Hastings Voluntary Action Annual Report 2015-16

Annual Review 2015–16

Working with volunteers and communities in Hastings & St Leonards

What is HVA? Our overall aim The overall purpose of Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA) is to enhance the quality of life of people in the Hastings area by promoting the principle and practice of voluntary action by both individuals and organised groups, and by supporting the development of local initiatives to meet community needs.

We are a new, small, experimental voluntary organisation. The service that HVA provides is invaluable to us, especially the financial assistance and the postal service. A most supportive, friendly and professional service�.

Susan Lelliott, aGender Arts & Education

Our specific aims l

To provide services that help Voluntary and Community groups operate effectively and deliver quality services.

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To identify local needs and work with communities and other agencies to develop appropriate action.

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To develop effective networks and collaboration between organisations and groups working within the community.

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To enable voluntary and community sector views to be represented in an effective and accountable way.

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To ensure that the voluntary and community sector can work in strategic partnership with other sectors.

HVA is an essential voice for the community and voluntary sector, and does a great job in providing support, campaigning, and leading on projects�.

Catherine Orbach, Culture Shift

Our values The work of HVA is guided by a set of values which help to determine work priorities and the overall style of working. HVA recognises that Hastings is a diverse town and that everyone has a contribution to make and a right to equality of opportunity.

HVA believes that: l

no person should suffer oppression or lack of opportunity based on race or ethnic origin, gender, faith, sexual identity, disability, age, education or economic achievement,

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all people should have the opportunity to collectively play an active part in their community,

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all people have rights to social justice and to participate in decision-making processes and local action,

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priority should be given to working with people whose full participation in society is limited by economic and social disadvantage.

What does HVA do?

Hastings Voluntary Action helps charities, community groups and social enterprises in Hastings and St Leonards to start up, grow and thrive.

“A great session that really inspired me�.

Louise Smith Memory or Dementia Support (MoDS)

Our services include: Providing information Keeping groups up to date with the latest news, finding out what is on offer to voluntary groups and promoting the activities of organisations that join HVA. Funding advice Delivering expert advice on where to find funding and how to increase your chances of success when applying for funding.

Community accountancy Helping groups to set up their financial processes and procedures, providing independent examinations of accounts, and a payroll service for employers.

Group support Assisting groups to start up and create their governing documents; advising groups on good practice and helping them to overcome problems.

Training Facilitating a range of training sessions to improve the skills and knowledge of voluntary sector staff, volunteers and trustees.

Representation We work with groups to develop a stronger voice for the voluntary and community sector within Hastings and across East Sussex.

Our key achievements 2015–2016

1 l

Development During 2015/16 HVA has:

Co-ordinated the Clean Seas Please campaign to support comprehensive community engagement activity, in a multi sector partnership including the Environment Agency, Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex County Council and Southern Water.

As a result of this partnership activity Hastings has exceeded the new EU Bathing Water standard, achieving a good classification, having previously been regarded as having been classified as “at risk” of failing.

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Delivered a local service to enable advice and support to be available to victims of “hate crime” and other incidents involving discrimination.

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Supported the Hastings Regeneration “Timeline” project to involve communities in ensuring that key events contributing to the regeneration of Hastings over the past 25 years are recorded and maintained.

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Supported the development of East Sussex Recovery Alliance, enabling them to grow in size, recruit new members of staff and re-locate into new premises.

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Supported the continuing development of Educating Futures Trust – an education charity which delivers a range of services for children and their families and enables partnership activity between schools and academies.

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Provided project management support to the Links Project providing a weekly “one stop shop” offering support and advice for asylum seekers, refugees and new migrant communities.

l Provided briefings l

l

Developed new volunteer befriending schemes through our Building Stronger Bridges project to provide support for vulnerable or socially isolated residents.

Developed innovative programmes of activity through our Chances 4 Change and Team Well Fit programmes to promote positive mental health, healthy eating and increased physical activity.

to partnerships and inductions to new strategic leaders to profile the achievements and challenges of the local Voluntary Sector.

