1. Supporting Voluntary & Community Action December 2009 & January 2010
Inside Voscur’s
Magazine
Bumper Recession
Support Edition
Protection for your
Organisation
Freebies and Resources
New Advice Services Available
10 New Year Resolutions for
a Thriving Third Sector
Green Pages
Cycling City
Changing Face of 14-19
Education
Training and Learning
Image: Creative Kids International
2. Shape a life.
Be a foster carer.
TACT is a well respected fostering and adoption agency. TACT will offer you excellent training with 24hr
support and a break from caring when you need it.
TACT pay between £322 & £574 per week per child as well as additional allowances for birthdays,
festivals and holidays.
Although fostering can be challenging it can also be very rewarding. If you believe you have the
capacity and commitment to support vulnerable children and young people between 10-16 years old,
then we would like to hear from you. To make a difference give us a ring now on: 0117 927 7725 or
email e.graham@tactcare.org.uk
www.tactcare.org.uk
Charity no. 1018963
3. Welcome
Contents
4 Editorial 24-25 Place Survey
5 Voscur Assembly 26–27 Comprehensive Area
Assessment Update
6-7 Voscur Winners
28 The Compact
8 New Voscur Members
Working in a Compact Way
9 Voscur News
29 The Queen’s Award for
Voscur staff changes
Voluntary Service
New Voscur board members
Help for Volunteer Managers 30-34 Green Pages
Catch up on the Funders’ Fair Green ICT
Cycling City
10-11 Member profiles Peak Oil
Creative Kids
Fareshare 35 Volunteering Bristol
Support for Volunteers and their Managers
12–13 Sector News
Advice services merger 36–37 Children and Young People
CAB/Macmillan joint work The Changing Face of 14–19 Education
Community at Heart services on offer 1625 Independent People
Planning Watch 39 Voscur Training and Learning
14–15 10 New Year Resolutions for a 40 Diary
Thriving Third Sector
16 Thriving Third Sector Strategy
17-23 Safeguarding the Sector
Voscur’s Recession Support
Freebies
Protection for your organisation
Resources
Cover photo: Banner made with ‘chitenge’ (Zambian fabric) at Lusaka International Community School, Zambia. See page 10 - Creative
Kids, Voscur Member profile.
Why not advertise?
Thrive! is available on disc. Please contact the
Special discounts for Voscur members.
office if you would like to receive your Thrive!
Deadlines for February/March edition of Thrive!:
Monday 4 January for ads and Monday 25 January for this way. The newsletter is also available online
flyers. Details of prices at www.voscur.org/magazine or
as a pdf at www.voscur.org/magazine
phone Polly Stewart 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 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 3
4. Editorial
Dear Voscur Members and Friends
A huge amount of planning Rachel Robinson from The Care
went into our Annual Event, Forum, Ayannah Griffith from
held on 21 October, which the Black Development Agency
attracted lots of people and and I had met with the Leader
was a great success. Thanks to of the Council in different
everyone who made the effort circumstances. We met Councillor
to come and support us and to Janke, Jan Ormondroyd (the Chief
everyone who put so much into Executive of the Council) and Will
making it work. Godfrey (the Strategic Director
of Resources) to talk about
Our keynote speaker, Debra
‘Voluntary Sector Funding’.
Allcock-Tyler from the Directory
Cllr Barbara Janke and Wendy
of Social Change was inspiring and This meeting was a warning shot Stephenson
controversial. To see what Debra that cuts are anticipated, belts
said visit: www.youtube.com/ will be tightened and ‘smarter’ else that you think we can help
user/voscur working is required. We voiced with, please get in touch.
concerns from our member
More controversy followed during Wendy Stephenson
groups about the lack of clarity of
the questioning of the media wendy@voscur.org
commissioning processes, stressed
panel – we were beginning to get
the importance of investing in
into a meaty discussion with the
local voluntary and community
deputy editor of the Evening Post
sector organisations, and the
when we ran out of time...
value of the sector to the city.
The Voscur awards gave us all a
One commissioning process that
warm glow; Councillor Barbara
has been clear so far has been the
Janke, the Leader of the Council
commissioning of infrastructure
presented our winners with their
support services. By the time
certificates and great prizes
you read this, you will have
including a balloon ride and a
been invited to comment on Key to symbols
year’s subscription to the Venue
the Council’s ‘Voluntary Sector
magazine.
Support Services strategy’. Equalities Article
Sally Pickering, CEO of Gloucester
The strategy proposes radical
CVS and board member of the
changes to the way support Training
National Association of Voluntary
services are delivered. We will be
and Community Action (NAVCA)
discussing these at our meeting
presented Voscur with our very Resources
on 15 December (see page
own NAVCA quality award.
opposite). If you can’t get to the
Unfortunately, it’s not all meeting, but would like to talk to Event
good news, earlier in October, me about this issue, or anything
4 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
5. Open invitation to Bristol’s Voluntary,
Community and Social Enterprise organisations
Join us at the Voscur Assembly on
Tuesday 15 December, 1:00 – 4:30pm (including lunch)
Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Avenue, Knowle West, Bristol BS4 1NL
Tell us what you think about the Council’s Commissioning Infrastructure Strategy. Find out
how council proposals will affect you and tell us your views on the proposals.
Voscur staff will be offering one to one advice sessions – drop in and get advice on:
• Help during the recession – Ruth Pitter
• Funding Advice – Eva Pollard
• Workforce development and training – Sophie Bayley
• Representation – what matters to you? – Matthew Symonds
• ICT advice – Sean Kenny
• Governance and managing finance – Rebecca McDougall
Alan Eaton from Peninsula will provide information and answer questions on Voscur and
Peninsula’s employment protection offer (see page 17).
Plus network with others over a FREE festive lunch.
