The document provides an overview of news, events and resources for voluntary and community organisations in Bristol. Key points include: 1) Voscur is partnering with several organisations to provide support services to members, such as help with tender submissions through NAVCA and training through Learning Curve. 2) An event was held to discuss better partnership between voluntary and community organisations and statutory agencies working in criminal justice. 3) A survey of Voscur members found that over 70% had reductions in funding due to the recession, making it difficult to deliver services and recruit volunteers and staff.

1. Supporting Voluntary & Community Action February & March 2010
Inside Voscur’s
Magazine
Women Who Make a
Difference Awards 2010
LGBT Month
Apprenticeships can help your
Organisation
Tender Support Available
Commissioning Concerns
Neighbourhood Committees
Demystified
Image: Women Who Make a Difference Award Winners 2009
Building Better Partnerships
in Criminal Justice
Communities Act for
Sustainibility
Skilling Up your Staff
Training and Learning

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 22-25 Equalities pages
LGBT month and timeline
5-6 Voscur News
International Women’s Day
20:20 Week
Tender Support 26-27 Children and Young People
Free Home Internet Access
7 New Voscur members
28-29 How to – Funding
8-9 Safeguarding the Sector
Commissioning Concerns
Results of Recession Impact Survey
30 Voluntary Values
10 Sector News
European Social Fund
Free business support
Third Sector Select Committee 31 Green ICT
Powering the Voluntary Sector
11 Member profile
C.L.A.S.S. 32-33 Have Your Say
Neighbourhood Committees
12 The Compact
Refreshed and Simplified 34 Neighbourhood Committees
in Action
13 Have Your Say – Vox Pops
Young Rangers become film makers
Your Vision for Bristol in 10 years?
35 Constitution Corner
14-15 Apprenticeships
Is your managment committee
16-17 Voscur Training and Learning operating legally?
Skilling Up Your Staff 36 Diary
18-19 Voscur Spring Training and Learning
20 Volunteering Bristol
Employer Supported Volunteering
21 Green Pages
Communities Act for Sustainibility
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 April/May edition of Thrive!:
Tuesday 2 March for ads and Wednesday 24 March 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 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 3

4. Editorial
Dear members and friends
I know that next year is going • Learning Curve to update our
to be tough for all of us, but skills audit and deliver free
I want to open this edition of training on skilling up your
Thrive! with some good news, staff team.
and assure you of our support • South West Forum to promote
during the coming year. the value of local voluntary and
community sector organisations
We are constantly working to
in delivering projects funded by
ensure that our members benefit
the European Social Fund.
from a range of support services,
• Black Development Agency
so we are pleased to announce
to deliver our sustaining the
that this year we will be working in
Sector project. Wendy Stephenson
partnership with:
• Volunteering Bristol to provide
• National Association for a training programme and concerns into this committee.
Voluntary and Community action learning sets for We will also be working with
Action (NAVCA), to deliver its volunteer managers. the Compact steering group to
tender support project locally. • Connecting Bristol to help provide information and training
This means that organisations groups reduce their ICT carbon for commissioners and voluntary
preparing for delivering public footprint (and save money in sector organisations.
service contracts and who the process).
As ever, please get in touch if you
are new or inexperienced in
I encourage you to read the would like to discuss any of the
writing tender submissions, will
magazine to find out the range items featured in the magazine.
be able to get some help. The
of support on offer and to make Best wishes
project aims to help to level the
sure that you are signed up to
unequal playing field that exists
Wendy Stephenson
our e-bulletins and regularly
for organisations that do not
Chief Executive, Voscur
check our website.
have specialised bid writers.
• The National Apprenticeship As you will see from articles
Service – to encourage within the magazine, Voscur
Voluntary, Community and members are concerned about Key to symbols
Social Enterprise organisations the ‘commissioning agenda’ and
to give an opportunity to an what it means. The Council’s Equalities Article
apprentice. We have a wealth Third Sector Commissioning
of skills, knowledge and Select Committee is looking into
Training
experience in the sector and how the Council has been/will
a range of career paths, from be commissioning services from
administration to fundraising the voluntary, community and Resources
or specialist work within young social enterprise sector. Voscur
people’s or environmental will shortly be surveying the Event
organisations for example. sector so that we can feed our
4 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

5. Voscur News
20:20 Week – Learning from Voscur Members
20:20 week – from 20 to 28 March plan visit: bristolpartnership.org/ them ‘smarter’ ways of working
sees the launch of Bristol’s 20:20 vision-for-bristol that statutory partners could
Plan – the new Sustainable City learn from.
As part of the Bristol Partnership’s
Strategy and vision for Bristol for
20:20 week Voscur is looking for
the next ten years. A series of
Voluntary, Community and Social
events is being planned to take
Enterprise organisations in Bristol
place in 20:20 week that highlights
who would like to invite a leading
some of the work of different
Bristol Partnership member For more information
partners that will help Bristol meet
(including the Bristol City Council please contact
its vision of being one of the top
Leader and Chief Executive) Matthew Symonds:
20 cities in Europe by 2020. To
into their organisation to show matthew@voscur.org
find out more about the 20:20
Voscur and NAVCA Partnership will most likely benefit from the
project.
Delivers Local Support The project is not intended for
organisations who are already
Would you like one to one that have prepared for delivering
fairly experienced and successful
help with writing an excellent public service contracts and are
at winning tenders. Neither is it
tender submission? Are you a new or inexperienced in writing
intended for organisations who
local charity, community group tender submissions. They may be
want to speculatively tender
or social enterprise? About to preparing a render submission for
on the off chance of winning a
tender for a contract to deliver the first time. or they may have
tender. It is also not for general
a local public service? New or some experience of submitting
organisational development
inexperienced in writing tender tenders but have not been
support to prepare for tendering
submissions? successful to date. It aims to
and contracting.
support organisations that do not
NAVCA’s tender support project
have specialised or experienced (*) Defined as having an annual
provides one to one support
bid writers. income between £100,000 – £1
to increase your ability to win
million in the ‘The state and the
contracts to deliver public The Support is for organisations
voluntary sector: recent trends in
services. One day of consultancy who are already in a position to
government funding and public
is available and can be used for take on contracts for service
service delivery’. NCVO 2009.
single or partnership bids. delivery. According to research
(*) medium-sized organisations Voscur is working in partnership
Who is the Tender Support
are the most dependant on with NAVCA to deliver this
project for?
government sources of funding support locally.
The project is targetted at and thus at most risk from the To find out more visit:
voluntary, community and social trend towards more contracting. www.voscur.org/tendersupport
enterprise sector organsiations We therefore expect that they
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 5