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Advised on Community Asset transfers to enable voluntary organisations to have access to premises or land or register a building as a community asset.

2 l

Support

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Supported NHS Hastings and Rother Clinical Commissioning Group’s small grants scheme, part of the CCG’s Healthy Hastings and Rother programme to tackle health inequality in the area, which distributed over £200,000 in Round 1.

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Supported the Foreshore Trust grant-making process which has distributed over £50,000 of grants to local groups.

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Continued to provide the voluntary and community sector with fast, accurate and up to date information through our newsletter, ebulletins, website, Facebook and Twitter. In March 2016, over 1100 people received our newsletter and HVA had over 2000 Facebook friends and over 1100 Twitter followers!

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Maintained a comprehensive database of local organisations and published a “real time” version available on HVA’s website. We have regularly used this information to profile the social and economic impact of the sector.

l

As part of Volunteer Centre East Sussex, HVA helped Hastings organisations to recruit and retain volunteers, and organised a Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Networking Forum.

During 2015/16 HVA has:

Provided in depth support to 180 charities, community groups and social enterprises on a range of issues including funding, community accountancy, governance and committee skills, human resources, building management, and policies.

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Helped to lever in over £1,135,000 for the Hastings area, and created or sustained at least 30 jobs.

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Helped groups access relevant and up to date statistical information to support quality funding proposals.

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Facilitated 20 training sessions on a range of issues including funding, finance, committee skills, communication, and representation.

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Operated Jackson Hall as a Community Hub for the sector, housing HVA’s own services and offering affordable high quality accommodation to eight other voluntary organisations, and a mailbox service to 12 more.

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Provided space to local groups for over 500 meetings (either free or low cost), as well as equipment loans, hot desking and ‘virtual office’ facilities.

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Chaired the Fisheries Local Action Group and supported a programme of activity designed to deliver almost £1m of funding to our local industry (see right).

Our key achievements 2015–2016

3 l

l

Collaboration

organisations through the provision of grants, seminars and events. l Held focus

groups to gather the in-depth experiences of patients and service users.

During 2015/16 HVA has:

Continued to facilitate the Hastings Community Network, and organised open sector-wide HCN networking events focussed on key topics chosen by the community: Children, Young People and Mental Health; Digital Inclusion; and the Hastings Borough Council budget.

Facilitated the Hastings Community Network Executive to discuss current issues affecting the voluntary sector.

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Developed the Hastings Youth Partnership.

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Offered facilities to enable new networks and forums to develop including new support groups.

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Been an active member of the countywide SpeakUp forum, VCS regional bodies, and our national association NAVCA.

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Supported the continuing development of the Hastings Knowledge Exchange – a partnership fostering strong links between Brighton University and Community based

l Provided mediation

support to enable organisations to function effectively and support the effective delivery arrangements in partnerships and consortia.

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Acted as an “honest broker” by bringing groups together to support partnership or consortia bidding to bring additional investment to the local area.

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Following HVA’s role in the FLAG which brought in 1.2 million, we have worked with partners and the fishing community to evaluate this work and prepare for a subsequent Flag2 application.

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Championed and collaborated on a multimillion pound bid for Hastings and Bexhill to become a Community Led Local Development Area.

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Worked collaboratively with the NHS Hastings and Rother Clinical Commissioning Group to develop new ways of working including the development of community buildings.

4

Influence

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During 2015/16 HVA has:

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Supported a representative of Hastings Community Network to chair the Local Strategic Partnership.

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Supported voluntary sector representatives on 14 partnerships, including health, education and learning, regeneration and economic development, and community safety partnerships, and (via SpeakUp) on the East Sussex Strategic Partnership and other countywide bodies.

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Helped public sector bodies to recruit new community members onto their partnerships and engagement structures

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Acted as a member of the Hastings Executive Delivery Group bringing together the leaders of the public, private and voluntary sector for the Hastings Area.

