Thrive july sept 2014 final for web

Supporting voluntary and community action

July/August/September 2014

In this issue: Organising community events New dementia volunteering service Key changes to Employment Law Integrated Victim Care Upcoming training and more...

Photo: Bristol Festival of Nature 2013, taken

by Bob Coombe. It is festival season - find out some top tips on organising community events and festivals on p8-9 and p18-19.

VOLUNTEER BRISTOL @

Need a

BO

ST? ?

HR Financial planning & accounting

PR

Business planning & strategic development

Marketing

Funding diversification

IT

Website design

We match highly skilled individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds with an organisation in need of short-term, specialist support.

Call the Boost! team on 0117

989 7734 or email:

boost@volunteerbristol.org.uk for further information.

Contents Voscur

Voice and Influence

4 Editorial

20-21 Is race equality off the political agenda?

5

New members

22

Integrated Victim Care

6

Supported Volunteering Project for people with dementia

23

Support for ex-offenders

7

How can the Bristol Compact be used for an equalities agenda?

8-9

It’s festival time - some tips from the top

10-13

Volunteers - “lifting Bristol higher”

Support Hub 14-15

Upcoming training

16

The IT crowd - Make computers work for, not against, you!

17

Key changes to Employment Law

18-19

Community events - more bang for your buck...

24-25 Investor-ready, steady, go! A look at social investment 26-27 Raising the participation age for education and training for young people 28-29 Using the power of our sector to reduce falls in Bristol 30

Neighbourhood focus: Greater Bedminster

31

Are you still registered to vote?

Thrive! is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine.

If you require it in another format, please get in touch on 0117 909 9949.

Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

www.voscur.org

3

Dear members and friends community sector investment priorities to ensure that these match the Mayor’s vision* for Bristol – how can we help to shape these? We’ll be seeking your views on this at our Assembly meeting.

We’ll also be offering some skills workshops and a networking lunch with a chance to catch up with colleagues from across Wendy (left) at our V30 campaign launch in June 2014 (see p10-13) As we approach our 20th

to involve our sector in decision-

anniversary we have been

making and to consult with us

reflecting on the journey we have

about changes that will affect our

taken to get where we are today.

communities.

Voscur was started by a group

Much progress has been

of people who were active in

made over the years, and

the Bristol Community Groups

Bristol’s decision to elect a

Network, so that people from

mayor, the introduction of

local voluntary and community

neighbourhood partnerships and

organisations were enabled

the establishment of the (West

to have a voice in policy and

of England) Local Enterprise

decision-making in the city.

Partnership mean that there are

This was not usual practice Bristol was ahead of its time in

new challenges and opportunities for our influencing role.

Our Voluntary Sector Assembly

community groups to have a

meeting on 16 July 2014 will look

place at the Bristol Regeneration

at some of these challenges and

Partnership* table.

opportunities. We’ll be talking

sector groups to raise issues, contribute to policy making and influence decisions since 1995.

We can celebrate the fact that it’s now considered good practice

4 www.voscur.org

I hope to see you there.

Best wishes,

about how we have been working with the Big Lottery Fund and the Local Enterprise Partnership to secure additional investment for

Chief Executive PS Don’t forget to save the date for Voscur’s AGM on 22 October 2014! * a partnership that brought stakeholders together to plan and deliver regeneration initiatives in Bristol **www.bristol.gov.uk/page/mayor/ vision-bristol

Key to symbols Training

for your community.

Information & Resources

Bristol City Council has begun

Event

Bristol, and what that could mean

to review its voluntary and

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Photo by David Macias Navarro

enabling voluntary and community

goo.gl/mOCM2G

Wendy Stephenson

supporting people from local

Voscur has been involved in

the city. To book a place, go to:

New Voscur members Bristol Community Accountancy Project (BCAP)

CAN Mezzanine

www.bcap.info

0117 204 7500

www.can-online.org.uk

0117 377 3388

Barnardos

Centre for Capacity Building & Enterprise Development

www.barnardos.org.uk 0117 937 5500

www.c-cbed.com

Redland Parish Church

0117 329 0717

www.redland.org.uk

Your Lifestyle LLP

0117 946 4690

www.yourlifestyle.co

Christ Church Children and Families

0117 966 0155

www.ccweb.org.uk/community/kids/pre-school.

Transition Long Ashton

aspx

www.transitionlongashton.co.uk

GL11 Community Project www.gl11.org.uk 01453 548530 For more information on becoming

South West Foundation www.southwestfoundation.org.uk 01761 471104

a member of Voscur and the range of member benefits, visit: www.voscur.org/about/joiningonline or call us on 0117 909 9949.

LitterARTI

www.litterarti.com

Keep up to date with Voscur online:

www.facebook.com/voscur

twitter.com/voscur

Issue 25  July / August / September 2014

www.linkedin.com/company/voscur

www.youtube.com/voscur

www.voscur.org

5

Supported Volunteering Project for people with dementia Volunteer Bristol at Voscur is leading the way to ensure people with dementia continue to take an active part in their communities, by setting up a supported volunteering project. Subitha Baghirathan, who coordinates this project, tells us more.

This new project is particularly for people in Easton but is also open to any Bristol resident including those who may not yet have a formal dementia diagnosis.

Volunteers will be supported by Photo by Wonderlane CC BY 2.0

Volunteer Mentors, with a range of volunteering opportunities available, led by the interests and skills of those taking up the project’s services.

Dementia Supported Volunteering is a pilot one-year project, part of Bristol City Council’s Dementia Inclusion Programme. It is funded

citizens in their communities,

currently no other projects like

by the Prime Minister’s Dementia

with equal opportunities to be

this in the UK so your involvement

Challenge Fund - set up following

as involved as they choose to

and contribution is vital in leading

the global summit in 2012 on

be. Other like-minded initiatives

the way not only in Bristol but

this growing health and social

in Bristol include free training

beyond, to rethink how people

issue. Focusing on the local

courses for organisations

with different health and social

picture: the number of people

on inclusion with a focus on

needs can continue to be seen

who will be diagnosed with a

dementia.

and involved in community life.

form of dementia is predicted to increase by around 20% in the next 20 years. Statistics are just the plain facts, however. At the heart of this project - and the City Council’s entire programme - is the uncompromising principle that people with dementia, their families and carers are equal

6 www.voscur.org

The project began in March 2014. Don’t delay! Please get in contact if you or someone you care for wants to take up this unique offer to be supported into volunteering or if you see yourself as a Volunteer Mentor on this pioneering new project. There are

To find out more, contact Subitha Baghirathan: subitha@volunteerbristol.org. uk or call: 0117 989 7734.

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

How can the Bristol Compact be used for an equalities agenda?

Questions have been raised about commissioning and how it includes equalities perspectives throughout the process. Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer, describes how commissioners and voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations can ensure that good equalities practice informs commissioning plans.

