Thrive April-May-June 2012

Supporting Voluntary & Community Action

April / May / June 2012

Inside this issue: Proving Our Value Property Advice Training and Learning Local Funding Volunteer Support Project Compact News The New VCS Advocates Elected Mayor Referendum Police Crime Commissioners and more!

Young people enjoying the services and outdoor play structure at Windmill Hill City Farm

Living Practical solutions for independent living A not for profit community interest company We have carried out an extensive re-organisation programme and now have fully up to date specialist display equipment in various assessment areas, including stairlifts, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, riser recliners, wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and Telecare.

Book an assessment with one of our Occupational Therapists and come to the Centre so that you can try out equipment before you buy it or telephone to make an information enquiry.

These services are for older people who want to remain independent, disabled people of all ages, their families, carers and for health professionals.

We now also have a Retail Outlet at Living, selling everything from perching stools to wheelchairs, at very competitive prices, which is open every weekday.

Contact details: Home aids and adaptations

Retail Outlet

Tel: 0117 965 3651 E-mail: info@thisisliving.org.uk

Tel: 0117 965 3651 E-mail: retail@thisisliving.org.uk

Or visit our website at www.thisisliving.org.uk

Contents Voscur

Compact

3 Editorial

20

The Compact Lives – Latest News

4

New Members

21

Bristol City Council’s Compact Champions

5

Member Profile: Windmill Hill City Farm’s Active Citizens Project

Voice and Influence

6

Donor Psychology: Make a Bigger Impact Online

22

7

Proving Our Value Project

23-25 New VCS Advocates

Support Hub 8

Property Matters – Advice from the Ethical Property Foundation

9

Communicate! Get Your Message Out

10 Advertisements

Bristol Women’s Voice

26

‘X’ Marks the Spot – Elected Mayor Referendum

27

Elected Police Crime Commissioners

28

New Initiative to Tackle ‘Problem Families’

29

Celebrating Age Festival 2012

30

The Future of Community Learning in the West of England

11-12 Polish Information Day 13-14 Kick Start – Some Case Studies 15-16 Upcoming Training Courses 17-18 Local Funding Opportunities 19

Volunteer Bristol’s Volunteer Support Project

Keep up to date with Voscur online:

www.facebook.com/voscur

twitter.com/voscur

www.flickr.com/voscur

www.youtube.com/voscur

The newsletter is also available online as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine.

If you require Thrive! 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 those of Voscur. Publications, events and services mentioned in Thrive! are not necessarily endorsed by Voscur.

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

www.voscur.org

2

Voscur

Dear Members and Friends Our regular readers will know

Our staff have pulled out all the

that Voscur’s main area of

stops to put together events

activity at the moment is that

and briefing sessions so that VCS

we are contracted by Bristol City

groups don’t miss out on potential

Council to deliver Infrastructure

bidding opportunities.

Support Services to voluntary and community sector organisations in Bristol.

Voscur is delivering this contract through the Support Hub (www. supporthub.org.uk), an initiative that provides development and support activities to groups in Bristol; and through the Voice and Influence initiative (www. voiceandinfluence.org.uk) that

Voscur is also planning ahead and addressing some issues that we have been considering for some time.

One of these is registering Voscur as a charity – we have taken advice as to the best way forward for us and our board is now progressing this matter. We have written more about this on the next page.

Wendy Stephenson Chief Executive

brings groups together to

We are also reviewing our strategic

influence policy and practice.

plan and will update our business

in Voscur, or if you would like to

plan following that review. We

find out more about what we do.

What else is Voscur doing?

recently asked our members to

Voscur hosts the Compact Liaison

help us to do this by completing a

Officer, Mark Hubbard, who has

short survey that will feed into our

Wendy Stephenson

played a role promoting and

plans. We thank those of you who

Chief Executive

supporting good practice in

took the time to complete this.

relations between public sector

There is still time to complete the

partners and the voluntary and

survey (see page 14 for details).

community sector. Mark has been particularly active on the Council’s Enabling Commissioning Board, which is working towards improving commissioning practice locally. We are pleased that the government has recognised the value of the Compact (see article on page 20).

are undertaking is looking at the impact of the economic downturn, funding cuts, and pressure on services. We are gathering this information to share with other core cities* so that together we can build a picture of the impact of cuts and use this information to campaign

the City Council to bring groups

locally and nationally.

at contracting opportunities.

3 www.voscur.org

*English core cities are Bristol, Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Birmingham and Liverpool

Another area of work that we

Recently, Voscur has worked with together (at short notice) to look

Best wishes

Please do get in touch with us if you would like to be more involved

Key to symbols Equalities Article Training Information & Resources Event

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Voscur

New Voscur Members 32nd Bristol (1st Whitehall)

Friends of Hannah More

Ujima Radio CIC

Scout Group

Primary School

roger@ujimaradio.com

0844 3574632

0117 9039937

www.ujimaradio.com

32bristol@avonscouts.org.uk

ruth.cochran@bristol.gov.uk Whitchurch Maritime

Ausform

Group Analysis South West

Cadet Force

07951596078

0117 942 3343

0117 9148389

lina@ausform.co.uk

groupanalysissw@o2.co.uk

djwhitfield.ntc@gmail.com

www.ausform.co.uk

www.gasw.co.uk

Auxilium Early Intervention

Hands Around the World

Family Support

01600740317

Voscur, please contact us on

admin@aux-eifs.org.uk

info@hatw.org.uk

0117 909 9949 or visit:

www.hatw.org.uk

www.voscur.org/about/

Avon Talking Magazine for the Visually Impaired

Home Instead Senior Care

01454 775067

01275 391300

holzgrawe.j@uwclub.net

sergio.mesen@homeinstead.co.uk

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of

joiningonline

www.homeinstead.co.uk/bristol

Should Voscur become a registered charity?

Home Watch Network

IDEAL Community Action

Voscur is currently a not-

bristolnhwnetwork@gmail.com

0117 9543708

for-profit company limited

ideal-one@hotmail.co.uk

by guarantee. This is mainly

www.ideal-cl.org.uk

because, when Voscur was set

Bristol Neighbourhood &

Common Wealth Theatre 07517 027657

up in 1995, funded by the local

commonwealththeatre@

Mend the Gap

regeneration partnership, it

googlemail.com

01934 853228

was administratively simpler.

www.commonwealththeatre.co.uk

info@mendthegap.org.uk

Now Voscur provides public

Engaging Families

Paul Serry

grants, being a charity is a more

07811358159

07868713173

appropriate legal status. We are

engaging.families@yahoo.co.uk

info@paulserry.co.uk

therefore proposing to register

www.paulserry.co.uk

as a charity and would welcome

services through contracts and

Break Free Foundation 07517320612

TaxAid UK

jethrofriggens@

02078034950

breakfreefoundation.org

info@taxaid.org.uk

www.breakfreefoundation.org

www.taxaid.org.uk

your views on this.

To tell us what you think (about this and our next strategic plan) go to www.survey.bris.ac.uk/ voscur/2017 or email david@voscur.org

Issue 16  April / May / June 2012

www.voscur.org

4

Voscur

Member Profile: Windmill Hill City Farm’s New ‘Active Citizens’ Project involve establishing a digital media studio where young people can develop life, citizenship and work skills. This will promote their own sense of worth and identity, reflect what they value and give them a greater voice to express and act on their concerns.

The final element of the project will develop an online toolkit that will help similar organisations to

Young farmer hard at work at Windmill Hill City Farm

replicate the idea in their own context.

Windmill Hill City Farm is an

‘active’ in their communities

independent community project

in some way (local residents’

situated half a mile south of

groups). This online map will help

Would you like to be involved?

