Voluntary Action Broxtowe Annual Report 2017

Voluntary Action Broxtowe VOLUNTARY ACTION BROXTOWE

Annual Report ANNUAL REPORT 2017

2017

Supporting Community & Voluntary Action

Company Registration Number: 06101789 Charity Registration Number: 1122039

Contents

Welcome

3

Infrastructure Support

5

Volunteer Centre

7

Volunteering Statistics

9

Nexus Project

11

Caring Companions

13

Move It & Home Help

15

Finance

16

Partners

17

Main contact:

Lee Burgin, CEO

Address:

Registered offices: Oban House 8, Chilwell Road Beeston Nottingham NG9 1EJ

Email:

leeb@vabroxtowe.org.uk

Telephone:

0115 9178080

Legal status:

Registered Charity number 1122039 Company number 6101789

Independent examiner:

John O'Brien (employee of Community Accounting Plus) Ormiston House 32-36 Pelham Street Nottingham NG1 2EG

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WELCOME As we draw to the close of the year, it is an opportunity to take a few moments to reflect on the challenges and achievements throughout 2016.

It has been a busy but productive year that began with a review of the organisation and of the community we operate in.

We scanned the horizon in recognition of the scale of challenges facing us, with a rapidly changing population and an increase in people coping with complex health and social care needs. Family networks change as people move around more in search of jobs and housing. All of this comes at a time when the NHS and local authorities are facing significant financial challenges and the economic climate squeezes sources of charitable funding.

We heard directly from people who use our services. We asked people what life is like for them and what services they need to help them through difficult times.

In March 2017 we organised a community conference to connect with the Voluntary and Community Sector, particularly in those areas furthest from us, and worked with over 80 organisations to gather information to review and further develop our plans.

Staff and volunteers shared their experiences and expertise; we met with people from partner organisations to discuss how we could improve our services for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in our community.

We did not receive any funding for infrastructure support but tried very hard to retain jobs essential to supporting community groups and volunteering; Group Support Worker and First Steps Co-ordinator, relying on short- term project funds and using our reserves to maintain posts.

Efforts to diversify income streams and develop unrestricted income through Move it, Home Removal Service and room hire, were affected by natural losses to staffing levels. We considered the recommendation made by Sir Stuart Etherington (CEO, National Council of Voluntary Organisations) in response to funding cuts in 2015, and took a long hard look at the infrastructure landscape and our own role within it, and we accepted that ‘business as usual’ cannot survive.

As a result of this work we have embraced change and reflected on where our expertise lies, what we exist to do and what we are good at. We developed a plan to meet the challenges we face, working with the Voluntary and Community Sector to find solutions through partnership working and by connecting people to share scarce resources. We would like to thank all of the participants who shared their thoughts and ideas to develop our strategic plan. We hope they feel this plan adequately represents their contributions.

The result of this work has been astounding; the highlights are included in this report. In response to change, Voluntary Action Broxtowe has designed services that are cost-effective and innovative. Future sustainability will be achieved through hire of facilities and commissioned services.

We would like to thank our staff, trustees and volunteer team for their dedication and commitment despite economic pressure and significant organisational change. We would also like to thank our funders and donors, who always give generously their time and resources.

David Bryan, Chairperson

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‘The meeting hall buzzed. It was a meeting of enthusiasts, who will in future work even more closely together!’ 4

INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT We are the Community and Voluntary Service, infrastructure support provider (CVS) and a Volunteer Centre for Broxtowe, providing training and support for community organisations and volunteers for over forty years.

After providing services to community groups and charitable organisations since 2008, the Group Support Worker post was made redundant and we were left with a huge gap in the service our members had come to rely on.

As a result we developed a new service model that relies on bringing groups together to share skills and resources through a voluntary sector network; we provide local information events and plan to introduce a range of business consultancy services and training programmes.

This is a cost-effective solution that ensures that groups are kept informed, well funded and are working safely and in line with current charity legislation. Although the model is in the pre-start stage of development we already see enthusiasm and involvement from the sector.

We have supported 200 local groups and are seeking funding to develop this essential work, and believe that cost-effective local solutions developed with local people will reduce the cost of traditional infrastructure services.

