NEWS FROM THE HAMPSHIRE CVS NETWORK
Action Hampshire
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Basingstoke Voluntary Action
Communities First Wessex
Community Action Fareham
Community First New Forest
Gosport Voluntary Action
Hart Voluntary Action
One Community
Transport Links in Fareham and Gosport Community Action Fareham is delighted to announce the launch of a joinedup Community Transport service for Fareham and Gosport. This will offer a better and more flexible service to community groups and their members
in the two boroughs. Rushmoor The new service will pilot the Hampshire County Council revised Voluntary operating model which aims to make more flexible, efficient and effective use of Services the combined Dial-a-Ride and group hire bus fleet across the Fareham and Test Valley Gosport districts. Community It will be strategically managed by Community Action Fareham in Services partnership with Gosport Voluntary Action on matters of legislation; bus Training in the New maintenance; recruitment, training and management of volunteers; cost Forest & Fareham—p2 effective scheduling and marketing. Test Valley Army “The new arrangements are looking very positive.” said Gavin Rowe, Covenant Success—p2 Community Action Fareham Transport Manager. “My key priorities at this stage Social Prescribing in NE are to recruit more volunteer drivers and increase links with community groups Hants Continues—p3 across the two districts.” Community Loves Leigh Thanks to a valuable partnership with Vector Aerospace, the combined Park Event—p4 fleet of 14 buses is kept securely at Vector’s Fleetlands facility on Fareham Road. Stronger Together for This location is well-placed for trips in both Fareham and Gosport. Families in Rushmoor & Hart—p5
Partnership Reducing Social Isolation in Test Valley—p5 Meet & Match in Basingstoke—p6 Care Navigators Award & Easter Eggs in Eastleigh—p6
Produced by Hampshire Councils for Voluntary Service Contact Julia Allan 023 8090 2457 jallan@1community.org.uk Featured articles represent the views of the contributing CVS
New Forest Training 2017 Community First New Forest (CFNF) offers training sessions to members, community groups and organisations, as well as individuals. In most cases there will be a charge for the training, but for members of Community First New Forest this is offered at a reduced rate. Training may be on an informal basis, for example a one-to-one session, or it can be for a large audience. If CFNF cannot provide the training required they can normally direct people to where they can find what they are looking for. Following training CFNF can signpost people on to further training or development opportunities if they wish. CFNF is always ready to respond to new ideas for courses and to introduce different subjects to the programme according to interest and need. Examples include Trustee or Funding workshops. A recent delegate said: “Thank you for the workshop I now feel more confident in my role.” For further information contact Debbie Grace on debbie.grace@cfnf.org.uk or telephone 01425 482773, web www.cfnf.org.uk
Tailor-made Training in Fareham Harbourside Training at Community Action Fareham is broadening its range of training courses offered to voluntary and community groups. Harbourside Manager and Senior Trainer Julie Fisher is a NEBOSH qualified Health and Safety Trainer/Adviser and by June this year will hold a First Aid instructor qualification. “I am pleased that my increased repertoire of trainer skills will allow me to offer more bespoke courses for organisations.” Said Julie. Harbourside Training has been working NEXUS PAGE 2
closely with Age Concern Hampshire over the past year to develop Passenger Assistance Training and Lone Working courses tailored to the needs of their staff. “Age Concern Hampshire have been really pleased to have formed a strong partnership with Harbourside Training.” Says Tiffany Overton, Training Administrator at Age Concern Hampshire. “The quality of training offered, the flexibility of the trainer and the ability to work with Harbourside Training on bespoke courses has been of immense value to our organisation.” Harbourside welcomes enquiries from voluntary and community groups seeking guidance in planning courses to meet the training needs of their paid and volunteer staff members.
