Supporting Voluntary & Community Action
September / October / November 2011
Inside this issue: Voscur AGM Voscur members’ benefits update VCS Infrastructure Support Service – what it’s about? Relaunch of the Carers’ Centre BCC Community Investment Budget Autumn/winter training and learning Consultation on the new VCS Assembly Munro Review of Child Protection Open Public Services white paper ICT alternative software options
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Tailor-made products and services for the over 50s
• Home Insurance • Car Insurance • Travel Insurance • Gas and Electricity • Personal Alarms • Funeral Plans
For a no-obligation quote, visit: Age UK Bristol Canningford House, 38 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6BY Tel: 0117 9281 555 (open Mon to Fri 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm) or call 08000 853 741 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/buy
Home, car and travel insurance are provided by Ageas Insurance Limited. Gas and Electricity is provided by E.ON Energy Solutions Limited. Age UK is a registered trademark of Age UK (Charity no 1128267). The use of the name and logo Age UK is done so under a licence agreement between Age UK and Age UK Enterprises Limited, its commercial services arm. Net profits are donated to Age UK. Age UK Enterprises Limited, Linhay House, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7UP. ID9975 11/10 MP2210V2APR11 CS040112_11 Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 2
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Welcome
Contents 4 Editorial 5
New Members
6–7
Voscur Updates
19-20 Consultation on new VCS Assembly Find out about the proposals and how to give your views
21
Member benefits Collaboration, Leadership & Fundraising Conference Voscur AGM
Infrastructure Support Service (ISS)
Platform 51 – the organisation and its services
ISS – what it’s about?
The Munro Review of Child Protection
Case study of organisation through ISS process Introducing our two new Development Workers How the service has worked so far
12-13 Bristol City Council’s Community Investment Budget Essential information on the range of grants available
14
24-25 Health and Social Care Report from the Community Governor at the United Hospitals Bristol Relaunch of the Carers’ Centre
26-27 Neighbourhoods and Communities Member profile: Bristol Wood Recycling Project turns 7 Quality of Life survey 2011
28-29 “Opening up public services”
Volunteer Bristol
review of the Government A White Paper
New name, website and membership package
15-17 Voscur’s Autumn Training and Learning Programme 18
Feedback on VCSES views on your voice and representation
22–23 Children and Young People
Bristol VCS Directory
8-11
Voluntary community & social enterprise sector survey results
Training and events Get involved in Green Volunteering
30-31 ICT ther options to Microsoft O programmes
32 Diary
How Black and Other Minority Ethnic community groups can channel their voice and influence
Keep up to date with Voscur online:
www.facebook.com/voscur
twitter.com/voscur
Thrive! is available on disc. Please contact the office if you would like to receive your Thrive! this way. The newsletter is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine
Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent those of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.
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Editorial
Thrive! Editorial The campaign group ‘False
understand TUPE legislation.
Economy’ (http://tinyurl.com/
See the training and learning
VCScuts) recently produced a
programme on pp. 15-17 for
report, highlighting the impact
details of these and other Voscur
reduced government spending is
courses available this autumn.
having on the voluntary sector. This will come as little surprise to groups in Bristol. In November £240,000 will be cut from Bristol City Council health and social care funding to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations; those still funded will see their grant cut by 6 per cent. Volunteering Bristol has also seen its funding reduced; leading to a reduction in the number of days they are open to the public. Ironically, this comes
In a challenging climate there is even more reason for the VCS to work together. The draft proposals for the new Bristol VCS Assembly are open for comment until 25 October. This is a genuine consultation – nothing in the draft proposals is fixed in stone. Please do contribute to ensure the right structure and support is put in place for the VCS to have a ‘strong voice and influence’– see pp.19-20.
just as the Government wants to
With so many challenges, it’s
encourage more volunteering.
important that we also highlight
Steve Dale, Volunteering Bristol’s
the new opportunities for the VCS.
Chief Executive writes about the
The recent Government White
pressures his organisation is facing
Paper ‘Open Public Services’ sets
on p. 14.
out the vision for a greater role
Across the city, VCS organisations are facing difficult decisions. Many are having to make redundancies and close projects even though they are successful, highly valued by the communities they serve and supposedly seen by the government as being at the heart of the ‘Big Society’ and Localism agenda. While Voscur is working hard to try and assist VCS organisations to thrive, we are also providing support to those having a tough time by helping them manage redundancies and
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Matthew Symonds Participation Manager
for the VCS – and other providers – in delivering public services. Voscur have produced a briefing on the key proposals in the White Paper, on pp. 28-29.This year’s Voscur AGM will explore further the opportunities for the VCS. The AGM’s title is ‘How ‘Big’ is our role in society?’– see p. 7 for details. The speakers will be confirmed by the time you read this (check the Voscur website), but there’s no doubt the debate that follows will be lively. Please join us and contribute.
Key to symbols Equalities Article Training Information & Resources Event
September / October / November 2011 Issue 14
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New Members Artspace Lifespace Ltd.
05600 947619
0845 894 3434
An artist – led initiative that
info@ecomedia-uk.com
j.p.h.fowler@gmail.com
secures vacant properties and
www.ecomedia-uk.com
turns them into sustainable & thriving creative centres. 0117 376 3457
Gospel Generation Community Choir
Savannah Development Foundation The Savannah Foundation supports
A Gospel Community Choir which
the empowerment and capacity
meets in Westbury Park and Easton,
building of African and Caribbean
with concerts every term.
elders and the younger generation.
Cube Microplex
0117 939 1866
0117 9078901
A cinema and arts venue in Central
gospelgen@googlemail.com
solomon@savannahfoundation.
info@artspacelifespace.com www.artspacelifespace.com
Bristol, run by volunteers. 0117 907 4190
Hungerford Community Association
freehold@cubecinema.com
The Community Centre hosts a
www.cubecinema.com
Creative Learning Agency Our website is our main service – through it we aim to provide
range of activities for residents in BS4. A Christian Church Fellowship
We buy properties and develop
is also based there with a youth
them as centres that bring
group.
charities, social enterprises,
0117 977 8968
the information they need to
hungerfordcommunitycentre@
deliver creative workshops.
hotmail.com
donna@creativelearningagency. org.uk
hungerfordcommunitycentre. web.officelive.com
www.creativelearningagency.
Midlands and Bristol Refugee Housing
org.uk
The organisation provides
Easton Learning Centre Free or subsidised training for individuals or businesses. Includes
www.savannahfoundation.co.uk
The Ethical Property Company
artists, teachers and others with
0117 954 4031
co.uk
community and campaign groups together. We provide affordable office/work space, and fair and transparent property management. 0117 916 6488 janine@ethicalproperty.co.uk www.ethicalproperty.co.uk
supported housing services
The Poetry Can
for a range of communities,
The Poetry Can is a poetry
including refugees.
development agency based in Bristol. We present and support a
Maths and English NVQ Levels 1 & 2;
0117 914 0486
Customer Service and others.
adam@midlandsbristol.org.uk
0117 902 2288
the Bristol Poetry Festival.
mrafi@eastonlearningcentre.co.uk
Pilot Supported Accommodation
www.eastonlearningcentre.co.uk
Supported accommodation and a
Bristol BS1 5RH.
EcoMedia Collective CIC We help communities, clients and events use social broadcasting to engage with more people online
program of activities and support to adults who have been homeless or are leaving institutionalised accommodation.
range of high profile poetry events and activities each year, including
12 Great George Street,
0117 933 0900 info@poetrycan.co.uk www.poetrycan.co.uk
and on mobile devices.
