
to draft Batook’s Blueprint
us to discuss issues of relevance
(PCC); Judith Brown, director
‘the Bristol Manifesto for Race
and develop clear actions that
of operations for the Clinical
Equality’; providing support to the
would have a positive long-term
Commissioning Group (CCG);
BME Diversity group that feeds in
impact on Race Equality in Bristol.
and Malachy McReynolds, West
to the work of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP); and working with Bristol City Council’s BME staff group on issues related to Commissioning and the Compact. We were pleased to be
Although it may not be obvious, decision makers do want to speak to communities, while communities have much they want decision makers to address. Yet establishing a process where
of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) executive board member. Actions were set for decision makers with a threemonth target to fulfil these.
mutual discussions can evolve
What has been achieved so far?
often takes time and resources,
On commissioning, the Mayor
and requires clarity about what
has agreed to examine the
both parties want to achieve.
impact of the disadvantages
The Knowledge and Share
that small and local groups
Further to the ‘Feeling Bristolian’
programme comprised a course
experience when big national
conference that took place in
of four sessions between
agencies siphon off their local
February 2014, there was a call
September and December 2014.
knowledge and experience,
The process has been important
without any interest in
because discrimination on the
sub-contracting them to
grounds of Race and other
deliver services.
BME VCS to participate in
protected characteristic groups
The PCC agreed to pursue
decision making.
continues to affect the quality of
actions to improve progress on
life for some of our communities.
addressing institutional racism
BME VCS groups to influence
Strengthening the sector to
and increasing BME representation
policy makers.
challenge decision makers and
in the police workforce.
nominated for a National Compact award for our efforts and due to the support from the partner agencies that have worked with us on Race Equality in Bristol.
for Bristol BME Voice to focus on some key themes that would: • Develop the ability of the
• Allow an informed voice for
Therefore, in addition to the work mentioned above, we developed a
10 www.voscur.org
working with them to create positive change strengthens our voice and power.
Actions for the CCG included revisiting some health services
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Sue Mountstevens, Police and Crime Commissioner (pictured above, fourth from right), is involved with the BME Voice
that could result in a negative
looked at the acquired skills
These sessions have been
impact on BME communities.
to reach solutions often
invaluable to participants in order
by consensus, and how
to increase their skills to achieve an
relationships can be maintained
effective voice and influence. They
during the agreement process.
have also enabled opportunities
Increasing skills development within the sector Another outcome of the programme has been enhanced skills development for participants by way of a series of training sessions in preparation for conversations with decision
• ‘Finding your power –
among BME groups to network
interviewing and interrogation’
and consider collaboration in a
– Involved how we extract
range of areas.
information from those who set policy to get to the heart of our
Manifesto for Race Equality
concerns. It looked at the ability
The Manifesto for Race Equality
to interrogate – yes, respectful
is a call to action for agencies to
interrogation is a skill, which
reduce race inequality. Further to
for leadership’ – Raising
uses our ability to cut through
consultation with communities and
awareness of the lack of
waffle to bring swift and
agencies, we are set to launch the
BME representation in senior
meaningful responses.
Manifesto at the BME Community
makers. These were: • ‘Meeting your aspirations
positions in many public
• ‘Strengthening your contacts
sector agencies. Participants
and building your case’ –
were challenged about how
Covered collaboration to
they could feel comfortable
create initiatives that bring
with, exert or enhance their
actions for our communities
leadership skills.
through focusing on clear
• ‘Achieving change through
goals and plans.
Fair and Awards ceremony taking place on 10 March 2015.
For more information contact Ruth Pitter: ruth@voscur.org
presentation and negotiation’
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
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11
The Future’s Bright for Volunteering in Bristol Volunteering is alive and well in
and governance support now
develop the ways it communicates
Bristol and continues to make
available provides strong
with supporters. Optimising social
an essential contribution to our
foundations. These foundations
media paves the way for the
communities. Volunteer rates
can enable it to restructure and
centre to offer exciting new types
are high throughout the country
develop a range of effective
of volunteering opportunities
and have recently increased.
volunteering support services to
to address new trends in
The Community Life Survey,
match the 21st-century needs of
volunteering. The average number
commissioned by the Cabinet
both potential volunteers and of
of hours spent volunteering
Office, states that in 2012-13 44%
VCS organisations in Bristol.
per volunteer declined by 30%
of adults volunteered formally at least once a year and 29% did so at least once a month. Looking back over the past decade, rates of volunteering have remained remarkably stable, ranging from 39% at its lowest to 44% at its highest. To some extent, these figures mask fundamental changes which have taken place within the landscape of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), and to remain relevant Volunteer Bristol and its volunteer
Sian Bunn joined Volunteer Bristol’s small staff team in September as Volunteer Development Manager, with a remit to drive forward the establishment of new services. The centre relies heavily upon an outstanding team of volunteers, which has recently been enlarged to meet the challenges of service development. The centre celebrated its thirtieth anniversary last year, and it is
between 1997 and 2007 (Helping Out, 2007), and there is evidence that there is a trend towards more episodic volunteering (The UK Civil Society Almanac 2009). Remote volunteering on your home PC or ‘temporary’ volunteers for very short-term assignments, such as a charitable collection day, are two examples of approaches that chime well with this new style of volunteering.