6. Voscur News
Building Better Partnerships in
Criminal Justice
Over 50 people attended a
meeting in January to consider
how to deliver better ‘joined up’
work between vcse and statutory
partnership working across
criminal justice. Voscur, working
with Clinks (the organisation
that supports voluntary
organisations that work with
offenders and their families)
held this event for voluntary and
community sector and statutory
organisations working in the
criminal justice field.
The four speakers, Alex Raikes Left to right: Alex Raikes (Support Against Racist Incidents), Sarah Minns (Novas Scarman), Pete
Anderson (Safer Bristol), Marilyn Harrison (Avon and Somerset Probation) and Lesley Frazer (Clinks)
(Support Against Racist Incidents),
Sarah Minns (Novas-Scarman),
Several key recommendations
Pete Anderson (Safer Bristol)
emerged from the morning,
and Marilyn Harrison (Avon and
notably the need for an up-
Somerset Probation Service)
to-date directory of vcse and
gave their perspectives on what
statutory agencies working
is driving closer working in this
in criminal justice in Greater
sector and why it is important.
Bristol, an information sharing
Discussion groups then considered
event for service providers and
how partners can work together Criminal Justice
those commissioning criminal
to deliver better criminal justice Forum
justice services and some events
services in Greater Bristol across
focussed on specific issues such Thursday 15 April,
the following themes:
as women and victims services. 10am-1pm.
• Black minority ethnic services
There was wide support for (venue and details to be
within criminal justice
establishing a regular criminal confirmed)
• Criminal justice and women’s
justice forum. Voscur and For full details and to see notes
services
Clinks are working with vcse and films of all the key speakers
• Victim support services
and statutory partners to hold at the January meeting visit:
• Working across the 8 offender
a second meeting. See box for www.voscur.org/networks/
pathways
details. assemblies
6 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

7. New Voscur Members
Who’s Joined Voscur Recently?
Bristol Child Contact distributor, manufacturer and to create a community based on
Centre Ltd: Provides a safe retailer of natural and organic understanding and mutual respect.
meeting place for children vegetarian products to the trade.
To find out more contact:
separated from one or other
To find out more visit: Tomoko Harris Tel: 01934 625428
parent, with that absent parent.
www.essential-trading.co.uk Email: tomoko@bridgeofpeace.
To find out more contact Tel: 0117 943 0800 co.uk
Michael Jones: 0117 962 5487
Email: spikemj@blueyonder.co.uk African Caribbean Chamber of Deki CIC: A not-for-profit
Commerce & Enterprise (ACCCE): organisation that provides interest
Bristol Sickle Cell and Provides a range of services and free micro loans for borrowers in
Thalassaemia Centre: Provides formal representation for African & the developing world, wanting to
information and advice, support Caribbean businesses in the UK. set up or expand their business.
and training to parents, carers,
To find out more visit: To find out more visit:
health care professionals, social
www.accce.co.uk www.deki.org.uk
services, teaching staff
Tel: 0117 924 5773
and housing departments. The Bright Light Cooperative Ltd:
To find out more visit: Brushstrokes: A small Community Designs and provides innovative
www.oscarbristol.co.uk Art Group for people who have and inspiring ecological education
Tel: 0117 951 2200 suffered strokes or TIAs (mini through the arts
strokes) and who live in BS9
To find out more Tel: Daniel Balla
South and West Association of or BS10.
07855 740072 Email:
Traction Kiting (SWATK): Provides
To find out more visit: www. daniel@thebrightlight.org.uk
a safe, managed environment for
greenwaycommunitypractice.nhs.
people to take part in Kite Sports. Senior Sambistas: Promote
uk Tel: Marion Baynes
To find out more visit: 0117 9598939 x252 the social benefits of music and
www.swatk.com dance. A group of dancers, singers
Email: swatkrew@gmail.com Ninami Ltd T/A International and percussionists who take live
Centre of Professional Education percussion instruments into care
Missing Link: Provides a wide “Step Up” is training company that homes, day centres and sheltered
range specialist Mental Health, teaches professional IT skills to all, housing.
Domestic & Sexual Abuse housing from beginners onwards. Ofsted
To find out more contact: Pauline
and support services to women in registered.
Marshall tel: 07912 603944. Email:
Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
To find out more visit: pauline.marshall@talktalk.net
To find out more visit: www.stepup-edu.com
www.missinglinkhousing.co.uk Tel: 0117 9154520 Christ Church Clifton
Tel: 0117 925 1811 To find out more visit:
Bridge of Peace: Brings
www.christchurchclifton.org.uk
Essential Trading Co-operative people from diverse groups
Tel: 0117 973 6524
Ltd: A Workers Co-operative and communities together to
that operates as a wholesaler, celebrate and work co-operatively
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 7