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Voscur Updates
Stop Looking Back.....Start Thinking Ahead! The Collaboration, Leadership & Fundraising Conference
Quentin Elston & Samantha O’Sullivan, Mogers Solicitors.
21st September 2011, Future Inn Hotel, Bristol The operating climate for charities
• Building Partnerships and Collaborations within the third sector
Presenting on ‘One Hour To A Better Leadership Partnership’. We are committed to supporting
and not-for-profit organisations
This is a great opportunity for
the charity and not-for-profit
has never been tougher.
Trustees, Chief Executives, Finance
sector and would like to offer
Organisations need to maximise
Directors and Senior Managers
places at a subsidised rate of £20
every penny of their income and
to expand their knowledge on
per person. All delegates will be
achieve optimum return on any
how to reduce operating costs,
able to park at the venue free of
disposal income and investments,
increase funds and manage the
charge.
while the pressure is on to run
fundamental changes within the
as streamlined an operation as
third sector.
possible. With this in mind, Charity Business has collaborated with sector specialists to design a conference to address the critical issues facing charities, not-for-
register visit our website: www.thinkingaheadconference.
Speakers include: Mark Freeman, Chief Executive
Voscur will be exhibiting at the
on ‘Building Collaborative
conference. You will be able
Partnerships’.
to find out more about the
Nicola Day, Director, Rathbone
enterprises, focusing on:
Greenbank Investments.
• Increasing Funds
co.uk
at Charity Business. Presenting
profit organisations and social
• Reducing Costs and Overheads
For more information or to
Presenting on ‘Ethical Investment For Charities’.
Infrastructure Support Service and have your say on the draft VCS Assembly consultation (see pp. 19-20).
FREE Voscur membership for small VCS groups The Voscur board has revised
• Free over the phone or email
Voscur membership criteria
advice and signposting from
and have introduced FREE
Voscur staff
membership for groups with low/
• Free promotion of your events and news on the Voscur website
income). If you’re already a Voscur
diary and notice board
category, then we’ve already contacted you and adjusted your
views each month) • Reduced cost advertisements
no income (£0 – £10,000 annual member and you fall into this
webpage gets over 20,000
• Complementary quarterly Thrive! Magazine • Reduced cost training (there
in Thrive! Magazine We’ll be developing additional new members’ benefits over the coming year – look out for more details.
account. If you’re not a Voscur
are over 40 training courses
Joining Voscur is easy – join
member yet, you’re missing out
each year)
online: www.voscur.org/about/
on great benefits including:
joiningonline or call
• Reduced cost job advertisements (our jobs
6 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 6
0117 909 9949
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How ‘Big’ is our role in society? The Voscur Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 9 November, at 1pm. The theme of this year’s AGM is ‘How ‘Big’ is our role in society?’ Speakers* and discussion groups will consider: • How real are the opportunities for the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in delivering services to the public? • Is there a role for smaller VCS organisations in the `Big Society` and how will partners support their potential? *Speakers’ details to be confirmed as we go to press. For more details and to book your place, visit: www.voscur.org/voscurAGM2011
VCS Directory This autumn, we’re updating the
groups/organisations in Bristol.
online searchable directory of
We’ll be contacting you over the
voluntary and community sector
coming months to check that
For more details about
groups in Bristol. The directory
your details are up to date – but
the VCS Directory and
holds details of over 650 groups
with your website log-on, you can
how to enter or edit
and is a fantastic resource for
keep your own directory detail up
your directory details, visit
people wanting to find out more
to date.
www.voscur.org/directories or
about voluntary and community
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call Voscur on 0117 909 9949.
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Infrastructure Support Service (ISS)
The new support service Voscur’s groundbreaking Infrastructure Support Service (ISS) aims to provide free support to Bristol groups most in need. The ISS recognises that groups
groups who use it, particularly
how effective Voscur is in terms
need targeted support to help
for new, small and equalities
of the support we provide. We will
improve their services or the way
groups – to help them become
carry out a screening process to
their services are run. The ISS is
more independent. We recognise
ensure the work is targeted at the
therefore planned so that it can
the value of training as part of
right groups; we will undertake
be as flexible as possible and
this process so we will respond
organisational health checks
be tailored to meet a variety of
to emerging needs and provide
and then agree action plans so
needs. Some groups may want
tailored training on governance,
groups can assess what they need
a one-off session to help them
performance improvement and
to improve and take action to
be better prepared for funding
funding and financial stability. A
achieve their goals; finally we will
applications and generating
number of these sessions will run
monitor how groups improve and
income; or help to develop a
in local community hubs – to make
our effectiveness as part of this
specific policy. Another group
it easier for groups to attend. We
process.
may want a series of support
will also offer a series of training
sessions to develop a new project,
bursaries for each group to attend
including help with gathering
courses on Voscur’s general
data around evidence for the
training curriculum.
project and producing outcomes;
Of course, it’s still early days but we will have regular reviews and use feedback from those who have used our service to make our
There are several ways we can
own improvements. An effective
monitor whether the groups who
service will bring not only long-
are most in need are receiving the
term benefit to individual groups
We really want the ISS offer to
service; how it is helping them to
but to the sector as a whole.
be as generous as possible to
improve their performance and
or a series of training sessions on organisational governance.
Paddy Nisbett Support Service Development Worker – Governance and Performance Improvement I joined the Voscur team earlier
organisations, plus serving on
and personal development
this year, after working for the
a number of VCS management
workshops. I see myself as a
Black Development Agency (BDA)
committees in Bath and Bristol.
facilitator/enabler. As well as these
as Outreach and Development Worker for two years.
I work part-time for Voscur and use the rest of my time
I also bring experience from
to develop my own business:
working with a Local Authority
teaching Tai Chi; providing
around community involvement,
life- coaching support; running
managing a few voluntary
problem-solving, visioning,
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experiences, my practice is also guided by the following saying, ‘Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach them how to fish, sustainably, and they can feed themselves for life.’
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Infrastructure Support Service (ISS) Corinne Thomas Support Service Development Worker – Fundraising and Financial Stability I joined the team in July after
home, both as a volunteer for
public sector organisations and
spending an idyllic six months
a local youth charity and as a
companies. I am really looking
travelling around the world
Development Worker.
forward to working with VCS
and re-locating to Bristol from London. I am now enjoying putting roots down in Bristol and getting to know my new
I have a varied background of working in partnership with local VCS groups, national charities,
groups in Bristol to help them take control of their own financial future.
An early journey through the Infrastructure Support Service (ISS) – a case study Many VCS organisations are keen
enabling feedback from members
formal evidence of the outcomes
to understand how the ISS is
who are our clients.
of their service to the community.
working and how it will develop
However, Harmony Plus Bristol
during its early stages. Although
The case study
still under development, we
The Chair of a charity called
for the mediation services it
already have an emerging process.
‘Harmony Plus Bristol’ contacts
provides to members of the BME
The following case study highlights
the ISS team in September. The
community in central Bristol. It
some of the key stages in that
organisation is losing a long-term
also has resources that it feels
process. In later magazines we aim
grant from March 2012, its main
are currently underused: available
to produce further clarification,
source of income for a number of
rooms in the building it owns as
and give ‘real life’ case studies,
years. The group does not have
well as several staff members
an up-to-date business plan or
skilled in high-level mediation.
feels it has a good local reputation
Stage 1: Making contact
Stage 2: Fact-finding meeting
The Chair of Harmony Plus Bristol calls the ISS.
The Development Worker finds out as much as
A member of the ISS team at Voscur screens the group to find out if they are eligible for support. The group is eligible for up to 10 hours of ‘intensive support’ from the ISS. A meeting is booked with an ISS Development
possible about the group and its background. The board members talk about their concerns for the future. The Development Worker uses a ‘health check’ tool to find out where support is most needed.