To book please visit: www.voscur.org/assemblydecember09
or email stephanie@voscur.org or tel: 0117 909 9949
A date for the New Year: Voscur Assembly – Criminal Justice
The push for local partnerships in criminal justice
How can the local partnership between voluntary and community sector and statutory
partners working within the criminal justice system in Greater Bristol be improved?
20 January 2010, 9.30am to 1.00 pm at
The Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Bristol BS3 1QG
For details and to book please visit: www.voscur.org/networks/assemblies
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 5
6. Voscur Winners
The 2009 Voscur Award Winners Announced
Voscur was pleased to announce the winners of the second annual Voscur awards,
‘The Voscurs’ at our Annual Event on 21 October at St Pauls Sports Academy.
The winners of the six categories:
The Most Active The Community anything from filling in forms to
Community Activist Venue of the Year solving quite complex problems,
and provide an individual service
Prize provided by GWE Business Prize provide by Voscur – £100 for each client.”
West with particular thanks to voucher for Voscur training
James Durie the Deputy Chief Runners up
Executive – a flight in a hot air Winner: Redcatch Community Coexist (Hamilton House)
balloon. Centre (Knowle) People’s Republic of Stokes Croft
“By the hard work and unflagging Somali Development Group
This year’s award is dedicated to
enthusiasm of volunteers but Somali Resource Centre
the memory of Sue Njie, former
with no paid staff, the community
community development worker,
centre which started as a derelict
15 July 1951 – 15 July 2009
unloved building, is now a thriving, The ‘I Will Survive’
Winner: Musnilya Babatunji
attractive and well maintained Award
venue for community use.”
(St Pauls) Prize provided by Tobacco
“Musnilya’s door is open to her Factory Theatre – tickets to a
Runners up
community day and night, all kinds production at the theatre
Easton Community Centre
of people turn to her and she
Jubilee Hall (Wedmore Vale)
does her best to help, whoever Winner: Studio Upstairs
Southville Centre
they are. She is one of the “The campaign was extremely
Wellspring Healthy Living Centre
‘community mothers’ in St Pauls.” successful not only in securing
the future of Studio Upstairs but
Runners up
The Most Innovative / also as an empowering experience
Denise Britt
Engaging Project for vulnerable members who
Mohammed Elsharif were able to contribute directly
Tony Hicks Prize provided by Venue to the campaign with their artistic
Simon Nelson Magazine – a year’s subscription talents.”
to Venue Magazine
Runners up
Winner: Neighbourhood Shop Bristol Disability Equality Forum
(Barton Hill) CEED
“The Shop is a lifeline to the many Coexist (Hamilton House)
residents living in the area who are Trinity Community Arts
struggling to manage day-to-day. Wellspring Healthy Living Centre
Staff are on hand to help with
6 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
7. Voscur Winners
Left to right: Maxine Powell (presented Most Active Community Activist Award), Mubarig Bodleh and Mandy Wachon (Neighbourhood Shop), Cllr Barbara
Janke, Oli Roberts and Julian Thomas (Parks Department), Lisa Blackwood (on behalf of Musnilya Babatunji and St Pauls Unlimited), Peggie Jennings (Redcatch
Community Centre).
The ‘Thanks for The Partnership Thank you
Supporting The Award – New for 2009
Voscur would like to thank
Sector’ Award everyone who took the time to
Prize provided by The Bristol
Prize provided by Fairbridge Partnership – £100 book token nominate local voluntary and
South West – a meal prepared community groups and partners
by young people. Winner: St Pauls Unlimited for this year’s awards. We
Community Partnership received over 50 nominations
Winners: Oli Roberts and “The relationship between local making it very difficult to choose
Julian Thomas, Bristol City people and service providers – city the winners. Voscur would like to
Council Parks Department council and police in particular, thank those who supported the
has improved beyond measure. awards and donated some great
“Julian goes far beyond the call
There’s still work to be done but prizes for the winners.
of duty in his role as park keeper
for Local Nature Reserves we’ve got off to a great start.”
Troopers Hill, Eastwood Farm
and Callington Road” Runners up
Amana / Barnardos
“Oli has worked with the St Pauls
Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Parks Sub Group to make sure
Greater Bedminster Older People’s
plans are developed and agreed
Partnership
with local people. It hasn’t always
been an easy process and at times
we have disagreed but despite
this Oli continues to come to our
meetings and seeks our opinion
for which we are very grateful.”
For more details about
Runner up the Voscurs visit:
www.voscur.org/
Graham Partridge,
node/5695
Avon and Bristol Law Centre
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 7
8. New Voscur members
Who’s joined Voscur recently?
Bristol Golden on Church Road, Redfield, BS5. help children, adults with learning
Agers Club They are not-for-profit and receive difficulties and older people learn
no wages. They aim to become an about safety in a fun and practical
A luncheon Club with 90
official co op soon. way, specifically in the home, on
members. They meet twice weekly
the road or during leisure time.
– Tuesday and Thursdays. They To find out more phone:
run a variety of classes, organise 07726 164827 To find out more visit:
day trips, open days and lots of www.lifeskills-bristol.org.uk
general fundraising. Positive Action
Consortium (PAC) Ltd People’s Republic of
Details from the Voscur office:
Provides a range of learning
Stokes Croft (PRSC)
0117 909 9949
opportunities for people aged 16 A social enterprise seeking to pull
St John Ambulance and over, particularly those who together the skills of the local
have suffered deprivation and community to build upon the
The key provider of an effective
disadvantage. Participants are culture and heritage of Stokes
and efficient charitable first aid
better equipped to compete for Croft. PRSC seeks to realise a
service to local communities.
jobs in the labour market where Cultural Quarter where creativity
Encourages personal development
they are under represented. in all its forms can flourish and
for people of all ages, through
to facilitate a sustainable local
training and by voluntary To find out more email:
economy.
membership of the organisation. kekura@ceed.co.uk
To find out more visit:
To find out more visit:
Cerebral Palsy Plus www.prsc.org.uk
www.avon.sja.org.uk
A charity for those with cerebral
ZAC (Zigoudam Arts &
Unchosen palsy, their families and carers.