8. Safeguarding the Sector
Voscur’s ‘Recession Impact’ Survey
Over the past 6 months, said they are finding it difficult arrears amongst clients increase
member groups have been to recruit volunteers (particularly dramatically. We are increasingly
completing our survey outlining board members). being approached by people who
their experiences of surviving in are homeless but have very low
Despite the recession, groups
the economic downturn. Below support needs and then we are
remain committed to allocating
are some key points. having to turn these people away.”
resources for staff and volunteer
training. However, when asked “Statutory help for many of
Funding
if organisations felt their boards our clients has been reduced or
72.2% told us that their funding had enough people, skills, and removed, so it is much harder
had been reduced or cut. Reasons resources for effective decision to help people move on from
given were: fewer grants or making and strategic direction in the streets.”
donations, harder to fundraise or the current climate, most groups
“Our referrals went up by 81%
generate income, (for example were not sure whether their
last year, but our resources didn’t
clients cannot afford to pay for boards had the relevant skills.
increase at all.”
services), and a more competitive
funding climate. The impact Additional impacts “Unease within staff team about
of this has been reduced staff jobs; worries for the future.”
Most groups said that the
hours, supplementing funds from
economic downturn had affected “Our building – unsure if can
reserves or charging for previously
other aspects of their work. keep it”
free services.
22% reported that increased
Staff demand from clients was putting Commissioning
a greater strain on their service.
Asked if commissioning could
63% of groups said the recession 13% reported a decrease in the
have a positive effect on making
had had an impact on staff take up of services or having to
their organisation more financially
numbers. 25% said staff had reduce service fees in order to
sound, one third stated it could
been laid off or hours reduced; ensure clients could afford them.
be positive, a quarter stated
some were working unpaid. A Observations included:
negative, while 13% felt it could
few mention difficulties filling
“[We’re] now being approached be both; 20.5% were unsure.
staff positions because financial
by people with more chaotic Issues included:
constraints mean they are unable
lifestyles including active drug
to offer competitive salaries. “Positive – but we will close if
users and people with higher
don’t win the tender”
Volunteers and Boards levels of mental health problems.
We are doing more work with “Tends to favour big organisations
20% have noticed an increase in with long track records / unfair
clients around debt management
people coming forward who want competition”
and have seen the level of
to volunteer, yet another 20%
8 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

9. Safeguarding the Sector
and retention of volunteers.
Volunteering Bristol can also
provide one-to-one sessions for
groups on volunteering.
Support around how to run
your organisation (governance)
and human resources (HR) is a
necessity – Voscur runs a series
of training courses each term on
Funding Advice Sessions are carried out by Voscur’s Funding Adviser, Eva Pollard
governance and is able to signpost
“Negative – entices groups into applications; Eva Pollard, our organisations to free HR support –
mission drift.” funding advice worker runs we urge groups to get in touch.
one-to-one sessions for groups Help with IT is on some groups’
As well as feeling it was difficult
and is available to proof read wish list. Members are able to
to keep abreast of commissioning
applications for Voscur members. contact our IT development
processes some felt the process
Voscur has also established a worker Sean Kenny for advice on
itself was a big challenge.
service with Social Enterprise IT issues.
Income generation Works for groups to access
Consistent support in the current
intensive business support.
Nearly 50% were considering climate was mentioned. Please do
generating income through 100% of survey respondents get in touch with Ruth Pitter, (who
training and consultancy work, a stated they would consider is providing recession support
third were considering maximising partnership working – Voscur for groups) if you require help, or
the use of their premises, and is currently providing £1,000 further information.
around a quarter were thinking bursaries for groups who wish
of providing new or increased to explore this. Voscur has also
products and services. increased the number of bursaries
for groups who cannot afford
What can Voscur offer? training fees and now offer
bursaries for placing job adverts
Funding advice and business
on our website. For more information
planning are high on the list
see our website:
of groups’ support needs. Our The ability to attract more
www.voscur.org/
funding advice workshops and volunteers was highlighted.
recessionsupport or contact
training sessions have been Voscur is working with
Ruth Pitter on support@voscur.
popular. Groups want help with Volunteering Bristol to provide
org Tel: 0117 909 9949
writing and proof reading funding training on the recruitment
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 9

10. Sector News
Would you like some free support? Need to
review your options? Would you like to explore
your next steps with a business adviser?
If you are an existing Bristol office with an experienced to reach out by telling your sister
organisation, have an adopted business adviser. We will help you organisations in those areas.
constitution or legal structure to review your organisational Delivery in some areas outside
and employ at least one full needs and offer you advice Bristol may be through remote
time equivalent member and access to a wide range of means or through clinics.
of staff there is a door of tools and resources. You will
As the current contract ends soon,
opportunity open for you get a report from the meeting
please get in touch as soon as
between now and the end of to support your ongoing
possible. Please contact:
March 2010. development. This offer is
available to any not-for-private Sam Anders
Through a contract with Business
profit organisation in Bristol, the sam@socialenterpriseworks.org
Link, Social Enterprise Works can
West of England, Gloucestershire
offer you two hours of free Tel: 0117 9070080
and Wiltshire, so please help us
face-to-face support at our
Visit: socialenterpriseworks.org
Select Committee on Third Sector
Commissioning
Voluntary and Community for good examples from NHS
Sector organisations are Bristol, Safer Bristol, Children
welcome to attend and and Young People’s Services
contribute to the Council’s and Strategic Housing. National
Select Committee on Third examples of good practice from
Sector commissioning, which Birmingham and Croydon (both
is chaired by Councillor Helen beacon councils) will also be
Holland. considered.
The Committee will receive At the time of going to press, the
reports on the Council’s Enabling February meeting date has not yet
Commissioning programme, the been set, but Voscur will publish it
third sector strategy and the on our website when it is available.
Bristol Compact. It will be looking
10 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