Worker and three board members to start the
Together, they agree some goals, which include:
support process.
improving business planning skills and exploring new sources of funding.
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Infrastructure Support Service (ISS) Stage 3: Action Planning Based on the information provided, the Development Worker proposes an action plan for Harmony Plus Bristol: 1. An ‘Introduction to business planning’ session with board members. 2. A sustainable funding session with key members of the organisation. 3. A referral to the Ethical Property Foundation for buildings’ advice. 4. Offer of a subsidised training place on a ‘Tracking evidence and outcomes’ course.
Stage 4: Taking action and outcomes The group agrees the action plan and undertakes the activities with the aim of achieving the following outcomes: • A greater understanding of the business planning process and outlining goals for their own plan. • Awareness of the benefits of tracking and evaluating casework in order to provide evidence for future funding applications. • Improved knowledge of buildings regulations and opportunities for leasing space. • Identifying opportunities for new funding streams including trading.
Stage 5: Reviewing
Stage 6: Future Plans
The Development Worker assesses the results
The Chair of Harmony Plus Bristol is asked to
of the activity with the Chair of Harmony Plus
report back on their progress six months after
Bristol. As well as discussing the results of
receiving initial support from the ISS team:
ongoing evaluations, the Development Worker asks the Chair a series of questions to find out how effective the support provided was and what it achieved.
• A further two members of the board group have attended business planning training and a draft plan is in process. • A trading ‘working group’ has been set up to
The end of the intensive support service
explore income generation opportunities –
concludes with a discussion of future goals for
both for leasing their building and staff using
the organisation.
their skills as mediation trainers. • A series of tracking tools have been developed to capture the impact and outcomes of the mediation service. This evidence is now being used in future funding applications.
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Infrastructure Support Service (ISS) FAQs What is screening?
What is a goal?
What are outcomes?
The ISS is under contract to
To help VCS groups develop
Outcomes are the hoped
prioritise the support it provides.
and grow, the role of the ISS will
for results of an activity. The
Screening will usually take place
be to agree targets or goals for a
outcomes of the ISS are all based
over the phone by a trained
group to work towards.
around improving performance
member of the team. It ensures
for VCS groups. Often, VCS
that every VCS group is treated
What is an action plan?
the same that they meet criteria
A Development Worker and the
valuable outcomes from the
for support.
group may agree a course of
services they provide but they
planned actions which clearly
do not always record them.
groups themselves produce
What is ‘intensive support’?
outlines the commitment
Depending on the results of the
required by the group and the
What are evaluations?
screening, VCS groups will either
support the ISS can provide that
Throughout the ISS service, VCS
be eligible for ‘intensive support’
enables the group to develop.
groups will be asked to evaluate
which is up to 10 hours or ‘oneoff support’ of around 2.5 hours.
What is a referral?
or assess the support provided. It is an opportunity for the ISS
The ISS team has a range of
What is a ‘health check’?
team to review the tools and
external agencies it can refer
their approach to providing
It is a series of questions
groups onto. These agencies
support as well as for VCS groups
designed to find out what skills,
have specialist expertise
themselves to see how they are
resources or processes the VCS
in certain areas, such as
improving.
group may need to improve on.
volunteering, or buildings advice.
How the service has worked so far As part of the new Infrastructure Support Service (ISS) all groups go through a screening process so we can determine their needs and the type of support required if they are eligible. The charts below give
£50k p.a. income
been referred to external agencies.
Groups whose main activity
13% of groups screened were
is working with equalities
not eligible for support.
communities and/or socially excluded groups:
71% of groups screened are currently receiving support or their
an overview of the types of group
47% of groups screened work
currently applying for, or receiving
with socially excluded groups and
support under the new ISS.
equalities communities.
Figures quoted are as of
27% of groups screened work
31st July 2011
with equalities communities.
Income of groups screened
Groups that have contacted
for governance/performance
for support:
the support service so far:
improvement support: 29%
41% of groups screened under
16% of groups screened have
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support needs are being explored. Percentage of groups looking for support to improve their funding/finance: 41% Percentage of groups looking
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Bristol City Council’s Community Investment Budget
Essential information on the range of grants available the period from 1 April 2012 to
1. Centres for Community Action Grant
31 March 2015. It lays out the
Total available £350,000 citywide
Total available £300,000 citywide
Organisations must manage a
The recent Needs Assessment
community building, centre or
for Community Advice Services
city farm to apply for this grant
identified the need for a network
and demonstrate that they work
of community-based organisations
towards building their strengths
to enable people living in deprived
and optimising their economic,
areas of the city, communities
social and environmental
of interest and those on a low
sustainability. Applications are
income, to have improved life
invited for grants of up to £40,000
chances.
The Investment Strategy covers
objectives for the Community Development Investment Budget. Funding for some services is now based on a commissioning model. There are also three-year funding agreements with specific voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations that promote or improve the economic and social well-being of deprived and disadvantaged communities in
per organisation. However,
Bristol.
applications for over £40,000 will
The grants process is linked
that are currently in receipt of
with Safer Bristol, who will offer grant funding to organisations supporting recovery from
be considered, from organisations an Investment Grant above this level. Funding at this level must be shown to be essential to meet
2. Stronger Communities Grant
Funding is available to local community-led organisations whose activities include providing effective targeted information, signposting or advice to communities for whom access needs, language or cultural
substance misuse in communities.
evidenced need.
Applying for funding
Centres must be able to prove
securing services more difficult.
that they contribute to the
Applications are particularly
Application packs are available
following three outcomes:
sought from organisations
to download from the Bristol e-Procurement System (BePS). The application and guidance is also available from our website at www.bristol.gov.uk/ investmentandgrants All applications must be submitted through BePS by 12 noon on Monday 10th October 2011.
Applications are encouraged in the following areas:
12 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 12
competence are likely to make
• Access to services for deprived or disadvantaged communities is broadened and extended. • Participation by VCS groups and individuals in activities that
providing services to the following groups: • Older people • Young people • Disabled people, including
improve their quality of life is
people with mental health
increased.
issues
• Centres optimise their sustainability.
• People from BME communities, particularly newly arrived and refugee communities • People living in areas of high
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Bristol City Council’s Community Investment Budget increased contact with recovering substance users will break down barriers, building foundations for long-term recovery from substance misuse problems. Grants are being offered to encourage voluntary organisations to become more involved in community-led activities that enable recovering substance misusers to re-integrate and become active members in their communities. Funded organisations will need to
Trinity Centre, a centre for community action
show how they contribute to the deprivation, especially on the outskirts of the city for whom transport access may be a barrier
3. Supporting recovery from substance misuse in communities Total available £100,000 citywide
following outcomes: • Improve the knowledge and understanding among the general public about drug
Organisations are able to apply
(Safer Bristol funding)
for up to £30,000 for this grant.
The new government drug
recovery to reduce the levels of
However, applications for over
strategy: “Reducing Demand,
fear and blame.
£30,000 will be considered, from
Restricting Supply, Building
organisations that are currently
Recovery: Supporting People to
and promote community
in receipt of an Investment Grant
Live a Drug Free Life” sets a clear
participation and increased
above this level. Funding at
ambition for individuals to achieve
contact with recovering
this level must be shown to be
recovery and live a drug-free
substance misusers in order to
essential to meet evidenced need.
life. There is understanding that
tackle stigma and encourage
Funded organisations will need
people do not use substances in
community cohesion.
isolation from what is happening
• Increase the number of
to demonstrate the following
and alcohol dependency and
• Develop new ways to support
in the rest of their lives. Recovery
recovering substance misusers
users:
involves tackling the symptoms
engaging in community
and causes of dependence and
activities in order to sustain
• Access to and information
enabling people to reintegrate
their recovery.
outcomes for the target service
about services is broadened and extended for deprived or disadvantaged communities. • Bristol residents have improved life chances through access to good quality information, signposting and advice.
into their communities. Stigma is a major barrier to the successful recovery of substance users, preventing them playing a more positive role in communities
The Investment & Grants Team
and reintegrating into society.