Culture)
Committed to providing
Raises awareness of the tragic
high quality information and ZAC develops arts and cultural
and ongoing situation of 21st
confidential support to the opportunities and provides
Century Human Trafficking,
cerebral palsy community of information, training and
primarily through film. This year,
Bristol, South Gloucestershire and education services. It aims to
Unchosen has worked with a
North Somerset. create an international platform
range of statutory and voluntary
of cultural cooperation and
organisations. To find out more visit:
exchange. They promote Africa’s
www.cerebralpalsyplus.org.uk
To find out more visit: culture and are building an
educational resource for African
www.unchosen.org.uk
Lifeskills – Learning
Arts and entertainment through
for Living
The Little Co-op news, books films and music.
A safety education and training
A second hand bookshop which To find out more email:
centre built as a realistic ‘village’
also sells organic food and eco zigoudam95@yahoo.co.uk
on the 4th floor of The CREATE
friendly cleaning products based
Centre. Lifeskills is designed to
8 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
9. Voscur News
Voscur News
Staff changes – hellos New Voscur board Catch up on the
and goodbyes members elected Funders’ Fair
We’re very pleased to welcome If you missed the Funders’ Fair
Lucy Fletcher to Voscur. Lucy will organised by Voscur and the
be supporting Voscur training Black Development Agency in
sessions and events. In November Heather November you can still catch up
we said farewell to Voscur’s Malcolm with resources from the event
Compact Liaison Worker, Louise and lots of other useful funding
Clark, who has decided to move advice on the funding page of
on to new challenges. We’re the Voscur website.
pleased to announce that Ariaf
Hussain has joined Voscur on Marvin Rees For more details visit:
secondment from Bristol City www.voscur.org/funding
Council for three months to
continue the Compact work
Planning ahead
until a replacement for Louise We’ve already started to plan
has been appointed. Ian Steele Voscur Assembly and Network
meetings that will be taking place
To contact Ariaf call
Heather Malcolm, Marvin Rees throughout 2010. We want to
(0117) 909 9949 or
and Ian Steele were elected to make sure that these meetings
email ariaf@voscur.org
the Voscur board at the Annual are helpful and relevant for our
General Meeting in October. members and include issues that
Help for Volunteer Voscur would like to thank Clare matter to you. If you have any
Managers coming soon Hall (Eco-Adventure Sports) and suggestions for our meetings in
From February 2010 Voscur will be Fran Harrison (Fairbridge West) 2010 please let us know.
working with Volunteering Bristol who retired from the Voscur
Contact Matthew Symonds
to provide Action Learning for board at the AGM and who have
on (0117) 909 9949 or email
Volunteer managers in voluntary both contributed a great deal to
matthew@voscur.org
community and social enterprise the work of the Board.
organisations in Bristol. To see the full list of who is on the
To find out more contact Sophie Voscur Board visit:
Bayley on: (0117) 909 9949 or www.voscur.org/about/who
email sophie@voscur.org or visit
www.voscur.org
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 9
10. Member profile
Creative Kids International
Creative Kids International (CKI) is a Bristol based organisation working with children in
Zambia and in the U.K. through an exciting visual arts exchange.
To find out more,
see photos, make a
donation, become a
CKI member, or book workshops
please visit www.myspace.com/
creativekidsinternational.
Contact Mia and Sian at
creativekids.int@hotmail.co.uk
/ 07791 319 614.
To see a short film about the
project visit www.youtube.com/
watch?v=NivJDnX49MQ
Children at Fountain of Hope Children’s Centre, Lusaka, Zambia with suns they had made from recycled
material for a carnival
In Zambia, CKI works in partnership dangers that come with street African Arts Week at Knowle Park
with Barefeet Theatre, who work life at such a young age (some Primary School, and also run
with vulnerable street children children are as young as six). It interactive hands-on workshops at
through performance and music. also encourages children to learn community events and festivals.
CKI spent 5 months working with new skills and gain confidence in
CKI is looking to develop its work
Barefeet, providing regular visual their own abilities. They can then
with schools and organisations
art workshops at children’s centres be linked with other services such
in Bristol so please contact them
in the capital, Lusaka, as well as as education, health care and
if you are interested in their
on large scale events such as the housing.
workshops.
Barefeet Annual Carnival with
CKI also works with two schools in
over 1000 children, and last year a CKI has run various fundraising
Lusaka, and Knowle Park Primary
Christmas adaptation of ‘Edward events in Bristol and are now
School in Bristol. Through their art
Scissorhands: The Story of Snow’ fundraising to return to Zambia,
work, accompanying workshops
at The Lusaka Playhouse. and also hoping to build links with
and exhibitions, children in
two projects in Kenya.
Engaging the children in exciting both countries are able to learn
activities helps to keep them about each other’s countries
away from the streets, and the and cultures. In April, CKI ran an
10 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
11. Member profile
FareShare
FareShare works with the food industry to redistribute quality, fit for purpose,
surplus food to a network of organisations working with vulnerable and
disadvantaged people.
“We get food before it goes Programme), each year
anywhere near a shop” explains retailers produce 1.6 million
Jacqui, Project Manager “This tonnes of waste.
food would be thrown in a landfill
In addition to the food
for all sorts of reasons, from
deliveries, the project also offers
labels not printed straight to
supported volunteering and
change in packaging and out
training opportunities to the
of date promotions. Some food
local community. Many of the
is short life but usually it still has
volunteers are people who are
a few days”.
most in need of a second chance,
Through food deliveries, such as individuals who are or For further information
community organisations such as have had life controlling addiction, about FareShare South
hostels, day centres and luncheon ex-offenders, people with West, please contact
clubs are able to make significant mental health issues and long-
Jacqui Reeves, Project Manager,
savings on their food budgets term unemployed people. Nine
tel: 0117 971 1005,
which can then be redirected of our volunteers have recently
into improving services for their successfully completed NVQ’s in email: Jacqui@
clients, such as drug rehab, warehouse distribution and plant faresharesouthwest.org.uk
medical services, housing advice machinery.
and training.