worth remembering that a Bristol
Volunteer Bristol will continue
volunteer centre has been
to offer encouragement and
Merging with Voscur provided
around longer than both
guidance to help organisations
Volunteer Bristol with a unique
Facebook and the national ‘Do
provide good volunteer
opportunity to review and
It’ volunteering website, both
management. Well-managed,
update the services it offers
of which are now key to the
interesting volunteering
to individuals and to voluntary
volunteer recruitment process.
opportunities are vital if you
centre need to evolve.
and community sector (VCS) organisations. Being part of the Voscur ‘family’, the management
12 www.voscur.org
Improved technology makes it feasible for Volunteer Bristol to
wish to retain your volunteers. However, the volunteer centre recognises that not all VCS
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Celebrating 30 weeks of volunteering
organisations have the capacity
and environmentally responsible
the recession and public sector
to manage volunteers and so,
manner’. This is an area the
cuts, but it has provided a unique
to help with this, the centre can
volunteer centre will be exploring
opportunity to reshape services
provide a volunteer recruitment
during 2015, as well as seeking to
to meet the evolving needs of the
and management service.
develop effective relationships
voluntary and community sector.
with public and community sector
A reinvigorated Volunteer Bristol
partners. Above all, Volunteer
is now looking forward to the
Bristol is conscious of the need
challenges ahead.
Corporate Social Responsibility, another facet of volunteering, is becoming increasingly high profile. In August 2013 the Institute of Directors stated: ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now an integral part
for a customer-led approach to service delivery and it welcomes comment and feedback from Voscur members.
of most businesses, with many
Volunteer Bristol’s merge with
organisations keen to highlight
Voscur was to some extent a
how they’re acting in a socially
response to the challenges of
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
For more information contact Sian Bunn: manager@ volunteerbristol.org.uk
www.voscur.org
13
The Boost! Programme: Making Development Possible The Boost! programme is part of Voscur’s Support Hub service. It places professionally skilled volunteers with community voluntary sector organisations to help with a specific piece of development work for up to six months. Examples of the types of areas supported are: HR, Marketing, Business Planning, Finance and Database Development. Over the last few years, Boost! has had many success stories where organisations have effectively engaged with a volunteer and found that the volunteer’s input has had a far-reaching impact. Here’s one of those success stories:
Case study: South West Advice Training (SWAT) has been delivering training courses for over 10 years to professionals who advise members
worked with staff to create a business plan which has meant
Registering with the
South West Advice Training
Boost! programme
now has:
If you are interested in registering with the Boost! programme either as an organisation or as a volunteer, please visit:
• Effective systems for
of the public on aspects of
leadership and for consultation
social welfare law, from benefit
of partner agencies
entitlements to debt issues, housing law, employment law and immigration. The organisation wanted some objective input to enable it to think about the ways
• Key individuals in place for decision making • Improved systems for internal communications • A workload that is more
that it could change in order to
structured, including project
keep up with its market. It wanted
plans and work plans for staff
to promote itself better, reach a broader range of organisations
www.volunteerbristol.org.uk/ organisations/boost Email: boost@volunteerbristol. org.uk Phone: 0117 989 7734
• Improved attendance on its courses.
and expand geographically. The Boost! programme matched SWAT with Katie Sage, a marketing expert. Katie has over 18 years’ experience working both in the UK and globally. After initial meetings with SWAT, Katie identified that the current business plan needed updating before marketing could
“Katie was so patient … she had a lot of experience … Our very long-established, complex arrangements for doing things required a lot of understanding … Katie came from outside (the voluntary sector) and yet she was able to do it … A year on we are still thanking her.”
Andy King, SWAT
take place. Over six months, she
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January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
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Support Hub Events and Training Recruiting Volunteers Tuesday 20 January 2015, 9:30am-3:30pm This session will cover volunteer motivation, barriers to volunteering, recruitment techniques and processes, developing adverts for volunteer roles and action planning.
Mind the Gap: Negotiation skills Wednesday 21 January 2015, 12pm-2pm How good are your negotiation skills? Do you get what you need from meetings and conversations? Would you like to be more effective?
Preparing Your Accounts for your End-of-Year Report Thursday 5 February 2015, 9:30am-3:30pm This course is designed to identify key areas associated with the production of statutory accounts for those who have so far had limited exposure to this specialist area.
Mind the Gap: Introducing your organisation to Twitter Tuesday 10 February 2015, 12pm-2pm
This lunchtime workshop will help you to discover the practical meaning of negotiation, how you can trade during discussions, and simple ways to practise your skills.
Do you feel the whole world is tweeting and you are being left behind? Are you nervous about giving it a try? Come and find out what it’s all about. You don’t need a smartphone for this session, but if you have one please bring it with you.
Being a Good Trustee
Preparing for Media Interviews
Thursday 22 January 2015, 6pm-9pm
Tuesday 17 February 2015, 9:30am-12:30pm
Governance has never been more crucial. In challenging times a strong board is essential to survive and thrive, yet many trustees are unclear of their duties and boundaries with staff. This course clearly sets out trustee roles and responsibilities, and suggests tools to help ensure your board leads your organisation’s impact.