Achievements •

Working with partners to provide training and qualifications in health and safety, first aid, food safety, ICT and health awareness to over 200 volunteers and staff from 120 organisations between September 2016 to March 2017

•

Communications: Developing an online communication website for small to medium community groups, volunteers and residents. ‘In and Around’ Broxtowe’ is a local site that will launch in Autumn 2017

•

Business Support and Consultancy services, including funding support, evaluations, legal structure guidance, compliance and board training. Specialist funding advice services will be re-introduced in 2017

•

Consultation with the community and voluntary sector organisations to identify needs and develop solutions

•

Connecting and developing links between organisations, helping them to share resources

•

Representing the Voluntary and Community sector and encouraging organisations to present their views to local authorities and other public agencies

•

A Reprographics service

•

Room Hire at discounted charity rates

5

‘I really enjoy my time at VAB. I feel valued and can see the good work we do. It has helped me find work which is fantastic.’ 6

VOLUNTEER CENTRE Voluntary Action Broxtowe continues to offer a growing range of volunteer placements that enable people to gain skills and experience which for many lead on to paid employment, and for others ease loneliness and social isolation.

Visitors to Voluntary Action Broxtowe are always welcomed first by one of our dedicated team of reception volunteers. These volunteers work on a rota basis which enables us to offer this opportunity to 15 different volunteers each week. While meeting and greeting members of the public they receive incoming calls and operate our switchboard. They help to run a busy reprographics services, providing printing, photocopying, laminating and binding. They also assist staff with admin tasks and our social media pages.

Our volunteer centre has been very successful in creating an environment that has helped people to bridge the gap between home and returning to work. Many of our volunteers return to paid employment after a few months of volunteering with us. This is because it has enabled them to regain their confidence and feelings of self-worth.

We are looking at more ways to involve volunteers in our work during the coming year as volunteering enables people to make positive changes in their lives – removing barriers to volunteering by providing them with the support they need.

It has been challenging to continue to provide brokerage services, yet voluntary and community sector groups still need support to fill their volunteer vacancies. We are looking at new ways to meet this demand and plan to develop a new model for this service that is less dependent on grant funding.

First Steps ‘Supported Volunteering’ Specialist support and training is provided within our community services to enable people with disabilities and long- term conditions to help others and to gain valuable skills, experience and confidence.

Evaluation of this approach demonstrated that a mutually beneficial relationship can have a dramatic and positive influence on the lives of both parties.

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8

Volunteering Enquiries

Applicants Ethnicity of Applicants

1,500

2% 2%

Age of Applicants

3%

4%

2%

2%

4%

37%

18%

2% 5%

13% 18-25

14%

4%

2%

11%

4%

26-35

11%

2%

36-45 22% 33%

3%

Albanian British Japanese Pakistani English Chinese Indian Arabic Mix Other Asian GCC Prefer not to say Arabic White & Black Caribbean Black or Black British Irish

Employment Status of Applicants

46-55

2% 2%

2%

Employed - Full Time

Disability

15%

Employed - Part Time

2%

Retired

24%

11%

Student

Yes

House Person 15%

No

Unable to Work Unemployed

No Response

3%

Carer 9%

87%

Agency Worker

28%

13,830 6 volunteer hours donated by 56 volunteers to our community projects Value to the local economy

placements with health & social care support

ÂŁ102,342 calculation based on ÂŁ7.40 per hour

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10

NEXUS PROJECT The Inclusive Community Project, funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Strand for five years, came to an end after working with almost 500 people from 37 different countries – helping them to learn or improve their English language skills and to learn about British culture.

Our experience gained from delivering this project enabled us to secure a smaller grant from the Big Lottery Fund to launch the ‘Nexus Project’ which delivers tailored learning and outreach activities to learners wanting to improve their English, reduce social isolation, and improve confidence, community participation, quality of life and wellbeing.

Two project co-ordinators run the two sides of the project: ESOL classes and Partnership outreach.In the first year we registered 140 learners from 42 different countries. Classes are at different levels and the curriculum addresses cultural issues at the heart of the project. One class is for women only.

Learners are from 42 countries, the largest groups from China, Iraq and Turkey. Some have British partners, some have moved to the UK looking for work, and some have partners working locally. Learners are aged from 18-70, most 30-50. 75% are female and 30% are seeking work.

Five classes are run at VAB, and two in a local SureStart to improve support for parents of young children.