You too can get involved today by
Fareshare South West works volunteering, making a donation,
in partnership with over 40 organising an event to raise funds
food companies and 35 local or offering professional expertise
community groups, and since such as help with training or public
opening in late 2007, has relations. Or if you are a socially
redistributed over 390 tonnes of responsible food supplier you can
in-life surplus food to charities in contribute good quality, fit for
Would you like your organisation
and around Bristol. Organisations purpose uncooked food.
to appear in Thrive? If you are
based further afield such as
a member of Voscur then we
Somerset and Gloucester also pick
would like to hear from you.
up food from their warehouse.
Please contact Polly Stewart,
FareShare is only touching the
email: polly@voscur.org or
surface, according to WRAP
tel: 0117 909 9949.
(Waste and Resources Action
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 11
12. Sector News
£594,000 funding for Advice Network in Bristol
The advice sector in Bristol, current economic situation, which Having recognised that smaller
South Gloucestershire and is going to continue to have a agencies often struggle to
North Somerset has had a negative impact for many people participate in development work
welcome boost as they have for a long time to come, access to such as the Advice Network
received funding from The free, professional advice remains project, The Baring Foundation
Big Lottery Fund and The of crucial importance.“ has made £40,000 available to
Baring Foundation. help these groups participate
The Advice Network team; Ben
in strategic and organisational
Sally Gapper from North Bristol Sansum, Jane Emanuel and Ellen
development activities.
Advice Centre said “The Advice Cheshire, will be tackling issues
Network Project is the result of that affect the whole sector such For more information about
a lot of hard work by the Advice as referral systems, social policy The Advice Network project
Sector in Bristol and surrounding and workforce development. They please get in touch with Ben,
areas and is going to have a major will also be working one to one Jane or Ellen on 0117 929 2153,
positive impact on advice services with agencies to help with a range info@advicenetwork.org.uk,
enabling them to provide a better, of issues including advice funding www.advicecentresforavon.org.uk
more co-ordinated service to applications, Quality Mark audits
people most in need. Given the and recruitment of advisers.
Knowledge is Power – Planning Watch
in Shirehampton
Ash Bearman at Shirehampton the neighbourhood, rather than Bristol Neighbourhood Planning
Community Action Forum reacting to done deals” Network (a network of groups)
(SCAF) keeps residents up has worked to get local groups
Ash also checks the Bristol City
to date with local planning involved in community level
Council website each week and
applications. pre-application consultations
provides information about
in planning applications. SCAF
By subscribing to Planningfinder. Planning & Development related
attends these Planning Briefing
co.uk, Ash receives details public consultations, briefings or
Sessions, for Avonmouth &
of Shirehampton planning exhibitions.
Kingsweston wards which are
applications. Those with a local
Visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/ held at the Council House and
commercial or community impact
content/Environment-Planning focus on major development
are sent as a ‘Planning Watch’
for information on lists of proposals. To find out more visit
weekly email to over 250 local
registered applications, decided www.bristolnpn.net
subscribers. The service is free and
applications and applications
popular with local people. Ash is happy to talk to groups
affecting listed buildings or
about this service. Contact her
“We have a chance of supporting conservation areas.
on 0117 982 9963 or
or opposing anything new in
ash@shirecaf.org.uk
12 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
13. Sector News
Partnership Working – Easing the Cost of Cancer
their families, have the stress of
financial worries in addition to a
cancer diagnosis is unacceptable
and we believe that cancer patients
urgently need a better deal.”
Ken Pickering, Director of Bristol
CAB said, “This project really
demonstrates the value of working
in partnership. Working with
MacMillan has enabled us to bring
Left to right: Caroline Blake, Ellen Cronin, Judy Porter and Chris Marks, four of the five Welfare Benefits their expertise and CAB’s specialist
caseworkers for this project.
advice knowledge together. We
Bristol Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) cancer each year in Bristol. are confident the project will be
and Macmillan Cancer Support have a success and look forward to
Katie Morrison, Macmillan working with MacMillan for many
introduced a new welfare benefits
Fundraising Manager for Bristol years to come”.
advice project, specifically for
says “We are delighted to be
people affected by cancer. This is For more information, please
able to launch this service, in
the first dedicated welfare benefits contact the Bristol Citizens Advice
partnership with the CAB. The
advice service available to the 1,100 Bureau on: 0117 9462563 or email:
fact that cancer patients, and
people who are diagnosed with macmillan@bristolcab.org.uk
Strengthening and Supporting
Stacy Yelland outlines what’s on offer in Easton and Lawrence Hill
A lot is changing in Easton and Neighbourhood Renewal and will to do this then we would be happy
Lawrence Hill at the moment. complement the Neighbourhood to hear them.
Community at Heart and Easton Partnership.
Also I have been offering my
Community Partnership are
As Communications Officer for services to help support small
working together to look at ways
this new Board, my role has organisations in Easton and
of continuing and strengthening
changed quite a bit over the last Lawrence Hill. This could be
resident involvement in improving
12 months. As well as producing advice or help with press releases,
the area.
our regular newsletter, Up Our putting together leaflets or similar
In September the two partnership Street, I am looking at other ways things. If you would like to discuss
Boards agreed to form the Easton we can communicate better with either of these things with me
and Lawrence Hill Neighbourhood residents and organisations in the then please get in touch on
Management Board. The new area. If any Voscur members who 0117 377 3638 or stacy.yelland@
Board is building on the legacy of work in Easton and Lawrence Hill communityatheart.co.uk
New Deal for Communities and have any suggestions about how
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 13
14. 10 New Year Resolutions
A thriving new year
As 2010 approaches here are ten New Year resolutions that can help support a Thriving
voluntary and community sector in 2010.