Tel: 0117 903 6437/9 Email: investmentandgrants@ bristol.gov.uk
Support and promotion of community participation and
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Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 13
For more information about these grants contact:
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Volunteer Bristol
Welcome to Volunteer Bristol In our last Thrive! article, we promised a few changes to Volunteering Bristol. We are pleased to announce a new name – Volunteer Bristol – a new website and, importantly, a new membership package.
now few, and the competition for them is great. The government, despite its Big Society rhetoric, is offering very little in support of volunteering. In fact, it has promised that volunteer centres will need to stand on their own two feet in the future. We also predicted new charges to
on like this indefinitely. This is why
In our efforts to build a more
help us to sustain our service. We
we are changing.
sustainable volunteering
have tried to keep these as fair as possible. If you are part of a not-for-profit organisation which involves volunteers in its work or would like to do so in the future, then please join us. You will find more details on our new website: www.volunteerbristol.org.uk.
brokerage service for Bristol, we
Everybody is talking about volunteering as a way to meet some of the challenges we all face because of the recession. It can help to keep overstretched services going. At the same time, it provides opportunities for people to develop valuable skills;
Why the new name? It’s tempting
to get relevant experience on
to claim that we had to let the
their CV; and in some cases, to
‘ing’ go because of the cuts – we
fight off the decline in confidence
could no longer afford so many
and self-esteem which can set in
letters in our name! This isn’t
after a period of unemployment.
strictly true, but it does tell you something about our current situation. Whilst our funding has been cut by 40%, our name has only been reduced by 15%! Likewise we are continuing to deal with more volunteering enquiries than ever before with fewer resources to do it. We cannot go
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However, our ability to meet the increasing demand from
will be asking organisations to pay a fee, to generate future funds. It won’t entirely fund our service, but it will help. Given that we have a database of over 2,500 people who are looking for volunteer roles and up to 300 new people a month registering as volunteers, we hope that you will consider it good value for money and we look forward to welcoming you. If you have comments or questions, please contact steve@volunteerbristol.org.uk
volunteers and from volunteerinvolving organisations has been drastically effected by the cut to our grant from Bristol City
Find out more at
Council. As most of you will know, alternative sources of funding are
www.volunteerbristol.org.uk
September / October / November 2011 Issue 14
22/08/2011 12:05
Voscur’s Autumn Training and Learning Programme
Supervision Skills for Volunteer Managers Fully booked
Commissioning for Beginners
Thursday 15 September, 9:30am-3:30pm
Venue to be confirmed
Windmill Hill City Farm, Phillip Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4EA
Sophie Bayley, Voscur & Mark Hubbard,
Sophie Bayley, Voscur and Jenny Idle, Volunteering Bristol
Wednesday 21 September, 9:30am-1pm
Bristol Compact If you think commissioning may be relevant to your organisation – this course is for you. It will give
Supervision is a formal way of supporting volunteers
you a broad understanding of the principles of
on one-to-one basis or in groups. This new course is
commissioning, the stages of the commissioning
offered by Voscur and Volunteering Bristol as part of
cycle as well as how and when VCSE organisations are
the Volunteer Management project.
involved in best practice commissioning processes.
Fully booked: to book unto the waiting list email lucy@voscur.org
TUPE: What it is and how it can apply to your organisation Monday 19 September, 1pm-4:30pm The GreenHouse, Hereford Street, Bristol, BS3 4NA Jeremy Harrison, Charity HR In the current economic climate, mergers of organisations could mean that TUPE regulations apply. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of
It will help you understand the terminology and de-mystify some of the myths and fears around commissioning.
Recruitment of Volunteers Wednesday 28 September, 9:30am-3:30pm Venue to be confirmed Sophie Bayley, Voscur and Jenny Idle, Volunteering Bristol This session will cover volunteer motivation, barriers to volunteering, recruitment techniques and processes and action planning.
Employment) Regulations (TUPE) protects employees’
This course is offered by Voscur and Volunteering
terms and conditions when a business is transferred
Bristol as part of the Volunteer Management project.
from one owner to another. Voscur, in partnership with Charity HR, offers this workshop specifically designed to support voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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www.voscur.org
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22/08/2011 12:05
Voscur’s Autumn Training and Learning Programme
Managing Redundancies now or in the future
Trustee Series 1: Why am I on the committee?
Thursday 29 September, 4pm-6:30pm
Thursday 13 October, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Burges Salmon, 1 Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0ZX
Venue to be confirmed
Benjamin Loxton and Faith Salih, Burges Salmon
Sophie Bayley and Paddy Nisbett, Voscur
Employment Law Team
This session will give anyone who has the role of a
Voscur has teamed up with Burges Salmon solicitors
trustee, a basic overview of their legal duties and
and Pro-Help to offer a seminar on managing
responsibilities and is ideal if you have recently
redundancies for VCSE organisations.
become a trustee or just want to brush up on
This session, for trustees and anyone who
your skills.
manages staff, will cover the legal background to redundancies, practical advice on how to manage a redundancy process and alternatives to redundancy. There will also be an opportunity to discuss particular concerns on a one-to-one basis after the talk.
Retention and Support of Volunteers Wednesday 19 October, 9:30am-3:30pm Venue to be confirmed Sophie Bayley, Voscur and Jenny Idle,
We’re working with NAVCA to deliver a training session on empowering the voluntary sector – full details to be confirmed Tuesday 11 October, 9:30am-3:30pm Venue to be confirmed
Volunteering Bristol This session will cover the importance of induction, other ways of supporting volunteers, supervision, why people stop volunteering, recognition and action planning. This course is offered by Voscur and Volunteering Bristol as part of the Volunteer Management project.
Mark Hubbard, Bristol Compact and NAVCA See website for details
Trustee Series 2: Good Governance – how to be a better trustee Thursday 20 October, 6:30pm-9:30pm Venue to be confirmed Sophie Bayley and Paddy Nisbett, Voscur This session complements ‘Why am I on the committee?’ and looks in greater detail at how Trustees can be more effective in their role.
16 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 16
September / October / November 2011 Issue 14
22/08/2011 12:05
Voscur’s Autumn Training and Learning Programme
Volunteers and the Law Thursday 10 November, 9:30am-1pm
Free Training for Small Charities – The FSI Roadshow FREE
Venue to be confirmed
16th & 17th November 2011, 9.30am-4.30pm
Sophie Bayley, Voscur and Jenny Idle,
The Greenway Centre, Bristol
Volunteering Bristol
Free (a deposit of £50 is required but will
This course is for anyone who manages volunteers
only be banked if a cancellation is made after
and would like to know more about the relevant
9th November)
legal implications.
Please note: all free places are allocated on a first-
This course is run by Voscur and Volunteering Bristol
come-first-served basis to individuals from 100%
as part of the Volunteer Management project.
You can influence Thursday 1 December, 9.30am-3.30pm Venue to be confirmed Matthew Symonds and Sophie Bayley, Voscur
not-for-profit organisations with an annual raised (voluntary) income of less than £1.5 million. Booking is not currently open but please register your interest with Louise at the FSI office. Email Louise@thefsi.org specifying which day(s) you would like to attend and which courses you are most interested in: • Corporate Fundraising
Learn how to influence strategic planning and
• Demonstrating your Impact
policy making.