The project has engaged with partner organisations, including Police, Community Gardens, Mental Health, Arts projects and SureStarts. A community language café is run by volunteers from the project. Activities address access to public services, community and leisure activities.

Partner groups report improvements in their engagement with people from BME backgrounds and with equal opportunities issues. Links are with further partner organisations to design and deliver activities in Years 2 and 3.

Nexus project volunteers co-de sign and deliver administration, events, contribute to the day-today running and design of projects and events at VAB. Volunteering and employability support is delivered through the course curriculum, activities, and one-to-one sessions.

Learners have co-designed services that offer further one-to-one support through language mentors and are developing a communications plan to make web contact with potential students before arrival in the UK. We have responded to learners requests for one-to-one services and provided language mentors. Learners are developing a communication plan to establish contact with potential learners before they arrive in the UK. This will form part of our new website. Our video shows our learners and volunteers in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycU7Q7OJcf0 We intend to respond to a need highlighted by the Refugee Steering Committee, led by Broxtowe Borough Council, to coordinate local services through a Voluntary Action Broxtowe Hub. Language development, work and volunteering opportunities and social integration will be better coordinated in the coming year.

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95% of volunteers value meeting new people

56% of volunteers gained confidence 12

95% of volunteers value meeting new people

CARING CARINGCOMPANIONS COMPANIONS

People helping each other, both benefit Caring Companions is built on a community-based befriending model that will develop over three years to offer significant social impact for local people; benefits include reduced social isolation and loneliness for 20-30 older persons. Many of our volunteers have their own issues of isolation and loneliness due to life changes and a further outcome would be a reduction in loneliness and isolation of 20-30 volunteers.

Demand for the project has been high and the project has met its outputs and demonstrated achievement of social outcomes by the end of Year One. 

32 older persons have registered and have been matched with volunteers.



30 specialist volunteer opportunities have been created.

Volunteers are described as a ‘lifeline’ by many and we cannot describe the impact better than testimonials from clients: “I’m badly disabled and have lots of health problems. I can talk to her and tell her things and know it won’t go anywhere else. She’s the only one. She's been marvelous.“ Client “A lot. I don’t go out. Have anxiety and health problems. It’s different from family. Sometimes they are abrupt. I rise at 5 a.m. and I feel so lonely. I look forward to it. I get anxious when I’m alone.

I’m better when she’s here. I have no good neighbours. She’s lovely.” Client 

Volunteering has a positive impact on the lives of befrienders: 95% value meeting new people, 78% feel valued by their community and 56% gained confidence.



Contribution to the local economy is demonstrated by an increase in specialist volunteer opportunities to 30 and the creation of one full-time job.



The value of volunteer activity can be estimated at £34,632 to the local economy. This is based on volunteer contributions in time, at three hours per week, 156 hours per volunteer = 4,680 hours at £7.40 per hour, and exceeds the 3,000 estimated in the project plan.

Vintage Tea Room Case Study: ‘Ten years ago I was on a crossing and I was hit by a car in a hit and run.

As a result I became wheelchair bound.

I saw the notice for the Vintage Tea Room when I was passing by the Volunteer Centre.

I always look forward to coming here as it’s always so friendly and clean and it’s rare to be served with such lovely china. The food is very good and I like the pots the tea comes in, the colour, the style and the shapes. Last time my tea was served in an oblong tea pot. It was lovely and unusual.

It’s so relaxing, there is soft music in the background, the staff are warm and friendly and helpful and this makes a big difference. They are so helpful.

Fridays a day I look forward to, it’s a really good start to the weekends.

I also recommend it to family and friends.’

- Client, 72 years old

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14

MOVE IT & HOME HELP SERVICES

‘Move It’ assists older people when moving into residential and care homes, as well as supporting families who require low-cost services to move locally. Around 200 people per annum benefit from this service.

The service has provided assistance to elderly and terminally ill people returning from hospital – such as moving beds downstairs or helping people as they down-size to more manageable properties. The project has provided meaningful work placements to people with long-term conditions, providing work experience to enhance their independence and potential job prospects. The project has also provided opportunities for volunteers to move on to paid employment and one volunteer is now an employee of Voluntary Action Broxtowe.