Test Valley Army Covenant Fund Success Test Valley Community Services and the Army Welfare Services have cemented their partnership with a successful result from the Army Covenant Fund by securing a grant of £19,139 to provide a project for young people through the TVCS Streets project. Streets is a project engaging hard to reach young people aged 14-25. Streets is designed to improve young people’s life skills, increasing their chances of a successful transition to adult life. It addresses the major challenges that all young people face—finding employment, education/ training, accommodation, positive relationships, healthy living—but is focused on those who, for various reasons, find it harder than most. “Further up the Street” is a project designed to bring together young people from Army and civilian communities to help them address challenges that they have in common. The project works towards these objectives: 1) Increasing employability of young people 2) Reducing social exclusion and discrimination by removing barriers to participation and achievement 3) Providing opportunities to learn in a safe, inclusive environment where young people can experience success and make positive contributions 4) Improving well-being through engagement in a wide range of activities
5) Raising aspirations and goals 6) Positive role modelling and maintaining positive relationships which can be transferred to other areas in their lives TVCS Chief Executive, Terry Bishop, said: “Streets has been a flagship project for the organisation and we are delighted to be able to work more closely with AWS to roll out a new programme linking the Army and Civilian communities together. To receive this Army Covenant Fund means an enormous amount to the hardest to reach and most vulnerable young people.” Greg Dawe, Community Support Senior Development Worker, AWS, said: “The AWS Worthy Down Team has a very active and progressive Partnership agreement with TVCS and through this is able to clearly demonstrate a practical approach to the Army’s ethos of promoting Civil Engagement and promoting positive social and community interaction, in particular our support to the Streets Project and ‘Further up the Street’ Project. Partnerships such as this provide hope through participation for many civilian and military young people.”
NHS Vanguard Funding Continues for Social Prescribing Project in North East Hampshire Hart Voluntary Action has just received the welcome news that the North East Hampshire and Farnham CCG Making Connections social prescription service will continue until the end of March 2018. Hart Voluntary Action has been working with Age UK Surrey and other local charities on this NHS Vanguard–funded project for just under a year, and has so far reached out to around 220 adult patients referred in by their GPs or by the new multi-disciplinary health and social care teams. Using the Age UK “Living Well” model, adapted for use with any adult over the age of 18, a team of six Making Connections Co-ordinators has been supporting people who are at risk of social isolation reach short-term goals with the aim of improving their confidence to manage their own health and wellbeing. The reasons why Making Connections clients are becoming socially isolated
have ranged from post-natal depression, worsening mental health, being new to the area, and language barriers, to changes in capability due to long-term health conditions or medical treatments. In the majority of cases, Making Connections clients have been linked in with voluntary sector led activities, including volunteering, physical activities and social support networks. John’s story John is 60 years old, single and lives on his own. Until his mother died with dementia a few years ago, he was caring for her at home whilst continuing to work. Unfortunately, two years ago he lost his job as a milkman, so he moved to Fleet to be nearer to his brother and sister. When the Making Connections Coordinator first met John, his personal confidence was low due to the loss of a physical job. He felt he lacked self-esteem, and that people were not interested in him, or what he had to say. In John’s family, there is a history of heart attacks and strokes. He has high blood pressure and cholesterol, and had started to eat a healthier diet and to try to do some walking each week. John was feeling increasingly isolated and bored because he did not have the confidence to get out and about and meet new people. Through his contact with Making Connections John has achieved the following: Joined the weekly Hart Health Walks (with the aid of a buddy volunteer). This led to him meeting new people in a comfortable and safe environment, increasing his confidence in being able to talk to people whilst also doing a health activity. Referred and supported by the Hart Volunteer Centre he has taken up a volunteer role at the Lions Community Store – where he now works 2½ days each week. This has made a big difference to his life and he says it gives a purpose to those days, as well as knowing that he is helping those less fortunate than himself. Enrolled for some 1:1 IT training to improve his skills and increase his confidence. John says that if only he had Making Connections enabling him two years ago, he would not have wasted all this time being on his own. NEXUS PAGE 3
Community Shows It Loves Leigh Park Community First (Communities First Wessex) acquired the lease of Leigh Park Community Centre in 2016. Thanks to a grant awarded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Celebrate programme, for communities across the UK to celebrate what makes their local neighbourhood great, the Love Leigh Park event was held at the centre on 11 March. All corners of the community were invited to come together to celebrate the past, present and future of a community that so many people hold dear. Over 500 people, young and old, came along on the day to join in the celebrations. The event started with The Mayor of Havant, Cllr Faith Ponsonby, cutting the ribbon to declare the event open. Throughout the day there was entertainment in the main hall, including performances by Warren Park Primary and Park Community Schools. The over-50’s keep fit club put on a demonstration, and most of the audience were on their feet joining in. Angel Radio provided musical entertainment throughout the event. The Leigh Park Amateur Boxing Club put on a demonstration. There were activity rooms run by local groups with plenty for everyone to have a go at – fun craft activities with Caterpillar Crafts, a photo booth with dressing up props hosted by Off The Record, and pottery and ink printing with local studio Making Space.
