Supporting voluntary and community action
July/August/September 2016
In this issue: The VCS Grants Prospectus Anti-advocacy clause An interview with new Bristol Mayor, Marvin Rees The Bristol Youth Strategy Hundreds gathered all over Bristol to celebrate Volunteers’ Week this June. This photo was taken at a special launch event we held at J3 – read more about the week on p8-9.
Active Together for Dementia Social Value Policy: what is happening now? and much more...
Contents Voscur 3 Editorial 4-5
Government clause would stop charities passing on good ideas
5-6
New Voscur members
7
Shaping the sector’s future together
8-9
Hundreds across Bristol celebrate Volunteers’ Week
10
Active Together for Dementia
12-13 Social Value Policy: what is happening now?
Support Hub 14
The VCS Grants Prospectus – Are you ready?
Voice and Influence 15
‘Our Journey Together: Strategic Priorities for Young People in Bristol’ – the story so far
16-17 Increasing segregation in Britain? 18-20 A moment with Marvin 21
Success for 50:50 campaign
22
This is Me: Elaine Flint, VCSE sector advocate
23
Think Local: Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill Neighbourhood Partnership
Key to symbols Training
Information & Resources
Event
Thrive! is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine. If you require it in another format, please get in touch on 0117 909 9949. Disclaimer: some of the views expressed in this publication are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.
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July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
Working to make Bristol a city of social value incidences of poor governance
volunteer involving organisations,
and aggressive fundraising have
that your Volunteer Centre is
led to a reduction in the number
providing a high quality and
of people coming forward to act
effective service’.
as trustees, and a reduction in public donations.
Dear Members and Friends, Recent research by Social Enterprise UK identified Bristol as one of the 14% of councils that embrace social value. This great
Of course volunteering isn’t the answer to all of the sector’s
We have seen these factors
challenges. We still need to
reflected in the support requests
generate new income, collaborate
received over the past year, with
more effectively and enable
many relating to governance
people to make the most of their
and sustainability. So Bristol
existing skills and resources to
City Council’s target of 25% of
overcome disadvantage. And
commissioning and procurement
these are some of the things we’ll
budget to be spent with ‘small
be helping you to achieve through
to medium businesses, social
our new infrastructure support
enterprises and voluntary and
service (see page 7).
community organisations’ is both timely and welcome.
We are very proud of our services, delivered by skilled and
news is a positive outcome of our
An important part of social value
experienced staff, supported
perseverance in advocating for
is creating new opportunities
by VCSE sector advocates and
the sector to have a seat at policy-
through activities such as
volunteers, and we look forward
making tables over the years – see
apprenticeships and volunteering.
to serving you for the next four
pages 12-13.
Since merging with Volunteer
years and helping to make Bristol a
Bristol in 2014, Voscur has
city of social value.
It’s especially important given current pressures: reduced statutory provision, welfare reform, higher levels of poverty and changing demographics have led to an increase in demand on voluntary organisations. People seeking support often have more complex needs, yet in 2013/14 income among small and medium-sized charities fell. ‘Micro-charities’, accounting for half the sector, received only 0.5% of total income.* High-profile
integrated volunteering support with broader sector development.
Best wishes,
The numbers of people using the service – potential volunteers and organisations with opportunities to offer – underlines its value locally. External validation came this month in the form of NCVO’s Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation award – which ‘provides assurance to commissioners and funders, as
Wendy Stephenson Chief Executive *NCVO’s UK Civil Society Almanac 2016
well as members of the public and
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
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3
Government clause would stop charities passing on good ideas Recently the Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock MP announced that the Government was pausing on implementation of the anti-advocacy clause. The original plan was to put a clause in all grant agreements to restrict charities’ lobbying of government. The hope has got to be that the pause has occurred because the penny has finally dropped that this is a bad idea. Although it is commonly known as the anti-advocacy clause, it is better to think of this as a clause that tells charities they shouldn’t pass on good ideas.
Imagine the situation this clause could create. A charity receiving a grant from the government would be discouraged from talking to decision makers. Stopped from talking about changing services to improve outcomes and save money. Innovation would be strangled. User voices would be shut out. This is the exact opposite direction that the NHS is going in, as outlined in the Five Year Forward View. It flies in the face of all the talk of coproduction. And concern about this clause is increased because it appears to be part of a trend that has seen charities’ independence attacked. The Independence Panel , set up in 2011, tracked charities’ independence and threats to it over a four-year period. Their fourth report in 2015 said that “UK charities are facing a barrage of attacks on their freedom to defend the most vulnerable people in society – part of a 1
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Photo by Dima Bushkov CC BY-NC 2.0
Article written by Barney Mynott, Head of Public Affairs at NAVCA.
disturbing trend that the Panel says has been growing over each of the last four years.”
of the anti-advocacy clause, as they receive government funding whilst pushing for measures that would restrict tobacco sales. Not something that most people would see as unreasonable or perverting democracy.
The original announcement of the clause by the Government was also curious. In the first line of the press release it referred to ‘extensive research’ by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) into socalled ‘sock puppets’. It is unusual for a Government press release to talk up the work of think tanks, and eyebrows were raised when the Independent linked Matthew Hancock to a £4,000 donation from the chairman of the IEA. 2
3
The involvement of the IEA also is of note as they have in the past been funded by tobacco companies and campaigned against plain packaging for cigarettes. This has made anti-smoking charities fear that they are the intended target
4
5
Although the Government is pausing implementation, they are not giving this up yet. They say they are just considering representations made to them before they introduce the clause. Despite this clause only being targeted at charities that get grant funding from national government, smaller local charities may also feel the effect. Local government is not being forced to adopt it, but some councils may well voluntarily adopt it. However, the Local Government Association say that their feedback from councils is that this would be
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
an impossible clause to enforce in local government grant agreements. More importantly it is another addition to the current atmosphere that is questioning charities’ right to speak up, at a time when arguably there is a growing need for politicians and decision makers to hear the voices of people at the receiving end of spending cuts.