By supporting commissioners

but often absent. For VCS

opportunities to help better their

with their equalities expertise, VCS

organisations, this presents an

understanding.

organisations could be effectively

opportunity – to influence and to

advocating for service users and

advocate for service users. Data

influencing what flows from

and information from regular

commissioning processes.

monitoring reports should be

Equalities Impact Assessments An equalities impact assessment (EqIA) should happen throughout the commissioning cycle*. In reality, however, EqIAs often focus

used for maximum advantage and VCS organisations should be able to present detailed analyses of the equalities issues for their service

Pragmatism

users of the changes proposed in

There are some changes that

commissioning plans.

affect commissioners’ work on equalities, as follows:

by equalities issues if assessments

> The requirement on local

took into account all stakeholders

authorities to undertake EqIAs

(for example, present and future

has changed; now a more basic

service users, workforce) in earlier

equality assessment is all that is

stages of commissioning.

required. In this context, public

Needs analysis The data set on which commissioning plans are built is often drawn from the JSNA (joint

procurement processes do not specifically include it, there are clearly opportunities for equalities perspectives to have an influence. * The commissioning cycle is a four-stage process: analyse-plan-do-review

users.

on limiting the impacts on service

Plans would be better informed

While commissioning and

bodies’ commitments to continue with more in-depth work than they are legally required to do should be valued.

Compact theme 2: Promoting equality, community cohesion and social inclusion This section of the Bristol Compact describes some of the approaches around equalities and the commitments of the public sector and the VCS. For example: 2.4. Work with VCS organisations that represent, support or provide services to people specifically protected by legislation and other underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.

strategic needs assessment) and

> As the public sector shrinks,

some desk research, yet it must

there are fewer resources available

be comprehensive. Equalities

to commissioners. We cannot

To find out more,

data and trends from the

rely on commissioners knowing

contact Mark Hubbard

collated monitoring of existing

everything, and VCS organisations

at Voscur on 0117 909

services are sometimes included,

must recognise and create

9949.

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

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It’s festival time

- some tips from the top...

From boats to balloons, cycling, food and the arts – the summer in Bristol is bursting with festivals and community events. Aware that these can be both a source of learning for those of you wanting to organise your own community events, and a vehicle for promoting what you do and reaching new audiences, we interviewed Anna Rutherford, Chair of Bristol Festivals and Executive Director at In Between Time, to find out her top tips around inclusion, involving volunteers and marketing.

What does your role entail?

run gigs and club nights, and I

city and play with space, often

I work with the Bristol Festivals

now look after marketing and

creating art in the public domain.

board to drive the development of

strategy at the arts organisation

At our last festival, works like Fake

the city’s festivals. Our main focus

In Between Time. This experience

Moon (a huge moon on College

currently is a major audience

helps me understand the

Green) attracted the most diverse

development project. Bristol is a

challenges many festivals face.

audiences.

How do you ensure that the

What role do volunteers play in

various festivals you organise are

making the festivals a success?

fantastic, diverse and lively city - there are so many festivals and events going on, but it’s often hard for people living here to

inclusive to all?

Volunteers are hugely important

understand what’s happening

On a personal level, and as a

to festivals. Organisations like

when, and how they could get

founder of Pride in Bristol,

Bristol Pride, St Paul’s and Brisfest

more involved. Part of the Bristol

diversity is something I’m very

are almost entirely staffed and

Festivals project is about making

passionate about. All festivals in

run by volunteers, many coming

things simpler for the people who

the city are really beginning to

back year after year. Others like

live here, whilst also providing

think about how to encourage

In Between Time, Encounters and

the festivals with a better

people of different backgrounds

Mayfest utilise volunteers in the

understanding of who is and isn’t

and ages to be part of events.

run-up to festivals. They offer

being reached by cultural activity

Of course it’s not an easy task,

great training and brilliant cultural

in Bristol. Over the next six months

and with limited resources and

experiences in return for support

we’re creating a ‘Festivals Hub’

increasing pressure to generate

in a range of areas. Volunteers

for the city, to bring together

income from audiences, it can

can take a lot of management and

the general public, ticket-buyers,

be difficult. At In Between Time

organisations often underestimate

volunteers and festival staff.

we encourage inclusion by

the workload there, but they also

programming the festival with

provide crucial support and add

diverse artists. We also make

a real sense of community to

artwork using members of the

events.

Outside of my work with Bristol Festivals, I’ve worked across various festivals and events and

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public and work around the

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Some local festival-goers at the last Bristol Festival of Nature, taken by Bob Coombe.

How do you motivate people

audience (marketing). Secondly,

collaborate). It’s a crowded market

to volunteer at festivals and

really consider your audience:

in Bristol and you can often

community events?

who they are, where they are,

achieve a lot more for audiences

what other things they like, what

in partnership. If you still want to

motivates them, what they want

go ahead, join the Festivals and

from you... and show them love!

Events Forum. There is so much to

I learnt very early on to put the

learn around events, from health

audience at the heart of what you

and safety and finance to licensing

do, and it’s served me well since.

and marketing, and it can be

Whatever you are doing, big or

dangerous to get this wrong.

We’re pretty lucky when it comes to motivation. Festivals tend to be staffed by hugely passionate and hardworking people, and this culture rubs off on volunteers.

It’s not always easy, but there’s a huge sense of shared purpose and achievement when, together, you pull an event off. Once people hear about an opportunity, they jump at it - the challenge for us is letting people know that opportunities exist. This is where the Festivals Hub could make a real difference.

What are your top tips for marketing local festivals and community events to ensure a good turnout?

Firstly, invest time and resources in communicating with your

small, if you want to succeed you must respect and nurture your audience. Use strong images, invest in brand, and tell interesting stories using simple language.

If you communicate well, extraordinary things happen!

At the forum you’ll be able to speak to people who have been through it all before. Everyone from the Balloon Fiesta to the Wool Fayre attends, and it’s a very supportive, lively group.

If you could give one piece of advice to a local group thinking of organising their own event or festival, what would it be?

Stay up to date on news from Bristol Festivals on Twitter:

Before you even start planning,

www.twitter.com/bristolfests

check that there isn’t already

or on Facebook: www.

someone out there doing a similar

facebook.com/bristolfestivals

thing (with whom you could

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

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Volunteers – ‘lifting Bristol higher’ To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2014), Volunteer Bristol/Voscur commissioned the V30 campaign to say a big “thank you” to all of the city’s volunteers.

Photo by David Macias Navarro

The aim of the V30 campaign was to spread the word about the incredible things that volunteers do in our city and say a big “thank you” to those who give their time, energy and expertise to good causes. To do this, we created a giant “thank you” card, covered in the messages of support for volunteering and all of the photos/’selfies’ of volunteers in action that were sent to us by email, Twitter and Facebook from across the city in the weeks preceding Volunteers’ Week.