11. Member profile
Celebrating 25 Years of Learning
Learners ‘doing it for themselves’ is the ethos of this adult learning group, called
C.L.A.S.S., which has just celebrated 25 years of non-stop learning.
number of local primary schools
on WW2 and school games in the
1930’s. We have worked with the
City Museum, English Heritage,
local media, researchers, artists,
writers and performers and
C.L.A.S.S members themselves
have written three publications
– Miners Memories, History and
South Street School and Southville
– People and Places.
C.L.A.S.S. has been a consistent
feature in the local adult learning
world. It enables its members
The anniversary was marked by The range of topics covered in to develop new skills in research
a reception at the Grant Bradley the time C.L.A.S.S. has been going and presentations, offers a
Gallery attended by past and is huge. A few examples include friendly meeting point for those
present learners, tutors, guests Festivals of the World, Lost Firms interested in local history and
and the Director of Education of Bristol, History of Radio, Dance, much more. Those who attend
from the Workers’ Educational Creative Writing, Nurturing Nature, say that the chance to keep on
Association (WEA) which fund the Highways and Byways of Bristol, learning is a tonic, a real stimulant
project. C.L.A.S.S. also mounted Street Markets and Traders to that helps develop confidence,
an exhibition in Bedminster Library name but a few. Visiting speakers, skills, knowledge and friendships.
showing the wide range of work demonstrations and field trips
Why not give it a try? New
from the last 25 years. linked to the theme enhances the
members are welcome from
termly programme.
Set up in 1984, C.L.A.S.S. aims throughout the city and the
to support and encourage adult As well as researching topics, Southville Centre is fully accessible.
learning. It meets weekly at the C.L.A.S.S. works collaboratively
Contact Lucy Fieldhouse, C.L.A.S.S.
Southville Centre on Tuesdays with a diverse range of
Tutor on 07527 059269 or email
from 10am – 12noon. Members organisations. We took part last
lucy.fieldhouse@blueyonder.co.uk
select a learning theme; research year in a 100 strong Feral Sound
it and present findings back to Choir run by the Arnolfini. We
their peers. A WEA tutor supports have worked closely with what
the group. was the Industrial Museum on
World War 2 (WW2) memories
and CLASS has run workshops in a
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 11

12. The Compact
Compact Refresh
On 16 December 2009, the refreshed national Compact
document was launched. Developed following months
of consultation, the new Compact is leaner, more
focused and reflects the changing operating
environment for the partnership between government
and the voluntary sector.
You can download the Compact • Public bodies should make To help achieve this Voscur will
and Introductory Guide from the payments to third sector continue to be involved in the
Voscur website (www.voscur. organisations within 10 days of Compact Steering Group and
org/compact). You can also an invoice being received. influence the Bristol Partnership’s
order free hard copies, available • Compact principles should ‘Thriving Third Sector Strategy’
from 12 January 2010, from the apply to the distribution of Group to ensure a joined up
Commission for the Compact, EU funding. approach to refreshing our
Tel: 0121 237 5905 or • Third sector organisations local Compact.
info@thecompact.org.uk should be actively involved in
policy development rather than
The new version of the
just consultation exercises.
agreement, which sets out
how public and third sector Some commitments have “It’s vital that we refresh local
organisations should treat each remained the same, such as Compacts all over England and
other, is 22 pages long, 12-week consultation periods, 3 reassert their importance. In
compared with more than 160 year funding and 3 month notice some areas they have been
in the old version and its five periods at the end of funding. signed by the council and the
codes of practice. PCT but the promises made have
Local Impact then been forgotten. In other
The old codes of practice have
Voscur believes that it is areas they have framed the
been removed and the document
important that the Bristol local sector’s involvement in the
has been broken down into
Compact is updated to more Local Strategic Partnership and
three areas covering policy
accurately reflect the current the Local Area Agreement and
development, resource allocation
environment that the voluntary helped to drive improvements
and equality.
sector is operating within. Voscur in consultation and funding
The new agreement says: would also like to ensure that a practices. We must use the new
revised local compact is used to Compact to bring relationships
• Any organisation
remind the public sector of their in the worst areas up to the level
subcontracting public service
commitment to the sector. of the best.”
delivery contracts to third
sector groups should abide by Kevin Curley – NAVCA
the Compact’s principles.
12 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

13. Have Your Say – Vox Pops
Your Vision for Bristol in 2020?
In March, the Bristol Partnership will launch ‘the 20:20
plan’ Bristol’s Sustainable City Strategy, setting out their
vision for what Bristol will be like in 2020.
During January, we asked three Voscur members what their vision would
be for Bristol in ten years time.
Bristol would be a city which In 10 years time I would love Sustainable energy should be
we can all get around easily to live in Bristol, indeed in at the heart of what Bristol
and cheaply, but especially a Britain or even a world, has achieved by 2020, with a
young people. We would that did not need groups to sea change in the way we all
actually be a cycling city which campaign for the equal rights, think and act on energy. We
is safe and straightforward to treatment and respect for need to be making drastic
cycle around (apart from the minority communities. To live cuts in carbon emissions,
hills obviously!) Young people in an inclusive society where reducing reliance on fossil
make a huge contribution to difference was celebrated and fuels and ending the misery
our communities, so in 10 respected would be a dream of unhealthy cold homes
years time we would hope come true. Of course I would suffered by tens of thousands
that even more young people be without a job but what of Bristolians every winter.
would be volunteering their reward! Our hope is that in the next
time, supporting charities and 3 years we see an area of
Sarah Louise Minter
changing our world for the Bristol on a fast-track to these
Development Worker at
better. goals, as a test-bed for radical
the Bristol Lesbian, Gay and new energy saving and low
Georgina Seymour Bisexual Forum carbon interventions and an
Senior Youth Volunteer
incubator for the businesses,
Development Manager, services, skills and community
Young Bristol initiatives that can then grow
to transform the whole city
by 2020.
Simon Roberts
Chief Executive, Centre for
Sustainable Energy
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 13

14. Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships Can Help Solve
Your Training needs
Creating and maintaining a skilled workforce is a challenge faced by many voluntary,
community and social enterprise organisations in Bristol.
Apprenticeships are an important to completion. The National
way of helping to resolve that Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching
problem. By providing skills Service enables employers to
development that is specifically advertise their vacancies online
tailored to meet the needs of at apprenticeships.org.uk, as well
the job, they can equip both new as giving them the opportunity
employees and existing staff of finding high calibre candidates
with exactly the right knowledge who match their criteria.
and expertise to make a real
Apprenticeships can help support
difference to the organisation’s
the recruitment process, with
effectiveness.
new recruits welcoming the
Apprenticeships are designed to opportunity of following a
be flexible, with the majority of structured route into a career.
training taking place ‘on the job’ Young people are increasingly
Kerry Gardiner, an apprentice at
and the rest taking place at local attracted by the promise of a Gloucester Cathederal
colleges or training provider. If nationally recognised qualification
in-house training fits better with that gives them the chance of of apprentices staying with
an employer’s needs, this can also furthering their career in an their employers after they have
be arranged. industry of their choice whilst completed the Apprenticeship
earning at the same time. Such is programme.
As well as representing a great
the popularity of the opportunity There are two levels of
return on investment, many
to ‘earn and learn’ that Apprenticeship available – an
employers are not aware that in
Apprenticeships are becoming Apprenticeship at Level 2 which is
most cases funding is available
more and more popular with equivalent to five GSCES (A to C)
to help with training costs
young people who may otherwise and an Advanced Apprenticeship
for apprentices – 100% if the
have chosen a more traditional or Level 3, which is equivalent to
apprentice is aged 16 to 18.
route through college and 2 A-levels. Both of these combine
A new dedicated Employer university. work-based qualifications such as
Services team within the National
Apprentices gain a mix of NVQs with key skills and, where
Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
theoretical and practical skills, relevant, a technical certificate.
means that managing the process
which make them very well Some apprentices even go on
is even easier, with support being
rounded employees. They also to study foundation degrees or
provided from first enquiry
tend to be loyal, with the majority degree courses to improve their
14 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

15. Apprenticeships
skills and career prospects still In addition to the practical
For further
further. benefits of introducing
information about
apprentices to the workplace,
Training providers provide Apprenticeships visit:
many employers report a
practical support and guidance to www.apprenticeships.org.uk
real sense of satisfaction in
apprentices and their employers
playing such a vital role in the
throughout the programme.
development of the younger
They work with organisations
members of their team, enjoying
to decide which programme
watching them progress and
is right for them and what
develop.
funding is available. They then
agree a training plan with the
apprentice and manage training
and evaluation – ensuring that
national quality standards are
met. Training providers can also Apprenticeship Week and the
help recruit apprentices or help
support existing employees into Apprenticeship Awards
the programme.
Apprenticeship Week takes place between 1-5 February.
For full information on the events in the region and how to get
involved, please visit: www.apprenticeships.org.uk/About-Us/
Apprenticeship-Week-2010.aspx
Apprenticeship Awards each category will be crowned the
To find out more about national winner.
The Apprenticeship Awards
how your organisation
celebrate the success of Finalists will receive publicity
can take part in this
apprentices who have made a real and recognition, as well as an
scheme and what support is
difference to their own future and invitation to the glittering National
available, come along to:
the organisation they work for. Apprenticeship Awards ceremony
Apprenticeships in Voluntary, They also recognise the hard work which will be held on Thursday
Community and Social of employers who are successfully 15 July in central London.
Enterprise Organisations tackling skills shortages to build
an event organised by Voscur, their future workforce through
the National Apprenticeships Apprenticeships.
Scheme, the City of Bristol Find out more and apply
The national Awards competition
College and Bristol City Council online now at:
integrates the winners from
on 25 March 2010 the regional judging panels, www.apprenticeships.
To find out more visit: plus the winners of the National org.uk/Awards.aspx
www.voscur.org or phone Employer Service (NES) Workforce Deadline for entries is Friday
0117 909 9949 Development Awards 2010, who 26 February 2010.
then proceed through to the final
stage where one winner from
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 15

16. Voscur Training
Skilling up your Staff
Looking at the skills of staff, management committee and volunteers is an important part of
organisational development. It is also something that many organisations in the voluntary, community
and social enterprise (vcse) sector feel they need support with which is why Voscur has developed an
updated skills audit toolkit in association with Ladder for Learning at the Learning Curve.
What is a skills audit? • identify skills that staff have move on to other jobs. However,
A skills audit (also called Training that you didn’t know about don’t promise anything you can’t
Needs Analysis or TNA) is a • improve staff morale, deliver and make sure it’s not just
process an organisation carries motivation and performance a paper exercise.
out to assess individual staff, • feed into further career
How do you carry out a
management committee and opportunities
skills audit?
volunteers’ learning needs. • have a more effective team
A skills audit can take place once a
Skills audits help to find out The best approach to a skills
year and can be done as part of an
about all the knowledge and audit is to identify a lead person,
appraisal process, supervision or
skills your staff or volunteers and have a briefing with line managers
whichever process you feel most
board members have, not just and have a meeting with all staff,
comfortable with.
those needed for their current volunteers and management
committee to explain the process. What happens once the skills
role in the organisation. It also
audit has been completed?
provides the organisation with If the skills audit process starts
information about training and without a full and positive • Carry out the training that
development needs. explanation of the likely has been identified (there is
benefits to individuals and the help to find suitable training
Why do a skills audit?
organisation, it may lead to a lack in this pack)
When you do a skills audit, the • Review how the process
of commitment to the process
information can help to: has worked
among staff or to a feeling of
• develop individual and stress and lowered self-esteem • Do it again – It is a
organisational learning plans – the opposite of what was continuous process that
• inform your annual training intended. needs to be reviewed as per
budget and prioritise individual organisational changes and
training
If people don’t know why staff development needs
• set other budgets
they are doing it then they
• show that the organisation
may not be enthusiastic
Sophie Bayley
is considering its staff and is
about it.
Workforce Development
committed to helping staff, Issues you need to consider Co-ordinator. Voscur
volunteers and management
Carrying out a skills audit is useful Sophieb@voscur.org
committee do their job more
even though staff members may 0117 909 9949
effectively
16 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

17. Voscur Training
If you would like to find
out more about the new
skills audit developed by
Voscur and the Learning Curve,
then you could attend our free
session Skilling Up your Staff on
16 March 2010 (10am-1pm at
the Southville Centre, Beauley
Road, Bristol, BS3 1QG) to book
on, go to www.voscur.org/
training
You can find out about
other Skills Audits by
visiting National Council
for Voluntary Organisations:
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/tna
Skills Third Sector: www.skills-
thirdsector.org.uk/training_
needs_analysis
Ladder 4 Learning: www.
ladderforlearning.org.uk
Image: Daniel Bonatto
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 17