New Voscur members South Bristol Toy Library Promoting physical, cognitive, sensory and emotional development through play by providing good-quality indoor
The hope is that the pause will become more than just a pause and end up a permanent abandonment of the idea: a way to get out of this mess and save face. After the Charity Commission said charities should think twice before getting involved in the EU referendum, the Charities’ Minister Rob Wilson intervened and said that charities should feel free to campaign. So maybe there is a wider government rethink about charities and campaigning. Maybe this is a sign of a greater value being placed on hearing a plurality of views to get good decision making.
and outdoor toys for hire as a community resource for
Whilst charities need to remain aware of legislative changes around campaigning,
http://www.sixteencoop.co.uk
6
I hope this does not mean that anyone feels they should not speak out on behalf of the people and communities they support. Frivolous newspaper debates commonly end up listing queuing, cups of tea and cooked breakfast as quintessentially British. I would add speaking truth to power. And no one does this better than charities and community groups. To contact Barney, email: Barney.Mynott@navca.org.uk 1
www.independencepanel.org.uk
2 https://goo.gl/IMKtmM 3
http://goo.gl/tpjHDf
4
https://goo.gl/Ypv99n
http://goo.gl/N7yV4U 6 http://goo.gl/ilmHt0 5
children, their families and carers living in South Bristol. www.southbristoltoylibrary.co.uk 07879671784
Underfall Yard Trust Keeping ancient maritime skills alive by renting buildings in the boatyard to local businesses and small/start-up enterprises. http://underfallboatyard.co.uk/trust.html 0117 930 9986
Sixteen Cooperative Ltd. Supported Employment Services for people with a learning disability, autism or other disadvantage in the workplace.
Poetry Can To increase opportunities for everyone to participate in and enjoy poetry, through a strategic programme of events and projects. http://www.poetrycan.co.uk 0117 9330900
Glenside Hospital Museum This museum houses collections relating to the history of Bristol’s Psychiatric and Learning Disability hospitals. www.glensidemuseum.org.uk
Interculture Promotes, celebrates and supports intercultural communication through training, workshops and events. 07740 008 654 Continued on next page...
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
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New Voscur members (continued) Bristol Hospital Broadcasting Service Helping to keep patients entertained and
Member benefits
comforted and enabling them to feel a sense of company whilst away from home and their families. http://www.bhbs.org/ 0117 929 3303
Rethink Fishponds Women’s Support Group This weekly coffee morning is a knit-and-natter group for women who have lived experience of mental illness. Members regularly bring their knitting or craft project. 0117 9031805
Bristol & Anchor Almshouse Charity to help support those over 55 in need of accommodation in the Bristol area. 0117 935 4471
AIM – Art in Motion Providing opportunities for artists with learning disabilities to engage in contemporary art to explore ideas and concepts with a specific focus on sense of place, heritage and the built environment. https://artinmotion45.wordpress.com/
No More Taboo No More Taboo sells reusable sanitary products in the UK and invests 100% of the profits into charitable projects that help tackle the taboos surrounding menstruation and sanitation. www.nomoretaboo.org/about-us 07934 739098 Welcome also to our Associate members: User Voice, Avon Valley Railway, Meningitis Research Foundation, Arthritis Care, Southern Links Children’s Centre, APCRC, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and individual member SM Consultancy.
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For more information on becoming a member of Voscur and the range of member benefits, visit: www.voscur.org/about/ joiningonline or call us on 0117 909 9949.
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
Shaping the sector’s future together Photo by Walt Jabsco CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
• Have you been able to take advantage of recent changes in charity funding, public commissioning and support for social enterprise? • Do you know which organisations you could collaborate with, either just round the corner or working with similar clients across the region? • What are likely to be the main challenges for your organisation’s sustainability in the next few years? Based on your input, the Council’s new voluntary sector support service will help you answer and address these questions over the next four years. Its new areas of focus are funding, capacity, meeting gaps, collaboration, coordination and influence. In the short term this means helping organisations to prepare for the ‘VCS Prospectus’ launching this month. Grant funding from a range of Council departments to over 80 organisations will be pooled into one citywide fund with a new application process. It’s the most significant change to voluntary sector funding in a long time, and information about some of the support we’re offering is on page 14. Looking further ahead, other
types of development will become more prominent. For example, the Prospectus has been designed to encourage collaboration, and there’s a range of ways organisations can work together to coordinate activities, share pathways and provide people with more holistic services. We recognise that effective collaboration comes from mutual trust and clarity of common purpose, and these can take time to develop, so we know this will be a significant piece of work and our skilled and experienced team are ready to help and look forward to taking on this challenge. We’ll also continue practising what we preach when it comes to collaboration and co-production and our belief that we’re “stronger together”. So we’re looking into new ways of providing the same
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
level of service with less funding, improving our reach into and response to grassroots groups, and securing new resources and pro bono support for the sector. For example, we’ve already increased the support we provide through a variety of community venues across the city by working with local groups. We’d like to develop this further, and find an alternative office, with space for other local groups to use. So if your organisation is interested in working with us to identify a shared space for a voluntary sector base, please do get in touch.
Voscur: 0117 909 9949 Info@voscur.org www.voscur.org.uk
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7
Hundreds across Bristol celebrate Volunteers’ Week!