• Developing your Fundraising Strategy • Funding from Trusts and Foundations
Update your Equality and Diversity Policy In December – to be confirmed
• Major Donors • Marketing and Communications • Working with Statutory Funders and Prime Contractors
Ruth Pitter and Sophie Bayley, Voscur
The FSI and Institute of Fundraising are working
To register your interest in this course email
in cities nationwide. Each Roadshow gives its
ruth@voscur.org
together to deliver free expert training sessions delegates the opportunity to learn new fundraising, marketing and communication skills to run their
10 Steps to the perfect tender Monday 5 December, 9:30am-3:30pm
charity effectively. There is also time to network with other charities from the area and hopefully develop strategic links.
Venue to be confirmed Mark Hubbard, Bristol Compact See website for full details www.voscur.org/training
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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www.voscur.org
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Training and events
Green Volunteering Bristol’s got a lot to celebrate
Bristol, Bristol Natural History
running, where organisations can
when it comes to being green.
Consortium and Voscur are
post relevant vacancies and those
It’s the UK’s first Cycling City
working in partnership to improve
interested in volunteering can
and many of the country’s
the quantity and quality of green
search for opportunities.
most renowned environmental-
volunteering in the city, through
focussed organisations are based
a project funded by the European
here: the Soil Association and
Union, as part of the European
Sustrans, to name a few names.
Year of Volunteering. There will be
But we have no intention of
a range of resources, workshops
resting on our green laurels.
and events on offer on this
Bristol City Council, Volunteer
theme. A website is already up and
Find out more www.greenvolunteersbristol. co.uk
Black and Minority Ethnic Fair returns 4th October 2011, 1pm-6pm, the Council House After the success of last year’s
Groups are invited to book a
Bristol BME VCS Fair, the event
stall and have a 5 minute slot to
is returning. The Fair is an
present the work they do. Bristol
opportunity for BME-led groups
City Council, SARI, Avon Fire &
to showcase their work, promote
Rescue Service and Voscur are
their services and network with
jointly hosting the event.
For further information contact Charlene Lawrence: charlene@voscur.org 0117 909 9949 www.voscur.org
other groups and agencies.
BME Voice and Influence consultation Following the BME VCS meeting
VCS Assembly and the Council’s
on 7 June, Voscur and Bristol City
review of their current voice and
Council are undertaking wide
influence structures including
consultation with BME groups
the Legacy Commission and the
and communities on how they
Race Forum.
want to be represented and have their voices heard in decisionmaking structures. The outcomes will inform how BME groups are actively engaged in the new
18 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 18
contact Ruth Pitter:
In the autumn, consultants will be engaging BME-led groups to direct their research, findings and recommendations.
For more information
ruth@voscur.org 0117 909 9949 www.voscur.org
September / October / November 2011 Issue 14
22/08/2011 12:05
Consultation on the new VCS Assembly
A new VCS Assembly for Bristol. Read the proposals and give your views Spread the word: your views
return them by post. If you would
proposals and discuss your views.
are being sought on the draft
like a copy of the proposals and
Each drop in sessions will take
proposals for a new Bristol
questions posted to you call
place in the meeting room,
voluntary community sector
0117 909 9949 or download
Ground floor, Royal Oak House,
(VCS) Assembly. The aim of the
them from:
Royal Oak Avenue, Bristol,
new Assembly is to ensure that the VCS has a strong voice and influence, and there are clear and structured ways for consultation and representing VCS views.
www.voscur.org/ vcsassemblyconsultation
Online:
BS1 4GB. No need to book – just come along! Friday 23 September, 10am-12pm Tuesday 27 September, 2pm-4pm
To help gather your comments
Wednesday 5 October, 10am-12pm
The draft proposals have been
and questions, a VCS Assembly
Tuesday 11 October, 2pm-4pm
informed with help from a
blog has been set up where you
Thursday 20 October, 10am-12pm
steering group of volunteers from
can read the draft proposals
Bristol’s voluntary and community
and post your comments and
sector. Examples of other VCS
questions in response to each
Engaging small and equalities groups:
Assemblies and Forums from
section. You can visit the Bristol
We really don’t want to miss
around the country have also
VCS Assembly blog at:
out on the views of small and
been researched. Before the VCS Assembly is finalised, we want your thoughts and ideas. Consultation began
http://bristolvcsassembly. wordpress.com/
In person:
equalities groups – so we’d like to meet you on a one-to-one basis. To arrange a meeting for your small or equalities group, please contact Matthew Symonds
on 25 July and continues until 25
Five drop-in sessions are taking
October to gather the views from
place during September and
the wider Bristol voluntary and
October. These give you the
matthew@voscur.org or
community sector.
chance to look at the draft
0117 909 9949
at Voscur:
There are a number of ways that you can make sure your feedback is noted: In writing: Draft VCS Assembly proposals can be downloaded from the Voscur website. There are a number of sections, each with some consultation questions. You can fill in these questions and
Bristol VCS Assembly website
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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www.voscur.org
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Consultation on the new VCS Assembly
Draft VCS Assembly proposals The aim of the new VCS Assembly
Draft Values: VCS groups and
is to involve, support and
organizations who wish to be
to oversee progress on
complement existing VCS groups
part of the VCS Assembly would
Assembly priorities
and special interest forums and
be asked to support values
networks (such as the equalities
including, Equality and Inclusion,
forums, advice networks etc) – not
Advocate for the VCS, Partnership,
to replace them. Each individual
Respect and the Compact. See full
VCS group or organisation will
details online: www.voscur.org/
have their own views and the
vcsassemblyconsultation#s3
VCS Assembly will not replace an organisation’s right or ability to speak for itself. However, there
Draft structure of The Assembly: • VCS website – an online resource to bring together
shared views and concerns in the
information from different
VCS. The VCS Assembly and its
parts of the Assembly. weekly by Assembly staff, with
strong voice and influence on
contributions welcome from
these issues.
all Bristol VCS organisations
• Provide a place for the VCS to raise and discuss issues • Influence decisions on important issues for the VCS • Enable clear and structured
• Support VCS capacity building to engage with public sector • Build awareness of VCS in the public and private sector
20 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 20
VCS organisations who will help contribute expertise and knowledge from the VCS at
short and fast updates, communication between participants (often called tweeters) and helps flag up discussed
and with the VCS
• VCS Advocates from Bristol
is a micro-blog, it enables
the views from the VCS to be
networking and support for
reports
• Assembly on Twitter – twitter
what current issues are being
• Promote good communication,
• Quarterly Assembly printed
and groups.
ways for consultation and represented
fortnightly VCS e-bulletin
• Assembly blog – updated
and support the VCS to have a
Draft Aims of the VCS Assembly:
• Assembly updates in the
partnerships.
are some issues where there are
Networks will help to coordinate
• An Assembly Steering Board
• VCS Assembly and Network meetings (held each month –
Find out more.
except August)
The consultation on the
• Three themed Networks –
draft VCS Assembly proposals
Children and Young People;
continues until 25 October. To
Health and Social Care;
see the full draft proposals visit
and Neighbourhoods and
www.bristolvcsassembly.