18. Voscur Spring Training
Welcome to Voscur Learning
This term we have lots of new courses, some free and some low cost as well as our early bird scheme
to help you pay for our courses. The early bird scheme means that full members pay 10% off the
cost of our courses if they book at least 1 month before the event (this does not cover our volunteer
managers’ courses).
If you would like to book onto any of
Voscur recognises that you may need courses
the training go to www.voscur.org
tailored for your organisation. We can run in house
where you will find more information or
courses on many topics. Contact Sophie Bayley on
phone the Voscur office on: 0117 909 9949
0117 909 9949 for details.
Taking Minutes of meetings Introduction to Communications
NEW
NEW
Tuesday 9 February, 9:30am-4:30pm and the Media
CREATE Centre, Smeaton Road, Thursday 4 March, 9:30am-4:30pm
Bristol, BS1 6XN St Werburghs Centre, Horley Road,
By the end of this new course, run in association St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9TJ
with the Directory of Social change, participants How many voluntary sector organisations
will be equipped with the knowledge and take their communications activities seriously
understanding to ensure that they can take and have the people with the skills to make it
accurate minutes, appropriate to the situation, happen? Inspired by Voscur’s AGM and member
with confidence. feedback, this day workshop is designed to help
your organisation find its voice.
Trainer: Paul Ticher – Directory of
Social Change Trainer: Douglas Brown – Independent
PR Consultant
Recruitment of Volunteers
LOW COST
Friday 12 February, 9:30am-3:30pm Retention and support of
LOW COST
Volunteers
at @ Symes Community Building, Peterson
Avenue, Hartcliffe, Bristol, BS13 0BE Tuesday 9 March, 9:30am-3:30pm
This session is for those people who manage Black Development Agency, 5 Russell Town
volunteers and would like to know more Avenue, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9LT
about recruiting them effectively. It will cover This session is for volunteer managers who
volunteer motivation; barriers to volunteering; would like to know more about supporting
recruitment techniques and processes; and retaining volunteers. Among other things,
developing adverts for volunteer roles and this session will cover the importance of
action planning. induction; other ways of supporting volunteers;
supervision; why people stop volunteering;
Trainers: Jenny Idle – Volunteering Bristol
recognition and action planning.
and Sophie Bayley – Voscur
Trainer: Jenny Idle – Volunteering Bristol
and Sophie Bayley – Voscur
18 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

19. Voscur Spring Training
Identifying and Managing Risk Trainers: Eva Pollard – Voscur and Sarah
NEW – FREE
Effectively McMahon, Dave Tuffery – Bristol City Council
Thursday 11 March, 9:30am-3:30pm Volunteers and the Law
LOW COST
The Park, Daventry Road, Knowle, Tuesday 23 March, 9:30am-1pm
Bristol, BS4 1QD
Windmill Hill City Farm, Phillip Street,
The current difficult economic climate is having
Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4EA
an impact on voluntary and community sector
This new course is for anyone who manages
organisations. This one day course is about
volunteers and would like to know more about
how your organisation can review all aspects
legal implications. It will be run by Voscur and
of its work to identify and manage all areas of
Volunteering Bristol as part of the Volunteer
potential or known risk. It is about risk in the
Management project.
wider organisational sense. It will cover Charity
Commission guidance and requirements in Trainers: Jenny Idle – Volunteering Bristol and
relation to risk. Sophie Bayley – Voscur
Trainer: Caroline Cook – Phoenix Associates How to deal with difficult issues in
volunteer management
Skilling up your Staff
NEW – FREE
Thursday 1 April, 9:30am-1pm
Tuesday 16 March, 9.30am-1pm
The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road,
The Southville Centre, Beauley Road,
Southmead, Bristol, BS10 5PY
Southville, Bristol, BS3 9QG
This session will cover:
This free session run by Voscur and the Learning
Defining the problem and problem solving;
Curve will give you ideas, hints and tips on
Effective communication; How to avoid
how to develop the skills of your paid and
problems, and Setting boundaries.
unpaid staff. The session will demonstrate
various training needs assessment tools and Trainer: Sophie Bayley – Voscur and Jenny Idle
look at practical ways of meeting training and – Volunteering Bristol
development needs.
Trustee Series 1
Trainers: Jaclyn Cross – Learning Curve and – Why am I on the committee?
Sophie Bayley - Voscur
Wednesday 21 April, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Prove it! – Convincing Funders Barton Hill Settlement, 41-43 Ducie Road,
NEW
your Project is Needed Bristol, BS5 0AX
Thursday 18 March, 9:30am-1:30pm This course will give anyone who has the role of
Barton Hill Settlement, 41–43 Ducie Road, a trustee a basic overview of their legal duties
Bristol, BS5 0AX and responsibilities and is ideal if you have just
become a trustee or just want to brush up on
Working with Bristol City Council’s research team,
your skills.
this course is for anyone involved in submitting
funding applications for their organisation. It Trainers: Graham Partridge – Avon and Bristol
will introduce you to some of the tools and local Law Centre and Sophie Bayley – Voscur
statistics available to convince funders of the
need for your project.
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 19