Bristol city centre. It offers

to build active citizenship and will

Windmill Hill City Farm is looking

educational and recreational

strengthen community networks.

for interested local organisations

facilities and activities based around food, farming and the environment for local people, giving them the opportunity to experience farming in the heart of the city.

Windmill Hill City Farm has recently launched an exciting project, Active Citizens, which aims to use the internet to help people to connect with local issues and each other and take action to improve their lives and enhance their community.

It is split into three main sections.

The first element is to map local community facilities, services and natural resources, as well as groups of people who are already

5 www.voscur.org

The next element is to use digital media to help people to become active citizens. Most of the ideas for ‘social action’ will come from people themselves. To get things started there will be two projects: 1) The Fruitfulness Project – this will produce an online urban ‘fruit map’, identifying readily accessible

who would like to be featured on our map of local community facilities. If your organisation would like to be featured on the map please register your interest by e-mailing: bethany.crowe@ windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk.

More information is at: www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk.

fruit trees in public spaces in order to harvest this free (often neglected) resource to produce jams and pickles. Using a local, natural resource to create a social enterprise will provide both an income to sustain the activity, as well as equipping participants with greater skills.

2) Playground Media – this will

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Voscur

Donor Psychology: Make a Bigger Impact Online In these tough economic times, funding/finance is by far the number one issue that many voluntary and community organisations put on their list of priorities. Many organisations are looking to online fundraising methods to increase donations in a cost effective and sustainable way. However, new evidence suggests that how well organisations understand and communicate with the donors they are targeting can significantly influence whether their online fundraising is successful or not.

One of Voscur’s neighbours the digital agency Nomensa recently called for a fresh approach in how charities approach online giving. Their report ‘Charities Fail to Make an Impact Online’ outlines how organisations can improve the user experience and increase the volume and value of online donations.

Nomensa, which specialises in perfecting online user experience, compared the online donation processes of Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care. The findings suggest that at present, almost half of users (47 per cent) who start an online donation fail to complete it.

Understanding the psychology of the donor is key to a fresh approach. The report suggests

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

that charities should adopt a process that is easy for donors and keeps them engaged at every stage. They urge charities to embrace social media, make sure their website is optimised for the mobile web, and move away from calls to donate – instead ask people to invest in specific projects.

“It is essential to understand the donor’s motivations and emotional mindset so that each step along the online donation process can support, reassure and enhance their experience.”

Nomensa reports. “If this doesn’t happen, nearly half of all potential donors will walk away” state Nomensa.

Luckily a wide range of tools are becoming available for small organisations to ensure they maximise throughout, making the process of donations or support from users continue all the way on through to a successful conclusion for both charity and giver.

Using contact relationship software designed to support fundraising like CiviContribute or commercial offerings like Salesforce can capture details of even abandoned contributions for follow up, but also provides givers with mobile front ends remarkably similar to applications they use in their daily interactions

in social networks. They also allow your supporters to become fundraisers in their own right by tapping their own social groups with personalised fund raising pages provided through the main campaign website, and promoted through the networks they belong to.

QR codes are also increasingly being used by small groups to raise funds and promote awareness of their work as well. These square “bar codes” can be generated freely online from web addresses using services such as www.qrstuff.com to take users from their phones directly to donation pages.

Other options like text-giving through services like Vodaphone’s text giving service (www.justgiving.com/ justtextgiving) continue to generate a lot of revenue for groups as well as moving into social networking and creating lots of integrated channels for asking for money and support.

For more information, contact Sean Kenny by calling 0117 909 9949 or e-mailing seank@voscur.org

www.voscur.org

6

Voscur

Proving Our Value Your chance to participate in ground-breaking research to show the economic value of the Voluntary and Community Sector.

The ‘Proving Our Value’ project aims to provide tools to assist VCS organisations to improve how they demonstrate the economic and social impact of their activities to funders, commissioners,

explains these concepts as follows: Outputs are the direct products of a programme or activity, such as numbers of people attending, but are not the objectives of a

Photo by Rob Jewitt

be expensive or complicated. We hope this project will help to make the process more user friendly so that even smaller organisations can demonstrate their value.

project in themselves.

How can your

This project will be of national

Outcomes are the benefits

organisation benefit?

importance and Voscur has been

or changes for the intended

Voscur’s involvement in this

chosen as the main infrastructure

beneficiaries.

project means that this is an

government, and the public.

organisation to be involved.

Impact is all the changes resulting

Voscur is working with the

from an activity, project or

University of Bristol to capture

organisation. It includes intended

the value of our impact as an

as well as unintended effects,

infrastructure organisation.

negative as well as positive,

However, the project will also

long-term as well as short-term;

involve showing the progress and

as well as effects on wider society.

value of Bristol’s VCS, in general, as well as specific organisations that receive Voscur’s services.

How can we show

exciting opportunity for you (as an organisation that uses our services) to have support from the University of Bristol to evaluate your own work. So we hope you will get involved in the various stages of the research – we will keep you informed of any opportunities as they arise.

economic impact?

The project started in November

This is what the Proving Our

2011 and will take place over an

Value project will find out. Direct

18 month period.

economic impact is quite easy to measure, such as an increase in

What do we mean

organisational income. Indirect

by ‘impact’?

impact is not so easy. How could

There is often confusion about

you put a price on an increase in

what impact actually is and how

a service user’s self-confidence

it differs from outputs and

for example? There are already a

outcomes. The National Council

number of tools that can help you

for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

do this, but some of them tend to

7 www.voscur.org

If you would like to find out more about the Proving Our Value Project, please contact Wendy Stephenson on 0117 909 9949, or e-mail: wendy@voscur.org

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Support Hub

Property Matters Property can be one of the

rate to organisations referred to

largest areas of expenditure for

them by the Foundation.

VCS groups. Making the wrong decisions about property can result in expensive mistakes, often leading to cuts in services, or even closure. Groups are not always aware of how to find the right support to solve problems effectively.

Since 2005, the Ethical Property Foundation’s award-winning Property Advice Service has helped more than 2,000 VCS groups make the right decisions about their premises through access to high-quality voluntary sector-specific property advice.

Through our work in Bristol we have saved organisations considerable amounts in professionals fees, as well as helping them make decisions that have avoided future property costs.

info@supporthub.org.uk.

Bristol Legacy Commission The Bristol Legacy Commission (BLC) is an organisation set up to empower and support BME communities in Bristol. The BLC recognises that BME groups are currently facing difficult times and may need help with property

Groups are facing difficult times

related concerns or issues; it

and the Foundation is part of

has commissioned EPF to work

two new initiatives that offer

with groups that meet specified

targeted support:

criteria. If you have a property

The Support Hub

related problem, please contact Patsy Newton (EPF) on:

We are delighted to be part of the

0117 944 5454 or

‘Support Hub’. The Foundation,

email: patsy.netwon@

as part of this service, is able

ethicalpropertyfoundation.org.uk

Dealing with property matters

to provide one-to-one advice

is a daunting prospect for

on property issues as well as

many groups. Negotiating

providing training and briefing

with landlords, understanding

sessions. For information on the

leases, buying, community asset

Support Hub contact:

transfers, co-locating, finding,

0117 909 9949 or email

sharing or selling premises, managing a building, or finding affordable professional help, can take up valuable time and resources. Groups that contact the Ethical Property Foundation’s Property Advice Service are given friendly, expert advice by people who understand how VCS groups work in the Bristol area. In addition to this, the Ethical Property Foundation has a ‘register’ of property professionals (surveyors, solicitors, architects) who offer their services free or at a reduced

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

A property advice session

www.voscur.org

8

Support Hub

Communicate!