This course is designed for anyone whose role includes speaking to the press and representing their organisation to the wider world directly via media interviews. This course will cover how to prepare for a media interview, getting your message across, dealing with difficult questions and hostile interviewers, and how to handle your nerves.
Finance Forum: Insurance for VCS organisations
Trustee Network
Wednesday 28 January 2015, 10:30am-12:30pm
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.
A chance to meet others with financial responsibilities and find out what is happening in the world of finance.
Tuesday 3 March 2015, 6pm-8pm
Early-bird rates available! To book your place or to find out more, please go to: www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub Alternatively, you can call us on: 0117 909 9949.
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January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Being an Even Better Trustee
Good Practice in Social Media
Thursday 5 March 2015, 6pm-9pm
Thursday 19 March 2015, 9:30am-1pm
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.
This interactive workshop will encourage you to reflect on the kinds of things you share – updates, chit-chat, sales pitches – and help you avoid some of the common pitfalls. As well as providing some guidance principles, you will be given examples of how enjoyable and productive using social media can be.
Mind the Gap: Monitoring and Evaluation Tuesday 10 March 2015, 12pm-2pm What’s the point of monitoring and evaluation? Are you doing it just because your funders ask for it? Are you asking the right questions? This lunchtime session will help you to plan and carry out really effective monitoring and evaluation. It will help you to identify how you can use the results to improve your services and to attract new funding. If possible, bring an example of how you currently monitor and evaluate your work.
Leadership Skills for Managers and Supervisors Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 March 2015, 9:30am-3:30pm Managing people can be one of the most stressful parts of a manager’s role, especially in these changing times. This two-day leadership course will provide you with a practical overview of the key skills and aptitudes required to manage successfully and to help reduce the pressure in your work life.
Safeguarding and Whistleblowing
Developing a Fundraising Strategy
Tuesday 31 March, 9:30am-1pm
Wednesday 18 March 2015, 9:30am-3:30pm
This training will cover the types of issues that may arise in your organisation, how to develop an internal whistle-blowing system, sharing concerns and escalating them to the right people, how your organisation can be assisted with the whistleblowing process, and developing relationships with BCC staff to help steer your organisation.
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.
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
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17
New Perspectives, New Solutions We all know Bristol has a thriving voluntary and community sector, but how do people who are new to running a community organisation, social enterprise or campaign group learn their trade?
Voscur offers a six-session course for new and emerging groups, covering planning, funding,
There is always more to learn when it comes to setting up an organisation.
marketing and more. The course, Kick Start, provides knowledge, tools and opportunities to refine
at their first Kick Start session
of a group come along to each
ideas, while working alongside
full of motivation to build really
of the six training sessions, but
like-minded people.
strong foundations for their
this group managed to involve
organisation. Darren had stated at
a total of eight people in the
the outset that he was unsure if
course, each attending one or
the course would benefit him, but
two sessions. In the true spirit
after the first session he quickly
of a co-operative, they shared
changed his mind about the
the learning. Since that time, the
benefits of the course and
organisation has been through
the positive impact it would
changes and is now flourishing
have on his organisation. Cherelle
as TIGER: Teaching Individuals
found the information from
Gender Equality and Respect.
the session leaders helpful and
You can discover more at
inspirational. After six sessions
www.tigerbristol.co.uk
One group which graduated from the Kick Start programme is Aspiration Creation Elevation (ACE). Its mission is “to inspire positive change through engagement in creative activities, building relationships, then raising social, economic and ethical knowledge as well as life aspirations”. This new Community Interest Company offers young people the chance to get involved in creating music with the help and support of professional musicians and music mentors. Cherelle Grant and Darren LynchBurton, founders of ACE, arrived
18 www.voscur.org
they had a detailed action plan, Voscur membership and access to networks across the voluntary sector.
Among the last cohort, Kick Start worked with a range of new groups, from those aiming to support families of Czech and
The Equalities Collective joined
Slovak origin, to those supporting
Voscur’s Kick Start programme
children in care.
last year. Usually two members
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Attendees from our 2014 Autumn course: The-Society, Buzz Lockleaze, Stonozka, Paper Artistic Development CIC, Freedom Fields and Lamplight
Places on Kick Start are in demand. If you’re interested, apply early. You will: • Get new ideas about how to develop your group • Find out how to convince funders, investors and volunteers of the need for your project • Make a clear plan of practical next steps for your group • Network with other groups at a similar stage to you
What will the course cover? 1. The need and purpose of your group 2. Different structures for organisations and how they should be managed 3. Funding, finance and how to get money 4. Developing policies and procedures 5. Marketing and publicity 6. Action planning and where else you can get support.
• Find out how the VCS will best support you.