Shirley Hounsome (nee Minter) pictured left, with her daughter in the middle, and Community First’s Jacquie Vincent-Coulter. Shirley said: “We were the second family to move into Leigh Park in 1949 in Bramdean Drive – it was just a huge building site then. How times have changed!”
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The Mayor of Havant, Cllr Faith Ponsonby, opening the event. Around the centre local groups came along to showcase their services. There was a memory lane area, with photographs and other material showing the history of the area, where people were able to leave comments on a Wall of Kindness. These included: “A big message of kindness to the staff that work hard to make the centre the hub of the community!” “Thank you, bringing back some happy childhood memories, great fun!” “Really friendly & kind people. Always there to help each other out when times are hard. A real community!” “I have lived in Leigh Park 54 years, a wonderful place to live!” Centre Manager Dan Moore said, “Everyone had great fun, enjoying the facilities and learning about the history of the centre and Leigh Park and sharing memories.” A new piece of artwork was unveiled in the main reception foyer, painted by Erin from local group Art Invisible, an art enterprise for adults with learning disabilities. In the evening there was a free showing of the film Trolls to a packed house, with free popcorn and hotdogs. For those who couldn’t make it on the day, a Coffee and Cake event was held a couple of days later which was also well attended. Tim Houghton, Community First Chief Executive, said, “We are delighted with the turnout. It has been brilliant. It was all about getting local people from Leigh Park into the centre to join in the celebrations. The centre is essential, it’s the heartbeat of the community. The whole point of the event was to celebrate that and the wonderful things that go on in Leigh Park.” The event also provided the opportunity for local people to take part in a community consultation and have their say about the future of the centre. Goody bags were handed out, containing donations from local companies, and prizes included hampers donated by the local Co-
op store. The consultation questionnaires are now being Erin with her reviewed, and parents as her will help in artwork is unveiled. planning the future of the centre.
Stronger Together for Families in Rushmoor and Hart Following many changes to services and support available to children, young people and families in Hampshire a recent event to share information was held in Farnborough. Rushmoor Voluntary Services, Hart Voluntary Action and Rushmoor Borough Council jointly hosted the event to share information on services available to organisations in the area who are working with children, families and young people. Presentations were given by voluntary sector organisations, education, health and other agencies. Updates included were from: The new Family Support Service provided by Hampshire County Council Rushmoor and Hart Local Children’s Partnerships (LCPs) Hart & Rushmoor Supporting Troubled Families ‘Mustard Seed’ (Autism family support) The Education Inclusion Service CAMHS – Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services in Hampshire Support and projects for Young Carers Over 60 people from 42 local organisations attended the event. Sue Hathaway, Development Officer with Rushmoor Voluntary Services, said, “With so many changes taking place since our last event, it was important for all partners to hear how work in the area continues to support local children, families and young people. Our aim was to update all concerned on changes, new teams and to encourage the strong partnership working we have enjoyed here for so long.” Tony McGovern from the Rushmoor Local Children’s Partnership (LCP) said, “Feedback from the morning has been very positive. There is so much good work happening in Rushmoor and Hart, and it’s important that information about
projects gets shared widely so that our children and families are supported effectively when it’s appropriate.”