1. Become a Trustee To find your nearest charity shop 5. Support a Social
Many voluntary and community
visit: www.charityshops.org.uk/
Enterprise
locator.php
organisations in Bristol are in The recession has made people
search of volunteer trustees to
3. Join the Credit much more cautious with their
join their boards. Becoming a
Union spending. You can help make
trustee can be a very rewarding sure your money has more local
experience and give you the The Bristol Credit Union was
impact by supporting a local
opportunity to gain skills and developed in 2005 / 2006 through
social enterprise. Bristol has a
knowledge that will help you in a partnership of community credit
wealth of social enterprises from
other areas of your life. Many unions in the city and aims to be
community art shops and farm
trustee positions are advertised a community anchor for the city,
shops to cinemas and cooperative
in the voluntary jobs section of providing fair financial services
garden centres where all profits
the Voscur website and through for all the people of Bristol. Credit
are reinvested back into the
Volunteering Bristol. Unions offer competitive and
local economy.
alternative financial provision
To find out more visit the Voscur to benefit their members and To find a social enterprise in Bristol
website: www.voscur.org/view/ they are not for private profit. In visit: www.socialenterpriseworks.
jobs and the Volunteering Bristol addition to loan facilities you can org/category/social-business-
website: www.bristolvolunteers. also save with the credit union. directory
org.uk
To find out more visit: 6. Spread the Good
2. Clear Out Your www.bristolcreditunion.org or
News
Wardrobe call 0117 924 7309
Bristol has a fantastically diverse
According to Third Sector
4. Learn Something voluntary and community sector,
magazine, donations to charity
New working in every part of Bristol.
shops have fallen by up to 20% in Make sure you tell people about
the past year due to the recession, The New Year is a good time to try
the good work you do by including
at the same time demand has something new. Voscur provides a
your news in the weekly Voscur
increased. Why not take the range of training that will help you
e-bulletin and bi-monthly Thrive!
New Year as an opportunity to and your organisation thrive in the
magazine. If you put your news
sort through your wardrobe and coming year.
and events in the Voscur Online
donate any good clothes that To find out more about Voscur Diary or Community Notice board
you’re not wearing any more to training visit: www.voscur.org/ we’ll check them regularly and
your local charity shop? training
14 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
15. 10 New Year Resolutions
Hartcliffe Health and Environmental Action group organises walks for the The Watershed is a Social Enterprise
community.
include items in our magazine 8. Volunteer on the voluntary and community
and e-bulletin. sector to someone else.
Volunteers can do almost
To find out more about the Voscur anything! From helping a To find out more visit:
Online Diary visit: neighbour with their shopping, www.bristol.gov.uk/elections
www.voscur.org/event to providing legal advice for a
To find out more about the Online local charity, volunteers make a 10. Phone a Friend
Noticeboard visit: www.voscur. vital contribution to all aspects Why not persuade a friend or
org/view/classified-ads of community life. According to family member to get involved
Volunteering Bristol there are in supporting the voluntary and
7. Use your Local over 600 volunteering community sector in Bristol? Tell
Community Buildings opportunities in around 400 them about an organisation, event
voluntary and community or activity that you think they
Bristol is home to many different
organisations across Bristol. might be interested in. Voscur
community centres and venues
can help keep you up to date
run and managed by local To find out more visit:
with what’s going on in Bristol’s
community groups. By holding www.bristolvolunteers.org.uk
voluntary and community sector:
your meetings and events in
these buildings you’ll be 9. Vote www.voscur.org
supporting these groups and Some time before June 2010 You can also follow Voscur on
helping them maintain their there will be a general election these social media channels:
buildings which in turn are used in the UK. There will also be local Twitter: twitter.com/voscur
by the local community. elections in 23 wards in Bristol.
Facebook: tinyurl.com/voscurf-
Make sure your name is on the
To find out more visit: book
electoral register so that you can
www.bristol.gov.uk/
vote in these elections. If you YouTube: www.youtube.com/
communitycentres or download
don’t vote someone else will and voscur
a list of accessible community
their views may not be the same
venues in Bristol from
as yours, so don’t leave important
www.voscur.org/system/files/
policy decisions that will impact
AccessibleVenuesList.pdf
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 15
16. Thriving Third Sector
A Third Sector Strategy for Bristol
Voscur has been pushing for a Bristol Partnership Third Sector Strategy for some
time and Wendy Stephenson, Voscur’s Chief Executive, has recently been involved in
developing a draft strategy which will go out for consultation in the new year.
Why do we need a strategy? as the winning bid is not always public services rooted in the local
Bristol’s third sector is made the best bid. community, has high quality local
of up of hundreds of not-for- infrastructure organisations, and
In order to thrive, the third sector
profit organisations, from the can access a mix of funding/
also needs a range of support
smallest self-help or campaigning contracting arrangements.
from infrastructure organisations
group to city-wide service (such as understanding local
delivery organisations, working government structures, charity A Bristol Partnership ‘owned’
across diverse areas including law, writing constitutions, making third sector strategy will mean
health and well being, arts, funding bids, and possibly that partners:
sports, community safety, the even European procurement
environment, equalities, learning regulations); and good • publicly recognise the role
and skills – all for the benefit of relationships with public sector and value of the third sector,
the people of Bristol. partners. • demonstrate support for
Compact principles,
Evidence shows that the areas The Bristol Partnership has chosen • identify the actions that
with the healthiest local charity to include National Indicator Partnership members
and voluntary sector have a good 7 (NI7), an environment for a will take individually and
mix of funding available including thriving third sector in the Local collectively to support
grants, contracts, donations, Area Agreement, but it is not clear the sector,
earned income and loan finance. how partners are putting their • have clarity and consistency
In recent years this balance has commitment into practice. of approach in enabling the
changed as grant funding has Providing an environment for third sector to participate
been replaced by contracts. a thriving third sector requires in policy and decision-
Bristol Partnership members to making and commissioning
The commissioning agenda
acknowledge and understand processes.