Measuring 2m high by 1.5m wide, the giant V30 thank you card was unveiled on a sunny June Monday morning by the Lord Mayor at a high-profile launch event. With lots of volunteers, charities and press in attendance, he said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the city and they do so much to make Bristol the best city in the UK. We appreciate what they do, and wherever they are and whoever they are, I and the city want to say a huge thank you to them all.”

Following the launch, the card

10 www.voscur.org

Attendees at the V30 launch event with the Lord Mayor of Bristol

went on a city-wide tour visiting

contributions of volunteers from

various Volunteers’ Week events.

other organisations on the giant

These included Windmill Hill City

card, it engendered a sense of

Farm, the Prince’s Trust and

celebration of the volunteering

Linkage. Hundreds of people

community, both at the farm and

signed the card throughout

across Bristol.”

the week, sharing their unique stories on the positive impact that volunteering has had on their lives and their work. Lizzie Spencer, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Windmill Hill City Farm, said: “It was really nice for everyone to read each other’s reflections, and to take part in their own personal photo shoots! With

To spread the V30 message even further, the campaign also took to the airwaves with two special radio shows on both Ujima 98fm and BCfm 93.2fm. The show was hosted by the Mistri, who spoke with volunteers, community groups, charities and the city’s leaders, who all shared their amazing stories on volunteering.

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Whilst Volunteers’ Week is over, the need to recruit, support and celebrate volunteers goes on keep tweeting us your messages of support and selfies in action as a volunteer to #V30. And to learn more about the diversity of volunteering opportunities, visit www.volunteerbristol.org.uk.

Just a handful of the hundreds of lovely messages that have been written in our giant card. See some photos of the campaign overleaf and the rest at: http://goo.gl/oT5JrU (a huge thank you to David Macias Navarro for his wonderful photographs!). You can also listen to the radio shows again at: http://goo.gl/hfdPvw

Issue 25  July / August / September 2014

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Support Hub training On the Road to Successful Funding Applications

Commissioning: Collaborative Working and Structures

Thursday 3 July 2014, 9:30am - 3:30pm

Thursday 11 September 2014, 9:30am – 1pm

This course will help you to increase your skills, knowledge and confidence to plan and complete funding applications that are more likely to be successful. It will also help you to begin to develop a funding strategy for your project or idea.

Collaboration is the name of the game. Commissioners are increasingly offering large contract values, with an expectation that providers will collaborate and deliver services together. Joined-up services and working in partnership are in demand.

Managing Difficult Issues in Volunteer Management

• How do you navigate the challenges of forming effective collaborations in an increasingly

Tuesday 8 July 2014, 9:30am - 3:30pm Designed for anyone who manages volunteers, this course will help both volunteers and organisations get the most out of working together. It covers identifying problems and practical approaches to solving them, setting effective boundaries and managing expectations, avoiding common issues before they arise, and effective two-way communication.

Finance Forum Wednesday 9 July 2014, 10am - 12pm A chance to meet others with financial responsibilities and find out what’s happening in the world of finance.

Trustee Network: Funding, Trading and In-kind Support Tuesday 15 July 2014, 6pm – 8pm This event is open to all trustees and members of management committees. It is an opportunity to discuss a hot topic, hear about what is happening in the sector and make useful contacts.

Mind the Gap: Creative and Effective Team Meetings Thursday 17 July 2014, 12pm – 2pm What do you get out of team meetings? Are they boring and unfocused or creative and inspiring?

This lunchtime session will explore how you can use creativity to make meetings more effective.

14 www.voscur.org

competitive market?

• What sort of collaborative structures are there?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of collaboration?

• How can VCS organisations collaborate well with a view to securing contracts?

If these are the sorts of questions you have, then sign up for this training.

Being a Good Trustee Thursday 18 September 2014, 6pm – 9pm Governance has never been more crucial; in challenging times, a strong board is essential to survive and thrive.

Yet many trustees are unclear on their duties and boundaries with staff. This course sets out trustee roles and responsibilities and suggests tools to help ensure your board leads your organisation’s impact.

Retention and Support of Volunteers Tuesday 23 September 2014, 9:30am – 3:30pm If volunteers have a good volunteering experience, they’ll be keen to stay on and develop their role. If you give volunteers the support they need, they’re more likely to have a satisfying experience. That’s common sense. But all volunteers are different, so the support each needs, and what each finds rewarding, are also unique. This course supports volunteer managers to get the best out of their volunteers by putting these principles into practice.

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Mind the Gap: CICs (Community Interest Companies) – Your Questions Answered

Early bird rates available!

Wednesday 24 September 2014, 12pm - 2pm At this lunchtime workshop Sara Burgess, CIC Regulator, will give you the facts about these companies with community purpose and will answer your questions.

Her role includes deciding whether an organisation is eligible to become, or continue to be, a CIC. She is responsible for investigating complaints and taking action if necessary, and her office provides guidance and assistance to help people set up CICs.

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

Tailored training for your staff, volunteers or trustees

“Many many thanks, it was a great day and it was good to have us all in one room, engaged.”

Do you know that Voscur’s training team can design and deliver training for you?

Whether you need...

• a team-building day • a refresher for your trustee board • skills training for your staff • meetings skills for volunteers ...we can work with you to meet your needs.

Our rates are competitive.

Call Ruth or Paula on 0117 909 9949 to find out how we can help you.

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

“It was pitched at an appropriate level - was interesting and focused. Good outcome.”

www.voscur.org

15

Make computers work for, not against, you!

Information and

benefit from free consultancy

presence of Ambition Lawrence

communications technology

on ICT-related topics in exchange

Weston. Other projects have

(ICT) problems are a major

for hosting student teams.

involved database enhancements,

risk factor for our sector

Students on our BSc Information

service monitoring systems,

and support can be sparse,

Technology Management for

website enhancements, technical

expensive and often

Business learn on the job and

infrastructure work, software

unintelligible. Fortunately

develop practical competence in

audits, and strategy design.

Bristol voluntary groups have

shaping ICT to suit the people and

access to UWE’s Student

organisations using it.”

Consultancy Projects.