Volunteers’ Week is an annual event dating back to 1984, which celebrates the amazing amounts of energy, time and enthusiasm given to charitable organisations by millions of people across the UK. This year NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) announced that Volunteers’ Week would run from 1 to 12 June, extended from the usual week to include a street party on the Mall in London for the Queen’s 90th birthday with guests from the 600 organisations of which she is a patron. Here in Bristol, organisations and charities citywide embraced the 12-day “week” to thank the thousands of people who tirelessly make so many projects possible. Voscur’s celebrations started with a #BrisVol16 launch event at Junction 3 library where free food provided by FoodCycle Connects and live music from the
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Gin Bowlers encouraged families and commuters to find out more about local projects such as the Julian House Bike Workshop, try online micro-volunteering and speak to Volunteer Bristol advisers about potential opportunities. #BrisVol16’s exciting programme of events included a volunteer assault course run by the Southmead Development Trust, a volunteer conference at St Peter’s Hospice, an open day at ss Great Britain and tours of John Wesley’s Chapel. Lucie Connors, Community Engagement Officer at The New Room/John Wesley’s Chapel, said: “Volunteers play a hugely important role at the New Room as without them we wouldn’t be able to open our doors to visitors six days a week. Our volunteers welcome visitors into our chapel and museum and tell them about
our history and story. Some of our volunteers have been with us for 30 years and many close friendships have been formed and unique experiences and memories gained. When our new Visitor Centre opens in 2017 we’ll be offering more exciting roles, as we’ll need help to run our new café, shop, museum, library and archives. We’re always looking for volunteers to support with our learning and community engagement activities and events programme. We’re keen to recruit 200 more, so get in touch if you would like to be part of our future story!” Throughout the 12 days, Volunteer Bristol @ Voscur partnered with Bristol Libraries to run advice sessions in Avonmouth, Stockwood and Easton matching people with local opportunities. Nia Crouch from Bristol Libraries said: “Volunteers’ Week is a
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
Whether you’re interested in food, animals, support work, media or translation, there’s almost certainly an organisation with a role that may be for you. great way of celebrating what volunteers do across Bristol and running drop-ins was a wonderful way of sharing all of the volunteering opportunities that are coming up within the Library service.” The sheer variety of organisations and local volunteering opportunities in Bristol is incredible – and so were the food and festivities that took place during #BrisVol16! For example, organisations including Second Step, BDP, Bristol Women’s Voice, Big Issue, Oxfam, DHI, Golden Key and NACOA came together in Brunswick Square for a sunny outdoor celebration to thank their volunteers. In Gainsborough Square, Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust, North Bristol Advice Centre and Bristol City Council Community Development team had a thank-you party for volunteers across Lockleaze. Our celebrations culminated in a fun family afternoon at Bristol Central Library where children and adults tried micro-volunteering, proving that even with only five minutes to spare, there’s likely to be a project you can do. Volunteer Bristol @ Voscur works with hundreds of local groups every year. We couldn’t do this without our fantastic (small but dedicated!) team of volunteers who provide help every week to
people who drop in to the Volunteer Centre for advice and support. Given the diversity in volunteering opportunities in Bristol, there really is something for everyone. Many projects have the double benefit of improving people’s health and wellbeing while at the same time making a valuable difference in the community. Others provide opportunities to learn new skills and help others to do the same. Whether you’re interested in food, animals, support work, media or translation, there’s almost certainly an organisation with a role that may be for you. During Volunteers’ Week, the difference made to local projects by people giving their time and skills gets its well-earned place in the headlines, and this year’s 12 days of volunteer celebrations demonstrated how invaluable Bristol’s volunteers are to making Bristol such a great, friendly and caring city. Without our amazing volunteers, the voluntary and community sector would not be able to reach as many people and touch as many lives. Not to forget the laughs, inspiration and enjoyment that volunteering brings.
Contact Volunteer Bristol @ Voscur on: 0117 989 7733 info@volunteerbristol.org.uk
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
Photos taken at a selection of our events during Volunteers’ Week 2016.
www.voscur.org
9
Active Together for Dementia Photo by Tilman Haerdle CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Dementia can be a barrier to everyday activities from making breakfast to sequence dancing. It can severely impact someone’s health, confidence and social activities. That’s why Active Together for Dementia, a new pilot project, is designed to increase people’s wellbeing by enabling them to continue pursuing their passions. The number of people with dementia nationally is predicted to rise from 850,000 to over one million by 2025, so Active Together
• Give people living with
volunteers as they’ll be doing
is a timely initiative. Using an
dementia the opportunity
something they already enjoy, with
asset-based approach, it matches a
to establish a long-term
the added bonus of knowing their
volunteer buddy and someone with
relationship with a volunteer
‘buddy’ couldn’t do it without
dementia based on their shared
buddy.
them.
interests. Together they then swim, cook, garden, walk, play golf, go to art classes or dance – whatever the person with dementia wants to do, but can’t on their own.
Active Together, alongside other
Active Together aims to promote
local dementia services, works to
dementia inclusivity and break
provide practical support and help
down barriers to accessing
make Bristol a more dementia-
services for people living with
friendly city. It draws on lessons
dementia.
By enabling the continuation of
learned from Volunteer Bristol’s
personal interests, and increasing
Supported Volunteering for People
physical and social activities, the
with Dementia research project
project aims to:
(2014-15) and Bath University’s
• Enhance the health and wellbeing of people with dementia.
ACE (Active, Connected, Engaged) project (2013-14).
If you’re interested in finding out more about the project and the referral process, or if you’d
As Project Coordinator, Clare
like to get involved, please get
Havard, explains:
in touch with Clare Havard on:
get out and maintain their
Active Together will increase
0117 989 7734 or email:
social interests.
the physical activity and social
clare@volunteerbristol.org.uk
engagement of a person with
Working days Tuesday and
dementia at a time when their
Thursday
• Increase their confidence to
• Maintain their independence and reduce potential isolation by keeping up activities and friendships.