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
Interested? Don’t hesitate! Email or pick up the phone to find out more. Contact Frances@voscur.org If you have an idea which could change lives locally, contact Voscur. For more information, call 0117 909 9949
www.voscur.org
19
The Future of Bristol’s Local Libraries Bristol City Council have launched a city-wide consultation to allow the people of Bristol to have their say on the future of the city’s libraries. Photo by CCAC Library CC by 2.0
This is the first time everyone in the city has had a chance to talk about libraries and how they can become more relevant. The aim is to get everyone involved in helping to develop an improved flexible, modern space for communities to learn and socialise in. At this stage no proposals or decisions have been made. A dedicated website has been launched (see end of article) and more than seventy meetings have already been held. In particular, the library service wants to reach people who don’t use libraries to find out why, and they also want to discover what people need in their local communities that their library or library building can assist with.
20 www.voscur.org
In the future Bristol needs a vibrant and sustainable network of libraries, which will better respond to the needs of more of its citizens – particularly those who experience more challenges and have less access to opportunities. While savings have to be made, it is important that this opportunity is not dominated by discussions about money. To take part in the consultation, each library has cards and suggestion boxes, surveys and information sheets on their library service. There is a wealth of information online including an online survey. The initial consultation closes on 2 February 2015.
The feedback gathered from this consultation will be used to shape the council’s proposals, which are set to be discussed at Cabinet in March 2015, when a second consultation will begin until May 2015. The final plan is expected to be agreed in June 2015. To find out more visit www. bristolfuturelibraries. co.uk and the Facebook page Bristol Libraries for the Future and Twitter: @BrLibraryFuture. There is also a website to capture ideas from the public and allow people to work collaboratively to develop and rate suggestions: www.bristol. gov.uk/libraryideas
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Residents Shaping the World Around Them The Stockwood, Hengrove & Whitchurch Neighbourhood Partnership has funded a public art programme from devolved s106 funds for the Hengrove ward in South Bristol. A significant part of this funding has contributed to the Future Perfect project, a three-year project where governance has gone beyond the norm to include the wider Hengrove community. The programme’s theme is
design a flexible public display
Nils Norman has been invited
‘Future’, which means a future
structure – the Archive of Ideas
to propose a way of bringing
that embraces extraordinary
– to communicate the art
together the large number
possibilities and dreams. It was
programme to local residents.
of small green spaces in the
developed in consultation with
The art steering group helped
neighbourhood to provide a
local residents.
draw up the brief, select the
focal point for residents. This
artist and respond to the initial
has resulted in resources for the
design proposal.
community centre; simple play
Future Perfect wanted to involve local people at all levels.
spaces across schools and small
An art steering group has been overseeing the programme, consisting of residents, parents, councillors and local groups’ representatives. The programme has offered participation to individuals and groups in Hengrove through workshops, trips and talks. Residents were invited to contribute to discussions and explore possibilities for the art
The aim was to develop a greater understanding of the complexities, challenges and excitement that come with commissioning artists. The Archive of Ideas has proved to be a great catalyst for conversation.
programme. Opportunities to
areas of parkland; and a section of patterned path to improve access to Hengrove Park. David Thorpe has been invited to contribute to the physical fabric of Hengrove by providing a long-term legacy for the area. His proposal is for a community orchard planted according to the floor plan of a cathedral, which will provide fruit and a meetingplace for the community.
partner with various Hengrove organisations and institutions,
In addition, the artists Nils Norman
including schools and colleges,
and David Thorpe have been
were also explored.
involved, with their work coming
The artist/designer Martino
to fruition at the end of 2014.
Gamper was commissioned to
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
For further information on the project: www.futureperfectbristol.org
www.voscur.org
21
National Wakeup on Wellbeing Lord Gus O’Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary, came to Bristol to announce the establishment of the ‘What Works Centre for Wellbeing’ at the end of October last year. With £3.5 million kick-start government funding the centre aims to collect good practice ‘what works’ on improving the nation’s wellbeing. Additionally it establishes best practice in measuring the impact of policies on people’s happiness. For many years the Voluntary
influential credibility – the centre
satisfaction (up 0.06 points
and Community Sector (VCS)
will be pushing the cause of
on the previous year)
has been advocating the
replacing GDP* with wellbeing
importance of wellbeing. Working
indicators as the touchstone of
that what one does in life is
to redress the impact of social
government expenditure.
worthwhile (up 0.05 points
exclusion, isolation, low selfesteem, depression and poverty is a key issue for a significant part of the VCS.
1
The work was started two years ago by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which published the first data on national wellbeing
Recently there’s been a national
as part of its Integrated Household
wake-up on wellbeing. We have a
Survey. Wellbeing is currently
health and wellbeing board, and a
assessed on:
statutory duty in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to promote wellbeing. We also have a wealth of research on the importance of wellbeing and happiness and its impact. Although a centre looking at ‘what works for wellbeing’ may not seem important, this is a significant milestone. Having the patronage of Lord Gus O’Donnell – an establishment figure with
22 www.voscur.org
1. How satisfied are you with your life nowadays? 2. To what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile? 3. How happy did you
• 7.7 out of 10 for feeling
on the previous year) • 7.4 out of 10 for happiness yesterday (up 0.09 points on the previous year) • 2.9 out of 10 for anxiety yesterday (down 0.10 points on the previous year) The relatively low levels of anxiety are at odds with other national data. For example, the Children’s Commission reported on poverty in September 2014 that more than half of parents who responded to its survey admitted
feel yesterday? 4. How anxious did you feel yesterday?