Communicate!

Exciting training conference to help you get your message out and reach new audiences

The Greenway Centre, Southmead, Bristol

31st May 2012 9:30am-4:30pm

Effective communication is key to any organisation, regardless of size. In a climate of change and growing uncertainty, both traditional and new media channels present VCS organisations with a range of different opportunities to raise funds, awareness and to reach out to new audiences.

Photo by Josh Fassbind, www.joshfassbind.com

Never before has the concept

Some organisations can

The day will include workshops

of ‘communications’ presented

find funding to employ

from a variety of media partners

such a diverse range of tools for

communications staff, others

and a chance to network and

charities and voluntary groups.

are working together to begin

understand more about how to

Online social networking offers

experimenting in these areas.

communicate your key messages.

a predominantly free or cost

Whatever stage you are at and

You will have the opportunity to

effective way of reaching out and

whatever scale you operate on,

find out about:

engaging with diverse audiences

it is important to plan ahead and

at the click of a mouse. Across the

find the tools that will best serve

country, the local press and TV is

your aims. Voscur and the Support

shrinking, but there are still plenty

Hub hope that Communicate!

of openings for local submissions

will provide you with some useful

from VCS groups, putting the

information on communications

onus on them to be proactive and

in the VCS Sector.

secure coverage for their cause.

New media is allowing groups and individuals to bring their communications to life through photography, video and audio… the list is endless.

Working in partnership with local media consortium Blueboard (comprising Knowle West Media Centre, Firstborn Creatives, Suited and Booted and Calling The

• social media • getting local media coverage • creating video content for the web • effective photography and more!

There will be stalls from local media agencies with lots of tools, tips and hints as well as presentations from the Evening Post, Watershed and the BBC.

Shots), this event will help VCS

Popping up all across a sector

organisations explore how they

Keep an eye on the

not traditionally associated with

can make use of a wide spectrum

Support Hub website

‘marketing/communications’, are

of different media channels to

for more information:

examples of excellent practice

promote themselves and raise

www.supporthub.org.uk/

and new, creative ideas.

awareness about what they do.

training-hub

9 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Over 600 doormats in one hit – advertise in Thrive! For rates, visit: www.voscur.org/magazine

RIGDZIN

Public Talk & Teachings with Tibetan Lama

Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche Public Talk—Thursday 12th April 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Joyful Enthusiasm Teachings—Friday 13th to Sunday 15th April 10am–4pm

Heart of Compassion

Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche is an accomplished buddhist teacher who has lived in the West for the last eight years. His friendly and informal approach to teaching makes his message accessible to anyone, regardless of belief or background.

Venue: YHA Bristol, 14 Narrow Quay Contact: donna.kaufma@rigdzin.org | 07814 076986 www.rigdzin.org | www.vistaproject.org

Do you have an accessible venue for hire in Bristol?

Voscur is currently looking for new accessible venues within Bristol to be used for training and events.

If we don’t already use your venue please send us your details.

Email: info@voscur.org Phone: 0117 909 9949

Information Day for Polish Communities Voscur, SARI (Support Against Racist Incidents) and Avon and Somerset Police recently organised an Information Day for Polish Communities in response to intelligence that highlighted that many people from Bristol’s Polish Community were not aware of the range of services available to them, or how to access those services.

At the same time, many organisations have been seeking ways to reach out further to

Bristol Drugs Project at the Polish Information Day

Steve Jackson

Polish people so that they can

Btristol Drugs Project (BDP)

benefit from the range of services

www.bdp.org.uk

and activities in Bristol. We were therefore glad to bring both people and organisations together for networking opportunities.

Bristol Drugs Project has

© www.informacje24.co.uk

to the Polish Community. We particularly wanted to use the event to offer volunteering opportunities to people from the Polish Community; and it was

tried various approaches to reach

helpful in that there has been

out to the Polish Community,

tentative interest and at least

including taking advantage of

one person has signed up.

The event was held at the Polish

having employed a Polish speaking

Church with attendance of around

worker in the past. We have an

500 people from the Polish

awareness that among some

Community. Stalls included health

communities there is an anxiety

and well being services, education

about confidentially and a risk

and learning, debt management,

that organisations such as BDP are

and public agencies such as Avon

seen as connected to statutory

Fire and Rescue Service, the Police

bodies. We have been keen to

Service and Bristol City Council.

emphasise our independence and assert that the services we provide are confidential.

Another positive outcome from the day was that we were able to make some really useful contacts with other agencies that were present. For example, we made a link with a woman who runs a Polish language website in the South West; she will be able to promote Bristol Drugs Project on the website and can offer some interpreting services to us so

Being able to promote Bristol

this will ultimately benefit Polish

Drugs Project at the Polish

Communities further.

Information Day was really useful in order to help us reach out

11 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Support Hub

“This information helps me to survive in a foreign country, in my day to day life.”

Polish Attendee • “Makes people aware of their rights and issues.”

• “This information helps me to survive in a foreign country, in my day to day life.”

• “I got all answers to my questions.”

• “Opportunity to speak with representatives in Polish.”

What people felt were the most important issues for BSGPF at the Polish Information Day

© www.informacje24.co.uk

Polish communities in Bristol:

Valerie Mower

and support groups for people

Bristol & South Gloucestershire

Something we found particularly

People First

• Language barrier.

beneficial was the chance to

www.bsgpf.org.uk

• Lack of knowledge

network with a wide range of

(law/regulations).

with learning difficulties.

• Make people aware of their rights and issues.

agencies that were also there on

• Discrimination.

let Polish Communities know

the day as some of them were not

• Lack of jobs.

about the services we run for

fully aware of what we do.

• No access to language

people with learning difficulties.

What some of those from

I attended along with two of our

Bristol’s Polish Community found

members and we were able to

useful about the event:

We attended the event to

use our stall to promote Bristol & South Gloucestershire People First. The place was packed, it was good to see so many people turning up – we could have done with more space for our stall, banner and leaflets. What we found most useful was the opportunity to promote the services we offer at Bristol & South Gloucestershire People First such as advocacy and mentoring,

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

• “Opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues.”

• “Obtaining contact details for

courses for adults.

• Lack of information in Polish for new arrivals.

• Racism.

• Alcoholism.

• Health and Law.

various agencies.”

• “Help that has been offered.”

• “Interesting information.”

• “Everyone available in one place.”

• “Lots of people are looking for

For more information on this event, contact Ruth Pitter:

help but don’t know where

ruth@voscur.org

to get it.”

0117 909 9949

www.voscur.org

12

Kicking Things Off Enabling the Development of New VCS Organisations.

It is often difficult knowing where to start when setting up a new group, getting a group going, or keeping a group going during its early stages and some support to keep focused and on track can prove invaluable.

Bridge of Peace.

Name: Alima Soliu Role: Trustee What is the purpose of Bridge of Peace?

Bridge of Peace exists to

You may have read about Kick Start

promote community cohesion.

in our previous edition of Thrive!.

It does this mainly by organising

The programme is being provided

events that bring together people

by the Support Hub to bring groups

from diverse communities.

together to share experiences,

an organisation, and to become more focused.

What have you found useful?

On the course we have looked at management committees and their legal responsibilities. We have explored constitutions, making sure that everyone agrees with the one adopted. We have gained information about where we can go for funding. One session

Bridge of Peace serves people from

looked at different structures that

isolated communities, people from

organisations have. This made

different cultures, immigrants who

Bridge of Peace realise that there

have had problems integrating

are different structures that might

into UK culture. The organisation

suit us more, for example a

works with people who may find

co-operative might be considered

This course is in full swing and we

it difficult building relationships

as we are a peace focused

caught up with two of the groups

where they now live.

organisation.