presents the third sector with a
significant change to the way in the issues facing the third sector,
which it can access investment. and to be able to demonstrate
their commitment to supporting We believe that fully supported
However, too often procurement the sector. third sector involvement will
practices favour large companies lead to public services that fully
and big charities. Not only do This means: ensuring the sector
address local need.
smaller charities miss out, but has a voice in public decision
local people and taxpayers suffer making, is able to contribute
to the design and delivery of
16 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
17. Safeguarding the Sector
Free Support in the Recession
Are you supporting groups during the recession, or experiencing change within your
organisation due to the recession?
group, per term, for more
information see: www.voscur.
org/recessionsupport
For details of training
opportunities see page 39.
Free HR Support
If you are having to consider
making changes to staff
contracts, or staff redundancies
there is HR support available to
ensure you are acting legally. An
individual one to one session can
be arranged with an advisor to
Are you considering the four unitary authorities.
discuss contracts of employment
partnerships or joint Deadline for applications
and other staffing issues you
working with other groups 31 January 2010. For more
may have. For more information
or projects? information visit: www.voscur.
see: www.voscur.org/
We know that partnership working org/partnershipworking
recessionsupport
takes planning and resources. If
you are thinking of joint working
Bursaries for Voscur
with another organisation or
training courses
agency from a different sector Encourage your staff, board
we can assist by offering you members, or volunteers to attend
a bursary of £1,000 to pay a the range of training sessions we
consultant who can work with you have on offer every term such as
to explore your ideas, and help to roles and responsibilities of board
plan actions. members, supporting volunteer If you would like to
managers, fundraising, equalities discuss any of the
The scheme is available to groups – everything to help you improve above then please call
with a turnover of under £150,000 skills, knowledge and performance Ruth Pitter at Voscur on
per year, and who have been within your organisation. Up 0117 909 9949 or email
operational for at least 2 years. to two bursaries available per support@voscur.org
Available to organisations across
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 17
18. Safeguarding the Sector
Freebies
It’s not just money that can help community and voluntary groups to deliver their
services! Here is a selection of other free or low cost resources.
Children’s not-for-profit groups working IT4 Communities
Scrapstore for the social and economic
Over 6000 IT volunteers can offer
regeneration of their local area
Bristol’s Children’s Scrapstore support with IT issues such as
may apply to receive professional
collects safe waste from website development, databases
support. Community organisations
businesses which can be re-used and email systems. Interested
receive the same level of service
as a low cost creative resource by groups must register online and
as a fee-paying client – the only
its member groups. Membership pay a one-off administration
difference is that the community
is open to groups working in fee of £85 which covers them
client is not charged for the work
creative play, care, educational for a year. Staff will discuss the
undertaken.
and therapeutic settings. There is feasibility of their ideas with them
a suggested donation for scrap. www.prohelp.org.uk over the phone before advertising
The Scrapstore also operate 0117 972 2111 the project among the volunteer
Artrageous, an art and craft shop, network. At present, there are
which is open to the public as Giving World Online more volunteers than projects
well as members. All profits from Links businesses with unwanted so groups will get a choice of
Artrageous go back to the charity surplus to not-for-profit groups volunteers to work with them.
side of the Scrapstore’s work, and in need of supplies. Unwanted
www.it4communities.org.uk
member groups receive a 20% surplus includes stationery and
Tel: 020 7796 2144
discount when they shop there. IT equipment, medical supplies,
The Scrapstore is located in the clothing, toys and educational
The Cranfield Trust
St. Werburghs area of Bristol. materials. Community groups
can register online, search for Provides free management
www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk consultancy to voluntary sector
surplus and select what they
0117 908 5644 groups working with issues
need. Donated goods must not
of poverty, disability or social
ProHelp be offered for resale or used in
exclusion. Their register of
fundraising activities (including
A national network of over 600 raffles). Further information is volunteers is made up of skilled
professional firms committed to provided on the website regarding business people who wish to use
making a difference in their local arranging collection of surplus their management experience
community by providing free goods. to work as mentors or advisors
advice and professional support. to support the voluntary sector.
Members include solicitors, www.givingworldonline.com Volunteers can offer support with
accountants, surveyors, architects, 0845 833 3783 strategic or business planning,
public relations and management marketing, human resources,
consultants who undertake one- financial advice or performance
off projects. Community-based, management. Time input from
18 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
19. Safeguarding the Sector
volunteers is usually between six
and twelve days over the course
of a 3-6 month project.
www.cranfieldtrust.org
0844 800 3390
In Kind Direct
Redistributes new goods donated
by companies, manufacturers
and retailers to not-for-profit
organisations working in the
UK and abroad. Goods available
include toiletries, clothing
and shoes, cleaning supplies,
household appliances, toys, and
educational items, tools, office
and computer supplies. Goods
In Kind Direct redistributes a wide range of goods
received through In Kind Direct
must be either used to meet the
a Press Association journalist disappointed to know that there
operational needs of the receiving
and then sent out via the Press does not appear to be anything
organisation, or distributed free
Association newswire to thousands from City or Rovers…
of charge in accordance with
of journalists each day.
the organisation’s charitable www.ourprice.co.uk
objectives. Not-for-profit www.communitynewswire. Tel: 0870 777 5001
organisations must register as press.net
an In Kind Direct Charity Partner. Tel: 08701 240866 COSMIC
It is free to join, but there is a
A website design and IT
handling charge. Our Price consultancy social enterprise
www.inkinddirect.org Has a range of exclusive and which offers a range of IT
020 7398 5510 unique personally signed items services to organisations in the
from the worlds of music, sport, South West. Although some of
Community film and television for charities their services need to be paid
Newswire to use as auction prizes at for, others are offered for free.