they had cut back on clothing, food or heating to meet schoolrelated costs, and 25% had
Results from last year show: • 7.5 points out of 10 for life
borrowed money to pay school bills. Hardly the environment
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
to make families feel full of life
“The ONS recently reassessed the
The increasing use of wellbeing
satisfaction and to reduce anxiety.
level of the UK’s GDP upwards
as a measurement of
by including things like illegal
government spending may
drugs and prostitution. But
challenge us in unexpected ways,
they don’t measure things like
especially regarding our priorities.
volunteering, which we know have
Smoking and drinking are bad
a tremendously positive impact
for health, but research in 2010
on wellbeing.
concluded social connectivity had
The ONS recognises that asking about anxiety may not get an accurate picture of wellbeing. Cognitive testing has suggested that the word ‘anxious’ may be interpreted by some people
a greater impact on longevity
as representing severe mental
“So you could have a society
distress, while ‘stress’ or ‘worry’
where everyone gave up
are more commonly used to
volunteering and took up crack
describe daily emotions.
dealing and prostitution, and that
Wellbeing as a concept of
society would have a much higher
measuring the ‘state of the
GDP growth rate. That’s crazy.”
nation’ looks here to stay. Nice
There may be some issues around accurate measurement of wellbeing, but the use of GDP has
Using wellbeing indicators at a
come under increased criticism
national level will fit with efforts
as a touchstone as ‘value for
at a local level. Our Bristol Health
money’ government spending.
and Wellbeing Strategy has 10
Lord O’Donnell pointed out back
priorities but does not include
in October that Government has
issues such as the living wage and
tended to use GDP to assess the
low-income households, although
success of the country when it
they’re a factor in good health
was a “blunt tool”. He said:
and life satisfaction.
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
than either smoking or drinking (within moderation).*2
to see senior government thinking has finally caught up with VCS wisdom.
*1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a monetary measurement of economic value added to society. *2 Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review Julianne Holt-Lunstad Timothy B. Smith J. Bradley Layton Published: July 27, 2010. PLOS Medicine
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23
Shape Local Community Health Services for Children and Young People Local community health services for children and young people are going to be recommissioned, with the aim of having better, more integrated provision. This is a great opportunity to help shape the design and delivery of these crucial services. These services include: health
the service design process. For
visiting; school nursing; child and
more ways to be involved and
adolescent mental health services
the notes from this meeting, visit
• Service Model Co-creation:
(CAMHS); speech and language
www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/
Nov 2014 – March 2015
therapy; and a range of other
cyp_meetings
services for vulnerable children and young people. In a survey of parents and carers by Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group (Bristol CCG), 96% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that children’s health and education services, in particular, should work closely together.
• Engagement phase: April – July 2014
• Service Model formal
At present the Community Children’s Health Partnership (CCHP), part of North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), provides all of the children’s community health services for Bristol and South Gloucestershire, in partnership with Barnardo’s. In 2014, the
consultation: Sept – Nov 2015 • Finalise and approve Service Model: Dec 2015 • Procurement process: Jan – Sept 2016 • Start of new contract: April 2017
commissioning organisations
To keep informed and have your
At a recent Children and Young
worked together to seek the
say, visit Bristol CCG’s website
People’s Network meeting,
views on the current children’s
and social media or get in touch
information about the process
community health services of
with Voscur.
and timescales was provided
children and young people;
for the VCS by the Children and
parents and carers; and health,
Maternity Commissioning Manager
education and social care
for Bristol CCG. We also discussed
professionals. They aim to use
how VCS organisations can get
this feedback to improve
involved in the co-creation of
services, remove boundaries
the service model, following the
and make services more
initial engagement phase with
integrated. Young people (14-
service users and community
25 years) will also be involved in
health professionals.
writing the service specification
There are many ways of contributing to the process, such as supporting the engagement of
through a Young People’s Reference Group, run by Bristol CCG and Young Healthwatch.
children and young people and
The estimated timescales for the
providing specialist expertise into
recommissioning process are:
24 www.voscur.org
Contact details: www.bristolccg.nhs. uk/get-involved twitter.com/Bristol_CCG @ bristol_CCG www.facebook.com/ NHSbristolccg Email: brccg. childrenscommunityhealth@ nhs.net Tel: 0117 900 2662
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Voluntary and Community Sector Advocates Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) advocates do fantastic work ensuring that the VCS is involved in decision making on a broad range of issues. They ensure the voice of the sector is heard and are instrumental in influencing
services at both strategic and operational levels. The key elements of the role involve advocating for the sector, engaging and communicating with the wider sector, and
attending partnership boards, network meetings, VCS Advocates meetings and assembly meetings. Current advocates (January 2015), their corresponding boards and contact details are as follows:
Children and Young People’s Network Advocates Name
Board
Contact details
Christine Townsend (Integrate Bristol)
Bristol Safeguarding Children Board
christineifb@gmail.com
Dom Wood (1625 Independent People)
Bristol Children and Families Board. Bristol Safeguarding Children Board (interim cover)
dom.wood@1625ip.co.uk
Alistair Dale (Youth Moves)
Raising the Participation Strategy Group (interim cover)
alistair.dale@youthmoves.org.uk
Frances Fox
Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board (Changing in 2015)
frances.fox@bridgefoundation.org.uk
Judith Davis (Creative Youth Network)
North Area Partnership Executive Board (CYP)
judith.davis@creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk
Vicki Morris (Knowle West Health Park)
South Area Partnership Executive Board (CYP)
Vmorris@knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk
Fiona Castle (Imayla)
Central & East Area Partnership Executive Board (CYP)
Fiona@imayla.co.uk
Health and Social Care Network Advocates Name
Board
Contact details
Peter Walker (Addiction Recovery Agency)
Bristol Health and Wellbeing Board
peterwalker@addictionrecovery.org.uk
Tim Lloyd-Yeates (Alive!)