In future Bridge of Peace would

What difference has it made to

like to widen its work by providing

you and your organisation?

explore their shared dilemmas and be supported by an experienced development team to draft plans to help make their hopes for the future a reality.

attending to give feedback on their experiences so far.

specific services as well as organising events, supporting elderly people, people who may be experiencing domestic abuse and more.

Why did you sign up for the course?

Bridge of Peace has ideas but not a lot of structure; it is an informal group that has not honed its mission or vision.

It wants to become more Photo by Steven Depolo

13 www.voscur.org

organised and more formal as

We have found that we talk a lot more; it has opened up dialogue between us. We are now looking at different ideas and the different things that are out there. It has given us new enthusiasm in our organisation and reminded us why we started. It has made us more positive about the direction of the organisation and the feeling that we can develop a strong foundation. Our confidence has increased in our selves and what we’re about.

April / May / June 2012  Issue 16

Support Hub Why did you sign up for the course?

The organisation is quite newly re-started. It began a while ago but became inactive and we now want to kick start it. Amongst our needs,

For further information about Kick Start, contact the Support Hub on 0117 909 9949 or visit www.supporthub.org.uk

we wanted to find out more about getting funding and running the organisation.

What have you found useful?

• Getting more information – you think you know everything but you don’t.

Shiv Sama at a Kick Start session

• Fundraising – places we can go to for funding, how to make our case, understanding application forms better to have a better

Avon Indian Association Name: Shiv Sama Role: Trustee

chance of getting funding.

• Opportunity to meet other organisations – helps us to identify our unique selling points.

What is purpose of the Avon

It has been useful to have more

Indian Association?

knowledge about what’s about, to

There are organisations for

find out what others are doing and

different Asian Communities

how they are doing it, to become

in Bristol but there is no other

aware of networks out there. It has

organisation for Indian people.

also made us aware of what Voscur

There are a lot of Asian people in

can offer.

Bristol, especially older people who have little or no communication with the rest of society, they are isolated; people have issues

What support will you need in the next five years?

Bristol’s voluntary sector is currently going through a period of significant change. Voscur is therefore reviewing how it can best meet the development needs of our member organisations such as yours, as

What difference has it made to

well as our own charitable status.

you and your organisation?

Based on your input, and that

It has put us on the right track.

linked to English, health and

Before we didn’t know where to

education. There is no place for

turn or who to ask for grants or

the community to meet. The Avon

other services. We were not aware

Indian Community Association

of what was out there. Kick Start

works city-wide to try and find

has been a useful information

out what issues people have and

gathering experience and has

to address these and give people

increased our confidence as an

more confidence.

organisation.

of other stakeholders (staff, board members, partners), we will update our priorities for the next five years. Our aim is to make your organisation stronger and more sustainable, so do spend ten minutes to help us support you more effectively by answering a few questions at www.survey.bris.ac.uk/voscur/2017 or email: david@voscur.org

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

www.voscur.org

14

Support Hub: Training and Learning Programme Managing Performance and Appraisals

Financial Skills for the Not Financially Minded

Wednesday 18 April 2012, 9:30am-1pm

Monday 14 May 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm

This workshop, delivered by Charity HR, is designed to

This course will be useful for anyone who needs

cover the main principles of the topic including best

to read and understand accounts, whether as a

practice under current legislation.

paid staff member or as a trustee/management

This course will look at how to set up a performance appraisal system and the key issues organisations need to consider. It will also offer you time to discuss particular issues for your organisation.

Your Parliament: How it works and how you can be involved in national decision making Monday 23 April 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm This session is for people in community and voluntary groups or organisations who would like to find out how parliament works, how you can be involved and how you can influence decisions made in parliament.

Trustee Series 1: Why am I on the committee?

Wednesday 2 May 2012, 6:30pm-9:30pm This course will give anyone who has the role of a trustee a basic overview of their legal duties and responsibilities and is ideal if you have just become a trustee or just want to brush up on your skills.

committee member. The course is practical and looks at example accounts of voluntary organisations.

Trustee Series 2: Good Governance – how to be a better trustee.

Tuesday 15th May, 6:30pm-9:30pm This session complements ‘Why am I on the committee?’ and looks in greater detail at how trustees can be more effective in their role. It will cover the Code of Good Governance; the role of staff vs the role of trustees; skills audits and having effective meetings.

Introduction to Fundraising Thursday 17 May 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm This course will help you to develop a good knowledge of the basics of fundraising. By the end of the session you will have a checklist of skills needed for good fundraising: be clear about what information you need to collect; be able to assess which types of fundraising are best for your organisation; have a written funding skills audit and action plan; understand the changing environment of funding; understand how to clearly express your organisation’s mission, vision and overall aim and identify where else to get support.

15 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Support Hub “The trainer was excellent, she involved everyone and shared her expertise, wit and warmth in a very encouraging and informative manner.”

Attendee, Making the Most of the Media training Commissioning for Beginners If you have heard of commissioning and think it is

Your Local Government: How it works and how you can get involved in local decision making

relevant to your organisation, this course is for you.

Wednesday 20 June 2012, 9:30am–3:30pm

Monday 28 May 2012, 9:30am-1pm

It will give you a broad understanding of the principles of commissioning, the stages of the commissioning cycle, terminology and myths & fears around commissioning.

This session is for people in community and voluntary groups or organisations who would like to find out how local government works and how you can be involved and influence local decision making.

Communicate!

Ten Steps to the Perfect Tender

Thursday 31 May 2012, 9:30am–4:30pm

Wednesday 27 June 2012, 9:30am-3:30pm

This event for VCS organisations will help you to get the most of promoting, publicising and marketing your organisation. With case studies, workshops and panel discussions this event will help you get your message out there.

This session will help you focus on Bristol City Council’s pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and invitation to tender, as well highlighting the steps your organisation needs to take to make a successful proposal.

Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Training for Organisations Considering a Merger.

Monday 18 June 2012, 1pm-4:30pm In the current economic climate, mergers of organisations could mean that TUPE regulations apply. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) protects employees’ terms and conditions when a business is transferred from one owner to another. This can be a complicated process for any organisation. This course will help to explain TUPE in more detail and provide advice and guidance on how to approach it.

To book any of these courses or to find out more please go to www.supporthub.org.uk/training-hub To find out if you are eligible for a free place please call us on: 0117 909 9949

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

www.voscur.org

16

Planning Your Funding Further to our list of local

• undertake targeted fundraising

membership/local-communities/

trusts, foundations and charities

• be realistic

community-fund/

(opposite) we are keen to help

• ensure all of the above is

Apply online.

groups think about the wider issue

linked to the long term aims

of income generation so that they

of your organisation.

Between £100 and £2,000.

There is support available

Gane Charitable Trust

have a co-ordinated approach to generating income.

through the Support Hub for

Avoid writing an application that

eligible groups who wish to have

Promotion of crafts, further

fits the funders’ needs but then

more help in this area – and

education in the fields of crafts,

strays from your own aims and

of course, do see our training

architecture and design and social

objectives for the project you are

listings for relevant courses

welfare. Preference for Bristol,

seeking to fund. Is your planned

related to improving your funding

Newport and surrounding areas.

project based on what your

and financial stability: www.

constitution says? Think about

supporthub.org.uk/funding-hub

www.ganetrust.org.uk

how you will manage the funding if you are successful and how it

This is a selection of

can have long-term benefits for

local funding opportunities:

the communities the funding is

Apply online. £500 or less, but in exceptional cases up to £1000.

for, especially after the project

Andrews Charitable Trust

has ended. Your funding planning

Projects that raise awareness of

should be led by the long term

homelessness and the family unit

plans for your organisation.

in Bristol.