20. Volunteering Bristol
Employer Supported Volunteering
– Volunteering England responds to needs of front Find out about volunteering
in your local community and
line charities through innovative pilot project
major volunteers fair:
Whilst cash is still king, increasingly many charities value A new series of local
the support of employee volunteers drop-in sessions
3 and 10 February, 10 and 17
Recently, employers have offered Volunteering Bristol has long
March – The Beacon Centre,
their employees the opportunity recognised the requirements
Russell Town Avenue, Bristol,
to take part in one-off team of the volunteer-involving
BS5 9JH
challenge events for voluntary organisations for on-going
organisations. However, many volunteer commitment as 22 and 23 March – The
charities are looking to move being the most effective Gatehouse Centre. Hareclive
toward longer term, more support for their organisations Road. Bristol. BS13 9JN
sustainable skills-based Employer and their service users rather
Following on from the successful
Supported Volunteering (ESV) than one-off activities.
Volunteer Recruitment Fair
which transfer skills like ICT,
We still receive enquiries from last autumn, we will be holding
business development and
businesses looking for team another Recruitment Fair on
financial planning to the voluntary
days or one-day volunteering 4 March at the Park Centre
and community sector.
opportunities for staff, so if in Daventry Road, Knowle.
The skills-based ESV movement your organisation has projects The day will give local people
has the potential to free up that could be undertaken by the opportunity to meet
significant cash resources – if groups, please contact the representatives from
support such as financial planning Volunteer Centre. organisations seeking volunteers
can be brought in through in the local area and will run from
volunteers, then money can be Training programme 11am until 3pm.
freed up for other areas. The for Volunteer Managers
continues As with the drop-in sessions,
movement is likely to continue
entry is free and there is no
to grow as businesses and Volunteering Bristol is continuing
need to book.
other employers recognise the its programme of low cost
personal and professional staff support for Volunteer Managers.
development benefits such as Additional support services
improved motivation and morale. to volunteer managers and
their volunteers, as well as new
Volunteering Bristol is following Contact
volunteers seeking supported
a skills-based ESV pilot scheme Tel: 0117 989 7733
roles will be set up during
run by the Volunteer Centre in
February and March under the Email:
Exeter so that we can develop our
guidance of newly appointed info@bristolvolunteers.org.uk
own scheme to help voluntary
Volunteer Support Advisor,
organisations obtain specialist Address: Royal Oak House,
Piers Cardiff.
support from business sponsored Royal Oak Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4GB
volunteers.
20 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

21. Sustainable Communities Act – Green Pages
Bristol Ideas Make Sustainable
Communities Act shortlist
Last year over 300 suggestions were submitted by members of the public in Bristol to
help make our communities more sustainable.
2. Support the employment of waste combined with greater
young people and people with reuse and recycling.
learning difficulties, specifically 6. Place a tax on the purchase of
In June, Voscur facilitated a panel within local authorities plastic bags.
of Bristol residents to consider by amending the Local
each suggestion and recommend Government and Housing Act.
to the Bristol City Council cabinet 3. Help achieve and maintain
which ones they would like to go diversity and vitality in
forward to the national shortlist shopping centres by changes
Fewer plastic bags
to be compiled by the Local to the Planning Use Classes
Government Association (LGA). Order and General Permitted
Development Order
Bristol City Council’s
4. Government to extend
cabinet supported eight
Business Rate relief to provide
recommendations, of these,
the same relief to urban Post
seven have been supported by
Offices as rural (in England).
the LGA and will form a list to be
recommended to the Secretary
of State who will make a final
decision before Easter on which
should become law.
To find out more about
More visible Post Offices
The six Bristol suggestions that the Bristol Sustainable
could become law are: Communities Act
5. Reduce commercial and
1. Encourage car clubs through industrial waste by making recommendations and
exemption from congestion local authorities responsible Sustainable Communities Act
charges and free road fund for its collection and disposal. Panel visit:
licences. This would ensure that local www.voscur.org/haveyoursay/
authorities are responsible for sustainablecommunities
both domestic and commercial
To find out more about the
waste in their area, which
Sustainable Communities
would allow for a more joined-
Act visit: tiny.cc/sca
up approach, which would
Encouraging car sharing
hopefully mean a reduction in
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 21

22. Equalities
LGBT History Month
Whitehead; a national campaign
subsequently led to picketeing of
their stores.
1976: Lesbian and Gay Christian
www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk
Movement founded.
1982: Terry Higgins dies of Aids
The theme of February’s Lesbian, leading to the myth that Queen aged 37. His friends establish
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Victoria refused to accept that a trust in his name focused on
(LGBT) History Month is Lesbianism existed. raising funds for research and
‘Education and Young People.’ awareness of the illness – then
1941: Transsexuality was first used called Gay-Related Immune
Voscur has prepared a timeline
in reference to homosexuality and Deficiency (GRID).
that charts the political history
bisexuality.
of LGBT discrimination, campaign 1984: Gay Times magazine begins
and change. 1948: Alfred Kinsey publishes publication.
‘Sexual Behaviour in the Human
The history shows the continued 1988: Section 28, preventing the
Male.’ It states that 4% of men
battle for LGBT equality; despite ‘promotion’ of homosexuality
identify as exclusively
progress having been made by local authorities, comes into
homosexual and 37% had
challenges still remain. It is force restricting awareness-raising
enjoyed at least one homosexual
hoped that the Equality Bill to be or discussion of LGBT issues in
experience in their lives.
implemented this autumn will help schools.
to increase wider LGBT awareness 1953: Kinsey publishes ‘Sexual
Behaviour in the Human Female’. 1989: Stonewall Group established
and acceptance, and strengthen
It states that 2% of women to oppose Section 28 and other
LGBT equality.
identify as exclusively lesbian and blocks to equality for lesbians
Timeline 13% had enjoyed at least one and gay men. Founder members
lesbian experience in their lives. include the actors, Ian McKellen
1290: First mention in English
and Michael Cashman.
common law of a punishment 1956: The Sexual Offences
for homosexuality. Act becomes law, leading to a 1994: Parliament reduces gay
clampdown by police on gay male age of consent to 18 (after
1533: Henry VIII introduces an Act
activity in the UK for several a proposal to equalise it to 16 in
bringing male-male sexual activity
decades. line with heterosexual consent was
punishable by hanging.
defeated).
1967: The Sexual Offences Act in
1869: First published use of
England and Wales decriminalises 1994: The Bristol Lesbian, Gay and
the term ‘homosexuality’
homosexual acts between two Bisexual Forum is established to
(Homosexualitat) in a pamphlet by
men over 21 years of age,‘in challenge the discrimination that
Karoly Maria Kertbeny, a German-
private.’ lesbian, gay and bisexual people
Hungarian campaigner.
experience in the city.
1972: Gay News, UK’s first gay
1885: Labouchere Amendment
newspaper, founded. 1995: Gay Times goes on sale in
to the Criminal Law Amendment
John Menzies newsagents for the
Act criminalises homosexuality. No 1975: British Home Stores first time.
reference is made to Lesbianism sacks openly gay trainee Tony
22 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9