Older People’s Partnership Board
tim@aliveactivities.org
Being recruited
Provider Forum
Neighbourhoods and Communities Network Advocates Name
Board
Contact details
Alex Raikes (SARI)
Safer Bristol Partnership
asstdirector@sariweb.org.uk
Graham England (Addiction Recovery Agency)
Reducing Re-offending Board
grahamengland@addictionrecovery.org.uk
Pete Levy (The Restore Trust)
Restorative Bristol Board
pete.levy@therestoretrust.org
Fuad Mahamed (Ashley Community Housing)
Community Learning Partnership Board
fuad.mahamed@ashleyhousing.com
Sarah Renshaw (Local Learning Ltd.)
Community Learning Partnership Board
srenshaw@eastonlearningcentre.co.uk
Further information about the boards, current VCS Advocates and video reports is available on the Voscur Voice and Influence website at www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/advocates
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
www.voscur.org
25
Green Volunteering It is important to us at Bristol 2015 Ltd that activities planned for the European Green Capital year are inclusive and accessible. It is also important to us that individuals and organisations are able to add their events to the planner and personalise the brand. This will ensure that 2015 is an active and exciting year for everyone.
The winners of the 2014 Green Volunteer Awards, which were held on Wednesday 12 November last year, at Paintworks.
Winners: Volunteers for Nature and Biodiversity Award – The Good Gym Volunteers for Food Award – Incredible Edible Volunteers for Sustainable Transport Award – Playing Out Green Volunteer Coordinator of the Year Award – Sophie Edwards, Bristol Water There will be a Neighbourhood Arts Programme of 14 individual arts projects from the tip of Avonmouth to the toe of Dundry View. They will be driven by communities and created with professional artists to inspire Bristol to become a healthier, happier city. There are lots of opportunities for everyone to get involved. ‘Welcome hosts’ will be around the city during events and throughout the year. They will help locals and visitors with information, knowledge about the Green Capital year and specific events for the month. The Bristol 2015 Ltd volunteer programme will be working with Bristol businesses and other groups
26 www.voscur.org
Green Volunteer Leader of the Year Award – John Bowen, Growing Support Young Green Volunteers Award – Alex Rhodes The Bristol Award (Lifetime) – Richard Bland
providing assistance, whether it be clearing land, digging holes for trees, or finding event stewards. Bristol 2015 Ltd will work in partnership with Voscur to develop a capacity-building training programme for green organisations, to help them cultivate their skills when working with volunteers. Volunteers will play a key role in 2015 and there will be lots of emphasis on the impact of their involvement. Cities of Service will
be continuing the volunteer focus in 2016. This Mayoral initiative is funded by the Cabinet and NESTA and hopes to engage more of the community in volunteering beyond 2015. If you have an idea or you would just like to be involved, then we would love to hear from you. volunteers@bristol2015.co.uk nap@bristol2015.co.uk www.bristol2015.co.uk/ get-involved/
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
The LEP Next Steps More than 120 organisations from across the West of England area gathered in central Bristol to hear the latest news in relation to the emergence of new funding. These funds will potentially enable voluntary and community sector organisations across the four unitary authorities to tackle social and economic exclusion, and support those furthest from the labour market back into work.
The Partnership will work closely
The new fund, totalling £6 million over the next five years, will be provided through the European Social Fund (ESF) and matched by the Big Lottery Fund.
with the West of England LEP to make sure that the sector has a good understanding of the priorities and strategic need identified by the LEP. This support will be matched
The event was organised by
and Social Enterprise (VCSE)
with further funding and in-kind
Voscur in partnership with The
sector groups have undertaken
assistance to enable the
West of England Civil Society
to get this far.
Partnership to reach out to
Partnership, which is comprised of Quartet Community Foundation (QCF), Voluntary Action North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CVS, plus West of England Rural Network, The Care Forum, Wesport and Social Enterprise Works. The event was opened by James Durie, Executive Director for Business West and a member of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) board. James assured the delegates of the LEP’s commitment to working with the sector to tackle economic and social exclusion. Chris Head from the West of England Rural Network followed by detailing the work the Voluntary, Community
Antony Corfield from the LEP, and Sam Magne from Big Lottery, detailed the criteria and process for using the new funding opportunity. Delegates then broke up into small groups to discuss opportunities and challenges in relation to accessing this support.
community groups through a series of events, briefings and discussions. These will enable the Partnership to communicate the opportunity to the VCSE of being directly involved in ESF delivery. The outcome of the work will then be used to inform the LEP and the VCSE sector across
The West of England Civil Society
the West of England in order
Partnership European Social
to maximise the opportunities
Fund Project has been awarded a
presented by ESF and Big Lottery
grant of £10,000 from Big Lottery
funding support.