Charitable organisations working

Planning your fundraising is

www.andrewscharitabletrust.

essential. Here are a few basic tips

org.uk

Main areas of focus are education,

to consider when planning your

info@andrewscharitabletrust.

fundraising activities:

org.uk

www.johnjames.org.uk

• allow enough time to fundraise

Amount available varies from

• be prepared to invest time

year to year.

Telephone: 0117 923 9444.

and money • involve the whole organisation • do not undertake or view fundraising in isolation to the activities of the organisation • develop fundraising skills and experience within your organisation • clearly define your project and budget • use evidence

17 www.voscur.org

Co-operative Membership Community Fund Community groups, voluntary groups, self-help groups, community charities or local branches of national charities that carry out positive work in the community. www.co-operative.coop/

John James Bristol Foundation Grant for the benefit of Bristol residents. health and the elderly.

info@johnjames.org.uk

Quartet Community Foundation Small, community-based charities and voluntary groups in the West of England whose work benefits local people. New and established groups. Also runs it own ‘Express Grants’ programme. www.quartetcf.org.uk

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Support Hub info@quartetcf.org.uk Telephone: 0117 989 7700 Grant amounts varies.

Telephone: 01275 847 463 Telephone for an application form.

Value: discretionary.

Express grants up to £2,000.

Richard Davies Charitable Foundation Charitable organisations undertaking projects for the young and elderly in Bristol.

18 Over Lane, Almondsbury Bristol, BS32 4BP.

The Spielman Charitable Trust Particular interest in: • helping to deal with immediate needs.

• caring for and educating children and young people.

• grants to other charities that the support.

Only funds work that takes

Caring for the elderly, education

place in Bristol and the

and youth initiatives, also a variety

surrounding area.

of local causes benefiting Bristol, its people and its institutions. www.merchantventurers.com enquiries@merchantventurers.com Telephone: 0117 973 8058.

The Denman Charitable Trust Preference for small organisations

clear objectives of the appeal, supported by details of agreed funding from other sources and also a timetable for achieving the

the trustees believe merit

Society of Merchant Venturers Grants

A concise letter setting out

g-s.moody@btconnect.com.

Mrs J Moody, 17 St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UL. Telephone: 0117 929 1929.

objectives of the appeal. Latest audited accounts should also be submitted.

Waitrose Community Matters Waitrose branches support three nominated local charities or community groups per month and £1,000 will be available every month for each shop to divide between the chosen causes.

51 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4HN. Telephone: 0117 9624244.

To nominate your organisation pick up a form from the welcome desk.

Van Neste Foundation Registered charities only, unlikely to respond to national appeals.

To find a more

in the Bristol area. The Trust will

Current policy is to focus on the

comprehensive list

not fund running costs.

following categories:

of local and national

PO Box 1881, Bristol, BS37 6WS

• Developing world.

Telephone: 01454 322 430 Apply in writing.

• Disabled and elderly.

• Advancement of religion and respect for sanctity and dignity of life.

funding you may wish to search GrantNet: www.supporthub.org. uk/funding-hub/grantnet (an online funding database that is free to Voscur members) or Funding Central

The Portishead Nautical Trust

Community projects,

www.fundingcentral.org.uk

15 Alexandra Road, Clifton

The objective of the trust is

(a free to use online database.)

Bristol, BS8 2DD.

to relieve and assist people under 25 years of age who are disadvantaged.

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

As far as is possible, we have

Applications must be made

checked that this information is

in writing and addressed to

correct at time of publication.

the Secretary, Mr F.J.F. Lyons.

www.voscur.org

18

Support Hub

New life for Volunteer Bristol’s Volunteer Support Programme Giving your time, skills and experience to a good cause can improve your confidence, enable you to learn new skills and help you to feel a valuable part of the community.

But some people face barriers to volunteering and need a bit of extra help to take their first steps.

That is where Volunteer Bristol’s Volunteer Support Programme (VSP) comes in. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund, the project works with people who may face challenges to volunteering, such as those with a history of mental health problems, homelessness or alcohol and/or drug misuse.

The project offers different levels of support to enable people to start volunteering, and crucially, to stay volunteering. VSP also works closely with voluntary and community groups to encourage

Demba volunteering at Fairbridge West

volunteers and help identify roles

volunteering] and now my

that match their interests, skills

confidence and positivity is huge.

and aspirations. This support is

I wish I had considered it earlier

aimed at those who require some

than I did.” Fairbridge West

For organisations, the programme

preliminary help, but then are

is equally positive about its

provides support and guidance

happy to ‘go it alone’ (although

volunteers; “they bring to us

in working with individuals who

crucially, follow up support is

a wealth of knowledge, skills,

need extra help. “Taking on

available if needed). The second

information and fun” says

such volunteers can offer a new

level matches a person who wishes

Val Fulcher, Administrator at

perspective and increase diversity

to volunteer with a mentor, who

Fairbridge.

in an organisation.” Says Piers

supports them in identifying and

Cardiff, the Volunteer Support

applying for positions, as well as

For more information,

Programme Co-ordinator.

during their volunteering.

contact Piers Cardiff,

For individuals, the project

Demba found his volunteer

provides two different levels

placement through the VSP, with

of tailored support, according

youth organisation Fairbridge

to need; advisors and mentors.

West. He says: “I hadn’t worked

Advisors work with prospective

with young people [before

and support them to take on people who have additional support needs.

19 www.voscur.org

VSP Coordinator, piers@volunteerbristol.org.uk, 0117 989 7734.

For more info visit: www.volunteerbristol.org.uk/vsp

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Bristol Compact

The Compact Lives and Thrives (in some places) There has been a recent flurry of government activities about the Compact. Mark Hubbard (Compact Liaison Officer) who works with public sector commissioners and VCS groups to implement the Bristol Compact, reports on progress.

Nick Hurd, MP Minister for

services and “an equal and

for improvement. The Compact

Civil Society, has reported

fair society”.

benchmark that departments

that the Compact is one of the government’s six business plan priorities for 2012/13. This

Checking progress of Compact implementation

should allow 12 weeks for responding to consultations is often not met. Leadership within

means that each government

At the same time, the ‘Compact

departments on Compact issues

department needs to include

Accountability and Transparency

is also not always visible which is

Compact implementation in its

Guide’ was published to establish

a further area for improvement.

business plans. This is seen as a

a mechanism for checking the

Let’s hope that the Coalition

positive commitment and as Tom

implementation of the Compact

Government’s renewed focus

Elkins (Compact Voice) says, “the

across government. For example,

on the Compact will further

Compact has survived changes

it described a National Audit

progress its aims and objectives,

in government, new policy

Office (NAO) inquiry during

both at a national and local level.

landscapes and different partners

2011/12 ‘into the operation of

As Tom Elkins says, “while the

coming and going, yet support

the Compact across government

[NAO] report highlights that more

for its principles remains strong.”

and its agencies’ to ‘identify

needs to be done, the fact that

areas of good practice, areas

so many remain committed and

for improvement, and to make

receptive to achieving these goals

The coalition government

recommendations about longer

is welcome news indeed.”

refreshed the National Compact in

term and more permanent

2010, confirming its commitment

accountability structures.’