Through the ‘Move It’ project we recognized a demand for other more extensive domestic services. In response we plan to set up ‘Home Help’ – an innovative helpful service to people who are unable to perform household and domestic tasks for themselves. This might include gardening, cleaning, shopping, DIY, decorating and other assorted tasks. This project has provided a higher volume of supported placements, allowing clients to gain further experience working in and for their community.

A simple idea ‘Home Help’ builds on the strengths that people can offer, the skills they have, and provides supported placements through a Day Service Framework for people with disabilities, learning and physical, and long-term health conditions. Opportunities will be offered to people who want to develop their English language skills.

People will be supported by professional, trained staff who visit frail, housebound elderly people and others with disabilities, to do odd jobs in their homes and shopping.

Both benefit, and help each other!

‘They were brilliant. The work was finished quickly and to a very high standard.’

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FINANCES Voluntary Action Broxtowe Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2017 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note Income and Endowments from: Charitable activities 2

Unrestricted funds £

Restricted funds £

Total 2017 £

Total 2016 £

72,065

118,929

190,994

240,435

(87,085)

(128,826)

(215,911)

(216,689)

Total Expenditure

(87,085)

(128,826)

(215,911)

(216,689)

Net (expenditure)/income

(15,020)

(9,897)

(24,917)

23,746

Transfers between funds

1,292

(1,292)

-

-

(13,728)

(11,189)

(24,917)

23,746

51,283

41,230

92,513

68,767

37,555

30,041

67,596

92,513

Expenditure on: Charitable activities

3

Other recognised gains and losses Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward

13

All of the Charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The funds breakdown for 2016 is shown in note 13 of the accounts.

Notes: In recent years we lost considerable core income from statutory sources and short term project funds came to an end; A successful bid to the Big Lottery fund secured less funding than a previous grant at £77,000 pa for 3 years; We attempted to maintain infrastructure posts from reserves, e.g. the Group Support and Volunteer Support workers, in an effort to keep the vital work of our organisation going.

The loss of long term, skilled staff presented a risk to projects that generated unrestricted income e.g. room hire and 'Move it', as a result both projects generated less income; While these costs can be offset to a small extent by increased income generation, the uncertain market situation makes us cautious about what can be achieved. We faced the challenges head on and developed a new financial strategy; to cover costs wherever possible, and to increase efficiency to reduce costs. We aim to maintain reserves at £25,000.

Where resources allow we will invest in high priority areas of work, particularly those that have a realistic likelihood of being self-sustaining, or of generating income to contribute toward sustaining other services. We will rely on short term project funding to compliment and enhance service delivery rather than to sustain services.

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PARTNERS & MEMBERS Access Training ACT Age Friendly Nottinghamshire Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Ashfield Health & Well Being Bassetlaw Community & Voluntary Service Beeston & District Local History Society Beeston Community Resource Centre Beeston Methodist Church Beeston Shopmobility Broxtowe Borough Council Broxtowe Community Celebration Group Broxtowe Mediation Service Broxtowe Women’s Project Broxtowe Youth Homlessness Canalside Heritage Centre Children’s Centres Citizen’s Advice Broxtowe Coram Creative Paths Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire & Rutland Community Rehabilitation Company Direct Help and Advice Eastwood and District U3A Eastwood memory Cafe Eastwood Memory Cafe Eastwood Volunteer Bureau Enable Everyone Health Family Bonds UK First Data Global Grains Greasley Sports Centre Greening Beeston

Harmless Health Watch Nottinghamshire Inspire Culture Kimberley OAP Let’s Talk Wellbeing Liberty Leisure Metropolitan Connect Movement for All New Horizon Church Nottingham College Nottingham CVS Nottingham Trent University Nottinghamshire County Council Nottinghamshire Neighbourhood Watch Nottinghamshire Together Open Wings Oxjam Beeston Pulp Friction Roundhill School Rumbletums Sahara Asian Elders Group Self Help UK Social Dining Clubs St John the Baptist Church Stapleford, Chilwell and Beeston Sure Start Children’s Centre Tamsin White Therapeutic Services TESCO The Helpful Bureau The United Charities of Abel Collins Toton & Chilwell Neighbourhood Forum Transform Training Ltd United Against Dementia White Hills Park Federation

We would like to thank the following funders:

We’d also like to thank: Barham Charitable Trust Jessie Spencer Trust Voluntary Action Broxtowe, Oban House, 8 Chilwell Road, Beeston, NG9 1EJ

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