Some projects are taken on across the region, not just Bristol. Some

The scheme is conceived as a

are located in public sector or

We all know the sheer terror that

three-way working partnership

small and mediam enterprise

comes when our email accounts

benefiting the community, the

settings, not just the voluntary

go down or our hard drive with

students and the university. “Our

sector. Some projects involve

90% of the annual report on it

scheme offers ‘win-win-win’

CRM (Customer Relationship

unexpectedly gives up the ghost.

benefits,” says Nick. “Local groups

Management) systems: ways

Many of us rely on computers

get a valuable IT consultancy

of managing interactions with

and the ICT systems of our

service; students get a unique

current and future service users,

organisations - so it is important

learning opportunity; and this

supporters and other contacts.

that these systems are robust and

learning feeds back in to future

Effective CRM systems are an

fit for purpose.

rounds of the scheme.”

essential tool for growing charities

In their final year, some UWE

Groups apply for support online

students carry out a consultancy

with an outline of their project

project - forming teams of up to

via a competitive bidding process.

five students to work with local

Not everyone is accepted so you

Voscur supports the student

organisations who do not have

should take some time to read

consultancy scheme, supporting

the resources, time or expertise

all of the requirements via the

the students to create sustainable

to make best use of what ICT

“CAKE” website.

IT solutions for their clients and

can offer them. UWE academic Dr Nick Plant coordinates the scheme, part of what they call “CAKE” (community action and knowledge exchange). He says: “Each academic year we look for local community organisations to act as partners. The organisations

16 www.voscur.org

Recent projects have been varied, including development of an online mediator availability

with big communication needs, and people in our sector are building their skills in this area.

provides general support around the unique challenges of voluntary sector ICT.

tool for Bristol Mediation, design of a multi-channel social media strategy for St Werbughs Community Centre, and delivery of improvements to the online

For more info, visit: www.uwe.ac.uk/et/ cake

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Photo by Marcin Wichary CC BY 2.0

The IT Crowd

Support Hub

Photo by Walknboston CC BY 2.0

Key changes to Employment Law This summary has been provided by Cornhill HR, a leading specialist in Human Resource Management and Employment Law. Voscur has teamed up with Cornhill HR to provide a specialist HR and Employment Service for the local voluntary and community sector.

Changes from April 2014 On 6 April 2014 the government announced the following statutory changes: • Maternity, Paternity &

the workers’ rights.

Other changes due in 2014 On 30 June 2014 the government is changing the Code of Practice on Flexible Working to ensure that

Adoption Pay to increase to

every employee with 26 weeks’

£138.18 per week.

service has the right to request

• Redundancy Pay is capped at £464 per week.

Early Conciliation also came into force, which means that an individual who wishes to make a tribunal claim after 6 May 2014 has a legal requirement to make a notification to ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). This is an attempt to

flexible working. Therefore, all employers will have a duty to

the impact of these changes on your organisation and your policies and would like advice as to how to handle any requests or a review of your Flexible Working and/or Paternity Policy to ensure it meets the change in legislation, then please contact Voscur in the first instance.

consider all requests and respond

Voscur will be hosting an ‘A-Z

within a timeframe.

of HR’ masterclass (delivered

In October 2014 it has been suggested that fathers-to-be and partners of pregnant women will be allowed time off to attend two antenatal appointments with the expectant mother.

by Cornhill HR) on 11 and 12 November 2014, to cover best practice in recruitment, employment law, redundancy, sickness and absence, storing staff records, employee relations, performance management and

settle more cases out of court

Auto-enrolment Pensions

appraisals. For more information

and is available from April 2014.

Pension auto-enrolment came

on this visit: www.supporthub.

If an individual has not received

into force in October 2012 for the

org.uk/a-z-hr

a conciliation certificate they will

largest employers. The changes

be unable to proceed with the

meant that all employees must

tribunal case.

be automatically enrolled into a

To find out more and

workplace scheme, providing they

discuss what Cornhill

meet the criteria surrounding age,

HR may be able to

earnings and location.

offer your group/organisation,

Employment Tribunals now have the power to impose a financial penalty of between £100 and £5,000 on an employer who has

Further information

lost a case and breached any of

If you have any concerns about

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

please contact Mark Hubbard at Voscur on 0117 909 9949.

www.voscur.org

17

Community events - more bang for your buck...

Running a successful community event can increase your organisation’s profile and raise unrestricted funds to deliver your work. But how can you make sure all of your hard work yields results?

Understanding the needs of your

Event team – work with a team

event and generating excitement;

local community is a challenge, as

to make life easier.

build the excitement with regular

they are ever evolving and local consultations may not reflect the needs of the whole community.

A community event can present a perfect opportunity to engage people, while increasing your organisation’s community profile.

Roles – ensure everyone understands what they are doing.

Budget – be clear on costs, the income you anticipate generating and the break-even point. Be prepared to make savings if things don’t go according to plan and

updates.

Digital – update your website and social media accounts regularly. Remember to include traditional media by encouraging press and photographers to attend.

Running a community event can

stick to areas that won’t affect the

Cover yourself – carry out a

take a lot of resources. Before

experience of your audience.

risk assessment to avoid things

committing yourself, consider the potential benefits of using existing events to build relationships, share experiences and create cultural understanding; engage the most marginalised; increase organisational profile; and befriend community champions.

If you decide an event is just what your organisation needs, here are some tips for making it stress free:

Before you start – decide what you want to achieve and allow enough time to create a buzz.

18 www.voscur.org

Sponsor – a sponsor can be a powerful force in helping to promote your event. If you

going wrong, and secure public liability insurance so you are covered in the event of a claim.

don’t have a sponsor, consider

Licence – if you are recording or

attracting a local personality or

featuring live performance, check

high-profile speaker.

whether you need a licence by

Talk about it – with clear,

looking at the Licensing Act 2003.

eye-catching and informative

Cover c­osts – if asking for

materials. Make it clear what

voluntary donations, avoid

you want people to do: join the

coercion and use gentler ways for

Facebook group, subscribe to a

people to donate by selling things

newsletter or simply buy a ticket.

such as raffle tickets.

Use email – an extremely effective tool for promoting your

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Your supporters’ journey

to increase community support.

opportunities to do more than

Once your event is complete it is

This is a simple low-cost idea,

generate income from community

a challenge and an opportunity

where supporters host a dinner

events.

to keep your new supporters

for friends. As well as a chance to

engaged and loyal. Engagement

come together, share food and

begins with the first contact,

raise funds, it is an opportunity to

ensuring they have all the

tell people about the work of the

information they require and

organisation. One25’s fundraiser

understand your work. After the

Olivia explains: “The campaign got

event, celebrate their success

off to a great start with a launch

and share your gratitude for their

event that created excitement

involvement; maintain the contact

and really raised the profile of our

to:

work. The dinners have provided

• Understand their needs and what they can offer.

• Share hints and tips on how to fundraise for your organisation.

so many opportunities to inform people about the challenges faced by the women we work with, and to promote ways that people can get involved in the organisation.”

Earlier in the year, The Big Issue in Bristol partnered with Crisis Ministries and 19 other local organisations to run a sponsored ‘Big Sleep Out’ event. At the same time as raising significant income, the Big Sleep Out succeeded in other ways. As Katharine from The Big Issue explains: “The benefits have been far reaching, from building our network and understanding of the different sources of support available for homeless people, through to sharing experiences and

Fundraising ideas cover the

knowledge. All of this is helping

spectrum from simple and

us meet the needs of the people

your work and the difference

fun to thought-provoking and

we work with in the best way

it makes.

challenging; recent local ideas

possible.”