Communities.
wordpress.com
September / October / November 2011 Issue 14
22/08/2011 12:05
Voluntary community & social enterprise sector survey results
Does the Bristol VCSE have a strong voice and influence? During the summer we surveyed
Do you know how to ask for
voluntary community and social
feedback or where to find it?
enterprise (VCSE) sector groups in Bristol to find out their views on existing representation, voice and
Yes
45%
No
55%
influence structures. The findings will help to inform a baseline to measure the effectiveness of future VCSE representation through the new VCS Assembly. Here are some of the findings:
We asked…
Which of these statements
If you have used any of the
structures do you think is the
existing VCSE Representatives,
most important?
about VCSE representative
how did you feel your views were heard and responded to? Very well Well Not well
Not well at all Don’t know
VCSE representative Which one of these statements
structures must report on their
9%
about how VCSE representation
achievements
30%
should work do you think is the
9% 0% 52%
VCSE representative structures must identify priorities for the
most important? VCSE representatives should be chosen by an open and democratic process
25%
VCSE in an open, transparent and democratic manner
75%
25%
VCSE representatives must they have the right skills to fulfil the role or be willing to undertake training
50%
VCSE representatives must come from a diverse range of different VCSE groups (for example themes, geographical communities or communities of interest)
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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25%
www.voscur.org
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Children and Young People
Platform 51 in Bristol three programmes: Inspire, In Touch, and Chrysalis. Inspire is a program designed to help women improve their skills and get into education or employment by focusing on effective communication skills, pathways to education, financial confidence, CV writing, and interview tips and skills. The In Touch project supports women at risk of or suffering from mild to moderate post natal depression though counselling, support groups, complementary therapies, yoga and various therapy sessions. Chrysalis offers support
Mother and daughter playing at the Centre
to women in the criminal justice system by facilitating access to
Girls and women today face
welcome girls and women from all
problems that are often subtle
backgrounds including those who
or misunderstood. Despite shifts
may have dropped out of school;
in attitude and changes in law,
women from black and ethnic
Marisa, 28, a service user at the
women are often unheard,
minority backgrounds; refugees
Centre said: “The Centre provides
isolated and face discrimination.
or asylum seekers; women who
a safe and very supportive
This is costly both to women and
have been involved in the criminal
environment that gives girls and
to society. Platform 51 Bristol
justice system; those with learning
women opportunities to have their
provides services both at its centre
disabilities; young mums and
voices heard, to meet others and
in Knowle West and throughout
mums-to-be and those with mental
form new friendship groups. By
the community. This outreach
health problems. Implementing
providing continuous skill building
approach makes Platform 51
several projects across Bristol, the
and training opportunities, it aims
extremely flexible; with the ability
Centre in Knowle West features
to enhance and empower the lives
to meet girls and women who
weekly drop-in sessions for girls and
of women across the city�.
are the hardest to reach and who
women across the city, providing
most need help. All the girls and
on-the-spot support and advice in
women that Platform 51 meet are
regards to education, employment,
encouraged to take part, speak
housing, legal or financial matters
up, make decisions and share their
and any other situation where they
opinions.
may find themselves vulnerable.
Platform 51 is the operating name
Services, activities and campaigns
of YWCA England & Wales. They
running at the Centre link across
22 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 22
employment, education and voluntary placements.
To find out more: 0117 9638775 or bristol@platform51.org or www.platform51.org
September / October / November 2011  Issue 14
22/08/2011 12:05
Children and Young People
We need to talk about the kids: The Government’s response to the Munro review of child protection Professor Eileen Munro was
themes, before addressing
The Government is also working
commissioned by the government
the fifteen recommendations
with representatives from across
in June 2010, to conduct a review
for reform and their phased
the youth sector and young
of the child protection system.
introduction to support local
people to develop a Positive for
An initial report was released in
transition arrangements.
Youth vision that emphasises the
October 2010. The final report, published in May 2011, is entitled
The themes are:
“A child-centred system” and looks
• valuing professional expertise
importance of targeted help and support for those young people who are at greatest risk of
at the issues and the environment
and sharing responsibility for
negative outcomes and highlights
that allows problems to occur.
the provision of early help
the benefits of early help. The
The review is a holistic approach to child protection and bases its proposals on evidence and experience. The Government believes a child protection system
• developing social work expertise
views received from the youth
and supporting effective social
sector representatives will help
work practice
shape a cross-Government policy
• strengthening accountabilities
statement which will be published
• creating a learning system
in the autumn.
is needed with less centrally
The response was informed by an
controlled prescription and
Implementation Working Group,
interference, and greater trust and
drawing on expertise from local
responsibility in skilled professionals
authority children’s services, the
working at the front line. The
social work profession, education,
government’s official response is
police and health services. Under
the ‘first step’ in achieving this.
“the provision of early help”,
The government has adopted
the vision is for transparent
the principles Professor Munro
local arrangements that set out,
proposes for an effective child
amongst other issues: the particular
protection system and responds
need in a given locality; the range
to each of the fifteen areas for
of professional help available
reform she identifies.
to local children, young people
Professor Munro’s recommendations represent a system-wide response to reforming the child protection system. The Government considers each of Professor Munro’s four reform
For the key messages and full Munro report go to: www.education.gov.uk/ munroreview Positive for Youth vision
and families through statutory,
www.education.gov.uk/ b0077531/positive-for-youthdiscussion-papers
voluntary and community services
Voscur’s Children and Young
to specifically meet these needs; and the training available locally to support professionals working at the front line of universal services.
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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Find out more:
People Network www.voscur.org/networks/ children
www.voscur.org
23
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Health and Social Care
UHB Foundation Governor Report In my first few months as a governor, I have had some pleasant surprises. I had anticipated the hours spent reading papers of Board, Membership Council and Committee meetings, and the energetic debate in the meetings themselves. Even though I had been involved with UHB in some capacity since 2004, I was still expecting the steep learning curve of fulfilling a new role in the organisation.
What I had not expected was to
May 19th brought one of the
I also look forward to the next
participate in so many enjoyable,
frequent Executive Walk Rounds
3 years serving as Community
informative and inspiring events.
when I joined the CEO and the
Governor and hope that the
Chair of the Board on a tour of
members of Voscur will contact
the newly refurbished surgical
me on any matters concerning
floor in the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
the Trust and its services.
Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12th was celebrated by a crowd of off – duty nurses who came to support some of their colleagues receiving Recognition Awards for exceptional service. There were also two scholarships awarded through “Above and
Again, it was inspiring to hear the staff enthusing over their new accommodation and explaining how it would improve the service they can give to patients. One of the more serious, but
Sybil Davidson, an ex Matron at
none the less informative and
UHB .I had been involved in the
interesting occasions was on May
decision-making about who should
18th when the Trust’s Clinical
be the recipients and once again
Services Strategy was presented
marvelled at the energy and
to about 100 senior staff. For
commitment of staff.
the past year, a group has been
their 10th anniversary on April 21st with a Tea Party. It had been a dressing – up day at the hospital and each ward had chosen a theme. The corridors thronged with pirates, knights on ‘horseback’, wonderful animals and, not least, the prize-winning “Where’s Wally?” Team.
24 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 24
nominated University Hospitals Bristol Community Governor. You can contact Joan via the Voscur, phone 0117 909 9949 or email
Beyond”, an award named after
The Children’s Hospital celebrated
Joan Bayliss is the Voscur
matthew@voscur.org
planning for the difficult future which faces our NHS services, with the requirement for major savings and the increasing demands of an ageing population. Unsurprisingly, the workshop discussions were challenging yet also creative. I look forward to seeing how the new initiatives are rolled out in the future.
September / October / November 2011 Issue 14
22/08/2011 12:05
Health and Social Care
Carers’ Centre Relaunch The Princess Royal Trust for
Carers’ Holidays and publicised
“We are working in a challenging
Carers (Bristol and South Glos.)