Partnership Reduces Social Isolation in Test Valley Two of the area’s most prominent charities are helping older people feel less isolated. For over two years, the Test Valley Community Services (TVCS) Older Person’s Community Independence Service (OPCIS) has been working with the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) Good Neighbours scheme to help people who may feel lonely or lack a sense of personal freedom. RVS Good Neighbours is a befriending service set-up to help increase independence and reduce isolation. This lasting partnership is looking to increase on building positive relationships with fellow charities and similar voluntary organisations to ensure clients feel connected with the world around them. Terry Bishop, CEO of TVCS, says, “It’s great to hear the many positive stories that this relationship produces. Working with RVS Senior Services Assistant, Kathryn Tate, has been invaluable in helping us bring over 20 clients together with eager, caring volunteers. For service users, it really is a welcome knock on the door.” Stockbridge resident Dawn is partially sighted and lives alone in an isolated location near the town. The OPCIS team were brought in to help her to increase her community access and social contact. Dawn is a young “Older Person” and after looking at the options with her OPCIS Locality Worker, decided that a befriender might work best for her, rather than joining a social group. Following a referral and a thorough RVS assessment visit in May last year, Dawn was introduced to Peter, an active volunteer. Peter visits once a week and over a short space of time they have built up a strong friendship. Peter supports Dawn to get out and about to local shops and other activities. Dawn and Peter are pictured above. NEXUS PAGE 5
Meet & Match in Basingstoke On 13 March, Business met Community at the Basingstoke Voluntary Action Meet and Match event. Sixteen community organisations made 2-minute pitches to 13 companies, asking for old laptops, venues, speakers, fundraising help and teams to refurbish an old school to become an outdoor centre for pupils – and much more! The businesses also had ideas on how to help the community and some very productive networking took place with some requests being met on the day – Basingstoke Young carers have already been promised some new laptops and NeighbourCare have made contact with a potential new Trustee. The Holiday Inn had already contributed by making the venue available and providing refreshments for the companies and community organisations, and they hope to be able to offer similar help in future. The afternoon was a great opportunity for partnerships to build and feedback was extremely positive: “A very productive 2 hours for Basingstoke Loddon Rotary” “Really great to see charities asking for people and manpower rather than money” “The pitches were the perfect amount of time and the networking was very professional” The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane also attended, in line with her Charity Appeal promoting her vision for “Everyone can … give time … give skills … give money”. Sarah Robinson, Manager at BVA Volunteer Centre said, “This is our 7th Meet and Match, and we are delighted with the response NEXUS PAGE 6
from the Business Sector; it’s clear that they are keen to have a positive impact in the community and we’re very pleased to have facilitated that here. We distribute a regular bulletin to companies with details of the needs of various charities and community organisations, but this is a way for people to meet each other and gain a greater understanding of the needs and impact of business contribution. We don’t ask for money at this event, just help and support and a way to make things happen.”
Care Navigators Service Wins Award The Care Navigation service, which operates across the southern parishes of the borough of Eastleigh, has won The Thames Valley Leadership Academy Outstanding Team (non-clinical) award for 2017. The service grew out of great partnership working between the GPs working in Eastleigh Southern Practices, One Community, and Eastleigh Borough Council, Adult Services and Community Care teams and West Hampshire CCG. The result is a service which works in partnership to enable people to achieve the outcomes which are important to them, accessing all the services available in their community, including those provided by the voluntary and community sector.
Passengers’ Easter Gifts to Young Carers
One Community Transport passengers have generously donated over 250 chocolate eggs and over 30 packets of mini eggs and chocolate bunnies to Eastleigh’s Young Carers this Easter.