• Inspire with information about

• Share volunteering and campaigning opportunities and how to spread the word through their own networks.

Community fundraising The economic downturn prompted a revival in community fundraising and has prompted

have included: • Sponsored firewalks • Sponsored film nights and music events • Workplace dress-downs • Employer matched giving

events buzzing, the benefits of engaging community participation to empower people to solve local community problems are clear.

Now is the time to take action and improve the quality of community life.

• Events engaging children such

an abundance of ideas. A major

as readathons, odd jobs and

advantage of this approach is that

sponsored silences.

the funds raised are unrestricted.

With your thoughts on community

For more ideas on community fundraising see The

The rise in profile and availability

Big Issue’s website:

Bristol charity One25 has used

of social media such as Facebook

www.bigissue.org.uk/

their ‘Dinner4Good’ campaign

and Twitter is presenting excellent

events/do-it-yourself

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

www.voscur.org

19

Is race equality off the political agenda?

Last spring, The Voice newspaper

found that over 30% of those

in the Local Enterprise Partnership

opened the debate on the

surveyed are comfortable to

(LEP) reaches and benefits

progress of race equality with an

describe themselves as either

Black and minority Ethnic (BME)

air of sarcasm: “Congratulations

“very” or “a little” racially

communities. The LEP exists

Black Britons, things are going

prejudiced.

to support regional economic

so well for African and Caribbean communities that the race agenda is an unnecessary and outdated thing of the past.”

It appears that four decades of hard-won gains by activists that achieved greater protection for minority groups are being eroded

The article claimed that race

at a time when they are needed

relations legislation was being

most.

diluted, and the budget cuts to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the statutory body charged with protecting and enforcing those laws, have rendered the EHRC virtually useless. Speaking to The Voice, one politician said: “The lights are on, and that’s about it.”

So what’s the situation in Bristol?

Bristol BME Voice is taking action to highlight the issue of race equality. Recognising that Bristol is now the second most ethnically diverse city outside of London, with nearly a quarter of residents not being white British, there is a need for race equality to be

growth; its economic plan must ensure BME communities do not miss out on employment and training opportunities, leading to alienation and deprivation.

30%

Over of respondents to the recent ‘British Social Attitudes’ survey are comfortable to describe themselves

“very” or “a little” racially as either

prejudiced.

The Voice continued: “If the future

prioritised. Bristol BME Voice is

As Bristol takes up the mantle

is looking so bright, what does it

developing a Bristol Manifesto for

of European Green Capital 2015,

matter? The reality is, it really does

Race Equality in collaboration with

BME and other equalities groups

matter - desperately. Depressing

SARI, Ujima, Avon and Somerset

cannot be overlooked in Bristol’s

statistics reflect this. Black

Black Police Association, Building

aspiration to become a greener

communities are proportionately

the Bridge, Black South West

city. We must ensure that all

worse off in almost every single

Network, Bristol City Council and

citizens can contribute to and

area of society: redundancies,

others. It calls on decision-makers

benefit from a greener Bristol.

unemployment, education,

to prioritise their commitment

Our work with the Bristol Green

health, mental health, the criminal

to race equality, in key areas of

Capital Inclusion Action Group is

justice system and even access to

health, mental health, criminal

supporting this debate.

funding for business start-up.”

justice and education.

Co-chairs of the Bristol BME

The recent ‘British Social Attitudes’

Bristol BME Voice is scrutinising

Voice Advisory Group say:

survey (http://goo.gl/VKUUvG)

and monitoring how investment

Zaheer Shabir: “In terms of race

20 www.voscur.org

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

equality this group is picking up the baton to make progress around emerging gaps and underrepresentation. There has been more awareness about, and input to, this work than ever before and we will continue so our efforts are Photo by looking4poetry CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

fully materialised. Bristol has never been more eager but race equality remains a collective responsibility by all sectors.”

Roger Griffith: “In light of cuts to key government services, the issue of race equality is the most important it has been for the last 30 years. Higher unemployment rates, literacy and education, stop and search numbers, health inequalities and affordable housing remain daily concerns for our communities. There are opportunities through the LEP and new people willing to listen; we need to understand and communicate those concerns both ways so Bristol remains a great place to live for all, not just for some.”

Bristol BME Voice aims to effect and support real advances in race equality so that BME communities are both leading and directing actions that improve their lives, their opportunities and their ability to influence change.

To find out more about Bristol BME Voice, contact Ruth Pitter on 0117 909 9949 or email: ruth@voscur.org

Bristol Somali Youth Network: “Fighting our corner for race equality.”

Ayan Abukar of the Bristol Somali Youth Network explains how her organisation recognises the need for action around race equality:

“We set up because of a gap in the market. The lack of information and resources was impacting on young Somali people in our community, and no-one was speaking up for them.

We saw them losing out on job opportunities, a good education and essential services they were unaware of. We are having to fight to bring these services to our community.

“Along with others, I have experiences of not getting employment because of my name; some employers have been open about that.

“The above types of practices – clear racism – need to be challenged, which is not happening enough.

“Meanwhile the lack of translation services and other support is clear. People like me have to voluntarily step in to offer, for example, translation to people in hospital who need it.

“The forum is working to help achieve community cohesion, which won’t be achieved without race equality.”

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

www.voscur.org

21

Integrated Victim Care Since May 2013, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office have been working closely with partner agencies towards the implementation of new ‘Integrated Victim Care’ teams. Natalie Steadman, Senior Responsible Officer for Integrated Victim Care, tells us more about this new approach.

Integrated Victim Care teams will bring together victim contact functions in the police service, colocated with partners, to provide more coordinated, end-to-end care for victims. The new teams will: • Guide a victim through their journey from first point of contact with the police, through the investigation and on to the end of the criminal justice process.

• Provide greater ownership of the whole journey of a victim; reducing handovers and providing a ‘single point of contact’ approach – simplifying the landscape for victims.

• Ensure victims are referred to support organisations – colocated where possible to ensure smooth handovers, effective information transfer and ‘one-team’ working.

The programme team has been working hard in the past six months to better understand the end-toend journey of a victim, consulting with victims, staff and officers, and partner agencies.

We have used this knowledge to inform the design of a new ‘to-be’ model for victim care.

22 www.voscur.org

The teams will consist of police staff and key partner organisations, co-located into multi-agency ‘hubs’.

The hubs will pick up all serious crime cases (including hate crime and sexual and domestic abuse) and cases that involve victims who are vulnerable, intimidated or persistently targeted (as defined in the Victims’ Code of Practice). They will work closely with the officer in the case to ensure that victims have a full needs assessment, and receive care and support from the point of recording their crime, through to the end of the criminal justice process – keeping victims engaged and informed throughout.