Avon Gorge Hotel’s link to
and changing environment and we
relaunched as The Carers’
young carers.
need to move with the times. We
Support Centre during Carers’ Week. The Avon Gorge Hotel hosted more than 100 people, amidst balloons and banners.
Keith Sinclair, Chief Executive of The Carers’ Support Centre, said: “Our new branding aims to
need to express who we are and what we do more clearly, always reaching out to more carers.”
make us more easily identifiable
The charity will still be a member
The event showcased the
and recognisable to carers and
of the Princess Royal Trust national
organisation’s new branding; it
those who come into contact
network.
let people know about the new
with carers.
www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk
Staff and gorilla at relaunch
New Carers’ Holidays scheme
Health and Social Care Network
The Carers’ Support Centre is now
The first of the Health and Social
offering mini-breaks for carers
Care Network meetings that will
who provide unpaid support and
form part of the new Bristol VCS
their families – in luxury holiday
Assembly (see page 20) took
homes in the Cotswolds and in
place on 21 July. The meeting
Torbay. As an introductory offer,
focussed on NHS Bristol’s plans
prices are all VAT-free for 2011.
to Modernise Mental Health Services in Bristol, the Bristol
For more information:
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) 2010 and the development
Find out more For details of future Health and Social Care Network meetings, news and other events visit www.voscur.org/ networks/healthsocialcare
of the JSNA 2011. The notes and
To join the Health and Social
0117 965 2365
resources from the meeting
Care Network mailing list call
info@carersholidays.org.uk
are available at www.voscur.
0117 909 9949 or email
www.carersholidays.org.uk
org/110721networkmeeting
matthew@voscur.org
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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www.voscur.org
25
22/08/2011 12:05
Neighbourhoods and Communities
Quality of Life in your Neighbourhood survey September 2011 20,000 residents in Bristol are going to be selected to take part in this important survey. If you are selected – please respond – your responses are important as they give the council and its partners (including the community and voluntary sector) valuable information to: • track and compare the quality of life in the city, • help plan public services, including the health service and • focus resources on the issues that most concern you. The 2011 Quality of Life Survey tells us a range of interesting details about life in Bristol: Some things that have improved: • respondents satisfied with their local neighbourhood (or area) as
disability, religion, sexual
The Stronger Communities award
orientation, ethnicity/race
– sponsored by a partnership
or gender
between Voscur and the Black
Some things that have got worse:
children’s playgrounds • respondents who feel safe outside in their neighbourhood during the day
• respondents participating
and working with community
a week
organisations. Avonmouth and
• respondents who are obese
Kingsweston Neighbourhood
• respondents who have
Partnership swooped off with
participated in creative activities in the last 12 months
the way the NP had ‘gone out to’
Find out more: Results from the last survey can be seen here www.bristol.gov.uk/qualityoflife
people in the community rather than expect them to just come to meetings. The entry highlighted how the NP was working hard to involve quite distinct communities within the one larger geographical area that makes up the NP.
Pride of Place Winners
influence decisions in their local
announced
neighbourhood
The first Pride of Place
Find out more:
• respondents who volunteer for
awards celebrating the work
a charity or local community at
of community groups in the
least 3 times a year
Neighbourhood Partnerships (NP)
discriminated against or
that award. The judges were impressed with
the same:
• respondents who have been
involvement, volunteering
in active sport at least once
Some things that have stayed
• respondents who feel they can
the NP that was most successfully supporting community
a place to live • respondents satisfied with
Development Agency – recognised
were announced at an award ceremony in the M Shed in July.
See who won what at the Pride of Place award ceremony at: www.voscur.org/news/ prideofplacewinners
harassed because of age,
26 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 26
September / October / November 2011 Issue 14
22/08/2011 12:05
Neighbourhoods and Communities
Knock on wood To mark “Social Enterprise Day” on 17th November, we interviewed Ben Moss from the thriving environmental social enterprise – Bristol Wood Recycling Project. Q. The Project has just
collecting wood; the timber-
own social and environmental
celebrated its 7th birthday?
yard; or the workshop, making
objectives.
Can you still remember the
products. In each area, volunteers
distant past – and how the
get the opportunity to learn a
organisation was set up?
range of useful work-related
Ben: We will definitely be in our
skills, such as – health and safety
current premises for the next 3
awareness; manual handling;
years. We’d like to develop the
how to handle tools properly.
workshop as a “Community Access
This is in addition to gaining
Base” – with a range of courses on
general work skills – turning up
offer. The Bristol Enterprise Zone
for work regularly, and working
is an up-coming development. In
independently.
our location, there promises to
Ben: I met the organisation’s co-founder, Nicola Padden, at the 2003 Community Recycling Network conference. We were both inspired by the presentation from Richard Mehmed, from the Brighton and Hove Wood Recycling Project. We felt strongly
Q. What’s your greatest
that a similar project was needed
success to date?
in Bristol. It took a year to find suitable premises before the organisation could officially start up. Q. How many people work for you these days? Ben: It’s hard to say exactly – it depends on the day. We have 6 paid workers, but there are many volunteers involved with the
Q. What lies ahead for you?
be some new micro-businesses starting up and a range of new media organisations to support
Ben: Still being here! We have
this. There should be exciting
developed into a well-organised,
times ahead.
structured business. And I had no business experience before starting the organisation. Q. What’s been the hardest
Bristol Wood Recycling
challenge?
Project is at
Ben: Getting to grips with the nuts and bolts of a business –
13 Cattle Market Road, St Phillip’s, Bristol BS1 6QW.
policies and procedures.
It is open Monday-Saturday.
year, there were 47 volunteers
Q. The organisation is a
0117 972 3219
working for us, who contributed a
social enterprise. How
info@bwrp.org.uk
total of 635 days.
important is that?
www.bwrp.org.uk
Q. That shows how important
Ben: It is fundamental to us
The Social Enterprise Mark is a
volunteers are to the growth
and we have gained the Social
quality mark that can be gained
and success of the organisation.
Enterprise Mark. We want to
that identifies an organisation as
What do you offer in return?
raise public awareness of social
a social enterprise.
organisation. In the last financial
Ben: Volunteers can work in 3 different areas: in the van,
enterprises. We’d like to have some influence on for-profit, big businesses to consider their
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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Bristol Compact
Public services: open for business The Government’s White Paper on Open Public Services came out in July. Mark Hubbard (Compact Liaison Officer), who works with public sector commissioners and the VCSE sector, describes the White Paper.
and that the best becomes better
• For communities – with
“The better our public services, the more we are helping those most in need. That is why those who resist reform, put the producer interest before the citizens’ needs, and object to publishing information about how services perform are conspiring to keep our society less free, less fair and less united.”
still.” The proposals are that there
extra powers for local areas
will be “a decisive end to the old-
to take control. Plus, it will
fashioned, top-down, take-what-
be easier to set up a new
you-are-given model of public
neighbourhood council.
David Cameron and Nick Clegg
• Decentralisation – Power should
services.” To achieve this, there will be five principles to aim for in modernising public services: • Choice – Wherever possible, there will be more choice available. be decentralised to the lowest
The paper contains more of the government’s thinking about reforming and opening up public services. The core principle remains: that services will be open to any provider. There are interesting indications of how some of that could work – these may help VCSE organisations develop their
appropriate level. • Diversity – Public services should be open to a range of providers. • Fairness – There should be fair access to public services. • Accountability – Public services should be accountable to users and taxpayers.