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world is in danger of shrinking. It’s also a great opportunity for
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
Present The Role of the Sector - ‘Who Are We Now?’ Voscur’s Annual Conference and Social Impact Awards (the ‘Voscurs’) Thursday 6 October, 3:30pm – 8pm, Central Bristol Book your free place at: www.voscur.org/diary/voscur-agm-2016
Issue 30 October / November / December 2015 For a full list of photography credits, please visit: goo.gl/0c9Pya
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Supporting Voluntary Action
11
Social Value Policy: what is happening now? Bristol’s Social Value Policy has been approved and is now being implemented. This should lead to significant differences in commissioning processes, resulting in more VCSE sector organisations winning public service contracts. Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer, describes these developments.
What is in the approved Social Value Policy? Several parts of the policy represent positive developments for small and medium-sized providers, including VSCE sector organisations. The following points included in it resulted from our work engaging the VCSE sector in the consultation on the draft policy. Aims of the Policy “The overarching intent of this policy is to ensure commissioning activity maximises social, economic and environmental benefit for the city while delivering value for money. Our aims are: 1. To further our sustainable procurement objectives to protect
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Photo by fotologic CC BY 2.0
Following on from the last update (Thrive Jan-Mar 2016), more progress has been made with social value developments. Cabinet approved the policy and toolkit in March 2016 and the further development and use of both are being taken forward. The working group – of which I have been a member for the last year – has now turned into the Social Value Implementation Group, comprising council officers and representative bodies (Voscur and the Federation of Small Businesses).
and enhance the environment. 2. To promote the local economy by supporting micro, small and medium sized enterprises and the voluntary and community sector in Bristol to thrive.* 3. To tackle disadvantage and address inequalities of health, wealth and opportunity in the city. 4. To involve local people and organisations in how we meet the needs of local communities through the commissioning cycle. * Small and medium-sized enterprises, black-and-minorityethnic-owned enterprises, those with majority ownership/ leadership from a group protected
by legislation, and voluntary and community sector organisations.” These are called ‘priority organisations’ in the Action Plan. Objectives of the Policy “In order to achieve the aims we will: 1. Involve local people and organisations in determining social value outcomes by beginning engagement and/or consultation at the earliest possible opportunity in a commissioning process. 2. Agree proportionate and relevant social value outcomes with the marketplace at preprocurement stage, and ensure that they are linked to
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
the strategic priorities in the Corporate Plan. 3. Apply a methodology that ensures 10% of the quality element of the price/quality ratio will be allocated to social value, when it is identified in the commissioning process that additional social value outcomes are relevant and appropriate. 4. Spend at least 25% of the Council’s total procurement budget with micro, small and medium-sized businesses**, social enterprises and voluntary/ community organisations in 2016/17 and be ambitious in our endeavour to improve on this figure. 5. Work with internal staff, the marketplace and communities to improve understanding of social value, our Policy and evaluation methods.” ** micro: fewer than 10 employees; small: 10-50; medium: 50-250. How will things be different for smaller organisations and equalities-led organisations? The experiences of this part of the market are well known and the policy states the council’s intention to do things differently – “a central aim of the Social Value Policy is to promote positive equality outcomes”. Among other things there will be: • “An Action Plan for supporting micro, small and medium sized businesses (<250 employees) including social enterprises and voluntary/community organisations and diverse suppliers.
• Positive action in respect of organisations of and for equalities groups or groups of people with protected characteristics.” How will social value be included in each contract? The council is clear that there can be no single approach and that “social value will be considered during the commissioning cycle and procurement process of all contracts, including those that are below the EU Procurement Thresholds. Proportionate and relevant social value requirements will always be included in contracts.”
“A central aim of the Social Value Policy is to promote positive equality outcomes” This effectively means that discussions with providers in the early stages of each commissioning process will include aspects of social value. There are two other parts of the process that will be of interest to providers:
and Action Plan includes three key priorities: working with priority organisations; provider satisfaction; % of overall procurement spend with priority organisations – expect to see more activities aimed at priority organisations. • VCSE sector organisations should expect to see social value incorporated into commissioning processes; if social value is not clear, ask commissioners how it will be included and be persistent. • VCSE sector organisations need to consider how their outcomes and impacts can be repackaged as ‘social value outcomes’ – to be ready to make suggestions and offers to commissioners. • Register on the council’s new e-procurement system, ProContract (https:// goo.gl/4O45sy) – this will help your organisation be informed and help the council understand the market better. Do not assume that your organisation’s registration has been transferred from the old system.
• How social value is assessed at tender stage. • How social value is monitored in contracts. What is happening now and what can VCSE sector organisations do? • The Implementation Group is developing guidance on how social value will be measured over the coming months – expect to see more.
Further information, including the approved Social Value Policy can be found here: http://goo.gl/rjD5G0 Contact Mark Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer: mark@voscur.org, 0117 909 9949
The Commissioning Development
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The VCS Grants Prospectus Are you ready? The VCS Grants Prospectus is launching on 12 July 2016 and will bring major changes to the way in which Bristol City Council allocates its grant funding to the voluntary and community sector (as of April 2017). The Prospectus is an opportunity for your organisation to consider the impact of your services and how this impact meets what Bristol City Council intends to fund, as well as a chance to submit an application for a grant. Details are being finalised. Please keep referring to our website and look out for information in Voscur ebulletins because we’ll keep you updated through the summer and autumn. We also draw your attention to our series of events. They will help you to decide if this fund is right for your service and whom you might want to collaborate with to deliver services, and will provide information on the support we can offer to assist the process of your application. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.voscur.org/grants-prospectus To book your place or to find out more about any of our events, please go to: www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub or call us on: 0117 909 9949.
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VCS Assembly and Launch of the VCS Grants Prospectus Tuesday 12 July 2016, 9:30am – 4pm This year’s VCS Assembly will focus on the launch of the new VCS Grants Prospectus and include training workshops to help organisations get ready.
Trustee Network – Prospectus and Governance of Your Organisation Thursday 14 July 2016, 6pm – 8pm A forum for trustees of VCSE sector organisations to discuss the Prospectus and help decide their organisation’s approach.