These new victim care hubs will be complemented through the commissioning of victims’ care services.

From October 2014, a large proportion of the victim care funding which the Ministry of Justice currently holds, to commission victim services locally, will be devolved to local Police and Crime Commissioners. You can now view our (post consultation) commissioning intentions in relation to support services for victims on our website (see below).

To view the commissioning intentions and full victim strategy documents, visit: http://goo.gl/nDpTFk For more information on Integrated Victim Care, email: Natalie.Steadman@ avonandsomerset.police.uk

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Support for ex-offenders The Restore Trust was founded five years ago with the aim of supporting ex-offenders and the long-term unemployed through skills training and support. Pete Levy, Business Development Director at Restore, tells us about the work they are involved in and how other local groups can join them to link up local services for ex-offenders.

We recognise that our clients do not want to commit to attending long courses in order to be skilledup to gain employment. They want quick, practical help that will give them skills and basic qualifications, which in turn will give them that critical step on to the job ladder.

We currently deliver a wide variety of accredited BTEC courses in Bristol and Somerset, including employability and teamwork, IT and construction, hospitality and catering, and customer service and retail. The courses are free to learners provided that they meet some standard criteria including being currently unemployed and aged 18 and over.

On completion of one of these courses, all learners will receive a BTEC certificate at the relevant level. If they are completing the IT/ construction course, this will also include full funding for the CSCS test and CSCS Card.

Our partnership with Bristol

Photo by gabriel CC BY 2.0

We were originally part of the Avon and Somerset Probation Trust (ASPT) but became a ‘not for profit’ Social Enterprise (still working very closely with ASPT) with support from the National Offender Management Service.

Together enables us to also provide paid-for employment opportunities, renovating empty homes which we aim to offer to our clients in the near future as short-term accommodation while they get on their feet and find a more permanent place to stay.

We have a great success rate – many of our trainees have since moved into full-time employment and re-offending rates are down by almost 40 per cent.

With significant ongoing change in the provision of probation services and a job market that, while improving, still has its challenges, we believe we are providing a practical, hands-on service that gives vulnerable individuals an opportunity and the confidence to take it.

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

Central to our growth going forward, we will be working closely with strategic partners in business, the education sector and local government. We are also providing a hub to collaborate with other charitable and voluntary organisations to develop ‘joined up’ funded solutions that provide an all-round support service. It is our goal that, through working with others, we give people the skills and confidence to transform their own lives and provide real social value.

If you’re interested in working with Restore, call them on 0117 942 7000 or email: info@ therestoretrust.org

www.voscur.org

23

Investor-ready, steady, go!

A look at social investment Back in April, Voscur hosted an event at Bristol’s Trinity Centre to explore the opportunities and potential pitfalls involved in a new and emerging form of funding for the voluntary and community sector known as ‘social investment’.

The event was formally opened by the city’s elected Mayor, George Ferguson, who reiterated the city’s commitment to supporting this approach to investment, whilst making clear this was not a

Participants in a workshop at the event

substitute for grant support.

After the mayor’s address, Voscur’s Paul Hassan chaired a panel discussion between senior

cannot get funding because their

the financial return as well as the

business model is not obvious –

social impact.

that is, it is not driven by profit.”

Social investors are motivated by social outcomes as well as financial benefits.

figures in the social investment

The panel considered social

arena including Sarah Forster,

investment from an “investee”

from Big Issue Invest, Chris

perspective, which they defined as

Dadson, a Cabinet Office advisor

“accessing financial support from

from the Social Investment

different groups of supporters

Business Group, Sue Cooper

motivated by a social purpose to

The panel was asked to

from St John’s Hospital, Geetha

fill a funding gap.”

differentiate grant funding

Rabindrakumar from Big Society Capital, Paul Harrod from Bristol Together and Ed Rowberry from the “Backing Our Bristol” initiative.

Social investors are motivated by social outcomes as well as financial benefits. For some there is a personal motivation for

The panel defined social

supporting social benefit, but Big

investment as: “Finance for

Society Capital (see more on next

organisations that either cannot

page) has pension fund investors

get conventional funding or

too, who are also interested in

24 www.voscur.org

from social investment. They agreed that whilst grants require organisations to deliver projects, measured through activities, outputs and impacts, social investment supports an organisation over the longer term, has a broader, more strategic approach and is largely focused on

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

impact rather than just outcomes.

The participants then engaged in a series of workshops covering topics as diverse as ‘investor readiness’, ‘navigating support

After these stimulating workshops, participants, panellists and the workshop coordinators networked to discuss key issues and learning points that emerged from the day.

for social investment’ and, for

The event was supported by SWIG,

those ready to take the next step,

WERN and Backing our Bristol.

For resources from the event as well as a list of useful links, visit: www.voiceandinfluence. org.uk/social-investment

‘advanced social investment’.

Big Society Capital Big Society Capital was set up two years ago to help grow the social investment market in the UK. Since then it has committed almost £150m to social fund managers, who then make the funding available to different charities and social enterprises that are tackling a wide range of social issues, from the crisis in social care to youth unemployment and young people at risk of entering care or custody.

There has been a lot of talk about social investment and the role it can play in helping charities and social enterprises deal with the dual challenge of rising social need and a more challenging funding environment. Social investment is repayable finance, so organisations must have an income stream (for example via an enterprise strand or public sector contracts) with which to pay back the investor. This means that social investment won’t be right for everyone.

However, there are some great examples emerging of how organisations are using it to help them deliver even greater social impact.

At Oomph!, a social enterprise that provides fun and effective exercise classes for older adults, social investment is being used to scale up its programmes: running specialist exercise classes, including chair cheerleading in care homes to increase older people’s physical strength and mobility. It will repay the investment through the

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

fees it receives from the care homes.

At Energise, a programme run by the youth training and education charity Adviza, 14-year-olds identified as likely to become unemployed are engaged in regular coaching and more intensive residential programmes. The success of the programme is measured on a range of indicators, from behaviour at school to improved GCSE results.

Energise is already exceeding its targets, and this will trigger payment from the Department for Work and Pensions, funded from long-term savings to the public purse.

It is exciting to see, but, in large part because it is very new, it can be hard for organisations to find the right type of finance for them. One of our biggest priorities over the next few years is to work with organisations such as Voscur, to help support charities and social enterprises to access the money available. They have also recently launched a free ‘ask us a question’ service on their website to help charities and social enterprises navigate the landscape. It can be found at: www.bigsocietycapital.com/askus-question

www.voscur.org

25

Raising the participation age for education and training for young people Raising the Participation Age

in summer 2013, they must stay

Network Co-ordinator attends).