Been part of the East Sussex County Council liaison group to provide the sector’s views at a strategic level to East Sussex County Council.

l Produced regular

briefings and “position” statements so that representation and networking takes place in as transparent way as possible.

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Gathered views and fed into key consultation exercises at a local, county wide regional and national level.

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Served on the Hastings Academies Trust board to support the raising of educational attainment in Hastings and St Leonards.

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Chaired the East Sussex Strategic Partnership bringing together leaders from the public private and voluntary sectors.

Income and expenditure WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM East Sussex County Council (ESCC) Generic Infrastructure 78,000 Tudor Trust 55,000 NHS Hastings & Rother Clinical Commissioning Group 52,019 ESCC Chances 4 Change 41,140 ESCC Building Stronger Bridges 33,335 ESCC Community Assets into Activity 31,495 Hastings Borough Council Safer Hastings Partnership 20,000 Hastings Borough Council Community Partnership Fund 18,124 Environment Agency 16,277 Office rental and earned income 136,417 Other HVA projects and restricted income 263,282 held for other groups Total income: £745,089

For further information about the work of HVA, contact: Hastings Voluntary Action Jackson Hall, Portland Place Hastings TN34 1QN Tel: 01424 444010 Charity Nº 802632 Company Nº 2409902

HOW THE MONEY WAS SPENT Group Support, Funding, Information 177,351 & Strategic Development Networking, Representation & Youth Partnership 61,152 Chances 4 Change (public health) 53,119 Building Stronger Bridges (good neighbours schemes) 38,430 Community Assets Into Activity (Team Well Fit) 31,010 Clean Sea Please project 20,092 Hate Crime service 19,547 Running costs of Jackson Hall 19,948 Office running costs 15,209 Governance and management 13,990 Other HVA projects and funds 198,380 administered for other groups Total expenditure £648,228

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2016 Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds Net assets

HVA’s Management Committee confirms that this income and expenditure account represents a summary extracted from the annual accounts for the financial year April 2015 to March 2016. The full accounts were approved by the Management Committee and will be submitted to the Charities Commission and the Register of Companies. This financial summary is for information only and may not contain sufficient details to allow a full understanding of the financial affairs of HVA.

31.03.15 47,270 10,000 159,667 £216,937

31.03.16 52,148 10,000 251,650 £313,798

Auditor’s Statement: I have examined the financial summary contained in this report. In my opinion it is consistent with the financial statements of HVA for the year ended 31 March 2016.

Ashdown Hurrey, 20 Havelock Road, Hastings TN34 1BP Full accounts including the Auditor’s report and Director’s report can be obtained from HVA, Jackson Hall, Portland Place, Hastings TN34 1QN.

Chair’s Report As Chair of the HVA Board I am delighted to introduce this Annual Review document which summarises the work and contribution which this Charity has made to the local voluntary and community sector and, more broadly, to the regeneration of Hastings.

It is fair to say that HVA has probably never been busier as we deal with thousands of enquiries every year. The range of these covers virtually every topic from finance to premises, employment, volunteering, mergers, partnerships and managing risk.

The volume and complexity of our work tells us that the sector as a whole is still experiencing a complex and volatile operating environment as the public sector cuts really bite and demand increases. It is fair to say that we support groups at every stage of their operations, including helping new projects to start, as well as offering advice and guidance to help trustees take the really difficult decisions about insolvency or closure.

It is pleasing that Jackson Hall has become a busy and well used space which offers affordable rented accommodation as well as meeting space and a range of other services. When I visit our premises I am always struck by the range of things which happen there and the wide range of groups who are training, meeting, learning planning and celebrating their work at HVA.

At a time when the voice of the sector needs to be strong and accountable our work supporting the Hastings Community Network has facilitated open events on key themes as well as representing the interests of the sector on key strategic bodies such as the Local Strategic Partnership.