Collaborations and Introductions to Potential Partners Tuesday 19 July 2016, 10am – 12:30pm This event will help organisations meet others and start discussions about working together in preparation for your Prospectus application.
Impact and Change Tuesday 19 July 2016, 1pm – 3:30pm A training session to help organisations understand the Prospectus impact model (a tool to guide you on how your organisation will plan and demonstrate your impact in the activities you propose to do) and how to demonstrate outcomes.
Responding to Changes: Withdrawal of Grant Tuesday 20 September 2016, 9:30am – 1pm This session, specifically for organisations whose grants are coming to an end due to the changes in the VCS Grants Prospectus, will offer training to organisations seeking to apply for prospectus funding and will also help organisations think about how to manage reductions in funding.
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
‘Our Journey Together: Strategic Priorities for Young People in Bristol’ – the story so far Photo by Photo by pedrosimoes7 CC BY 2.0
Earlier this year, in January, ‘Our Journey Together: Strategic Priorities for Young People’ was launched at a conference that was organised by Voscur, in partnership with Bristol City Council and the Youth Strategy steering group. This group includes mainly voluntary and community sector colleagues. The aims of the conference also included hearing from
since the conference to review the
providers of services for young
information from the discussions.
people about how to take the
The membership has been
priorities forward and was a
widened to draw in organisations
great networking opportunity
interested in developing the way
for organisations working under
forward for this work. Members
similar themes in the strategy.
have self-organised into working
This strategic document was
groups, and have been mapping
written and consulted on widely,
out actions in matrices under the
to aid better coordination
four main themes.
of services, with improved partnership working and to help draw in more resources to the city.
Each matrix highlights what the issue is, what is currently happening, what can be influenced and how, and what else
Members of the steering group
needs to be done. For example,
helped facilitate discussions
under the theme of a child-and-
around the four main themes
young-people-friendly city, the
in the document, which are a
first step has been to link with the
child-and-young-people-friendly
work already taking place by the
city, a curriculum for life, healthy
Bristol Child-Friendly City Network,
body, healthy mind, and young
inspired by the UNICEF global
people active and safe in their
child-friendly-city initiative.
communities.
agency decision making. The Children and Families Partnership Board has committed to developing a new overarching strategy for children, young people and families in the city that will set out the focus of our shared work for the next four years. This strategy will bring together (in a short, succinct document) and cross-reference other existing local strategies and plans, such as ‘Our Journey Together: Strategic Priorities for Young People in Bristol’. It will include a shared vision for all partners in the city, including VSCE organisations, a common set of outcomes, and clear priorities for future commissioning and grants in order to narrow the gap in outcomes
The steering group will now
for children, young people and
Full details of the discussions and
join with the new Youth and
families.
a summary can be accessed here:
Participation subgroup of the
http://www.voiceandinfluence.
Bristol Children and Families
org.uk/node/12981
Partnership Board, which will help
The Youth Strategy steering
ensure that any recommendations
group has been meeting regularly
will feed into strategic multi-
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
For more details contact Asma Ahmad: asma@voscur.org
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15
Increasing segregation in Britain? How do we feel when we engage in our communities in Bristol? Do we feel a sense of segregation? Ted Cantle gives an interesting perspective on the national picture. Photo by cruiznbye CC BY-ND 2.0
According to Ted Cantle,
is also undoubtedly more
Cantle’s comments follow research
British society is increasingly
segregation in residential areas,
from the think tank Demos, which
dividing along ethnic lines –
more segregation in schools and
found 61% of ethnic minority
with segregation in schools,
more segregation in workplaces,”
children in England (90% in
neighbourhoods and workplaces
he said. “That is driving more
London) start year 1 in schools
– and this risks fuelling prejudice.
prejudice, intolerance and mistrust
where the majority of children are
Professor Cantle, who carried
in communities.”
from minority groups. The data
out the report into community cohesion in the wake of a series of race riots in 2001, warned that growing divisions had led to mistrust within communities across the country.
Cantle cited as evidence an almost four-fold increase in the number of UK electoral wards with a non-white majority, from 119 in 2001 to 429 today, saying that these communities were more
We have failed to stop segregation in Britain. Time to try again
concentrated by race, rather than
Speaking to the Guardian
Government’s focus to ‘anti-
newspaper 15 years on from
extremism measures’ “squeezed
calling for action to reduce
out” policies that were meant
polarisation following riots across
to promote community
northern England, Cantle said
cohesion. He refers to the lack
he was alarmed by the direction
of encouragement for employers
the country had headed in since
to recruit diverse teams and the
2001.
2010 coalition Government’s
“There is more mixing in some parts of our society. But there
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increasingly mixed. Cantle feels that a shift in the
removal of the duty for schools to promote cohesion.
revealed schools dominated by
“There is more mixing in some parts of our society. But there is also undoubtedly more segregation in residential areas, more segregation in schools and more segregation in workplaces.That is driving more prejudice, intolerance and mistrust in communities.” children of either Bangladeshi, Pakistani or black-Caribbean origin. However, Professor Simon
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
Burgess, who processed the data,
have an impact on race equality in
Manifesto for Race Equality and
said it showed that segregation in
the city? Marvin recently told the
its implementation. The Manifesto
schools was flat or even declining
Guardian:
has made a good start to driving
in some areas.