(RPA) for education and training

in some form of education or

The group meets regularly to

for young people is primarily

training for at least a further year

monitor progress on strategy

about improving the quality

until 27 June 2014.

and the local action plan, and

of education for young people so that they are well prepared for further education, higher education and work.

Young people should have the choice to undertake high-quality academic and vocational education, including apprenticeships and traineeships.

Young people should also have access to wider opportunities that help them to remain engaged, realise their potential and participate in the decisions that affect them. This could include options such as volunteering

2) If a young person started in year 11 (or years below) in September 2013, they will have to continue until at least their 18th birthday.

keep track of data provided by Learning Partnership West, under contract with Bristol City Council.

Supporting this group is the RPA Operational Group, which is assisting the local authority (LA) in

It is important to note that this does not mean young people must stay in school. They will be able to choose from the following options:

implementing the strategy.

One of the actions includes promoting the use of RONI (Risk of NEET Indicator) with the aim of trying out interventions that

• Full-time education (for example school or college).

have a positive impact and taking proactive measures to address the needs of young people likely to

• An apprenticeship.

disengage. Further actions will be

• Full-time employment or

included as a result of the recent

or linking with youth councils.

volunteering, combined

14-19 Ofsted review and the

This will help to ensure that

with part-time education or

Mayor’s commission.

more young people gain the

training.

The number of NEET young people

skills and qualifications that lead

In Bristol, the local RPA strategic

to sustainable jobs and reduce

aged 16-18 in Bristol has been

group includes members from

the number not in education,

steadily decreasing over the last

Bristol City Council (secondary

employment or training (NEET).

three years, as more young people

learning and economic

remain in education, employment

As part of RPA, the age to which

development), Further education

and training in line with RPA (8.2%

all young people in England are

colleges, schools and sixth

in December 2011 to 6.6% in

required to continue in education

forms, training providers, the

December 2013).

or training is being increased in

West of England Local Enterprise

two stages:

Partnership and Voscur (the

1) If a young person left year 11

26 www.voscur.org

Children and Young People’s

The “not known” figure, in other words the number of young people whose destination is

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Local young people from Imayla’s Wildly Different Programme on a weekend in Devon

unknown, has improved since

person who is engaged in work

or disabilities (see Education Act

2012. There is still a way to go

with them, using Jackie Turner’s

1996, and Education and Skills Act

to ensure every young person is

contact details below.

2008).

Jackie Turner, Service Manager for

LAs have a role in monitoring

Secondary Learning, who has lead

participation and collecting

At the recent Children and Young

responsibility for RPA in Bristol City

destination data, in other

People’s Network meeting in

Council, said:

words where young people are

appropriately placed in suitable provision post 16.

February 2014, voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups had an opportunity to comment and make suggestions on RPA. It was highlighted that considerable information is available about VCS organisations that work with young people, and this would help in identifying potential and existing young people who might

“Partnership working is the key to delivering the RPA requirements for Bristol’s young people. The RPA Strategy Group is interested in hearing from any VCS organisations that work with young people and think that they have something to offer the programme.”

progressing to. The process that is aimed at ensuring that 16- and 17-year-olds can access either suitable education in a school or college or work-based training is known as the ‘September Guarantee’. LAs agree with their partners – especially schools and colleges – how the process will operate in their local area.

be NEET or at risk, or may be

From a legislative angle, the duties

under “not known”. In addition,

for RPA for LAs are included in

Contact Jackie Turner

our sector can support young

the Education and Skills Act 2008

at: Jackie.turner@

people by providing suitable

and the Education and Skills Act

bristol.gov.uk

volunteering opportunities,

2011. RPA builds on existing duties related to education and training

For further details, visit

matched with training where possible. For tracking purposes

provision for 16- to 19-year-olds,

it is important that organisations

and up to 24-year-olds for those

inform the LA of any young

with learning difficulties and/

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

www.voiceandinfluence.org. uk/cyp_meetings or contact Asma Ahmad on 0117 909 9949.

www.voscur.org

27

Using the power of our sector to reduce falls in Bristol It is estimated that there are about 16,000 people in Bristol who are vulnerable to falls. Falls are the leading external cause of death in people over 75 years of age in the UK, and the number of older people falling in Bristol is projected to increase faster than can be explained just by the ageing population.* So what role can we play to help reduce the amount of falls locally?

The impact of falls is substantial,

that as an indication of something,

volunteers at key agencies who

both on those who fall and their

and go and see our GP,” says Sue

come into contact with vulnerable

families, and in terms of the cost

Brazendale, Voscur’s Health and

people can have positive

to the NHS. Those who have a fall

Social Care Network Coordinator.

conversations about this sensitive

or are fearful of falls tend to stay

“However, if people feel unsteady

topic and empower people to

indoors more, and become less

on their feet they do not go to

seek help. One of the challenges

mobile and more socially isolated.

their GP. That’s wrong and it’s

is that the fear of falling actually

that sort of thinking we want to

contributes to the risk of falling.

change. People should talk to their

Fear of falling keeps people in

GP about feeling unsteady on

their home and inactive, thereby

their feet, as there’s lots that can

weakening muscles, and being

be done. People are reluctant to

anxious and tense when out and

do so. Maybe it is fear of ageing:

about does not help balance. So

that they might ‘be put in a home’

conversations about falls need to

or they think that there is nothing

be sensitive and appropriate.

Thanks to funding from NHS England (Building Health Partnerships), Voscur has been able to demonstrate the value and importance of the voluntary and community sector in tackling health issues. Falls prevention was one of the subjects chosen.

that can be done. We want to

Work that began in Public Health,

debunk the myths around falling.

with input from Age UK Bristol,

Help is there.”

and community sector (VCS) was willing and able to help change attitudes towards the risk of falls.

Around 20 VCS organisations were surveyed, all of whom indicated a willingness to receive falls awareness training to help people who are vulnerable to seek help before rather than after a fall.

“If we run a temperature we see

28 www.voscur.org

designed to be used by any trainer; they do not need to be a

Through extra money from NHS

falls expert. It is now in its second

England, Age UK Bristol, together

stage of development, with

with Voscur and Public Health,

local trainers Alba Consultants

have designed a training session

undertaking a series of training

for volunteers and staff to be

sessions in the autumn.

ambassadors on this issue – to encourage people to seek help when they are unsteady on their feet and not after a fall.

“Having local trainers known in Bristol on board, who are not falls or medical experts, is the best test for the training materials,” says

Believed to be the first training of

Sue Brazendale. “We want them to

its kind, the idea is that staff and

be widely available, and tried and

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

Image based on a photo by Alison Oddy CC BY-NC-SA 2

demonstrated that the voluntary

The training package is being

tested as a model any organisation

and others who regularly come

confident in having positive

can and should use.�

into contact with those who are

conversations with people that

vulnerable to falls can have the

will enable them to get the help

free training, which lasts about

and support available to stay

two and a half hours. To find out

steady, confident and active,

more contact Sue@voscur.og. The

leading to a better quality of life

cost of the training venue will be

for rather a lot of people.