On a wider front we are consistently levering in inward investment to advance the regeneration of Hastings this year well over £1m can be attributed to our funding advice service. We have helped organisations bid for resources, work in partnership and develop consortia to bring resources. We do this individually through our casework but we do this by taking leading roles in large strategic programmes.

Our work with the local Fishing industry to support the investment of almost £1m is one example of this, as is our support and advocacy for Hastings and Bexhill to become a Community Led Local Development area – a programme with a potential investment of over £8m.

We have worked with many different groups and communities to deliver quality services and support and our work this year has embraced the leadership of key consultation exercises with a specific geographical community, increasing support available to older people by creating new befriending groups, support to those recovering from substance misuse issues, intensive activity working with those who have been victims of Hate Crime and our continuing work with

the LINKS project to enable them to deliver a multi-agency partnership providing access to advice and support for asylum seekers, refugees and migrant communities in East Sussex. Our projects have used the assets of the community to get people involved in peer led physical activity programmes, addressing mental health and wellbeing issues.

Much has been achieved in difficult times and I hope you enjoy reading about our work in this Review document. But we are not complacent and we want to ensure that HVA’s strategic plan for the next 5 years is relevant and meets the needs of our members.

This is why we have engaged an independent evaluator to interview our key stakeholders, survey our members and host planning sessions for our Trustees and staff to shape the next chapter in the history of this unique organisation.

We are consulting our members about their expectations of us and I would urge that you take the time to participate in this process so we can base our future work on the needs and wishes of our members.

Finally I know that you would want me to formally thank my fellow trustees and the remarkable team of HVA staff and volunteers who continue to develop creative responses to the needs of the sector and have gone the extra mile to deliver for Hastings.

Mike Cornish, Chair Hastings Voluntary Action

HVA current projects

Membership

Our current projects include:

Hastings Voluntary Action is proud to be a user led organisation, with membership open to charities, community groups, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations that operate in Hastings.

l Chances 4 Change (improving public

health), l Team Well Fit (increasing physical activity) l Hate Crime service (supporting those

affected by hate crime), l Fisheries Local Action Group (supporting the

fishing community), l Volunteer Centre East Sussex (promoting

volunteering).

We also provide significant support for l the LINKS project (supporting asylum

seekers, refugees and new migrant communities) and

Our Trustee Board is directly elected from our members. A strong membership is important to us and reflects the diversity of the sector including groups working in the fields of health and social welfare, environment, arts and leisure, sport, education, community action and self-help.

We have worked hard to keep membership free and have negotiated additional benefits or discount for our members.

For further information about membership of HVA, call 01424 444010 or visit www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org

l East Sussex Recovery Alliance (ESRA)

(peer led recovery organisation).

Hastings Voluntary Action continues to provide support for new initiatives and assistance while they develop. HVA is a vital force for good in Hastings & St Leonards�.

Pam Brown, Hastings and St Leonards Seniors’ Forum

Useful phone numbers Health & Social Care Connect

0345 60 80 191

East Sussex County Council County Hall

0345 60 80 190

East Sussex County Council Adult Services Emergency Duty Team

01323 636399

East Sussex County Children’s Services Family Support Team (aged under 11) Youth Support Team (aged 11 and over) Duty and Assessment Team

01424 724170 01424 724130 01424 724144

Hastings Borough Council Town Hall Information Centre Housing Services Emergency (out of hours)

01424 451066 01424 451111 01424 451100 01424 451999

Health Conquest Hospital 01424 755255 Hastings & Rother Clinic Commissioning Group 01424 735600 Police Sussex Police (non emergency)

101

Voluntary Sector Infrastructure and Support Hastings Voluntary Action Rother Voluntary Action (Bexhill Office) 3VA (Eastbourne Office) Action in Rural Sussex