“I don’t want to be tagged as the
progress, especially around championing positive action, but
Labour MP Chuka Umunna also
‘black mayor’. I’m a mayor for all of
asserted that he believes “the
the city, but my story of growing
cracks in our communities have
up here as a mixed-race kid does
The VCSE sector in Bristol delivers
grown. Not only has Britain
matter. There is something special
an array of fantastic projects that
become a more ethnically
about that ... It’s a fantastic
challenge and tackle inequality
segmented nation as immigration
story; it’s a true story. But the
– projects that work across
has continued to rise, but also
integrity of us telling that story
communities, geographies and
the growing income and lifestyle
is undermined by the fact that
ethnicities. We are aware of our
gap between rich and poor has
25% of our kids are in poverty,
responsibilities, the need to
undermined the sense that there
inequality is increasing and the
continuously challenge our own
is such a thing as a common
city is increasingly unaffordable.
practice towards making cohesion
British life,” he wrote.
That’s no way to run the place. I
integral to building strong, united
think it’s a challenge for all of us
communities, and how we work
– for our moral integrity and our
collaboratively to enable this to
future economic strength.
happen.
are changing, with increasing
“At the moment, we haven’t
Please see the information
BME populations in northern
cracked it. I’m not saying it’s easy.
about the VCS Grants Prospectus
parts such as Lockleaze and
But the first thing you have to do
(see p14) that presents more
Southmead, and in some wards in
is recognise it and not pretend it’s
opportunities for collaboration.
the south of the city), wards with
not an issue.”
Whilst Bristol has several wards with a high number of BME residents (the city demographics
higher numbers of BME residents face glaring inequality. In a recent Runnymede report (based on the 2011 census), Bristol was ranked number seven in the 20 districts in the UK with most inequality between ethnic minorities and the White British people.
Recognising it is a good start for any community and it is encouraging that Marvin is clear
The full Ted Cantle
has to be driving a more positive
article on the
conversation about race in Britain,
Guardian Online at: goo.gl/
something that Cantle sees as
P8WMwv
pivotal to addressing segregation; this conversation has to accept
and as we enter a new chapter
that society has changed and
in our city’s leadership, is there
try to focus on the existing and
significance in Bristol electing
potential benefits of immigration.
directly elected mayor of AfricanCaribbean heritage, and will this
You can read:
about this intent. The next step
In the context of this debate
Marvin Rees as the UK’s first
there is far more to achieve.
Marvin has been instrumental in the development of the Bristol
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
Runnymede Trust’s racial inequality report at: goo.gl/ c5gMEd Ted Cantle’s original 2001 community cohesion report at: http://goo.gl/0en9Fz
www.voscur.org
17
A moment with Marvin
Bristol’s new directly elected mayor, Marvin Rees, and 70 councillors all formally took office in early May 2016, following one of the largest elections the city has ever seen. As his second month in office drew to a close, we contacted Marvin to ask some important questions and find out how he plans to work with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector during his time leading the city. Here is what he said: of a city have gone. We are all interdependent – if we as a council work in a new way with partners, including those from the VCSE sector, we have a unique opportunity to build a better Bristol. I want to create an approach to city governance in which all partners and communities have a role to play and, importantly, where progress is made that
Question 1: What value do you believe the city’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector brings to Bristol?
VCSE sector organisations often
Bristol’s VCSE sector makes an enormous difference to the lives
can improve service design.
of so many of our citizens and that contribution cannot and should not be underestimated. While some VCSE sector organisations are commissioned or
support volunteers to help
The VCSE sector is absolutely vital
deliver services. Many of these
in helping make this vision a reality
volunteers will have personal
and, as a first step, I want to
experience of the services
improve communications between
themselves, offering peer
the council and partners to help
support and valuable insights that
us along that journey.
Question 2: How do you intend to work with the sector over the next few years?
grant-aided by Bristol City Council,
As I said at the Council’s recent
many more services are supported
Annual General Meeting, we are
via other funding streams.
about to start a new journey and
The VCSE sector brings significant added value to the city in terms of additional funding, value for money and quality services which support some of our most vulnerable citizens. The VCSE sector also provides an outlet for
that makes me think of an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” It is this approach that underpins how I want to work with the VCSE sector over the coming years.
Together we can deliver real and meaningful change and improve the lives of the people we are here to serve. Alongside representatives from the VCSE sector, we have developed a new approach to VCSE sector Grant Investment to ensure the knowledge and experience of the sector shapes future investment. A paper on this new model – the VCS Prospectus – is due to come before cabinet in July 2016. The prospectus will prioritise
many communities who would
The days of a council being an
otherwise be without a voice.
all-powerful force in the life
18 www.voscur.org
benefits the whole city.
funding for tackling the city’s biggest issues around
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
“How we face and overcome the challenges ahead will depend on the strength of our resolve to work collectively, as city leaders and with our partners, both in the VCSE sector and statutory bodies.” disadvantage and inequality, while ensuring VCSE sector organisations have flexibility in the style of delivery. This cross-council model will make the best use of the funding available to address the issues facing our most disadvantaged communities. It is also designed to improve the experience of VCSE sector organisations which bid for and receive grant funding.
to ensure local community organisations have the resources to survive and continue providing support to disadvantaged people and communities? Above all I want Bristol to be a place where life chances are not determined by wealth and background, a city that can flourish with integrity because everyone shares in its success and
The first prospectus grants
no one is left behind. The VCSE
rounds are due to run in the late
sector is absolutely vital in this
summer and autumn, with new
respect.
grant funding agreements in place from 1 April 2017.
It is an inescapable reality that demand for our services is
The Council is also part of the
growing while at the same time
Cities of Service network, which is
our resources are diminishing.
encouraging people to volunteer and be active citizens within their communities.
Question 3: Community organisations deliver important services in their communities. But many have not been able to win public contracts at the same time as other funding has dried up. The council’s commitment of 25% of contracts (Social Value Policy) going to small and mediumsized organisations and businesses is good news. What will you do as Mayor
I will, as promised, present the city with a full assessment of our council’s financial state and this will contain the latest assessment of the size of the task facing us in the next four years.