fundraising events. There are also This includes the Switched On
A free news service to help
some activities that can be used Communities programme, which
voluntary organisations gain
as prizes including a champagne offers free training, assistive
valuable media coverage.
balloon ride or the chance to drive equipment and support to
Voluntary groups can email or
a Formula 1 racing car. All items voluntary sector organisations to
upload press releases to the
are supplied free of charge and support disabled IT users.
website, which is managed by
signed items come complete with
the Media Trust. A selection of www.cosmic.org.uk
a full certificate of authenticity.
uploaded press releases are Tel: 01404 813226
Local football enthusiasts will be
written up into news stories by
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 19
20. Safeguarding the Sector
Recession Hits Voluntary
Sector Employers
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service’s (Acas) annual report reflects on the
effects of the recession on employment.
The report tells us that the
recession stimulated a 22% rise
in unfair dismissal conciliation
cases, an increase in other forms
of employment tribunal cases, the
demand for redundancy advice
soared by almost three quarters.
Figures show that Acas received
78,000 (net) conciliation cases
from the Employment Tribunal
Service – almost a fifth (18%) more
than last year.
There was also a significant Protect your trustees – employment
increase in unfair dismissal insurance at a discounted rate
conciliation cases received
over the last year, compared We believe it’s important to protect your organisation, and your
to a decrease in the number volunteer management committee when they come to make
of these cases over the last decisions about restructuring and/or staff redundancies.
two years. www.acas.org.uk/
Voscur has subscribed to employment law and health and
annualreport2008-09
safety specialists Peninsula to ensure that we have up to date
Bristol’s Voluntary, Community employment policies and procedures in place and so that we have
and Social Enterprise sector is a somewhere to go for employment advice should we need it.
significant employer. The most
We have joined with Peninsula to offer our members this same
recent survey of the sector
protection. If Voscur can get enough organisations interested
estimated that 15,000 people are
in this offer we will be able to bulk buy this protection at a
employed in the sector in Bristol.
discounted rate.
Management Commitees, as
If you are interested in this offer please contact Rebecca
employers, need support as we
McDougall: Rebecca@voscur.org or come along to an informal
begin to see the recession hit
discussion on 15 December 2009 at the next Voscur Assembly.
the sector. The effects will surely
multiply as public spending cuts For details visit: www.voscur.org/assemblydecember09
are announced next year.
20 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
21. Safeguarding the Sector
Free on-line Human Resources and
Health and Safety legislation help
for Voscur members
Voscur has taken up a new • CBUK is written and kept up to
service offered through NAVCA date by lawyers so users are
partners, Tennyson Insurance. always aware of changes in
Voscur is delighted to announce legislation.
the launch in December of • 100,000 small businesses
Charity Builder UK (CBUK). currently use the business
version of this service; they pay
CBUK is an interactive web-based
an annual subscription – Voscur
service that Voscur can provide
members will be offered this
free of charge to our members.
service free of charge. Chief Executive, Cornwall
Recognising that small and • CBUK will help funding Voluntary Sector Forum.
medium-sized groups often applications by helping groups
The service is now in its final
find it difficult to comply with provide key policies when asked
stages of completion before its
human resources and health to as part of the application.
launch in December. If you would
& safety legislation, CBUK has This will help in today’s
like to register for CBUK please
been developed to help local competitive market.
complete the registration form
charities and community groups
Kevin Curley, Chief Executive from the following link. You will
carry out key administrative
NAVCA, said “NAVCA believes this is be contacted after validation with
tasks quickly and easily. It is an
a service which will add real value Voscur of your membership status
online innovation so no additional
to the sector. CBUK is a new and and given a unique User ID and
software is required:
unique service.” password: www.charitybuilderuk.
• CBUK does not just signpost com/register.php
Three local infrastructure
advice but interacts with the
organisations around the country In the meantime if you have any
user to create tailor-made
have already trialled the service questions about CBUK please
documents such as staff
and incorporated it as a tool used contact Rebecca McDougall at
contracts, health & safety
by Development Officers, with Voscur, email: rebecca@voscur.
policies and staff handbooks.
very positive feedback: org or tel: 0117 909 9949.
• CBUK helps to avoid the risk of
complicated employment “One of the best pieces of
tribunals by driving compliance corporate social responsibility
by prompting the user with work that I’ve seen in many years,
checklists in human resources with real benefits for grassroots
and health and safety. organisations.” Mark Richardson,
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 21
22. Safeguarding the Sector
Recession support resources
Links to a range of together with constrained or Northern Ireland Council for
support tools: reduced resources, it is often Voluntary Action (NIVCA)
ACEVO’s recession support page difficult to find the time to Support Tools
with links to books, magazines, effectively support and engage Voluntary and community
surveys, reports. good skilled volunteers. However, organisations face not only the
skilled volunteers can make a real same risks as others, but also
Visit: www.recessionsupport. difference to your organisation, a set of risks more specific to
org.uk/resources/recession_ providing you with a resource the sector. Therefore some
resources which could improve your ability organisations are already planning
to survive. The following link will for reduced income and some
Determine what stage your
take you to an article which offers are making decisions to cut staff
organisation is in:
advice to guide you and provide and services. Planning for what
The Non-profit Life Stage
you with some contact points for might lie ahead is vital if your
Assessment is a tool for
finding out more. organisation is to come through a
determining what stage your
Visit: www.reachskills.org.uk/ recession and still be able to do its
organisation is in. It helps you to
reach-article-sarah-king job effectively.
understand your organisation’s
strengths and weaknesses and will www.bristolvolunteers.org.uk Risk Management
help you plan for future needs. It
In the current financial climate
is particularly relevant:
it is more important than ever
• during times of high stress or SKiLD tools for for organisations to develop
challenge for the organisation. Development workers risk management procedures.