Background

to positive relations with the VCS. The purpose of this refreshed Compact is to achieve a strong, diverse and independent civil

The NAO report presents an interesting snapshot of what’s good and what could improve.

society, effective and transparent

Encouragingly, departments

design and development of

were supportive of the Compact

If you have any

policies, programmes and public

and there were good examples

questions about the

services, responsive and high-

of it being applied. However,

Compact, please

quality programmes and services,

the analysis of complaints about

contact Mark Hubbard on:

clear arrangements for managing

the Compact’s implementation

0117 909 9949 or e-mail:

changes to programmes and

indicates that there is scope

mark@voscur.org

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

www.voscur.org

20

Bristol Compact

Compact Champions – Here to Help Bristol City Council (BCC) has

“From my perspective,” says Mark

recently established a network

Hubbard, Compact Liaison Officer,

Director, Strategic Planning

of Compact Champions in all of

“this network ought to help VCS

and Commissioning,

its directorates to help improve

organisations engage better with

Health and Social Care) is

relationships between the local

the local authority. Sometimes

on the Council’s Enabling

authority and the VCS. The role

VCS organisations do not know

Commissioning Board and

of a Compact Champion is to:

who to talk to – a Compact

chairs its Monitoring and

Champion will be able to help put

Accountability group. That

people in contact. They can also

group is working to ensure

help when relationships between

greater efficiency and

a commissioner/service manager

consistency in managing

and a VCS organisation are

council contracts, which

difficult – a Compact Champion

will benefit providers and

may be able to help both parties

commissioners and ultimately

understand each other better.”

deliver appropriate services

• promote the Bristol Compact to colleagues and partners • ensure and be accountable for Compact compliance within the directorate • be knowledgeable and expert about the VCS and able to promote the diversity and benefits of the sector • help build positive

The Bristol Compact Partners hope that the network of

relationships between the

Compact Champions will expand

council and the VCS

to other public sector bodies and

• model excellent practice as

the VCS.

a champion of the VCS and

and influence on strategic partnerships and commissioning • act as an advisor to the directorate on the Compact and working with the VCS

to communities.

• Sue Bandcroft (Senior Commissioning Manager, Safer Bristol) merged a one off commissioning process for ‘Supporting Recovery’ grants with the VCS Investment

the Compact • increase the VCS’s access to

• Netta Meadows (Service

Strategy. This ensured that

Compact Champions’ recent achievements

VCS organisations could see

• Di Robinson (Service

evidence more than once.

grant opportunities in one place and did not need to provide the same ‘PQQ’ type

Director, Neighbourhoods

This is a network of council

and Communities) and

individuals at all levels that have an

Gillian Douglas (Equalities

interest in good relations between

and Community Cohesion

the council and the VCS. They have

Manager) worked to ensure

volunteered to become Compact

that the current VCS

Champions and commonly have

Investment Strategy was

personal experience of the VCS as

consulted on for 12 weeks

compact-champions-bcc

trustees and volunteers.

and that the following funding

Mark Hubbard (Compact Liaison

process allowed a maximum

Officer) mark@voscur.org

period for applications.

0117 909 9949

21 www.voscur.org

A full list of BCC’s Compact Champions can be seen at: www.bristolcompact.org.uk/

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Voice and Influence

Bristol Women’s Voice The team behind Bristol Women’s Voice describe this new initiative which aims to bring women together to make a difference in the city.

We’ve all recently heard and

organisations together with the

read headlines about how

97% of women who are not in any

women are at the forefront of

such organisation to exchange

the cuts and behind the headlines.

experiences, share ideas, celebrate

Families in Bristol (and the

successes and support campaigns

women within them) have been

and events for women in the city.

coping with the extra stress of unemployed teenagers, fewer local play schemes and activities for children, worries about changes to social care, losing jobs and reduced hours, and all this on top of having less money to go around.

We might not be able to solve all of these problems but women in Bristol have a new chance to get together and share ideas about how the city could be better for women.

We intend to develop a Women’s Strategy for Bristol to get the decision makers from public and private organisations to commit to doing things that will make a real

Photo by Katheryn Emily

difference to women’s lives.

We are going to do this in

we can make Bristol a showcase

different ways; we have a brand

for women’s involvement,

new web site with a blog and

empowerment and equality.

Facebook page; we will also be meeting together to come up with real actions for decision makers in Bristol to make a positive difference to women’s

Aroona Smith, Cezara Nanu, Diane Bunyan, Maria Banos-Smith, Penny Gane, Tove Samzelius – Interim Management Group

A new organisation, Bristol

lives. So far, local women have

Women’s Voice was launched

identified 4 main priorities;

The launch and the development

on Saturday 24th March which

jobs and skills, health, caring

of the web site have been

aims to make women’s equality

responsibilities and safety, but this

supported by Bristol City Council.

a reality.

is just the start and we need you

The idea of the new organisation

to get involved and get active.

is not to duplicate the excellent

Please have a look at the web site

work that a whole range of

and sign up to take part in the

organisations are doing in

forums and come to meetings

the City but to bring those

and share your ideas. Together

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

Find us at: www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

www.voscur.org

22

Bristol’s New VCS Advocates The results of the election for the Bristol’s Voluntary and Community Sector Advocates were announced in February of this year. The VCS Advocates will help ensure that the VCS has a strong voice and is able to influence decisions of importance.

VCS Advocate to the Children and Young People’s Outcomes Board

VCS Advocate to the North Area Partnership Executive Group

Dom Wood

Sue Kelly

(1625 Independent People)

(The Prince’s Trust, Fairbridge Bristol)

Email Dom: Dom.Wood@1625ip.co.uk

Email Sue: Sue.Kelly@princes-trust.org.uk

Sandra Meadows (Play and Early Years Training Unit) Email Sandra: smeadows@peytu.co.uk

VCS Advocate to the South Area Partnership Executive Group Vicki Morris

VCS Advocate to the Children and Young People’s Attainment and Progression Board Poku Pipim Osei (Babbasa Youth Empowerment Projects) Email Poku: poku.osei@byep.org.uk

VCS Advocate to the Children and Families Early Intervention Standing Group Judith Davis (Full Circle Youth and Family Project) Email Judith: judith_v_davis@hotmail.co.uk

(Knowle West Health Park) Email Alex: vmorris@knowlewesthealthpark.co.uk

VCS Advocate to the Central and East Area Partnership Executive Group Jonquil Richards (Barton Hill Settlement) Email Jonquil: jonquilr@bartonhillsettlement.org.uk

VCS Advocate to the Health and Wellbeing Board Peter Walker (Addiction Recovery Agency) Email Peter: PWalker@addictionrecovery.org.uk

23 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Voice and Influence

VCS Advocate to the Safer Bristol Partnership

VCS Advocate to the Reducing Re-offending Board

Alex Raikes

Graham England

(Support Against Racist Incidents)

(Addiction Recovery Agency)

Email Alex:

Email: grahamengland@addictionrecovery.org.uk

asstdirector@sariweb.org.uk

You can read more about the VCS Advocates and how they will be helping the VCS to have a strong voice and influence on the Voice and Influence website at www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/advocates

organisations work. My decision to

What do you think the priority

be an advocate rests on

issues are for the voluntary

developing a better understanding

and community sector in

of how decisions are made in the

Bristol in the coming year and

city, sharing this understanding

what should we focus on to

with my other VCS organisations

influence and make sure our

and all being well, influencing

voice is heard?

these decisions to reflect their needs.

You’ve been elected as an Advocate for the Children and Young People’s Attainment

Introducing Poku Pipim Osei

and Progression Board. What interests you in this?

Having lived in Clifton, Easton

VCS Advocate to the Children

and now St George, I think it is fair

and Young People’s Attainment

to say more can be done –

and Progression Board.

educational activity-wise for children and young people coming

Why did you decide to put

from deprived communities, for

yourself forward as a VCS

example, both in schools and

Advocate?

within the communities. Policies

I think small voluntary and

undoubtedly shape curriculums

community sector (VCS)

and activities delivered in schools

organisations are not adequately

and in the community

informed of how authority

respectively. My interest is to

structures work in Bristol. I can

convey some of my experiences

equally say the same for our

beside my colleagues, to help

authority’s lack of practical

improve attainment levels in

understanding of how most VCS

the City.