23. Equalities
1999: The Sex Discrimination 2002: The Adoption and Children 2009: Former Wales 2nd Lions
(Gender Reassignment) Act 2002 grants equal rights to rugby captain, Gareth Thomas,
Regulations extends the Sex same sex couples applying for reveals he is gay. He says ‘It’s
Discrimination Act to make it adoption. (Legislation passed in pretty hard being the only
unlawful to discriminate on Scotland in 2009) international rugby player
grounds of gender reassignment, prepared to break the taboo’.
2003: Repeal of Section 28 – but
but only in the areas of
no guidance from government
employment and vocational
about how schools can educate
training.
children about gay relationships.
1999: A bomb explodes in the
2003: Employment Equality
Admiral Duncan, a gay pub in
(Sexual Orientation) Regulations
Soho, the third in a series of
becomes law making it illegal
bombs targeted at minority
to discriminate against lesbians,
communities by a lone
gay men and bisexuals in the Wendy Stephenson at the launch of the
extremist. Three people die and mythbusting booklet, ‘Lesbian, Gay and
workplace. Bisexual people’, available from Bristol City
several are injured. Council’s Equalities Team
2004: the Civil Partnership
1999: House of Lords rules that
Act is passed giving same-
same sex partners should be
sex couples the same rights
treated as family and have the
and responsibilities as married
right to succeed a tenancy.
heterosexual couples.
1999: The Law Commission
2005: the Government amends
proposes that partners of same- For more information
the Equality Bill, including a clause
sex couples should be able to on LGBT history, services
to make it illegal to discriminate
claim damages in fatal accident and the equalities bill:
against lesbians and gay men
cases. www.voscur.org/
in the provision of goods and
equalities
1999: Angela Mason receives services – from NHS care through
an OBE for services to the gay to hotels and restaurants. Useful contacts:
community and appears in the
2008: Parliament passes EACH: www.eachaction.org.uk
Observer’s 300 most powerful
the Human Fertilisation and
people in the UK. LGB Forum Bristol:
Embryology Act giving better legal
www.bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk
2000: The Government lifts the recognition to same-sex parents.
Stonewall:
ban on lesbian and gay men
2009: The Equality Bill is www.stonewall.org.uk
serving in the armed forces.
introduced to Parliament with
Terence Higgins Trust:
2001: The Age of consent is important implications for sexual
www.tht.org.uk
reduced to 16. orientation equality.
Equality Bill:
2001: EACH (Educational Action 2009: A poll by Populus reports
www.equalities.gov.uk/
Challenging Homophobia) that 61% of those surveyed
equality_bill.aspx
established to challenge support allowing same-sex couples
homophobia in Bristol, and goes to marry. A Fairer Future (Equality Bill):
on to gain national recognition www.voscur.org/equalities
for their work.
Issue 9 February / March 2010 www.voscur.org 23

24. Equalities
International Women’s Day 2010
To mark this year’s event, on Saturday 6 March, Voscur looks at some of the history,
symbols, themes and achievements of the campaign for women’s equality.
History The International Women’s Bristol
Day date was moved to March 8
On 8 March 1857, women working International Women’s day in
in 1913.
in clothing and textile factories Bristol will focus on the stories of
in New York City staged a protest The United Nations (UN) drew women across the city as makers
against inhumane working global attention to women’s of history, or we say HERstory.
conditions and low wages. Two concerns in 1975 by calling for an
A full day of events has been
years later these women formed International Women’s Year. It also
organised by the Bristol Women’s
their first labour union to try and convened the first conference on
Forum and Bristol City Council’s
protect themselves and gain some women in Mexico City that year.
Equalities and Communities
basic rights in the workplace. The UN General Assembly then
Cohesion team to take place at
On 8 March 1908, a rally in New invited member states to proclaim
the Council House on Saturday
York City demanded shorter work 8 March as the UN Day for
6 March 2010 to give more
hours, better pay, voting rights Women’s Rights and International
women a chance to attend.
and an end to child labour. They Peace in 1977. The day aimed to
The free, citywide event invites
adopted the slogan “Bread and help nations worldwide eliminate
women across Bristol to join in
Roses”, with bread symbolizing discrimination against women. It
on a day of storytelling, fun and
economic security and roses a also focused on helping women
building a better future for all
better quality of life. gain full and equal participation in
women in Bristol.
global development. International
In 1910 in Copenhagen, the
Men’s Day is celebrated on 19 Community groups involved
Socialist International conference
November each year. include Single Parent Action
proposed a Women’s Day to
Network, Bangladesh Association
honour the movement for Symbols Youth Service, Silai for Skills, Bristol
women’s rights and to assist
The International Women’s Day Feminist Network, along with
in achieving universal suffrage
logo is in purple and white and others and individual women.
for women. This resulted in
features the symbol of Venus, Katy Ladbrook, a member of the
International Women’s Day being
which is also the symbol of Bristol Feminist Network said:
marked for the first time in
being female.
Europe (19 March 1911) where
“International Women’s Day
more than one million women
UN Theme still plays an important role in
and men attended rallies. In
focusing our attention on global
addition to the right to vote The theme of this years
gender discrimination. Men and
and to hold public office, they International Women’s day on 8
women in the UK live in such
demanded the right to work, to March is ‘Combating Poverty and
relative privilege and we need to
vocational training and to an end Social Exclusion.
remember the struggle of women
to discrimination at work.
and girls in the majority world. In
24 www.voscur.org February / March 2010 Issue 9