• For local government – more freedom to innovate. • For public service staff – professional responsibility and discretion will be restored and public service staff will have new opportunities to ‘spin out’ (e.g. employee-led mutuals) of the public sector. • For independent providers of all sizes from any sector – new opportunities for all types of provider to compete to deliver public services and to innovate and expand, as power shifts to a more diverse range of “purchasers”, including individuals and communities.
strategic approach to public
The government argues that their
service delivery.
approach will put “power in people’s
Types of service
hands” and this will “bring clear
The government recognises that
Rationale and principles
benefits for everyone involved in
a one-size-fits-all approach will
The paper highlights the need to
public services”:
not work. Different services have
reform public services. Although there is some acknowledgement of good practice, the overall stance is critical of current public sector practice. The motivation for change is “to make sure that everyone has access to the best public services,
28 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 28
• For individuals – people will have more choice. The money for the services to which they are entitled, will go to providers in response to the choices that people make.
different characteristics, which will shape how they are changed. The government categorises public services as: • Individual services – Personal services used by people on an
September / October / November 2011
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Bristol Compact individual basis. For example:
could mean for VCSE organisations
in education, adult social care,
(thanks to Director of Social
childcare, housing support and
Change):
individual healthcare. • Neighbourhood services – Services provided very locally and on a collective basis. For example: maintenance of public areas, leisure and recreation facilities, and community safety. • Commissioned services – These are local and national services. For example: tax collection, prisons, and emergency healthcare.
Your views and next steps The government now wants “to hear the views of everyone working in and using public services about how we can turn our vision for high-quality, efficient and modern public services into reality.” The questions they ask are available on the Bristol Compact website (see Info Box). After the `listening period` between July and September, the Government will develop a programme of work to implement reform. In November, the Government will set out how individual departments will make changes to public services over their remaining term in office. From April 2012, regular departmental progress reports will be published, setting out the steps that have been taken to open up public services.
What does it mean for VCSE organisations?
• Tendering for work is going to get more complicated – the market-place for service providers will become more complex. Your organisation will need to sell its services to individuals, companies, prime contractors and public sector. They won’t come to you. • Data rules – the government believes that open and transparent data equals liberation. Your organisation will need to be collecting and providing that information, if it’s delivering public services. • User satisfaction and evidence of impact will prove accountability – current levels of monitoring and reporting may become a thing of the past. Providers will be expected to demonstrate impact and satisfaction in innovative ways. • Payment by results will become normal practice – expect payment (in full/part)
More information
based on results achieved to be extended into many different service areas. • Look out for public sector standards and procedures applying to your organisation – for example: Freedom of Information regulations may start to be applied to any organisation delivering public services.
Below are some initial comments
www.openpublicservices. cabinetoffice.gov.uk Bristol Compact: White Paper Open Public Services www.bristolcompact.org.uk/ news/consultation-open-publicservices Bristol Compact response to Green Paper on Modernising Commissioning www.bristolcompact.org.uk/ news/greenpaper
on this White Paper and what it
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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ICT
Office must-haves Congratulations! You’ve set up
Most of us are familiar with
heed! Don’t assume all workers
a new office. Now you have a
the Microsoft Office suite of
have access to this software.
challenging decision to make:
programmes which have enduring
what Office Software are you
popularity. The current version
going to use to create your
Office 2010 is a powerful addition
documents and spreadsheets.
to any PC able to run it, and UK
You’ll want something easy to
charities are able to avoid the
use; value for money; that will run
£300 license fee and use the
on your current office machines
Charity Technology Exchange
(particularly if you’re using older or
(CTX) to purchase licensed copies
refurbished equipment); and that’s
at £19 + VAT. If any staff work
compatible with software others
from home or elsewhere, you
are using both within and outside
can purchase home and student
your office.
editions at under £100. But take
There are now an increasing number of free alternatives to the once dominant Microsoft product. If you have a good Internet connection, take a look at a service from Google simply called “Docs”. If you have a gmail account, you may have already seen it, as your email attachments are opened and stored automatically with Docs. Storing
The Unitarian Chapel, Bristol Fully serviced meeting space for voluntary organisations, charities, social enterprises and campaign groups
Space available for hire! For less than £15 per hour, your organisation can take advantage of our large, flexible and well equipped meeting hall in central St. Paul’s, Bristol. With space for up to 100 people and a fully fitted kitchen at no extra charge, the space provides the perfect location for a range of activities including meetings, training, workshops and evening events.
For more information, please call 0117 916 6489 or email southwest@ethicalproperty.co.uk www.ethicalproperty.co.uk
30 www.voscur.org Thrive 11.09-11.11 v2.indd 30
September / October / November 2011 Issue 14
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ICT
documents on the web gives users
the Document Foundation –
used across 10,000 desktops at
greater scope for sharing and
replicates many of the functions
Bristol City Council.
working collaboratively. Google
of Microsoft Office but uses free
Docs has lots of extra tools to
and open document formats
facilitate this, although it does not
that anyone with an Internet
have all the features of traditional
connection will be able to open,
Office software.
either by downloading and
If you remain wary of using the Internet for storing your Desktop alternatives available as well. The freely licensed Libre Office – available from
installing it themselves, or by
Charity Technology Exchange
using a service like Google Docs.
(CTX): www.ctxchange.org
Even better: it is 99.9% compatible
documents, there are free
Some useful links:
with doc and docx, the Microsoft formats. Many small organisations use Libre Office successfully and
Download Libre Office at: www.libreoffice.org/download Google Docs: docs.google.com
– in its “Star Office” version – it is
St Michaels Parish Hall, Bristol Fully serviced meeting space for voluntary organisations, charities, social enterprises and campaign groups
Space available for hire! For less than £12 per hour, your organisation can take advantage of our light, spacious meeting hall. The space benefits from flexible seating, a breakout room, a fully fitted kitchen at no extra charge and even a piano! Conveniently located near the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter of Bristol, the space provides the perfect location for a range of activities including meetings, training, workshops and evening events. For more information, please call 0117 916 6489 or email southwest@ethicalproperty.co.uk www.ethicalproperty.co.uk
Issue 14 September / October / November 2011
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31
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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 Diary — September / October / November 2011 September 2011 Monday 19 September TUPE: What it is and how it can apply to your organisation (see P15 for details) Wednesday 21 September, 9:30am-4:30pm Stop Looking Back.....Start Thinking Ahead! The Collaboration, Leadership & Fundraising Conference Future Inn Hotel, Bond Street South, Bristol, BS1 3EN Wednesday 21 September Commissioning for Beginners (see P15 for details) Thursday 22 September, 12pm-2pm
Wednesday 19 October Retention and Support of Volunteers (see P16 for details) Thursday 20 October Trustee Series 2: Good Governance – how to be a better trustee (see P16 for details)
November 2011 Wednesday 9 November, 1pm-4:30pm How ‘Big’ is our role in society? – The Voscur AGM 2011 Wednesday 9 November, 5pm-7:30pm Launching a new Support Service for Bristol
VCS Reps’ lunch
Thursday 10 November
Royal Oak House
Volunteers and the Law (see P17 for details)
Wednesday 28 September
16-17 November
Recruitment of Volunteers (see P15 for details)
Voscur Fundraising Conference
Thursday 29 September
TBC
Managing Redundancies now or in the future (see P16 for details)
Bristol VCS Assembly Launch event
October 2011 Thursday 13 October, 12:30pm-3:30pm Children and Young People’s Network Meeting Malcolm X Centre, 141 City Road, Bristol, BS2 8YH
December 2011 Thursday 1 December You can influence (see P17 for details) Monday 5 December 10 Steps to the perfect tender (see P17 for details)
Thursday 13 October Trustee Series 1: Why am I on the committee? (see P16 for details)
For details of all the above training and events visit: www.voscur.org
Company limited by Guarantee registered in England no. 3918210 Printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable based inks
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