VCSE Sector to have a seat around that table. Under our Social Value Policy, which was developed with Voscur and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to enable smaller organisations to compete effectively for contracts with the Council, our priority is to support the VCSE sector alongside: • micro organisations (fewer than 10 employees); • small and medium-sized businesses and enterprises (fewer than 250 employees); • organisations whose majority ownership/leadership comes from a group protected by legislation. We also have a toolkit for our commissioners and local organisations to use as well as support programmes in place, particularly for organisations working with people with
How we face and overcome the
protected characteristics.
challenges ahead will depend on
Bristol has recently featured
the strength of our resolve to work collectively, as city leaders and with our partners, both in the VCSE sector and statutory bodies.
as a case study in a national independent report by Social Enterprise UK, which identified the council as one of 14% of councils
In the next few months we will
classified as an “embracer” of
create a City Office and this will
social value, defined as “councils
be a symbol of our collective will
who are leading the way on Social
to deliver a better future for the
Value”.
people of Bristol. I want representatives from the
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
Continued on next page...
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19
Continued from previous page:
Question 4: How will you ensure Bristol is a more equal city after your first term of office? While we have a great story to tell, Bristol’s prosperity is shared by too few people. It’s not possible to build strong societies, healthy democracies and resilient economies across great wealth gaps, but closing this gap is just part of the solution – true equality is about much more than money. Decent affordable homes are the foundation of a successful city, as is good mental and physical health and wellbeing. Delivering a world-class, integrated, accessible and sustainable public transport system underpins our ability to connect people in the most disadvantaged communities to educational and economic opportunities, and environmental concerns and social justice are inseparable. I’ve made strong commitments to make Bristol a more equal city during my first term in office.
Voscur’s Ruth Pitter (left) and Wendy Stephenson speak to Marvin on the day of the election announcement, keen to begin a dialogue with the new Mayor on behalf of the sector.
At the council’s recent AGM I
person, and lead a European Capital
announced that my first Mayoral
of Culture bid to make culture – and
Commission will focus on the
sport – accessible to all.
elimination of the gender and race pay gap.
I want every child to get off to the best-possible start in life; ensure
“It’s not possible to build strong societies, healthy democracies and resilient economies across great wealth gaps, but closing this gap is just part of the solution – true equality is about much more than money.”
In the next 12 months I will bring
everyone can afford to live here whether buying or renting; reduce economic, educational and health inequalities; and enable people to age with dignity and confidence. I will serve the whole city, ensuring services, opportunities and investment are accessible to all. Making sure everyone’s voices are heard and acted upon is key to transforming our city into somewhere everyone has a stake. Together we will build a better Bristol.
forward plans to introduce a
The commission will bring
Bristol Charter for Corporate
together our private, public and
Social Responsibility and I will set
voluntary sector partners, as
out to establish a Living Wage
well as our councillors, to ensure
You can get in touch
Partnership, which will encourage
Bristol makes real progress in
with Marvin with
Bristol employers to pay their
ensuring everyone is paid equally.
your views, thoughts
employees the Living Wage, ensuring our citizens can live and work in dignity.
20 www.voscur.org
I will build 800 affordable homes a year, deliver work experience and apprenticeships for every young
and suggestions by visiting: www.bristol.gov.uk/mayor/ contact-the-mayor
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
Success for 50:50 campaign Women in Bristol are really finding their voice and seeking to be even more influential. Bristol Women’s Voice (BWV)
It is essential that women have
succeeded in getting women’s
their voices heard in local and
equality high on the agenda
national politics to ensure that a
for the mayoral election, local
wide range of issues are addressed
council elections and Police and
by decision makers and service
Crime Commissioner elections.
providers. Though there has
International Women’s Day
been a dramatic improvement in
at M Shed was attended by
women’s representation, we still
almost 2,000 women and Bristol
face challenges; of eleven mayoral
Women’s Voice has launched its
candidates in this year’s local
‘Womanifesto’, setting out actions
election, two were female (with only
needed to achieve women’s
one woman from the four major
equality in the city.
parties). Bristol Women’s Voice will Members of Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group support the campaign
continue to work with women, via
and Councillors. Before the
them to take up positions in public
election, the make-up of the
life and help them recognise the
council was 36% women – Bristol
skills they already have and could
Women’s Voice were heartened to
further develop. It will also continue
see the percentage grow in this
to work towards a 50:50 council
election to 43%, in part as a result
and parliament in 2020. To find out
of their campaigning. See the
more about the 50:50 campaign,
BWV ran an event for women
breakdown of the numbers per
visit: www.bristolwomensvoice.
on ‘how to become a Councillor’
party in figure 1 below:
org.uk/campaigns/5050-
Bristol Women’s Voice supported Bristol Women’s Commission’s 50:50 campaign in 2015/16 to encourage more women to see that they have the skills that our city needs and to encourage parties to select 50% women in winnable seats.
at Brunel House. Speakers
workshops and talks, to encourage
campaign/
including Helen Holland (leader of Bristol’s Labour group) and Daniella Radice (former Green
Figure 1: The number of women and men elected in the 2016 Bristol Council elections for the four main parties.
Party cabinet member) talked about their experiences of public
Labour
speaking and running for election. Participants were encouraged to look at how their skills and experience could make them a good candidate. On 5 May 2016, the residents
Conservative Liberal Democrats Green
of Bristol voted for their Mayor, Police and Crime Commissioner
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
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21
This is me Elaine Flint, VCSE sector advocate on the Health and Wellbeing Board Elaine is Chief Executive at Wellspring Healthy Living Centre, which is the health and wellbeing hub for inner-city and east Bristol. Elaine has deep roots in Bristol’s voluntary and social enterprise sector having previously run Social Enterprise Works and the Southville Centre.
What propelled you to become a VCSE sector advocate?
What do you think is the secret to being influential?