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

More should be done around cultural awareness within BME communities. One is required to complete a UK citizenship test upon arrival in the UK which helps you understand the history and culture of the average British person. However, most people end up living amongst other BME communities e.g. Easton, Redfield etc, which makes the need for other cultural awareness programmes essential for community development.

Beside community cohesion programmes, I believe we also need practical aspiration programmes for our young ones.

Aspiration programmes are just as important as the ‘outcome driven’ approach recently adopted by authorities if we are to see a fair growth in all areas of our local

www.voscur.org

24

Voice and Influence

economy in the long run. Many young people from deprived communities that I engage with feel that certain career professions, such as a lawyer, pilot or doctor are not for them, even though they have the

VCS Assembly and Network Meeting dates for your diary

interest and academic ability.

I think we also need to encourage

Health and Social Care Network

innovation in the City. Change is

Monday 30 April, 2-5pm

not achieved by implementing the same agenda or working with the

Community Learning Information and Consultation event

same partners over and over

Thursday 10 May, 9.30am-1pm

again. Society is not that static and I believe change can only be

Children and Young Peoples Network

realised if we have a system in

Thursday 17 May, 10am-1pm

place that accommodates new ideas and alternative sustainable concepts.

VCS Assembly meeting Thursday 14 June, 10am-1pm Health and Social Care Network July 2012 – date to be confirmed Neighbourhoods and Communities Network

What are your priorities

Wednesday 19 September, 2-5pm

in the coming year?

Join in the discussion and

Children and Young Peoples Network

make sure the newly elected

October 2012 – date to be confirmed

VCS Advocates are taking your views forward. We’ve been asking VCS groups

VCS Assembly meeting Wednesday 7 November, 2-5pm

what their priorities are – watch our short film on the Voice and Influence blog at www.voiceandinfluence. org.uk/blog/26 and leave a comment to say what you think the priorities for the VCS should be.

More details for upcoming meetings can be found at www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/voiceandinfluence/diary

25 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Voice and Influence

X Marks the Spot Bristol voters prepare to decide on elected mayor referendum.

On Thursday 3 May the Bristol

councillors to pass their budget

last local elections in Bristol in

electorate will be asked to vote

proposals instead of the current

2011 the turnout ranged from

to decide whether they want a

requirement 36. The government

46.7% (Clifton ward) to 26.7%

directly elected mayor to replace

says that elected mayors will

(Filwood ward).

the current position of leader of

be able to negotiate with them

council. Elected mayors would

to potentially take over more

be voted for by everyone on the

powers currently held by central

electoral register whereas the

government.

leader of council is chosen by

If people vote yes for the introduction of a directly elected mayor then the first election will take place on Thursday 15

The referendum on elected

November 2012, on the same day

mayors is taking place this year,

as the election for the first Police

The elected mayor would have

a year when no council elections

Crime Commissioner for Avon and

more direct powers, for example,

are scheduled, leading some to

Somerset (see page 27).

they will be able to decide local

express concerns that the turn

policy, appoint members of

out will be very low. In January,

their cabinet and set the council

an elected mayor referendum

budget. An elected mayor

in Salford (greater Manchester)

would only need the support

was won with support of just

of a 24 out of the 70 Bristol

10% of registered voters. At the

Bristol’s 70 elected councillors.

Find out more: Visit: http://goo.gl/6unCQ to download a briefing paper.

What would an elected mayor mean for the VCS in Bristol?

No

Yes

“In my party, there is a very

“I truly believe an elected

Bristol VCS via the Voice

strong view that a directly

mayor, someone who enjoyed

and Influence blog –

elected mayor would not be

the backing of voters and the

www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/

good for democracy, would

business community, has the

x-factor-date-confirmed-

not be good for government

potential to take us forward.”

mayoral-referendum

Peter Abraham, Leader of the Conservative group, Bristol City Council

If the May referendum result is

and getting things done and would not be good for ward councillors and their voters, who would be sidelined under the new regime.”

Barbara Janke, Leader of Bristol City Council, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group.

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

Give your views on what an elected mayor might mean for the

yes, we’ll be discussing ‘a VCS manifesto for the mayor’ at the VCS Assembly meeting on Thursday 14 June, 10-1. See the Voice and Influence website for details – www.voiceandinfluence. org.uk/voiceandinfluence/diary

www.voscur.org

26

Voice and Influence

Police Crime Commissioners and Funding for Community Safety The Police Crime Commissioners

In England, PCCs will also

(PCCs) will be able to make crime

receive the proportion of Drug

and disorder reduction grants to

Interventions Programme Funding

any organisation or person in their

not going to the new Health

force area. In order to provide

and Wellbeing Boards, as well as

the PCC with a budget for this

funding for services to address

purpose, the Home Office expects

violence against women and girls.

to consolidate and transfer some existing crime and drugs grants to

Historically, local VCS organisations

Photo by Stuart Boreham

working in community safety have

At present precisely which model

looked to their Community Safety

will be adopted by individual PCCs

A key component of this funding

Partnerships (CSPs) for some

is unclear and it is likely to be

will come from the transfer from

funding support. However, it is

different between areas.

local authorities to the PCC of the

clear that, from 2013, CSPs will not

Community Safety Fund (formerly

automatically be the recipients of

within the Area Based Grant). The

PCC funding. In the absence of

amount of Community Safety

such funding, there are doubts

funds available to local authorities

about the ability of CSPs to sustain

have already been reduced by 20%

existing services from their own

in 2011/12 and will be reduced by

resources. At the same time,

a further 40% in 2012/13, before

concerns are being voiced that

being transferred over to PCCs

PCCs may decide to re-allocate

from 2013/14. A key factor for the

all of their community safety

VCS and other sectors is that this

budget to fund local policing

funding will not be ring fenced

activity, or may commission

and PCCs will have the discretion

and procure community safety

to use it for a range of activities

services through a competitive

they see as supporting their wider

process in which CSPs will be

community safety objectives and

bidding for funding alongside

commissioning role.

VCS and private providers.

PCCs from 2013/14.

To ensure that the voluntary and community sector can influence the new PCC we’re working with Somerset Community Council to develop a VCS PCC Network across Avon and Somerset. You can find out more about this at the Neighbourhoods and Communities Network meeting on Wednesday 19 September, 2-5pm. For more details visit www.voiceandinfluence.org.uk/ voiceandinfluence/diary

Find out more: Visit: http://goo.gl/ WG7Qw to download a Voice and Influence briefing on elected PCCs. Safer Future Communities Policy Briefings: www.clinks.org/ services/sfc/policy-briefings

27 www.voscur.org

April / May / June 2012  Issue 16

Voice and Influence

Troubled Families Government announces new initiative to tackle ‘problem families’.

In December 2011 the Prime

government department budgets

to match the government funding

Minister David Cameron

to fund a ‘payment by results’

at a time when councils are being

announced that the Government

model. Local authorities will be

forced to slash budgets. Even if

was to set up a new scheme to

able to claim up to 40% of funding

the full funding can be found,

tackle what he calls ‘troubled

for troubled family interventions,

the project would still only

families’. The Government has

but the funding will be ‘payable

provide one caseworker per ten

calculated that there are 120,000

only when they and their partners

troubled families.

troubled families that suffer

achieve success with families’.

from at least five of the following

This means that local authorities

characteristics:

will have to fund much of the

• no one in the family is in work • living in poor or overcrowded housing • no parent has any qualifications • mother has mental health problems • at least one parent has a

troubled families work up-front from their own budgets. The Government states that turning troubled families around means:

• a reduction in criminal

People’s Network meeting on

and anti-social behaviour • parents on the road back to work

disability or infirmity

taxpayer and local authorities.

of food and/or clothing items.