Fund. The grant will support the Partnership to work with the wider VCSE sector across the West of England to raise awareness, identify training needs and map evidence of employment and social need.
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
For more information, visit: www.voscur.org or contact Paul Hassan on 0117 909 9949 or email paul@voscur.org
www.voscur.org
27
Another great Compact Week for Bristol Four fantastic Bristol initiatives were recognised for their sterling leadership skills during November’s National Compact Awards 2014. We round up the winners here.
Compact Week is the annual celebration of excellence in relationships between the public and voluntary and community sectors (VCS). Each year, as part
“To have five Bristol projects shortlisted for national awards is brilliant. This shows that there is some great work happening in difficult times. Work that ultimately makes a difference to Bristol people in their communities.”
Mark Hubbard
of national Compact Week, nominations are invited for six National Compact Awards. Five nominations were submitted for work from Bristol from the last year. All five were shortlisted and Mark Hubbard, Bristol’s Compact Liaison Officer, won the Leadership Award: • Advancing Equality Award – Bristol BME Voice for its work to promote the inclusion of
partnership working. • Impact Award – Voscur and
together for the benefit
Bristol Compact for their joint
of our service users and
work in using the Compact to
the people of Bristol.”
advocate on behalf of Bristol
• Innovation Award – Bristol
VCS organisations. This work
Clinical Commissioning Group’s
has achieved substantial
provider market development
changes in operations and
in its Modernising Mental Health
policy in the city.
commissioning process.
• Leadership Award – The
Black and Minority Ethnic people
work of Mark Hubbard in
and communities in Bristol’s
influencing commissioning
public agencies and among
and procurement policy and
organisations working with
practice at Bristol City Council.
those communities.
According to the nomination
• Partnership Award – Avon
by Carol Metters MBE, Missing
& Somerset Police & Crime
Link: “Mark is well respected
Commissioner for its Voluntary,
by both commissioners and
Community and Social
VCS organisations and, for
Enterprise Sector Charter. This
five years, has helped to
builds on the region’s local
forge constructive, improved
Compacts and enshrines the
relationships. This really sets
PCC’s commitment to good
the scene for how we should
28 www.voscur.org
all be working well
The Awards were hosted by Rob Wilson, Minister for Civil Society, in London on 5 November. Several representatives from Bristol attended.
For more information, visit: www. bristolcompact.org.uk or contact Mark Hubbard on 0117 909 9949 or email mark@voscur.org
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Helping Things Get Better The Bristol Compact is useful for mediating between VCS organisations and the public sector. Sometimes things go wrong and advocacy can get things back on track. Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer, describes a recent advocacy case.
Relationships are important
Example: Decommissioning
changes on service users,
for effective working together
of a service
workforce and provider.
and are often complex, have
A VCS organisation was asked by
developed over time and include assumptions. Common reasons for difficulties arising are: • Neglect – little or no time spent
its commissioner to adjust funds needed to deliver its contract. This request was not unexpected after funds from the previous year were
• Bristol Compact – effective management of change, good communication and working together to identify solutions. With advice, the organisation
discussing and understanding
reduced from £370k to £350k.
different perspectives; failure
This year, the provider expected a
to meet monitoring deadlines;
similar situation but was surprised
no feedback given to reports
by the reduction to £150k.
and results.
Over several months, the
honest and proactive. Specific
provider tried to redesign
actions were agreed and have
services and its organisational
resulted in restoring contract
structure to accommodate such
funds to £250k, preventing
a loss of income. It then sought
redundancies and closure, services
advice from Bristol Compact as
continuing and a new strategic
it felt that the scale of reduction
commissioning process. Happy
and the process were unfair
customers all round:
• Conflict – disagreements can fester, turn into punitive actions and outright conflict. Difficulties are often exacerbated by a breakdown of communication, making positive resolution unlikely. VCS organisations and commissioners regularly approach Bristol Compact for advice when relationships have gone wrong.
wrote to the commissioner raising these concerns, requesting a three-way meeting with Bristol Compact. The discussions were
and unreasonable. A review of papers indicated that
“We can’t thank you enough
the reduction in funds appeared
for your expert intervention
not to have followed due process,
and support”
The Bristol Compact is used in
which should have applied:
a brokerage role to advocate
• Best Value Statutory Guidance
for improved communication
– direct consultation with
and relationships. The means of
affected service users prior to
“You’ve really helped us
achieving this is simple: listening
the funding decision; at least
discuss this and come up
to both parties, helping to share
three months’ notice.
with great solutions”
perspectives and working together to find solutions.