I really love the view out of my back
I think the opportunity for us as
I think the idea of being influential
overlooking the Malago Valley, so I
frontline VCSE sector organisations
is a tricky one; it’s not useful to see
have a vista of trees, gardens, wide
to bring our expertise, that we
some people as ‘influential’ but not
open spaces and over to the horses
have learnt hands-on from our
others: we are all influential. What
grazing on the slopes of Novers Hill.
service users, to the table to
counts the most is the weight and
It could almost be the countryside.
influence strategic decision makers
value of what we say – that comes
is something to be grasped.
with our honesty and integrity in
What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
If you could wish one thing for the voluntary sector in Bristol, what would it be?
our dealing with others, whoever they are.
and an end to this pernicious Government policy of cuts.
I was tremendously moved recently
What would make the biggest difference to improving equality
by the passion with which a couple
in society?
role in setting up Wellspring
Where do you begin! Improving
Healthy Living Centre – the hard
statutory sector needs – stability
the job opportunities to all young people so they can see a future for themselves; ensuring that there is a real living wage that enables people to have dignity in their lives. Still so far to go as evidenced by the Bristol Manifesto for Race Equality – in many areas such as
of my Trustees spoke about their
work and commitment, the weight of responsibility and their ongoing daily advocacy for the organisation.
you are mulling over any sort of decision is just so helpful. Anything to help to get clarity. Tell us one thing about you that people would never guess. I loved Led Zeppelin when I was in my late teens/twenties. It’s a passion shared with one of my sons who has their portrait tattooed over the whole of his back. And no – I don’t do tattoos.
They also spoke about what it had meant for themselves – their confidence, feelings of being valued. This is the empowerment that we often speak about when
representation at senior levels,
we talk about the voluntary sector.
Bristol is going backwards.
What is your favourite spot in Bristol and why?
22 www.voscur.org
Talk it over – taking someone else through your thinking process when
If you could pick one example of seeing, with your own eyes, lives changed by the voluntary sector in Bristol, what would it be?
Actually the same thing that the
door – I live in Bedminster Down,
For more information about our VCSE sector advocates, video updates and to get in touch: www.voiceandinfluence.org. uk/advocates
July / August / September 2016 Issue 32
Filwood, Knowle and Windmill Hill Is there anything more challenging than working in partnership with others? As we all know, if something is challenging, pushes us all out of our comfort zones and stretches our boundaries, then invariably it can be hard work. So why do it? Because of the benefits! Yes, the fruits of working together are so enticing for the individuals, neighbourhoods and the different communities within and across those neighbourhoods.
Like many – if not all – Neighbourhood Partnerships (NPs), Filwood Knowle and Windmill Hill juggles questions of identity, purpose and boundaries. It acknowledges it is moving into a new era - where local stakeholders have even more opportunities to influence activities in their local neighbourhood. In the past local people would refer to the NP as “a quarterly two-hour meeting, run in a very official manner”. Well, yes, there is still an element of that – but now the Partnership is more than “just a partnership!” More opportunities, more influence, more power! NP subgroups
Launch of the Good Food Market – a community enterprise which aims to bring nutritious and affordable food to Knowle West. Staff from The Matthew Tree Project and Knowle West Media Centre at the “Eat and Greet” event on Filwood Broadway. Picture courtesy of Alex Cousins.
what the priorities are for the
– these conversations will be
local area. The Partnership is
used to help shape the work of
now holding conversations with
agencies in the local area.
residents about the 2018 – 2021 Highways’ priorities. Love Filwood Real power and real influence can’t be gained from just turning
Increasingly the NP is embracing more informal and flexible approaches to encourage greater power sharing, opportunities and ultimately more influence by local people in what happens within
The newly formed Environment
up to a meeting at 7pm on a
Subgroup has various local groups
rainy evening in October. So the
and individuals organising and
NP (through its partners such
running activities to improve
as Knowle West Media Centre,
the local area – from litter picks
re:work and Knowle West Health
through to strategic plans for all
Park Company, and others) has
For more information,
the parks and open spaces across
taken to the streets of Filwood
visit: goo.gl/akjoel
the three wards.
to have open conversations with
or contact: Andrew
Local people can also influence
local people. Talking about a range
McLean:
of different topics, such as health,
andrew.mclean@bristol.gov.uk
community safety and education
0746 733 5714.
works carried out on the Public Highways through deciding on
Issue 32 July / August / September 2016
their own neighbourhoods and communities.
www.voscur.org
23
Voscur Ltd. Royal Oak House Royal Oak Avenue Bristol BS1 4GB
July 2016
Tel: 0117 909 9949 Fax: 0117 933 0501 Email: info@voscur.org Web: www.voscur.org
= VCS Grants Prospectus-related training or event
Date
Time
Event/training
Location
5th
6pm – 9pm
Being a Good Trustee
Windmill Hill City Farm
12th
9:30am – 4pm
VCS Assembly and Launch of the VCS Grants Prospectus
St. Werburghs Community Centre
14th
6pm – 8pm
Trustee Network – The VCS Grants Prospectus and Governance of Your Organisation
Tony Benn House
19th
10am – 12:30pm
Collaborations and Introductions to Potential Partners
Barton Hill Settlement
19th
1pm – 3:30pm
Explaining How Your Service Makes an Impact
Barton Hill Settlement
20th
9:30am – 1pm
Retention and Support of Volunteers
The Gatehouse Centre
September 2016 Date
Time
20th
9:30am – 1pm
Event/training
Location
Responding to Changes: Withdrawal of Grant
The Gatehouse Centre
October 2016 Date
Time
Event/training
Location
6th
3:30pm – 8pm
Past, Present, Future ... The Role of the Sector – Who Are We Now? Voscur’s Annual Conference and Social Impact Awards (the ‘Voscurs’)
Central Bristol Location TBC
Keep up to date with Voscur online:
f l i x /voscur
/voscur
/voscur
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