Families Initiative, how it will be initiated in Bristol and, if and how the Voluntary and Community your place online:

family ‘trouble-shooters’ in each trouble-shooters will operate

spent on 120,000 troubled families

at a senior level to oversee the

each year, but that only £1 billion

programme of action in their area.

Critics of the Government’s proposals argue that the initiative is ‘all words but no action’* and

The Troubled Families Programme

that it will require local authorities

will use £448 million from existing

to find an additional £675 million

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

out more about the Troubled

a national network of troubled

that £9 billion of public money is

around for good.

at St Werburghs Centre to find

Sector could contribute. Book

(upper-tier) local council. The

that help them to turn their lives

Thursday 17 May, 10am-1pm

The Government will also fund

The Government has calculated

of this is targeted at initiatives

Come to the next Children and Young

• a reduction in the costs to the

• an inability to afford a number

Find out more:

• children back into school

longstanding illness, • a low income

* Mark Johnson, founder of charity User Voice, 20/12/11, The Guardian

http://www.voiceandinfluence. org.uk/voice-and-influence/ children-and-young-peoplesnetwork Troubled Families information on the Department of Communities and Local Government website: www.communities.gov.uk/ communities/troubledfamilies/

www.voscur.org

28

Voice and Influence

You’re Never Too Old Age is no barrier to having influence. Not only are older people more likely to vote in elections, they also make a significant contribution in many different decision making structures in Bristol, as elected councillors, magistrates and school governors to name a few.

contribution that older people make to society.”

There will be a main event taking place in the city centre, as well as A flower arranging session at a previous Celebrating Age Festival

fringe events in neighbourhoods across the city. Last year, these included yoga and tai chi sessions,

Bristol’s Celebrating Age Festival

This year’s festival is tied in to

is an annual event that aims to

the ‘European Year (EY) of Active

showcase and celebrate the

Aging and Solidarity Between

diverse contributions that older

Generations’. The overall aim for

people make across the many

EY 2012 is to promote active

different communities that

ageing and to do more to mobilise

make up the City. Alongside this,

the potential of the rapidly

The team is currently working with

it also offers local groups and

growing population in their late

older people in the community to

organisations that provide services

50s and over. This ties in well with

plan this year’s events.

for local older people the chance

the Olympics, which is also taking

to come together, promote their

place in the UK this year.

activities and share best practice.

tea dances and samba. There was an information fair, music and workshops that provided the opportunity to meet new friends or try something different.

For more information

“People are living longer.” Says

contact Stella Quinlivan

The 2012 festival will take place

Stella Quinlivan from St Pauls

on 0117 9145470 or

from the 9-23 June and is being

Learning & Family Centre. “This

email: agefestival@

organised by Bristol City Council

is a long-term challenge that will

gmail.com

and the Bristol Older People’s

need the support of everyone.

Forum with support from NHS

Together, we need to change

Bristol and other local individuals

attitudes about ageing and older

and groups.

people, and do more to value the

29 www.voscur.org

http://www.bristol.gov. uk/page/celebratingage-festival-2012

April / May / June 2012 Issue 16

Voice and Influence

What’s Next for Community Learning in the West of England?

The government has recently published its future priorities for publicly funded community learning. These are: • Maximising access to community learning.

• Promoting social renewal.

• Positive impact on the social and economic well being of individuals, families and communities.

To progress these priorities, the Government is proposing to pilot ‘different locally-based community learning trust models to channel Adult Safeguarded Learning funding and lead the planning of local provision in cities, towns and rural settings’.

We now understand that a community learning trust is not expected to be a constituted body, but will be required to bring together all providers that receive funding to ensure that there is a co-ordinated and coherent model.

Across the West of England there will be increased opportunities for Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to contribute.

Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and North Somerset Council are already working together in a consortium and are commissioning over 20 smaller providers. These authorities have invited Bath and North East Somerset Council and

Issue 16 April / May / June 2012

all further education colleges to consider local options – potentially resulting in a joint West of England Community Learning Trust pilot application overseeing over £2.5 million of provision.

Local VCS organisations can get involved and contribute by: • Getting funding through a local commissioned contract to deliver courses to target learners – this would mean employing qualified tutors and ensuring quality teaching and learning outcomes.

• Supporting service users and volunteers to access community learning courses managed by other providers – this could mean brokering, hosting courses, helping to recruit and signpost learners.

• Influencing local planning, gathering and sharing local needs analysis data to inform the new community learning trust model and plan – this is a critical advocacy role, making sure that services are responsive to local needs.

For more information about Community Learning Trusts, please e-mail: Jane Taylor (Service Manager – Communities & Adult Skills): jane.taylor@bristol.gov.uk.

Photo by RT Library

Voscur is working with Bristol City Council and neighbouring authorities to explore how we can support VCS organisations across the West of England to play a more active role in adult and community learning.

Together we are planning an information and consultation session on Thursday 10 May. VCS organisations operating across the West of England are invited to come along to discuss possible options for a new Community Learning Trust and to explore how we can progress this work together – hope to see you there!

To book and find out more about the event please follow this link http://goo.gl/uD1u7

www.voscur.org

30

Voscur Ltd. Royal Oak House Royal Oak Avenue Bristol BS1 4GB

Tel: 0117 909 9949 Fax: 0117 933 0501 Email: info@voscur.org Web: www.voscur.org

Training and Events Diary — April / May / June 2012 April 2012 Date 16th

Time 4pm-5:30pm

Event VCS Community Development Workers Network

Location Royal Oak House

18th

9:30am-1pm

Managing Performance and Appraisals

@Symes Community Building

23rd

9:30am-3:30pm

Your Parliament: how it works and how you can be involved in national decision making

Arnos Vale

30th

2-5pm

Health & Social Care Network Meeting

Salvation Army, Hassall Drive

May 2012 Date 2nd

Time 6:30pm-9:30pm

Event Trustee Series 1: why am I on the committee?

Location Barton Hill Settlement

10th

9.:30am-1pm

Community Learning Information and Consultation Event

The Pavillion, Harbourside.

14th

9:30am-3:30pm

Financial Management for the Not Financially Minded

Windmill Hill City Farm

15th

6:30pm-9:30pm

Trustee Series 2: Good Governance: how to be a better trustee.

Barton Hill Settlement

17th

10:00am-1pm

Children and Young People’s Network Meeting

St Werburghs Centre

17th

9:30am-3:30pm

Introduction to Fundraising

St Pauls Learning Centre

21st

4pm-5:30pm

VCS Community Development Workers Network

Royal Oak House

28th

9:30am-1pm

Commissioning for Beginners

The Greenway Centre

31st

9:30am-4:30pm

Communicate! (effective communications event)

The Greenway Centre

June 2012 Date 14th

Time 10am-1pm

Event VCS Assembly meeting

Location The Withywood Centre

18th

1pm-4:30pm

Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Training

St Werburghs Centre

18th

4pm-5:30pm

VCS Community Development Workers Network

Royal Oak House

20th

9:30am-3:30pm

Your local government: How it works and how you can get involved in local decision making

The Withywood Centre

27th

9:30am-3:30pm

Ten steps to the perfect tender

Barton Hill Settlement

For details of all the above training and events visit: www.voscur.org/calendar/month

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