01424 444010 01424 217259 01323 639373 01273 473422

Other Useful Local Numbers Age UK East Sussex (Hastings) AmicusHorizon Housing Association Citizens Advice 1066 appointments Hastings & Rother Credit Union Hastings Advice and Representation Centre Hastings Furniture Service Healthwatch East Sussex Sussex Community Foundation

01424 426162 0800 121 6060 03444 111444 01424 202651 01424 428375 01424 441112 0333 101 4007 01273 409440

Jackson Hall, Portland Place, Hastings TN34 1QN Tel: 01424 444010 Email: admin@hvauk.org www.hastingsvoluntaryaction.org Disclaimer: The information in this planner has been checked and to the best of our knowledge was correct at the time of publication (November 2016).

HVA cannot accept any responsibility for any subsequent changes.

2017 Year Planner Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

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June May April Mar Feb

Jan

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 BANK HOLIDAY

LGBT

HISTORY MONTH

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1

BA HO

JACK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 IN THE GREEN

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA

LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

BANK HOLIDAY

VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK 1 2 3 VOLUNCARERS’ WEEK TEERS’ WEEK REFUGEE WEEK

Aug July

OLD

TOWN WEEK 29 JULY 6 AUG

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 CARERS’ WEEK

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1 ST LEONARDS FESTIVAL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1

Sep

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Nov

Oct

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1

HASTINGS W

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PEOPLE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1

Dec

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 WORLD AIDS DAY

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS’ DAY

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

Fri

Sat Sun

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Sat Sun

Mon Tue

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 HASTINGS HALF MARATHON

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 JACK IN THE GREEN 28 APRIL –1 MAY

ANK OLIDAY

BANK HOLIDAY

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 BANK HOLIDAY

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 REFUGEE WEEK

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 PIRATE DAY

OLD TOWN WEEK BEGINS

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 HASTINGS PRIDE

BANK HOLIDAY

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SEAFOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

WEEK HASTINGS DAY & BONFIRE

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 WHITE RIBBON DAY

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 XMAS DAY BANK HOLIDAY

BOXING DAY BANK HOLIDAY

Who are we?

STAFF & VOLUNTEER TEAM 2015–16 Steve Manwaring – Director Su Barnicoat – Chances 4 Change Community Development Worker Charlotte Cooper – HVA volunteer (until May 2016) Cheryl Davis – H&R Health & Social Care Administrator (until Jun 2015) John Humphries – Information Officer Mary Hyder-Smith – Administrator (until Oct 2015) Carolyn Jackson – Hastings Community Network Administrator Oliver Leonard – HVA volunteer (from Aug 2016) Donna Meenan – Group Support Worker (from April to Aug 2016) Keith Miller – Finance & Payroll Officer Tracy Perry – HVA volunteer Rachel Rutty – Administrator (from Oct 2015)

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2015-2016

Sarita Sharma – Administrator (from Oct 2015)

Sue Adey, Royal Voluntary Service

Louise South – Team Well Fit Co-ordinator Peter Thorpe – Deputy Director

Chris Connelley, Hastings & Rother YMCA (until Jul 2015)

Jocelyn Tilbrook – Community Development Worker (from Apr 2016)

Mike Cornish, Winterbourne Close Residents Association

Marc Turczanski – Hate Crime Officer

Graham Goode, Friends of Horizons (from Jan 2016)

Tanya Vice – Project Officer Catherine Watson – Community Engagement and Representation Manager (until Aug 2016) Pat Weaver – Community Accountancy & Group Support Worker

Ken Hales, Hastings & St Leonards Seniors’ Forum Graham Morrow, AmicusHorizon Paris Nolan, Hastings & Rother Rainbow Alliance Dr Tariq Rajbee, Islamic Information Centre (until Aug 2016) Roger Sweetman, Southwater Area Community Centre MAIN FUNDERS 2015–16 East Sussex County Council Hastings Borough Council NHS Hastings & Rother Clinical Commissioning Group Tudor Trust Environment Agency