VCS organisations who work with people at risk have come forward to receive the training.

The work comes at a good time for Bristol. The recent plans for Bristol’s Better Care Fund (money from the NHS transferred to local authorities with the aim of reducing pressure on hospitals)

covered, but organisations will be expected to organise attendees for the training from their staff

Public Health Bristol.

and volunteers.

has put reducing the rising

By the time the training is

numbers of hospital admissions

complete there will be about

for falls as a priority theme.

300 people trained, who will

Community groups, charities

* Figures produced by NHS and

understand the agenda and be

For more information, contact Sue Brazendale on 0117 909 9949 or email: sue@voscur.org

Whatever your question - give us a call!

Co m m it tee/b oard d eve l o pment

Volunte e r manag ement M a rketing / s c o m munic ation

and Fund r aising er ation Inc o m e g en

Human resource s

pin lo

g

Dev

e

St a r t ing a n ew c o m munit y o rg anisat io n

Issue 25  July / August / September 2014

un Vol

0117 909 9949

Supporting Voluntary Action

ta ry

Action

www.voscur.org

Photo by Bentom Wyemji CC BY-ND 2.0

w/ i c r ev i e g e t a r t S lanning p s s e n b u si

nal o i t a nis O rga p ment lo d eve

29

Neighbourhood focus: Greater Bedminster Ben Barker, Secretary of the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership (GBCP), gives us a rundown of what they have been up to in their neighbourhood...

The GBCP comprises around 100 organisations including statutory bodies and businesses, but mostly voluntary and community groups of all sizes and types. It does the normal things of acting as a sounding board for Bristol City Council (BCC) and spending bits of money, but increasingly over the last few years it has developed as a self-directing organisation.

In 2012 GBCP secured national funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (as a ‘Mary Portas pilot’) to work with the local business community and improve our high streets. The money was useful, but the status was more so, allowing us to draw in more resources from the Arts Council, BCC and others. For a sustainable outcome we established a Business

30 www.voscur.org

Improvement District in April 2013, thus ensuring, for the first time, an organised business community and a steady income, at least until 2018. The Bedminster Town Team Ltd. is a new and active partner within GBCP. Our success with this project has led us to another national pilot with DCLG. This time the focus is on older people and social isolation. We are at the formative stage, talking to local and citywide organisations from all sectors to better understand why in one of Bristol’s most vibrant areas there are still older people who are no longer community members in any meaningful sense, having lost touch with their friends, relatives and neighbours. As well as looking at the organisational and social structure of the area

we are looking at physical changes that will make it easier for people to move about. A major challenge for us in the current climate (or shrinking time and resources) is to develop a partnership-wide strategic approach around issues like improving green spaces and ensuring greater accessibility in the streets, especially for older or disabled citizens. One way in which we are tackling this is by developing ‘community plans’.

We’ve divided the area into around a dozen ‘real’ neighbourhoods.

Eight of these have already started to audit the strengths and weaknesses of their locality and identify possible improvements.

This should give us a good, locally generated data base that we and external bodies can work to when planning changes. What fun!!

July / August / September 2014 Issue 25

IER Ad - 266mm(h) x 82.5(w).pdf

1

21/05/2014

Make sure you’re still THE WAY WE registered to vote ALL REGISTER The way you register to vote changed across the UK in June 2014 to a new system called ‘Individual Electoral Registration’. In Bristol thousands of residents may need to take action to join the new register, even if they were registered in the past.

Previously, one person was responsible for registering everyone at an address; now however, every individual is responsible for their own voter registration. For the first time you can register

TO VOTE IS CHANGING

online and you need to provide a few more details, including your National Insurance number and date of birth. This helps make the electoral register more secure.

Most people who are already registered have been transferred automatically to the new register. However, around 70,000 will need to re-register in the Bristol area. Bristol City Council is writing to local residents about the change and the fact that they may need to take action.

There are also people in Bristol who are not registered to vote at all and if you weren’t registered previously, you can register under the new system at: www.gov.uk/yourvotematters. If you have any questions please call 0117 922 3400 or email: electoral.services@bristol.gov.uk.

Get involved Are you a local community group or organisation? Do you work on the frontline with residents? Bristol City Council need your help spreading messages to your contacts. You may be able to help in a number of ways, such as raising the issue at a meeting, putting up a poster, or including links in a newsletter or web page.

For more information or to request a partnership toolkit, please call Kerry Morgan on 0117 922 3468 or email: kerry.morgan@bristol.gov.uk

Issue 25 July / August / September 2014

You need to make sure that you’re on the updated register, or you might not be able to vote in future.

For more information please go to www.gov.uk/yourvotematters YOUR VOTE MATTERS MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN

www.voscur.org

31

Voscur Ltd. Royal Oak House Royal Oak Avenue Bristol  BS1 4GB

Tel: 0117 909 9949 Fax: 0117 933 0501 Email: info@voscur.org Web: www.voscur.org

Voscur training and events July 2014 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

3rd

9:30am - 3:30pm

On the Road to Successful Funding Applications

St Werburghs Centre

8th

9:30am - 3:30pm

Managing Difficult Issues in Volunteer Management

Windmill Hill City Farm

9th

10am - 12pm

Finance Forum

Royal Oak House meeting room

15th

6pm - 8pm

Trustee Network

The Core, 40 St Thomas Street

16th

9:30am - 2pm

VCS Assembly

Trinity Centre

17th

12pm - 2pm

Mind the Gap: Creative and Effective Team Meetings

Royal Oak House meeting room

September 2014 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

11th

9:30am - 1pm

Commissioning: Collaborative Working and Structures

The Southville Centre

18th

1pm - 3:30pm

Health and Social Care Network meeting

St Werburghs Centre

18th

6pm - 9pm

Being a Good Trustee

Barton Hill Settlement

23rd

9:30am - 3:30pm

Retention and Support of Volunteers

The Gatehse Centre

24th

12pm - 2pm

Mind the Gap: CICs (Community Interest Companies) Your Questions Answered

Royal Oak House meeting room

October 2014 Date

Time

Event/training

Location

1st

9:30am - 3:30pm

Writing Small Fundraising Bids

Pheonix Social Enterprise

14th

9:30am - 1pm

Commissioning: Building and Maintaining Working Relationships

Easton Community Centre

15th

10am - 12pm

Children and Young People’s Network meeting

Barton Hill Settlement

16th

9:30am 12:30pm

Crowdfunding

The Greenhouse

22nd

TBC

Voscur AGM - hold the date

TBC

For details of all the above training and events, and those taking place beyond October, visit: www.voscur.org/training-and-events

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

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