• Decommissioning Policy – assessment of impact of the
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
www.voscur.org
29
UNISON – Committed to Achieving Equality in our Workplaces, in our Union and Across Society UNISON and Voscur are working closely together on a shared agenda of equalities and fairness. After UNISON’s support of Voscur’s Annual Conference, Vicky Boroughs (South West Women’s and Equalities Officer) describes the union’s approach to inclusion. In common with many Bristol
• Fair Representation – Means
information via a newsletter
Voluntary and Community Sector
being representative of part-
or are part of a network
organisations, equality and
time and full-time workers,
or may meet regularly as a
challenging discrimination are
manual and non-manual
group to support each other
at the heart of UNISON in our
workers, different occupations,
and campaign on issues that
workplaces and union branches.
skills, income, age, race,
concern them.
It is one of our founding
sexuality, gender identity
principles, informs our priorities
and disability. This is not an
A good place to start
and is firmly embedded in our
exhaustive list – it is about the
Self-organised groups may be the
organising, negotiating and
principle of inclusion.
first point of contact with the
• Positive Action – In all our
union for members and potential
committed to achieving equality
regional structures and
members. Because prejudice and
in our workplaces, in our union
committees there are reserved
discrimination are deep-rooted in
and across society.
seats for equalities members,
our society, self-organised group
low paid and young members
members have traditionally been
(under 27). These positive steps
less visible in trade unions and
ensure that not only are their
under-represented in democratic
views properly represented and
structures. Our self-organisation
heard, but equality is firmly
has several advantages:
campaigning work. UNISON is
UNISON has a number of Positive Action Strategies enshrined in our rules in order to achieve equality and challenge discrimination throughout UNISON’s structures and in everything we do, including: • Proportionality – Means that
embedded in everything we do. • Self-Organisation – Our union is unique in the focus on support for members from equalities
our structures, delegations
groups (Black members;
and activities at branch,
Disabled members; LGBT
regional and national level
members; Women members)
should represent women and
to come together and inform
men in fair proportion to their
the wider union’s policies and
membership numbers.
direction. In branches this may mean members receive
30 www.voscur.org
• Helps the union to identify and challenge discrimination and build equality. • Provides a way for members to get involved in the union, developing skills, expertise and confidence. • Offers an alternative pathway into trade union activism through identity politics.
January / February / March 2015 Issue 27
Examples of UNISON’s Equalities Successes in Bristol • Recent work with disabled members in several community organisations to ensure that appropriate and workable adjustments are made to allow them to do their jobs without compromise. • Living Wage at Bristol City Council – our negotiators have helped to lift many council employees out of work poverty. • Ethical Care Charter – our campaign for fair terms and conditions for workers in the care sector, including travel time and an end to zero-hour contracts. • Bristol Pride – sponsored by UNISON and supported by members from Bristol branches.
Issue 27 January / February / March 2015
Interested? For more information about Self Organisation and Self Organised Groups in the South West, contact: Regional Women’s & Equalities Officer, Vicky Boroughs, 01823 285314, v.boroughs@unison.co.uk
UNISON in Bristol Many employees of Bristol VCS organisations are members of UNISON. These are included in several branches across the city. For example, Bristol Branch has 5,000 members from Bristol City Council and from 280 community organisations – to find out more, visit www.bristolunison.co.uk
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 January 2015 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
20th
9:30am-3:30pm
Recruiting Volunteers
The Gatehouse Centre
21st
12pm-2pm
Mind the Gap: Negotiation Skills
Royal Oak House
22nd
6pm-9pm
Being a Good Trustee
Barton Hill Settlement
28th
10:30am-12:30pm
Finance Forum: Insurance for VCS organisations
Royal Oak House
29th
1pm-3:30pm
Health and Social Care Network Meeting
St Werburghs Community Centre
February 2015 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
4th
10am -12pm
Children and Young People's Network Meeting
Barton Hill Settlement
5th
9:30am-3:30pm
Preparing Your Accounts for your End-of-Year Report
St Werburghs Centre
10th
12pm-2pm
Mind the Gap: Introducing your organisation to Twitter
Royal Oak House
11th
9:30am-4pm
Fund It!
The Watershed
17th
9:30am-12:30pm
Preparing for Media Interviews
The GreenHouse
March 2015 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
3rd
6pm-8pm
Trustee Network
To be confirmed
5th
6pm-9pm
Being an Even Better Trustee
Barton Hill Settlement
10th
12pm-2pm
Mind the Gap: Monitoring and Evaluation
Royal Oak House
10th
1pm-6:30pm
BME Fair and Awards
Trinity Centre
12th
9am-2pm
City Devolution and Communities
The Bristol Pavillion
18th
9:30am-3:30pm
Developing a Fundraising Strategy
The Gatehouse Centre
19th
9:30am-1pm
Good Practice in Social Media
Knowle West Media Centre
24th-25th
9:30am-3:30pm
Leadership Skills for Managers and Supervisors
St Werburghs Centre
26th
9:30am-12:30pm
Commissioning and the VCS: Two Years On
The Bristol Pavillion
31st
9:30am-1pm
Safeguarding and Whistleblowing
The Southville Centre
For details of all the above training and events, visit: www.voscur.org/training-and-events
Voscur is a registered charity and a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Company no. 3918210. Charity no. 1148403. Printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable-based inks