• when engaging an organisation Supporting voluntary and Managing risk is a way of
development consultant. community groups can be hard safeguarding the organisation’s
• prior to an executive search. work. These tried and tested assets and ensuring that the
• as pre-work, discussion topics, practical tools offer a new set of organisation is effectively fulfilling
or action learning tool at a bite-sized exercises to support its objectives. Risk is not confined
board or staff retreat. work with groups. Current list of simply to the financial affairs of
tools includes Agreeing a Mission, an organisation, or health and
Visit: www.surveys.wilder.org/
Attracting New people, Getting safety, it applies to all areas of
fieldstone/lifestages
ready for Paid Staff, Improving the charity’s operations. Risk
Making the most of Governance, Recruiting a Worker identification should be built into
volunteers in a recession and many more. everything that the organisation
Volunteers are the lifeblood of does. To ensure that the
Visit: www.navca.org.uk/services/
many charities. When there is an organisation gets the most out
learningopps/skild/tools/Home
increased demand for services of the process it should have a
22 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
23. Safeguarding the Sector
It is important to have positive local leadership in times of recession Image by NotFromUtrecht
participative approach. Staff website for valuable Positive Local Leadership in
and volunteers should be recession advice: a Recession – Support for
involved in the process and all
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/advice- Councils and Councillors
the organisation’s activities
support/recession-resources/ These are challenging times
should be assessed.
recession-proof nationally and internationally.
Look out for Voscur’s Managing Download their publication Yet there is an extremely
Risk training in the new year. Support in Uncertain Times: important local dimension to
Details yet to be confirmed. Visit tinyurl.com/yd64epl the recession, both in terms of
www.voscur.org/training its impact, shaping a response
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/
to that impact and preparing
Download a copy of the uploadedFiles/NCVO/Press/
for the post-recession world.
Managing in a Downturn report Press_Releases/Support_in_
If there has ever been a time
by PricewaterhouseCoopers Uncertain_Times_June%2709.pdf
when effective local community
LLP (PwC), the Charity Finance
leadership is required, this is it.
Directors’ Group (CFDG) and the
Its time has come. The primary
Institute of Fundraising (IOF).
task of this guide is to help local
Visit: www.nicva.org/index.cfm/ councils to fulfil their community
section/General/key/260309- leadership responsibilities in these
Recession-Toolkit challenging circumstances.
Visit the National Council for www.idea.gov.uk/idk/
Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) aio/9560735
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 23
24. Place Survey
A quick guide to the Place
Survey 2008
The results of the first ever Place Survey have been released, summarising the headline
findings for England and the individual Government Office regions.
The Place Survey is a new Methodology The survey collected information
consultation that all local on 18 National Indicators (NI)
The Place Survey is a statutory
authorities are required to carry for local government, used
requirement of all local authorities
out on a two-yearly basis. The to measure local government
in England and will be undertaken
Place Survey was devised by performance for 152 county
every two years as a postal survey.
central government and replaces councils, metropolitan district
the Best Value Performance Its main purposes are: councils, London boroughs and
Indicator Survey (BVPI). The Place unitary authorities. The England
• To help councils and their
Survey has been developed as indicators covered by the survey
partners to better understand
part of a new focus on improving include the following:
local views and needs.
outcomes for local people and
• To enable local councils and NI 1: % of people who agree
places – rather than on processes,
their partners to improve areas that their local area is a place
institutions and inputs.
where residents are dissatisfied. where people from different
The survey provides information • To form part of the Audit backgrounds get on well together.
on people’s perceptions of their Commission’s monitoring
NI 2: % of people who feel
local area and the local services of the performance of local
that they belong to their
they receive. public services as part of
neighbourhood.
the Comprehensive Area
Assessment (CAA). See page 26. NI 3: % who have been involved in
decisions that affect the local area
Questions asked included:
in the past twelve months.
• What are the most important
NI 4: % of people who agree they
things that make your area a
can influence decisions in their
good place to live?
local area.
• Which of these things most
need improving? NI 5: % of people who are
• How satisfied are you with your satisfied with their local area as a
area and the services provided place to live.
by local public organisations?
NI 6: % of people who have
• How involved are you, or would
participated in regular
you like to be, in decisions that
volunteering.
affect your local area?
24 www.voscur.org December 2009 / January 2010 Issue 8
25. Place Survey
Bristol Picture NI 4: % of people who agree Jargon buster:
they can influence decisions
NI 1: % of people who agree in their local area. Core Cities
that their local area is a place The England average is 29%, The Core Cities group is a network
where people from different London has the highest score of England’s major regional
backgrounds get on well with 35%, but Bristol is low with cities: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds,
together. only 25%. Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle,
Respondents in Bristol gave the Nottingham and Sheffield. They
city a score of 76%, the same NI 5: % of people who are form the economic and urban
as the national average, but 4% satisfied with their local area cores of wider surrounding
below the South West average as a place to live territories, the city regions and
of 80%. Bristol is high at 78.6% compared are the economic drivers of their
with the other core cities, but the regions. The umbrella theme for
NI 2: % of people who England average is 80% and the the joint activity of the Core Cities
feel they belong to their South West is 85%. Group is economic development.
immediate neighbourhood.
This article is adapted from
Bristol is a high scorer at 63% NI 6: % of people who have
the briefing produced by
compared to the other core cities, participated in regular
South West Forum. Visit
and higher than the England volunteering
www.southwestforum.org.uk
average of 59%. Bristol is higher than the other
core cities at 24%, but lower than
NI 3: % of people who have the South West average of 28%.
been involved in decisions The England average is 23%.
that affect the local area in
the past twelve months.
Bristol is higher than the England
average of 14% and all of the core
cities with a score of 18%.
Issue 8 December 2009 / January 2010 www.voscur.org 25